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Northwestern's new head football coach thrust into spotlight at Big Ten Media Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since a hazing scandal began nearly three weeks ago, a representative for Northwestern University's football program or athletic department took part in a news conference.The one to do so ended up being the person who has only been part of the university since the beginning of the year. Interim head coach David Braun, who was hired by Pat Fitzgerald to be the program's defensive coordinator in January before replacing him in July, was left alone at the lectern at Lucas Oil Stadium to face questions. There was no availability to speak with athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg, who was in attendance in Indianapolis but spoke only to the Big Ten Network and ESPN. Three players that initially were slated to talk at the event decided not to attend on Tuesday. Naturally, as one might expect, Braun avoided hazing talk during his open news conference at Lucas Oil Stadium in front of the entire media group in the first of two Big Ten Media Days. Most of his t...

What are World Cup players wearing around their necks?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — If you've been watching the FIFA Women's World Cup, you may have noticed a player or two wearing horseshoe-shaped collars around their necks. Since necklaces and jewelry are prohibited in soccer, what could they possibly be?This isn't the first time we've seen athletes sporting the collars — multiple NFL players began wearing them this year, while others have been wearing them as far back as 2016. Known as a Q-Collar, the device is intended to protect athletes’ brains during head impacts. The Food and Drug Administration authorized the marketing of Q30 Innovations’ Q-Collars in 2021, saying they “may reduce the occurrence of specific changes in the brain that are associated with brain injury.”If you are hit in the head or body, you may suffer a traumatic brain injury, known as a TBI. A leading cause of TBI is blunt trauma accidents, which are among the most common in sports, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Intera...

Family charged in alleged multi-million dollar 'Seinfeld'-like recycling scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

(KTLA) – Eight members of a family that run recycling centers across Southern California face felony fraud charges related to allegations that they smuggled 178 tons of recyclables from Arizona to take advantage of California's recycling programs.Over the span of eight months, the United States Department of Justice investigated several recycling centers around Riverside County and found that the operators redeemed $7.6 million worth of aluminum cans and plastic bottles that were brought over illegally from the neighboring state.Eight people, all said to be family members, were named in charging documents provided by CalRecycle. The charges were filed as part of a large ongoing initiative by CalRecycle to identify and arrest those who try to defraud California residents of recycling redemption credits that are meant to encourage use of the California Redemption Value (CRV) program.The program allows Californians to return beverage containers to privately-owned recycling centers in e...

Leaders grapple with end of affirmative action

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The Department of Education is rolling out a new game plan to work around the Supreme Court's decision to end affirmative action at universities.Following the Supreme Court's ruling, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona convened university and civil rights leaders in Washington Wednesday to brainstorm ways to promote diversity on campus."We're not going to stop fighting," Cardona said.To ensure admissions of underserved students don't backslide, Cardona said universities must rethink recruitment strategies, streamline the transfer system and make school more affordable."The results with affirmative action weren't fantastic," Cardona said. "We have to do better."Cardona said that includes reevaluating legacy admission practices, which, he argued, give privileged Americans an unfair upper hand."If you can't consider race but you can consider the last name of a person or whether their parent can write a check, that to me does not open doors for opportunitie...

APD identifies man shot, killed by officer in south Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Police Department identified a man who was shot and killed by an APD officer July 20 in south Austin.APD identified 60-year-old James Woodrome as the man killed.According to police, officers responded to a call shortly before 5 a.m. in the 3600 block of Menchaca Road. The caller told police a woman was banging on an apartment door stating a man was chasing her. PAST COVERAGE: APD officer shoots, kills man in south Austin after he reportedly chased woman through apartment complex The woman told police a man, later identified as Woodrome, was chasing her through the apartment complex and he had a knife.APD said Woodrome approached officers in the parking lot of the apartment complex while they were speaking to the woman, and police said he was holding a knife in his hands.According to APD, the officers began to command Woodrome to drop the knife while attempting to de-escalate the situation.“He did not comply with the commands and repeatedly ...

I-35 bridge damaged by large truck

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A bridge sustained damages at one of the busiest crossroads in Austin after a large truck struck the bridge. The damage was made to one of the bridges at Interstate 35 and Highway 183 in North Austin.A KXAN viewer sent in pictures to ReportIt, and a large chunk of concrete was missing from the bridge.TxDOT said it was aware of the damage.“A large truck struck this bridge several weeks ago. TxDOT is aware of the damage and a plan is in place to make repairs,” TxDOT said.For the moment, the highway does remain open, but KXAN will inform travelers of any traffic impacts repairs may have.

Here's the list of roads, park projects Travis County voters will weigh in on in November bond

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Travis County voters will have a say on roughly half a billion dollars worth of roadway and parks projects as part of a bond package slated to appear on the November ballot.Travis County Commissioners Court approved the list of projects during its Tuesday meeting. The package aims to address roadway improvements, park upgrades and the purchase and conservation of green space. PAST COVERAGE: Travis County voters could weigh in on $495M roads, parks bond this November The list of approved road projects are:Blake Manor Road from Taylor Lane to Burleson Manor Road: $16.83 millionTxDOT right-of-way: $25 millionRowe Lane from SH 130 to Hodde Lane: $30.8 millionCameron Road east of SH 130 from Pecan Street to Fuchs Grove Road: $38.5 millionArterial A construction: $33 millionBee Creek Road from Lakehurst Road to Highland Boulevard: $16.5 millionSouth Pleasant Valley Road (Phase 1) from City of Austin limits to SH 45: $29.7 millionActive transportation safet...

Austin FC gets former MLS defender of the year in trade with Toronto FC

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — To bolster the back line, Austin FC secured a former Major League Soccer defensive player of the year via trade Wednesday.Matt Hedges, a 6-foot-4 central defender that won the league's top defensive honor in 2016, will join the Verde and Black from Toronto FC. In return, Toronto receives $375,000 in 2024 general allocation money and up to $100,000 in 2025 general allocation money depending upon Hedges' roster status on Jan. 1, 2024.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersAfter the trade was completed, Hedges signed a new contract With Austin through the end of the 2024 season with club options in 2025 and 2026. Hedges was a regular in defense for Toronto this season, playing all 90 minutes in 10 matches with 13 starts. He's in his 12th MLS season, spending the first 10 with FC Dallas. He was named to the MLS Best XI team in 2015 and 2016 and was named an MLS al...

Twins send Jorge López to Miami in swap of right-handed middle relievers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

A year after acquiring Jorge López at the major league trade deadline, the Twins are sending the right-hander back out.The Twins on Wednesday swapped middle relievers with the Miami, sending Lopez to the Marlins for right-hander Dylan Floro.This year’s deadline is Tuesday.Floro, 32, is 3-5 with a 4.54 earned-run average and seven saves in 43 appearances for the Marlins this season. He has allowed 48 hits in 32⅔ innings but has struck out 41 against 11 walks and surrendered only two home runs.On May 10, Floro was 2-1 with a save, two blown saves and a 1.68 ERA. Since then, he has compiled a 6.65 ERA after allowing 17 earned runs on 36 hits and eight walks in 23 innings over 27 appearances.López, whose fastball reached 99 mph during a one-inning appearance in a 10-inning victory over Seattle on Monday, is 4-2 with a 5.47 ERA. He has given up 35 hits in 34⅓ innings, seven of them home runs.He has three saves, four blown saves and six holds.In mid-June, López, 30, was placed on the 15-d...

Southbound I-35W closed from Bloomington to Burnsville this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:18 GMT

Portions of southbound Interstate 35W will close Friday, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.Southbound I-35W will be closed between I-494 in Bloomington and I-35E in Burnsville. Southbound ramps between 82nd Street and I-35E will also be closed. The northbound I-35W E-ZPass lane between 106th Street and 82nd Street will also be closed.The closures will last from 10 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. Monday.Drivers can detour to I-494 to Minnesota 77 to I-35E.The ramps from 98th Street to southbound I-35W will remain closed through late August. Drivers can detour to Lyndale Avenue to 106th Street.Learn more about the project at MnDOT’s website.Related ArticlesLocal News | MN 36-Fairview Avenue interchange in Roseville reopens after a month Local News | Vikings’ Jordan Addison told trooper he drove 140 mph on I-94 in St. Paul because of dog emergency Local News | 1 dead, 8 injured after 2-vehicle crash on U.S. 61 in S...