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College Football Playoff semifinals could set betting records

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Sportsbook director Jay Kornegay is anticipating massive crowds at Westgate’s Las Vegas location this weekend and Monday to bet on the two College Football Playoff semifinal games.Part of it is timing. Last season’s games were on New Year’s Eve; this season’s are on New Year’s Day.The other part is the field. Michigan, ranked first by the CFP committee, faces No. 4 Alabama in the Rose Bowl and No. 2 Washington plays No. 3 Texas in the Sugar Bowl.“We expect the handle to double, possibly triple, what we did last year mainly because the games are being played on New Year’s Day rather than New Year’s Eve,” said Kornegay, Westgate’s vice president of race and sports operations. “Certainly, the participants have huge fan bases.”Kornegay said the betting increase not only will happen at the Las Vegas book, but at its locations throughout the country. Westgate has books in eight states besides Nevada.“The volume level is going to be cranked up proba...

Off-duty police officer is killed in North Carolina after witnessing a crime

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — An off-duty police officer was shot and killed in North Carolina after witnessing a crime at a gas station and approaching the two suspects, officials said.The police sergeant, Philip Dale Nix, was a 23-year veteran of the Greensboro Police Department, according to a Sunday news release from the agency. Three men have been arrested in the case, including Jamere Justice Foster, 18, who is charged with first-degree murder and larceny, according to police.During a news conference Saturday night, Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson didn’t specify what crime Nix witnessed or provide additional details about the events leading up to the shooting. Police were searching for two men in their 20s and a black Chevrolet Equinox, according a statewide alert by the the Greensboro Police Department. The Blue Alert was sent about two hours after the shooting and canceled roughly two hours later. A Blue Alert is used when a law enforcement officer has been seriously injured...

18-year-old charged with killing officer who witnessed crime at North Carolina gas station

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — An 18-year-old suspect has been charged with killing an off-duty police officer who witnessed a crime at a North Carolina gas station, authorities said. Jamere Justice Foster, 18, was charged with felony first-degree murder, misdemeanor larceny and conspiracy to commit larceny following the death of Greensboro Police Sgt. Philip Dale Nix. Police said Foster stole $83.45 worth of beer from a Sheetz gas station in Colfax on Saturday, Dec. 30, and Nix was shot while trying to confront the suspect.Another off-duty Greensboro officer and a Guilford County paramedic immediately rendered aid, but Nix died at a local medical facility. Lawmakers, law enforcement react to killing of Greensboro police sergeant “He was a loving husband, father, son and brother with 22 years of service to the department and this community,” said Greensboro Police Chief John Thompson during a press conference. “We ask for prayers for the family of the fallen officer and our Greensboro ...

Wonder Works Noon Year's Eve Event

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

Executive director Rachel Weber of Wonder Works Noon Year's Event joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more on their event at the Children's Museum in Oak Park for those who can't quite stay up until midnight.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Weekend Break: Great Lakes Sports Hub

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

Join WGN's Christine Flores at the Great Lakes Sports Hub in Crown Point, Ind for Weekend Break.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Sunday Brunch with Lost Reef Lounge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

Executive Chef Daniel Pineda from Lost Reef Lounge joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share more about on their poke recipes.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.

Former U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Black Democratic trailblazer, dies at 88

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Retired U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson has died, her family said Sunday on social media. She was 88.A towering Dallas political figure — once a nurse, state legislator and congresswoman — Johnson was the dean of the Texas Congressional delegation before retiring from office in 2022. She proved effective at her work due to her long tenure serving in the U.S. House — nearly 30 years at the time of her passing — and a pragmatist streak that made her open to working with Republicans."I am heartbroken to share the news that my mother, Eddie Bernice Johnson, has passed away," Johnson's son, Kirk Johnson, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday. "She was a remarkable and loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother, as well as a trailblazer and public servant. While we mourn the loss of an extraordinary woman, we celebrate her life and legacy."[As she prepares to leave Congress, Eddie Bernice Johnson fears a rollback in the civil rights she fought de...

Why is it called the Sugar Bowl?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Since 1935, the Sugar Bowl has been one of the most prestigious and revered college football bowl games, from its humble beginnings at Tulane Stadium to the grand spectacle it will be Monday at Caesars Superdome as part of the College Football Playoff.It has been in New Orleans every year (sometimes twice a year when held on Jan. 1 and Dec. 31) except 2006 when the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced a move to the Georgia Dome. The game was "born in the depths of the depression," according to the game's history book, and is, "a story of community spirit and initiative that has been instrumental in spreading the name and fame of New Orleans worldwide." Sarkisian, DeBoer eager to get on the Sugar Bowl field and ‘battle’ With that said, why's it called the Sugar Bowl?The idea of a New Year's Day football game in New Orleans came in 1927 by Col. James M. Thomson, publisher of the New Orleans Item newspaper, and his sports editor Fred Digby. Digby came up with the nam...

New year, same you: Workout clothes that are also great for lounging

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details.Clothes made for moving and restingMaybe one day you’re feeling motivated and want to get some exercise with a brisk jog. Or maybe you’ll change your mind and do some much-needed relaxing on the couch instead. This type of perfectly relatable indecisiveness calls for a most versatile ensemble: workout clothes that are also great for lounging.Marked by its comfort (and therefore lack of compression), athleisure works just as well at a barre class as on a lazy Sunday at home. And don’t think that means you have to compromise on style — our favorite workout/loungewear is just as cute as it is cozy. New year, same you: Affordable home workout equipment because you hate the gym Our favorite places to shop for comfy athleisure clothesAthleisure clothing is more popular than ever, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, which came wi...

These are the best cities to celebrate New Year's Eve this year, survey finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:46:31 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Chances are, you associated New York City with New Year's Eve, largely thanks to its iconic ball drop. However, according to a new survey, the Big Apple isn't the prime spot to ring in 2024. A study published by personal finance company WalletHub, recently reviewed the nation's 100 most-populated cities based on multiple metrics, including entertainment and food options, costs, and safety and accessibility to find the top spot to celebrate the new year.New York City was ranked third overall, thanks in part to its high entertainment and food rank of sixth. But that wasn't enough to propel it passed Orlando, Florida, and San Diego, California, which ranked first and second, respectively. Orlando had the best entertainment and food options, as well as "some of the longest fireworks displays in the country," according to WalletHub.Two Florida cities ranked in the top 10 as did three California cities. These are the best cities in the U.S. to ring in 2024, WalletHu...