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After free agency, Miami could focus on TE, OL in draft

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier has been busy building a roster that can win now.He’s packaged up numerous 2023 picks to bring in high-profile players such as Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, which helped the Dolphins to a 9-8 record last season and a playoff appearance as first-year head coach Mike McDaniel and an improved Tua Tagovailoa led the way.The Dolphins have made it clear that simply making the playoffs is not enough, and McDaniel and Grier have both spoken about their willingness to trade draft capital to bring in experienced players who can immediately make a difference.The Dolphins made a big splash in free agency, addressing several needs on their roster and landing star cornerback Jalen Ramsey to bolster their secondary.“When we recognized an opportunity, we jumped on it,” McDaniel said. “And I think to Chris Grier’s credit and Brandon Shore’s credit, they were able to get a fair deal.”Miami has just four picks to work w...

Beverly Johnson, first African American supermodel, teams up with United Way for 22nd Annual women’s breakfast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

United Way and Beverly Johnson teamed up with United Way to break barriers.The 22nd annual United Way Women’s Breakfast was held in Miami with Johnson as a special guest.Johnson, who is the first African American supermodel, talked about the importance of representation.“If you see it, you can be it, and I hope that I’m just that beacon of light for everyone,” Johnson said. Johnson was also joined by United Way CEO Symeria Hudson and Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava.More than 800 entrepreneurs attended.

Prosecutors plan to dismiss charges against Alec Baldwin in ‘Rust’ shooting, Baldwin’s attorney tells CNN

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

(CNN) — Prosecutors in the “Rust” fatal shooting case plan to file a notice to dismiss involuntary manslaughter charges against Alec Baldwin, his attorney, Luke Nikas, tells CNN.CNN has contacted the special prosecutor in the Santa Fe, New Mexico case for comment.Halyna Hutchins, the film’s cinematographer, was struck and killed by a live round of ammunition fired from a prop gun being held by Baldwin, while rehearsing a scene on the set of “Rust” in 2021. Baldwin has pleaded not guilty.Director Joel Souza was also shot and injured.Baldwin and “Rust” armorer Hannah Gutierrez Reed were both charged with involuntary manslaughter in January. Baldwin pleaded not guilty. An attorney for Gutierrez Reed has previously said she will plead not guilty and has maintained her innocence. A preliminary hearing in her case is set for May 3.Prosecutors already removed a firearm enhancement charge against Baldwin and Gutierrez Reed, reducing a potentia...

Marijuana may make sleep worse, especially for regular users, study finds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

(CNN) — It’s a common assumption among marijuana users: Using weed will help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Scientists, however, aren’t so sure that’s true.“This is an understudied but important area, as many people are increasingly turning to cannabis products as sleep aids,” said sleep specialist Wendy Troxel, a senior behavioral scientist at Rand Corp., who was not involved in the study.“But we really lack solid evidence demonstrating whether cannabis helps or hurts sleep,” Troxel added.Use of weed may actually harm sleep, a December 2021 study has found. The research, published in a BMJ journal, revealed adults who use weed 20 or more days during the last month were 64% more likely to sleep less than six hours a night and 76% more likely to sleep longer than nine hours a night.Optimal sleep for adults is defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as seven to eight hours a night.Mode...

Patriots enter NFL draft holding 11 picks to address needs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Most of the New England Patriots’ shortcomings last season can be traced back to the experiments they tried on offense that simply didn’t pan out.Entrusting that side of the ball and the pivotal second year of quarterback Mac Jones’ development to coaches with non-offensive pedigrees in Matt Patricia (defense) and Joe Judge (special teams), proved to be a mistake that coach Bill Belichick quickly addressed this offseason.The draft is part of what the Patriots hope will be a reset of sorts in 2023.Former offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is back, along with new coaches, including offensive line coach Adrian Klemm.While it would seem that a change at the quarterback position won’t be part of New England’s course correction, the party line this summer is that everything is on the table.“I think the big thing for us is everybody is starting with a clean slate,” O’Brien said. “I think every year is different. I think this year is no different from any othe...

Ravens extend naming rights agreement with M&T Bank through ‘at least’ 2037

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

Upcoming renovations will soon change M&T Bank Stadium. The venue’s name, however, will stay the same.The Ravens and M&T Bank have agreed to extend their naming rights agreement until 2037, they said Thursday, meaning the 71,000-seat stadium will retain the name it has held since 2003 for 15 more seasons. The current deal had been set to expire in 2027.The Maryland Stadium Authority, which owns M&T Bank Stadium, and the Ravens signed a new lease in January, extending the team’s formal ties to Baltimore from 2027 to 2037. That prompted the Ravens to reach out to M&T Bank and extend their partnership until the lease’s end, Ravens president Sashi Brown said.“As soon as we got to the point where we knew we would get to a deal — and we’re thankful to the state for that — we reached right out to M&T and advised them of the extension. They were excited to hear that and naturally began discussions about extending our partnership ...

Yankees Notebook: Giancarlo Stanton in ‘disbelief’ over latest ‘unacceptable’ injury

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

Giancarlo Stanton said his left hamstring felt better Thursday, but the Yankees slugger is taking his latest injury hard.Stanton, who suffered a Grade 2 strain Saturday while legging out a double, said the hammy is “improving every day, but it’s a slow process.” Aaron Boone hopes to have the designated hitter/outfielder back in six weeks, though Stanton didn’t offer a timeline when asked if he had the same target in mind.“I’m gonna be back as soon as possible,” he said.Stanton added that he felt tightness and grabbing in his hamstring — “It’s not a normal feeling, or a fun one” — and he immediately knew the injury would sideline him for a few weeks. He didn’t want to “confront that right away,” as soft tissue injuries have hindered him throughout his Yankees career.“The disbelief and disappointment at this stage is hard to put into words,” Stanton said. “It’s very frustr...

Julius Randle is relaxed and ready for pivotal Game 3 vs. Cavs: ‘Having the most fun in my career’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

The temperature read on Julius Randle –— two days after a defeat ended in anger because he was fouled on his butt by Jarrett Allen — was cooler than a polar bear’s toenails.The Knicks power forward, not frequently an engaging interview, smiled through his session with reporters Thursday, clearly eager for Friday’s tipoff of the pivotal Game 3.“I’m probably having the most fun that I’ve had in my nine-year career in the league,”  Randle told reporters at the Knicks’ practice facility in Tarrytown. “The game-to-game adjustments, the gamesmanship. Intensity. All that type of stuff. It’s fun for me because it’s a test on my mental, and I feel great. I don’t know, I just enjoy it.“I’m just having fun. It’s a lot of fun. I can’t lie.”The game represents the first postseason contest at Madison Square Garden since Trae Young eliminated the Knicks in 2021, when the Hawks poi...

Giants’ Joe Schoen: ‘Dialogue’s good’ with Dexter Lawrence and ‘it takes two to get a deal done’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

Giants GM Joe Schoen said Thursday that the “dialogue’s good” with Dexter Lawrence’s agents despite the defensive tackle’s spring absence related to his contract situation.“I’ve talked to Dexter’s representatives this week,” Schoen said. “The dialogue’s good there. It’s hard this time of year. We’re deep into the draft and the draft prep, but we’ve had good conversations with Dexter’s representatives. And we’ll see where that stands moving forward.”Schoen said “Dexter knows how we feel about him” and “knows he’s an important part of the organization. But the GM said, “there’s a business side to it, too.”“It takes two to get a deal done,” he added.Lawrence, 25, is seeking a lucrative contract extension entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal after making second-team All-Pro in 2022. Jets first-team All-Pro Quinnen Wil...

Environmental vandals deflate tires of 43 SUVs in Beacon Hill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 20:06:00 GMT

Dozens of people in Beacon Hill woke up to a rude awakening Thursday when they found the tires of their SUVs deflated.The culprit: an international environmental activism group dubbed the “Tyre Extinguishers.”Venturing into Boston for the first time, the Tyre Extinguishers deflated the tires of 43 luxury SUVs late Wednesday night to address what they say is a climate emergency felt around the world.“The group took this action to render the large greenhouse gas emitting vehicles unusable, directly preventing the outpouring of emission from the vehicles into our atmosphere which further contribute to climate change and air pollution,” according to a release, sent early Thursday morning.The vandals didn’t target electric or hybrid vehicles nor any vehicles with handicap signage, the group stated. Owners of “large, luxury, gas-powered SUVs” received leaflets on their cars explaining why they were impacted and imploring them to stop using what the Tyre Extinguishers dee...