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Kenny Pickett is eyeing consistency as Steelers’ homestand ends with a visit from Packers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Kenny Pickett the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted — the swaggy, sublimely confident and ultra-competitive quarterback who practically willed the University of Pittsburgh to an ACC title two years ago — is not always the Kenny Pickett that takes the field.Not yet anyway.More than a full season into Pickett’s career as an NFL starter, he remains very much a work in progress. At least during the game’s first three quarters, when consistency, accuracy and rhythm seem elusive.Things change over the final 15 minutes. The happy feet he sometimes displays in the pocket calm. The touch that can temporarily abandon him returns. And his quarterback rating — and the results — skyrocket.“He’s awesome in the fourth quarter,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said. “Man, he rises up in those moments.”The key for Pittsburgh (5-3) if it wants to stay in the middle of the hotly contested AFC North race is finding a way to have whatever magic Pickett summons in the final frame e...

The designated hitter hasn’t always lived up to its title after 2 full MLB seasons in both leagues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The universal designated hitter has been part of Major League Baseball for two full seasons and, much to the chagrin of some National League traditionalists, the sport has survived and even thrived.In a somewhat surprising development, though, many teams are struggling to get much production from that spot.The next generation of big-bopping DHs like David Ortiz, Edgar Martinez and Frank Thomas hasn’t materialized, with just three players logging at least 110 games at designated hitter during the 2023 season. That trio includes Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani, Braves slugger Marcell Ozuna and the Nationals’ Joey Meneses.The general consensus at this week’s general managers’ meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona, is that filling the position — and getting production from it — is harder than it looks. The American League has had the DH since 1973, while the National League made the full-time switch in 2022. The NL also used the DH in 2020 du...

IRS announces 2024 income tax brackets – see where you fall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Millions of Americans could take home more pay in 2024 thanks to inflation adjustments to the tax code announced by the IRS Thursday.The changes to the standard deduction and individual income brackets, among other adjustments, in tax year 2024 will apply to tax returns filed in 2025.One of the principal reasons behind the annual adjustment is to combat “bracket creep,” when inflation pushes taxpayer incomes into higher tax brackets without actually giving workers additional purchasing power. Annual changes to income tax brackets and other provisions are put in place to offset inflation.Changes to the standard deductionThe standard deduction – which reduces the amount of income on which you’re taxed – will go up to $29,200 for married couples filing jointly, an increase of $1,500. For single taxpayers and married individuals filing separately, the standard deduction will rise $750 to $14,600. Finally, for heads of households, the standard deduction will jump up $1,100 fo...

Arizona Wildcats vs. Colorado Buffaloes: TV channel, time, what to know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The University of Colorado Buffaloes football team will play their final home game of the season on Saturday against the University of Arizona Wildcats, and it comes at a vital time in the season.CU has three games left and will need to win two of them to finish the season at .500 and have a real shot at making a bowl game. CU football announces 2024 Big 12 opponents But with two road games after this weekend, this game becomes nearly a must-win. The Buffs face Washington State next week and finish their season on Nov. 25 at Utah.How to watch Arizona vs. Colorado on TVIf you're planning to watch this game, you'll probably want to find a bar or restaurant with a sports package. Arizona vs. Colorado will be shown on the Pac-12 Network, which is included only in the most sports-heavy packages for many providers.Arizona vs. CU kickoff: NoonChannel: Pac-12 Network Where to watch CU Buffs games in Boulder: Bars, breweries and pubs Tickets for Arizona vs. ColoradoAs wi...

How much do household fires increase with Thanksgiving cooking?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It may not be a surprise that cooking fires increase dramatically on Thanksgiving, but how many more household fires occur on Thanksgiving compared to any other day?The National Fire Protection Association is urging cooks to be a little extra cautious when cooking on Thanksgiving Day, as it is by far the leading day of the year for home cooking fires. Prepare for Thanksgiving with these Denver-area turkey trots According to the NFPA, cooking is always the leading cause of house fires and injuries, and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.Cooking is the cause of more than half of all reported home fires, but it spikes on Thanksgiving Day. According to the NFPA, there were 1,160 home cooking fires reported to fire departments across the U.S. on Thanksgiving Day in 2021. That accounts for a 297% increase compared to the daily average.“Thanksgiving is a hectic holiday, with multiple dishes cooking and baking at the same time, along with lots of guests, enterta...

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia says he won’t seek reelection in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Thursday that he won’t seek reelection in 2024, giving Republicans a prime opportunity to pick up a seat in the heavily GOP state.Manchin, 75, said in a statement that he had made the decision “after months of deliberation and long conversations” with his family.“I believe in my heart of hearts that I have accomplished what I set out to do for West Virginia,” he said. “I have made one of the toughest decisions of my life and decided that I will not be running for re-election to the United States Senate, but what I will be doing is traveling the country and speaking out to see if there is an interest in creating a movement to mobilize the middle and bring Americans together.”His decision to retire severely hampers Democratic hopes of holding on to the coal-country seat. For the last few years, Manchin has been the only Democrat elected to statewide office in West Virginia, a longtime politician who ...

4 subjects taken into custody after police pursuit ends in NW Miami-Dade

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

Several subjects were taken into custody after a police pursuit ended in Northwest Miami-Dade. The subjects in the truck were accused of assaulting a police officer. Miami-Dade Police were following the truck that headed northbound on the Turnpike near 112th Avenue, Thursday afternoon. 7Skyforce hovered over the highway as several police cruisers were following the vehicle. According to officials, four subjects were inside the truck and the vehicle was traveling over 80 mph.During the pursuit, one driver in a silver vehicle was hit by the truck but appeared OK. A police cruiser then initiated a pit maneuver and the van was stopped. As officers were taking the subjects into custody, one subject attempted to jump over the edge of the Turnpike but was quickly apprehended. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Israel berates New York Times, CNN, Reuters, AP over Hamas attack photographers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

Israel on Thursday slammed four international media outlets — the New York Times, CNN, the Associated Press and Reuters — over the conduct of four photojournalists in Gaza, saying they had advance knowledge of the attack by Hamas militants on October 7 that killed more than 1,400 people. The news services strongly rejected the Israeli government’s accusation they had any forewarning of the impending murderous assault, with the New York Times saying the “outrageous” charges endangered journalists in both Israel and Gaza. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused the foreign media of employing people who were tipped off on the Hamas attacks. “It has come to our attention that certain individuals within your organization, including photographers and others, had prior knowledge of these horrific actions and may have maintained a troubling connection with the perpetrators,” he wrote on X. The Israeli government’s press office director, Nitzan Chen...

Systemwide subway shutdowns planned to fix MBTA

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

In another new development with big implications for riders, the MBTA’s push to trade near-term headaches for long-term improvements will soon be put to the test on an unprecedented scale.Reduced train speeds associated with safety concerns have plagued riders with sluggish travel for months, and MBTA officials on Thursday announced they now plan to shut down segments of all four subway lines in phases over the next 13 months, allowing for repairs they say will eliminate all “slow zones” by the end of 2024.Repair work will replace rails, fix or replace deteriorated ties, install new ballast, improve signals and switches, and more, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng said. Free shuttle buses will replace subway service during closures.The proposal will inflict widespread disruption on riders, with a portion of the core subway system scheduled to be closed on almost exactly half of the days between now and the end of next year.With their new plan, MBTA officials are provid...

Jury rejects insanity defense for man convicted of Pelham, NH wedding shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:57 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A jury on Thursday rejected an insanity defense for a man convicted of shooting and wounding a bishop and assaulting the bride and groom at a church wedding ceremony in New Hampshire.Dale Holloway, 41, who acted as his own attorney, had pleaded not guilty to the charges stemming from the October 2019 shootings. He said he was mentally unstable at the time.“I’ve been insane before this even happened,” Holloway told the jury.The shootings happened nearly two weeks after Holloway’s stepfather, a pastor at the church, was killed by the son of the groom. The son was later sentenced to prison. A separate celebration of life ceremony for the pastor had been planned at the church for later that day.The jury in Nashua had already found Holloway guilty on Tuesday of one of two attempted murder charges and several assault charges. After deliberating for about an hour Thursday, the foreperson answered “no” when asked if the panel had found clear and convincing evidence that...