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Dozens of animals taken from Virginia roadside zoo as part of investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (AP) — Over 100 animals –- both living and dead -– have been taken from a roadside zoo in western Virginia, according to court documents, as part of what state authorities are calling a criminal investigation.One search warrant executed Wednesday at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County shows that 89 living animals were seized, while another 28 deceased animals were removed, The Roanoke Times reported.The office of Attorney General Jason Miyares is conducting the investigation, with help from the Virginia State Police. The warrant said that it had been issued in relation to the care of and cruelty to animals.The attorney general’s “Animal Law Unit offers support and prosecution of animal cruelty cases upon request of a local Commonwealth’s Attorney or law enforcement agency,” Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita said in an email Friday. “Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot comment further.”LaCivita did confirm that one of the dead...

Free agent Shohei Ohtani rejects Blue Jays offer to sign $700M deal with Dodgers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

Shohei Ohtani has opted to stay in southern California, and the Toronto Blue Jays have missed out on landing a generational talent.“I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team,” the unrestricted free agent announced on his Instagram account on Saturday.According to his agent Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s deal with the Dodgers is worth US$700 million over 10 years.“This is a unique, historic contract for a unique, historic player,” Balelo of CAA Sports said in a statement. “He is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”Ohtani’s total was 64% higher than baseball’s previous record, a $426.5 million, 12-year deal for Angels outfielder Mike Trout that began in 2019.His $70 million average salary is 62% above the previous high of $43,333,333, shared by pitchers Max Scherzer and Justin Verla...

Mideast ministers in Ottawa to discuss Israel-Hamas war with Joly, Trudeau

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

OTTAWA — Agroup of foreign ministers from the Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia and Turkey are in Ottawa today for a quietly planned meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly to discuss attempts to end the Israel-Hamas war.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also joined the talks, arranged to see how countries such as Canada can help efforts to secure peace for Palestinians and Israelis, after Hamas militants launched a deadly rampage in Israel on Oct. 7.The delegation calls itself the Arab-Islamic Extraordinary Summit and it normally includes Jordan, though Joly’s office says that country needed to send its foreign minister on other business.The group is not a joint peace project with Israel, and says its leaders aim to speak on behalf of Arab and Muslim people following Israel’s bombardment of Gaza in responseto the Hamas attack.This is the first visit of Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister to Canada since a diplomatic chill over human rights issues in 2018, whe...

Shohei Ohtani to sign record deal with Los Angeles Dodgers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

Shohei Ohtani isn't coming to Chicago, he's staying in Los Angeles and trading Angel red for Dodger blue.Ohtani posted to his Instagram account Saturday, where he said his chosen free agent destination is the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan the deal is for 10 years, $700 million.Ohtani's new contract represents the richest contract in the history of North American professional sports, shattering the North American record previously held by Kansas City Chief's quarterback Patrick Mahomes (10-yrs/$450 million) and the Major League Baseball record previously held by Los Angeles Angels centerfielder Mike Trout (12-yrs/$426 million).For further comparison, the Caribbean country of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), with a population of nearly 75,000 people, has a gross domestic output of $697 million.Here is Ohtani's full statement posted to his Instagram account:"To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for tak...

Shohei Ohtani signing with Los Angeles Dodgers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

(KTLA) — The wait is over and baseball's most impactful star has a new team — Shohei Ohtani is a Los Angeles Dodger.According to the reigning American League MVP himself, Ohtani has played his last game as a member of the Los Angeles Angels and plans to sign with the crosstown rivals for what is said to be a record-shattering deal.Ohtani broke the news himself on Instagram."To all the fans and everyone involved in the baseball world, I apologize for taking so long to come to a decision. I have decided to choose the Dodgers as my next team," the slugger said in his post. 10 best and worst cities for singles, study finds ESPN reporter Jeff Passan announced that the deal is for 10 years worth a total of $700 million. It's the largest guaranteed contract in sports history, Passan said.It also includes certain deferrals that will allow the Dodgers to build a more competitive team around him, he said. The decision comes after weeks of speculation, covert meetings and around-the-clock me...

Holiday shopping survey reveals stressful trend among US consumers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Finished your holiday shopping yet? Just kidding! We know you’re probably not even close to being done.The results of a recent poll from Gallup and Shopify suggests that nearly half of U.S. shoppers leave the majority of their holiday shopping for December — and male shoppers are the worst offenders.The poll, conducted during the first few weeks of November, had included questions intended to gauge when and where the nearly 1,900 respondents planned to shop ahead of the holidays, as well as why they may be putting it off.Answers indicated that 91% of those polled would be doing “at least” some of their shopping in December, while 49% said they would need to do “most” or “all” of it this month. A full 16% even admitted that they didn’t plan to start shopping until December 1 at the earliest.Only 8% projected to be done by the end of November, they said. Globally, Mariah Carey is still dominating Christmas Of all the age groups surveyed, older shoppers (over 65 years of ...

10 best and worst cities for singles, study finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

(WFLA/NEXSTAR) — Ready to mingle? You might want to head to one of the 10 best U.S. cities for singles, which personal finance company WalletHub recently studied.To find these single hubs, WalletHub ranked major metros using three dimensions: economics, fun and recreation, and dating opportunities. Cities were scored on a 100-point scale on things like singles gender balance, mobile dating opportunities and number of "date" venues. DoorDash reveals top-ordered food for 2023 Seattle lead all U.S. cities for single people, earning a 63.88 score, followed by Las Vegas, which just narrowly missed the top spot, with a score of 63.64. WalletHub also notes that Seattle has a great well-being outlook overall, with high scores in median household incomes and public goods.Best Cities for SinglesWorst Cities for Singles1. Seattle, Washington173. Winston-Salem, North Carolina2. Las Vegas, Nevada174. Little Rock, Arkansas3. Denver, Colorado175. Hialeah, Florida4. Atlanta, Georgia176. Jackson,...

Former P. Terry's CEO announces his departure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – P. Terry's CEO since March 2019 announced on X Saturday that he has parted ways with the iconic Austin burger restaurant. "I have parted ways with P. Terry's and am in search of my next great adventure. Thank you all for the fun and support the last 4+ years. P. Terrys is in great shape to continue rockin’ it. Best people I’ve ever worked with," Todd Coerver said in a post on X. Kathy and Patrick Terry opened the first burger stand in 2005 at the corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs Road. Since then, 31 more locations have popped up around Central Texas.

Charley Walters: Dobbs still gives Vikings their best chance to win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

There was little doubt, despite two underwhelming games, that Josh Dobbs would be the Vikings’ starting quarterback for Sunday’s game in Las Vegas.Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs (15) celebrates his touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the second half on an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)It’s apparent that the Vikings don’t think rookie Jalen Hall is ready and that Dobbs has better athletic skills than backup Nick Mullens. Plus, Dobbs’ mobility paired with the return of wide receiver Justin Jefferson should be beneficial against the Raiders.Among the trio of QBs, it was understandably concluded that Dobbs gives the Vikings the best chance to win on Sunday.— Regardless, it’s clear none of the three QBs will be the Vikings’ starter in 2024. That will be either Kirk Cousins or someone else.Cousins, who could have a free-agent price tag exceeding $40 million for 2024, isn’t expected to be fully recovered from his Achille...

Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips arrested on suspicion of DWI

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:34:17 GMT

Vikings offensive coordinator Wes Phillips was arrested on Friday night and charged with misdemeanor operation of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.The arrest took place in Eden Prairie, and Phillips, 44, was booked at 11 p.m., according to Hennepin County Jail records. He was released at 1:26 a.m. after posting a $300 bond.A mugshot of Wes Phillips, who was arrested Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. (Courtesy of Hennepin County Jail)Asked for comment on the situation, the Vikings released the following statement, which confirmed that Phillips will travel with the team to Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon ahead of the game against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium.“Wes immediately notified the team following his arrest last night. This morning we contacted the NFL, and after internal discussion, made the decision Wes will travel with the team to Las Vegas this afternoon. We will continue to gather information regardi...