Pick Six: Marquee games abound from coast to coast, with must-win showdowns late in the season

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Pick Six: Marquee games abound from coast to coast, with must-win showdowns late in the season The college football schedule offers a weekly selection of marquee games between top teams and some would-be contenders will get an early chance to shine.Two games that will impact the AP Top 25 quickly: No. 5 LSU playing No. 8 Florida State in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 3 and No. 4 Alabama hosting No. 11 Texas on Sept. 9 in a preview of SEC games to come.An early loss in an ambitious nonconference opener isn’t an automatic death knell for a program’s championship hopes. The virtual playoff elimination games come later when conference rivals in position for one of four playoff spots go head to head. As Bobby Bowden quipped after No. 2 Florida State lost a November game at Virginia in 1995, “The national championship thing sorts itself out. Tonight, it sorted us out.”Some don’t-miss games on the schedule this year (using AP Top 25 preseason rankings):8 FLORIDA STATE at 9 CLEMSON, Sept. 23The resurgent Seminoles have lost seven in a row against the Tigers, who ...

Rodriguez’s 17-hit deluge helps put the plucky Mariners back in the AL playoff race

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Rodriguez’s 17-hit deluge helps put the plucky Mariners back in the AL playoff race PHOENIX (AP) — The Seattle Mariners were mostly sellers at the trade deadline three weeks ago, dealing closer Paul Sewald to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a move signaling that this year probably wouldn’t end in the postseason.Julio Rodríguez had other ideas.The young All-Star recently finished a four-day stretch for the ages, setting an MLB record with 17 hits in those four games and helping to push the Mariners back into the American League playoff race.Rodriguez went 17 for 22 in the four games from Wednesday to Saturday — all Mariners wins — raising his batting average from .256 to .278 in the process. Seattle finished a sweep over the defending World Series champion Houston Astros on Sunday, holding on for the 7-6 win.The Mariners have won 14 of their past 17 games and currently have a spot in the playoffs. They’re a half-game ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays for the final wild-card position in the AL.There’s still six weeks left in the regular season, but the Mar...

Thousands of Northern Va. students are headed back to school

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Thousands of Northern Va. students are headed back to school Thousands of students across Northern Virginia are gearing up for their first day of school.City of Alexandria Public Schools, Fairfax County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools head back to class Monday. Here’s what you need to know.City of Alexandria Public SchoolsAlexandria’s public schools are welcoming a new superintendent this year. Melanie Kay-Wyatt is officially the city’s first female Black superintendent, after serving as interim superintendent during the last school year.Kay-Wyatt told WTOP that the theme for the upcoming school year is “future focus.” Targeting absenteeism remains a top priority.“Chronic absenteeism has been a concern for many schools post pandemic,” Kay-Wyatt said. “And what I really want our community to focus on is that we are no longer in this pandemic era; we are really focused on where we are with learning.”According to Kay-Wyatt, this effort includes a media campaign.“There&...

Biden heading to Maui amid criticism of White House response to wildfire

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Biden heading to Maui amid criticism of White House response to wildfire A Hawaiian flag stands near a residential area devastated by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. As days turn into weeks, the odds are growing longer for families hoping to be reunited with missing loved ones after the fire swept across Hawaii's town of Lahaina. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)(AP/Jae C. Hong) A Hawaiian flag stands near a residential area devastated by a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. As days turn into weeks, the odds are growing longer for families hoping to be reunited with missing loved ones after the fire swept across Hawaii's town of Lahaina. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)(AP/Jae C. Hong) ▶ Watch Video: Hawaii governor vows to review Maui wildfire response as a...

Nationals Notebook: Big win on the Little League stage

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Nationals Notebook: Big win on the Little League stage Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett reacts after hitting a fly out to Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)(AP/Stephanie Scarbrough) Washington Nationals' Stone Garrett reacts after hitting a fly out to Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)(AP/Stephanie Scarbrough) It’s always nice to return to one’s roots.The Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies wrapped up their series with a Sunday night showdown in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the si...

Denver weather: Hot and breezy start to week

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Denver weather: Hot and breezy start to week DENVER (KDVR) — With plenty of sunshine, Monday's highs will be in the upper 90s along the Front Range with some low triple digits in the plains. Winds will be breezy, and with the heat, red flag warnings are in effect from noon until 7 p.m.Pinpoint Weather: Red flag warning on Aug. 21. Weather today: Hot and windyDenver begins the workweek with mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 90s in the metro area. Fire at Greensview Apartments under investigation Winds will be breezy through the afternoon, especially across the plains.Pinpoint Weather: Daily forecast on Aug. 21. There is a chance for some low triple-digit heat along the plains where an advisory is in effect from noon until 8 p.m.Pinpoint Weather: Heat advisories on Aug. 21. Weather tonight: Mild and still breezyWinds will pick up and stay brisk overnight with clear skies. Winds will be out of the south at 15-25 mph with higher gusts and lows in the upper 60s.Pinpoint Weather: Overnight forecast on Aug. 21. Looking ahe...

Fire at Greensview Apartments under investigation

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Fire at Greensview Apartments under investigation AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) -- A fire at an Aurora apartment complex injured one person and prompted the evacuation of several residents.Aurora Fire Rescue received the call just before 5 p.m. on Sunday reporting a fire at the Greensview Apartments at 16601 E. Alameda Pl. Wildfire threat lurks year-round despite abundant rain Samantha Daves told FOX31 she was in the shower when the fire erupted.“I smelled the smoke and then I'm like, OK that's not normal,” Daves said.Daves then quickly got dressed, found her cell phone, then received a warning from her neighbor.“She's like, the second and third floor is on fire, and I'm like, what is going on?” Daves said.Aurora Fire Rescue said it initially responded to reports of a fire on the second-floor balcony, which rapidly spread to the third floor and the attic space above. AFR said a second alarm was called due to windy conditions.Other residents checked on one another as they stood outside.“I'm not sure what it was, but I could smell burning p...

More than 36K kids enrolled in universal pre-K so far

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

More than 36K kids enrolled in universal pre-K so far DENVER (KDVR) -- Sixty-five thousand children could be eligible for Colorado’s universal preschool program. Despite many lawsuits, UPK leaders said the program is working. More than 36,000 children are enrolled in the program so far.Beginning in August, Colorado’s universal preschool program will provide 10-15 hours per week of free preschool to every child in their year before entering kindergarten. To be eligible for preschool during the 2023-24 school year, a child must be at least three years old and younger than five years old on Oct. 1. Some families wish the program paid for full-time care.“What we know and what we've seen from a lot of our families who are applying is that half-day isn't enough,” said Dawn Odean, the director of universal preschool. However, you can enroll your child in a full-day program and receive the benefits of half-day care, which they said is a savings of about $6,000 per year. 6 public school districts sue Colorado over universal preschool “It's d...

Quick-moving Showers, Plus Active Atlantic Basin

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Quick-moving Showers, Plus Active Atlantic Basin As we “wave goodbye” to our weekend tropical wave, we’ll find gradually improving weather conditions. Some Saharan dust will be around with quick-moving showers due to a distant area of high pressure. Unfortunately this stronger onshore breeze means not ideal swimming or boating conditions.Today in the Tropics: Watching 5 areas. Out of the 5, we are tracking 3: Franklin, Gert and Emily.Tropical Storm Emily and Gert will be short-lived system with no threat to land areas. Franklin is forecast to approach the Southern coast of the Dominican Republic and Haiti late Tuesday. Heavy rainfall to impact these areas and Puerto Rico during the next few days. It could become the seasons 2nd hurricane once it moves into the Atlantic.Broad low pressure in the Central Gulf of Mexico has a high chance to form during the next 48 hours as it heads toward Texas on Tuesday. Advisories may be necessary for a portion of Texas and Northeastern Mexico today.Keep it tuned to your Storm St...

Summer break is officially over for Broward County students as first day of school starts

Published Wed, 27 Nov 2024 12:30:31 GMT

Summer break is officially over for Broward County students as first day of school starts BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) — Summertime is over for Broward County School students as they walk to the halls of their learning facilities once again for the start of the academic school year. As school buses in the district travel off to pick up students, educators eagerly await the arrival of the students to embark on their educational and developmental journey. Programs have been added to several Broward County schools in an effort to encourage students to have fun while they learn. Blanche Ely High School provides students with not only a comprehensive education but also a clear pathway to a career in public service. In partnership with the Pompano Beach Fire Rescue, the school now offers specialized courses in firefighting and paramedic training. Dr. Emily Rodriguez, a faculty member at Blanche Ely High School, emphasized the significance of these new opportunities. “A lot of times, students don’t know yet their pathway, and they see a program like this, and a...