Property tax, summer meals, progress in special session after first-day fireworks

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Property tax, summer meals, progress in special session after first-day fireworks After first-day fireworks in the state Senate burned up plans for a three-day legislative special session, day two resembled a return to normalcy for the General Assembly.But it wasn’t quiet. The House started Saturday with a group of pro-Palestine protesters interrupting the chamber’s morning work with calls for lawmakers to denounce Israel’s military campaign and urge a cease-fire. After the group was escorted out, Democratic leaders repeatedly tussled with Republicans who ignored those leaders’ directions to follow House rules. As a result, Democrats refused to recognize one Republican — Colorado Springs Rep. Scott Bottoms — for the rest of the day, meaning he wasn’t able to speak at the chamber’s mic.Gov. Jared Polis called the special session in the aftermath of Proposition HH’s failure this month. The Democratic majority had hoped for a three-day gathering to hammer out some form of property tax relief as well as other proposals they argue will ease the risin...

UNLV shuts out Air Force in 2nd half, takes Mountain West lead with 31-27 win

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

UNLV shuts out Air Force in 2nd half, takes Mountain West lead with 31-27 win AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — Jayden Maiava threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns and UNLV shut out Air Force in the second half to earn a 31-27 win to take over sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference Saturday.The Runnin’ Rebels (9-2, 6-1) hold a one-game lead over the Falcons with one game remaining in the regular season. Air Force drove to the UNLV 8 on its final possession, but John Busha’s pass to Caleb Rillos on fourth-and-goal with :23 left fell incomplete. Maiava was 15-of-29 passing for 339 yards and two touchdowns but was picked off twice. Ricky White caught eight passes for 169 yards and a touchdown and Kaleo Ballungay caught two for 90 yards and a score.Air Force ran for 344 yards and three touchdowns, led by Dylan Carson 104 yards on 16 carries. Jasen Jensen carried 19 times for 88 yards but was just 1-of-6 passing for 35 yards. Air Force will look to snap a three-game losing streak at Boise State on Friday. UNLV is home again...

Broncos prepare for Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defense: “It’s about being on the same page”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Broncos prepare for Minnesota’s blitz-heavy defense: “It’s about being on the same page” Broncos right tackle Mike McGlinchey is happy to face Minnesota at home on Sunday night, because communication will be essential against the Vikings’ pass rush.Minnesota has the highest blitz percentage in the league (49%) under first-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores. And with the various looks the Vikings present, the Broncos will have their hands full trying to protect quarterback Russell Wilson.“There’s a lot of things you have to be on your keys about,” McGlinchey told The Denver Post. “We have checks and adjustments built-in for quite a bit of plays. It’s about being on the same page.”Head coach Sean Payton said he and the team spent 48 hours studying Minnesota’s pass rush. He thinks Minnesota forces opponents’ hands with six- and seven-man blitzes.Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said it’s been hard getting the scout team to simulate what Minnesota will present on defense.“There’s a lot of frustration out there (when) trying to get guys lined up on defense and give yo...

Santa Cruz: Two friends from Texas get in a fight downtown, one dies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Santa Cruz: Two friends from Texas get in a fight downtown, one dies Two friends from Texas visiting Santa Cruz got into a fight Friday night after having drinks downtown that left one of them dead and the other under arrest for manslaughter, Santa Cruz Police reported.Police responded to a report at 10:58 p.m. on Nov. 17 of two people fighting in the 600 block of Front St., near the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History. When officers arrived one man was on the ground, unconscious. Paramedics attempted to revive the man, who was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.“They’d been friends for several, several years,” said Deputy Chief Jon Bush of the Santa Cruz Police Department. “It appears they were downtown having a good time drinking, and for some reason they started having an argument. We’re still trying to figure out what it was about.”Police would not identify either man, both in their 30s, pending notification of the slain man’s family. The man who had struck him stayed at the scene and was a...

The most powerful rocket ever built just went farther than it had ever gone, then was lost

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

The most powerful rocket ever built just went farther than it had ever gone, then was lost (CNN) — SpaceX’s gargantuan deep-space rocket system, Starship, safely lifted off Saturday morning but ended prematurely with an explosion and a loss of signal.The Super Heavy booster and Starship spacecraft successfully separated after liftoff, as the Starship lit up its engines and pushed away. That process ended up destroying the Super Heavy booster, which erupted into a ball of flames over the Gulf of Mexico. But the Starship spacecraft was able to briefly continue its journey.The Starship system made it much farther into flight than the first attempt in April. The rocket and spacecraft lifted off the launchpad at 8 a.m. ET, with the Super Heavy booster igniting all 33 of its Raptor engines. Even during ground tests, SpaceX has had a hard time getting all of those engines, clustered together at the base of the rocket, to power on consistently at the same time.The Starship upper stage had begun its trip Saturday morning strapped to the top of the Super Heavy first sta...

UCLA routs spiraling USC 38-20 in Los Angeles’ crosstown showdown

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

UCLA routs spiraling USC 38-20 in Los Angeles’ crosstown showdown LOS ANGELES (AP) — Chip Kelly tracked down Caleb Williams after the game and gave a warm hug to the quarterback who stands side-by-side with Andrew Luck in the UCLA coach’s personal rankings of the best college players he has ever faced.Both men realized Williams might have just played his final snaps of college football in a blowout loss that increased the chances of Kelly coaching more games for the Bruins in the future.T.J. Harden rushed for a career-high 142 yards and scored two touchdowns, Ethan Garbers threw three TD passes and UCLA trounced spiraling USC 38-20 on Saturday in the 93rd edition of their crosstown showdown.Alex Johnson returned a fumble 11 yards for a key second-half touchdown for the Bruins (7-4, 4-4 Pac-12), who likely improved Kelly’s questionable job security by reclaiming the Victory Bell in impressive fashion.“I think anybody that’s been in this game (knows it’s) unique,” Kelly said. “I’ve been at other schools in other (rivalry) games, and it’s...

Florida State QB Jordan Travis carted off after injury to left leg against North Alabama

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Florida State QB Jordan Travis carted off after injury to left leg against North Alabama TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis was carted off the field after suffering what appeared to be a serious injury to his left leg late in the first quarter of the fourth-ranked Seminoles’ game against North Alabama on Saturday night.Travis, a Heisman Trophy contender, was tackled after a scramble to about midfield and his leg was caught underneath a defender. Travis immediately pointed to his left leg and medical staff rushed onto the field.Teammates and coaches looked distraught on the field.“Obviously, our thoughts are with Jordan right now, but I was proud with how our guys fought back,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said in an interview with the CW at halftime. “I don’t have any update but obviously it didn’t look good.”Travis was helped up and both teams came out on to the field as he was placed on the cart with what looked like an air cast on his left leg.“Obviously, our thoughts are with Jordan right now, but I was proud with how ou...

Iowa rallies in fourth quarter to defeat Illinois, 15-13, and clinch Big Ten West title

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Iowa rallies in fourth quarter to defeat Illinois, 15-13, and clinch Big Ten West title IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Kaleb Johnson’s 30-yard touchdown run with 4:43 to play gave Iowa a 15-13 win over Illinois on Saturday, clinching the Big Ten West Division title for the Hawkeyes.Iowa (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten) won its third division title, and its second in three years, earning a trip to the Big Ten championship game on Dec. 2 in Indianapolis.The win touched off an emotional celebration in the Iowa locker room, where coach Kirk Ferentz was handed the game ball by defensive coordinator Phil Parker.The problem, quarterback Deacon Hill said, was finding a ball to hand out.“It took us, I think, about five minutes,” Hill said, smiling. “Everybody was cheering, the water was flying. It was awesome for him.”“We’ve gone through some bumps, had some things happen throughout the season,” said Ferentz, who picked up his 195th Big Ten win, moving him past Bo Schembechler for third place all-time. “No matter what, these guys stayed together.The Hawkeyes have had to survive inj...

2 teens charged in multiple Northwest DC armed robberies

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

2 teens charged in multiple Northwest DC armed robberies Two teens were arrested in connection to three separate armed robberies that took place in Northwest D.C. Friday afternoon.Police said 18-year-old Landrell Jordan as well as an unnamed 16-year-old were charged with three counts of armed robbery.The robberies took place between 3:40 and 4 p.m. on Friday — the first two on Tuckerman Street and the third at Eighth Street and Somerset Place.According to police, in each of the instances, the suspects approached the victim, displayed a handgun and demanded property, which they then fled with.Source

Aaron Allen’s 3 touchdown passes help lead Alcorn State to share of SWAC West title

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:56 GMT

Aaron Allen’s 3 touchdown passes help lead Alcorn State to share of SWAC West title JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Aaron Allen threw three touchdown passes, two to Monterio Hunt, and Alcorn State claimed a share of the SWAC West Division title with a 28-24 Soul Bowl victory over Jackson State on Saturday.The Braves (7-4, 6-2) tied Prairie View A&M for the division title but Prairie View won the head-to-head matchup and will advance to play Florida A&M for the SWAC championship on Dec. 2.Alcorn State never trailed but the score was tied at 21 in the third quarter before Allen and Malik Rodgers connected for a 12-yard touchdown. Jackson State made the difficult decision to kick a field goal after reaching the red zone and Dylan Wasson’s 35-yarder made the score 28-24 with about 7 minutes left. The Tigers did not cross midfield the rest of the game.Allen was 16-of-24 passing for 225 yards. Jarveon Howard had 70 yards rushing, including one touchdown.Jackson State (7-4, 5-3) led 431-296 in total yards. Jacobian Morgan was 11-of-16 passing for 151 yards. He threw t...