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Column: Pedro Grifol’s dream of a quick turnaround for the Chicago White Sox is pure fantasy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

Chicago White Sox manager Pedro Grifol ran pitchers fielding practice before Friday’s home game against the Minnesota Twins.PFPs, as they are called, are a staple of spring training, a refresher course in covering first base on grounders to the right side and starting double plays. They’re usually discarded as the season goes on and pitchers have had enough repetitions to know what to do.But it’s never too late to show your boss you’re not conceding anything and for players to show Grifol and new general manager Chris Getz they’re still working hard, even with 15 games remaining and a 56-91 record.So Sox pitchers and infielders conducted the drills like it could make a difference, even while knowing their season basically ended a few months ago. Maybe it will win a game down the stretch, or maybe it was just a show by Grifol to show who’s boss.Who knows?What we do know is the Sox came into Friday having lost 55 of their 82 games since June 9, when...

Friday’s EMass high school football scoreboard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

THURSDAY’S RESULTSAbington 34, Apponequet 26Andover 42, Chelmsford 14Archbishop Williams 35, Oliver Ames 16BC High 44, Reading 7Cardinal Spellman 50, Martha’s Vineyard 7Cathedral 20, Whittier 14Dedham 16, Medfield 0Dexter Southfield 28, Kingswood Oxford 20Duxbury 21, Mansfield 17Fairhaven 35, Medway 0Franklin 21, Brockton 13Greater Lawrence 49, Hamilton-Wenham 14Holliston 29, Middleboro 6Hopkinton 21, Algonquin 14Hudson 35, Dover-Sherborn 13King Philip 34, Marblehead 6Marlboro 35, Falmouth 0Mashpee 34, Nantucket 7Milton 49, Framingham 0Natick 14, Walpole 7Needham 14, Lincoln-Sudbury 13Newton South 29, Brookline 8Norwood 41, Canton 7Quincy 21, Concord-Carlisle 19Shepherd Hill 42, Groton-Dunstable 20Shrewsbury 49, Acton-Boxboro 14Swampscott 27, Lynn English 12Wakefield 35, Lexington 0Wayland 27, Ashland 20Westborough 7, Sharon 0Westwood 17, Bellingham 16Weymouth 19, Newton North 14Winchester 16, Waltham 6FRIDAY’S GAMESAmesbury 32, Essex Tech 0Arlington 41, Stoneham 22Atlan...

Tewksbury dominates up front, runs past Haverhill, 42-12

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

HAVERHILL – It had been a decade since Tewksbury and Haverhill tangled on the gridiron and Friday night at Trinity Stadium one team certainly made up for lost time.Displaying complete mastery of all facets of the game, Tewksbury exploded for 28 points in the first quarter and never looked back on its way to a dominating 42-12 win. Tewksbury (2-0) simply overwhelmed the Hillies all over the field, especially up front.“If you can get it done at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, your chances of making good things happen go up,” said Tewksbury coach Brian Aylward after the impressive win. “I’m just proud of the way the guys supported each other and we’ve got a group of guys that work hard.”Senior backs Hunter Johnson and Tyler Barnes both rushed for a pair of scores, while fellow back Manny Mengatta got a lot of tough yards up the middle behind the surging Tewksbury offensive line. It’s a three-headed monster of speed, power and finesse that Aylward is happy to have.“When...

The Taliban have detained 18 staff, including a foreigner, from an Afghanistan-based NGO, it says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban have detained 18 staffers, including a foreigner, from a nongovernmental organization based in Afghanistan, the nonprofit group said Friday. NGOs have come under greater scrutiny since the Taliban seized control of the country two years ago. The Taliban introduced harsh measures and barred Afghan women from education beyond the sixth grade as well as from public life and work, including working for NGOs. A U.S. watchdog reported earlier this year that the Taliban are harassing NGOs operating in the country.The International Assistance Mission said 18 of its staff were taken away by the Taliban on two separate occasions this month from the NGO’s office in central Ghor province. The 18 detained were taken to Kabul, the group said.“We are unaware of the circumstances that led to these incidents and have not been advised of the reason for the detention of our staff members,” it said in a statement. “The well-being and security of our colleague...

Kim Jong Un arrives at city near Vladivostok where he’s expected to visit Russia’s Pacific fleet

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrived Saturday at a Russian city near the far eastern port of Vladivostok where he’s expected to see Russia’s Pacific Fleet.The visit follows Kim’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny spaceport on Wednesday and his visit Friday to an aircraft-making plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The U.S. and it allies are concerned that Kim’s visit is focused on providing Moscow with weapons for its war in Ukraine in a possible arms-for-technology deal. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was to travel to the far eastern port city of Vladivostok to see Russia’s Pacific fleet, while his official media back home said Saturday that he was “deeply impressed” by a factory producing the most advanced Russian warplanes.Kim’s trip to Russia, highlighted by a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, has sparked Western concerns about an arms allia...

One in hospital after stabbing near Christie Pitts

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

One person has been transported to hospital after a stabbing in the Bloor Street and Christie Pitts Park area on Friday night.At approximately 9:40 pm police responded to reports of a stabbing. Once on scene police confirmed the stabbing and located one male victim was on Bloor Street, the north side adjacent to Christie Pitts Park, with stab wounds. The victim was transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.The suspect is still outstanding but there is no suspect information.Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.

Husband & wife bring taste of Bolivia to Aurora

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

AURORA – It’s a first of its kind not only in the area but in the state of Illinois, an authentic Bolivian restaurant. Husband and wife duo, Oscar and Alice Butron are bringing what they describe as a new concept of flavors from South America through their dishes at Alice’s Corner.They started in farmers' markets 10 years ago and were finally able to open their storefront last year along Restaurant Row in Downtown Aurora, at 37 West New York Street.  Excitement abound in Chicago for Mexican Independence celebrations It’s their golden brown, perfectly formed, generously stuffed empanadas that gave their business its booming popularity when they began selling at the Aurora Farmers Market and the French Market in Downtown Geneva. Oscar walks us through the process while explaining how it was all a side gig for him and Alice while she worked in a factory, and he managed a fast-food restaurant for 25 years.  While empanadas can be found around the world, especially ...

Paul Lisnek on Biden impeachment, Chicago fiscal budget, & more

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek joined WGN Evening News to discuss several big stories from the week.The topics include the latest on President Joe Biden impeachment, City of Chicago budget, Hunter Biden indictments, and much more.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesTune in on Sunday's for WGN-TV Political Report with Paul Lisnek.

CLEAT endorses Sen. Ted Cruz for reelection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

HOUSTON (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz for reelection, according to a news release from Cruz's office.CLEAT is the largest police officers union in Texas, the largest provider of legal services for Texas law enforcement officers, as well as the state's largest alliance of local police officer associations, the release said. There are more than 26,00 members across the state."At a time when officers face increased hostility from anti law enforcement hate groups attempting to defund and destroy policing, political persecution from the highest levels of government and continual false legal charges from local DA's, we need a fighter like Senator Cruz to stand up for us in the United States Senate. As the largest police union in Texas, we strongly endorse and support Senator Cruz," Marvin Ryals, CLEAT President, said.I am incredibly proud to receive the endorsement of CLEAT. For over a decade, I have fought for the r...

911 lines back in service in Hays County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:44:01 GMT

The video above is previous coverage on Sept. 14.HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- On Friday, the Hays County Sheriff's Office said 911 lines were back up and running.Shortly before 8:40 p.m., HCSO sent a notification to the community in Hays County saying the 911 service was back.HCSO previously said Thursday the 911 service was out due to a cut line.