Are the Chicago Bears suddenly one of the NFC’s better teams? 12 eye-catching numbers for their Week 15 game.

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Are the Chicago Bears suddenly one of the NFC’s better teams? 12 eye-catching numbers for their Week 15 game. Dreams are growing in Chicago. Playoff chatter is amplifying. With a recent stretch of quality play and wins over the Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions over the last four games, the Bears are allowing themselves to imagine a storybook ending to their once-dispiriting season. Players and coaches know a microfocus will be needed, specifically toward Sunday’s game against the Browns, to keep such dreams alive. But hey, life has begun to feel more fun again at Halas Hall and around Chicago.As we head for Week 15, here’s a snapshot look at 12 notable facts and figures.12Rank of the Bears defense, which has allowed 314.5 yards per game this season. That’s a major improvement from a year ago, when the Bears ranked 29th in total defense (375.9 ypg). Over the last five games, the Bears have climbed from 23rd to 12th in total defense and 13th to second in interceptions. They also own the No. 2 rushing defense, allowing 83.7 yards per game.1NFL rank of th...

Belgian tourist dies in an animal attack at Mexico’s Pacific coast resort of Zihuatanejo

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Belgian tourist dies in an animal attack at Mexico’s Pacific coast resort of Zihuatanejo MEXICO CITY (AP) — A Belgian tourist was killed in an attack Thursday by either a shark or a crocodile at Mexico’s Pacific coast resort of Zihuatanejo, officials said. The civil defense office in the southern state of Guerrero said a man and a woman were bitten in the legs by an unidentified animal. The man was reported dead at the scene, while the woman was taken to a hospital. State officials said the man was from Belgium and the woman’s nationality was not immediately clear. The office said it was studying the wounds to determine whether they were bitten by a shark or a crocodile, both of which inhabit the area.If confirmed as a shark attack, it would be the second such fatality this month on Mexico’s southern Pacific coast.In early December, a Mexican woman died after she was severely bitten in the leg by a shark just off the beach town of Melaque, west of the seaport of Manzanillo. In 2019, a U.S. diver survived a shark bite on the forearm in Magdalena Bay...

Maple Leafs’ 5-goal comeback falls short in OT loss to Blue Jackets

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Maple Leafs’ 5-goal comeback falls short in OT loss to Blue Jackets The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 6-5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a thrilling overtime despite scoring five goals in the third period to erase a 5-0 deficit.Columbus scored two goals in the first period and three unanswered goals in the second, quieting a Scotiabank Arena crowd in what looked like was going to result in an improbable loss against one of the league’s bottom dwellers. William Nylander opened the scoring in the third, followed by goals from Mitch Marner, Jake McCabe and two from Auston Matthews – including the game-tying marker with 40 seconds left to go in regulation. NO QUIT!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/gUz4iRjwg5— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 15, 2023In a back-and-forth overtime, Blue Jackets centre Kent Johnson would score the winner and his second of the game to seal it for Columbus. Matthews now has 23 goals this season and is on pace for 70. He also finished with an assist and nine shots on goal. Marner had a goal and three points, ...

Bulls run out to huge lead, then hang on to beat Heat 124-116

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Bulls run out to huge lead, then hang on to beat Heat 124-116 MIAMI (AP) — Coby White scored 26 points, Ayo Dosunmu scored 24 off the Chicago bench and the Bulls ran out to a huge lead before hanging on to beat the Miami Heat 124-116 on Thursday night.Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for the Bulls. White had 11 assists and seven rebounds, while DeMar DeRozan scored 23 for Chicago.The Bulls started the game on a 33-8 run and never trailed. Bulls open 25-point first-quarter lead in Miami, team’s largest since Jordan era Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 22 for Miami, which was playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Jimmy Butler scored 20, Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin each had 17, and Kevin Love had 16 for the Heat.Chicago's 25-point lead in the opening quarter was the second-largest such edge in the NBA this season — Boston led Washington by 26 — and the Bulls’ biggest edge in the opening period of a game since they led Golden State 35-8 on a jumper by Michael Jordan on Jan. 31, 1997.And then the comeback trie...

How to spot artificial intelligence-generated content

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

How to spot artificial intelligence-generated content (WHTM) — In a world where technology is growing, people may come across fake images or even videos of celebrities, politicians, coaches, and more.These videos are mostly for comedic content, but can also be used as a way to scam people or to make people believe this "real" person said something they never said.This recently occurred in November 2023 when a sponsored video of "Gordon Ramsay" appeared on TikTok. Southwest’s plus-sized passenger policy debated on social media This video claimed to show Ramsay telling people they could get 100% off cookware.The catch: this was not Gordon Ramsay. It was an artificial intelligence (AI) version of Ramsay being used to steal people's identities.With the 2024 Presidential election fast approaching, people should be on the lookout for AI versions of any politician. This can include videos, images, or even just the voice of any politician. This defunct Pennsylvania roller coaster was briefly the largest of its kind According to the Better...

AISD board unanimously votes Matias Segura as lone finalist for superintendent

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

AISD board unanimously votes Matias Segura as lone finalist for superintendent AUSTIN (KXAN) – After months of being Austin Independent School District's interim superintendent, the AISD board unanimously voted Matias Segura as the lone finalist for the position on Thursday.In March, AISD Board of Trustees paused the current superintendent search and extended the contract of Interim Superintendent Matias Segura through June 30, 2024.Matias Segura was named as AISD’s interim superintendent last December after previous Interim Superintendent Dr. Anthony Mays announced he was leaving for Alief Independent School District.Seugura took over duties in March as the district worked through the Texas Education Agency's announcement recommending a conservator to direct the operations of the AISD special education department.The TEA granted a request from AISD for less severe state intervention in the district’s special education services.The recommendation was a less extreme state intervention model than what is happening currently in Houston Independent School District...

Wild rally from goal down in third period, beat Flames in shootout

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Wild rally from goal down in third period, beat Flames in shootout The sugar high appears to have worn off. The Wild are no longer playing with the reckless abandon that led them to four consecutive victories in the aftermath of their coach being fired Nov. 27.The Wild had lost seven straight games, leading to the dismissal of Dean Evason, and John Hynes took over the next day. The Wild beat the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 28, then demolished three straight opponents, and went into Thursday night’s game against the Calgary Flames on a 5-2-0 run under Hynes.They haven’t looked like that hungry, guilty team making amends since a 5-2 victory over Calgary on Dec. 5, but they’re still finding ways to win.Matt Boldy scored in regulation and the shootout, and Filip Gustavsson stopped 37 shots as the Wild beat the Flames again, this time 3-2 in a shootout at Xcel Energy Center.Marco Rossi tied the game, 2-2, in the third period, his 10th of the season, and Mats Zuccarello scored in the shootout as the Wild won for the second straight time and impro...

Free Food Fridge receives welcoming paint job

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Free Food Fridge receives welcoming paint job ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The free food fridge outside Honest Weight Food Co-op has been available to the community since January 2023 thanks to Free Food Fridge Albany. Both groups say they have heard people in the area had no idea the free resource was there and wanted to change that.The thirteen fridges operating with Free Food Albany are open to anyone in need of food. Decorated by local artists, the founder says this is to make them easier to approach. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "The more that we can invite them in to know that this thing is theirs and that they can take from it, they can give to it, whatever they want. A nice beacon for something that doesn’t have a good light on it, which is food insecurity," described Jammella Anderson with Free Food Fridge Albany.The fridge on Watervliet Avenue wasn’t as colorful as the rest until December 2023. The project reached out to the nearby Henry Johnson Charter School, asking their ...

Albany County Legislator Matthew Peter passes away

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Albany County Legislator Matthew Peter passes away ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Officials in Albany County are mourning the loss of one of its legislators. Matthew Peter has passed away.Peter first took office in 2019, and he represented the 5th legislative district. Those who worked with him said he was a fierce public servant, a trusted companion, and a loyal friend. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Some of the projects he worked on while with the legislature included redesigning I-787 and adding electric vehicle chargers to the area. Many lawmakers sent their condolences to his family and friends.County Legislator Mark Grimm released a statement, saying in-part: "Despite the differences in our party philosophy, we had a good relationship because he was always open to listening to each person's point of view. The collegial approach this rising star spearheaded will be sorely missed."Grimm also said he is thinking about Peter's partner, Corrine, and their family.

Hilltown Christmas helps families receive holiday gifts

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:05:39 GMT

Hilltown Christmas helps families receive holiday gifts CLARKSVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Sheriff's Office hosted its 37th annual Hilltown Christmas event. It started when deputies wanted to give one family toys for Christmas, and it has grown every year.The event this year will give out toys to more than 500 children around Albany County. Officials said this is the largest year of donations by far. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "It's a great program," Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said. "We have been doing it for decades, and it's a great day for the department and the community."The partnerships that help make the event possible include Toys for Tots and CSX.