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3 players the Chicago Cubs need to come through over the final 4 weeks of the season in their playoff push

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

The Chicago Cubs’ path to the postseason will gain clarity over the next two weeks.They are in a stretch of playing 11 straight games against teams chasing them in the National League wild-card race. By mid-September, the Cubs have an opportunity to have a stranglehold on a playoff spot. To get there, they have three players who they need to step up over the final month of the season.1. Dansby SwansonThe Cubs defense up the middle from second baseman Nico Hoerner and Swanson continues to play a big role in the team’s success.But the Cubs need a lot more from Swanson offensively. Although his power numbers have ticked up over the last two months, the shortstop’s overall struggles at the plate have been pronounced during that stretch. Since July 1, Swanson is hitting .206 while owning a .283 on-base percentage and .708 OPS in his last 43 games through Saturday. His strikeout rate (30.6%) also is concerning.Swanson has been putting the ball on the ground too much, par...

Archbishop Williams’ Leo Lyons captures ASFL Pitchers Challenge

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

NORTHBORO – A couple hours after the fourth annual A Shot For Life Baseball Home Run Derby saw a three-time participant finally take home the trophy for the first time, a newcomer stole the show in just the second ASFL Pitchers Challenge on Saturday at New England Baseball Complex.By finishing in the top-three standings in each of the three skills challenges that the unique event offers, brand-new ASFL athlete Leo Lyons (Archbishop Williams) won the title to cap off a successful fundraising effort toward the cause.His $1,100 contribution paired nicely alongside the rest of the $80,000-plus that ASFL Baseball and Softball fundraised, while also winning one skill challenge in a competition unlike any other. Especially for someone new to A Shot For Life.“It was just awesome, the whole process,” Lyons said. “It’s such a welcoming environment. And then going up on the mound, there is a little bit of pressure, but it’s good pressure. It was just great. … I’ve never done any kind of event ...

Streetcar service on St. Clair sidelined until at least next summer starting Sunday

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

Construction and infrastructure work will force riders on the busy St. Clair streetcar route to take buses for at least the next year. Starting Sunday, the TTC says the 512 streetcars will be replaced with buses from St Clair Station to Gunns Loop until the summer of 2024 so that work can be done to upgrade the overhead power system as well as station, track and concrete repairs along the transit corridor. The work is being done at the same time as major infrastructure upgrades are being performed by Metrolinx, Toronto Water and the City of Toronto. The TTC says buses on St. Clair will arrive approximately every three minutes during peak periods, and every six-to-10 minutes during off-peak times. Stops will be served at the curbside along the route.Due to work being done inside St. Clair West station, buses will utilize a temporary stop outside the station on St. Clair Avenue West while at St. Clair station buses will board at the upper-level streetcar loop. Customers on the 33 Fore...

Police responding to bomb threat at North York church

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

A North York church has been evacuated due to a bomb threat. Police say just before 9 p.m. Saturday they received reports a bomb was inside EHC Ministries on Rossdean Drive in the area of Steeles Avenue West and Highway 400. Investigators say the church has been evacuated and no injuries have been reported. They are asking people to stay out of the area of Rossdean Drive and Steeles Avenue West for the time being. More to come

Judge rejects DeSantis-drawn congressional map as unconstitutional

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

(The Hill) — A Florida judge on Saturday ruled that a congressional map put forward by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) was unconstitutional and ordered the state legislature to redraw the boundaries.Circuit Judge J. Lee Marsh found that the redrawn districts authorized by DeSantis in northern Florida violated the state constitution's Fair Districts Amendments by “dismantling a congressional district that enabled Black voters to elect their candidates of choice under the previous plan.”The district, which stretches across much of Florida’s northern border with Georgia, was previously held by Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat who lost in the 2022 midterm election after the redistricting process. In the previous district, 46.5 percent of the voting age population was Black. Under the new map, the four districts in the area are 23.1 percent, 15.9 percent, 31.7 percent and 12.8 percent Black.The map approved in the 2020 redistricting cycle was submitted to the Florida legislature by De...

ATCEMS transports fans from UT game for probable heat-related incidents

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

Austin (KXAN) — The intense heat created problems for several dozen football fans at the Longhorn's first game of the season Saturday.Austin-Travis County EMS said it transported six people for probable heat-related incidents to medical facilities. Inside the stadium, ATCEMS said that more than 40 people were seen at aid stations for heat-related issues.Before the game, ATCEMS strategically placed ambulances and medics around the stadium to prepare for the extreme weather conditions. EMS gets game plan ready for potential heat emergencies at DKR stadium Before half-time droves of football fans were already leaving the game because of the heat.UT student Lilian Rembert is part of a spirit team that requires her to paint her face for game day. She said the heat was one of the biggest obstacles of the day."I've had to do a couple of touch-ups, try not to touch my face because I've had like sweat dripping down," Rembert said.Before leaving the stadium, Rembert said she had to cool off...

College football: St. Thomas wins opener but doesn’t impress coach

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

Teachable moments pulled from a victory? College football coaches love them; they help keep the boys honest in the next week’s practice.But the St. Thomas Tommies produced far too many of them in their mistake-filled 36-26 victory over Black Hills State on Saturday at O’Shaughnessy Stadium in their season opener for head coach Glenn Caruso and his staff to get the full benefit.“The 30,000-foot view is that we’re nothing special,” Caruso said.The most disturbing aspect of it all for the Tommies might be that their lackluster performance came against a Division II opponent while having numerous starters back from last season’s Pioneer Football League regular season championship.The most glaring deficiencies were on defense and special teams. They had two field-goal attempts blocked and failed to cover a Black Hills State onside kick with two minutes to play in the game.Defensively, the Tommies gave up 325 yards through the air, and a number of receptions were made by receivers who wer...

Cycling fans flock to Francis Park for the Gateway Cup

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Fans flocked to St. Louis Hills for the second day of our area's biggest cycling event of the year. Top-tier riders from around the globe descended on Francis Park Saturday for day two of the Bommarito Audi Gateway Cup.Thousands of people came to watch the races. Former cyclist turned announcer Frankie Andreu says it's a blast to watch the competitors stomp on the pedals."Flying around here, a hundred riders, 30 miles an hour, they're inches from each other. It's like NASCAR on wheels as they say," said Andreu.There is no doubt that the competition is intense, with some races coming straight down to the wire.The race is being put on by the Big Shark Bicycle Company. Event organizer Mike Weiss, who also owns Big Shark, says he takes great pleasure in putting on such a big event in his hometown."I think St. Louis should be proud of this event. I think the turnout, and the small businesses that support this event also turn out, so it's a really nice blend," said Weiss."It'...

500 graffiti artists meet for 26th Paint Louis

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS Mo.- The next time you head to the riverfront downtown, it might look a lot different.  There are 500 artists from around the world gathering in Downtown St. Louis for the 26thPaint Louis.

The world's biggest bounce house is in St. Louis County this weekend

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:37:23 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- There are a lot of great events happening this Labor Day weekend, as families enjoy the last bit of summer. The world's biggest Bounce Park, FUNBOX is here this Labor Day weekend at the Saint Louis Galleria.Monica Maddox brought her son, niece, and nephews to check it out. Alton stadium restrictions keeps fans on fence line, rooftops “They’re jumping around, they come out for some water – they have water, they have snow cones, they have everything here,” said Maddox. “If you’re under a little shaded area, there’s a nice breeze that comes in, they’re loving it. There’s six kids here, 4 adults, we’re having so much fun.”The bounce park is 25,000 square feet, and will be here now until November 12. The park sits on one acre in the parking lot.The inflatable playground has ten play zones.“Mountains and rock-climbing and slides and anything that a kid could imagine,” said owner Jenn McElhaney. “So it’s really something that’s very safe and fun for them to come jump for 90 ...