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New Illinois bill to make 'Zooming while driving' illegal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- The pandemic forced most people to learn how to use video conferencing apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams on their phones. Now, lawmakers encouraged by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias are trying to make video calling while driving illegal.A new bill in the capitol would make driving while on video conference calls,  video streams and social media illegal. Video calls would be allowed if the driver is using a hands-free device and is not viewing the video.“We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving, which will lead to more responsible drivers and ultimately save lives,” Giannoulias said. “Zooming takes hands, eyes and minds off the focus of driving." Top story: Hermann officer dead, 1 injured after Sunday shooting The National Safety Council estimated eight people in the U.S. die each day from distracted driving.“Illinois has been a leader in cracking down on distracted driving, but we need to remain vigilant and...

Keeler: Broncos won Day 1 of NFL free agency. Why mess that up by trading Jerry Jeudy now?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

Sean Payton isn’t tipping his hand. He’s swinging it like a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire.“From a scouting standpoint, from a drafting standpoint, (he was) not afraid to say, ‘We made a mistake,’” former Saints star Deuce McAllister told me last month when I asked for a scouting report on the new Broncos coach.“What I mean by that is, drafting someone and they get beat out, if they get outplayed by a player who’s not a draft pick, or somebody that’s a free agent. You kind of have to earn it with (Payton).”The Broncos came roaring out of Day 1 of the NFL’s legal tampering period like Secretariat, stomping out old fires and backfilling across the board.Offensive line? Upgrade. QB2? Upgrade. TE2? Upgrade. Alex Singleton? Back in the fold. Who knew shopping with Rob Walton’s credit card was going to be this much stinking fun?Whatever it costs to chisel and hammer this franchise into Payton’s image, go to town. When you haven’t made the playoffs in seven seasons and haven’t posted ...

Seahawks reach deal with former Broncos DL Dre’Mont Jones, AP source says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

RENTON, Wash. — Traditionally quiet during the initial days of free agency, the Seattle Seahawks made a big splash on Monday, agreeing to a contract with defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones, according to a person with knowledge of the deal.The person confirmed the agreement to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because it can’t be announced until Wednesday.NFL Network and The Score reported the deal is for three years and up to $51 million. Related ArticlesDenver Broncos | Broncos agree to terms with Cardinals DL Zach Allen, reuniting him with DC Vance Joseph, source says Denver Broncos | Broncos retaining LB Alex Singleton with three-year deal on first day of negotiating period Denver Broncos | Broncos make offensive line overhaul priority No. 1 with free agent additions RT Mike McGlinchey, G Ben Powers Denver Broncos | Broncos agree to terms with Jarrett Stidham as No. 2 QB for 2023, sources say Den...

Artturi Lehkonen breaks finger in return to Montreal, will require surgery after Avalanche’s 8-4 win over Canadiens

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

MONTREAL — Artturi Lehkonen was standing at the same end of the ice where he scored the Canadiens’ most important goal of this century. That goal, the Game 6 overtime winner that sent Montreal to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021, played above him on the Bell Centre jumbotron.Lehkonen is a vicious forechecker who keeps to himself and rarely allows his focus to stray while on the ice. But he craned his neck to relive this. Nathan MacKinnon playfully slapped Lehkonen with his stick as the crowd went wild. Lehkonen tapped his heart, saluting his old home.That moment was the centerpoint of an emotional, exceptional and ultimately uneasy return to Montreal. In a mostly seamless 8-4 Avalanche win Monday, Lehkonen scored on his first shift after the tribute video, was cheered by the opposing fans, then was given belated credit for an earlier goal to bring his career total to an anticlimactic 100. Then he exited the game with an upper-body injury in the second period. He didn’...

Fight between teenage boys ends in stabbing on MUNI bus

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Police are investigating a stabbing incident involving minors on a MUNI bus near the Union Square neighborhood, the San Francisco Police Department Investigations Bureau confirmed to KRON4. Two students arrested for knives on campus days after deadly stabbing at Montgomery High School Around 4:41 pm., officers were informed of a stabbing aboard a MUNI bus near Stockton and Sutter streets. At the scene, officers found one minor suffering from a potential stab wound. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene while officers provided medical aid. The victim was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to police. The preliminary investigation into the incident revealed that a fight had taken place on the bus between several minor boys. Officers on the scene have detained multiple subjects who they believe were involved in the assault. No arrests have been made at the time. Police are asking those who may have witnessed the crime...

Jalen Green scores 28, Rockets outlast Celtics 111-109

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored 28 points and rookie Jabari Smith Jr. added 24 as the Houston Rockets withstood a late charge to beat the Boston Celtics 111-109 on Monday night.The Rockets, who are tied with Detroit for the NBA’s fewest wins with 16, snapped a three-game skid despite allowing the Celtics’ Jaylen Brown to score a season-high 43 points.Boston, which is second in the Eastern Conference, trailed by 11 with about 4 1/2 minutes to go before using a late run to get within striking distance. Brown made two free throws to cut Houston’s lead to one with less than a minute left.Kenyon Martin Jr. missed a 3-point attempt after that but grabbed his own rebound. Green was fouled with 10 seconds to go and made both free throws. Brown made a layup to get Boston within one again. Smith then made one of two free throws. The Celtics had a chance to tie it at the buzzer, but Jayson Tatum missed a layup. Tatum scored 22 points for Boston and Malcolm Brogdon added 20. Martin had ...

Gov. Moore recommits Maryland to California’s vehicle emissions reduction goals

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is working on accelerating the state’s commitment to improving air quality and combating the effects of climate change by returning the state’s timeline to its initial, “more aggressive,” clean energy plan, which is in line with California’s.Moore’s support for the progressive plan comes after a unanimous vote by the state’s Air Quality Advisory Council approving the state’s return to greener vehicle emission policies in the Advanced Clean Cars II rule under the federal Clean Air Act.More Local NewsMore Maryland NewsThe proposal requires 43% of new cars sold to be zero-emission by 2027, increasing the percentage annually until all new passenger vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2035. The move could cut vehicle emissions by 75% over the next two decades, the governor said during a press conference with the Department of the Environment in Baltimore on Monday.“Car exhaust is the largest source of greenhouse...

Jimmy Butler scores 24, Heat hold off Jazz 119-115

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Another night, another close game for Miami.Jimmy Butler scored 24 points to lead seven Miami players in double figures, Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent each scored 18 and the Heat held off the Utah Jazz 119-115 on Monday night.It was Miami’s 24th win by five points or less this season.“When it gets into those moments of truth, I’ve said this before, at least we understand what our package is and what we’re trying to do, how we want to execute,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We’ve had so many reps and film sessions and walkthroughs and teaching points … I think we’ve all gotten better from that, including the coaching staff.”Bam Adebayo scored 16 for Miami, while Victor Oladipo and Kevin Love each had 11 and Caleb Martin scored 10.Lauri Markkanen scored 38 for Utah, which got 23 from Simone Fontecchio and 14 from Ochai Agbaji. Miami was 31 for 36 from the foul line, compared with 13 for 18 for the Jazz.“We can still get better,” Markkanen said. “Obviou...

Puerto Rico throws 8-inning perfecto vs Israel in WBC

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — José De León and three relievers combined to pitch a perfect game as Puerto Rico routed Israel 10-0 in a World Baseball Classic game called after eight innings Monday night because of the tournament’s 10-run mercy rule.De León tied a WBC record with 10 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander was lifted after he fanned Spencer Horwitz on his 64th pitch, one under the tournament limit for starting pitchers in the first round. He exited to a huge ovation from the prohibitive Puerto Rico crowd of 27,813 in Miami.Javier Báez doubled twice and Francisco Lindor tripled and singled for Puerto Rico, which finished with 11 hits and improved to 2-1.Puerto Rico struck quickly against Israel starter Colton Gordon with a three-run first. Báez hit a two-run double and scored on Eddie Rosario’s double.The extra-base hits continued for Puerto Rico in the second, resulting in another three runs. Kiké Hernández made it 5-0 with a two-run double and raced home on Emmanuel Rivera’s tr...

Lehkonen scores 2 as Avalanche beat Canadiens 8-4

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:10:34 GMT

MONTREAL (AP) — Artturi Lehkonen scored twice in Colorado’s four-goal first period, and the Avalanche beat the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 Monday night.Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and two assists, Mikko Rantanen had a goal and an assist, and Nathan MacKinnon, J.T. Compher, Matt Nieto and Bowen Byram also scored for the Avalanche, who won for the third time in four games. Cale Makar had three assists, and Devon Toews and Logan O’Connor each had two. Alexandar Georgiev finished with 15 saves.Josh Anderson had a goal and an assist, and Chris Wideman, Mike Matheson and Denis Gurianov also scored as the Canadiens lost their seventh straight (0-5-2). Nick Suzuki had two assists.Jake Allen started in goal and was pulled early in the second quarter after giving up six goals on 15 shots. Sam Montembault came on and finished with 16 saves.Lehkonen, Byram and Nieto scored 5:06 apart to give the Avalanche a 3-0 lead a little more than eight minutes into the game. Lehkonen converted on a...