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Border detention facilities reach capacity amid spike in migrants

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

(CNN) — Detention facilities along the US-Mexico border have surpassed capacity as a growing number of migrants cross into the United States leading up to the May 11 expiration of a Covid-era border restriction known as Title 42, according to a Department of Homeland Security official.As of Saturday morning, there were more than 20,500 migrants in US Customs and Border Protection custody along the US southern border, the official said, stressing the number of people in custody fluctuates throughout the day.The Rio Grande Valley sector, which encompasses south Texas, had nearly 7,000 migrants in custody as of Saturday morning, the Homeland Security official said. The majority are Venezuelans.Officials have seen an uptick in migrants crossing the US-Mexico border in anticipation of the expiration of Title 42, which was invoked at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and has allowed border authorities to quickly expel certain migrants. There have been around 7,000 daily encounte...

Search area widened for Texas gunman after 5 killed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

CLEVELAND, Texas (AP) — A Texas sheriff said Saturday that authorities have widened the search area for a man suspected of killing five of his neighbors near Houston.San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers told reporters the search area for 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza could now be as large as “10 or 20 miles” as the gunman remained at large more than 15 hours after the shooting Friday night.The shooting happened near the town of Cleveland, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Houston. Capers said Oropeza may still have a weapon.THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.CLEVELAND, Texas (AP) — A Texas man went next door with a rifle and fatally shot five of his neighbors, including an 8-year-old boy and a teenage girl, after the family asked him to stop firing rounds in his yard because they were trying to sleep, authorities said Saturday.The suspect, identified as 38-year-old Francisco Oropeza, remained at large more than 12 hours after the shooting ...

Soggy weather returns Sunday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

After having a nice spring day to wrap up the work week, a weather system now heading into New England will continue to bring in soggy weather for Sunday. Showers and mist are expected most of the day, with a break in the steadier rain midday and early afternoon. The heaviest rain moves in Sunday evening with a coastal low passing by. In total, 1/2″ to as much as 3″ of rain is expected through early Monday morning. The rain will also be accompanied by some wind, at times gusting over 20mph.

Meet the Chicago Bears’ 10 picks from the 2023 NFL draft, from OT Darnell Wright to safety Kendall Williamson

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles checked off his draft weekend to-do list, looking to improve a last-place roster and accelerate the team’s return toward playoff contention.Now that Poles and the Bears have navigated the weekend, we offer you a comprehensive look at each of the players the team selected.Catch up on our draft coverageBears trade down again and select Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick in the NFL draftColumn: Drafting Darnell Wright the latest item on the checklist so the Bears can better evaluate Justin FieldsDay 2 of NFL draft: Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles hits the defense with pair of DTs and CB Tyrique StevensonColumn: After passing on Jalen Carter, the Bears doubled down on DTs Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens. Now they must develop.Column: The Panthers made Bryce Young the No. 1 pick. Here’s why it matters to Ryan Poles and the BearsLocal prospects in the NFL draft: Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon and Northwestern&...

UF draft tracker: LB Ventrell Miller heads to Jacksonville Jaguars

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

Florida linebacker Ventrell Miller is staying close to home after the Lakeland native spent the past six years in Gainesville with the Gators.The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Miller No. 121 overall during the NFL draft’s fourth round, allowing the 24-year-old to play before a fan base well familiar with his hard-hitting style, physical toughness and production at UF.“It feels good … being in my backyard,” he said. “It ain’t bad, definitely excited.”Miller also was relieved.December surgery to repair a fracture in his right foot kept him out of the Senior Bowl, the NFL Scouting Combine and Florida’s Pro Day.Because he was unable to go through the draft process, Miller did not expect to hear his name called so early. Some pundits predicted he would be an undrafted free agent.“I was surprised a little bit, knowing I didn’t do anything,” he said. “When they called me, they told me they skipped up some picks to get ...

Dolphins signing several undrafted free agents, including local QB James Blackman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier was not joking when he said he was immediately bolting upon conclusion of his draft wrap-up press conference to get to work on undrafted free agent additions Saturday night.After the Dolphins’ four-pick draft haul between Friday and Saturday, the work immediately began within minutes of Mr. Irrelevant being announced as the final pick of the draft.Miami picked up Arkansas State quarterback James Blackman, a former Glades Central High standout and Florida State Seminole, Jackson State linebacker Aubrey Miller, San Diego State offensive lineman Alame Uluave, USC defensive lineman Brandon Pili, Michigan State offensive tackle Jarrett Horst and Oregon safety Bennett Williams, according to various reports.“There’s still work to be done,” Grier said after the Dolphins completed their draft. “We’ll be trying to add the best players we can, and hopefully, we’ll find a couple undrafted gems or hidden gems fo...

Chicago Cubs minor-league report: Caleb Kilian makes his MLB season debut and Pete Crow-Armstrong continues to wow

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

Caleb Kilian’s first taste of the big leagues didn’t play out as the right-hander hoped.Kilian allowed 13 earned runs in 11⅓ innings over three starts for the Chicago Cubs in June. A left knee issue bothered him the rest of the season at Triple-A Iowa, where he posted a 5.37 ERA in his final 16 starts. Healthy entering big-league camp this spring, Kilian showed the type of stuff that made him the Cubs’ top pitching prospect last season.Kilian, 25, got another major-league chance Saturday when the Cubs recalled him to start against the Miami Marlins. He gave up five runs in a 40-pitch first inning and exited with seven runs allowed on 10 hits in 3⅓ innings with four strikeouts and two walks in a 7-6 Cubs loss.“He’s always been a confident guy,” vice president of player development Jared Banner said Friday. “His delivery is in a really good place and stuff’s in a really good place, and that’s a good combination.”I...

Fast facts: Learn more about Dolphins TE Elijah Higgins and OT Ryan Hayes, Miami’s sixth- and seventh-round draft picks

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

The Miami Dolphins selected Stanford wide receiver/tight end Elijah Higgins on Saturday with their sixth-round draft pick and Michigan offensive tackle Ryan Hayes with their seventh-round pick. Here’s what you need to know about Higgins, who was born in Florida and has extended family in the Tampa area, and Hayes:ELIJAH HIGGINSPos./round: Receiver, tight end/Sixth (No. 197)School: StanfordYear: SeniorHt.: 6-3 Wt.: 235Hometown: Austin, Tx.Comment: Higgins is a guy who has position versatility between slot wide receiver and tight end, and in that way he could stir the creative juices of coach/offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel. …Higgins totaled 59 receptions for 704 yards and two touchdowns last season. …Higgins is a good route-runner and has good hands and toughness. …Higgins doesn’t have outstanding speed and doesn’t show a knack to separate from defenders as a wide receiver, which might be one reason he’s being shifted to tight end in the ...

Cincinnati Bengals grab Miami Hurricanes cornerback DJ Ivey in seventh round

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

After four years as a key Hurricanes cornerback, DJ Ivey is going pro.Ivey was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round on Saturday following a successful five-year career at Miami.“It’s been a long five years,” Ivey said at Miami’s Pro Day in March. “Just been a grind, honestly. Different coaches coming through, different people, different players you meet. It’s all about how you’re going to stay the course, stay focused and just grind it out, for the most part.”Ivey is a Miami native, signing with the Hurricanes out of South Dade High in Homestead. Ivey was a four-star prospect and quickly got on the field at UM.In his five seasons at Miami, Ivey played in 58 games, starting 32. He had 127 tackles, four tackles for loss, 17 pass deflections and six interceptions. In 2022, he had a career-high 38 tackles and a career-best seven pass deflections. He also had two interceptions.Pro Football Focus gave Ivey some of the best ...

NFL draft tracker: Ravens add Stanford CB Kyu Blu Kelly, Ole Miss edge Tavius Robinson, trade up for USC G Andrew Vorhees on Day 3

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:36 GMT

The Ravens entered the final day of the NFL draft on Saturday with three picks — Nos. 124 (fourth round), 157 (fifth round) and 199 (sixth round) — but they came away with four. Here’s a look at whom they’ve taken.No. 229: Southern California G Andrew VorheesJust when it looked like the Ravens’ day was over, they traded their 2024 sixth-round pick to the Browns for Cleveland’s seventh-round selection.With the pick, No. 229 overall, the Ravens again targeted the offensive line, selecting Southern California guard Andrew Vorhees. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound Vorhees, who tore his ACL during the NFL scouting combine last month, isn’t expected to play this season but could be in line to compete for a starting job the following year.“We are getting a tough and physical competitor who is polished and experience,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said, adding that he expected Vorhees will be ready for the 2024 season. “This is a mov...