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The rebuttal came in a 176-page court filing Friday.
ByOlivia Rubin
Friday, February 2, 2024 7:18PM
One of former President Trump’s co-defendants in his Georgia election interference case is seeking to dismiss the indictment against him and disqualify DA Willis.
ABCNews
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is pushing back on allegations of misconduct after she was accused of financially benefitting from a relationship with one of the prosecutors on her Georgia election interference case.
In a new 176-page court filing, Willis claims she has “no financial conflict of interest that constitutes a legal bases for disqualification” from the case and that she has “no personal conflict of interest” that would justify her or the office’s dismissal.
In this Aug. 14, 2023 file photo, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis enters a room ahead of a press conference next to prosecutor Nathan Wade, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/John Bazemore)
The filing includes a sworn affidavit from prosecutor Nathan Wade in which he says that in 2022 he and Willis “developed a personal relationship in addition to our professional association and friendship.”
However, the filing says, “any personal relationship among members of the prosecution team does not amount to a disqualifying conflict of interest or otherwise harm a criminal defendant.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
On top of securing 10 semifinalist nominations for the 2024 James Beard Awards, the local industry has also had several new concepts open, including the full-service version of Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook’s hummus concept Dizengoff and Avram Hornik’s new Rittenhouse Square sports bar and nightlife venue.
Philadelphia law firms performed well below the national average in most key financial metrics in 2023, according to a Wells Fargo survey of 130 U.S. firms.
The technicians are joining more than 3,600 Temple Health caregivers represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
A text message from a church leader alerted one of Sam Ganow’s friends that something very bad had happened to her friend.
The text message read, “Pray for Sam, plane crash, no details.”
Jill Hardy is a staff member of the Octorara School District and had been friends with Ganow for 43 years.
“I texted our pastor’s wife back and I said, ‘Please, tell me he didn’t just leave from the Chester County Airport,’” she said.
Just after takeoff in an old plane that had been heavily rehabbed, something happened that made Octorara School Board President Sam Ganow crash into a property not far from the airport on Thursday.
The crash happened around 1:30 p.m. on the 500 block of Old Wilmington Road.
Ganow had told a friend earlier that he was delivering the small twin-engine plane to its new owner in Tennessee.
He was on the school board for the Octorara School District for 26 years, long after his kids had grown.
Ganow flew himself around the country to be a judge at alpine skiing events and he flew his friends around whenever he could.
“Knowing how experienced he was, knowing everything that went into his flying and background, it’s really a shock. He was very experienced. He flew all the time,” the superintendent of Octorara School District, Dr. Steven Leveer said.
His wife was driving a family member to Florida when she heard of the crash and turned around to be with their three kids and eight grandkids.
The family asked Hardy to speak on their behalf about this very charitable man who they know is now with God.
“They’re holding up as good as can be expected. Sam had a very strong faith. He knew the Lord and walked that path every day so they know where he is and that gives peace. It doesn’t take away the pain, but it gives you peace,” Hardy told NBC10.
While a little gruff and sarcastic on the outside, his friends tell NBC10 that he also quietly did a lot of kind things for people who were struggling and he never wanted anyone to know he was the one helping.
“You don’t do it for money, you don’t do it for recognition. That wasn’t who Same was,” Hardy said. “He just did it to give back to the community because he loved doing things for people, that is who he was.”
The FAA is partnering with the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident.
Investigators will be reviewing the records of the flight, including flight track data, recordings of any air traffic control communications, weather forecasts and witness statements.
If you witnessed the crash or have any information, please click here.
Block Inc., the financial services business formerly known as Square, plans to lay off 22 employees in Pennsylvania, part of a downsizing the company announced last fall.
Washington — House Judiciary Committee chairman Jim Jordan has subpoenaed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for documents related to an investigation by the GOP-led panel into allegations she misused federal funds.
The subpoena from Jordan, a Republican from Ohio, compels Willis to turn over documents and communications that relate to the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office’s receipt and use of federal dollars received from certain components of the Justice Department. The subpoena requires Willis to provide the documents and communications to the committee by Feb. 23.
Jordan said in a letter to Willis on Friday that the information he is seeking will help inform potential legislative reforms that his committee is exploring. The Judiciary panel has made three prior requests for documents from Willis’ office, which she has not complied with, he said.
Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have been looking into Willis’ use of federal funds during her office’s investigation into former President Donald Trump and his alleged scheme to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in the state. Trump was indicted in August and faces 13 counts in a sprawling racketeering case brought by Willis and her office. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Willis in September accused Jordan of trying to obstruct the prosecution of Trump and called an earlier request for information from the Judiciary Committee leader an “unjustified and illegal intrusion into an open state criminal prosecution.”
The subpoena for documents from Willis comes in the wake of claims that her office retaliated against an employee who raised concerns about federal Justice Department grants potentially being used for other unrelated expenses. The grant was earmarked for youth gang prevention in Fulton County, but a report from the Washington Free Beacon, a conservative news outlet, alleged that Willis’ office sought to use the money for items like laptops, travel and “swag.”
The Free Beacon reported that the whistleblower warned Willis about the potential misuse of federal funds, but was “abruptly terminated” weeks later.
“These allegations raise serious concerns about whether you were appropriately supervising the expenditure of federal grant funding allocated to your office and whether you took actions to conceal your office’s unlawful use of federal funds,” Jordan wrote in his letter.
Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. Melissa covers U.S. politics, with a focus on the Supreme Court and federal courts.
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The acquired company helps businesses attract customers by alerting nearby consumers about deals and coupons, and it can tell consumers inside stadiums which nearby bars and restaurants will still be open after an event.
In an eventful day for the Sixers — one in which Joel Embiid was diagnosed with a meniscus injury and Tyrese Maxey was named an Eastern Conference All-Star — the team took on the Utah Jazz in the final leg of their five-game road trip. The short-handed Sixers were able to fend off the young Jazz, winning 127-124. Here is what jumped out from this one:
First Quarter
• Maxey returned after a three-game absence due to an ankle sprain, and it is safe to say he was ready to go. Maxey scored the Sixers’ first 10 points, all in about three minutes, ultimately scoring 18 points in the first quarter alone, all while attempting nine shots. Typically, Embiid dominates in the first quarter and Maxey takes over later on. But with the reigning MVP sidelined, Maxey took on the role of the early star. He was absolutely brilliant from the outset, the best he has looked since his 50-point showing back in early November.
• Tobias Harris was matched up with former All-Star Lauri Markkanen on both ends of the floor, and got the better of the matchup early on. Harris gives up a few inches of height against Markkanen, but has the considerable advantage as far as foot speed goes. He was able to break down Markkanen early with quick moves towards his preferred spots on the floor. Maxey and Harris combined to score all of the Sixers’ first 26 points.
• With the Sixers missing not just Embiid, but also De’Anthony Melton, Nic Batum, Marcus Morris Sr. and Robert Covington, the team was without any sort of frontcourt depth. That meant some challenging assignments for spot-starter Danuel House Jr., who was excellent in the opening frame. House is not always able to bring his best, but when he does, he looks like a game-changer. He was outstanding on both ends of the floor early on in this one, helping the Sixers set the tone.
Second Quarter
• Upon checking in, Maxey got right back to work in the second quarter, scoring eight quick points. Included among those points were two triples, which — like most of the ones he hit in the first quarter — came from far beyond the three-point line. Maxey has said throughout the season that Sixers assistant coach Rico Hines has gotten on him about launching from even deeper than he usually would. That advice combined with Maxey’s excellent execution has added another dimension to his game — and on this night in particular, it enabled Maxey to finish the first half with 32 points, the most Maxey has ever scored in one half in his NBA career.
• Sixers head coach Nick Nurse went small for the opening minutes of the second quarter, and Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy countered by using two bigs — Kelly Olynyk and Walker Kessler — who were able to capitalize on the Sixers’ lack of depth in the frontcourt. There are oftentimes advantages to going small, but coaches must also inherit the risks that come with it, particularly on the glass, where the Sixers were manhandled for a brief period of this one.
• A Markkanen triple with 3:31 left in the first half trimmed the Sixers’ lead to one point. But over the next 271 seconds, the Sixers outscored the Jazz 13-4, thanks to some shot-making and incredibly cohesive team defense. This was a huge stretch for the Sixers, as they were able to once again establish control of the game.
Third Quarter
• Kelly Oubre Jr. has not shot the ball well from beyond the arc in recent weeks, though he has continued to play with the right mindset: attack the rim relentlessly and look to fill in the gaps. Oubre did a great job defensively in this one, particularly as an off-ball playmaker. When Oubre is locked in and fully engaged as a defender, he can be extremely disruptive. He deserves credit for continuing to come through on that end of the floor despite some offensive struggles.
• It was not just a hot start for Harris — he sustained tremendous offense for most of this game, giving the Sixers plenty of timely buckets. Harris has been terrific of late, and the Sixers are going to need nights like this from him on a regular basis while Embiid is absent.
• The Sixers made an important run to end the third quarter as well. The run was spurred by Maxey, who scored the team’s final nine points of the period, and by Jaden Springer, who repeatedly got key stops against former Sixth Man of the Year winner Jordan Clarkson. Aside from one bad foul on the last play of the quarter, it was a strong stint for Springer. Springer took his defense to another level against Clarkson early in the fourth, quickly frustrating the veteran scoring aficionado.
Fourth Quarter
• Perhaps the only plus of Tuesday night’s loss in Golden State was the play of Furkan Korkmaz, who scored 19 points. Korkmaz gave them a massive lift in that game, and in the fourth quarter of this one he hit an incredibly difficult three to beat the shot clock buzzer, and then went to his patented reverse jam in transition a moment later.
• Because Korkmaz was in a groove, Springer was dominating Clarkson and all of the Sixers’ bigs were not playing well, Nurse went super small, going to Harris at the five with Oubre, Korkmaz, Springer and Maxey. It was a fascinating experiment that largely yielded positive results.
• Oubre was finally able to get going from beyond the arc in the fourth, knocking down back-to-back timely triples to keep the Sixers in front, and then hitting another key shot from beyond the arc later in the quarter. He entered this game shooting just 20 percent from beyond the arc on 3.6 attempts per game over his last 10 contests. Him giving the Sixers the kind of three-point shooting that they saw from him early in the season would change things for the team’s offense.
• Close games often come down to shot-making. And down the stretch, it was the Jazz who were able to knock down the biggest shots, not the Sixers. And so, despite having the best player on the floor and controlling most of the game, the Sixers seemed primed for yet another tough loss. But the Sixers just kept pushing. Maxey hit yet another 30-footer to tie the game with a minute and change remaining. And then Patrick Beverley, quiet for most of the night as a scorer, took a corner three with a chance take the lead with 40 seconds left in the game. And… cash. After that came clutch free throws from Harris and Maxey. Ballgame.
(The Hill) – The first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. will hit the market soon, and the Biden administration is facing pressure from Democrats and reproductive health groups to make sure it’s affordable.
The manufacturer of Opill says it’s on track to make the drug available sometime during the first quarter of this year, meaning it could be on shelves by March.
A one-month dosage of hormonal birth control pills is displayed in Sacramento, Calif., Aug. 26, 2016. A drug company is seeking U.S. approval for the first-ever birth control pill that women could buy without a prescription. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)
Reproductive health experts say making birth control pills available without a prescription has the potential to be a game changer, especially for younger women and those in rural and underserved communities.
It is more than 90 percent effective at preventing pregnancies, making it more effective than other over-the-counter contraceptives such as condoms or spermicides.
The push to make birth control available OTC has been happening for years, but after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and ended the constitutional right to an abortion, the movement took on more urgency.
The White House last week unveiled new efforts to expand access to contraception, including requiring insurers to cover a broader range of products for free under the Affordable Care — but only if they are prescribed. Insurers typically don’t cover OTC products.
A few states require state-regulated private health insurance plans to cover over-the-counter contraception, but those rules don’t apply to most employer-sponsored plans.
Federal health officials are reviewing potential changes on how best to ensure coverage and access to OTC products, and a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) request for public input at the end of September garnered nearly 400 responses.
But the agency hasn’t made any decisions yet, and there’s growing concern that without action, a patchwork of state policies could blunt the potential benefits of Opill.
“When Opill is on the market, it’s extremely important that everybody has access, that it’s sold at an affordable price and that people who do have insurance can use their insurance coverage to access it,” said Kelly Blanchard, president of Ibis Reproductive Health, which operates the Free the Pill campaign.
Affordability of birth control shouldn’t be dependent on a person’s zip code, Blanchard said, so the Biden administration needs to clarify that the ACA also requires coverage for over-the-counter products.
A push for federal action is also coming from Democratic governors.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom led a coalition of governors in December calling on HHS to expand private insurance coverage to OTC products and adopt a similar policy in federally funded health insurance plans like Medicare and Medicaid.
“As allies in the fight for reproductive freedom, we urge you to take further steps to ensure that all women have access to necessary contraceptive services,” wrote the governors, who also included Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker.
“Without coverage that includes low or no out-of-pocket costs, over-the-counter birth control products become much less accessible,” they wrote.
In Congress, nearly all Senate Democrats have asked administration officials to take concrete steps to ensure contraceptives are covered without cost-sharing and without the need for a prescription.
But for advocates, the push to ensure Opill is affordable extends to the manufacturer, Perrigo Company, and retailers who will determine the price for people paying out of pocket. The manufacturer will set a list price, but individual retailers will decide what it will ultimately cost consumers.
Perrigo has yet to disclose what the retail price for the product will be, and a spokeswoman said only that “the company is committed to ensuring that Opill will be accessible to people who need it.”
Even a small cost burden can present a significant barrier and make a drug inaccessible.
For example, FDA approved the first-ever OTC hearing aids in 2022, but the average cost was significantly higher than what people would have paid with insurance coverage.
A KFF survey from 2022 found nearly 40 percent of reproductive-aged women would be willing and able to pay between $1 and $10 a month, but only about 16 percent would be willing and able to pay more than $20.
On Wednesday, the steering committee of the Free the Pill campaign called on Perrigo not to charge more than $15 for a three-month supply.
“Though we are also advocating for OTC birth control to be fully covered by insurance without a prescription or cost sharing, we know that because US health insurance is often tied to employment, a high retail price could also put Opill out of reach for people who don’t have employer-based insurance,” the group wrote in a letter to Perrigo’s leadership.
“A retail price of $15 for a three-month supply would help ensure that this groundbreaking product is affordable for those who face the most barriers to access, many of whom are also those with the least ability to pay.”
The boardwalk in Wildwood is about to get a major facelift. Crews are getting ready to work on a rebuild for a new attraction aimed at country music fans.
Soon the former home of an aging arcade is set to be transformed into a country bar, a first for the Wildwoods.
“It is going to be called the Honky Tonk Beach, ” Broadwalk Mall co-owner Sean Dougherty told NBC10.
The location will be inside the Boardwalk Mall which also houses shops and a Captn’ Jack’s Island Grill.
“This was a true achievement to actually buy this place and to kind of just reinvent it,” Dougherty said.
Doughtery added that Honky Tonk Beach will build on the success of Wildwood’s popular Barefoot Country Music Fest over the past few years.
Just outside, a major spruce-up is underway and the latest phase of a multi-year project to refurbish the city’s more than century-old boardwalk.
“We’re going to have live entertainment, we’re going to have line dancing,” Dougherty said.
Now is the time to prepare and grab your cowboy hats and boots because the new bar is expected to open in mid-May.
Amidst the flurry of coaching hires and Pro Bowl dodgeball. The Eagles have continued to make moves on their coaching staff.
Last week, the Eagles had begun their search for new coordinators. They started off by hiring Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. Fangio was most likely their 1st choice last season, but the Arizona Cardinals tampering incident saw Fangio off to Miami for the year.
Moving on from the Patricia & Desai conundrum as quickly as possible might have saved this Eagles off-season.
Another Coach On The Way Out
It was announced that Quarterback Coach Alex Tanney will be looking for new opportunities. The Eagles would have yet another hole to fill in their coaching staff with OC Brian Johnson also being let go. There’s been no formal severance from Tanney yet, so there’s a potential he could remain with the team still.
Another Coach On The Way Out
The Eagles might’ve already found their Defensive Coordinator in Vic Fangio. But it looks like the Eagles will flesh out their defensive staffing with coaches Fangio has spent previous time with.
The #Eagles are expected to hire former #Seahawks defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt as their D-line coach, per sources.
Sweeping staff changes continue under Nick Sirianni, who also is expected to hire one of Hurtt’s assistants in Seattle, Karl Scott, to coach DBs. pic.twitter.com/JlGbVqiy2U
New Defensive Line Coach Clint Hurtt spent two years with the Chicago Bears as an Outside Linebackers Coach during Fangio’s time as Chicago’s Defensive Coordinator (2015-16). Hurtt was most recently the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator for the last 2 seasons. With a familiar joining Fangio’s team. The Eagles now have to question what they’ll be doing with Tracy Rocker. The current Defensive Line Coach who has been with the team since Sirianni’s arrival.
There’s another coach from the Dolphins staff that the Eagles have already reached out to.
Per @CameronWolfe, the #Eagles have requested to interview Dolphins’ safeties coach Joe Kasper for the same role. The safeties coach is especially crucial to Fangio’s defense. https://t.co/jsgMwlqZnl
If the Eagles are able to bring in Fangio and potentially Joe Kasper from Miami. Perhaps GM Howie Roseman might consider making another blockbuster trade for the Safety position?
In August of 2022, the Eagles acquired C.J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 7th round pick from the New Orleans Saints for a 2023 5th, and the worse of their 2024 6th round picks.
If the Eagles were considering a splash with a trade. Using a couple of their picks, perhaps they could make a move on Miami’s Jevon Holland? With the loss of Sydney Brown in Week 18, it’s unlikely the Eagles will see their own Canadian-born Safety back for the 2024 season. Why not get another one?
After all. Jevon posted this video of himself kicking rocks the same day that Fangio was moving on from the Dolphins staff. While Holland tried to down play the video. Even Dolphins pages like PhinPhanatic think that Miami should listen in on potential trade offers.
Finally, An Offensive Coordinator
Last week, the rumored names for the Eagles Offensive Coordinator availability were Kellen Moore and Kliff Kingsbury.
With Moore winning the job and Kingsbury staying in the desert with the Las Vegas Raiders. It almost seems like the Eagles once again dodged a bullet that the Raiders once again took for them.
During the 2021 coaching cycle. The Eagles almost hired Josh McDaniels over Nick Sirianni. Since then McDaniels went on to coach the Raiders to an uninspiring 9-16 while Sirianni has gone 34-17 in Philly, with 3 straight playoff appearances.
Missing out on another coach that ends up going to Vegas might be good for the Eagles. It worked once, hopefully it works again.
With Moore moving on from the Chargers (understandably after hiring Harbaugh), it was a surprise to see him heading to Philly. Expected to get Head Coaching offers following his last year in Dallas. Moore even refused the interim position in Los Angeles after Brandon Staley was relieved from his position, as Kellen Moore was expected to be hired as a head coach himself during this years cycle.
If you really wanted to know how lackluster the Eagles 2023 offense was. They ranked 32nd (10.9%) in Pre-snap motion. And when they started using more motion later in the season, it was mostly for show. Kellen Moore’s offense in Los Angeles ranked 8th with 25.9%. Expect big changes in a Philadelphia offense with only 2 active Running Backs, Receivers and Tight Ends.
How are you feeling about the Eagles new coordinator hires?
Delaware firefighter charged with stealing nearly $40K from fire company
WPVI
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, Delaware (WPVI) — A New Castle County, Delaware firefighter is charged with stealing nearly $40,000 from his fire company.
Tyree Williams, 22, was arrested on January 16.
Authorities said he tampered with personal banking information in the computer payroll system of the Belvedere Fire Company in order to send former employees’ paychecks to his personal bank accounts.
Williams has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Temple University will offer full rides to more Philadelphia students through a new financial aid program that takes effect in the coming fall semester.
Under the terms of Temple Promise, the university will cover in-state tuition and other eligible fees for qualifying, first-time undergraduates from Philadelphia County. The students must be enrolled full-time and have a total adjusted family income of $65,000 or less.
The financial aid program only applies to students attending the college’s main campus in North Philly or the campus in Ambler.
“The Temple Promise program ensures that talented students who have earned admission to Temple have every opportunity to pursue the excellent education that Temple provides, regardless of financial means,” Gregory Mandel, provost of Temple, said in a statement. “By easing the financial burden many admitted students face, the program enables ambitious, engaged students to join our academic community and sets them up for success in and out of the classroom.”
Temple Promise is a last-dollar financial award designed to cover the remaining balance of tuition after other scholarships and grants are applied. To be considered, applicants must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by April 1.
University officials said the program aligns with the educational agendas set forth by Gov. Josh Shapiro and Mayor Cherelle Parker, who have both called for greater access and opportunity for low-income families.
Last summer, Temple approved a 4.2% increase in base tuition for in-state students, bringing the fees up to $8,988 per semester. Out-of-state students saw a slightly larger tuition bump of 4.4%; they now pay $16,188 per semester.
(KTLA) — Just when we assumed all was good between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, it seems things have taken a turn.
During Timberlake’s free New York City concert on Jan. 31, the singer told the crowd, “I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to absolutely f—ing nobody” right before he began to sing his 2002 hit “Cry Me a River.”
The music video of the song famously portrays a Spears lookalike and the lyrics describe a woman who’s been unfaithful. Many, including Spears herself, believe the song and video created a narrative that Spears cheated on Timberlake, ultimately causing the two to break up.
His comment came just two days after his famous ex seemed to have apologized to him, in a now-deleted Instagram post.
“I wanna apologize for some of the things I wrote about in my book,” she wrote in the caption. “If I offended any of the people I genuinely care about I am deeply sorry.”
The “…Baby One More Time” singer then extended an olive branch to Timberlake.
“I also wanted to say I am in love with Justin Timberlake’s new song ‘Selfish’ 🌹 It is soo good and how come every time I see Justin and Jimmy together I laugh so hard?”
Spears referenced her 2023 tell-all memoir “The Woman In Me,” where the pop star revealed intimate details of the former couple’s relationship in the early 2000s.
One of the major bombshells was Spears’ revelation that she became pregnant with the former NSYNC member’s child when they were both around 19 years old. However, she ended up getting an abortion because she said Timberlake wasn’t ready to be a father.
She also claimed the “SexyBack” artist cheated on her multiple times and broke up with her through a text message.
She wrote that the video featured “a woman who looks like me cheats on him and he wanders around sad in the rain.”
She noted that neither one of them was that innocent.
“I felt there was no way at the time to tell my side of the story. I couldn’t explain, because I knew no one would take my side once Justin had convinced the world of his version. I don’t think Justin realized the power he had in shaming me. I don’t think he understands to this day.”
Her apology came as Timberlake is currently promoting his upcoming album “Everything I Thought It Was.” Last week he dropped “Selfish,” his first solo single in almost six years.
Spears fans trolled the singer by streaming her 2011 song by the same name from her album “Femme Fatale.” The move pushed the 13-year-old song to number one on iTunes on Friday.
Timberlake’s recent comments also come about a month after he seemed to apologize to Spears.
Spears also seems to have caught wind of this and fired back on Instagram.
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
She posted Hang Hee Kim’s photograph titled “Perfect Timing,” which depicts a basketball hoop in front of a full moon.
“Someone told me someone was talking [expletive] about me on the streets!!!” she wrote in the caption. “Do you want to bring it to the court or will you go home crying to your mom like you did last time??? I’m not sorry !!!”
Many fans will remember the iconic photo, where the two took part in the celebrity basketball game Challenge for the Children III in Las Vegas back in 2001.
KTLA 5 has reached out to both Britney Spears’ and Justin Timberlake’s teams and are awaiting a response.
His arrival has not just rejuvenated the team but has redefined their approach to the game, setting new standards in the National Football League (NFL).
This article delves into the Eagles’ performance since Hurts joined their roster, highlighting his impact on the team’s dynamics, his record-breaking feats, and how his presence has steered the Eagles toward becoming a championship-caliber team.
The Dawn of a New Era
Hurts’ entry into the Eagles in 2020 marked the beginning of a new chapter. Initially, the numbers might not have been staggering – a completion percentage of 52.0%, 1,061 yards, and six touchdowns in his first season, where he started four games. However, these statistics barely scratch the surface of the transformative energy he brought to the team. In his rookie season, the raw talent was evident, but more importantly, it was his leadership and poise under pressure that stood out.
A Rising Trajectory
Photo: Pixabay
The progression in Hurts’ performance is a classic example of an athlete evolving through hard work and perseverance. By his second season, his completion rate rose to 61.3%, passing for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns as he became a full-time starter. He helped take the Eagles to the playoffs, where they lost to Tom Brady and the Buccaneers.
The following seasons saw further improvement – his completion percentage reaching 66.5% in 2022 with 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and 65.4% in 2023 with 3,858 yards. These numbers represent not just individual brilliance but also increasing synchronicity with his team.
Rushing into History
Hurts’ rushing abilities have been nothing short of remarkable. He has consistently showcased his dual-threat capability, becoming a nightmare for opposing defenses. From 2020 to 2023, he has rushed for 2,503 yards and scored 41 touchdowns, a significant contribution for a quarterback. His 42-yard longest run is a testament to his agility and speed, making him one of the most versatile quarterbacks in the league.
Postseason Brilliance
Hurts’ impact is not confined to the regular season; his postseason performances have been equally impressive. His most notable performance was in 2022, when he blew the Super Bowl predictions out of the water by helping take the Eagles to the Super Bowl.
Hurts has thrown for 1,087 yards in five postseason games, throwing for five touchdowns while also contributing to 187 yards and five scores on the ground. Hurts went 25-for-35 for 250 yards and a touchdown in the Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers this past year despite not having his top weapon, A.J. Brown.
The Eagles’ Transformation
The Eagles’ transformation with Hurts at the helm is evident. The team has developed a more dynamic, versatile, and aggressive style of play. His leadership has fostered a culture of resilience and determination within the team. The Eagles are no longer just competitors; they are legitimate annual contenders for the championship.
This assertion is not just a fan’s hopeful speculation; it is reflected in the Super Bowl betting odds, which have seen a notable shift in favor of the Eagles since Hurts took over as quarterback back in 2020. The Eagles, with Hurts at the forefront, are not just battling for greatness; they are redefining it, one game at a time.
Elevating Team Morale and Fan Engagement
Hurts’ influence extends beyond the field; his presence has rejuvenated the team spirit and re-energized the Eagles’ fan base. His commitment and approachable demeanor have endeared him to fans and teammates alike. He doesn’t just play for personal records; he plays for the team and the city, creating a palpable sense of unity.
The way he interacts with fans, mentors younger players, and represents the Eagles off the field exemplifies his role as not just a player but a leader and a community icon. This emotional connection and mutual respect between Hurts, the team, and the fans have been pivotal in fostering a supportive and enthusiastic atmosphere around the Eagles.
Conclusion
Jalen Hurts’ journey with the Philadelphia Eagles is a narrative of growth, determination, and excellence. His arrival has catalyzed a significant shift in the team’s performance, making them a formidable force in the NFL.
His stats speak volumes about his abilities, but it’s his intangibles – leadership, work ethic, and the ability to inspire his team – that truly define his impact.
PONTIAC, Mich. — The mother of a Michigan school shooter testified in her own defense Thursday saying she had no role in buying or storing the handgun used to kill four students in 2021 and shifted responsibility to her husband.
“I just didn’t feel comfortable being in charge of that. It was his thing,” Jennifer Crumbley said of her husband, turning to jurors as she spoke on the sixth day of her trial on involuntary manslaughter charges.
Jennifer Crumbley’s affair was revealed during her trial this week.
Crumbley took the stand after days of unflattering evidence about her meetings with staff at Oxford High School, an extramarital affair, a deep concern about her horses after the shooting and the emptying of her son’s $3,000 bank account before her arrest.
Jennifer Crumbley, 45, and husband James, 47, are accused of making a gun accessible at home and ignoring Ethan Crumbley’s mental health needs. They are the first parents in the U.S. to be charged in a mass school shooting committed by their child.
James Crumbley faces trial in March. Ethan, now 17, pleaded guilty to murder and is serving a life prison sentence.
The teen, who was 15 at the time, pulled a gun from his backpack and shot 11 people at Oxford High on Nov. 30, 2021, killing four students.
Ethan was with his father when the 9mm handgun was purchased just four days earlier. Jennifer Crumbley took her son to a shooting range and posted photos about the trip on social media.
But she otherwise denied any role in handling or storing the gun. She said the gun was kept in a locked box with a key kept in a beer stein.
Jennifer Crumbley told the jury she was nervous, but she spoke clearly and calmly for nearly two hours before a break in the proceedings. She apologized for her neck turning red and hoped she wouldn’t break out in hives.
Prosecutors last week presented Ethan Crumbley’s own text messages from spring 2021 in which he told his mom that “demons” were “throwing bowls” and clothes were “flying off the shelf” at home. It was presented as evidence of hallucinations that were not addressed by the parents.
But Jennifer Crumbley said it was “just Ethan messing around.
“He’s been convinced our house has been haunted since 2015,” she said, adding that her son called the ghost “Boris Johnson.”
Earlier in the day, an investigator read portions of Ethan’s journal to the jury.
“I have zero help for my mental problems and it’s causing me to shoot up the … school,” Ethan, then 15, wrote.
“My parents won’t listen to me about help or therapist,” the boy said, adding that he would spend his life in prison and that “many people have about a day left to live.”
But Jennifer Crumbley said she saw no mental health problems in her son.
“There were a couple of times when Ethan expressed anxiety over taking tests,” she said. “Anxiety about what he was going to do after high school – college? military? But not at the level where I felt he needed to see a psychiatrist or a mental health professional.”
Jennifer Crumbley’s attorney, Shannon Smith, again renewed her call for Ethan Crumbley to be brought to court to be challenged about his journal and other evidence. But Judge Cheryl Matthews said no, noting that the teen’s lawyers have indicated that he would invoke his right to remain silent.
Although Ethan Crumbley pleaded guilty to murder and other crimes, his no-parole sentence still can be appealed.
A meeting between school staff and the Crumbleys a few hours before the shooting has been a key point in the mother’s case.
The parents were presented with a disturbing drawing their son had scrawled on an assignment. It depicted a gun and bullet and the lines, “The thoughts won’t stop. Help me. The world is dead. My life is useless.”
The school recommended that Ethan get help as soon as possible, but the Crumbleys declined to take him home, saying they needed to return to work. Their son stayed in school and later pulled a handgun from his backpack to fire at students.
To answer the question at hand, we channel our inner Stone Cold Steve Austin for an “Oh Hell Yeah!”
So, before jumping into the obvious, it is important to take note of a couple of factors surrounding Joel Embiid and his health history. Most NBA fans are aware that “The Process” was sidelined with a foot injury that sidelined him for the first two years of his NBA career.
In fact, Embiid and the sidelines have become good friends since he entered the league as part of the 2014 NBA Draft, playing in just 31, 63, 64, 51, 51, 68, 66, and, as of this writing, 34 games (this season).
A five-time All-NBA, six-time All-Star, and last season’s Most Valuable Player, the Sixers’ big man is the focal point of a team that has been among preseason title contenders since his arrival but has yet to advance past the second round of the playoffs.
Extent Of Injury
Although the Sixers reshuffled the deck by moving perennial All-Star James Harden to the LA Clippers for what amounted to four little-used role players and a number of draft picks and draft pick swaps, Philadelphia has still managed to remain among the top teams in the Eastern Conference for most of the first half of the season. Thanks in large part to Embiid’s stellar play.
With concern to the recent injury to Embiid’s knee, which only worsened during Tuesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors, many believe that the Sixers’ star may have felt pressured into playing through his injury after yet another DNP against Nikola Jokic when the Sixers traveled to Denver to face the Nuggets, who are the best team in Denver basketball leagues according to ClutchBuzz and also the current NBA champions.
Although Embiid had taken to the court for a pre-game workout, it would be deemed less than thirty minutes before tip-off that his leg was not in optimal playing shape.
Two nights later, the Sixers took on the lowly Portland Trail Blazers, trotting out a shell of their starting roster, which resulted in a 130-104 pounding by the fourth-worst team in the league. Had Philadelphia been playing with a healthy lineup, likely would have seen the score reversed.
Embiid’s Absence Impact
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Taking on the Golden State Warriors, a team that hasn’t had a significant presence in the paint since Andrew Bogut played in 2015-16, it seemed as though Embiid would have a relatively easy night. Matched up against Draymond Green, Dario Saric, and Kevon Looney for most of his thirty minutes on the floor, Embiid’s night came to an end early, finishing with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists.
The Sixers’ 119-107 loss would mark the first time in 22 games that Embiid failed to reach the 30-point mark. Still, more importantly, it would see Embiid hobble off the floor after Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga accidentally landed on his left knee while the two were fighting for a loose ball.
Although Sixers’ coach Nick Nurse stated after the game that the injury had no relation to the one that kept Embiid on the sideline for two straight games and hobbling from time to time against the Warriors, Philly fans can only hold their breath and hope that the issue will not be long term. Thankfully, the team has built enough of a cushion that they should not fall too far in the Eastern Conference standings.
Who Can Cover For Joel?
Should Embiid be sidelined for an extended period of time, Philadelphia would be forced to rely on a combination of Paul Reed and Mo Bamba to patrol the paint, not exactly a pair of big men who highlight opponents’ scouting reports. Sure, Reed had a 30 and 13 night against Jokic and the Nuggets, but that is certainly not the norm for the fourth-year pro, who averages 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds.
Throwing Bamba into the fire likely wouldn’t provide much more as the New York-born big man has struggled with injuries of his own over the past few seasons and is currently averaging 4 points and 3 boards. Combined, the two pale compared to the 35.3 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists that The Process provides.
Looking ahead at the Sixers’ schedule heading into the All-Star break, matchups with Brooklyn (Nic Claxton), Dallas (Derek Lively), Cleveland (Jarrett Allen), and Miami (Bam Adebayo) provide Philadelphia with the toughest big men matchups should Embiid be sidelined for a duration of time.
Prior to Embiid’s injury, the focus of the Sixers’ trade deadline talk had centered around adding a guard/wing threat such as Zach LaVine, Royce O’Neale, Bojan, or Bogdan Bogdanovic (not related), Keldon Johnson or Dorian Finney-Smith. An extended Embiid absence, which will be known more following his MRI (scheduled for Wednesday), could mean that the Sixers’ management redirected their trade focus to pick up more depth in the paint.
Names In The Trade List
Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of impactful names on the trade block that the Sixers’ are likely to get due to cap reasons and fit. Nikola Vucevic (Bulls) is too expensive, Jalen Smith and Isaiah Jackson (Pacers) won’t move the needle much more than Reed and Bamba,
Atlanta’s Clint Capela could be an interesting get if the Hawks are blowing things up, as he is on an expiring contract next season. The Washington Wizards are terrible and could be willing to part with Daniel Gafford. Same with Utah’s Kelly Olynyk.
As for Embiid’s personal accolades this season, any thought of a back-to-back MVP is out the window as he has only played in 34 games and would have to play in 31 of the Sixers’ remaining 34 games to reach the newly instated minimum 65 game mark set by the NBA.
After being one of the top two candidates, during the first half of the season, the award at this point should be neither Embiid nor the Sixers’ main focus moving forward.
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