College Football Playoff semifinals: Ohio State vs. Texas
The inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff comes down to the final three teams. The second semifinal pits No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes against No. 5 seed Texas Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, on Friday night, Jan. 9.
Ohio State is the odds-on favorite to win the national title after crushing the Tennessee Volunteers in the first round and then jumping out to a massive lead against the top-seed Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl. They won that quarterfinal game 41-21.
The Buckeyes offense has been balanced and explosive with quarterback Will Howard at the helm, and the defense has been nearly unbeatable. They allowed opponents just 12 points per game and proved why they are the top unit in the country.
But Ohio State head coach Ryan Day says none of those statistics will matter on Friday.
“The truth is nothing that Ohio State has done, or Texas has done up until this week, has anything to do with what’s going to happen in this game. Zero. If you think otherwise, just go back and look at where we were a couple weeks ago. Every single week the slate is wiped clean,” Day said, referring to the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan in the regular season finale.
On the other side, Texas will also lean on its shut-down defense, ranked fourth in the nation. They’ve already shut down the Clemson Tigers in first-round action. They also survived an overtime thriller against Arizona State to advance to the Cotton Bowl.
Arlington is just a three-hour drive from the University of Texas in Austin. The motivation is there, too. After losing in the national semifinals a year ago, they’ll need a fast start as a 6-point underdog.
“I think good programs believe in their formula, and part of our formula is our opening scripts. And that’s not gonna change this week either,” said Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian. “I’ll probably have a press conference at the end where I’ll say, ‘Man, the opening script was great –– why did it work?’ Or I’m gonna have one where [I say], ‘What happened? What was wrong?’”
An “x factor” in this semifinal could be how well Texas protects quarterback Quinn Ewers. In their only two losses this season, both to Georgia, he was sacked a combined 13 times. Now they face a Buckeyes front that sacked Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel eight times in the Rose Bowl.
The team that wins Friday will play in the National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 20.
Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story, Straight Arrow News incorrectly reported the name of the Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback as Will Smith. The quarterback’s name is actually Will Howard. Straight Arrow News deeply regrets this error, which has been corrected as of 1/10/2025.
Parent sues Texas high school football coach after 400 push-up workout
A parent is suing her son’s former Texas high school football coach and a dozen assistant coaches after she says her son was pushed over his limit and ended up in the hospital. According to the lawsuit, in January 2023, the staff ordered the Rockwall-Heath High School players to complete nearly 400 push-ups in under an hour as a penalty for infractions seen during an off-season practice.
The lawsuit filed last month, almost two years later, said days after the workout, 26 players were taken to the hospital where they were diagnosed or showing symptoms of rhabdomyolysis. The Cleveland Clinic describes the condition as a “rare muscle injury where your muscles break down … a life-threatening condition that can happen after an injury or excessive exercise without rest.” The clinic says it “can cause kidney damage.”
Mike Sawicki, the attorney representing the parent suing the coaching staff, said the former head coach John Harrell had a responsibility to take care of the players.
“The problem here is that this is a real, potential harm,” Sawicki said. “This is not, I stubbed my toe or this is not I’m a little winded after running some sprints. This is a potentially long-term, life-affecting injury, and it’s not something you’re just going to tough out.”
An investigation commissioned by the Rockwall Independent School District found Harrell did not know about rhabdomyolysis when designing his workout plans. However, once he learned about students being injured, he began researching the condition and notifying his players to seek medical attention.
The school district placed Harrell on administrative leave shortly after the initial allegations came out. He resigned in March 2023, two months later. Some players at the time defended their coach.
“He would never make us do a workout thinking that it was going to put any of us at risk,” Brady Luff, the junior team captain, told WFAA-TV in January 2023.
According to the investigation, players who spoke out about their injuries were being bullied online and there was a concerted effort by some in the football community to discredit them.
The suit is seeking compensation for medical expenses incurred by the injury.
Sawicki said he has settled two other lawsuits against Harrell from parents whose kids were part of the workout. He said this is the first to involve assistant coaches.
The attorney told The Washington Post he does not believe Harrell is an evil person but says he and his coaching staff were responsible for creating a safe program, including knowing about the risks of an excessive workout plan.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
College Football Playoff semifinals: Penn St. vs Notre Dame
College football is down to its final four, as the semifinals of the inaugural 12-team playoff begin Thursday, Jan. 9. In the first matchup, Penn State will face Notre Dame for the Orange Bowl, just north of Miami.
To make it to this point, the Fighting Irish knocked out Indiana in the first round, followed by Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They’ve done it primarily on defense, where they rank second in the country, allowing just 13 points per game. They’ve also leaned on their running game. That combination has helped them win 12 straight games.
During the Orange Bowl media day press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman talked about his team’s identity.
“As you look at the course of our season, it’s been a big indication of the outcome of the game –– our ability to run the football and our ability to stop the run,” said Freeman. “It’s a mentality, it’s a mindset. Just from a defensive coaching background, when you can’t stop an offense from running the ball, it can be demoralizing.”
The other side looks much the same. Penn State beat SMU and Boise State in resounding fashion to reach the semifinal. Their defense is ranked seventh in the nation, holding opponents to just 15 points per game. In the quarterfinals against the Broncos, they held Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty in check, allowing him to run for just 3.5 yards a carry.
Penn State’s head coach, James Franklin, wants the same plan on Thursday.
“We look at it similar. Notre Dame does a phenomenal job with their running backs, what they average per carry, how they play up front,” Franklin said. “But now you’re also having to factor the quarterback into it, which creates another challenge, which creates more stress.”
An “x factor” that should concern Franklin –– the Fighting Irish led college football in takeaways with 31 this season. How conservative will the Nittany Lions be in their quest to protect the football? Will Notre Dame need to force a fumble or interception to win?
Thursday’s winner will face either Texas or Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl semifinal, which is scheduled for Friday night, Jan. 10, in Arlington, Texas.
Titans have top pick in 2025 NFL draft, fire general manager
The Tennessee Titans wrapped up the number one overall pick in April’s NFL draft after losing to the Houston Texans on the final day of the regular season. They fired General Manager Ran Carthon 48 hours later, who likely would have made that pick.
Carthon lost his job after posting a 9-25 record over his two seasons in charge.
Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement, “I’ve loved the time I’ve spent with Ran –– he’s a talented football mind, a great man, and friend to everyone along his path. It’s impossible to ignore that our football team hasn’t improved over the past two years. I am deeply disappointed in our poor win-loss record during this period, of course, but my decision also speaks to my concern about our long-term future should we stay the course. I love this team more than you can imagine. To our fans: We know this level of performance isn’t acceptable. We’re humbled by your support as we continue to work towards building the team you expect and deserve.”
The draft order from pick 18 to 32 will be decided by 14 teams in the playoffs, with the Super Bowl champion making the 32nd pick in the first round.
Several teams that finished near the .500 mark for the season will look to retool after many of the top picks are off the board.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said they’ll immediately get to work preparing for the draft.
“The silver lining of being in this situation and the opportunity that you’re presented is that you do have a head start on the rest of the league to a certain extent. So this is something we really have to take advantage of. This is a position we don’t want to be in ever again, so hopefully, make the most of it and springboarding into creating those opportunities,” Macdonald said.
In Las Vegas, one day after the Raiders let interim head coach Antonio Pierce speak to the media about the season and the state of the team, they fired him. Six teams are now looking for new head coaches, and two teams are looking for new general managers.
NFL’s Wild Card Weekend set after final Sunday of regular season
The NFL’s Wild Card Weekend matchups are set. They follow a handful of important games on Sunday, Jan. 5 –– the last Sunday of the regular season.
The playoffs start with a pair of AFC games. The first features the Los Angeles Chargers, who clinched three straight games down the stretch, visiting the winners of the AFC South division, the Houston Texans. The two teams haven’t met since the 2022 season. The game airs Saturday, Jan. 11, at 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS.
The Saturday night matchup will kick off at 8 p.m. EST on Amazon Prime and features an AFC North battle between the division-winning Baltimore Ravens, with a 12-5 record, and the rival Pittsburgh Steelers, who finished 10-7. The teams split their two meetings during the regular season.
The NFL celebrates Wild Card Sunday with a triple-header beginning at 1 p.m. EST in Buffalo between the AFC East champion Bills, with a 13-4 record, and the Denver Broncos, who started the season 1-4. The Broncos made it into the playoffs after a blowout win over Kansas City on Sunday, taking advantage of the Chiefs, who were resting their starters.
Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was asked about the season coming down to the final game.
“It’s fun to clinch a playoff spot on the last day of the year against a divisional team,” Nix said. “It’s a great story, but now it’s playoff time and our goal wasn’t just to make the playoffs –– even though it hadn’t been done for a while –– it’s for a lot more than that.”
The middle game on Sunday is at 4:30 p.m. EST on Fox and will be played in Philadelphia, where the NFC East champion Eagles will welcome the 11-6 Green Bay Packers. The teams faced off four months ago during the first game of the season in Brazil, of all places. The Eagles won that meeting, 34-29.
The final game on Wild Card Sunday is on NBC at 8 p.m. EST. The Washington Commanders, who finished with 12 wins for the first time in 34 years, will be in Tampa to take on the NFC South champion Buccaneers.
The Bucs needed a comeback win Sunday over the New Orleans Saints to make it into the postseason. “It’s win or go on vacation, and nobody here wanted to go on vacation,” said Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. “This is a tough group, and we knew it was going to be a scrappy ballgame.”
Finally, Wild Card Weekend wraps up at 8 p.m. EST on Monday, Jan. 13, with a showdown in Los Angeles on ABC. The Minnesota Vikings were the first team to finish with 14 wins during a season without winning a division title. They’ll face off against a Rams squad that won a tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks to take the NFC West and make it into the playoffs.
The playoffs’ No. 1 seeds, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, are favorites to meet in the Super Bowl. They’ll both have a week of rest to prepare for the Wild Card survivors.
NFL’s ‘Black Monday’ brings coaching changes and some surprises
This “Black Monday” in the NFL may be known more for those who weren’t fired than those who were. For instance, the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, teams with a combined seven wins this season, will stay the course.
In New Jersey on Monday, Jan. 6, Giants Team President John Mara justified his decision to keep General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll after what he termed a “pretty lousy season.” Daboll, in particular, was thought to be on his way out after the team finished with a 3-14 record.
“Listen I’m at practice all the time, I go to team meetings, I watch the players, how they react. I still think he’s the right guy to lead us. If I’m sitting here a year from now and you’re asking me these questions, I’ll take the heat,” Mara said.
However, there’s a fine line between success and failure. After giving his staff a second lease on life, Mara was asked how long they have to turn things around. “It better not take too long because I’ve just about run out of patience,” he said.
Head Coach Antonio Pierce’s job in Las Vegas seems safe after a four-win season. On Monday, he said he had not heard anything from the team’s ownership.
The Raiders were hit hard by injuries, leading to a 10-game losing streak during the season, but Pierce was proud of the progress they made in the final month.
“Win, lose or draw, those guys competed, there’s improvement there. Some young players really stepped up and that’s what I think this last month was for us. We won two games in a row and lost last night but I thought you saw some things where you could say, ‘man, they were working on it,’” he said.
As expected in Jacksonville, Team Owner Shad Khan fired Head Coach Doug Pederson Monday but did retain General Manager Trent Baalke. “This decision doesn’t erase the fact that Doug did a lot of good things here in Jacksonville,” Khan said. “I have a lot of respect for Doug and will always be grateful for his effort.”
In New England, the Patriots didn’t even wait until “Black Monday” before firing first-year coach Jerod Mayo. He was let go after the team beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Jan. 5, earning just their fourth win of the season. Owner Robert Kraft took the blame, saying he put Mayo in an “untenable position.”
“It was very hard because of the personal relationship I have with Jerod and the kind of human being that he is. I felt guilty I put him in that position, but we’re moving on.” Kraft said.
Former Titans Head Coach Mike Vrabel, a Patriots Hall of Famer, is rumored to be a top candidate in New England.
The Jets, Saints and Bears are also still searching for their next coach. Reports indicate that the Bears have asked to interview Cowboys Head Coach Mike McCarthy, whose contract expires Jan. 14.
Coaches brace for change as NFL’s ‘Black Monday’ approaches
The day after the NFL’s regular season ends is known as “Black Monday,” when struggling teams inform coaches their services are no longer needed. This year, it falls on Monday, Jan. 6, and there is plenty of speculation surrounding what could be more than half a dozen moves.
Three job searches are already underway, as the Chicago Bears, New York Jets and New Orleans Saints fired their coaches during the season.
Current NFL job openings
Chicago Bears –– Thomas Brown (interim)
New York Jets –– Jeff Ulbricht (interim)
New Orleans Saints –– Darren Rizzi (interim)
Those teams currently have interim head coaches, all of whom will reportedly interview for the head job with their respective teams. But there will also be multiple outside candidates brought in.
Three teams have made it clear they will give their coaches at least one more season in charge. New England’s first-year coach, Jerod Mayo, is the shakiest on this list; he has posted a 3-14 record. Right now, the Patriots are in line for the number one pick in April’s draft.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan has seen good and bad reports concerning his tenure.
“I don’t really pay much attention to those reports. I just try to come in and do my job as best I can and do it as long as they allow me to do it,” said Callahan. “If for some reason, and hopefully it’s years from now, they say your services are no longer needed, then that’s how it goes.”
Coaches in the ‘hot seat’
Las Vegas Raiders –– Antonio Pierce
Jacksonville Jaguars –– Doug Pederson
New York Giants –– Brian Daboll
Indianapolis Colts –– Shane Steichen
Dallas Cowboys –– Mike McCarthy
Although it’s pure guesswork, these five coaches are most mentioned in the debate about whether the teams need a change.
For those like Doug Pederson and Brian Daboll, it would not be a surprise if they were let go Monday.
For Mike McCarthy of the Dallas Cowboys, the jury truly is still out. He has heard both praise and criticism from team owner Jerry Jones. On New Year’s Eve, Jones talked about the possibility of retaining McCarthy on a local Dallas radio station, saying he’s been thinking about the issue for weeks.
“What I’m not gonna do this morning is get into any indication one way or the other that I’m not interested in having Mike back. I don’t want that to be the case at all,” Jones said.
Not exactly a vote of confidence. In any case, McCarthy is in a different situation. His contract expires Jan. 14, so he‘ll be free to sign with any team –– whether he’s officially fired or not. There are also reports that other teams could be interested in McCarthy.
Miami Heat suspend 6-time NBA all-star Jimmy Butler after trade request
Jimmy Butler, a 6-time all-star and one of the biggest stars in the NBA, has been suspended seven games by the Miami Heat for “multiple instances of conduct detrimental to the team.” In a statement Friday night, the Heat announced the suspension.
“Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team, Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers,” the statement read.
“I want to see me get my joy back from playing basketball, wherever that may be –– we’ll find out here pretty soon,” Butler said. “I’m happy here off the court, but I want to be back to somewhat dominant. I want to hoop, and I want to help this team win. Right now, I’m not doing that.”
Butler’s minutes have decreased this season as the Heat lean more on Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. In the loss to the Pacers, he scored just nine points, with four assists and two rebounds, while sitting on the bench during the fourth quarter.
“I felt great. I was focused. I felt like I was focused. I felt like I did my job. Well, at least, what my job is now,” Butler said of the game.
Led by Butler, the Heat have been to the NBA finals twice in the last five seasons and missed another trip by one game. For his part, head coach Eric Spoelstra says Butler does need to see the ball more.
“Hey, whatever we gotta do, got to get him activated, get the ball in his hands, play point,” Spoelstra said. “He’s done it before. We know how to get him going, he knows how to get going, these are not two strangers. Y’know?”
Statement from Pat Riley
"We usually don't comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches. Therefore, we will make it clear – We are not trading Jimmy Butler."
With the trade deadline a month away, Heat General Manager Pat Riley had previously said publicly he would not trade Butler, nor would he give him a contract extension. Butler, who will make $52 million this season, is now on the sidelines – at least for the next seven games- awaiting his fate. Cue the drama in Miami!
South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president after standoff
The FBI unveils more information about the man who drove a truck into a New Orleans crowd on New Year’s Day, killing more than a dozen. And multiple reports indicate President Joe Biden could make a big decision on the proposed takeover of U.S. Steel. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Friday, Jan. 3, 2025.
South Korean investigators suspend efforts to detain impeached president after standoff
After an hours-long standoff, South Korean investigators suspended efforts to arrest impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The standoff between South Korea’s anti-corruption agency and the presidential security service lasted nearly six hours at Yoon’s presidential residence Friday, Jan. 3.
The agency called off its agents due to concerns for their safety after the presidential security service and Yoon’s supporters blocked them from entering Yoon’s residence.
Yoon, a former prosecutor, defied investigators’ attempts to question him for weeks in connection with the short-lived period of martial law he imposed at the beginning of December.
A Seoul court issued a warrant for Yoon’s detention Tuesday, Dec. 31, but enforcing it is complicated. Yoon’s lawyers, who filed a challenge to the warrant Thursday, Jan. 2, said it could not be implemented at his residence due to a law that protects locations potentially linked to military secrets from search without the consent of the person in charge.
The anti-corruption agency said it would discuss the next steps but did not immediately say whether it would make another attempt to detain Yoon. The warrant for his detention is valid for one week.
New Orleans attack investigation continues as city hosts Sugar Bowl
The FBI now believes the suspect in a deadly New Orleans truck attack on New Year’s Day likely acted alone. The agency said Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, killed 15 people and injured dozens more early Wednesday, Jan 1, after driving into a crowd on Bourbon Street in the city’s French Quarter.
The agency called the attack “a deliberate act of terror,” and said Jabbar was “100 percent inspired” by the radical Islamic terror group ISIS.
The FBI concluded this after conducting hundreds of interviews, reviewing phone calls, social media accounts and electronic devices connected to the suspect.
Investigators said there appears to be no “definitive link” between the New Orleans attack and the explosion outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas at this time.
Law enforcement investigating the Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas identified the man who carried out the attack as Matthew Alan Livelsberger on Thursday, Jan. 2.
Livelsberger was an active-duty U.S. Army Green Beret. He was reportedly on leave at the time of the attack.
Authorities identified Livelsberger’s burned body by matching his tattoos.
Back in New Orleans, life started to return to normal Thursday as the city hosted the Sugar Bowl at the Superdome. Plus, visitors were once again allowed back into the French Quarter.
Notre Dame went head-to-head with the Georgia Bulldogs and came out on top. With Notre Dame’s victory, the college football playoff semifinals are now set.
The Fighting Irish will face Penn State in the Orange Bowl next Thursday, Jan. 9. Texas will meet Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10.
The two winners will play in the National Championship game on Monday, Jan. 20. It will be the first championship game since the NCAA went to a 12-team playoff format.
2 dead, 19 hurt after small plane crashes into California building
Two people are dead and 19 more injured after a small plane crashed into a furniture manufacturing building in southern California on Thursday.
The people who died were believed to have been on the plane while those injured were among the 200 or so people inside the building. Paramedics transported 11 people to the hospital and treated eight others at the scene.
The crash occurred about half a mile from the Fullerton Municipal Airport. Investigators are working to learn what led up to the incident.
Biden to block Nippon Steel’s bid to take over US Steel: Reports
President Joe Biden decided to block Nippon Steel’s bid to purchase U.S. Steel due to national security risks, according to multiple reports. Biden is expected to announce his decision as early as Friday, reports said.
Senior advisers warned Biden that the U.S. rejecting the Japanese corporation’s $14.9 billion offer could damage relations between the two countries.
Biden’s decision comes after the interagency Committee on Foreign Investment could not conclude the risks of Nippon’s offer, leaving the decision up to the White House.
While U.S. Steel shareholders backed the takeover, the proposed deal faced opposition from union members and politicians.
President-elect Donald Trump, who a group of American steelworkers backed during his campaign, also vowed to block the deal when he takes office later this month.
Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel indicated they would take legal action if the federal government blocked the deal.
119th Congress begins Friday with GOP taking control of House and Senate
The 119th Congress starts Friday with Republicans in full control of the House and Senate for the first time since 2019. The new term, which lasts two years, begins when House members are sworn in.
Despite narrowly hanging on to the GOP majority 219-215, Rep. Mike Johnson’s speakership hangs in the balance. At least one Republican said he would not back Johnson and others expressed concerns about his leadership.
Johnson received a major boost this week when Trump publicly backed Johnson.
In the Senate, Republicans will officially take the reins after flipping the majority in the November election. The new Senate Majority Leader will be Sen. John Thune of South Dakota.
Golden Globes kick off award season this Sunday
Hollywood’s award season officially kicks off Sunday, Jan. 5, with the Golden Globes.
Nominees include Timothée Chalamet, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez and Angelina Jolie.
Movies looking to win big include “A Complete Unknown,” “Emilia Perez,” “Wicked” and “The Brutalist.”
“The Bear,” “Shogun,” “Nobody Wants This” and “Only Murders in the Building” are among the television series looking to take home trophies.
Comedian Nikki Glaser, who hosted the Tom Brady roast, will lead the award ceremony. This year, the Golden Globes will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+.