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Mike Preston’s Ravens ‘football school’ observations on Todd Monken’s offense, Lamar Jackson’s absence and more

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

Coordinator Todd Monken has the type of offensive presence the Ravens haven’t had since Gary Kubiak led the unit in 2014.Back then, Ravens coach John Harbaugh spent most of his time with the defense while Kubiak ran the offense. It appears, based on the portion of Wednesday’s voluntary practice that was open to the media, that 2023 will offer a similar scenario.The show belonged to Monken, who was hired by the Ravens in February to replace Greg Roman, who the team parted with in January. Monken won back-to-back national championships at Georgia before the Ravens handed him the keys to their offense, and while the Bulldogs believed in a strong running game, their passing attack was diverse.Monken spent the practice directing the offense like a downtown New York City traffic cop at rush hour. His language was a bit salty and some might consider it slightly offensive, but this is the NFL, not the Boy Scouts.Under Kubiak in 2014, the Ravens had their most successful season i...

Five takeaways from Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald during Wednesday’s practice

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald wasn’t reading from a script. It only sounded like it when he opened his session with the media Wednesday noting that “the guys who are here” for the team’s voluntary “football school” have been doing a great job. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken used the same phrasing last week.Quarterback Lamar Jackson, who officially signed his five-year extension worth a reported $260 million two weeks ago, was again the most notable absence, but he wasn’t alone.While All-Pro cornerback Marlon Humphrey and All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith were on the field during Wednesday’s portion of practice that was open to the media, linebacker Patrick Queen, whose fifth-year option was not picked up by the Ravens earlier this month, was among those not in attendance. Neither was safety Marcus Williams.Here are five takeaways from the day, which included interviews with Macdonald and two of the Ravens’ young de...

Prince Harry and Meghan made getaway in NYC taxi after being trailed by paparazzi

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

By MICHAEL R. SISAK, BOBBY CAINA CALVAN and DANICA KIRKA (Associated Press)NEW YORK (AP) — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, were trailed in their car by photographers as they left a New York City charity event Tuesday night, briefly taking refuge at a police station before being whisked away in a yellow taxicab. The pursuit and media frenzy evoked memories of the 1997 car chase through Paris that killed Harry’s mother, Princess Diana — though in this case, police said, no one was hurt.The royal couple set off alarms when their spokesperson claimed Wednesday that they had been dangerously pursued by paparazzi in a “near catastrophic car chase” through the streets of Manhattan. That account led New York City Mayor Eric Adams to condemn the paparazzi chasing them as “reckless and irresponsible.”Later, though, police said the pursuit was relatively short and led to no injuries, collisions or arrests, and warranted no further investigation. Sti...

2023 Preakness: Here’s what to know, including post time, who’s racing, draws and odds

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

Tim Schwartz and Childs Walker | Baltimore Sun (TNS)BALTIMORE — The eyes of the horse racing world and beyond will converge on the 148th Preakness Stakes on Saturday at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore for the second jewel of the Triple Crown series. Last year, there was no chance for a Triple Crown winner after Rich Strike, the surprising Kentucky Derby winner, was not entered to run the Preakness. But this year’s Derby winner, Mage, will and is an early 8-5 favorite as the only one from the May 6 race set to compete amid the eight-horse field.As always, there will be plenty to watch for on and off the track. Here’s what you need to know:What is the Preakness Stakes?The Preakness Stakes first ran in 1873. It’s run two weeks after the Kentucky Derby at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. It’s the middle jewel of the Triple Crown, which consists of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, which runs three weeks after the Preakness. The 148th edition of the Preakness, which cov...

At Cannes Film Festival, Johnny Depp says he has no ‘further need for Hollywood’

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

By JAKE COYLE (AP Film Writer)CANNES, France (AP) — Appearing at the Cannes Film Festival the day after premiering his first film in three years, Johnny Depp said Wednesday that he has “no further need” for Hollywood.Depp made a rare public appearance to face questions from the press following the opening-night premiere of “Jeanne du Barry,” in which Depp plays King Louis XV. The French film, directed by and starring Maïwenn and featuring a French-speaking Depp, is the actor’s first film since a jury last year largely sided with him in his legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.Part of Depp’s argument in that 2022 defamation trial was that he had lost work due to Heard’s allegations. Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10 million in damages, vindicating his allegations that Heard lied about Depp abusing her before and during their brief marriage. Heard was also awarded $2 million.“Did I feel boycotted by Hollywood? You’...

Southern Italy and Sicily: An unexpected tropical paradise with a side of history

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

It’s been a long, cold winter that does not want to let go.But for a few weeks, more than three dozen readers and I got to escape to an unexpected tropical paradise — Sicily and Southern Italy.I had been to Tuscany before, but the beaches, abundant citrus trees, palm trees and agave and prickly pear plants in the southern part of the country were a welcome surprise, even though temperatures weren’t quite swimsuit friendly.With that climate comes a cornucopia of always-in-season produce, which makes for the amazing food scene we experienced. In addition, the history and archaeology of the region is mind-blowing and picturesque and the people friendly and animated.Here’s a rundown of what our merry group of travelers did during a magnificent 12-day stay in the region.PalermoA building in the Quattro Canti, an intersection in the historic part of Palermo, Sicily. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)If you visit just one place in Sicily, I’d argue Palermo should be it. It’s the capital of the...

These are America’s top 100 secret beaches

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

There are few things more appealing than an uncrowded beach on a sunny summer day — an under-the-radar stretch of strand where you won’t find coolers and blankets monopolizing the sandy expanse.FamilyDestinationsGuide.com, a travel planning site, recently polled 3,000 families to find the best secret beaches across the U.S. It’s no surprise that beach-blessed Hawaii and Florida took seven out of the top 10 spots — but California beaches had a good showing, too.Eight Golden State beaches appear on the top 100, including Wildcat Beach in Point Reyes at No. 8), Bowling Ball Beach in Mendocino (No. 22) and Gray Whale Cove near Pacifica (No. 25). Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point, Hollywood Beach in Oxnard, Enderts Beach near Crescent City, Montaña de Oro State Park south of Morro Bay and Haskell’s Beach in Santa Barbara also made the list.“Not only do these hidden gems offer a chance to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere,” says executive editor Rose Ackermann, “but they prov...

DeSantis signs bills aimed at transgender care, pronouns, drag shows

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a series of bills on Wednesday taking aim at transgender treatments for minors, pronouns in schools, bathroom use and keeping children out of drag shows.“We are not doing the pronoun Olympics in Florida,” DeSantis said during an event at a Christian school in Tampa. “It’s not happening here.”He spoke at a lectern with a sign that read, “Let Kids Be Kids,” and signed the bills on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.LGBTQ advocates dubbed the measures the “slate of hate,” calling it the most extensive package of anti-LGBTQ laws passed in one legislative session in Florida’s history.“This is an all-out attack on freedom. … DeSantis doesn’t see freedom as a value worth defending, he sees it as a campaign slogan in his bid for the White House,” said Joe Saunders, senior political director of Equality Florida.Drug treatments and surgeries for children diagnosed w...

MTS workers' strike affecting South Bay Bus Division

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO --  San Diego Metropolitan Transit System bus riders are being asked to plan ahead as dozens of bus operators are on now on strike.As of Wednesday morning, the work stoppage is affecting the South Bay Bus Division with 33% of MTS bus routes being impacted.Buses like the one that comes through Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach was delayed as a result. Route 934 is one of many routes on MTS’ list of routes that could be impacted. Police conduct homicide investigation at Campland on the Bay Outside of the MTS bus yard in Chula Vista Wednesday, dozens of employees were holding signs and walking the picket line. They are asking for better working conditions and pay.Negotiations between MTS contractor Transdev and its bus operators have failed so far.At one point, when the strike started Tuesday afternoon, drivers walked away from their buses at the end of their shift and left management to park the buses inside the facility.Union leaders say this strike is expected to last 2...

Aquatic programs in jeopardy at 20 schools after TDSB cuts instructors

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:55:39 GMT

Lack of funding for an integral school program has left students, teachers and parents in disbelief.Swim programs at eight elementary schools and 12 high schools are in jeopardy after the Toronto District School Board cut aquatic instructors, miscalculating how many would be needed to keep the programs alive.“In public education, it just feels like we’re lowering the bar and eventually, how low can it go?” said Grade 3 teacher at Brown Public School, Geoff Loughton.A “Save our pool” sign now hangs in the window at the school in Midtown Toronto and parents and teachers fighting for the swim program students have come to love for generations.“We’re just going to push and push and push the resiliency of our kids and take away all these good things? You know, the Minister of Education said we should go back to basics. Is that just going to be three hours of math and three hours of language – and nothing else?” asked Loughton.Thirty p...