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MARYLAND
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Gospel singer Richard Smallwood dies at 77, leaving a legacy that inspired many in music
SUMMARY: Eight-time Grammy-nominated gospel singer Richard Smallwood has died at 77. His representative announced that Smallwood passed away Tuesday due to complications from kidney failure in Maryland. Smallwood had faced health challenges for years, but his dedication to music kept him going. His songs were recorded by artists such as Whitney Houston and Destiny's Child. Smallwood's music inspired many, including Chaka Khan, who praised his brilliance and spirit. He began playing piano at age 5 and formed his first gospel group by 11. One of his biggest hits was the song “Total Praise.”
WORDS: 548 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 12:09 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/GospelsingerRichardSmallwooddiesatleavingalegacythatinspiredmanyinmusic/5d13ba82d742ad1711d6364827933f96/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Lions-Vikings Christmas game on Netflix sets NFL streaming record, averaging 27.5M viewers
SUMMARY: Two of the NFL's three Christmas Day games set viewership records. The Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings game on Netflix became the most-streamed NFL game in U.S. history. The Denver Broncos-Kansas City Chiefs game set a record for Amazon Prime Video. Nielsen reports the Vikings' 23-10 victory over the Lions averaged 27.5 million U.S. viewers. The Broncos' 20-13 win over the Chiefs had a 21.06 million average on Prime Video. The Cowboys-Commanders game averaged 19.9 million. Netflix's “NFL Christmas Gameday” drew over 632 million social impressions globally, with Snoop Dogg's halftime show being a major highlight.
WORDS: 340 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 4:29 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LionsVikingsChristmasgameonNetflixsetsNFLstreamingrecordaveragingMviewers/86bf4b41ce919fa2139eb05091d5992c/text——————————
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers believes he'll have options if he chooses to play again in 2026
SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers isn't talking like someone ready to retire. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, who recently turned 42, hasn't ruled out returning in 2026. Rodgers says he believes he'll have options if he wants to play a 22nd season. The four-time MVP has thrown for more than 3,000 yards with 23 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, which hosts Baltimore in the regular-season finale with the AFC North title on the line. Rodgers has been largely healthy this season, save for a broken left wrist that forced him to miss a game. Rodgers says he thinks his decision will be based entirely on his desire to play and not his ability to play.
WORDS: 984 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:00 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SteelersQBAaronRodgersbelieveshellhaveoptionsifhechoosestoplayagainin/b431223041c28287736c8124cf49f159/text——————————
Lamar Jackson at practice for the Ravens as Baltimore prepares for Pittsburgh showdown
SUMMARY: Lamar Jackson was at practice for the Baltimore Ravens as they prepared for this weekend’s showdown at Pittsburgh for the AFC North title. Jackson missed last weekend’s must-win game at Green Bay because of a back injury. He hasn’t had a full week of practice since early November, but his presence Wednesday suggests that’s a possibility now. The two-time MVP quarterback missed three games earlier this season because of hamstring problems. The Ravens beat the Packers with Tyler Huntley at quarterback, but they still need a win over the Steelers on Sunday night to make the playoffs.
WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:02 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LamarJacksonatpracticefortheRavensasBaltimorepreparesforPittsburghshowdown/8349b011a277252060f5083e383db6c5/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Bills DE Ed Oliver hurts knee, further delaying his return from IR
SUMMARY: Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver had minor surgery for a knee injury this week, further delaying his return off injured reserve for playoff-bound Buffalo. Coach Sean McDermott says the injury happened while Oliver was rehabbing from a torn left bicep he sustained in late October. Oliver was originally projected to return before the end of the season. McDermott did not have a timetable on Oliver’s recovery, by saying the knee injury adds a level of uncertainty. He, however, didn’t rule out the player returning should the Bills make a deep playoff run.
WORDS: 287 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:49 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BillsDEEdOliverhurtskneefurtherdelayinghisreturnfromIR/91e202b69e929a497fa8b4ca8b30713e/text——————————
Jets undrafted rookie QB Brady Cook gets another shot to start in season finale
SUMMARY: Brady Cook is set to start as quarterback for the New York Jets in their season finale against Buffalo. This will be his fourth consecutive start as the Jets aim to end a four-game losing streak. Coach Aaron Glenn expressed confidence in Cook, saying he gives the team the best chance to win. Cook, an undrafted rookie out of Missouri, stepped in because of injuries to Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields. Despite his struggles, Cook is taking advantage of this unexpected opportunity. The Jets, currently 3-13, face questions about Glenn's job security and may target a new quarterback in the offseason.
WORDS: 618 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 1:35 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JetsundraftedrookieQBBradyCookgetsanothershottostartinseasonfinale/82ebdad646620467b74cdbdf8b038105/text——————————
Luke Hughes breaks 3rd-period tie in the Devils' 3-2 victory over the Blue Jackets
SUMMARY: Luke Hughes scored the go-ahead goal 4:45 into the third period and the New Jersey Devils scored three times in a 1:56 span in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday night. Hughes also had an assist, giving him his 28th multi-point game and tying Rob Ramage for the most by a defenseman before age 23 in franchise history. Hughes snapped a shot from the slot to give the Devils the lead. Nico Hischier and Arseny Gritsyuk also scored for New Jersey, which trailed 2-0 going into the final 20 minutes. It is the first time the Devils have won this season when trailing after two periods. Jake Allen made 34 saves
WORDS: 375 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 10:07 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LukeHughesbreaksrdperiodtieintheDevilsvictoryovertheBlueJackets/a31ceb442e281d4dd294f81341367788/text——————————
Flames beat Flyers 5-1 for 4th straight home victory
SUMMARY: Dustin Wolf made 25 saves, Mikael Backlund scored his 10th goal and the Calgary Flames beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 on Wednesday night. Morgan Frost, Jonathan Huberdeau, Rasmus Andersson and Connor Zary also scored, and MacKenzie Weegar and Matt Coronato each had two assists. The Flames have won five straight and 10-1-1 in their last 12 at home. They are 18-18-4 overall. Wolf has won eight in a row a home. Travis Konecny scored for Philadelphia, and Sam Ersson stopped 20 shots. the Flyers dropped to 20-12-7.
WORDS: 163 - MOVED: 01/01/2026 12:34 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FlamesbeatFlyersforthstraighthomevictory/6fc9e0de68aae4170cdd85e267b1b290/text——————————
Many memories remain as the Buffalo Bills bid farewell to their long-time home dubbed 'The Ralph'
SUMMARY: As the Buffalo Bills bid farewell to their long-time home dubbed “The Ralph,” many cherished memories remain of the facility that opened in 1973. Bills vice president of security Chris Clark has had a front-row seat for just about everything that's taken place at Highmark Stadium. He began his career as an Erie County sheriff directing traffic for Bills games in the 1970s. His time goes beyond the stadium's construction on a site that was an abandoned farm field and former explosives testing and storage site. The Bills close their season by hosting the New York Jets on Sunday before opening the playoffs on the road. The team is moving to a new $2.1 million stadium set to open across the street next year.
WORDS: 1103 - MOVED: 01/01/2026 12:56 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ManymemoriesremainastheBuffaloBillsbidfarewelltotheirlongtimehomedubbedTheRalph/c47cd32cd0082eb9f9dd219a0710a3be/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Lauren Betts surpasses 1,500 career points and No. 4 UCLA beats Penn State 97-61
SUMMARY: Lauren Betts scored 25 and surpassed 1,500 career points in leading No. 4 UCLA to a 97-61 rout of Penn State. Gianna Kneepkens added 17 points, Kiki Rice scored 16 and Sienna Betts 10 for the Bruins, who won their seventh in a row after leading for all but 31 seconds. Gracie Merkle had 15 points and Kiyomi McMiller scored 13 for Penn State, which fell to 1-15 against AP Top 10 teams since coach Carolyn Kieger’s first season in 2019. UCLA hosts No. 17 Southern California on Saturday night.
WORDS: 313 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 4:23 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LaurenBettssurpassescareerpointsandNoUCLAbeatsPennState/9e5fd4faba92e2b70954818bc5061c79/text——————————
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers believes he'll have options if he chooses to play again in 2026
SUMMARY: Aaron Rodgers isn't talking like someone ready to retire. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, who recently turned 42, hasn't ruled out returning in 2026. Rodgers says he believes he'll have options if he wants to play a 22nd season. The four-time MVP has thrown for more than 3,000 yards with 23 touchdowns for Pittsburgh, which hosts Baltimore in the regular-season finale with the AFC North title on the line. Rodgers has been largely healthy this season, save for a broken left wrist that forced him to miss a game. Rodgers says he thinks his decision will be based entirely on his desire to play and not his ability to play.
WORDS: 984 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:00 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SteelersQBAaronRodgersbelieveshellhaveoptionsifhechoosestoplayagainin/b431223041c28287736c8124cf49f159/text——————————
Lamar Jackson at practice for the Ravens as Baltimore prepares for Pittsburgh showdown
SUMMARY: Lamar Jackson was at practice for the Baltimore Ravens as they prepared for this weekend’s showdown at Pittsburgh for the AFC North title. Jackson missed last weekend’s must-win game at Green Bay because of a back injury. He hasn’t had a full week of practice since early November, but his presence Wednesday suggests that’s a possibility now. The two-time MVP quarterback missed three games earlier this season because of hamstring problems. The Ravens beat the Packers with Tyler Huntley at quarterback, but they still need a win over the Steelers on Sunday night to make the playoffs.
WORDS: 657 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 2:02 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/LamarJacksonatpracticefortheRavensasBaltimorepreparesforPittsburghshowdown/8349b011a277252060f5083e383db6c5/text——————————
Avila's 20 lead Saint Louis past Saint Joseph's 102-79
SUMMARY: Led by Robbie Avila's 20 points, the Saint Louis Billikens defeated the Saint Joseph's Hawks 102-79 in an Atlantic 10 Conference opener. Saint Louis has won seven in a row. The Hawks were led by Jaiden Glover, who finished with 23 points.
WORDS: 214 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 6:43 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AvilasleadSaintLouispastSaintJosephs/0ae75d2a10da4c1d8e58880288232947/text——————————
Flames beat Flyers 5-1 for 4th straight home victory
SUMMARY: Dustin Wolf made 25 saves, Mikael Backlund scored his 10th goal and the Calgary Flames beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 on Wednesday night. Morgan Frost, Jonathan Huberdeau, Rasmus Andersson and Connor Zary also scored, and MacKenzie Weegar and Matt Coronato each had two assists. The Flames have won five straight and 10-1-1 in their last 12 at home. They are 18-18-4 overall. Wolf has won eight in a row a home. Travis Konecny scored for Philadelphia, and Sam Ersson stopped 20 shots. the Flyers dropped to 20-12-7.
WORDS: 163 - MOVED: 01/01/2026 12:34 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FlamesbeatFlyersforthstraighthomevictory/6fc9e0de68aae4170cdd85e267b1b290/text——————————
Sweden beats US 6-3 in world junior hockey group finale. Canada tops Finland 7-4
SUMMARY: Lucas Pettersson and Eddie Genborg each scored twice and Sweden beat the United States 6-3 on Wednesday night in the world junior hockey championship to complete group play unbeaten. Casper Juustovaara opened the scoring in the first period on a deflection, and the Swedes led 5-1 in the second period in the Group A finale. Ivar Stenberg scored in the third, and Love Harenstam made 28 saves. In the quarterfinals Friday, Sweden will face Latvia, and the second-place Americans will play Finland, a 7-4 loser to Canada later Wednesday night in the Group B finale in Minneapolis. Canada will play Slovakia, and Czechia will meet Switzerland. Chase Reid, Will Zellers and Teddy Stiga scored for the United States.
WORDS: 393 - MOVED: 12/31/2025 9:02 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SwedenbeatsUSinworldjuniorhockeygroupfinaleCanadatopsFinland/575639923b97f8327ed74ae14c39c07c/text——————————
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