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NEW JERSEY
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Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
SUMMARY: Officials say two helicopters have crashed midair in southern New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and leaving another critically injured. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. One person was killed and another was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Friel said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.
WORDS: 442 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 1:28 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MidairhelicoptercrashinNewJerseyleavesdeadandanothercriticallyinjured/68717ae773636de9142e03e8b5dbd6f1/text——————————
Zohran Mamdani has bold promises. Can he make them come true as New York City mayor?
SUMMARY: Zohran Mamdani has promised to transform New York City government when he becomes mayor. Can he do it? Mamdani, a 34-year-old democratic socialist, already faces intense scrutiny, even before taking office in one of the country’s most scrutinized political jobs. Republicans have cast him as a liberal boogeyman. Some of his fellow Democrats have deemed him too far left. Progressives are closely watching for any signs of him shifting toward the center. On Jan. 1, he will assume control of America’s biggest city under that harsh spotlight, with the country watching to see if he can pull off the big promises that vaulted him to office and handle the everyday duties of the job.
WORDS: 1085 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:57 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/ZohranMamdanihasboldpromisesCanhemakethemcometrueasNewYorkCitymayor/e86bc7a18a86a2f247e456a9452bdeea/text——————————
Two pilots killed after helicopters collided in New Jersey are identified
SUMMARY: Authorities have identified two pilots who died after their helicopters collided midair in southern New Jersey. Sixty-five-year-old Kenneth Kirsch and 71-year-old Michael Greenberg were friends who both lived in New Jersey and would often have breakfast together at a cafe near the crash site in Hammonton, about 35 miles southeast of Philadelphia. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel says rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
WORDS: 503 - MOVED: 12/29/2025 11:32 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TwopilotskilledafterhelicopterscollidedinNewJerseyareidentified/8e52b9ef1cdf1ad8d6cd31cde09eea22/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Midair helicopter crash in New Jersey leaves 1 dead and another critically injured
SUMMARY: Officials say two helicopters have crashed midair in southern New Jersey on Sunday, killing one person and leaving another critically injured. Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel said rescuers responded to a report of an aviation crash at about 11:25 a.m. on Sunday. Video from the scene shows a helicopter spinning rapidly to the ground. Police and fire crews subsequently extinguished flames that engulfed one of the helicopters. One person was killed and another was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Friel said the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash.
WORDS: 442 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 1:28 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MidairhelicoptercrashinNewJerseyleavesdeadandanothercriticallyinjured/68717ae773636de9142e03e8b5dbd6f1/text——————————
Winter storm sweeps across US with snow, ice and severe weather
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm driven by a rapidly intensifying cyclone is sweeping east from the Plains, bringing heavy snow, ice and rain to much of the country. Forecasters warned of possible blizzard conditions and whiteouts in parts of the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes, where snowfall could exceed a foot and reach 2 feet near Lake Superior. The system is expected to deliver freezing rain in New England, thunderstorms across the South and East, and widespread strong winds. The storm follows some flight disruptions during the busy holiday travel period.
WORDS: 723 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 9:34 a.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WinterstormsweepsacrossUSwithsnowiceandsevereweather/1dc6429f0b3e2ff4a52e351eeeae23cc/text——————————
Winter storm brings blizzard conditions and dangerous wind chills
SUMMARY: A powerful winter storm is moving northeast, bringing snow, ice, rain, and strong winds. The National Weather Service warns of blizzard conditions and treacherous travel. Snow and winds spread across the Upper Midwest, with forecasts of over a foot of snow in parts of the Great Lakes. Dangerous wind chills are expected in North Dakota and Minnesota. Meanwhile, the South is experiencing severe thunderstorms and a sharp cold front, ending record warmth. Temperatures in cities like Atlanta and Dallas are set to drop significantly by Tuesday. The storm is intensifying as it moves east.
WORDS: 684 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:54 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Winterstormbringsblizzardconditionsanddangerouswindchills/cb49c60e237aa67d7a296d04da78193b/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Back from brink, Ravens get another chance to make playoffs next weekend
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Ravens are still alive for the postseason after their 41-24 victory at Green Bay on Saturday night and Cleveland’s 13-6 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Baltimore needed both of those results to avoid elimination. Now the Ravens can win the AFC North if they beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh next weekend. If last week’s loss to New England was a microcosm of what went wrong for the Ravens this season, the victory over Green Bay showed what they’re still capable of. Even with quarterback Lamar Jackson out because of a back injury, Baltimore battered the Packers.
WORDS: 749 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 5:44 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BackfrombrinkRavensgetanotherchancetomakeplayoffsnextweekend/fa90b9fcf1b5e6a185611d86e51c3e37/text——————————
Darius Adams scores 18, Isaiah Watts 17 to help Maryland beat Old Dominion 73-58
SUMMARY: Darius Adams scored 18 points and Isaiah Watts made his first start for Maryland and finished with 17, including a season-high four 3-pointers, to help the Terrapins beat Old Dominion 73-58 and snap a three-game skid. Solomon Washington, who missed the first eight games due to injury, had his first double-double of the season with a season-high 11 points and 10 rebounds for Maryland. Andre Mills opened the scoring with a 3-pointer that sparked a 17-0 run and Maryland never trailed. The Monarchs went 0 for 7 from the field and committed three turnovers before Drew McKenna made a jumper nearly six minutes into the game. Ketron Shaw scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half and Zacch Wiggins finished with 14 for Old Dominion.
WORDS: 395 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 8:29 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DariusAdamsscoresIsaiahWattstohelpMarylandbeatOldDominion/bbe97090f116924db47fae71cf9cd354/text——————————
Sarr, McCollum lift the Wizards to their second win over the Grizzlies in 9 days, 116-112
SUMMARY: Alex Sarr scored 20 points and blocked a career-best six shots to help the Washington Wizards to a 116-112 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night. CJ McCollum added 16 points for Washington (7-23), which earned its first back-to-back victories of the season and second win over Memphis in nine days. The Wizards outrebounded the Grizzlies 54-42 and overcame 19 turnovers. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 31 points and Ja Morant added 21 for the Grizzlies (15-17), who failed to reach the .500 mark for the first time since they were 3-3 following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 31.
WORDS: 268 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 8:54 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SarrMcCollumlifttheWizardstotheirsecondwinovertheGrizzliesindays/80f7fefcc0441a2ae8371e9beb6b87d9/text——————————
Orioles bring back free agent right-hander Zach Eflin to Baltimore on a $10 million, 1-year deal
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Orioles are bringing back right-hander Zach Eflin on a $10 million, one-year contract. The Orioles acquired Eflin in a trade from Tampa Bay during the 2024 season, and he pitched well down the stretch that year, but he went 6-5 with a 5.93 ERA during an injury-plagued 2025. After becoming a free agent, the 31-year-old Eflin is returning to the Orioles. He’s set to receive $5 million in 2026, plus a $3 million signing bonus. His deal also includes a mutual option for 2027 or a $2 million buyout.
WORDS: 259 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:42 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OriolesbringbackfreeagentrighthanderZachEflintoBaltimoreonamillionyeardeal/06cbed00423f2c30979937a1e0c509dd/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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Patriots' Drake Maye makes another strong case for MVP with a dominant performance in win over Jets
SUMMARY: New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is making a strong case for MVP honors this season. He threw five touchdown passes in less than three quarters on Sunday, leading the Patriots to a 42-10 victory over the New York Jets. The win helped the Patriots win the AFC East title for the first time since 2019. Maye has already reached 4,203 yards passing this season, joining Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe in New England's record books. Fans and teammates alike are backing Maye for MVP as he continues to lead the team with impressive performances.
WORDS: 808 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 6:13 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PatriotsDrakeMayemakesanotherstrongcaseforMVPwithadominantperformanceinwinoverJets/d8a4f5d428c565c638d85c2e15442cfb/text——————————
Raiders in position for top draft pick after 34-10 loss to Giants
SUMMARY: The Las Vegas Raiders are in position to snag the top pick in next year's draft after losing 34-10 to the New York Giants. The Giants snapped a nine-game losing streak on Sunday. Interim coach Mike Kafka won his first game after losing his first five. Las Vegas will secure the top pick with a loss to the Chiefs. Jaxson Dart, drafted 25th overall, showed his dual-threat ability by passing for 207 yards and rushing for 48 yards and two touchdowns. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith passed for 176 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions before leaving with an injured ankle.
WORDS: 862 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 7:07 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RaidersinpositionfortopdraftpickafterlosstoGiants/a0533d52db605bd812fab027480cff91/text——————————
Patriots get career-high 5 TD passes from Maye in 42-10 rout of Jets, win AFC East a few hours later
SUMMARY: Drake Maye threw a career-high five touchdown passes as the New England Patriots dominated the New York Jets 42-10. The Patriots finished the regular season undefeated on the road and won the AFC East title a few hours later when Buffalo lost to Philadelphia. Maye completed 19 of 21 passes for 256 yards before being replaced in the third quarter. The Patriots scored touchdowns on their first six drives, while the Jets struggle with their fourth consecutive loss. New England finished 8-0 away from home, marking the third time in franchise history with no regular-season road losses.
WORDS: 989 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 4:06 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PatriotsgetcareerhighTDpassesfromMayeinroutofJetswinAFCEastafewhourslater/7a4678bf2afe183359322457d9d22b92/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Back from brink, Ravens get another chance to make playoffs next weekend
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Ravens are still alive for the postseason after their 41-24 victory at Green Bay on Saturday night and Cleveland’s 13-6 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday. Baltimore needed both of those results to avoid elimination. Now the Ravens can win the AFC North if they beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh next weekend. If last week’s loss to New England was a microcosm of what went wrong for the Ravens this season, the victory over Green Bay showed what they’re still capable of. Even with quarterback Lamar Jackson out because of a back injury, Baltimore battered the Packers.
WORDS: 749 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 5:44 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BackfrombrinkRavensgetanotherchancetomakeplayoffsnextweekend/fa90b9fcf1b5e6a185611d86e51c3e37/text——————————
Holmgren scores 29, Thunder end 2-game skid with a 129-104 win over the 76ers
SUMMARY: Chet Holmgren had 29 points and nine rebounds, and the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled away in the second half for a 129-104 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, ending a two-game skid. Holmgren made 12 of 17 shots, including 2 of 4 from 3-point-range, for Oklahoma City (27-5), which was coming off consecutive losses to the San Antonio Spurs. The Thunder shot 50 for 87 (57%). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 27 points, five assists and two steals, and Jalen Williams added 14 points and six assists for the NBA-leading Thunder (27-5). Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points, Quentin Grimes had 13 and former Oklahoma City star Paul George added 12 for Philadelphia
WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 6:16 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HolmgrenscoresThunderendgameskidwithawinovertheers/b6ae753b87172be353d73161f17e01a2/text——————————
Browns prevent Steelers from clinching AFC North with 13-6 win over Pittsburgh
SUMMARY: Shedeur Sanders threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, Cleveland’s defense kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone and the Browns held on for a 13-6 victory, preventing the Steelers from clinching the AFC North. Pittsburgh came into the weekend needing either a win or loss by Baltimore for its first division title since 2020. Instead, the Steelers will host the Ravens to close the regular season the winner getting the division and the AFC’s fourth seed in the playoffs.
WORDS: 1040 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 4:20 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BrownspreventSteelersfromclinchingAFCNorthwithwinoverPittsburgh/8346980659f5c1642cd7f6bb3b9d4468/text——————————
Steelers facing must-win situation in season finale against Baltimore after 13-6 loss at Browns
SUMMARY: The Pittsburgh Steelers have had multiple chances to clinch the AFC North. They’re down to their final one. Aaron Rodgers was limited to 168 yards passing and failed to lead a scoring drive on six second-half possessions, allowing the Cleveland Browns to top Pittsburgh 13-6. The Steelers could have locked up a playoff berth with a victory over last-place Cleveland or if the Baltimore Ravens had lost to Green Bay on Saturday. The Ravens remained alive with a 41-24 triumph over the Packers. As a result, Pittsburgh will host the Ravens in Week 18 with the division crown and final AFC postseason spot on the line in a winner-take-all matchup.
WORDS: 592 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 7:36 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SteelersfacingmustwinsituationinseasonfinaleagainstBaltimoreafterlossatBrowns/a11eaee0b4b58894c30d6f8135a672e6/text——————————
Hill scores 18 as George Mason beats Pennsylvania 83-79
SUMMARY: Jermahri Hill scored 18 points off of the bench to lead the George Mason Patriots past the Pennsylvania Quakers 83-79. Michael Zanoni led the way for the Quakers with 23 points and four assists.
WORDS: 191 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 8:11 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HillscoresasGeorgeMasonbeatsPennsylvania/616bc93c78ad45398c46db70df36065d/text——————————
Eagles hang on to beat Bills 13-12 when Josh Allen misses an open Khalil Shakir on 2-point try
SUMMARY: Josh Allen sailed a 2-point conversion attempt wide of open receiver Khalil Shakir in the back of the end zone with 5 seconds remaining, and the Philadelphia Eagles hung on for a 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills. Dallas Goedert caught a 1-yard touchdown pass, Jake Elliott hit field goals of 28 and 47 yards, and the Super Bowl champion Eagles barely avoided squandering a 13-0 fourth-quarter lead. Linebacker Jalyx Hunt had two of Philadelphia’s four sacks. Allen scored on a tush push on fourth-and-goal to pull the Bills within one point with 5 seconds remaining. Buffalo went for 2 and the win but Allen couldn't connect with Shakir.
WORDS: 877 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 7:56 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/EagleshangontobeatBillswhenJoshAllenmissesanopenKhalilShakironpointtry/9e8daa6ef26fad38c71bebd268d2b697/text——————————
Brazeau has hat trick, Rust scores twice as Penguins rout Blackhawks 7-3
SUMMARY: Justin Brazeau recorded first NHL hat trick, Bryan Rust scored twice and the Pittsburgh Penguins rolled past the sliding Chicago Blackhawks 7-3 on Sunday night. Anthony Mantha had a goal and assist and Noel Acciari scored for the Penguins. Ryan Shea had three assists, and Arturs Silovs made 21 saves. Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno scored in his return after missing 19 games, and Wyatt Kaiser and Tyler Bertuzzi each had a goal. Blackhawks goalie Spencer Knight stopped only three of the first seven shots he faced before being relieved by Arvid Soderblom 12:03 into the game. Knight returned for the third period and stopped both shots he faced. Soderblom stopped 12 shots.
WORDS: 386 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 9:58 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BrazeauhashattrickRustscorestwiceasPenguinsroutBlackhawks/d8fbcdb2cd2f0889d8720e3d68b9d3c4/text——————————
Grubauer stops 31 shots and Tolvanen scores twice as Kraken beat Flyers 4-1
SUMMARY: Philipp Grubauer stopped 31 shots, Eeli Tolvanen scored twice in the third period, and the Seattle Kraken defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1 on Sunday night. Jordan Eberle and Chandler Stephenson also scored for the Kraken, who extended their win streak to four games after losing 10 of 11. Tolvanen and Stephenson each added an assist. Carl Grundstrom scored for the Flyers, and Dan Vladar made 16 saves.
WORDS: 271 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 10:56 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/GrubauerstopsshotsandTolvanenscorestwiceasKrakenbeatFlyers/47e70477836449c20f259ce9aaaf709d/text——————————
Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno returns with goal against Penguins, Frank Nazar added to IR
SUMMARY: The Chicago Blackhawks activated captain and center Nick Foligno before Sunday night’s game against Pittsburgh and placed center Frank Nazar on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 20. Foligno has missed 19 games with a left hand injury. Nazar was hit in the face with a shot on Dec. 20 and is expected to miss another three weeks. Blackhawks forward Ilya Mikheyev will miss a second game Sunday, following the birth of his daughter. Chicago leading scorer Connor Bedard remains sidelined until at least early January with an upper-body injury.
WORDS: 490 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 6:51 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BlackhawkscaptainNickFolignoreturnswithgoalagainstPenguinsFrankNazaraddedtoIR/6c3a48749fc10451172beaa2d25c2c9a/text——————————
Josh Allen blames himself for failed 2-point conversion in final seconds of Bills' loss to Eagles
SUMMARY: Josh Allen is taking the blame for coming up short in the clutch. The Bills quarterback says it was on him for sailing a 2-point conversion pass wide of open receiver Khalil Shakir in the back of the end zone with 5 seconds left in a 13-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Allen wasn’t in the mood for excuses. He dismissed questions about whether he was hurt after paying a visit to the X-ray room following the game. And he said the sore right foot that limited him in practice this week wasn't a factor.
WORDS: 525 - MOVED: 12/28/2025 11:29 p.m. EST
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JoshAllenblameshimselfforfailedpointconversioninfinalsecondsofBillslosstoEagles/c6de4c09d86d0b54255cdfa788b0e216/text——————————
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