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NEW JERSEY
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Fetty Wap has a lot to say on 'Zavier.’ It’s his first album since being released from prison
SUMMARY: Melodic rapper Fetty Wap was released from federal prison to home confinement in January after serving just over half a six-year sentence for his role in a drug trafficking scheme. On Friday, he releases a new album titled “Zavier.” The artist born Willie Maxwell II tells The Associated Press that the album features a lot of different sounds. Collaborators include Tink, Wiz Khalifa, Max B and Fetty Wap's sisters. Fetty Wap says he didn't want to make an album about his incarceration, but he didn't want to avoid it either. He hopes “Zavier” gives his audience a feeling of “good energy” and “positivity.”
WORDS: 880 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 9:06 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FettyWaphasalottosayonZavierItshisfirstalbumsincebeingreleasedfromprison/7c3a105e919ea0687d0accd608805c87/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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Pennsylvania court upends mandatory use of life-without-parole for second-degree murder
SUMMARY: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court says the state cannot automatically give life without parole for felony murder without weighing each defendant’s culpability in the killing. The high court on Thursday ordered a new sentencing hearing for Derek Lee over a second-degree conviction, but paused it for four months to give state lawmakers time to consider legislation in response. Pennsylvania law has made people liable for second-degree murder if they participated in an eligible felony that led to death. Life with no possibility of parole has been the only possible sentence. The court says the current rule treats a lookout the same as the person who kills.
WORDS: 798 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 3:01 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Pennsylvaniacourtupendsmandatoryuseoflifewithoutparoleforseconddegreemurder/26a62a5c1e08a76308606f2ce5594a51/text——————————
Secret Service agent assigned to Jill Biden accidentally shoots himself in leg at airport
SUMMARY: Authorities say a U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect former first lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg at Philadelphia International Airport. A spokesman for the Secret Service says Biden was not in the area when the agent was injured during a “negligent discharge” of his gun. A police spokeswoman says initial reports indicate the agent was traveling in an unmarked car when he accidentally fired his gun shortly before 9 a.m. He was hospitalized in stable condition. Airport operations were not affected.
WORDS: 135 - MOVED: 03/27/2026 11:30 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SecretServiceagentassignedtoJillBidenaccidentallyshootshimselfinlegatairport/d5fa0cc9ec8959a0936c789f28f4199e/text——————————
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SPORTS
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MARYLAND
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Duke coach says Caleb Foster will try to make his March Madness return against St. John's
SUMMARY: Duke coach Jon Scheyer says point guard Caleb Foster will try to play in Friday night’s Sweet 16 matchup against St. John’s. Foster broke his right foot in Duke’s regular-season finale and missed the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament for the top-seeded Blue Devils. He was on the court Thursday during the portion of practice open to reporters, but that largely consisted of stretching and a bit of shooting. It was hard to tell how mobile Foster might be. Foster is averaging 8.5 points per game this season. He’s made 30 starts.
WORDS: 435 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 2:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/DukecoachsaysCalebFosterwilltrytomakehisMarchMadnessreturnagainstStJohns/8111f910a982ad44fffa1483c7b9fc65/text——————————
Quadruple amputee cornhole player waives extradition hearing in fatal shooting case
SUMMARY: A professional cornhole player who is also a quadruple amputee has waived his right to an extradition hearing in a fatal shooting case. Authorities are seeking Dayton James Webber's extradition from Virginia to Maryland, where he faces charges of fatally shooting a passenger in the front seat of a car he was driving during an argument. Webber, who is in police custody, took part in a court hearing in Charlottesville, Virginia, through a video call, wearing a bright green jumpsuit. Alexander Goodman, Webber’s attorney, declined to comment. It is unclear when Webber will return to Maryland.
WORDS: 376 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 1:04 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/Quadrupleamputeecornholeplayerwaivesextraditionhearinginfatalshootingcase/cb489e5b1219964f0885c36b407675b5/text——————————
Washington Commanders sign cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon
SUMMARY: The Washington Commanders have signed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon. He played just six regular-season games and one in the playoffs after breaking his left shoulder blade on Sept. 14 and aggravating the injury on Jan. 10. Witherspoon reunites with general manager Adam Peters, who drafted him in the third round with San Francisco in 2017. The 31-year-old joins a rebuilt secondary in Washington that includes fellow newcomers Amik Robertson and Nick Cross.
WORDS: 176 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 4:34 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/WashingtonCommanderssigncornerbackAhkelloWitherspoon/34a04eaf06ad3f8803973a6afd4e763c/text——————————
Blake Butera wins his debut as Washington Nationals manager on opening day
SUMMARY: Blake Butera had imagined how his first game as a major league manager would go. When the day finally arrived, the moment exceeded his expectations. Butera directed the Washington Nationals to a 10-4 victory over the Chicago Cubs for the franchise’s first victory on opening day since 2021. He became the fifth Nationals manager to win his first opening-day game with the club, joining Davey Johnson, Matt Williams, Dusty Baker and Dave Martinez. The 33-year-old Butera congratulated his team after the win and then tried to sneak into the visiting manager’s office at Wrigley Field. But he ended up being doused by his players with beer and shaving cream in celebration.
WORDS: 556 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 7:19 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/BlakeButerawinshisdebutasWashingtonNationalsmanageronopeningday/f40d67c2d18b8a1d95da41b4eaeed1e7/text——————————
Ravens sign center Danny Pinter, who spent 5 seasons with the Colts
SUMMARY: The Baltimore Ravens have signed center Danny Pinter. The team announced the move Thursday. The 29-year-old Pinter has played all five of his NFL seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. Pinter has played 77 games in his NFL career, making 10 starts. The Ravens have an opening at center after star Tyler Linderbaum left in free agency for the Las Vegas Raiders.
WORDS: 75 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 8:57 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/RavenssigncenterDannyPinterwhospentseasonswiththeColts/190abc77ae1b67dd301b65cc281ff616/text——————————
Nationals beat Cubs 10-4 on opening day for manager Blake Butera’s first win with the team
SUMMARY: Brady House, Joey Wiemer and Jacob Young homered for Washington on opening day, and the Nationals beat Alex Bregman and the Chicago Cubs 10-4 for manager Blake Butera’s first win with the team. CJ Abrams hit a tiebreaking two-run single during Washington’s six-run fourth inning on a blustery afternoon at Wrigley Field. Butera is part of a new leadership group for the rebuilding Nationals after they went 66-96 last year in their sixth straight losing season. Paul Toboni took over as the team’s president of baseball operations on Oct. 1, and he hired the 33-year-old Butera out of Tampa Bay’s front office. Michael Busch had three hits for Chicago.
WORDS: 386 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 5:27 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NationalsbeatCubsonopeningdayformanagerBlakeButerasfirstwinwiththeteam/736894f1a18fe9f9bd6dfc500ed96f4a/text——————————
Trevor Rogers throws 7 shutout innings to carry Orioles past Twins 2-1
SUMMARY: Trevor Rogers pitched seven shutout innings and Colton Cowser and Blaze Alexander had seventh-inning RBIs to give the Baltimore Orioles a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on opening day. Following a stellar 2025 season in which he went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA, Rogers picked up where he left off in front of a sellout crowd at Camden Yards on Thursday. The lefty allowed three hits, walked four and was especially effective when stuck in a jam. Baltimore broke up the scoreless duel in the seventh against the Minnesota bullpen. Craig Albernaz got the win in his managerial debut.
WORDS: 343 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 5:59 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/TrevorRogersthrowsshutoutinningstocarryOriolespastTwins/71ef56aae18a8bf81f2daafa73ae4ad5/text——————————
Ovechkin's 34th career hat trick powers Capitals past Mammoth, 7-4
SUMMARY: Alex Ovechkin had his 34th career hat trick, Ivan Miroshnichenko scored twice, and the Washington Capitals beat the Utah Mammoth 7-4. Anthony Beauvillier and Rasmus Sandin also scored for the Capitals, while Logan Thompson made 35 stops for Washington, which scored four unanswered goals after falling behind 3-1 early. Dylan Guenther scored twice for Utah. Logan Cooley and MacKenzie Weegar added a goal apiece and Vitek Vanecek made 17 saves for the Mammoth, who have dropped six of their last seven games at home. Ovechkin now has the fourth most hat tricks in NHL history and set a league record with a hat trick against his 21st different team.
WORDS: 382 - MOVED: 03/27/2026 12:24 a.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/OvechkinsthcareerhattrickpowersCapitalspastMammoth/f9b1d27177b98a05ee1127611da51f0f/text——————————
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NEW JERSEY
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New-look Mets knock out Skenes in 1st inning and sink Pirates 11-7 in season opener at Citi Field
SUMMARY: Brett Baty laced a bases-loaded triple and the New York Mets chased Paul Skenes in the first inning of his worst major league start, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 in their season opener at Citi Field. Carson Benge homered in his first career game, going back-to-back with Francisco Alvarez at the bottom of a new-look lineup, and Freddy Peralta won his Mets debut as New York improved to 42-23 on opening day. That’s the best record of any big league team — even though the Mets lost their first eight openers from 1962-69. Brandon Lowe homered twice and fellow Pirates newcomer Ryan O’Hearn also went deep, but Pittsburgh’s pitching and defense were dreadful in a disappointing start.
WORDS: 383 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 4:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NewlookMetsknockoutSkenesinstinningandsinkPiratesinseasonopeneratCitiField/1bb877a0e7df1978b6c9d2ae96e803bf/text——————————
Pirates ace Paul Skenes gets chased in the 1st inning by the Mets on opening day
SUMMARY: Paul Skenes didn’t even get through the first inning on opening day. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner gave up five runs and got only two outs against the New York Mets, putting the Pittsburgh Pirates in an early hole at Citi Field. Hurt by shoddy defense from Oneil Cruz in center field, Skenes was pulled by manager Don Kelly after throwing 37 pitches as the Mets batted around. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed four hits and two walks. He also hit a batter with a pitch in what was by far the shortest of his 56 major league starts. The five runs Skenes permitted matched his career high.
WORDS: 757 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 3:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PiratesacePaulSkenesgetschasedinthestinningbytheMetsonopeningday/615749908c4b196ba83f7bb6354e7991/text——————————
Carson Benge homers in big league debut to help Mets pound Pirates in opener
SUMMARY: In his fourth major league plate appearance, Carson Benge connected. And when he saw the ball sail over the right-field fence, the 23-year-old New York Mets rookie couldn’t help but shout and jump for joy as he rounded first base. Benge homered in his big league debut for his first career hit and was one of several Mets newcomers who played pivotal roles as New York pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 in their season opener. After winning the right-field job at the end of spring training, Benge also walked twice and stole a base Thursday. The touted prospect said he had 22 family members and friends in the sellout crowd of 41,449 at Citi Field, including his parents and girlfriend.
WORDS: 728 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 8:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CarsonBengehomersinbigleaguedebuttohelpMetspoundPiratesinopener/b15d4a7b9b506918c5b060221e8c0e30/text——————————
Kon Knueppel scores 26 as Hornets snap Knicks' 7-game win streak with 114-103 victory
SUMMARY: Kon Knueppel scored 26 points and made six 3-pointers to become the youngest player in NBA history with 250 in a season, and the Charlotte Hornets snapped the New York Knicks’ seven-game winning streak with a 114-103 victory Thursday night. Knueppel nearly had his first career triple-double, finishing with 10 rebounds and eight assists. LaMelo Ball added 22 points and Brandon Miller had 21 points and eight rebounds for the Hornets, who’ve won five straight. Miles Bridges and Coby White each chipped in with 17 points. Jalen Brunson had 26 points and 13 assists for the Knicks, who would have clinched a playoff berth with a victory.
WORDS: 385 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 9:43 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/KonKnueppelscoresasHornetssnapKnicksgamewinstreakwithvictory/2e5756260d5d497678a3a10f67571e06/text——————————
Hischier scores twice as Devils down Predators 4-2
SUMMARY: Nico Hischier scored two goals to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night. Jesper Bratt scored a goal and added two assists, Timo Meier scored an empty-net goal, and Jacob Markstrom made 16 saves for the Devils, winners of five of six. Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler had two assists apiece. Reid Schaefer and Steven Stamkos scored and Justus Annunen made 26 saves for the Predators, who had their five-game winning streak snapped.
WORDS: 323 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 10:55 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/HischierscorestwiceasDevilsdownPredators/786fd36628b63b5bf92da6ad972a8f23/text——————————
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PENNSYLVANIA
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New-look Mets knock out Skenes in 1st inning and sink Pirates 11-7 in season opener at Citi Field
SUMMARY: Brett Baty laced a bases-loaded triple and the New York Mets chased Paul Skenes in the first inning of his worst major league start, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 in their season opener at Citi Field. Carson Benge homered in his first career game, going back-to-back with Francisco Alvarez at the bottom of a new-look lineup, and Freddy Peralta won his Mets debut as New York improved to 42-23 on opening day. That’s the best record of any big league team — even though the Mets lost their first eight openers from 1962-69. Brandon Lowe homered twice and fellow Pirates newcomer Ryan O’Hearn also went deep, but Pittsburgh’s pitching and defense were dreadful in a disappointing start.
WORDS: 383 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 4:42 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/NewlookMetsknockoutSkenesinstinningandsinkPiratesinseasonopeneratCitiField/1bb877a0e7df1978b6c9d2ae96e803bf/text——————————
Pirates ace Paul Skenes gets chased in the 1st inning by the Mets on opening day
SUMMARY: Paul Skenes didn’t even get through the first inning on opening day. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner gave up five runs and got only two outs against the New York Mets, putting the Pittsburgh Pirates in an early hole at Citi Field. Hurt by shoddy defense from Oneil Cruz in center field, Skenes was pulled by manager Don Kelly after throwing 37 pitches as the Mets batted around. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed four hits and two walks. He also hit a batter with a pitch in what was by far the shortest of his 56 major league starts. The five runs Skenes permitted matched his career high.
WORDS: 757 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 3:12 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/PiratesacePaulSkenesgetschasedinthestinningbytheMetsonopeningday/615749908c4b196ba83f7bb6354e7991/text——————————
Mets and veteran outfielder Tommy Pham agree to a minor league contract, AP source says
SUMMARY: Tommy Pham and the New York Mets have agreed to a minor league contract, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not been announced by the team. The 38-year-old Pham, who played for the Mets in 2023, adds depth to their overhauled outfield after another veteran on a minor league deal, Mike Tauchman, injured his left knee late in spring training. Surgery for a torn meniscus is expected to sideline Tauchman for months. Pham, a right-handed batter, is a .256 career hitter with 149 home runs and a .766 OPS in 12 big league seasons with the Cardinals, Rays, Padres, Reds, Red Sox, Mets, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Royals and Pirates.
WORDS: 340 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 6:51 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/MetsandveteranoutfielderTommyPhamagreetoaminorleaguecontractAPsourcesays/dff1636fb799ccf709c31c6ce851788f/text——————————
Sánchez strikes out 10 in 6 shutout innings, Bohm, Schwarber go deep in Phillies' 5-3 win over Texas
SUMMARY: Cristopher Sánchez struck out 10 and tossed three-hit ball over six shutout innings in his first start since he signed a $104 million contract extension, and Kyle Schwarber and Alec Bohm each homered to lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Sánchez was sensational over 87 pitches in his first career opening day start. He showed why the Phillies tore up his old deal before it expired and gave him a much more lucrative contract through the 2032 season.
WORDS: 407 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 7:10 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SnchezstrikesoutinshutoutinningsBohmSchwarbergodeepinPhillieswinoverTexas/b8c4eaf61861467bfe20d7afcf45027a/text——————————
Carson Benge homers in big league debut to help Mets pound Pirates in opener
SUMMARY: In his fourth major league plate appearance, Carson Benge connected. And when he saw the ball sail over the right-field fence, the 23-year-old New York Mets rookie couldn’t help but shout and jump for joy as he rounded first base. Benge homered in his big league debut for his first career hit and was one of several Mets newcomers who played pivotal roles as New York pounded the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-7 in their season opener. After winning the right-field job at the end of spring training, Benge also walked twice and stole a base Thursday. The touted prospect said he had 22 family members and friends in the sellout crowd of 41,449 at Citi Field, including his parents and girlfriend.
WORDS: 728 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 8:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CarsonBengehomersinbigleaguedebuttohelpMetspoundPiratesinopener/b15d4a7b9b506918c5b060221e8c0e30/text——————————
Justin Crawford gets 2 hits in anticipated debut for Phillies. His All-Star father hopes for 3,000
SUMMARY: Justin Crawford lined the first pitch he ever saw in the major leagues straight up the middle to get his first career hit out of the way in a matter of seconds. The Philadelphia Phillies rookie outfielder went 2 for 4 with a run scored for the Phillies in their 5-3 opening day win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Crawford was the first Phillie with a hit in his first at-bat in his major league debut on opening day since Denny Doyle on April 7, 1970, against the Chicago Cubs.
WORDS: 732 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 8:48 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/JustinCrawfordgetshitsinanticipateddebutforPhilliesHisAllStarfatherhopesfor/65cc598b7ff959430ad2fb8cd1adb14b/text——————————
Flyers beat the Blackhawks 5-1 after 2 goals in the first 2:33
SUMMARY: Alex Bump and Sean Couturier scored in the first three minutes of the game and the Philadelphia Flyers used the fast start to cruise to a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Bump, Noah Cates and Christian Dvorak had a goal and an assist each for the Flyers, who have won six of their last eight games to stay in the chase for a wild-card playoff spot. Denver Barkey also had a goal for Philadelphia and Samuel Ersson made 25 saves. Connor Bedard scored his 30th goal of the season for Chicago to become the third Blackhawks player with a 30-goal season at age 20 or younger. Spencer Knight had 37 saves.
WORDS: 337 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 10:05 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/FlyersbeattheBlackhawksaftergoalsinthefirst/7bf95ac2695f55c3421f082de091e842/text——————————
Kindel nets shootout winner as Penguins lose Crosby but squeeze past Senators 4-3
SUMMARY: Ben Kindel scored the shootout winner to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night. Rickard Rakell scored twice and had an assist, and Erik Karlsson also scored for the Penguins, who moved into second in the Metropolitan Division. Drake Batherson scored twice and Nick Cousins also scored for the Senators. Tim Stutzle added two assists. Both Linus Ullmark and Stuart Skinner made huge saves in overtime to force the shootout.
WORDS: 229 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 10:22 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/KindelnetsshootoutwinnerasPenguinsloseCrosbybutsqueezepastSenators/837b446fe14904f123b41d9f110edf0b/text——————————
Crosby leaves the Penguins' game early in the second period with a lower-body injury
SUMMARY: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby left the game at Ottawa early in the second period with an undisclosed injury barely a week after he returned from a lower-body injury sustained at the Olympics with Team Canada. Crosby took a 38-second opening shift in the second period before heading through the tunnel toward the locker room. The Penguins later announced he would not return to the game. Coach Dan Muse said afterward he had no update on Crosby’s condition. The 38-year-old center missed 11 games for the Penguins after he was injured in an Olympic quarterfinal game on Feb. 18.
WORDS: 207 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 10:31 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/CrosbyleavesthePenguinsgameearlyinthesecondperiodwithalowerbodyinjury/b498aee79e90abebbd36d89122e73a2c/text——————————
Automated Ball-Strike System sees 61.3% success rate in first games
SUMMARY: Teams had a 61.3% success rate on challenges, going 19 of 31 through the first 12 games of the regular season. Using Hawk-Eye technology, 12 cameras measure whether a pitch crosses the strike zone with accuracy of about one-sixth of an inch. Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz became the first batter to have a ball four overturned to strike three during the third inning against the Mets. New York catcher Francisco Alvarez challenged and it showed the pitch caught the inside corner. The Mets were 2 for 3 on their challenges.
WORDS: 664 - MOVED: 03/26/2026 9:32 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/AutomatedBallStrikeSystemseessuccessrateinfirstgames/5a114df6a829931e745cefba914c5cab/text——————————
Safety Damar Hamlin returns to Buffalo for 6th season after signing a 1-year contract with the Bills
SUMMARY: Safety Damar Hamlin is returning to Buffalo for a sixth season after signing a one-year contract with the team. Hamlin was a free agent after his one-year contract expired. And he’s staying in Buffalo where the 28-year-old has served as an inspiration for perseverance following his remarkable comeback after a near-death experience three years ago. Hamlin has shown no signs of a setback since he went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field during a game at Cincinnati in January 2023. Hamlin was a backup last season and limited to just five games after landing on injured reserve.
WORDS: 249 - MOVED: 03/27/2026 12:13 p.m. EDT
https://newsroom.ap.org/detail/SafetyDamarHamlinreturnstoBuffaloforthseasonaftersigningayearcontractwiththeBills/84bcf2399d2c5bedea915867dec4ccfb/text——————————
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