January 1, 2025 2:33 am
BOSTON (AP) — New England Patriots star wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing strangulation and other criminal charges in connection with a dispute with his former private chef. News of the charges emerged after a court hearing Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts. Diggs’ lawyer said in an emailed statement that Diggs “categorically denies these allegations.” According to police, the chef told investigators that Diggs hit her and tried to choke her during a discussion about money. The 32-year-old NFL veteran joined New England this season after a trade from Houston. Diggs has been a standout player for the Patriots this season, helping his team clinch the AFC East title.
December 30, 2025 4:33 am
The Penguins have swung a deal for a new forward in a deal with division rival Columbus. They acquired 24 year old former first round pick Yegor Chinakhov for veteran Danton Heinen, a 2026 second round draft pick and a 2027 third round pick. Chinakhov will receive $2.1 million per year through the 2025-26 season. He is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 203 pounds. During his time with Columbus, he scored 37 goals, had 40 assists and picked up 77 points in 204 games. He was drafted 21st overall in 2020.
December 30, 2025 4:38 am
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh says he’ll have a better sense Wednesday about quarterback Lamar Jackson’s status for Sunday night’s game at Pittsburgh that will decide the AFC North title. Tyler Huntley helped Baltimore keeps its playoff hopes alive, replacing an injured Jackson for last weekend’s win at Green Bay. But Harbaugh said Monday if Jackson is ready, he’ll play Sunday. Jackson has been nursing a back injury from two weekends ago against New England. The Green Bay game was the fourth game he’s missed this season.
December 30, 2025 4:34 am
ATLANTA (AP) — Zane Gonzalez kicked a 51-yard field goal with 21 seconds remaining and the Atlanta Falcons recovered after blowing two 21-point leads to upset the Los Angeles Rams 27-24. Bijan Robinson’s 93-yard touchdown run was the longest in Atlanta history. Jessie Bates III scored on a 34-yard interception return. The Falcons led 21-0 at halftime. Matthew Stafford recovered from throwing three interceptions to help the Rams pull even a 24-24. Stafford’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Puka Nacua tied the game. Robinson rushed for 195 yards and set the Falcons record for most scrimmage yards in a season.
December 30, 2025 4:28 am
Pitcher Andrew Heaney says he is retiring after 12 major league seasons. He made his announcement Sunday on social media. A 34-year-old left-hander, Heaney was 56-72 with a 4.57 ERA in 208 starts and 22 relief appearances for Miami, the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Yankees, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas and Pittsburgh. He was 5-10 with a 5.52 ERA this year in 23 starts and four relief appearances. He was released by the Pirates on August 29, signed with the Dodgers three days later and made one appearance for Los Angeles.
December 30, 2025 4:35 am
Tiger Woods played a game with which hardly anyone could relate. And now he approaches a milestone that makes him like everyone else. Woods turns 50 on Tuesday. This celebration is more about appreciating the past than wondering about the future. Woods has had more surgeries than the 15 majors he won. He is eligible for the 50-and-older PGA Tour Champions without any indication he will play. Woods has played only 11 times since he was badly injured in 2021 car crash in Los Angeles. And this is the first year he didn’t play at all. His impact on the game remains huge.
December 29, 2025 4:26 am
CHICAGO (AP) — 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.
December 29, 2025 4:29 am
CLEVELAND (AP) — 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.
December 29, 2025 4:31 am
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 to play, and the San Francisco 49ers forced an incomplete pass on the final play from the 2 to beat the Chicago Bears 42-38 and set up a Week 18 showdown for the top seed in the NFC. Caleb Williams drove the Bears down the field in the closing seconds and had one last shot for the win. But Bryce Huff forced him out of the pocket and his throw short-hopped Jahdae Walker in the end zone to seal a sixth straight victory for the 49ers. San Francisco can secure the top seed by beating Seattle on Saturday night.
December 29, 2025 4:30 am
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — 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.
