First big snow storm to hit US as polar vortex sends coldest air yet

Forecasters say the first snow storm of the season to take aim at major Northeast cities will dump several inches of snow over the weekend, followed by a bitter Arctic blast courtesy of the polar vortex.

The cold won't last, as forecasters expect winter reprieve in the form of a coast-to-coast mild spell, which could doom dreams of a White Christmas for millions.

But first, the weekend storm will spread light to moderate amounts of snow across the central and northeastern U.S.

NFL weather games: Football played in adverse conditions ❄️🌧️

Calling it a 'baby Nor'easter," Weather Trader meteorologist Ryan Maue said in an email to USA TODAY that a huge population will see at least 3 inches of snowfall from the storm.

On Sunday Dec. 14, "Snowfall could be heavy in a burst of 3-6 hours and add up 3 inches to 6 inches – maybe more," he said.

By the time the storm is over later Sunday Dec. 14, 1 to 6 inches of snow will have fallen along a 1,500-mile swath from the northern Plains to the shores of southern New England, according to anonline forecast from AccuWeather. The storm will focus along much of Interstate 70 in the Ohio Valley region and then along the heavily populated I-95 corridor from Maryland to Massachusetts.

Harper Martinez, 13, plays with her 1-year-old dog, Franky, in the snow on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A hawk sits on a snow covered tree at Brown Deer Park in Brown Deer, Wisconsin, Dec. 1, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Chery Madole shops for a Christmas tree on Dec. 1, 2025, at Howell Tree Farm in Cumming, Iowa.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Snow collects on the snout of Coco, 4, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Looking north along Southern Parkway after an early winter storm coated Louisville, Kentucky, with several inches of wet snow on Dec. 2, 2025

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A pair of cattle feed in a snowy field off of North Fir Road on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in Mishawaka, Indiana.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> After snow fell overnight, Traffic moved slowly on the 64 east bound in the Portland neighborhood of metro Louisville, Kentucky area Tuesday morning Dec. 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Richard Fouts shoveled his driveway in Audubon Park the morning after an early winter storm dumped several inches of wet snow on Louisville. Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Jack, a Jack Russell terrier, wore a coat as he walked along 29th Street in the Portland neighborhood of metro Louisville, Kentucky area Tuesday morning Dec. 2, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Carolyn Goodman, 74, brushes off the snow of her car in the Portland neighborhood of metro Louisville, Kentucky area Tuesday morning Dec. 2, 2025. She said she got called off of work due to the snow but was preparing to go in tomorrow.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Megan Brake and her Labradoodle, Nym, walk along the snow-covered sidewalks of Audubon Park on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, after an early winter storm dropped several inches of wet snow on Louisville.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

More snow pummels Midwest. See the winter storm's impact

Harper Martinez, 13, plays with her 1-year-old dog, Franky, in the snow on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in South Bend, Indiana.

'Mother lode of cold air' headed for US

The long-awaited blast of bitterly cold Arctic air will spread across the north-central U.S. Saturday Dec. 13. And it's headed toward the East and South.

"There is a massive area of air in northwestern Canada where temperatures are 20 to 30 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, and it is on its way southeastward into the U.S.,"AccuWeather chief on-air meteorologist Bernie Rayno said in an online forecast. "This is the mother lode of cold air and is a term I don't use lightly."

"Cold high pressure will spread much below normal temperatures across the Midwest, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys, and all the way to the Gulf Coast early Monday Dec. 15, with temperatures 15 to 30 degrees below normal, the National Weather Service said.

A few record lows are possible, and wind chills may dip as low as the teens as far south as the southeastern Atlantic and Gulf Coasts Sunday night/Monday morning, theweather service said.

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Theweather service in Columbia, South Carolina,issued an "extreme cold watch" for the region, warning that "an extended period of freezing temperatures could cause ruptured water pipes. Be sure to protect outdoor faucets and drip water to help prevent ruptured pipes."

Snow storm forecast: How much will it snow?

Wondering how much snow is in the forecast? USA TODAY'sdetailed winter weather forecast mapbelow lets you explore where snow is expected over the next few hours and days.

Forecast predicts December thaw

However, theweather service saidthat a weather system over the Western U.S. will allow temperatures to reach 15 degrees to 25 degrees above seasonal averages, spreading east across much of the lower 48 for midweek and beyond, "creating a December thaw."

"While it may feel like Christmastime already with the cold and snow, the bitterly cold pattern is not expected to last through the holidays," said AccuWeather meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

The vast snow cover still being added to by the storm pattern through this weekend is likely to be eroded by higher temperatures before Christmas, AccuWeather said. This could wreak havoc with dreams of a white Christmas for millions.

"Don't assume because it is cold and snowy now that it will be so on Christmas Day," Pastelok said in an online forecast. "Skiers and snowboarders should take advantage of the cold air and fresh powder at the slopes that are open in the Appalachians. Ski and boarding conditions could deteriorate over Christmas week at some resorts as warmer air moves in."

In the meantime, those wanting warmth or at least warm thoughts through this weekend can look to the Florida Peninsula and most areas west of the Rockies, except for foggy areas in California's Central Valley or flooded zones in the Pacific Northwest, AccuWeather said.

But could the polar vortex rear its ugly head yet again?

Maue said the ridge of high pressure will build across the Lower 48 from coast-to-coast into by Dec. 22, "but questions remain if Christmas is a 'blow torch' or the polar vortex can battle back and drop a few [very cold] troughs/lobes into the Great Lakes and Northeast," he said in an e-mail.

Maue said that eventually the warm pattern MUST break down, and the Canadian cold pool will find its way back into Lower 48. "However, no clear signals about when/how that will happen (yet)."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:First big snow storm to hit US as polar vortex sends bitter cold

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First big snow storm to hit US as polar vortex sends coldest air yet

Forecasters say the first snow storm of the season to take aim at major Northeast cities will dump several inches of snow...

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FEMA to send Georgia more than $300 million in Hurricane Helene relief after accusations of delays

ATLANTA (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced it would send $350 million in funding to localities and electric cooperatives for relief efforts following Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby. The announcement comes two months after Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock of Georgia released a report that nearly $500 million in Hurricane Helene disaster relief was unpaid.

Hurricane Heleneswept acrossmuch of the Southeast in September 2024, devastating parts of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and other nearby states with high winds and heavy rains.

Warnockposted on the social platform Xearlier this week that the amount of Hurricane Helene relief funds FEMA was withholding had climbed to $600 million. The money will reimburse efforts such as debris removal, road fixes and utility repairs.

"Hurricanes and natural disasters are not political; they do not care if you voted red or blue, and Georgia counties and cities went right to work recovering from Helene's destruction with the understanding the federal government would fulfill its promises and pay their share," said Warnock in a statement. "It should not have gotten to this point."

Warnock said he would continue to push FEMA to deliver the additional funds. Last December, he led a bipartisan effort with a group of Georgia Congress members to send a letter to congressional leaders requesting at least $12 billion in federal supplemental disaster funding for Hurricane Helene. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp requested the aid shortly after the storm subsided.

Georgia farmersare also waiting on funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The agency and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced in September that it would send $531 million to Georgia farmers. However, the aid amount wasn't accompanied by a finalized agreement on how the state planned to disburse the block grant. KempannouncedFriday that the portal will open soon, once the USDA gives the program final approval.

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FEMA to send Georgia more than $300 million in Hurricane Helene relief after accusations of delays

ATLANTA (AP) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday announced it would send $350 million in funding to local...

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New Epstein photos turn heads, but file dumps just getting started

WASHINGTON – Congressional Democratsreleased another eyebrow-raising batch of photosDec. 12 further linking several high-profile people, includingPresident Donald Trumpand former President Bill Clinton, toaccused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019.

But thefallout is just beginning. And the trove of information available to the public isabout to get much bigger.

Thedisclosure of 19 new undated images, which showed celebritiesincluding director Woody Allenand Trump's former West Wing aideSteve Bannon, was a prelude to even more file dumps that Democrats on the House Oversight Committee plan to make available to the public from a recent 95,000-photo disclosure. The panel published more than 70 additional pictures later the same day. (Lawmakers provided only limited specifics about the images, none of which specifically implicated any of the pictured individuals in any alleged wrongdoing.)

"We've gone through maybe about 25,000 of them so far," Rep. Robert Garcia, D-California, the ranking member of the panel, told reporters Dec. 12. "Some of the other photos that we did not put out today are incredibly disturbing."

House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email that show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email that show Epstein with Woody Allen.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's email, including this one showing Richard Branson, on the right.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show President Donald Trump with Epstein.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, show Bill Gates with an unidentified person.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Epstein with Alan Dershowitz.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show Steve Bannon with Epstein.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released photos from Jeffrey Epstein's email on Dec. 12, 2025, that show former President Bill Clinton and Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein on Dec. 12, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

High-profile figures in Epstein's emails: See newly released images

House Democrats on the Oversight Committeereleased photos on Dec. 12, 2025, from Jeffrey Epstein's emailthat show Epstein with high-profile figures including Steve Bannon. Some images have had portions redacted by the Committee.

The Justice Department has until Dec. 19 to release as many documents as possible related to its own investigations into Epstein. That deadline was specified in a law that Congress passed nearly unanimously in November andwas signed by President Trump.

Read more:When will the Epstein files be released? Here's the latest

While members of Congress will be leaving Washington by that time for a holiday recess, the timing of the much-anticipated disclosures ensures it will be a dominant topic for at least the next few weeks, if not longer. That means lawmakers will return for the new year facing a range of choices about how to respond to the information that comes to light.

Republicans are in control of the Congress – giving them the authority to set hearings and the broader oversight agenda – but many of them have demonstrated a bipartisan interest in fully examining Epstein's complex web, despite the president's connections to it.

Trump has repeatedly denied having any knowledge of Epstein's alleged criminality. Though the two had a personal relationship decades ago, Trump has said he distanced himself from the financier.

Democrats for months have accused the Trump administration of covering up for Epstein. ButTrump noted on social mediaafter signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act that Epstein was charged in the New York federal case in 2019, during his first term. He also noted that the financier, who died by suicide that year in a jail cell, was a longtime contributor to Democratic politicians.

"Once again, House Democrats are selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said.

A lawyer for former President Bill Clinton did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment about the new images.

Judges cite new law to approve releases of information

The extent of what will be released next week is uncertain.Attorney General Pam Bondisaid in July that most of what remains in internal files includes numerous child sex abuse videos or records that identify victims.

In recent weeks, the department has asked federal judges in cases related to Epstein to allow the release of grand jury transcripts and other evidence that would typically remain confidential. They've resoundingly complied.

On Dec. 5, U.S.District Judge Rodney Smith in Florida ordered the releaseof documents from the abandoned investigation of Epstein from 2005 to 2007. On Dec. 9, District Judge PaulEngelmayer in New Yorkgreenlit disclosing grand-jury transcripts and exhibits from thecase against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. The next day,District Judge Richard Berman in New Yorkgave the go-ahead for sharing 2019records from the grand jury investigation into Epstein's alleged sex trafficking.

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, one of the authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, told USA TODAY he's been encouraged thus far by both the recent court decisions and the Justice Department's compliance.

"The judges certainly are following the law, and the Justice Department petitioned them, based on our law," he said. "So far, it seems that they're making an effort."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:New Epstein photos turn heads, but info pileup is just getting started

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New Epstein photos turn heads, but file dumps just getting started

WASHINGTON – Congressional Democratsreleased another eyebrow-raising batch of photosDec. 12 further linking several high-...

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Chiefs face must-win game against Chargers without 3 starting offensive linemen, wide receiver Brown

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — TheKansas City Chiefswill be withoutthree starting offensive linemenfor the second consecutive week, along with wide receiver Marquise Brown, whenthey play the Los Angeles Chargerson Sunday in what amounts to a must-win game for them.

The Chiefs, who put left tackle Josh Simmons on injured reserve last week, also are missing right tackle Jawaan Taylor to a triceps injury and right guard Trey Smith to an ankle injury. Backup left tackle Wanya Morris also is out with a knee injury.

Smith returned to practice this week and hoped to play but was not ready, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Friday, so instead he will run with the same group that finished last week's20-10 loss to the Texans. That means Esa Pole at left tackle, starters Kingsley Suamataia and Creed Humphrey next to him, Mike Caliendo at right guard and Jaylon Moore at right tackle.

Reid said Brown was dealing with a personal issue and would not be available.

The reigning AFC champion Chiefs are 6-7 with four games to go. They have about a 10% chance of extending their decade-long playoff streak, depending on the metric used, and they could be eliminated with a loss Sunday coupled with the wrong results in other games.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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Chiefs face must-win game against Chargers without 3 starting offensive linemen, wide receiver Brown

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — TheKansas City Chiefswill be withoutthree starting offensive linemenfor the second consecutive we...

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Falcons' Bijan Robinson apologizes for insensitive remark after 'TNF' win

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson apologized early Dec. 12 for an insensitive remark.

Following theFalcons' 29-28 victoryover theTampa Bay Buccaneers, Robinson was being interviewed during the Amazon Prime Video postgame show, where he let loose an insensitive and outdated name of a game he used to play when he was younger.

"Smear the queer, that's what we do," Robinson said. "Smear the queer."

Analyst and former NFL quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick jumped in immediately with a semi-correction of Robinson, dubbing the game "kill the carrier," the more common name of the backyard game.

Robinson posted an apology on X in the hours after the game.

Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that's not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry…

— Bijan Robinson (@Bijan5Robinson)December 12, 2025

"Hey everyone I want to apologize for the insensitive comment I made in the broadcast, it was a football game we used to play as a kid but that's not an excuse. I recognize the mistake and make sure to do better in the future. It was not reflective of my beliefs and I am so sorry to those I offended seriously!," he posted.

The Falcons running back finished the game with 19 carries for 93 yards and a touchdown to pair with eight catches for 82 yards.

The Falcons climbed to 5-9 on the season, while Tampa Bay fell to 7-7, ceding the NFC South division lead to theCarolina Panthers.

What is 'kill the carrier?'

"Kill the carrier" is a schoolyard game played where one person holds a ball – typically a football – while the others attempt to tackle, strip or otherwise remove it from the carrier. It's played without teams, with an every-man-for-himself focus.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Bijan Robinson posts apology for insensitive remark following TNF

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Falcons' Bijan Robinson apologizes for insensitive remark after 'TNF' win

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson apologized early Dec. 12 for an insensitive remark. Following theFal...

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Philip Rivers, a 44-year-old grandfather, may start for the Colts this weekend

Yahoo Sports AMis our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports.Sign up hereto get it every weekday morning.

🚨 Headlines

🏈Falcons stun Bucs on TNF:The Falconsstormed back from 14 points downin the fourth quarter to beat the Buccaneers, 29-28, on a walk-off field goal. At one point, Tampa Bay's win probability was 97.1%.

⚽️FIFA blasted for pricing:Fans are furious withFIFA's latest World Cup ticket price hike. Get-in prices have risen by hundreds of dollars for some games and the affordable tickets long promised appear to be scarce, if not entirely unattainable.

🏁MJ and NASCAR settle suit:Michael Jordan's 23XI Racingprevailed in its antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR, which was settled "in a way that will benefit the industry going forward."

🏈SEC schedule release:The SEC's inaugural nine-game conference schedule next season features a real doozy in Week 3, when new LSU coach Lane Kiffinis set to return to Oxfordto face his former team.

🎿Vonn makes history:Lindsey Vonn, 41, has becomethe oldest skier ever to win a World Cup downhill event, coming out on top at the season opener for the discipline in St. Moritz, Switzerland.

🏈 Philip Rivers' unretirement

Philip Rivers is a grandfather. He hasn't played an NFL snap in almost five years. And on Sunday, he could start for the Colts.

From Yahoo Sports' Jori Epstein:

In the heat of the 2023 NFL season, an AFC team with a chance at the playoffs faced a dilemma. The club's starting QB was out for the year with a fractured shoulder. The remaining QB room was shallow and soon to get shallower.

But the Browns' defense ranked first overall that season. And at 7-3, they were just half a game out of the division lead. So on Nov. 20, 2023, Cleveland signed a 38-year-old Joe Flacco off the couch.

He'd been throwing two to three times a week with his brother while without an NFL roster spot all season and running some to keep his fitness up. "I definitely believe," Flacco said two days after the signing, "I can still play."

Four 300-yard passing games in five starts, a Browns playoff berth and a still-now-revived NFL tenure suggest Flacco was right that he could.

Philip Rivers' unretirement this week to join the Colts is far from a clean parallel. And yet, the recent memory of Flacco tempts coaches, executives and players around the NFL to wonder: What if?

To be clear, Rivers is 44 years old, six more senior than Flacco at that signing. Rivers' last NFL action came 59 months ago, a far cry from Flacco's 11-month layoff. And Rivers' omission of any clear throwing routine he's recently followed suggests that his recent readiness probably doesn't resemble that of 2023 Flacco.

And yet, as the Colts took snaps in individual drills Thursday, reporters saw Rivers leading the charge. His chance to start against the Seahawks on Sunday is very real, as is the energy he's bringing to the team after Daniel Jones joined fellow QB Anthony Richardson Sr. on injured reserve.

Will the admittedly not-mobile-in-his-prime-and-certainly-not-now Rivers be able to step back into form against the league's No. 2 defense well enough to produce and stay healthy?

Head coach Shane Steichen said the club will take its decision day by day, as the Colts also assess sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard's knee injury recovery.

But the tone from Rivers, Steichen and teammates did not suggest he was leaving his family and risking his 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist status (for at least five years) to ride the bench as a mentor.

Keep reading.

⚾️ MLB free agency: Who's still available?

The MLB Winter Meetings have come and gone, and though a few significant deals came together in Orlando, most of the biggest names are still out there waiting to be signed.

Who's off the board?16 of ourTop 50 free agentshave inked new contracts so far this offseason.

• Kyle Schwarber, DH (our No. 3 free agent): Staying with the Phillies (5 years, $150M)

• Pete Alonso, 1B (5): Going to the Orioles (5 years, $155M)

• Dylan Cease, SP (10): Going to the Blue Jays (7 years, $210M)

• Edwin Díaz, RP (11): Going to the Dodgers (3 years, $69M)

• Josh Naylor, 1B (15): Staying with the Mariners (5 years, $92.5M)

• Trent Grisham, OF (16): Accepted Yankees qualifying offer (1 year, $22M)

• Gleyber Torres, 2B (17): Accepted Tigers QO (1 year, $22M)

• Shōta Imanaga, SP (20): Accepted Cubs QO (1 year, $22M)

• Brandon Woodruff, SP (22): Accepted Brewers QO (1 year, $22M)

• Devin Williams, RP (27): Going to the Mets (3 years, $51M)

• Robert Suárez, RP (28): Going to the Braves (3 years, $45M)

• Mike Yastrzemski, OF (31): Going to the Braves (2 years, $23M)

• Ryan Helsley, RP (33): Going to the Orioles (2 years, $28M)

• Cedric Mullins, OF (34): Going to the Rays (1 year, $7M)

• Raisel Iglesias, RP (45): Staying with the Braves (1 year, $16M)

• Anthony Kay, SP (50): Going to the White Sox (2 years, $12M)

Who's still available?34 of our Top 50 are still available, including 12 of our top 20.

• Top 20 hitters: Kyle Tucker, OF (1); Alex Bregman, 3B (2); Bo Bichette, SS (4); Munetaka Murakami, IF (6); Cody Bellinger, OF (7); Kazuma Okamoto, 3B (13); Jorge Polanco, 2B (18)

• Top 20 pitchers: Framber Valdez, SP (8); Ranger Suárez, SP (9); Zac Gallen, SP (12); Tatsuya Imai, SP (14); Michael King, SP (19)

The rest:Lucas Giolito, SP (21); JT Realmuto, C (23); Eugenio Suárez, 3B (24); Ha-Seong Kim, SS (25); Luis Arraez, IF (26); Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/OF (29); Harrison Bader, OF (30); Luke Weaver, RP (32); Willi Castro, UTIL (35); Merrill Kelly, SP (36); Tyler Mahle, SP (37); Zach Eflin, SP (38); Zack Littell, SP (39); Griffin Canning, SP (40); Max Kepler, OF (41); Miguel Andújar, OF (42); Rob Refsnyder, OF (43); Brad Keller, RP (44); Chris Bassitt, SP (46); José Quintana, SP (47); Justin Verlander, SP (48); Marcell Ozuna, DH (49)

📺 Weekend Watchlist

🏈 Army vs. Navy

Army (6-5) and Navy (9-2) face off on Saturday at Baltimore's M&T Bank Stadium in the 126th edition ofAmerica's Game(3pm ET, CBS). The Midshipmen, who won last year, hold a 63-55-7 advantage in the rivalry over the Black Knights.

What's at stake:The winner will clinch this year'sCommander-in-Chief's Trophyas the winner of the annual series among the three service academies. Additionally, if Navy wins, it will mark the first time in program history they've won at least 10 games in back-to-back years.

🏈 NFL Week 15

Sunday ischock-full of critical matchupswith playoff implications, headlined by a clash atop the AFC East, a meeting of first-place teams in Denver and the Chiefs' potential 2025 swan song.

• Bills at Patriots (1pm, CBS): New England (11-2) can clinch its first division title since 2019 by beating Buffalo (9-4) for the second time this season.

• Chargers at Chiefs (1pm, CBS): Kansas City (6-7) could be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose this week. With three games left! Stunning.

• Packers at Broncos (4:25pm, CBS): Green Bay (9-3-1) leads Chicago by a half-game in the NFC North, while Denver (11-2) leads the Chargers by two games in the AFC West.

• Lions at Rams (4:25pm, Fox): Detroit (7-5), coming off a victory, has alternated wins and losses every week since starting 4-1. The Rams (10-3) remain the Super Bowl betting favorites.

Best of the rest:The surging Seahawks (10-3) host the flailing Colts (8-5) in Seattle(4:25pm, CBS); the Bengals (4-9) host the division rival Ravens (6-7), who are a game behind Pittsburgh(1pm, CBS); the Cowboys (6-6-1) host the Vikings (5-8) on "Sunday Night Football"(8:20pm, NBC).

🏀 NBA Cup Semifinals

The in-season tournament continues in Las Vegas on Saturday night, where the Magic face the Knicks in the East final(5:30pm, Prime)and the Thunder face the Spurs — whomay get Victor Wembanyama backfrom injury — in the West final(9pm, Prime).

Historic start:The Thunder (24-1) are tied with the 2015-16 Warriors for the best 25-game start ever, and their scoring differential (+437) issignificantlybetter thanany other team through 25 gamesin NBA history.

🏈 FCS Playoffs

Thequarterfinalskick off tonight, and the Final Four will be set by tomorrow evening.

Schedule:No. 7 Stephen F. Austin at No. 2 Montana State(Fri. 9pm, ESPN); No. 12 Villanova at No. 4 Tarleton State(Sat. 12pm, ESPN); No. 11 South Dakota at No. 3 Montana(Sat. 3:30pm, ABC); Illinois State at No. 8 UC Davis(Sat. 5pm, ESPN+).

⚽️ Men's College Cup

The Final Four kicks off tonight in Cary, North Carolina, where No. 16 Furman takes on Washington in the first semifinal(6pm, ESPNU)and No. 15 NC State takes on Saint Louis in the second(8:30pm, ESPNU).

A long time coming:Furman, Washington and NC State have never won a national championship, and though Saint Louis has a record 10 titles, the last one came all the way back in 1973.

More to watch:

• 🏐 NCAA Volleyball: Sweet 16, Elite Eight (Fri-Sun, ABC/ESPN/ESPN2) … The Final Four will be determined this weekend.

• 🏀 NCAAM: No. 16 Texas Tech vs. No. 17 Arkansas (Sat. 12pm, ESPN2); No. 23 Nebraska at No. 13 Illinois (Sat. 4pm, Peacock); No. 1 Arizona at No. 12 Alabama (Sat. 9:30pm, ESPN); No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 25 UCLA (Sat. 11:30pm, ESPN)

• 🏀 NCAAW: No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 23 Oklahoma State (Sat. 4pm, ESPNU); No. 1 UConn at No. 16 USC (Sat. 5:30pm, Fox); No. 2 Texas vs. No. 13 Baylor (Sun. 1pm, ABC); No. 22 Louisville at No. 12 North Carolina (Sun. 4pm, ACC)

• 🏒 NHL: Oilers at Canadiens (Sun. 7pm, NHL) … Connor McDavid has recorded 12 points in his last four games to climb into second on the league leaderboard, with 48.

• 🏈 Celebration Bowl: South Carolina State vs. Prairie View A&M (Sat. 12pm, ABC) … Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts the de facto HBCU National Championship.

• ⚽️ Premier League: Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City (Sun. 9am, NBC) … Second place vs. fourth place.

• ⛳️ Golf: Grant Thornton Invitational (Fri-Sun, Golf/NBC) … Tiburón Golf Club in Naples, Florida, hosts the third annual edition of this co-ed event featuring 16 teams of PGA and LPGA golfers paired together.

• 🏒 Women's Hockey: USA vs. Canada (Sat. 9pm, NHL) … Edmonton hosts the fourth and final game in this year's Rivalry Series.

• 🐂 PBR: Unleash The Beast (Fri-Sat, 8pm, Paramount+) … The new Professional Bull Riders season opens in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Full weekend slate.

🏀 Good reads: NBA edition

Tom Haberstroh:The two scariest words in the NBA: Calf strain

This time last season, there were 18 calf injuries at the 20-game mark. This season, it's up to 25 incidents, representing an increase of nearly 40%. More significant, however, is the elongated recovery timeline of these injuries. The number of games lost due to calf injuries, through 20 games played, skyrocketed from 36 to 108. A tripling of last season's total.

Kelly Iko:Gap year? Behind the Celtics' surge in the East with Jaylen Brown playing quarterback

Boston's recent surge with Brown at quarterback (the team owns the league's No. 1 offense over the past two weeks) and its quality of wins (a combined 4-2 against the Pistons, Knicks and Cavaliers) are forcing a recalibration of the Eastern Conference hierarchy in what was supposed to be a gap year.

Kevin O'Connor:Ja Morant's return begs a question: Does he help the Grizzlies?

In the last month, while Morant has been sidelined, something amazing happened: The Grizzlies started winning by running, cutting and sharing the ball. When Morant is on the floor, the Grizzlies make the fewest passes per half-court possession of any team in the NBA. They stop operating as a team and start functioning as an audience for one man. When he sits? They make the third-most passes. From last to third. Just by removing one person.

🇺🇸 Academy trivia

Question:Where are the three service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force) located? Please provide city and state.

Answer at the bottom.

🎓 ICYMI: Charlie Baker interview

In just a few short years, sports betting has gone from an occasional Vegas detour to a constant presence in American life. A tap away on your phone. A fixture in every commercial break. A storyline woven into every game.

As betting has surged, so have the ripple effects: social media abuse, integrity concerns, pressure on athletes, and an entirely new culture forming around wins, losses, and prop bets. College sports sits at the center of that storm. So I spoke with NCAA President Charlie Baker (no relation) about what he's seeing, what worries him and what comes next.

Read the full interview.

Trivia answer:West Point (New York), Annapolis (Maryland), Colorado Springs (Colorado)

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byAll About ...

in Celebrities, lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

12:22

Philip Rivers, a 44-year-old grandfather, may start for the Colts this weekend

Yahoo Sports AMis our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports.Sign up hereto get it every weekday...

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Live hand grenade found in Goodwill donation bin in Florida

A live hand grenade was discovered inside a donation bin at a Goodwill store in Florida,according to police.

Authorities immediately secured the scene and evacuated the Goodwill in Palatka, a city about 50 miles south of Jacksonville.

The device was then safely retrieved and remotely detonated in a secure location by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office bomb squad.

The explosive appeared to be a donated item, Goodwill spokesperson Liz Morgantold First Coast News.An employee discovered it in a bin near the donation door, Morgan said.

This isn't the first time such a weapon has been found at a Goodwill in Florida. In 2018, several grenades were discovered after being donated to a Goodwill store on Jacksonville's Southside, according to Morgan.

"We want to remind the community to thoroughly check all items before donating, ensuring that hazardous items, such as explosives, firearms, or ammunition, are not accidentally included,"the Palatka Police Department wrote in a statement.

"If you ever locate something that appears to be a hand grenade or other explosive device, do not touch or handle it," the statement added. "Immediately evacuate the area and call law enforcement."

byAll About ...

in Celebrities, lifestyle, ShowBiz, Sports

11:42

Live hand grenade found in Goodwill donation bin in Florida

A live hand grenade was discovered inside a donation bin at a Goodwill store in Florida,according to police. Authorities immediately secur...

Read More