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Hidden gems in America: 10 cities with affordable homes and great jobs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

Alex Gailey | Bankrate.com (TNS)Omaha, Huntsville, Champaign, Des Moines, Green Bay.These cities and towns may not be top of mind when deciding where to move to next, but they should be. They offer good-paying jobs, growing cultural scenes and not to mention, affordable real estate prices — making them the perfect hidden gems to put down roots if you’re in the market for a house.Bankrate’s list of hidden gems in America comes at a time when affordability has become a much bigger hurdle for would-be homeowners. Housing prices are still high and mortgage rates are above 6%. To cope, the majority of Americans are willing to make sacrifices to find affordable housing, with a quarter of Americans (24%) saying they’re willing to move out of their state, according to an April Bankrate housing survey.Key takeaways—Homes in the Midwest and South are becoming more desirable due to affordability and strong job markets.—Affordability issues such as high home prices, income that is too low or no...

Rockies send Kris Bryant to 10-day injured list with heel bruise, reinstate Charlie Blackmon from bereavement list

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

The Rockies’ $182-million man is headed to the injured list.Colorado placed right-fielder Kris Bryant on the 10-day injured list with a left heel bruise, retroactive to Wednesday, ahead of the series finale against the Diamondbacks in Arizona.In a corresponding move, the Rockies reinstated outfielder/DH Charlie Blackmon from the bereavement list.Bryant, who signed a seven-year megadeal ahead of last season, was limited to 42 games last year due to injury. This season, with a team-high $28 million salary, Bryant is hitting .263 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 50 games with a .719 OPS. Over his last 15 games, he’s batting .175 with no homers.Expected to be the team’s primary source of power, Bryant’s home run rate through 92 games with the Rockies is just 2.5%, which is below the league average of 3.1%. He’s on pace for just 14 homers this year.This story will be updated.

Former VP Pence rips Dodgers over gay ‘nun’ group invitation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

Former Vice President Mike Pence is weighing in on the controversy surrounding the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to honor a group of self-described queer and transgender “nuns” at the team’s Pride Night event on June 16.“Having been raised in a Catholic family, the Dodgers decision to invite the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a hateful group that blatantly mocks Catholicism, to their event next month is deeply offensive,” Pence tweeted on Wednesday. “Last summer the MLB moved their All-Star Game out of Georgia over a lie about voter ID and now they are apologizing and welcoming anti-Catholic bigots back to Dodger Stadium with open arms.”The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence is a registered nonprofit whose work in the community earned them an invitation to receive the Dodgers’ Community Hero Award. Redlands City Council shoots down Pride Flag proposal That invitation, however, rankled conservatives and Catholics who objected to the group’s use of Christian imagery and the term “nun...

Charlie Day Launches His First Film, Fool’s Paradise, At TCL Chinese Theater and Yamashiro Hollywood

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

Hollywood was buzzing with excitement as the stars gathered for the premiere of Charlie Day’s new film, “Fool’s Paradise,” at the legendary TCL Chinese Theatre followed by a fabulous afterparty at the world famous Yamashiro Hollywood on Tuesday, May 9th. The film, which marks Day’s directorial debut, is a dark comedy that revolves around a mental health patient who is thrown into the hands of an unsuccessful publicist and is struck by the blinding lights of Hollywood celebrity life.Charlie Day is a genius actor and comedian that is notable for his character in the Horrible Bosses (2011) movies, The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) and most of all for his major role in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Day, who wrote, directed, and starred in the film, arrived at the premiere with his wife, actress Mary Elizabeth Ellis, by his side. The couple looked stunning as they posed for photos on the red carpet alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Day’s ...

Amonee Michael Bledsoe Dies in Bicycle Crash on Cheyenne Avenue [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

Las Vegas Man Killed Following Two-Vehicle Collision near North Hualapai WayLAS VEGAS, NV (June 1, 2023) – Monday night, a bicycle crash on West Cheyenne Avenue claimed the life of bicyclist, Amonee Michael Bledsoe.The incident occurred on May 22nd, at around 8:50 p.m. near North Hualapai Way.According to reports, a male bicyclist was riding southbound through the 10100 block of Cheyenne Avenue shopping center parking lot when, for unknown reasons, he crossed into the path of a westbound 2016 Ford Explorer and collided.First responders rushed the bicyclist, Amonee Michael Bledsoe, 19, of Las Vegas to UMC Trauma where he later died from his injuries.Meanwhile, officials said the driver of the Ford remained at the scene to cooperate and showed no signs of impairment..No further information is available at this time, however, an active investigation is underway.The Sweet James team sends our warm and sincerest sympathies out to the friends and family of Amonee Michael Bledsoe. Ma...

US court to hear challenge over Prince Harry’s visa following drug revelations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

By Jack Guy and Lauren Said-Moorhouse | CNNPrince Harry’s US immigration records should be unsealed in the light of revelations about drug-taking in his recent book, a conservative think tank will argue in a federal court next week.The Heritage Foundation is suing the US government to find out if it acted according to procedure when it granted the Duke of Sussex a US visa. Under US immigration law, evidence of past drug use can be grounds to reject an application.The case will be held in front of a federal judge on June 6 at the US District Court for the District of Columbia.The Heritage Foundation filed a complaint under the Freedom of Information Act, attempting to compel the government to release Harry’s immigration file. “The requested information is of immense public interest,” reads an amended complaint filed on May 5.“Widespread and continuous media coverage has surfaced the question of whether DHS [Department of Homeland Security] properly admitted the Duke of Sussex in ligh...

NBA Finals betting guide: Nuggets-Heat odds, prop bets and key terms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

The NBA Finals have arrived in Denver for the first time and along with that comes all kinds of excitement, pomp and circumstance, media coverage and, of course, gambling opportunities.As sports gambling continues to proliferate in the United States, hoops fans and casual observers alike will see a raft of advertising, sponsorship and array of wagers to be made around the Finals.Here’s some betting information ahead of Game 1 between the Nuggets and Miami Heat on Thursday night. Bottom line: In both the game and the series, Denver is a heavy betting favorite.Series oddsFavorite: Nuggets -400Underdog: Heat +310* Odds are via DraftKings as of Wednesday morning. Game 1 OddsMoney Line:  Nuggets -390 / Heat +310Spread: Nuggets -9 (-106) / Heat +9 (+114)Point total: 219.5 (-110)* Odds are sportsbook consensus provided by vegasinsider.com as of Wednesday morningNBA Finals prop betsJokic’s stellar run continues: Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is the runaway favorite to win NBA Finals MVP, but he...

Kurtenbach: The 49ers were mocked for drafting a kicker in the third round, but they’ll get the last laugh

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

SANTA CLARA — If the Warriors or Sharks had their leading scorer in each of the six seasons leave the team, it would be a pretty big deal.But when that exact thing happened to the 49ers this offseason with kicker Robbie Gould’s exit, more attention was paid to when the team drafted his replacement.Kickers get no respect — even when you really need them.Kyle Shanahan knows how important they are, though. Gould’s reliability within 50 yards and ability to nail kicks in even the most adverse conditions were a significant part of the Niners coach’s offensive plan since both arrived here in 2017.So the 49ers selected Michigan kicker Jake Moody in the third round — a ludicrously early pick to folks in the “analytics community” — to be the next Gould, a steady and reliable force.And perhaps a bit more, too.Related ArticlesSan Francisco 49ers | Inman: Brandon Aiyuk, 10 other things to stand out at 49ers’ practice San Francisco 49ers | ...

Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat: 5 things to watch and predictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

The Denver Nuggets enter their first NBA Finals in franchise history to face the Miami Heat. Here’s a breakdown of their matchup:Who has the edge?Guards: Maybe Nikola Jokic has inadvertently stolen some of Jamal Murray’s shine, but Denver’s combo guard has been almost unstoppable throughout Denver’s historic playoff run. Far from a bubble phenomenon, Murray’s averaging 27.7 points per game in the playoffs, which is, gasp, more than he averaged when the Nuggets were sequestered in Orlando. The Lakers didn’t have an answer for him when he filleted their backcourt, and outside of Heat star Jimmy Butler, there are no obvious defensive matchups for Murray. Gabe Vincent and Max Strus are both scrappy guards, each capable and willing to shoot from outside. The Heat is a team made up of more than the sum of its parts, but Denver’s got a significant advantage in the backcourt. Edge: Nuggets.Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets during the NBA Finals media day practice at Ball Arena M...

LGBTQ+ people flock to Florida for Gay Days Festival

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:16 GMT

By Mike Schneider | Associated PressORLANDO, Fla. — Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people are flocking to central Florida this weekend to go on theme park rides, mingle with costumed performers, dance at all-night parties and lounge poolside at hotels during Gay Days, a decades-long tradition.Even though Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers have championed a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ laws — spurring the most prominent gay rights group in the U.S. and other civil rights organizations to issue warnings the Sunshine State may no longer be safe — Gay Days organizers are still encouraging visitors from around the world to come to one of Florida’s largest gay and lesbian celebrations.They say a large turnout will send a message that LGBTQ+ people are not going away in Florida, which is continually one of the most popular states for tourists to visit. If the hoped-for 150,000 or more visitors come to the half-week of pool parties, drag bingo and thrill rides at Orlando’s theme parks ...