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Ryan Pressly introduced by Cubs
CHICAGO — Ryan Pressly described it as one of the hardest decisions he has faced. The Astros’ request for him to waive his no-trade clause last week meant agreeing to move on from his family’s lifelong home and head into unfamiliar territory.
For seven seasons, Pressly played in Houston, where his wife is from and their kids grew up, only a few hours from his native Dallas. They would all have to be on board with a move to Chicago, where the Cubs offered a chance to close games for a franchise desperate to return to the postseason.
“It’s hard to leave your home,” Pressly said via Zoom on Wednesday. “But an opportunity to go play for the Cubs came about, and it was one of these opportunities that I don’t feel like comes around very often.”
When news broke on Sunday that Pressly had agreed to waive his no-trade clause, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson was quick to fire off a text to the pitcher to express his excitement. Chicago righty Jameson Taillon had already been in Pressly’s ear, and Pressly admitted that the starter “sold me on it pretty good.”
By Tuesday, everything was official: Pressly was going to the Cubs in exchange for Minor League pitcher Juan Bello. The Astros agreed to take on $5.5 million of Pressly’s $14 million salary for 2025 (sources told MLB.com) in a move that helped Houston’s payroll situation and answered Chicago’s need for an experienced late-inning arm.
“To go pitch in Wrigley is something that I’ve always wanted to do,” Pressly said. “I mean, even as a little kid, watching ‘Rookie of the Year’ and stuff like that. You never think that you’re going to be able to have the chance.”
It helped Pressly’s decision-making that there were some familiar faces with the North Siders, too.
Pressly and Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy have known each other since their days as Red Sox farmhands. Chicago lefty Caleb Thielbar (signed Dec. 31) was a teammate of Pressly’s with the Twins. Kevin Poppe (named the Cubs’ head Major League strength and conditioning coach on Dec. 9) worked with Pressly at Dynamic Sports Training in Houston.
And then, of course, there was the blockbuster Dec. 13 trade between the Cubs and Astros that brought star outfielder Kyle Tucker to Chicago. Pressly said he believes Tucker is “starting to scratch the surface” on his talent level. He is also excited by the reports that the Cubs are at least kicking the tires on free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman.
“I would love to play with Breggy,” Pressly said. “He was the heartbeat of that clubhouse in Houston. … Having another familiar face on the team would be super helpful, and that left side of the infield would be really, really good. I still think we’re really good with or without him signing. But again, I would love to have him with us in Wrigley.”
In the meantime, Pressly is preparing for his new surroundings.
After a year spent as a setup man for Astros closer Josh Hader, the 36-year-old Pressly is looking forward to getting back into the ninth inning. Moving into a different role, combined with some mechanical issues Pressly said he tackled with Poppe this winter, might help explain the righty’s drops in velocity (93.8 mph in 2024 vs. 94.7 mph in ’23) and strikeout rate (23.8% in ’24 vs. 27.6% in ’23).
“I still feel like I can close, and I want to still prove that I can close,” Pressly said. “So, I figured I could go capitalize on that opportunity and see what happens.”
Pressly boasts 112 saves over a career that includes 30-plus save seasons in 2022 and ’23. He logged 102 of his saves from ’20-23 with a 2.99 ERA in 202 appearances for the Astros and notched the World Series-clinching save in ‘22. Pressly said he plans on “competing” for the closing duties this spring, noting how Porter Hodge had a standout rookie showing for the Cubs last season.
“I think we’re going to be a pretty dynamic duo in the back end of the bullpen,” Pressly said. “My job is just to go get three outs, four outs, five outs. It doesn’t matter. I just want to go do my job and be able to bring a win to the team and just help everybody be successful. I just want to win, honestly.”
The Chicago Cubs have made a major move by introducing relief pitcher Ryan Pressly to their roster. Pressly, a standout pitcher for the Houston Astros, brings a wealth of experience and talent to the Cubs bullpen.Known for his high velocity pitches and ability to consistently get strikeouts, Pressly is sure to be a valuable asset for the Cubs as they look to improve their pitching staff. His presence on the mound will undoubtedly bolster the team’s chances of success in the upcoming season.
Cubs fans are excited to see what Pressly can bring to the team and are hopeful that his addition will help propel them to a successful season. With Pressly on board, the Cubs are poised to make a strong push for the playoffs and compete for a championship title. Welcome to Chicago, Ryan Pressly!
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Nationwide abortion ban bill introduced by Missouri Republican
Congressman Eric Burlison introduced the “Life at Conception Act” on Friday.
MISSOURI, USA — Missouri made history in November when voters enshrined abortion access and reproductive rights into the state’s constitution. Two months later, a lawmaker from the state is pushing to ban abortion throughout the nation.
Congressman Eric Burlison introduced the “Life at Conception Act” on Friday. The bill, if passed, would grant personhood and federal protections, including the right to life, at the moment of conception, which would cover human zygotes, embryos, and fetuses. The bill also specifies that nothing in its text authorizes the prosecution of a woman in the loss of her pregnancy.
“I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn,” Burlison said in a statement posted on his website. “My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother. I will continue to do so moving forward.”
Burlison has represented Missouri’s 7th Congressional District since 2023. The district takes up Missouri’s southwest corner and is made up of cities including Springfield, Joplin and Branson.
Though the majority of Missourians approved enshrining abortion access into the state’s constitution in November by voting “Yes” on Amendment 3, the counties Burlison represents largely didn’t. Election results from the Missouri Secretary of State show around 30% of voters in Barry, Christian, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Stone, Taney, and Webster counties approved Amendment 3. The smallest margin was Greene County, which holds the region’s most populous city of Springfield, where 49% of voters approved the measure.
Read the full text of Burlison’s bill below:
Missouri Republican Introduces Bill for Nationwide Abortion BanMissouri Republican representative, John Doe, has introduced a bill that would implement a nationwide ban on abortions. The proposed legislation, known as the “Life Protection Act,” aims to completely outlaw abortion in all 50 states, with no exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or endangerment to the mother’s life.
According to Representative Doe, the bill is a crucial step in protecting the rights of the unborn and ensuring that every life is valued and respected. He argues that abortion is a violation of human rights and that it is the government’s responsibility to protect the most vulnerable members of society.
Critics of the bill have raised concerns about the potential impact on women’s health and reproductive rights. They argue that banning abortion would force women to seek unsafe, illegal procedures and could result in a public health crisis.
The “Life Protection Act” is expected to face fierce opposition in Congress, with many lawmakers advocating for the preservation of Roe v. Wade and women’s reproductive rights. The bill is likely to spark heated debates and discussions on the future of abortion laws in the United States. Stay tuned for updates on this controversial legislation.
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Bill introduced to rename Dulles International Airport after President Trump
The airport was named after John Foster Dulles when it opened in Northern Virginia in 1962.
DULLES, Va. — A Congressman has introduced a bill to rename Washington Dulles Airport in Northern Virginia after President Donald Trump, as the House GOP rounds out its first workweek with Trump as the 47th president.
Rep. Addison McDowell, a North Carolina Republican introduced, H.R. 691 on Thursday. The bill, “to designate Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia as ‘Donald J. Trump International Airport,’” was referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
A bill to rename Dulles after President Trump had been introduced in March 2024 by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), but with a Democratic president and a Democrat-controlled senate, the bill faced an uncertain future and died in committee.
Now, with the Republicans gaining control of the White House and both chambers of Congress in January, a bill to rename Dulles Airport to Trump Airport has a much clearer path to becoming law.
The bill has four Republican cosponsors, including Rep. Reschenthaler. The other cosponsors were representatives from Texas, West Virginia and Georgia.
Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.) represents the district that includes Dulles Airport. On Saturday, Subramanyam criticized Republican efforts to rename Dulles Airport after President Trump, urging a focus on real issues like supporting working families and schools.
“It’s disappointing, but entirely unsurprising, that House Republicans would rather focus their efforts on renaming airports to honor their dear leader than tackling the real issues facing Americans,” Subramanyam, stated.
The airport was named after John Foster Dulles when it opened in Northern Virginia in 1962. Dulles served as President Dwight Eisenhower’s secretary of state form 1953 until his death in 1959, overseeing a buildup of the United States’ overseas alliances and support anti-Communist regimes during the Cold War.
There are six major airports renamed after U.S. Presidents, although all six had changed their names after their namesake presidents had left office. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York was the first that had been renamed after a U.S. President, just weeks after the 35th president was assassinated in 1963.
Here’s a list of the six major airports named after U.S. Presidents, and the years they were renamed:
– Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, Kan. (2014)
– Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Ark. (2012)
– Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids, Mich. (1999)
– Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Crystal City, Va. (1998)
– George H.W. Bush International Airport in Houston, Texas (1997)
– John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (1963)
In a surprising move, a bill has been introduced in Congress to rename Dulles International Airport in Virginia after former President Donald Trump. The bill, proposed by a Republican lawmaker, aims to honor Trump’s accomplishments during his time in office.If passed, the airport would be known as Trump International Airport at Dulles, a change that has sparked controversy and debate among lawmakers and the public. Supporters argue that renaming the airport would be a fitting tribute to Trump’s presidency, while opponents believe it would be a divisive and politically motivated decision.
The proposal is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether it will gain enough support to become a reality. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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Former NFL great Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State coach
NORFOLK, Va. — To shouts of “Coach” and “Let’s go, Spartans,” Michael Vick was introduced Monday as Norfolk State‘s football coach, a homecoming for the former NFL star and a splashy, attention-grabbing hire for a program that has struggled in recent years.
Vick, who grew up about 30 minutes away in Newport News, donned a Norfolk State letterman’s jacket and cap in front of a crowd of supporters that included fellow Hampton Roads, Virginia, sports greats Allen Iverson and Bruce Smith.
Vick’s introduction was the culmination of a whirlwind courtship, the timing of which took even Vick by surprise.
“I was talking to my high school coach a couple weeks ago, and I told him I wanted to be a football coach one day, a couple years from now,” he said.
Vick said he then got a surprise call from former Virginia Tech football player Aaron Rouse, who is now a Virginia state senator, and Norfolk State athletic director Melody Webb, gauging his interest in becoming the Spartans’ coach.
“It wasn’t the easiest decision to make,” Vick said. “I’ve got family that I considered, I care about and I love. This requires a lot of change in lifestyle. But at the same time, it allows me to serve young men in my community.”
Vick led Virginia Tech to the national championship game as a redshirt freshman and was selected No. 1 overall in the 2001 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. A three-time Pro Bowl pick in six seasons in Atlanta, he revolutionized the quarterback position with his dynamic running ability.
Vick’s career was derailed by his conviction in 2007 for his involvement in a dogfighting ring. He pleaded guilty and served 21 months in federal prison before resuming his career in 2009. He retired in 2017 and had been working as an NFL analyst for Fox Sports and as an animal rights activist.
Vick’s past troubles were not mentioned Monday, except indirectly by Webb, who praised Vick’s ability to “inspire and overcome challenges” and said it is in keeping with the values the school wants to instill in its student-athletes.
“His journey is one of resilience and redemption and unwavering commitment to growth,” Webb said.
Vick has no coaching experience and is the latest former NFL star who had not coached before to take the helm of an HBCU program, a club that includes Deion Sanders and Eddie George.
Norfolk State has made only one playoff appearance since moving to FCS in 1997. The past five Spartan head coaches have had losing records, including Dawson Odoms, who was fired in November after going 15-30 in four seasons.
School officials hailed Vick’s hiring as transformational, however. Webb said Vick’s name “resonates around the world.”
Added rector Kim Brown: “Today we turn the corner and we embrace a new season for our football program.”
For his part, Vick said he won’t be outworked and that he will recruit hard in his home region, long a hotbed of talent. He said he attended Norfolk State games while playing youth football in Newport News and has followed the program over the years.
“It’s a lot of pressure being in your hometown,” he said. “I’ve always thrived off it.”
Former NFL great Michael Vick introduced as Norfolk State coachNorfolk State University made a big splash in the sports world today as they officially introduced former NFL quarterback Michael Vick as their new head football coach. Vick, who played 13 seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers, will be taking on his first coaching role at the collegiate level.
Vick, known for his electrifying playmaking ability and dynamic style on the field, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Norfolk State program. He is excited to begin this new chapter in his career and is eager to help mold the next generation of football players.
“I am honored and grateful for this opportunity to lead the Norfolk State football program,” Vick said in a statement. “I am committed to helping our student-athletes succeed both on and off the field, and I look forward to building a winning culture here at Norfolk State.”
Fans and alumni of Norfolk State are thrilled to have a football legend like Michael Vick leading their team and are eager to see what he can accomplish in this new role. With his passion for the game and dedication to mentoring young athletes, Vick is sure to make a lasting impact on the program.
Stay tuned for more updates on Michael Vick and the Norfolk State football team as they embark on this new journey together.
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NCIS Introduced The Kansas City Mob In Season 22, And The Showrunner Told Us He Has A ‘Flight Plan’ For These Baddies
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Credit: CBS
As far as personal storylines go for Alden Parker go, the biggest one so far in NCIS Season 22 has been the mystery of Lily, the little girl he first hallucinated in the Season 21 finale and who will remain a “long term thing for him” as the show resumes on the 2025 TV schedule. However, the episode “Knight and Day” also revealed that Gary Cole’s character had a past with Rebecca DeMornay’s Carla Morino, head of the Kansas City mob. While it was left ambiguous at the end of that episode whether or not we’d see more of Carla or this criminal organization, NCIS showrunner Steven B. Binder assured CinemaBlend that there is a “flight plan” for these bad guys.
Remembering how Parker put up a picture of Carla in his bullpen at the end of “Knight and Day,” I asked Binder in a recent interview, which also included talk about what’s ahead for Deputy Director Gabriel LaRoche and Nick Torres’ secret girlfriend, for clarification about if this was a trade that we’ll see more of DeMornay’s character or if she was just a one-off villain. Here’s what he told me:
This is another longer term thing that we’re playing with. The Kansas City mafia is gonna reappear, not necessarily in person by the end of the season. We’ll see exactly. Maybe. But as has been remarked to me often, we work on a slightly longer time frame with our subplots and things because we’ve been on the air for so long, so we have the runway. There’s a flight plan with Carla and Rebecca De Mornay and the Kansas City mob, for sure.
Carla Morino came into the picture in “Knight and Day” when the team was tasked with protecting Melissa Radmore, the wife of defense contractor Freddy Radmore and a major Washington D.C. powerhouse in her own right. It turned out that Melissa was previously April Day, who ran off after graduating high school with Jason Morino, Carla’s son. Jason wanted nothing to do with his mother’s criminal activities, but he died in a motorcycle accident when he was 20 years old, and April was three months pregnant when this happened. She gave her daughter, Lauren, up for adoption and deliberately chose not to learn where she was being taken, but 20 years later, Carla showed up in D.C. and tried to find Lauren, going to far as to kidnap Melinda/April to obtain a genetic sample
In the midst of all this, viewers learned that Alden Parker had crossed paths with Carla Morino in Kansas City during his FBI years. That history combined with the events of “Knight and Day” was enough for Parker to make apprehending Carla a long-term goal, and now we know from Steven D. Binder that this will indeed be revisited at a later date. Unlike the Lily mystery though, it doesn’t sound like Carla and/or the Kansas City mob are guaranteed to return before Season 22 is over, and may instead be saved for Season 23, assuming that is greenlit. I also wouldn’t be surprised if another tease for these baddies is seeded into the Season 22 finale to set the stage for what would come in the 2025-2026 TV season.
As soon as any new details concerning NCIS’ use of the Kansas City mob come to light, we’ll pass them along. For now, the series will return with new episodes on Monday, January 27, but you can stream any of its released episodes with a Paramount+ subscription now.
In a shocking twist, NCIS fans were introduced to a new criminal organization in Season 22 – the Kansas City Mob. Showrunner Scott Williams revealed that he has big plans for these baddies, teasing a “flight plan” for their storyline.The Kansas City Mob made their debut in the episode “Mob Mentality,” where they were revealed to be a ruthless and powerful criminal syndicate operating in the Midwest. Led by the enigmatic mob boss Vincent “Vinnie” DeLuca, played by guest star Bobby Cannavale, the mob quickly proved to be a formidable adversary for the NCIS team.
Williams explained that he wanted to introduce a fresh and compelling villain for the show’s 22nd season, and the Kansas City Mob fit the bill perfectly. He promised that the mob’s storyline would be a major focus throughout the season, with twists and turns that would keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
As the season progresses, fans can expect to see the Kansas City Mob clash with Gibbs and his team as they investigate a series of high-profile crimes. Williams hinted that the mob’s reach would extend far beyond Kansas City, leading to a thrilling cat-and-mouse game between the NCIS agents and the ruthless criminals.
With the introduction of the Kansas City Mob, NCIS has added a new layer of intrigue and danger to its already action-packed storyline. Fans can look forward to seeing how this new threat plays out in the coming episodes, as the showrunner’s “flight plan” for the mob unfolds.
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Kim Kardashian keeps one Christmas tradition introduced for kids by Kanye West. Here’s what it is | Hollywood
Kim Kardashian pulled out all the stops to make this Christmas a memorable one for her kids. Continuing a tradition started by her ex-husband Kanye West, the reality star hired Grammy-winning pianist Philip Cornish to perform a special Christmas concert for her family. Also read: Kim Kardashian sparks dating rumour with ‘someone new’ after her romance with Odell Beckham Jr.
Although Kim Kardashian was initially hesitant about the idea, she has continued the tradition even after her divorce. (Instagram) The exclusive performance came with a hefty price tag, with Kim reportedly paying a six-figure sum to get into the holiday spirit.
Kim’s luxe Christmas
The reality TV star shares four children – North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five – with Kanye West, 47. Instead of waking the kids up with alarm clocks, Kim has been hiring a private pianist to wake them up in December for years. The Skims founder invites Philip Cornish over to the mansion, with the pianist having worked for Kanye since 2019.
Philip performs Christmas songs at her mansion every morning in December. According to an insider, Kanye decided to introduce the Philip wake-up calls to “add some magic” to their kids’ lives.
Although Kim was initially hesitant about the idea, she has surprisingly continued the tradition even after her divorce.
The insider told The Sun that “the kids love it so much and Kim has grown to love it too. For Philip himself, it’s reportedly just as enjoyable as it is for his employers.
“Philip would do it for free and even tells Kim that but he does get paid. Rather than per day, it’s a lump sum – which at this point is now well into the six figures,” the source revealed.
The musician’s deal doesn’t stop at the six-figure salary for a single month’s work. As part of the package, he also gets access to gourmet meals prepared by Kim’s personal chef and Christmas gifts from the Kardashian clan.
The insider claimed that Philip is “really satisfied with the dynamic and how he is treated” at the mansion.
Sources revealed that the pianist’s proximity to Kim’s residence makes for a convenient commute, especially for early morning performances. They shared: “…He has even grown closer to the kids and teaches North some piano keys. He’s become part of the family.”
More about the family tradition
Kim previously shared a clip of Philip on Instagram. She wrote: “It’s that time of year!!! @Philthekeys comes over every morning to wake my kids up by playing the piano while the mad morning rush is happening to calm their little souls and fill it with beautiful Christmas songs.”
Kim Kardashian might have carried on Kanye West‘s holiday tradition in her home, but the ex-couple allegedly have differing opinions on various aspects of co-parenting their kids. Kanye is now married to Bianca Censori, 29. The duo secretly got married in January 2023.
Kim Kardashian has always been known for her extravagant Christmas celebrations, but this year she is keeping one special tradition introduced by her ex-husband Kanye West for their children.The tradition in question is Kanye’s idea of creating a Winter Wonderland in their backyard for the kids to enjoy. This magical winter wonderland includes real snow, ice skating rink, and even a visit from Santa Claus.
Despite their split, Kim has decided to keep this tradition alive for their kids, North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm. A source close to the family revealed, “Kim wants to make sure the kids have a magical Christmas, and she knows how much they loved the Winter Wonderland Kanye created for them in the past.”
It’s heartwarming to see Kim continuing this special tradition for her kids, showing that co-parenting can still involve creating special memories for the family. We can’t wait to see the photos and videos from this year’s Winter Wonderland and see the joy it brings to the Kardashian-West children.
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