President Biden meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel as she prepares to leave office

President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel met on Thursday during what is likely to be her last visit to Washington as the head of state before she leaves office.  Biden praised Merkel, noting she was Germany’s first female chancellor, whose tenure lasted through four American presidents. At a White House news conference, Biden …

Dozens missing, over 40 people dead after historic flooding in western Germany

Severe flooding in Western Europe after the area experienced levels of rain not seen in a century caused over 40 deaths in Germany as flash floods swept through the countries, causing buildings to collapse.  At least six died in Belgium, and the neighboring countries of Luxembourg and the Netherlands were also affected. Authorities said at …

Thursday’s Yankees vs. Red Sox game postponed due to positive COVID-19 cases in Yankees organization

A release sent out by Major League Baseball confirmed the postponement of Thursday night’s series opener between the Yankees and Red Sox as the Yankees organization manages a developing COVID-19 issue. The MLB said that there are multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Yankees organization, and they will be going through continued testing and contact …

OT Taylor Moton signs 4-year, $72M extension with Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers announced Thursday afternoon that they have agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension with OT Taylor Moton that will keep him under contract through 2025. Had a deal not been reached before 4 PM, Moton would have played the 2021 season under the franchise tag, paying him $13.8 million guaranteed. Following the …

Jennifer Carpenter to return for Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ revival as Dexter’s sister

Jennifer Carpenter will return for Showtime’s ‘Dexter’ revival. The actress played Dexter Morgan’s sister Deb Morgan for all eight seasons of the original Showtime series, and was famously killed off in the 2013 series finale. Carpenter isn’t the only character to return from the dead — John Lithgow, who won an Emmy for his role …

Disney+ renews ‘Loki’ for Season 2

The streaming service Disney+ has renewed ‘Loki’ for Season 2, it was first revealed in the Season 1 finale.  In a post-credits scene in the episode, a case file was shown with a red stamp reading “Loki will return in Season 2.” The finale also set the stage for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of …

Justice Department criticizes FBI handling of allegations against USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar

In a scathing report Wednesday, the Justice Department’s inspector general said FBI officials investigating allegations of sexual abuse by disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar violated the agency’s policies by making false statements and failing to properly document complaints by the accusers. The inspector general opened an investigation in 2018; in June 2020, more than …

Over 60 wildfires continue to burn across Western U.S., with Oregon’s Bootleg Fire remaining the nation’s largest and still spreading

Increasingly steady, dry winds on Wednesday contributed to the over 60 wildfires in the Western United States, still burning across several states and crews continue to fight and contain them. Gusts of up to 35 mph and extreme temperatures near 105 degrees, with only 7% humidity in the forecast, is causing concern for more than …

NFL free-agent Richard Sherman arrested on suspicion of burglary, domestic violence

NFL free-agent cornerback Richard Sherman has been arrested for burglary domestic violence. The former Seahawks and 49ers cornerback played only five games for San Francisco in 2020 due to a calf strain. He is unsigned ahead of the ’21 season. Sherman was denied bail, but a spokesperson for the Redmond, Washington Police Department told ESPN …

Boston Bruins sign Brandon Carlo to 6-year, $24M contract extension after Kevan Miller announces retirement

Coming off the announcement of defenseman Kevan Miller’s retirement earlier on Wednesday, the Boston Bruins signed defenseman Brandon Carlo to a six-year contract extension on Wednesday. Miller, 33, played seven seasons in the NHL, all with Boston. He posted his retirement announcement on Instagram, saying in part: “There are so many people that have had …