March 2018

Sister Jean takes hoops to a heavenly place

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — On the night before Easter, a night when Sister Jean could reasonably be contemplating more consequential affairs, she will instead be festooned in her maroon and yellow letter jacket, sitting in her wheelchair on the floor of one of America’s greatest sports cathedrals, praying for an entirely different sort of miracle.

She’ll be trying to will the underdog, 11th-seeded Ramblers from the Jesuit school of Loyola-Chicago another step along the road to a national championship. It’s a road even the most pious fan wouldn’t have dreamed of a mere three weeks ago.

Russia responds to expulsions

MOSCOW (AP) — Russia on Thursday responded quid pro quo to the wave of Western expulsions of Russian diplomats over the poisoning of an ex-spy and his daughter in Britain, while a hospital treating the pair said the woman is improving rapidly and is out of critical condition.

Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found unconscious and critically ill in the English city of Salisbury on March 4. British authorities blamed Russia for poisoning them with a military-grade nerve agent, accusations Russia has vehemently denied.

PARK PROTECTION

A Bozeman rally to support mineral withdrawals on public lands near Yellowstone drew a large crowd of supporters Wednesday afternoon.

Sen. Jon Tester addressed a crowd of at least 200 at the Gallatin County Fairgrounds in support of the Yellowstone Gateway Protection Act, which would withdraw permanently about 30,000 acres of public land in the Custer Gallatin National Forest from mineral exploration.

The bill is sponsored in the Senate by Tester and was introduced into the House of Representatives by Rep. Greg Gianforte in December.

1 year to Brexit: So much to do, so little time

LONDON (AP) — Britain’s exit from the European Union has been likened to putting toothpaste back in the tube. But it’s more like trying to separate the fluoride from the paste: complicated and messy.

Thursday marks 365 days until Britain officially leaves the EU. The March 29, 2019, departure will end a 46-year marriage that has entwined the economies, legal systems and peoples of Britain and 27 other European countries.

British Prime Minister Theresa May was on a whistle-stop tour of the United Kingdom’s four corners to promise a Brexit that unites the country.

Duke’s Marvin Bagley to enter NBA draft

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III is entering the NBA draft.

Bagley announced his decision Wednesday on his verified Instagram account, saying he “learned a lot this year on and off of the court.”

Duke spokesman Mike DeGeorge said Bagley would “eventually” hire an agent. Bagley is expected to be a high lottery pick.

The AP All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference player and rookie of the year led the conference in scoring and rebounding, averaging 21.0 points and 11.1 rebounds.

Former Mets, Expos outfielder Rusty Staub dies at 73

NEW YORK (AP) — Rusty Staub, the orange-haired outfielder who became a huge hit with baseball fans in two countries during an All-Star career that spanned 23 major league seasons, died Thursday. He was 73.

He died after an illness in a hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida, hours before the start of the baseball season, the New York Mets said in a statement. The team learned of the death from friends of Staub who were with him at the time, a spokesman added.

Judge, Stanton eager to get started as Yankees teammates

TORONTO (AP) — After a winter of waiting, the New York Yankees are ready to roll with two of baseball’s best sluggers. Aaron Judge and newcomer Giancarlo Stanton will bat second and third when the Yankees open against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. “We can’t wait,” said Judge, the 2017 AL Rookie of the Year. “We’ve been excited for this since the beginning of spring training.” Stanton won the 2017 NL MVP award with Miami, then was acquired by the Yankees in a December trade. “I’m focused, excited, just ready to get some games that mean something,” he said.

Angels’ Shohei Ohtani among rookies to watch

CHICAGO (AP) — Aaron Judge. Cody Bellinger. Andrew Benintendi. Paul DeJong. The list goes on and on.

Last year’s rookie class was one of the best in baseball history. Topping that group of sluggers will be quite a chore, but here is a closer look at some touted prospects hoping to make a name for themselves this year:

NY Firm tracks Larry Nassar coverage, bills Michigan State $500K

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State University spent roughly $500,000 for a public relations firm in January to track media coverage and social media activity related to the case of disgraced former sports doctor Larry Nassar, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

New York-based Weber Shandwick billed the university $517,343 for 1,440 hours of work done by 18 employees, according to documents obtained by the Lansing State Journal through a public records request.

Broncos acquire safety Cravens from Redskins for draft picks

DENVER (AP) — Su’a Cravens already appears to be relishing in his change of scenery and his chance at a fresh start.

In a video posted on his Twitter account , the song “A Whole New World” from the Disney movie “Aladdin” played in the background before a smiling Cravens let out a loud “Woo!” Underneath was a caption that read: “Broncos!!!! Here I come!!”