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13-year-old gamer becomes the first to beat the ‘unbeatable’ Tetris – by breaking it

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The falling-block video game Tetris has met its match in 13-year-old Willis Gibson, who has become the first player to officially “beat” the original Nintendo version of the game — by breaking it.Technically, Willis — aka “blue scuti” in the gaming world — made it to what gamers call a “kill screen,” a point where the Tetris code glitches, crashing the game. That might not sound like much of a victory to anyone thinking that only high scores count, but it’s a highly coveted achievement in the world of video games, where records involve pushing hardware and software to their limits. And beyond.It’s also a very big deal for players of Tetris, which many had long considered unbeatable. That’s partly because the game doesn’t have a scripted ending; those four-block shapes just keep falling no matter how good you get at stacking them into disappearing rows. Top players continued to find ways to extend their winning streaks by staying in the ga...

The Supreme Court is expected to determine whether Trump can keep running for president. Here's why

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to determine whether former President Donald Trump can keep running for the White House.Trump on Wednesday appealed a ruling from the Colorado Supreme Court that he's ineligible for the presidency because he violated a rarely used constitutional prohibition on those who hold office having “engaged in insurrection.” On Tuesday, he appealed a similar ruling from Maine's Democratic secretary of state, but it's the Colorado appeal that's most significant.That's because the nation's highest court has never before ruled on Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, adopted in 1868 to prevent Confederates from regaining their former government posts. Whatever the Supreme Court decides applies to Colorado will apply to all other 49 states, including Maine.Trump remains on the ballot in both states until the appeals are done.WHAT IS SECTION 3?The provision is only two sentences and seems relatively straightforward.Section 3 reads: “No Person shall be a ...

Activists participate in police use-of-force training

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

HUTTO, Texas (KXAN) -- Chas Moore, head of the Austin Justice Coalition, an activist group, attended a training exercise with the Texas Municipal Police Association Wednesday. The Austin Justice Coalition has a history of being highly critical about local police use of force cases, including the 2020 shooting death of Michael Ramos - which an Austin police officer still faces a murder charge for. The training consisted of three simulations where Moore role played as an officer in a police response scenario. One scenario involved a response to a call for a man acting suspiciously at a park; the man was armed with a knife in his pocket, unbeknownst to the responding officer. The next scenario was a traffic stop, and the final scenario involved an unarmed man experiencing a mental health episode who wouldn't fully obey police orders to stay back. "I think it's good to come get perspective. So as much as I have views and opinions about law enforcement, It's like 'Ok well let me put myse...

Rudy Gobert’s nice gesture leads to big thank you

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Rudy Gobert surprised Target Center ushers and arena workers with a holiday present again this season.For the second straight year, the Timberwolves center gifted everyone who works at the arena with $50 inside a handwritten card.The Target Center employees expressed their gratitude this week in the form of a massive-sized card — fit for a 7-footer — littered with personalized thank yous from many of the staff members. Gobert received the card Tuesday.“It’s amazing. Really appreciate everything they do every day. You don’t want people to think they’ve been taken for granted. They’ve always been nice to me, my family, my teammates, everybody,” Gobert said. “So just wanted to show them a little love, a little appreciation. I know it always comes a long way, especially for Christmas. And all of these people have families and kids, so it always makes me happy to do.”Kat’s coat driveIn what’s become a community staple event, Karl-Anthony Towns co...

Danielle Hunter and Andrew DePaola will represent Vikings at Pro Bowl Games

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Unless the Vikings are somehow competing in Super Bowl LVIII next month, pass rusher Danielle Hunter and long snapper Andrew DePaola will serve as starters at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando. Both players were selected by a consensus vote of players, coaches and fans.This will be the fourth career Pro Bowl appearance for Hunter and the second for DePaola.This is the first time Hunter has been named a starter for the annual event. He’s more than deserving of that honor considering he’s been the straw that stirs the drink for the Vikings this season on defense. Hunter started every single game, he is fifth in the league with 15 1/2 sacks, which is a career-high for him, and he’s tied with Las Vegas Raiders star pass rusher Maxx Crosby for the league lead with 21 tackles for loss.As for DePaola, he’s been a pillar of consistency for the Vikings this season on special teams. He’s extremely reliable with his ball placement on field goals and punts and, more imp...

Baytown Township considers incorporation to protect rural way of life

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Officials in Baytown Township have grown increasingly concerned about the threat of annexation from neighboring cities and are asking residents to weigh in on whether they think the township should become a city.Baytown Township, population 2,200, borders Oak Park Heights, Lake Elmo and Bayport. A survey of township residents about incorporation is taking place this week; the survey deadline is midnight Friday.“We would like to hear your feedback on the possibility of becoming a city while maintaining our low tax base,” township officials wrote in a note sent out to township residents. “We want to keep our 2.5-acre minimum lot size and our quality of life as a rural township or city.”The town board will discuss the survey results at its meeting on Monday night. If enough residents express interest in incorporating, the town board plans to have the township residents vote on the matter during the township’s annual meeting in March, said John Hall, town board chairman.“Becoming a city...

Avalanche’s Valeri Nichushkin looks like the best power forward in NHL right now

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Valeri Nichushkin hasn’t officially thrown a punch in an NHL fight in more than four years, and there are 92 guys who play his position who have registered more hits this season.Nichushkin is not an elite power forward by previously held standards, but he might be the best modern version in the NHL right now. He has been one of the best players on the Avalanche for much of this season, and put together a virtuoso performance Tuesday night in a 5-4 win against the New York Islanders at Ball Arena.“He’s a beast, and it’s just fun to watch him play,” Avs star Nathan MacKinnon said. “He’s so big and powerful … definitely works his tail off away from the ice. Always in the gym, always trying to get better. He deserves everything he’s getting.”Nichushkin scored two goals to help the Avs rally from 3-1 and 4-3 deficits, but the play he made to draw a penalty that led to the game-winning goal was a perfect summation of all his tale...

Teens arrested in connection with armed iPad robbery in Pomona

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Two people who ambushed a couple at gunpoint as they tried to sell an iPad in Pomona were arrested Wednesday morning, the Pomona Police Department confirmed to KTLA.The teens' identities haven’t been made public.Video captured the moment when Eduardo Reyes and his wife met up with the suspects after they expressed interest in purchasing an iPad Reyes was selling through Offer Up, an online marketplace.The suspects messaged Reyes and the parties agreed to meet in a residential neighborhood.Video captured the moment a couple was ambushed at gunpoint while trying to sell an iPad in Pomona on Dec. 23, 2023.Video captured the moment a couple was attacked at gunpoint while trying to sell an iPad in Pomona on Dec. 23, 2023.Video captured the moment a couple was attacked at gunpoint while trying to sell an iPad in Pomona on Dec. 23, 2023.Suspect wanted for attackiong a couple at gunpoint while trying to steal an iPad in Pomona on Dec. 23, 2023.Suspect wanted for attackiong a couple at gunpo...

Meat market thief wearing 'Dirty Bird' hoodie flees on scooter

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

Authorities in Orange County are asking for the public’s help in identifying a man wearing a sweatshirt with the words “Dirty Bird” on it who unsuccessfully attempted to rob a local meat market late last year. The incident unfolded on Oct. 25 just before 12 p.m. at a shop in the 1800 block of Standard Street, according to a social media post by the Santa Ana Police Department.  Surveillance video from the market captured the suspect, described as a Hispanic male, shoving a female customer standing at the counter out of the way as he doused the cash register with lighter fluid and briefly ignited it. After seeing the flames, another customer standing at the counter moved to the side.  According to police, the store’s clerk was also sprayed with lighter fluid as the suspect, speaking in Spanish, demanded cash from the register.  Suspect caught on surveillance store attempting to rob a meat market in Santa Ana on Oct. 25, 2023. (SAPD)Suspect caught on surveillance s...

New California law 'great' for renters

Published Wed, 25 Dec 2024 17:48:48 GMT

New housing laws are going into effect in 2024, and one of them aims to make renting a little more affordable.Starting July 1, landlords will have to limit security deposits to one month’s rent. Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 12 into law in October.Paul Prouty, with National Commercial Property Management in the Bay Area, says the new law is “great” for tenants. They manage more than 500 properties, with roughly 1,500 tenants. Rent has gone up the most in these 10 US cities He says this new law will help potential tenants who may have a hard time qualifying.“If you have credit trouble, or whatever the issue is, which would want to make a landlord charge you two months security deposit… this restricts that,” Prouty said. And, if you’ve already paid a double security deposit, Prouty has a tip for you:“Talk to them about getting some of that money back, they are not required to give it back to you, but reasonable people will be reasonable and work it out with you.”