Godfrey lifts Purdue Fort Wayne past Robert Morris 87-82
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Jarred Godfrey had 27 points and 10 rebounds as Purdue Fort Wayne narrowly defeated Robert Morris 87-82. AJ Bramah led the Colonials with 23 points and eight rebounds.
Trump signs massive measure funding government, COVID relief
By JILL COLVIN, LISA MASCARO and ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed a $900 billion pandemic relief package that will deliver long-sought cash to businesses and individuals. Trump announced the signing in a statement Sunday night. The massive bill includes $1.4 trillion to fund government agencies through September and contains other end-of-session priorities such as money for cash-starved transit systems and an increase in food stamp benefits. Democrats are promising more aid to come once President-elect Joe Biden takes office, but Republicans are signaling a wait-and-see approach.
Steelers rally past Colts to end skid, lock up AFC North
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Pittsburgh Steelers are AFC North champions. Finally. Ben Roethlisberger overcame a month-long malaise to throw for 342 yards and three second-half touchdowns as the Steelers locked up the division title with a stunningly improbable 28-24 victory. Listless and lifeless for weeks thanks to a three-game losing streak that followed an 11-0 start, Pittsburgh (12-3) somehow got it together over the final 25 minutes against the Colts (10-5). Indianapolis missed a chance to inch closer to a playoff berth when it let a 17-point third-quarter lead slip away.
Baseball Hall of Famer, knuckleballer Phil Niekro dies at 81
By PAUL NEWBERRY AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro has died at the age of 81 after a long fight with cancer. Niekro pitched well into his 40s with a knuckleball that baffled big league hitters for more than two decades, mostly with the Atlanta Braves. The Braves announced his death, saying he died Saturday night in his sleep. Niekro won 318 games over his 24-year career, which ended in 1987 at age 48 after he made one final start with the Braves. Niekro also pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Toronto Blue Jays late in his career.
Cause of blaze at metal fabricating/recycling plant sought
GIBSONIA, Pa. (AP) — Scores of firefighters battled a blaze that destroyed a metal fabricating and recycling plant in western Pennsylvania over the weekend. Fire crews were called just after 6:30 a.m. Saturday to the TNT Metals plant in West Deer Township. Chief Josh Wiegand of the West Deer Volunteer Fire Company No. 3 said crews were hampered by the cold and by the materials involved, since the building housed magnesium and other highly flammable materials that ignited during the fire. An Allegheny County fire marshal will try to determine the cause of the blaze. TNT Metals president Rick Tibensky called it “truly devastating” but vowed to rebuild
Nashville bombing investigation prompts FBI to search home
By KIMBERLEE KRUESI, MICHAEL BALSAMO and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Federal agents have converged at the home of a possible person of interest in the bombing that rocked downtown Nashville on Christmas morning. Investigators are scouring hundreds of tips and leads in the blast that damaged dozens of buildings. More than 48 hours after the explosion, a motive remained elusive as investigators worked round-the-clock to resolve unanswered questions about the mysterious blast. The explosion took place on a mostly deserted street on a sleepy holiday morning and was prefaced by a recorded warning advising those nearby to evacuate. Officials have been searching a home in Antioch in suburban Nashville.
Pirates’ Polanco breaks wrist in winter ball, OK for spring
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco broke a bone in his right wrist playing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. The Pirates said Polanco has a small nondisplaced fracture of the triquetrum bone and that the wrist will be immobilized for a short time. The 29-year-old Polanco is expected to be 100% by the start of spring training. Polanco batted just .153 with seven homers and 22 RBIs during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He tested positive for the coronavirus during the team’s summer camp.
Colts, Steelers meet while heading in opposite directions
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are surging. The Pittsburgh Steelers are reeling. Still, both teams will have plenty at stake when they meet at Heinz Field. The Colts have won five of six games to move into the lead in the AFC South. The Steelers have lost three in a row since their 11-0 start. Indianapolis can clinch a playoff berth with a win and losses by either Baltimore or Miami. Pittsburgh can lock up the AFC North with a victory but will need its offense to get going. The Steelers are averaging just 16 points a game during their current skid.
Police: Explosion in Nashville may have been “intentional”
NASHVILLE (AP) — The Metro Nashville Police Department says authorities believe an explosion that rocked the downtown Nashville area early on Christmas Day was a deliberate act. Police spokesman Don Aaron said the 6:30 a.m. explosion, which shattered glass and damaged buildings, was believed to be “an intentional act.” Aaron said three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment, although none were in critical condition. Police and fire crews were on the scene, as were investigators from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Pirates trade slugger Josh Bell to Nationals
By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Bell is heading to the Washington Nationals. The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded the slugging first baseman to Washington for pitching prospects Will Crowe and Eddy Yean. The 28-year-old Bell was an All-Star in 2019 following a torrid first half in which he hit .302 with 27 home runs and 84 RBIs. That form has been elusive over the last year-plus. Bell hit .233 with 10 home runs during an injury-shortened second half of 2019 and hit just eight home runs while batting a career-low .233 in 57 games for the Pirates in 2020.