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3.2.26

José Ramírez will get final payment from Guardians in 2051 under $175 million, 10-year contract

6:22:00 PM
José Ramírez will get final payment from Guardians in 2051 under $175 million, 10-year contract

CLEVELAND (AP) — José Ramírez will receive his final payment in 2051 under the third baseman's $175 million, seven-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians.

His deal, announced Friday, includes annual salaries of $25 million, of which $10 million annually will be deferred.

Ramírez's deferred money from each season will be payable in 10 equal installments each Dec. 15 starting in the 10th year after it was earned. His 2026 money will be paid from 2036-45 and his 2032 money from 2042-51.

He gets a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite on road trips.

Ramírez earned $72 million from 2022-25 under a$141 million, seven-year dealthat had $69 million remaining: $21 million this year, $23 million in 2027 and $25 million in 2028.

The 33-year-old native of the Dominican Republic has played his entire 13-year big league career in Cleveland.

A seven-time All-Star, Ramírez had a career-high 44 stolen bases last season and became the fourth player with multiple seasons of at least 30 home runs and 40 steals. He had a .283 batting average.

AP MLB:https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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Falcons' new regime not committing to Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB

6:22:00 PM
Falcons' new regime not committing to Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB

If Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was looking for a vote of confidence from the revamped Atlanta front office, he didn't get it during new GM Ian Cunningham's introductory press conference on Tuesday.

When asked if Penix, who is recovering from a torn ACL that prematurely ended his second NFL season in November, will be the team's starter in 2026, new Falcons president of football operations Matt Ryan -- also a former Atlanta quarterback from 2008-2021 -- did not give a definitive answer.

"Neither of us are the head coach of the football team, so we can't answer your question on that," Ryan said. " ... I think as we start to get into this process and dive deeper into the roster -- how it currently stands, where it's going in the future -- I think those are conversations that'll be a part of it.

"Quarterback's obviously very important, and we're excited about Mike and what he's doing with his rehab. I've been up at the facility the last three weeks, and Michael's been in there attacking that and he's in a good space right now, so we're excited about where he is at. But certainly, a lot of discussions for us about the entire roster."

Penix, who Atlanta selected with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft months after signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in free agency, took over the starting job late in his rookie season and entered 2025 as the starter.

This past season, he completed 60.1% of his passes for 1,982 yards, nine touchdowns and three interceptions in nine starts. The Falcons went 3-6 in games he started compared to a 5-3 record in Cousins' starts after he replaced Penix following his injury.

Cousins is likely to be released this offseason due to his significant salary, especially after the team restructured his contract in January.

With Penix's return timeline for the start of the 2026 season uncertain, that could force Atlanta to look for a quarterback either in free agency or April's draft if it elects to move on from Cousins after two seasons.

--Field Level Media

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No. 23 Miami (Ohio) extends winning streak to 23 games with 73-71 victory over Buffalo

6:22:00 PM
No. 23 Miami (Ohio) extends winning streak to 23 games with 73-71 victory over Buffalo

AMHERST, N.Y. (AP) — Luke Skaljac scored a career-high 19 points and No. 23 Miami (Ohio) held on for a 73-71 victory over Buffalo on Tuesday night, extending the longest winning streak in Mid-American Conference history to 23 games.

Associated Press Miami (OH) guard Luke Skaljac (3) drives to the net infront pf Buffalo forward Ezra McKenna (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Miami (OH) guard Evan Ipsaro (2) shoots against Buffalo center Tim Oboh (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Miami (OH) forward Brant Byers (22) drives the ball past Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Miami (OH) forward Antwone Woolfolk dunks the ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Buffalo, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) Buffalo center Tim Oboh (33) grabs a rebound over Miami (OH) forward Antwone Woolfolk (13) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)

Miami Ohio Buffalo Basketball

Brant Byers added 11 points for the RedHawks (23-0, 11-0), and Peter Suder had 10 points, eight assists and five rebounds.

Miami and Arizona (22-0) remain the only unbeaten teams in Division I.

Angelo Brizzi scored 22 points and Daniel Freitag had 18 to lead Buffalo (14-9, 4-7). The Bulls have lost seven of eight games following a 13-2 start that was the second-best in the program's Division I history.

Noah Batchelor's 3-pointer got Buffalo within 73-71 with 11 seconds remaining. Skaljac missed two free throws in the final 16 seconds, including the front end of one-and-one after Batchelor's basket, but Ryan Sabol's fallaway 3-point attempt at the buzzer bounced off the front of the rim.

Miami's 73 points were a season low. The RedHawks entered the game leading the country in averaging 93.7 points.

The Bulls tied the score three times with less than seven minutes remaining before Miami took command with a 6-0 run, holding Buffalo scoreless over a 3:49 span.

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Miami led 38-35 at halftime after a back-and-forth period with nine lead changes and four ties.

This was the second close game between these teams this season. The RedHawks beat the Bulls 105-102 in overtime on Jan. 17

Miami's ranking is its highest since being No. 22 in November 1998. They are the first MAC team ranked since Buffalo finished the 2018-19 season at No. 15.

Miami (Ohio): At Marshall on Saturday in the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.

Buffalo: At South Alabama on Saturday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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See students across America organize walkouts to protest ICE

5:42:00 PM
See students across America organize walkouts to protest ICE

Thousands of middle and high school students across the U.S. are taking to the streets to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after federal agents shot and killedAlex PettiandRenee Goodduring demonstrations in Minneapolis last month.

USA TODAY

A series of nationwide student walkouts occurred on Jan. 30 as part of a "National Shutdown," an organized eventasking Americans to skip school,stay home from work and boycott shopping in protest of ICE's operations across the country. The event, modeled after theone-day shutdown in Minnesota, was organized by a coalition of student groups.

The walkouts and marches have extended beyond shutdown day, with young people leaving classrooms and taking to the streets in subsequent demonstrations − and there are still more of these student-led protests to come, according to local reports.

See here scenes from student marches in cities across the U.S.

<p style=After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. are protesting against Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.

Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=Hundreds of people gather to protest ICE at the corner of Palafox and Garden Streets in downtown Pensacola, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2026.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A federal agent goes to clear a makeshift shield a protester placed over a gas canister during an anti-ICE protest at the Eugene Federal Building on Jan. 30, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. People partake in a People partake in a People hold a photo of Alex Pretti, who was shot dead by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, during a People hold a photo of Renee Good, who was shot dead by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, during a Protestors clash with police during a Protestors clash with police during a In an aerial view, demonstrators spell out an SOS signal of distress on a frozen Lake BdeMaka Ska on Jan. 30, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Protesters marched through downtown to protest the deaths of Renee Good on January 7, and Alex Pretti on January 24 by federal immigration agents. LAPD officers attempt to clear protestors during 'National Shutdown Students walked out or skipped school to join others in the student-led ICE Out protest in downtown Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 30, 2026. Federal agents drive out protesters from the grounds of the Eugene Federal Building on Jan. 30, 2026, in Eugene, Oregon. Demonstrators march down Walnut Street as Cincinnati Police officers clear traffic during an ICE Out! rally in downtown Cincinnati on Jan. 30, 2026. Demonstrators gather in front of the Hamilton County Courthouse during an ICE Out! rally in downtown Cincinnati on Jan. 30, 2026. Protesters gather at the Rhode Island State House on Jan. 30, 2026 as part of the nationwide 'ICE Out' national strike.

'ICE Out' protests spark marches, confrontations across US

After the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good by federal immigration agents (ICE), communities across the U.S. areprotestingagainst Trump's surge of immigration enforcement actions.Pictured here, Demonstrators gather for a protest calling for the removal of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Jan. 30, 2026 in the Chinatown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Protests were held across the United States in response to ICE enforcement activity.

Indianapolis, IN

Students across the Indianapolismetro area have walked out or plan to this week. Hundreds of students from North Central High School poured out onto the streets on Monday, Feb. 2, prompting police to close northern Indianapolis streets, while a few hundred marched out of Noblesville High School the same day.

"We're feeling powerful," student organizer Emma-Louise Akinleyetold the IndyStar,part of the USA TODAY Network. "We're feeling like our voices — they have a real impact."

More walkouts were planned at several high schools, including Greenfield High School, Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Park Tudor High School, Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and Zionsville High School.

Tallahassee, FL

In Florida, students in Tallahassee and beyond braved the abnormal cold to take to the streets. Nearly 100 students atLincoln High Schoolin Eastern Tallahassee marched off campus in protest of ICE on Feb. 2.

"The hate in the halls is loud, but we want to be louder. We hope to advocate for peace and equality," student organizer Mara Stopyaktold the Tallahassee Democrat,part of the USA TODAY Network. "We want to show Tallahassee that we do not stand with ICE."

In Port Orange, anestimated 100 Atlantic High School studentsskipped afternoon classes on Friday, Jan. 30, to protest, defying threats of disciplinary action from school officials.

Fort Collins and Denver, CO

In Fort Collins, Colorado, nearly half of the 766 students at Lesher Middle School participated in a student-led walkout on Feb. 2,reported the Fort Collins Coloradoan, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Businesses in Fort Collins, about 60 miles north of Denver,previously closed on Jan. 30in solidarity with a nationwide shutdown to protest the actions of ICE.

Several Denver-area school districts closed or changed their schedules on Jan. 30 to accommodate large student walkouts,reported The Denver Gazette, as thousands marched to the state capitol.

Reno, NV

In Reno, Nevada, hundreds of middle and high school students across Washoe County walked out in force on Jan. 30. Young people came from schools across the Reno area, including Reno, McQueen, Sparks, Wooster and Damonte high schools.

"We are sick of seeing on the news how ICE is shooting and killing and how the budget is going crazy and how everything is out of control," 18-year-old student James Fraziertold the Reno Gazette Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.

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Milwaukee, WI

In the Milwaukee metro area, hundreds of students from several high and middle schools marched and chanted during a walkout, with Whitefish Bay High School student Rain Rosenberg calling ICE's actions "un-American."

"I care about this a lot. I think that kids here at (Whitefish) Bay have a lot of privilege and we need to speak out," shetold the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The Milwaukee area and Wisconsin at large have seen several student protests in recent weeks.On Jan. 20, students at Rufus King International High School,Reagan High School, Dominican High School and West Allis Central High School walked out.

The same day, in the Fox Cities area in east central Wisconsin,about 100 Menasha High School students walked out. Those were preceded by walkouts atShorewood High School on Jan. 16andWauwatosa East High School on Jan. 12.

Phoenix, AZ

Students from high schools and colleges in the Phoenix area protested on Jan. 30, prompting more than 20 schools in the Tucson Unified School District to close for the day.

The protests came after demonstrations on Jan. 28 at area schools, including Arcadia High School, Tolleson Union High School and Camelback High School, among others.

Hundreds of students ultimately took to the streets,reported the Arizona Republic,a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Knoxville, TN

Students in Knoxville, TN, also participated in large walkouts on Jan. 30, gathering downtown to march to the City-County Building. Of the hundreds that participated in the march, a large portion − about 40% − were estimated to be students,according to the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"Our country is built from immigrants from the ground up," Powell High School sophomore Emma Noe told the Sentinel. "Our ancestors would be disappointed."

Elected officials, including Knoxville City Councilmember Denzel Grant and State Rep. Gloria Johnson, also attended to show their support for students.

Asheville, NC

Over 200 students walked out of Asheville High School on Feb. 2, taking signs and chants to the streets outside. At least one local official, Asheville City Council member Kim Roney, also attended in a show of support.

"We want to show that the youth aren't backing down," Cora, a student and lifelong Asheville resident,told the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.

Palm Springs, CA

Hundreds of students across the Coachella Valley in California walked out of class on Jan. 30,reported the Palm Springs Desert Sun, part of the USA TODAY Network.

"I think we're headed toward a period of fascism in America, and I think it's important for young people who have a voice to speak up against things they think are important," Chloe Freeman, a junior at La Quinta High School, told the Desert Sun.

Middle and high school students from Desert Sands Unified School District, Coachella Valley Unified School District and other area schools participated in the hundreds, with Palm Springs Unified School District students planning to hold their own march on Feb. 9

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:ICE protests continue as US students stage school walkouts

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Federal immigration officials scout warehouses as they eye more detention space

5:42:00 PM
Federal immigration officials scout warehouses as they eye more detention space

Federal immigration officials are scouting warehouses and beginning to purchase some of them to transform into detention and processing facilities.

Some warehouse owners have decided not to sell to Immigration and Customs Enforcement under pressure from elected officials and advocates. Some cities are issuing statements urging ICE to look elsewhere, and Kansas City has passed a moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities.

ICE has offered few specifics, even to the cities, but said in a statement that the sites wouldn't be warehouses but "well structured detention facilities" and said it should come as no surprise that the agency is working to expand detention space.

Here is a look at what's happening:

ICE paid $70 million last month for a vast warehouse facility on the northwestern outskirts of Phoenix, according to a deed filed with Maricopa County.

The city of Surprise said in astatementreleased Friday that it was not aware that there were efforts underway to purchase the building, was not notified of the transaction by any of the parties involved and has not been contacted by the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about the intended use of the building.

The statement said federal projects are not subject to local regulations, such as zoning.

In Orlando, Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement last month that the city was advised that it has no legal options to halt a possible ICE facility from opening.

The statement said the city has not been informed by the federal government of potential plans, but aTV reporterspotted a group of private contractors and federal officials touring a 439,945-square-foot industrial warehouse last month. ICE senior advisor David Venturella told a reporter with WFTV at the time that the tour was "exploratory" and that nothing had been decided yet.

City attorney Mayanne Downs said in a letter that "ICE is immune from any local regulation that interferes in any way with its federal mandate."

The town council in Merrillville passed aresolutionlast week in opposition of ICE converting a warehouse into a processing or detention facility.

The city said it was aware of a tour of the newly constructed, 275,000-square-foot warehouse. But it said it had received no notice or communication from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security or any federal agency about any possible plans.

An earlier statement said that the town was reviewing zoning, land use and occupancy requirements.

ICE purchased a warehouse in a county about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northwest of Baltimore for $102.4 million, a deed signed last month shows. The deed was unearthed byProject Salt Box, a Maryland ICE watchdog.

Officials in Washington County said in a Facebookpostthat the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter beforehand that it was considering purchasing the warehouse for use as a "new ICE Baltimore Processing Facility." Cafeterias, bathrooms, health care spaces, tents and guard shacks could be part of the project, according to the letter that was addressed to historic and planning officials in the county.

The county said there wasn't much they could do because the federal government generally does not need to respect local zoning regulations that conflict with federal mandates.

"Washington County is not able to legally restrict the federal government's ability to proceed," the post said.

In the suburbs of Minneapolis, the owners of two warehouses have pulled out of possible ICE deals amid a public outcry.

In Woodbury, Mayor Anne Burt said in a Facebookpostlast month that city staff had confirmed that a warehouse in the city isn't being sold or leased to the federal government. She also confirmed at a council meeting that ICE had been interested in the property.

Owners of another warehouse in Shakopee also decided not to move forward, state Rep. Brad Tabke announced last month in a Facebookpost.

"They heard you, they listened," Tabke said.

Mississippi

Federal officials were spotted last month scouting a building in Marshall County, the county's board vice president, Neil Bennett, toldThe Commercial Appeal.

Bennett said he was not aware of the visit beforehand because it is a privately owned building, but he heard about it "later on." The building islisted as available for sale and lease on the website of JLL Properties, a purveyor of commercial real estate.

Bennett told The Associated Press that he didn't have time to discuss the situation when contacted Tuesday because he was dealing with ongoing power outages in the area. A woman who answered the phone at the county government building said the county isn't commenting at this time.

In Kansas City, the city council passed a five-year moratorium on non-city-run detention facilities on the very day that ICE officials were spotted touring a warehouse.

Manny Abarca, a Jackson County lawmaker, was initially threatened with trespassing when he showed up Jan. 15 at the nearly 1-million-square-foot (92,903 square meters) building on the outskirts of Kansas City.

He said he was eventually allowed inside where Shawn Byers, the deputy field office director for ICE in Chicago, told him that they were scouting for a 7,500-bed site.

Abarca announced last week he was introducing a similar detention moratorium at the county level.

"When federal power is putting communities on edge, local government has a responsibility to act where we have authority," he said in a statement.

New Hampshire

The town council in Merrimack — population 30,000 — expressed its opposition to an ICE immigration detention and processing center in a January letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, without receiving a direct response.

Council members fear federal acquisition of a commercial warehouse in Merrimack, 45 miles northwest of Boston, would undermine the city's property tax base by more than $500,000 a year, shifting costs to other property owners.

The Department of Homeland Security told New Hampshire's congressional delegation that ICE is "reviewing its detention structure and acquisition strategy to address a historic operational tempo and increasing arrests" and had no new detention centers to announce. The ACLU of New Hampshire said Tuesday that public records show ICE has consulted with state historic preservation officials about development of a 43-acre site at Merrimack.

Democratic state Rep. Rosemarie Rung of Merrimack said her constituents worry about the strain of an immigration detention center on local emergency services and public infrastructure.

"I really suspect that the silent treatment is deliberate so that they can avoid any protests regarding this facility," Rung said. "It makes us all very suspect."

In Roxbury, council members passed a resolution saying that they aren't in support of an ICE facility after township manager J.J. Murphy spotted ICE officials touring a warehouse there last month. The council also pointed out that the township's zoning regulations prohibit using the warehouse as a detention facility.

ICE's plans for the site are unclear. Murphy said in an interview with The Associated Press Monday that the township has received no information from federal officials about their plans for the site despite repeated emails.

That hasn't stopped the township from sharing an internal memo from the city's engineer about water and sewar issues at the site with the owner of the warehouse. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker also has toured the site.

Elected officials are pushing back after the Department of Homeland Security posted anoticeannouncing a proposal to purchase a vacant warehouse in Chester, a town more than an hour north of New York City, for "ICE operations." ICE said the proposed improvements would include a small guard building and outdoor recreation area.

The notice was needed because the former distribution center for the aftermarket automotive chain PepBoys is in a 100-year flood plain.

New York state Sen. Michelle Hinchey, a Democrat, said in a statement that she would support the town and village boards as they use "every legal, zoning, and environmental tool available" to block the facility.

In Oklahoma City, Mayor David HoltannouncedThursday that he has been informed that the Department of Homeland Security is no longer in talks to acquire a warehouse after the city councilurged federal officials to take part in the city's permitting process.

The department had told the city in a letter last month that it intended to purchase a nearly 27-acre warehouse in the city for ICE operations.

But as crowds opposed to the facility packed a city council meeting this week, the council said the city was exploring legal options. Holt said the property owners then informed him that they are no longer engaged with Homeland Security about a potential acquisition or lease of this property.

"I commend the owners for their decision and thank them on behalf of the people of Oklahoma City," Holt said. "As Mayor, I ask that every single property owner in Oklahoma City exhibit the same concern for our community in the days ahead."

Pennsylvania

ICE paid $87.4 million for a nearly 520,000-square-foot (48,309-square-meter) warehouse, according to a deed that was recorded Monday in Berks County.

Real estate developerspromotedit as a "state-of-the art logistics center" located 45 minutes from Allentown, an hour and a half from Philadelphia and two hours from New York City.

The county spokesman, Jonathan Heintzman, said in an email that the county was informed Monday by the recorder of deeds of the purchase. Heintzman said the county had no prior knowledge of the sale and had no information on future plans for the property.

In El Paso County, commissioners on Monday formally expressed opposition to the construction of detention facilities amid reports that ICE is eying a warehouse in the county. Commissioners also said they working with other officials to try to get more details.

Other cities in Texas also have been named in unconfirmed reports, but officials haven't heard any information from federal officials.

In Salt Lake City, Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed gratitude last week in her State of the Cityaddressthat the owners of a warehouse that ICE was eying as a detention facility had announced plans not to sell or lease the property to the federal government.

The announcement from the Ritchie Group, a Utah real estate developer, came after Mendenhall sent a letter saying that the building would need to address a host of requirements before obtaining an occupancy permit.

"But let me be clear: this isn't just about zoning restrictions," Mendenhall said. "Such a facility has no place in our city. Whether at that site or anywhere else."

In the suburbs of Richmond, Virginia, officials in Hanover County are asking their attorney to evaluate legal options after the Department of Homeland Security sent a letter confirming its intent to purchase and operate an ICE processing facility in an area that includes retail, hotels and restaurants.

Sean Davis, the county's board of supervisors chair, said the facility would cut into tax revenue but acknowledged at a packed meeting last week that there was only so much it could do to oppose it.

"The federal government is generally exempt from our zoning regulations," he said.

Dozens of speakers turned out — some in support of the facility and others opposed.

"You want what's happening in Minnesota to go down in our own backyard, build that detention center here and that's exactly what will happen," Kimberly Matthews of Mechanicsville told supervisors.

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