GREEN MAG

18.2.26 Governors arrive in Washington eager to push past Trump's partisan grip

WASHINGTON (AP) — In another era, the scene would have been unremarkable. But in PresidentDonald Trump'sWashington, it's become increasingly rare.

Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., chair of the National Governors Association (NGA), from left, Economic Club of Washington Chairman David Rubenstein, and Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., vice chair of the NGA participate in a panel discussion during a conference at the Economic Club of Washington Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) speaks during a conference at the Economic Club of Washington Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington.(AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., vice chair of the National Governors Association, responds to a question by Economic Club of Washington Chairman David Rubenstein during a conference at the Economic Club of Washington Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Tom Brenner)

Governors Economic Club

Sitting side by side on stage were Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat. They traded jokes and compliments instead of insults and accusations, a brief interlude of cordiality in a cacophony of conflict.

Stitt and Moore are the leaders of the National Governors Association, one of a vanishing few bipartisan institutions left in American politics. But it may be hard for the organization, which is holding its annual conference this week, to maintain its reputation as a refuge from polarization.

Trump has broken with custom by declining to invite all governors to the traditional White House meeting and dinner. He has called Stitt, the NGA's chair, a "RINO," short for Republican in name only, and continued to feud with Moore, the group's vice chair, by blaming him for asewage spillinvolving afederally regulated pipeline.

The break with tradition reflects Trump's broader approach to his second term. He has taken a confrontational stance toward some states, withholding federal funds or deploying troops over the objections of local officials.

With theRepublican-controlled Congressunwilling to limit Trump's ambitions, several governors have increasingly cast themselves as a counterweight to the White House.

"Presidents aren't supposed to do this stuff," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said about the expansion of executive power in recent administrations. "Congress needs to get their act together. And stop performing for TikTok and actually start doing stuff. That's the flaw we're dealing with right now."

Cox, a Republican, said "it is up to the states to hold the line."

Moore echoed that sentiment inan interview with The Associated Press.

"People are paying attention to how governors are moving, because I think governors have a unique way to move in this moment that other people just don't," he said.

Still, governors struck an optimistic tone in panels and interviews Wednesday. Stitt said the conference is "bigger than one dinner at the White House." Moore predicted "this is going to be a very productive three days for the governors."

"Here's a Republican and Democrat governor from different states that literally agree on probably 80% of the things. And the things we disagree on we can have honest conversations on," Stitt said while sitting beside Moore.

Tensions over the guest list for White House events underscored the uncertainty surrounding the week. During the back-and-forth,Trump feuded with Stittand said Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were not invited because they "are not worthy of being there."

Whether the bipartisan tone struck Wednesday evening can endure through the week — and beyond — remains an open question.

"We can have disagreements. In business, I always want people around me arguing with me and pushing me because that's where the best ideas come from," said Stitt. "We need to all have these exchange of ideas."

Some who died in avalanche disaster were part of elite skiing academy

Green Magazine 7:42:00 PM

Several of the victims who died in abackcountry avalanche disasterin California's Lake Tahoe Region were members of an elite skiing academy, according to a statement from the school released Feb. 18.

"Multiple members of the Sugar Bowl Academy community and others with strong connections to Sugar Bowl, Donner Summit, and the backcountry community died,"the statement said,referring to the avalanche on Tuesday. "Sugar Bowl Academy is focused on supporting its athletes, students, staff, and families through this tragedy."

The accident is being calledthe deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in four decades. On the last and third day of the trip deep into Sierra Nevada ski country,an avalanche came crashing down, killing three guides and five guests, and leaving six survivors. A ninth person was not found and is presumed dead.

The area where the avalanche occurred is known for its beauty, its skiing and its danger. The Donner Land Trust, which owns the Frog Lake area,says on its websitethat "all areas are uncontrolled avalanche terrain that require appropriate avalanche education and equipment."

Neither local officials or Sugar Bowl Academy leaders have identified any of the victims by name.Sugar Bowl Academyis an independent, coed boarding and day school for competitive skiers in grades 8-12 located inNorden, California, near Lake Tahoe. It offers specialized ski training in alpine alongside a college preparatory curriculum.

The academy focuses on developing elite athletes, with graduates frequently moving on to U.S. Ski Teams and NCAA Division I programs.

"The Sugar Bowl Academy community will continue to be there in the months and years ahead for the families that have lost loved ones," the school said in its statement.

"We are an incredibly close and connected community. This tragedy has affected each and every one of us. The depth of support for the families whose lives have been changed forever reminds us of how special this community is", said Executive Director Stephen McMahon. "The best thing we can do is surround our athletes and families with care and support while providing the necessary space and time for grief and healing."

Search and rescue teams were dispatched at about 11:30 a.m. local time after receiving reports of an avalanche incident involving a group of skiers in steep backcountry terrain in the Castle Peak area, northwest of Lake Tahoe, according to theNevada County Sheriff's Office.

Blackbird Mountain Guides, now under scrutiny for its role inthe avalanche,had multiple social media posts that acknowledged possible avalanche threats in the region.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Some who died in avalanche disaster were part of elite skiing academy

California avalanche was deadliest in US in 45 years

Green Magazine 7:42:00 PM

Theavalanche that killed at least eight peopleon Feb. 17 in California marked the deadliest natural disaster of its kind in the United States in nearly a half century.

A group of 15 skiers were caught in the avalanche in the Castle Peak area of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, northwest of Lake Tahoe. Six members of the group survived and were rescued. One skier was still missing as of Feb. 18 and is presumed dead, Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said.

It was the deadliest avalanche in the U.S. in almost 45 years, according to theColorado Avalanche Information Center(CIAC), which tracks avalanches across the nation. Eleven people were killed in an avalanche on June 21, 1981, while attempting to climb Mount Rainier in Washington state.

A rescue team departs to the site of an avalanche in a backcountry slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountains, where a group of skiers were stranded, in Nevada County, California, Feb. 17, 2026, in this still image from a video.

More recently,six climbers died in an avalancheon Mount Rainier on May 28, 2014. On April 20, 2013,five snowboarders were killedin an avalanche near Colorado's Loveland Pass.

In the U.S., avalanches have claimed an average of 27 lives annually over the last 10 years, according to the CAIC.

What was the deadliest avalanche in US history?

The deadliest recorded avalanche in U.S. history occurred March 1, 1910, in Wellington, Washington, when a wall of snow swept two trains into a gorge near Stevens Pass in the Cascade Range, killing 96 people,according to the Seattle Times.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:What was the deadliest avalanche in US history?

Dix stars in Creighton's win over No. 5 UConn 2 weeks after his mother's death

Green Magazine 6:22:00 PM

STORRS, Conn. (AP) — UConn held a moment of silence for the late mother of Creighton's Josh Dix before Wednesday's Big East game. The night ended with the Bluejays' star getting hugs and words of encouragement from fans who made the trip from Nebraska to Storrs.

Creighton guard Josh Dix, right, is guarded by UConn guard Braylon Mullins, left, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Creighton guard Josh Dix (4) goes up for a basket as UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) defends in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)

Creighton UConn Basketball

Dix scored 21 points to leadCreighton to a 91-84 win over No. 5 UConntwo weeks after his mother lost her battle with colon cancer.

"I really respect this university for doing that and thinking of my mom," Dix said. "I know she would greatly appreciate it. I know she saw that."

In the four games since his mother's death, Dix is averaging 16 points, five rebounds and two assists. Creighton lost two of those games. The Bluejays lost to UConn by 27 points in the game before Dix's mother died, and faced another uphill battle against the Huskies.

"That locker room is still healing and they needed a shot in the arm," said Creighton coach Greg McDermott, who thanks UConn for also reaching out after hearing the news about Dix's mother. "We have been through a lot as a group; we've shed a lot of tears and they needed something like this. It's a great win for us. I'm not sure I've ever been prouder of a group."

Dix, a transfer from Iowa who leads Creighton in scoring has leaned on many people,including teammates, during this trying time.

"I couldn't do it alone," Dix said. "My family, my teammates, my coaches, they all stick by my side. I try not to be alone, I try to be around people who want to see you do well.

"Basketball brings a lot of joy to a lot of people, so that kind of takes your mind of a lot of stuff. They have meant a lot, something like this can either separate you or get you closer to your teammates. They have all been by my side. The last couple of weeks haven't been easy but they stuck by my side."

UConn coach Dan Hurley sent his best to the Creighton team.

"They have dealt with some emotional pain, not just with Josh, but with Blake (Harper, whose mother died of breast cancer in 2023)," Hurley said. "I have so much respect for Mac, for Creighton, for their program."

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Napheesa Collier on WNBA CBA talks: ‘Someone’s gonna have to fold’

Green Magazine 6:22:00 PM

Asthe WNBA and its players' union continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement,the2026 WNBA seasonhangs in the balance.

WNBPA vice president Napheesa Collieris confident the season will happen, but it won't come without compromise.

"Well, someone's gonna have to fold, aren't they?" Collier told USA TODAY Sports regarding the ongoing CBA talks while promoting a partnership with Unrivaled and Icy Hot.

A five-time WNBA All-Star with the Minnesota Lynx, Collier says the union continues to meet with the hope of getting a deal done. But, she reiterated the players' plan to stand firm amidst the revenue sharing road block and housing concessions by the WNBA.

On Tuesday, the players' union submitted a counterproposal in response to the WNBA'sFeb. 7 submission. In the proposal, the WNBPA requested 25% of gross revenue in the first year, increasing over the life of the agreement to an average of roughly 27.5%. The union also proposed a salary cap of less than $9.5 million.

The latest requested revenue share percentage is less than theproposal in December, where players asked for 30% of gross revenue. The WNBA is currently offering more than 70% of league and team net revenue. The league is also proposing a salary cap of $5.65 million per year, rising with league revenues.

In Tuesday's counterproposal, the WNBPA advocated for housing to continue in the early years of a player's career. The union proposed housing could be shed in later years of a contract and would be adjusted and phased out for players who make a certain amount of money on a multi-year, fully guaranteed contract.

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' Jewell Loyd (24) and A'ja Wilson (22) celebrate after scoring against the Phoenix Mercury.

Game 2: The Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson (22) shoots the ball against the Phoenix Mercury's Alyssa Thomas.

Game 2: The Phoenix Mercury's Kahleah Copper (2) drives the ball past Las Vegas Aces guards Jackie Young (0) and Dana Evans (11).

Game 2: Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) drives the ball against Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally.

Game 2: Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) shoots a layup against Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22).

Game 1: Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) celebrates with teammates after the Aces defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 89-86, at Michelob Ultra Arena.