After the jury’s verdict was announced Friday, Evers released a statement calling upon those who plan to protest to do so peacefully. “We must have peace in Kenosha and our communities, and any efforts or actions aimed at sowing division are unwelcome in our state as they will only hinder that healing,” Evers said. Rittenhouse, now 18, was 17 when he fatally shot two men and injured another during a night of protests in Kenosha following the August 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake....

“Our hearts go out to the victims of the violence and to the homeowners and businesses that have been traumatized and jeopardized by the destruction. I join the people of Kenosha in working to heal our racial divide and rebuild as a stronger community,” Mayor John Antarmian, a Democrat, said in a video and written message published by Kenosha News. Antarmian shared a message of unity, highlighting how members of the community have come together amid the unrest to address concerns about inequality....

Virginia, the only other undefeated team in college basketball, received one first-place vote after struggling with Buzz Williams’ Virginia Tech team on Sunday. MORE: Kentucky’s incredible season in photos | Coach K’s biggest wins | Massive blizzard affecting games Villanova dropped from fourth place to seventh after being upset by Georgetown last Monday, while the Hoyas rose from 25th place to 21st. NOTE: Previous week’s rankings in brackets if team’s ranking has changed...

Louisville and North Carolina both dropped three spots after losses to N.C. State and Pittsburgh, respectively. MORE: Inside access to a D-I program | Tom Crean’s good deed | Vitale out for UNC - Duke Northern Iowa moved up two spots to No. 11 for its highest ranking ever. The Big 12 led with six teams in the top 25, while the ACC had five teams in the top 15 slots, led by No....

Before he exited the United Center, I had time for one question: Are you encouraged? “I really am,” he said. MORE: Three takeaways from the Champions Classic There were many reasons, even after a 65-61 defeat to the Kansas Jayhawks at the United Center. This was Kentucky’s third game, and none has been easy. But the Wildcats were explicitly enthused about their performance this time, despite the result. Calipari understands this team is unlike any he has coached, perhaps unlike any in the long history of NCAA Division I basketball....

What if he is, though? What if the half-season he’s currently conjuring as the Wildcats surge toward March is substantial enough to elevate him toward the group of players who have been steadily extraordinary since the season began in early November? MORE: Sporting News’ midseason All-Americans A 6-8 sophomore who played in high school at Las Vegas’ Findlay Prep, Washington entered the year on various projected All-America teams and national award watch lists....

After Andre Stringer's jumper with 12 seconds left gave LSU a 76-75 lead, James Young's shot on the other end was blocked. Randle was able to grab the loose ball and hit the game-winning short jumper, sparking a delirious celebration with his Wildcats teammates piling on top of him on LSU's end of the court. Randle's shot provided a fitting end to a tight, tense game symbolized by the back-and-forth overtime period before Kentucky (21-6, 11-3 Southeastern Conference) made good use of its last possession for an emotional win that earned a season split with LSU (16-10, 7-7)....

He did just that with a dramatic victory at Talladega Superspeedway that allowed him to advance to the third round of the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Keselowski, who was roundly booed prior to the race, was in danger of being eliminated if he didn’t win. He outran Ryan Newman on the second of two green-white-checkered restarts and got a push from Matt Kenseth to take the checkered flag. It was his series-high sixth win of the season....

Rumours in Italy have suggested that Luciano Spalletti’s side have laid the groundwork for a deal to sign the 20-year-old that will cost them more than €28 million. However, George Atangana claims they will not discount any proposals for the highly rated Ivory Coast international. Guardiola avoids Alexis Sanchez question “Franck is at the centre of attention for many clubs thanks to his great work over the last two years and the performances for Atalanta,” Atangana told Sky Sport Italia....

After five games the Nets sit at a 2-3 record, going down to fellow Eastern Conference contenders, the Miami Heat 103-96 tonight. NBA League Pass: Sign up to unlock live out-of-market games (7-day free trial) Following the loss, Kevin Durant, who went for 25 points and 11 rebounds, conceded Kyrie Irving’s absence due to his stance on the COVID-19 vaccination has definitely been felt on the court. “Yeah, we do miss Kyrie....

The Warriors star has been dealing with a strained calf and won’t play in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers, according to Yahoo Sports, which cited league sources. The Warriors are expected to give an official update on Durant’s status Thursday. Durant has missed the last two games due to the injury, which occurred in Game 5 of the Warriors’ series against the Rockets....

The Thunder released a statement Friday afternoon saying Durant needs bone graft surgery on his right foot and won’t return to basketball activity for 4-6 months. This will be the third surgery on Durant’s foot. MORE: Westbrook powering OKC | Love is the new Bosh? | NBA Draft stock report Durant has missed the majority of the season after having multiple complications with his foot. He missed the first 17 games of the season, and returned only to miss time again....

The Warriors’ newest All-Star says he didn’t come outside for two days after deciding to leave the Thunder. NBA SUMMER LEAGUE: Scouts, coaches break down top 10 picks’ performances “I didn’t leave my bed, because I was like, ‘Man, if I walk outside somebody might just try to hit me with their car or say anything negative to me. I just stayed in,” Durant told USA Today. “I was trying to process it all....

The Oklahoma City forward says he understands the media has to write about the game, but doesn’t think Bryant has been shown the respect he deserves. MORE: Classic photos of Kobe Bryant “I never hear about the Finals MVPs, the accolades. They did it for (former Yankee) Derek Jeter, they will do it for Tim Duncan when he leaves even if he’s playing bad,” Durant said, via ESPN. “I know you gotta report the games, but you’re going too in-depth about how bad he is....

That came out when Garnett, who is a prolific in his trolling and has a long line-stepping past, playfully taunted Rondo when the two were matched up against one another as the Boston Celtics hosted the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. In his first game back in Boston since being traded to the Nets, Garnett was showered with love from the fans and his former franchise. It was only right that he have fun with one of the few players who had a large role during his time there....

Kevin Harvick, who won the November 2013 race at Phoenix International Raceway in his next-to-last race with Richard Childress Racing, returned to the track with new bosses and a new team last weekend. The cars were new, too, because of a new aerodynamic package. So although Harvick won Sunday at the same track where he had won about four months ago, there wasn’t much that could be considered the same....

The Stewart-Haas Racing driver, who has eight poles this year, turned a lap of 196.192 mph in the 90-minute session as teams prepared for the Bank of America 500 on Saturday night as well as qualifying Thursday night. MORE: Earnhardt birthday has him relaxed | Danica calls Ricky ‘cuddly’ | Chase standings breakdown | Charlotte picks Following Harvick on the speed chart were Austin Dillon (196.107), Tony Stewart (195.327), Jeff Gordon (195....

McCarthy has served as House Minority Leader since 2019 and previously served as the general House GOP leader since 2014 under Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan. With Republicans set to take the House majority in the wake of the recent midterm elections, McCarthy is currently running to be the next Speaker of the House, but the party’s razor-thin majority and margin and dissent from its far-right flank have put his prospects in jeopardy....

The former Tottenham and AC Milan midfielder concedes that having been raised in a poor neighbourhood of Berlin, he found it ‘dangerous’ to have so much disposable income. Miracle man Ramos the saviour again He made the breakthrough at Hertha Berlin, earning a move to the Premier League at White Hart Lane in 2007. Boateng initially struggled to make an impact in England, with switches to Portsmouth and Milan helping to kick-start his career....

Biden made an unannounced trip to the Capitol with chocolate chip cookies made by White House staff to thank the National Guard “for keeping me and my family safe” during President Joe Biden’s inauguration. “I just want to say thank you from President Biden and the whole, the entire Biden family,” Biden said. “The White House baked you some chocolate chip cookies,” the first lady said, joking that she hadn’t made the treats herself....