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Leonard, who had 12 rebounds, scored 19 points in the fourth quarter to extend his career-best streak of 20-point games to 33.

The Clippers led by four points when Kevin Durant made one of two free throws before a layup by Alperen Sengun cut the lead to 102-101 with 43 seconds left. Leonard missed a 3-pointer and Jabari Smith Jr. grabbed a rebound to give Houston the ball.

Sengun shot 1 for 2 from the line with 7.2 seconds left to tie it and Leonard got the rebound before the Clippers called a timeout. Leonard then made a fadeaway jumper as he was fouled and hit the free throw to make it 105-102.

Houston had a chance to tie it, but Tari Eason's shot was off.

Durant led the Rockets with 21 points and Reed Sheppard added 17 points off the bench.

Houston had a two-point lead before the Clippers made five consecutive free throws to make it 98-95 with 2 ½ minutes remaining.

Durant hit a 3-pointer from the corner a few seconds later to tie it before a pair of free throws by Leonard put the Clippers back on top. A dunk by John Collins pushed the lead to 102-98 with about 90 seconds remaining.

The Rockets were up by five before the Clippers scored the next 12 points, with nine from Leonard, to take an 87-80 lead with about eight minutes to go.

Houston got going after that, using a 13-4 run, with seven points from Durant, to take a 93-91 lead with 4 ½ minutes to go.

Houston led by 13 late in the third quarter before the Clippers went on a 12-0 run to cut the lead to 76-75 with 11 minutes left.

Up next

Clippers: Host Denver on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Rockets: Visit Charlotte on Thursday, Feb. 19.

AP NBA:https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBA

Not many teams have the cap space or the desire to spend like the Patriots last year, but New England remade its roster through a great free-agency haul and a strong draft. They went from 4-13 to 14-3 andwon an AFC championship.

Most teams this year will take a more prudent approach to free agency, looking to fill gaps in the roster. Free agency begins on March 11, and here are the top 25 players slated to become unrestricted free agents.

25. Seahawks DE Boye Mafe

Mafe had nine sacks as a second-year player in 2023. He has just eight sacks in the two seasons since, so he won't hit free agent as a high-priority pass rusher. But the former second-round pick is just 27 years old and can help a team from the edge.

24. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers

Not many quarterbacks about to turn 43 would make a list like this. However, the quarterback market will be brutal and Rodgers was pretty good last season. Areturn to the Steelers and a reunion with Mike McCarthyseems like the most likely outcome if Rodgers keeps playing, but there aren't enough starting quality QBs to go around this offseason.

23. Packers WR Romeo Doubs

Doubs made high-profile complaints about hisrole in the Packers' offense,and now he has a chance to find a team that will use him more. Doubs has never had more than 724 yards in a season, though perhaps he could do more in a less-crowded receiver group. He will be 26 years old next season and should have plenty of suitors.

22. 49ers WR Jauan Jennings

Jennings has rarely been in a high-volume role, but he has produced when given opportunities. He has 15 touchdown receptions the past two seasons. He's a big receiver who might not be a No. 1, but can be a productive part of an offense.

21. Steelers G Isaac Seumalo

Seumalo will turn 33 years old next season, but he's a steady veteran and it's hard to find offensive line help. Seumalo has started 104 games in his career and made a Pro Bowl in 2024.

20. Packers OT Rasheed Walker

Walker has been the Packers' starting left tackle for three seasons and will be just 26 years old next season. Walker isn't an elite player but it is very hard to find a competent starting left tackle in free agency.

19. Patriots OLB K'Lavon Chaisson

Chaisson is a classic taleof a first-round disappointment who flourished in a better situation. Chaisson didn't work out with the Jaguars but was very good for the Patriots this past season, picking up 7.5 sacks. He's just 26 years old and a team will bet on his emergence continuing.

18. Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean

Dean wasPro Football Focus'No. 5 cornerback this past season, and while he'll turn 30 years old during next season, teams that need cornerback help will take a risk that Dean's 2025 level can sustain for at least one more season.

17. Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Evans could always return to the Buccaneers again, or retire. But heading into what should be his age-33 season, Evans should still have some juice left. Injuries set him back this past season, his first in the NFL without gaining 1,000 yards, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's at the end. Evans is a future Hall of Famer and some team would love to add his presence to their receiver room, if he doesn't go back to Tampa Bay.

16. Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

Cousins isn't officially a free agent but theFalcons are reportedly planning to cut him,so he's on the list. Cousins finished last season with some good performances, which will reinvigorate the market for him. He'll be 38 years old in August but he'll be better than plenty of the options some QB-needy teams will be looking at.

15. Chargers OLB Khalil Mack

Mack has to decide if he wants to continue playing. He'll be 35 years old next season and said he will ponder his future. If he does return, he still has value. He had 5.5 sacks last season and while he's not at his old NFL Defensive Player of the Year level, he can be a versatile piece on a one-year deal.

14. Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr.

Etienne has at least 1,399 yards from scrimmage in three of his four NFL seasons. He also has at least 260 carries in a season twice, showing he can be a focal point of a team's running game.

13. Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III

Winning Super Bowl MVPraises Walker's profile, but teams won't see him as an elite running back. He is very good though, and has three 1,000-yard seasons in his four years in the NFL. He has big-play ability, but down-to-down consistency has been a question. It seems likely he'll be back with the Seahawks, but there will be some outside interest.

12. Falcons TE Kyle Pitts

A very interesting case. Pitts had a historic rookie season gaining more than 1,000 yards, then three incredibly frustrating and unproductive seasons, and then was very good with 88 catches and 928 yards last season. Do you trust the draft pedigree as one of the best tight end prospects ever and those two productive seasons, or the duds that were in between them?

11. Seahawks WR Rashid Shaheed

Shaheed didn't have a huge impact with the Seahawks as a receiver after a midseason trade, but it's hard to acclimate to an offense during a season. On special teams he was great though. What a team is getting with Shaheed is a big-play receiver who can also flip a game with a big return. That has a lot of value.

10. Jets RB Breece Hall

Hall is versatile, productive and just 25 years old next season. He was having a monster rookie year in 2022 before a season-ending injury. Over the past three seasons he put up 4,359 yards from scrimmage in putrid offensive conditions. Perhaps there's some concern that Hall has never quite lived up to that rookie season, but we can also blame that on the Jets.

9. Chargers OLB Odafe Oweh

The Ravens moved on from Oweh, a former first-round pick, and the Chargers benefitted from a low-cost midseason trade. Oweh had 7.5 sacks in 12 games and put himself on the map as an attractive free agent. Oweh did have some moments with the Ravens too, including 10 sacks in 2024. He will get paid by someone looking for edge help.

8. Eagles DE Jaelan Phillips

Phillips has an injury history, which might keep the bidding from getting out of control. He's also an accomplished pass rusher who was once a first-round pick and will be just 27 years old next season. Phillips had just five sacks between the Dolphins and Eagles last season, and he didn't make a huge impact for Philadelphia after a midseason trade. But his 28 career sacks and prime age will generate interest.

7. Packers QB Malik Willis

The quarterback market is incredibly thin, including aweak draft class outside of Fernando Mendoza.That will make Willis a surprisingly popular commodity, considering how many teams need a quarterback. Would you rather gamble on Willis, who is 26 years old and has looked good when he needed to play for the Packers, a Kirk Cousins or Aaron Rodgers near the end, or Daniel Jones coming off a major injury? At least Willis provides some hope to be a long-term option without many glaring concerns, other than seeing if he can produce as a full-time starter.

6. Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd

Lloyd looked like a first-round disappointment with the Jaguars — he didn't get his fifth-year option picked up — but then he had a breakout season with a new coaching staff. He made the Pro Bowl and had a career-best season. Now he looks like a late bloomer that needed a better scheme to thrive.

5. Colts WR Alec Pierce

Pierce picked a good time for his breakout season. The former second-round pick went from an occasional big-play threat to more production in a higher-volume role. Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons and he's coming off his first 1,000-yard season. He'll be just 26 years old next season.

4. Colts QB Daniel Jones

Had Jones continued his strong play through the second half of the season and hit free agency healthy, he'd be No. 1 on this list and it might not be close. But that didn't happen. Jones tore his Achilles, and that's not an easy injury to return from, especially for a player like Jones whose mobility is a big part of his game. It seems likely he returns to the Colts anyway, but there's plenty of questions too.

3. Cowboys WR George Pickens

Pickens could be No. 1 on this list, but theinevitability of the franchise tag tempers enthusiasm. The Cowboys will have to figure out how to make Pickens happy, because he's unlikely to be with the tag. He'll be just 25 years old next season with elite talent, but also off-field concerns that caused the Steelers to move on. If he ever got to free agency he'd get an enormous deal. But that's very unlikely.

2. Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum was Pro Football Focus' No. 4 center last season, he's 25 years old and is a former first-round pick. This is the exact type of free agent teams will and should overpay. He plays a highly valuable position and has many prime years left.

1. Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson

Hendrickson had 17.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024. Last season that dipped to 4.5, but his unhappiness over the Bengals' treatment of him, along with injuries that limited him to seven games, tells that story. Hendrickson is 31 years old so that will work against him on a long-term deal, but pass rushers like this aren't often available.

Lee was denied bond during the Wednesday hearingbecause of testimony stating Lee had moved from Florida to Tennessee, which violated his probation terms stemming from an aggravated assault case. Lee was also on probation for pushing a woman and punching her in the face multiple times in 2023.

Lee's girlfriend was found deadin a rented home in Ooltewah, Tennessee, east of Chattanooga. Testimony from a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office detective Wednesday played a role in denying Lee bond.

Detective Brian Lockhart testified that Lee was in the rented home when Sheriff's Office deputies arrived and said that his girlfriend likely fell in the shower due to her narcolepsy. Investigators said the evidence did not match Lee's description.

Latest on charges:Ex-NFL LB Darron Lee arrested, charged with murder, police say

Lockhart later stated that the microwave oven in the home was broken with glass scattered around the home. He testified that an autopsy showed Lee's girlfriend suffered "severe injuries, including severe brain trauma, a broken neck, bruising across her body, a large bite mark on her shoulder and thigh, stab wounds to her legs, and significant facial trauma."

Hamilton County District Attorney Coty Wamp said that the prosecution hasn't decided yet whether or not to pursue the death penalty but there are two factors that could qualify Lee for it.

"You walked in the door, there were boxes," Lockhart said, per NewsChannel9. "A lot of stuff in the living room. The deceased was in the floor lying on her back. There was blood going up the staircase, on the hand railing there was blood, on the walls there was blood, on the floor in the living room there was blood, in the floor on the hallway and the stairs."

Lee is charged with tampering with evidence because detectives found cleaning supplies upstairs in the Ooltewah residence. Those supplies included bleach wipes and a spray bottle.

Lee spent six years in the NFL after the New York Jets selected him No. 20 overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He spent three seasons with the Jets before playing for the Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Buffalo Bills (2020) and Las Vegas Raiders (practice squad member in 2021).

He will remain in custody as the case continues.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Darron Lee could face death penalty in murder case, prosecutors say

Several Epstein survivors and relatives were present on Capitol Hill, where Bondiwas grilled by lawmakersfor over 5 hours on several matters, including the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case. She was specifically questioned on whyreleased files were heavily redactedand why several survivors' names were not.

"There was such a lack of empathy today. There was such a lack of, honestly, humanity today," Dani Bensky said on NBC's "Hallie Jackson NOW."

At one point in Wednesday's hearing, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., asked for Epstein survivors in the room to stand up and raise their hands if they hadn't had the opportunity to meet with the DOJ. Every single one raised their hand.

Jayapal then asked Bondi to turn toward the survivors and apologize. Bondi did neither of those things.

"Something that I think all of us felt a little devastated about was that she had three opportunities to address survivors. We stood up and all she had to do was turn around and she could not even turn around and face us," Bensky said.

Bensky has said she was 17 and a budding ballerina in 2004 when Epstein sexually abused her at his Manhattan mansion.

"I felt like such a ghost walking through Epstein's mansion. I felt like there were so many people who saw me. There were so many people who should have spoken up," Bensky said.

"Now, to not have AG Bondi turn around and acknowledge us, it's the exact same type of victimization," she continued.

Teresa Helm, who alleges Ghislaine Maxwell groomed her and that she was sexually abused by Epstein in 2002 when she was 22, said of the hearing: "There was no integrity in that room today, it seems like, when it came to Epstein and Maxwell."

Epstein, a politically connected convicted sex offender, died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges of sex trafficking minors. Maxwell, his co-conspirator, was convicted in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

Sharlene Rochardsaid Wednesday that she felt "really degraded" and that Bondi was "not taking at all any accountability" regarding survivors. Rochard has said she met Epstein as a teenager when she was working as a model in New York.

In her opening remarks, Bondi did reference Epstein's victims, saying: "I am deeply sorry for what any victim, any victim, has been through, especially as a result of that monster."

Jess Michaels, another accuser, said that while Bondi apologized for Epstein's crimes, she did not apologize for "the crimes of the cover-up." Michaels accused Bondi of being a part of the alleged cover-up.

Marina Lacerda criticized Bondi and the DOJ for allowing the names of survivors to be published in the latest trove of files.

"She sat there in the beginning, she said sorry for what Jeffrey Epstein did to us, but yet she couldn't apologize for what she did to us, what her department did to us," Lacerda said. "You had one job — was to redact our names, to respect our privacy — but yet you carefully took the time to redact all these powerful, rich men." (The Department of Justiceon Tuesday released the names of three people the FBI once called co-conspirators of Epstein'safter lawmakers complained that the names had been improperly withheld.)

Lacerda has saidshe was 14when she met Epstein, lured into his mansion under the pretense of being paid to give massages.

When pressed Wednesday on why survivors' names were included in the released files, Bondi said, "We did the best we could, immediately."

Asked whether any Epstein co-conspirators would be prosecuted, Bondi said her department has pending investigations. She did not elaborate on who or what was being investigated.

"Who, what, where, why, when? We don't have any information," Bensky said. "I would think that they would come to us to get that information."

Bensky, Helm, Rochard, Lacerda, Michaels and fellow Epstein accuser Liz Stein all indicated none of them have heard from the Justice Department. Sky Roberts — the brother of Epstein accuserVirginia Roberts Guiffre, who died by suicide last year — and his wife Amanda Roberts said they, too, have not heard from the DOJ.

All said they want more prosecutions.

Amanda Roberts said her late sister-in-law "named over 40 names in sealed depositions and open depositions." However, she said, the DOJ still has not acknowledged or investigated those people.

Guiffre had claimed that Epstein and Maxwell trafficked her to the former Prince Andrew in the early 2000s when she was 17.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles last year,reached a legal settlementwith Giuffree in 2022 for an undisclosed sum but has denied having had sex with her, as well asany wrongdoing connected to Epstein.He has never been charged.

Guiffre's brother described Wednesday's hearing as "gaslighting."

"You know, she's [Bondi] like, 'Any survivor can come forward and talk to us.' Well, first, you don't really have an open-door policy," Sky Roberts said.

"I hope the American people can continue to stand behind us," he added. "I hope that they can demand justice, because realistically, this justice needs to happen."

ICE Out Minnesota, a coalition of community groups, religious leaders, labor unions and other critics of the federal operation, called for sit-ins and other demonstrations to continue at Target locations for a full week. Target's headquarters are located in Minneapolis, where federal officers last monthkilled two residentswho had participated in anti-ICE protests, and its name adorns the city's major league baseball stadium and an arena where its basketball teams plays.

"They claim to be part of the community, but they are not standing up to ICE," said Elan Axelbank, a member of the Minnesota chapter of Socialist Alternative, which describes itself as a revolutionary political group. He organized a Wednesday protest outside a Target store in Minneapolis' Dinkytown commercial district.

Demonstrations also were scheduled in St. Paul, Minnesota, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, North Carolina, San Diego, Seattle and other cities, as well as in suburban areas of Minnesota, California and Massachusetts. Target declined Wednesday to comment on the protests.

Target first became a bull's-eye for critics of theTrump administration's surgein immigration enforcement activity after a widely-circulated video showed federal agents detaining two Target employees in a store in the Minneapolis suburb of Richfield last month. Luis Argueta, a spokesperson for Unidos Minnesota, an immigrant-led social justice advocacy organization that is part of the ICE Out Minnesota coalition, said his group is focusing its protests on the Richfield store.

One of the demands of Wednesday's protests is for Target to deny federal agents entry to stores unless they have judicial warrants authorizing arrests.

Some lawyers have argued that anyone, including U.S. Border Patrol andImmigration and Customers Enforcement agentswithout signed warrants,can enter public areas of a business as they wish. Public areas include restaurant dining sections, open parking lots, office lobbies and shopping aisles, but not back offices, closed-off kitchens or other areas of a business that are generally off-limits to the public and where privacy would be reasonably expected, those lawyers say.

Target has not commented publicly on the detention of the store employees. CEO Michael Fiddelke, who became Target's chief executive on Feb. 2, sent a video message to the company's 400,000 workers two days after a Border Patrol agent and a Customs and Border Protection officer shot and killed Minneapolis residentAlex Prettion Jan. 24.

Fiddelke said the "violence and loss of life in our community is incredibly painful," but he did not mention the immigration crackdown or the fatal shootings of Pretti, an ICU nurse at a medical center for U.S. veterans in Minneapolis, andRenee Good, a mother of three fired on in her car by an ICE agent.

Fiddelke wasone of 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companieswho, in the wake of Pretti's death, signed an open letter "calling for an immediate de-escalation of tensions and for state, local and federal officials to work together to find real solutions."

The protests over its alleged failure to oppose the immigration crackdown in Minnesota come a year after Target faced protests andboycottsover the company's decision toroll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. At the time, critics said the decision marked a betrayal of Target's retail giant's philanthropic commitment to fighting racial disparities and promoting progressive values in liberal Minneapolis and beyond.

The retail chain also is struggling with a persistent sales malaise. Critics have complained of disheveled stores that are missing thebudget-priced flairthat long ago earned the retailer the nickname "Tarzhay."

While Wednesday's protests targeted a tiny fraction of the company's nearly 2,000 stores, the negative attention serves as another distraction from Target's business, according to Neil Saunders, managing director of the retail division of market research firm GlobalData.

"The agenda has been hijacked by this," Saunders said. "And it is a bit of a distraction for Target that they'd rather not have."

In recent days, a national coalition of Mennonite congregations organized roughly a dozen demonstrations inside and outside of Target stores across the country, singing and urging Target to publicly call Congress to defund Immigration and Customs Enforcement among other demands.

A spokesperson for Mennonite Action said the coalition was not formally connected to ICE Out but following the lead of organizers in Minneapolis.

The Rev. Joanna Lawrence Shenk, associate pastor at First Mennonite Church of San Francisco, said the group did not plan any actions on Wednesday but was mapping out weekend singalong events at Targets in a handful of towns and cities, including Pittsburgh and Harrisonburg, Virginia. She estimated that by the end of the weekend more than 1,000 congregation members will have participated.

Shenk noted that the Mennonites sing "This Little Light of Mine" and other gospel songs and hymns.

"The singing was an expression of our love for immigrant neighbors who are at risk right now and who are also a part of our congregation," she said. "For us, it's not just standing in solidarity with others but it's also protecting people who are vulnerable."

An Ohio State University professor has been placed on administrative leave pending a campus police investigation into an allegation of assault on an independent journalist.

Videopublished Tuesdayby a local newsletter writer shows Luke Perez, an assistant professor who studies the ethics of war and international religious freedom, in a hallway while a local journalist and filmmaker, whomlocal news outlets identifiedas Mike Newman, holds up a camera and a smartphone.

Shortly after the video starts, Newman steps forward and Perez steps in his way. Perez then suddenly knocks the phone out of Newman's hands and grabs at him. Perez appears to put one of his arms around Newman's head, knocking Newman to the ground.

"I told you not to put that into my face," Perez tells Newman as he stands over him on the ground. Perez then shouts that Newman assaulted him, though the video doesn't show that. Newman didn't respond to a LinkedIn message, and NBC News was unable to find a working phone number for him.

Perez directed a request for comment to the university's media relations office.

"We are aware of the incident, and it is very concerning," Benjamin Johnson, an Ohio State spokesman, said in a statement. Perez has been placed on administrative leave pending a university police investigation.

The incident is an unusual confrontation on a college campus that both conservative and liberal critics online said called into question the university's commitment to free speech, given that the faculty members present are all affiliated with a new academic center focused on "free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry." Faculty members have criticized the centerbecause legislators who created itsaid they wanted to combat "leftist ideology" on campus.

The writer who posted the video, DJ Byrnes, explainedin his newsletter The Roosterthat he and Newman had been trying to ask questions of E. Gordon Gee, the former Ohio State president, in the hallway of a campus building Monday. He included an additional video showing Gee answering several of his questions aboutRichard Strauss, a former university physicianwho is accused of sexual abuse by over 200 former Ohio State wrestlers in the 1990swhen Gee was president.

According to Byrnes, Newman wanted to ask Gee questions about Ohio State graduates with student loan debt.

Perez is affiliated with Ohio State's Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture and Society, which the Legislature created last year to foster intellectual diversity. Byrnes, a self-described Ohio political gadfly, said they didn't know who Perez was before that encounter.

Gee, the former chief executive of Brown University, Vanderbilt University and West Virginia University, is a consultant for the Chase Center. Herecently saidcalls to remove Ohio billionaire Les Wexner's name from campus buildings — over Wexner's yearslong association with Jeffrey Epstein — are "cancel culture gone wild."

Byrnes included additional videos in which he tried to continue questioning Gee in an elevator, but another professor, Christopher Green, tried to block him while shouting "you are assaulting me." Green didn't respond to an email and phone calls Wednesday.

Byrnes wrote that he and Newman, whom he referred to by a pseudonym, filed a report with the university's Public Safety Department. The campus police agency hasn't yet released a copy.

Some are ugly, with one party still hanging on when everyone else knows it's over. Others are more mutual as the sides recognize that the spark is gone.Sam Darnoldand theNew York Jetsfall into the latter, having gone through a breakup that didn't require a restraining order attached to it.

Darnold had to go elsewhere to find success, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still look back on his time with the Jets fondly. During an event at a Raising Canes in Seattle on Feb. 10, Darnold was asked about his message to the Jets fans who continue to support him.

"That's all you can ask for as a player is to feel supported, especially by the team that drafted you,"Darnold said, via FanSided's Justin Fried.

"I always look at myself and feel like I could've done a lot more for that franchise."

See Sam Darnold celebrate Seahawks win in Super Bowl 60

Darnold only lasted three seasons with the Jets after the team selected him with the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He led the team to a 13-25 record in 38 starts, tossing 45 touchdowns to 39 interceptions. Since New York owned the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets opted to move on and selectZach Wilson.

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It was a move that reset the rookie quarterback contract window and aligned Wilson with the team's new coaching staff, led by Robert Saleh.

Darnold was traded to theCarolina Panthersthat offseason, where he spent two seasons before becoming a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. After a breakout year for the Minnesota Vikings, Darnold signed with theSeahawksin free agency last offseason.

The quarterback proved the breakout was no fluke, leading Seattle to a 14-3 regular season record and a win inSuper Bowl 60– the second Super Bowl win in franchise history.

While Darnold is experiencing plenty of success with his new team, the Jets remain mired in mediocrity and searching for an answer at quarterback. Despite that reality, Jets fans still showed plenty of support for their former signal-caller in the Super Bowl.

"The fact that [Jets fans] are able to support me even through that means a lot," Darnold said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Sam Darnold message to Jets fans after showing support for Seahawks QB

This development comes as Wasserman's talent agency has lost several high-profile clients, including former soccer star Abby Wambach.

After a review of his past conduct and Wasserman's "strong leadership," the LA28 committee said, he should remain in charge of the LA28 organizing committee.

"We found Mr. Wasserman's relationship with Epstein and [Ghislaine] Maxwell did not go beyond what has already been publicly documented," the board's executive committee said in a statement on Wednesday,via The Los Angeles Times.

"Twenty-three years ago, before Mr. Wasserman or the public knew of Epstein and Maxwell's deplorable crimes, Mr. Wasserman and his then-wife flew on a humanitarian mission to Africa on Epstein's plane at the invitation of the Clinton Foundation. This was his single interaction with Epstein. Shortly after, he traded the publicly-known emails with Maxwell.

"The Executive Committee of the Board has determined that based on these facts, as well as the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past ten years, Mr. Wasserman should continue to lead LA28 and deliver a safe and successful Games."

What are Casey Wasserman's connections to Epstein, Maxwell?

Emails between Wasserman and Maxwell from 2003were released late last month by the U.S. Department of Justice, as part of a release of millions of files.

Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and longtime associate of Epstein, told Wasserman in an email thread that she had thought of him at "inappropriate moments."

"I think of you all the time … So what do I have to do to see you in a tight leather outfit?" Wasserman wrote back. "I am in NY tonight, you're not, what am I to do?"

Their correspondence continued, and Wasserman was married at the time. He and his wife divorced in 2021 after two decades together.

The high-powered Hollywood agent and businessman emphasized in a statement earlier this month that he "never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein," and that he was "terribly sorry for having any association with either of them."

"I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell which took place over two decades ago, long before her horrific crimes came to light," Wasserman said.

Wasserman was appointed chairman of the LA28 organizing committee in 2017. TheUS Olympic and Paralympic Committee has since backed the Wasserman-led organizing committeedespite the emails.

Los Angeles will host the Olympics in 2028, which marks the city's first Games since 1984.

Former USWNT star Abby Wambach leaves Wasserman's agency

Several major stars have left Wasserman's agency since the emails were released. Longtime U.S. women's national team star Abby Wambach joined that group on Wednesday.

Wambach retired from the sport in 2015, and is not actually represented by Wasserman himself. Her agent, however, is part of his agency. The two-time Olympic gold medalist, who is USWNT's all-time leading scorer, also called on Wasserman to step down.

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"I know what I know, and I am following my gut and my values," she wrote, in part. "I will not participate in any business arrangement under his leadership … Casey should resign. He should leave, so more people like me don't have to."

Wambach is just the latest to leave Wasserman's agency. Most notably, Grammy award winner Chappel Roan announced this week that she was leaving, too.

The USMNT head coach and U.S. president crossed paths in December at the World Cup draw in Washington, D.C.

Pochettino recounted the meeting during an appearance onthe High Performance Podcast.

"At the draw of the World Cup, I met Donald Trump for a few minutes. He asked me: 'What do you think, coach. Can you win the World Cup?'

"I said, 'Of course, Mr. President.' Because it's the USA. The American dream is there. The American culture is about being first, being number one. When we accepted the challenge to go there it's because we really believe that we can win.

"After a year and a half working there, people start to feel that we can win. The last few camps in October and November, we competed against very good teams and we started to show that possibility to perform well."

Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw

He added: "We are going to have the support of a massive country and all its fans. To try and push us to run, score goals, and make tackles. I think that will be a massive boost for us."

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The USMNT had an excellent end to 2025, winning four of its last five matches including a 5-1 thrashing of Uruguay in its last game of the year.

Pochettino's side has been drawn into Group D alongside Australia, Paraguay and a European team yet to be determined.

Should it advance, the U.S. would move onto the knockout stage where it would have to win five consecutive matches to take home the World Cup.

In its entire history, the USMNT has won just one World Cup knockout match.

Pochettino's right-hand man, assistant coach Jesus Perez, also appeared on the podcast and said that the team lacked "basics" when the pair took over in the fall of 2024.

"We found that there was a lack of basics for whatever reason," Perez said. "They (the USMNT) were in a transition.

"What we did was assess things and implement our vision. We didn't go there to teach anyone, to show them how to do things. Just to convince a group of players and staff that we can be competitive."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mauricio Pochettino told Donald Trump USMNT can win World Cup

Airova's Aroeve air purifiers could "overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers," according to arecall notice postedby the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Monday, Feb. 9.

The CPSC notice said about 191,390 purifiers sold on Amazon, Shopify, Temu, and TikTok between September 2024 and June 2025, at prices from $80 to $134, were recalled.

Officials said 37 reports of the air purifiers overheating have been received, including one report of a fire. The CPSC added that no injuries or property damage have been reported in connection with the air purifiers.

Here is what to know about the recalled air purifiers.

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What Airova air purifiers were recalled?

According to CPSC's notice, Airova's Aroeve air purifiers in black or white are included in the recall. More specifically, those with a serial number beginning with "BN," which were manufactured before July 2025.

"The model, date code, and serial number information are printed on the product label located on the bottom of the air purifiers," according to the notice. The recalled model is MK04.

Officials recommend those with the recalled purifiers at home stop using them immediately and contact Airova for a free replacement air purifier.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Air purifiers sold on TikTok Shop, Amazon, more recalled for burn risk

Marimar Martinez, a teaching assistant and U.S. citizen, was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in October while in her vehicle. She was charged with a felony after Homeland Security officials accused her of trying to ram agents with her vehicle. But thecase was dismissed after videos emergedshowing an agent steering his vehicle into Martinez's vehicle.

Her attorneys pushed to make evidence in the now-dissolved criminal case public, saying they were especially motivated after a federal agentfatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Goodunder similar circumstances.

Martinez's attorneys are pursuing a complaint under a law that permits individuals to sue federal agencies. They outlined instances of DHS lying about Martinez after the shooting, including labeling her a "domestic terrorist" and accusing her of having a history of "doxxing federal agents." The Montessori school assistant has no criminal record and prosecutors haven't brought evidence in either claim.

"This is a time where we just cannot trust the words of our federal officials," attorney Christopher Parente said at a news conference where his office released evidence.

That included an agent's hand-drawn diagram of the scene to allege how Martinez "boxed in" federal agents. It included vehicles Parente said "don't exist."

Many of the emails, texts and videos were released the night before by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In a statement Wednesday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said use-of-force incidents "are thoroughly investigated" and the agent involved, Charles Exum, was placed on administrative leave.

The shooting came during theheight of the Chicago-area crackdown. Arrests, protests and tense standoffs with immigration agents were common across the city of 2.7 million and its suburbs. Weeks before the Martinez shooting,agents fatally shot a suburban Chicago dadin a traffic stop.

The government unsuccessfully fought the document release, including an email fromBovino, who led enforcement operationsnationwide before hereturned to his previous post in Californialast month.

"In light of your excellent service in Chicago, you have much yet left to do!!" Bovino wrote Exum on Oct. 4.

In an agent group text, others congratulated Exum, calling him a "legend" and offering to buy him beer. In previously released documents, Exum's text messages appeared to show himbragging to colleagues about his shooting skills.

"I fired 5 rounds and she had 7 holes. Put that in your book boys," the text read.

The latest documents are public now because U.S. District Judge Georgia Alexakis lifted a protective order last week. Federal prosecutors argued the documents could damage Exum's reputation. But Alexakis said the government has shown "zero concern" about ruining Martinez's reputation.

On the day Martinez was shot, she had followed agents' vehicle and honked her horn to warn others of the presence of immigration agents. Body camera footage showed agents with weapons drawn and rushing out of the vehicle.

"It's time to get aggressive and get the (expletive) out," one agent said.

Martinez, who sat near her attorneys, was largely silent during the news conference.

She declined an Associated Press interview request. In recent weeks she has spoken to local media and before lawmakers.

Earlier this month, Martinez testified before congressional Democrats to highlight use-of-force incidents by DHS officers. Members ofGood's family also spoke. Martinez is scheduled to attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address this month as the guest of U.S. Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

She was hospitalized before being taken into the custody of the FBI, which still has her car. Martinez said the incident has left her with mistrust of law enforcement, which accused her of being armed.

Martinez has a valid concealed-carry license and had a handgun in her purse. Attorneys showed a picture of it in a pink holster at the bottom of her purse, saying it remained there during the encounter.

"They are not targeting the worst of the worst, they are targeting individuals who fit a certain profile, who simply have a certain accent, or a non-white skin color just like mine. This raises serious concerns about fairness, discrimination, and abuse of authority," she said during her congressional testimony. "The lack of accountability for these actions is deeply troubling."

Martinez's attorneys said they'd pursue a complaint under the Federal Tort Claims Act. If the agency denies the claim or doesn't act on it within six months, they can file a federal lawsuit.

A charter bus carrying members of a community college baseball team crashed in Iowa on Wednesday, killing one person and injuring dozens, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. local time on Iowa Highway 4 near Twin Lakes in Calhoun County, authorities said.

An Iowa Lakes Community College charter bus "went off the roadway and overturned in the ditch," Iowa State Patrol said in astatement.

There has been one confirmed fatality, Iowa State Patrol said.

There were 33 people on the bus, which was the only vehicle involved, according to Iowa State Trooper Paul Gardner.

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All other occupants on the bus sustained minor to serious injuries, according to Gardner.

Life Flight helicopters and ambulances transported injured occupants to various area hospitals, authorities said. State patrol was working to determine how many people were transported and to where, Gardner said.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Iowa Lakes Community College said members of its baseball team were involved in the crash.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority," the college said in a statement, adding it is "in direct communication with families and is providing support to those affected."

2 dead in police helicopter crash as officers responded to 'active shooter'

The Iowa Lakes baseball team was traveling to Arkansas to play North Arkansas College in Harrison this week.

"We ask our entire community to please lift up everyone involved, their families, and the entire Iowa Lakes community in prayer during this difficult time," the North Arkansas College Pioneer Athletics said in a statement on social media.

Walker – who was namedSuper Bowl 60 MVPafter totaling 161 yards on 29 touches against the New England Patriots – is set to be a free agent in March.

Evidently, Walker is already campaigning to land a new deal with the Seahawks, as general manager John Schneider cracked during the team's victory parade.

Super Bowl VII (Dolphins 14, Washington 7): Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (75) tackles Washington running back Larry Brown (43) in Super Bowl VII at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Dolphins completed a 17-0 undefeated season with the win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVI (49ers 26, Bengals 21): San Francisco 49ers defensive back Ronnie Lott (42) celebrates a goal line stand against the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl XVI at the Silverdome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVII (Washington 27, Dolphins 17): Washington running back John Riggins (44) breaks loose from Miami Dolphins defensive back Don McNeal (28) on a 43-yard touchdown run during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XVIII (Raiders 38, Washington 9): Los Angeles Raiders running back Marcus Allen (32) carries the ball against Washington safety Mark Murphy (29) during Super Bowl XVIII at Tampa Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXII (Washington 42, Broncos 10): Washington quarterback Doug Williams (17) looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during Super Bowl XXII at Jack Murphy Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXIV (49ers 55, Broncos 10) : San Francisco 49ers running back Roger Craig (33) celebrates with teammates against the Denver Broncos at the Superdome. The 55 points scored by the 49ers remains a Super Bowl record.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XXVI (Washington 37, Bills 24): Washington cornerback Alvoid Mays (20) hits Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly (12), causing him to fumble during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl XL (Steelers 21, Seahawks 10): Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward jumps in the air and scores after catching a 43-yard touchdown pass from fellow wideout Antwaan Randle El.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 51 (Patriots 34, Falcons 28 - OT): New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman hauls in a catch off a deflected pass that would help New England mount the largest comeback in Super Bowl history. The game also featured the first ever overtime in a Super Bowl.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 53 (Patriots 13, Rams 3): Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore makes a pivotal interception in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With the win, the Patriots tied the Steelers for most Super Bowl victories (six).

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 55 (Buccaneers 31, Chiefs 9): Buccaneers tight end Rob Gronkowski spikes the football after catching a touchdown pass during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 56 (Rams 23, Bengals 20): Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp catches the game-winning touchdown pass as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Eli Apple defends at SoFi Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 57 (Chiefs 38, Eagles 35): The Chiefs' Kadarius Toney (19) is tackled by the Philadelphia Eagles' Nakobe Dean (17) and Arryn Siposs (8) after a Super Bowl-record 65-yard punt return at State Farm Stadium.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Super Bowl 58 (Chiefs 25, 49ers 22, OT): Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman Jr. (12) celebrates with quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) after the game-winning touchdown in overtime against the San Francisco 49ers.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Super Bowl photos: Most memorable moments from Super Sunday

"He tried negotiating with me five minutes ago," Schneider said during his speech. "It was really weird."

Kenneth Walker III already thinking about next season 😂(via@fox13seattle)pic.twitter.com/Y9zjS0ekpm

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX)February 11, 2026