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December 25, 2025.

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce talks to reporters following an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Travis Kelce’s emotional night at Arrowhead Stadium may be his last with retirement decision looming

Travis Kelce tried to make Thursday night a memorable one if it is his last game at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs tight end had five catches for 36 yards, playing with third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun and nearly rallying his team down the stretch. Despite losing 20-13 to the Denver Broncos, Kelce’s performance stood out. Now, the four-time All-Pro is left to ponder whether to play in next week’s season finale in Las Vegas, and what might come next for him. Kelce said that the decision to retire will involve family, friends, and the Chiefs organization, but he expects to make it soon after the season ends.

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Amid a battery boom, graphite mining gets a fresh look in the US

Graphite mines in the United States are seeing renewed interest after being largely closed for decades. Graphite is crucial for lithium-ion batteries and demand is surging amid trade tensions with China. Several companies, including Titan Mining Corp. in New York, have plans to mine graphite. Titan aims for commercial sales by 2028, believing geopolitical factors favor their efforts. The U.S. government has fast-tracked permits and offered financial support to boost domestic graphite production. Titan expects to produce about 40,000 metric tons of graphite concentrate annually.

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Fernando Dávila, a colorblind painter, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his gallery in Doral, Fla. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Cody Jackson)

From red donkeys to vibrant art: Fernando Dávila’s colorful journey as a colorblind painter

Fernando Dávila, a 72-year-old artist in Florida, paints vibrant works despite being colorblind. As a child in Colombia, he failed a drawing class for painting donkeys red. Now, he embraces color with the help of special glasses developed in the 1980s. Dávila initially painted in black and white due to his condition, which makes distinguishing colors difficult. He studied graphic design and has exhibited internationally, influenced by artists like Rembrandt. His work explores themes of duality and human relationships. Dávila continues to share his passion for art, saying color is vital to his life.

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A colony of stray cats gather to eat near the Kealakehe Transfer Station and Recycling Center, Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

Hawaii’s Big Island bans feeding feral cats in an effort to help endangered native species

Hawaii’s Big Island is banning people from feeding feral cats in an effort to protect native species, including an endangered goose. The law takes effect at the start of the new year and carries fines of up to $50 for a first offense and $500 thereafter. Biologists say it’s needed to protect the native species both from feline attacks and from parasites found in cat feces. But the measure is not sitting well with many cat lovers, who say it could drive their efforts underground or force hungry cats to hunt more, not less.

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‘Heated Rivalry’ series mixes hockey and queer romance and is scoring big audiences

The television adaptation of Rachel Reid’s novel “Heated Rivalry” is making waves with hockey romance fans. Since its debut in November, the show has dominated social media and become the No. 1 series on HBO Max. The story follows a secret decade-long romance between Canadian Shane Hollander and Russian Ilya Rozanov. Jacob Tierney, who developed the series, describes it as “pure queer joy.” The show has sparked renewed interest in Reid’s “Game Changer” book series and sports romance fiction. It’s already been renewed for a second season and is praised for its diverse casting and authentic portrayal of hockey.

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Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (38) rushes for a first down as Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Ashton Gillotte (97) tries to stop him during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Nix’s late TD pass and stand by Broncos defense finishes off 20-13 win over Chiefs

Bo Nix ran for a touchdown and threw a go-ahead pass to R.J. Harvey, leading the Denver Broncos to a 20-13 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Nix finished with 182 yards passing, helping the Broncos bounce back from last week’s loss to Jacksonville. The Chiefs, missing key players like Patrick Mahomes, struggle offensively. Third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun and Travis Kelce give Kansas City a late chance, but they fall short. The Broncos can clinch the AFC West title on Saturday, if the Chargers lose. Kansas City faces more challenges with injuries impacting their lineup.

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Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) defends a shot by Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Amen Thompson’s 26 points lead Rockets to 119-96 win over Doncic and the Lakers

Amen Thompson scored 26 points and Kevin Durant added 24 to lead the Houston Rockets in a 119-96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant had nine assists, helping the Rockets end a two-game skid. Luka Doncic scored 25 points and LeBron James added 18 for the Lakers, who have now lost three in a row. Doncic returned after missing a game due to injury. Alperen Sengun had 12 rebounds, helping the Rockets dominate the boards, 48-25. The Rockets led the entire game.

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Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, left, is chased by Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Vikings eliminate Lions with defense-dominating 23-10 victory, racking up 6 turnovers and 5 sacks

Jordan Addison took a jet sweep handoff 65 yards for the game-sealing touchdown with 3:43 left after the Minnesota Vikings forced six turnovers and eliminated the Detroit Lions from contention for the playoffs with a 23-10 victory. Harrison Smith had one of the two interceptions and one of the five sacks of Jared Goff as the Vikings won their fourth straight game. Goff was charged with three lost fumbles, once on a sack and twice on errant snaps by backup center Kingsley Eguakun. The Lions lost their third straight to clinch a wild-card spot for the Green Bay Packers.

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts after getting fouled by the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler lead the way as Warriors beat Mavericks 126-116 on Christmas Day

Stephen Curry scored 23 points and knocked down a key 3-pointer with 3:45 left to help seal it, Jimmy Butler added 14 points, nine assists and nine rebounds, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 126-116. Mavericks rookie star Cooper Flagg had 27 points, six rebounds and five assists in his Christmas Day debut while Brandon Williams scored 26 off the bench. Klay Thompson returned to face his former Warriors team in the holiday matinee after missing Tuesday’s home game against the Nuggets with soreness in his left knee.

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Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis, center, Golden State Warriors center Al Horford, left, and guard Will Richard, right, reach for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eakin Howard)

Dallas center Anthony Davis leaves with groin injury

Dallas Mavericks center Anthony Davis suffered a groin injury in the second quarter against the Golden State Warriors. Davis exited the Christmas Day matinee at the 8:50 mark of the second quarter after he pulled up trying to run. He went to the bench to be worked on by the medical staff, holding his groin area. The big man already missed 16 games with a left calf injury and management of it.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Lamar Jackson doubtful and Jordan Love questionable for Ravens-Packers game Saturday

Lamar Jackson is listed as doubtful for Baltimore’s game against the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night as he continues to deal with a back injury that knocked him out of the game against the New England Patriots last weekend. The two-time MVP quarterback hasn’t practiced this week after getting hurt in the second quarter of Baltimore’s 28-24 loss. Green Bay has its own quarterback issues after Jordan Love left the Packers’ 22-16 overtime loss at Chicago last weekend because of a concussion. Love and Green Bay backup quarterback Malik Willis are both listed as questionable for Saturday’s game.

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San Antonio Spurs guard De'Aaron Fox (4) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder Chet Holmgren (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Spurs beat Thunder 117-102 for 3rd win over defending NBA champs in 2 weeks

De’Aaron Fox scores 29 points as the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 117-102 on Thursday. This marked their third win over the defending NBA champs in two weeks. The Spurs also beat the Thunder in an NBA Cup semifinal on Dec. 13 and in San Antonio on Tuesday. San Antonio shot 53.6% from the field, while the Thunder managed only 38.9% shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 22 points for Oklahoma City. The Thunder started the season 24-1 but are 2-4 since, including three losses to the Spurs. The teams meet again on Jan. 13 in Oklahoma City.

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Davey Schneider walks on the roof of his storm-damaged home on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Wrightwood, Calif. (AP Photo/William Liang)

New storm hitting waterlogged Southern California could cause more flooding and mudslides

Another powerful storm system that could cause more flooding and mudslides is rolling across Southern California. Forecasters say the region could experience its wettest Christmas in years, increasing the risk of debris flows in areas scorched by wildfires in January. Heavy rain and gusty winds were blamed for at least two deaths on Christmas Eve. On Wednesday, a falling tree killed a San Diego man. Farther north, a Sacramento sheriff’s deputy died in what appeared to be a weather-related crash. Residents around burn scar zones from the Airport Fire in Orange County are under evacuation orders.

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New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) reacts after scoring a three point goal during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Tyler Kolek chases down Donovan Mitchell for a block and helps the Knicks catch the Cavaliers

Tyler Kolek sprinted back to chase down Donovan Mitchell and had enough energy left to gloat about his defensive stop afterward. Kolek told Mitchell that he had blocked his shot cleanly. He was right. A replay review turned what was originally called a foul into a block with 1:45 remaining, one of Kolek’s pivotal plays on Christmas Day that had fans chanting his name inside Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks rallied to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124.

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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott throws during the first half an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Dak Prescott throws for 307 yards and 2 TDs to lead Cowboys past skidding Commanders 30-23

Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns, and the Dallas Cowboys blew most of an 18-point lead before squeezing past the Washington Commanders 30-23. Dallas scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to go up 21-3. Although the Commanders twice got within a touchdown, they couldn’t complete the comeback and absorbed their 10th loss in 11 games. Both teams were previously eliminated from playoff contention, which severely lessened the significance of this matchup between longtime NFC East rivals. Prescott completed 19 of 37 passes and helped Dallas convert all six of its fourth-down tries. His two TD passes gave him 30, tying Tony Romo’s franchise record of four seasons with at least 30 touchdown throws.

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New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) blocks Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Brunson and the reserves lead a Christmas comeback as the Knicks beat the Cavaliers 126-124

Jalen Brunson scored 34 points, reserve Jordan Clarkson had 25 and the New York Knicks came from 17 down in the fourth quarter to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 126-124 on Thursday and win on Christmas Day for the third straight year. Reserves Tyler Kolek and Mitchell Robinson sparked the Christmas comeback after the Cavaliers led 103-86 early in the fourth quarter. Kolek had 16 points and nine assists, and had fans chanting his name after a late block on Donovan Mitchell that was originally called a foul by overturned on review. Robinson finished with 13 boards. Mitchell had 34 points, seven rebounds and six assists.

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FILE - Northwestern head coach David Braun looks on during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against Michigan, Nov. 15, 2025, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

Northwestern and Central Michigan are heading for a defensive showdown in GameAbove Sports Bowl

Christmas bowl games often turn into scoring bonanzas, where the first team to 40 points is the winner. The GameAbove Sports Bowl might be an exception to that rule — 20 points could be more than enough. Friday’s game in Detroit pits Northwestern and Central Michigan, two schools that combine strong defenses with low-scoring offenses. The Wildcats are 34th in the country defensively, allowing 20.9 points per game, but 103rd on offense at 22.5. The Chippewas rank 50th on defense at 22.7 points per game and 93rd offensively at 23.8.

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Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis reacts during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Jaguars CB Jourdan Lewis to have season-ending foot surgery, AP source says

A person familiar with the injury says Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis will have season-ending foot surgery. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the player nor the team has confirmed Lewis’ status. Lewis injured his foot in a 34-20 victory at Denver last Sunday. He’s the team’s second starting cornerback lost for the season, following rookie Travis Hunter (knee). Greg Newsome II, Montaric Brown and Jarrian Jones will be counted on to handle the workload down the stretch, beginning at Indianapolis on Sunday, and in the postseason.

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FILE - Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang in the first half during an NCAA football game against Arizona on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, file)

Hawaii stuns Cal in 35-31 in Hawaii Bowl on backup QB Luke Weaver’s last-minute TD pass

Backup quarterback Luke Weaver threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Nick Cenacle with 10 seconds left, and Hawaii rallied for a 35-31 victory over California in the Hawaii Bowl. Weaver entered the game after Micah Alejado took a hard hit on the previous play. With the Rainbow Warriors in range for a tying field goal, Cenacle got between two defensive backs and made the contested catch. Coach Timmy Chang led Hawaii to its first nine-win season since 2019. Alejado finished 32 of 46 for 274 yards and three touchdowns, helping Hawaii rally from an early 21-0 deficit. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele finished with 343 yards passing for Cal.

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