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February 8, 2026.

FILE - A woman uses a walker as she exits an assisted living building at the Toby and Leon Cooperman Sinai Residences, July 4, 2025, in Boca Raton, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

How to protect a loved one when choosing a nursing home or assisted living facility

The need to move a loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility often comes suddenly — after a fall, a medical crisis or the loss of a caregiver. Experts say knowing what to look for can make a critical difference. Federal data and star ratings can help rule out the worst nursing homes, but they shouldn’t be the only guide. Experts on long-term care say staffing levels are the most important factor. They say visiting facilities at night or on weekends is key to getting a complete picture. They recommend looking beyond a nice lobby to see if there are odors, call bells ringing nonstop or employees speaking disrepecfully to residents.

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FILE -A Meta logo is shown on a video screen at LlamaCon 2025, an AI developer conference, in Menlo Park, Calif., April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media

A trial focused on whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms when it comes to the dangers of child sexual exploitation is set to start in New Mexico. Opening statements are scheduled for Monday. It’s the first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against major social media companies over harms to children. New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez sued Meta in 2023. He alleges Meta platforms enabled predators who target children for sexual exploitation. Meta denies the allegations and says prosecutors are taking a “sensationalist” approach. The trial is likely to highlight explicit online content and its effects.

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FILE - Colin Gray, the father of Apalachee High School shooting suspect Colt Gray, arrives to the courtroom at the Barrow County courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Winder,Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)

Trial to begin in Georgia for the father of the Apalachee High School shooting suspect

Jury selection is set to begin in the trial of Colin Gray, whose teenage son is accused of killing two students and two teachers at a Georgia high school in September 2024. Gray faces 29 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors say he gave his son access to a gun despite warning signs. The trial will be held in Winder, but jury selection beginning Monday will take place in Gainesville. Gray has remained in custody since his arrest. His son, Colt, has pleaded not guilty to 55 counts, including murder and aggravated assault.

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) forces a fumble against New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) at the NFL Super Bowl 60 game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, February 8, 2026. (Adam Hunger/AP Content Services for the NFL)

Patriots’ Maye turns ball over 3 times while hounded by Seahawks’ defense in Super Bowl loss

Drake Maye was a dependable and steadying force for the New England Patriots this season. The second-year quarterback never got the chance to be that when his team needed him most in the Super Bowl. Maye was the NFL’s most accurate passer during the regular season and finished second in MVP voting. But he was hounded by the Seahawks’ pass rush throughout. Maye threw two touchdown passes, but was sacked six times, threw two interceptions and lost a fumble that Seattle turned into another touchdown in New England’s 29-13 loss. It was a tough end to a playoff run that had the Patriots eyeing their seventh Lombardi Trophy.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs against New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)

Kenneth Walker III becomes 1st running back to win Super Bowl MVP in 28 years

Kenneth Walker III is running into free agency with a Super Bowl MVP. Walker capped a prolific postseason with another big performance on the ground to help the Seattle Seahawks beat the New England Patriots 29-13 for a championship. While the defense carried Seattle for much of the postseason, Walker was once again the engine of the offense by rushing for 135 yards and adding 26 receiving for his third straight 100-yard game from scrimmage in the postseason. He became the first running back since Terrell Davis 28 years ago to win Super Bowl MVP.

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A couple dressed as a bride and groom participate in the Bad Bunny performance during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Yes, there was a real wedding during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show featured a real wedding. About five minutes into the performance at Levi’s Stadium, a couple was married on stage. The officiant declared them husband and wife, and they shared a kiss surrounded by dancers and musicians. Lady Gaga and Los Sobrinos, a Puerto Rican salsa band, performed as part of the celebration. Bad Bunny later joined them for a song. His representative confirmed the couple was truly married during the show. The couple had invited Bad Bunny to their wedding, but he suggested they be part of his halftime show instead.

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Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold prepares to pass during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

QB Sam Darnold wins Super Bowl championship right where he revived his career with San Francisco

On the sideline of Levi’s Stadium two seasons ago, Sam Darnold patiently paid his dues behind Brock Purdy as San Francisco’s backup quarterback and soaked up every ounce of knowledge he could from the coaches. Back in the Bay Area on Sunday and beneath the bright lights, Darnold became a Super Bowl champion in his first year under center for the Seattle Seahawks — his fifth team in eight seasons. Seattle captured the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy with a dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) makes a catch during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba leaves Super Bowl, evaluated for concussion

Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba was taken to the locker room in the third quarter of Super Bowl 60 to be evaluated for a concussion. Smith-Njigba, the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, appeared to get banged up when he was tackled by New England cornerback Marcus Jones on a four-yard completion midway through the third quarter. The injury came during a quiet night for Smith-Njigba. The NFL’s leader in yards receiving during the regular season had three catches for 24 yards when he left the field.

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Blue Ivy Carter poses for photos in the end zone before the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Stars set tone for Super Bowl, with Green Day’s f-bomb and performances from Puth, Carlile and Jones

Super Bowl 60 has been a star-studded event with Chris Pratt and Jon Bon Jovi introducing the teams. Highlights at Levi’s Stadium include Blue Ivy’s pre-game end zone leap and Green Day’s tribute to the game’s 60th anniversary. Green Day performed “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” during a parade of former Super Bowl MVPs. Charlie Puth delivered a soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” while Brandi Carlile sang “America, the Beautiful.” Coco Jones opened with “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Bad Bunny’s halftime performance is highly anticipated. Celebrities like Travis Scott and Blue Ivy have been spotted on the sidelines.

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Chris Gotterup celebrates his win after sinking a birdie putt on the first playoff hole at the 18th green during the final round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Gotterup wins Phoenix Open on first playoff hole as Matsuyama limps to the finish

Chris Gotterup shot 7-under 64 and won the Phoenix Open with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff Sunday after Hideki Matsuyama pulled his tee shot into the water. The leader by one heading into the final round, Matsuyama had converted all of his previous five 54-hole leads into wins, but limped to the finish at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. The two-time Phoenix Open champion nearly hit his tee shot in the on 17 and pulled his drive on 18 left into the church pew bunkers. Matsuyama hit his second shot into the face of the bunker and couldn’t get up-and-down for par. He shot 68 to match Gotterup at 16-under 268. Gotterup also won the season-opening Sony Open.

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FILE - Atlanta Falcons linebacker James Pearce Jr. (27) is interviewed after an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)

Falcons face new questions about Pearce’s future with the team as pass-rush leader faces charges

Following the arrest of James Pearce Jr. on Saturday night, the Atlanta Falcons face troubling questions about the standout rookie’s immediate and long-term future with the team. For at least the 2026 season, Pearce’s status could be jeopardized by serious legal problems. Pearce was arrested near Miami after fleeing officers and then crashing his car following what police said was a domestic dispute with WNBA player Rickea Jackson. According to the jail website, Pearce posted bond of $20,500 Sunday afternoon. He is charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking and fleeing or eluding police.

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BYU head coach Kevin Young stands on the baseline in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma State, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 in Stillwater, Okla. (AP Photo/Mitch Alcala)

Big 12 issues $50,000 fine to Oklahoma State for anti-Mormon chants during game against BYU

The Big 12 Conference says it has fined Oklahoma State $50,000 following an investigation into inappropriate chants referencing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as the Mormons. The latest happened during a men’s basketball game against BYU last week. The Big 12 said it wouldn’t tolerate behavior that targets or demeans others. BYU coach Kevin Young said after a 99-92 loss at Oklahoma State that he heard “F— The Mormons” chants coming out of the student section. BYU is the flagship school for the LDS church. Oklahoma State said it respected the Big 12’s decision and wouldn’t appeal the fine.

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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz listens as President Donald Trump speaks about TrumpRx in the South Court Auditorium in the Old Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

‘Take the vaccine, please,’ a top US health official says in an appeal as measles cases rise

A leading U.S. health official  is urging people to get inoculated against the measles at a time of outbreaks across several states. The appeal is from Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator. And it comes as the United States is at risk of losing its measles elimination status and as Oz’s boss, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has raised suspicion about the safety and importance of vaccines. Oz was interviewed Sunday on CNN and he said, “Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem.”

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A movie theater puts up a poster for the screening of a documentary about Melania Trump, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)

‘Melania’ falls steeply and ‘Send Help’ holds steady at No. 1 on a quiet weekend in theaters

Hollywood is largely ceding attention to football this weekend. The survival thriller “Send Help” repeated as the weekend’s No. 1 film at the box office and the Melania Trump documentary “Melania” fell sharply in its second weekend. Super Bowl weekend is typically one of the year’s lowest for movie attendance. The Sam Raimi-directed survivalist thriller “Send Help” lead the weekend box office with $10 million in ticket sales. Amazon MGM’s “Melania” added 300 theaters in its second weekend of release, but dropped 67% to just $2.4 million in sales. The rapid downturn means the Brett Ratner-directed documentary is likely heading toward flop territory given its high price tag.

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Lit candles next to a sign from neighbors supporting the Guthrie family outside of Nancy Guthrie’s house in the early morning hours of Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

Investigation continues a week after Savannah Guthrie mother was reported missing

The investigation into the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, continues. Authorities believe she was taken last weekend. Savannah Guthrie addressed potential kidnappers in a social media video, stating the family is prepared to pay for her safe return. The FBI is reviewing a message sent to a Tucson TV station. Multiple ransom letters have been received, but their credibility is unclear. Concerns grow for Nancy’s health due to her need for daily medication. The case has captured national attention.

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Paul Thomas Anderson wins at 78th Directors Guild Awards for ‘One Battle After Another’

Paul Thomas Anderson won the top prize at the 78th Directors Guild Awards, putting the “One Battle After Another” filmmaker on course to potentially win his first Oscar. The DGA Awards, held Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, is among the most reliable Academy Awards precursors. In the last 10 years, nine DGA winners have gone on to win best director at the Oscars. In the guild’s nearly eight-decade history, only eight times has the guild not predicted the Oscar winner. The award adds to a virtual awards-season sweep for “One Battle After Another,” the best-picture front-runner.

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FILE - Construction equipment is seen near new homes on July 11, 2025, in Happy Valley, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Voters are worried about the cost of housing. But Trump wants home prices to keep climbing

The White House is trying to show it’s lowering the cost of living, but President Donald Trump has said he doesn’t want to see the price of homes come down. He wants to keep values high. That’s something in the interest of existing homeowners and they’re a key part of his political base. And older voters tend to show up to vote more than do younger people, so Trump’s position on housing could be a factor in the November elections. But Trump’s aversion to policies that would expand housing supply and lower prices risks alienating younger voters and could hurt the chances for his Republican Party to expand its voting base.

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