These were the wildest local stories of 2024

The 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s basketball bracket caused controversy when the North Carolina Tar Heels were selected as a "First Four" team against San Diego State for the No. 11 seed in the South Region, with social media backlash questioning their inclusion despite a 1-12 record in Quadrant 1 games. UNC Athletic Director Bubba Cunningham defended the decision, citing the selection committee's process and recusal policies. While some argued for UNC's recent performance and tough...

Three people were critically injured in a shooting in Chicago's Humboldt Park neighborhood on Sunday afternoon. A 16-year-old boy was shot in the armpit and transported to St. Mary Hospital before being moved to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. An 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were also shot multiple times and were last listed in critical condition at Stroger Hospital. Police are investigating, and no arrests have been made as of Sunday evening. Full...

Zach Pressnell, a Newsweek contributor specializing in MLB content, reported on the Chicago White Sox releasing Joey Gallo due to his struggles at the plate. Gallo announced on Twitter that he was transitioning to a pitcher, citing his strong arm and past experience as a two-way player. While no teams have shown interest yet, Gallo's background as a pitcher may give him a head start in his new career path. Full Article

The Liberty acquired guard Natasha Cloud from the Sun in exchange for their No. 7 overall pick in the WNBA draft this year and a future first-round pick in 2026. Cloud, who is entering her 10th WNBA season, previously played for the Phoenix Mercury and was part of a trade involving the Sun and Alyssa Thomas. The Liberty's general manager expressed excitement about adding Cloud to the team, praising her as a player who embodies...

Dr. Rasha Alawieh, a doctor and assistant professor at Brown Medicine, was deported to Lebanon after returning from a trip to her home country despite holding a valid U.S. visa. Court documents alleged that Customs and Border Protection detained her without justification at Boston Logan International Airport for 36 hours before sending her back in violation of a federal judge's order. Alawieh, a Lebanese citizen with an H-1B visa for her employment at Brown Medicine,...

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson announced his engagement to longtime girlfriend Jilly Anais on social media, sharing a photo of her ring with the caption "Mrs. Watson Loading…" amid uncertainty about his future with the team due to a second Achilles tendon injury. The Browns recently restructured Watson's contract twice to clear cap space, totaling nearly $36 million, after signing him to a $230 million deal in 2022. Despite the team's moves at the quarterback...