STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Federal investigators will begin sifting through the wreckage of a business jet that crashed in North Carolina and killed all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family. Investigators will examine the crash site of the Cessna C550 at Statesville Regional Airport, north of Charlotte. Records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of Thursday's crash wasn’t immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane’s return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions. NASCAR says the news is devastating. The 55-year-old Biffle won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle has died in a North Carolina plane crash along with his wife, two children and three others. He was 55. Biffle won championships in the Truck and Xfinity Series and drove for years in the Cup Series for Roush Fenway Racing. Biffle was also recognized for his aid work after Hurricane Helene, using his helicopter to deliver supplies. He returned to racing briefly in 2022 after semi-retirement in 2016. Biffle's legacy includes 54 wins and a deep love for flying. Tributes have poured in from the racing community and beyond.
GLOUCESTER, England (AP) — Michael Edwards, famously known as "Eddie the Eagle," has transitioned from Olympic ski jumper to small-time actor as he expands his repertoire. On opening night of "Beauty and the Beast," he felt the same jitters he experienced during his ski jumping days. Edwards, who became Britain's first Olympic ski jumper in 1988, has since embraced various roles, from recording songs to speaking engagements. Despite some financial setbacks and a divorce, Edwards remains grateful for his enduring fame. Now 62, he continues to entertain audiences, proving that his spirit and determination have kept him soaring.
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks rallied to stun the Los Angeles Rams and take a one-game lead in the NFC West. Sam Darnold connected with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a touchdown in overtime, then hit a wide-open Eric Saubert for the winning 2-point conversion as the Seahawks beat the Rams 38-37. Seattle overcame a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. The Seahawks went 3 for 3 on 2-point conversions. Matthew Stafford threw for 457 yards and three touchdowns for the Rams, and Puka Nacua had 225 yards receiving and two scores. The Seahawks are 12-3. They clinched a playoff spot and moved into position for the top seed in the NFC.
SEATTLE (AP) — Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua’s tumultuous Thursday started with an apology, and ended with more controversial remarks. In between, he had a career-best performance. Nacua apologized Thursday for performing a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes on an internet livestream, then stayed in the spotlight Tuesday night as he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Rams’ 38-37 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. After the game, he expressed frustration on social media with a post that referenced referees before removing it. Earlier Thursday, Nacua posted his apology in an Instagram post.
NEW YORK (AP) — The WNBA players have authorized their union’s executive council to call a strike if necessary. That's according to an announcement Thursday by the WNBPA. The union and league have been negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement for the past few months, extending the deadline a couple of times with the latest one set to expire Jan. 9. This move gives union negotiators another tool to use in talks. The union said there was overwhelming support in the vote to allow the executive council to call for a strike when it sees fit. Players and owners have been negotiating regularly.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — LeBron James was amazed by Luka Doncic's performance after Doncic scores 45 points, 14 assists, and 11 rebounds in a win over the Utah Jazz. James, who had 28 points and 10 assists, praised Doncic's skills. Doncic achieved his first 40-point triple-double as a Laker and became the second player to have a 45-point triple-double with five steals since the NBA began tracking steals. Doncic highlighted his single turnover as the best stat of the night. The Lakers improved to 10-0 in crunch time with Doncic leading the charge.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Bettors aren't rushing to place wagers on the opening week of this season's College Football Playoff, except for Friday night's Alabama-Oklahoma showdown. The presence of two Group of Five teams, Tulane and James Madison, as underdogs has lessened excitement. Mississippi is favored over Tulane, and Oregon over James Madison. Joey Feazel from Caesars Sportsbook says excitement may increase in later rounds. The most anticipated matchup is Oklahoma against Alabama, and the betting line has been fluctuating. Ohio State remains the overall favorite despite losing the Big Ten championship. Lane Kiffin's absence from Ole Miss adds uncertainty to its playoff performance.
At first glance, Tulane’s visit to Ole Miss for a first-round College Football Playoff game looks like a mismatch of a rematch. Circumstances have changed, however, since the Rebels routed the Green Wave 45-10 back on Sept. 20. The 11th-seeded Green Wave are 11-2 and have evolved into a more cohesive squad on the way to an American Conference title. The Rebels are 11-1 and in the midst of a coaching transition following the untimely departure of Lane Kiffin for rival LSU. Golding says Tulane has looked a much improved team lately and that the Rebels know they'll have their hands full. But so will Tulane. Odds makers has listed Ole Miss as more than two-touchdown favorites.
So much for home-field advantage in December. Nine road teams are favorites in Week 16, including two playing in matchups for first place in three of the four NFC divisions. The Green Bay Packers take on the Chicago Bears for the second time in three weeks to determine first in the NFC North on Saturday night. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers go head-to-head in the first of two meetings over the final three weeks that will settle the NFC South. The Packers and Buccaneers each are road favorites on BetMGM Sportsbook.
Finals
NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Final Washington 4 Toronto 0
Final Ottawa 4 Pittsburgh 0
Final Montreal 4 Chicago 1
Final Edmonton 3 Boston 1
Final Minnesota 5 Columbus 2
Final Los Angeles 2 Tampa Bay 1
Final Buffalo 5 Philadelphia 3
Final OT N-Y Rangers 2 St. Louis 1
Final Calgary 4 Seattle 2
Final Dallas 5 San Jose 3
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Final OT Seattle 38 L.A. Rams 37
TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Final (25)Georgia 112 Western Carolina 82