WNBA star Brittney Griner is due back home in Houston this morning, after she was released from Russian custody in a swap for an arms dealer with six years left on his prison sentence in the US. President Biden said the deal was in the works for several weeks, and that the Russians so far are not willing to deal for ex-Marine Paul Whelan, still held in Russia after four years on what the US calls trumped up spy charges.
More packages are around on porches during the holidays, and so, of course, package thefts go up each year at this time. The best advice from experts is to take steps to see that packages do not sit around on your porch for extended periods of time. You can arrange to have them delivered somewhere more safe, or ask a neighbor to take it in as soon as it shows up. Just remember, there are Scrooges out there looking to put a dent in your Christmas cheer.
The Keystone oil pipeline is being shut down after an oil leak was discovered in northern Kansas. TC Energy in Calgary estimates 14-thousand barrels had been discharged at last check. Federal regulators say investigators have been deployed to the site. No timetable so far for restarting the pipeline.
Thursday night NFL football: the LA Rams edged the Las Vegas Raiders, 17-16. On Sunday, the Detroit Lions host the Minnesota Vikings at 1pm. The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts both have byes this week.
The annual Army-Navy football game is tomorrow afternoon at 3 in Philadelphia. And the Heisman Trophy will be awarded Saturday evening. USC’s Caleb Williams is the favorite.
Fifth ranked Notre Dame women’s basketball hosts Merrimack College at noon tomorrow on Live 99-9. The Irish men host Marquette Sunday at 4 on Sports Radio 960 AM WSBT.
Hockey: the Detroit Redwings lost at Florida, 5-to-1. The Blackhawks host Winnipeg tonight at 8:30 eastern in Chicago.