Former Braves, Angels pitcher Tommy Hanson dies at 29

Tommy Hanson Former Braves Pitcher Dead At 29

Authorities are investigating the death of former Braves and Angels pitcher Tommy Hanson.

Coweta County coroner Richard Hawk said an autopsy began Tuesday, following Hanson"s death at the age of 29 on Monday night at Atlanta"s Piedmont Hospital.

Hawk said Hanson was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in Coweta County near Atlanta on Sunday. He was initially taken to a hospital in Newnan before being transferred to Piedmont.

Hawk told The Associated Press on Tuesday night "the cause and manner of death are still under investigation."

Hanson, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, pitched for the Braves from 2009-2012, winning at least 10 games each season. He pitched for the Angels in 2013 before signing minor league contracts with the White Sox in 2014 and the Giants in 2015.

Hanson was regarded as Atlanta"s top pitching prospect when he made his debut in 2011, posting an 11-4 record with a 2.89 ERA.

Hanson, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, was 49-35 with a 3.80 ERA in five major league seasons. He was 4-6 with a 4.76 ERA with two minor league teams in the Giants organization in 2015.

There were immediate expressions of shock and grief on social media following word of Hanson"s death.

Former Braves teammate Chipper Jones said on his Twitter account: "My heart is broken today. Tommy Hanson was a great teammate, friend and pitcher. We all loved and pulled for him. We ALL will miss him. #RIP"

Braves president John Schuerholz said the team was "incredibly saddened" when it learned of Hanson"s death.

"He was a favorite in the clubhouse and with our staff and he will truly be missed by everyone in Braves Country," Schuerholz said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family, former teammates and friends."

Former Braves closer Craig Kimbrel, now with the Padres, called Hanson "a great person."

Added Kimbrel on his Twitter account: "It hurts my heart to see him go so soon. My prayers and thoughts are with the Hanson family."

Hanson was the MVP of the 2008 Arizona Fall League. The league held a moment of silence for Hanson on Tuesday.

Source: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/ap/sports/former-braves-angels-pitcher-tommy-hanson-dies-at-/npKz7/

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Diwali celebrations in BC discouraged amid turmoil in India

Diwali Special - Thala Diwali | Dt 10-11-15 | Sun TV

Some Sikh leaders in Abbotsford, B.C., and across Metro Vancouver are urging toned down Diwalicelebrations amidrecent turmoil in the Punjab region of India.

Diwali, also known asthe Festival of Light,is one of the mostcolourful celebrations of the year,observedby both Hindus and Sikhs.

The holiday marks the triumph of good over evil and is associated with lighting lamps, sharing sweets, and setting off fireworks.

But this year,a numberof leaders withthe region"s gurdwaras Sikh templesare askingcommunity membersfor a quieter,more somber event.

"We"re telling people don"t bring those lights, just come and sit in the prayer hall," said Bhajan Singh Toor with the Khalsa Diwan Society in Abbotsford.

Satwinder Bains, the director for the Centre of Indo Canadian Studies at the University of the Fraser Valley,says Sikhs" request for a darker Diwali has beensparkedbyrecentincidents in the Punjab region of India.

The Sikh holy book, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib,was allegedly damaged, provoking anger among some Sikh communities in India.

"The scriptures are like a living guru to us, so to actually desecrate the holy scripture is quite sacrilegious for Sikhs," she said.

According to the BBC, some Sikhs took to the streets to protest, but in a moment of alleged police violence, twodemonstrators were killed and many more were injured.

Bainssays the turmoil in Punjab has sparked concernand a request for toned down Diwali celebrationsat a lot ofgurdwarasin the Lower Mainland,and around the world.

"If I look at San Jose, Sacramento, Los Angeles, Australia, England, I see all of them also supporting this ban," said Bains.

She says Sikhcommunities will still be gatheringand praying, albeit in a less boisterous way.

Meanwhile, at theLaxmi Narayan Mandirtemple in Surrey,Hindu priest Rakesh Sharma says Diwali will be celebrated as it always has been,with the lighting of candles.

Sharma says the festival"s main message is clear.

"Everybody live together and everybody have a peaceful life."

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/diwali-celebrations-discouraged-metro-vancouver-1.3311859

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What the candidates at the Republican debate must do to make their mark

Full Republican Debate Aug 6, 2015

As Republican presidential candidates prepare to meet Tuesday night for their fourth debate, they will be striving to make a mark among a winnowed field on the main stage of the Fox Business Network"s debate.

The smaller crowd gives the seven men and one woman participating in the prime-time face-off greater air time to make their case or more opportunities to stumble.

Here"s a look at the candidates and their key goals Tuesday night, less than three months before the first ballots are cast:

Carson and Rubio

With surging polls comes surging scrutiny. The crucial issue for Ben Carson, a mild-mannered retired neurosurgeon, and Marco Rubio, a senator from Florida, is whether they can credibly, confidently answer questions about their past under the hot stage lights. Will they stick to their tactic of blaming the media for turning minor misstatements or missteps into big deals?

Carson has climbed slightly past Donald Trump in several national and state polls. Rubio has gathered enough support in surveys to firmly plant himself among the second tier of candidates, outperforming fellow Floridian Jeb Bush, whose campaign has stumbled badly.

In recent days, Carson was accused by Politico of fabricating an offer of a full scholarship to West Point. CNN spoke to several people who knew Carson growing up and could not find any who confirmed Carson"s tales of struggling with a violent temper and trying to stab a friend.

The Wall Street Journal could find no evidence to support stories Carson has told about protecting white high school classmates from rioting black students, or being the sole student to pass an honesty test given by a Yale University professor.

Carson and his campaign have stood by the stories and accused the media of a "political hit job."

Rubio has long faced questions about how he handled his finances, including rumors of lavish spending on a state GOP credit card, and mixing personal and political expenditures. Trump recently called Rubio "a disaster with his credit cards" who "certainly lives above his means."

On Saturday, Rubio"s campaign released American Express statements that showed that Rubio charged $65,000 in party business in 2005 and 2006, significantly less than other state GOP leaders who held similar positions. The statements also showed that Rubio made eight personal charges totaling $7,200 that his campaign says he promptly repaid.

Bush

Former Florida Gov. Bush, the presumed front-runner when he entered the race, has much on the line. He has cratered in the polls, slashed staff costs, and is spending time reassuring worried donors and trying to reboot his campaign.

Bush has conceded that he is not the strongest debater among the field. On Tuesday, Bush must overcome his reticence and be more aggressive in getting equal time. He must look to deliver a memorable moment that would boost his campaign.

The most assertive appearance by Bush during a debate arguably led toone of his worst moments of the campaign. He tried to take on Rubio over his voting record in the Senate while running for president. Rubio deftly responded by pointing out Bush"s support of a GOP nominee whose voting record was far worse. Rubio then pointedly refrained from saying anything that would tarnish Bush"s accomplishments while accusing his former mentor of attacking him for political expediency.

Since then, Bush has widely acknowledged that he needs to improve and his campaign rolled out a new slogan: "Jeb Can Fix It."

TRAIL GUIDE: All the latest news on the 2016 presidential campaign >>

"I"m going to get better. I ought to get better. I know I have to get better," Bush told reporters a few days after the last debate.

Trump

After being an unpredictable force of nature during the first two GOP debates, Trump nearly faded in the background during the third face-off last month (as much as the reality television star can fade into the background anywhere).

He was more subdued, largely avoided attacking his rivals and erred when he said he never criticized Rubio for aligning himself with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg over more visas for immigrants with specific skills. A moderator pointed out that Trump"s website called Rubio "Mark Zuckerberg"s personal senator."

The change in tone occurred after Trump trailed Carson in some polls.

In recent days, Trump has taken to brutally criticizing Carson"s and Rubio"s records. Will this version of Trump the swaggering showman eager to cut down his rivals show up again Tuesday?

Cruz

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has risen into the second tier of candidates alongside Rubio. A renowned debater at Princeton University, Cruz had a high point during last month"s GOP debate, when he excoriated the moderators for showing bias against conservatives. The crowd roared with approval.

Cruz is despised by the GOP establishment and many of his fellow senators, which fuels his appeal to voters who are tired of status-quo politicians. A breakthrough moment Tuesday night could help build his appeal among those voters, many of whom are backing Trump or Carson.

The rest

Fox Business Network dropped New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Ark. Gov. Mike Huckabee off the main stage for barely registering in the polls. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Hewlett-Packard Chief Executive Carly Fiorina were fractions of a point away from the same fate. They need to catch voters" attention to retain their place in the next GOP debate, in Las Vegas in December.

seema.mehta@latimes.com

Source: http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-debate-5-things-20151110-story.html

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Accused killer of Auburn football player Jakell Mitchell to be arraigned ...

Auburn Football - Top 35 Rod Bramblett calls

Markale Hart, the man accused of fatally shooting Auburn football player Jakell Mitchell at an off-campus party, will be arraigned on murder charges next week.

Hart, who was indicted by a Lee County grand jury on Oct. 23, was originally set to be arraigned on Tuesday, according to court documents. His arraignment was rescheduled to Nov. 12 because transportation to Lee County hadn"t been arranged.

Hart is currently being held in the Limestone Correctional Facility after violating his probation on a burglary conviction in Tallapoosa County.

In an order filed Tuesday afternoon, Circuit Judge Christopher Hughes ordered Hart to be transported from Limestone on Nov. 10 in preparation for the Nov. 12 hearing.

It"s unclear from the order if Hart will remain in Lee County for the duration of his murder case or just for the day"s hearing.

Currently, Hart"s trial is set for Feb. 22.

One of Hart"s previous defense attorneys had argued Hart"s life would be in danger if he was remanded to the Lee County Detention Facility because he and his family had received death threats.

At around midnight on Dec. 14, Auburn police found Mitchell in the backseat of a vehicle at the Tiger Lodge apartments suffering from approximately five gunshot wounds. He later died at East Alabama Medical Center.

Hart was quickly developed as a suspect and was arrested later that same morning.

According to testimony at Hart"s preliminary hearing, Auburn police claim Mitchell got into an argument with Hart"s friend, Tyrone Rowe, during the party.

In his statement to Auburn police investigators, Hart claimed he was trying to get Rowe to leave the party prior to the shooting. Hart said a man known as Big D handed him a gun.

Police say Mitchell exchanged gunfire with Hart at the party. Hart claims, though, that Mitchell fired the first shots.

Hart currently doesn"t have an attorney.

Source: http://www.al.com/news/montgomery/index.ssf/2015/11/accused_killer_of_auburn_footb.html

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Update: Philadelphia radio host: "Screw Greg Hardy;" station helps raise over ...

This Is Why NFL Star Greg Hardy Was Arrested For Assaulting His Ex-Girlfriend

UPDATE: Sunday. The gofundme is up to $19,000 now. Included was this message.

Thanks so much from Josh, Tank and I, and of course from the people at Genesis Women"s Shelter. The response from Eagles fans (and even some Cowboys fans) has been unreal, and we"ve raised almost $13,000 so far.

We"ll keep this open until the start of the show on Monday, 2pm.

Please continue to share and donate, as we turn the negative of the Hardy situation into a positive for a lot of people.

We"re so proud of everyone who has helped. Thank you!

ORIGINAL STORY

Josh Innes, one of the hosts of WIP Philly radio, has raised more than $10,000 for a Dallas women"s shelter on the Website gofundme.com in the first seven hours.

The gofundme page description reads:

We"re the Josh Innes Show on SportsRadio 94WIP in Philadelphia.We"d like to raise money for the Genesis Women"s Shelter in Dallas, Texas.Instead of just complaining about Greg Hardy, we want to do something to help the cause.All money will go directly to the shelter.Let"s show everyone what Philadelphia fans are made of.http://genesisshelter.orgFind out more at genesisshelter.org.

The station"s program director --Brett "Spike" Eskin -- created the page on Friday.

Innes tweeted about the page:

Should the Dallas Cowboys release Greg Hardy?Latest on Greg Hardy and image reveal

Report reveals graphic images, interview details from recently expunged assault case against Cowboys" Greg Hardy

Tumultuous timeline of Greg Hardy

Reaction

Gosselin: Greg Hardy"s ex-girlfriend revelation makes me shudder, but Cowboys will do nothing

Hardy is a bad dude, but how many other women are cowering from domestic abusers tonight?

Latest evidence: Dallas Cowboys are Americas Team of free passes to troubled players

Philly radio host: "Screw Greg Hardy;" station helps raise over $10,000 for Dallas women"s shelter

Reaction from former NFL players: Has Cowboys" Greg Hardy played his last game?

Ex-NFL punter posts Cowboys public relations number, blasts NFL for Greg Hardy

Media reaction: Sickening, disgusting and vile; Greg Hardy should never play another down

Hardy"s in-game outburst

Moore: Amid this drama, why would Jerry Jones talk about an extension for Hardy? Here"s why

George: The truth behind the shoving match, Greg Hardy-Dez Bryant spat on Cowboys" sideline

Cowlishaw: Greg Hardy? Expect reeling Cowboys to permit anything, everything

Theismann blasts Cowboys execs for Greg Hardy; ex-NFL GM: It"s like Dez and Haley

Jets receiver gets emotional about Greg Hardy: "I don"t think that he learned his lesson"

Hardy responds and talks hot wives

The 10 most interesting things Greg Hardy said, including basing his Pro Bowl picks on hot wives

Columnist blasts Cowboy: Ray Rice apologizes, shunned; Greg Hardy doesn"t, welcomed

National reaction to Hardy comments about Brady"s wife, coming out "guns blazing": Hasn"t learned; "worst possible metaphor"

Reaction tosigning with Dallas

Greg Hardy:"I don"t care if [you] like me; happy to have an opportunity"

Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings: "This was a shot in the gut"

WFAA-TV"s Dale Hansen: Jason Garrett a fraud or puppet

Domestic abuse is awful, but Greg Hardy deserves a second chance

What columnists, players, VIPs said about Greg Hardy

The Hardy file

Who is the real Greg Hardy? His upbringing, inconsistency, alter egos (Kraken, LeBron beater)

Breaking down Greg Hardy"s deal with Cowboys

10 things you might not know about new Cowboy Greg Hardy

Greg Hardy refuses to autograph Carolina Panthers helmet; pulls out $100 bill, signs it for fan

On Twitter:@SportsDayDFW

Source: http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/20151106-update-philadelphia-radio-host-screw-greg-hardy-station-helps-raise-over-19000-for-dallas-women-s-shelter.ece

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USC Football Podcast: Reign of Troy Radio, Episode 97

Football: USC 38, Arizona 30 - Highlights (11/7/15)

Reign of Troy Radio returns with a new USC football podcast to look back at the Trojans win over Cal and their play this season to date.

RELATED:50 Greatest Trojans of the Last 50 Years

This two hourepisode is hosted by Michael Castillo and features Reign of Troy editor Alicia de Artola, along with Josh Webb of USCFootball.com and Athlon Sports.

Having trouble? Listen on Soundcloud.

Heres whats on tap in our USCFootball Podcast:

• This weeks RoT Radio looks back a Saturdays game between the Trojans and the Golden Bears. We talk Ronald Jones IIs involvement, Tre Maddens big play at the end and Adoree Jacksons pick six.
• USC finished the game against Cal, but it was close to slipping away. We dive into the problems USC has in that regard.
• The team answers listener questions and calls on the Reign of Troy Rant Line, including concerns about JuJu Smith-Schusters broken hand and the odd phenomenon of playing up for an interim head coach.
• The podcast concludes with a game of This or That and a discussion of the embarrassing things we love.

Stay tuned to Reign of Troy Radio, as well be back to recapthe Trojans game against the Arizona Wildcats, along with the latest in USC football news and analysis.

As always, be sure to follow us on Twitter for the latest on the Trojans and be sure to give us a call on the Reign of Troy Rant Line at 213-373-1872.

Source: http://reignoftroy.com/2015/11/05/usc-football-podcast-reign-of-troy-radio-episode-97/

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College football rankings: Iowa moves to #8

College football rankings

The Hawkeyes move to number 8 in the AP College Football rankings after defeating Indiana, 35-27.

The 2015Hawkeyes are now the second team inIowa"s history to begin a season with a 9-0 record. The first was back in "09 and that team won the Orange Bowl.

TheHawkeyes entered the weekend at number 9 in the polls but have now moved up a spot, to number 8.

Four teams will qualify for the end of the year championship playoff.

Here"s a look at the top ten:

1.Ohio State

2. Clemson

3. Baylor

4. Alabama

5. Oklahoma St.

6. Notre Dame

7. Stanford

8. Iowa

9. LSU

10. Florida

Source: http://www.kwwl.com/story/30465877/2015/11/08/college-football-rankings-iowa-moves-to-8

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