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OBITUARY’s JOHN TARDY Talks New Album Plans & Possible Florida Death Metal Big Four Tour

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In the ever-grinding world of death metal, patience is often part of the process — and according to Obituary frontman John Tardy, the legendary Florida outfit are very much playing the long game when it comes to new music.

Speaking in a new interview with Alejandro Bonilla Carvajal of Colombia’s Alejandrosis, Tardy was asked about the likelihood of a follow-up to 2017’s Obituary and 2020’s Dying of Everything. While no release date is locked in, the wheels are clearly turning.

“Yeah. It’s tough,” Tardy admitted. “You come out with an album nowadays and it takes us that three, four, five years just to kind of cover all the territory [on tour] and get things done.”

Despite their relentless touring schedule, Obituary haven’t stopped writing. As Tardy explains, ideas are constantly being gathered in fragments, often in the most casual settings.

“But we’re always collecting rhythms and ideas and songtitles and things like that all day long. It’s kind of what we do,” he said. “Every time you soundcheck or something, Trevor [Peres, Obituary guitarist] just turns his amp on or something, and you’re in a cool room and he’ll come up with something and always just kind of go over to his phone, record a little bit, this and that. So you’re always collecting stuff.”

With the band remaining in high demand on the road, progress has been slow. “We’ve just been so busy, but it is kind of our goal to go ahead and start putting some of that stuff together this year,” Tardy added. “And getting some of these ideas put down and start that slow process towards maybe doing another release here, maybe next year or so.”

The conversation also turned to a hot-button topic among death metal diehards: the idea of a Florida death metal Big Four tour, featuring Morbid Angel, Deicide, Obituary and Cannibal Corpse. Former Deicide and Cannibal Corpse guitarist Jack Owen recently suggested such a tour could never happen due to a lack of camaraderie between the bands — but Tardy was quick to distance Obituary from that sentiment.

“[Laughs] That’s not us,” he said. “We have personally always been that band for as long as I can remember… We have no problem in the world opening for anybody. I don’t really care. It doesn’t bother me whatsoever to open for anybody else.”

In fact, Tardy made it clear that hierarchy and billing politics have never been Obituary‘s concern. “I would open for Cannibal Corpse or Deicide on any given day,” he said. “Maybe some other bands always aren’t like that. Maybe they feel like they should be a headlining band and maybe that means something to them. It doesn’t matter to us.”

When asked directly if he’d be open to sharing the stage with all four bands, Tardy didn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” he said. “We’ve done a couple of tours with Cannibal Corpse, and we have told Glen [Benton, Deicide frontman] before that we wanna do some tours with them before we’re all too old to do it. And he keeps promising that we’ll get together and do something. So, it wouldn’t surprise me.”

Tardy also pointed to Obituary‘s long-standing friendships outside Florida’s death metal circle, citing their recent European tour with Testament as a highlight. “We’ve been friends with Testament for the longest of time and finally just went and got to do our first European tour with Testament, which was fun for us,” he said.

Steve DiGiorgio is a really good friend… [Chuck Billy] just flew in the town this weekend. Me and my brother, we went golfing with Chuck and went and had some dinner and stuff and hung out with him.”

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Chappell Roan Leaves Wasserman Agency in Epstein Fallout

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The pop star is among a growing list of musicians speaking publicly about entertainment executive Casey Wasserman.



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AP women’s college basketball Top 25 poll breakdown

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The new AP Top 25 women’s college basketball poll is out.

The fifth-ranked Vanderbilt Commodores moved up two spots to return to the top five, replacing the LSU Tigers.

The Duke Blue Devils were the week’s biggest mover, up six spots to No. 11. Up three spots, the Baylor Bears jumped to No. 12.

What does it all mean for the AP Top 25? Let’s break down the rankings.

Stats courtesy of ESPN Research and The Associated Press.

All times Eastern.

Previous ranking: 1

2025-26 record: 25-0

Stat to know: The Huskies have 41 consecutive wins, the longest active streak in Division I and their fifth win streak of 40-plus games or longer in program history. For context, all other Division I programs have six such streaks combined.

What’s next: Wednesday vs. Creighton, 6 p.m., Peacock


Previous ranking: 2

2025-26 record: 23-1

Stat to know: The Bruins are 9-1 against AP-ranked opponents this season (that lone loss came against No. 4 Texas at the Players Era Women’s Championship on Nov. 26). Those nine wins are the most by any Division I team this season.

What’s next: Wednesday at Michigan State, 8 p.m., Peacock


Previous ranking: 3

2025-26 record: 24-2

Stat to know: South Carolina’s 43-point win against Tennessee on Sunday is the Gamecocks’ largest margin of victory against a ranked opponent in program history. Dawn Staley’s team shot 69.2% from the field, its second-highest percentage in program history. The program’s highest was 71.7% against Georgia Southern in 1987.

What’s next: Saturday at LSU, 8:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 4

2025-26 record: 22-2

Stat to know: Texas has held its opponents to under 75 points in 42 consecutive games, the second-longest active streak in Division I, behind UAlbany (43).

What’s next: Monday vs. Kentucky, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network

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1:41

Highlight: No. 4 Texas’ dominant fourth quarter secures win over No. 5 LSU

Madison Booker records 18 points while Aaliyah Crump scores 16 for the Longhorns as they pull away from the Tigers in the fourth quarter to claim a 77-64 victory.


Previous ranking: 7

2025-26 record: 22-2

Stat to know: Mikayla Blakes had 37 points against Kentucky on Thursday, her seventh 30-point game this season, which ties her with Iowa State’s Audi Crooks, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Indiana’s Shay Ciezki for most in Division I. It was her 12th such career game, tying Arkansas’ Chelsea Dungee and Texas A&M’s Chennedy Carter for the most in the SEC since 2009-10.

What’s next: Monday vs. Oklahoma, 9 p.m., ESPN2

play

0:48

Highlight: Mikayla Blakes’ offensive explosion leads No. 7 Vandy past No. 16 Kentucky

Blakes records 37 points on six 3-pointers as the Commodores win the turnover battle 20-6 and edge past the Wildcats, 84-83.


Previous ranking: 5

2025-26 record: 22-3

Stat to know: LSU has suffered only three 15-point losses in five seasons under Kim Mulkey. The Tigers lost by 24 at South Carolina in February 2023, by 15 against Ohio State in March 2022 and by 15 against Kentucky in March 2022.

What’s next: Saturday vs. South Carolina, 8:30 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 8

2025-26 record: 20-4

Stat to know: In the loss to UCLA, Olivia Olson had her fifth straight game of 20 or more points, the longest such streak by a Michigan player since Naz Hillmon had six straight in 2021-22. Overall, it was Nelson’s 12th such game this season, and ninth in Big Ten conference play — the most such conference games with 20 or more points by a Michigan player since Leigha Brown in 2022-23 (10).

What’s next: Thursday at Northwestern, 9 p.m., Peacock


Previous ranking: 9

2025-26 record: 22-3

Stat to know: After scoring 19 points in the Buckeyes’ win against Oregon on Sunday, Jaloni Cambridge is the 13th active Big Ten player to reach 1,000 career points.

What’s next: Sunday vs. Maryland, 2 p.m., FS1


Previous ranking: 6

2025-26 record: 22-4

Stat to know: Louisville’s 14-game win streak ended after falling to Duke on Thursday, to make it 3-4 against AP-ranked opponents this season. The Cardinals remain undefeated against unranked opponents (18-0).

What’s next: Thursday vs. Wake Forest, 7 p.m., ACC Extra


Previous ranking: 11

2025-26 record: 17-5

Stat to know: Raegan Beers is tied with Murray State’s Sharnecce Currie-Jelks and North Dakota State’s Avery Koenen for most double-doubles (16) in Division I.

What’s next: Monday at Vanderbilt, 9 p.m., ESPN2


Previous ranking: 17

2025-26 record: 18-6

Stat to know: Duke’s 15-game win streak is tied for the third longest following a losing streak of four-plus games in the same season in Division I over the past 25 seasons.

What’s next: Sunday vs. North Carolina, 1 p.m., ABC


Previous ranking: 15

2025-26 record: 21-4

Stat to know: Baylor has 26 consecutive 20-win seasons, the second-longest streak in Division I behind UConn. The Bears have also won 17 of their past 20 road games, a streak that dates to the 2023-24 season.

What’s next: Thursday vs. TCU, 7 p.m., ESPN


Previous ranking: 12

2025-26 record: 20-4

Stat to know: The Spartans came back from a 16-point deficit Saturday to defeat Penn State 81-70. That’s their biggest comeback and largest since 2005 when they beat Tennessee 68-64 to advance to the national championship.

What’s next: Wednesday vs. UCLA, 8 p.m., Peacock

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1:19

Michigan State Spartans vs. Penn State Lady Lions: Game Highlights

Michigan State Spartans vs. Penn State Lady Lions: Game Highlights


Previous ranking: 13

2025-26 record: 19-5

Stat to know: Cotie McMahon has scored 20 or more points 14 times this season, tied for second-most such games in the SEC with South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards (Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes has the most at 19). McMahon’s 14 are also tied for the most such games by an Ole Miss player in the past 15 seasons, with Crystal Allen.

What’s next: Thursday vs. Arkansas, 9 p.m., SEC Network


Previous ranking: 10

2025-26 record: 18-5

Stat to know: Iowa’s 11-game winning streak against Minnesota ended when the Hawkeyes fell to the Golden Gophers 91-85 on Thursday.

What’s next: Wednesday vs. Washington, 7:30 p.m., B1G+


Previous ranking: 18

2025-26 record: 22-3

Stat to know: Texas Tech has defeated Houston seven straight times. The Lady Raiders have won 28 of the past 30 matchups, and lead the all-time series 46-14.

What’s next: Tuesday vs. Kansas, 7 p.m., ESPN+


Previous ranking: 14

2025-26 record: 21-4

Stat to know: The Horned Frogs lost their most recent game at Colorado, but their home win streak remains intact: They remain tied with Texas for longest in Division I at 39. They’ve won 32 of those by double digits.

What’s next: Thursday at Baylor, 7 p.m., ESPN


Previous ranking: 16

2025-26 record: 18-6

Stat to know: Clara Strack has had 27 double-doubles as a Wildcat, tying Rhyne Howard for second most with the program since 2009-10 (Evelyn Akhator has the most with 31).

What’s next: Monday at Texas, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network


Previous ranking: 20

2025-26 record: 20-5

Stat to know: The Mountaineers have won 10 conference games for a fourth straight season.

What’s next: Wednesday vs. UCF, 7 p.m., ESPN+


Previous ranking: 22

2025-26 record: 19-6

Stat to know: Yarden Garzon leads the Big Ten in total made 3-pointers (69).

What’s next: Thursday vs. Penn State, 7 p.m., Peacock


Previous ranking: 25

2025-26 record: 20-5

Stat to know: The Tar Heels are 20-2 against unranked opponents this season (both losses have come in conference play).

What’s next: Thursday vs. SMU, 6 p.m., ACC Network


Previous ranking: 19

2025-26 record: 15-6

Stat to know: Tennessee is 1-10 against AP top-10 opponents in two seasons under Kim Caldwell, including six straight losses (their only win came against then-No. 5 UConn on Feb. 6, 2025). The record is tied for most losses against top-10 teams during that span, with Texas A&M (0-10).

What’s next: Thursday vs. Missouri, 6:30 p.m., SEC Network+


Previous ranking: 22

2025-26 record: 20-5

Stat to know: Alabama has lost only one game of 17 at home this season (a 70-59 loss to then-No. 20 Tennessee).

What’s next: Sunday vs. Oklahoma, 4 p.m., SEC Network


Previous ranking: 23

2025-26 record: 19-2

Stat to know: The Tigers have the best win percentage (.800) in Division I when tied or trailing at halftime this season.

What’s next: Friday at Columbia, 6 p.m., ESPNU


Previous ranking: 24

2025-26 record: 18-6

Stat to know: It took overtime, but the Huskies had their second-highest point total of this season Sunday against Wisconsin with 91.

What’s next: Wednesday at Iowa, 7:30 p.m., B1G+



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See the Olympic medal count for the 2026 Winter Games

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The United States is fielding its biggest Winter Olympics team ever for the 2026 Games, with 232 athletes going for the gold. Skier Breezy Johnson won America’s first gold medal of the Games in women’s downhill, and U.S. figure skaters won gold in the team competition. 

While Team USA brought home the most medals of any country at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Norway came out on top in the medal count at the last Winter Games and also holds the all-time record for winter medals.

Here is a look at where the medal count stands as the competition heats up in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the two host cities for the 2026 Winter Olympics in northern Italy.

Overall medal count for the 2026 Winter Olympics

The first medal event of the Milano Cortina Winter Games was the men’s downhill competition on Saturday, Feb. 7, with Swiss skier Franjo von Allmen winning the gold. 

The chart below is updated hourly with the latest medal count of the 2026 Games. (There are 87 teams taking part in the Winter Olympics; only teams that have won medals are listed.)

Table showing the number of medals won by each country or delegation in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.


Spotlight on Team USA’s medal count for the 2026 Olympics

In the first two days after Friday’s opening ceremony, Team USA scooped up two medals, both of them gold.

Breezy Johnson won gold in the women’s downhill, and American figure skaters won gold in the team event, helped by a dominant performance from Ilia Malinin, who is known as the “Quad God” for executing the most difficult jumps. 

Milan Cortina Olympics Figure Skating

Team USA poses with their gold medals after the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 8, 2026.

Ashley Landis / AP


Team USA is also guaranteed to come away with a medal, either silver or gold, in mixed doubles curling as it heads into the finals against Sweden on Tuesday.

What was the medal count for the 2022 Winter Olympics?

At the 2022 Winter Games, Norway took home the most medals, winning 37 in all, including 16 gold. 

Next came the ROC, the Russian Olympic Committee team, with a total of 32, followed by Germany with 27 and Canada with 26.

Team USA ranked fifth with 25 medals — nine gold, nine silver and seven bronze. 

Who has the most Olympic medals of all time?

While the International Olympic Committee does not compile rankings, the Olympic Foundation for Culture and Heritage does keep a medal tally. It counts one medal for placing first, second or third in an event regardless of how many athletes were on a team.

In the overall medal count from all previous Summer and Winter Games, the U.S. comes out on top with 3,103 medals.

The U.S. is followed in the medal count by the former Soviet Union, which earned 1,204 medals before its breakup in 1991. Germany comes third with 1,091 medals.

The U.S. has also won the most gold medals, with 1,220, according to the Olympic Foundation. 

But when it comes to the history of the Winter Olympics alone, the U.S. dips to second place in the medal count behind Norway, a perennial winter sports powerhouse.

Athletes from Norway have taken home a total of 404 medals from past Winter Games. The U.S. has previously won 330, while Germany places third with 286. 



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Landmark trial accusing social media companies of addicting children to their platforms begins

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The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements in one such trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court began on Monday.Instagram’s parent company Meta and Google’s YouTube face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums.Related video above: A separate trial against Meta began in New Mexico on Monday with opening statementsJurors got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining social media companies named as defendants.Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt spoke of the disagreement within the scientific community over social media addiction, with some believing it doesn’t exist or that addiction is not the most appropriate way to describe heavy social media use.‘Addicting the brains of children’Mark Lanier delivered the opening statement for the plaintiffs first, in a lively display where he said the case is as “easy as ABC,” which he said stands for “addicting the brains of children.” He called Meta and Google “two of the richest corporations in history” that have “engineered addiction in children’s brains.”He presented jurors with a slew of internal emails, documents and studies conducted by Meta and YouTube, as well as YouTube’s parent company, Google. He emphasized the findings of a study Meta conducted called “Project Myst” in which they surveyed 1,000 teens and their parents about their social media use. The two major findings, Lanier said, were that the company knew children who experienced “adverse events” like trauma and stress were particularly vulnerable for addiction; and that parental supervision and controls made little impact.He also showed internal Google documents that likened some company products to a casino, and internal communication between Meta employees in which one person said Instagram is “like a drug” and that employees are “basically pushers.”At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 20-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.Plaintiff grew up on YouTube, InstagramKGM made a brief appearance after a break during Lanier’s statement and she will return to testify later in the trial. Lanier spent time speaking about her childhood, and particularly focused on what her personality was like before she began using social media, saying her mother called her a “creative spark” as a child. She started using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, Lanier said. Before she graduated elementary school, she had posted 284 videos on YouTube.The outcome of the trial could have profound effects on the companies’ businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.Lanier said the companies’ lawyers will “try to blame the little girl and her parents for the trap they built,” referencing the plaintiff. She was a minor when she said she became addicted to social media platforms, which she claims had a detrimental impact on her mental health.Lanier said that despite the public position of Meta and YouTube being that they work to protect children and implement safeguards for their use of the platforms, their internal documents show an entirely different position, with explicit references to young children being listed as their target audiences.Lanier also drew comparisons between the social media companies and tobacco firms, citing internal communication between Meta employees who were concerned about the company’s lack of proactive action about the potential harm their platforms can have on children and teens.“For a teenager, social validation is survival,” Lanier said. The defendants “engineered a feature that caters to a minor’s craving for social validation,” he added, speaking about “like” buttons and similar features.Meta pushes backIn his opening statement representing Meta, Schmidt said the core question in the case is whether the platforms were a substantial factor in KGM’s mental health struggles. He spent much of his time going through the plaintiff’s health records, emphasizing that she had experienced many difficult circumstances in her childhood, including emotional abuse, body image issues and bullying.Schmidt presented a clip from a video deposition from one of KGM’s mental health providers, Dr. Thomas Suberman, who said social media was “not the throughline of what I recall being her main issues,” adding that her struggles seemed to largely stem from interpersonal conflicts and relationships. He painted a picture of a particularly troubled relationship with her mother, with KGM’s own words in text messages and testimony pointing to a volatile home life.Schmidt acknowledged that many mental health professionals do believe social media addiction can exist, but said three of KGM’s providers — all of whom believe in the form of addiction — have never diagnosed her with it or treated her for it.Schmidt emphasized to the jurors that the case is not about whether social media is a good thing, the content seen on social media, whether teens spend too much time on their phones or whether the jurors like or dislike Meta, but whether social media was a substantial factor in KGM’s mental health struggles.One case of thousands“This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project.Jurors are not being asked to stop using Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or any other forms of social media throughout the course of the trial — which is expected to last about eight weeks — but Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl emphasized that they should not make any changes to the way they interact with the platforms, including changing their settings or creating new accounts.Kuhl said that jurors should decide the liability of Meta and YouTube independently when they deliberate.A separate trial in New Mexico, meanwhile, also kicked off with opening statements on Monday.KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties.A reckoning for social media and youth harmsA slew of trials beginning this year seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children’s mental well-being.In New Mexico, opening statements began Monday for trial on allegations that Meta and its social media platforms have failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023 sued Meta and Zuckerberg, who was later dropped from the suit.A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.In addition, more than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states.TikTok also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states.Other countries, meanwhile, are enacting new laws to limit social media for children. In January, French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in September, as the idea of setting a minimum age for use of the platforms gains momentum across Europe. Australia has banned use of the platforms by kids under 16.—Associated Press Writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this story.

The world’s biggest social media companies face several landmark trials this year that seek to hold them responsible for harms to children who use their platforms. Opening statements in one such trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court began on Monday.

Instagram’s parent company Meta and Google’s YouTube face claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. TikTok and Snap, which were originally named in the lawsuit, settled for undisclosed sums.

Related video above: A separate trial against Meta began in New Mexico on Monday with opening statements

Jurors got their first glimpse into what will be a lengthy trial characterized by dueling narratives from the plaintiffs and the two remaining social media companies named as defendants.

Meta lawyer Paul Schmidt spoke of the disagreement within the scientific community over social media addiction, with some believing it doesn’t exist or that addiction is not the most appropriate way to describe heavy social media use.

‘Addicting the brains of children’

Mark Lanier delivered the opening statement for the plaintiffs first, in a lively display where he said the case is as “easy as ABC,” which he said stands for “addicting the brains of children.” He called Meta and Google “two of the richest corporations in history” that have “engineered addiction in children’s brains.”

He presented jurors with a slew of internal emails, documents and studies conducted by Meta and YouTube, as well as YouTube’s parent company, Google. He emphasized the findings of a study Meta conducted called “Project Myst” in which they surveyed 1,000 teens and their parents about their social media use. The two major findings, Lanier said, were that the company knew children who experienced “adverse events” like trauma and stress were particularly vulnerable for addiction; and that parental supervision and controls made little impact.

He also showed internal Google documents that likened some company products to a casino, and internal communication between Meta employees in which one person said Instagram is “like a drug” and that employees are “basically pushers.”

At the core of the Los Angeles case is a 20-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury.

Plaintiff grew up on YouTube, Instagram

KGM made a brief appearance after a break during Lanier’s statement and she will return to testify later in the trial. Lanier spent time speaking about her childhood, and particularly focused on what her personality was like before she began using social media, saying her mother called her a “creative spark” as a child. She started using YouTube at age 6 and Instagram at age 9, Lanier said. Before she graduated elementary school, she had posted 284 videos on YouTube.

The outcome of the trial could have profound effects on the companies’ businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.

Lanier said the companies’ lawyers will “try to blame the little girl and her parents for the trap they built,” referencing the plaintiff. She was a minor when she said she became addicted to social media platforms, which she claims had a detrimental impact on her mental health.

Lanier said that despite the public position of Meta and YouTube being that they work to protect children and implement safeguards for their use of the platforms, their internal documents show an entirely different position, with explicit references to young children being listed as their target audiences.

Lanier also drew comparisons between the social media companies and tobacco firms, citing internal communication between Meta employees who were concerned about the company’s lack of proactive action about the potential harm their platforms can have on children and teens.

“For a teenager, social validation is survival,” Lanier said. The defendants “engineered a feature that caters to a minor’s craving for social validation,” he added, speaking about “like” buttons and similar features.

Meta pushes back

In his opening statement representing Meta, Schmidt said the core question in the case is whether the platforms were a substantial factor in KGM’s mental health struggles. He spent much of his time going through the plaintiff’s health records, emphasizing that she had experienced many difficult circumstances in her childhood, including emotional abuse, body image issues and bullying.

Schmidt presented a clip from a video deposition from one of KGM’s mental health providers, Dr. Thomas Suberman, who said social media was “not the throughline of what I recall being her main issues,” adding that her struggles seemed to largely stem from interpersonal conflicts and relationships. He painted a picture of a particularly troubled relationship with her mother, with KGM’s own words in text messages and testimony pointing to a volatile home life.

Schmidt acknowledged that many mental health professionals do believe social media addiction can exist, but said three of KGM’s providers — all of whom believe in the form of addiction — have never diagnosed her with it or treated her for it.

Schmidt emphasized to the jurors that the case is not about whether social media is a good thing, the content seen on social media, whether teens spend too much time on their phones or whether the jurors like or dislike Meta, but whether social media was a substantial factor in KGM’s mental health struggles.

One case of thousands

“This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly, new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project.

Jurors are not being asked to stop using Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or any other forms of social media throughout the course of the trial — which is expected to last about eight weeks — but Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl emphasized that they should not make any changes to the way they interact with the platforms, including changing their settings or creating new accounts.

Kuhl said that jurors should decide the liability of Meta and YouTube independently when they deliberate.

A separate trial in New Mexico, meanwhile, also kicked off with opening statements on Monday.

KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.

Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.

The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties.

A reckoning for social media and youth harms

A slew of trials beginning this year seek to hold social media companies responsible for harming children’s mental well-being.

In New Mexico, opening statements began Monday for trial on allegations that Meta and its social media platforms have failed to protect young users from sexual exploitation, following an undercover online investigation. Attorney General Raúl Torrez in late 2023 sued Meta and Zuckerberg, who was later dropped from the suit.

A federal bellwether trial beginning in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.

In addition, more than 40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuits against Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms. The majority of cases filed their lawsuits in federal court, but some sued in their respective states.

TikTok also faces similar lawsuits in more than a dozen states.

Other countries, meanwhile, are enacting new laws to limit social media for children. In January, French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in September, as the idea of setting a minimum age for use of the platforms gains momentum across Europe. Australia has banned use of the platforms by kids under 16.

Associated Press Writer Morgan Lee in Santa Fe, New Mexico, contributed to this story.



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Rock the Country Officially Cancels South Carolina Date

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Rock the Country has officially canceled its Anderson, South Carolina, date following Shinedown‘s decision to bow out of the event last week and the quiet removal of the date from the festival’s website.

The Kid Rock-led traveling roadshow announced the cancellation of its Anderson date in a statement posted to social media on Monday (Feb. 9).

You can see the statement below.

Rock the Country’s full statement reads:

Rock the Country was created to unite people together through music. Our lineups and our crowds reflect that sentiment — a wide range of voices, backgrounds and stories that make up this country.

We’re truly disappointed we won’t be bringing the show to Anderson. Our fans work hard for their money, and we refuse to put on a show that doesn’t meet the standard they deserve.

Our focus remains where it’s always been: supporting our artists, honoring our fans and delivering unforgettable nights throughout the country. The shows ahead represent the heart of what Rock the Country stands for: music, community and pride in where we come from.

Loving America isn’t political; it’s who we are.

rock the country anderson south carolina cancellation statement

Rock the Country, Facebook

What Happened Last Week Before the Official Cancelation?

The first sign of trouble for Rock the Country’s Anderson date came on Friday (Feb. 6) when Shinedown announced they would not be participating in the event.

Read More: That Time Kid Rock Sang ‘I Like ‘Em Underage’ in a Song on a Kids Movie Soundtrack

“We have one boss, and it is everyone in the audience,” they said in a statement. “Our band’s purpose is to unite, not divide. With that in mind, we have made the decision that we will not be playing the Rock the Country festival.”

Shinedown’s decision came a few weeks after their drummer, Barry Kerch, called rapper Ludacris a “coward” for bowing out of the same date.

On the same day Shinedown made its announcement, Rock the Country scrubbed the Anderson date from its website. Creed, who were booked to headline the same show, also went missing from the festival site’s homepage.

You can see details on the seven remaining Rock the Country dates here.

2026 Country Music Festivals Guide

Enjoy an updated list of country music’s best festivals, across America, Canada, Great Britain and more. This list of 2026 country fests will be updated to reflect postponements, cancelations or lineup adjustments.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes





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‘An Hour of Desperation’: Savannah Guthrie Begs for Help Finding Her Mother

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The “Today” co-anchor took to Instagram as the search for Nancy Guthrie entered its second week.



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Where Seahawks rank among every Super Bowl champion since 2000

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The Seattle Seahawks’ 29-13 win over the New England Patriots emphatically answered the question of which team was the NFL’s best in 2025. Seattle was the NFC’s top team during the regular season, and Sunday night’s complete domination of the Patriots made it clear that no team was more deserving of hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy. 

A machine on both sides of the ball, Seattle allowed the fewest points in the NFL during the regular season and scored the third-most. Despite having the league’s toughest schedule, the Seahawks posted the best points differential (+246) by a Super Bowl champion since the 1999 Rams. 

While nine of their wins were double-digit outcomes, Seattle was capable of winning close games, too. In fact, the Seahawks’ most critical win during the regular season was their come-from-behind overtime win over the Rams in Week 16 that saw them overcome a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit. 

Seattle was No. 1 this season, but where do they rank among the other Super Bowl champions since 2000? Let’s find out. 

26. 2001 Patriots

The 2001 Patriots go down in history as New England’s first Super Bowl champion and one that authored one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. The Patriots were not a dominant team, but they had an opportunistic, hard-hitting defense and a young, clutch quarterback in Tom Brady, who engineered the game-winning drive that finished off the heavily favored Rams. They also had a dynamic playmaker in Troy Brown, who in addition to being nearly a 1,200-yard receiver was the NFL’s best punt returner that season. 

The 2001 Patriots scored just three offensive touchdowns in the playoffs, one in each postseason win, which is one of the main reasons why they are ranked here. 

Instead of playing for overtime, Brady and the Patriots played for the win at the end of Super Bowl XXXVI. The Patriots won it all despite scoring just three offensive touchdowns during the entire postseason. 
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Led by future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, Baltimore had a historically dominant defense, a punishing running game (led by then-rookie and future 2,000-yard rusher Jamal Lewis) and a dynamic returner in Jermaine Lewis. The Ravens were great in some elements, but they lacked an elite passing attack that contributed to the unit undergoing a five-game drought without a touchdown during the season. 

Baltimore’s defense was awesome, but it didn’t face the toughest of competition that season, especially from a quarterback standpoint (Troy Aikman was the only future Hall of Fame quarterback the team faced that season, and he and the Cowboys were on a steep decline at that point). That’s one of the reasons why the 2000 Ravens are not ranked higher. 

In addition to having a legendary defense, the 2000 Ravens had an elite return ace in Jermaine Lewis. 
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24. 2021 Rams

  • Overall record: 16-5 
  • Super Bowl: Def. Bengals 23-20 

The Rams won each of their final three games by three points, including their victory over the Bengals in Super Bowl LVI. Los Angeles’ Super Bowl win was spearheaded by three-time Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, quarterback Matthew Stafford and wideout Cooper Kupp, who capped off his brilliant season with an MVP performance in the Super Bowl. 

Along with big games from Kupp and Donald, the Rams’ Super Bowl win included a controversial holding call against Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson that helped set up Kupp’s game-winning score. The Rams’ lack of dominance hurt them when compared to other recent champions. 

Including the playoffs, Kupp tallied 2,425 receiving yards in 2021, an NFL record. He caught eight passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns in Super Bowl LVI. 
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For a second time in four years, the Giants upset the favored Patriots in the Super Bowl. New York’s upset was impressive, but it came against a weaker Patriots team this time around. 

Their Super Bowl win may not have been as impressive, but the Giants’ run through the NFC playoffs certainly was. New York shocked the 15-1 Packers in the divisional round before beating a 49ers team that represented the NFC in the following year’s Super Bowl. Quarterback Eli Manning was even better this postseason than he was in the 2007 playoffs. In four games, Manning completed 65% of his passes with nine touchdowns and just one pick. He averaged 305 passing yards per playoff game. 

Against the Patriots, Manning went 30 of 40 for 296 yards and a touchdown. His 46-yard dime to Mario Manningham set up the game-winning score. 

Eli Manning had a postseason for the ages in 2011. 
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22. 2018 Patriots

  • Overall record: 14-5
  • Super Bowl: Def. Rams 13-3

The sixth and final Patriots Super Bowl-winning team seemed more mortal than the franchise’s previous five championship squads, especially after they dropped consecutive late-season games to Miami and Pittsburgh. But the Patriots showed they were still the Patriots in the playoffs, whipping the Chargers in the divisional round before edging the Chiefs in overtime in a classic AFC Championship game. 

In the Super Bowl, the Patriots held the Rams to the lowest point tally in Super Bowl history (along with the Dolphins, who also scored just three points back in Super Bowl VI). Tom Brady made several big plays down the stretch, while Julian Edelman was the game’s MVP with 10 grabs for 141 yards. 

Rob Gronkowski’s leaping catch set up the game-clinching score that put an exclamation point on the Patriots’ dynasty. 
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Denver slumped late in the regular season before rallying off wins over the Steelers, Broncos and Panthers in the playoffs. The Broncos’ postseason charge was led by their defense, specifically Super Bowl MVP Von Miller. Denver got just enough plays from its offense and quarterback Peyton Manning, who retired following the Broncos’ Super Bowl win. 

Speaking of Manning, his second-to-last NFL game was Denver’s 20-18 win over the Patriots in one of the most thrilling AFC title games of all time. The Broncos were the only AFC team during this time period that defeated the Patriots in the playoffs, which is one of the reasons why they cracked the top 20. 

Manning, the NFL’s only five-time league MVP, embraced Cam Newton — that year’s league MVP — after the Broncos upset the Panthers in what would be the final game of Manning’s Hall of Fame career. 
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20. 2007 Giants 

  • Overall record: 14-6
  • Super Bowl: Def. Patriots 17-14

It was hard to figure out where to put this team. The Giants are responsible for one of the greatest upsets in the history of pro spots, having defeated the previously 18-0 Patriots. New York’s playoff run also included an epic win in Lambeau Field in what ended up being Brett Favre’s final game with the Packers. 

New York wasn’t that great in the regular season, though, going 10-6 and having the 14th-ranked scoring offense and 17th-ranked scoring defense. But the Giants’ strengths came to the forefront in the playoffs, especially their ferocious pass rush, Eli Manning’s clutch gene and Plaxico Burress’ ability to make big plays. 

The second-greatest upset in Super Bowl history included arguably the craziest play in Super Bowl history. 
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19. 2022 Chiefs 

  • Overall record: 17-3
  • Super Bowl: Def. Eagles 38-35 

Patrick Mahomes‘ 2018 and ’19 seasons were stellar, but his 2022 season might be his best season to date. Mahomes won his second MVP that year after leading the NFL with 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Mahomes had to play at that level for the Chiefs to win, as Kansas City’s defense allowed the most touchdown passes in the NFL that year and was second-to-last in the league in red zone efficiency. Kansas City’s defense did just enough to contain the Bengals’ high-scoring offense in the AFC Championship game, taking advantage of Cincinnati’s battered offensive line. The defense had no answer for Jalen Hurts in the Super Bowl, but Mahomes and Co. made enough plays to secure the Chiefs’ second title in four years. 

Mahomes’ arm and his legs helped the Chiefs overcome a 10-point halftime deficit in Super Bowl LVII. 
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18. 2005 Steelers

Pittsburgh became the first sixth seed to win the Super Bowl after defeating the Seahawks. The Steelers boasted a tough defense and an offense that thrived off of trick plays. Pittsburgh’s offense also featured then-second-year quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who played well during the Steelers’ historic playoff run that included a big upset over Peyton Manning’s Colts in the divisional round. Roethlisberger actually had the game-saving tackle near the end of Pittsburgh’s 21-18 win over the Colts. 

The Steelers had a solid 1-2 running back punch in Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis. Parker recorded the longest run (75 yards) in Super Bowl history, while Bettis submitted his final 100-yard rushing performance in Pittsburgh’s win over the Bears that jump-started their championship run. Pittsburgh’s offense also featured Hines Ward, who won Super Bowl MVP honors. 

Appropriately nicknamed “Fast Willie,” Parker’s record-setting run was the byproduct of his blazing speed and a crushing block from Pittsburgh guard Alan Faneca. 
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17. 2003 Patriots 

  • Overall record: 17-2 
  • Super Bowl: Def. Panthers 32-29

After missing the playoffs in 2002, many thought that the Patriots’ 2001 title may have been a fluke after the ’03 team started 2-2. Those thoughts quickly went to the wayside, though, after the Patriots reeled off 21 straight wins (first six in 2004) that included 15 straight to close out the 2003 season. 

The Patriots defeated the Panthers in a thrilling Super Bowl. This team could beat you any which way. 

The highest-scoring fourth quarter in Super Bowl history included then-Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel’s first of two career Super Bowl touchdown catches. 
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16. 2002 Buccaneers 

  • Overall record: 15-4
  • Super Bowl: Def. Raiders 48-21 

The Buccaneers were led by a legendary defense that featured future Hall of Famers Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Ronde Barber. Like the 2000 Ravens, the 2002 Buccaneers had a historically great defense but an offense that was solid but unspectacular. The Bucs, though, had a little more firepower than the Ravens, especially at receiver with Keyshawn Johnson and Keenan McCardell, who both finished their career with well over 10,000 career receiving yards. 

Tampa Bay dismantled its longtime rival, the Eagles, in the NFC title game. In the Super Bowl, the Buccaneers defense recorded a Super Bowl-record five picks that included three returned for scores. 

Jon Gruden was the final piece of Tampa Bay’s championship puzzle. 
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15. 2023 Chiefs 

  • Overall record: 15-6
  • Super Bowl: Def. 49ers 25-22 (OT) 

Kansas City started 9-6 before ripping off six straight wins. Unlike their previous two titles, the Chiefs had to go on the road in the playoffs. They defeated Josh Allen and the Bills in the divisional round before holding league MVP Lamar Jackson and the rest of the Ravens offense to just 10 points in the AFC title game. 

Unlike the previous season, the Chiefs defense was the engine that fueled Kansas City’s championship run. In the Super Bowl, the unit forced the 49ers to settle for field goals on each of their final two drives, which gave Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense a chance to respond on both occasions. 

Facing a talented 49ers team, the Chiefs prevailed in overtime after Mahomes made several big plays with his legs, including an 8-yard run on fourth down and a 19-yard scamper on third down. The Chiefs became the first team in 19 years to repeat as champions, and despite their inferior record, Kansas City’s repeat squad was better than the ’22 team. 

Mahomes added to his legacy by becoming the first QB to throw a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime in a Super Bowl. 
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14. 2012 Ravens

  • Overall record: 14-6
  • Super Bowl: Def. 49ers 34-31 

Baltimore started 9-2 before losing four of its final five games to close out the regular season. The Ravens got a jolt, though, when Ray Lewis announced before the start of the playoffs that he was going to retire at season’s end. The Ravens responded with four consecutive wins in the playoffs that included a stunning upset win over Peyton Manning’s Broncos in the divisional round. 

Quarterback Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns in the Super Bowl and was named the game’s MVP. Baltimore had to hang on for a three-point win after the 49ers staged a late rally. The Ravens got an interception in that game from future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, who like Lewis was playing in his final game with Baltimore. 

Flacco and the rest of the 2012 Ravens were elite. 
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13. 2014 Patriots 

  • Overall record: 15-4 
  • Super Bowl: Def. Seahawks 28-24 

Many declared the Patriots’ dynasty over after a Week 4 loss in Kansas City that dropped New England to 2-2. The Patriots responded with seven straight wins while reasserting their dominance over the rest of the AFC. New England had a top-five scoring offense and a top-10 scoring defense during the regular season. 

In the Super Bowl, New England dethroned the defending-champion Seahawks after overcoming a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit. The game ended with Malcolm Butler making one of the greatest plays in Super Bowl history when he picked off Russell Wilson at the goal line with under a minute left. 

After a 10-year hiatus, Brady and the Patriots were back on top. 
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12. 2017 Eagles 

  • Overall record: 16-3 
  • Super Bowl: Def. Patriots 41-33 

Philadelphia won the Super Bowl with backup quarterback Nick Foles outdueling Tom Brady. Foles was the story, but the 2017 Eagles championship run was a total team effort. Philadelphia had a top-five offense and defense during the regular season. In the playoffs, the Eagles edged the defending NFC champion Falcons in the divisional round before blowing out a talented Vikings team in the NFC title game. 

In the Super Bowl, the Eagles put 41 points on Bill Belichick’s defense, with Foles throwing for 373 yards and three touchdowns. 

Foles threw three touchdowns, but his Super Bowl catch is what went down in Super Bowl lore. 
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11. 2010 Packers

  • Overall record: 14-6
  • Super Bowl: Def. Steelers 31-25 

Aaron Rodgers went on a heater in the playoffs, but many forget how good the Packers defense was that season. The unit was second in the NFL in scoring during the regular season and forced 11 turnovers during Green Bay’s four-game playoff run. The Packers forced three key turnovers in the Super Bowl while defeating a Steelers team that had won two Super Bowls in recent years. 

Rodgers capped off a brilliant postseason with an MVP performance in the Super Bowl. 
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10. 2025 Seahawks 

  • Overall record: 17-3
  • Super Bowl: Def. Patriots 29-13 

Seattle’s excellence on both sides of the ball, coupled with its dominant performance in the Super Bowl, earned it a spot among the century’s top 10 teams. 

While they may not have the best quarterback, Sam Darnold proved he is capable of leading a team to the promised land. He was armed with a strong offensive line, a talented running back duo in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet (who missed Seattle’s final two games with an injury), the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and a former Super Bowl MVP in Cooper Kupp. 

Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense only reinforces its status as a top 10 team of the 21st century. They became the first unit since the Dolphins’ legendary “No Name” defense to not allow a single point during the first three quarters of a Super Bowl. 

Walker bullied the Patriots’ defense en route to becoming the first running back this century to win Super Bowl MVP. 
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9. 2004 Patriots 

  • Overall record: 17-2
  • Super Bowl: Def. Eagles 24-21 

This team boasted a top-five offense and defense during the regular season. New England benefitted greatly from the offseason pickup of Corey Dillon, who ran for a franchise-record 1,635 yards during the regular season. The Patriots defense was a turnover machine; the unit recorded 11 turnovers in the playoffs that included four in the Super Bowl. 

After winning their final 15 games of the 2003 season, the ’04 Patriots won their first six games to set an NFL record for the most consecutive wins. New England’s 21-game winning streak ended in Pittsburgh in Week 7, though the Patriots would get their revenge by beating the Steelers (who had gone 15-1 in the regular season) in the AFC Championship game. Tom Brady, despite dealing with the flu, frigid temperatures and Pittsburgh’s top-ranked defense, threw two touchdowns while completing nearly 67% of his passes in New England’s 41-27 win. 

The 2004 Patriots had a new weapon in Corey Dillon, who ran for 1,635 yards during the regular sesaon. 
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8. 2008 Steelers

  • Overall record: 15-4 
  • Super Bowl: Def. Cardinals 27-23 

Ben Roethlisberger avenged his rocky Super Bowl debut three years earlier by throwing the game-winning touchdown pass against the Cardinals. Big Ben’s exploits came after Pittsburgh’s historically good defense gave up two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Prior to that, the Steelers defense recorded one of the biggest plays in Super Bowl history on James Harrison’s 100-yard pick six. 

The 2008 Steelers lacked an elite offense, but they had a future Hall of Fame quarterback and a defense that was first in the NFL in scoring, passing yards allowed, red zone and third-down efficiency. The unit was led by future Hall of Famer Troy Polamalu and Harrison, that year’s Defensive Player of the Year. 

Along with having a future Hall of Fame QB, the 2008 Steelers had the Defensive Player of the Year in James Harrison and a future DPOY winner in Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu. 
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  • Overall record: 16-3
  • Super Bowl: Def. Colts 31-17

New Orleans’ lone Super Bowl win was secured after it defeated three future Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the playoffs. The Saints possessed a future Hall of Fame quarterback of their own in Drew Brees, who completed over 82% of his throws in the Saints’ Super Bowl win over the Colts. 

The Saints defense was just 20th in the NFL in points allowed during the season, but made up for that by forcing turnovers, including Tracy Porter’s game-clinching pick six in the Super Bowl. 

Drew Brees out-dueled Peyton Manning on pro football’s biggest stage. 
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6. 2006 Colts 

  • Overall record: 15-4
  • Super Bowl: Def. Bears 29-17

The ’06 Colts had one of the game’s all-time great quarterbacks in Peyton Manning, an elite receiving duo in Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and a defense that came alive in the playoffs, holding their first two postseason foes to eight and six points, respectively. The unit, led by Hall of Fame pass rusher Dwight Freeney and 2007 Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders, forced five turnovers in the Super Bowl that included a game-clinching pick six. 

This Colts’ most memorable moment was their come-from-behind, 38-34 AFC title game win over the Patriots, who had defeated the Colts in the 2003 and ’04 playoffs. 

Peyton Manning was the leader of one of the best offenses in NFL history. 
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5. 2013 Seahawks

  • Overall record: 16-3
  • Super Bowl: Def. Broncos 43-8

Similar to the Eagles’ recent Super Bowl win, not many expected the Seahawks to blow the doors off the Broncos and their record-setting offense. But that’s what happened, as Seattle’s “Legion of Boom” defense actually outscored Peyton Manning and the rest of Denver’s offense that night. Seattle’s top-ranked defense was supported by the NFL’s eighth-ranked scoring offense, led by Russell Wilson and running back Marshawn Lynch

Malcolm Smith and Seattle’s defense outscored Denver’s record-setting offense in one of the most unexpected Super Bowl outcomes ever. 
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  • Overall record: 15-5
  • Super Bowl: Def. Chiefs 31-9

Tom Brady’s first season in Tampa was looking like a bust after the team’s 7-5 start. But after their Week 13 bye, Brady and Co. ripped off eight straight wins that included three postseason wins against future Hall of Fame quarterbacks. Brady was his typical dominant self in the Super Bowl, while his defense did not allow a touchdown while applying constant pressure on Patrick Mahomes. 

This was an exceptionally talented team that should garner consideration as an all-time great squad, especially in the salary cap/free agency era. 

Brady’s seventh Super Bowl win was his first as a member of a wild card team. Brady further made history by becoming the first starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl at his home stadium. 
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3. 2016 Patriots 

  • Overall record: 17-2
  • Super Bowl: Def. Falcons 34-28 (OT)

This team went 3-1 with Tom Brady serving a suspension to start the season. When Brady came back, the Patriots were nearly unstoppable, going 14-1 that included the biggest comeback in Super Bowl history. The Patriots trailed 28-3 before staging a frantic rally that included massive plays on both sides of the ball. 

Making the Patriots’ success more impressive is the fact that they didn’t have Rob Gronkowski for the stretch run after he suffered a season-ending injury in Week 11. New England’s unrivaled depth at the skill positions that season allowed them to overcome such a big loss. It’s also one of the reasons why they took the bronze medal spot on this list. 

Brady’s fifth title cemented his legacy as the greatest QB of all-time. 
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2. 2019 Chiefs 

  • Overall record: 15-4 
  • Super Bowl: Def. 49ers 31-20 

Kansas City’s first championship team of the century was its best one. Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill were at the top of their respective games. The Chiefs defense was seventh in the NFL in points allowed, fifth in interceptions recorded and eighth in sacks. 

In the postseason, the Chiefs became the first team to win three straight playoff games after trailing by double digits, including their divisional round win over the Texans that saw them overcome a 24-0 deficit. The Chiefs’ ability to overcome sizable deficits is one of the main reasons why they came in at No. 2. 

Mahomes’ first Super Bowl win solidified his status as the NFL’s next great quarterback. 
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1. 2024 Eagles

  • Overall record: 18-3
  • Super Bowl: Def. Chiefs 40-22 

It’s hard to match the 2024 Eagles resume. Their 18 wins are tied for the most in NFL history and most by any Super Bowl champion this century. The Eagles capped off their historic season with a decisive win over a team that was on the precipice of history. 

No other Super Bowl-winning team this century had a top-10 quarterback in Jalen Hurts, two top-20 receivers in A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, a 2,000-yard rusher in Saquon Barkley, a big, powerful offensive line and a second-ranked scoring defense that wreaked havoc on quarterbacks without having to blitz. That’s why they’re No. 1. 

Kansas City focused on containing Barkley and taking their chances with Hurts. This was the end result. 
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Colombian prosecutors plan to press charges against national oil company president

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BOGOTA, Colombia — Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office said Monday it will file corruption charges against the president of national oil company Ecopetrol that hearken back to his days as a campaign manager for President Gustavo Petro.

Ecopetrol President Ricardo Roa managed the finances of Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign and prosecutors say they have enough evidence to prove he helped the campaign to illegally exceed spending limits.

Roa, an engineer who has served as Ecopetrol’s CEO since April 2023, will also be prosecuted for influence peddling, the Attorney General’s office said Monday.

Prosecutors say Roa steered Ecopetrol contracts toward a company owned by a business owner who sold him a luxurious apartment in Bogota at a steep discount. Roa has denied the corruption charges, as well as accusations that the president’s campaign exceeded spending limits.

In November, Colombia’s National Electoral Council imposed a fine on Roa and two other campaign administrators for allegedly exceeding spending limits and funding the campaign with money from illegal sources.

Petro’s presidential campaign came under fire in 2023, when a lawyer representing a government contractor with links to a paramilitary group said his client had donated thousands of dollars to the political campaign.

The president’s son, Nicolas Petro, who is under investigation for money laundering, told prosecutors in 2023 that funds from a former drug trafficker were used in his father’s campaign.

Petro has denied the charges against his campaign, and described them as an effort to undermine his government.

Colombia is holding congressional and presidential elections later this year. The nation’s constitution bars presidents from seeking reelection.

Petro has asked voters to back candidates that support his economic reforms, and to vote for members of congress that support a rewrite of the nation’s constitution.



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Quantum computing company chooses Albuquerque for U.S. expansion

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Boston-based QuEra Computing, a company at the cutting edge of quantum tech, announced it is expanding to Albuquerque. The company has international locations; this will be its second U.S. headquarters.  QuEra’s Chief Commercial Officer Yuval Boger said the company plans to make New Mexico a long-term home. “We hope to be part of […]



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