MEXICO CITY — Gunmen opened fire at a soccer field in central Mexico on Sunday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 12, authorities said.
Salamanca Mayor Cesar Prieto said in a statement posted to social platforms that the gunmen arrived at the end of a soccer match.
Ten people at the scene and one died later at a hospital. The mayor said a woman and a minor were among the wounded.
Prieto said the attack was part of a “crime wave” in the city and appealed to President Claudia Sheinbaum for help to control the violence.
The Guanajuato state prosecutor’s office said it was investigating and coordinating with federal authorities to reinforce security in the area.
Guanajuato had Mexico’s highest homicide total last year. A local gang, Santa Rosa de Lima, has been battling the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel.
“Unfortunately, there are criminal groups trying to subjugate authorities, something they are not going to achieve,” the mayor said.
Overall, Mexico’s government says the country’s 2025 murder rate was the lowest since 2016 at 17.5 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, although analysts cautioned that the numbers may not fully reflect the country’s violence.
MELBOURNE, Australia — Jessica Pegula‘s Australian Open campaign through the first three rounds had been built on unrivaled composure and smart tennis. On Monday, she added something else: a statement.
The world No. 6 didn’t just beat defending champion and close friend Madison Keys on Rod Laver Arena, she completely dismantled her game with intelligence and discipline, showing a level of tactical nous that feels every bit like a player who is ready to win a Grand Slam.
The 31-year-old advanced to the quarterfinals in Melbourne with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over 9th-seed Keys to extend her flawless run — and is still yet to drop a set all tournament.
This was already the most intriguing matchup of the day. It was set up as a clash between Keys’ explosive, powerful shot making versus Pegula’s efficiency. What unfolded was, well, that, but also something a bit more telling. It was a lesson in how to combat an opponent’s strengths with shape, variety and pressure.
“[I’m] happy with the way I was able to serve I think on some really big, key points, execute my strategy,” Pegula said after the match.
“I have been seeing, hitting, moving, I feel like very well this whole tournament, and to be able to keep that up against such a great player as Madi and defending champion was going to be a lot tougher of a task today, but I think I was still able to do that really well.”
From the opening games of the first set, Pegula’s intent was clear. She was always on the front foot, stepping forward on the Keys serve to break early, and had service games with impeccable placement to constantly force movement in her opponent, rather than allowing Keys to plant herself and get the upper-hand in points with aggressive returns.
Wide serves, angled groundstrokes, looping forehands, slices, and then a flat cross-court strike. Anything that prevented the 2025 winner from finding rhythm, Pegula did.
Keys still produced the spectacular, of course. There were big serves, and moments of brilliance, including several big backhand winners down the line that reminded everyone why her ceiling remains as high as anyone’s on tour — and Pegula that she’d need to stay consistent and not drop her level or the threat of a Keys comeback would always be on.
But the problem for Keys was her own consistency. Too often she ended the point with a winner, or Pegula’s variety and depth forced an error.
The numbers told the story in a really brutal way.
After 10 games, with Pegula holding a 6-3, 1-0 lead, Keys had hit 14 winners but also 20 unforced errors. Pegula? Five and five. By the end of the match, Keys finished with a whopping 26 winners but 28 unforced errors. Pegula? 12 and 13.
It was high-risk, powerful ball-striking tennis clashing against a high-IQ, steady game, and the latter is what prevailed.
The second set followed much the same pattern with Pegula holding a slight lead the whole way through. It was a physical edge, but also a psychological one. She continued to absorb the Keys serve, she wouldn’t blink, she forced the extra balls, hit the angles, and her execution under fourth-round pressure was immense.
Even on serve, where an argument could be made that Pegula may be slightly vulnerable, there was a clear contrast. Just one double fault compared to six.
“It was really important to focus on my serve,” Pegula said. “It was very tough on that one side serving into the sun. I lost that game. And I was kind of, like, you know what … she hit a couple good shots, whatever. Just don’t dwell on it that much.
“I needed to really stay focused. I think just keep my feet moving, keep my body weight going forward. Sometimes when you get a little nervous or playing really well, sometimes you kind of just relax, and it’s hard to do that against someone like Madi who can flip matches really quickly by hitting a couple of big forehands and winners, and all of a sudden she hits a couple good serves, and it’s already back to even.”
There was so much added interest in this contest. The two co-host “The Player’s Box” podcast and are close friends. It was the first women’s Australian Open match between top 10-seeded Americans since Serena Williams and Lindsay Davenport played in the 2005 final.
Pegula now moves into quarterfinals, playing incredibly efficient tennis that can unravel most rivals. No sets dropped. Only 17 games lost.
For years her consistency has been admired and rightly so, but the critics had often labeled her the great quarterfinal regular. Maybe that’s fair — she hadn’t broken through that stage of a Slam until 2024.
She arrived in Melbourne still chasing that major title and those same questions still lingered. When will she finally breakthrough? When will she finally claim the ultimate? Is she “too consistent”? Are there enough weapons? Is she great without being a champion?
For Pegula, it’s all just outside noise that she doesn’t think about.
“I felt like if I’m making quarters of a Slam, that’s pretty good,” she said. “So I never really understood the negativity towards it, or I guess just the headline of, you know, how does she get past the quarters?
“I mean, the fact that I’m putting myself in that many positions I feel like is a feat in itself. … [At the] US Open, I [made] finals, made semis, and that felt like normal. So to me it doesn’t really feel that much different. I think maybe even now I’m even more comfortable knowing that I’ve gotten further, it doesn’t feel, I don’t know, as big of a deal to be in the quarters.”
It’s performances like this, against the defending champion no less, that offer the best possible counter-argument. It’s performances like this that also suggest maybe that breakthrough isn’t coming, maybe it’s actually already in play. And maybe it’s time to shift the narratives.
Pegula’s task doesn’t get any easier: She’ll face No. 4 seed Amanda Anisimova in the quarterfinal. While Pegula is 3-0 against her, this will be the first time they’ve played at the Grand Slam level.
Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.Led by second-year coach Mike Macdonald and Darnold — an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team — the Seahawks (16-3) reached the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 11 years. Seattle lost that most recent appearance to New England, its opponent in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.With Los Angeles (14-6) facing fourth-and-4 at the Seattle 6 with 4:59 remaining, coach Sean McVay elected to go for it and Matthew Stafford’s pass was broken up in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon. The Rams didn’t get the ball back until there were 25 seconds left, and Puka Nacua was tackled inbounds near midfield on the final play.Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams were undone by critical errors, including a muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the third quarter. On the next play, Darnold connected with Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown and a 24-13 lead.Darnold, who flopped in his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings, played through an oblique injury and completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards with no turnovers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 153 yards receiving — the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history — and a touchdown on 10 catches.“It’s amazing,” Darnold said. “To be able to do it with these guys in this locker room, though, with this coaching staff, that’s why it means the world to me.”The Seahawks led 31-20 late in the third quarter on Darnold’s 13-yard TD pass to Cooper Kupp, but the Rams got back into the game when Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was flagged for taunting after breaking up a pass to Nacua on third-and-12, giving Los Angeles a first down.On the next play, Stafford threw at Woolen again, and Nacua beat him in the corner of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown.The Rams forced a punt on Seattle’s next possession and went on a 14-play, 84-yard drive that came up empty thanks to Witherspoon’s pass breakup.Seattle stayed aggressive on its final possession, with Darnold throwing for three first downs to run out most of the clock.Davante Adams and Kyren Williams had receiving TDs for the Rams, and Kenneth Walker III rushed for a score for the Seahawks.Darnold set the tone with his first completion of the game, a 51-yarder to Rashid Shaheed. Four plays later, Walker ran 2 yards for a TD to make it 7-0.The Rams settled for field goals by Harrison Mevis on their next two possessions. With Los Angeles trailing 10-6, Stafford led a 12-play, 87-yard drive and connected with a wide-open Williams for a 9-yard score.Los Angeles forced a three-and-out late in the second quarter, but after two straight incompletions by Stafford, the Rams punted the ball back, and it took Darnold just 34 seconds to put the Seahawks ahead for good.Smith-Njigba caught a deep ball from Darnold, absorbed a big hit by Kam Curl and held on for a 42-yard gain. Four plays later, Darnold and Smith-Njigba hooked up for a 14-yard TD that made it 17-13 heading into halftime.“I told my team, I’m going to do whatever it takes. Whatever y’all ask of me, I’m gonna get it done, whatever that might be,” said Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s leading receiver in the regular season. “And that’s what you saw today. You just saw grit, determination, you saw passion out there and you saw a group, a collective, going out there and getting the job done.”
SEATTLE —
Sam Darnold threw for three touchdowns, the Seahawks’ “Dark Side” defense came up with a critical fourth-down stop, and Seattle advanced to the Super Bowl, beating the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in an electrifying NFC championship game on Sunday.
Led by second-year coach Mike Macdonald and Darnold — an eight-year veteran playing for his fifth team — the Seahawks (16-3) reached the fourth Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 11 years. Seattle lost that most recent appearance to New England, its opponent in two weeks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
With Los Angeles (14-6) facing fourth-and-4 at the Seattle 6 with 4:59 remaining, coach Sean McVay elected to go for it and Matthew Stafford’s pass was broken up in the end zone by Devon Witherspoon. The Rams didn’t get the ball back until there were 25 seconds left, and Puka Nacua was tackled inbounds near midfield on the final play.
Stafford threw for 374 yards and three touchdowns, but the Rams were undone by critical errors, including a muffed punt by Xavier Smith in the third quarter. On the next play, Darnold connected with Jake Bobo for a 17-yard touchdown and a 24-13 lead.
Darnold, who flopped in his playoff debut last season with the Minnesota Vikings, played through an oblique injury and completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards with no turnovers. Jaxon Smith-Njigba had 153 yards receiving — the second-most in a playoff game in franchise history — and a touchdown on 10 catches.
Godofredo A. Vásquez
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle.
“It’s amazing,” Darnold said. “To be able to do it with these guys in this locker room, though, with this coaching staff, that’s why it means the world to me.”
The Seahawks led 31-20 late in the third quarter on Darnold’s 13-yard TD pass to Cooper Kupp, but the Rams got back into the game when Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen was flagged for taunting after breaking up a pass to Nacua on third-and-12, giving Los Angeles a first down.
On the next play, Stafford threw at Woolen again, and Nacua beat him in the corner of the end zone for a 34-yard touchdown.
The Rams forced a punt on Seattle’s next possession and went on a 14-play, 84-yard drive that came up empty thanks to Witherspoon’s pass breakup.
Seattle stayed aggressive on its final possession, with Darnold throwing for three first downs to run out most of the clock.
Davante Adams and Kyren Williams had receiving TDs for the Rams, and Kenneth Walker III rushed for a score for the Seahawks.
Darnold set the tone with his first completion of the game, a 51-yarder to Rashid Shaheed. Four plays later, Walker ran 2 yards for a TD to make it 7-0.
The Rams settled for field goals by Harrison Mevis on their next two possessions. With Los Angeles trailing 10-6, Stafford led a 12-play, 87-yard drive and connected with a wide-open Williams for a 9-yard score.
Los Angeles forced a three-and-out late in the second quarter, but after two straight incompletions by Stafford, the Rams punted the ball back, and it took Darnold just 34 seconds to put the Seahawks ahead for good.
Smith-Njigba caught a deep ball from Darnold, absorbed a big hit by Kam Curl and held on for a 42-yard gain. Four plays later, Darnold and Smith-Njigba hooked up for a 14-yard TD that made it 17-13 heading into halftime.
“I told my team, I’m going to do whatever it takes. Whatever y’all ask of me, I’m gonna get it done, whatever that might be,” said Smith-Njigba, the NFL’s leading receiver in the regular season. “And that’s what you saw today. You just saw grit, determination, you saw passion out there and you saw a group, a collective, going out there and getting the job done.”
Two Democratic formerpresidents on Sunday condemned the scenes in Minnesota after Alex Pretti was killed this weekend, framing the tragedy as a pivotal moment that calls Americans to “speak up” and take action.
Former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama called Pretti’s death a “heartbreaking tragedy” in a statement.
“It should also be a wake-up call to every American, regardless of party, that many of our core values as a nation are increasingly under assault,” the Obamas wrote.
The Obamas criticized the “unprecedented tactics” the Department of Homeland Security has employed, saying “people across the country have been rightly outraged by the spectacle of masked ICE recruits and other federal agents acting with impunity and engaging in tactics that seem designed to intimidate, harass, provoke and endanger the residents of a major American city.”
The Obamas said that “rather than trying to impose some semblance of discipline and accountability over the agents they’ve deployed, the President and current administration officials seem eager to escalate the situation, while offering public explanations for the shootings of Mr. Pretti and Renee Good that aren’t informed by any serious investigation — and that appear to be directly contradicted by video evidence.”
An ICE officer shot and killed Good this month in a residential area of Minneapolis.
The Obamas called on every American to “draw inspiration from the wave of peaceful protests in Minneapolis and other parts of the country” and said they hope administration officials change their approach and work with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey “to avert more chaos and achieve legitimate law enforcement goals.”
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Obama was exploiting the moment to “sow more division.”
“Obama should join President Trump in urging local Democrat leaders — like Walz and Frey — to work with the Trump Administration to remove dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities,” Jackson said in a statement. “Instead,they are attacking law enforcement and defending criminal illegal aliens with additional convictions for murder, rape, assault, and more.”
“Over the course of a lifetime, we face only a few moments where the decisions we make and the actions we take will shape our history for years to come. This is one of them,” he wrote.
Clinton said “the people in charge” are lying to the public and telling them “not to believe what we’ve seen with our own eyes.”
“It is up to all of us who believe in the promise of American democracy to stand up, speak out, and show that our nation still belongs to We the People,” he added.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Clinton’s statement.
NBC News has reached out to the offices of former Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush for comment.
Raquel Coronell Uribe is a breaking news reporter.
These clubs find themselves en route to Santa Clara for the big game after eking out wins on Championship Sunday, albeit in different fashions. Seattle had to throw its way to a Super Bowl appearance as Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship. Meanwhile, New England churned out a 10-7 win during a snowy AFC Championship against the Denver Broncos at Mile High. The Patriots leaned on defense and Drake Maye’s rushing ability to punch their ticket.
While these are widely different versions of these clubs, this is a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX back during the 2014 season. That game is remembered most for Malcolm Butler’s infamous goal-line interception to give Tom Brady and the Patriots their then-fourth Super Bowl title in franchise history, and spoil Russell Wilson and the Seahawks bid at back-to-back championships.
That’s the history. But what does the future have in store for us in this upcoming Super Bowl? What do the oddsmakers think of this matchup? Below, we’ll comb over the initial lines for Super Bowl LX and also highlight some of the notable favorites for Super Bowl MVP.
While Lumen Field and Gillette Stadium are two of the better home-field advantages that the NFL has to offer, both Seattle and New England were superb on the road this season, which could help them on this neutral site at Levi’s Stadium for Super Bowl LX.
With their win over the Broncos in the AFC Championship, New England became the first team in NFL history to go 9-0 on the road. Mike Vrabel’s team was also 7-2 ATS in those nine road matchups. As for Seattle, they did not go undefeated on the road like the Patriots, but were an equally impressive 8-1 on the road. They also come into this Super Bowl with an NFL-best 8-1 ATS road record.
Naturally, both quarterbacks are going to be No. 1 and No. 2 in the odds to win Super Bowl MVP. With the Seahawks favored, it makes sense to see Darnold as the odds-on favorite for the award. Seven of the last 10 Super Bowl MVPs were quarterbacks. Two of the remaining three were wide receivers (Cooper Kupp in Super Bowl LVI and Julian Edelman in Super Bowl LIII), while Von Miller (Super Bowl 50) was the other non-QB MVP and lone defensive player to earn the distinction over the last decade.
Interestingly, both Kenneth Walker III and Rhamondre Stevenson have favorable odds out of the gate. If either of them is named Super Bowl MVP, they’d become the first running back to earn the award since Terrell Davis after Super Bowl XXXII.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Bernalillo County Sheriff deputies say they had to rescue two people hiking the La Luz Trail because conditions became dangerous. They went on to say that open space deputies had to assist the hikers, and it wasn’t just dangerous for them; it was dangerous for rescue teams as well. Deputies say they […]
Kelly Clarkson showed up when it mattered most — even for someone she had a complicated past with.
The pop-country powerhouse quietly stepped away from her Las Vegas residency in August 2025, just before her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock passed away following a private three-year battle with melanoma.
The two had endured a very public, often messy split. But in his final days, Clarkson put everything aside to be there for the father of her children.
“Kelly was extremely compassionate towards Brandon when he was sick,” a source told Star. “She put all the bad blood to one side and went out of her way to make his last days as comfortable and non-confrontational as possible.”
Just one day before his passing, Clarkson announced she was postponing her Vegas shows “to be fully present” for their children, daughter River Rose (11) and son Remington (9).
It was a quiet but powerful decision, and one that reflects how Clarkson continues to honor the best parts of their shared history — even amid heartbreak.
“Kelly goes above and beyond to say good things about Brandon, especially when it comes to the kids,” the insider added. “Yes, they had a terrible breakup, but there were also very special times — memories she’ll legitimately cherish.”
A Quiet Healing Journey
Since Blackstock’s death, Clarkson has kept her focus on creating stability and love for their two children. In a recent behind-the-scenes clip from The Kelly Clarkson Show, she shared how something as simple as snuggling with her kids has been a comfort.
“My kids, they’re 9 and 11. Kind of that special little fun stage where they can wipe their own behinds, but they’re still small enough to love cuddling and love snuggles,” she said with a smile.
“It’s a lot,” she admitted, “but it’s been really special. The conversations you have during that time are pretty cute.”
Those late-night talks likely hold space for some harder truths, too. Clarkson and Blackstock were not only co-parents, but also former creative and business partners — and working through that history hasn’t been easy.
Still Standing — and Moving Forward
These days, Clarkson is keeping busy with the things that have always grounded her: family, work, and music.
Between The Kelly Clarkson Show, her upcoming return to The Voice for Season 29, and her resumed Las Vegas residency, she’s balancing it all — while making space for healing.
“It’s been really special,” she said of this chapter in motherhood.
And even as her own heart continues to mend, Clarkson’s focus hasn’t changed — her children remain at the center of it all.
Country Women Whose Husbands Died Too Soon
It’s a sorority you never want to be a part of. Learn the stories of country women whose husbands died too soon. Also included are singers who lost a very longterm boyfriend, ex-husband and more.
That is the historic National Finals Rodeo (NFR) earnings total it took for team ropers Andrew Ward and Jake Long to etch their names in history as the 2025 World Champion header and heeler.
The duo also claimed the coveted NFR Aggregate title, steadily climbing their way to the top, with their world championship fate decided in the final round. Both athletes are veterans of the sport, with Ward owning six NFR qualifications and Long 15. Together, they accomplished a lifelong goal and now carry significant momentum into the Texas Swing and the 2026 PRCA season.
December proved especially sweet for the Oklahoma- and Kansas-based athletes.
“It was a lot of fun seeing family over the holidays and having them celebrate with us after watching us work toward a world title over the years,” Ward said, reflecting on spending the holiday season with loved ones following a thrilling championship race.
Ward also acknowledged that the magnitude of becoming a world champion has not fully settled in yet.
“I don’t know what the title fully sinking in will feel like,” he said. “It’ll be pretty special when we get the gold buckle in the mail with our names on it. I’m just so thankful for it.”
As the calendar turns, so does the PRCA season, and attention is already fixed on the 2026 race back to the Thomas & Mack Center.
For the veteran team ropers entering their second year together, the new season represents an opportunity to build on the success of 2025.
“The year has started over, and we have to earn our spot again,” Ward said. “Nothing’s different. The cool thing is we’ve already roped a year together and learned from our mistakes last year. We’re hoping to start the new year with the same momentum.”
Ward and Long began the new year with their families in San Diego, competing at the San Diego Rodeo.
“Roping in places like Petco Park was really neat,” Long said. “The weather was beautiful, and we flew out with our wives and treated it more like a vacation before the winter rodeos started. The opportunities in rodeo are growing, and it’s great to see. It’s good financially for our families and sponsors, and we hope it continues to trend upward.”
As they prepare for their sophomore season as partners, both athletes expressed gratitude for the experience and balance each brings to the team.
“Jake’s a great guy and the best heeler in the world,” Ward said. “It’s a privilege to rope for him.”
Long echoed the sentiment.
“Andrew is a really good partner for me,” he said. “He balances out the roller coaster of emotions I go through throughout the year. He stays steady for us, and we get along really well.”
With the 2026 PRCA season well underway, Ward and Long have already picked up a $3,986 payday apiece at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver — a promising start for the reigning world champions.
A private jet carrying eight people crashed on takeoff from Bangor, Maine, Sunday evening, a source briefed on the incident told CNN based on preliminary information.The extent of their injuries is not known, the source said.The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet.The Bangor Fire Department told Hearst sister station WMTW crews were responding to the incident, along with several neighboring agencies, including the Glenburn and Hermon fire departments.The airport announced at 8:25 p.m. that an incident at the airport was under investigation and the runway was closed.A photo taken at the scene by WMTW media partner WABI shows smoke rising from the runway with multiple emergency vehicles in the background.WABI said it received numerous reports of a loud bang that was heard and felt in the Greater Bangor area.A Breeze flight to Orlando that was scheduled to leave at around 8:30 p.m. after being delayed from an initial 7:30 p.m. departure has since been canceled following the incident. The crash comes amid a massive snowstorm making its way through the Northeast. Temperatures are well below freezing in Maine, with light snow causing very low visibility.The plane is registered to a limited liability corporation in Houston, according to federal records.This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
A private jet carrying eight people crashed on takeoff from Bangor, Maine, Sunday evening, a source briefed on the incident told CNN based on preliminary information.
The extent of their injuries is not known, the source said.
The plane is a Bombardier Challenger 650 business jet.
The Bangor Fire Department told Hearst sister station WMTW crews were responding to the incident, along with several neighboring agencies, including the Glenburn and Hermon fire departments.
The airport announced at 8:25 p.m. that an incident at the airport was under investigation and the runway was closed.
A photo taken at the scene by WMTW media partner WABI shows smoke rising from the runway with multiple emergency vehicles in the background.
WABI said it received numerous reports of a loud bang that was heard and felt in the Greater Bangor area.
A Breeze flight to Orlando that was scheduled to leave at around 8:30 p.m. after being delayed from an initial 7:30 p.m. departure has since been canceled following the incident.
The crash comes amid a massive snowstorm making its way through the Northeast. Temperatures are well below freezing in Maine, with light snow causing very low visibility.
The plane is registered to a limited liability corporation in Houston, according to federal records.
This is a breaking news story that will be updated.
