‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ cast push back against hate, threats

NEW YORK – As the cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” celebrated the new season, they credited the show’s creator with popularizing drag and expressed concern about the protests and threats to the performance style at the heart of the long-running series. “RuPaul really brought drag into the mainstream, truly made people aware that it’s an … Read more

Damar Hamlin’s breathing tube removed, able to talk to family

The Bills said on Twitter that Hamlin even joined the Friday morning team meeting by video, and told them “love you boys.” It was uplifting enough for the Buffalo Bills staff and players to see Damar Hamlin appear on the video screen in the team’s meeting room Friday — “larger than life,” as coach Sean … Read more

Con artist pleads guilty in phishing plot that duped authors

NEW YORK – A yearslong saga that ensnared the publishing world culminated in a New York courtroom Friday when a con artist pleaded guilty to a plot that defrauded scores of authors by duping them into handing over hundreds of unpublished manuscripts. Filippo Bernardini, an Italian citizen who had been working in publishing in London, … Read more

Business Highlights: Job gains, Twitter leak – mySA

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added a solid 223,000 jobs in December, evidence that the economy remains healthy even as the Federal Reserve is rapidly raising interest rates to try to slow economic growth and the pace of hiring. With companies continuing to add jobs across the economy, the unemployment rate fell from 3.6% to … Read more

Five things to watch: Spurs vs. Pistons

SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Spurs (12-26) will face the Detroit Pistons (11-30) tonight in San Antonio. The Spurs and Pistons will meet for the first time this season and the Spurs are on a three-game losing skid. GAME REWIND The Spurs are coming off a 117-114 road loss versus the New York Knicks. … Read more

Vince McMahon rejoins WWE board after misconduct investigation

The Wall Street Journal reported over the summer McMahon agreed to pay millions over the past 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. STAMFORD, Conn. — Vince McMahon is rejoining the board of WWE several months after he retired from the sports entertainment company during an investigation into alleged misconduct. WWE said Friday … Read more