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Cleveland Browns mourn death of bullmastiff mascot, PETA implores team to rescue dog from local animal shelter

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Cleveland Browns mourn death of bullmastiff mascot, PETA implores team to rescue dog from local animal shelter

The Cleveland Browns announced via social media last week that their beloved live mascot SJ passed away at the young age of 5.

The team did not reveal the cause of death.

The Browns’ official Instagram page posted a black and white photograph of SJ, a bullmastiff, on Tuesday with the caption, “We are sad to announce the passing of our beloved mascot, SJ. We are so grateful for his many years of loyal support and cherish all of the wonderful memories he helped create for fans young and old.”

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SJ, the Cleveland Browns mascot, passed away in early July 2024. (Photo by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

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Milkbone, a snack company for dogs, replied to the post, “a true dawg RIP, SJ!” Many Cleveland fans expressed their condolences in the comment section.

On Nov. 10, 2019, at 11-months-old, SJ led the Browns out onto the field at his first official game as a live mascot. The Browns beat the Buffalo Bills at home that day, 19-16.

In a video posted to X the day before his debut, the team hyped up fans with clips of SJ preparing for game day as he sported a gray sweatshirt and warmed up to the “Rocky” theme song. The caption read, “He’s been training for WEEKS for this moment.”

Erin Andrews, NFL sideline reporter for FOX Sports, commented on the post “Awwwww ya!!!”

SJ, one of three live mascots for the team, enjoyed a Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel as a preferred chew toy, according to the Brown’s website.

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Though gone too soon, SJ is not the first bullmastiff mascot of the Cleveland Browns to pass away at a young age.

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The Cleveland Browns have two other live dog mascots, Muni and Stripes. Stripes is named after the lines on the Browns’ helmets. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

In 2020, Swagger, SJ’s dad, unexpectedly died from a stroke following a yearlong battle with cancer. At the time, Swagger’s handler, Justin McLaughlin, posted to his Facebook account with the sad news of the dog’s passing on Feb, 7, 2020.

Fans bid farewell to Swagger, a 145-pound good boy, on Oct. 13, 2019 during his final game day appearance against the Seattle Seahawks. The Browns were defeated 32-28 at home.

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An open casket funeral was held for Swagger and live-streamed in a suburb outside of Cleveland on Feb, 22, 2020. SJ was present at the service and his final goodbye was documented on X. A Cleveland mourner posted to social media that SJ even tried to get into the casket with his dad.

Both Swagger and SJ hailed from FD Farms in Rootstown Township in Ohio. The farm owns, shows and breeds bullmastiffs, French bulldogs and Dogue de Bordeauxs, according to their website.

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In February 2020, the Cleveland Browns said goodbye to their previous mascot, Swagger, who died of a stroke at 5-years-old following a battle with cancer. Swagger was SJ’s dad. (Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

In a statement, Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of PETA, called for the Browns to reimagine their mascot and “adopt a logo featuring a brown mixed-breed dog from an undoubtedly overwhelmed local animal shelter,” according to TMZ Sports.

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She added that “generations of breeding for a certain look have left bullmastiffs prone to hip dysplasia, cancer, and life-threatening heart issues, among other painful conditions.” She added that she believed Swagger Jr.’s death “should be seen as a damning indictment of an industry that deliberately churns out these doomed breathing-impaired breeds.”

It is unclear if the Browns will recruit a new bullmastiff as mascot or host a memorial service for SJ at this time.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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Michigan

Applications for spring turkey season in Michigan is open through Feb. 1. What to know

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Applications for spring turkey season in Michigan is open through Feb. 1. What to know


The Michigan Department of Natural Resources opened applications through Feb. 1 for Michigan’s spring turkey season.

Officials say there are some changes to the 2026 season, such as the number of turkey management units, which are designated areas open to hunters.

“These regulation changes uphold the goals for the spring turkey hunting season: maximizing hunter opportunity while also maintaining satisfactory hunting experiences across the state,” said Adam Bump, DNR upland game bird specialist.  

Here’s what to know about licenses for the upcoming turkey season. For more information on other regulations, visit the DNR’s website.

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How much do the applications cost?

Turkey season applications cost $5 each and are available online on the DNR’s website, at any license agent or through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app. 

A map of license agents is available online.

Who is eligible to apply?

Hunters aged 17 and older during the hunting period are eligible to apply for a license as long as they have a hunter education certificate or an apprentice license.

Anyone between the ages of 10 and 16 can purchase a turkey youth license. Anyone age 9 and under can participate through a mentored hunting program to receive a license. Youth turkey licenses are valid for all three management units and season dates.

Where and when can I hunt?

In 2026, the DNR announced that it had reduced the turkey management unit from 14 to three — Upper Peninsula, northern Lower Peninsula and southern Lower Peninsula. The units also determine the type of license hunters can obtain and when they can hunt.

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View a map of the turkey management units below:

Michigan Department of Natural Resources


A Hunt 0110 license is for the Upper Peninsula, with an April 18-May 31 hunting season. Hunt 0134 license is valid for the northern Lower Peninsula and is available from April 18 to May 1. The Hunt 0302 license is available for the southern Lower Peninsula from April 18 to May 1. A Hunt 0303 license is also available for the Southern Lower Peninsula (May 2-31).

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These licenses have a limited number available.

Other licenses include Hunt 0234, which is for statewide (April 25-May 31), and Hunt 0301, which is for private land (April 18-May 31). Hunt 0234 is valid on private and public lands in the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula, but private only in the southern Lower Peninsula, as well as Fort Custer military lands, with permission.

How can I get a license?

Hunters who apply for a license are entered into a random drawing system. The drawing results are available on March 2. 

The Hunt 0234 license (statewide) and Hunt 0301 license (private land) do not require people to enter a drawing. These licenses can be purchased beginning at 10 a.m. on March 16. Hunters can check their drawing results online or on the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app.

“These changes will give hunters longer seasons and bigger units to hunt in,” said Bump.  

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Anyone who is not selected in the drawing can purchase a leftover license beginning at 10 a.m. on March 9. Anyone who did not enter the drawing can purchase a leftover license on March 16.

How many licenses are available?

There is a 6,000-license quota for Hunt 0110 (Upper Peninsula), an 18,000-license quota for Hunt 0134 (northern Lower Peninsula), a 6,000-license quota for Hunt 0302 (southern Lower Peninsula April season) and an 8,000-license quota for Hunt 0303 (southern Lower Peninsula May season).

Hunt 0234 (statewide) and Hunt 0301 (private land) licenses are unlimited.



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Minnesota

Rifts widen as Minnesota, feds face off over ICE shooting 

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Rifts widen as Minnesota, feds face off over ICE shooting 


Federal authorities froze out state investigators. Gov. Tim Walz questioned whether the FBI could be fair on its own. Vice President JD Vance said he wouldn’t let Walz and “a bunch of radicals” pursue a case against an ICE agent who killed a woman in Minneapolis.



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Missouri

Missouri Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 winning numbers for Jan. 8, 2026

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The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 3-5-3

Midday Wild: 9

Evening: 6-3-9

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Evening Wild: 3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Midday: 7-1-3-4

Midday Wild: 4

Evening: 9-6-9-8

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Evening Wild: 9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

27-28-39-47-58, Cash Ball: 04

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

Early Bird: 14

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Morning: 07

Matinee: 06

Prime Time: 07

Night Owl: 11

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Show Me Cash numbers from Jan. 8 drawing

02-26-28-29-34

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

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Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

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For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
  • Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
  • Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
  • Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
  • Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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