While the Kentucky Wildcats initially focused on offensive players in the transfer portal, they’ve also secured a few quality defensive commitments.

However, that won’t include Sam Houston State transfer edge defender Chris Murray, who has instead opted to transfer to the Auburn Tigers.

Murray officially signed with the Tigers on Monday after previously visiting Kentucky.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 245 pounds, Murray was a dominant force for the Bearkats this past season, recording 5.5 sacks, 35 total tackles, and two forced fumbles, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

In the class of 2021, Murray signed with TCU as a 3-star prospect but did not see game action and decided to redshirt. He then transferred to Sam Houston State, where he played for the past three seasons. Murray will have one year of eligibility remaining when he takes the field for Auburn this fall.

In addition, Sam Houston finished 9-3 in Conference USA play. Murray’s explosive first step and relentless motor seemingly made him a natural fit for Kentucky’s aggressive defensive schemes.

After a recent trip to Lexington, UK was seen as the favorite for Murray, but he’ll instead play for the Tigers. The Cats play at Auburn next season, so they’ll have to face Murray.

With Kentucky needing to address the edge position following the transfer of three players and the departure of JJ Weaver, Brad White has some work to do in order to find some edge help for the 2025 season.

Around the state, cities have accumulated up to 7 inches or more of snow since Sunday.

If you are headed out to shovel a path out of your home, whether that be today or tomorrow, the American Heart Association encourages people to protect their hearts while shoveling. Shovelers should seek immediate treatment if they experience any signs or symptoms of a heart attack, the AHA says.

Research shows that many people may face an increased risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest after shoveling heavy snow.

“Shoveling snow can be a very vigorous activity, and you’re basically doing it in a freezer,” says Dr. William Gill, a cardiologist who is president of the American Heart Association board of directors in Indianapolis. “Those conditions can very quickly lead to stress on the heart.”

Here’s how to stay safe while shoveling and how to identify the signs of a heart attack.

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To help make snow removal safer, the American Heart Association suggests:

• Give yourself a break. Take frequent rest breaks during shoveling so you don’t overstress your heart. Pay attention to how your body feels during those breaks.
• Don’t eat a heavy meal prior or soon after shoveling. Eating a large meal can put an extra load on your heart.
• Use a small shovel or consider a snow thrower. The act of lifting heavy snow can raise blood pressure acutely during the lift. It is safer to lift smaller amounts more times, than to lug a few huge shovelfuls of snow. When possible, simply push the snow.
• Learn the heart attack warning signs and listen to your body, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out (tell a doctor about your symptoms). Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1
• Don’t drink alcoholic beverages before or immediately after shoveling. Alcohol may increase a person’s sensation of warmth and may cause them to underestimate the extra strain their body is under in the cold.
• Consult a doctor. If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise on a regular basis or are middle aged or older, meet with your doctor prior to the first anticipated snowfall.
• Be aware of the dangers of hypothermia. Heart failure causes most deaths in hypothermia. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers of warm clothing, which traps air between layers forming a protective insulation. Wear a hat because much of your body’s heat can be lost through your head.

The American Heart Association urges people to learn the signs of a heart attack so they can recognize the signs and to call 9-1-1 immediately if they experience any of those signs.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense like they are shown as in movies and tv shows. This is what the American Heart Association calls a “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening.

In reality, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help.

Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
• Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services (EMS) staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. EMS staff is also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too. It is best to call EMS for rapid transport to the emergency room. If you can’t access EMS, have someone drive you to the hospital right away.

“I can’t stress enough the urgency of getting proper treatment for a heart attack,” Dr. Gill says. “Don’t die of doubt. If you’re experiencing symptoms or something just doesn’t feel right, go get it checked out. Hospitals offer life-saving treatment.”

Katie Wiseman is a trending news reporter at IndyStar. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @itskatiewiseman or Bluesky @katiewiseman

A Florida man was arrested after police say he fired a shot at a pair of officers in Kentucky.

Tombe Juma-Kose Thomas, 35, was arrested on Dec. 28, according to Louisville Police, Fox 35 reported. He is facing two counts of attempted murder and is being held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on a $250,000 bond with a preliminary court hearing in Kentucky set for Tuesday.

Louisville Police responded to 1117 Reutinlinger Avenue, where Thomas was staying at an Airbnb with his girlfriend while visiting family.

ILLEGAL MIGRANT CHARGED WITH MOLESTING FLORIDA GIRL, 5, SAYS FAMILY ACCUSED HIM OVER IMMIGRATION STATUS

Thomas had barricaded himself inside a bathroom on the suspicion that there was an intruder in the house, and he accused his girlfriend of setting him up.

When officers arrived, police said they knocked on the window of the bathroom and announced their presence.

Then, Thomas fired a single shot toward the window where the two officers were. The bullet passed just over the officers’ heads and nobody was hurt.

Thomas eventually exited the house and was placed under arrest.

Volusia County Schools in Florida confirmed Thomas is employed by the district. (iStock)

He later said he had “fired a warning shot” through the window.

Volusia County Schools in Florida confirmed Thomas is employed by the district as an instructor for the Positive Alternative to School Suspension program at Atlantic High School, according to Fox 35. He previously worked as an Exceptional Student Education instructor at Deltona High School. He had also been a football coach at both schools.

FLORIDA MAN ATTACKED BY BEAR CUB AND BITTEN ON STOMACH WHILE DEFENDING DOG SAYS HE COULDN’T ‘WATCH HER DIE’

Thomas is being held in the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on a $250,000 bond. (iStock)

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“Additional details will need to be provided by law enforcement since it’s an active investigation,” the district said in a statement. “VCS has opened an internal professional standards investigation on the individual as well. Any further action will be determined by the findings of those investigations.”

Thomas is also a former fullback for Syracuse University.