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Morning Rundown: Ukraine dam destroyed, Virginia plane crash victims, rare wolverine sighting

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Morning Rundown: Ukraine dam destroyed, Virginia plane crash victims, rare wolverine sighting


A critical dam Ukraine is severely damaged and unleashes flooding across the southern front lines. Three of the four people who died in a Virginia plane crash have been identified. And descendants of Black landowners in California fight to reclaim stolen property.

Here’s what to know today.

Ukraine accuses Russia of blowing up major dam

Ukraine has accused Russian forces of blowing up a vast dam on the front lines of the war, threatening hundreds of thousands of residents as well as a nearby nuclear plant. Water was surging through the critical Kakhovka dam, according to videos verified by NBC News and local officials, unleashing massive flooding across the war zone in southern Ukraine that sparked evacuations and warnings of an “ecological disaster.”

Officials in Kyiv accused Moscow of a “terrorist attack” and raised international alarm, while Russian officials blamed Ukraine and played down the gravity of the situation.

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It comes after Kyiv’s forces appeared to launch a new series of attacks across the front lines in the south and the east, fueling speculation that their long-awaited counteroffensive may have begun.

The breach of the dam could have dramatic consequences on the battlefield and beyond.

Follow our live blog for the latest updates.

Federal grand jury to hear testimony in Trump documents case

A federal grand jury will meet this week in Florida to hear evidence in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation of Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, according to sources familiar with the investigation. It is not clear how the court proceedings in Florida relate to the work of a separate grand jury in Washington. It is also not clear why prosecutors impaneled multiple grand juries or whether they are ready to seek an indictment in either jurisdiction.

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Three members of Trump’s legal team met yesterday with Smith and other officials at the Justice Department, a person familiar with the matter said. Minutes after the attorneys were seen leaving, Trump took to Truth Social to ask (in all caps), “How can DOJ possibly charge me, who did nothing wrong, when no other president’s were charged.”

Prince Harry takes the stand in showdown against the media

Prince Harry has taken his lifelong battle against the tabloid media to a historic new stage today with his testimony in a case against the publishers of Britain’s Daily Mirror tabloid newspaper. Despite the stakes, he did not show up yesterday at the opening of proceedings. 

The highly anticipated showdown is unusual; Harry is the first high-ranking member of the British royal family in 130 years to appear as a witness in court. The decision to take the stand is also a risky move that promises to be a potentially uncomfortable experience and might reveal new details about the royal family

Pilot spotted slumped over in plane before it crashed, officials say

Federal investigators have begun processing a crash scene in Virginia, where a private plane slammed into rugged terrain hours after its pilot was seen slumped over in the craft. According to officials, the plane departed from Tennessee on Sunday afternoon, turned around near New York City and was headed back south when fighter jets from Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, were sent to investigate the plane and saw the pilot slumped over. The plane eventually ran out of fuel and crashed, killing all four people aboard.

John Rumpel, whose corporation is the registered owner of the aircraft, identified three of the people who died.

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▼ Today’s Talker

‘One more thing’: Apple unveiled…

… Vision Pro, a virtual reality and augmented reality headset and the company’s most ambitious hardware effort since the iPhone, at its Worldwide Developers Conference yesterday. Among the uses for this new accessory: 3D apps, immersive movies, web surfing and video games. The headset can even replace workplace computer monitors, Apple claims. And familiar apps like FaceTime will be adapted to work on the headset. But at $3,499, this new piece of tech won’t come cheap.

▼ Politics in Brief

2024 election: Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence are both expected to announce their presidential bids this week, marking the most direct challenges so far to Donald Trump

FBI director accused: House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer announced that his panel will start proceedings on Thursday to hold FBI Director Christopher Wray in contempt of Congress.

Pride Month: Mississippi Republicans are demanding that the Department of Veterans Affairs remove a temporary Pride flag from Biloxi National Cemetery, arguing its presence is disrespectful to veterans. 

▼ Staff Pick

A fight to reclaim stolen land

As an East Coast guy, there is always something freeing about visiting California, with its relaxed feel. Still, the ills of white supremacy are at work there as well, dating back to the Gold Rush days. California welcomed enslaved people — and traumatized them. Many enslaved Blacks who were forced to dig gold made enough to pay for their freedom and built wealth buying land. Much of that land was taken from them by whites, including through violence. I found the descendants of three Black families whose ancestors suffered that fate. They found deeds and bills of sale to prove their families owned the land in Sacramento, Napa and Coloma and had it taken from them — and they want it back. Their resolve, you will learn in this piece, is mighty. — Curtis Bunn, NBC BLK reporter

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▼ In Case You Missed It

Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent-turned-traitor who spied for the old Soviet Union and later the Russians, was found dead in his cell at a federal supermax prison.

Spring sightings of a mystery critter in California have been confirmed by wildlife officials as most likely a single, rare wolverine.

The mother of the 6-year-old boy, who brought a gun to his Virginia school and shot his teacher, was charged with federal gun crimes.  

A daily pill from AstraZeneca cut lung cancer deaths in half, clinical trial results show.

Actors represented by the union SAG-AFTRA voted to authorize a strike if they don’t agree on a new contract with major studios, streamers and production companies by June 30.

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Six women have been found dead in less than three months in the Portland, Oregon, region, but law enforcement said there is no reason to believe the deaths are connected.

▼ Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

Gardening can be therapeutic and a great stress reducer. Whether you have a green thumb or are just now ready to dig in, having the right tools on hand is essential. Here are top-rated garden tools that are ergonomic, versatile, durable and available for purchase right now on Amazon.

Thanks for reading today’s Morning Rundown. Today’s newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If you’re a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign-up here.



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Virginia

Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot

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Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot


A Virginia woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a murder-for-hire plot, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s office.

Gennevieve McGhee, 44, was allegedly captured via audio and video evidence in the meticulous planning of a murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.

McGhee is accused of meeting with a confidential source at her residence in Ridgeway, Virginia. The source was acting under law enforcement direction and utilizing a recording device to capture evidence.

TEXAS INFLUENCER SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT

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Henry County Sheriff’s Office charged Gennevieve McGhee, 44, with criminal solicitation of murder following an investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in planning a murder for hire. (Henry County Sheriff’s Office)

She allegedly discussed detailed instructions on payment arrangements and instructions for carrying out a robbery and murder.

McGhee is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.

INDIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICIAL CHARGED IN MURDER-FOR-HIRE PLOT ON SIKH SEPARATIST LEADER IN NEW YORK CITY

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Gennevieve McGhee, 44, is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. (iStock)

McGhee was taken into custody by deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday and is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.

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The case remains under review by the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office. 

Additional information on the case is not available at this time, officials said.



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How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona

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How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona


The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) will meet the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats in the third place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament for the sixth meeting between the two programs.

West Virginia vs. Arizona Series History

Arizona leads 2-3

Last Meeting: March 28, 2008 (NCAA Tournament) WVU 75-65

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When: Friday, November 29

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas, Imperial Arena (3,900)

Tip-off: 3:00 p.m. EST

Stream: ESPN2

Announcers: Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli

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Radio: Tony Caridi (PBP), Brad Howe (analyst) Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College(Radio affiliates)

WVU Game Notes

– West Virginia was scheduled to play in the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis. The tournament was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., due to COVID, and the Mountaineers won the renamed Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.

– WVU is 45-16 in in-season tournaments since 2007.

– With a win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU defeated a Top 5 AP team for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Mountaineers downed No. 3 Kansas in Morgantown, 91-85.

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– Prior to the overtime win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU had lost six straight overtime games.

– This is WVU’s fourth trip outside the United States and Puerto Rico to play a regular season game. WVU played in Cancun in 2013 and 2019 and opened the season in Germany in the 2017 Armed Forces Classic.

– West Virginia is the only team in the country that has two players on the same team who averaged more than 20 points per game from last season — Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg) and Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg)

– West Virginia is 201-55 against nonconference teams in regular season games in the last 21 seasons.

– The Mountaineers have posted a winning nonconference record in 31 of the last 32 seasons.

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– WVU is 265-99 in its last 362 games against unranked teams, including winners of 148 of its last 180 at the WVU Coliseum.

– This is the 116th season and 122nd year overall for WVU basketball, which began in 1903.

– Darian DeVries, who led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .731 winning percentage as a head coach, was named the 23rd head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University on March 24, 2024.

– DeVries has a record of 154-57 (.731) in seven seasons as a head coach, including a 59-16 (.787) mark in the last two-plus seasons.

– This past August, the men’s basketball team went to Italy for a 10-day tour and won all three of its games against international competition.

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– West Virginia returns just 2.8 percent of its scoring from last season’s team (Ofri Naveh).

– The Mountaineers are led by a pair of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Javon Small (Oklahoma State). Last season, DeVries was named an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention selection, while Small earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

– In addition, Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois) and Jayden Stone (Detroit Mercy) will all see considerable action this season.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the 20-member Julius Erving Preseason Watch List, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List.

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– Tucker DeVries was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List.



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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga

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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga


West Virginia got off to a hot start at the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis by knocking off undefeated Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime in their first-round matchup. The Mountaineers have received strong performances to begin the season from two upperclassman transfers: Javon Small and Tucker DeVries.

With each player delivering standout performances, it’s time to start considering them seriously as draft prospects.

Let’s take a closer look at their outings in this big win and dive into their seasons as a whole up to this point.

Tucker DeVries had a big game for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tucker DeVries (12) drives to the basket as Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Michael Ajayi (1) defends during the first half at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Tucker DeVries finished this game with a stuffed stat line of 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. This level of versatility clearly illustrates the type of player he is, as he looked solid in nearly every aspect of the game. He has good positional size at 6-foot-7 and plays with a very high IQ on both ends of the floor. His defensive impact was especially noticeable, as he consistently made impactful plays, including a steal that led to free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation. DeVries finished the second half on a 5-0 run, which gave West Virginia momentum to capture the game in overtime.

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DeVries has had a solid all-around season leading up to this performance, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, two assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks, with shooting splits of 36.6%/40.7%/81.3%. If he were to be drafted following this season, it would likely be in the second round, but his versatile play style is very promising.

Javon Small has impressed for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Javon Small (7) shoots during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Javon Small led the Mountaineers in scoring during this upset victory, contributing 31 points on impressive shooting splits of 50%/40%/81.8%. In addition to his scoring, he also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and added one steal and one block. Small is a quick and slippery guard who stayed in attack mode throughout the game, translating well into fast-break opportunities. Rarely staying in one spot on offense, Small kept the floor spaced and forced his defender to fight through traffic to keep up with him. His offensive approach was patient as he waited for his defender to get off balance before attacking.

Before this game, Small had averaged 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, four assists and three steals. He leads the Mountaineers in points, assists, and steals, while providing a noticeable spark on a nightly basis. Small is now at his third school in four years, with similar statistics in each of his previous two seasons. As an older guard, it is not guaranteed that he will be drafted, but if this level of productivity continues throughout the season, he may receive an opportunity to prove himself at the next level.

Want to join the discussion? Like Draft Digest on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest NBA Draft news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.





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