Super Bowl 2026: Watch Charlie Puth perform the National Anthem

The Grammy-nominated singer and Berklee graduate, Charlie Puth, delivered a heartfelt rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner before Super Bowl LX. Standing in front of a Rhodes keyboard, Puth’s soulful performance kicked off the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks in style.

The crowd at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara responded with loud applause and cheers, appreciating the musician’s passionate delivery. Charlie Puth began his musical journey at a young age, launching a YouTube channel at 17 where he gained recognition for his acoustic covers. He later attended Berklee College of Music, graduating in 2013 with a degree in music production and engineering.

Puth’s National Anthem performance was the highlight of a packed pregame schedule. Earlier, singer Coco Jones delivered a beautiful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by Brandi Carlile’s performance of “America the Beautiful.” The pregame festivities also included a brief concert from Green Day.

Watch Charlie Puth perform the National Anthem at Super Bowl LX below:
https://www.boston.com/culture/super-bowl/2026/02/08/super-bowl-2026-charlie-puth-national-anthem/

High school basketball: Southern Section playoff pairings

High School Basketball Southern Section Playoffs

Boys First Round – Wednesday

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Open Division

Pool A: #9 Crespi at #1 Sierra Canyon
Pool B: #10 Damien at #2 Santa Margarita
Pool C: #11 Etiwanda at #3 Redondo Union
Pool D: #12 La Mirada at #4 Sherman Oaks Notre Dame
Other seeds: #5 St. John Bosco, #6 Corona Centennial, #7 Harvard-Westlake, #8 Corona del Mar

Note: Second-round pool-play games Friday; Third-round games Feb. 17

Division 1

  • Santa Barbara at #1 Crean Lutheran
  • Corona Santiago at #16 Heritage Christian
  • Newport Beach Pacifica Christian at #9 Village Christian
  • Oaks Christian at #8 Mira Costa
  • Windward at #5 Bishop Montgomery
  • Thousand Oaks at #12 Millikan
  • Cypress at #13 San Gabriel Academy
  • Rancho Christian at #4 St. Francis
  • Tesoro at #3 Inglewood
  • St. Bernard at #14 La Habra
  • Fairmont Prep at #11 Crossroads
  • Long Beach Poly at #6 Brentwood
  • St. Monica at #7 Rolling Hills Prep
  • Orange Lutheran at #10 Arcadia
  • Loyola at #15 Los Alamitos
  • Pasadena at #2 JSerra

Division 2

  • La Serna at #1 Bishop Amat
  • Mayfair at #16 Chino Hills
  • Oxnard at #9 North Torrance
  • Silverado at #8 Anaheim Canyon
  • Santa Monica at #5 Eastvale Roosevelt
  • Maranatha at #12 Servite
  • Edison at #13 Esperanza
  • Valencia at #4 Beverly Hills
  • Providence at #3 Mater Dei
  • Burbank at #14 Westlake
  • Fountain Valley at #11 El Dorado
  • Leuzinger at #6 St. Anthony
  • Great Oak at #7 Rancho Verde
  • Calabasas at #10 San Marcos
  • Sonora at #15 Elsinore
  • San Clemente at #2 Hesperia

Division 3

  • S
  • an Marino at #1 Milken

  • Villa Park at #16 Ontario Christian
  • Oak Park at #9 Temecula Valley
  • Viewpoint at #8 Murrieta Mesa
  • Long Beach Wilson at #5 Riverside King
  • Warren at #12 Camarillo
  • Los Altos at #13 Palos Verdes
  • Golden Valley at #4 Oak Hills
  • Santa Monica Pacifica Christian at #3 Alta Loma
  • Ayala at #14 Crescenta Valley
  • Portola at #11 Glendora
  • Aliso Niguel at #6 Newport Harbor
  • Knight at #7 Aquinas La Salle
  • La Canada at #10 Gahr
  • La Canada at #15 Woodbridge
  • Eastside at #2 Redlands East Valley

Division 4

  • Malibu at #1 Bonita
  • Palm Desert at #16 Blair
  • Chino at #9 Trabuco Hills
  • Culver City at #8 Saugus
  • Godinez at #5 Moorpark
  • Downey at #12 Norte Vista
  • Flintridge Prep at Cathedral
  • Holy Martyrs at #4 Summit
  • Capistrano Valley Christian at #3 Shalhevet
  • Pioneer at #14 Palm Springs
  • Long Beach Jordan at #11 Los Amigos
  • Cantwell-Sacred Heart at #6 Torrance
  • Beckman at #7 Colony
  • Citrus Hill at #10 South Torrance
  • Santa Paula at #15 Corona
  • Hart at #2 Walnut

Division 5

  • Diamond Ranch at #1 Gardena Serra
  • Valley Torah at #16 Northwood
  • Temescal Canyon at #9 California
  • Rancho Mirage at #8 Bishop Diego
  • Beaumont at #5 Keppel
  • Oakwood at #12 San Bernardino
  • Adelanto at #13 Cerritos
  • Vasquez at #4 Sierra Vista
  • Pilibos at #3 Tustin
  • Charter Oak at #14 Quartz Hill
  • Temple City at #11 Hacienda Heights
  • Wilson
  • Indian Springs at #6 Brea Olinda
  • Arrowhead Christian at #7 San Juan Hills
  • Diamond Bar at #10 Verbum Dei
  • Apple Valley at #15 San Juan Hills
  • Irvine at #2 Calvary Baptist

Division 6

  • Palmdale Aerospace at #1 Hemet
  • Placentia Valencia at #16 Vistamar
  • Western at #9 St. Bonaventure
  • Highland at #8 Paloma Valley
  • Grace at #5 Pasadena Poly
  • Fillmore at #12 Ramona
  • Ontario at #13 Fontana
  • Oxford Academy at #4 Montclair
  • Laguna Hills at #3 Temecula Prep
  • Foothill Tech at #14 Carter
  • Cajon at #11 Orange Vista
  • Valley View at #6 Chadwick
  • Eisenhower at #7 Santa Clara
  • Santa Fe at #10 Buckley
  • La Palma Kennedy at #15 Moreno Valley
  • Ocean View at #2 Troy

Division 7

  • Azusa at #1 Tahquitz
  • Summit Leadership at #16 Vista del Lago
  • Anaheim at #9 Gabrielino
  • Bell Gardens at #8 Canyon Country Canyon
  • Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian at #5 Salesian
  • Westminster La Quinta at #12 CSDR
  • Channel Islands at #13 YULA
  • Webb at #4 Thacher
  • Riverside Notre Dame at #3 Garden Grove
  • Faith Baptist at #14 San Fernando Valley Academy
  • La Puente at #11 Norwalk
  • Arroyo at #6 Rowland
  • Rosemead at #7 Desert Chapel
  • Santa Rosa Academy at #10 CAMS
  • Estancia at #15 Segerstrom
  • Schurr at #2 Rialto

Division 8

  • Newport Christian at #1 Excelsior Charter
  • Redlands Adventist at #16 Hawthorne
  • MSA Banning at #9 Bolsa Grande
  • Twentynine Palms at #8 Riverside Prep
  • Rubidoux at #5 Victor Valley
  • Sequoyah at #12 Trinity Classical Academy
  • Loara at #13 Palm Valley
  • Santa Ana at #4 Barstow
  • Desert Hot Springs at #3 Desert Christian Academy
  • Tarbut V’ Torah at #14 South El Monte
  • Rancho Alamitos at #11 Silver Valley
  • Packinghouse Christian at #6 Coastal Christian
  • Western Christian at #7 Big Bear
  • Duarte at #10 Edgewood
  • Dunn at #15 Animo Leadership
  • Rim of the World at #2 San Gabriel

Division 9

  • Coast Union at #1 Bassett
  • Sherman Indian at #16 Maricopa
  • Public Safety Academy at #9 Newbury Park Adventist
  • Hesperia Christian at #8 Colton
  • Glendale Adventist at #5 Santa Maria Valley Christian
  • Mesa Grande at #12 Long Beach First Baptist
  • Crossroads Christian at #13 Loma Linda Academy
  • Coachella Valley at #4 San Jacinto
  • Valley Grove School at #3 Joshua Springs
  • Samueli Academy at #14 Lakeview Academy
  • Magnolia Science at #11 Santa Ana Valley
  • NOVA Academy at #6 Santa Barbara Providence
  • New Covenant at #7 Cal Lutheran Pacific
  • Pacific at #10 Acaciawood Academy
  • Ambassador Christian at #15 Mesrobian
  • Compton Early College at #2 ACE

Second-round games Friday


Girls First Round – Thursday

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.

Open Division

Pool A: #9 Rancho Christian at #1 Ontario Christian
Pool B: #10 Fairmont Prep at #2 Etiwanda
Pool C: #11 Oak Park at #3 Sierra Canyon
Pool D: #12 Redondo Union at #4 Sage Hill
Other seeds: #5 Mater Dei, #6 Corona Centennial, #7 Lakewood St. Joseph, #8 JSerra

Note: Second-round pool-play games Saturday; Third-round games Feb. 18

Division 1

  • Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at #1 Ventura
  • Bishop Montgomery at #16 Harvard-Westlake
  • Windward at #9 North Torrance
  • Rialto at #8 Flintridge Prep
  • Chino at #5 Valencia
  • Mira Costa at #12 Oak Hills
  • Troy at #13 Los Osos
  • Alemany at #4 Brentwood
  • Village Christian at #3 Moreno Valley
  • St. Bonaventure at #14 Thousand Oaks
  • Marlborough at #11 Beckman
  • West Torrance at #6 Orange Lutheran
  • Palos Verdes at #7 Villa Park
  • Santa Margarita at #10 Esperanza
  • St. Anthony at #15 Oaks Christian
  • Buena Park at #2 La Salle

Division 2

  • Los Altos at #1 Glendora
  • Portola at #16 Paramount
  • Claremont at #9 Saugus
  • Heritage at #8 Chaparral
  • Bonita at #5 Yucaipa
  • Campbell Hall at #12 Summit
  • Camarillo at #13 South Torrance
  • Crossroads at #4 Rancho Cucamonga
  • Hacienda Heights Wilson at #3 Crescenta Valley
  • Gardena Serra at #14 Chino Hills
  • San Marcos at #11 San Clemente
  • Sonora at #6 Rolling Hills Prep
  • Newport Beach Pacifica Christian at #7 San Juan Hills
  • Dos Pueblos at #10 Los Alamitos
  • Riverside King at #15 Murrieta Mesa
  • Trinity Classical Academy at #2 Rosary Academy

Division 3

  • El Toro at #1 Lynwood
  • Murrieta Valley at #16 Cerritos
  • Arcadia at #9 Bishop Amat
  • CSDR at #8 St. Monica
  • South Hills at #5 Segerstrom
  • La Serna at #12 Trabuco Hills
  • Rio Mesa at #13 Aliso Niguel
  • Cypress at #4 Oxnard
  • El Modena at #3 Aquinas
  • Downey at #14 Keppel
  • Ramona at #11 Shadow Hills
  • Lawndale at #6 Leuzinger
  • San Dimas at #7 St. Margaret’s
  • Arrowhead Christian at #10 Riverside Poly
  • Canyon Country Canyon at #15 Vista Murrieta
  • Huntington Beach at #2 Wiseburn-Da Vinci

Division 4

  • Eastvale Roosevelt at #1 Long Beach Jordan
  • Lancaster at #16 South Pasadena
  • Viewpoint at #9 La Canada
  • Quartz Hill at #8 Yorba Linda
  • Xavier Prep at #5 Eastside
  • Gabrielino at #12 Beaumont
  • Anaheim Canyon at #13 Moorpark
  • Knight at #4 Burbank
  • Loma Linda Academy at #3 El Dorado
  • Whittier Christian at #14 Ontario
  • Westlake at #11 Hesperia Christian
  • Hesperia at #6 Long Beach Wilson
  • Walnut at #7 Pasadena Poly
  • Shalhevet at #10 Bolsa Grande
  • Silverado at #15 Holy Martyrs
  • St. Genevieve at #2 Marina

Division 5

  • St. Paul at #1 Tesoro
  • Lakewood at #16 Sunny Hills
  • Milken at #9 Bishop Diego
  • Fullerton at #8 Twentynine Palms
  • Temescal Canyon at #5 Fountain Valley
  • Torrance at #12 St. Pius X-St. Monica Academy
  • Vistamar at #3 AGBU
  • Indian Springs at #14 Nogales
  • Ridgecrest Burroughs at #11 Chaffey
  • Coastal Christian at #6 Barstow
  • La Palma Kennedy at #7 San Jacinto Leadership Academy
  • Long Beach Poly at #10 St. Mary’s Academy
  • Garden Grove at #15 Kaiser
  • Cajon at #2 Paloma Valley

Division 8

  • Excelsior Charter at #1 Cobalt
  • Yucca Valley at #16 Laguna Blanca
  • University Prep at #9 Anaheim
  • Elsinore at #8 Norwalk
  • Orange at #5 California Military
  • Banning at #12 Coachella Valley
  • Duarte at #13 Riverside Notre Dame
  • Santa Barbara Providence at #4 Santa Ana Valley
  • Mesa Grande at #3 EF Academy
  • Compton Early College at #14 Schurr
  • Packinghouse Christian at #11 South El Monte
  • Edgewood at #6 CAMS
  • Anza Hamilton at #7 Victor Valley
  • Samueli Academy at #10 Chadwick
  • Westminster at #15 Santa Monica Pacifica Christian
  • Desert Chapel at #2 Riverside North

Division 9

  • Southwestern Academy at #1 NOVA Academy Early College
  • Eisenhower at #16 Vista del Lago
  • Saddleback at #9 Victor Valley Christian
  • Webb at #8 Santa Clarita Christian
  • Riverside Bethel Christian at #5 Channel Islands
  • La Puente at #12 Jurupa Hills
  • Desert Hot Springs at #13 Glendale Adventist
  • San Luis Obispo Classical at #4 Temple City
  • La Sierra at #3 Cate
  • Faith Baptist at #14 Arroyo
  • Miller at #11 Newport Christian
  • Ganesha at #6 Redlands Adventist
  • Lakeview Academy at #7 San Gabriel
  • Thousand Oaks Hillcrest Christian at #10 Sierra Vista
  • Santa Maria Valley Christian at #15 Rancho Alamitos
  • Western at #2 Avalon

https://www.latimes.com/sports/highschool/story/2026-02-07/high-school-basketball-southern-section-playoff-pairings

‘Tell Me Lies’ star Jackson White hints at big Season 3 finale

**SCAD TVfest Honors Television’s Brightest Stars in Atlanta**

ATLANTA — The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) held its annual TVfest this week in Atlanta, celebrating “an exceptional group of artists and storytellers whose work reflects television’s enduring power and cultural impact.”

Among the honorees were some of the industry’s most dynamic talents:

– **Quinta Brunson**, creator and star of *Abbott Elementary*, received the Variety Creative Showrunner Award.
– *Tell Me Lies* star **Jackson White** was honored with the Rising Star Award.
– The beloved *Scrubs* cast — **Zach Braff**, **Donald Faison**, and **Sarah Chalke** — took home the Cast Award.

### Rising Star Jackson White Talks *Tell Me Lies*

On The Red Carpet spoke with Jackson White, who portrays Stephen, the toxic love interest of Lucy (played by Grace van Patten) in Hulu’s *Tell Me Lies*. White described playing Stephen as “a good exercise in stoicism.”

Receiving the Rising Star Award at SCAD TVfest, White shared his gratitude:
“It’s great. What an honor. So cool. It’s nice to be recognized in any capacity for all of the pain and the grinding.”

Looking ahead to the highly anticipated Season 3 finale, White teased, “I can’t say it’s a great ending, but it’s going to spark a lot of conversation.” The finale is set to premiere on Hulu on February 17.

### *Scrubs* Cast Reunites Ahead of Revival on ABC

Also at the fest, we caught up with the *Scrubs* cast as they gear up for the show’s ABC revival. The original series aired from 2001 to 2010, and the new version will premiere on February 25.

Sarah Chalke reflected on the enduring friendships among the cast:
“I’ve known these guys 25 years.”

Braff and Faison’s on-screen bromance is just as strong off-screen:
“Yeah, it’s mostly thanks to his wife,” Braff joked. “She’s sort of the mediator because we get in bromance disagreements, and he will go off and pout. Then his wife, on the text chain, will be like, ‘Y’all need to work this out.’”

Faison chimed in with a laugh:
“That is 100% true, yes. And I do pout, yes. Yeah, so I really have to give credit to CaCee Cobb, Donald’s wife, because she’s the glue.”

For those new to *Scrubs*, no worries — the revival promises to be accessible to all viewers:
“I promise you, we did the research, and we’re giving you what you want. And if you’re new to the show, you don’t have to watch the old show to enjoy this version of it. It’s for everybody,” said Faison.

*Note:* The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Hulu, ABC, and this ABC station.
https://abc7.com/post/scad-tvfest-stars-hint-tell-lies-season-3-finale-whats-come-scrubs-revival/18556098/

High-Profile Peacock Show Officially Scrapped

A high-profile Peacock show is no longer happening. After it was announced in 2025 that the *Upgrade* sequel series was canceled, producer Tim Walsh further confirmed the news.

Back in 2020, Deadline reported that Leigh Whannell’s 2018 sci-fi thriller *Upgrade* would be getting a TV follow-up. The original film follows a technophobe who, after a mugging leaves him paralyzed, is implanted with a chip that allows him to control his body. The planned series was set to pick up a few years after the events of the film, broadening the universe with an evolved version of STEM and a new host, imagining a world in which the government repurposes STEM to help curb criminal activity.

Blumhouse Television and UCP were set to collaborate on the project, with Whannell attached to direct. However, in early 2025, Whannell alluded to the show’s cancellation during an interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*. He explained, “As far as making a sequel to *Upgrade*, it’s another one where he thinks they’re good and it doesn’t need another. I would love to let that film keep bubbling away as this cult movie, and if people keep thinking that it was somehow prophetic, then that would be great.”

More recently, in an interview with *Bloody Disgusting*, producer Tim Walsh shed additional light on the cancellation. “Leigh and I sold that to Peacock back in 2019,” he recalled. “I think I started my writer’s room for *Upgrade* on the day the world shut down from the pandemic. We had the writer’s room. We wrote the scripts. But, as often happens in this business, somebody up top at Peacock got fired, and a new person came in, thought they knew everything, and dropped that project. It never got picked up later because it was a tumultuous time in the world.”

Considering Whannell has expressed no interest in pursuing an *Upgrade* sequel, it can be assumed that he and Walsh won’t be trying to revive the series. Whether the series would have moved forward if not for the pandemic remains unknown, but COVID-19 certainly disrupted many productions. It seems the pandemic was the final nail in the coffin for the *Upgrade* sequel series.
https://popculture.com/streaming/news/high-profile-peacock-show-officially-scrapped/

Reggae Genealogy returns for a cinematic celebration of Jamaican music and culture

Reggae Genealogy is back and ready for its close-up during Reggae Month! This year’s theme is a cinematic celebration of music, culture, and legacy. From legendary roots to modern vibes, this party promises to be a true blockbuster.

The lovely sounds of reggae have deep roots, and this Saturday, honoring the great legends behind this powerful groove is what Reggae Genealogy is all about.

### A Musical History Lesson with Tifa

Tifa shares, “It is a history class but done in such a fun musical way that the whole family can enjoy it.” Gracing the musical stage, Tifa adds, “I’ll be doing a mixture, so I’ll be giving you some singing as well as the standard DJing. You will get the high energy Tifa, of course. A medley of different songs, definitely a hybrid. I can’t say anymore—stop asking me these questions!”

### Hosted by Jamaican Actress Audrey Reid

Jamaican actress Audrey Reid is hosting this year’s event, and the vibe fits her perfectly. Audrey says, “‘Reggae Genealogy: Lights. Camera. Action.’ This year’s theme is right up my alley. I’m an actress, known for my role in the movie ‘Dancehall Queen.’”

Starring in the 1997 movie “Dancehall Queen” made her mark, but being featured on Deco Drive is like icing on the cake. Audrey shares, “We’re getting new audiences, and I’m just all over the place. Right now, I’m on Deco Drive, which will add volume to my portfolio.”

### Honoring Legendary Artists

Ms. Reid will be rocksteady partying with some of reggae’s finest. “Our great Leroy Sibbles will be there. We’ll be honoring Vegas, one of our… I mean, a bad artist in Jamaica. We’ll be honoring the late great Jimmy Cliff, who passed earlier this year, and Sly from Sly and Robbie, sadly, who passed recently,” says Audrey.

### Food, Vendors, and Unique Finds at Volunteer Park

Plenty of grub and vendors will be present at Volunteer Park in Plantation this year, including some rare finds from Genesis Unique Jewelry. Carmen Puccio shares, “I love participating in Reggae Genealogy; this will be my third year. I love the culture and the colors that they use. My husband and I make everything by hand using materials like leather, copper, wood, aluminum, and bamboo. I compliment your confidence with my unique jewelry. Everything is handcrafted, authentic, and one-of-a-kind.”

### Tickets and Event Details

Reggae Genealogy is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Tickets start at $30.

**Event Location:**
Volunteer Park
12050 West Sunrise Blvd.
Plantation, FL 33323

**For more information and to buy tickets, [click here].**

Don’t miss out on this vibrant celebration of reggae music, culture, and legacy!
https://wsvn.com/entertainment/deco-drive/reggae-genealogy-returns-for-a-cinematic-celebration-of-jamaican-music-and-culture/

John Fox

John Fox is an elite warrior and super soldier known for saving the leaders of various states. His exceptional skills and bravery have earned him a reputation as one of the best in the field.

Before retirement, John was a professional mercenary who served with honor and distinction. After years of dedicated service, he chose to step away from the battlefield and enjoy a peaceful life.

However, tragedy struck when his beloved pet, Milo, was killed. This heartbreaking loss has reignited John’s fierce determination. Now, he must seek justice and avenge Milo’s death. The mission is personal, and failure is not an option.
https://www.gamespot.com/games/john-fox/

Steam Machine will play the majority of Steam titles ‘at 4K 60 fps with FSR’, but some will require more upscaling than others, Valve says

Valve has finally broken its silence on its forthcoming hardware lineup, revealing new details about the Steam Frame and Steam Machine. The company also explained why it hasn’t yet announced pricing or a release date—blaming the ongoing RAM shortage, humorously dubbed the “RAMpocalypse.”

In a newly released FAQ, Valve shared insights into the expected performance of the Steam Machine. “In our testing, the majority of Steam titles play great at 4K 60 fps with FSR on Steam Machine,” the company stated. However, it added that some games require more aggressive upscaling, and for those titles, it may be better to play at a lower framerate using VRR to maintain a native 1080p internal resolution.

Valve is actively working on several improvements to enhance the gaming experience, including enabling HDMI VRR, investigating better upscaling techniques, and optimizing ray tracing performance in the driver. “We are approaching this from multiple angles,” the FAQ reads, underscoring the company’s commitment to delivering a premium experience.

This 4K at 60 fps target isn’t new. Back in November, Valve engineer Yazan Aldehayyat told PC Gamer, “Our benchmark has always been that it should have enough performance to play every game on Steam at 4K60 when you do some sort of upscaling like FSR.” It’s an ambitious goal, but one that makes sense since the Steam Machine is designed as a living room PC—and most living rooms feature 4K TVs.

Additionally, Valve confirmed that both the SSD and memory modules in the Steam Machine will be upgradable. This flexibility is a welcome feature for users who want to customize or future-proof their devices.

Another interesting announcement is that third-party manufacturers and customers will be able to create their own faceplates for the Steam Machine. Valve plans to share faceplate CAD files, specifications, and details in the coming months to support this customization.

While Valve had hoped to reveal pricing and release dates by now, ongoing shortages in memory and storage components have caused delays. Nonetheless, both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame are still scheduled to launch in the first half of 2026.

Stay tuned for more updates as Valve continues to fine-tune its hardware and prepares to enter the living room gaming market with these new devices.
https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/steam-machine-will-play-the-majority-of-steam-titles-at-4k-60-fps-with-fsr-but-some-will-require-more-upscaling-than-others-valve-says/

Curry, James, Durant to team up at NBA All-Star Game

Stephen Curry will be joining Olympic teammates LeBron James and Kevin Durant once again, this time at the NBA All-Star Game. The league announced the rosters for this season’s midseason showcase event on Tuesday night, splitting 25 players across three squads.

This year marks the debut of a new All-Star format: U.S. vs. The World. The event is set for February 15 at the Los Angeles Clippers’ home arena in Inglewood, California. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver believes this concept will tap into national pride among the players, making it a timely and exciting change.

The game will be broadcast on NBC, which is also airing the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics starting later this week and running through February 22. The U.S.-vs.-World format had been discussed for years before finally becoming a reality this season.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association unveiled this long-awaited plan in an effort to reignite interest in the All-Star Game after last season’s tournament format received widespread criticism.

Notably, the Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard, considered by many as the most deserving player left off the original list of 24 All-Stars, was added to the pool of U.S. players shortly before the rosters were revealed. Leonard’s inclusion likely resulted in New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns being moved to the World team. Although Towns was born in New Jersey, he has represented the Dominican Republic — his late mother’s homeland — in international basketball.

To accommodate the new format, the NBA announced it would adjust roster sizes as needed to ensure that each of the three teams has a minimum of eight players. The World team currently has nine players, as Giannis Antetokounmpo is not expected to participate due to injury.

The two U.S. teams were split by age: the older players make up USA Stripes, while the younger players comprise USA Stars.

### All-Star Rosters

**USA Stripes**
– Jaylen Brown (Boston)
– Jalen Brunson (New York)
– Stephen Curry (Golden State)
– Kevin Durant (Houston)
– LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers)
– Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland)
– Norman Powell (Miami)
**Coach:** Mitch Johnson (San Antonio)

**USA Stars**
– Scottie Barnes (Toronto)
– Devin Booker (Phoenix)
– Cade Cunningham (Detroit)
– Jalen Duren (Detroit)
– Anthony Edwards (Minnesota)
– Chet Holmgren (Oklahoma City)
– Jalen Johnson (Atlanta)
– Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia)
**Coach:** J. B. Bickerstaff (Detroit)

**World Team**
– Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee)
– Deni Avdija (Portland)
– Luka Doncic (Los Angeles Lakers)
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City)
– Nikola Jokic (Denver)
– Jamal Murray (Denver)
– Pascal Siakam (Indiana)
– Karl-Anthony Towns (New York)
– Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio)
**Coach:** Darko Rajakovic (Toronto)

### Schedule and Format

All games will be 12 minutes each.

– **Game 1:** USA Stars vs. World
– **Game 2:** USA Stripes vs. Winner of Game 1
– **Game 3:** USA Stripes vs. Loser of Game 1
– **Game 4 (Championship):** Top two teams from round-robin play

If all three teams finish with a 1-1 record after the round-robin games, the first tiebreaker will be point differential across each team’s games.

This fresh format promises exciting basketball action, pitting top U.S. talent against the best from around the globe in a celebration of the sport’s international reach. Fans can look forward to a renewed All-Star experience when the game tips off in February.
https://www.observer-reporter.com/uncategorized/2026/feb/03/curry-james-durant-to-team-up-at-nba-all-star-game/

Drake addresses plans for UPD

Members of the Students’ Association (SA) held an emergency meeting Friday to vote in opposition to a bill that would have removed the requirement of an enhanced permit as a condition for carrying a concealed pistol on South Dakota public higher education campuses. House Bill 1133 was ultimately killed in a 9-6 vote in the House committee on Monday, according to SA Government Affairs Chair Anna Hundt.

**Open Forum**

Monday night’s SA meeting began with an address from interim Police Chief Michael Drake. Drake is currently providing leadership for the University Police Department (UPD) until South Dakota State University (SDSU) hires a new chief.

When asked about the practices and policies he plans to implement at UPD, Drake emphasized a focus on professionalism and serving the “customer base.”

“I want to make sure that UPD, their culture fits with what you folks want, or what your family wants or what the staff wants here,” Drake said.

During his time as chief, Drake also aims to maintain transparency in the department’s communication.

“My communication standard as far as being the chief of police or representing a police agency is to be upfront and honest with folks,” he explained. “Not because we have to meet standards or comply with Title IX, but because you should know what’s going on when something is happening in the halls, or on the side or within our campus community where that impacts you every day.”

Originally from New York state, Drake moved to Brookings in 2022. He shared that his roles with the Brookings Police Department and now UPD have made him feel “rejuvenated.”

The 2026 Hobo Day Grand Pooba, Grace Barnett, also addressed the senate. Barnett has been involved with the Hobo Day Committee for the past three years and is excited to enhance the annual Hobo Gear Prep Night event during Hobo Week.

“We’re looking at doing a fun little twist on that, possibly doing some premade outfits, or possibly having different coordinators on the team compose an outfit that they choose,” Barnett said. Hobo Day is set for October 24, 2026.

**Committee Reports**

An additional 200 journals are now available for free to SDSU students, Chief of Staff Emma Peterson announced. The library committee recently signed an agreement, bringing the total number of accessible journals to 1,300.

Peterson also reported a change in Briggs Library’s Sunday hours. Starting now, the library opens at noon instead of 1 p.m.

Additionally, a new textbook guide has been created for students by the Wintrode Student Success Center.

“There is now a textbook guide since there are so many different ways for students to access their textbooks, whether it’s online or a physical textbook,” Peterson explained.

Copies of the textbook guide will be available in the Students’ Association office, located on Main Street in the Student Union.
https://sdsucollegian.com/32743/featured/drake-addresses-plans-for-upd/

Secretary Noem says body cameras are being deployed to field officers in Minneapolis

**Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Announces Nationwide Deployment of Body Cameras for Field Officers**

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Monday, February 2, that her department is immediately deploying body cameras to every field officer in Minneapolis. She also stated that the body camera program would be expanded nationwide as funding becomes available.

“Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis. As funding is available, the body camera program will be expanded nationwide,” Noem said in a post on X.

This announcement comes amid heightened scrutiny of the immigration enforcement policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, following the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minnesota last month by agents of the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security.

The tragic killings have sparked protests across the country. Human rights advocates have widely condemned Trump’s immigration policies, arguing they lack due process and create a hostile environment for immigrant communities. In response, Trump has defended his administration’s actions as necessary measures to improve domestic security.

Commenting on Noem’s announcement, President Trump told reporters that body cameras “generally tend to be good for law enforcement, because people can’t lie about what’s happening.”

“So it’s, generally speaking, I think 80% good for law enforcement. But if she wants to do that, I’m OK with it,” Trump added, clarifying that the decision was made by Noem and not by him.

Noem’s announcement followed a conference call with key officials, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, Trump Border Czar Tom Homan — who has been assigned to oversee operations in Minnesota — and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

She confirmed that the Trump administration will “rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country,” signaling a broader commitment to increase transparency and accountability within federal law enforcement agencies.
https://www.echopress.com/news/national/secretary-noem-says-body-cameras-are-being-deployed-to-field-officers-in-minneapolis