4 charged with manslaughter in death of Massachusetts police recruit

WORCESTER, MA — A supervisor and three instructors with the Massachusetts State Police Academy were indicted in connection with the death ofEnrique Delgado-Garcia, a recruit who died following a training exercise on defensive tactics in 2024, authorities announced Monday, Feb. 9.

Delgado-Garcia, 25, died on Sept. 13, 2024, a day after becoming unresponsive during a boxing match at the State Police Academy in New Braintree, a town about 68 miles west of Boston. At the time, theWorcester Telegram & Gazette, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported that the boxing program was previously halted due to injury concerns.

Following his death, state police suspended full-contact boxing training activities for recruits, and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell appointed attorney David Meier toconduct an independent investigationinto the incident.

After anine-month grand jury investigation, Meier said evidence revealed that members of the State Police Academy committed a "series of wanton and reckless acts" in connection with various defensive tactics and physical confrontation training exercises.

The head of the academy's defensive tactics unit, Sgt. Jennifer Penton, and three troopers under her command – Edwin Rodriguez, David Montanez, and Casey LaMonte – were each charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious injury to a person participating in a physical training exercise, Meier said.

Penton has also been charged with perjury for allegedly giving false testimony to a special statewide grand jury, according to Meier.

"Each of these individuals owed a duty of care to Enrique Delgado-Garcia and to his fellow trainees," Meir said during anews conferenceon Monday, Feb. 9. "Each of them interacted with Mr. Delgado-Garcia and his fellow trainees on a daily basis, and each of them committed a series of wanton and reckless acts and omissions that resulted in Enrique Delgado-Garcia's death."

Autopsy: Enrique Delgado-Garcia died from blunt trauma

Delgado-Garcia was rushed to a hospital in Worcester, a city about 20 miles east of New Braintree, on Sept. 12, 2024, after being injured during a training exercise.

In a statement, Meier said "wanton and reckless conduct resulted in Enrique Delgado Garcia suffering concussion-like symptoms as the result of unauthorized, unapproved, and unsupervised boxing-related sparring exercises that occurred during Academy training activities on Wednesday, September 11, 2024."

He added that Delgado-Garcia sustained multiple blunt force injuries to the head and "massive brain bleeding" after instructors at the State Police Academy failed to stop a training boxing match on Sept. 12, 2024. Delgado-Garcia died the next day as a result of the "head injuries sustained during the recruit-on-recruit boxing match," according to Meier.

Last year, Michael Wilcox, a lawyer representing Delgado-Garcia's family, confirmed that Delgado-Garcia died from blunt trauma to the head. Citing an autopsy report from the medical examiner, Wilcox said Delgado-Garcia suffered a myriad of injuries to his head, including contusions in both his eyes, thyroid, and neck.

The autopsy report also found that Delgado-Garcia had contusions on his chest and back, as well as on one of his arms and knees, according to Wilcox. Delgado-Garcia's family has previously said they were told the 25-year-old suffered injuries during a few minutes of boxing, which was part of the training program at the academy.

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Law enforcement, lawyers react to indictments

During the news conference, Campbell said it was necessary to conduct an independent investigation into Delgado-Garcia's death due to the "extraordinary nature of these events and the complexity of this case."

Delgado-Garcia's death rocked the Worcester District Attorney's Office, where he had once served as a victim witness advocate, and left members of his family calling for answers. The Worcester District Attorney's Office recused itself from the investigation due to its close connection to Delgado-Garcia.

In response to the indictments announced on Monday, Feb. 9, Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble said in a statement that it was a "difficult and somber day" for the department, which he said has "cooperated fully" with Meier's probe.

Noble said the department has taken several steps to strengthen the academy, including "expanding support" for recruits and commissioning a forthcoming "independent review" by the International Association of Police Chiefs.

Brian Williams, president of the State Police Association of Massachusetts, said "veteran training staff indicted today are entitled to the same presumption of innocence and due process guaranteed to every citizen."

Williams added that the association "stands firmly behind its members and intends to vigorously defend them against these charges as we continue to work collaboratively with the Department to strengthen and enhance training standards, ensuring Troopers are fully prepared to meet the complex and demanding realities of the job."

Lawyers for Civil Rights, a nonprofit based in Boston, praised the charges, saying that while state police "failed" Delgado-Garcia, it was "heartened" to see troopers would be held accountable.

"The grieving Delgado-Garcia family deserves justice, and this tragedy must lead to meaningful reforms," the nonprofit said in a statement.

Most charges to be tried in Worcester

As of 5 p.m. local time on Monday, Feb. 9, it did not appear that arraignment dates for the troopers had been set.

Online court records indicated the manslaughter and training injury-related charges against the troopers will be prosecuted in Worcester Superior Court, while the perjury charge against Penton would be prosecuted in Middlesex Superior Court.

Campbell's office did not immediately respond to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette's query about the reason for the different sites. Meier noted during the news conference that the indictments had been brought by a statewide grand jury.

Lawyers for Penton and LaMonte declined to comment. The Worcester Telegram & Gazette has reached out to lawyers listed for other troopers.

State police also did not immediately respond to queries about the job status of the charged troopers. Online records listed Penton as a lieutenant. Campbell's office, which identified her as a sergeant, didn't immediately return a request for clarification.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette:Enrique Delgado-Garcia case: 4 charged with manslaughter

byCosmopolite

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February 09, 2026

4 charged with manslaughter in death of Massachusetts police recruit

WORCESTER, MA — A supervisor and three instructors with the Massachusetts State Police Academy were indicted in connectio...

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An emotional countdown to the maiden launch of the Ariane 64, Europe's most powerful rocket

VERNON, France (AP) — In a tightly controlled manufacturing hangar west of Paris, workers put the finishing touches on an enormous silver-colored engine. In just a few days, a similar machine will help propel the most powerful version of Europe's Ariane 6 rocket yet, flying for the first time with four boosters.

On Thursday, the Ariane 64 rocket — named after its four boosters — is scheduled to make its maiden launch from the European spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aiming to deploy 32 satellites for Amazon Leo's broadband constellation.

The flagship of Europe's rocket industry is racing in a highly competitive environment against heavy weight players across the world, including the global market leader, Elon Musk's SpaceX.

At ArianeGroup's plant in Vernon, engineers design, integrate and test engines for the European heavy-lift launcher. At another site west of Paris, in Les Mureaux, the rocket's main stage components are being carefully built and assembled.

Associated Press journalists were provided rare access to facilities placed under strict security and confidentiality rules where teams of highly-specialized workers make from space conquest a daily reality.

"It's a special launch — something new for us on Ariane 6," ArianeGroup Chief Technical Officer Hervé Gilibert said. This flight marks the debut of the four-booster configuration, making the rocket roughly twice as powerful as the version flown since 2024, he said.

"Don't be surprised if you see it accelerate much more than Ariane 62, the version we have already launched five times," Gilibert said. "It delivers significantly more power, allowing much heavier payloads to be sent into space."

Components make trans-Atlantic journey

The launcher, its engines and avionics are built across Europe as 13 nations, members of the European Space Agency, agreed to cooperate and finance the Ariane 6 program.

"We are working with more than 600 subcontractors," Gilibert said. "Everything comes together at two main sites — Bremen in Germany for the upper stage, and Les Mureaux in France for the lower, or main stage of the launcher."

Ahead of Thursday's launch, all components have crossed the Atlantic to French Guiana for final assembly. The rocket stands about 62 meters (203 feet) tall, roughly the height of a 20-story building.

"We check everything until the very last minute, and then we fly," Gilibert said.

Once airborne, the mission will last about one hour and 50 minutes — nearly a full orbit around Earth — before the satellites are deployed in pairs from the top of the rocket. Amazon Leo's constellation is intended to compete with SpaceX's thousands of Starlink satellites.

The Vulcain 2.1 engine built at Vernon ignites first at liftoff.

"For a few seconds, we verify that it is functioning properly," said Emmanuel Viallon, director of the Vernon site. "Once we are fully confident it will operate correctly for the eight minutes that follow, we ignite the solid boosters and the rocket lifts off."

The four boosters help propel the rocket at launch, consuming 142,000 kilograms (313,056 pounds) of solid propellant in just over two minutes until they burn out.

Ariane 6, through both its launcher and engines, was designed to halve operating costs compared with its predecessor, Viallon said. Ariane 5 was last launched in 2023, concluding a program that began in the late 1970s to give Europe independent access to space.

Engines tested under near-real conditions

Engines produced in Vernon are tested on site under near-real launch conditions. Deep in the surrounding forest, reinforced structures hold the engines in place as they fire at full power, while test teams operate from underground control rooms.

Laurence, the engine firing test director at Vernon, said the full testing cycle takes two to three weeks, before the engines return to the assembly facility for final adjustments. Laurence's last name was not disclosed for security reasons.

For the team, each launch "is always a joy, it's always very intense," she said. "When an engine arrives here, those are really important moments for the team. And then, seeing that the launch goes well ... that brings a great deal of gratitude."

At Les Mureaux facility, engineers have started preparing rocket components for upcoming missions. Huge white cylinders lie horizontally to form the rocket's main stage that is 5.4 meters (17.7 feet) wide including tanks for supercooled hydrogen and oxygen that will feed the Vulcain engine.

Caroline Arnoux, business unit director at ArianeGroup, said seven to eight launches are planned this year.

"We have a very strong order book, equivalent to about 30 launches," Arnoux said. "Roughly one-third are institutional missions and two-thirds commercial. And our commercial customers are all waiting for the Ariane 64 version, which will be extremely important in the coming years."

Europe's independence at stake

Ariane 64 "is an additional level of performance," Hermann Ludwig Moeller, director of the European Space Policy Institute, said. "In itself, this is an important step in the whole program, hoping to demonstrate that this configuration works as reliably as Ariane 6 has been working so far."

The rocket's institutional missions last year included launches of a French military reconnaissance satellite, a weather satellite, and EU-sponsored Earth-observation radar and navigation satellites.

Moeller argued there can hardly be any comparison with SpaceX, which dominates the sector with its reusable rocket model.

SpaceX "builds the rockets, builds the satellites and also sells the service" while Europe operates under a different industrial setup with separate companies responsible for launchers, satellite manufacturing and satellite operations, he said.

For Ariane 6, a key challenge will be diversifying its European customer base, which could involve a system of European preference for government missions and further development of commercial markets across the continent, Moeller argued.

Independent access to space remains the core objective of the program to "allow Europe to meet its own needs," stressed Arnaud Demay, the Ariane 6 project manager.

ArianeGroup is also preparing for the future, working "on key technology bricks ... to enable the reuse of certain launcher components. Ideally, we would like to be able to reuse an entire stage, including the engines that powered its liftoff," Demay said.

Demay confided he almost always cries with emotion at seeing the rocket lifting off.

"We do it so rarely, and it's so majestic when it takes off: that little touch of magic inevitably overwhelms me with emotion every time," he said.

Nicolas Garriga contributed to this report.

byCosmopolite

in

February 09, 2026

An emotional countdown to the maiden launch of the Ariane 64, Europe's most powerful rocket

VERNON, France (AP) — In a tightly controlled manufacturing hangar west of Paris, workers put the finishing touches on an...

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Record snow drought in Western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires

A record snowdroughtwith unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making it more vulnerable towildfiresand hurting winter tourism and recreation.

Scientists say snow cover and snow depth are both at the lowest levels they've seen in decades, while at least 67 Western weather stations have measured their warmest December through early February on record. Normal snow cover this time of year should be about 460,000 square miles — about the size of California, Utah, Idaho and Montana — but this year it's only California-sized, about 155,000 square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center.

"I have not seen a winter like this before," said center director Mark Serreze, who has been in Colorado almost 40 years. "This pattern that we're in is so darned persistent."

The snowpack — measured by how much water is trapped inside — in Oregon is not only record low, but 30% lower than the previous record, said Jason Gerlich, regional drought early warning system coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Much of the U.S. east of the Rockies is snowbound and enduring more than two weeks ofbone-chilling abnormal cold, but in West Jordan, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City, Trevor Stephens went to the store last week in gym shorts and a T-shirt.

"Right now there's no snow on the ground," he said in a video interview, looking out his window and lamenting the lack of snowboarding opportunities. "I'd definitely rather have icy roads and snow than whatever is going on out here right now."

Concerns over water supply and wildfires

Ski resorts had already been strugglingthrough a difficult season, but the lack of snow has been persistent enough that concerns are growing about wider effects.

Oregon, Colorado and Utah have reported their lowest statewide snowpack since the early 1980s, as far back as records go.

A dry January has meant most states have received half their average precipitation or even less. Along with sunny days and higher-than-average temperatures, that's meant little snow buildup in a month that historically gets a lot of snow accumulation across much of the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Because of heavy rains in December, California is in better shape than the other states, scientists said.

As of Monday, it had been 327 days since Salt Lake City International Airport got 1 inch of snow, making it the longest stretch since 1890-91, according to the National Weather Service.

The meager snow in Colorado and Utah has put the Upper Colorado River Basin at the heart of the snow drought, said Gerlich.

A robust mountain snowpack that slowly melts as winter warms to spring provides a steady flow of water into creeks and rivers. That helps ensure there's enough water later in the year for agriculture, cities, hydropower electric systems and more.

But lack of snow or a too-fast melt means less water will replenish rivers like the Colorado later in the season.

"This is a pretty big problem for the Colorado basin," said Daniel Swain of the University of California's Water Resources Institute.

Experts said the snow drought could also kick-start an earlywildfireseason. Snow disappearing earlier than average leaves the ground exposed to warmer weather in the spring and summer that dries soils and vegetation quicker, said Daniel McEvoy, researcher with the Western Regional Climate Center.

Too warm to snow

While it's been dry, the record-low snowpack is mostly due to how warm the West has been, which is connected to climate change from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas, several scientists said. Since Dec. 1, there have been more than 8,500 daily high temperature records broken or tied in the West, according to NOAA data.

Much of the precipitation that would normally fall as snow and stay in the mountains for months is instead falling as rain, which runs off quicker, Swain and other scientists said. It's a problem scientistshave warned about with climate change.

Going snowless happens from time to time, but it's the warmth that has been so extreme, which is easier to tie to climate change, said Russ Schumacher, professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University and Colorado State Climatologist.

"It was so warm, especially in December, that the snow was only falling at the highest parts of the mountains," McEvoy said. "And then we moved into January and it got really dry almost everywhere for the last three to four weeks and stayed warm."

Wetter, cooler weather is coming

Meteorologists expect wetter, cooler weather across the West this week with some snow so this may be the peak of the snow drought. But it'll still be warmer than usual in many areas, and scientists aren't optimistic the snow will be enough.

"I don't think there's any way we're going to go back up to, you know, average or anywhere close to that," said Schumacher. "But at least we can chip away at those deficits a little bit if it does get more active."

The Associated Press receives support from the Walton Family Foundation for coverage of water and environmental policy. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of AP's environmental coverage, visithttps://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment

byCosmopolite

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February 09, 2026

Record snow drought in Western US raises concern for a spring of water shortages and wildfires

A record snowdroughtwith unprecedented heat is hitting most of the American West, depleting future water supplies, making...

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No. 9 Kansas beats top-ranked Arizona 82-78 for 8th straight win, back in contention in Big 12

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawksknocked off top-ranked Arizona82-78.

Arizona Kansas Basketball

Less than a month after falling out ofThe Associated Press Top 25, Kansas (19-5, 9-2 Big 12) has won eight in a row and clawed its way back into Big 12 title contention, trailing previously unbeaten Arizona (23-1, 10-1) by one game. Houston is currently in second, a half-game ahead of Kansas. The third-ranked Cougars face Utah on Tuesday night.

"We couldn't lose this game," senior guard Melvin Council Jr. said after knocking off Arizona. "We were just ready and prepared and we knew it was going to be a long game with a bunch of runs."

Kansas trailed by as many as 11 points in the game and did not hold a lead until the clock read 9:32 in the second half. Four Jayhawks finished in double figures, led by Flory Bidunga and Council Jr, who scored 23 points apiece. Bidunga also grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Jayhawks played without freshman standout Darryn Peterson, who wasexperiencing flu-like symptomsand missed the game. Self revealed after the game that Peterson had missed practice on Sunday and didn't know until about a half hour before the game that he would be unavailable. Despite missing 11 games, Peterson leads the Jayhawks in scoring, averaging 20.5 points.

"A lot of teams, this time of year, when you get to early February, they know where their ceiling is, and the great teams are operating pretty close to their ceiling, Kansas coach Bill Self said. "I don't know where our ceiling is, and I know that we're not close to it yet, though."

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The victory ended a 23-game winning streak for Arizona. It was the second-longest streak in Division I men's basketball behind Miami (Ohio), which has won 24 straight.

With the win, Kansas improved to 2-2 against top-10 opponents this season. It was also the Jayhawks' first win against the AP's top-ranked team at Allen Fieldhouse.

"Kansas is a hell of a team," Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said after the game. "They beat the No. 1 team in the country at home tonight. They did a hell of a job and their coach did a hell of a job."

Four Jayhawks finished the game in double figures, with Bryson Tiller scoring 18 and Jamari McDowell adding 10.

Brayden Burries led all scorers with 25 points for Arizona. Teammate Motiejus Krivas recorded a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Ivan Kharchenkov scored 13.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

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February 09, 2026

No. 9 Kansas beats top-ranked Arizona 82-78 for 8th straight win, back in contention in Big 12

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas climb picked up more steam Monday night as the No. 9 Jayhawksknocked off top-ranked Ariz...

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Brad Keselowski cleared to race in NASCAR's season-opening Daytona 500 after breaking his right leg

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski has been cleared to race in the Daytona 500, nearly two months after breaking his right leg.

Keselowski, who suffered the injury when he slipped on ice during a family ski vacation, passed a driving test Monday at Charlotte Motor Speedway and was officially given the green light to get behind the wheel in the No. 6 Ford for RFK Racing.

"So much work to get here!" Keselowski wrote in a post on X. "Special thanks to my family, the 6 crew, all the medical professionals and my fans for all your help and support."

Keselowski had surgery in mid-December and always believed he would be ready for the season-opening Daytona 500. Corey Lajoie filled in during the exhibition Clash last week at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Keselowski, the 2012 Cup Series champion, is winless in 16 starts in the Daytona 500. He turns 42 days before "The Great American Race" and is entering his 17th full season of racing at NASCAR's top level. He spent the bulk of his career at Team Penske but purchased a stake in Roush Fenway Racing in 2022 and became an owner/driver of the rebranded team.

AP auto racing:https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

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February 09, 2026

Brad Keselowski cleared to race in NASCAR's season-opening Daytona 500 after breaking his right leg

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Brad Keselowski has been cleared to race in the Daytona 500, nearly two months after breaking ...

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2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round with full order set after Super Bowl

So ... who's ready for NFL draft season?

Acaptivating, albeit decisive, Super Bowl 60put a cap on the 2025 NFL season, but action in the league isn't about to come to a standstill. The scouting combine is only two weeks away, and plenty of weighty decisions on retirements, potential cuts, trades and free agency moves are ahead in the next two months. And that's to say nothing of the draft, which several teams will be counting on to transform their fortunes coming off a campaign that featured a title matchup of two non-playoff teams from 2024.

With the full first-round order now set, here's our latest NFL mock draft projection:

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft

1.Las Vegas Raiders– Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

With Klint Kubiak in the foldas the Raiders' expected head-coaching hire, the Silver and Black have laid the foundation for a young quarterback to come in and thrive in the aggressive downfield attack. Las Vegas shouldn't have to do any real searching to find the right triggerman. After Tom Brady and team brass came out in full force to get a look at Mendoza in the national championship game, it would be a stunner if the franchise went in any other direction besides selecting the Heisman Trophy winner. There's substantial work to be done to provide him with sufficient support − particularly up front − but the Raiders should be highly aggressive in free agency to bring aboard a few veteran staples.

2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State

If Aaron Glenn's delayed staff reset didn't reflect a heightened level of panic for Gang Green, his taking over of defensive play-calling duties surely drove home the need for change. But a unit stunningly short on playmakers after trading away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams will have a difficult time turning things around without a significant talent infusion in the draft. Reese is hardly a finished product, particularly if any team is counting on him to make the transition from ultraversatile off-ball linebacker to full-time edge rusher. Still, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder might be the most dynamic defender in the draft when things are clicking for him.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)

Even after hiring Mike LaFleur, Arizona remains somewhat of an enigma in this slot. A pass rusher could be a consideration, but Mauigoa would offer a stout and steady presence at right tackle. Paired with Paris Johnson Jr., he could provide the protection and push necessary for LaFleur's scheme to coalesce in Year 1, regardless of whether Kyler Murray returns.

4. Tennessee Titans – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

A fearsome front four feels like a prerequisite for a true embrace of the Robert Saleh experience. Though Tennessee boasts an imposing interior with Jeffery Simmons and T'Vondre Sweat, the outlook at edge appears unsettled. Bain's atypical physical makeup for a defensive end might not be the same sticking point for Saleh and general manager Mike Borgonzi as it is for others, with the Hurricanes standout more than living up to the "fast and violent" identity the coach said he is seeking for his new team.

5. New York Giants – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

If nothing else, John Harbaugh's arrival should institute some guardrails for a franchise that has repeatedly careened into catastrophe in recent years. Picking up Tate might mark an important step forward for general manager Joe Schoen to align with that approach. While the 6-foot-3, 195-pound pass catcher should help take a considerable amount of pressure off both Jaxson Dart and Malik Nabers as an intermediate target, he could also further amplify the passing attack's vertical threat with his comfort stacking cornerbacks vertically and hauling in contested catches.

6.Cleveland Browns– Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Afterhis hiring as Browns coach, Todd Monken was lauded by many for his adaptability in adjusting his scheme to the available personnel. But there's no successful adapting to what Cleveland can conjure up along the offensive line, with a nearly total reset possibly in store. Though he's not the bulldozer one might expect to find plowing holes in the AFC North, Fano can make things happen on the move and stay in front of speed rushers thanks to his fleet feet.

7.Washington Commanders– David Bailey, DE/OLB, Texas Tech

Last offseason, the Commanders strung together a series of aggressive moves at almost every area of weakness besides its edge rush. Expect a bolder plan this time around as Washington takes inventory on what went wrong in a disastrous 5-12 campaign. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones might need to be creative in his deployment of the 6-foot-3, 250-pound Bailey, but the traits here are that of a double-digit sack artist.

8.New Orleans Saints– Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

How fortunate New Orleans is to be able to consider what some might view as a luxury pick. While there's certainly a question of resource allotment for the Saints, the rushing attack ranked 31st in expected points added per carry, according to Next Gen Stats, and should be contemplating a post-Alvin Kamara future. Even if he can't transcend the limitations of his position, Love could change the complexion of a Saints offense that must discover more ways to be explosive in Year 2 for Kellen Moore.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Think that Kansas City is getting cute here by taking a 5-foot-11, 195-pound slot receiver in the top 10? Don't focus on Lemon's measurables, and instead look to what the Biletnikoff Award winner can do for a withering offense. The Chiefs surely would be able to make quick use of Lemon's deftness at shaking man coverage, allowing the passing attack to progress without turning to the more drastic steps the organization has largely been disinterested in.

10. Cincinnati Bengals – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

It would be easy and sensible to pencil in an edge rusher for Cincinnati to account for Trey Hendrickson's expected departure. But the Bengals can't afford to take such a narrow view from this spot, especially with Bain and Bailey off the board. Downs is a true force multiplier near the line of scrimmage, and this unit would surely stand to benefit from his savvy, tone-setting approach.

11. Miami Dolphins – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Cornerback figured to be an area of heightened importance for the Dolphins this offseason even prior to the appointment of Jon-Eric Sullivan as general manager andJeff Hafley as coach. With the two former key Green Bay Packers figures in town, however, the position might be even more pressing. Miami might be better equipped than most teams to take a patient approach with McCoy, who missed all of last season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament but otherwise brings many of the traits the Dolphins currently lack on the back end.

12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

In tabbingChristian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, the Cowboys made it clear they have pinpointed the secondary as the source of many of last year's defensive meltdowns. To get the most out of his expected scheme, coming from the Vic Fangio scheme, Dallas likely is due for more consistency than it can count on from DaRon Bland and Shavon Revel. Delane played under new Cowboys secondary coach Ryan Smith at Virginia Tech prior to transferring to LSU, so the staff should know how to tap into capabilities that approached lockdown status last season.

13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

Before newly mintedNFL MVP Matthew Stafford announced his plan to returnfor next season, Rams general manager Les Snead expressed a desire to try to capitalize on what's left of the quarterback's career. To do so, Los Angeles might have to break from precedent by making a long overdue splash at cornerback. Cisse likely is in for a more extended acclimation period than either McCoy or Delane, but his superlative physical tools could allow the Rams to better match up against the bulkier receivers who have bothered them in recent years.

14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

Jesse Minter's arrivaland initial few moves seem to have calmed the waters for the Ravens for what could have been a rocky transition. Ioane's overall steadiness would make him a natural solution to a Baltimore interior line that too often was responsible for derailing the offense last season.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

As Lavonte David continues to mull retirement, it's readily evident that the Buccaneers should be searching for a new source of stability in the middle of their defense. Heady and disciplined throughout his play, Styles could mirror former Buckeyes teammate Emeka Egbuka for Tampa Bay as a highly polished Day 1 contributor.

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16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

The stars didn't align for New York to secure a top passer in this draft, though the franchise could force the issue if leadership is feeling unsettled with its alternatives in free agency. Rather than press the matter behind center, however, Gang Green might be better suited to ensure enhanced skill-position support. Tyson's versatility, polish and toughness should facilitate a smooth transition to the pros.

17. Detroit Lions – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

A 6-foot-6, 285-pound defensive end who bagged just two sacks in his final season might not be a surefire top-20 pick to some, but this shouldn't be a hard sell for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Whether kicking inside or working on the edge, Faulk might make for a fascinating running mate for Aidan Hutchinson given his untapped upside as a pass rusher.

18. Minnesota Vikings – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Bully ball comes easily to Hood, who makes for an exceedingly challenging matchup off the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. That physicality could make him a fast favorite of Brian Flores, who no doubt would love to have a well-built cover man capable of disrupting the timing of opposing aerial attacks.

19. Carolina Panthers – Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

A ruptured patellar tendon for Ikem Ekwonu in the playoffs turned the once-settled left tackle position into one of Carolina's biggest offseason uncertainties. As a blocker with a fairly volatile performance and athletic profile, Proctor can't be counted on to stabilize things out of the gate, but few others can match the 6-foot-7, 366-pounder when it comes to displacing or engulfing opponents.

20. Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers) – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

A double-dip on the back end for Dallas? Don't rule it out. McNeil-Warren might not match others on this list as a fixture of the first round just yet, but he could get there after the combine. Jerry Jones has been far more willing than other decision-makers to break from consensus in the draft, and the multitalented McNeil-Warren might help accelerate Parker's plan to get the pass defense in order.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers – KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Mike McCarthy's hireunderscores a clear desire by the Steelers to field plenty of support for their quarterback in 2026, no matter who's under center. Selecting Concepcion would be in keeping with that theme, as the ease with which he frees himself up underneath would add a highly desirable new facet to an offense that too often had to do things the hard way in 2025.

22. Los Angeles Chargers – Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

After he missed all but two games last season due to a foot injury, Banks parlayed a strong Senior Bowl showing into significant buzz in the pre-draft process. With nose tackle Teair Tart recently re-signed, the Chargers can continue to focus on setting the tone at the line of scrimmage by bringing on the 6-foot-6, 335-pounder, who might be the most disruptive interior force in the class when he's putting it all together.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

The rapidly crumbling infrastructure of Philadelphia's once-formidable offensive frontwarrants addressing early on in the draft. Howie Roseman could return to the Bulldog pipeline for a possible Lane Johnson successor − in either the short or long term − in Freeling, an ascendant blocker with an impressive frame and solid functional athleticism.

24. Browns (from Jacksonville Jaguars) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Monken's extensive use of two tight-end sets can only do so much to cover for an uninspiring receiving corps. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, Boston likely won't blaze past many defensive backs, but his penchant for plucking the ball over the top of them could make him a true No. 1 option.

25. Chicago Bears – T.J. Parker, DE, Clemson

With a shining performance at the Senior Bowl, Parker appears to be firmly back in the first-round mix after a dip in production as a junior left some wondering where he stood. He might not be the most scintillating edge presence, but the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder can create disruption out of any lapse in technique or effort from opposing blockers.

26. Buffalo Bills – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

With the top four receivers in the class already spoken for, Buffalo shouldn't force a pick at a position when there are several other problematic areas for a franchise doubling down on an immediate title push. Mesidor's advanced age − he'll be 25 on draft day − might deter some teams from taking him on Day 1, but his dogged approach and instinctive pass-rushing style could allow him to become a force opposite Greg Rousseau.

27. San Francisco 49ers – Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

What are pre-combine mock drafts if not thought experiments? And it sure is fun to think about how Kyle Shanahan would utilize arguably this year's biggest mismatch threat in the passing game. Sadiq's arrival would invigorate a receiving corps that is due for a bit of electricity − or at least some not linked to a conspiracy theory about injuries.

28.Houston Texans– Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

How could Houston make a line that features NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Will Anderson Jr. and five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter even more formidable? Bolster the interior, where Lee Hunter (no relation) is sure to leave his mark with his knack for walking back blockers and commanding double teams.

29. Rams – Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Let's get back to that notion of trying to make the most of the remaining portion of the Stafford era. The Rams passing attack's overreliance on Puka Nacua and Davante Adams was on full display in the postseason, where the duo combined for 35 catches while the team's other wide receivers totaled five. Bernard's versatility and run-after-catch skills would be put to immediate use in Los Angeles and give the offense more easy solutions.

30. Denver Broncos – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

For as settled as the Broncos look in several key spots, linebacker almost nearly looks like a blank slate, depending on how things pan out with Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad. Denver would serve itself well in fortifying the second level of its defense with Allen, whose modest 6-foot-1, 235-pound build has many overlooking his robust skill set.

31. New England Patriots – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

Defensive play-caller Zak Kuhr has unleashed a wide array of different looks to compensate for an edge rush that's struggled to generate heat in more straightforward setups. Howell carries all the complications one might expect of incorporating a 6-foot-2, 248-pound pass rusher, but his toolkit for creating pressure helps prevent him from stalling out with too much regularity.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

ForSeattle's "Dark Side" defenseto continue blotting out opponents, a reconsideration of the cornerback room likely will be required this offseason. Aggressive yet calculating in coverage, Terrell would have no trouble fitting in with the ethos Mike Macdonald has established for this unit.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round with full order set

byCosmopolite

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February 09, 2026

2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting first round with full order set after Super Bowl

So ... who's ready for NFL draft season? Acaptivating, albeit decisive, Super Bowl 60put a cap on the 2025...

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George Clooney Jokes He Wants To ‘Kill Himself’ After Seeing This Actor

In a shocking turn of events,George Clooneyhas jokingly revealed the reason why he's tempted to"kill himself". According to Clooney, thereasonfor his existential crisis is a certain South Korean star. The Hollywood star shared that being in the same room as the handsome actor is both captivating and overwhelming.

George Clooney jokes about killing himself due to this reason

George Clooney recently dropped the bombshell that fans weren't ready for. Hollywood's silver fox revealed the reason why he wants to kill himself, and it's not what anyone would expect.

Clooney met Park Bo Gum in Milan, Italy, at the launch of Omega's Omega House ahead of the Winter Olympics. The star-studded event, organized by Omega, also drew notable guests such as Allyson Felix, Marisa Tomei, and Omega's CEO, Raynald Aeschlimann, among others.

The Good Boy actor stole the show by speaking fluent English, impressing everyone as he took over the mic. "I'm happy to be here and meet you all," Park said, addressing Clooney, and added, "I never expected to meet George here." When Park Bo Gum shared, "I want to cherish this moment," Clooney smiled, putting a hand on his shoulder, and responded in a way that melted hearts.

"It's very frustrating for me because at 64, I look at him and I wanna k*ll myself," the Jay Kelly star said.

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Park's heartfelt moment with George Clooney has fans going wild, with many praising his charm and the sweet chemistry between the two. "Bro is so real for that. Gotta appreciate George's honesty,"tweeteda fan under Pop Crave'sX (formerly Twitter) post.

"At 64 Clooney wants to unalive himself over Park Bogum's face — aging like fine wine vs eternal youth,"wroteanother. "Oh Bogummy, can't blame Clooney for saying that… Both of you guys are awesome,"echoeda fan of both stars.

At the event, Park Bo Gum spoke about his budding connection with Omega, highlighting the brand's values and his fascination with watchmaking excellence and Olympic heritage.

Originally reported by Sibanee Gogoi onMandatory

The postGeorge Clooney Jokes He Wants To 'Kill Himself' After Seeing This Actorappeared first onReality Tea.

byCosmopolite

in

February 09, 2026

George Clooney Jokes He Wants To ‘Kill Himself’ After Seeing This Actor

In a shocking turn of events,George Clooneyhas jokingly revealed the reason why he's tempted to"kill himself". According to C...

Read More