AP Texas

Associated Press MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — The late Amada Cardenas was called many things — the “angel of peyote,” the “peyote rose” or simply “Grandma Amada.” The beloved Mexican American peyotera — who was the first authorized dealer of peyote in the United States — not only played a vital role in the history

Associated Press The Native American Church is considered the most widespread religious movement among the Indigenous people of North America. It holds sacred the peyote cactus, which grows naturally only in some parts of southern Texas and northern Mexico. Peyote has been used spiritually in ceremonies, and as a medicine by Native American people for

AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Quarterback C.J. Stroud summed up Houston’s performance in an embarrassing 31-2 loss to Baltimore on Wednesday. “Sometimes you go out there and lay an egg,” Stroud said. “It’s not easy to say that, but that’s what happened. Didn’t play well from the first play to the last.” The AFC

AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — Lamar Jackson broke the NFL career rushing record for quarterbacks in the Baltimore Ravens’ victory over the Houston Texans on Wednesday. A highlight came when Jackson dashed 48 yards for a touchdown on a run where he reached a career-best top speed of 21.25 mph. “I was jogging,” Jackson

AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 26 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 105-99 Christmas Day victory over Dallas after Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic left the game with a strained left calf. A rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals won by Dallas fell flat when Doncic pulled up

AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama nearly obliterated the Spurs’ Christmas record book in his first time playing on the holiday. Nearly won the game, too. His 42 points and 18 rebounds could only get San Antonio close before falling short, with the New York Knicks pulling out a 117-114 victory Wednesday.

AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — While the Dallas Mavericks wait to see how long they’ll be without Luka Doncic because of his latest left calf injury, they have another example of how to stay afloat until the superstar’s return. Doncic exited late in the second quarter of a 105-99 Christmas Day loss to Minnesota

AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Mikal Bridges scored a season-high 41 points, and the New York Knicks overcame 42 from Victor Wembanyama in a monster Christmas debut to edge the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 on Wednesday. Wembanyama set a Spurs’ record for points on the holiday and added 18 rebounds, four assists and

AP Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Sam Leavitt grew up with three older siblings, one of whom went on to play in the NFL. None of them let the baby of the family win at anything, and it drove him nuts. “It’s not like he ever was a good loser,” said Tania Leavitt, Sam’s

AP Pro Football Writer Inside the Numbers dives into NFL statistics, streaks and trends each week. For more Inside the Numbers, head here. ___ Led by free-agent bargains Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, the number of big-play running backs is rivaling the number of high-production wide receivers for a change. With two weeks remaining in

Associated Press SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Colorado secured what it said was record insurance coverage for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter as the star duo opted to complete their college careers in the Alamo Bowl rather than sit out and prepare for the NFL draft. Colorado would not disclose the amount

AP Sports Writer Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen still gets asked about the Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on the first day of 2007. That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football’s blue bloods that was followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could

Baltimore (10-5) at Houston (9-6) Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., EST, Netflix. BetMGM NFL Odds: Ravens by 5 1/2. Against the spread: Ravens 8-6-1; Texans 6-7-2. Series record: Ravens lead 12-2. Last meeting: Ravens beat Texans 34-10 in the divisional round of the playoffs on Jan. 20 in Baltimore. Last week: Texans lost to Chiefs 27-19; Ravens

The Associated Press national player of the week in men’s college basketball for Week 7 of the season: Johni Broome, Auburn The 6-foot-10, 240-pound fifth-year senior and preseason Associated Press All-American is making a habit of this. This is the second straight week and third time in four weeks that Broome has been the choice,

AP Sports Writer OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Asked if there was any special meaning to playing on Christmas for a second straight season, Lamar Jackson paused for several seconds before answering. That said it all. “I mean, it is,” he finally replied, trying to be diplomatic. “That means we’re good, but at the same

AP Sports Writer ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates  was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the  Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of

AP Basketball Writer LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday — when the league celebrates Christmas with games for the 77th time — the league’s oldest

NEW YORK (AP) — American Airlines flights cleared to fly by FAA after brief grounding due to systemwide technical issue.

AP Business Writers WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne about an hour after the Federal

AP Basketball Writer Gonzaga coach Mark Few hadn’t been off the court long over the weekend when the focus turned to preparing for the 14th-ranked Bulldogs’ matchup with a ranked opponent days after Christmas. The good news was he could start thinking about it after a win, unlike UCLA’s Mick Cronin — whose No. 22

AP Basketball Writer The WNBA now has all of its head coaching spots filled after there were eight open positions this offseason. Dallas named Chris Koclanes as its head coach on Monday and then an hour later Washington hired Sydney Johnson as its new head, rounding out the seven hirings. There’s no common thread among

Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Roope Hintz scored his team-leading 15th goal to help the Dallas Stars beat Utah 3-2 on Monday night. Hintz snapped a 1-1 tie 12:39 into the second period. Jamie Benn and Colin Blackwell also scored for Dallas, and Casey DeSmith made 24 stops. The Stars had lost two

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence to score 27 points, Daniel Gafford added 23 off the bench and Kyrie Irving finished with 20 as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Portland Trail Blazers 132-108 on Monday night. Doncic shot 10 of 19 overall and 1 for 7 on 3-pointers after missing Dallas’

Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Tyrese Maxey scored 32 points and made two crucial plays in the final minute, and the Philadelphia 76ers rallied after Joel Embiid was ejected to beat Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs 111-106 on Monday night. Embiid was thrown out by referee Jenna Schroeder with 2:59 left in the

Associated Press CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Jabari Smith Jr. had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Fred VanVleet added 20 points and the Houston Rockets beat the Charlotte Hornets 114-101 on Monday night for their third straight win. Amen Thompson had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and Cam Whitmore chipped in with 17 points off the

Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was ejected in the first half of Monday night’s 111-106 victory over the San Antonio Spurs after drawing two technical fouls. Referee Jenna Schroeder ejected Embiid with 2:59 left in the second quarter. The seven-time All-Star received the first technical for arguing with Schroeder, and

DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic returned from a two-game absence because of a left heel contusion with 27 points on Monday night in the Dallas Mavericks’ 132-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. The All-Star guard judged the performance “OK.” “Nothing really special,” added Doncic, who also had seven rebounds and seven assists playing 30

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Kay Granger of Texas is having “unforeseen health challenges” that have worsened in the final months of her more than two decades in Congress, a statement from her office said Monday. Granger, 81, has not cast a vote in Washington since July. In a statement provided

AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — The Astros welcomed first baseman Christian Walker to the team Monday, in one of two moves that almost certainly marks the end of Alex Bregman’s time in Houston. Walker signed a $60 million, three-year contract that will pay him $20 million annually just more than a week after the

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday struck down key parts of an Arkansas law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors. U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks found that elements of the law are unconstitutional. “I respect the court’s ruling and will appeal,” Arkansas