Cal Poly rallies for upset win over UC Irvine

KEYT on February 13, 2026

Mike Klan

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (KEYT) – Sophomore Guzman Vasilic scored a career high 18 points and freshman Austin Goode enjoyed a collegiate best 17 Thursday evening as the Cal Poly men’s basketball program overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to hand previous Big West leader UC Irvine a 79-73 defeat inside Mott Athletics Center.

Sophomore Cayden Ward produced his second career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds for Cal Poly (10-16, 6-8), which utilized a 19-5 run out of halftime to overtake UC Irvine (16-9, 9-4) seven minutes into the second half.

The Mustangs trailed just twice down the stretch – by a single point each occasion – with three-pointers on four successive from possessions (Goode and sophomore Peter Bandelj alternating) establishing a 74-65 edge with two minutes to play.

Limiting UC Irvine to a 33.3 (10-for-30) percent second-half shooting mark, Cal Poly drained 14 three-pointers while outrebounding the anteaters, 51-40.

Bandelj, who sank four three-pointers alongside Vasilic, finished with 14 points for Cal Poly.

Facing just a 10-5 deficit after the initial six minutes and a 1-for-10 shooting start, Cal Poly received back-to-back three-pointers from Bandelj before Goode, sophomore Hamad Mousa and Vasilic all connected from the arc for a 20-12 advantage.

UC Irvine guard Derin Saran broke Cal Poly’s streak with a layup before freshman Troy Plumtree hit another three-pointer to place Cal Poly up 23-14 eight-and-a-half minutes before the break.

The Mustangs, however, were kept to just two field goals the remainder of the half as UC Irvine closed the period with a 28-6 run to lead heading into the locker room, 42-29.

Cal Poly Noteworthy (versus UC Irvine)

Up Next: Playing two its next three matchups at home, Cal Poly hosts rival UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m.

With Thursday’s win, Cal Poly knocked UC Irvine out of a tie for first place in the Big West standings, handing Hawai’i (18-5, 10-3) top spot – by a half-game – over UC Santa Barbara (17-8, 10-4).

Cal Poly, meanwhile, moved one-and-a-half games clear of Long Beach State for the eighth and final spot in the March 11-14 Big West Championship.

With his first bucket of the evening nine minutes into action, Hamad Mousa surpassed 500 points for the season. The effort marks the 13th 500-point season in program history and the third in as many years after current Los Angeles Clippers guard Kobe Sanders (568, 2023-24) and former guard Owen Koonce (593, 2024-25).

Cal Poly’s 51 rebounds marked a season high.

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California wildlife officials give mountain lions new habitat protections

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Nicole Comstock

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    LOS ANGELES (KCAL, KCBS) — Southern California loves its wildlife, and here’s no greater example of that than the affection Los Angeles felt for its most famous feline, P-22, who roamed the Hollywood Hills for over a decade.

In 2023, P-22 died shortly after being hit by a car.

“I love how the world connected to him, and he showed, in real time, what this vote was all about,” said Beth Pratt, regional executive director of the National Wildlife Federation.

Pratt said today’s California Fish and Game Commission vote classified mountain lions from the Santa Cruz Mountains to Southern California as threatened under the state’s Endangered Species Act, meaning greater habitat protections for the big cats.

Pratt added that our foothill freeways and developments have left them so genetically isolated that the mountain lions are inbreeding themselves nearly to extinction, with some cubs born with birth defects.

“To put it in layman’s terms, they need to be able to get dates outside their family, and that’s not what’s happening now,” Pratt said. “Here, any mountain lion south of the 101, the only options on mountain lion Tinder are selections within their family tree.”

Some builders who called into the meeting argued the new classification could require developers to conduct mitigation studies that would significantly increase construction costs and slow building schedules in a state with a housing crisis.

“My concern is that additional protections for mountain lions might negatively impact farmers and ranchers whose livestock come into contact,” said Kirk Wilbur, a representative from the California Cattlemen’s Association.

Wilbur said his organization is concerned about the big cats preying on their herds. The state said the new classification doesn’t prevent them from intervening in rare conflicts with people or livestock.

“Californians have spoken whether it be P-22, or the Annenberg crossing, we want mountain lions in the landscape for the future,” Pratt said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Gauchos shake off slow start and win at UC Riverside

KEYT on February 13, 2026

Mike Klan

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KEYT) – The UC Santa Barbara men’s basketball team defeated UC Riverside 76-68 in a pivotal conference matchup at SRC Arena. With help from a UC Irvine loss, the Gauchos moved into second place in The Big West standings. After trailing by six at halftime, UC Santa Barbara surged with a 47-point second half, capitalizing on UCR’s 17 turnovers to secure the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENEDUC Santa Barbara opened the game with consistent effort in the paint, matching the Highlanders’ 16 points in that area. Despite a slow start, UCSB managed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities, outscoring UCR 12-4 in second-chance points. Colin Smith’s contributions, including a key three-pointer at 8:52, helped keep the Gauchos within two possessions of the Highlanders.

UC Santa Barbara encountered challenges in maintaining possession, resulting in eight turnovers in the first half. However, the team showed resilience, with CJ Shaw hitting a last-second 3-pointer to close the half. The first half ended with UC Santa Barbara trailing UCR 35-29.

UC Santa Barbara ignited the second half with a layup from Aidan Mahaney, quickly followed by a 3-pointer from Shaw, bringing the score to 35-34 still in favor of the Highlanders. UCSB maintained its momentum by tying the game at 37 with another 3-pointer by Mahaney, assisted by Hosana Kitenge. UCSB’s effective shooting from beyond the arc, including a crucial 3-pointer by Zion Sensley at 10:31, contributed to a scoring drive that put them ahead 52–47.

Santa Barbara extended its lead midway through the half with a combination of efficient shooting and defensive stops, highlighted by Marvin McGhee IV’s dunk at 3:10, bringing the score to 70–59. UCSB closed the half by capitalizing on free throws, with Mahaney converting consecutively at the line, sealing a 75–68 victory.

UP NEXTThe Gauchos will stay on the road as they travel to Cal Poly on Saturday, Feb. 14. UC Santa Barbara and Cal Poly will meet at 4 p.m. inside the Mott Athletics Center. The game will be broadcast on Spectrum SportNet with live stats available.

(Article courtesy of UCSB Athletics)

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Uphill climb; Commissioner, campaign foes weigh in on candidate’s Bachelor buyout proposal

KTVZ on February 13, 2026

Spencer Sacks

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Rob Imhoff, a candidate for Deschutes County Commissioner, has proposed that the county purchase Mount Bachelor to ensure the ski resort remains a community asset. Imhoff suggested the acquisition would help maintain affordability for residents instead of catering primarily to tourists and shareholders.

The proposal follows a brief period last year when the resort’s owner, Powdr, put the mountain up for sale before taking it off the market. While the plan aims for local control, current county officials and other candidates have raised concerns about the multi-million dollar price tag and the county’s existing debt obligations for projects like the jail and courthouse.

Imhoff, who is running for the new fifth seat on the Deschutes County Commission, explained that his proposal aims to shift the mountain’s priority away from corporate profits. Imhoff described the plan as a way to prioritize local residents over the tourism industry.

“I don’t think the county should act as a manager of the mountain,” Imhoff said. “The idea was that the county is going to try to purchase it so that it remains an asset for Deschutes County and it doesn’t pay off business shareholders that really don’t have any vested interest in anything more than just making more money with the mountain.”

Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang described the proposal as a risky business venture, citing the region’s inconsistent year-to-year weather patterns. Chang noted that the county is currently managing several significant financial commitments, including a $20 million bond for the county courthouse, a new jail and a planned sports complex.

“We would have to be prepared to issue a couple hundred million dollars worth of bonds,” Chang said. “Deschutes County’s debt financing capacity is already spoken for for years to come. I can’t see us going to the voters and borrowing a couple of $100 million more, to purchase Mount Bachelor when it’s not core county business.”

While Chang expressed support for the idea of local ownership, he said the resort should be purchased by a private business rather than the county government.

Morgan Schmidt, who is also running for the commission’s fifth seat, expressed concern about the county’s financial health. “Two things can be true: local, co-op ownership of Mt. Bachelor would be a win for our families, economy and community – and – our county is facing hard financial decisions,” Schmidt said.

Schmidt noted that the county is currently dealing with an affordable housing crisis, wildfire risks, water scarcity and cuts to mental health funding. “We need to focus on keeping essential services open, not buying a ski resort,” Schmidt said.

Rondo Boozell, another candidate for the seat, declined to comment on the proposal.

Imhoff added that the purchase is not currently a top priority for his campaign, but said he hopes the proposal will start a conversation about the future of the mountain.

The feasibility of such a purchase faces several logistical hurdles. Mount Bachelor is situated on U.S. Forest Service land, which would require the county to reach an agreement with the federal government. Additionally, a sale would require the current owner, Powdr, to be willing to sell the property. Running the resort would also involve significant annual operational costs.

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San Francisco Unified teachers’ strike ends after tentative agreement reached

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Tim Fang

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — A tentative agreement has been reached between the San Francisco Unified School District and the United Educators of San Francisco, both sides announced Friday morning, ending a teachers’ strike that began earlier this week.

“I recognize that this past week has been challenging. Thank you to the SFUSD staff, community-based partners, and faith and city leaders who partnered with us to continue centering our students in our work every day,” said superintendent Maria Su.

According to the union, the agreement was reached around 5:30 a.m., following a 13-hour bargaining session.

“By forcing SFUSD to invest in fully funded family healthcare, special education workloads, improved wages, sanctuary and housing protections for San Francisco families, we’ve made important progress towards the schools our students deserve,” union president, Cassondra Curiel said in a statement. “This contract is a strong foundation for us to continue to build the safe and stable learning environments our students deserve.”

Classes are slated to resume on Wednesday, Feb. 18, following the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday and the observance of Lunar New Year on Tuesday.

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Michigan man receives life-saving award for rescue efforts during fall through ice

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Paula Wethington

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    HOLLY, Michigan (WWJ) — The Holly Police Department presented a life-saving award to a bystander who assisted a snowmobiler who fell through the ice in Oakland County, Michigan.

Wade Wines of Holly was honored at Tuesday’s Holly City Council meeting with the Citizen Life Saving Citation, with the presentation attended by members of his family along with the man he saved, Adam Brewer of Holly.

The accident happened about 2:40 p.m. Jan. 4 at Bush Lake. Police were called to the lake on report that a man and his snowmobile broke through the ice.

Several people were on shore at the time, including Wines, who had been ice fishing that day and was wearing both ice spikes and a floatation suit.

By the time police arrived, Wines was on the ice, reaching out with a rope and other equipment. Wines used the rope to pull the victim away from the hole in the ice while first responders prepared a kayak for the rescue efforts.

“The quick-thinking, courageous, and selfless actions of Mr. Wade Wines prevented a drowning and directly saved a life. His actions bring great credit upon himself, his family, and the entire Holly community,” police said. “Well done Mr. Wines, and so glad to have you still with us, Mr. Brewer.”

In the meantime, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team was able to get the snowmobile equipment out of the water.

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SMU student Brianna Arango reported missing, police treating it “as a matter of concern”

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Steven Rosenbaum

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    DALLAS (KTVT) — The Southern Methodist University Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing student.

Brianna Arango, 21, was reported missing at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday. SMU PD said a family member reported her missing after she had not met them as planned earlier in the afternoon. She was also absent from a 1 p.m. class, police said.

Arango was last seen on campus around 12:30 p.m. near Harold Simmons Hall. At the time, she was wearing a white shirt, blue sweatpants and carrying a beige tote bag, police said.

SMU PD said it officers are “actively working to locate Brianna and are treating this as a matter of concern.”

The department is asking for anyone in the community who has information to call 214-768-3388. Anonymous tips can also be submitted at 214-SMU-2TIP, online at smu.edu/2TIP or through the SMU Aware Safety App.

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Stefon Diggs, Patriots wide receiver, pleads not guilty to assault, strangulation charges in Massachusetts

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Mike Toole

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    DEDHAM, Massachusetts (WBZ) — Stefon Diggs, a star wide receiver with the New England Patriots, made a brief appearance in court in Dedham, Massachusetts Friday to face criminal charges after he allegedly assaulted his personal chef.

Diggs, 32, was arraigned in Dedham District Court on charges of felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery in the Dec. 2 incident. Diggs, who has denied the allegations, pleaded not guilty. He was allowed to leave without paying any bail. The entire session lasted less than three minutes. Diggs was ordered to stay away from his accuser. He’s due back in court for a pre-trial hearing on April 1.

According to a Dedham police report, Diggs’ personal chef reported the alleged assault on Dec. 16, two weeks after it happened. She said she was hired as Diggs’ personal chef for the entire NFL season and was allowed to stay in a room at his house in Dedham. She told investigators the confrontation was about money.

“She said that they began to discuss this, which apparently angered the male,” police said in the report. “She alleges that the male then smacked her across the face. She said that she tried to push him away. The male then tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck.”

David Meier, an attorney for Diggs, said in December that his client “categorically denies these allegations.” Meier called the woman’s accusations “unsubstantiated” and “the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction.” According to the Boston Globe, Meier and another attorney withdrew from the case Thursday and Diggs is now represented by attorney Sara Silva.

After the allegations became public, Diggs called it a “very emotional time” and said he couldn’t say anything about the case. The Patriots issued a statement saying, “We support Stefon.”

Diggs was originally scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 23, which would have been two days before the AFC Championship Game. But, his arraignment was moved to Feb. 13, five days after the Patriots lost the Super Bowl to the Seattle Seahawks.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

Boston friends build backyard igloo with millions watching progress on Instagram

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Mike Sullivan

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    BOSTON (WBZ) — An igloo has popped up in the backyard of a South Boston property and it’s taking the neighborhood and internet by storm. Jack Tarca and his buddies started building the structure two weeks ago when Boston’s cold weather hit.

They saw a news story about parents using cake pans to make small igloos with their children, and they decided to take it to the next level.

“We ordered 80 bins, and the next day started filling them up,” said Tarca of their ice brick creating prowess. “I knew nothing about making an igloo. I have some experience with ice. I played hockey all of my life, and I used to build outdoor rinks with my dad in the winter.”

He admits he and his friends knew how to build the first row, but after that they were winging it.

They learned some tricks of the trade online, but most of their advice came from people who watched the evolution of their build on Instagram. Each day, Tarca posted videos of the day’s progress.

“It evolved into millions of people commenting with their own advice on how to build an igloo,” said Tarca.

After 10 days, Tarca says his videos generated more than 33 million views. People wanted to see if they could finish it.

“Day 14, to get to this point with a roof over our head, it’s not a home yet. We need a little more ice furniture and decorating, but 14 days,” said Tarca.

The igloo is 12 feet wide by eight and half feet tall.

When he isn’t making ice houses, Tarca also owns a mental health apparel company called Find the Good.

“It’s been such a great community response. It’s what I am all about, and Find the Good is all about. I did this for my mental health,” said Tarca.

The hope is to make it to Saturday so they can have friends, family, and the neighborhood at the igloo for a party. The weather is a challenge. They have to constantly tend to the igloo even at 1 a.m. or 3 a.m. They must continue to spray water on the igloo to refreeze it. During the day they put a reflective tarp over it to block the sun.

“We are confident in the glue, or snow mortar if you will, just mixing snow and water, and it’s hardened overnight,” said Tarca.

His landlord and community have been supportive with some local families asking if they can come build igloos at their homes.

“Maybe I will do this full time,” joked Tarca, already an entrepreneur. “We just need 14 days and historically low temperatures.”

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300 pounds of processed marijuana discovered in California illegal cultivation investigation

CNN Newsource on February 13, 2026

By Brandon Downs

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    SAN LEANDRO, California (KPIX) — About 300 pounds of processed marijuana was discovered by San Leandro police, leading to an arrest on Wednesday, authorities said.

Detectives responded to a home along Vistagrand Drive following a community tip regarding suspicious activity. Three people were contacted and police said probable cause led to them obtaining a search warrant.

When they searched the home, they discovered the 300 pounds of processed marijuana, which was packaged into one-pound bags, police said. They also found six pounds of suspected THCA, over half a pound of concentrated cannabis, scales, packaging material, money counting machines and over $10,000 in cash.

Police said they arrested 43-year-old Jianfeng Huang, the primary resident at the home, for unlicensed possession of marijuana for sale.

“In addition to being a nuisance and contributing to blight within a neighborhood, these illicit residential cultivation operations are often targeted by burglaries, robberies, or other violent crimes,” police said in a news release.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.