Laken Riley's family among those honored at the White House Monday

The family of Laken Riley, the 22 year-old Augusta University nursing student murdered while jogging in Athens in 2024, was among those honored during "Angel Family Day" at the White House on Monday.

Red flag fire warning issued in several Alabama counties

ALABAMA (WRBL) — An urgent red flag warning has been issued in several counties in the southern half of central Alabama until 6 p.m. Monday. According to the National Weather Service in Birmingham, the fire warning was issued around 9 a.m. Monday morning. The following counties are under red flag warnings: Winds are predicted to [...]

Charles Bediako appeals to Alabama Supreme Court, seeks injunction to return to Crimson Tide

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) -- After his request for a preliminary injunction was denied, effectively ending his collegiate basketball career, Charles Bediako and his attorneys filed an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court seeking to reverse the decision. Bediako's attorneys also filed a motion seeking injunctive relief while the appeal is pending, which would allow him [...]

Kara Braxton, former WNBA All-Star and 2-time champion, dies at 43

Kara Braxton, who played in the WNBA for 10 seasons and won two championships, has died at age 43, the league announced on Sunday.

No cause of death or location was provided for Braxton, whose birthday was Wednesday.

“It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of 2x WNBA Champion Kara Braxton,” the WNBA said in a statement on social media. “A 10-season veteran, Kara played with the Detroit Shock, Tulsa Shock, Phoenix Mercury, and New York Liberty. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and former teammates at this time.”

The Detroit Shock selected Braxton, a 6-foot-6 forward/center, with the seventh overall pick of the 2005 WNBA Draft.

Her career averages were 7.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 16.5 minutes in 297 regular-season games (120 starts) for Detroit/Tulsa (2005-10), Phoenix (2010-11) and New York (2011-14).

Braxton also averaged 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 16.1 minutes in 46 playoff games (11 starts).

She won league championships in 2006 and 2008 with the Detroit Shock, who relocated to Tulsa for the 2010 season. She was on the WNBA All-Rookie team in 2005 and an All-Star in 2007.

“We mourn the loss of Kara Braxton, a former Liberty player whose presence and passion left a lasting impact on our organization and the women’s game,” the Liberty wrote on the team’s X account. “Our hearts are with her family, friends, teammates, and all who were touched by her spirit. Her impact will not be forgotten.”

Braxton was born in Jackson, Michigan. She played high school basketball for Westview in Portland, Ore., and in college at Georgia.

She played from 2001-04 for the Bulldogs and averaged 15.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.6 steals, 1.8 blocks and 24.0 minutes in 71 games. Braxton was the Southeastern Conference Rookie of the Year and All-Freshman and All-SEC for the 2001-02 campaign.

According to reports, she extended her professional career by playing overseas through the 2017-18 season. After retirement, she worked for Nike in Oregon before moving to the Atlanta area, USA Today reported.

She is survived by her husband Jarvis Jackson and sons Jream Jackson and Jelani Thurman, USA Today reported. Thurman was a tight end on Ohio State’s national championship team in 2024 and after his third season transferred to North Carolina in January.

The post Kara Braxton, former WNBA All-Star and 2-time champion, dies at 43 first appeared on Fastbreak.

Cold start to the week, but a warm-up is on the way

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) -- Good Monday morning! The cold air has returned as we begin the final week of February, and you can definitely feel it as you step outside. Morning lows are in the 30s, but with strong, gusty winds, wind chills are sitting in the 20s across the entire area. We will see [...]

Alex Eala climbs to career-high No. 31 in latest WTA rankings

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala surged to a career-best No. 31 in the latest Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings following her impressive run at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships last week.

The 20-year-old Eala jumped 16 spots from her previous No. 47 ranking, marking the biggest rise among players in this week’s updated standings released by the WTA on Monday.

Eala’s climb was fueled by her breakthrough performance at the WTA 1000 event in Dubai, where she reached the quarterfinals against a strong field.

Her campaign was highlighted by a major upset victory over world No. 10 Jasmine Paolini, one of the biggest wins of her young professional career.

Eala’s deep run in Dubai earned her valuable ranking points and further solidified her status as one of the sport’s rising talents.

With her new ranking, Eala improved her chances of securing a first-round bye in her next tournament, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, scheduled from March 4 to 15.

The upcoming tournament marks the opening leg of the prestigious “Sunshine Double,” followed by the Miami Open later in March.
Eala’s continued rise in the rankings reflects her steady progress on the WTA Tour and positions her among the top players in women’s tennis as she builds momentum heading into the season’s key tournaments. (AC)

The post Alex Eala climbs to career-high No. 31 in latest WTA rankings first appeared on Fastbreak.

Cold weather advisories in effect tonight for Columbus area

Cold Weather Advisories are in effect for the area tonight, with temperatures dropping into the 20s and gusty winds causing wind chills to be in the teens, and temperatures slowly warming back into the 70s by the end of the week.