Attorney says NY Mets closer Rodriguez is in plea talks and anger management classes

Attorney: Mets’ K-Rod is in plea talks

NEW YORK — New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez is in plea talks and anger management classes, his lawyer said Thursday.

Mets fire manager Jerry Manuel and general manager Omar Minaya

Mets fire Manuel and Minaya

NEW YORK — Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon and his father Fred, the team’s owner, sat side by side and spoke for nearly three-quarters of an hour about responsibility, cultural change and thinking outside the box to bring winning back to an organization that has won little recently.

After benching Edwards for 1st quarter and Keller scoring twice, Jets lead Miami 14-10 at half

Keller’s 2 scores give Jets 14-10 lead at half

With heavy hearts, Denver Broncos get back to football 2 days after teammate’s death

Broncos try to focus on football again

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos returned to work Wednesday, trying their best to focus on football 48 hours after the suicide of teammate Kenny McKinley.

Mets’ K-Rod posts bail in contempt case for sending girlfriend texts despite restraining order

K-Rod released on bail over text-message counts

Investigator’s report says Broncos’ McKinley made comments about killing himself

Detectives: McKinley spoke of suicide

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley, who is thought to have killed himself with a gunshot to the head, had made previous statements about committing suicide, according to a sheriff’s investigative report released Tuesday.

Sheriff: Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley found dead of apparent suicide

Sheriff: Broncos WR Kenny McKinley found dead

Steelers QB Roethlisberger has suspension cut from 6 games to 4 by NFL Commissioner Goodell

Roethlisberger suspension reduced to 4 games

Nigerian native Masai Ujiri returns to Denver to lead Nuggets; top priority: keeping Melo

Nuggets hire Ujiri as new GM, and priority is Melo

With Woodson and Harris out, Packers needed to see more from backup cornerbacks

Packers need more from backup cornerbacks

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The idea that the Green Bay Packers’ defense isn’t itself without cornerbacks Charles Woodson and Al Harris isn’t exactly a startling revelation. Still, Saturday night’s preseason game in Seattle was tough to watch at times.

After woeful 2009, New York Mets slide both on the field and off

After woeful 2009, New York Mets slide again

Johan Santana makes closer unnecessary, pitches 4-hitter to lead Mets over Rockies 4-0

Santana makes closer unnecessary, blanks Rockies

Former NT Pickett, oft-injured Harrell figure in Packers’ plans to replace suspended DL Jolly

Packers call on Pickett, others to replace Jolly

Person familiar with situation: Former Oregon QB Masoli accepts invite to visit Ole Miss

AP source: Masoli accepts invite to visit Ole Miss

Person familiar with situation: Former Oregon QB Masoli invited to visit Ole Miss this weekend

AP source: Masoli invited to Ole Miss this weekend

Judge sends convicted stalker of Shawn Johnson to Calif. state mental hospital for 5 years

Shawn Johnson stalker sent to mental hospital

Rooney, Ronaldo, now Messi _ soccer’s biggest stars misfire at World Cup

Rooney, Ronaldo, now Messi - stars misfire in Cup

Texas Tech files documents in former coach’s lawsuit over his firing

Texas Tech seeks to have individuals dismissed

Hometown of Venezuelan boxing champ Valero holds funeral for fighter who killed himself

Fans bid farewell to boxer Valero

EL VIGIA, Venezuela — Weeping relatives and fans gathered around the coffin of former boxing champion Edwin Valero on Wednesday, mourning the troubled fighter who killed himself after slaying his wife.

Hometown of Venezuela’s boxing champ Valero holds a funeral for fighter who killed himself

Fans bid final farewell to boxer Valero

EL VIGIA, Venezuela — Relatives and fans of former boxing champion Edwin Valero gathered for the funeral on Wednesday of the troubled fighter who killed himself after slaying his wife.

Mother-in-law says Venezuelan boxer Edwin Valero had grown more violent recently

Boxer’s deaths leaves questions in Venezuela

Ex-boxing champ Edwin Valero kills himself in jail after wife’s murder

Boxer Valero kills himself in jail, police say

Police say ex-boxing champ Edwin Valero kills self in jail cell after arrest in wife’s killing

Police: boxer Edwin Valero kills self in jail

Venezuelan police say former boxing champ Valero detained on suspicion of killing wife

Police: Boxer Valero suspected of killing wife

Ex-NFL star Javon Walker testifies he’s changed his ways since Las Vegas robbery

Ex-NFL star says he’s changed since Vegas robbery

NCAA: Michigan State scores on first six possessions of second half to take lead

NCAA: Michigan State starts strong

Michigan State has scored on its first six possessions of the second half to edge ahead of Northern Iowa. Neither team has gone on a big run, and the team that does might well be the team that finds itself ahead at the end.

NCAA: Duke leads Purdue 24-23 at halftime; teams combine to go 15 of 55 from the field

NCAA: Duke leads Purdue 24-23 at half

Halftime has mercifully come in Houston, where top-seeded Duke leads Purdue 24-23 in a game with about as much finesse as a lumberjack driving a dump truck.

NCAA: Purdue takes lead vs. Duke; Blue Devils go more than 8 minutes without field goal

NCAA: Purdue takes lead with 9-2 run

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski might want to remind his club that a loss ends its season.

NCAA: Northern Iowa leads Michigan State 29-22 at halftime; Farokhmanesh has only 1 field goal

NCAA: Northern Iowa leads 29-22 at halftime

NCAA: Spartans’ point guard Kalin Lucas on bench in warmups; Purdue’s Bade picks up third foul

NCAA: Spartans’ Lucas watching from bench

Michigan State point guard Kalin Lucas is on the bench in warmups, his left leg in a walking boot. Last year’s Big Ten player of the year ruptured his Achilles’ tendon in the second round against Maryland, a blow made even worse because Northern Iowa has good guards.

Soccer player Cabanas, who was shot in head, takes free kicks and shoots hoops at rehab clinic

Cabanas out taking free kicks, shooting baskets

Dr. Anthony Galea, at center of drug case, gained a reputation for unorthodox methods

Doctor in drug case known for unorthodox methods

Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown charged with DUI outside Atlanta; in area for parents’ anniversary

Police: Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown charged with DUI

Hornets beat cold-shooting Clippers 108-100 to snap 7-game road skid and sweep season series

Hornets beat cold-shooting Clippers 108-100

APNewsBreak: Canadian doc says HGH found in car was enough only for 2 injections for himself

APNewsBreak: Canadian doctor says HGH was for him

APNewsBreak: Canadian doc says he treated ARod, no HGH involved

APNewsBreak: Canadian doctor says he treated ARod

Dissident hunger strike in central Cuba rushed to hospital after week without food

Cuban hunger striker briefly hospitalized

HAVANA — A dissident journalist who has refused food and water for a week was rushed to the intensive care unit of a hospital in central Cuba after losing consciousness, then returned home when doctors said they could do nothing for him if he refused to eat, a spokeswoman for his family said Wednesday.

Cavaliers’ West injures finger on shooting hand in win over Lakers, adding to backcourt woes

Cavs’ West injures finger on shooting hand

Trial begins for NYC officer charged in subway sex attack with baton, 2 charged with cover-up

Trial begins for NYC cops charged in sex attack

Brandon Roy scores 22 points, Blazers shoot over 60 percent to roll past Bucks 120-108

Hot-shooting Trail Blazers beat Bucks 120-108

Texas Tech claims sovereign immunity, ask court to toss out claim from fired coach Mike Leach

Texas Tech asks court to toss Leach claim

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Tech on Tuesday asked a judge to throw out fired coach Mike Leach’s lawsuit, saying state law gives the university immunity from legal action.

Ex-NBA player Williams charged with DWI after NYC crash, suffered injuries to face and head

NYPD: Jayson Williams charged with DWI after crash

Ex-NBA player Jayson Williams slightly hurt in SUV crash; NYPD says he may have been drinking

Ex-NBA star Jayson Williams hurt in NYC crash

AP Top News at 1:53 a.m. EST

President Barack Obama speaks briefly on Afghanistan

AP Top News at 1:40 a.m. EST

The White House

AP Top News at 1:14 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 1:14 a.m. EST

Man skirts NJ airport security, delaying flights

AP Top News at 12:49 a.m. EST

AP Top News at 12:49 a.m. EST

Senate votes unemployment benefits, highway funds

AP Top News at 12:39 a.m. EST