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Your own personalized ‘SportsCenter’? ESPN working on that for upcoming streaming service

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BRISTOL, Conn. (AP) — ESPN is looking at using artificial intelligence to create personalized “SportsCenter” shows for subscribers to its Flagship streaming service that is expected to launch in fall 2025, the network’s chief executive said Wednesday.

The idea is one of several in the works that were discussed at a news conference by ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, including a “Where to Watch” guide that debuted on Wednesday on ESPN.com and the ESPN app.

The personalized “SportsCenter” would be reminiscent of a popular wrinkle that NBC Sports offered through its Peacock streaming service during the Olympics, where the voice of broadcaster Al Michaels was used to create highlights packages tailored to individual interests.

ESPN had few other details of how it is working to do something similar for its signature highlights show. The Flagship streaming service is expected to include much of the programming on ESPN’s main channel and some other offshoots, marketed to people who have abandoned cable or satellite TV subscriptions.

The “Where to Watch” feature is billed as an easy-to-use guide for sports fans to find where to watch any sports event on ESPN platforms and beyond, including broadcast, cable and regional sports networks and streaming services.

“Simplifying discovery of sporting events and where a fan can watch has become increasingly important as sports viewing has become fragmented across networks and platforms,” said Brian Marshall, vice president for sports product and technology for Disney Entertainment and ESPN.

ESPN said it is designed for fans to customize searches to prioritize their favorite teams and sports. Fans will be able to use the service to click to events, if they are pay television or ESPN+ subscribers. Some partner networks, including NESN and Monumental Sports, will also be included.

Pitaro said that ESPN has talked to various leagues and commissioners about how ESPN streaming can be a potential solution for troubled regional sports networks in getting a specific team’s games to its fans.

“We want to be at least part of the solution here,” Pitaro said.

Venu Sports, ESPN’s streaming partnership with Fox and Warner Bros. Discovery that was set to begin offering live sports events this fall has been put on hold after a federal judge earlier this month granted a preliminary injunction after a challenge by FuboTV. Venu Sports operators have been accused of violating antitrust laws.

“We respectfully disagree with the court decision,” Pitaro said, adding ESPN believes it is giving another option to consumers.

ESPN also announced Wednesday that it has extended a rights agreement with the U.S. Tennis Association that would keep U.S. Open coverage on the network, on ABC and streaming services through 2037.

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RCMP arrest second suspect in deadly shooting east of Calgary

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EDMONTON – RCMP say a second suspect has been arrested in the killing of an Alberta county worker.

Mounties say 28-year-old Elijah Strawberry was taken into custody Friday at a house on O’Chiese First Nation.

Colin Hough, a worker with Rocky View County, was shot and killed while on the job on a rural road east of Calgary on Aug. 6.

Another man who worked for Fortis Alberta was shot and wounded, and RCMP said the suspects fled in a Rocky View County work truck.

Police later arrested Arthur Wayne Penner, 35, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder, and a warrant was issued for Strawberry’s arrest.

RCMP also said there was a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Strawberry, describing him as armed and dangerous.

Chief Supt. Roberta McKale, told a news conference in Edmonton that officers had received tips and information over the last few weeks.

“I don’t know of many members that when were stopped, fuelling up our vehicles, we weren’t keeping an eye out, looking for him,” she said.

But officers had been investigating other cases when they found Strawberry.

“Our investigators were in O’Chiese First Nation at a residence on another matter and the major crimes unit was there working another file and ended up locating him hiding in the residence,” McKale said.

While an investigation is still underway, RCMP say they’re confident both suspects in the case are in police custody.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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26-year-old son is accused of his father’s murder on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast

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RICHMOND, B.C. – The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says the 26-year-old son of a man found dead on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast has been charged with his murder.

Police say 58-year-old Henry Doyle was found badly injured on a forest service road in Egmont last September and died of his injuries.

The homicide team took over when the BC Coroners Service said the man’s death was suspicious.

It says in a statement that the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the man’s son, Jackson Doyle.

Police say the accused will remain in custody until at least his next court appearance.

The homicide team says investigators remained committed to solving the case with the help of the community of Egmont, the RCMP on the Sunshine Coast and in Richmond, and the Vancouver Police Department.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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Metro Vancouver’s HandyDART strike continues after talks break with no deal

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VANCOUVER – Mediated talks between the union representing HandyDART workers in Metro Vancouver and its employer, Transdev, have broken off without an agreement following 15 hours of talks.

Joe McCann, president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724, says they stayed at the bargaining table with help from a mediator until 2 a.m. Friday and made “some progress.”

However, he says the union negotiators didn’t get an offer that they could recommend to the membership.

McCann says that in some ways they are close to an agreement, but in other areas they are “miles apart.”

About 600 employees of the door-to-door transit service for people who can’t navigate the conventional transit system have been on strike since last week, pausing service for all but essential medical trips.

McCann asks HandyDART users to be “patient,” since they are trying to get not only a fair contract for workers but also a better service for customers.

He says it’s unclear when the talks will resume, but he hopes next week at the latest.

The employer, Transdev, didn’t reply to an interview request before publication.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 13, 2024.

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