The coveted college free agent on Sunday announced he’ll sign with the Devils following a weekslong courting process, the team announced. His two-year contract is entry level, worth the maximum $925,000. MORE: Wisconsin’s Tony Granato ‘perfect choice’ as U.S. Olympic coach There was no shortage of interest in Butcher, 22, a fifth-round pick by the Avalanche in 2013 who developed into a top prospect during his four years at the University of Denver, where he starred on and captained last year’s national championship team....

A research study from the University of Chicago found that nursing homes with the highest proportion of non-White residents experienced 3.3 times more COVID-19 deaths than predominantly White nursing homes. “Focusing limited available resources on facilities with high proportions of non-White residents is needed to support nursing homes during potential future outbreaks,” the researchers wrote. The study was published in JAMA Network Open in February 2021. Why Is There a Gap?...

Tokyo, Osaka and other prefectures are navigating COVID-19 states of emergency set to continue until June 20, while Japanese polls show that the majority of residents want the Olympic Games to be canceled or delayed again. Despite the increasing pressure, the International Olympic Committee reported that over 80% of the athletes and staff will be vaccinated and reside in a bubble during their time in Japan. For more reporting from the Associated Press, see below....

In Ukraine, COVID-19 vaccination rates are low; only about 34% of the population is fully vaccinated. Now, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians—some possibly ill with COVID-19—have been forced to flee to other countries. “We were looking at just getting vaccination programs going [in Ukraine] amid a lot of misinformation and disinformation campaigns about effectiveness and the safety,” Timothy Erickson, MD, an emergency physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston who is currently coordinating with the World Health Organization (WHO) on Ukraine, told Verywell....

Experts say that determining which cities and states have had the best response to COVID-19 thus far is tough and unfair. There are many factors at play, and different metrics could be used to measure success. “How do we say better or worse?” Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, professor of public health at New Mexico State University, tells Verywell. “Based on deaths? Cases? Long-term impairments?” A Look at the Numbers The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a tracker that shows COVID-19 data, such as cases and deaths in each state (along with data from New York City), from January 21, 2020, to the present....

Allocations were initially based on the adult population of each state. However, the Trump administration has changed how it will allocate doses per state; it will now prioritize states that administer the vaccines the fastest. Experts say the new allocations have confused states, which are now scrambling to ramp up inoculation efforts to avoid losing their doses. Faster rollouts may not even be possible, as there are reports that there is no federal reserve of held-back doses of the COVID-19 vaccines....

According to MountainView Hospital, the patient, identified as Eddie D., 74, texted his now-wife Patricia M., 75, on Monday, and asked her to marry him. “She was floored, and excited and amazed about how everyone jumped in to make it happen,” the hospital wrote in a description of the marriage ceremony published on Wednesday. The couple had previously been married in the 1970s. “We were young and stupid,” Patricia, a retired nurse, said, according to the hospital....

Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, recited that figure during a presentation titled “$60 Billion and Counting: The Consequences of Unchecked Pandemic Unemployment Fraud.” She said that identify theft increased during the pandemic and, rather than slowing down, “if anything, we’re seeing it increase.” The Identity Theft Resource Center describes itself as a “nonprofit organization established to empower and guide consumers, victims, business and government to minimize risk and mitigate the impact of identity compromise and crime....

According to the BBC, Newcastle coroner, Karen Dilks, said it was “clearly established” that her death was due to a very rare “vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia”—a disorder characterized by clots forming in small blood vessels and a low platelet count. In Shaw’s case, she developed blood clots in her brain, eventually resulting in her death. Dr. Tuomo Polvikoski, a consultant neuro-pathologist who examined Shaw after her death, told the BBC the incident was “surprising” given that she had a history of being fit and healthy....

Malgeri made the remarks earlier this month during a roughly hourlong interview with Veterans in Politics. “People need to understand that everything that’s happened—the destruction of the currency, the destruction of the economy, the destruction of the middle class, the immigration crisis, the global pandemic situation and associated response measures—it’s all intentional, done by forces aligned to destroy America and impose a totalitarian, authoritarian regime globally,” he said. Malgeri added, “This is the last hope....

One group particularly pleased with the Cowboys victory was the Cowboys’ cheerleading squad. The most famous dance team in the NFL celebrated their team’s 24-20 victory with an impromptu dance party in the locker room. MORE: Cowboy cheerleader photos | Retro cheerleaders | End the “Romo isn’t clutch” narrative The Cowboys will travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers next Sunday at 1:05 p.m. ET. A video posted by Brittney Schram (@schraminator) on Jan 1, 2015 at 5:03pm PST

Erasing a 21-0 deficit seems like quite the accomplishment on the surface. But the Rams’ three-touchdown lead midway through the second quarter of their eventual 34-31 loss to the Cowboys not only was fluky, but it woke up the sleeping giant that was Dallas’ offense. MORE: Week 3 scoreboard, highlights | Super Bowl odds update | Fantasy pickups St. Louis took advantage of a soft, conservative defensive approach and nickeled and dimed its way down the field on the game’s first drive — we’ll give credit for that....

STEELE: Cowboys, every other team addicted to talent Prescott was arrested in March just two days after his pro day workout for NFL coaches and scouts. He later issued a statement saying he was “very remorseful" for his misjudgment. He was eventually drafted in the fourth round by Dallas. MORE: Prescott apology was more hot air from NFL prospect According to the Starkville Daily News, conflicting reports by the arresting officers, inconclusive Breathalyzer results and video evidence cleared the former Mississippi State quarterback....

Moore has taken first-team reps in practice this week, according to the report, and with the Cowboys’ playoff chances next to nil (though mathematically possible), he could see playing time at AT&T Stadium as coach Jason Garrett searches for a viable backup for frequently injured starter Tony Romo, 36. MORE: Fantasy QBs, ranked for Week 15 | The NFL injury impact meter “More than likely, your game will dictate how they play, and if there is any playing time there for Kellen,” owner and GM Jerry Jones said Friday on local KRLD-FM radio in Dallas....

That’s how Cowboys quarterback Mark Sanchez sees it, apparently. The Southern California product, currently a third-stringer behind Dak Prescott and Tony Romo, is in attendance at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration at the National Mall in Washington D.C. MORE: Sports figures who supported Donald Trump Sanchez, earned $2 million in his first season in Big D, following stints with the Eagles and Jets. Bills offensive lineman Richie Incognito expressed his support for Trump....

The journeyman quarterback, who was outplayed in the preseason by Trevor Siemian, a seventh-round pick last year, was brought in to Denver to take over the starting job from retired Peyton Manning. That never happened. MORE: The best thing to happen to every team this preseason Siemian had been named the Broncos starter for the 2016 season, which will begin Thursday with the defending Super Bowl champions hosting the Panthers....

What Is CPAP? CPAP is the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine provides a constant flow of pressurized air that helps to maintain an open airway by preventing its collapse. This air is delivered via a fitted mask. CPAP has been used to treat sleep apnea since 1981 with few side effects. It is also effective in eliminating snoring, which usually occurs due to the vibration of the tissues in the throat....

The billing records raise new questions about whether Mrs. Clinton misled investigators about her legal work for James McDougal, the Clinton ally and business partner who ran Madison into the ground. The thrift’s collapse cost the taxpayers $60 million; McDougal goes on trial in March on related fraud charges. One big issue is a Madison land deal with Arkansas businessman Seth Ward, father-in-law of Webster Hubbell, the former Rose Law Firm partner who was convicted last year of bilking clients....

Ajax reopen title race but Feyenoord still in control The pressure was on the Amsterdam side on Sunday. Failure to collect three points against visitors Feyenoord would see the title surely end up in Rotterdam for the first time in 18 years, but they delivered in style. On top from the beginning, Ajax backed up Ziyech’s claim with a strong display, leaving him, coach Peter Bosz, Davy Klaassen and Justin Kluivert all mentioning their regret that it wasn’t 5-0....

Consumer groups and some lawmakers have warned that unless the agencies agree to a moratorium, millions of Americans who fall behind on their debt repayments through no fault of their own will find it much harder to get credit when the economy recovers. The credit bureaus, including Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, believe the burden for relief should fall on banks. The Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA), a U.S. trade association that represents them and other companies said a moratorium could create problems in the financial system....