JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 923

MIAMI — Luka Doncic scored 60 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat on Thursday at Kaseya Center, extending the Lakers' winning streak to eight games and moving the team higher in the Western Conference standings.

The performance reinforced commentary placing Doncic in the NBA MVP conversation, left him 1.9 points per game ahead in the scoring race, and coincided with the San Antonio Spurs clinching a playoff berth Thursday, reshaping seeding scenarios and affecting late-season award considerations.

GREENVILLE, S.C., Illinois routed Penn 105-70 Thursday in the NCAA Tournament, propelled by freshman David Mirković’s 29 points and 17 rebounds. Keaton Wagler added 18 points, seven assists and seven rebounds as the third-seeded Illini turned a 10-point halftime lead into a dominant second half. Illinois shot 41.7% on 3-pointers and scored 60 points after intermission to overwhelm Penn, which attempted only two free throws. Illinois (25-8) advances to face No. 11 VCU on Saturday night. Game statistics, coach and player comments, social-media reactions and official box scores independently corroborated the outcome. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON: On Thursday a federal arts commission unanimously approved the design of a 24-karat commemorative gold coin bearing President Donald Trump's image, clearing a procedural hurdle for the U.S. Mint to finalize dimensions and prepare production tied to the nation's 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.

The approval prompted legal and public debate this week, with U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach endorsing the design while critics questioned precedent; the U.S. Mint and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent are now expected to determine denomination, final size, production schedule, pricing, and issuance timeline ahead of the July observance.

San Diego — St. John's defeated Northern Iowa 79-53 Friday at Viejas Arena in the East Regional first round of the NCAA Tournament, led by a balanced offensive effort and strong rebounding that produced an early lead the Panthers could not overcome.

The victory advanced the fifth-seeded Red Storm to the Round of 32, where they are scheduled to face No. 4 Kansas on Sunday; St. John's reported 29-6 season record, Zuby Ejiofor posted 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the team made 10 three-pointers.

United States — Unseasonably warm spring conditions expanded across multiple regions this week, producing record or near-record highs and prompting fire-weather advisories. Forecasts showed mid-60s in Chicago, low-to-mid 80s in parts of Colorado, highs near 80–85 across the Carolinas, and 70–75 in central Indiana. Campbell County, Wyoming, faced 80s to near-90s with low humidity and gusty winds, prompting a Red Flag Warning. Weak systems may produce isolated showers Saturday, with a stronger cold front cooling temperatures early next week. National and local forecast offices updated warnings and guidance. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

BUFFALO, New York — Saint Louis defeated Georgia 102-77 Thursday night in a first-round NCAA Tournament game at KeyBank Center March 19. The Billikens, who set a school record with 29 wins, shot 58 percent and closed with strong runs. Dion Brown scored 18 points on 9-of-10 shooting, while Jeremiah Wilkinson led Georgia with 30 points. Georgia, which posted a program-high in regular-season wins, struggled offensively and committed turnovers that allowed Saint Louis to build a sizable lead. Saint Louis advances to face top-seeded Michigan in the round of 32 on Saturday. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MIAMI — Luka Dončić scored 60 points Thursday night and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat, extending Los Angeles' season-best winning streak to eight games. LeBron James recorded a triple-double, tied the NBA record for games played, and finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. The game came on the second night of a back-to-back after the Lakers beat the Rockets on Wednesday; Dončić has scored at least 30 points in eight straight games and has reached 50 points twice in his last five. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Portland, Ore. — High Point upset fifth-seeded Wisconsin 83-82 on Thursday when Chase Johnston hit his first 2-point basket of the season, a fast-break layup with 11.7 seconds left. Johnston finished with 14 points and four 3-pointers; Rob Martin had 23 points and 10 assists. Wisconsin’s Nick Boyd scored 27 as the Badgers fell despite strong individual numbers. High Point will face Arkansas or Hawaii in the second round. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

GREENVILLE, S.C. Duke rallied from 13 points down on Thursday at Bon Secours Arena to defeat 16-seed Siena 71-65 in first round of the NCAA Tournament. Cameron Boozer scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Gavin Doty led Siena with 21. Duke trailed by 13 in the first half, mounted an 11-0 run in the second half, and took the lead for good in the final five minutes. The Blue Devils will face TCU in the second round. Tournament records noted No. 1 seeds were 158-2 against 16s entering the week. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Raleigh, North Carolina — North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson and seven other state attorneys general filed suit Thursday seeking to block Nexstar’s proposed acquisition of Tegna, arguing the consolidation would raise cable and satellite bills and reduce independent local newsrooms across multiple states.

Washington — The filing follows FCC and DOJ approvals and Nexstar’s announced closing on March 19, 2026; Nexstar now controls roughly 260–265 stations and the FCC waived its 39% national ownership cap, prompting immediate litigation from states and DirecTV.