Bill Walton, a Hall of Fame NBA center who won two league championships, died of cancer, the NBA announced on Monday. He was 71 years old. Walton was selected No. 1 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 1974 NBA draft after finishing his college career under legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA, where he helped push the Bruins to a remarkable 88-game winning streak and two national championships. The 6-foot-11 center won an NBA championship with the Trail Blazers in 1977 and was also awarded the Finals MVP. Nine years later, Walton won another NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. After he retired from the NBA, Walton became a basketball commentator for multiple networks, beginning with CBS in 1990 before moving to ABC/ESPN, where he worked as an NBA analyst until stepping away for a short time in 2009. Walton got back behind the microphone in 2012 as a college basketball analyst for ESPN and the Pac-12 Conference, calling games through the 2023-2024 season. The American Sportscasters Association named Walton one of the top 50 sports broadcasters of all time in 2009. “Bill Walton was truly one of a kind,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, according to ESPN. “As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.” “Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans,” Silver added. “But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events – always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”

Vince Gill began writing the song “Go Rest High on That Mountain” in 1989 when Keith Whitley passed away. The song remained unfinished until Vince Gill lost his brother, Bob Gill, in 1993. In 1994, it was released on Gill’s When Love Finds You album. Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless sang the backup vocals for the album cut. The song won the Best Country Song and Male Country Vocal Performance with dual Grammy Awards in 1995. In 1996, it won CMA’s Song of the Year. In 1997, it won the BMI Most-Performed Song award. Over the years, the singer has dedicated the song to the memory of many people, including George Jones in 2024. As beautiful as the song is, and as many times as Gill performed it, he told reporters that he always felt it was incomplete. He added another verse to the powerful song and debuted it in 2019 at the Ryman Auditorium during a Christmas show. “Go Rest High on That Mountain” carries Vince Gill’s deep religious beliefs with it. Writing the song gave him a way to process his grief over the loss of Keith Whitley and, later, his brother. Image from YouTube. It tells of an afterlife in heaven and the meeting of friends and family after death. Vince Gill uses his talent and incredible vocal range to add depth to the lyrics. The song transcends time and genre. The song provides closure and comfort to those who need it, and the lyrics portray hope. The death of a loved one is never easy, but Vince Gill’s lyrics help people to cope. The duet with Patty Loveless, when Gill dedicated the song to his brother, brings heartfelt tears to all who hear it. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Vince Gill Performs Heart-Wrenching Duet With Patty Loveless In Honor Of His Late Brother appeared first on InspireMore.

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‘I support autonomy from the government in making personal decisions’

Two kittens from outside started a joyful new journey to cozy laps, never missing a beat. TaniaEarly this month, the Toronto Humane Society received two fluffy kittens who had been found outside.They were in good shape and most likely had been nursing. "The person who took them thought they were left behind," Tania, a foster volunteer for the shelter, told Love Meow.The feline brothers, Chunk and Khonk, were immediately tended to in foster care and promptly treated for their stomach troubles. Chunk and Khonk were found outside and brought to the Toronto Humane SocietyTaniaWhen healthy, unweaned kittens are found alone outside, their mother cat might be in the process of moving them. It's best to wait and monitor until "you are positive the mom cat is not coming back" before intervening with the kittens."It turns out that these babies have roundworms, and a course of medication has been started that includes a warm bath to make sure any larvae are gotten rid of." ChunkTania"Chunk and Khonk are very obliging and patient during this routine. They are truly gentle little sweethearts."The two brothers quickly settled into their new space. Khonk, the bigger and braver of the duo, eagerly sought attention. "He will greet me like a little dog by rolling over and showing me his belly and then climbing into my arms for love." KhonkTaniaHis brother Chunk was much smaller (at the time) but not overshadowed by Khonk's size and fluff. He had a meow so sweet that it could melt even the coldest heart.The two are the embodiment of the phrase "live fast, nap hard." TaniaChunk was scrappy and loved to "tackle his much bigger brother and make him cry out." He joined Khonk on Tania's lap, never missing out on the activity."He is sweet and has soft silvery grey fur with the cutest purply nose." When they aren't wrestling, they are napping or snuggling on their foster mom's lapTaniaKhonk enjoyed his food so much that he licked his lips after each feed, savoring any remnants. He then rolled over in his foster mom's arms or hands, exposing his fluffy belly before dozing off amidst a petting session.Though small in stature, Chunk devoured his food with equal fervor, determined to catch up in size. Khonk was the bigger and braver of the twoTaniaWhen they aren't tumbling or wrestling with each other, they are tuckered out next to their trusty cow stuffy, twitching their tiny paws as they wander off in their dreams.They recharge through naps and snacks before bursting forth with renewed energy for another round of play. They fell asleep next to their trusty cow plushieTaniaThey tackle new toys with boundless enthusiasm, only to surrender to slumber moments later. Khonk often finds himself conking out mid-play."As chonky as Khonk is, he flattens out like a pancake when he lies down on his tummy." Khonk is very playful but often dozes off mid-playTaniaIn just a couple of weeks, Chunk has surpassed his brother in weight, claiming the title of king of the castle."Their personalities are sweet and polite. They know they shouldn't use their claws with me or bite. They, at times, like to be spoon-fed from a tiny silver spoon. This method always works with kittens when they haven't touched their food." Khonk enjoys lounging on a warm lapTaniaThe feline brothers have entered the boisterous kitten phase, zooming around in a frenzy until their playful antics turn into a cozy nap pile.Chunk and Khonk are living their best lives, surrounded by affection and cozy laps. Their bellies are full, and their future is bright. Chunk has surpassed Khonk in weightTaniaShare this story with your friends. More on Khonk and Chunk and Tania's fosters on Instagram.Related story: Kitten Comes Running to Traveling Couple and Hops into Their Arms, She Won't Let Them Leave Her

A biological male who identifies as female crushed the competition in the girls' 400-meter dash event at the Washington state high school track and field state championship over the weekend, the Daily Mail reported.Veronica Garcia, 16, previously known as Davina Brown and Donovan Brown, earlier this season was ranked No. 1 in the league and No. 4 in the state, OutKick reported, citing the Independent Council on Women's Sports.While fellow racers applauded other female finishers, they 'stood stoically in protest' when Garcia was given the first-place medal.Garcia of East Valley High School in Spokane won a heat race at Saturday's state championships in Tacoma with a time of 55.59 seconds, walloping the second-place finisher by over three seconds, OutKick said, citing the meet results. You can check out video of that race here and see for yourself how dramatically Garcia outpaced the rest of the field.OutKick added that Garcia won in the finals with a time of 55.75 seconds — which was a full second ahead of the second-place runner, whom the Daily Mail identified as Lauren Matthew of the West Valley School District. You can watch video of that race here; check out the booing as Garcia neared the finish line.The Daily Mail added that boos and jeering also could be heard when Garcia ascended the podium for the medal ceremony — and that while fellow racers applauded other female finishers, they "stood stoically in protest" when Garcia was given the first-place medal. The outlet added that there was "virtual silence in the stadium" at that moment.In addition, the Daily Mail said that had Garcia raced in the boys' competition, Garcia would not even have hit 16th place, as the slowest male competitor finished with a time of 53.12 seconds — which was over 2.5 seconds ahead of Garcia's time.The Daily Mail added that last year Garcia finished 164th out of 172 in the boys' 5000-meters at a regional championship.Washington state public schools mandate that all students who participate in physical education and athletics can do so according to their gender identity without the need to provide evidence of a medical transition, the Daily Mail added.Anything else?A little farther south, a male who identifies as female beat the competition in two separate days of girls' races in Oregon high school track and field events and qualified for state finals. That runner, Aayden Gallagher, this month won the girls' 200-meter sprint at state with a time of 23.82 seconds, which DyeStat called "one of the fastest times in state history."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A 15-year-old male tried to carjack a sheriff's deputy as a swarming crowd kicked and punched the deputy's patrol vehicle amid a street takeover earlier this month, police said.The teen allegedly opened the driver’s door of the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department vehicle and attempted “to overtake the deputy and his patrol unit” at a Highland intersection, the Associated Press reported, citing a Thursday sheriff's department statement.'These individuals are not afraid of law enforcement, and their behavior is very disturbing.'The deputy was able to close the door and drive away from the melee shortly after midnight May 11, the AP reported, adding that video detectives obtained shows an "unruly" crowd pounding on the deputy’s window and kicking the vehicle, leaving a cracked front windshield.The outlet, citing the sheriff's department statement, said about 100 gathered at the intersection for an illegal street takeover, and a fire hydrant was opened in order to give easier skids to participating vehicles.The 15-year-old male was arrested at his home in Menifee on suspicion of attempted carjacking and felony vandalism, the AP reported.Gloria Huerta, a department spokesperson, told the outlet the deputy’s decision to drive away likely was the safest choice: “These individuals are not afraid of law enforcement, and their behavior is very disturbing."How are observers reacting?Over 1,000 comments and counting are underneath the AP story in Yahoo News, and as you might expect, the comment authors are none too pleased with the teen in question — nor with the direction American society is heading:"Charge him as an adult, don't release him without a high bail, don't go easy on him by taking him by the hand and walking him out of jail," one commenter wrote. "Teens nowadays don't worry about any consequences because the DAs pamper them. If they're willing to do the crime, then they should be willing to do the time with harden[ed] felons.""It's California," another commenter stated, adding that "charges will be dropped, and this behavior will continue until laws are changed where people will face consequences for breaking the law. Wouldn't be surprised if [the] officer in [the] car wasn't used as a scapegoat and accused of starting all the trouble. Sad at how our laws have changed to where criminals have more rights than people who obey the law.""Has anyone noticed that the kids went [off] the deep end once our government said they couldn't be hit/spanked anymore?" another commenter asked. "Same time school shootings started to happen? I was punished with the belt numerous times, we had guns in the truck when we went to school, we all had pocket knives, nobody was ever stabbed. I really don't believe any of this is a coincidence."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Hallie Biden will testify that she observed Hunter Biden using drugs on multiple occasions, including discovering drugs in his belongings in 2018.

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