MLB removing strike zone box from broadcasts due to ABS system

Major League Baseball broadcasts no longer will use the strike zone box to indicate where the pitch was a ball or a strike, a move that coincides with the league's implementation of the automated ball-strike challenge system.

The box itself still can be used, but viewers will have to gauge for themselves whether the pitch was a ball or a strike.

The change is being made so that players can't be tipped off through a signal as to whether to challenge a strike call. Teams will be allowed to challenge two calls in each regulation game.

MLB will begin using the ABS system this season after it was tested in Triple-A and during 2025 MLB spring training games. It will make its formal debut on March 25 on Opening Night when the New York Yankees visit the San Francisco Giants in the first-ever live MLB broadcast on Netflix.

"With ABS now determining the zone," an MLB spokesperson said, per Yahoo, "we want fans to trust the system without second-guessing every call through a digital strike box."

--Field Level Media

byAdministrator

in

February 17, 2026

MLB removing strike zone box from broadcasts due to ABS system

Major League Baseball broadcasts no longer will use the strike zone box to indicate where the pitch was a ball or a ...

Read More

Sarah McLachlan Says She Personally Gets ‘10 or 20 Letters a Week’ About Rescue Animals

ASPCA; Good Hang with Amy Poehler/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

• Sarah McLachlan says she gets "10 or 20 letters a week" about rescue animals and charities

• McLachlan made the reveal about the atypical fan mail on the Feb. 17 episode of Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast

• The singer famously starred in an PSA for the ASPCA in the 2000s featuring her 1997 ballad "Angel"

Sarah McLachlan's mail looks a little different than most celebrities.

To this day, the Canadian singer-songwriter, who famously starred in anPSA for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(ASPCA) in the 2000s, gets multiple letters weekly about the emotional commercial, which featured her 1997 ballad "Angel."

McLachlan, 58, discussed the impact the ad still has on her life while appearing in the Tuesday, Feb. 17, episode ofAmy Poehler'sGood Hangpodcast after the host asked if "people assume" that the musician is "constantly fostering and adopting animals."

"Oh yeah, you would not believe the … and also 10 or 20 letters a week about, you know, people sending me all their rescues or, 'I'm doing this charity. I'm working with this. Can you help?' "

The singer also recalled an instance that demonstrates the scope of the emotional PSA, which she previously said raised millions for the non-profit.

"It took on such a life of its own," she told Poehler, 54. "I remember I was doing a food bank charity gig in New York eight years later and they said, 'Can you please not play "Angel," because it's so synonymous with this other charity? There's going to be some brand confusion.' "

Recalling her reaction in that moment, McLachlan then added, "I'm like, 'God, are you serious?' "

The conversation about the singer's famous "Angel" ad came up as she and Poehler discussed her hit track.

The song, McLachlan said onGood Hang, "has done so many things" and "helped people through individual tough situations." The singer added that she's heard "so many stories," including fans telling her that "my mother played this when she was passing. It's really helped us."

In terms of its monetary impact, the PSA also "raised $30 million," McLachlan said. "Well, that was within the first year, I think. So, who knows what has happened since."

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Good Hang with Amy Poehler/YouTube

The "Angel" singer previously reflected on the iconic ad — revealed that itleft her feeling a bit misunderstood— while speaking to PEOPLE about her 2025 albumBetter Broken.

"I think people have an idea of who I was. Regardless of my playful, happy nature, what was portrayed was somber album covers and dark moody music," McLachlan told PEOPLE, adding that "it surprises people when they meet me and I'm so happy and light."

"They assume I'm going to be like Sylvia Plath and reading poetry and drinking wine at midnight with candles and all dark and moody," the musician said, noting of her darker side: "I get it all out in my music."

Speaking to the PSA specifically, McLachlan said it is "still painful," she's ultimately glad she did it, both because it "raised an incredible amount of money" for the non-profit, as well asthe ribbing it inspired.

"In some ways, [it] brought me to a whole new audience," the singer said, admitting that she loves "to poke fun at myself because I'm not a very serious person at all despite my music."

"That's just one element of me," she added. "It's created an opportunity for lots of memes and lots of poking fun, and yet it did a lot of good in the world. So, that makes me really happy."

Read the original article onPeople

byAdministrator

in

February 17, 2026

Sarah McLachlan Says She Personally Gets ‘10 or 20 Letters a Week’ About Rescue Animals

ASPCA; Good Hang with Amy Poehler/YouTube NEED TO KNOW Sarah McLachlan says she gets "10 or 20 letters a week" about rescue an...

Read More

CBS' Norah O'Donnell Says 'People Are Fearful' About the Future amid 'Challenging' Leadership Changes at Network

The Jamie Kern Lima Show/YouTube

NEED TO KNOW

• CBS' Norah O'Donnell is opening up about recent leadership changes at the network

• The CBS News correspondent and 60 Minutes contributing correspondent said things have been "challenging"

• "Not only for me, but I know for my colleagues," she said on The Jamie Kern Lima Show

Norah O'Donnellis sharing her thoughts on the current period ofupheaval at CBS News.

The CBS News correspondent and60 Minutescontributing correspondent, 52, spoke about the network's recent shake-up during a Tuesday, Feb. 17 interview onThe Jamie Kern Lima Show.

After host Jamie Kern Lima asked her about the "microscope" currently on CBS, O'Donnell — who appeared on the podcast to promote her new bookWe the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America— said things have been "challenging."

"You know, I have worked at CBS now for, oh my goodness, probably almost 14 years and have had a great career," O'Donnell said. "Whether it was covering the White House, anchoring the morning show, anchoring the evening news [or] working for60 Minutes. We have had a lot of leadership changes at CBS."

She added, "That has been challenging. Not only for me, but I know for my colleagues. And I think with so many leadership changes, people are fearful about what the future means."

High-profile exits and leadership changes have taken place at the network over the last several months amid the October appointment of Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Her new gig came after Paramount Skydance acquired her news and opinion site, The Free Press. Weiss, 41, remains editor of The Free Press while also overseeing CBS News.

Advertisement

Weiss notably pulled a60 Minutessegment, titled "Inside CECOT,"in December 2025. The segment focused on Venezuelan men who were deported by theTrump administrationto a notorious El Salvador prison, and a veteran correspondent behind the story later claimed Weiss "spiked our story." She called the move "not an editorial decision" but "a political one," while a CBS News spokesperson wrote in an updated release that the story needed additional reporting. It aired on Jan. 18.

Among staffing changes at the network,60 Minutesexecutive producerBill Owensannounced his departure in April 2025, amid Paramount's legal battle with PresidentDonald Trump. At the time, the president had sued the showover the editing of a60 Minutesinterviewwith then-Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris. Paramount laterpaid $16 million to settle the lawsuitwithout an admission of wrongdoing.

Most recently,Anderson Cooperannounced hisdeparturefrom60 Minuteson Monday, Feb. 16, after nearly two decades as a correspondent. In a statement shared with PEOPLE, the CNN anchor said the decision came down to family.

"Being a correspondent at60 Minuteshas been one of the great honors of my career. I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors, and camera crews in the business," he said.

"For nearly 20 years, I've been able to balance my jobs at CNN and CBS, but I have little kids now and I want to spend as much time with them as possible, while they still want to spend time with me."

Other changes at CBS includeTony Dokoupilbeing named anchor ofCBS Evening News. O'Donnell notably stepped down as anchor and managing editor ofCBS Evening Newsfollowing the 2024 presidential election. At the time, she said she was "fortunate to work with the best journalists and people in the business" and that it was "time to do something different."

Read the original article onPeople

byAdministrator

in

February 17, 2026

CBS' Norah O'Donnell Says 'People Are Fearful' About the Future amid 'Challenging' Leadership Changes at Network

The Jamie Kern Lima Show/YouTube NEED TO KNOW CBS' Norah O'Donnell is opening up about recent leade...

Read More

Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch 'Land of Hope and Dreams' US tour next month

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Bruce Springsteenis bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring.

The rock icon and the E Street Band announced Tuesday the launch of their "Land of Hope and Dreams" American tour starting March 31 in Minneapolis, kicking off a 20-date run that blends arena rock with a message centered on democracy, freedom and what Springsteen calls the defense of the American ideal. The tour concludes May 27 with anoutdoor performanceat Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

"We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming!" Springsteen said in a statement. "We will be rocking your town in celebration and in defense of America — American democracy, American freedom, our American Constitution and our sacred American dream."

Last month, Springsteendedicated his song "Streets of Minneapolis"to the people of Minneapolis, criticizing President Donald Trump's ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city.

"It's dedicated to the people of Minneapolis, our innocent immigrant neighbors and in memory ofAlex PrettiandRenee Good," he wrote, naming the two people who were fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

The upcoming shows mark Springsteen and the E Street Band's first performances in North America since 2024. In 2025, they played to more than 700,000 fans across Europe on the initial leg of the "Land of Hope and Dreams" tour and released a live EP recorded on opening night in Manchester, England.

Springsteen has increasingly leaned into political themes during recent performances. On last year's European tour, he told audiences that the band was calling upon "the righteous power of art, of music, of rock 'n' roll, in dangerous times."

The E Street Band lineup includes Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt and Max Weinberg, along with Soozie Tyrell, Jake Clemons and Charlie Giordano. They will be joined by the E Street Horns, the E Street Choir and percussionist Anthony Almonte.

byAdministrator

in

February 17, 2026

Bruce Springsteen and E Street Band to launch 'Land of Hope and Dreams' US tour next month

LOS ANGELES (AP) —Bruce Springsteenis bringing his pointed political commentary back to American stages this spring. ...

Read More

NFL franchise tag tracker 2026: Top candidates including George Pickens, salary values by position, rules and window

The franchise tag window is here, and there are several big names to keep an eye this offseason.

While there are plenty of players whocouldpick up the tag over the next two weeks, it's unclear how many actuallywillget the franchise tag. Last offseason, only two players — Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins and Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith — were tagged. The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly already planning to use the tool, so we're halfway to reaching last year's mark.

Here's everything you need to know, and who to watch out for, during the franchise tag window.

What dates is the franchise tag window open?

The franchise tag window opens on Tuesday, Feb. 17 and runs until 4 p.m. ET on March 3.

What are the franchise tag rules?

During this two-week window, teams are allowed to tag one player who is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. That would then keep that player with the team for the 2026 season. The sides can still negotiate a long-term deal up until July 15. If that deadline passes without a new deal, a tagged player will play on a one-year contract under the tag's price determined by position.

Franchise tag salaries by position for 2026

The projected franchise tag costs for each position in 2026,per Spotrac.

OffenseQB:$47.242 millionRB:$14.186 millionWR:$28.037 millionTE:$16.007 millionOL:$27.764 million

DefenseDE:$26.710 millionDT:$27.424 millionLB:$27.559 millionCB:$20.783 millionS:$20.758 million

Special TeamsK/P:$6.846 million

Top franchise tag candidates for 2026

George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

This is an easy one, and a move the Cowboys have been planning to do for quite some time.

Pickens is coming off the best season of his career in 2025, his first with the Cowboys after being traded there from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pickens had 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns on 93 catches last season alongside star CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys will have the second-most expensive wide receiver duo in the league next season when the deal is done. TheCowboys have made it clear they want Pickens on a long-term contract, too.

While negotiations on that deal could take some time, the Cowboys aren't going to risk losing Pickens to free agency this offseason.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

The Jets may want to spend their money elsewhere this offseason amid yet another rebuild, but Hall would be a great franchise tag option for them. That is, if they want to keep him.

Advertisement

Hall racked up a career-high 1,065 rushing yards with five total touchdowns last season, his fourth in the league. The former Iowa State star was easily the most consistent part of New York's offense amid a 3-14 campaign, and he may be the top running back in thefree agent market this offseason. There will undoubtedly be interest for him, and Hall would get paid if he left.

But Hall, remember, was a big name to watch at the trade deadline. So who knows if the team even wants to utilize this option.

Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

Pitts looked significantly better last season, much more like the dominant tight end he was during his rookie campaign. He had 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns on 88 catches, and was a very reliable piece for the Falcons' offense that lost both quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wide receiver Drake London due to injuries.

But Pitts has been underwhelming for much of his career. Outside of his first and most recent season, Pitts has largely failed to live up to the expectations that came with being the No. 4 overall draft pick.

If the Falcons' new leadership still isn't sure about committing to Pitts, tagging him for one final season might be a good move. The Falcons can then revisit his long-term future with the organization this fall.

Odafe Oweh, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Oweh looked like a different player once he landed with the Chargers ahead of the trade deadline. Oweh had 7.5 sacks and 28 total tackles in just 12 games, and he had three total sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in L.A.'s playoff loss in New England. He seemed to be a very good fit for a Chargers defense that struggled frequently last fall.

The Chargers have a lot of money to spend this offseason, too, so securing Oweh could be a very easy move if the two sides can't agree to a long-term deal. But letting Oweh walk after his revival of sorts feels like something the Chargers need to avoid.

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

This may not even be necessary, but it's something to look out for. Both the Colts and Jones have made it clear that they want to reunite next season after Jones' career-best start with the franchise last fall. He's currently recovering from a torn Achilles he went down with in December, but said he expects to be ready for training camp.

If the Colts use the tag on Jones — they've used it only once in the past decade — expect it to be a short-term option before a real extension is reached.

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks rarely use the franchise tag, and it doesn't seem like that's going to change, even if they don't want to let Walker go this offseason. On Tuesday, ESPNreported the Seahawks won't use their franchise tagon Walker.

Walker racked up 1,027 yards and five touchdowns on 221 carries last season while leading the Seahawks to their Super Bowl title. He was the game's MVP, with 135 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards in the Seahawks' 29-13 win over the Patriots. Thatmade him the first running back to win the award in decades.

Walker will be a free agent this offseason if the Seahawks don't reach a long-term deal with him. And the team is very likely going to want him back this fall, especially since fellow running back Zach Charbonnet is recovering from an ACL injury. Yet considering Walker's injury history — he made it in only 11 games during the 2024 campaign, and last season was his first full season in the league — securing Walker on the tag would be an easy short-term solution for the Seahawks as they work to defend their title. Then a long-term deal, or the decision to move on, will be an issue for another day.

Which players have received the franchise tag so far?

byAdministrator

in

February 17, 2026

NFL franchise tag tracker 2026: Top candidates including George Pickens, salary values by position, rules and window

The franchise tag window is here, and there are several big names to keep an eye this offseason. While there...

Read More