UR MAG

MILAN — The women's hockey competition atthe Olympicshas an influence you might not have expected.

Ohio State.

Perhaps you know the Buckeyes best as a football powerhouse. Yet with 12 current or former Buckeyes playing for five different countries at the Milan Cortina Olympics, "it's a women's ice hockey school, for sure," said Joy Dunne, an Ohio State junior who scored for the U.S. on Thursday in its 5-1 win against Czechia.

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Since Nadine Muzerall became the school's coach in 2016, the university has developed from a hockey also-ran into the NCAA champion in both 2022 and 2024. The team also appeared in the 2023 and 2025 title games. This season, it's ranked second nationally.

Five players from this season's team are now foes. Three current Buckeyes play for Sweden alone. Trash talk has been kept to a minimum, said Hilda Svensson, a Swedish forward who has become one of the NCAA's top scorers in her freshman year at Ohio State.

"We have been pretty nice to each other so far," she said, "but I think if we play against them, we're going to be a little bit more mean, maybe. And especially maybe against Joy."

The U.S. and Sweden aren't scheduled to face each other in the preliminary round, meaning any meeting between the squads would come in the knockout round. That possibility was discussed immediately after the tournament's draw was announced, Dunne said.

"Me and the Swedish girls really want to play each other because one's a big chirper and I think it'd be fun," Dunne told NBC News. "We battle a lot in practices, so it would just be nice to actually do it against each other in a game."

Dunne and the U.S. faced off against a current Buckeye teammate Saturday, when the U.S. played its second preliminary game against Finland. Its roster includes Sanni Vanhanen, a freshman forward at Ohio State who was part of Finland's 2022 bronze medal-winning team at the Beijing Olympics.

Muzerall's allegiances might lean toward her native Canada, where she has coached within the national team's developmental system. But holding ties to five teams makes rooting interests more difficult.

"You feel like a parent, an immense amount of pride," Muzeralltold reporters in Ohiothis week. "So, it's going to be tough to choose who I'm cheering for."

Ohio State's outsize presence at these Olympics should be seen as a credit to Muzerall's coaching, Dunne said. But the school is just one example of collegiate hockey's role as a de facto feeder system for national teams. Of the 230 total women's hockey players taking part in these Games, 122 have NCAA experience,according tothe governing body, including 40 active college players.

The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, a hockey-only conference that includes Ohio State, has the most representation among conferences, with 54 athletes.

Dunne isn't even the first member of her family to represent both Ohio State and the U.S. Her older sister, Jincy, was part of the U.S. hockey team that won a silver medal at the 2022 Olympics.

This is the first Winter Olympics since the creation of the Professional Women's Hockey League, and with 61 PWHL players heading to Italy to represent their countries, the league opted to take a three-week break from competition.

The NCAA season, however, did not pause.

"A part of me actually wants to fly over there and just go," Muzerall said.

Instead, the Buckeyes will play four games between Thursday's opening of the preliminary round and the Feb. 19 gold-medal game. Svensson said she was watching from afar as the Buckeyes try to compensate for their Olympic-sized roster hole.

"I'm so impressed how they did their last game against Duluth," Svensson said. "I hope they can just keep going and win against Wisconsin this weekend."

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will make changes to its voting process in light of controversy over Bill Belichick not being elected to the 2026 class in his first year of eligibility.

Hall of Fame president Jim Portertold the Associated Pressthat the vote will go back to an in-person meeting and discussion among the 50-member committee. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the conversation and voting process was held virtually.

Additionally, the vote will occur closer to the announcement of the inductees at the NFL Honors event, held the Thursday prior to the Super Bowl. That scheduling change, likely for Super Bowl week in the host city, is intended to decrease the possibility of discussion and results leaking to the public, as happened when reports ofBelichick falling short of the 40 votesnecessary for election circulated among media.

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Porter also said the Hall would consider releasing vote totals and individual ballots to the public in future balloting, much like the Baseball Hall of Fame and Baseball Writers Association of America do. However, that won't be done for the 2026 class.

One part of the voting process that will be reviewed is a rule that groups coaches and contributors with older players who have been on the ballot for multiple years. Votersfelt they had to choosebetween longtime candidates who were running out of eligibility, such as running back Roger Craig (who was elected) and quarterback Ken Anderson (who was not), rather than vote for Belichick. That was viewed as a primary reason why the six-time Super Bowl winner was not elected.

Voters who might have violated rules by discussing the voting debate publicly and the process by which candidates were elected or left off the ballot could be replaced on the committee, according to Porter.

"I'm not here to tell them who the most deserving is,"Porter told the AP's Josh Dubow. "If the Hall was to tell who the most deserving is, we wouldn't need them to vote. We understand that. We just want the rules followed."

Five players were electedto the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class, as announced at Thursday's NFL Honors ceremony. Quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, kicker Adam Vinatieri and Craig will be formally inducted into the Canton, Ohio, institution on Aug. 8.

Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune played in the final group at the WM Phoenix Open together on Saturday, and it was set up for the Japanese countrymen to do the same on Sunday.

One missed putt at the end of the day changed those plans.

Matsuyama overtook Hisatsune for the lead after three rounds when Hisatsune bogeyed the last hole Saturday at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.

Hisatsune, 23, led his more-accomplished peer by one stroke through two rounds. Matsuyama's 3-under-par 68 propelled him to a 13-under 200 through three rounds while Hisatsune's late blunder led him to a round of 70.

"Yeah, it was a great day today. Kind of a first today for Japan to have two Japanese pros play in a final group," Matsuyama said through a translator. "I was hoping we could do it tomorrow, but, again, I hope tomorrow just to play well and stay on top."

Hisatsune, meanwhile, dropped into a four-way tie at 12-under with Maverick McNealy (65), Denmark's Nicolai Hojgaard (65) and South Korea's Si Woo Kim (66). The final threesome to go off Sunday will be Matsuyama, McNealy and Hojgaard.

Matsuyama and Hisatsune were tied at 13 under after Hisatsune birdied Nos. 10 and 17 to catch up. Matsuyama parred No. 18 and Hisatsune escaped a greenside bunker, leaving himself 5 1/2 feet to save par.

But Hisatsune's putt started left and stayed left, missing the cup altogether for a difficult bogey.

Hisatsune later said it was "special" to play alongside the 33-year-old Matsuyama, who became the first Japanese man to win a major when he captured the 2021 Masters.

"You know, he's like won Masters and then like 11 times PGA winner, so like very different for me," Hisatsune said. "But more chasing Hideki tomorrow, like going to also today as well."

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Two of those PGA Tour wins for Matsuyama were the 2016 and 2017 Phoenix Opens. Matsuyama brushed that off Saturday by saying this is a "brand-new tournament," and he had a funny response to a follow-up about what he likes about TPC Scottsdale.

"I like this course because even if I miss a fairway, I can still find my ball," he said. "Unless it's in the cactuses."

Matsuyama mixed three birdies and two bogeys over his first five holes Saturday. He took over the lead with an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-4 10th, and he added his last birdie at the par-5 13th.

Hojgaard, 24, is a three-time winner in Europe seeking his first PGA Tour victory. His bogey-free round was buoyed by five birdies in the closing six holes.

"It's easy to then go out and hunt the birdies a little bit, but I stayed patient, hitting into the right zones and hit some really, really good shots coming in and capitalized with some birdies, so it was a great way to finish," Hojgaard said.

Then there's McNealy, who at 30 is seeking his second PGA Tour title. He ranks second this week in greens in regulation (44 of 54) and made eight birdies Saturday. A bogey at the par-4 17th kept him from a share of the lead through 54 holes.

"You have to take every hole as it comes," McNealy said about an aggressive approach to Sunday. "If you hit the fairway, you can be aggressive if you have the right number. Miss the fairway, you just can't shoot yourself out of the tournament and make soft bogeys."

England's Matt Fitzpatrick held a share of the lead after consecutive birdies at Nos. 14-15, but he made a mess of the par-3 16th "Stadium Hole" and recorded a double bogey. A birdie-bogey finish left him at 67 for his round and tied at 11 under with Michael Thorbjornsen (65), Jake Knapp (66) and Akshay Bhatia (67).

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler posted a 67 that featured a chip-in birdie from the sand at No. 10. He's five off the pace at 8 under entering Sunday.

--Field Level Media

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea will convene a major political conference later this month, the country's state media said Sunday, where leaderKim Jong Unis expected to outline his domestic and foreign policies for the next five years.

North Korea

The ruling Workers' Party congress, which Kim previously held in 2016 and 2021, comes after years of accelerated nuclear and missile development and deepening ties with Moscow over the war in Ukraine that have increased his standoffs with the United States and South Korea.

North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the party's political bureau met under Kim's supervision and decided the congress would be held in late February. State media did not immediately specify a date or release agenda details.

The congress will likely continue for days as a highly choreographed display of Kim's authoritarian leadership. In recent weeks, Kim hasinspected weapons testsand toured military sites and economic projects as state media highlighted his purported achievements, crediting his "immortal leadership" with strengthening the country's military capabilities and advancing national development.

His recent activities and comments suggest Kim will use the congress to double down on economic development through "self-sustenance" and mass mobilization while announcing plans to further expand the capabilities of his nuclear-armed military, including upgrading conventional weapons systems and integrating them with nuclear forces.

Kim also could highlight his increasingly assertive foreign policy based on closer ties with Moscow and Beijing while hardening anadversarial approach toward rival South Koreaas he continues to embrace the idea of a "new Cold War," experts say.

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Kim's willingness to resume diplomacy with the U.S. is unclear. Relations derailed in 2019 after hissecond summitwith U.S. President Donald Trump due to disagreements over sanctions against his nuclear weapons program.

Kim has rejected Trump's overtures for dialogue since the U.S. president began his second term in January 2025. Kim insists Washingtonabandon demandsfor the North to surrender its nuclear weapons as a precondition for future talks.

Entering his 15th year in rule, Kim finds himself in a stronger position than when he opened the previous congress in 2021 during the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigating what was seen as his toughest stretch in a decade of power, Kim acknowledged his previous economic policies failed and issued a new five-year development plan through 2025.

He called for accelerated development of his nuclear arsenal and issued an extensive wish list of sophisticated assets including solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles, multi-warhead systems, tactical nuclear weapons, spy satellites andnuclear-powered submarines.

Kim has exploited geopolitical turmoil to his advantage. He used Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a window to accelerate weapons testing and align himself with Russian PresidentVladimir Putin, who has accepted thousands of North Korean troops and large quantities of military equipment for the war.

Kim also has pursued closer ties with China, traditionally the North's primary ally and economic lifeline. Hetraveled to Beijing in Septemberfor a World War II event and the first summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in six years.

While Kim's strict information blockade prevents precise assessments, South Korean analysts say the North's economy appears to have improved over the past five years, possibly due to a gradual recovery in trade with China and an industrial boost from arms exports to Russia.

Recalls have become a common occurrence over the years. Whether it's our favorite snack food being pulled from shelves or everyday essentials like eggs or chicken, it seems like there is a new recall every couple of weeks, withSalmonella contaminationamong the biggest offenders.Dogandcat foodhaven't been spared either.

A recent recall includes nearly 2,000 products spanning multiple brands, affecting consumers' pantries along with their pets. The recall's scale is due to its origin at a distribution center serving three states.

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Widespread Recall Effects Dog And Cat Products in Three States

Gold Star Distribution, Inc. issued a recall of all its FDA-regulated products held at its facility, including multiple popular pet food brands such as Meow Mix, Purina Dog and Cat Chow, Tidy Cats Litter, and more. The FDApress releasestates that rodent and avian contamination was discovered in the facility, which ships products to stores in North Dakota, Minnesota, and Indiana.

"The facility was operating under insanitary conditions, including the presence of rodent excreta, rodent urine, andbirddroppings in areas where medical devices, drugs, human food, pet food, and cosmetic products were held," said the FDA. "These conditions create a significant risk that products held at the facility may have been contaminated with filth and harmful microorganisms."

If the products come into contact with droppings or urine, microorganisms can be transmitted to people who pick them up, creating a significant health risk. Consumers may be exposed to bacterial infections, including Salmonella, by simply touching product boxes.

Salmonella is incredibly dangerous, especially to certain population groups like infants, small children, pregnant women, elderly people, and the immunocompromised. For these groups, Salmonella infections can be fatal, whereas healthy people may experience only nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and stomach pain. While rare, the infection can also lead to severe illnesses like endocarditis, arthritis, and other bloodstream-activated illnesses.

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Related: 7 Signs Your Pup Would Do Anything for You, According to Trainers

Another possible disease contracted from touching or consuming the affected products is leptospirosis, which affects both people and their pets. Dogs and cats who are exposed to Salmonella or leptospirosis should be monitored for lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Here is the list of the affected pet products and their UPCS:

• 3.15LB 9 LIVES CAT FOOD 'INDOOR COMPLETE' 4CT: 079100505647;0; 0079100523191

• 3.15LB 9 LIVES CAT FOOD 'DAILY ESSENTIALS' 4CT: 079100581221

• 9 LIVES CAN CHICKEN DINNER 5.5oz/24CT #3608: 079100004102

• PURINA DOG CHOW 4.4lb/4CT: 017800410274;0; 17800180283

• Purina Puppy Chow 4.4lb/ 4CT: 017800180269

• Purina Cat Chow Complete Bags 4/3 15LB: 017800179911

• Dog Treat Snack Shack PB Bone 24 CT: 850089007618

• Dog Treat Snack Shack CHZ & Bacon Bone 24 CT: 850089007595

• Fancy Feast Cat Food, Creamy Delight Salmon 3oz/ 24ct: 050000168231

• Fancy Feast Cat Food Medleys Florentine: 050000572813

• Fancy Feast Cat Food Gravy Lovers: 050000580064

• Friskies Shreds With White Fish & Tuna: 050000103690

• Friskies Prime Filet With Beef: 00050000212200

• Friskies Pate Salmon Dinner: 050000423344

• Friskies Pate Poultry: 050000423641

• Friskies Shreds Turkey & Cheese: 050000467723

• Friskies Assorted Cans

• Friskies Seafood Sensations

• Friskies Indoor Delights

• Friskies Surfin' & Turfin'

• Meow Mix Original Bag 18oz/ 6CT: 829274454186

• Meow Mix Original 3.15 Lb/ 4CT: 829274513753

• Meow Mix Beef & Salmon 3Lb/ 4CT: 829274831253

• Meow Mix Chicken & Tuna: 829274512527

• Meow Mix Salmon & Turkey: 829274519137

• Tidy Cat Litter: 070230107107

• Tidy Cat Litter: 070230107602

• Tidt Cat Litter: 070230171108

See the full 44-page list of productshere.A list of stores where the products were sent is included in the FDA'spress release.If your pet products are on the list, Gold Star advises that the products should be immediately destroyed. Refunds will be issued upon request and verification of destruction.

So far, there have not been any illnesses reported to the FDA in conjunction with this recall. But, if you suspect you or your pet has any illness symptoms or contamination-related concerns, contact your doctor and/or your veterinarian immediately.

Any reactions or illnesses can be reported to the FDA via its online reportingform, or you can download theform, mail it to the address listed, or fax it to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Related: Veterinary Study Reveals That 94% of Homemade Dog Food Is Missing Critical Nutrients

This story was originally published byParade Petson Feb 7, 2026, where it first appeared in thePet Newssection. Add Parade Pets as aPreferred Source by clicking here.