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HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans wanted to honor their late owner and founder Robert “Bob” McNair, who died last week at age 81. They knew the perfect way to do that Monday night was to keep their winning streak going. Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score as the Texans set a franchise record with their eighth straight victory, 34-17 over the Tennessee Titans. “The one thing Mr. McNair wanted was a winner,” J.J. Watt said. “All he wanted was a winner. He wanted to win every week. He wanted a team that could win and bring a championship to this city. So to be able to win eight straight and to be able to win tonight for him was good, and we’re going to try to keep doing that for him.” Demaryius Thomas scored his first two touchdowns with Houston and Lamar Miller ran for 162 yards, including a 97-yard TD. The Texans (8-3) also saluted McNair by wearing decals in the shape of a football with white block letters bearing his initials of “RCM.” With that tribute on the back of their helmets, they became the first team in NFL history to win eight games in a row after starting 0-3. They lead the AFC South by two games over Indianapolis. “We need to try and keep getting better,” coach Bill O’Brien said. “We need to take the mantra that we’re going to improve every day.” The Texans trailed by 10 early before reeling off 27 straight points. Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins said there was no panic after the team fell behind in the first quarter. “We’ve been down 0-3 as a record, so being down 10-0 on the board is nothing to this team,” he said. Tennessee (5-6) finally scored again on a 48-yard reception by Corey Davis late in the third quarter, but the second TD by Thomas — this one for 10 yards — made it 34-17 with just more than eight minutes left. Marcus Mariota, who missed the second half of last week’s game with a stinger, was 22 of 23 for 303 yards and two touchdowns. He completed his first 19 passes before an incompletion with just more than a minute remaining. Miller’s 97-yard breakaway in the second quarter made it 21-10. It was the longest run in franchise history and the longest in the NFL since his dash of the same length for a touchdown on Dec. 28, 2014, with the Dolphins. He’s the only player in league history with two career rushing touchdowns of 95 yards or longer. The Titans went ahead 3-0 on their first possession, and Jonnu Smith had a career-long 61-yard catch-and-run touchdown that extended their lead less than halfway through the first quarter. Houston got going after that, cutting the lead to 10-7 when Thomas grabbed his first touchdown since being traded from Denver on Oct. 30, a 12-yard grab with about six minutes left in the quarter. Watson put the Texans on top when he scrambled 15 yards for a score on the first play of the second quarter. The Titans went for it on fourth-and-inches from the 3 later in the second, but tight end Luke Stocker was stopped for no gain. “If you look at their goal-line defense and having a lot of good knowledge of what they do on the goal line, that’s one play that had worked,” Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel said. “It didn’t work tonight and that’s not the reason that we lost. That’s a bad play.” Miller’s long TD , which helped Houston set a franchise record with 281 yards rushing, came on the next play. He took the handoff in the end zone and darted through a crowd of Titans before shedding one tackle and simply outrunning the rest of the defense. “My whole mindset is just, don’t get caught,” Miller said. “Because ... when we played the Dolphins, I got caught, so all the guys were giving me a hard time. So that was the only thing on my mind.” The Texans kicked a field goal as time expired in the second quarter to take a 24-10 lead into halftime. MCNAIR REMEMBERED The Texans honored McNair in a pregame ceremony, which included a video tribute to him while the Texas A&M Singing Cadets sang “Amazing Grace.” While the video was played, one side of the video board displayed the words: “Faith, Family, Philanthropy, Football.” Painted on both 25-yard lines was a football with his initials that looked just like the decals on the players’ helmets. Television cameras panned to several fans with signs honoring the late owner. One read: “McNair Never Forgotten.” WATSON’S WORK Watson has thrown 39 touchdown passes in his first 18 career games, which is third in NFL history behind Hall of Famers Kurt Warner (44) and Dan Marino (40). His 70 yards rushing on Monday were a career best and he tied Matt Schaub’s franchise record by throwing a TD pass in his 16th straight game. INJURIES Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler left in the second quarter to be evaluated for a concussion and did not return. ... Houston WR Keke Coutee didn’t return after injuring his hamstring in the third quarter. UP NEXT Titans: Host the New York Jets on Sunday. Texans: Host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Written by: KRISTIE RIEKEN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even the Wizards seemed surprised by the way they won. Bradley Beal said he couldn’t have imagined allowing the opposing starting guards to combine for 90 points and still get a victory. “No sir. Absolutely not. No sir,” Beal said. “Not at all. It’s amazing we pulled it off still.” John Wall scored a season-high 36 points, including six in overtime, and Washington overcame James Harden’s season-best 54 points to outlast the Houston Rockets 135-131 on Monday night. Harden, the NBA’s leading scorer, also had 13 assists, while Eric Gordon added a season-high 36 points. Wall had two baskets in the extra period and finished with 11 assists. Beal equaled his season high with 32 points for the Wizards. Otto Porter hit a runner with 4:37 to play for the first basket in overtime and the Wizards remained ahead from there. Wall followed with a jumper to make it 129-125 and later made another jumper that pushed the lead to five. Beal’s dunk extended it to 133-126 with 1:50 to play. Harden had 44 points through three quarters but missed five of his seven shots in the fourth. In overtime, Harden whose career high is 60, was 1 of 2 from the field and had two free throws. He had 11 turnovers, three in overtime, and 13 assists. “It’s not even about myself,” Harden said. “It’s about our entire team. We had a really good start to the game and kind of let our guard down.” Harden scored 12 points in the first quarter, 11 in the second and 21 points in the third quarter. In the fourth, he began the quarter on the bench, and scored six as the Wizards and Rockets headed to overtime with the score knotted at 125. Houston raced to a 27-10 lead, but Washington clawed its way back. Markieff Morris had 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Wizards. Clint Capela had 17 points and 14 points for the short-handed Rockets, who played without Chris Paul for the second straight game and fell to 9-10. TIP-INS Rockets: Paul was listed as being out with a sore left leg, though coach Mike D’Antoni classified the injury differently. “We’ve just got to make sure Chris gets 100 percent well from his strained hammy,” D’Antoni said. ... G/F Gerald Green missed his third game with a sore right ankle. ... Houston added F Danuel House from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the G League. ... Made their first seven 3-point shots, then missed 10 straight. Wizards: C Dwight Howard was out for the fourth straight game with a glute injury. “It’s a slow process,” coach Scott Brooks said. “He’s doing everything he can.” . Morris, F Kelly Oubre Jr. and Beal picked up technicals. ... Allowed 42 points in the first quarter, the fifth time this year they’d given up at least 40. ... Wall passed Wes Unseld for third place on the franchise career scoring list. GUARDING HARDEN Wall said that despite allowing 54 points to Harden, Beal did a fine job against him. “It’s what you dream of,” Wall said. “It’s what you live for, to be on the big stage, a big moment, going against a guy like that.” COACHING HARDEN D’Antoni knows he’s asking too much of Harden, who played a season-high 47 minutes. “I mean, we’re asking, especially James, you know what? Play (47) minutes, make every play,” D’Antoni said. “There are going to be periods where he’s just gassed.” HURT ROCKETS Besides Paul and Green, the Rockets are without G Brandon Knight (left knee), C Nene (right calf) and F/C Zhou Qui. Knight and Nene haven’t played at all this season, and Qui has played one minute. It hasn’t gotten Gordon down. “We definitely want to turn it into a wins,” Gordon said. “We’re not discouraged. We’re going to get this thing rolling here soon.” UP NEXT Rockets: Host the Mavericks on Wednesday Wizards: Visit Pelicans on Wednesday as Washington plays six of its next seven on the road. Written by: Rich Dubroff

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — North Dakota State didn’t figure to pose too much trouble for Gonzaga on the day the Bulldogs rose to No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25. The Bison didn’t. Brandon Clarke and Rui Hachimura each scored 18 points as top-ranked Gonzaga beat North Dakota State 102-60 on Monday night to remain undefeated. “Mission accomplished,” Gonzaga coach Mark Few said. Few had worried about his team having a letdown after beating former No. 1 Duke at the Maui Invitational, in part because of the long trip home. But that didn’t happen. “They were mature in their approach,” Few said. “Josh Perkins did a great job of settling us down, especially on the offensive end. ” Gonzaga also did a good job on defense, holding North Dakota State to 4-of-27 shooting from behind the arc. Corey Kispert added 17 points and Zach Norvell Jr. 15 for Gonzaga (7-0), which shot 63.8 percent in the game, including 15-of-28 from 3-point range. Vinnie Shahid scored 16 points for North Dakota State (2-5), which shot just 36 percent in the game. Cameron Hunter and Deng Geu each added 12. “Some games you just have to throw away and move on,” Bison coach David Richman said. “That’s what we have to do with this one.” Clarke made all nine of his field goal attempts and added eight rebounds and five blocks for Gonzaga. Six Zags scored in double figures. “He’s playing with great energy,” Few said. “He’s protecting the rim and really being active on the offensive end.” Clarke said the Zags need to keep perspective. “We have to keep on playing tough,” Clarke said. “Don’t let that ranking get to us.” “I felt I was taking shots that I can make pretty easily,” he said. “I wasn’t forcing shots.” Gonzaga has beaten four teams from Power Five conferences already this season, and came in averaging 97 points per game to 71 for the Bison. North Dakota State stayed close early, and led 19-18 with just over 10 minutes left in the first. Gonzaga replied with a 19-0 run, making seven consecutive field goals, for a 37-19 lead. Clarke had 10 points and Josh Perkins had a pair of 3-pointers in the run. The Bison were scoreless for more than 6 minutes before Cameron Hunter’s 3-pointer ended the Gonzaga run. But Gonzaga then embarked on a 16-3 run to take a 53-25 lead at halftime. The Zags shot 72.5 percent (21 of 29) in the first half, while North Dakota State shot just 37 percent and committed eight turnovers. Kispert sank three consecutive 3-pointers as a 22-2 run put Gonzaga up 85-38 midway through the second. Gonzaga students chanted “we want Cleveland” in the final minutes. FLIPPING FEW A popular video on social media among Gonzaga fans shows Few swinging out on a rope and doing a back flip into a Maui pond after the Duke win. STATS Gonzaga handed out 25 assists and won the rebound battle 38-30. Norvell had eight assists and Josh Perkins six. BISON WOES North Dakota State managed to make just 23 of 65 shots and suffered 12 turnovers that led to 21 Gonzaga points. The Zags also got 28 points on fast breaks. BIG PICTURE North Dakota State: The Bison of the Summit League have only beaten UC Santa Barbara and Towson this season. In their game notes they noted: “The Zags are really good. They almost never lose.” The Bison lost to Gonzaga in the second round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament. Gonzaga: The Zags played without guard Geno Crandall, who is out several weeks with a fractured hand, and forward Killian Tillie, out for another month with an ankle injury. Gonzaga now enters the toughest portion of its remaining nonconference schedule, with games in the next two weeks against Creighton, Washington, No. 6 Tennessee and No. 11 North Carolina. Only the Washington game is home. UP NEXT North Dakota State plays at Drake on Saturday. Gonzaga plays at Creighton, which is receiving votes in the AP poll, on Saturday. “They are very gifted offensively,” Few said of Creighton. “They have a big huge arena with a loyal fan base.”

On Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 9:00am, the community will gather for it's 3rd Rally of the week in the run-off election season. The rally will be held at the Eureka School, 409 E 7th St, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Saturday Morning at 9:00am. The community will walk to the Forrest County Courthouse for the last day to cast an absentee vote. The walk, known as the "Vernon Dahmer Walk" will kickoff at 9:30am. Saturday, November 24 is the last day to cast an early ballot known as an absentee ballot from 8am - 12:00 Noon. Organizers say the goal is to get at least 500 absentee votes cast. To date, 436 votes have already been cast. Even if you can't vote, organizers say come out and walk anyway for support. All students, school educators, veterans, and American Red Cross responders can vote early. If you are 65 years or older, handicap, or disabled, you also can vote early. If you think you will have to work or think you will be out of town on Tuesday, Nov 27, you also can qualify. You do NOT need to bring any supporting documents as to why you are voting early. All you need is a picture I.D. Early this week, the two previous rallies drawn national attention with two prominent public figures, Senator Cory Booker, possible 2020 presidential candidate, and Rev. Dr. William Barber II, keynote speaker at both National Democratic Convention and Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin's Funeral, all opposing Cindy Hyde Smith after continued offensive language toward African Americans and democrats.

Two days after prominent national figure Senator Cory Booker visited the University of Southern Mississippi, another prominent national figure will be in Hattiesburg, MS on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. Rev. Dr. William Barber II will be the keynote National Speaker at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, 900 E. 8th Street in Hattiesburg, MS beginning at 6:00pm for the 'Get Out The Vote' Rally. Dr. William Barber was also the keynote speaker at the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin's Funeral. He was also the keynote speaker at the National Democratic Convention in 2016 for Hilary Clinton.  Because 1,000's of people are expected to attend the Get Out The Vote Rally on Wednesday Evening at Ebenezer Church in Hattiesburg, MS, organizers are strongly encouraging early arrival. Dr. William Barber is the Co-Chairman of the national Poor People Campaign. He's also a national board member of the NAACP.   On Monday, Senator Cory Booker made a special visit to Mississippi, making Hattiesburg the only stop in the state. Senator Booker spoke to an overcrowded audience at The University of Southern Mississippi, stopping first to speak to the 100's hoping to get a glimpse of the possible 2020 presidential candidate, who were eagerly waiting outside that wasn't allowed in because the auditorium was already filled to capacity.  Organizers say another rally is expected Saturday, November 24, 2018 at 9:00am at Eureka School, 412 E. 6th St including a 'Vernon Dahmer Walk' kicking off at 9:30am from Eurkea School, down Mobile Street, to the Forrest County Circuit Court. Organizers say the walk to the court house is in honor of Civil Rights Icon, Vernon Dahmer, who was lynched by the Klu Klux Klan for leading the "Get Out & Vote" Movement in Forrest County, Mississippi. Mississippi has been getting a lot national attention after multiple videos of Republican United States Senator Cindy Hyde Smith went viral excitingly accepting an invitation of a public hanging; in her words, "If you'd invite me to a public hanging I'd be on the front row!" and on another video, heard talking about hoping to find ways in her words to "suppress" the vote of all liberals and young people, specifically college students while on a college campus.  Saturday, November 24, 2018 is the last day to vote early before the Tuesday, November 27, 2018 Runoff from 8:00am-12:00pm.

T he Honorable Carol Jones Russell, who is currently a Hattiesburg Municipal Court Judge says she is running for Forrest County Youth and County Court Judge despite a local newspaper saying she isn't. Over 50,000 local residents received a local newspaper that read, "Four candidates are seeking the County and Youth Court Judge Position in Forrest County." Judge Carol Jones Russell name was left out and not included.  This immediately stirred an uproar in the community outraging thousands of Judge Carol Jones Russell supporters, community organizations, and the community in general in what many believe was done intentionally as a result of her not only being the favorite to win the Youth and County Court election by some political scientists but because Carol Jones Russell, who was appointed by both a democratic and republican mayor, Hall of Fame Inductee democratic Mayor Johnny Dupree Ph.D in 2012 and recently reappointed by republican Mayor Toby Barker in 2016 (as pictured above), is the only African American Female in the race for Forrest County Youth and County Court Judge. Carol Jones Russell is also the only sitting female judge, and the only current judge of two courts, Muncipal Court and Truancy Court.  Carol Jones Russell is the niece of her mentor, the first African American ever elected in Forrest County, the Honorable Judge Deborah Gambrell, Chancellor of the 10th District Chancery Court, whom was first appointed by Republican Governor Haley Barbour on January 11, 2011.  Chancellor Gambrell, one of the most respected women in Mississippi, has been the recipient of several awards, including 2 Woman of the Year Awards plus the "Thank You" Award by the Girls Scouts of America, and has served on several Board of Directors, including President of The YMCA Board of Directors, United Way, Dubard School, and Forrest General Hospital Foundation. Chancellor Gambrell is running unopposed. Carol Jones Russell is not only a City of Hattiesburg Municipal Court Judge, she’s also the current Truancy Court Judge. As the Truancy Court Judge, she deals directly with the local kids and their parents to find out why kids have missed so many days in school. This court directly holds parents accountable which by law can lead to time in jail. However, the Judge Carol Jones Russell in most cases works with the family to help get their kids back in school and the family back on its feet. Serving as the Truancy Court Judge, dealing with kids and their parents, gives valuable experience to help serve as Youth Court Judge.  Carol Jones Russell Campaign says despite having an unfair disadvantage by the local paper, they are still focusing on the campaign's main message, "The 4 P's."  They are: Promoting Success: Success stories and support systems can encourage individuals to not only be better, but also to do better. Preventing Problems: Providing proper services helps prevent future problems.  Pursuing Trust: Establishing trust in the judicial system for children and families is key to positive change.  Partnering with the Community: Engaging our community can help provide valuable resources for children and families.  We asked 100 different youth around the community, "Who is Carol Jones Russell?" 8 out of 10 said ‘the new judge of Youth Court.’ Many are familiar with Carol Jones Russell because aside from her judicial experience as a judge, she is currently the Forrest County Youth Court Parent Representative in Youth Court and the Forrest County Chancery Court Guardian Ad Litem, fighting for families and protecting kids in the Pine Belt.  Carol Jones Russell serves on the Board of Directors of the Hattiesburg YMCA and the Hattiesburg Public School District Foundation. She's also a member of the Rotary Club of Hattiesburg, Pine Belt Leadership Steering Committee Member, and a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated Graduate Chapter. Carol Jones Russell is also the former District Director of the Magnolia Bar Association, the Vice President of the South Central Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Women in the Profession Committee, and the Hattiesburg Area Young Lawyers Association. Carol Jones Russell, a University of Southern Mississippi Alumni, BSBA, Highest Honors 2003, is also graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, 2008, and Hattiesburg High School in which she received the highest honors in 1999. The local newspaper did say it was in accidental error and after talks with community leaders have agreed to make steps to acknowledge their mistakes each day until the election. Carol Jones Russel is running against Robert Davis, Pamela Castle, and Jim Johnson.  "I have dedicated my entire legal career to fighting for families and children, and I have worked hard to gain the knowledge and expertise to serve as your County and Youth Court Judge!" says Carol Jones Russell. She went on to say, "I will bring judicial experience, fairness, compassion and intergrity to the court. On November 6, vote Carol Jones Russell for County and Youth Court Judge. Thank you for your support!"

W almart says it will BBQ at the Get Out & Vote Celebration ‘18 event Monday at Vernon Dahmer Park, 1000 Country Club Rd at 4pm. Walmart is joining other big name organizations such as the American Red Cross, The NAACP, and the Community Crisis Coalition all coming together for the Pre Election Kickoff, motivating all citizens to get out and vote. “I’m excited that our local Walmart is a big leader in our community. We haven’t seen this much support from any business like this in years. They hosted the high school band at the store, they gave $1,000’s to the local high school, was involved with Black History, helped during the tornado, helped the football team, and so many local organizations,” said Chris Smith, a local customer. The store will BBQ hotdogs and give them out free to the community fresh off the grill Monday evening. Walmart is also donating the food it’s grilling as well which is sure to increase its sales. Other guest speakers will include the first African American students of the University of Southern Mississippi and William Carey University, NAACP President Clarence Magee, Bishop D. Franklin Brown, USM’s Student Brandon Hue, and others. Customers like Smith said community is the main reason they shop a Walmart. "Of course Walmart has good prices and great deals. But I'm here today shopping in Walmart only because of Walmart does for our local community. It means a lot to us!" Smith exclaimed.

The Get Out To Vote Rally scheduled for Saturday November 3 at Vernon Dahmer Park has been moved to Monday, November 5, the day before the election. The event is expected to have a large turnout kicking off at 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. There are several guest speakers, live music, and food at the event. The event has been called the Pre Election Kick-off. Tuesday, November 6, 2018 is the general election day. The polls are open from 7am to 7pm. Local county clerks offices say this elections ballots are already exceeding over 1,000 cast.

Updated Story: 11/12/2018 H attiesburg's top major universities 1st African American students will be 2 of the headline speakers at the 'Get Out and Vote' event held Monday, November 5, 2018 at Vernon Dahmer Park, 1000 Country Club Rd, in Hattiesburg, MS. Vermester Bester, the first African American student admitted to William Carey University, and Lt. Col. Raylawni Branch (Ret.), the first African American student admitted to the University of Southern Mississippi, will both speak during the free event to get the community excited to get out and vote. The NAACP President Clarence Magee will also be a featured speaker along with The University of Southern Mississippi Student Democratic Party President, Brandon Rue, who is also expected to headline the event Saturday, in an effort to motivate young people, including college students, to get out and vote. USM's student Brandon Rue reportedly registered over 400 students to vote within one week just a few weeks ago before the voter's registration deadline. The Get Out and Vote event is being held at the historic Vernon Dahmer Park, named after the iconic leader who was assassinated by the Klu Klux Klan after he because led a movement to get African Americans out to vote in the Pine Belt. The Get Out and Vote event is a non-partisan event that invites the entire community to come together. Organizers say the event will consist of an iVote Rally, an opportunity to meet and greet candidates, a step show, guest speakers, food and much more. Organizers say the event will be kicked off with an iPray Challenge where the entire community comes together and say the Lord's Prayer in unity, regardless of party affiliation or political view. Partnering organizations such as the American Red Cross will be on hand making sure every home has a smoke detector, in which case they do not, they will install them for free. The NAACP, another partnering organization, will be on hand as a part of the national mission, encouraging everyone to get out to vote, regardless of party affiliation. The event which is anticipated to draw several 100's, will kick off at 4:00pm. Organizers are encouraging early arrival to avoid parking along the streets. The event is open and free to the public. For more information about this event, you may email midtermsvote2018@gmail.com. #USM #elections #TheUniversityofSouthernMississippi