Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
Virginia governor asked to resign over racist photo
The drumbeat grew louder Sunday for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign as controversy roiled over a racist photo in his 1984 medical school yearbook. The governor apologized Friday for being in the photo, which showed one person in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe. But he reversed direction on Saturday, saying he doesn't believe he is in the photo and calling it "disgusting, offensive, racist." Northam did admit to blackening his face with shoe polish for a Michael Jackson costume at a dance contest in the 1980s. But the governor, elected in 2017, said he is determined to complete his term.
The lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever
The New England Patriots fended off the Los Angeles Rams to win Super Bowl LIII Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Patriots' defense stepped up in a major way, holding the Rams to 14 first downs in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever.
Those watching the commercials saw Chance the Rapper hawking Doritos, Hyundai dissing vegans and a wild Planter's ad with Charlie Sheen and Alex Rodriguez. Maroon 5 delivered a white-bread halftime show, complete with a Spongebob tribute and a shirtless Adam Levine. Gladys Knight stunned with the national anthem. And Patriots quarterback Tom Brady set the record for most Super Bowl wins by any NFL player with six.
El Chapo allegedly had sex with underage girls he called his 'vitamins'
Accused Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán allegedly had sex with girls as young as 13 after drugging them, newly revealed court records show. Brooklyn federal prosecutors disclosed the records ahead of jury deliberations in Guzmán's trial on charges that he led an enterprise smuggling tons of cocaine and other drugs into the United States. He called the youngest of his alleged underage sex partners his "vitamins," believing "that sexual activity with young girls gave him 'life,'" the records show. The allegations are based on statements given by Alex Cifuentes Villa, a former top Guzmán lieutenant who testified against his ex-boss. Guzmán, 61, could be sentenced to life in prison. "Joaquin denies the allegations," his defense team said.
Trump declines to rule out another shutdown in sprawling interview
President Donald Trump on Sunday declined to rule out another government shutdown this month and threatened to declare a national emergency if lawmakers negotiating agency funding don't include money for his proposed border wall. In a Super Bowl Sunday interview with CBS, Trump also said he wants to keep U.S. troops in Iraq to “watch” Iran, disputed reports that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is considering a Senate run and said he would steer his son, Barron, away from playing football because of concussion risks. The interview comes as Congress races against a Feb. 15 deadline to reach a deal on government funding and the president’s requested billions in border wall money.
The groundhog predicts spring
Results are in: On Groundhog Day 2019, Punxsutawney Phil could not find his shadow. And as the legend goes, this means we're in for an early spring. This is only the 19th time out of 123 in his recorded history (there are 10 years where no record remains) that Phil hasn't been able to find his shadow. Even so, Phil is usually wrong.
YouTube star pleads guilty to child porn charges
YouTube pop star Austin Jones has pleaded guilty to charges that he pressured underage female fans to send him sexually explicit videos. Jones pleaded guilty Friday to one count of child pornography. In a plea agreement, Jones admitted to online conversations with a half-dozen 14- and 15-year-old girls from 2010 to 2017. The original complaint claimed Jones encouraged the girls to send sexually explicit videos of themselves. U.S. District Judge John Lee permitted Jones, 26, to remain free on bail as he seeks psychiatric counseling.
'A dangerous situation': Mudslides threaten California
With the polar vortex in full retreat, the nation's wildest weather shifted to the West. Flash flood warnings were issued across California Saturday as heavy rain and mudflows shut down major highways and caused power outages for tens of thousands of people. “This is a dangerous situation,” the National Weather Service said, warning the high rates of rain could send boulders sluicing down hillsides along with mud and debris. A wind gust in Santa Barbara County topped 80 mph, leaving a pine tree believed to be 100-years-old atop a Santa Barbara home.
TSA agent falls to his death at Orlando airport
Orlando, Florida, police are investigating after a Transportation and Security Administration agent reportedly jumped to his death from a hotel balcony in the atrium area of Orlando International Airport Saturday morning. Police said the man in his 40s jumped at around 9:30 a.m. and was transported in critical condition to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. Investigators are looking at his death as an apparent suicide. Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said some travelers had to be re-screened by security due to the disruption.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here's the biggest news you missed this weekend
