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It was a hard-fought game that required the extra period, but it was Hughes and the rest of the U.S. team who celebrated after capturing the top honor in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.

Hughes, uplifting the U.S. on the world's largest stage, has captured the attention of millions, but there's one person he's possibly thinking of most: Tate McRae.

However, that wasn't the person whom he first thought of after hitting the game-winning and gold medal-clinching goal. Hughes told reporters he thought of U.S. national women's team hockey player Megan Keller, whohelped Team USA win the gold medal against Canadawith a game-winning goal of her own.

Everyone believes his mind is now on McRae, though. There are rumors swirling that the two are reportedly dating. Here's what we know.

2026 Winter Games:Olympic Coverage in Milan

Who is Tate McRae?

McRae is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her breakout hit "You Broke Me First" released in 2020.

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She is a 22-year-old who earned her first Grammy Award nomination for the soundtrack single "Just Keep Watching" from the film "F1" in 2025.

Who is Jack Hughes?

Hughes plays for the U.S. national men's hockey team that won the gold medal against Canada. He plays center and is an alternate captain for theNew Jersey Devilsof the NHL.

Hughes is 24-years-old.

Why is Tate McRae rumored with Jack Hughes?

McRae and Hughes are rumored to be dating after the two have been seen spendinglots of time together in recent months,including New York trips.

McRae has been seen supporting Hughes during New Jersey's regular-season hockey games.

She even received some backlash from Canadians after her public support for Team USA men's hockey in the 2026 Winter Games. It led her to post about being "Canada down."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jack Hughes, Tate McRae rumors: Here's what we know

Patel posted photos of himself with members of the teamto his account on X on Feb. 22. One photo features a group of players, includingovertime hero Jack Hughesand the Tkachuk brothers, sporting their medals around their necks. Another shows the players celebrating in the background as Patel took a photo with USA coach Mike Sullivan.

"Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world," Patel wrote in the post. "These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created."

Patel was also shown drinking what appeared to be alcohol with the team in avideo posted to social mediabefore a player put a gold medal around his neck. Patel, who was jumping up and down while celebrating with the team, shared another message on social media directed at the "concerned media" regarding his appearance.

"For the very concerned media - yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth,"he wrote.

Kash Patelat Olympics

Patel was spotted celebrating the win not long after heannounced on social mediathat the FBI was helping investigate a fatal shooting at PresidentDonald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

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During the third period of the hockey game, Patel's official government account on Xposted this statementregarding the Mar-A-Lago incident: "FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning's incident atPresident Trump's Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with (the Secret Service) as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able."

This latest incident comes afterPatel faced criticismfor his handling of, and communications surrounding, sensitive cases like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Patel came under fire forkeeping his dinner reservationat a hard-to-get-into New York restaurant on the night of Kirk's killing and making improper public statements about the case.

Patel has alsodrawn scrutiny for his reported use of government jetsfor personal travel.

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

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See USA and Canada clash as Olympic rivalry continues

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during theMen's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United Stateson day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Patel's trip to Italy is not personal and reports have "purposefully misled people to think Kash was flying to Italy to hang out at the Olympics," according to Ben Williamson, assistant director for public affairs at the FBI.Williamson said on Xon Feb. 19 the trip would include a meeting with Italian law enforcement and security officials as well as a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

Patel, an avid hockey fan, has appeared at NHL games in the past since taking over as FBI Director.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FBI's Kash Patel celebrates with Team USA after hockey gold medal win

After recently suggestinghe had been offered an opponent and a date for a comeback fight in the UFC, McGregor suggested late Saturday night over a series of tweets that the opponent he could face was "a no name" for what would be his first professional bout in five years.

"It's a no name up next for me possibly, folks," McGregor wrote on X. "And as you know, idgaf. I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads. CONOR MCGREGORS DEAL."

ANALYST:Why Jon Jones, Conor McGregor shouldn't be on UFC White House card

McGregor issued several tweets during the UFC Fight Night 267 broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 21,according to MMA Junkie, including one with a photo of the UFC welterweight division rankings, "perhaps further confirming his return, should it happen, will be at 170 pounds." Some of the tweets had been deleted fromMcGregor's X accountas of Sunday. They come on the heels oftweets McGregor sent out(and then deleted) indicating he had been offered an opponent and date for his next fight.

McGregor's recent activity surrounding the UFC has led to speculation that his return fight could be part of the UFC card at the White House, scheduled for June 14, 2026. McGregor has previously expressed interest in being part of the event, which UFC CEO Dana White has already declared will be the most-watched event in the company's history.

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McGregor, 37, has not competed since a July 2021 loss toDustin Poirier. McGregor broke his leg in the fight and underwent surgery. He was slated to return to the Octagon for a June 2024 fight with Michael Chandler, but McGregor suffered a broken toe ahead of that bout and has not been scheduled for another fight since then.

McGregor attempted to be part of Ireland's presidential election last year butwithdrew his candidacyafter not meeting the requirements to be included on the ballot.

McGregor became one of the UFC's biggest attractions beginning in 2008, and the first fighter to hold UFC championships in multiple divisions simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight). He has a 22-6 career record and a controversial reputation outside the mixed martial arts arena.

McGregor was found liableby a jury in Dublin and ordered to pay nearly 250,000 Euros in December 2024 after Nikita Hand filed a lawsuit alleging McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, had sex with her without her consent in 2018. McGregor was also sued last January by a woman who alleged McGregor sexually assaulted her after Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Previously, he pleaded guilty to assault over a 2019 incident in whichhe punched an elderly man during an argument inside a Dublin bar.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Conor McGregor hints at UFC comeback, says opponent could be 'no name'

On this page, you'll find maps to help you track the storm. Check back throughout the event, as the maps will update frequently with the latest information.

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Caitlin Kaisergraduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist withweather.com.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Austin Tucker Martin, 21, from North Carolina. Martin was reported missing within the last few days, Reuters reported.

Martin was allegedly seen near the property's north gate at about 1:30 a.m. and was stopped by a Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy and two Secret Service agents. The president was in Washington during the incident and not at his Florida club.

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw alleged that Martin was carrying a shotgun and a fuel can, and the officials ordered him to drop the items. Martin put the gas can down, but the sheriff said he "raised the shotgun to a shooting position" and authorities fired their weapons at him in response.

As more information is released, here's what we know about Martin.

Have officials identified the man?

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office confirmed Martin was killed on Feb. 22. Before confirming his identity, authorities described him as a White male in his early 20s.

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Bradshaw told reporters that law enforcement officials were not aware of Martin before the incident.

The sheriff also said he couldn't confirm how many shots were fired because the case is still under active investigation, with the FBI taking lead. No law enforcement officials were injured in the shooting, but Martin was pronounced dead at the scene.

What else have authorities said?

Authorities asked people who live in the area to look at any security footage they may have from around their homes and report anything suspicious to the FBI or local officials.

Trump has not addressed the incident publicly. In aposton social media, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Secret Service "acted quickly and decisively to neutralize a crazy person."

She also slammed Democrats for the ongoingpartial government shutdown,during which the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Secret Service, has faced a lapse in funding.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mar-a-Lago shooting. What we know about Austin Tucker Martin

"His position is extremely fragile,"Brendan O'Leary, Political Science Chair at the University of Pennsylvania, told USA TODAY about Starmer, who won in a landslide victory in 2024 that ended 14 years of Conservative party rule. "The Prime Minister is definitely looking over his shoulder."

Although Starmer is not named in any of the Epstein files, his political struggles are connected to Peter Mandelson, a friend of Epstein, as the ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was fired as ambassador in September 2025 after further details of his relationship with Epstein emerged.

More details of Mandelson's ties to the disgraced late financier became public when thelatest round of documentsfrom the Justice Department revealed Mandelson corresponded with Epstein after the financier became a registered sex offender in 2009.

Mandelson also resigned from the House of Lords, the upper chamber of Britain's parliament, this month and faces a potential investigation into misconduct in public office, O'Leary added.

Starmer has apologized to Epstein's victims for believing Mandelson's "lies."

"What Mandelson did, which was extraordinary, to give Epstein information about the UK's intended support for the Euro during a key moment during the currency crisis," O'Leary said. "And, obviously, while we won't ever know what the extent could have been, that would've been considered sensitive information that could have been exploited by Epstein."

Just a week after the Jan. 30 Epstein document dump, two of Starmer's aides also resigned: Communications chief Tim Allan and Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's top aide, who said he took responsibility for advising on Mandelson's appointment to Britain's top diplomatic role.

"The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself," McSweeney said in a Feb. 8 statement. "While I did not oversee the due diligence and vetting process, I believe that process must now be fundamentally overhauled."

The departures, especially McSweeney, whom Starmer "had relied on as a vigorous enforcer of discipline in the party," put the prime minister's position deservedly under intense scrutiny, O'Leary said.

"I don't think Starmer is a dishonest person, but I think he made a grave error in judgment because he trusted the advice of McSweeney regarding Mandelson," O'Leary said. "It's quite possible more information may come out, and, if that's the case, it could be bad news for Starmer."

Sharing secretive info:UK trade info leaks, not sex, may have led to former Prince Andrew arrest

Starmer is tanking in the polls, too

The public has been unkind to Starmer as well.

AnIpsos poll in late Januaryrevealed that only 20% liked Starmer, who vowed to stabilize the country's economy and improve public services. His net favorability score was -50, matching the lowest Ipsos has found for a Labour leader since it started tracking the stat in 2007.

Additionally, Starmer's "lead of satisfaction ratings, as opposed to favorability, has been the worst Ipsos has ever recorded for a Prime Minister,"Kieran Pedley, Ipsos' UK director of Politics, told USA TODAY from London. "And we've been measuring that lead of satisfaction similar to our presidential approval ratings since the late 1970s, since the days of Margaret Thatcher."

Pedley said Starmer was elected on a mandate of change as the public was intensely dissatisfied with public services, the cost of living, and immigration issues. The pace of change has been deemed too slow by some polls, Pedley said.

"Keir Starmer's position as Prime Minister is vulnerable," Pedley added. "I certainly feel there's a sense of political danger."

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AJanuary YouGov pollalso showed Starmer's decline in popularity is widespread, with only 18% of Brits viewing him positively.

Starmer on Feb. 10 vowed never to walk away from his job despite the pressure from some Labour Party leaders, includingAnas Sarwar, who leads Starmer's Labour Party in Scotland and who has called on Starmer to resign.

Starmer will likely remain in place, saidLaura Beers, a political science professor at American University who specializes in British politics.

And since the Labour Party holds the majority in Parliament, Starmer is unlikely to be pushed out of office. She believes that despite the heavy criticism, Starmer will weather any storms, for now.

"If (Starmer) was going to go, he would've been gone by now," said Beers, who is currently in the United Kingdom. "It's hard to see this reach that point given that it hasn't already happened where Starmer resigns."

Upcoming elections could determine Starmer's fate

A glimpse into Starmer's future could be determined by a series ofupcoming local elections in May,where it's anticipated his Labour Party will suffer big losses.

Nearly 5,000 voters will decide on seats across 136 local councils, following the UK government's recent reversal to delay the elections after an appeal by the rival Reform Party.

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage said the government's decision was a victory for Reform UK.

"We took this Labour government to court and won," Farage said in aFeb. 16 post on X.

Beers noted that a popular UK politician, Andy Burnham, the current mayor of Greater Manchester, was recentlyblockedfrom running in a special election that could have seen him return to parliament and become a potential challenger to Starmer.

Pedley, Ipsos' UK politics director, said in head-to-head polling, "the public is evenly split" between Starmer and Farage on who they would prefer as prime minister, as opposed to other alternatives in the Labour Party.

"There's no obvious slam dunk of a successor, and part of the reason why it's still not clear who would definitely replace him," Pedley said.

"There's nothing in the polling that's showing there is someone in the wings waiting to take over for him," Pedley said. "So, it's not guaranteed Starmer gets deposed or replaced, although it's still difficult times ahead for him."

Beers agrees.

"There is no viable successor if Starmer steps down or is forced out, and the Labour Party knows that," Beers said. "There's literally 0% chance of an election over this. In fact, I would be shocked if Starmer didn't weather this storm."

However, O'Leary is less optimistic about Starmer's future.

"He has survived by the skin of his teeth, but his rendezvous with destiny will be these upcoming elections," O'Leary said. "And if Labour (Party) does extraordinarily badly, and that's what it looks like right now, it's extremely difficult to see how he survives."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Epstein files controversy snares UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Kentucky Vanderbilt Basketball

Trailing by one, Kentucky's Clara Strack had the ball with 4 seconds left and made a move to the basket from the wing when Pissott deflected it out of Strack's hand. Blakes gained possession and then was fouled with less than a second left. She hit the first of two free throws and then the Wildcats couldn't get off a shot.

Aubrey Galvan, who finished with 20 points, hit the go-ahead jumper with 7.9 seconds left to lift Vanderbilt (25-3, 11-3 SEC). Pissott finished with eight points, including two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. One of those 3's tied the game with 2:21 left.

The victory ties Vanderbilt with No 4 Texas for second place in the SEC with two games left in regular-season play.

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Strack led the Wildcats (20-8, 7-7) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amelia Hassett added 15 points, hitting five 3-pointers.

Up next

Kentucky: At Auburn on Thursday.

Vanderbilt: Hosts No. 25 Alabama on Thursday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball