NASCAR Star Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence After Death of His Father in House Fire

Steve Helber/AP

NEED TO KNOW

• Denny Hamlin penned a message in tribute to his late father, Dennis Hamlin

• The NASCAR driver's dad died from injuries sustained in a massive fire at his home on Sunday, Dec. 28

• His mom was "critically injured" after escaping the blaze at the Hamlin's home in Stanley, N.C.

Denny Hamlin ismourning the death of his father.

On Wednesday, Dec. 31, the NASCAR driverpenned a heartfelt message on Xin tribute to his late father, Dennis Hamlin, who died from injuries sustained in a fire at his North Carolina home on Sunday, Dec. 28. Hamlin's 69-year-old mother, Mary Lou Hamlin, was seriously injured in the blaze.

"Thank you to everyone who has reached out with condolences on my father's passing," Hamlin, 45, wrote. "My mother continues to improve, and our family truly appreciates the outpouring of support and the respect for our privacy during this time."

Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department/Facebook; James Gilbert/Getty

Denny's note comes two days after officials confirmed that Dennis, 75, died from his injuries, according toWCNCandNASCAR, citing the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services.

Both Dennis and Mary Lou were able to escape the home, authorities confirmed on Monday, Dec. 29. Dennis was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Mary Lou is hospitalized in Winston-Salem, N.C.

The nature of Mary Lou's injuries were not disclosed, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.

Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department/Facebook

PEOPLE reached out to the Gaston County Office of Emergency Management and Fire Services for more information.

The flames broke out shortly after 6:19 p.m. local time on Sunday at the home, which Chief David Toomey of the Lucia Riverbend Fire Department confirmed belongs to Hamlin's parents, NBC affiliateWCNCreported.

First responders discovered 40-45% of the house full involved in the blaze when they arrived to the scene, Toomey said. The home was a total loss, he added

Lucia-Riverbend Fire Department/Facebook

The outlet reported that 10 to 15 fire departments responded to the home due to its 3,700 square-foot size, as well as its location in a remote and wooded area without fire hydrants.

It took over two hours for firefighters to extinguish the fire due to a local water shortage, according to WRAL.

In October, Hamlintold the Associated Pressthat his 75-year-old father was battling a serious illness while talking about the sacrifices his parents made for his NASCAR success. Hamlin said his father "always tells me I'm the best, no matter if I win or not, he always says I'm the best."

Hamilin described his dad a "a big hype guy." He also recalled spending time together "in his garage" over the years.

"He's got all my old memorabilia and it's just good to reminisce," he said of his father. "He's a reminiscent guy and right now I am just cherishing those hours that I have with them each week."

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December 31, 2025

NASCAR Star Denny Hamlin Breaks Silence After Death of His Father in House Fire

Steve Helber/AP NEED TO KNOW Denny Hamlin penned a message in tribute to his late father, Dennis Hamlin The NASCAR driver's dad died ...

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Reports: Kylian Mbappe (knee) expected to miss Supercopa

Kylian Mbappe's status for next week's Spanish Supercopa is in serious doubt after the Real Madrid star suffered a sprained left knee in training.

The France international star will miss Madrid's first match of 2026 at home on Sunday against Betis, and French publication L'Equipe reported that Mbappe is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.

"Following tests carried out today by Real Madrid Medical Services on our player Kylian Mbappe, he has been diagnosed with a sprain in his left knee," the team said in a statement Wednesday. "His progress will be monitored."

Madrid will travel to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Supercopa, with a semifinal match against Atletico Madrid on Jan. 8 ahead of a potential final against Barcelona or Athletic Club on Jan. 11. Marca also reported that Mbappe may not travel with the team to Saudi Arabia.

Whether he will be able to return for a Copa del Rey Round of 16 match the following week is also in doubt.

Mbappe, who leads LaLiga with 18 goals, has started all 18 of Madrid's games so far this season. He missed their Champions League game against Manchester City on Dec. 19, but returned to play 90 minutes over three games leading up to Christmas.

Earlier this month, Mbappe tied Cristiano Ronaldo's club record with his 59th goal in the calendar year.

--Field Level Media

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December 31, 2025

Reports: Kylian Mbappe (knee) expected to miss Supercopa

Kylian Mbappe's status for next week's Spanish Supercopa is in serious doubt after the Real Madrid star suffer...

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Mark Gronowski, No. 23 Iowa prevail in Diego Pavia's final game as No. 14 Vandy falls short in ReliaQuest Bowl

Diego Paviathought he should have won the Heisman Trophy. Vanderbiltfelt like it deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Commodores have enjoyed the best season in their program's history.

An Iowa team desperate for its first win over a ranked opponent since 2021 spoiled the ending of that season and the ending of Pavia's college career.

After being sacked four times in the first half, Pavia resuscitated the SEC's second-ranked scoring offense with his latest comeback bid.

Despite an array of downfield completions, including a 75-yard touchdown heave, and a litany of crafty scrambles, notably an 11-yard scoring run, Pavia and the Commodores fell short in Wednesday's ReliaQuest Bowl.

No. 23 Iowa (9-4, 6-3 Big Ten) prevailed 34-27 against No. 14 Vanderbilt (10-3, 6-2 SEC) in the New Year's Eve sunshine of Tampa, Florida.

Pavia finished 25-of-38 passing with 347 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air, along with 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was up against another wily veteran, though. Iowa's Mark Gronowski, a graduate transfer from South Dakota State starting his 68th career college football game, also totaled 3 touchdowns, throwing for 212 yards and 2 scores and running for 54 yards and another score.

The Hawkeyes lost 16-13 to a 16th-ranked Iowa State squad and then dropped two games to a pair of CFP teams by a combined seven points earlier this season: first to Indiana and then to Oregon. Then they let a 21-7 lead slip to then-No. 17 USC inside a rain-soaked Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Iowa exorcised its demons against ranked opponents with a resilient second half versus Vanderbilt.

In the first half, the Hawkeyes piled up 65 more yards than the Commodores, in large part because of a first quarter that saw Iowa average 9.8 yards per play and take a 7-0 lead.

A 44-yard run from Gronowski put the wheels in motion, and running back Kamari Moulton found paydirt from four yards out. The Hawkeyes nearly scored again on their next series, but a drop from running back Xavier Williams ultimately turned into a deflection that Vanderbilt's Martel Hight intercepted in the end zone.

That said, a Commodores gaffe in the second quarter effectively negated that goal-line takeaway.

Perhaps in attempt to avoid a big return from two-time Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year Kaden Wetjen, Vanderbilt punter Nick Haberer approached the line of scrimmage while his coverage team made its way downfield. But Haberer took one too many steps and punted the ball after he passed the line.

That drew a flag and resulted in a loss of down on fourth-and-27. In other words, his punt didn't count, and the illegal forward kick gave Iowa possession at the Vanderbilt 10-yard line.

Immediately, Gronowski teed up a 10-yard back-shoulder throw to wideout Reece Vander Zee that put the Hawkeyes ahead 14-3.

Iowa built on its advantage at the beginning of the third quarter with a reverse flea-flicker. Wetjen pitched the ball back to Gronowski, who connected with tight end DJ Vonnahme for a 21-yard score.

IOWA FLEA FLICKER TD! WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?!?pic.twitter.com/aFNPWiG9Jj

— Heavens! (@HeavensFX)December 31, 2025

Vonnahme ended the year with a bang. The redshirt freshman entered the day with 22 receptions for a team-leading 288 receiving yards. He caught 7 passes for 146 yards and 1 touchdown versus Vandy.

Pavia began authoring the Commodores' turnaround midway through the third quarter. While it proved too little, too late, it was full of fireworks, including a 75-yard explosion.

With Vanderbilt on the ropes, Diego Pavia makes one of the best throws of his career in the ReliaQuest Bowl.Absolute bucket drop to Tre Richardson. Some sick deep ball placementpic.twitter.com/jrghs0Paog

— Bobby Football (@Rob__Paul)December 31, 2025

The Heisman runner-up uncorked a deep-ball touchdown that speedy wideout Tre Richardson scored on. Then, later in the quarter after some creative runs, Pavia whipped a 16-yard strike to the end zone for wideout Joseph McVay to make it a 24-17 game.

In the fourth quarter, Pavia answered a Gronowski tush-push touchdown with an 11-yard scoring scamper after dropping a beauty of a 46-yard throw into the basket of receiver Junior Sherrill.

But Vanderbilt never fully caught up.

The teams traded field goals in the final five minutes, with Vandy opting for a second-down kick in order to have more time for a defensive stop and a potential game-tying or game-winning drive.

The Commodores didn't get that stop.

And Pavia didn't get the storybook ending to a storybook college career.

He did, however, deliver excitement, which he's been synonymous with over the course of his winding college career — from his JUCO days to New Mexico State to Vanderbilt.

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December 31, 2025

Mark Gronowski, No. 23 Iowa prevail in Diego Pavia's final game as No. 14 Vandy falls short in ReliaQuest Bowl

Diego Paviathought he should have won the Heisman Trophy. Vanderbiltfelt like it deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Comm...

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95 Passengers Sickened by Unknown Illness on Celebrity Cruises Sailing

Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock

NEED TO KNOW

• 95 passengers and nine crewmembers fell ill during a Celebrity Cruises voyage in late December

• Symptoms reported included vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps

• The Celebrity Eclipse made a round-trip voyage

Dozens of passengers fell sick on a Celebrity Cruises voyage in late December.

According to the CDC, 95 of the 3,042 passengers aboard theCelebrity Eclipsecruise ship reported becoming sick during the voyage, which lasted from Saturday, Dec. 20 to Sunday, Dec. 28.

Nine crewmembers also reported being ill during the trip, which was a round-trip voyage from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., making stops in the Caribbean, per data tracked byCruise Mapper.

After departing the Florida port, the ship made stops at St. Johns, Antigua, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, San Juan, Puerto Rico and Puerto Plata-Amber Cove, Dominican Republic before returning to Florida.

Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty

The outbreak was reported to the Vessel Sanitation Program on the final day of the trip.

The predominant symptoms experienced by the ill passengers and crew members were vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. The exact cause of the outbreak remains unknown.

In response to the wave of illness, Celebrity Cruises "increased its cleaning and disinfection procedures" along with consulting VSP about "sanitation cleaning procedures and reporting ill cases."

The crew also "collected stool specimens from gastrointestinal illness cases" to be tested, and isolated the sick passengers and crew.

Per the CDC, VSP "remotely monitored the situation, including review of the ship's outbreak response and sanitation procedures."

PEOPLE reached out to Celebrity Cruises and did not receive an immediate response.

The CDC reported22 outbreaks on cruise ships in 2025. Sixteen of these outbreaks were reported as norovirus. Before the Celebrity Cruises outbreak, the CDC reported anorovirus outbreak infecting over 100 passengerswho were aboard a 133-day cruise around the world.

The ship's stops included the U.S., England, Mexico, Japan and South Africa after departing from Germany in November.

Daniel Knighton/Getty

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.

In order to stay safe and healthy when aboard a cruise ship, the CDC recommends washing your hands often, drinking water to stay hydrated, and taking care of yourself.

If you do fall sick while on a cruise, tell the ship's medical center and follow their instructions.

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95 Passengers Sickened by Unknown Illness on Celebrity Cruises Sailing

Michele Eve Sandberg/Shutterstock NEED TO KNOW 95 passengers and nine crewmembers fell ill during a Celebrity Cruises voyage in late Dece...

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One of Mt. Baldy victims identified as 19-year-old Seal Beach man

(This story was updated to add new information.)

One of thethree hikers who were found deadafter an unsuccessful rescue attempt on Mt. Baldy has been identified, officials said on Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Marcus Alexander Muench Casanova, a 19-year-old resident of Seal Beach, was identified as one of the three male hikers, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Coroner said it's working to identify the other two hikers.

Authorities said they responded to a request at about 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 29 to locate an injured 19-year-old male hiker near the Devil's Backbone trail, who'd reportedly fallen approximately 500 feet. During an aerial search, authorities located the injured hiker and two others. However, due to severe winds, the helicopter was unable to complete the rescue safely, authorities said.

Severe winds continued to hamper another rescue effort later that evening, during which an air medic confirmed all three hikers were dead. The helicopter was unable to complete the recovery efforts, county officials said.

Is Mt. Baldy still closed?

The Mt. Baldy area of the San Gabriel Mountains istemporarily closeduntil 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, according to the Angeles National Forest.

San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Shannon Dicus said the temporary closure is "necessary to prevent additional emergencies and protect lives."

"The tragic loss of life on Mt. Baldy and repeated rescue responses highlight how dangerous current conditions are, even for experienced hikers," Dicus said. "Weather and terrain conditions remain extremely dangerous and unpredictable, posing a significant risk to both the public and Search and Rescue personnel."

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her atpbarraza@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Mt. Baldy victim identified as 19-year-old SoCal man

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December 31, 2025

One of Mt. Baldy victims identified as 19-year-old Seal Beach man

(This story was updated to add new information.) One of thethree hikers who were found deadafter an unsuccessful...

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Oil tanker pursued by US now has a Russian flag painted on its side

Crew members aboard the aging, rusted oil tanker that the US has been pursuing at sea for nearly two weeks appear to have painted a crude image of a Russian flag on the ship's hull, which American officials believe is an attempt at claiming Russian protection, a US official familiar with the matter said.

The new insignia was spotted by Coast Guard personnel, who aretrailing the tankerfrom about a half-mile behind as it sails in the open Atlantic Ocean away from Venezuela, the official said.

It wasn't clear when the new flag appeared on the side of the Bella 1. The massive tanker has been resisting seizure since December 21, when it made a U-turn in the Caribbean Sea after the Coast Guard attempted to interdict it on its way into Venezuela to pick up oil.

It's been fleeing ever since.

The flag, which the US official said was sloppily painted on the side of the ship by its crew, was the latest development in the slow-speed pursuit of the vessel, which is under US sanctions for allegedly shipping Iranian oil. The New York Timesfirst reportedthe new flag.

US officials said the Bella 1 was flying under the flag of Guyana, which they said was not valid, when the Coast Guard originally tried to board it. Its current registration is listed as "not known" on the shipping database Equasis. By claiming Russian status, the legalities of seizing the vessel could become more complicated.

American officials no longer expect the Bella 1 to return to Venezuela to load up with oil, and it's possible the Trump administration will decide to abandon its effort to seize the ship.

But until then, assets have been readied in case the order comes from the White House to reattempt a seizure of the tanker. That would requirea Maritime Special Response Teamwith experience in boarding vessels that do not submit to seize control of it.

Officials aren't sure why the crew of the Bella 1 did not stop the ship and submit to the Coast Guard's efforts to interdict it, as two previous oil tankers did this month.

The pursuit stems from Trump'sorder of a "blockade"on sanctioned Venezuelan oil tankers. Administration officials believe squeezing Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's main economic lifeline is the best path to potentially ousting the authoritarian leader.

On Wednesday, the US Treasury Department tried to ramp up pressure on Venezuela's oil sector by sanctioning four more oil companies and designating four oil tankers as "blocked property."

Two of the four blocked tankers were flying Hong Kong flags while the other two were flying the flags of Guinea and Panama, according to the Treasury Department, which said the tankers finance the Maduro regime.

In a statement, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent vowed to "continue to implement President Trump's campaign of pressure on Maduro's regime."

It's the latest in a bevy of sanctions that the Trump administration has levied as part of its pressure campaign. On December 11, the USsanctionedsix other vessels that allegedly helped move Venezuelan oil. The department also sanctioned three nephews of Maduro's wife and another Maduro-affiliated businessman.

CNN's Sean Lyngaas contributed to this report.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

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Oil tanker pursued by US now has a Russian flag painted on its side

Crew members aboard the aging, rusted oil tanker that the US has been pursuing at sea for nearly two weeks appear to have painted a crude i...

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Bills DE Ed Oliver hurts knee, further delaying his return from IR

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver had minor surgery for a knee injury this week, further delaying his return off injured reserve for playoff-bound Buffalo.

Coach Sean McDermott provided the update on Wednesday, by saying the injury happened while Oliver was rehabbing from a torn left bicephe sustained in late October. Oliver was originally projected to return before the end of the season.

McDermott did not have a timetable on Oliver's recovery, by saying the knee injury adds a level of uncertainty. He, however, didn't rule out the player returning should the Bills make a deep playoff run.

Buffalo (11-5) closes the regular season by hosting the New York Jets (3-13) on Sunday. The Bills are currently the AFC's No. 7 seed, with an opportunity to climb as high as No. 5, meaning they'll open the wild-card playoff round on the road.

McDermott said he has yet to determine whether to rest some of his starters on Sunday. And the players include quarterback Josh Allen, who was not scheduled to practice on Wednesday because of a sore right foot.Allen first hurt his footin a 23-20 win at Cleveland two weeks ago, and then aggravated the injury in a 13-12 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Other players not scheduled to practice on Wednesday were edge rusher Joey Bosa, safety Jordan Poyer (hamstring), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (calf) and linebacker Terrel Bernard, who has already been ruled out after hurting his calf on Sunday.

Kicker Matt Prater was schedule to practice fully after missing the past two games with a quadricep injury.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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December 31, 2025

Bills DE Ed Oliver hurts knee, further delaying his return from IR

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills starting defensive tackle Ed Oliver had minor surgery for a knee injury this week...

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