Lawmakers move to keep Putin in power

Russian lawmakers on Wednesday rapidly rubberstamped sweeping constitutional changes that could keep President Vladimir Putin in power until 2036.

If Putin won and completed two more terms as president, it would make him the ruler of Russia for 36 years — longer than any other leader in its modern history.

The measure must still be approved by the country’s Constitutional Court and by a nationwide vote next month before they come into force. Putin’s critics called for protests, condemning the move as a way to keep him in office after he hits his term limit in 2024.

The Kremlin-controlled lower house, the State Duma, endorsed a set of amendments to the Russian Constitution and a provision that resets the term count for Putin once the revisions come into force. It passed the chamber by a 383-0 vote with 43 abstentions, and several hours later sailed through the upper house, the Federation Council, by a vote of 160-1 with three abstentions.

— Associated Press

The girls basketball season is long.

Twenty-two regular season games, followed by potentially seven postseason games if you want to win the state championship. It’s a four-month marathon that tests a team’s resolve.

Two years ago, Elyria Catholic almost finished that marathon in first place, making it to a Division III state semifinal before falling to top ranked Versailles.

Some 40-plus games later, the Panthers are now back in the state semifinal after falling just short a year ago, with a chance to avenge that loss and claim the ultimate prize.

“It feels amazing,” senior forward Abby Winnen said about returning to the state tournament. “The first time we kind of let down in the final four, but now we’re just ready to win. This is like the ultimate goal for us.

What: D-III state semifinal

When: 1 p.m., March 13

Where: St. John Arena

Records: Elyria Catholic 26-1, Berlin Hiland 27-1

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