Accusations of racism, misogyny aimed at Michigan politician over deleted Facebook postHow major US stock indexes fared Thursday, 12/26/2024
Oklahoma Teacher, Daughter of Mayor and Wife of Police Chief, Sentenced for Grooming Teen Student
Argentina’s ex-ambassador to Venezuela accused of treason over arrested gendarmeMichigan aims to cap lost season by beating Ohio StateA floodgate of reactions from Senate Republicans opened Thursday after former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general. Gaetz, who met with senators on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for consideration, wrote on X that the process for his confirmation was “unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” His withdrawal came eight days after he was nominated on Nov. 13. Some GOP senators were disappointed by Gaetz’s decision while others expressed relief following the media drama, according to The Hill. I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback – and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance... — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 “I’m disappointed. Matt’s smart. He would change the way the DOJ has done it,” Florida Sen. Rick Scott said, according to The Hill. “I hope that the president will pick somebody equally as tenacious and equally as committed to cleaning up the DOJ,” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul told the outlet following the announcement. Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker called Gaetz’s withdrawal “a positive development,” while Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis said Gaetz chose the right path considering the “headwinds” he faced relating to Senate approval. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), incoming chairman of Senate Armed Services Committee, says Matt Gaetz withdrawing his nomination to serve as AG is “a positive development.” — Alex Bolton (@alexanderbolton) November 21, 2024 “He must have gotten some signals yesterday during conversations he was having with senators that this was going to be a distraction,” Lummis told The Hill. “Good on him to recognize that and be self-aware.” (RELATED: Democratic Sen. Fetterman Praises Some Of Trump’s ‘Serious, Qualified’ Cabinet Picks) “These things always work out for the best. In this particular case, they made the right choice to withdraw the nomination,” South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said, adding that he would not disagree with the former representative’s view that his nomination was an impediment. “It’s a good thing,” Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said to a CNN reporter. South Dakota Sen. John Thune, soon to be Republican Senate Majority Leader, said he understood Gaetz’s choice, according to The Hill. “It’s his call, it’s his decision. In the end, he’s got to do what’s in the best interest of him and his family, but I respect the decision,” Thune stated. Vice President-elect JD Vance, the outgoing senator of Ohio, said he was “extremely grateful” for Gaetz’s efforts. “I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process. He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump’s administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next,” Vance wrote on X. I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process. He made his decision to withdraw entirely out of respect for President Trump’s administration. Matt is a patriot and I look forward to seeing what he does next. https://t.co/EfcFXXKRM2 — JD Vance (@JDVance) November 21, 2024 Trump reacted to Gaetz’s withdraw with a post on Truth Social. “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” the President-elect wrote. Thank you President Trump! 🇺🇸 https://t.co/P8ey92elYH — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 21, 2024 Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s pick for White House press secretary, posted Trump’s message on X. Gaetz thanked the President-elect in response.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama A&M fired football coach Connell Maynor after seven seasons on Monday. Athletic director Paul A. Bryant announced the decision in a statement. The Bulldogs went 6-6 this season, including a 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference mark, and won three straight games before a season-ending loss to Florida A&M. Maynor finished 40-32 at Alabama A&M, including a 28-21 SWAC record. Maynor led Alabama A&M to its first SWAC championship in 15 years during the shortened 2021 season that played in the spring. The Bulldogs went 5-0 and beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-33 to claim the program's second SWAC football title. Maynor is a former Arena Football League player who played quarterback for Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T. The program suffered a tragedy when linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. died last week from an injury sustained during the annual Magic City Classic against in-state rival Alabama State on Oct. 26. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
NoneLIVING standards will not improve if an EU reset ties Britain to Brussels’ rules, warns a former Brexit adviser. Labour’s plans to align with EU standards would “severely constrain” the UK’s ability to cut costs for families, trade consultant Shanker Singham says. His stark intervention comes after a leak revealed Brussels’ demands to raid British fishing waters, bring back free movement for under-30s, and hand power to European judges in exchange for softer goods checks and a security pact. Mr Singham told The Sun: “The new Government’s mission is to increase household income and decrease household costs. Their success will depend on this. “The Government should therefore look at the EU reset in the wider context. They should ask whether any potential change negatively affects their ability to improve the UK’s regulatory system in goods and services to generate greater household income.” Mr Singham warned that EU rules could harm the UK’s position in trade blocs such as the CPTPP — membership of which is considered a major Brexit dividend. READ MORE ON BREXIT He said: “Dynamic alignment or an agreement that required it would make it difficult to do a deal with the US to avoid Trump tariffs, or even to remain a member of the CPTPP.” He suggested a better move would be to unilaterally recognise EU standards in areas such as food and medicine, while letting manufacturers make different products to export elsewhere. Labour insists its bid to reset ties will not mean having to rejoin the EU.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama A&M fired football coach Connell Maynor after seven seasons on Monday. Athletic director Paul A. Bryant announced the decision in a statement. The Bulldogs went 6-6 this season, including a 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference mark, and won three straight games before a season-ending loss to Florida A&M. Maynor finished 40-32 at Alabama A&M, including a 28-21 SWAC record. Maynor led Alabama A&M to its first SWAC championship in 15 years during the shortened 2021 season that played in the spring. The Bulldogs went 5-0 and beat Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40-33 to claim the program's second SWAC football title. Maynor is a former Arena Football League player who played quarterback for Winston-Salem State and North Carolina A&T. The program suffered a tragedy when linebacker Medrick Burnett Jr. died last week from an injury sustained during the annual Magic City Classic against in-state rival Alabama State on Oct. 26. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football(BPT) - Has it been a while since you purchased a new TV? You might be surprised by how far TV technology has come since you bought your last set! Today's smart televisions offer dramatic improvements in picture quality and home screens that are far easier to navigate. Plus, they come with a host of cool features like voice control that you may not even know about. It's time to discover what you've been missing — and if you're asking yourself where to start, the Fire TV Buyer Insights Report can help. This independent study surveyed over 2,000 recent purchasers of smart TVs to learn everything from where they did their product research to why they decided to buy. With the holidays almost upon us, the insights in this report can help guide you as you kick off your seasonal shopping. Whether you're buying a gift, hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect game-day screen, read on to find the best TV for your needs. How do you find the right TV? Here's how recent purchasers did it. When it comes to buying a new TV, there are several factors you'll want to consider, starting with who's going to be using it. The study found that spouses (36%), kids (13%), and even grandparents (1%) were involved in the purchase process, so be sure to keep your home's audience in mind. Beyond that, you'll also want to think about: Room size Smart TVs range in size from a 32-inch screen all the way up to a whopping 100 inches or more. To determine the right screen size for your room, follow this guideline: Small rooms: 32"–43" screen Medium rooms: 43"–55" screen Large rooms: 55+" screen As for viewing distance, divide the screen's diameter by 8 to get the ideal viewing distance in feet. For example, a 32-inch screen should be watched from about 4 feet away, while you'll want to be about 8 feet away from a 65-inch screen. Usage How you plan to use your new TV should play a large part in your decision-making process. If you're always looking for the latest show or movie to watch, your smart TV should offer optimal access to the latest streaming services. Gamers will experience better play on a TV with a high refresh rate, while sports enthusiasts will want to watch the big game on a set with smooth motion handling. Connected TV experience One of the most important considerations is how you'll use TV. In the study, 83% of TV purchasers said that easy access to content was one of the things they liked best about their new TV. But beyond being an all-in-one source for entertainment, your smart TV should also play well with other smart home devices. For instance, Fire TV allows you to pair compatible devices seamlessly like video doorbells, smart home devices, and more. And with select models, Fire TV's Ambient Experience can turn the biggest screen in your home into a beautiful, always-on smart display rotating through beautiful art, personal photos, and glanceable information like calendars and reminders. Knowledge is power Before you land on the perfect TV, you'll need to do a little research first. The study found that only 12% of shoppers bought their TV on an impulse, while 65% engaged in some form of product research. Most (82%) respondents conducted some or all of their research online for instant access to smart TV reviews and feature comparisons. In fact, over half of respondents who searched online mentioned digital retailers like Amazon as a great source for honest ratings and buyer reviews. Timing is everything According to the study, the time from research to purchase takes about two weeks, so plan ahead — especially if you're thinking about giving a TV as a holiday gift. There are also some great deals available during this time of year, so keep an eye out for sales and promotional offers. The big picture A new TV is a big purchase, so don't make it an impulsive one. Take the time to do your research and remember that everyone takes a different path to finding the perfect TV. Whether your search begins online, offline, or with a mix of both, it will end with a next-level viewing experience that's just right for the way you watch.
University of Liverpool Maths School: Meet the headteacher behind the North West's top sixth form collegeBy Elizabeth Ayoola, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. Kids are often pretty good at being consumers. If you’re a parent with a small business, you have the opportunity to show your kids firsthand what it means to be a producer. Small Business Saturday, which takes place on Nov. 30 this year, may be a great time to do just that. Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 and encourages consumers to patronize their local stores as a way to keep dollars circulating within their community. Here are three reasons you should consider getting your kids involved in Small Business Saturday, according to two mompreneurs. Ronne Brown is the owner of HERLISTIC, a plant-derived beauty and feminine care brand in Washington, D.C. She’s been participating in Small Business Saturday since she established her business in 2020. The entrepreneur gets her kids (ages 24, 18 and 12), plus her bonus daughter, 10, to help out on Small Business Saturday and beyond. Brown’s kids help with customer service, shipping and fulfillment tasks. That could include counting inventory, quality control or packaging boxes. Other times, help looks like Brown’s 12-year-old daughter keeping her up-to-date with TikTok trends and influencers in the beauty field. “I just want them to understand the price and the value of a dollar and what it actually costs to make it,” Brown says. The mompreneur also hopes her kids learn the benefits of commitment and hard work. “What I want to show them is that you have to work hard every day. And there are gonna be moments where you’re gonna be tired, you’re gonna be exhausted, and you’re not gonna want to do things, and you’re going to have to push through,” she says. Hiring your kids to do legitimate work during Small Business Saturday provides a chance for them to learn pillars needed for a strong financial foundation: earning money , saving money and investing. That said, before hiring kids, it’s critical to understand the child labor laws for your state in addition to the IRS’ rules around hiring kids. Brown says she pays all of her children, including her 24-year-old son who is on payroll. Additionally, she teaches them about investing in the stock market. “I want them to understand the importance of making money, but also investing the money that they’re making,” she says. “Because when I pay them, I always ask them, ‘so what are you gonna do to double this money?’” If you hire your minor kids, they could get a headstart on investing by putting some of their income into a custodial Roth IRA , which requires earned income to open. You could also open them a custodial brokerage account. Another perk of your kids earning income by working for you is that they may be exempt from paying federal income taxes if they earn less than the standard deduction . In 2024, that threshold is $14,600. Having your kids add helping hands, whether it be doing administrative tasks or helping customers, can ensure you keep up with a potential increase in sales. A 2024 NerdWallet holiday spending report found that 16% of 2024 holiday shoppers plan to shop on Small Business Saturday this year. Lisset Tresvant, owner of Glow Esthetics Spa in Hollywood, Florida, has been participating in Small Business Saturday since the genesis of her business in 2019. “I do tend to sell more because people are usually more inclined to purchase because of the sales, and it gives them a reason to support us,” she says. To help with the demand, Tresvant’s daughter, 12, and son, 9, fill her skincare products, add labels and help prep items for shipping. Tresvant says she decided to let her kids get involved in her business so they have a better understanding of what she does. Looking beyond Small Business Saturday, hiring your child can also help with succession planning , which is about planning for your departure from your business. Tresvant hopes to pass hers down to her kids one day. “They understand that I’m building this legacy just for not myself, but for them as well,” says Tresvant. More From NerdWallet Elizabeth Ayoola writes for NerdWallet. Email: eayoola@nerdwallet.com. The article 3 Reasons to Involve Your Kids in Small Business Saturday originally appeared on NerdWallet .Georgia voters urged to return to polls Tuesday to decide unsettled local races
Colts defense picks up the pace as offense continues searching for answers to red zone woesJustus McNair's midcourt 3-pointer at the buzzer gives Valparaiso a 76-73 win over Western Michigan
SM ENERGY APPOINTS DR. ASHWIN VENKATRAMAN TO THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Florida backed up an upset of LSU with another inspired performance to knock Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff and end Lane Kiffin-to-Gainesville speculation. Billy Napier is pleased with his team’s turnaround, but far from satisfied to merely scratch his first winning season at UF. During the latest Swamp Things, Mark and Edgar discuss the Gators’ winning formula and continue to gush about the DJ Lagway Effect. Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.comStock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (AP) — Alabama A&M fired football coach Connell Maynor after seven seasons on Monday. Athletic director Paul A. Bryant announced the decision in a statement. The Bulldogs went 6-6 this season, including a 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference mark, and won three straight games before a season-ending loss to Florida A&M. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.