LOS ANGELES -- Democrat Derek Tran ousted Republican U.S. Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California House district Wednesday that was specifically drawn to give Asian Americans a stronger voice on Capitol Hill. Steel said in a statement that “like all journeys, this one is ending for a new one to begin.” When she captured the seat in 2020, Steel joined Washington state Democrat Marilyn Strickland and California Republican Young Kim as the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. Tran, a lawyer and worker rights advocate and the son of Vietnamese refugees, declared victory earlier this week. He said his win “is a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community. As the son of Vietnamese refugees, I understand firsthand the journey and sacrifices many families in our district have made for a better life." The contest is one of the last to be decided this year, with Republicans now holding 220 seats in the House, with Democrats at 214. The Associated Press has not declared a winner in California's 13th District, where Democrat Adam Gray was leading Republican Rep. John Duarte by a couple of hundred votes. Steel held an early edge after Election Day, but late-counted ballots pushed Tran over the top. Steel filed a statement of candidacy on Monday with federal regulators, which would allow her to continue raising funds. It wasn’t immediately clear if she planned to seek a return to Congress. In the campaign, Tran warned of Republican threats to abortion rights. Steel opposes abortion with exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the pregnant woman, while not going so far as to support a federal ban. Tran also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House would put democracy at risk. On Capitol Hill, Steel has been outspoken in resisting tax increases and says she stands strongly with Israel in its war with Hamas. “As our greatest ally in the Middle East, the United States must always stand with Israel,” she said. She advocates for more police funding and has spotlighted her efforts on domestic violence and sexual abuse. The largest demographic in the district, which is anchored in Orange County southeast of Los Angeles, is Asian Americans, and it includes the nation’s biggest Vietnamese community. Democrats hold a 4-point registration edge. Incomplete returns showed that Steel was winning in Orange County, the bulk of the district. Tran’s winning margin came from a small slice of the district in Los Angeles County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2-to-1.
FRISCO, Texas -- Doom and gloom swirled around the Dallas Cowboys as they entered Week 12 on a five-game losing streak and with a 3-7 record, their worst since 2020. Injuries to their franchise quarterback, No. 2 receiver, top inside linebacker, as many as four edge rushers, both starting outside corners, left tackle and starting guards have made 2024 a challenging year. "As a staff, this is very challenging," head coach Mike McCarthy said Tuesday. "As we've talked as a staff, we'll be better coaches because of this experience. I believe that. I've experienced it in the past. That's what this league's about. It's not about players getting injured. It's really when and who, the timing of it, getting the young guys ready to play as fast as possible. You have different levels of that each and every year. If you're going to coach in this league, you have to be able to coach through these times. I know all of us will be better for this experience." They now feel like they can see a light out of their tunnel of darkness following their upset win at the Washington Commanders on Sunday that ran Dallas' record to 4-7 with their schedule starting to soften up. Plus, longtime backup Cooper Rush's is starting to find his rhythm after three consecutive starts in place of injured Dak Prescott. He completed 24 of his 32 passes at Washington in Week 12 for 247 yards passing and two touchdowns, which gave him career-highs in both completion percentage (75%) and passer rating (117.6). "It feels like that because we know what we're doing," Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis said Tuesday when asked if he sees a light at the end of the tunnel in regards to Dallas' schedule. "We know what we're doing, and guys are playing hard. We're executing the right way from all 11 of us on the field. So it feels good. ... We've been pretty good historically in the past. So we definitely have that confidence in each other that we can go out there and finish games. So, can the Cowboys win out? "That's the plan. As a football player, as a competitor, we want to win games," Lewis said. "We saw we were playing good ball the last few weeks. Everything as a team, it wasn't coming together. It came together in a better way last week, and I feel like that gave us the belief to say, 'We all can play good ball and win out.'" Let's take a closer look at that possibility, as wild as it may sound. Their remaining six opponents have a combined .448 win percentage, which means the Cowboys are tied for the eighth-easiest remaining schedule in the NFL, per Tankathon. The SportsLine simulation model gives the Cowboys just a 1.4% chance to make the postseason and an even more narrow 0.6% chance to win all six of their remaining regular season games. They should be able to take care of business on Thanksgiving against a New York Giants squad whose locker room seems about done with its coaching staff . The Cincinnati Bengals have invented new and creative ways to lose despite quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase producing at historic levels through 11 games. The Carolina Panthers are still in the early stages of their rebuild. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense has declined in a major way this season after being a pillar of consistency since 2020. Having to travel to the Philadelphia Eagles , a team that pummeled the Cowboys in Week 10 despite running back Saquon Barkley only registering 66 rushing yards, will definitely be a problem. Other than that, a case can be made that a 9-8 finish for Dallas is within the realm of possibility given the schedule. A 10-7 conclusion to the regular season, which would include a win at Philadelphia, would involve divine intervention. 13 vs. Giants 2-9 64% 14 vs. Bengals 4-7 39% 15 at Panthers 3-8 59% 16 vs. Buccaneers 5-6 49% 17 at Eagles 9-2 27% 18 vs. Commanders 7-5 39% Since the NFL postseason bracket expanded to 12 teams in 1990 -- six each for the AFC and six for the NFC -- seven teams have reached the playoffs after beginning a season 4-7. The 2023 Buccaneers reached the playoffs last season after such a start by finishing 9-8 and winning the NFC South. The good news for the Cowboys is reinforcements are on the way: they activated No. 2 wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) off of injured reserve on Wednesday and have hope four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) can eventually return like 2023 first-team All-Pro cornerback DaRon Bland (foot stress fracture) did at Washington on Sunday. Again, a 1.4% chance to make the playoffs means its nearly impossible, but Dallas' 2024 season does still has a heartbeat.
Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz end 4-game losing runs in Champions League Red Star Belgrade and Sturm Graz ended four-game losing runs in the Champions League to get their first points and wins. The 1991 European Cup winner Red Star rallied for a 5-1 rout of Stuttgart which had taken the lead in the fifth minute. Sturm Graz won 1-0 against Girona the Spanish newcomer to European competitions this season. The later games, included Liverpool taking the only perfect record in the competition into hosting Real Madrid. Red Star’s goal to level the game in the 12th was scored by on-loan forward Silas, playing against his parent club Stuttgart. Daniel Jones is signing with the Vikings after his release from the Giants, AP source says A person familiar with the decision says former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones is signing with the Minnesota Vikings. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement hasn’t been finalized. Jones will join Minnesota’s practice squad less than a week after the Giants released the former No. 6 overall draft pick. Sam Darnold has helped the Vikings start 9-2. Jones joins Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien in Minnesota’s quarterback room. Rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy had season-ending knee surgery in August and a second procedure on his knee earlier this month. LIV Golf will hire sports and entertainment leader Scott O'Neil to replace Greg Norman, report says Scott O'Neil is set to become the next CEO of Saudi-funded LIV Golf. The Athletic is reporting the move for the former head of the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Devils. O'Neil recently was CEO of Merlin Entertainments. The company that owns resorts like Legoland announced O'Neil was leaving for a new opportunity. O'Neil would replace Greg Norman at LIV Golf. Sports Business Journal reported last month that Norman would move to a different role that has not been announced. Norman has been CEO of the rival golf league since it launched in 2022. The PGA Tour and Saudi backers are still negotiating an investment deal. Two companies drop McGregor after civil jury ruled he must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her LONDON (AP) — Two companies have cut ties with Conor McGregor after a civil court jury in Ireland ruled last week that he must pay nearly 250,000 Euros ($257,000) to a woman who accused the mixed martial arts fighter of raping her. Proximo Spirits, the owner of Irish whiskey brand Proper No. 12, will no longer feature McGregor’s name or image. Video game developer IO Interactive ended its collaboration with McGregor, who had played a character in a game. Nikita Hand said the Dec. 9, 2018, assault after a night of partying left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor said she fabricated the allegations after the two had consensual sex. Israeli soccer team prepares for closed-door match in Hungary after attacks on fans in Amsterdam DEBRECEN, Hungary (AP) — Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team has returned to Europe for the first time since its fans were assaulted in the Netherlands earlier this month. The attacks in Amsterdam were condemned as antisemitic by authorities in Israel and across Europe. Macabbi will face off Thursday against Turkey’s Besiktas in an Europa League match that was relocated to Hungary. The contest will be played without fans due to security concerns following the violence in Amsterdam. Hungary has hosted several home games for Israel’s national team for security reasons since the war in Gaza began. Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, with other games, times and odds The long sports-filled Thanksgiving weekend is a time when many Americans enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation. Also on the menu — all the NFL and college sports you can handle. Here is a roadmap to one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, with a look at marquee games over the holiday and how to watch. Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley prepare for earliest matchup ever between 1,300-yard running backs Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry combined for 395 yards rushing on back-to-back nights at SoFi Stadium as the dynamic playmakers keep proving that investing in running backs can pay off in the right situation. Next, they will play on the same field at the same time when Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles take on Henry and the Baltimore Ravens in the first matchup ever between two 1,300-yard runners in Week 13 or earlier. Before this year, no player had rushed for at least 1,300 yards and 10 TDs in the first 12 weeks of the season since Shaun Alexander in 2005 as teams moved away from bell-cow backs and diminished the importance of the position. Staley counsels some South Carolina fans to keep calm after No. 4 Gamecocks 1st loss in two seasons COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley is not in panic mode, even if some of famous “Fams” are following her team's first loss in two seasons. The Gamecocks had won 85 of their previous 86 games, including a program record 43 in a row before falling to UCLA 77-62 this past Sunday. South Carolina slipped from No. 1 to No. 4 in the rankings while the Bruins took over the top spot. Still, it caught Staley by surprise that some supporters were worried about the November loss. Staley said the defending national champions are still finding their way. SEC losses are big gains for SMU and Indiana in latest College Football Playoff rankings The Southeastern Conference’s losses were almost everyone else’s gain in the College Football Playoff rankings, with SMU nudging its way into the top 12 and Indiana staying in the mix at No. 10 despite a lopsided loss of its own. The latest 12-team bracket placed undefeated Oregon on top for the fourth straight week. It did not include Alabama or Mississippi of the SEC, both of which suffered their third losses of the season last week. That helped place SMU in the ninth spot, joining No. 6 Miami to give the Atlantic Coast Conference two teams in the 12-team bracket.
CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — A Ukrainian girls’ hockey team is in Canada for a few days of peace and hockey in an arena that doesn’t have a missile-sized hole in its roof. After 56 hours of travel to Calgary, including a 24-hour bus ride from Dnipro to Warsaw, Poland, that required army escort for a portion of it, the Ukrainian Wings will join Wickfest, Hayley Wickenheiser’s annual girls’ hockey festival, on Thursday. The squad of players aged 11 to 13 was drawn from eight different cities in Ukraine, where sport facilities have been damaged or destroyed since Russia started its invasion in February 2022. “They all have a personal story of something awful happening,” said Wickenheiser. “We give them a week of peace and joy here, and I hope they can carry that with them. “We know full well they’re going back to difficult circumstances. It’s tough that way.” Nine players are from Kharkiv, where pictures show a large hole in the roof of the Saltovskiy Led arena where the girls’ team WHC Panthers once skated. “It was our home ice arena, and we played all our national team championships in this ice arena,” said Kateryna Seredenko, who oversees the Panthers program and is the Wings general manager. Ukraine’s Olympic Committee posted photos and wrote in a Facebook post Sept. 1 that Kharkiv’s Sport Palace, which was home to multiple hockey teams, was also destroyed in an attack on the city. Seredenko says the Wings’ arduous journey to Calgary was worth it because it gives the girls hope. “It’s not a good situation in Ukraine, but when they come here, they can believe that everything will be good, everything will be fine, of course we will win soon and we must play hockey. We can’t stop because we love these girls and we will do everything for them,” she said. “So many girls on this Ukrainian team are future players of the national team.” Wickenheiser, a Hockey Hall of Famer , is the assistant general manager of player development for the Toronto Maple Leafs and a doctor who works emergency room shifts in the Toronto area. The six-time Olympian and four-time gold medalist organized her first Wickfest after the 2010 Winter Games. She’s had teams from India, Mexico and the Czech Republic attend over the last decade and a half, but never a team that ran the Ukrainians’ gauntlet of logistics. The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health took on the task of arranging visas and paying for the team’s travel. “We care about women and children’s health. Sport is such a symbol. When you see a group of girls coming off the ice all sweaty and having worked hard on the ice, it’s a symbol of a healthy girl,” said chief executive officer Julia Anderson. “That’s a healthy kid that’s able to participate in sport. We really believe if we can get girls there, whether they’re in an active war zone, or here in Canada, those girls will change the world.” The Wings aren’t the first Ukrainians to seek a hockey haven in Canada since the war began. An under-25 men’s team played four games against university squads in early 2023 to prepare for that year’s world university games. Ukrainian teams have also twice played in the Quebec City International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. “It’s the first time in Ukrainian history where a girls’ team is coming to Canada to a very good tournament,” Seredenko said. “They can see how they can play in their future. And they can see how it is to play hockey in Canada.” AP sports: https://apnews.com/sportsThere's been an ACP-sized hole in many Americans' budgets for the past six months. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in June, leaving more than 23 million homes in the US with internet bills $30 to $75 per month higher after the subsidy officially expired. The pandemic-era program was available to anyone who made less than or equal to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, $62,400 for a family of four. Nearly half of ACP subscribers were military families , according to a White House fact sheet . Older Americans, African Americans and Latinos have also relied on the ACP at higher rates. There have been a number of bills proposed in Congress throughout the year to extend the program -- the Senate Commerce Committee voted to attach an ACP extension to an existing bill at the end of July -- but none have been brought to a vote. Locating local internet providers "The big issue with the ACP is that the longer we go without it, the harder it is to reauthorize it," Joel Thayer, president of the Digital Progress Institute, told me before the election. "In general, I don't see a political will for it." Experts are split on how Republicans' election wins could impact an ACP revival . While the party has generally supported tightening the income requirements for the ACP, some high-profile Republicans -- including Vice President-elect JD Vance -- have sponsored ACP extension bills. President-elect Donald Trump also signed the COVID-19 relief package that included the Emergency Broadband Benefit, which later became the ACP, in 2020. Locating local internet providers That's a small glimmer of hope for former ACP recipients who've had to cancel their internet or find extra money in their budgets over the past two months. "It's been the difference between choosing to have a roof over my head, whether to eat or whether to pay for the internet, which has things like virtual appointments with my psychiatrist," Kenneth Sigler, a small-business owner from Hernando, Mississippi, who used the ACP, told CNET. "It basically helps me to keep from having to choose what bills I'm going to pay." While there’s no single resource that can replace the $14.2 billion ACP, there are a variety of local and state subsidies, nonprofits and discounted plans from providers that can help ease the transition. Here's everything that's currently available. Lifeline Lifeline is a federal subsidy that provides $9.25 per month to low-income households for home internet or cellphone plans. Its eligibility requirements are a little stricter than those of the ACP. Your income must be 135% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or $40,500 for a family of four. You can also get Lifeline if you (or someone who lives with you) participates in any of the following programs: If you live in California , Oregon or Texas , you must check with your internet provider or visit your state's website to apply for the program. State and local resources Some states and cities across the country offer their own local versions of the ACP to help low-income households pay for internet. California , for example, has a website that allows you to search affordable options in your ZIP code based on various eligibility criteria, and Oregon provides an enhanced Lifeline benefit of $19.25 monthly. Cities like Chicago offer free internet to families in Chicago public schools and eligible city colleges through its Chicago Connected program . The best way for you to find these resources is by going to Google and searching for "[location] internet resources." Read more: Missing the ACP? You Still Have Options: Low-Income Internet Guide for All 50 States Low-income programs from internet providers Many internet providers have their own discounted plans available for low-income households, including AT&T , Spectrum and Xfinity . Requirements vary, but they're usually similar to the ACP: You must meet certain income requirements or participate in a federal program like SNAP or the National School Lunch Program. To help consumers navigate these discounted plans, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance created a scoring system called Grading Internet for Good , based on factors like cost, transparency and plan performance. I've included the NDIA ratings below, along with some basic information about each plan. To determine which providers are available in your area, enter your address on the Federal Communication Commission's broadband map . Nonprofit organizations There are a number of nonprofits around the country with the goal of closing the digital divide. Some help with monthly internet costs, while others provide devices that connect you to the internet. These organizations all received nonprofit status from the IRS and were vetted by watchdogs like Charity Navigator and Guidestar.org : Explore other internet plans in your area If your bill's going up dramatically with the end of the ACP, another option is to search for other internet providers in your area. Most ISPs offer plans under $50 monthly, and you can often find additional discounts for things like bundling with a cellphone plan or signing an annual contract. Purchasing your own equipment can also save you some extra money each month. It usually costs around $15 to rent a modem and router from your internet provider, while you can buy your own for as little as $100, especially if you go with refurbished equipment. That said, you'll need to ensure your modem is compatible with your provider before you purchase. More on broadband
The Ben Hunt effect is already being felt ahead of the 2025 premiership, with his relegating the Dragons to wooden spoon favourites while elevating new club Brisbane. The has opened the Dragons up at $5 to suffer the most losses next season and finish bottom of the ladder. They sit on the last line of betting ($67) to win the competition despite an improved performance under Shane Flanagan this year. Punters believe Hunt's departure – along with – will be too much to overcome despite the Red V luring rep trio to the club. In stark contrast, the Broncos are now the third best-backed side following news of Hunt's return to Brisbane. TAB spokesman Rohan Welsh told : "The Tigers went up as the longest odds to win the premiership but that changed as soon as Ben Hunt was officially signed by Brisbane. "We then pushed the Dragons' price out as a reflection of where we now see them without Hunt. We think they’re going to miss him and Lomax and that it's going to take time for Cook, Gutherson and Holmes to bed in. "There are also concerns over their forward rotation while the signing of Lachlan Ilias has not really shifted things. Those concerns are reflected in the most losses (wooden spoon) market. The Tigers have been (spoon) favourites the last few years but the Dragons currently occupy that spot. There could be a lot of change to the premiership and wooden spoon market after the first month of the competition." The Dragons' first four games are against Canterbury, South Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta. Both the Dragons and Canberra are above Wests Tigers in wooden spoon betting. Canterbury boss Phil Gould believes the Tigers will finally end their three-year stay at the bottom of the ladder and could push for a first finals appearance since 2011. "Wests Tigers...They have done really well...That’s now a Top 8 NRL roster...That’s my first tip for 2025," Gus tweeted after . Hunt's Brisbane comeback has seen their premiership price shorten to $8, attracting 10 per cent of punters' money. Premiers Penrith (25%) and runners-up Melbourne (35%) are the most fancied, with the fourth-best backed side, just ahead of Cronulla. There is also a fair amount of love for big Sydney clubs Parramatta and the Bulldogs.
