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As the nurses parted the five-eighth's short curls to fit the receptors, he thought about the impact of what he was about to do. Login or signup to continue reading In a little more than six minutes, and without ever saying a word, an image of how his brain deals with information would be taken and analysed. It would be some of the first scans of its kind taken in the region and would inform doctors about the effect of concussion in more detail than the Hunter has ever before had access to. At that moment, it might have been difficult for the players to conceive of a moment when they were hurt. They were young, at peak fitness, and at the height of their powers. But as the device - looking somewhat like a swimming cap with nodes attached - was fitted to Jayden Fox's head, he was thinking about his future. "It's keeping yourself safe," the Hunter Wildfire's five-eighth said. "Protecting your future. Footy isn't everything, I guess, and you have to protect yourself." The technology - a version of which was notably used to diagnose Knights star Kalyn Ponga after he suffered a string of concussions during the 2023 season - has made its way to the Hunter via neurologist Chris Levi, who consulted on Ponga's treatment and now co-owns a company, CXDX Connected Diagnostics, which aims to distribute the technology - called the NeuroCatch platform - in Australia. Lake Macquarie Private's emergency department is the first place in Australia to use it. It scans the low-voltage energy produced when the brain is at work and cross-references the data against another scan when a player suffers a suspected concussion. At the weekend, the Wildfires signed on en-mass for a baseline scan that would be used to diagnose concussions if the worst should happen on the field during the season. "When your brain works, it creates low voltage electricity. And that low voltage electricity can be detected through the scalp with the little electrodes in the headpiece," Professor Levi said on Saturday as he oversaw the team going through the testing at No. 2 Sportsground. "When you think about certain tasks, you produce certain waves." "What we see when someone has a concussion is that the waveform changes." Professor Levi said the technology - not only applicable to sports recovery but also to dementia patients and other brain function diagnoses - unveiled a radically new and precise understanding of how an individual player's brain responds to tasks, changing in the event of a concussion, and how long it took to recover. "There are all types of concussions in terms of mild, moderate and severe and at the moment, the guidelines are a one-size-fits-all approach," Professor Levi said. "This allows us to do precision medicine, personalising treatment to the player." The data would inform the severity and longevity of concussion events, he said, and with an immediacy that local players have not had access to before. The Wildfires operations manager, Rich Ley, said that more than the medical advancement for his players, the testing offered a sense of comfort and reassurance that the club was not just looking out for the players' health during their careers but well after. "The players have families and careers outside of here that they have to care for as well," he said. "We're doing the right thing here." Beau McKenzie, the Wildfires flanker, had suffered a few knocks in his career, and he said he felt unable to understand anything. Another player, as he waited for his turn in the testing room, remembered coming to with someone standing over him after his concussion last year. "A lot of the time, you're a bit out of it," he said. "Someone is standing over you, checking on you, and depending on what it is, you feel a bit dazed. It can be as bad as slurring your words." The benefit of the local tech, Lake Macquarie Private emergency department director Mark Lee said, was its immediacy. A nurse could fit the device and take the reading and, in less than 10 minutes, had a report that could inform them of the next steps of diagnosis. "That is why it's so exciting," he said. Simon McCarthy is a journalist with the Newcastle Herald and its sister publications in the Hunter region of New South Wales (NSW). He has contributed stories, photography, video and other multimedia to the pages of the Herald and its Saturday magazine, Weekender, since 2017. In 2020, he co-created the Toohey's News podcast, which he produced for four years with sports writer Barry Toohey until the show's indefinite hiatus. Since early 2023, he has served as the paper's Topics columnist and, more recently, returned to reporting with an interest in deep-dive stories that illustrate the issues shaping daily life in Newcastle and the region.McCarthy has reported for Australian Community Media (ACM) since 2013, first as a general news and sports writer for the Glen Innes Examiner and later as a group journalist and producer for the publisher's New England regional titles. He joined the Newcastle Herald newsroom as a digital producer in 2017 before returning to reporting in early 2023.He had previously worked for the Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth.McCarthy was born in the New England region of NSW, where he grew up, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Cross University in 2012. He covers general news, culture and community issues, with a focus on the Herald Weekender.He is a member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and adheres to its codes of ethics for journalists.Contact: simon.mccarthy@newcastleherald.com.au Simon McCarthy is a journalist with the Newcastle Herald and its sister publications in the Hunter region of New South Wales (NSW). He has contributed stories, photography, video and other multimedia to the pages of the Herald and its Saturday magazine, Weekender, since 2017. In 2020, he co-created the Toohey's News podcast, which he produced for four years with sports writer Barry Toohey until the show's indefinite hiatus. Since early 2023, he has served as the paper's Topics columnist and, more recently, returned to reporting with an interest in deep-dive stories that illustrate the issues shaping daily life in Newcastle and the region.McCarthy has reported for Australian Community Media (ACM) since 2013, first as a general news and sports writer for the Glen Innes Examiner and later as a group journalist and producer for the publisher's New England regional titles. He joined the Newcastle Herald newsroom as a digital producer in 2017 before returning to reporting in early 2023.He had previously worked for the Northern Daily Leader in Tamworth.McCarthy was born in the New England region of NSW, where he grew up, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Southern Cross University in 2012. He covers general news, culture and community issues, with a focus on the Herald Weekender.He is a member of the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and adheres to its codes of ethics for journalists.Contact: simon.mccarthy@newcastleherald.com.au DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. 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Hearts 1 Celtic 4: Second half blitz sees Celts open up gap at the topThe year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward

PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.Abortion has become slightly more common despite bans or deep restrictions in most Republican-controlled states, and the legal and political fights over its future are not over yet. It’s now been two and a half years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door for states to implement bans. The policies and their impact have been in flux ever since the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Here’s a look at data on where things stand: Abortions slightly more common now The overturning of Roe and the enforcement of abortion bans have changed how woman obtain abortions in the United States. But they haven’t put a dent in the number of abortions being obtained. There have been slightly more monthly abortions across the country recently than there were in the months leading up to the June 2022 ruling, even as the number in states with bans dropped to near zero. “Abortion bans don’t actually prevent abortions from happening,” said Ushma Upadhyay, a public health social scientist at the University of California San Francisco. But, she said, they do change care. For women in some states, there are major obstacles to getting abortions — and advocates say that low-income, minority and immigrant women are least likely to be able to get them when they want. For those living in states with bans, the ways to access abortion are through travel or abortion pills. Pills and legal questions As the bans swept in, abortion pills became a bigger part of the equation. They were involved in about half the abortions before Dobbs. More recently, it’s been closer to two-thirds of them, according to research by the Guttmacher Institute. The uptick of that kind of abortion, usually involving a combination of two drugs, was underway before the ruling. But now, it’s become more common for pill prescriptions to be made by telehealth. By the summer of 2024, about 1 in 10 abortions was via pills prescribed via telehealth to patients in states where abortion is banned. As a result, the pills are now at the center of battles over abortion access. This month, Texas sued a New York doctor for prescribing pills to a Texas woman via telemedicine. There’s also an effort by Idaho, Kansas and Missouri to roll back their federal approvals and treat them as “controlled dangerous substances,” and a push for the federal government to start enforcing a 19th-century federal law to ban mailing them. Travel increases Clinics have closed or halted abortions in states with bans. But a network of efforts to get women seeking abortions to places where they’re legal has strengthened, and travel for abortion is now common. The Guttmacher Institute found that more than twice as many Texas residents obtained abortion in 2023 in New Mexico as New Mexico residents did. And as many Texans received them in Kansas as Kansans. Abortion funds, which benefitted from “rage giving” in 2022, have helped pay the costs for many abortion-seekers. But some funds have had to cap how much they can give. Since the downfall of Roe, the actions of lawmakers and courts have kept shifting where abortion is legal and under what conditions. Florida, the nation’s third-most-populous state, began enforcing a ban on abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy on May 1. That immediately changed the state from one that was a refuge for other Southerners seeking abortions to an exporter of people looking for them. There were about 30 percent fewer abortions there in May compared with the average for the first three months of the year. And in June, there were 35 percent fewer. While the ban is not unique, the impact is especially large. The average driving time from Florida to a facility in North Carolina where abortion is available for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is more than nine hours, according to data maintained by Caitlin Myers, a Middlebury College economics professor. Clinics The bans have meant clinics closed or stopped offering abortions in some states. But some states where abortion remains legal until viability — generally considered to be sometime past 21 weeks of pregnancy, though there’s no fixed time for it — have seen clinics open and expand. Illinois, Kansas and New Mexico are among the states with new clinics. There were 799 publicly identifiable abortion providers in the United States in May 2022, the month before the Supreme Court reversed Roe v. Wade. By this November, it was 792, according to a tally by Myers, who is collecting data on abortion providers. But Myers said some hospitals that always provided some abortions have begun advertising it. So they’re now in the count of clinics — even though they might provide few of the procedures. Emergencies How hospitals handle pregnancy complications, especially those that threaten the lives of the women, has emerged as a major issue since Roe was overturned. President Joe Biden’s administration says hospitals must offer abortions when they’re needed to prevent organ loss, hemorrhage or deadly infections, even in states with bans. Texas is challenging the administration’s policy, and the U.S. Supreme Court this year declined to take it up after the Biden administration sued Idaho. More than 100 pregnant women seeking help in emergency rooms have been turned away or left unstable since 2022, The Associated Press found in an analysis of federal hospital investigative records. Among the complaints were a woman who miscarried in the lobby restroom of Texas emergency room after staff refused to see her and a woman who gave birth in a car after a North Carolina hospital couldn’t offer an ultrasound. The baby later died. “It is increasingly less safe to be pregnant and seeking emergency care in an emergency department,” Dara Kass, an emergency medicine doctor and former U.S. Health and Human Services official, told the AP earlier this year.

Argentina's Racing wins its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1Letter: Christmas gifts?

orn on October 1, 1924, Jimmy Carter was a prominent figure in United States history. He was the 39th president of the country, serving from 1977 to 1981. Prior to his presidency, he served as governor of Georgia and was a staunch advocate for civil rights and government transparency. Jimmy Carter's legacy to American political life Throughout his life, Carter has been known not only for his political career, but also for his humanitarian activism and his work with Habitat for Humanity, an organization dedicated to providing affordable housing for families in need. He was also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts in international conflict resolution and the promotion of democracy. During his presidency, Carter faced significant challenges both at home and abroad. These included the Iran hostage crisis and rising inflation at home. Despite these obstacles, his administration is remembered for the signing of the Camp David Accords, which facilitated a historic peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. After leaving the presidency, Carter devoted himself to promoting humanitarian causes and strengthening human rights through the Carter Center, an organization founded by him and his wife, Rosalynn Carter. The Carter Center has played a crucial role in observing elections in developing countries and fighting preventable diseases such as onchocerciasis. His longevity also allowed him to witness political and social transformations on a global scale. Despite facing health problems in his later years, Carter maintained a positive attitude and a commitment to his core principles, becoming a role model for future generations. How old was Jimmy Carter? Carter became the longest-living president in U.S. history and the first to live to be 100 years old. Carter's contribution to world peace and his humanitarian work earned him the respect and admiration of people of all ideologies. Even in the later stages of his life, he continued to be an influential voice on issues of social justice and equity. Jimmy Carter's legacy transcends his time as president. His life exemplifies an unwavering commitment to democratic values and human rights, leaving an indelible mark on history and on the hearts of those who knew or were inspired by him.ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina's Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

When Jimmy Carter set out to forge a legacy in his post-White House years, he not only created the Carter Center, but also wrote stacks of books documenting his political and personal history. He was not the most prolific U.S. president (Theodore Roosevelt authored about three dozen works), but Carter and his word processor galloped through a multitude of genres before his death at age 100 on Sunday. His 32 books include personal histories, political memoirs, a novel, poems, spiritual lessons, guides to aging, Middle East critiques, lectures and a children’s book. Some became best sellers, all are valuable to historians. Many, especially those about his Georgia experiences, are rewarding reads. Even so, Carter’s writing can be exasperating. The trained engineer was not prone to the creative phrase or an engaging narrative voice. In “Sources of Strength” (1997) he notes that while his evangelist sister Ruth Carter Stapleton prayed as though she was talking with a friend, “my prayers are usually more formal, as I speak somewhat cautiously to Almighty God.” Jimmy Carter wrote like he prayed. Even in his personal memoirs, readers are often kept at a distance, as if an inner Secret Service agent were standing guard over his deepest self. New York Times critic Michiko Kakutani found that in “Always a Reckoning” (1995), Carter’s poems “plod earnestly from Point A to Point B without ever making the leap into emotional hyperspace.” Washington Post reviewer Jonathan Yardley declared Carter’s “White House Diary” (2010) to be “stupendously dull.” Many of his books repeat themselves or read like over-extended opinion pieces. There are hints that Carter didn’t appreciate being edited. Peter Osnos, who says he worked closely with Carter on “Living Faith” (1996), read the first draft and made suggestions that led to “several very stiff exchanges.” When Carter co-authored “Everything to Gain” (1987) with wife Rosalynn, he wrote only half-jokingly that the process threatened “the stability of our marriage.” It’s possible this disinclination to editorial input cost him in his peacemaking pursuits. “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” (2006) created a national and local furor. Some members of the Carter Center advisory board resigned and Jewish organizations bought ads to sharply protest Carter’s stance. In “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land” (2009), Carter blames much of the outrage on his use of “apartheid” in the title. Questions arise: Did no editor or colleague raise a red flag over the word? Would Carter have heeded their reservations? The irony is that Carter’s books are valuable precisely because they are his own work and bespeak the earnestness Kakutani laments in his poetry. In “Sources of Strength,” perhaps the key piece in the jigsaw puzzle of his personality, Carter writes that “the most important goal most people share...is...to live in a truly meaningful way.” His written words also reveal the virtues, tics, talents and contradictions of the man. “White House Diary” attacks the late Sen. Ted Kennedy — with what seems disproportionate venom — for, among other things, condemning Carter’s health care plan. Yet in the earlier “Living Faith” (1996), the former president preaches forgiveness, then laments his own hypocrisy: “Most of my lingering resentments relate to our time in Washington. In some cases, I have said, ‘I can’t forgive that jerk!’” Carter’s books, at bottom, are about struggle: to overcome his personal faults, to bring meaning to his life and legacy, to battle injustice, to free the hostages in Iran, to come to terms with losing the presidency, to negotiate peace, to harness slippery language. The last struggle may have been the most challenging. William Zinsser, in his guide “On Writing Well,” cited President Carter for signing an executive order directing that federal regulations be written “simply and clearly.” But as Carter mused in a post-White House poem: “Now when I seek efficient words / to say what I believe is true / or have a dream I want to share / the vagueness is still there.” Language in federal regulations was one thing; language in literature proved to be another. RECOMMENDED READING An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood (2001): The best seller traces Carter’s boyhood during the Depression in Georgia, is honest about Southern race issues and provides background on formation of his values. Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age (1992): The story of Carter’s 1962 campaign for the Georgia Senate draws a shocking portrait of local politics. Oddly, Carter never wrote a book on his term as governor. Living Faith (1996), Sources of Strength (1997): The closest we get to the inner man, Carter explains in the first book how his creed developed through life. The second contains 52 Sunday school lessons that provide eye-opening glimpses of a remarkable psyche. Beyond the White House: Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, Building Hope (2007): Describes the amazing scope of the Carter Center’s work, from negotiations in Haiti to eradicating Guinea worm in Ghana. The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War (2003): This is flawed fiction about Deep South patriots in the Revolutionary War, but it deserves better than one snooty review headline: “Founding Bubbas.” As The Texas Observer noted, it is also “a studious reminder not to take the South for granted.”For Army: Beat Navy. For Navy: Beat Army. With the college football landscape changing at a furious rate, the significance of this matchup adds a dose of tradition to mid-December, amid all that talk about the transfer portal and the new expanded playoff. "We've had a good year. You make it a great year by winning this game coming up on Saturday. Frankly, that's just the way it goes around here," Army coach Jeff Monken said. "It's a game and a season really all of its own. We don't apologize for talking about it all the time. We talk about it all the time, and it's 365 days a year." Saturday in Landover, Maryland, is the 125th matchup between Army and Navy, and although these two programs are long removed from their days winning national titles and Heisman Trophies, this is a historic moment in the rivalry. The Black Knights and Midshipmen have combined for 19 wins this season, their highest total ever entering this game. Army (11-1) is ranked 19th in the AP poll after beating Tulane last week to win the American Athletic Conference — the first league title of any kind in the team's 134-year history. Navy (8-3) was ranked as well earlier this season after starting with six straight victories. "I knew we were going to be an improved football team," Navy coach Brian Newberry said. "Didn't know exactly what that was going to look like. I think certainly we've improved in a lot of different areas. I'm excited about the season we've had." This was Army's first season in the AAC, putting the Black Knights and Midshipmen in the same league, although their annual matchup is considered a nonconference game. For a while, there was a chance the teams could meet twice, with a conference championship clash coming before the regularly scheduled Army-Navy game, but that didn't happen. Their most prominent common opponent came from outside the league. Notre Dame handed both Navy and Army its first loss, beating the Midshipmen 51-14 and the Black Knights 49-14. Within the AAC, both teams beat Temple, UAB and East Carolina. Army beat Tulane and Rice and Navy lost to those two teams. Army and Navy also each won its nonconference game against Air Force. Those victories over Air Force mean this season's Commander-In-Chief's Trophy comes down to the Army-Navy game. It's the first time since 2017 that both teams enter this game with a shot at the trophy. It's also the first time since 2017 that both teams enter the game with bowl bids secured. Navy faces Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl and Army takes on Marshall in the Independence Bowl. This year's Army-Navy game is at the Washington Commanders' home stadium in Landover. It was also held there in 2011. This is the first time the game has been in Maryland since Baltimore hosted it in 2016. Baltimore is also up next in 2025. Army quarterback Bryson Daily has 29 rushing touchdowns this season, which is tied for the FBS lead with running back Ashton Jeanty, Boise State's Heisman finalist. Only one QB in FBS history has run for more TDs in a season than Daily. That was Navy's Keenan Reynolds, with 31 in 2013. "You come here to play in this game. The biggest stage possible, millions of people watching and a sold-out NFL stadium. It's awesome," Daily said. "None of the games that happened before this matter. We're going into this game like we're 0-0, they're 0-0 because that's just how you have to come into this game." Navy's closest game this season — win or lose — was a 56-44 win over Memphis. The Midshipmen are the only FBS team that hasn't had a game this season decided by eight points or fewer. AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed to this report.

The late 1970s were a sad time for America. The Vietnam War had just ended. Big cities fell in the grip of crime and neglect as the 1975 fiscal crisis pushed New York City to the brink of bankruptcy. New York uniformed police, angry at the mayor’s budget cuts, handed out “Welcome to Fear City” leaflets at the airports. Featuring a hooded skull, the flyers warned visitors to stay off the streets after 6 p.m. It urged them to not leave Manhattan and to avoid the subways altogether. Yet two years almost to the day after Saigon fell, an ambitious dance club opened on a shabby side street of Manhattan. Studio 54 became the world’s most famous disco. Then came the movie “Saturday Night Fever,” its score dominated by those rhythmic Bee Gees chart-toppers starting with “Stayin’ Alive.” Americans found joy under the spinning mirrored balls. To quote the name of Chic’s super disco hit, they wanted to “Dance, Dance, Dance.” We needed disco then. We need disco again — or something like it. The pandemic is over, and many of us are seeking escape from our toxic politics. What about disco set off the animal spirits? Discos enabled ordinary people to dance off their anxieties to a simple four-on-the-floor beat. The grayness outside got blocked out by flashy sequins and spandex — and in fantasy settings divorced from the grim realities. Disco replaced the dirty jeans and stoned-out pain of rock with groomed elegance. People again danced in couples. As Regine Zylberberg, owner of Regine’s, an elegant disco on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, bragged, “I am the one who saved the city from bankruptcy. I made it happy again.” But disco fever spread across the country, in big cities and small towns. Discos opened at airport Holiday Inns. Live entertainment, part of what’s now called the “experience economy,” is seeing double-digit growth, Bloomberg News reports. As evidence, it points to a packed nightclub in Manhattan called Somewhere Nowhere, where swing dancers have taken over the floor. Patrick Soluri, whose Prohibition Productions puts on swing nights, says revenue from his Jazz Age-themed events has more than doubled since 2019, and he is expanding beyond New York. The key to disco’s popularity was that the people were the show. They weren’t passively watching guitarists showing off their long solo riffs, one complaint against ’70s rock. More recently, hip hop presents the same drawback with artists commanding the spotlight. A communal culture that shares some similarities to disco is Western line dancing. Though around forever, line dancing got a boost from the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy.” It did for that genre some of what “Saturday Night Fever” did for disco. As with disco, line dancers are the show. And fashions also are attached — those fabulous cowboy boots and hats, jeans and denim skirts. And as with disco, Western line dancing now has its own clubs and events all over the country. Ironically, the digitalization of American life isn’t so much killing these experiences as exposing us to the joys of being there in person. No matter how terrific the video production, it can’t recreate the visceral thrill of dancing amid a celebratory crowd. Disco inspired a kind of second Jazz Age. And though its golden era is almost 50 years in the past, one can’t help but notice all those store windows now decked out for the holidays with sparkling disco balls. To this day, disco balls radiate fun and glamour and partying. Today, like then, we need a scene in which Americans can let loose, work off tensions, forget about Washington — and with a dance that anyone can do. Americans need to dance, dance, dance. Harrop, who lives in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, writes for Creators Syndicate: fharrop@gmail.com . 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