Undefeated Oregon and No. 23 Texas A&M will collide Tuesday afternoon in Las Vegas in the second game of the new Players Era Festival. Both teams are in the "Power" group of the eight-team event. All eight teams are receiving $1 million for their name, image and likeness (NIL) collectives, but placing fourth or higher in the tourney in order will net them anywhere from $1.1 million to $1.5 million. The Aggies (4-1) opened the season with a three-point loss at UCF, but since then have won four straight, all in convincing fashion. Texas A&M upset then-No. 21 Ohio State 78-64 on Nov. 15 at home in College Station, Texas. Then the Aggies crushed Southern 71-54 last Wednesday, when Wade Taylor IV led the way with 17 points and six assists. All of Texas A&M's wins have been by double digits. The Aggies and Ducks (5-0) have split the two previous meetings against each other. Until March 2022 in an NIT second-round game, they had not met since the 1970-71 season. Texas A&M tied the overall series with a 75-60 win at home in 2022. The only player on the Ducks' current roster who played in that game was 7-foot senior Nate Bittle, who has been one of Oregon's best players so far this season. Bittle's 16.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game lead the Ducks so far this season, and the big man also averages two blocked shots per game. Texas A&M guard Zhuric Phelps, a transfer from SMU, leads the Aggies in scoring at 16 points per game. Taylor adds 14 points per game. The Aggies could be the best defensive team the Ducks will have seen this season. A&M is allowing teams to shoot only 36.6 percent in games. Head coach Buzz Williams and his staff are hoping the team gets better at taking charges on defense, as the Aggies have just one so far this season. "I guess the thing that you work on most is verticality around the rim," Texas A&M assistant coach Steve Roccaforte told KBTX television. "‘Hey, once you get there, if you try and take a charge, it's going to be a block. Just jump as high as you can, stay vertical, try to go chest-to-chest. Make it a hard shot.'" Oregon is coming off a 78-75 win at Oregon State, the Ducks' first road game of the season. The Ducks trailed by 10 points at halftime but, as they have in several games this season, they found a rhythm on offense in the second half and came up with a comeback win. Bittle's 23 points and 14 rebounds led the way. Jackson Shelstad had 15 points and Jadrian Tracey and Keeshawn Barthelemy both added 10. "We started rebounding the ball a little better. Nate really got it going inside and our guys got him the ball," Oregon head coach Dana Altman told the school's athletics website. "He had a heck of a game." --Field Level Mediafree slot games 。

ST Picks: Hawker food with less sodium – can you tell the difference?Tyler Herro scores 27 before ejection in Heat's 104-100 win over Houston Rockets HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Canadian Press Dec 29, 2024 7:35 PM Dec 29, 2024 8:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Houston Rockets forward Amen Thompson, right, and Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) tug on each other before Thompson throws Herro to the court sparking a bench clearing brawl resulting in multiple ejections for both teams during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke) HOUSTON (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 27 points before being one of six people ejected after a fight in the final minute of the Miami Heat’s 104-100 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday night. Herro was thrown to the ground by the Rockets’ Amen Thompson with 35 seconds left and the Heat leading 99-94. Players and coaches from both benches then came onto the court. Both players were thrown out along with Rockets guard Jalen Green, coach Ime Udoka and assistant coach Ben Sullivan. Terry Rozier was also ejected for Miami. Houston led 92-85 after Fred VanVleet’s layup with 8:10 to play, but the Rockets missed their next 11 shots, allowing Miami to tie the game when Herro found Haywood Highsmith for a 3-pointer with 4:47 to play. Herro’s jumper with 1:56 to play put the Heat on top for good. MAGIC 102, NETS 101 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Cole Anthony drove for a layup with 0.2 seconds left to complete Orlando's 17-point fourth-quarter comeback in a win over Brooklyn. Cam Thomas missed a jumper from the corner at the final horn. Anthony scored 10, and Tristan da Silva scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter for Orlando, which was down 71-51 midway through the third quarter. Goga Bitadze added 19 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. The Magic’s comeback was their second in eight days after Orlando rallied from 25 points down to beat Miami 121-114 on Dec. 21. Thomas came off the bench with 25 points to lead the Nets in his first game since Nov. 25. Jalen Wilson added 16 points including two free throws with 6.2 seconds left. Thomas, Brooklyn’s leading scorer with 24.7 points per game, played 25 minutes after missing 13 games with a strained left hamstring. PACERS 123, CELTICS 114 BOSTON (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and Indiana rebounded from a 37-point loss to Boston two nights earlier by winning the rematch. Andrew Nembhard, who returned after missing Friday’s game with tendinitis in his left knee, added 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam chipped in with 17 points and Bennedict Mathurin had 14. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points and six assists. Jayson Tatum had 22 points, nine boards and six assists. Payton Pritchard added 21 points and Derrick White scored 17. The Celtics lost their sixth game at home already this season. Last season, they went 37-4 at TD Garden during the regular season and 9-2 in the playoffs en route to the NBA championship. HAWKS 136, RAPTORS 107 TORONTO (AP) — Trae Young had 34 points and 10 assists, De’Andre Hunter scored 22 points and Atlanta routed Toronto for their fourth straight win. Clint Capela had 11 points and 13 rebounds as the Hawks opened a six-game trip by handing the reeling Raptors their 10th consecutive loss. Scottie Barnes scored 19 points and RJ Barrett had 17, but the Raptors fell behind by more than 30 points and allowed more than 130 for the second straight game. Toronto gave up a franchise-worst 155 points in Thursday’s loss at Memphis. Young shot 7 for 13 from 3-point range, singlehandedly making as many shots from distance than the entire Raptors team, who combined to go 7 for 24. Toronto’s Bruce Brown made his season debut after sitting out the first 31 games recovering from right knee surgery. Brown soared for a one-handed dunk for his first points shortly after entering the game in the first quarter. He finished with 12 points in 19 minutes. THUNDER 130, GRIZZLIES 106 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and Oklahoma City won their 11th straight game, beating short-handed Memphis in a matchup of Western Conference leaders that turned lopsided before halftime. Rookie Ajay Mitchell scored 17 points, Aaron Wiggins contributed 16 and Jalen Williams added 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Thunder (26-5), who opened a five-game lead over second-place Memphis. Gilgeous-Alexander made 14 of 19 shots to go along with seven assists, six rebounds and a team-high four blocks. He sat most of the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City blocked nine shots, including three by center Isaiah Hartenstein. The Thunder led 76-50 at halftime behind 23 points from Gilgeous-Alexander and 12 each from Mitchell and Kenrich Williams, who combined to go 5 for 7 on 3-point shots. Oklahoma City outscored the Grizzlies 42-19 in the second quarter to take control. Desmond Bane had 22 points and nine rebounds for Memphis (22-11), which played without star Ja Morant (shoulder) and Zach Edey, the team’s No. 9 overall draft pick, who was in concussion protocol. Jay Huff added 17 points but Jaren Jackson Jr., the team’s leading scorer at 21.9 points per game, managed 13 points on 3-of-17 shooting. The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Basketball Herro leads Heat over Rockets in game marred by fight and ejections in final minute Dec 29, 2024 7:40 PM Veteran forward Bruce Brown's return a boost to flagging Toronto Raptors' lineup Dec 29, 2024 7:06 PM Thunder rout short-handed Grizzlies 130-106 for their 11th straight victory Dec 29, 2024 6:49 PMKakko’s late goal lifts Rangers past Canadiens 4-3

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Bears keep GM Ryan Poles in driver's seat for coaching searchWest Ham boss Julen Lopetegui believes his side “deserved to win” as they sealed a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at St James’ Park. Lopetegui came into the game under pressure following some poor displays from the Hammers in recent weeks but they earned a hard-fought victory to end the Magpies’ three-game winning spell. Despite a promising opening from the hosts, Tomas Soucek headed West Ham in front before Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s first goal for the club after the break wrapped up victory. Lopetegui was pleased with his side’s display following a “tough match”. He said: “I am happy for the three points and am very happy against a good team like Newcastle, who have good players and a fantastic coach. “I think today was a tough match and we were able to compete as a team. “I think we deserved to win. Today they had many moments in the first half, but I think the second half we deserved to win and we are happy because you have to do these kind of matches against this type of team if you want to overcome them.” Newcastle started brightly and had plenty of chances in the first half especially, but the visitors responded after the break by retaining possession well. The win eases the pressure on Lopetegui, whose West Ham side face Arsenal on Saturday, and he believes the victory is an important feeling for his players. He said: “I think the only thing that is under our control is to play football, to improve, to defend well, to convince the players we are able to do better. “Today we did, but I think the only thing we can do is to do the things that are under our control, not today but every day. “So we had to keep with this mentality, but above all let me say we are happy for the players because they need this kind of feeling as a team to believe that we are able to do well as a team, to put the best for each player of the team.” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted defeat was a missed opportunity for his side. The Magpies missed a series of chances in the first half, including efforts from Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff, before Alexander Isak blasted a chance off target. Anthony Gordon also rolled an effort just wide of the post after the break and Isak headed wide of goal. Three points could have seen Newcastle move into the top six and Howe admitted his side need to learn from the match. “Yes, massive because the league is so tight that a couple of wins and the whole picture looks very different,” Howe said. “We’ll kick ourselves tonight because we knew the opportunity we had, a home game, Monday night, a great moment for us potentially in our season, so we have to learn from that and come back stronger.”

PARSIPPANY, NJ – November 25, 2024, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (NASDAQ: LINC), a national leader in specialized technical training for more than 75 years, announces the graduation of eight new technicians from its specialized Johnson Controls International (JCI) Academy program at the Denver, CO campus. This is the first group to graduate from the Denver location; the JCI Academy has also operated at Lincoln’s Columbia, MD campus since the Fall of 2022. Since the inception of Lincoln Tech’s partnership with JCI in 2018, more than 500 students have graduated from Lincoln schools and gone straight to work at JCI locations across the country. “Our partnership with Johnson Controls enables us to broaden our innovative training programs, providing graduates with hands-on experience and direct pathways to careers that align with market needs,” says Scott Shaw, Lincoln Tech’s President and CEO. “We are proud to contribute to building a future-ready talent pool that ensures the efficient and sustainable operation of our building systems.” The graduating class celebrated its milestone on Friday, November 15th at the Denver campus – when the ribbon was also officially cut on the Johnson Controls Academy classroom. The graduates – six of whom had previously attended Lincoln Tech, along with two current JCI employee who were advancing their skill sets – will move into positions at JCI branches in Alaska, Illinois, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. As entry-level technicians, they’ll begin careers installing, troubleshooting, repairing and maintaining fire and security alarm systems on JCI-operated buildings. Marcus Biart, a graduate of the Electrical and Electronic Systems Technology program at Lincoln Tech’s Mahwah campus, enrolled in the JCI Academy to further his training and will go on to a position at JCI’s Fort Worth, TX location. “I’ve never experienced anything like this before,” he told his fellow graduates when speaking at Friday’s ceremony. “JCI’s instructors were willing to teach me, and I was eager to learn. Thank you for giving a young man like me a chance.” Mike Schade, VP of Human Resources at Johnson Controls, was among the speakers to congratulate the graduates on their successes. “You all wanted to do something unique and exciting with your life,” Schade said. You had a vision. And vision is an important word here – at Johnson Controls not only do we want to have great technicians and help build their careers, we want to help build the trades for our economy and our country. The work we do saves lives and saves the planet.” The JCI Academy at Lincoln Tech provides six weeks of intensive hands-on training designed to close the skilled labor gap and prepare future technicians for security and fire installation and service roles. On-site housing for the duration of the program and relocation expenses upon completion are supported by Johnson Controls. To ensure smooth onboarding, graduates of the Johnson Controls Academy receive support from a retention coach for one year post-graduation. The collaboration between Johnson Controls and Lincoln Tech began in 2018, enhancing classroom experiences with cutting-edge equipment and technology. Johnson Controls is dedicated to workforce development from the K-12 level and throughout employees' careers. Through the partnership with Lincoln Tech and initiatives like the Community College Partnership Program, STEM 101, and HVAC learning labs, Johnson Controls equips schools with vital resources to develop smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, benefiting students along the way. There are more than 800,000 positions projected to open nationwide for electricians and electronic systems technicians by 2033*, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * Career growth projections can be found at onetonline.org for the years 2023-2033 and are current as of November 18, 2024. ### About Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Lincoln Educational Services Corporation is a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. Lincoln offers recent high school graduates and working adults career-oriented programs in five principal areas of study: automotive technology, health sciences, skilled trades, information technology, and hospitality services. Lincoln has provided the workforce with skilled technicians since its inception in 1946. Lincoln currently operates 22 campuses in 13 states under four brands: Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences. Lincoln also operates Lincoln Culinary Institutes in both Maryland and Connecticut.For more information, go to lincolntech.edu . Contact Information Lincoln Educational Services Corporation Scott Watkins swatkins@lincolntech.edu About Johnson Controls At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet. Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering. Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry. Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social Platforms. Contact Information Johnson Controls International Kari Pfisterer (414) 217-1488 kari.b.pfisterer@jci.com Attachment Scott Watkins, VP Marketing Lincoln Tech 973.766.9656 Swatkins@lincolntech.eduPHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jamal Mashburn Jr. scored 18 points as Temple beat Buffalo 91-71 on Sunday. Mashburn shot 6 for 10 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Owls (8-5). Zion Stanford scored 15 points while going 4 of 9 and 6 of 7 from the free-throw line. Quante Berry had 15 points and shot 7 of 8 from the field and 0 for 4 from the foul line. The Bulls (5-7) were led by Tyson Dunn, who posted 11 points and four assists. Anquan Boldin Jr. added 11 points and three steals for Buffalo. Noah Batchelor also had nine points and six rebounds. Temple took the lead with 5:38 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 39-29 at halftime, with Shane Dezonie racking up seven points. Temple outscored Buffalo in the second half by 10 points, with Mashburn scoring a team-high 13 points after intermission. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Zach Kittley finalizing agreement to take over as Florida Atlantic coach, AP source saysFox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Carolina Panthers captain Sam Franklin Jr. had to be restrained from running toward the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' locker room following an overtime loss to his team's NFC South rival. Franklin was specifically frustrated with Bucs linebacker Jose Ramirez, who he called out in a video that has now gone viral on social media. "Hey, tell 33 imma see his a--," Franklin was heard yelling toward other Bucs players . "On my grave, boy!" CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. (42) runs on to the field at Bank of America Stadium. (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports) It’s unclear what exactly led Franklin to get this angry, as a Panthers staffer had to push him back toward their locker room. But the animosity between these rivals was also seen in a separate video where veteran Bucs wide receiver Sterling Shepard was shouting expletives toward the Panthers’ locker room immediately after Franklin’s outburst. RUSSELL WILSON COOKS FOR STEELERS. KIRK COUSINS ON THIN ICE WITH FALCONS? All of this transpired after a thrilling end to this rivalry matchup, which needed extra time to find a winner. The Bucs would eventually kick a game-winning field goal for the 26-23 victory, but it appeared the Panthers were going to win it all when they got the ball following Chase McLaughlin’s missed 55-yarder earlier in overtime. However, Chuba Hubbard, who has had a breakout season with Carolina and has been one of their driving forces on offense despite their 3-9 record, fumbled in Tampa Bay territory, and Yaya Diaby recovered the loose ball to give the Bucs another crack at winning the game. Carolina Panthers safety Sam Franklin Jr. (42) looks on against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at the Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports) Rachaad White made it so with a long run to get deep into Panthers’ territory, and McLaughlin didn’t miss his second chance, this time from 30 yards out, to win the game. With the victory, the Bucs are now in a first-place tie for the NFC South lead with the Atlanta Falcons, who lost to the Los Angeles Chargers earlier Sunday. We saw tons of skirmishes and altercations this weekend in the college football world during their rivalry week, but as the regular season enters the homestretch, the stakes of each game matter that much more. Sam Franklin Jr. #42 of the Carolina Panthers reacts during the second half of a football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on December 1, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Clearly, the heat of competition on the field spilled over into the tunnel for this fierce rivalry. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X , and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Tampa Bay's surest path to the NFL playoffs is a division championship. The Buccaneers will need help to repeat in the NFC South , but only if they first and foremost give themselves a chance. That means winning their remaining games at home against Carolina and New Orleans, while the Atlanta Falcons lose at least once in the final two weeks of the regular season. The Bucs (8-7) and Falcons share the best record in the division, however Atlanta holds the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams. Tampa Bay, which has won three consecutive division titles, is the only NFC team that has made the playoffs each of the past four seasons. “We’ve got to take care of business or else we’ve got no shot,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said after a 26-24 loss at Dallas cost the Bucs control of the NFC South race. “This one, we've got to take it on the chin,” Mayfield added. “It's a short week. It's Christmas week. We've got to focus on Carolina and figure out a way to win.” If Atlanta is able to maintain its lead, Tampa Bay could make the postseason as a wild card if the Bucs win out and the Commanders lose twice. Coach Todd Bowles sounds confident that his players understand the challenge ahead and will clean up mistakes that contributed to the end of their four-game win streak. “We’ve got to win a ballgame (this week). If we don’t win a ballgame, we don’t give ourselves a chance,” Bowles said Monday. “We have to focus on us like we’ve been doing,” the coach added. “We have to correct the mistakes, and we have to go out and win Sunday, and we’ve got to win the next week, and then we’ll see what happens after that.” The offense, which ranks third in the NFL at 389.8 yards per game, isn't a fluke. Despite losing to the Cowboys, Tampa Bay finished with 410 yards total offense. It was the team's fifth straight game — as well as an NFL-high ninth overall — with 400-plus yards. The Bucs are seventh in rushing (143.7 yards per game) after ranking 32nd each of the past two seasons. The defense yielded 292 yards passing against the Cowboys, 226 of it in the first half when Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Bowles said shoddy tackling was the biggest issue — not poor coverage. Lamb had one reception for 5 yards after halftime. Mayfield's chemistry with rookie WR Jalen McMillan, who has 27 receptions for 336 yards and five TDs, continues to grow. McMillan had five catches for 57 yards and a touchdown — his fourth in the past three games — against Dallas. He was also the intended receiver on Mayfield's deep throw that CB Jourdan Lewis intercepted in the end zone to help the Cowboys hold off the Bucs in the closing minutes. Turnovers were costly against Dallas. The end-zone interception stopped the Bucs from cutting into a 26-17 deficit with 6:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Rachaad White's fumble with 1:31 left ended any hope for a last-minute victory. On both plays, defenders ripped the ball out of the grasp of the offensive player. “We knew they were going to rake at the ball going into the ballgame," Bowles said. "We just have to have two hands on the ball, and we have to fight for it. We have to take better care of the football. That’s priority No. 1.” Bowles said it's too early to project the status of several starters for coming games, including S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee), who has missed the past two games. TE Cade Otton (knee) and LB K.J. Britt (ankle) were inactive against the Cowboys, while reserve WR Sterling Shepard left during the game with a hamstring injury. 80. Bucky Irving leads all NFL rookie RBs with 920 yards rushing. He needs 80 over the next two games to reach 1,000. He scored his seventh rushing touchdown against Dallas. That tied Errict Rhett and Lars Tate for the second-most rushing TDs by a rookie running back in franchise history. Doug Martin set the record of 11 in 2012. Host Carolina on Sunday. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflBipartisan Bill Introduced to Protect Consumers' Privacy and Vehicle Data

CreateAI Announces Results of 2024 Annual Meeting of StockholdersThe fact that correspondence is needed between a ministry (of Culture) and a local government body (Municipality of Athens) about who is responsible for drawing up a study to clean a fountain can only be attributed to the peculiarity of Greek politics. The working hours wasted on bureaucratic recriminations would be enough to clean dozens of fountains. This is not the only example where unclear responsibility serves as an alibi for inaction. But local authorities are elected to govern and act, not to unionize.

President-elect Donald Trump’s second term could bring big changes to Main Street, but small business advocacy groups have mixed views about his agenda. It comes as the National Federation of Independent Business’ measure of uncertainty is at its highest level on record, according to a newly released survey taken before the election. In addition to the shifting political environment, many business owners are grappling with inflation and workforce shortages. “With the election over, small business owners will begin to feel less uncertain about future business conditions,” said NFIB chief economist Bill Dunkelberg. “Although optimism is on the rise on Main Street, small business owners are still facing unprecedented economic adversity.” It comes as some small business owners are bracing for the impact of increased tariffs. On Monday, Trump posted on Truth Social that one of his first executive orders will impose a 25% tax on all products coming into the United States from Mexico and Canada. “This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem,” Trump furthered. Ris Lacoste, a restaurant owner in Washington, D.C., is concerned prices for some ingredients could go up. “We do get some produce from the warmer climates, and that includes Mexico, so I think that's going to affect us, especially over the winter,” Lacoste said. “I think it's going to be difficult. I’m hoping not. I'm hoping that a lot of these things don't happen.” She's not the only one with concerns. "Small business owners are already hunkering down to weather the painful impact of a potential trade war. They're stocking up on inventory. They're even thinking of moving operations offshore to manufacture for the export market, if they're able to do that," said John Arensmeyer, the founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. NFIB’s vice president of federal government relations, Jeff Brabant, said they're not taking a formal stance on Trump’s tariffs proposal at this point, but, generally, their members are optimistic about his re-election. "They're hopeful there will be less burdensome regulations, and they're hopeful that they're not going to see a massive tax increase at the end of next year,” Brabant said. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which passed during Trump’s first term, allowed eligible small business owners to deduct up to 20 percent of their business income. Supporters say the provision, also called the pass-through deduction, leveled the playing field with big corporations. “It was a resounding success, but unfortunately, a lot of those provisions are about to expire,” Brabant said. Brabant believes Congress, which will soon be controlled by Republicans, is well-positioned to extend the policy or make it permanent. However, critics of the pass-through deduction argue it disproportionately benefits the wealthiest Americans and excludes some small businesses. They are calling for a different approach to help Main Street. “We've proposed a $25,000 standard deduction to small business income that would be from the bottom up so that those smaller businesses would be actually getting a bigger percentage benefit than those larger businesses,” Arensmeyer said. As lawmakers prepare to revisit that tax debate next year, it’s still unclear who will lead the Small Business Administration during Trump’s second term. As of Saturday morning, Trump had not announced his pick to lead the agency, but it’s likely to be a new face. Trump has already tapped his former SBA administrator, Linda McMahon, to lead the Department of Education. Molly Day, vice president of public affairs for the National Small Business Association, said the choice will be a chance for Trump to signal his priorities for the agency. “The pick for SBA administrator should support a fully staffed SBA Office of Advocacy which has been absent a chief counsel for years. This small office plays a major role in protecting small businesses when it comes to regulations, and they need someone with robust legal and small business experience. The next SBA administrator should also be committed to maintaining SBA’s strong lending programs as well as increasing the federal government’s federal contracting goal from 23 percent to 30 percent,” Day wrote in a statement.

West Hancock advances to title game with overtime winShare Tweet Share Share Email In today’s digital landscape, maintaining a positive online reputation is crucial for the success of any medical practice. Patients often rely on online reviews, social media, and search engine rankings when choosing a healthcare provider. A strong online presence can set your practice apart from competitors and build trust with prospective patients. Whether you’re working with an agency for medical marketing in New York or a leading healthcare marketing agency in the UK, Leeds, following these tips can help elevate your medical practice’s online reputation. Build a User-Friendly Website A professional and user-friendly website is the cornerstone of your online reputation. Patients should be able to find important information such as contact details, office hours, and services offered with ease. Key features to include are: Mobile Responsiveness Ensure your website functions seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. Most users browse on mobile devices, and a poor mobile experience can deter potential patients. Clear Navigation Use simple menus and intuitive design to guide visitors to the information they need. Online Booking Options Streamline the patient experience by offering online appointment scheduling. Partnering with a professional agency, such as a healthcare marketing agency in Leeds, can help you create an optimised, engaging website that enhances your online presence. Leverage Online Reviews and Patient Testimonials Online reviews play a significant role in building trust with potential patients. Encourage satisfied patients to leave positive reviews on platforms like Google, Yelp, and Healthgrades. Here’s how to do it effectively: Ask for Feedback Politely request reviews from happy patients via follow-up emails or text messages after appointments. Respond Professionally Address negative reviews with understanding and offer solutions to resolve issues. A thoughtful response can demonstrate your commitment to patient care. Showcase Testimonials Highlight positive patient feedback on your website and social media to showcase the quality of care you provide. Working with an agency for medical marketing in New York can help you create strategies to generate and manage online reviews effectively. Invest in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Search engine optimisation is key to ensuring that your medical practice appears at the top of search results. A well-optimised website can attract more visitors and improve your online reputation. Focus on: Local SEO Optimise your website for local searches by including your city and region in keywords, such as “paediatric clinic in Leeds” or “orthopaedic surgeon in New York.” Targeted Keywords Use relevant keywords related to your medical specialty to attract patients searching for specific services. Quality Content Publish informative and engaging blogs, articles, or videos to establish your expertise in the field. A leading healthcare marketing agency in Leeds can develop an SEO strategy tailored to your practice’s goals, ensuring you reach your target audience effectively. Maintain an Active Social Media Presence Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are powerful tools for connecting with patients and enhancing your practice’s online reputation. Here’s how to make the most of social media: Share Educational Content Post health tips, updates on services, and answers to common medical questions. Engage with Followers Respond to comments and messages promptly to build trust and foster patient relationships. Highlight Your Team Share photos and bios of your staff to create a personal connection with your audience. An agency for medical marketing in New York can help you create and execute a social media strategy tailored to your practice’s goals and audience. Monitor Your Online Reputation Regularly Staying aware of how your medical practice is perceived online is essential for maintaining a positive reputation. Regularly monitor reviews, comments, and mentions of your practice across all platforms. Tools like Google Alerts and reputation management software can help you stay informed. Collaborating with a leading healthcare marketing agency in Leeds can provide you with insights and tools to monitor and manage your online reputation proactively. Provide Exceptional Patient Experiences Your online reputation reflects the quality of care you provide in person. A satisfied patient is more likely to leave a positive review and recommend your services. To ensure excellent patient experiences: Improve Communication Be accessible to patients through phone, email, or online chat. Streamline Processes Reduce wait times and make administrative tasks, such as billing and appointments, hassle-free. Show Empathy Treat every patient with respect and empathy, ensuring their concerns are heard and addressed. Exceptional service leads to satisfied patients who can become ambassadors for your practice, enhancing your online reputation. Use Paid Advertising to Boost Visibility Paid advertising campaigns, such as Google Ads or social media promotions, can increase your online visibility and help you reach potential patients quickly. Focus on: Local Targeting Direct ads to people in your practice’s area to maximise relevance. Highlight Unique Selling Points Showcase what sets your practice apart, such as specialised services or advanced technology. Both an agency for medical marketing in New York and a leading healthcare marketing agency in Leeds can design and manage advertising campaigns to maximise your return on investment. Partner with Marketing Experts Managing a medical practice’s online reputation can be overwhelming, especially when juggling patient care and administrative duties. Partnering with a professional marketing agency can provide the expertise and resources needed to enhance your online presence. Agencies offer services such as: Website design and optimisation Content creation Reputation management Social media marketing Whether you work with an agency for medical marketing in New York or a leading healthcare marketing agency in Leeds, collaborating with experts ensures a strategic and effective approach to managing your online reputation. Conclusion A strong online reputation is essential for the growth and success of your medical practice. By focusing on website optimisation, leveraging online reviews, maintaining an active social media presence, and partnering with marketing professionals, you can attract more patients and build trust in your community. Whether you’re seeking local support from an agency for medical marketing in New York or working with a leading healthcare marketing agency in UK, Leeds , these strategies will help you improve your practice’s online reputation and stand out in a competitive healthcare market. Related Items: Medical Practice's Online , Medical Practice's Online Reputation Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments

The spirit of Christmas is being upheld by the rail union and a state government after they decided to put their bickering aside and not spoil Sydney's holiday festivities. or signup to continue reading Revellers had been worried about the threatened cancellation of Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks due to an ongoing wage battle between the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and the NSW government. An 11th-hour Christmas Eve hearing fizzled out on Tuesday morning, with the Fair Work Commission agreeing the union had dropped enough action for there to be a negligible risk to the New Year's celebrations. Despite threatening action throughout the holiday period, the NSW branch of the union dropped eight major work bans late on Monday. A lawyer for Sydney Trains requested a half-hour private meeting with the parties at the hearing before the industrial umpire on Monday, saying there had been "encouraging discussions" overnight. The media and member of the public were removed while the parties deliberated. The commission returned at 10am, with the matter seemingly resolved without much interference from Fair Work Commission Deputy President Bryce Cross. The union agreed to drop a solidarity action and one other by the Electrical Trades Union to ensure public safety over the holidays. The union had cast the last-minute changes as necessary to help ward off actions to "effectively crush" its bargaining strategy. It means New Year's Eve revellers and the businesses reliant on them no longer need to eagerly await the industrial umpire's call on potentially crippling train delays and cancellations. Pub and bar operators, a casino and the NSW Labor government had planned to argue on Tuesday that train driver work bans planned for New Year's would cause significant harm to third parties and potentially endanger life. The hearing at the commission cames after NSW Police warned of "grave concerns" for safety if one million people expected to line Sydney Harbour on New year's Even struggled to leave after the midnight fireworks. Organisers say the fireworks are watched by another 400 million people globally. The event delivers an economic benefit of about $280 million for the city. New Year's Eve also doubles as the busiest day on Australia's largest rail network with rare all-night running shuttling people across the state. Some 3200 services run about every five minutes throughout the day, with crunch time coming in the hour after midnight as the masses try to leave together. The union and government have been poles apart after seven months of pay negotiations. Workers continue to demand four annual wage increases of eight per cent but Premier Chris Minns has said that's unaffordable and can't happen while he is denying nurses a similarly costly claim. The state government has offered 11 per cent across three years, including superannuation increases. The saga could drag on for several more months. The Fair Work Commission cannot be asked to settle the substantive dispute - pay and conditions - until February. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. 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 Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement