Arizona often lags behind others when it comes to vote counting, but there is a new push to speed up the process. FOX 10's Brian Webb has more. New legislation is being pushed in the Arizona State Legislature to speed up the ballot counting process. It took Arizona until Nov. 15 to finish counting ballots, ten days after Election Day. The measure is being proposed by Republican state lawmaker Warren Petersen and opposed by Democrat Analise Ortiz. PHOENIX - There’s a new push to speed up ballot counting in Arizona. Our state often lags behind most others when it comes to vote counting. Instead of taking hours, it can sometimes take several days. It took Arizona until November 15th to finish counting ballots, ten days after the election and several days after most other states. Featured 2024 Arizona General Election results General Election results for President, Arizona's U.S. Senate, Congressional districts; Maricopa County Sheriff, Attorney, Recorder, Supervisor; State House and Senate races. The polls closed at 7 p.m. MST on November 5, 2024. Now Arizona lawmakers are proposing plans to speed up the process. Election workers already count ballots around the clock, but they quickly fall behind other states to complete the task. Voters are sharing their piece. "Better safe than sorry, give me an exact vote," said one person. "If Florida can count twice the amount of votes in half the time, its wrong," said another. "Take your time if its safer. I feel like if it's just taking your time to verify it and make sure everything's accurate, there isn't anything wrong with that," said a third man. A new bill has been introduced by Republican State House member Warren Petersen. "With the amount of technology that we have, we should be able to. And just by virtue of the fact that all the other states are able to do it - almost all the other states are able to do it - we can do it too," Petersen said about speeding up the count. He says the measures address the two main hiccups: An earlier deadline to drop off early mail-in ballots and early in-person voting will require a state ID and signature instead of putting it into an envelope. He is proposing to move the deadline for early mail-in ballots to Friday at 7 p.m. before Election Day. "Now, when you vote early in person, you’re putting your ballot into an envelope and then later on somebody has to signature verify and open up the envelope so we’re taking that process away," Petersen said. The November ballot came on two pages and covered 265 contests. Nearly 250,000 early ballots were dropped off on Election Day. Featured Pima County Recorder under scrutiny for handling of 2024 election Two Arizona State Representatives sent a letter to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes about possible infractions by Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly. Democratic State Senator Analise Ortiz says this is manufactured outrage by Republicans. "It looks like its has a nice excuse of ‘let’s go ahead and speed up the election results,’ but I’m just not buying it because if a single voter is turned away or discouraged from waiting in line, that means that they are not making their voice heard. The Democracy everyone should have should be free and fair and easy access to make their voice heard," she said. This bill would also add two days to the early mail-in ballot period, moving the deadline to the Monday before Election Day. It’ll most likely be a couple of months before this bill makes it to the Governor’s desk. Information for this story was gathered by FOX 10 reporter Brian Webb from state government proceedings.I like Martha Stewart. Always have. Two recent documentaries, “Martha” on Netflix and the CNN series “The Many Lives of Martha Stewart,” follow the Greek drama that make Stewart a cultural fascination to this day. They recount the jihad against this visionary who came under attack for being a woman with fierce ambition. Admittedly, Stewart’s hard-edged perfectionism and nuclear-powered drive had created some tension with her product, the “soft” home arts of cooking, flower arranging and chair reupholstering. But did she have to be destroyed? Sure, Stewart engaged in some insider trading that may have seemed nothing more than an innocent stock tip. She shouldn’t have lied about it to the FBI. But did journalist Dominick Dunne have to call her the “Goddess of Greed” over a transaction that saved the creator of a billion-dollar business only $45,673? It sure didn’t merit five months in prison. In 1987, the cultural hyenas jumped on her for signing a $5 million contract with Kmart. Stewart was allegedly “selling out” the domestic lifestyle she had cultivated, moving away from authenticity toward mass production and profit. Heaven forfend. The year before, The Disney Co.’s CEO walked off with a $90 million severance check after 14 months of undistinguished performance. She was tenacious. So what? Male executives wore that badge proudly. This woman built a business empire based on creating artistic cheese trays and making wreaths from dry leaves. Try that, Elon Musk. Some of her trouble came in the sub-message that our home lives had turned slovenly because Americans had stopped caring about family dinners and dust balls under the sofa. Some translated that not as a call to do better but as an indictment. But Stewart had no army. Those who accused her of creating unrealistic expectations for women juggling work and family should have been asked: Whose expectations? One could simply enjoy watching her on TV or reading her magazine, Martha Stewart Living. Her projects were properly labeled “aspirational.” I once tried to follow her instructions for coloring cloth with natural vegetable dyes. Two hours later, I ended up with blotchy fabric and hands stained by beet juice. I tried, I failed, and I had a funny story to tell. I was intrigued by her demonstration on how to roll an ironed tablecloth in parchment paper to prevent wrinkles. And how nice that she could whip up 80 perfectly iced little cakes in no time. I can’t do a single backflip. Must I resent Simone Biles for executing a triple-double in one move? It took Superwoman strength to plant an orchard with 122 trees and who knows how many rose bushes. One interviewer noted that people living in Detroit or New York City couldn’t do rose gardens. She responded, “But yes, they want roses.” The fantasy was more than half the point. Women were among her leading inquisitors. One called her “the most intimidating homemaker on earth.” Another female interviewer tells her, “Either they worship you or they say you make us crazy.” There was a third possibility — that they found her entertaining. Stewart can lay claim to two heroic feats: She played a big part in improving the quality of American homelife. And she rebuilt a business that had been left for dead. Above all, Martha was a great tough broad. You saw how TV’s Larry King kept badgering her about her failed marriage in a way that would have seemed bizarre had the executive been a man. “I had sacrificed a marriage because of the allure of a great job,” she finally relented. And she didn’t regret it? She did not. I like Stewart, still going strong at 83. More than ever. Harrop, who lives in New York City and Providence, Rhode Island, writes for Creators Syndicate: fharrop@gmail.com . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Texans WR Nico Collins says he was fined for tossing TD ball to kidSan Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing after missing his first career game due to an injury , and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. Purdy hurt his throwing shoulder during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that San Francisco lost 38-10 . Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. "We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help," Shanahan said. "He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we'll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We're going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We'll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we'll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest." Brandon Allen went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. Purdy wasn't the only star player missing for the 49ers on Sunday with defensive end Nick Bosa missing the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique and left tackle Trent Williams out with an ankle injury. "Just waiting to see how they respond," Shanahan said. "They didn't respond great last week. That's why they weren't able to go. Nick and Trent are both in the same boat. ... We'll evaluate as this week progresses and hopefully it turns a better corner than it did last week." In other injury news, linebacker Dre Greenlaw will return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl last season. Greenlaw will likely need at least a couple of weeks of practice before being able to return to play. Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano will be shut down for the rest of the season after his knee injury didn't fully heal. Feliciano's three-week practice window ended Monday and the Niners decided to keep him on injured reserve instead of activating him. Left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and receiver Jacob Cowing all remain in concussion protocol to start this week and their status is unknown. Right guard Dominick Puni (shoulder) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. Cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens is expected to return to practice this week after missing the past four games with a groin injury.Rumble’s big new streamer, Dr Disrespect, could be getting ready to start broadcasting on X, as well, after the site finally monetized the creator. The end of November and the month of December have been filled with considerable victories for Dr Disrespect after losing revenue from his YouTube streams in June after the reason for his Twitch ban was finally revealed. On November 25, Rumble announced that Dr Disrespect had joined the free speech platform to lead the site’s gaming section, acting as an advisor. His signing even caused Rumble’s market value to jump $200M . His first stream wasn’t too shabby either, pulling in 40,000 viewers while multi-streaming on YouTube. Despite his enjoying his new home on Rumble, it seems like Dr Disrespect could be taking his talents to yet another platform after viewers spotted that his X account had been monetized. Dr Disrespect hints at X content after monetization Back in September, Dr Disrespect returned to YouTube following allegations from former Twitch staff that he had sent inappropriate messages to a minor ( something he disputed ) and hinted that he could post new content on X. In a skit, ‘Robo Doc’ told viewers to “subscribe on X,” despite the streamer not having his subscribe button on Elon Musk’s site set up just yet. The skit pic.twitter.com/pJdQh6kS1a “Don’t give things away, man. Hold off,” he joked. On December 12, many months later, Dr Disrespect’s X account was finally monetized, with fans eagerly pointing out that the subscribe button was active. “How did this get leaked?” Doc responded to the news. “I haven’t prepared anything... yet.” Related: How did this get leaked? I haven’t prepared anything... yet. Yaya One possibility could be that Dr Disrespect will stream on X and Rumble simultaneously before switching to his exclusive content on Rumble Premium. X entered the streaming wars in September with the launch of X Gaming, and has since brought on creators such as TimTheTatman. Doc’s fans have been excited at the opportunity. “This is a good move... cover every platform you possibly can for convenience purposes,” one said. “Let’s go! I knew he would utilize X eventually. That’s the ambitious entrepreneur in him,” another praised. One other clue could point to Doc making the jump to X Gaming. Earlier this year, Dr Disrespect released a line of ‘Make Gaming Great Again’ merch, a phrase echoed by Rumble’s CEO Chris Pavlovski and even Elon Musk. On November 27, Elon announced he would be starting his own AI game studio to “make video games great again,” and later teased buying Hasbro to acquire the rights to D&D . We’ll have to see what the future holds and if Dr Disrespect opts to take his streams to yet another platform, but it seems like the two-time has something planned for X in due time.
Article content In Canada, truly cheap cars are officially a relic of the past. Just seven short years ago, it was possible to buy a brand-new car in Canada for less than $10,000 before fees. Now, going into 2025, the cheapest new car in Canada is priced just over $20,000. And this comes right as affordability is hitting a tipping point for Canadian households. How did we get here? There are three major factors involved. Here, we’ll walk through what’s driving vehicle prices up in Canada; and what you can do as a car buyer to keep your own vehicle costs as low as possible. Where have all the cheap cars gone? One major factor driving up vehicle prices in Canada is that our subcompact car segment is all but dead. This happened for one very simple reason: we weren’t buying them. RIP to the Chevrolet Sonic (2018); Ford Fiesta (2019); Nissan Micra (2019); Honda Fit (2020); Toyota Yaris (2020); Chevrolet Spark (2022); Hyundai Accent (2022); Kia Rio (2023); and the penultimate nail in the coffin, the Mitsubishi Mirage (2024). The Mirage was the final car left in Canada with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of less than $20,000 before fees: $16,998, to be exact. Dan Dakin, Manager of Communications Strategy and Public Relations for Mitsubishi Motors Canada, tells Driving.ca there’s enough inventory on dealer lots to last a few months into 2025. But the 2024 model year will be the Mirage’s last , and once those final units are gone, they’ll take the final sub-$20,000 MSRP with them. “In Canada, the Mirage was the lowest-selling vehicle in the Mitsubishi Motors lineup,” Dakin explains. “[This decision] allows Mitsubishi to shift its focus and resources on growing the SUV lineup.” You’ll find that same sentiment echoed by every automaker that’s cut its cheapest cars. Manufacturers can only sell what people will buy. This leaves exactly one subcompact car on Canada’s new-vehicle market, the 2025 Nissan Versa, which has a starting MSRP of $20,798 before fees. (Including destination charges and dealer fees, the 2025 Nissan Versa S is priced at $23,406.) This makes the 2025 Versa the most affordable new car in Canada . Cars are more expensive to build The second thing driving up prices is that cars are more expensive to build today than they were a decade ago. Crash safety standards are more stringent. Built-in infotainment screens were once a premium feature, but mandatory back-up cameras have made them a given. Radar-based safety systems require more sensors and on-board computing. And that’s before factoring in features Canadians have come to expect as standard, such as heated front seats and smartphone integration. “We can’t build Chevy Cavaliers from the ‘90s because they would never pass regulation,” says Robert Karwel, Director of Customer Success in the Data and Analytics Division for J.D. Power & Associates in Canada. “They have to be safer, cleaner, and increasingly not combustion-powered. Don’t look for vehicles as a whole in our marketplace to be getting cheaper any time soon.” Inflation is driving car prices up The third thing affecting vehicle prices in Canada is influencing prices on just about everything else: inflation. “The COVID craziness happened, massive inflation like we haven’t seen for a generation in Canada, and everything got really expensive,” Karwel explains. And when the costs of doing business go up for automakers, those costs inevitably gets passed on to you, the customer. “The automotive industry has seen some price increases in recent years, driven by a number of factors which rise from supply-chain disruptions, transportation costs, to the cost of raw materials, and the overall inflation,” Douâa Jazouli, Manager of Product and Technology Communications for Nissan Canada, told Driving.ca. “Let’s not forget,” Karwel adds, “the [Canadian auto workers union], Unifor; and the [U.S. United Auto Workers union], their wages went up 25% to 30% in the last round [of collective bargaining agreement negotiations]. Where do we think that’s going to come [from]? I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. This is how the economy works.” Young people are being priced out of Canada’s new-vehicle market What’s the inevitable end result of the death of cheap cars and the subsequent rise in entry-level new vehicle prices? Canadians with lower budgets are being priced out of the new-vehicle market. Karwel says his statistics show young people are taking the biggest hit. “Roughly 25% of the [new-car] market was under 35 years of age [prior to 2020],” Karwel says. “Post-COVID, it dropped to about 20% to 21%. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but that’s a number that doesn’t [typically] change very quickly.” Karwel points out that young people who live in urban environments may opt out of vehicle ownership because they have access to public transit and ride-hailing. But he also sees rising vehicle prices pushing young buyers into the used-car market. And since interest rates on used cars are consistently higher than on new cars, that’s not a great place for cash-strapped young Canadians to be. “The average [Canadian monthly] financing payment is still about $850,” says Karwel. “We were hitting close to $900 last year. It’s [roughly] $200 per month more than pre-COVID. So, we pushed those buyers away. We’re not really doing ourselves any favours with younger folk if payments are high by immediately historical norms.” Even as new cars get more expensive, there are good reasons to choose them over used cars. New cars can usually be financed with lower interest rates, and they often have better average fuel economy ratings than older ones. They also come with manufacturer warranties that help mitigate unexpected expenses, which helps keep costs stable for the first few years of ownership. If you’d still like to buy a new car but aren’t sure where to start as vehicle prices trend upward, here are a few points to consider. Choose the smallest vehicle you can live with With subcompact cars all but gone, subcompact SUVs are now the de facto entry point for most brands in Canada. And Canadians are increasingly choosing them as a relatively affordable option. This is not only true of the people who would formerly have chosen a cheap car: some of us are downsizing from larger SUVs and even trucks to save money. In fact, Karwel says subcompact SUV has overtaken midsize SUV over the past 12 months to become the third-largest sales segment in Canada. As you dive into shopping for subcompact SUVs, it’s important to know how this segment is structured. Some of these vehicles come with the features Canadians expect from SUVs, such as available all-wheel-drive (AWD), a high seating position, and plenty of ground clearance. Examples include the Hyundai Kona , Kia Seltos , Nissan Kicks , Toyota Corolla Cross , and Subaru Crosstrek . If you want an affordable small vehicle with SUV capability, these are good options. However, there’s another, more budget-oriented sub-segment of subcompact SUVs. Many of these are closer to hatchbacks than SUVs, but come with the “SUV” label to make them more appealing. The Hyundai Venue , Kia Soul , and Nissan Kicks Play are examples. These are all more car-like than the options above, and come exclusively with front-wheel-drive (FWD). If your budget is pushing you toward these vehicles, you should know that, apart from some interior height, they’re not giving you much more capability than a subcompact or compact car would. While the sub-$20,000 car is dead, more affordable cars like the subcompact Nissan Versa or compacts such as the Nissan Sentra , Toyota Corolla , Hyundai Elantra , and the new Kia K4 are still out there. If you’re looking at price above all else, consider these before you look at the cheapest subcompact SUVs. Incentives are back, so shop around more aggressively At the height of the semiconductor shortage, dealers were selling every single vehicle they could get their hands on. This left zero room for negotiation: you paid the price they asked, or they sold the car to someone else. Those days are now behind us, and incentives are starting to resurface . This can take the form of up-front cash discounts and lower interest rates. Some brands also offer incentives for returning customers and discounts for students or active military personnel. Don’t get your hopes up if you’re shopping within a very popular segment, though. Karwel says compact SUVs, and especially hybrids, are still selling as fast as dealers can get them, so you’re unlikely to see price drops there. But if you’re willing to buy a lower-trim vehicle or within a less popular segment — again, at the budget end, we’re thinking small cars, here — you’ve got more power as a buyer than you did a couple of years ago. It’s worth doing some cross-shopping and putting pressure on salespeople to score yourself a better deal. Get clear on how financing and leasing work Most people walk into a dealership focused solely on the monthly payment they can afford. Taking the time to learn more about how buying a new car works is very important . It’s not a one-size-fits-all process, and being informed will help you make an arrangement that works for you. For example, Karwel says most new car buyers in Canada today choose to finance for 84 months (or seven years). This gives you a lower monthly payment than a 60-month/five-year term, but that doesn’t mean it’s automatically the best choice for you. What if your household needs change in seven years? What if you move and can’t take the car with you? If you need to sell your car well before its financing term is up, you could find yourself in a situation called “negative equity.” This happens when you owe more on your car than what it’s worth on the used-car market. In this situation, you’ll need to carry the remaining balance over into your next car loan, and it will take you longer to get that car into the black. It can be a dangerous spiral into increasing unaffordability. Karwel says we’re seeing negative equity trending back upward in Canada after a brief reprieve during the pandemic. He says it’s not yet approaching record levels, and he’s not worried yet, but it’s something he’s monitoring. A trend he’s more concerned about is the increase in used-vehicle buyers choosing 84-month financing. Depending on the age of the used vehicle when you buy it, a seven-year term means it could reach the end of its life before you’ve finished your payments, leaving you paying for a car you can no longer use. Depending on your answers to these questions, you may be better off getting a less expensive vehicle that you can pay off faster if your budget allows it. Consider a lease or a Certified Pre-owned vehicle Leasing is another option for buyers on a budget. It tends to be more affordable than financing, but it comes with its own set of challenges. For one, you don’t own the vehicle at the end of the lease, so the money you spend benefits the dealership instead of you. There are also strict limits on how you can drive the vehicle and financial penalties if you surpass those limits. And if your situation changes, breaking a lease is very complicated, time-consuming, and costly. But if it’s the only way to get a monthly payment you can afford, then leasing may be your best choice. For some buyers, Certified Pre-Owned vehicles (CPO) can be a good alternative. CPO vehicles are newer used vehicles that are inspected by automaker-certified mechanics to ensure they’re in good shape. They typically come with some amount of warranty coverage and lower interest rates than uncertified used cars. CPO vehicles are more expensive than equivalent non-CPO used vehicles because of this, but they’re more affordable than new vehicles. “Financial solutions such as leasing and certified pre-owned financing are useful tools to address affordability in the marketplace,” says Mark Di Donato, President and Chief Executive Officer for Hyundai Capital Canada Inc. Di Donato points out you can also lower your vehicles payments by making a larger down payment up front and choosing to make more frequent payments, such as bi-weekly instead of monthly. “The ability to customize an automotive lease or loan through security deposits, down payments, contract term, payment frequency and loyalty incentives, are other ways that OEMs, dealers, and lenders help to match a vehicle payment to a specific customer budget,” Di Donato says. Put off your next vehicle purchase if you can One of the best things you can do to keep your car payments affordable is to not have one at all. If you’re shopping for a new car because your current one is older but it’s paid off and in good shape, you’ll benefit greatly from keeping it on the road and putting some money away every month instead. This will allow you to save up for a larger down payment on a future purchase, which will ultimately save you money. In short, when you’re buying a new car, you have more levers to pull than you might think. Even as new vehicle prices go up, there are a variety of tools at your disposal to keep your car costs manageable. With this information at hand, you’ll find it easier to work through your options and make a decision that’s right for you. Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X , Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.Share Tweet Share Share Email Three of the highest-trending crypto projects, Sui (SUI), Polkadot (DOT), and BlockDAG (BDAG) , are turning heads with their distinctive developments and growth prospects. The SUI price has shown remarkable resilience, climbing 12.8% from its recent low, fueled by strategic partnerships with Phantom Wallet and Babylon Labs. Polkadot’s technical analysis signals bullish prospects following a breakout from its falling wedge pattern and rising confidence among long traders. Furthermore, BlockDAG’s collaboration with the renowned soccer club Inter Milan combines blockchain technology with popular culture, boosting its global reach. Coupled with a successful $173 million presale and over 17.5 billion coins already distributed, this partnership is propelling BlockDAG toward widespread use. Sui Price Recovers After Steep Drop The SUI price has displayed a robust recovery after its recent downturn, mirroring rising enthusiasm for the project. After peaking at $4.96, the SUI price fell to $3.49, only to rebound and stabilize around $4.56. This bounce-back represents a 12.8% recovery from its trough, bringing the SUI price close to its record high, showcasing strong resilience in a volatile market. Strategic collaborations with Phantom Wallet and Babylon Labs have been vital in driving the recent uplift in SUI price. Ranking third in net inflows over the last quarter, the price movements reflect growing optimism as we head into 2025. Polkadot Technical Analysis Reveals Bullish Outlook A thorough Polkadot technical analysis suggests an encouraging reversal, supported by a breakout from its falling wedge pattern. Currently priced at $7.40, Polkadot has surpassed notable resistance levels and is now targeting $24. Analysts stress the significance of breaking past $10.88 as a critical next step in confirming its bullish direction. Key indicators like the stochastic RSI indicate that Polkadot is currently undersold, suggesting room for an imminent rebound. The derivatives market also supports a bullish perspective, with $207K in long liquidations outweighing $177K in shorts, highlighting increasing trust among long traders. The Polkadot technical analysis also matches a spike in social interaction, bolstering its positive forecast. Inter Milan Partners with BlockDAG: A Leap Toward Wide Acceptance? BlockDAG’s partnership with Inter Milan represents a significant advancement, merging blockchain innovations with one of the top football teams globally. This alliance not only boosts BlockDAG’s visibility worldwide but also introduces advanced blockchain technology to a broad audience of football fans, enhancing engagement and transparency. As Inter Milan’s official blockchain collaborator, BlockDAG will provide fans with unique digital collectibles, fan-specific tokens, and exclusive content. These initiatives aim to heighten fan involvement and offer secure, transparent interactions for millions globally. This move illustrates BlockDAG’s efforts in making cryptocurrency accessible to a broader audience, nudging it closer to widespread acceptance. So far, BlockDAG’s cryptocurrency presale has amassed over $173 million, with more than 17.5 billion coins distributed. Early holders of BDAG have enjoyed an ROI of 2,240%. With the boost from its multimillion-dollar deal with Inter Milan and its status as the highest trending crypto, nearly all of BlockDAG’s Batch 26 coins, priced at just $0.0234 each, have been claimed. Teaming up with Inter Milan amplifies BlockDAG’s international influence, underscoring its dedication to integrating blockchain technology with popular culture and top-tier brands. Overall, BlockDAG is positioning itself as an advanced force poised to reshape the future of digital interaction and transaction security. This partnership not only serves the fans but also solidifies BDAG’s place as a rapidly growing entity in the cryptocurrency market. A Look at the Leading Cryptos as We Move Into 2025 As the cryptocurrency market advances into 2025, it presents ample prospects for those active in the space. Polkadot’s technical analysis suggests a promising future, with emerging patterns and underutilized indicators pointing toward potential substantial returns. Similarly, the resilience of the Sui price, bolstered by strategic alliances, continues to inspire confidence within its expanding base. Moreover, BlockDAG’s association with Inter Milan has propelled this Layer 1 project into the international spotlight, blending blockchain with globally recognized football culture. Coupled with a striking crypto presale achievement of over $173 million and an ROI of 2,240% for early participants, BlockDAG’s prominence as one of the highest trending crypto projects is well justified. Presale: https://purchase.blockdag.network Website: https://blockdag.network Telegram: https://t.me/blockDAGnetworkOfficial Discord: https://discord.gg/Q7BxghMVyu Related Items: Blockchain , BlockDAG Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Qubetics Tokenisation Opens New Markets – The Best Coin to Invest in December 2024 Amid Polygon’s Expansion and XRP’s Price Recovery BlockDAG’s New AMA – Big News, Bigger Plans & 170K Community Ready to Grow; LINK Price & Solana Network Activity Surge 4 Top New Meme Coins to Invest in This Week: Grab 50% Extra with This Ongoing Presale and Secure Huge Profits! 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Trump transition team plans sweeping rollback of Biden EV, emissions policies
MLB shifts six 2025 Rays games to avoid weather issuesEvery December, as it has since 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, Time magazine selects and features the most consequential Person of the Year (13 United States presidents, other world leaders, popes). Sometimes it has not been a person, as such, but a tectonic societal shift (the personal computer, the #MeToo movement). Donald Trump, just named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year , was first elevated to that title after his 2016 election victory. He is consequential because he has returned to power even after attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, even after supporting the insurrection on January 6, 2021, and notwithstanding being twice impeached and convicted of a felony. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during Time magazine’s Person of the Year announcement at the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: AP This year, no one else was on so many people’s minds as Trump. In Time’s judgment , Trump was “the person who had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year”. Time might have conferred the accolade jointly on Trump and Elon Musk, given Musk’s astonishing fusion of more than $US250 million in campaign contributions with his dominance over his X platform to help make Trump president. If influence is power, Musk has it. With ceaseless hours at Trump’s side to help shape his presidency, and his establishment and funding of a Musk think tank that will generate edicts for Trump to impose to re-sculpt the government, Musk has effectively supplanted JD Vance to become Trump’s vice president. Musk’s power is second only to Trump’s. For the next two years, Trump will be at his zenith. He will never have to face the voters again, which means he can act with impunity as he makes decisions to advance Trumpism and all that he wants to accomplish. Trump’s Republican Party, which he now owns, controls both houses of Congress, so there will be no more impeachments. His attorney-general and chief of the FBI will go after his political enemies . His secretary of defence will ensure that his generals follow his orders – overseas and in the streets of America’s cities. Loading Public servants will take loyalty oaths or be purged. Trump will take money appropriated by the Congress away from programs he does not like and divert it to his priorities. On the world stage, Trump will present more like Putin, Xi and Orban than Starmer, Macron and Albanese. Trump has already broken the norm of the US having “one president at a time” with his pre-inaugural threats to Mexico, Canada and China on trade and his forays into concluding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East on his terms. His first inaugural address eight years ago featured the dystopian theme of “American carnage”. We will see how deep he wallows in that dark pool on January 20, 2025. Immediately after his address, when he arrives in the Oval Office, Trump’s march through the first 100 days will formally begin. Political newsletter Axios reports that “Trump advisers are running out of words to describe what’s coming in January”. “They say he feels empowered and emboldened, vindicated and validated, and eager to stretch the boundaries of power.” Trump will sign dozens of executive orders repealing everything he can that Biden did with his executive démarches four years ago, such as on climate, abortion rights, immigration, gun control and student loans. Loading Trump’s nominees will face confirmation hearings and votes in the Senate. There will be firestorms around Kash Patel to head the FBI, who wants to close the FBI’s building, expel its agents around the country and prosecute Trump’s enemies; Robert Kennedy Jr as secretary of health and human services, who wants to take a baseball bat to how Anthony Fauci practises medicine, but is opposed by 75 Nobel laureates ; Pete Hegseth at Defence, under fire for sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and financial mismanagement; and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence, who many see as an asset to Putin. Any who are knocked back will be replaced by other loyal Trumpists with the same mandates. They will do all that Trump wants. Trump will move to pardon and release from jail hundreds of his foot soldiers who stormed the Capitol on January 6. After Biden’s pardon of his son Hunter, Trump will not even be singed by the critics. Trump will begin the detention and process of deporting hundreds of thousands of immigrants across the country. He will unveil legislation to get his budget, close the borders, cut taxes and fight over the public debt limit to avoid a default of the United States. Loading Trump will begin to implement his campaign promises – over and above the threats against Mexico, Canada and China – to impose across-the-board tariffs of up to 20 per cent on all goods coming into the US and up to 60 per cent for imports from China. Will Australia be in these crosshairs? There is absolutely no basis on which Trump’s tariffs on Australia can be justified. Trump loves a trade surplus. Australia has a structural trade deficit with the US. Australia has a free trade agreement with the US. New higher tariffs are incompatible with the letter and spirit of that trade pact. But there is a real threat here. Trump has just ripped up the trade agreement he negotiated in his first term with Canada and Mexico. If Trump can do that to those allies he can do it to Australia. This could be the first hard test in the Australia-US, Albanese-Trump relationship. Trump – let’s call him Person of the Century, so far – is on a high. The year ahead will be savage. The waves of Trump’s first 100 days will hit Australia’s shores too. Bruce Wolpe is a senior fellow at the University of Sydney’s United States Studies Centre. He has served on the Democratic staff in the US Congress and as chief of staff to former prime minister Julia Gillard. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Trump's America Opinion Trump diplomacy Donald Trump Elon Musk FBI More... Bruce Wolpe is a senior fellow at the University of Sydney's United States Studies Centre. He has served on the Democratic staff in the US Congress and as chief of staff to former prime minister Julia Gillard. Most Viewed in World Loading
Luigi Mangione ’s legal battle has begun. After the 26-year-old was arrested Dec. 9 and later charged with murder in New York for the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , as well as four other charges in Pennsylvania related to possession of a firearm and forged documents, he was indicted Dec. 17. In the indictment document issued by the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Mangione has been charged with one count of murder in the first degree for the death of Thompson, as well as one count of murder in the second degree as a crime of terrorism, one count of murder in the second degree, two counts of criminal weapon possession in the second degree, four counts of criminal weapon in the third degree, one count of criminal possession in the fourth degree, and one count of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. “We allege that Luigi Mangione carried out the brazen, targeted and fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan,” said district attorney Alvin L. Bragg in a press release. “T his type of premeditated, targeted gun violence cannot and will not be tolerated, and my office has been working day in and day out to bring the defendant to justice.” If charged, Mangione faces the maximum penalty of life in prison without parole. Mangione’s indictment comes just over a week after he was arrested at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania , when authorities received a call from an employee at the establishment. Following his arrest, the University of Pennsylvania alum was charged, denied bail and was later booked into SCI Huntington Department of Corrections, per CNN . In the days since, Mangione retained high profile New York attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo after initially fighting extradition from Pennsylvania, per NBC News. After retaining Agnifilo, multiple outlets reported that Mangione is expected to waive extradition during an upcoming Dec. 19 hearing. Since his arrest, Mangione has also been represented by Pennsylvania attorney Thomas Dickey , who has maintained his client’s innocence. “I haven't seen any evidence that he’s the shooter,” Dickey told reporters outside the courtroom after a Dec. 10 hearing. “Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concert of American justice is a presumption of innocence until you're proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. And I've seen zero evidence at this point.” Dickey has also spoken out about some of the public’s support of his client, saying he’s received many offers to cover Mangione’s legal fees, telling CNN of the financial support , “maybe these people were exercising their right to free speech and saying that's the way they're supporting my client.” Meanwhile, Mangione’s family—a locally well-known elite Baltimore pedigree—have remained mostly out of the public eye amid the alleged shooter’s arrest other than a singular statement shared by cousin Maryland Senate Delegate Nino Mangione . “Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," the statement, shared to X Dec. 9, reads. “We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Keep reading for everything that has unraveled since the Dec. 4 death of Thompson. Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompson —though according to public records viewed by E! News, they had been living in separate homes—and was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Department’s Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompson’s back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. “The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.” Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a “pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack” and not a random act of violence. “The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway,” she noted, “and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.” What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored "numerous other pedestrians"—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. During a Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” were written on the shell casing in marker. However, he’s noted the motive for the killing has yet to be confirmed. What have investigators revealed about the gunman’s timeline? During the Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said investigators have footage of the shooter arriving at Port Authority in New York the night of Nov. 24. “We believe that that bus originated in Atlanta,” Kenny continued. “It has several stops along the way, so we’re not sure where he got on the bus.” After the shooter arrived at Port Authority, Kenny continued, the gunman took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton hotel, where he was for about half an hour before traveling by cab to an Upper West Side hostel. On the morning of the shooting, Kenny added, the gunman left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the Hilton hotel at 5:41 a.m. Kenny said the gunman continued to walk in the vicinity of the hotel before then going to a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased a bottled water and a snack. He then returned to the hotel, and the shooting occurred at 6:44 a.m. Immediately after, the gunman fled the scene. Kenny said the shooter was seen entering Central Park at 60th St. and Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exiting the park through W. 77th St. and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. At 7:00 a.m., Kenny added, the gunman was spotted on W. 86 th St without the bike. And four minutes later, the chief detective continued, the shooter got in a cab at 86 th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Kenny said the gunman was then seen in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Kenny told CNN on Dec. 6 investigators thought the shooter left NYC after he was seen at Port Authority. Who were investigators looking for? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who wore "a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." Over the next few days, the NYPD released a series of photos of the individual they were looking for with the person's face was covered with a mask in many of the pictures. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News Dec. 5 the photos with the lowered face mask came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel, and two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators were trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and cash for a hostel room. As for what led the individual to lower the face mask? "Apparently, there was an interaction while he was checking in, making casual conversation," Kenny said at the Dec. 6 briefing. "At some point, he pulled his mask down and smiled at the clerk." Kenny has also said a cellphone was found in an alley where the shooter fled before heading to the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News a backpack was also found in Central Park. Kenny said investigators are "looking at everything"—including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. Why was Luigi Mangione arrested? Pennsylvania’s Altoona Police Department arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges Dec. 9. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these include two felony charges—one of forgery and one of firearms not to be carried without a license—as well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement. NYPD commissioner Tisch said a McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione and that the Altoona police were then called. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "became quiet and started to shake," police said per NBC News . Tisch also called Mangione a "person of interest" in Thompson's murder and spoke about the efforts to find him, with her thanking law enforcement partners and the public. "For just over five days, our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence: DNA, finger prints, IP addresses and so much more to tighten the net," she said. "We deployed drones, canine units, and scuba divers. We leveraged the domain awareness system, Argus cameras and conducted aviation canvases, and our detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses and doing the good old fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for. This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today." What did police find on Luigi Mangione? In addition to "acting suspiciously," Tisch added, Mangione was "carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport." “Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," she continued in the Dec. 9 briefing, per a video shared by NBC News . "They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual." Tisch added officers also recovered a “fraudulent New Jersey ID” that matched the one the individual used to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting. "Additionally,” she continued, “officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.” What other charges is Luigi Mangione facing? On Dec. 9, Manhattan prosecutors filed a murder charge against Mangione, according to court documents obtained by NBC News . The 26-year-old is also facing three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (two in the second-degree for loaded firearm and one in the third degree such as for a silencer) and one count of possessing a forged instrument. He has yet to enter a plea for any charges. What did Luigi Mangione state in his writings? According to NBC News, citing the NYPD, Mangione had three pages of writings on him that totaled less than 300 words when he was taken into custody. Three senior law enforcement officials told the outlet these writings read, in part, "Frankly these parasites had it coming." In the writings, the officials continued, Mangione said he acted alone. However, the officials told NBC News they haven't ruled out other actors at this time. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country," Mangione's writings read, officials told NBC News. "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone.” Officials said Mangione also added, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done.” However, Tisch noted Mangione's motive has yet to be confirmed. "I think when we look at the manifesto, or that three-page written document that was recovered, you see anti-corporatist sentiment, a lot of issues with the healthcare industry," she said in a Dec. 10 Today interview. "But as to particular specific motive, that will come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and months." Has Luigi Mangione appeared in court? Mangione attended a hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. As he arrived, NBC News reported, he yelled out to families, "It’s completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people." Per the outlet, Mangione did not waive extradition to New York and was denied bail. As a result, he will remain in Pennsylvania's SCI Huntingdon prison. His lawyer Thomas Dickey told reporters that Mangione will plead not guilty in Pennsylvania and will likely do the same in New York. "I haven’t seen any evidence that says he’s the shooter,” he said, per NBC News . “Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concept of American justice is the presumption of innocence, and until you’re proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Who is Luigi Mangione? Mangione is a suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson and is facing several other charges in both Pennsylvania and New York, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon. He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Masters of Science in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, the school confirmed to NBC News . NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he was born and raised in Maryland. His most recent address is listed as Honolulu but he also has connections to San Francisco, Kenny told NBC News. After Mangione's arrest, his family released a statement on X . "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in the Dec. 9 post . "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news." What has Brian Thompson’s family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompson’s family mourned his passing. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” Thompson’s wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats prior to his death. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompson’s death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. This has included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC , remains active. And while a motive for the shooting hasn't been revealed, many outlets have noted the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” on the shell casings are similar to the title of the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slammed "deeply disturbing" online reactions to the killing: "In America," he said at a Dec. 9 press conference, per NBC News' video, "we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint." (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family).
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden kicked off his final holiday season at the White House on Monday by issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in southern Minnesota. Biden welcomed 2,500 guests to the South Lawn under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom” and sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency after a half-century in Washington power circles. “It’s been the honor of my life. I’m forever grateful,” Biden said, taking note of his impending departure on Jan. 20, 2025. That's when power will transfer to Republican President-elect Donald Trump, the man Biden defeated four years ago and was battling again until he was pressured to bow out of the race amid concerns about his age and viability. Biden is 82. Until Inauguration Day, the president and first lady Jill Biden will continue a busy run of festivities that will double as their long goodbye. The White House schedule in December is replete with holiday parties for various constituencies, from West Wing staff to members of Congress and the White House press corps. Biden relished the brief ceremony with the pardoned turkeys, named for the official flower of the president's home state of Delaware. “The peach pie in my state is one of my favorites,” he said during remarks that were occasionally interrupted by Peach gobbling atop the table to Biden's right. “Peach is making a last-minute plea,” Biden said at one point, drawing laughter from an overflow crowd that included Cabinet members, White House staff and their families, and students from 4H programs and Future Farmers of America chapters. Biden introduced Peach as a bird who “lives by the motto, ‘Keep calm and gobble on.’” Blossom, the president said, has a different motto: “No fowl play. Just Minnesota nice.” Peach and Blossom came from the farm of John Zimmerman, near the southern Minnesota city of Northfield. Zimmerman, who has raised about 4 million turkeys, is president of the National Turkey Federation, the group that has gifted U.S. presidents Thanksgiving turkeys since the Truman administration after World War II. President Harry Truman, however, preferred to eat the birds. Official pardon ceremonies did not become an annual White House tradition until the administration of President George H.W. Bush in 1989. With their presidential reprieve, Peach and Blossom will live out their days at Farmamerica, an agriculture interpretative center near Waseca in southern Minnesota. The center's aim is to promote agriculture and educate future farmers and others about agriculture in America. Separately Monday, first lady Jill Biden received the official White House Christmas tree that will be decorated and put on display in the Blue Room. The 18.5 foot (5.64 meters) Fraser fir came from a farm in an area of western North Carolina that recently was devastated by Hurricane Helene . Cartner’s Christmas Tree Farm lost thousands of trees in the storm “but this one remained standing and they named it ‘Tremendous’ for the extraordinary hope that it represents,” Jill Biden said at the event. The Bidens were also traveling to New York City on Monday for an evening “Friendsgiving” event at a Coast Guard station on Staten Island. Biden began his valedictory calendar Friday night with a gala for hundreds of his friends, supporters and staff members who gathered in a pavilion erected on the South Lawn, with a view out to the Lincoln Memorial. Cabinet secretaries, Democratic donors and his longest-serving staff members came together to hear from the president and pay tribute, with no evidence that Biden was effectively forced from the Democratic ticket this summer and watched Vice President Kamala Harris suffer defeat on Nov. 5. “I’m so proud that we’ve done all of this with a deep belief in the core values of America,” said Biden, sporting a tuxedo for the black-tie event. Setting aside his criticisms of Trump as a fundamental threat to democracy, Biden added his characteristic national cheerleading: “I fully believe that America is better positioned to lead the world today than at any point in my 50 years of public service.” The first lady toasted her husband with a nod to his 2020 campaign promise to “restore the soul of the nation,” in Trump’s aftermath. With the results on Election Day, however, Biden’s four years now become sandwiched in the middle of an era dominated by Trump's presence on the national stage and in the White House. Even as the first couple avoided the context surrounding the president's coming exit, those political realities were nonetheless apparent, as younger Democrats like Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Biden's Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg not only raised their glasses to the president but held forth with many attendees who could remain in the party's power circles in the 2028 election cycle and beyond. ___ Associated Press writer Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis contributed to this report.Menendez brothers' bid for freedom delayed until JanuaryNone
MLB shifts six 2025 Rays games to avoid weather issuesThe Tampa Bay Rays have had six of their 2025 regular-season games shifted to the early season due to weather issues from playing outside, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The Rays' usual home, domed Tropicana Field, was damaged by Hurricane Milton last month with almost all of its roof shredded and no possibility of playing there next year. As a result, the Rays moved their 2025 home games from St. Petersburg to the New York Yankees training complex at nearby Tampa, which has an 11,000-seat outdoor stadium. An April series scheduled against the Los Angeles Angels that had been set for California will instead be played April 8-10 in Florida. A series between the two which had been set for August in Florida will now be hosted by the Angels on August 4-6. A Rays series against the Minnesota Twins planned in Minneapolis from May 26-28 will instead be played on the same dates in Tampa while a series that had been set for Tampa on July 4-6 will now be played in Minnesota. Florida summers can bring extreme heat and rain. js/bsp
