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Iowa's O hopes to stay hot vs. defense-minded NorthwesternHezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeksAuthored by Victor Davis Hanson via American Greatness, Donald Trump will not be president for almost another two months... Yet Democrat politicians, both federal and local, vie to be the most strident in denouncing his plans to begin deporting millions of foreign nationals who, over the last four years, have entered the U.S. illegally. Trump pledges to focus initially only on the 400,000 to 500,000 current felons and some 1.4 million additional aliens who have ignored legal summons for their deportation. Weekly we read of thousands of illegal immigrants arriving from areas controlled by violent Mexican cartel gangs or failed, strife-torn South American countries that have emptied their jails to send their felons northwards. Hundreds of thousands of them have been committing violent crimes while demanding still more free housing and support from strapped American taxpayers. Big-city left-wing mayors and city councils boast that they will do all their best to nullify federal immigration laws, even as their cities face near insolvency housing, feeding, and monitoring the influx. More specifically, they brag they will continue to order local and state authorities to resist all efforts of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. They scream about possible “massive deportations” to come under Trump, callously ignoring that their own advocacy has fueled rising crime waves of unaudited illegal aliens. And they appear absolutely indifferent to the social costs imposed by illegal immigration upon their own poor and middle-class constituents. Virtue-signaling Democratic governors and mayors have so far not dared to utter a word of criticism about what has been the Biden administration’s truly historic “massive importation” of illegal aliens into the U.S. over the last four years. Why? Largely because these political grandees and media demagogues have the money, connections, zip codes, and influence to be immune from the fallout of their own performance-art advocacy of illegal immigration. They take for granted that the baleful consequences of open borders always falls upon the distant and vulnerable Other. Again, consider the left-wing logic: it is deemed moral to dismantle the border, disrupt the social fabric of the country, and destroy federal immigration laws. But: it is immoral to restore U.S. sovereignty, secure the border, stop the flux of lethal cartel-supplied fentanyl and child sex trafficking, and follow the law? In this regard, the party that prides itself as progressive is regressively adopting the states’ rights arguments of 19th-century southern states that boasted they would resist all federal enforcement of tariffs. By the late 1850s, these future Confederates were asserting that the national government had no jurisdiction in their state domains. Such brazen nullification would lead to the Civil War. Note the left assumes that conservatives will not emulate their tactics and thus declare swaths of federal firearms or environmental laws null and void within their red state and county jurisdictions. They know that doing so would start a cycle of lawlessness that would eventually result in either civil war, total anarchy, or both. The open-borders-left’s more immediate spiritual predecessors are states’-rights-resisters like former segregationist Governor George Wallace. He boasted that federal civil rights legislation had no sway over his own state’s laws. Wallace, remember, in a historic moment, was removed from blocking the entry of black students to the University of Alabama by federal troops. Given that nullification now has been turned upside down, will California Governor Gavin Newsom or New York Governor Kathy Hochul block the entrance to their state jails to prevent federal agents from sending home murderers and rapists who arrived in the U.S. illegally? The left has learned nothing and forgotten nothing from the recent election and decisive Trump victory. The defeat of left-wing candidates was a result most prominently of the Biden administration’s deliberate destruction of the southern border and the illegal welcoming of some 12 million foreigners without legal sanction or health and criminal background audits. This lawlessness ensured that Kamala Harris, who had sanctioned it, was going to lose the election. The daily sight of thousands swarming the border with impunity, coupled with Orwellian assertions of President Biden, “Border Czar” Vice President Harris, and Homeland Security Director Alejandro Mayorkas that the border was absolutely “secure,” doomed the Biden and then Harris campaigns. Violating U.S. sovereignty and laws while sending millions into already frayed health, food, housing, medical, legal, and education social services designed to help American citizens was never a winning campaign strategy. Yet almost nothing could deter the Biden-Harris administration from their fixation with undermining the border and federal immigration law while seeking to change the very demography of the American southwest. The resulting influx of illegal aliens within just three years proved comparable in size to the creation of some 12 American cities, all the size of San Francisco. The mass crossings resulted from an effort by Joe Biden to utterly disregard his oath to faithfully execute the laws of his country. He was also helped in his lawlessness by some 600 state and local “sanctuary city” jurisdictions that subverted federal law by using their own offices to thwart immigration enforcement. Indeed, left-wing state and local officials pledged their own greater fealty to the welfare of the illegal millions who ignored the law and swamped the border than to their own overtaxed and underserved American citizen constituents. Finally, on November 5, the people said no more. In historic fashion, traditional Democratic constituencies of the working class and minorities turned on their own left-wing politicians who had first turned on them. Yet the cynicism of the left had known no bounds. As the presidential campaign had heated up, and the polls, first for Biden and then for his surrogate Harris, began to erode, both began to lie that their vanished border was in fact “secure.” In other words, they knew they had permanently alienated the American public , knew that it would cost them the election, and so then frantically first tried to deny the truth they had welcomed in millions of illegal aliens. Then they pivoted and sought belatedly to stop the public relations disaster at the border for a few weeks before the election, vainly hiding the sheer cynicism of such an insincere effort. Earlier, they had tried blaming border hawk Republicans for not signing onto a false border “bipartisan,” red-herring bill. The left introduced it in Congress solely to allow blanket amnesties for millions of illegal aliens while still allowing 4,000 illegal aliens daily to enter the U.S. The great majority of sane senators who did not sign the Trojan Horse bill were then immediately demonized for the mess by Biden and Harris themselves, who deliberately created the catastrophe. Now that the election is over, an enfeebled Joe Biden has two months left on his presidency and no longer worries about reelection. So, in its final gasp, the left is again trying to invite in more illegal aliens. Apparently one final huge caravan is forming south of the border and plans to make its way northward just days before Trump takes office and begins to fulfill his promises to the majority of voters to close the border. Finally, why did illegal immigration explode to levels never seen before? One, the left saw millions of desperately poor foreign nationals as a natural long-term constituency for their big-government, anti-poverty programs. They felt that some 20-30 million illegal aliens over the last 50 years, along with their children, had flipped California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado—and soon Arizona—from blue to red as planned. Of course, should the sudden Hispanic backlash against the immigration insanity of bicoastal elites persist, then the left might turn on their Hispanic voters as illiberal or brainwashed by the right—and ironically move to close the border to preclude more MAGA boosters. Two, Mexico and Latin America received some 120 billion dollars per year in remittances, mostly sent by their own citizens residing illegally in the U.S. and reliant on American government services that free them up to send billions into the coffers of our own increasingly hostile neighbors. Mexico further sees its 20 million expatriate illegal aliens as a strong lobby group to promote Mexico City’s agendas. The more Mexico exports its impoverished citizens, the more it saves on social services for them, while cynically noting that the more distant and longer their citizens reside away from Mexico, the more they romanticize it, safely from afar. Three, corporate employers like cheap labor from Latin America, especially when the U.S. government subsidizes such workers with massive housing, food, transportation, and health social services. On the other side of the ledger, the left cares little that an open border is destroying support for legal immigration and de facto punishes immigrants who wish to follow our laws. A cynic might argue that the left also may fear legal immigrants applying under meritocratic standards, as too independent, self-supporting, educated, skilled, and law-abiding to become its predictably loyal constituents at the polls. So, what might change to close the border and stop the massive influx? Donald Trump won the electoral college and the popular vote with a mandate to restore border security and immigration sanity. He received a near-record number of minority voters for a Republican candidate, given they believed that most often must deal with the realities of what elites have unleashed. In other words, the proverbial people are on to the no-borders elites. They suffer firsthand from their utopian bromides and are tired of being smeared as racists and xenophobes for simply wishing the United States to follow the law, restore secure borders, and end illegal immigration. And now they have the power and mandate to do all of that.

The year 2024 has been one of uncertainty. The world has endured several surprise wars, a jittery economy, and an indecisive Federal Reserve. Headlines wavered between impending doom and potential boon. Our two presidential candidates espoused divergent visions of our country’s future. Even fundamental economic principles, such as the relationship between growth and inflation, were called into question. The year also brought some good news — at least for investors. As of Dec. 10, the S&P 500 was up over 28 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy NASDAQ grew 33 percent and the Dow Jones gained 17 percent for the year. While investor rationale is up for debate, the bottom line is simple. Investors who remained disciplined were rewarded handsomely. Those who avoided markets missed out. Investors should apply similar discipline this tax season. My recent election article explains that it is difficult to predict future legislative changes. Fortunately, there are various tried-and-true tax planning tips available in any environment. Some are even tailored specifically for today’s political climate. The following six tax planning strategies are worth discussing with a financial advisor, accountant, and/or attorney. Note that certain strategies are complex and require personalized guidance. Tax-loss harvesting Tax-loss harvesting is an age-old tax management strategy for investors. The practice involves selling losing investments in taxable accounts, booking the losses, and purchasing replacement securities.[1] The losses can offset capital gains and/or up to $3,000 in ordinary income each year. Losses are hard to come by in stock portfolios this year. However, investors may still have unrealized losses in their bond portfolios following the Fed’s rapid interest rate campaign. Investors should review their taxable accounts for any unrealized losses before year-end. Optimize asset location The first step in portfolio design is asset allocation. This is where the investor selects a desired balance between stocks, bonds, cash and other investments. The final mix determines the risk and return profile for a given portfolio. The next step is asset location. This involves positioning assets where they receive the most favorable tax treatment. Different investments trigger different tax events: bonds generate regular interest, stocks pay periodic dividends, REITs distribute recurring income, and mutual funds make annual capital gains distributions. Each event’s tax treatment depends on the type of account holding the asset. Investors should coordinate their holdings with the appropriate account type. It is generally prudent to hold high-tax assets, such as REITs and certain bonds, in IRAs and 401(k)s. Investors can then concentrate tax-efficient assets, like municipal bonds and certain growth stocks, in their taxable accounts. Tax-advantaged accounts One of the easiest tax-planning strategies is to optimize tax-advantaged accounts. These include 401(k)s, IRAs, HSAs, and others. Readers should first confirm whether they are utilizing their company benefit plans. This can be accomplished with a simple trip to their HR departments. Benefits packages change every year, and many forgo important tax savings opportunities without realizing it. Readers should also maximize their contributions to these accounts wherever possible. See BaldwinClarke’s 2024 Tax Overview for the current contribution limits and income thresholds. Evaluate Roth conversions Roth conversions are a common long-term tax planning strategy. The process involves transferring funds from a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a Traditional IRA or 401(k) Plan, to a Roth IRA. Individuals owe income taxes on any amounts converted. However, future withdrawals from the Roth IRA are tax-free if certain conditions are met.[2] The chief advantage is flexibility. Someone with major one-time spending goals, such as a vacation home or a new car, can access large sums of money tax-free from a Roth IRA in retirement. Withdrawals from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) Plan are otherwise fully taxable. Roth conversions can also result in real tax savings. Our progressive tax system means that high earners pay higher tax rates than low earners. Using the previous example, an individual funding large expenses from a Traditional IRA or 401(k) plan risks temporarily spiking his or her tax bracket. This problem can be mitigated or avoided entirely with Roth conversions. A growing national deficit makes Roth conversions even more compelling. Many speculate that tax rates will rise in the future to cover our nation’s growing deficit. Those that pay their taxes now may benefit from today’s historically low tax rates. Charitable contributions Charitable contributions can be deducted against your taxable income for the current year. These deductions are particularly beneficial for high earners. Charitable deduction limits depend upon the charity classification, gift type, and income level for the taxpayer. Public charities, such as churches and schools, allow a taxpayer to deduct up to 50 percent of their adjusted gross income (AGI) for the current year. The limit rises to 60 percent of AGI if the taxpayer donates liquid cash to the charity. The limits are lower for private charities, such as foundations and fraternal orders. Unused deductions can generally be carried forward for up to five years. An experienced advisor can optimize charitable gifting strategies by evaluating both the type of charity and the timing of the contribution. As mentioned, certain charity types provide enhanced tax benefits. Similarly, certain life stages offer greater savings opportunities, such as years when a taxpayer’s income is unusually high. Estate tax mitigation Federal laws currently allow individuals to transfer up to $13.61 million to heirs without estate taxes. This exemption doubles to $27.22 million for married couples.[3] Moreover, individuals can give up to $18,000 per beneficiary annually without gift taxes. These laws create a very favorable estate planning environment for proactive people. The current estate tax exemption is both historically high and subject to change. Heirs can thank the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 for enacting these limits. However, this bill’s provisions are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. Before this date, Congress will decide whether to extend the exemption, make it permanent, or impose new limits entirely. The exemption will fall to the previous limit of $5.6 million per individual if no action is taken. Fortunately, the annual gift tax exclusion is not expected to change anytime soon. A simple strategy involves making outright lifetime gifts of cash, property, and other assets to heirs. This option is attractive for anybody with disposable assets, dependent family members, and/or long-term bequest goals. It is also likely to survive potential tax reform. Complex strategies leverage the estate tax exemption using irrevocable trusts. The full scope of these techniques falls beyond the purpose of this article. Readers are encouraged to contact their advisor or attorney for individualized guidance. Philanthropic individuals might also consider certain charitable transfer strategies to further shelter assets from estate taxes. Proactive, not reactive Concerns over potential tax changes are nothing new. In fact, it was only three years ago that the newly elected Biden administration announced plans to raise capital gains taxes for high earners. The proposal stalled in Washington and ultimately failed. Taxpayers who sold assets preemptively faced regret. Readers should act on knowns rather than unknowns. Potential tax changes rely on a host of factors beyond any taxpayer’s control. It is critical to remain discerning and pragmatic in today’s inflammatory political environment. Bryce Schuler is a certified financial planner at BaldwinClarke in Bedford. He and his team specialize in serving successful families, business owners, and organizations throughout New England. [1] Investors may replace the losing investments with similar, but not identical, investments to maintain the desired portfolio allocation. This step is crucial to avoid violating the IRS’s “wash-sale” rule. [2] Roth withdrawals must meet certain conditions to be fully tax-free. The Roth account typically must be open and funded for at least five years. In addition, the account holder must be age 59.5 or older at the time of the distribution or meet certain exceptions (e.g., death, disability, first-time home purchase). [3] The estate and gift tax exemptions referenced in this article reflect 2024 rules.South Florida defeats Portland 74-68

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New Zealand in unanimous support of restoring citizenship to 3,500 SamoansAmid the confusion, security forces used tear gas, local news website Media Guinea reported. Many of the dead were crushed as they tried to escape through the stadium gates, a journalist covering the game for a local sports website told The Associated Press. “The gates, that’s where the stampede happened,” said Cissé Lancine, who got away by climbing over one of the stadium walls. “I was saved because I did not rush towards the exit." The world's latest sports crowd disaster unfurled Sunday in the second-largest city in a military-run nation where information is sparse and government-controlled at the best of times. It was not immediately clear how much the death toll could grow. Lancine said between 20,000 and 30,000 people were present at the Third of April stadium to watch the local Labe and Nzerekore teams compete in the final of the first national tournament honoring military leader Mamadi Doumbouya. Checkpoints were set up Monday throughout Nzerekore, a city of about 200,000 that was at a standstill as soldiers guarded the hospital where victims were being treated. Most shops were closed. Video, apparently from the scene, showed shouting fans protesting the refereeing. People ran as they tried to escape the stadium, many of them jumping the high fence. “Supporters threw stones. This is why the security services used tear gas,” reported Media Guinea, which also wrote that several of the dead were children and some of the injured were in critical condition. The footage showed people lying on the floor of a hospital as members of a crowd helped the wounded. Enock Loua, a resident of Nzerekore, learned over the phone that his niece Aline Olivier had been killed. "We have a hard time realizing what happened to us, it is as if the sky has fallen on our heads,” Loua told The Associated Press. Authorities are trying to establish who was responsible, Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah said on national television. The National Alliance for Alternation and Democracy opposition coalition said the tournament was organized to drum up support for Doumbouya's “illegal and inappropriate” political ambitions. Doumbouya, who ousted then-President Alpha Conde in 2021 , has been eyeing a possible run for the presidential election, for which the date has not been set. The transition charter put in place by his own regime does not allow him to run. Guinea is one of a number of West African countries — including Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso — where the military has taken power and delayed a return to civilian rule. Doumbouya said he was preventing the country from slipping into chaos and chastised the previous government for broken promises. He has, however, been criticized for not meeting the expectations that he raised. Guinea’s leader announced three days of national mourning starting on Tuesday, in a presidential decree read on national television.Rams in search of offensive consistency in New Orleans

NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday announced that the new Mahayuti govt will be sworn in on Dec 5 in what is being seen as a signal to Eknath Shinde to make up his mind fast about joining the govt led by Devendra Fadnavis. State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in a post on X that the swearing-in ceremony will take place at Azad Maidan and PM Modi would attend it. "The wait for this historic swearing-in is over. We thank the public for their support," Bawankule said. CM will be from BJP, deputies from NCP & Sena, says Ajit The announcement came after talks had paused after the three Mahayuti netas, caretaker CM Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar met home minister Amit Shah in Delhi. The unambiguous post on X and the timing of it came as a surprise because there has been no communication between Shinde and BJP since he left Delhi and headed to his village in Satara district, after which he has been reportedly unwell. Political circles in Delhi and Mumbai were unanimous that the post was a clear message to Shinde to come around and agree to be part of the Fadnavis govt. During deliberations, Shinde had raised the issue of the awkwardness of him joining govt as deputy CM after having served as CM of Mahayuti govt. Sources said Shah is learned to have told him calmly that even Fadnavis, an ex-CM, had joined him as deputy and it was not a decision Fadnavis took on his own but because he was asked to do so by the party. BJP's confidence is based on the numbers it has in the assembly: 132 plus five independents, which with Ajit's support swells to a daunting 178, putting the ball in Shinde's court. NCP chief Ajit Pawar on Saturday reiterated the CM would be from BJP and there would be two deputy chief ministers, one from NCP and the other from Shiv Sena . However, Sena would, in addition to seeking the deputy CM's post, keep up its demand for the home portfolio and for retaining all the nine ministries it held in the Shinde-led govt, a Sena functionary said. These include the industries and urban development departments. Asked about Sena's demand for the home portfolio, Ajit Pawar said, "It's the CM's prerogative to decide portfolios. There is no tug-of-war regarding portfolios." Shiv Sena's Sanjay Shirsat justified the party's demand. "When BJP held the deputy CM's post, they got the home portfolio. So it's only fair that we insist on it. If there is a dashing leader in charge of the home department, it will keep rioters at bay," he said. The Sena functionary said there are no backchannel talks or negotiations going on with BJP and any formula will only be discussed when Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar meet in person. "Before the meeting with Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi, CM Shinde had made it clear he was wholeheartedly accepting of their decision on the next CM. In the Delhi meeting, no name for CM was announced. It was only indicated that the CM will be from BJP. It was decided that the exact formula will be decided by CM Shinde, Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai and then reported to New Delhi. After CM Shinde's return from Delhi there has been no communication with BJP or NCP, and BJP hasn't elected its own legislature party leader," the Sena functionary said. In the outgoing govt, CM Shinde headed urban development department. Gulabrao Patil helmed water supply and sanitation, Dada Bhuse led ports and mining, Uday Samant was industries minister and Tanaji Sawant had public health and family welfare portfolio, among others. The Sena functionary said, "Our ministers got only 2.5 years in this govt so they need more time to perform. Sena is clear on this. Whether CM Shinde is the DCM or he nominates someone else is his decision." Meanwhile, Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "Before the MVA govt was formed, they declared President's rule. Now after such a massive majority, the Mahayuti govt has still not been formed. The term of the assembly is over. Why hasn't President's rule been declared?" Thackeray took a dig at Shinde's trip to his village in Satara on Friday. "After such a massive majority, some people are going to their fields instead of Raj Bhavan," he said. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Sanjay Raut said, "Shinde looks uneasy, both mentally and physically. The smile on his face and twinkle in his eyes is gone. It's like he was offered something which has been taken away," Raut said. Shiv Sena's Shirsat hit back at Raut, saying, "After this verdict, it's clear to us whose mental balance has been affected."Harris disappears from spotlight, vacations in Hawaii after election lossYear-end tax planning tips

SINGAPORE: Recent viral bullying incidents and subsequent parliamentary discussions have brought school disciplinary and rehabilitation measures into the spotlight. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s emphasis on rehabilitating bullies rather than solely punishing them is a progressive step. However, the continued use of traditional measures such as detention, suspension and even caning raises questions about their effectiveness in correcting bullying behaviour. Bullying is any form of behaviour that is carried out with the intention to harm, is repetitive, and where there exists a power difference between the bully and the victim. These acts can be physical, such as hitting or pushing; or verbal when the bully makes hurtful or mean remarks in person or online. Bullying can also be relational when rumours are spread about the victim that cast them in a negative light, leading them to being isolated from their peer group. Research has pointed to several reasons for school bullying. Bullies may model aggressive behaviours that are observed at home or in the peer group. They may experience feelings of insecurity that prompt them to use aggression to boost their self-esteem or social status. Bullies tend to have poor relationships with their parents which prevent them from seeking help when they encounter an issue. There may also be a general lack of empathy where the bully fails to recognise or care about the impact their actions may have on others. HARSH DISCIPLINE HAS LITTLE INSTRUCTIVE VALUE Traditionally, detention and suspension are common disciplinary tools schools use to deliver clear, negative consequences to perpetrators and send the message that bullying is not tolerated. Caning is also used as a last resort. Although such disciplinary measures serve as an immediate response to misconduct, their long-term effectiveness in behaviour correction is limited. Detention may provide a temporary deterrent, but it often fails to address the underlying issues that lead to bullying. Suspension, on the other hand, can be counterproductive. For some students, being suspended might feel like a reward, offering a break from school rather than a consequence for their actions. Furthermore, both local and international research shows that the use of harsh discipline has little instructive value. The intended message is often masked by the physical and emotional pain, such that children comply out of fear. By themselves, traditional disciplinary measures may not help students fully understand why and how they should behave prosocially. NEED FOR A HOLISTIC APPROACH To effectively rehabilitate bullies, a more holistic approach that combines traditional disciplinary measures with counselling and restorative actions is needed. Counselling can help students understand the impact of their behaviour, develop empathy, and learn better ways to interact with peers. Often, counselling may provide an inroad to unpacking and correcting the underlying issues that contributed to the bullying behaviours in the first place. These include addressing aggression that is modelled after in the home or peer context, and supporting the bullies to find socially acceptable ways to get access to resources and peer support. Restorative practices, such as mediated conversations between the bully and the victim, can promote accountability and healing. Importantly, schools and the community at large should put in place strong preventive programmes to reduce the likelihood of bullying. These include existing education efforts through the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) curriculum. Workshops conducted by social service agencies such as the Singapore Children’s Society may reinforce students’ core competencies, such as empathy, social and emotional skills. Students can also learn how to support peers who are being bullied. Schools may also encourage more students to be upstanders – to report or stop bullying behaviour when they witness it. Collectively, these efforts help to cultivate a culture of care and support in the school context. SHARED RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN SCHOOLS AND PARENTS Supporting students, whether they are a bully or a victim, is a shared responsibility between schools and parents. Schools play a crucial role in setting expectations for good conduct and providing a safe learning environment. However, parents must also be involved in the process. Effective communication between schools and parents is essential to ensure consistency in addressing behavioural issues in school and at home. Parents should be encouraged to reinforce positive behaviour at home and support the school’s efforts in rehabilitation. Addressing school bullying requires a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional disciplinary measures. By integrating counselling and restorative practices, schools can create an environment that not only deters bullying but also fosters personal growth and empathy. Collaboration between schools and parents is key to ensuring that disciplinary and rehabilitation actions lead to meaningful and lasting change. Cheung Hoi Shan is Assistant Professor in the Psychology and Child & Human Development Department at National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University.

Oncocyte first to published randomized interventional data to rule-in for biopsy in high-risk patient population Study shows that monitoring with Oncocyte's assay significantly reduces time to rejection diagnosis in patients with newly developed donor-specific antibodies Early detection of transplant rejection is growing in significance as novel therapeutic treatments show promising early results in antibody mediated rejection. Study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oncocyte Corp., OCX , a diagnostics technology company, today announced additional favorable data regarding its lead assay VitaGraftTM, which was published in the journal, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. VitaGraft KidneyTM quantifies the amount of DNA fragments in transplant patients' blood that originate from the donor organ, a key biomarker for assessing graft health. This process is commonly referred to as donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing and is widely used in clinical practice today. In this latest study, Oncocyte's proprietary diagnostic dd-cfDNA test using digital PCR was able to diagnose antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients nearly a year ahead of standard protocols 1 . "We are excited to see our dd-cfDNA technology demonstrate strong predictive value for AMR, supporting clinicians in identifying AMR in patients sooner, thereby enhancing the opportunity for better outcomes," said Oncocyte Chief Science Officer Dr. Ekkehard Schuetz. "The trial's results further validate dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker that can bridge diagnostic gaps for transplant patients." For further context, de-novo donor specific antibody (dnDSA) is a routine biomarker used in kidney transplant management. The appearance of dnDSA in a patient -- that is, the patient is found to be dnDSA-positive (dnDSA+) -- signals an increased risk of AMR. This latest study shows that compared to standard of care, VitaGraft Kidney can significantly reduce the time to diagnosis of AMR in dnDSA+ patients. It is also the first randomized interventional study to validate any dd-cfDNA technology as a rule-in test for biopsy in a high-risk population. Catching AMR early, when kidney graft loss can be minimized, is becoming increasingly important as physicians explore the use of drugs, including the anti-CD38 drugs felzartamab and daratumumab, to manage rejection. Monitoring with VitaGraft in this high-risk patient population could support early intervention with these new therapeutic options. Once patients are on therapy, monitoring for therapeutic efficacy is also important to manage potential unwanted side effects. Publications using VitaGraft to monitor for efficacy for both aforementioned drugs can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine and Transplant International . In addition, earlier this year, Oncocyte signed an agreement with a European biotechnology company to be the provider of dd-cfDNA testing for a Phase II clinical trial for a separate therapeutic in AMR. Oncocyte expects to submit for claims expansion to its payor, MolDX 2 , to support the use of VitaGraft for these high-risk patients in the clinic. If granted, it would expand the use case beyond the current for-cause claim, opening significant new revenue opportunities. In sum, this clinical trial provides compelling evidence for dd-cfDNA monitoring as a tool for enhancing early intervention and improving outcomes for patients at increased risk of transplant rejection. Oncocyte scientists and inventors of the technology, Dr. Schuetz, Julia Beck and Kirsten Bornemann-Kolatzki, co-authored the study, which was initiated by researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin under the leadership of Prof. Klemens Budde. The study was published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: Oxford Academic and may be found by accessing this link. Additional study details: Highlighting potential for improved patient outcomes, as well as implications for broader clinical applications and future therapies The interventional randomized trial, conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, involved 40 kidney transplant recipients with dnDSA, assessing longitudinal dd-cfDNA monitoring as a guiding tool for diagnostic biopsy compared to standard clinical practices. Oncocyte's proprietary dd-cfDNA technology was able to detect the onset of AMR significantly earlier in patients by guiding the indication for biopsy (median time from inclusion to diagnosis: 2.8 months) compared to the control group using standard of care (14.5 months). As noted above, this early intervention could offer a valuable advantage in transplant care by enabling prompt treatment before irreversible damage occurs. "This study underscores the impact of dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker for early AMR detection, providing healthcare teams with timely data enabling them to initiate treatments sooner," said Dr. Aylin Akifova, first author from Charité. This study also suggests that dd-cfDNA monitoring could also be instrumental in identifying subclinical AMR—a silent condition that, if undiagnosed, can lead to significant graft damage. Additionally, the findings come at a crucial time, as mentioned above, as promising new treatments, including CD38-targeted therapies, are showing unprecedented efficacy in treating AMR. Early diagnosis with dd-cfDNA could provide the earliest window for intervention, offering an advantage for patients suffering from AMR, a disease with historically very limited treatment options. "We congratulate Charité's research teams on these compelling findings, which further underscore our mission to empower clinicians with tools for precision diagnostics while also democratizing access to novel molecular diagnostic testing to improve patient outcomes," said Josh Riggs, CEO of Oncocyte. "We look forward to expanding the clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology and supporting transplant communities worldwide with our innovative diagnostic solutions." About Oncocyte Oncocyte is a diagnostics technology company. The Company's tests are designed to help provide clarity and confidence to physicians and their patients. VitaGraftTM is a clinical blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. GraftAssureTM is a research use only (RUO) blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. DetermaIOTM is a gene expression test that assesses the tumor microenvironment to predict response to immunotherapies. DetermaCNITM is a blood-based monitoring tool for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. For more information about Oncocyte, please visit https://oncocyte.com/ . For more information about our products, please visit the following web pages: VitaGraft KidneyTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-kidney/ VitaGraft LiverTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-liver/ GraftAssureTM - https://oncocyte.com/graftassure/ DetermaIOTM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-io/ DetermaCNITM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-cni/ VitaGraftTM, GraftAssureTM, DetermaIOTM, and DetermaCNITM are trademarks of Oncocyte Corporation. CONTACT: Jeff Ramson PCG Advisory (646) 863-6893 jramson@pcgadvisory.com Forward-Looking Statements Any statements that are not historical fact (including but not limited to statements that contain words such as "will," "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates," "may," and similar expressions) are forward-looking statements. These statements include those pertaining to, among other things, the expectation that Oncocyte will submit for claims expansion to MolDX to support the use of VitaGraft for high-risk patients in the clinic, which may expand the use case and open significant new revenue opportunities, the company's anticipated expansion of clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology, the company's goal to support transplant communities worldwide with its innovative diagnostic solutions, and other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of diagnostic tests or products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, the capacity of Oncocyte's third-party supplied blood sample analytic system to provide consistent and precise analytic results on a commercial scale, potential interruptions to supply chains, the need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights in all applicable jurisdictions, obligations to third parties with respect to licensed or acquired technology and products, the need to obtain third party reimbursement for patients' use of any diagnostic tests Oncocyte or its subsidiaries commercialize in applicable jurisdictions, and risks inherent in strategic transactions such as the potential failure to realize anticipated benefits, legal, regulatory or political changes in the applicable jurisdictions, accounting and quality controls, potential greater than estimated allocations of resources to develop and commercialize technologies, or potential failure to maintain any laboratory accreditation or certification. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and accordingly such statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of Oncocyte, particularly those mentioned in the "Risk Factors" and other cautionary statements found in Oncocyte's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, which are available from the SEC's website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Oncocyte undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

AP News Summary at 5:37 p.m. EST

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AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:25 p.m. ESTNigel Farage’s Reform Party could wreck SNP’s hold over Holyrood as pollsters predict election chaos

Oncocyte first to published randomized interventional data to rule-in for biopsy in high-risk patient population Study shows that monitoring with Oncocyte’s assay significantly reduces time to rejection diagnosis in patients with newly developed donor-specific antibodies Early detection of transplant rejection is growing in significance as novel therapeutic treatments show promising early results in antibody mediated rejection. Study published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oncocyte Corp., (Nasdaq: OCX), a diagnostics technology company, today announced additional favorable data regarding its lead assay VitaGraftTM, which was published in the journal, Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. VitaGraft KidneyTM quantifies the amount of DNA fragments in transplant patients’ blood that originate from the donor organ, a key biomarker for assessing graft health. This process is commonly referred to as donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) testing and is widely used in clinical practice today. In this latest study, Oncocyte’s proprietary diagnostic dd-cfDNA test using digital PCR was able to diagnose antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients nearly a year ahead of standard protocols 1 . “We are excited to see our dd-cfDNA technology demonstrate strong predictive value for AMR, supporting clinicians in identifying AMR in patients sooner, thereby enhancing the opportunity for better outcomes,” said Oncocyte Chief Science Officer Dr. Ekkehard Schuetz. “The trial’s results further validate dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker that can bridge diagnostic gaps for transplant patients.” For further context, de-novo donor specific antibody (dnDSA) is a routine biomarker used in kidney transplant management. The appearance of dnDSA in a patient -- that is, the patient is found to be dnDSA-positive (dnDSA+) -- signals an increased risk of AMR. This latest study shows that compared to standard of care, VitaGraft Kidney can significantly reduce the time to diagnosis of AMR in dnDSA+ patients. It is also the first randomized interventional study to validate any dd-cfDNA technology as a rule-in test for biopsy in a high-risk population. Catching AMR early, when kidney graft loss can be minimized, is becoming increasingly important as physicians explore the use of drugs, including the anti-CD38 drugs felzartamab and daratumumab, to manage rejection. Monitoring with VitaGraft in this high-risk patient population could support early intervention with these new therapeutic options. Once patients are on therapy, monitoring for therapeutic efficacy is also important to manage potential unwanted side effects. Publications using VitaGraft to monitor for efficacy for both aforementioned drugs can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine and Transplant International . In addition, earlier this year, Oncocyte signed an agreement with a European biotechnology company to be the provider of dd-cfDNA testing for a Phase II clinical trial for a separate therapeutic in AMR. Oncocyte expects to submit for claims expansion to its payor, MolDX 2 , to support the use of VitaGraft for these high-risk patients in the clinic. If granted, it would expand the use case beyond the current for-cause claim, opening significant new revenue opportunities. In sum, this clinical trial provides compelling evidence for dd-cfDNA monitoring as a tool for enhancing early intervention and improving outcomes for patients at increased risk of transplant rejection. Oncocyte scientists and inventors of the technology, Dr. Schuetz, Julia Beck and Kirsten Bornemann-Kolatzki, co-authored the study, which was initiated by researchers at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin under the leadership of Prof. Klemens Budde. The study was published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation: Oxford Academic and may be found by accessing this link. Additional study details: Highlighting potential for improved patient outcomes, as well as implications for broader clinical applications and future therapies The interventional randomized trial, conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, involved 40 kidney transplant recipients with dnDSA, assessing longitudinal dd-cfDNA monitoring as a guiding tool for diagnostic biopsy compared to standard clinical practices. Oncocyte’s proprietary dd-cfDNA technology was able to detect the onset of AMR significantly earlier in patients by guiding the indication for biopsy (median time from inclusion to diagnosis: 2.8 months) compared to the control group using standard of care (14.5 months). As noted above, this early intervention could offer a valuable advantage in transplant care by enabling prompt treatment before irreversible damage occurs. "This study underscores the impact of dd-cfDNA as a critical biomarker for early AMR detection, providing healthcare teams with timely data enabling them to initiate treatments sooner," said Dr. Aylin Akifova, first author from Charité. This study also suggests that dd-cfDNA monitoring could also be instrumental in identifying subclinical AMR—a silent condition that, if undiagnosed, can lead to significant graft damage. Additionally, the findings come at a crucial time, as mentioned above, as promising new treatments, including CD38-targeted therapies, are showing unprecedented efficacy in treating AMR. Early diagnosis with dd-cfDNA could provide the earliest window for intervention, offering an advantage for patients suffering from AMR, a disease with historically very limited treatment options. “We congratulate Charité’s research teams on these compelling findings, which further underscore our mission to empower clinicians with tools for precision diagnostics while also democratizing access to novel molecular diagnostic testing to improve patient outcomes,” said Josh Riggs, CEO of Oncocyte. “We look forward to expanding the clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology and supporting transplant communities worldwide with our innovative diagnostic solutions.” About Oncocyte Oncocyte is a diagnostics technology company. The Company’s tests are designed to help provide clarity and confidence to physicians and their patients. VitaGraftTM is a clinical blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. GraftAssureTM is a research use only (RUO) blood-based solid organ transplantation monitoring test. DetermaIOTM is a gene expression test that assesses the tumor microenvironment to predict response to immunotherapies. DetermaCNITM is a blood-based monitoring tool for monitoring therapeutic efficacy in cancer patients. For more information about Oncocyte, please visit https://oncocyte.com/ . For more information about our products, please visit the following web pages: VitaGraft KidneyTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-kidney/ VitaGraft LiverTM - https://oncocyte.com/vitagraft-liver/ GraftAssureTM - https://oncocyte.com/graftassure/ DetermaIOTM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-io/ DetermaCNITM - https://oncocyte.com/determa-cni/ VitaGraftTM, GraftAssureTM, DetermaIOTM, and DetermaCNITM are trademarks of Oncocyte Corporation. CONTACT: Jeff Ramson PCG Advisory (646) 863-6893 jramson@pcgadvisory.com Forward-Looking Statements Any statements that are not historical fact (including but not limited to statements that contain words such as “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” and similar expressions) are forward-looking statements. These statements include those pertaining to, among other things, the expectation that Oncocyte will submit for claims expansion to MolDX to support the use of VitaGraft for high-risk patients in the clinic, which may expand the use case and open significant new revenue opportunities, the company’s anticipated expansion of clinical applications of dd-cfDNA technology, the company’s goal to support transplant communities worldwide with its innovative diagnostic solutions, and other statements about the future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans, or prospects expressed by management. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks inherent in the development and/or commercialization of diagnostic tests or products, uncertainty in the results of clinical trials or regulatory approvals, the capacity of Oncocyte’s third-party supplied blood sample analytic system to provide consistent and precise analytic results on a commercial scale, potential interruptions to supply chains, the need and ability to obtain future capital, maintenance of intellectual property rights in all applicable jurisdictions, obligations to third parties with respect to licensed or acquired technology and products, the need to obtain third party reimbursement for patients’ use of any diagnostic tests Oncocyte or its subsidiaries commercialize in applicable jurisdictions, and risks inherent in strategic transactions such as the potential failure to realize anticipated benefits, legal, regulatory or political changes in the applicable jurisdictions, accounting and quality controls, potential greater than estimated allocations of resources to develop and commercialize technologies, or potential failure to maintain any laboratory accreditation or certification. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements and accordingly such statements should be evaluated together with the many uncertainties that affect the business of Oncocyte, particularly those mentioned in the “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements found in Oncocyte’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, which are available from the SEC’s website. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they were made. Oncocyte undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made, except as required by law.BATON ROUGE — Republican Gov. Jeff Landry got the Louisiana Legislature to back his bet of lowering individual and corporate income taxes to stimulate growth in the state. The Legislature adopted a 3 percent flat tax for individuals, trimmed corporate taxes and will make up some of the lost revenue by temporarily extending and increasing to 5 percent the state sales tax. Louisiana will now have the highest combined local and state sales tax in the nation at 10.6 percent. The tax package, passed Friday with the required two-thirds votes in both chambers, received bipartisan support by aligning Louisiana’s taxes with successful neighboring states. The bills now go to the governor for his signature. The action Friday closed a special session of the Legislature that opened on Nov. 6. “When we came to Baton Rouge, our goal was to have a long overdue conversation on our tax package,” said Sen. William Wheat, R-Ponchatoula. “This will put Louisiana in a better competitive space to compete with our surrounding states,” he said. In a closed-door session, Senate lawmakers merged the politically-palatable income tax cut with the steep sales tax increase to win support for the package as a whole. The idea was to flatten the personal income tax from a tiered-rate system with a top rate of 4.25 percent, which would have created over a billion dollars in deficits, prompting lawmakers to raise the sales tax and find other sources of revenue to offset the cuts. The bill passed the Senate 38-1 vote, with Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, casting the sole dissenting vote. House approval was 80-18, with Rep. Beryl Amedee, R-Gray, as the only dissenting Republican. Still, it was not clear that all the revenue lost by cutting taxes would be made up. “You’re creating a budget shortfall to provide a tax break for people who don’t need it, and creating another fiscal cliff,” said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, a nonpartisan group in Baton Rouge that represents lower-income citizens. This proposed sales tax increase mirrors one pushed by former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards in 2016, when Louisiana faced a significant deficit. However, Landry’s sales tax hike is intended to offset his plan to flatten income taxes, a step toward his long-term goal of eliminating income taxes entirely. To gain support, the income and sales tax measures were combined, enabling Republican legislators to stomach raising the sales tax to the highest rate in the nation. “We are not expanding sales tax into any new services,” Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, said. However, the package will for the first time tax digital services such as streaming services and games. The Senate approved a significant reduction in the corporate income tax and the complete elimination of the corporate franchise tax. The corporate income tax rate was lowered from 7.5 percent, one of the highest in the nation, to a flat 5.5 percent, a move legislators believe will make Louisiana more attractive to business. The bill was passed with a 38-1 vote in the Senate and a 90-9 vote in the House. The corporate franchise tax, a levy on owning property or conducting business in the state, will be fully eliminated starting Jan. 1, 2026. As part of this change, certain business tax credits will expire on June 30, 2025. Louisiana was previously one of only 17 states with a corporate franchise tax. The bill was passed unanimously in the Senate and by an 84-16 vote in the House. “Most states around us have eliminated the franchise tax,” said Sen. Jeremy Stine, R-Lake Charles, former marketing director for his family business, Stine Home and Yard. ”As a business owner this tax is a punishing tax.” The Senate also approved a bill to make permanent the $2,000 annual stipend teachers have received over the past two years. With Louisiana facing a shortage of some 2,500 teachers, this measure aims to retain current educators and attract new talent. The raise will be partially funded by reallocating $2 billion from the state’s Millennium Trust Fund, managed by the Louisiana Education Department, to reduce debt in the teachers’ retirement system. However, teachers at charter schools and other institutions that have not contributed to the retirement system will not qualify for the raise. Additionally, some school districts may have leftover funds after receiving this state funding. Any surplus must be directed toward other school employees rather than expenses like textbooks. The bill was unanimously passed in both houses. Two subsidies Landry wanted to eliminate were partially preserved after protests at the Capitol – tax credits for movie-making and historic preservation of buildings. “They can fill a room or two or three,” said Sen. Cameron Henry, R- Metairie, the president of the Senate.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25, making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as "The Game." Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. "I don't think none of that matters in this game," Moore said Monday. "It doesn't matter the records. It doesn't matter anything. The spread, that doesn't matter." How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. "We're going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. "We know they're going to come in here swinging, too, and they've still got a good team even though the record doesn't indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. "You come to Michigan to beat Ohio," said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. "It doesn't necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan." AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed 31 felony charges of wage theft and tax evasion against a construction company that he said cost the state and the company’s workers $2.6 million, he announced Thursday. Bonta filed the criminal complaint on Aug. 26 alleging that US Framing West dodged more than $2.5 million in state payroll taxes and underpaid workers on a public housing project in Cathedral City, in Riverside County. The company, which builds wood framing for such projects as hotels, apartments and housing developments, shorted workers at least $40,000 when it failed to pay the prevailing wage, Bonta said. “For some reason US Framing West seems to think it can operate outside the prevailing wage laws of California,” Bonta said in a press conference in Los Angeles today. “I’m here with a simple message: They cannot. No company can.” Cal Matters contacted officials with US Framing West named on its website but did not receive a response. Bonta charged the company and two of its officials, Thomas Gregory English and Amelia Frazier Krebs, with wage and tax violations in Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange, Alameda, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Contra Costa counties. Political observers expect Bonta to announce a run for governor, so publicizing a high-profile labor case may help him build support from unions. Most wage theft cases brought by the state are handled administratively or in civil court. Between 2018 and 2022, US Framing West hired unlicensed subcontractors and underreported its payroll to the state Employment Development Department, Bonta said. He accused the company of grand theft, payroll tax evasion, prevailing wage theft, and filing false documents with the state. US Framing West also skipped personal income tax withholding and premiums for state unemployment and disability insurance, Bonta said, and it filed false payroll records for workers on Veterans Village , the Cathedral City project. The facility opened in 2022, offering 60 housing units and services for veterans. The complaint says the company stole wages from 19 workers in Riverside County in 2021 and 2022. Under California’s penal code , employers can face grand theft charges for stealing more than $950 in wages or tips from one employee or a total of $2,350 from two or more employees within a year. The Northern California Carpenters Regional Council tipped off the state Department of Justice to potential wage theft violations at an Oakland construction project in 2019, Bonta said. The department subsequently looked into US Framing West’s other projects across the state. The office filed charges in August, and the two named defendants surrendered and were arraigned this month. California’s prevailing wage requirements apply to most projects built with public funding, said Matthew Miller, senior field representative for labor compliance for Nor Cal Carpenters Union. He said US Framing West was working on at least four housing projects financed with tax credits. “California taxpayers are subsidizing criminal activity in the affordable housing industry,” Miller said. He added that developers should avoid doing business with companies that skirt employment and tax laws. Wage theft can take various forms — employers don’t pay employees for all hours worked, don’t pay the minimum wage, skip overtime pay or don’t allow legally required breaks. In California, workers lose about $2 billion a year to wage theft, Bonta’s office said, and workers in low-wage industries are the most affected. In 2020 and 2021, workers filed claims for more than $300 million in stolen wages each year. Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, called wage theft “the number one crime” in the burglary and theft category and said businesses should not be able to pay their way out of wage theft violations.

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