lobo 777 jogo Published 6:39 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024 By Data Skrive As they get ready to take on the Washington Wizards (3-19) on Friday, December 13 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, with the opening tip at 7:00 PM ET, the Cleveland Cavaliers (21-4) have three players currently listed on the injury report. The Wizards’ injury report has nine players on it. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. The Cavaliers are coming off of a 122-113 loss to the Heat in their most recent game on Sunday. In the Cavaliers’ loss, Darius Garland led the way with a team-high 23 points (adding five rebounds and five assists). The Wizards are coming off of a 140-112 loss to the Grizzlies in their last outing on Sunday. Jonas Valanciunas’ team-high 20 points paced the Wizards in the losing effort. Name Position Status Injury PPG RPG APG Emoni Bates SF Out Knee Max Strus SF Questionable Ankle Isaac Okoro SG Questionable Knee 6 2.3 1.8 Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Name Position Status Injury PPG RPG APG Saddiq Bey SF Out Knee Richaun Holmes PF Questionable Illness 4 1.7 0 Kyle Kuzma PF Questionable Ribs 15.8 5.6 1.9 Malcolm Brogdon PG Questionable Hamstring 13.8 4.3 2.6 Corey Kispert SF Questionable Ankle 10.9 3.4 1.5 Alex Sarr PF Questionable Back 10.6 6.3 2 Tristan Vukcevic C Questionable Knee Patrick Baldwin Jr. SF Questionable Achilles 2.3 1.1 0.1 Kyshawn George SG Questionable Ankle 7.5 4.1 2.6 Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Favorite Spread Total Cavaliers -17.5 231.5 Bet on this or any NBA matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

No. 24 Illinois stuns Rutgers on Bryant's 40-yard TD reception with 4 seconds leftThe Utah Jazz will be back in action on Friday night in Salt Lake City when they host the Phoenix Suns, but good luck guessing what will happen on the Delta Center court. If NBA games were capable of causing whiplash, a lot of Jazz fans would be in neck braces after watching what their team did on the road last week. Utah followed a 27-point loss at Oklahoma City last Tuesday with a jaw-dropping 141-99 blowout victory at Portland on Friday. But the pendulum then swung dramatically back the other direction on Sunday in Sacramento, when the Jazz allowed the Kings to score 141 points while they only put up 97. "Yeah," Jazz coach Will Hardy said after the setback in Sacramento, "we got our butts kicked." Utah makes a quick, one-game pitstop at home against the Suns having lost six of seven and 10 of 12. The Jazz then head out for a five-game holiday trek that has them traveling from Los Angeles to face the Clippers to Detroit, Brooklyn, Cleveland and back to Portland from Dec. 16-26. The Jazz will have to do much better on both ends than they did against the Kings to be competitive in this rough stretch. Sacramento shot 22 of 44 from 3-point range, while Utah made only 38.8 percent of its shots overall. The result wasn't pretty. "That's the way the NBA can feel now," Hardy said. "Games can feel crazy when teams get hot shooting the ball from kind of everywhere." Though neither made significant contributions in the blowout loss, Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipowski did return for the Jazz, so their presence could make a difference during this upcoming trek. Keyonte George had a strong game against the Kings, scoring 25 points on 8-of-14 shooting with six assists and four steals. Johnny Juzang scored a season-high 22 in the win at Portland. "We are in this space of guys being in and out, and it's tough for young players to find continuity," Hardy said. "I think for any team to find a level and sustain we do need to have continuity." The Suns wrap up a cross-country, four-game road trip with their second visit to Utah this season. They won 120-112 on Nov. 12. Phoenix has struggled on its trip, falling at New Orleans, Miami and Orlando, and finds itself closer to the bottom of the Western Conference standings than the top. Getting Kevin Durant back from a left ankle injury, which could happen as soon as Friday, would provide a big lift. They are 8-2 this season when Durant teams up with fellow stars Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but 1-9 when Durant is sidelined. Durant, who has missed the last three games and 12 overall this season, is Phoenix's leading scorer (25.8 points per game), followed by Booker (24.9) and Beal (17.8). "You try to put importance on every segment of the season," Suns center Mason Plumlee said. "Just being fully healthy, having everybody, it'd be nice to get rolling and string some wins together. Those stretches can be meaningful. It does bring out a sense of identity if you're able to put some wins together." This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

Buck Pierce started his CFL career in Vancouver as a player, and that's where he will return for his first job as a head coach. The Lions announced Tuesday that the former quarterback has been hired as the 28th coach in franchise history. He replaces Rick Campbell, who was fired after the Lions posted a disappointing 9-9 record this past season and lost in the West Division semifinal in a year Vancouver hosted the Grey Cup. "Buck was a candidate we identified early in this process as someone who is ready to step in and lead our franchise," Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a release. "His track record in the Canadian Football League as both a player and a coach says it all." B.C. Lions fire head coach and co-GM Rick Campbell as part of sweeping changes The Lions are expected to hold a press conference Wednesday morning to introduce their new coach. Pierce comes to the Lions after nine seasons on the coaching staff of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, where he had been offensive co-ordinator since 2020. He helped the Bombers win Grey Cup titles in 2019 and '21 and presided over an offence that included star quarterback Zach Collaros and Canadian rushing leader and 2024 most outstanding player Brady Oliveira. Collaros thrived after joining the Blue Bombers in 2019, when Pierce was quarterbacks coach. He was a CFL all star and the league's outstanding player in 2021 and 2022. 'Didn't have our best game,' but Bombers coach defends decision to keep injured quarterback in Grey Cup Bombers running back Brady Oliveira becomes 4th player to win CFL's top player, top Canadian awards For the 43-year-old Pierce, it's a chance to run a team and return to the city where he started his career. The former quarterback joined the Lions as a free agent in 2005 and spent five seasons there — winning a Grey Cup in 2006 — before being released. He signed with Winnipeg and spent parts of four seasons there before being traded back to B.C. part way through the 2013 campaign. He joined the Bombers staff as running backs coach after announcing his retirement following that season. "I'm extremely excited and honoured to take this next step in my coaching career with the organization that originally brought me here nearly 20 years ago," Pierce said in the release. "The building blocks are in place here and we look forward to getting to work as we strive to bring the Grey Cup back to British Columbia," he said. Pierce sits 10th on the Lions' all-time list with 8,964 passing yards, while his 713 completions are good for eighth spot. The Lions went 22-12-1 with Pierce as the starting quarterback.Tyson Foods Inc. Cl A stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the day

Infinity Nikki , the cosy dress-up RPG from an ex- Breath of the Wild designer, is ready to strut the catwalk on your console, delivering a level of cosiness seldom seen on a Sony system before. To get you prepared for the fashionable outing, this Infinity Nikki guide will include all release times and preload details. What Time Does Infinity Nikki Release? As you no doubt already know, Infinity Nikki will be available to play from 5th December, 2024. But you've likely visited this page because you're curious about what time the game will be available to play. Below is a table of all the game's crucial release times, including information for your time zone: When Can I Preload Infinity Nikki? Preload for Infinity Nikki is available now on PC and mobile, from 3rd December — but there's a catch if you're playing on PS5. There's currently no way to preload the game on Sony's console, so you're likely going to have to wait until launch day to start downloading from the PS Store . We'll keep you updated if anything changes. Can I Move My Infinity Nikki Progress Between Devices? Yes, your Infinity Nikki progress will automatically transfer between PC, PS5, and mobile, assuming you use a shared account. The best way to do this is to create an Infold Account through the link, then select 'Use an Existing Account' when loading the game for the first time. Alternatively, playing the game for the first time on the PS5 will automatically create an Infold Account for you, associated with your PSN email address. There's a full FAQ through here which explains everything in intricate detail, but to ensure cross-save works without a hitch, we'd recommend following these steps: Did you find this page with all release times and preload details for Infinity Nikki useful? Let us know in the comments section below.AT&T Declares Dividends on Common and Preferred Shares

USWNT beats Netherlands 2-1 in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher's final match

NEW YORK (AP) — The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was not a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and influence, a senior police official said Thursday. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told NBC New York in an interview Thursday that investigators have uncovered evidence that Luigi Mangione had prior knowledge UnitedHealthcare was holding its annual investor conference in New York City. Mangione also mentioned the company in a note found in his possession when he was detained by police in Pennsylvania. “We have no indication that he was ever a client of United Healthcare, but he does make mention that it is the fifth largest corporation in America, which would make it the largest healthcare organization in America. So that’s possibly why he targeted that company,” said Kenny. UnitedHealthcare is in the top 20 largest U.S. companies by market capitalization but is not the fifth largest. It is the largest U.S. health insurer. Mangione remains jailed without bail in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday after being spotted at a McDonald's in the city of Altoona, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City. His lawyer there, Thomas Dickey, has said Mangione intends to plead not guilty. Dickey also said he has yet to see evidence decisively linking his client to the crime. Mangione's arrest came five days after the caught-on-camera killing of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Police say the shooter waited outside the hotel, where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, early on the morning of Dec. 4. He approached Thompson from behind and shot him before fleeing on a bicycle through Central Park. Mangione is fighting attempts to extradite him back to New York so that he can face a murder charge in Thompson's killing. A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 30. The 26-year-old, who police say was found with a “ ghost gun ” matching shell casings found at the site of the shooting, is charged in Pennsylvania with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Mangione is an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family. In posts on social media, Mangione wrote about experiencing severe chronic back pain before undergoing a spinal fusion surgery in 2023. Afterward, he posted that the operation had been a success and that his pain had improved and mobility returned. He urged others to consider the same type of surgery. On Wednesday, police said investigators are looking at his writings about his health problems and his criticism of corporate America and the U.S. health care system . Kenny said in the NBC interview that Mangione's family reported him missing to San Francisco authorities in November.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its holdings in shares of WEC Energy Group, Inc. ( NYSE:WEC – Free Report ) by 17.0% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,806,360 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 699,177 shares during the quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. owned approximately 1.52% of WEC Energy Group worth $462,276,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. HB Wealth Management LLC increased its position in WEC Energy Group by 42.7% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,054 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $318,000 after buying an additional 1,214 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC boosted its stake in WEC Energy Group by 10.4% during the 2nd quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 5,560 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $436,000 after purchasing an additional 524 shares during the period. iA Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in WEC Energy Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $919,000. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its stake in shares of WEC Energy Group by 1.7% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 39,202 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $3,076,000 after purchasing an additional 639 shares during the period. Finally, Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new stake in shares of WEC Energy Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $965,000. 77.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on WEC shares. Bank of America raised WEC Energy Group from an “underperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $90.00 to $98.00 in a report on Thursday, December 12th. Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of WEC Energy Group in a report on Thursday, September 19th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $102.00 price objective for the company. KeyCorp increased their target price on shares of WEC Energy Group from $108.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target on shares of WEC Energy Group from $97.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 2nd. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price objective on shares of WEC Energy Group from $103.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “sector outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, December 9th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $98.00. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Gale E. Klappa sold 1,805 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.40, for a total transaction of $179,417.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 273,248 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $27,160,851.20. This trade represents a 0.66 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CEO Scott J. Lauber sold 6,720 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.89, for a total transaction of $677,980.80. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 45,709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,611,581.01. This represents a 12.82 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 48,794 shares of company stock worth $4,866,579. Corporate insiders own 0.34% of the company’s stock. WEC Energy Group Price Performance WEC opened at $94.82 on Friday. WEC Energy Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $75.13 and a 12-month high of $102.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.37. The firm has a market capitalization of $30.00 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.18, a PEG ratio of 2.59 and a beta of 0.46. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $97.31 and a 200-day moving average of $91.45. WEC Energy Group ( NYSE:WEC – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $1.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.93 billion. WEC Energy Group had a return on equity of 11.72% and a net margin of 15.14%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.00 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that WEC Energy Group, Inc. will post 4.89 EPS for the current fiscal year. WEC Energy Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, March 1st. Investors of record on Friday, February 14th will be issued a dividend of $0.8925 per share. This represents a $3.57 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.77%. This is a positive change from WEC Energy Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.84. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 14th. WEC Energy Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 87.29%. WEC Energy Group Company Profile ( Free Report ) WEC Energy Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides regulated natural gas and electricity, and renewable and nonregulated renewable energy services in the United States. It operates through Wisconsin, Illinois, Other States, Electric Transmission, and Non-Utility Energy Infrastructure segments. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding WEC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for WEC Energy Group, Inc. ( NYSE:WEC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for WEC Energy Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for WEC Energy Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .New Delhi [India], December 29 (ANI): Hindu devotees in India and across the world are eagerly waiting for the once-in-twelve-year Mahakumbh beginning January 13, 2025, in the ancient city of Prayagraj. Over 40 crore people are expected to attend the Mahakumbh which is held once every 12 years. the Uttar Pradesh government is making extensive preparations to ensure that Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj is a grand, safe, and spiritually enriching event. Also Read | WhatsApp New Features: Meta-Owned Platform Testing New Features Including Meta AI Shortcut, Scan Documents, Search Image on Web and More; Check Details. The Mahakumbh is boosting local trade with a surge in demand for Mahakumbh-themed products like diaries, calendars, jute bags, and stationery. As per a statement from the Ministry of Culture, sales of such items have increased by up to 25 per cent due to meticulous branding. Also Read | WTC Final Qualification Scenario: How Can Team India Qualify for ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 Summit Clash After Pakistan's Defeat During SA vs PAK 1st Test 2024. This 45-day festival, from January 13 to February 26 will showcase India's rich cultural heritage and spiritual traditions. The host Uttar Pradesh has set up a temporary city-like setup. Mahakumbh Nagar is being transformed into a temporary city with thousands of tents and shelters, including super deluxe accommodations like the IRCTC's 'Mahakumbh Gram' luxury tent city which will offer deluxe tents and villas with modern amenities. Renovation works of 92 roads and beautification of 17 major roads are nearing completion, as per the government statement. Construction of 30 pontoon bridges is underway; 28 are already operational. A total of 800 multi-language signages (Hindi, English, and other languages) are being installed to guide visitors. Over 400 have been completed, with the rest to be ready by December 31. Special provisions have been made for international visitors with multilingual signages and cultural programs showcasing India's diversity. Through these comprehensive efforts, Mahakumbh 2025 aims to be not just a religious gathering but a global celebration of spirituality, culture, safety, sustainability, and modernity. Over 2,69,000 checkered plates have been laid for pathways. Mobile toilets and robust waste management systems will ensure hygiene. Technology is being used to assist pilgrims. Among others, an AI-powered chatbot, equipped with multi-lingual capability, has been placed to assist pilgrims and visitors. This is an innovative experiment of its kind, with technology at its core. The AI chatbot will answer questions related to Kumbh in various languages. The AI chatbot is integrated with the 'Bhasini App' to give answers in various languages. The Kumbh Mela organiser has also set up a call centre to guide visitors. AI-enabled cameras are also being installed for security and amenities for visitors. The main bathing festival, known as the "Shahi Snan" (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami) when the attendees' number is likely to be highest. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took stock of the preparations recently. He toured the under-construction tent city. He emphasised the importance of making arrangements for food and other things on time considering the cold weather. The Chief Minister also highlighted that separate wards for men and women are being set up and that shift duties for personnel should be strictly followed. Additionally, he instructed that ambulance response times be minimised during emergencies. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

New Jersey Mystery Drones Caught on Video by Journalists From Fox News and More: ‘The Size of a School Bus!’Hallmark Fave Andrew Walker Goes Inside His Skincare Line and Shares Holiday Plans (VIDEO)For almost two years now, stocks that tap into the global $15.7 trillion AI revolution have surged so quickly, the media has a nickname for them: the "Magnificent Seven." But there's a problem with the "Magnificent Seven"—the dividends that they offer investors are extremely stingy, as management prefers to devote hundreds of billions of dollars towards research and development. Apple Inc. (AAPL), for instance, pays a dividend of just 0.5%. Microsoft Inc. (MSFT)'s dividend of 0.95% is well below the S&P 500 average of 1.29%. Nvidia Inc. (NVDA) pays just 0.03% dividend yield—not a typo—and Tesla Motors (TSLA) and Alphabet (GOOG) pay nothing at all. But there's a little-known way to claim much bigger quarterly payouts from the AI revolution—thanks to three companies that collect billions of dollars in "rent" from the Magnificent Seven. AI Income Machine No. 1: Prologis Inc. (PLD) Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Prologis Inc. (PLD) is a real estate investment trust that leases over 1.2 billion square feet worldwide to some of the world's biggest names, including Amazon. The company's business of leasing office and retail space to various tech firms is so lucrative, it has a profit margin of 37.4% as of Q3/2024. For context, Apple has a profit margin of 24%. Not only that, but PLD is growing earnings at a robust clip. The company grew earnings by 34.5% last quarter, and was able to raise its dividend by 10.3% in 2024. Since 2019, PLD has nearly doubled its dividend while increasing payouts every year. It now offers a 3.2% dividend yield that is more than double the S&P 500... and larger than the yields of all the "Magnificent Seven" stocks combined. AI Income Machine No. 2: Alexandria Real Estate Inc. (ARE) Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Alexandria Real Estate Inc. (ARE) is a company that leases 47 million square feet of office and retail space to companies in San Francisco, Boston, New York City, Austin, Seattle, and Washington D.C. ARE has grown operating income by 299% since 2014—and it's no accident that its rise has been strongly correlated with the tech boom that's unfolded since. ARE's string of lucrative deals in the tech sector contributed to its monster earnings growth of 592% last quarter—and helped it increase its dividend by 29% since 2019. Alexandria Real Estate pays a yield of 4.8% as of this writing, which thrashes the average company on the S&P 500 and, like PLD, is a higher yield than that of all the Magnificent Seven companies combined. [For Even More stock Picks! Benzinga Edge Black Friday Savings Start Now!] AI Income Machine No. 3: Digital Realty Trust (DLR) As AI processors continue to demand ungodly amounts of power around the world, Digital Realty trust's modular designs to accommodate advanced cooling solutions are in strong demand. DLR is a real estate investment trust that counts tech giants like Oracle, IBM, Meta, and LinkedIn among its clients—and by leasing property to these deep-pocketed titans, it has built a cash-gushing empire around the globe. In fact, DLR now has a backlog of $859 billion, as tech giants jostle to use its global data center platform. The company has grown its dividend by 15% since 2019, and offers a 2.57% yield that is highly likely to grow in the years ahead. Get the tools you need to stay ahead—daily trade setups, exclusive stock picks, and real-time alerts. Don't miss out on Benzinga Edge at 75% off. Join today for the best deal of the year! Image via Pexels © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Sign up for The Brief , The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. As leaders of the East Central Independent School District regroup from the failure of several big revenue-generating proposals on the Nov. 5 ballot, they now join a long list of Texas districts that face fewer and fewer options to support rapidly growing student growth. Across Texas, voters rejected 20 of 35 school district bond propositions put forward by 19 school districts this November — underscoring a broad skepticism about public school funding and echoing the increasing influence of state-level politics on local education decisions. It’s a befuddling problem to East Central ISD leaders, who face explosive enrollment growth, infrastructure needs and other funding woes — exacerbated in part by the Texas Legislature’s withholding of additional resources last year. The district’s enrollment, now at 11,501 students, is projected to grow to 13,215 by next year and nearly double to 25,617 within a decade. But in Texas, schools are limited in the amount of money they can collect on a local basis, with excess funds from high property values or property growth being “recaptured” by the state. If districts need more money, they have to seek voter approval to get it. East Central leaders warned before the Nov. 5 election if voters didn’t approve extra funds, they wouldn’t be able to compete with other districts in terms of teacher salaries, and that facility repairs would continue to become more expensive. Despite that urgency, voters rejected all three bond propositions and a proposed five-cent property tax rate increase , causing the district’s projected $2.4 million budget shortfall to balloon to roughly $9 million in the coming years, according to the district’s administration. “We didn’t get the result we hoped for, but we look forward to reengaging with our Facilities Committee and gathering additional feedback from the broader community,” East Central ISD Superintendent Roland Toscano said in the aftermath of the defeat. In the meantime, the district’s growth has created urgent demands for new schools and infrastructure repairs, compounded by a teacher shortage and inflationary pressures, according to district officials. With construction costs projected to rise by 10-15% annually, the district risks further financial strain if critical projects are delayed. East Central’s funding quagmire — which is playing out across the state in growing districts — highlights mounting tensions over public school funding, local control and Texas’ evolving political landscape. So what comes next? And what could this mean for education in a state with more than 5.5 million public school students ? A tougher landscape East Central leaders entered the November election clear-eyed about the challenge of getting voters on board with revenue increases. A bond proposal focused on school buildings had already failed in 2021, while a different proposal was approved the following year. Leading up to this election, Brandon Oliver, a district spokesperson, engaged with voters on Facebook leading up to the election, sharing information about the expanding district enrollment and the limited funding allotted to the district by the state, regardless of how much property growth occurred in the region. But unlike in 2022, voters weren’t convinced. Public comments on East Central ISD’s social media accounts shared concerns about the increased taxes and subpar academic outcomes as reasons they were skeptical of the bond requests. “Our kids deserve better, but will ECISD provide that?” one user identified as Cassandra Hernandez wrote in response to the election results. “I remember when I was going there. It was one of the top schools. Now it’s considered garbage, and I feel bad that my kids have to go there. I don’t think any amount of money can make ECISD better.” In response, East Central ISD has pledged to refine its proposals and engage more deeply with the community to build consensus on future initiatives. Toscano emphasized that addressing overcrowding, safety concerns and teacher retention requires urgent action. But as state politics increasingly shape the financial realities of local districts, the path forward remains fraught. Closing off other revenue streams The November election came as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has been on a mission to allow parents of private school students to take their taxpayer dollars away from public schools and use it to subsidize their tuition, books or other education expenses. Last session, that effort included withholding funding that lawmakers had approved for public schools as a means to bring them on board with his school voucher plan. The effort failed, and public schools entered the school year without money for teacher raises, mandatory school safety initiatives and other expenses. A similar deal is on the table when state lawmakers return to work in January. At the same time, buoyed by a 2023 legislative session that delivered $18 billion in property tax cuts, Abbott has signaled his intention to further curtail local taxing authorities. Speaking at a campaign event in San Antonio just days before the Nov. 5 election, Abbott said he was already working to line up support for such a plan, though he presented few details, and his office did not respond to a request for more information. “School districts, that’s where your property tax bill largely comes from,” Abbott said. “... Walking into this next session we’re going to have at least a $20 billion budget surplus. I want to work with these legislators ... and make sure we pass another huge property tax cut.” “In addition to passing that property tax cut, we’re going to do this year what we did not do last year,” he continued. “We’ve got to close the loophole that allows these taxing entities to be able to go back behind our back and raise those property taxes.” For school districts like East Central, this rhetoric — and the legislative changes it may bring — poses a possible threat to their ability to fund critical projects through bonds or tax rate increases. They’re also cut out of the benefits of local economic development efforts, because the legislature caps what they can collect from the growth in property value. At a recent meeting of the Bexar County Commissioners Court, Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai lamented the fact that a county-incentivized housing development would be a boon to the hospital district and the river authority — but less so to the schools that could use that money. “Although we increase the value [of the property]... more revenue does not automatically go dollar-for-dollar for the school district,” Sakai said. “That’s problematic because school districts don’t get the benefit that the other taxing entities get.” Public education under siege? Abbott, for his part, has insisted that public schools will get their funding next session. But skeptics of his plan see these developments as part of a broader campaign to undermine Texas public schools, which have increasingly found themselves in crosshairs of the state’s culture wars . Public school advocates, including a contingent of rural Republicans, have argued for years that allowing taxpayer money to fund private school education could siphon critical funding from public schools, limiting districts’ ability to serve growing student populations. State House Rep. Steve Allison , R-Alamo Heights, who lost his seat for voting against Abbott’s private school voucher plan, said the governor’s promises are clouded by special interests funding the school choice movement who don’t want to see public schools succeed. “You can’t escape the fact that some of the extreme interests in the voucher program, their ultimate goal is to get rid of the public education system,” he said while campaigning for the Democrat running to fill his seat, who ultimately lost to a supporter of school vouchers . At a different campaign event in San Antonio this month, Democrat Wendy Davis, who represented Fort Worth in the Texas Senate and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2014, described her personal evolution on the matter like this: “When I first started ... I believed that we were having honest disagreements with Republicans about the way that [school funding cuts] should go,” said Davis, who served on the Senate’s Education Committee. “Someone said to me, ‘You know, they are trying to dismantle public education,’ and I thought, ‘Oh, my God, that’s so cynical,'” said Davis, who served on the Senate’s Education Committee. “But I’m telling you, I believe it. I believe it in my core right now.” Disclosure: Facebook has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here .Knicks Overwhelmed By Hot-Shooting Jazz At Halftime

Catalysing climate action Recent COP29 summit underscored several emerging opportunities in global climate action The 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and a litany of commitments aimed at accelerating global climate efforts. Held in the vibrant city of Baku, this year’s summit underscored Azerbaijan’s rising profile as a key player in the global climate dialogue and spotlighted the pressing need for collaborative and innovative solutions to combat climate change. At COP29, key outcomes included strengthened carbon reduction goals, with representatives from major economies pledging to achieve more ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions. This reflects a heightened commitment to meeting the 1.5 C objective outlined in the Paris Agreement, something direly needed to deliver on the commitment. A significant development pertained to the establishment of additional funding mechanisms aimed at aiding climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in less developed countries, especially the ones prone to climate change events. These initiatives intended to tackle existing financial shortfalls and enhance resilience in regions that are most affected by climate change. COP29 also sparked the creation of new partnerships focused on innovative renewable energy initiatives, including efforts directed at cross-border solar and wind projects, as well as investments in green hydrogen technologies. It has also highlighted the necessity of global collaboration, advocating for technology transfer agreements designed to equip developing nations with crucial resources for sustainable growth. These agreements encompassed the exchange of best practices related to energy storage solutions and efficient grid management systems. The inclusion of vulnerable nations was prioritised through a deliberate effort to elevate the voices of indigenous communities and representatives from the nations most affected by relevant issues. Their contributions were fundamental to the development of policies that are both equitable and sustainable. This approach ensured that the perspectives of those who are most impacted are reflected in the decision-making process, leading to outcomes that are more inclusive and just. The recent COP29 summit underscored several emerging opportunities in global climate action. The reaffirmed commitments under the Paris Agreement serve as a testament to the summit’s achievements, with participant nations agreeing on frameworks to expedite the transition to renewable energy and contribute to an ambitious global strategy for carbon neutrality. The summit resulted in a significant increase in funding for green technologies, including pledges to enhance infrastructure for cleaner energy sources, thereby emphasising the importance of collaborative knowledge-sharing to advance technological progress. Economically, a salient message was the potential for growth through green initiatives, as COP29 facilitated investment opportunities in sustainable industries, thereby promising the creation of green jobs along with incentives for advancements in carbon capture technologies, renewable energy production, and energy efficiency. At COP29, several critical challenges were addressed that underscore the ongoing complexities of climate action. The financing gap emerged as a matter of prominent concern, with discussions revealing persistent difficulties in meeting financial commitments to developing countries. Delegates underscored the necessity for clarity in the operationalisation of the newly proposed Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to provide essential support to these nations. The alignment of national policies with international climate pledges was identified as a significant challenge, particularly for nations that remain reliant on fossil fuels. The summit highlighted the resistance encountered from certain governments and industries, emphasising the importance of accountability in these endeavors. While there was considerable enthusiasm for advanced climate technologies, less-developed regions faced considerable obstacles to their deployment, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and economic constraints. Geopolitical tensions were a notable concern, with potential disputes over natural resources and divergent priorities between developed and developing nations. Negotiators called for a stronger consensus to ensure that geopolitical issues do not hinder progress toward effective climate solutions. Experts at COP29 stressed the critical importance of strengthening global partnerships to facilitate equitable climate action. They advocated for the adoption of innovative financing strategies to bridge the existing investment gap and proposed enhanced capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering developing nations. Furthermore, they recommended the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure adherence to the commitments made during the summit. Although developed nations have made a commitment to increase their financing for developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts, the success of COP29 will be determined by the promptness by which these countries deliver on their commitments. Adaptation and mitigation efforts are dependent on the availability of concessional finance, as the vulnerable nations are in no position to free up resources needed to deal with the entirety of climate spectrum. The Baku climate summit also marked a step forward in garnering support for a fair shift to renewable energy and reform of the fossil fuel subsidies. It asked countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025 by integrating actionable plans for emission reduction and net zero pathways. The Baku summit also emphasised the need for strengthening corporate accountability through mandatory reporting on climate risks. Despite increased commitment, the real challenge that can still upset the climate agenda pertains to inadequate availability of resources. According to an estimate, funding gap to the tune of $2.4 trillion per year can hinder the efforts to achieve global climate targets. As proceedings at the Baku summit showed, the countries dependent on fossil fuel did not share clear timelines to complete the transition to renewable energy. This reluctance of these nations remains a major potential danger in the efforts to attain climate targets. While global coordination has been identified as a key for the success of climate agenda, diversity of stakeholders with differing income groups, and political agendas and goals makes coordination truly challenging. The situation is further compounded by the lack of an accountability mechanism that is capable of monitoring actions on delivering on finance-related commitments as well as the implementation of NDCs. The link between climate change and international trade flows is empirically established. Climate events such as floods, drought, and hurricanes are known to have caused supply chain disruptions, thus leading to global price hike. Linked to disruption in supply chains is changing trade patterns caused by shifts in sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and energy. Higher risks posed by extreme weather events make shipping insurance and logistics more expensive. At the same time, international trade agreements and policies have the potential to affect trade flows and foster competitiveness. For countries that rely on climate-sensitive industries, there could be reduced export potential due to changing environmental conditions caused by climate threat. The loss of economic opportunities can hike inflation, and lead to unemployment with significant implications for the economy, politics and society at large. This critique notwithstanding, the fact remains that COP29 in Baku marked a significant advancement in the global climate agenda, characterised by both progress and a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead. The summit highlighted the potential for harnessing innovation and fostering international cooperation, while also emphasizing the obstacles that must be addressed to achieve meaningful change. As the global community looks to the future, ongoing commitment and concrete action will be vital in combating climate change and securing a sustainable future for all. The writer is a trade facilitation expert, working with the federal government of Pakistan.The Sooners , best known this century for a passing prowess that has produced four Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks, took it back to the 20th century against then-No. 7 Alabama. Oklahoma ran 50 times for 257 yards while only throwing 12 times in a 24-3 win over the Crimson Tide that took coach Brent Venables off the hot seat. The Sooners more resembled Barry Switzer’s squads that dominated the old Big 8 with the wishbone offense in the 1970s and ’80s than the more recent Air Raid teams. Venables said the change was a matter of necessity for a unit that has been besieged by injuries at receiver and offensive line. “I think this staff has done a really good job with trying to figure that out, get better every week, put together a great gameplan but also figure out, ‘OK, what does this group of guys, what does this team — what do we need to do?'” Venables said. To make it work, Oklahoma needed to trust that such a change would work in the modern Southeastern Conference. They had to implement it with an interim play-caller in Joe Jon Finley, who stepped in after the Sooners fired Seth Littrell last month. Oklahoma (6-5, 2-5 SEC) pulled it off, and LSU coach Brian Kelly has taken notice ahead of their game on Saturday. “This is now much more about controlling the football, running the football, playing with physicality," Kelly said. "They've got perimeter skill, but I think it's centered around much more of a run-centric, quarterback run and take care of the football." The Sooners started to see success on the ground against Maine. They ran 52 times for 381 yards in a 59-14 win that got the wheels turning. Jovantae Barnes ran for career highs of 203 yards and three touchdowns that day. Venables said the timing of the opportunity to play that non-conference game against Maine in early November and figure some things out was perfect. “Everybody has some degree of vulnerability and maybe some self-doubt,” he said. “And just developing some confidence and putting something on tape other than practice, like, ‘Man, look, see what you’re capable of?’ And executing against, again, a well-coached team — certainly, we played off of that in all the right ways like you would expect us to. And so there’s a real place for that.” After a bye week, the Sooners tried the same approach against Missouri. It wasn't as successful — they ran 36 times for 122 yards — but they hung tough before losing 30-23 . The Sooners went all in against Alabama. Jackson Arnold — the same guy who threw 45 times in the Alamo Bowl last year, ran 25 times for 131 yards and threw just 11 passes. The Sooners found something in running back Xavier Robinson. With Barnes out with an injury, Robinson carried 18 times for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns. Suddenly, a team that had been forcing the pass and getting sacked at an alarming rate was moving the line of scrimmage and controlling the tempo. Oklahoma had the ball for more than 34 minutes against the Crimson Tide, lending support to a talented defense that had been spending way too much time on the field. The new approach could be helpful on Saturday — LSU (7-4, 4-3) ranks 14th out of 16 conference teams against the run. Venables said the Sooners still need to throw the ball well to win, but he's glad to know his squad can run with force when necessary. “I think that’s the art of having a system that’s adjustable, flexible, adaptable, week in and week out, but also has an identity — toughness, physicality," he said. "You’ve got to be able to run the ball at every level of football, but you do have to throw it. You can’t just do one thing. But we need to be efficient.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns

Catalysing climate action Recent COP29 summit underscored several emerging opportunities in global climate action The 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and a litany of commitments aimed at accelerating global climate efforts. Held in the vibrant city of Baku, this year’s summit underscored Azerbaijan’s rising profile as a key player in the global climate dialogue and spotlighted the pressing need for collaborative and innovative solutions to combat climate change. At COP29, key outcomes included strengthened carbon reduction goals, with representatives from major economies pledging to achieve more ambitious targets for reducing carbon emissions. This reflects a heightened commitment to meeting the 1.5 C objective outlined in the Paris Agreement, something direly needed to deliver on the commitment. A significant development pertained to the establishment of additional funding mechanisms aimed at aiding climate adaptation and mitigation efforts in less developed countries, especially the ones prone to climate change events. These initiatives intended to tackle existing financial shortfalls and enhance resilience in regions that are most affected by climate change. COP29 also sparked the creation of new partnerships focused on innovative renewable energy initiatives, including efforts directed at cross-border solar and wind projects, as well as investments in green hydrogen technologies. It has also highlighted the necessity of global collaboration, advocating for technology transfer agreements designed to equip developing nations with crucial resources for sustainable growth. These agreements encompassed the exchange of best practices related to energy storage solutions and efficient grid management systems. The inclusion of vulnerable nations was prioritised through a deliberate effort to elevate the voices of indigenous communities and representatives from the nations most affected by relevant issues. Their contributions were fundamental to the development of policies that are both equitable and sustainable. This approach ensured that the perspectives of those who are most impacted are reflected in the decision-making process, leading to outcomes that are more inclusive and just. The recent COP29 summit underscored several emerging opportunities in global climate action. The reaffirmed commitments under the Paris Agreement serve as a testament to the summit’s achievements, with participant nations agreeing on frameworks to expedite the transition to renewable energy and contribute to an ambitious global strategy for carbon neutrality. The summit resulted in a significant increase in funding for green technologies, including pledges to enhance infrastructure for cleaner energy sources, thereby emphasising the importance of collaborative knowledge-sharing to advance technological progress. Economically, a salient message was the potential for growth through green initiatives, as COP29 facilitated investment opportunities in sustainable industries, thereby promising the creation of green jobs along with incentives for advancements in carbon capture technologies, renewable energy production, and energy efficiency. At COP29, several critical challenges were addressed that underscore the ongoing complexities of climate action. The financing gap emerged as a matter of prominent concern, with discussions revealing persistent difficulties in meeting financial commitments to developing countries. Delegates underscored the necessity for clarity in the operationalisation of the newly proposed Loss and Damage Fund, which aims to provide essential support to these nations. The alignment of national policies with international climate pledges was identified as a significant challenge, particularly for nations that remain reliant on fossil fuels. The summit highlighted the resistance encountered from certain governments and industries, emphasising the importance of accountability in these endeavors. While there was considerable enthusiasm for advanced climate technologies, less-developed regions faced considerable obstacles to their deployment, largely due to inadequate infrastructure and economic constraints. Geopolitical tensions were a notable concern, with potential disputes over natural resources and divergent priorities between developed and developing nations. Negotiators called for a stronger consensus to ensure that geopolitical issues do not hinder progress toward effective climate solutions. Experts at COP29 stressed the critical importance of strengthening global partnerships to facilitate equitable climate action. They advocated for the adoption of innovative financing strategies to bridge the existing investment gap and proposed enhanced capacity-building initiatives aimed at empowering developing nations. Furthermore, they recommended the establishment of monitoring mechanisms to ensure adherence to the commitments made during the summit. Although developed nations have made a commitment to increase their financing for developing countries in their mitigation and adaptation efforts, the success of COP29 will be determined by the promptness by which these countries deliver on their commitments. Adaptation and mitigation efforts are dependent on the availability of concessional finance, as the vulnerable nations are in no position to free up resources needed to deal with the entirety of climate spectrum. The Baku climate summit also marked a step forward in garnering support for a fair shift to renewable energy and reform of the fossil fuel subsidies. It asked countries to update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2025 by integrating actionable plans for emission reduction and net zero pathways. The Baku summit also emphasised the need for strengthening corporate accountability through mandatory reporting on climate risks. Despite increased commitment, the real challenge that can still upset the climate agenda pertains to inadequate availability of resources. According to an estimate, funding gap to the tune of $2.4 trillion per year can hinder the efforts to achieve global climate targets. As proceedings at the Baku summit showed, the countries dependent on fossil fuel did not share clear timelines to complete the transition to renewable energy. This reluctance of these nations remains a major potential danger in the efforts to attain climate targets. While global coordination has been identified as a key for the success of climate agenda, diversity of stakeholders with differing income groups, and political agendas and goals makes coordination truly challenging. The situation is further compounded by the lack of an accountability mechanism that is capable of monitoring actions on delivering on finance-related commitments as well as the implementation of NDCs. The link between climate change and international trade flows is empirically established. Climate events such as floods, drought, and hurricanes are known to have caused supply chain disruptions, thus leading to global price hike. Linked to disruption in supply chains is changing trade patterns caused by shifts in sectors such as fisheries, agriculture and energy. Higher risks posed by extreme weather events make shipping insurance and logistics more expensive. At the same time, international trade agreements and policies have the potential to affect trade flows and foster competitiveness. For countries that rely on climate-sensitive industries, there could be reduced export potential due to changing environmental conditions caused by climate threat. The loss of economic opportunities can hike inflation, and lead to unemployment with significant implications for the economy, politics and society at large. This critique notwithstanding, the fact remains that COP29 in Baku marked a significant advancement in the global climate agenda, characterised by both progress and a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead. The summit highlighted the potential for harnessing innovation and fostering international cooperation, while also emphasizing the obstacles that must be addressed to achieve meaningful change. As the global community looks to the future, ongoing commitment and concrete action will be vital in combating climate change and securing a sustainable future for all. The writer is a trade facilitation expert, working with the federal government of Pakistan.

Watchdog finds FBI missteps before Jan. 6 riot, but no undercover agents were present