Unraveling cultural beliefs around money can lead to better financial wellness.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski took questions from reporters on Friday regarding hosting Dolphins, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Dustin Hopkins, and more. Below is the transcript as provided by the Browns media relations department: More Cleveland Browns coverage Myles Garrett still working through Browns offseason plans and Dustin Hopkins will kick: Berea Report (Video) Browns restructure Deshaun Watson’s contract to ensure he’ll be here through at least ‘26; provides cap flexibility once it expires A look back at our favorite Browns photos from 2024 Week 17 NFL Preview: Find everything you need to know with our Week 17 NFL preview. Opening Statement: “Okay, great challenge this week. Unique challenge this week with this group; the things that they do on the offensive side of the ball with the pre-snap motion and the speed. Defensively, I think they do a great job in a variety of ways, but they are big and long up front with great length. They’ve got great movement, a bunch of different things they can throw at you. It’s a good special teams group, coached really well. So, a group that certainly we respect and then we have to go play our best brand of football to go find a way to win in front of our fans. We’re excited for the opportunity to go play one last time down there on the lake in front of our fans. But with that, I’ll take any questions.” Was Ogbo (Okoronkwo) hurt against the (Cincinnati) Bengals? “Yes.” With Jameis (Winston) as questionable, if he’s okay will he be the number two? “Yes. If he’s okay, yeah. Still working through that.” Who will be your kicker Sunday? “Dustin (Hopkins).” Why go with him after giving him the week off when you had the practice squad kicker a couple weeks ago? “Yeah, I think regardless of if we have a practice squad kicker on the roster or not, really just he’s our kicker. Like I’ve told you guys, he’s going to continue to work through this like he does, like any player works through technique things. He’s working very hard, and he kicked it really well today. I expect him to kick it really well on Sunday.” With the three guys who are out, will you have to use IR to bring anybody up? “I don’t believe so.” With Dustin, it seemed like the bye week, with him sitting out, you thought that he was pretty confident that he was going to get back to form and just didn’t happen. “I think with any position, doesn’t matter if it’s kicker, if it’s offensive line, linebacker, you’re constantly working on your technique. That’s no different here with a veteran that working on his craft, getting that swing grooved. Obviously, it didn’t hit the ball how he wanted to the other day, but he continues to work at it and like I told him, we’ll support him, and we’ll work through it together.” I know he doesn’t have a game status, but how did Dorian (Thompson-Robinson) come through with the calf and everything and how has he looked the last three days? “Yeah, has looked good.” We don’t always see this kind of patience with kickers. So where does your, obviously he had that great year last year so that’s probably part of it, but where does that belief in Dustin come from? “Yeah, demonstrated ability. He’s a veteran. I’ve seen him do it for us, I’ve seen him do it in his career. Like a lot of kickers, sometimes you got to go through it a little bit but doesn’t change how hard he’s working to get through this. But, yeah, veteran guy who’s seen a lot in his career.” What can you guys do this week to kind of make Dorian’s life a little easier so he can get into the flow of the game a little faster than he did last week? “Yeah, I think it’s more incumbent on the team to start fast. Obviously, that helps your quarterback when you can put some points on the board early in a game and not put yourself in a hole early. I think that certainly contributes to how you play as an offense.” He’s really got the ability to pull it and go on those RPOs. What did you think of his decisions on that last week and what does that give you guys going forward? “Yeah, it’s a real threat when you have that quarterback back there. Kevin Rogers, our coach here, always says when the quarterback hands it off, that’s now 11-on-10 if you don’t have a real viable guy. With Dorian, it’s really an 11-on-11 football, they have to account for him, really, in all those run schemes. And that’s like a lot of quarterbacks in this league. I think you’re seeing guys that are very viable threats in the run game, and it certainly contributes to run game success.” I know you’re on this year, and Joel (Bitonio) said he’s not thinking about next year, but regardless of what happens, what has he just meant to this building to you these last five years? “Yeah, obviously I wasn’t here for the beginning part of his career, but just seeing him these last five seasons, first of all, I’ll talk about the person first. Just an amazing person, a guy I rely on a ton when talking about things that have to do with this football team. And just the way he leads, I’m always leaning on him. The player, looks like a Hall of Fame career to me. I’m hoping he’s these not his last few games. I think he’s got a lot left in the tank, and I say that just this is a really, really good football player and I’ve seen some really good ones. He’s right up there.” Is he like Steve Hutchinson or were they different players? “They’re different players. Steve was much more of the gap scheme, downhill ‘mauler.’ And I think Joel’s just so athletic, the things that he’s been able to do over the course of his career. He never gets in a bad spot. He’s always moving his guy and has recoverability to get to the second level. But he’s an incredible athlete.” Tua (Tagovailoa) is one of the better quarterbacks in the league against pressure. What do you see when you watch him on film in terms of that helps him kind of handle the pressure? “I’d say the ball comes out so fast. I think that’s what helps the pressure. You can blitz him and sometimes you get there, sometimes that ball’s whistling out of there because that’s just how fast they play. And he makes really, really quick decisions, and he has a very, very quick release.” How much pressure does that put on your secondary when he’s getting it out so fast and there isn’t a lot of time to send that pressure? “Yeah, I think certainly this scheme puts pressure on every part of your defense. It’s not just the secondary. I think everybody contributes to trying to slow this group down. I think they do a great job getting the ball in the perimeter in a variety of ways, run game, screen game, you name it. Then they do a really good job working the middle of the field as well.” Where was Ced (Cedric Tillman) at in the protocol and does it at this point, since he’s out this game, make sense just to shut him down for the rest of the year? “I’m not going there. I’m really just focused on where he is right now and he’s continuing to progress.” How do you coach up Dorian to still be aggressive and use all of his skills, but also try to stay interception free this game? “Sure, I mean, I think it goes back to, Mary Kay (Cabot), being smart and aggressive. You don’t want to just be conservative for the sake of being conservative. But you have to understand how important the ball is in these games; how important possession is in these games. So still continue to play his style, make sure he’s doing everything in his power to move the football for our football team and score points, but at the same time not letting them get their hands on it.” Without Dave (David Njoku) and Ced, who do you need to step up for Dorian in this game? “I think it’s always a group effort in that regard, Mary Kay (Cabot). I think we really trust our group. We trust the receivers; we trust the tight ends that we have up. We got a good group of running backs up, so the quarterback has to deliver the ball based on what the coverage is dictating, and we trust the guys that the ball is going to.” Kevin, I saw that Mike (McDaniel) said that Anthony Walker’s not going to play Sunday. For you, obviously, knowing Anthony from this time of year, disappointing not to get to... “Is he injured? I didn’t know that.” He’s hurt. “Got it. Okay, a guy I think very highly of. I’m regretting letting him sit in all those quarterback meetings over the years. He’s popped in there and sat in there for many meetings, and I’m regretting that fact. But he’s one of my favorites. Just a quintessential pro. He’s the guy in the middle of the defense, he’s the guy in the middle of the locker room, just at the center of everything. I think he’s made plays when he’s out there on the football field, but just the impact that he has in the building has been pretty incredible.” When guys are like that, Kevin, I mean, I understand he’s a son of a coach. Are they generally always that way, or do guys kind of, as they get in a pro routine, do they kind of grow into that? “I think the son of a coach certainly has a lot to do with it, and Anthony has talked a lot about that, but he’s a gym rat. He loves the game. And again, just his thirst for knowledge, you can ask quarterbacks, he would pop in there and sit in there and just listen. Not really ask questions, but just hear what was being talked about. He’s a cerebral player. You so often hear quarterbacks being talked about being cerebral. When you’re the middle linebacker and you’re in the nerve center, you have to be cerebral, and he certainly is.” Football Insider newsletter free trial: Take a minute and sign up for a free trial of our Football Insider newsletter, featuring exclusive content from cleveland.com's Browns reporters.
CHICAGO (AP) — As Donald Trump’s Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elect’s second term . Trump’s cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century. In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn't plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying “things change.” “Things do change, but I don't think it's going to change at all,” he said. The early lineup of his new administration , including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed — but generally positive — reactions from anti-abortion groups. Abortion law experts said Trump's decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump's administration. “It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions," said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund , said while many of the nominees have “extensive records against reproductive health care,” some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump's initial cabinet selections. Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They're concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding. After Trump’s ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, "there’s still a lot we don’t know about what policy is going to look like," said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced. Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign. In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability , which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said “every abortion is a tragedy” and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back. The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Biden’s administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone. Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an “unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.” His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence , a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedy’s nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy. “There’s no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary," she said. Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trump’s pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air. Russell Vought , a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025 , a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUD’s. Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025. Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying “Many of those things I happen to agree with.” “These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted,” said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All. Dr. Mehmet Oz , Trump’s choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022. Oz has described himself as “strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade , claimed “life starts at conception” and referred to abortion as “murder.” But he also has echoed Trump’s states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions. “I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that’s always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves,” he said during a Senate debate two years ago. An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations. As Florida’s attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now she’s Trump’s choice for attorney general . Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act , an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion. An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country. Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. “This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with," said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life. ___ The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content. Christine Fernando, The Associated PressDanette Mitchell: The FBI is long overdue for some serious reformGroundbreaking broadcaster Greg Gumbel, 78, diesNaheed Nenshi finding his feet leading an Alberta NDP still under construction
Has there ever been a more eagerly-anticipated League of Ireland campaign? We head into 2025 knowing for certain that history will be made on a number of fronts, and believing the record books can be rewritten elsewhere too. For the first time since the birth of European club football, an Irish outfit is still involved post-Christmas, with Shamrock Rovers set for a February Europa Conference League knockout clash with Molde. READ MORE: Damien Duff's decision not to impose 'ridiculous' booze ban is reaping rewards READ MORE: The good, the bad and the ugly of Ireland's international year Despite their 2022 home and away defeats to the Norwegians, the Hoops will fancy their chances of making the last-16 and adding to their unprecedented €6.5m earnings to date. In between the away and home legs, Rovers will be involved in another big first for the League of Ireland - a Dublin derby against Bohemians at the Aviva Stadium. Interest in that one is expected to be huge, with the two cross-city rivals kicking off their campaigns in a fixture unparalleled in the Irish game. That game, taking place in a 50,000-capacity stadium, could be the perfect platform to set more records in 2025. The 2024 season saw attendances at games involving League of Ireland clubs hit one million-plus for the first time ever. In total, 1,001,630 fans walked through turnstiles up and down the land to watch games in the men's Premier Division and First Division, women’s Premier Division, men's and women's FAI Cups, the All-Island Cup and in Europe. The pressure is now on to beat that number and keep the interest in the game here growing. If all goes to plan, 2025 will be the last season for the historic Dalymount Park as we know it. That fact alone should be enough to guarantee full houses every other weekend. It is expected that redevelopment work will begin in 2026, with Bohs moving to a temporary home while their new 8,000-capacity UEFA Category Three stadium is built. The Dalymount project was the biggest recipient of money in a historically generous Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) handout to League of Ireland sides in November. The €24.7m awarded to the Phibsborough redevelopment dwarfed the massive €16.4m given to Sligo Rovers for their own ambitious stadium plans, while Wexford received €2m. Millwall were the latest club to take a close look at Stephen Bradley’s remarkably successful spell as Shamrock Rovers manager - and it’s only a matter of time before the Hoops are on the lookout for a new manager. Our prediction is that a different man will be in the dugout by the end of 2025. Bradley has achieved everything in the Irish game, winning four Premier Divisions and an FAI Cup. He is the first manager to qualify for two European group stage campaigns and to lead a club into the new year knockout rounds. “I have had a number of approaches over the last 18 months from clubs, but I have also made it very clear that my son has been battling cancer and that’s my number one priority and has been,” said Bradley last week when quizzed on the Millwall interest. He added that brave Josh was “nearly finished” his three years of treatment. As for their next manager? We could see former midfielder Stephen Rice - with Premier League (Crystal Palace) and international (Ireland) coaching experience - fitting into the role. First off, the biggest lesson to take from 2024 should be - write off Damien Duff at your peril. Right from when he first took the Shelbourne job, folk were suggesting that he wouldn’t last the course. Three seasons later, he delivered the biggest prize in Irish football. Even on their way to glory, predictions that they would fall away were plentiful, but when it came to the crunch they delivered. With five minutes to go on the final night, Shamrock Rovers were on course for a historic five-in-a-row, but up popped Harry Wood with a title-clinching goal at the Ryan McBride Brandywell. 2025 will be even tougher for Duffer and his players. Derry City are under new management, with Tiarnan Lynch coming in after winning two NIFL Premierships with Larne, and securing a first ever European group/league phase qualification for a Northern Irish side. Rovers are on a mission to reclaim their crown and St Patrick’s Athletic are on the ascendancy under Stephen Kenny. If last year’s title race was tight, 2025 could deliver an even tenser finale. Shelbourne are going through something of a title drought in the women’s game, with Peamount United and current champions Athlone Town claiming League of Ireland gold in the last two seasons. Their FAI Cup crushing of Athlone, who subsequently lost manager Ciaran Kilduff, may well be a sign of things to come as Eoin Wearen’s side aim for a return to the top. Premier Division: St Patrick’s Athletic FAI Cup: Shamrock Rovers European qualification: Shelbourne and Derry City Relegation: Cork City Women’s Premier Division: Shelbourne Women’s FAI Cup: Galway United Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts .Student marches, traffic blockades in Serbia as protests persist over concrete canopy fall
Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next
U.S. stocks lower at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.31%Patrons dress up like ‘literary giants’, present iconic work as they would have
Medical marijuana operators ready to light upStockTune Expands Free Stock Music Collections with New Tunes for Download
Nigel Farage threatens legal action over ‘fake’ Reform membership rowAnother View: Trump’s pick for education shows he understands the assignment
Dollar gains amid escalating geopolitical tensions
Devlin DeFrancesco returns full time to NTT IndyCar SeriesThe Ministry of Finance this week commenced the distribution of the $100,000 cash grant to public servants, including teachers. However, some centres encountered some level of confusion, with persons complaining of having to wait for hours and in uncomfortable environments to collect their cheques. In fact, in some cases, persons were turned away without receiving their cheques. On Friday, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo explained that some persons who showed up to collect their cheques were not yet verified to do so. As such, he said better systems will be in place to avoid a recurrence. “I saw the situation with some public servants and teachers and it should have never happened. We need to – in the Ministries, [find] better ways of communicating with people...We have spoken to the Ministry of Finance for a better way to manage,” he said during his weekly press conference. He explained one scenario to be looked at, noting that “if you have teachers coming from different spaces, etc., and accumulating at a single spot, it leads to confusion at that spot, you could’ve done it in a more dispersed fashion.” According to the Vice President, 366,473 persons have been registered countrywide while over 245,000 cheques have been printed and about 100,000 delivered. He noted that 78% of the registered persons in Region One have received their grants, over 90% in Region Nine, 70% in Region Eight and 90% in the public sector. The process in Region Seven has recently commenced while pensioners will receive their cheques starting from Monday, December 30, 2024. Meanwhile, Jagdeo assured registered persons who may be out of the jurisdiction at the time of distribution, that systems will be put in place for them to receive their money. The Vice President noted that the first tranche of the distribution will be completed by February. Following the passage of the 2025 National Budget, other people across the country will receive the one-off cash grant.
Deficit soars as Biden heads out the doorThis Property Owner's Stock Has Defied High Rates and Hybrid Workplaces
Activist investor Barington Capital Group is calling on department store retailer Macy’s to develop an internal real estate subsidiary, reduce capital expenditures, and explore strategic options for its Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury chains among other changes to boost its slumping stock, according to its proposal made public Monday. The presentation to Macy’s shareholders comes after Barington Capital, which has stakes in such brands as Victoria’s Secret, Hanes and Dillard’s, has built an undisclosed stake in Macy’s. Barington said it has partnered with property owner Thor Equities. They said that Macy’s shares are undervalued, and that its real estate, including its Macy’s flagship at Herald Square, is worth between $5 billion and $9 billion. They believe Macy’s should create a separate real estate unit to collect market rents from Macy’s retail operations and pursue other asset sale and redevelopment opportunities. Macy’s shares fell 4% in morning trading, and they have fallen 12% so far this year and closed on Friday at $16.43. The company is expected to report its fiscal third quarter earnings Wednesday after it announced it is delaying its full quarterly results after it discovered an employee intentionally hid up to $154 million of expenses over several years. As part of the proposals, Barington and Thor are urging Macy’s to cut capital expenditures to between 1.5%to 2% of total sales from the current 4% and repurchase at least $2 billion to $3 billion in stock over the next three years. | Such changes could lead to a 150% to 200% total return for Macy’s stockholders over the next three years, they said. “We seek to be value-added stockholders at Macy’s that can bring fresh perspectives to the company, especially in the areas of capital allocation, merchandising and retail, and real estate,” said Joseph Sitt, chairman of Thor, and James Mitarotonda, chairman of Barington, in a joint statement. Barington said in the presentation that Macy’s should look at publicly traded Dillard’s as an example of how to prudently cut expenses and deliver strong returns to shareholders. Dillard’s shares are up 10% since the beginning of the year. Macy’s has had to confront other activist shareholders looking to make changes as the company struggles with sluggish sales and increased competition from discounters and online behemoth Amazon. In July, it cut off monthslong buyout talks with two investment firms, saying the bid was inadequate and the financing was not certain. Macy’s said those bidders, Arkhouse Management and Brigade Capital Management, failed to provide it with additional information by its June 25 deadline, including the highest price they would be willing to pay. In April, Macy’s named two independent directors to its board backed by Arkhouse, ending a fight to replace most of the board and to acquire the chain. Macy’s CEO Tony Spring took the helm Feb. 4 and then later that month he announced a plan to close 150 stores . It also announced plans to upgrade 350 stores, with plans to add more salespeople to fitting areas and shoe departments, while adding more visual displays like mannequins. The Macy’s stores targeted for closure accounted for 25% of overall square footage but less than 10% of its sales, the company had said. In a statement, Macy’s said that its board and management team are committed to “delivering sustainable, profitable growth and driving shareholder value.” “We have consistently demonstrated open-mindedness, including with respect to regularly reviewing the company’s strategy and capital allocation framework and exploring all paths to enhance value,” the company said Monday. It said it remained confident in its new strategy to cut stores and to upgrade others and expects to share full details of its progress on Wednesday. It also said it looks forward to engaging with its shareholders including Barington and Thor, as it further advances its initiatives and execute toward its long-term goals. —Anne D’Innocenzio, AP retail writer The extended deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is this Friday, December 13, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift. His presidential transition team did not respond to questions about positions on visas for highly skilled workers or the debate between his supporters online. Instead, his team instead sent a link to a post on X by longtime adviser and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller that was a transcript of a speech Trump gave in 2020 at Mount Rushmore in which he praised figures and moments from American history. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.It’s fitting to look at PYMNTS’ Provider Ranking of Travel Apps , considering this week is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Each month, PYMNTS determines the most popular apps in the travel sector based on the number of downloads and average users, as well as other metrics. The best travel apps provide various functions that elevate the travel experience, from planning and booking to navigating and managing itineraries. They streamline the travel process by simplifying planning, reducing costs and enhancing the overall experience through convenient features tailored for modern travelers. Check out which travel apps made our Top 10. The Top 6 No. 1 is Expedia , scoring 91 points. Expedia launched shoppable storefronts in September. The program enables social media influencers and brands to share travel recommendations through the Expedia app. The new Travel Shops feature streamlines the process, allowing users to transition from travel inspiration on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to booking travel experiences. The company’s flagship app now has artificial intelligence -powered tools, including Romie , an intelligent travel assistant that can join group chats to offer personalized recommendations and real-time support. Other additions include a personalized itinerary builder, AI-generated review summaries and improved destination comparison tools. These enhancements have contributed to a nearly 10% increase in global app downloads and a 3 percentage point rise in bookings made through the app. The travel giant also expanded its One Key loyalty program, introducing member-only discounts on its Vrbo vacation marketplace and increasing airline redemption options. The focus on personalization and digital engagement has yielded positive results, with One Key membership growing 7% year over year globally. Expedia’s use of AI extends beyond customer-facing features, encompassing fraud prevention and optimized distribution for hoteliers. TripAdvisor Upgrades With AI There is a three-way tie for second among Hotels.com , Airbnb and TripAdvisor , each registering 86 points. Last year, TripAdvisor unveiled a series of updates to its mobile platform , using AI to enhance user experience and streamline travel planning. The company’s flagship AI trip planner helped users generate about 15 times more revenue than the platform-wide average. Other AI-driven features include intelligent review summaries and personalized recommendations. In addition to its AI initiatives, TripAdvisor integrated direct hotel booking capabilities, offering users a more comprehensive and seamless travel preparation experience. There is a two-way tie for No. 5 between Booking.com and Sky Scanner , each recording 76 points. Nos. 7-10 Checking in at No. 7 with 73 points is Vrbo . Part of The Expedia Group , Vrbo, the company’s vacation rental platform, has seen improvements to its app . It’s faster, and there are new features designed to make shopping for vacation homes more seamless. It also added 1 million new listings, mostly in urban areas, transferred from Expedia’s brand to diversify its offerings. No. 8 is Kayak , with 70 points. No. 9 is Hopper , scoring 68 points. Rounding out the Top 10 is GetYourGuide with 67 points.LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Broncos are 0-4 in Las Vegas, but in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions, Denver has more at stake than trying to end a series skid. A victory over the Raiders puts the Broncos that much closer to an unexpected playoff berth, playing with a rookie quarterback and just a year after they went 8-9. The Broncos are 6-5 and coming off a 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons , and would be in the playoff field if the season ended entering Week 12. Not bad for a team given a win total of 5 1/2 games at BetMGM Sportsbook. “Everyone understands the significance of where we are at this point in the season,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. The situation is quite different for the Raiders. They are 2-8, on a six-game losing streak and decimated by injuries. Las Vegas could enter this game without its top two running backs and a reshuffled line on offense, and defensively, the Raiders could have two linemen, three cornerbacks and a safety out of action. “Just been having some bad breaks, but nobody feels sorry for us,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. "Nobody feels sorry for me. You’ve got to roll out there with 11 players, and that’s what we’re going to do come Sunday.” The Raiders are badly in a need of a franchise quarterback and are in a logjam for the top pick in next year's NFL draft. Denver showed with this year's draft how valuable landing such a QB can be to an organization. Bo Nix was selected 12th — one spot ahead of the Raiders — and he is pushing for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was this week's top AFC player and rookie after completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns in the rout of the Falcons. “I think as we’ve gone on, Coach (Sean Payton) and I have found a good rhythm of what we both like, what we can kind of put out there on the field and what we can execute," Nix said. "Then the guys have kind of adapted to it, found our roles within the offense and executed at a high level. It’s just all about slowing the game down and processing things in a manner that you can handle.” Raiders tight end Brock Bowers also could have a say in who wins the season's top offensive rookie award. He is second in the NFL with 70 catches and his 706 yards receiving is 10th among all receivers. His numbers from a historical perspective are even more impressive. Bowers, the 13th pick in this year's draft , is fourth all time among all tight ends in catches through the first 11 weeks and he and Jeremy Shockey in 2002 are the only rookies at that position to have more than one game with at least 10 receptions. “This week's a brand new week,” Bowers said. “I've always got something to prove.” Payton still isn't entirely comfortable splitting carries between running backs Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin and rookie Audric Estime. Asked how he determines the right balance in his rotation, Payton said, “That's the $6 million question. It’s difficult. We know kind of what we have with those three players. I think it’s always hard to feed three. "I'm used to — and it’s easy — to feed two. So we kind of do that a little bit. I thought Javonte had some really good runs (last week). Certainly the game ends and we’re like, ‘Gosh, we have to get Jaleel more touches.’ So it’s a tough, but a good problem to have.” With injuries to running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps), 10-year veteran Ameer Abdullah could get the start for the Raiders this weekend. He has just 17 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown this season and started just one game his previous six seasons. “I see myself as a starter,” Abdullah said. “I think every guy in the room does. I consider myself the best back on this team just like every back does. This is my opportunity to go out there and put my best foot forward.” Patrick Surtain II had a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for 100 yards and a touchdown, in the team's first meeting this season and that fueled the Broncos' 34-18 win in Denver . Both of the passes were intended for Bowers, who caught a 57-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Surtain isn't expecting the Raiders to avoid him Sunday, however. “You don't want to go into a game thinking they're not gonna throw it your way,” Surtain said, “because it's the pros at the end of the day, everybody's ready, everybody's capable.” AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Stapleton in Englewood, Colorado, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflCelebrating EVDANCE's 5th Anniversary & Christmas Specials!
PHILADELPHIA – Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Recommended Videos Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
