EIDSON — Clinch School students, board members and school officials broke ground Friday for the school’s new Career and Technical Education building. The building is expected to be in service by next school year, and will provide education on welding, machine tools and industrial maintenance, CTE Supervisor Brandon Williams said. The school already offers engineering, teaching as a profession and BioSTEM. Before going outside, school officials addressed those in attendance. “We’re celebrating a commitment to your futures,” Williams said to the students attending the ceremony, “And I want you to know in this room, the community and the region and across the state, you are surrounded by individuals and organizations that want nothing but the best for your future. They want nothing but to give you the knowledge and the skills that will allow you to set yourself on the path of success.” Clinch School Principal Jason Roach, who is also a county commissioner, said along with the new Clinch CTE building, Cherokee and Volunteer High Schools will be receiving additions to their CTE programs. Debbie Shedden, board of education vice chairman, said people retiring has left a “huge hole” in the workforce. By giving Hawkins students technical education, they will be equipped to go out in the workforce and fill that hole. “It’s a win for our students, it’s a win for our school system and it’s a win for our entire area in that we’re going to be pushing skilled labor throughout and into our workforce,” Sheddon said. The project is funded in part by $2 million from the board of education and $2 million from the Hawkins County Commission, Director of Schools Matt Hixson said. An Innovative Schools grant from the state also helped fund the CTE expansion. Hixson thanked people present for showing interest and being involved in the project, including commissioners, school board members and Charles Johnson, Tennessee College of Applied Technology administrator at Phipps Bend. “We’re not looking to replace any of those facilities or programs [at Phipps Bend],” Hixson said. “We’re looking to add and enhance what’s already going on with those partnerships.” After everyone spoke, they migrated out of the gym to behind the school. Donning hard hats, ten students and school officials broke the ground for the new Clinch School CTE building. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter TodayThe Detroit Lions held a three-score lead over the Indianapolis Colts with roughly four minutes left in Sunday’s game at Lucas Oil Stadium. At that moment, chants of “Jared Goff” — a phenomenon that began during last season’s Wild Card game at Ford Field — echoed throughout the building. With the Colts’ stadium roughly a four-hour, 290-mile drive from Detroit, it was an easy trip for Lions fans, who have traveled in droves since last season’s success. Once again, they hit the road to serve as the 12th man in another team’s house.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sherrie Smyth had a feeling something was wrong. For several months, she suffered shortness of breath. After her cardiologist found nothing unusual, she tried an allergist. “I was 57, and the allergist told me I had adult-onset asthma,” said Smyth, a Miami mother of a teenager. Although she accepted an inhaler, she also requested an X-ray of her chest. When the results showed an abnormality in her right lung, the allergist prescribed antibiotics. Still short of breath, she went to a pulmonologist and learned through a CT scan that the abnormality was a large mass. An immediate full-body PET Scan showed she had stage 4, inoperable lung cancer that had spread to her adrenal glands and brain. “I am a big believer in early screening and advocating for yourself,” Smyth said. “If I had stopped at adult-onset asthma, I would be dead.” Floridians are at high risk for lung cancer, and many are waiting too long to get screened. The 2024 American Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report, released on Nov. 19, reveals that lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in Florida. The more localized state report shows only a quarter of Floridians with lung cancer get diagnosed early, which lowers their five-year survival rate. “With lung cancer, the symptoms can be masked as a common cold,” said Ashley Lyerly, Senior Advocacy Director at the American Lung Association. “That’s why we need to increase screenings, to find it early.” Miami oncologist Dr. Estelamari Rodriguez says several factors contribute to Florida’s lung cancer toll: The population is older, the screening rate is low, and people relocate to the state from countries where smoking is prevalent. Florida’s large Hispanic population may be a factor, too. “Nationally, the lung cancer rates for Hispanics are highest of the ethnic groups,” said Rodriguez, a thoracic medical oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami. Hispanics also are less likely to receive treatment. “Maybe it’s insurance problems or stigma, but they are less likely to seek care.” Getting screened is getting easier Lung cancer diagnosis usually starts with an imaging test called a low-dose CT scan to look at the lungs. The report shows that only about 15% of at-risk people get screened in Florida. According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the five-year survival rate for lung cancer is 64% when the cancer is detected early, but only 9% for late-stage lung cancer. Early treatment often is surgery to remove the cancer in the lung before it spreads. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for lung cancer. Although adult smoking rates in Florida are 11%, slightly below the national average, youth vaping in Florida has increased over the past few years, according to Tobacco Free Florida. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines recommend annual lung cancer screening for anyone 50 to 80 years old who has a heavy smoking history, currently smokes or has quit within the past 15 years. Other risks are a family history of lung cancer or radon exposure. Lately, researchers have seen an alarming increase in the number of women ages 55 and younger being diagnosed with lung cancer, and no one yet knows why. Rodriguez doesn’t understand why more people are willing to do a colonoscopy for colon cancer than a CT scan for lung cancer, which is a much simpler test. “People are presenting to me with advanced disease,” said Rodriguez at Sylvester Cancer Insitute. “Maybe they don’t recognize the symptoms, which are shortness of breath, back pain, and cough.” Some Florida hospitals, such as Moffitt Cancer Center in Pasco County, are entering communities with new mobile lung screening units. And UHealth’s Sylvester is allowing anyone at risk to schedule a CT scan without seeing a physician first. Across the state, a coalition of health organizations is offering eligible primary-care patients the FirstLook Lung blood test to aid in early detection. If the test returns “Elevated,” the individual gets referred for a CT scan. New treatments for lung cancer In an advancement, Florida oncologists are using biomarker testing to create a personalized treatment plan with fewer side effects. A new Florida law requires Medicaid and state employee health insurance plans to cover biomarker testing. Smyth said the specialists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer performed biomarker testing and developed her treatment plan of chemotherapy and immunotherapy. The four-drug therapy included medications new to the market. Smyth will receive the last of her 24 treatments on Dec. 12, 20 months after her first infusion. “I am a strong individual, and I have maintained a completely normal existence,” Smyth said. “After my last scan, my doctor told me there is no evidence of disease.” Smyth wants others to get screened and, if necessary, treated for lung cancer. The new Florida research shows the state is above the national average for people diagnosed who don’t get treatment. “It is no longer a death sentence to be told you have cancer,” she said. “There are so many treatments.” Florida hospitals are using robots At Delray Medical Center, after a lung nodule shows up on a CT scan, specialists use a robot to biopsy it, regardless of its size or location within the lobe. Even a nodule the size of a Cheerio can be biopsied. They can also use a specialized scope to learn whether the lung cancer has spread to the lymph nodes. “With this advanced biopsy procedure, we are able to diagnose patients earlier to get them to treatment faster,” said Dr. Stephen Milan, an advanced bronchoscopist and pulmonologist at Delray Medical Center. At Baptist Health in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, specialists are using robots and technology in three ways, said Dr. Manmeet Singh Ahluwalia, chief scientific officer and chief of Medical Oncology at Baptist Health South Florida. They are using robots to help remove lung cancer during surgeries. They are using artificial intelligence with x-rays to determine when lung cancer tumors are malignant or benign. And when a CT scan looks suspicious, they use special blood tests to find DNA fragments that indicate if a nodule is cancerous. “We are using technology in all these ways for better detection and treatment, ” Ahluwalia said. Aware that screening rates are low, he wants to use these new blood tests to screen those at high risk in South Florida communities in near future. This 2024 State of Lung Cancer report highlights an area of progress: Nationally, the lung cancer survival rate has improved 26% in the last five years. “It’s an improvement but we still have a long way to go,” said Lyerly of the American Lung Cancer Association. “Now that we have better treatment for advanced disease, we need to detect it earlier.” -------- ©2024 South Florida Sun Sentinel. Visit at sun-sentinel.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Mayor Eric Adams and Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker announced a pilot program Monday that strategically targets high-crime streets in a multi-agency effort to address longstanding needs and problems. The program, dubbed Every Block Counts, was launched in October with a specific focus on residential blocks within two NYPD precincts known for having the highest number of violent crimes, in particular shootings, over the past five years. The pilot program targets five blocks within the 46th Precinct in the Bronx— which covers the neighborhoods of Fordham, University Heights, Mount Hope and Morris Heights—and several streets in Brooklyn’s 73rd precinct, which covers Brownsville and Ocean Hill. The blocks in the Bronx include Morris Avenue, Elm Place and Walton Avenue; meanwhile the program covers Bristol Street, Christopher Avenue, Dumont Avenue, Lott Avenue and Mother Gaston Boulevard in Brooklyn. The program coordinates efforts among various city agencies, including police, fire, parks, sanitation, transportation, buildings, health and more. In the announcement, Adams pointed to results achieved thus far, including zero shootings in the two targeted areas over the past 56 days, as well as the completion of 111 out of 146 quality-of-life problems identified by the communities. The 46th precinct has seen a rise in shootings and murders since last year, according to NYPD CompStat data. In 2023, there were 42 shooting incidents, 53 shooting victims and 13 murders in the 46th precinct. So far this year, there have been 49 shooting incidents, 64 shooting victims and 25 murders. ‘Remarkable’ progress The mayor spoke from Bean Morris Community Garden near Morris Avenue and Grand Concourse — named for resident Carrie Cuthbertson’s son Devon, nicknamed Bean, who was shot and killed nearby in 2019 at age 24. Cuthbertson, who said she has long been active in her community, has now become a “Block CEO” with Every Block Counts, acting as a liaison between the community and city agencies. As part of the program, she has been working with fellow residents on a list of neighborhood safety and quality of life concerns. Recent progress under the program has been tangible to her and her neighbors, she said. “For the first time in years, we saw rapid improvement. The transformation was nothing short of remarkable,” said Cuthbertson. A Halloween event with treats for hundreds of neighborhood kids, funded by donations, was a recent example of how the community has united and improved, she said. “ Our streets are now clean, graffiti is gone, trash is picked up, and the area feels brighter and more inviting. Most importantly, we feel safer.” Council Member Pierina Sanchez, whose district office is nearby, said she has experienced ducking bullets in the area while pregnant with her first child. Just 4% of the city’s blocks are the site of almost all shootings, she said, and the program acknowledges that “ the 4-6 [Precinct] is different than the rest of the City of New York.” While Sanchez said she does not always agree with Adams, she applauded the pilot program, calling it an example of “partnership despite differences and progress despite obstacles.” Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia recalled the alarming shooting deaths in September of three people within blocks of each other in the Burnside area. Since the launch of Every Block Counts, she said she has not received any emergency calls from the precinct captain. “This fight is for us to have, and let’s do it, let’s win it,” she said. The mayor said given these early positive results across the 10 focus blocks of the pilot, he plans to expand Every Block Counts to more locations. Adams, who has expressed frustration at the lingering perception of a rise in crime in the city, said the program is part of the comprehensive effort to address both crime and quality-of-life concerns, and his office issued a new report on various initiatives aimed at decreasing crime throughout the city. Reach Emily Swanson at eswanson@schnepsmedia.com or (646) 717-0015. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes

New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) : Some industry experts are skeptical whether Elon Musk’s unconventional methods and Donald Trump’s leadership will ultimately benefit AI regulation and the market at large, according to a new report. Trump has been re-elected as President of the US with Musk appointed to lead the newly established Department of Efficiency. Musk’s role focuses on streamlining government processes and integrating advanced technologies, a development that marks a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. However, some industry experts remain skeptical, said GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. According to forecasts, the global AI market is set to reach over $1 trillion by 2030, up from $103 billion in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 39 per cent over the period. Kamilla Kan, senior data scientist, Medical Devices team at GlobalData, said that with the increasing adoption of AI across sectors, the need for robust, forward-thinking regulations is more critical than ever. “AI technologies are becoming integral to a range of industries, and we expect this trend to accelerate globally in the coming years. However, it remains uncertain whether Musk’s approach will truly enable the responsible growth of AI or if it may inadvertently create regulatory gaps that could hinder the technology’s safe and ethical integration,” Kan emphasised. Musk’s efficiency-focused mandate includes developing frameworks aimed at streamlining AI compliance while fostering innovation, though there is uncertainty about how effective his approach will be in practice. His appointment reflects the government’s intention to strengthen the US position in AI and technology, which are now viewed as critical for economic growth and national security. Musk’s Department of Efficiency is expected to provide some regulatory consistency and clear guidelines to help businesses harness AI responsibly. However, concerns remain about whether this approach will adequately balance public trust with the rapid demands of technological advancement, said the report.MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.Paper-thin power: China claims its new stealth coating blinds anti-stealth radarsHappy scores 16 as Princeton downs Portland 94-67 at Myrtle Beach Invitational

Williams 3-9 1-1 7, Hutchinson 3-11 0-0 6, Reese 2-9 0-0 4, Thompson 6-11 2-4 14, Thornton 4-12 1-2 10, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Polk 0-0 0-0 0, Waddle 2-8 0-0 4, Chairs 0-3 0-0 0, Schultz 1-3 0-0 3, Wilson 0-3 2-2 2, Totals 21-69 6-9 50 Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Alberta to hike auto insurance premium cap on 'good drivers' to 7.5% in January 2025

Guard D'Angelo Russell is on the move again, with ESPN reporting Sunday that the Brooklyn Nets will acquire him in a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers. Los Angeles will send Russell, Maxwell Lewis and three second-round picks to Brooklyn for Dorian Finney-Smith and Shake Milton, per the report. The Lakers selected Russell, now 28, with the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 NBA Draft and he spent two seasons with Los Angeles before being traded on June 22, 2017, with Timofey Mozgov to the Nets for Kyle Kuzma and Brook Lopez. He made stops with the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves before the Lakers acquired him again on Feb. 9, 2023, as part of a three-team deal headlined by veteran Mike Conley being traded from the Utah Jazz to Minnesota. Russell's role in head coach J.J. Redick's rotation has diminished. In October, Russell averaged 30.6 minutes per game, dropping to 25.5 in November and 25.2 in December. In 29 games (10 starts) this season, he's averaging 26.3 minutes, 12.4 points, 2.8 rebounds and 4.7 assists. All are below his career averages of 30 minutes, 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 5.7 assists. Lewis, 22, has seen limited action for the Lakers this season, with the small forward scoring 15 points in seven games. Finney-Smith, a 31-year-old forward, is in his ninth NBA season. He has started all 20 games he's appeared in, averaging 10.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists over 29 minutes per game. Milton, a guard, is averaging 7.4 points per game over 27 appearances (one start). The 28-year-old also is contributing 1.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists. --Field Level Media/ReutersWhere Are The US Air Force's A-10 Warthogs Based?AP News Summary at 6:33 p.m. ESTThere was excitement in the air as and Sir PM made their way to the cathedral. It had become their go-to space this time of the year, what with the spectacularly lit-up façade and the melodies that filled the air, thanks to the choral groups that performed there from time to time. Now, both friends were particularly looking forward to their final session of the year before they bid adieu to 2024 because of their ‘list’. It was a curation of looking forward, as well as looking back at the could-haves and should-haves that can serve as lessons for the future. “My Lady, so this is it...after 365 days of what can be termed as a challenging year for the city, we are on the cusp of a new year. Let’s see what we’ve managed to compile—the good, the bad and the ugly,” smiled . Lady Flora was the master curator, and had been jotting down notes after each of their night strolls across the city. It was going to be an interesting session, she was sure. “Let the games begin,” she laughed as she rolled out a long sheet of paper which included 10 points in her neat handwriting. They looked at it together, and hoped that this forecast would be picked up by the powers-that-be: 1. Metro Line 3 should be fully operational: The much-hyped line will lessen the woes of hassled commuters who have been extremely patient as far as looking forward to some respite in their travel time goes. 2. Less disruption, please: The sightings of JCBs on our roads could outnumber the population of a small Polynesian country. May the city be spared the grief of believing that their commuting route is more an off-roading dirt track. 3. Improved frequency and more AC locals for Central Railway: Despite being the larger , the step-sisterly treatment is inexplicable. We assume that this will be improved in 2025. 4. Bring back our pavements: We hope the civic gods pay heed to the countless pleas about the shrinking and disappearing pavements. The city is as much for pedestrians as it is for motorists, and builders. 5. Green cover concerns: Enough of hacking and overnight vanishing of trees; may the mangroves and water bodies for migrant birds stay protected with stronger policing. 6. Climate change is for real: Perhaps the AQI levels and haze cover act as a scary reminder as the year wraps up, of how this reality has not been seriously addressed, and that we are not looking at the larger picture at all. 7. More cultural venues and events: The city fares poorly when it comes to big and venues. Let’s hope the new year brings in more options, especially in the suburbs. And corporate houses—please don’t forget this key part of your duties towards a city that is your home. 8. Open spaces for the public: When was the last time we could walk freely, without getting jostled in a public park or garden? The city needs more such spaces especially when most of its population is crammed into matchbox-sized homes. 9. Not the Moon, we are Mumbai: Our roads need a thorough health check-up. Pock-marked stretches, bumpy non-roads, sudden speed breakers, and whatnot. Physiotherapy won’t help any more. 10. A cleaner city: When will the city transform into a cleaner, more hygienic version? Look around, it’s a mess everywhere. Uncollected garbage, overloaded dumping grounds, unhygienic public spaces—it’s a collective effort that is the need of the hour. Stricter fines, better civic sense, and tougher policing for serial offenders. Both friends glanced at each other. Had they covered good ground? Was it representative of the city? All they knew was that Bombaywallahs—by far the most hardworking species on this planet—were at the centre of this list. They deserved better, and desperately needed some sunshine to look forward to and get through 2025. Sir PM cleared his throat. “My Lady, I think we’ve done our best as spokespeople. The rest, we hope the universe conspires with us to make happen. To new beginnings,” he smiled broadly as he handed over a cuppa to his friend on a crisp December night. It was also a silent night, perfect to wish and pray for special things for their favourite city.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI) today announced its preliminary 2025 financial projections. “We expect 4% growth from 2024 in Adjusted EBITDA and 8% growth in Adjusted EPS due to growth projects in all our business segments, but most prominently in Natural Gas Pipelines and Energy Transition Ventures,” said Kim Dang, KMI Chief Executive Officer. “We are projecting an annualized dividend of $1.17 in 2025, constituting the 8 th year in a row in which we have increased our dividend. Our end-of-year 2025 Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA ratio is forecast to be 3.8 times, which is in the lower part of our 3.5x-4.5x leverage target range and provides good capacity for additional opportunistic investment,” Dang concluded. “We anticipate generating Adjusted EPS of $1.27, up 8% compared to our year-end 2024 forecast of $1.17 per share, and Adjusted EBITDA of $8.3 billion, up 4% compared to the 2024 forecast of $8 billion,” said KMI President Tom Martin. “We expect to continue benefiting from strong natural gas market fundamentals driving growth on our existing natural gas transportation and storage assets, as well as creating expansion opportunities. Overall, our base business is relatively flat with expansion projects in our Natural Gas Pipelines segment and Energy Transition Ventures group as the primary growth drivers,” Martin concluded. Below is a summary of KMI’s expectations for 2025: This press release includes budgeted Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA and Net Debt, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. For descriptions of these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the most comparable measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, please see “ Non-GAAP Financial Measures ” below. Historically, KMI has disclosed budgeted distributable cash flow, or DCF, in the aggregate and per share. KMI has excluded budgeted DCF from this press release due to declining investor interest in DCF as a primary performance measure. KMI expects to continue to disclose DCF in 2025 as supplemental information in some investor materials for comparability purposes. KMI’s expectations assume average annual prices for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil and Henry Hub natural gas of $68 per barrel and $3.00 per MMBtu, respectively, consistent with forward pricing during the budget process. The vast majority of cash generated by KMI is fee-based and therefore is not directly exposed to commodity prices. For 2025, the company estimates that every $1 per barrel change in the average WTI crude oil price impacts Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $7 million, and each $0.10 per MMBtu change in the price of natural gas impacts Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $6 million. The KMI board of directors has preliminarily reviewed the 2025 budget and will take formal action on it at the January board meeting, expected to coincide with the issuance of fourth quarter 2024 earnings on January 22, 2025. The 2025 budget will be the standard by which KMI measures its performance next year and will be a factor in determining employee compensation. Kinder Morgan has posted a presentation that includes a brief overview of the 2025 budget to the Investor Relations website and expects to publish a detailed 2025 budget and outlook presentation on the company’s website in early February. About Kinder Morgan, Inc. Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI) is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. Access to reliable, affordable energy is a critical component for improving lives around the world. We are committed to providing energy transportation and storage services in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner for the benefit of the people, communities and businesses we serve. We own an interest in or operate approximately 79,000 miles of pipelines, 139 terminals, 702 billion cubic feet of working natural gas storage capacity and have renewable natural gas generation capacity of approximately 6.1 Bcf per year with an additional 0.8 Bcf in development. Our pipelines transport natural gas, refined petroleum products, crude oil, condensate, CO2, renewable fuels and other products, and our terminals store and handle various commodities including gasoline, diesel fuel, jet fuel, chemicals, metals, petroleum coke, and ethanol and other renewable fuels and feedstocks. Learn more about our work advancing energy solutions on the lower carbon initiatives page at www.kindermorgan.com . Important Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Generally, the words “expects,” “believes,” anticipates,” “plans,” “will,” “shall,” “estimates,” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. Forward-looking statements in this news release include express or implied statements pertaining to KMI’s expectations for 2024 and 2025, including expected Adjusted EPS, Adjusted EBITDA, Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, anticipated dividends, discretionary capital expenditures, KMI’s financing and capital allocation strategy, and the financial performance of growth projects. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based on the beliefs and assumptions of management, based on information currently available to them. Although KMI believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance as to when or if any such forward-looking statements will materialize nor their ultimate impact on our operations or financial condition. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by these forward-looking statements include: the timing and extent of changes in the supply of and demand for the products we transport and handle; commodity prices; regulatory and policy changes; delays or cost overruns affecting expansion projects; and the other risks and uncertainties described in KMI’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2023 (under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and elsewhere) and its subsequent reports, which are available through the SEC’s EDGAR system at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.kindermorgan.com . Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and except to the extent required by law, KMI undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement because of new information, future events or other factors. Because of these risks and uncertainties, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Our non-GAAP financial measures described further below should not be considered alternatives to GAAP net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. or other GAAP measures and have important limitations as analytical tools. Our computations of these non-GAAP financial measures may differ from similarly titled measures used by others. You should not consider these non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for an analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Management compensates for the limitations of our consolidated non-GAAP financial measures by reviewing our comparable GAAP measures identified in the descriptions of consolidated non-GAAP measures below, understanding the differences between the measures and taking this information into account in its analysis and its decision-making processes. Certain Items, as adjustments used to calculate our non-GAAP financial measures, are items that are required by GAAP to be reflected in net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc., but typically either (1) do not have a cash impact (for example, unsettled commodity hedges and asset impairments), or (2) by their nature are separately identifiable from our normal business operations and in most cases are likely to occur only sporadically (for example, certain legal settlements, enactment of new tax legislation and casualty losses) We also include adjustments related to joint ventures (see “ Amounts from Joint Ventures ” below). Adjusted EPS is calculated as Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock divided by our weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock is calculated by adjusting Net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc., the most comparable GAAP measure, for Certain Items, and further for net income allocated to participating securities and adjusted net income in excess of distributions for participating securities. We believe Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock allows for calculation of adjusted earnings per share (Adjusted EPS) on the most comparable basis with earnings per share, the most comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted EPS. Adjusted EPS applies the same two-class method used in arriving at basic earnings per share. Adjusted EPS is used by us, investors and other external users of our financial statements as a per-share supplemental measure that provides decision-useful information regarding our period-over-period performance and ability to generate earnings that are core to our ongoing operations. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. for Certain Items and further for DD&A, income tax expense and interest. We also include amounts from joint ventures for income taxes and DD&A (see “ Amounts associated with Joint Ventures ” below). Adjusted EBITDA (on a rolling 12-months basis) is used by management, investors and other external users, in conjunction with our Net Debt (as described further below), to evaluate our leverage. Management and external users also use Adjusted EBITDA as an important metric to compare the valuations of companies across our industry. Our ratio of Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental performance target for purposes of our annual incentive compensation program. We believe the GAAP measure most directly comparable to Adjusted EBITDA is net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. Net Debt is calculated by subtracting from debt (1) cash and cash equivalents, (2) debt fair value adjustments, and (3) the foreign exchange impact on Euro-denominated bonds for which we have entered into currency swaps. Net Debt, on its own and in conjunction with our Adjusted EBITDA (on a rolling 12-months basis) as part of a ratio of Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA, is a non-GAAP financial measure that is used by management, investors, and other external users of our financial information to evaluate our leverage. Our ratio of Net Debt-to-Adjusted EBITDA is also used as a supplemental performance target for purposes of our annual incentive compensation program. We believe the most comparable measure to Net Debt is total debt. 2025 budgeted Net Debt is calculated as budgeted total debt of $31.4 billion, less budgeted cash and cash equivalents of less than $0.1 billion; 2025 budgeted Net Debt does not include budgeted debt fair value adjustments or the budgeted foreign exchange impact on our Euro denominated debt, as these amounts are impractical to predict and are expected to be immaterial. Amounts associated with Joint Ventures - Certain Items and Adjusted EBITDA reflect amounts from unconsolidated joint ventures (JVs) and consolidated JVs utilizing the same recognition and measurement methods used to record “Earnings from equity investments” and “Noncontrolling interests,” respectively. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA related to our unconsolidated and consolidated JVs include the same items (DD&A, including amortization of basis differences related to our JVs, and income tax expense) with respect to the JVs as those included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for our wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries; further, we remove the portion of these adjustments attributable to non-controlling interests. Although these amounts related to our unconsolidated JVs are included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, such inclusion should not be understood to imply that we have control over the operations and resulting revenues, expenses, or cash flows of such unconsolidated JVs. Table 1 Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Projected Net Income Attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. to Projected Adjusted EBITDA (In billions, unaudited) 2024 Forecast 2025 Budget Net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. (GAAP) $ 2.7 $ 2.8 Total Certain Items (1) (0.1 ) — DD&A 2.4 2.4 Income tax expense (2) 0.8 0.8 Interest, net (2) 1.8 1.8 Amounts associated with joint ventures Unconsolidated JV DD&A (3) 0.4 0.5 Remove consolidated JV partners' DD&A (0.1 ) (0.1 ) Unconsolidated JV income tax expense (4) 0.1 0.1 Adjusted EBITDA $ 8.0 $ 8.3 Table 2 Kinder Morgan, Inc. and Subsidiaries Reconciliation of Projected Net Income Attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. to Projected Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock (In billions, unaudited) 2024 Forecast 2025 Budget Net income attributable to Kinder Morgan, Inc. (GAAP) $ 2.7 $ 2.8 Total Certain Items (1) (0.1 ) — Net income allocated to participating securities (1)(5) — — Other (1)(6) — — Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock (7) $ 2.6 $ 2.8 Notes (1) Aggregate adjustments are currently estimated to be less than $100 million. (2) Amounts are adjusted for Certain Items. (3) Includes amortization of basis differences related to our JVs. (4) Includes the tax provision on Certain Items recognized by the investees that are taxable entities associated with our Citrus, NGPL and Products (SE) Pipe Line equity investments. (5) Net income allocated to common stock and participating securities is based on the amount of dividends paid in the current period plus an allocation of the undistributed earnings or excess distributions over earnings to the extent that each security participates in earnings or excess distributions over earnings, as applicable. (6) Adjusted net income in excess of distributions for participating securities. (7) Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Stock is used to calculate Adjusted EPS. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209656170/en/ CONTACT: Dave Conover Media Relations newsroom@kindermorgan.comInvestor Relations (800) 348-7320 km_ir@kindermorgan.com www.kindermorgan.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OIL/GAS ENERGY SOURCE: Kinder Morgan, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209656170/enA new culture war is brewing — and Coca-Cola's AI Christmas ad is at the center