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Five holiday wishes for the Minnesota Wild
In a significant policy shift, Iranian authorities have removed the ban on popular instant messaging app WhatsApp and the app store Google Play, according to state media reports on Tuesday. This decision marks the first step in the Islamic Republic's efforts to reduce its stringent internet restrictions. The Iranian government has long imposed one of the world's most restrictive internet access regimes, with platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube frequently targeted. These bans, however, are often circumvented by tech-savvy citizens using virtual private networks. Official sources from Iran's IRNA news agency reported that a meeting chaired by President Masoud Pezeshkian led to a positive majority vote to ease access to certain foreign platforms. This development comes in response to the United States' plea for Big Tech to aid in circumventing censorship globally, including in nations like Iran. (With inputs from agencies.)Republican senators demand an end to tech cooperation with China
Whether or not Minnesota Wild fans believe in Santa Claus is irrelevant as families all across the State of Hockey gather near their Christmas trees, real or artificial. Whether or not they believe, truly, in the second round of the NHL playoffs is the real factor determining their level of holiday spirit. Save for a recent blip of four straight losses, this has been a hockey season filled with unexpected fun from a team for whom preseason expectations were low. The Wild entered the three-day holiday break in solid contention for the top of not only the Central Division but also the Western Conference with a 21-10-4 record after a 4-3 victory over the Blackhawks on Monday. ADVERTISEMENT As the NHL enjoys a holiday break that comes just a few games shy of the 2024-25 season’s midway mark, we offer a quintet of wishes that would help bring a Merry Christmas and, even more importantly, a Happy New Year to the State of Hockey. The Wild have not seen top-line center Joel Eriksson Ek or veteran defenseman Jake Middleton play a game in weeks. They lost top-line winger Mats Zuccarello for a month. They lost mainstay goalie Filip Gustavsson for a week. They have had live through games without Marat Khusnutdinov, Yakob Trenin, Jakub Lauko, Jonas Brodin, Ryan Hartman and Jared Spurgeon. Even superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov missed a game after a nasty knee-on-knee check during a November win in Edmonton. The injury bug pays a visit to every team at some point, and we hear lots of brave talk about the “next man up” and other cool clichés. But a healthy roster in 2025 could mean the difference between sneaking into the playoffs and contending for a new banner for the Xcel Energy Center rafters. On Dec. 6, the Wild won convincingly in Anaheim by a 5-1 count. Roughly 19 hours after that game concluded, they had to face the powerful Kings in downtown Los Angeles and lost 4-1. Last weekend, a home loss to Utah was followed, less than 24 hours later, by a visit to Central-leading Winnipeg, which won handily. On Jan. 11, they will play in San Jose, then have roughly 19 hours to get to Las Vegas for a night with the Knights. Like injuries, everyone deals with schedule quirks, especially in a season like this when things are condensed due to the two-week break for the 4 Nations Cup in February. But the spate of back-to-backs in different rinks has certainly done Minnesota no favors in the realm of getting healthy and staying healthy. Of the Wild’s 21 wins, two have been notably impressive. In October, they went on the road to Florida and blasted past the defending Stanley Cup champion Panthers 5-1. A month later, in Edmonton, they rallied from an early deficit and beat the Oilers — who were within one win of the Cup last season — by a 5-3 count. Beyond those two games, the Wild have generally beaten the teams they should beat (San Jose, Anaheim, Chicago, Nashville, Columbus, etc.) and have had trouble with the NHL’s elite. ADVERTISEMENT Heading into Friday’s visit to Dallas, the Wild are a collective 1-6-1 versus the others among the top five in the West — Winnipeg, Vegas, Edmonton and Los Angeles. And it’s worth noting that after those signature wins in Florida and Edmonton, both of those foes won handily during visits to Minnesota in December. More wins, and more signature wins, are going to be needed if this team is to contend for anything notable. In the smiling Russian kid that wears number 97, the Wild have their first true contender for NHL most valuable player honors in the quarter-century history of the franchise. His seemingly nightly habit of getting pucks past the opposing goalie — honed by hours and hours of “we need to drag him off the ice” work post-practice — is like nothing Minnesota fans have seen, maybe ever. On July 1, Kaprizov will be a free agent, and Wild owner Craig Liepold vowed in a preseason meeting with reporters that no other team will offer Kaprizov more money or more years on his next contract. That might mean an eight-year pact worth $15 million a season. Having given fans a taste of the good life with a superstar wearing green and Iron Range red, keeping Kaprizov in Minnesota is their most important New Years’ resolution. The entertainment complex that Marcus Foligno dubbed the “Kirill and Zuccy” show is a sight to behold, with numbers 97 and 36 showing off some amazing chemistry as they torment opposing goalies and defenses. But the Wild need more than an amazing top line if they are to play games in May. The holiday break perhaps comes at the best time for a few players mired in some mid-winter doldrums, such as Marcus Johansson (six straight games without a point), Matt Boldy (one assist in the past five games) and Ryan Hartman, who has not appeared on the offensive score sheet in more than a month, going an unexpected 16 consecutive games without a goal or assist. “I’ve had opportunities to score. I think I’ve made plays where some guys have had opportunities, the puck just hasn’t gone in,” Hartman said as he headed into the Christmas break. “Obviously, if they do, it’s going to make you feel much better.” ADVERTISEMENT And as the Wild’s unexpectedly great season moves into 2025, that is something all Wild fans can agree on. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. 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Alabama sophomore running back Justice Haynes entered the transfer portal and could be headed home to Georgia. Haynes played in all 12 games as part of a timeshare with co-starter Jam Miller for the Crimson Tide in 2024 and was third on the team in rushing with 448 yards and tied for second with seven TDs. Haynes, who is from Buford, Ga., and is the son of former NFL running back Verron Haynes, was heavily recruited by Georgia in 2022. He was the No. 1-ranked running back in the nation and the No. 2 player in the state of Georgia in 2022 based on ESPN rankings when he committed to Alabama as a five-star recruit. He was primarily used in a special teams role and some mop-up duty in the second half as a true freshman under coach Nick Saban. Two freshmen, redshirt Richard Young and Kevin Riley, were listed behind Haynes and Miller on the 2024 depth chart. Before he picked the Crimson Tide in December of 2022 after multiple visits to Tuscaloosa, Haynes also visited Clemson and Georgia. Verron Haynes played at Georgia and was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. --Field Level Media
The cannabis industry has experienced dramatic changes over the past few years, with a stronger focus on social equity and justice than ever before. As more states legalize cannabis, the conversation has shifted from just legalizing the substance to addressing the deep-rooted damage caused by the War on Drugs, particularly within marginalized communities. For many, cannabis legalization is about more than just making it legal—it’s a chance to repair past wrongs and provide opportunities for economic empowerment to those who have suffered the most from criminalization. A major step in this direction is the rise of social equity programs . These initiatives are designed to help people—especially Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) —who have been disproportionately affected by cannabis prohibition. These programs not only offer financial assistance for expungement services (which help clear old cannabis-related convictions) but also provide mentorship for those looking to enter the cannabis industry. Companies like Green Thumb Industries and Curio Wellness are leading the charge by providing resources to aspiring entrepreneurs from underserved communities, helping them navigate the complex world of cannabis licensing and business development. Despite the promising steps these programs have made, significant barriers still remain. One of the biggest challenges is the high cost of entering the cannabis industry. The fees for obtaining cannabis licenses and the complex regulatory environment can be overwhelming, particularly for those who have been historically excluded from economic opportunities. While social equity programs aim to level the playing field, financial challenges can still limit access for the most vulnerable communities. In addition to these equity efforts, there’s a growing trend among consumers to support local cannabis producers —especially craft cannabis farmers . These smaller businesses tend to emphasize quality, sustainability, and community values over the mass production methods of large corporate growers. By choosing to support local cannabis farms, consumers contribute to the local economy, promote ethical practices, and push back against the overwhelming influence of big corporations. This movement is part of a broader trend of ethical consumption , where every purchase can help shape a more socially responsible industry. Supporting smaller producers has benefits beyond just the financial. These businesses are often more in tune with their communities and provide a chance to foster greater diversity within the cannabis market. In states like Massachusetts , where cannabis licenses are distributed with a focus on social equity , local producers from historically impacted communities now have the chance to play a role in shaping the future of the cannabis industry. These opportunities not only create jobs but also allow individuals who have been affected by cannabis prohibition to take part in the economic boom that legalization has brought. While progress has been made, there’s still a lot of work to be done. For the full potential of the cannabis industry to be realized, we need to continue addressing systemic barriers , such as the high costs of entry and institutional discrimination, which still prevent many from taking full advantage of cannabis opportunities. By supporting local farmers and small businesses , alongside expanding social equity programs , we can work towards a cannabis market that is not just profitable, but also just , inclusive , and deeply connected to the communities it serves.
