FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Jim Harbaugh loves a high-five, calls it one of mankind’s great inventions. But sometimes, even that hearty gesture is insufficient. So when the Chargers coach spotted the team’s general manager slipping out of the visitors’ locker room Saturday — in the wake of the club’s most lopsided win in five years — he summoned him for a bear hug. The Chargers clinched a playoff berth with their 40-7 drubbing of the New England Patriots , and Harbaugh felt the urge to wrap his arms around first-year general manager Joe Hortiz. Such is the delirium of an NFL team starting to hit its stride at the right time. “I needed a hug from Joe,” said the coach, who lured Hortiz from the Baltimore Ravens. “He’s the same brilliant guy every single day. He takes no deep, long bows. But he should.” This is no finish line, of course, but Harbaugh’s Chargers have checked a big box on their to-do list. The franchise has secured a spot in the postseason for just the third time in 11 seasons, and with a finale at Las Vegas remaining has a chance to lock up the AFC’s fifth seed with a win and a Pittsburgh Steelers loss in Week 18. That would mean a more favorable wild-card game at Houston, as opposed to frigid openers at Buffalo or Baltimore. There’s also meaning to bolting down a spot in the playoffs by winning at New England, even though these Patriots are a shadow of the version led by Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. This is a franchise that tormented the Chargers in years past, delivering a divisional-round knockout to Marty Schottenheimer’s 14-2 San Diego Chargers in the 2006 season, and beating the broken-down Chargers the following year in the AFC championship game. There’s no one remaining in that Chargers locker room from that era. Most of the players were probably in grade school at the time. Still, there was significance to these players emerging from the fog that had settled on Gillette Stadium to forge a clear path to the postseason. This is precisely what Chargers ownership had in mind when they hired Harbaugh, an undeniable turnaround artist. Just check his history. The San Francisco 49ers were 6-10 the year before they hired Harbaugh, and 13-3 in his first season. The Michigan Wolverines went from 5-7 before Harbaugh to 10-3 in his debut season. “Coach Harbaugh’s a winner, that says it all,” Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton said. “He’s won his whole life, won each team he’s coached. He told us at the beginning, there’s just one way to get to where he wants to go and that’s hard work. We’ve been working hard.” When asked at the podium about the common threads among those teams that reversed course, Harbaugh immediately pointed to his players, “stalwarts” as he calls them, including quarterback Justin Herbert and safety Derwin James. Later, after most of the team had left the locker room for the bus, Harbaugh reiterated that with, “There are no good coaches without good players. There’s no great coaches with bad players.” One of those outstanding players Saturday was rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who had eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. That pushed his numbers to 77 receptions for 1,046, six more grabs than previous Chargers rookie record-holder Keenan Allen. The Chargers traded up to the second pick in the second round to draft McConkey, a standout from the University of Georgia. Their trade partner in that deal? The Patriots, who used the fifth pick in that round to draft Washington receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. McConkey had seven more yards on Saturday, and the same number of touchdowns, that Polk has had all season. Asked if there was a little piece of him that wanted to show the Patriots what they missed, McConkey said: “That’s not me. If they want to think about it that way, like, `Oh, we should have done this,’ it’s shoulda, coulda, woulda.” Historically, it’s important for teams to be able to run the ball in the postseason, especially when the weather can turn foul in so many NFL cities. Only more reason for the Chargers to feel good about the return of running back J.K. Dobbins, who missed four games with a knee sprain. He ran for 76 yards in 19 carries against the Patriots, with a two-yard touchdown. He was part of the Baltimore brigade who came west to the Chargers from the Ravens, coached by Harbaugh’s older brother, John. Unlike a lot of his teammates, Dobbins has playoff experience. He’s played in postseason road games at Cincinnati, Tennessee and Buffalo. He understands the importance of a team finding another gear in December, as it seems the Chargers have, and fostering a belief that it can compete at the highest level. “We can beat you a lot of ways, and in the playoffs that’s what you’ve got to do,” Dobbins said. “In the playoffs, they’re going to try to take away the thing that you do best.” He said Harbaugh has “changed the culture” of a team that won five games last season. “He’s brought in guys that are winners,” he said. “That’s how you change the culture. You draft guys who win [national championships] or won all throughout college. You bring in guys who have won all across the league. You start to see the benefits of that.” Harbaugh delivered his hugs Saturday but he’s hoping there are many more. One box checked. The way he sees it, his team has only earned a spot at the starting gate.
OREM, Utah (AP) — Tanner Toolson had 21 points in Utah Valley's 119-59 victory over Bethesda (CA) on Saturday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * OREM, Utah (AP) — Tanner Toolson had 21 points in Utah Valley's 119-59 victory over Bethesda (CA) on Saturday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? OREM, Utah (AP) — Tanner Toolson had 21 points in Utah Valley’s 119-59 victory over Bethesda (CA) on Saturday night. Toolson added five rebounds for the Wolverines (8-6). Ethan Potter scored 19 points and added eight rebounds and three steals. Hayden Welling shot 6 of 11 from the field and 3 for 3 from the line to finish with 15 points. Kameron Mayhan led the way for the Flames with 22 points and six rebounds. Cameron Durr added 10 points for Bethesda. Taeo Thomas also had 10 points and two steals. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. Advertisement
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Dentsply Sirona, Inc. Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses. January 27, 2025 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff MotionAn elderly activist suffered two broken ribs when a businessman eating lunch nearby purportedly got “annoyed” with the noise he was making and allegedly assaulted him. Andrew Hay, 63, founder of financial advice company Apex Advice, was arrested for allegedly assaulting Deno Stock, 73, an animal rights advocate, as the Aucklander protested against the Melbourne Cup outside the downtown Ferry Building. Dramatic video footage captured the moment Hay launched at Stock and other protesters on November 5, showing Stock falling to the ground and bystanders rushing in to calm Hay. Stock told the Herald he was used to people jeering at him as he demonstrates, but said Hay’s “vicious attack” caught him by surprise and he believed the physical altercation was unfair as “we were doing everything legal”.Syracuse pulls away from pesky Bucknell to snap losing streak
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ADDISON, Texas, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CECO Environmental Corp. (Nasdaq: CECO) (together with its consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, “CECO”), a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company whose solutions protect people, the environment and industrial equipment, announced today that the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR”), applicable to CECO’s tender offer for Profire Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: PFIE) (“PFIE”) expired at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on November 15, 2024. The expiration of the HSR waiting period satisfies one of the conditions to consummate the tender offer. Other conditions remain to be satisfied, including, among others, a minimum tender of shares of common stock of PFIE representing a majority of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock of PFIE. Unless the tender offer is extended, the offer and withdrawal rights will expire at one minute after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on December 31, 2024. ABOUT CECO ENVIRONMENTAL CECO Environmental is a leading environmentally focused, diversified industrial company, serving a broad landscape of industrial air, industrial water, and energy transition markets across the globe through its key business segments: Engineered Systems and Industrial Process Solutions. Providing innovative technology and application expertise, CECO helps companies grow their business with safe, clean, and more efficient solutions that help protect people, the environment and industrial equipment. In regions around the world, CECO works to improve air quality, optimize the energy value chain, and provide custom solutions for applications including power generation, petrochemical processing, general industrial, refining, midstream oil and gas, electric vehicle production, polysilicon fabrication, battery recycling, beverage can, and water/wastewater treatment along with a wide range of other applications. CECO is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “CECO.” Incorporated in 1966, CECO’s global headquarters is in Addison, Texas. For more information, please visit www.cecoenviro.com . SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Certain statements in this communication are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, both as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for “forward-looking statements” provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements contained in this communication, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about management’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance. We use words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intends,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “will,” “plan,” “should” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Potential risks and uncertainties, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially are discussed under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of CECO’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in CECO’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, and include, but are not limited to: the parties’ ability to complete the proposed transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement in the anticipated timeframe or at all; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction on business relationships, operating results, and business generally; risks that the proposed transactions disrupt current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transactions; risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted related to the proposed transactions; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and other charges related to the proposed transactions; the risk that competing offers or acquisition proposals will be made; the sensitivity of CECO’s business to economic and financial market conditions generally and economic conditions in CECO’s service areas; dependence on fixed price contracts and the risks associated therewith, including actual costs exceeding estimates and method of accounting for revenue; the effect of growth on CECO’s infrastructure, resources and existing sales; the ability to expand operations in both new and existing markets; the potential for contract delay or cancellation as a result of on-going or worsening supply chain challenges; liabilities arising from faulty services or products that could result in significant professional or product liability, warranty or other claims; changes in or developments with respect to any litigation or investigation; failure to meet timely completion or performance standards that could result in higher cost and reduced profits or, in some cases, losses on projects; the potential for fluctuations in prices for manufactured components and raw materials, including as a result of tariffs and surcharges, and rising energy costs; inflationary pressures relating to rising raw material costs and the cost of labor; the substantial amount of debt incurred in connection with CECO’s strategic transactions and its ability to repay or refinance it or incur additional debt in the future; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations; CECO’s ability to repurchase shares of its common stock and the amounts and timing of repurchases; CECO’s ability to successfully realize the expected benefits of its restructuring program; economic and political conditions generally; CECO’s ability to optimize its business portfolio by identifying acquisition targets, executing upon any strategic acquisitions or divestitures, integrating acquired businesses and realizing the synergies from strategic transactions; and unpredictability and severity of catastrophic events, including cybersecurity threats, acts of terrorism or outbreak of war or hostilities or public health crises, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. Many of these risks are beyond management’s ability to control or predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any related assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary in material aspects from those currently anticipated. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only to CECO’s views as of the date the statement is made. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Except as required under the federal securities laws or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), CECO undertakes no obligation to update or review any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important Additional Information Will be Filed with the SEC This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell common stock of PFIE or any other securities. This communication is for informational purposes only. The tender offer transaction commenced by a subsidiary of CECO is being made pursuant to a tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) filed by such affiliates of CECO with the SEC. In addition, PFIE will file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 with the SEC related to the tender offer. The offer to purchase shares of PFIE’ common stock is only being made pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Letter of Transmittal and related offer materials filed as a part of the tender offer statement on Schedule TO, in each case as amended from time to time. THE TENDER OFFER MATERIALS (INCLUDING THE OFFER TO PURCHASE, THE RELATED LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND OTHER MATERIALS) AND THE SOLICITATION/RECOMMENDATION STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE 14D-9 CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. PRIOR TO MAKING ANY DECISION REGARDING THE TENDER OFFER, PFIE STOCKHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CAREFULLY READ THESE DOCUMENTS, AS FILED AND AS THEY MAY BE AMENDED FROM TIME TO TIME, WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. PFIE stockholders will be able to obtain the tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 at no charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . In addition, the tender offer statement on Schedule TO (including the Offer to Purchase, a related Letter of Transmittal and other offer materials) and the related solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 may be obtained free of charge from D.F. King & Co., Inc. 48 Wall Street, 22nd Floor New York, New York 10005, Telephone Number (866) 342-4881. Company Contact: Peter Johansson Chief Financial and Strategy Officer 888-990-6670 Investor Relations Contact: Steven Hooser and Jean Marie Young Three Part Advisors 214-872-2710 Investor.Relations@OneCECO.com
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said the crisis between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, made him stronger. Fabura said God gave him a new perspective on leadership while the crisis lasted, adding that he stopped seeing the matter as a problem but as a necessary enabler in governance. The governor spoke at the Christmas Ballad hosted by a former governor of the state, Peter Odili, in Port Harcourt, on Friday, according to a statement issued by Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi. He maintained that God proved Himself worthy as the ultimate liberator of the State and its people because He ensured total triumph over the political crisis and those behind it. Fubara was quoted in the statement made available to Sunday PUNCH as saying, “And not just because I want to accept it, I get stronger in this course every day when I look at the support I am getting from the true Rivers people. “So, it is not me being strong. My strength is drawn from every one of you who is here. You gave me the encouragement; you did the work for me; you made the calls for me. So, why won’t I stand up for you? “But we also believe strongly that the ultimate game changer, the ultimate liberator, and the ultimate fighter still remains God Almighty. And because we have Him on our side, victory is assured.” Related News Abbe’s death a significant loss to Rivers, Nigeria, Fubara mourns You will overcome your enemies, Secondus tells Fubara Fubara applauds Navy’s efforts, vows continued support for waterway security He assured of the determination of his administration to make every succeeding year in the state better with remarkable records of progress. The governor promised to continue to do what was right, saying it was delighting to see true leaders of the state standing on the right side of history despite the pressures to surrender to tyranny and oppression. In his remarks, the former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo, said Fubara had steered the course of governance successfully, making the people of the state proud of him. Speaking at the programme, Odili said the ‘fight against Fubara over the soul of Rivers State, was unnecessary.’ Odili noted that with assuring fortitude, Fubara “confronted the challenge, prevented the quest by one man to capture the state as a private estate, emancipated Rivers people, steadied governance and made civil servants and other people happier.” In her speech, Justice Mary Odili, said Fubara had played the role of an emancipator, pledging the continuous support of her family to the success of his administration.