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Riley Harris of Orange has reeled in plenty of heavyweight bass over the years, but none compare to the bruiser that gobbled up his football jig on the morning of Nov. 22 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Harris, 26, was out checking a few waypoints on a chilly Friday when he spotted a few fish on his electronics. The bass were holding around a brush pile in about 22-25 feet of water. “I could tell it was an active pile, so I threw in there to check it out,” Harris said. “She ate it on the second cast. When I set the hook I knew it was a really big fish because I couldn’t move it for like 5-10 seconds, but I had no idea how big until I got it in the boat. It was a giant — way bigger than my previous best 10.80 pounder.” Harris weighed the bass on a Bubba digital scale. It registered a whopping 13.87 pounds. Eager to get a certified weight on the catch, he raced to the Tackle Addict tackle shop in nearby Brookeland. There, the bass weighed an official 13.79 pounds. The angler said he promptly returned the big bass to the exact spot where it was caught. It was released in good shape. Though Harris’ bass is well shy of the lake record mark of 16.80 pounds set in 1997, it’s the biggest fall bass reported since 2015 from the 59-year-old reservoir east of Lufkin. The angler said he plans to enter the big fish in the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Toyota ShareLunker program as a Lew’s Legend Class entry. The Legend Class is reserved for bass weighing upwards of 13 pounds that are caught outside the Jan. 1- March 31 window for Legacy Lunkers. Legacy fish are 13-plus pounders that are loaned to TPWD for spawning and genetics research at the program headquarters in Athens. TPWD fisheries biologist Dan Ashe says he was somewhat surprised to hear the news about Harris’ November giant, mainly because it was caught at a time of year that typically doesn’t produce many Texas teeners. Most of the true heavyweights are caught during spring, once their ovaries are fully developed. “It’s a good sign for sure,” Ashe said. “It’s only November and we’re seeing near-14 pounders being caught. It makes you wonder what that fish might have weighed if she were caught later on, when she was a little more eggy. That fish could have easily weighed 1-and-a-half pounds more in January or February.” The big fish news on Sam Rayburn comes in the midst of what some anglers are calling one of the best fall fishing seasons in recent times. Harris has been visiting the lake at least once a week since late October. He’s been targeting offshore structure and brush piles most of the time. The angler says it is a big fish pattern that isn’t producing many bites, but the quality has been outstanding. “The fishing has been really good this fall,” he said. “I’ve probably caught 8-10 fish over eight pounds since October. I can catch better numbers fishing other ways, but I’m fishing specifically for big ones. I’m only getting a few bites a day running the patterns I’m running. The bigger fish aren’t hanging around with the smaller ones. It seems like they definitely want their space.” Fishing guide Tommy Martin says he and his clients have been enjoying some excellent fishing for numbers in skinny water, but quality fish have been hard to come by. Martin says he has averaged 50-60 bass per day up to four pounds on his last three trips. He has been targeting the coves and pockets in water ranging 2-5 feet of water. There isn’t much grass around to speak of, but there are hordes of bait fish. Martin’s go to bait has been a 1/2 ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad. He’s been throwing a gold color on cloudy days, silver under clear, sunny skies. “The fact there are so many fish and so much bait tells me that the lake is super healthy right now,” Martin said. “It’s fishing way better this fall than I’ve seen in a long time.” Plenty of the other Texas lakes are fishing pretty good this fall. Here are a few to put on the menu as water temperatures begin to take the tumble: Lake O’ The Pines Size: 18,700 acres The Fishing: Lake O’ the Pines is a lake you don’t hear a lot about, mainly because locals do their best to keep it under the radar of the masses. Jim Tutt of Longview has been chasing bass on the northeast Texas reservoir for decades and ranks it among his favorite lakes for fun fishing. “It’s full of them,” Tutt said. “You don't have a lot of the big weights in fall tournaments that you see during winter and spring, but the numbers can be really good.” Tutt summarized the best plan of attack for late fall largemouths with one word — Rat-L-Trap. Crawfish (red/orange) and shad (chrome or bone) patterns always work best. “A lot of guys think it’s too early to throw one, but I know better,” Tutt said. “They eat it here.” Tutt says the ‘Trap always works best around hydrilla beds. Some of the best stuff north of the Highway 155 bridge. He recommends working a 1/2-ounce bait just fast enough to keep it ticking the tops of scattered grass beneath the surface. Best water depth is 3-5 feet.” Bois ‘D Arc Size: 16,600 acres The Fishing: Located in Fannin County, Bois D’ Arc is Texas’ newest fishing hole and the first major reservoir to open statewide since 1991. The lake opened to recreational traffic in April 2024. It has already produced an official lake record of 9.05 pounds for fishing guide Jason Conn and numerous other fish in the eight-pound class, including an 8.15 pound Toyota Sharelunker, also caught by Conn. Growth rates on stocked bass have obviously been outstanding and certain to continue for a while. Bennett said he believes the lake could challenge the state record mark as early as 2029. This is the first fall for anglers to fish the lake. Conn says it has been a good one. He pointed to flooded bushes and old pond dams east the FM 897 bridge as good bets for numbers and quality. All of the brood ponds (3-7 acres) that were stocked prior to the lake filling are located in that area of the lake. Water depths of 15 feet or less will be best. The fish aren’t everywhere, though. They can be really spot oriented. Conn says Live Scope is a big player on Bois d’ Arc. “At times it can be like crappie fishing. Just scan around with ‘Scope until you find a tree or bush that’s got fish in it. If they are near the top of the tree, that's when they eat really well.” O.H. Ivie Size: 19,000-acres The Fishing: The remote West Texas reservoir east of San Angelo caught fire with big bass following the big freeze in February 2021. It’s been smokin’ ever since. ‘Ivie has been the leading producer of Toyota Legacy Class ShareLunkers for the last three years. It also finished among the Top 2 in Bassmaster’s annual Top 100 Lakes in America three times. The lake was No. 1 in 2023. Conn is a traveling guide who sets up camp at ‘Ivie each fall and winter. He and his clients have caught their share of big ones there, including a 17.03 pounder Conn reeled in during February 2023. Conn says ‘Ivie always produces some heavyweights during fall, many on big crank baits and swim baits. The majority are caught by anglers savvy with forward-facing sonar. He pointed out that the fish won’t be suspended in the water column like they will be later on during the pre-spawn. “A lot of times they’ll be right on bottom with their bellies buried in the mud,” he said. “That can make them a lot harder to see on ‘Scope.” Something anglers need to watch this year is water level. The lake was only 26.3 full (less than 7,500 acres) and falling in mid-August, but has risen more than nine feet to 41% of capacity since September. Fisheries biologist Lynn Wright says he has talked to numerous anglers lately who are finding the best action in shallow water around newly flooded salt cedars using frogs and other topwaters baits. “From what I’ve heard the guys who are fishing deep looking for big ones have been struggling,” he said. “The catch rates for the trophy hunters have really plummeted the last couple of months.” Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com .Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victory

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Garnet Hathaway went out for morning skate on Tuesday and looked skyward to the rafters of Nationwide Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers forward found the white banner with the blue trim and the name Johnny Gaudreau in the heavens of the building. It is a permanent tribute to the South Jersey native who should have been squaring up against his former Calgary Flames teammate on the ice below when the Flyers played the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. But on Aug. 29, on the eve of what was scheduled to be his younger sister’s wedding, while on an evening bike ride in Oldmans Township in Salem County, Johnny, 31, and his brother Matthew, 29, were struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver. Johnny left behind two young children; his wife Meredith, and Matthew’s wife Madeline, are each pregnant. “Yeah, there’s a lot of emotions. And I think even more so for his family, for guys that I know that knew him really well, really personally, were really close with him, and my heart just goes out to them,” Hathaway said. “You watch the tributes in Calgary and here, and the banner night, and John and Matthew’s family being there, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to wrap my head around it, especially what they’re going through and have been through. So you can just try and continue to support them, and those that were really close with him.” Hathaway and Gaudreau first played together for the Flames in September 2014 at the Young Stars Classic in Penticton, British Columbia. Each had made their pro debuts the previous spring — Gaudreau played one NHL game and Hathaway played a handful with Abbotsford of the American Hockey League — after they turned pro. Hathaway had wrapped up a four-year career at Brown University and Gaudreau suited up for three season at Boston College. Gaudreau, a native of Salem County who starred for the Little Flyers as a youth, wore No. 13 at Boston College and the banner above the ice he should be skating on today features the number too. Walking around the arena he called home for two seasons, his college jersey, and the one worn by his brother Matthew — the two were teammates at BC — are part of a memorial on the arena’s main concourse. Gaudreau wore No. 13 in Calgary too, when in his second full season the Flames called up Hathaway for his NHL debut in February of 2016. Sean Monahan, who signed with Columbus in the offseason to play with his friend Gaudreau, was in his third season in Alberta at the time. “I played with Sean for a few years as well and I know how close those two were together, and their families too,” Hathaway said. “I think that being more removed from it and seeing the relationships that they had, I think it just highlights how important those relationships can be in your life and in hockey, but even more so outside of the rink.” But it is on the rink where he became a star. Gaudreau, a seven-time All-Star who racked up 743 points in 763 NHL games, first plied his trade at Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell and later played for Gloucester Catholic High School. He was taught how to skate and play the game he’d later dominate — in spite of his diminutive. 5-foot-9, 163-pound frame — by his father Guy. The ice is where, in late September, Guy Gaudreau found some solace. Guy, sporting a Flyers tracksuit, a maroon Frozen Four shirt — the color of Boston College, — and the same blue and red Warrior gloves with the name “Gaudreau” stitched on the cuff that Johnny wore with the Blue Jackets, helped coach the Flyers on the invitation of coach John Tortorella. Guy, who has an open invite from Tortorella, has appeared at multiple practices in Voorhees this season. “It was amazing to have him out on the ice with us and it’s a testament to Torts, our coaching staff, our organization to reach out,” said Hathway who knew Guy from the Flames’ Fathers Trips. “Being in this area, now coming back and playing around Philly you begin to more realize how big of an involvement the Gaudreau family has in that area. It’s all of New Jersey, that whole Philly area, it’s really special. Hockey’s a special sport but those relationships, those bonds, that community outreach, I think, is really just amazing.” It was in the community that Joel Farabee first got to know Gaudreau. He went to dinner with the Flames star and Kevin Hayes, when Hayes was with the Flyers, and met him playing at the hockey tournament, Checking for Charity, in South Jersey. The corporation has hosted hockey tournaments across multiple skill levels including pro since 2009 and has raised over $400,000 for charity since its inception. Farabee then skated with Gaudreau for USA Hockey this past May at the World Championships in Czechia. “I didn’t see the banner, but I saw the picture when we walked into the rink,” Farabee said. “I think Columbus and Calgary have done a great job of just keeping his name around and the things they’ve done for his family and things like that are awesome.” Later Tuesday, fans will walk into Nationwide Arena under a large mural showcasing captain Boone Jenner, Damon Severson, Zach Werenski, and Gaudreau, who is memorialized with his name and the years 1993-2024 under it. In August and September, the entrance was filled with countless sticks, jerseys, bags of Skittles, and bottles of purple Gatorade as fans mourned Gaudreau and his brother Matthew. Gaudreau’s name is still on his stall between Monahan and Sean Kuraly in the Blue Jackets locker room. As you look around the brightly lit room, each stall has a picture above it with the player. Gaudreau’s is after he scored a goal, surrounded by four teammates and Jenner patting him on the head. There is still a spot for his sticks among his teammates. “Just being able to be his teammate for a month during the summer was something I’ll remember forever,” Farabee said. “His family’s great people, and we miss him every day, for sure. But I think the legacy he’s left is a really good one. And I hope that the NHL, and all the teams involved will continue to keep his name and his legacy around.” ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. Visit at inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The world's tallest woman and the world's shortest woman have met for afternoon tea in London to celebrate Guinness World Records Day. Rumeysa Gelgi, who stands 215.16 centimeters (7 feet 0.7 inches) tall, and Jyoti Amge, who measures just 62.8 centimeters (2 feet 0.7 inches), met at the Savoy Hotel, according to a statement from Guinness World Records (GWR) on Wednesday. The height difference between the two women might be a massive 152.36 centimeters (5 feet), but the pair reportedly got on famously. "We do have things in common. We both love make-up, self-care, jewelry and doing our nails," said Gelgi in the statement. "It was difficult for us to make eye contact at times due to our height difference, but it was great," she added. Amge added that she was "so happy" to meet her fellow record holder. Gelgi, a web designer from Turkey, was confirmed as the tallest woman living in 2021. Her height is due to an extremely rare condition called Weaver syndrome. She was only the 27th person in the world to be diagnosed with the syndrome, according to GWR. Gelgi, 27, also holds the records for largest hands on a woman at 24.93 centimeters (9.81 inches); the longest back on a living person (female) at 59.90 centimeters (23.58 inches); and the longest ears on a person (female) at an average size of 9.58 centimeters (3.77 inches). Gelgi has also been featured in a GWR documentary named "Rumeysa: Walking Tall," which follows her on a journey across the U.S., meeting fellow record holders. Amge, an actress and media personality born in India, has a bone growth disorder named achondroplasia that affects the arms and legs. The disorder occurs early in a fetus' development in the womb and affects the cartilage tissue that should become a child's arms and legs. Despite her small stature, she is a big presence on social media and has also appeared on the U.S. television series "American Horror Story: Freak Show" in the role of Ma Petite. This means she is officially the shortest actress ever, GWR said. Amge has also appeared on the Italian TV show "Lo Show Dei Record" on various occasions. GWR editor-in-chief Craig Glenday met with the pair in London and said that the records are about "celebrating differences." "By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us," said Glenday in the statement. Both Gelgi and Amge have been named GWR ICONS, a new category introduced for the book's 2025 edition.College football: Iowa State, Iowa, Illinois learn bowl destinations

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Riley Harris of Orange has reeled in plenty of heavyweight bass over the years, but none compare to the bruiser that gobbled up his football jig on the morning of Nov. 22 at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Harris, 26, was out checking a few waypoints on a chilly Friday when he spotted a few fish on his electronics. The bass were holding around a brush pile in about 22-25 feet of water. “I could tell it was an active pile, so I threw in there to check it out,” Harris said. “She ate it on the second cast. When I set the hook I knew it was a really big fish because I couldn’t move it for like 5-10 seconds, but I had no idea how big until I got it in the boat. It was a giant — way bigger than my previous best 10.80 pounder.” Harris weighed the bass on a Bubba digital scale. It registered a whopping 13.87 pounds. Eager to get a certified weight on the catch, he raced to the Tackle Addict tackle shop in nearby Brookeland. There, the bass weighed an official 13.79 pounds. The angler said he promptly returned the big bass to the exact spot where it was caught. It was released in good shape. Though Harris’ bass is well shy of the lake record mark of 16.80 pounds set in 1997, it’s the biggest fall bass reported since 2015 from the 59-year-old reservoir east of Lufkin. The angler said he plans to enter the big fish in the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Toyota ShareLunker program as a Lew’s Legend Class entry. The Legend Class is reserved for bass weighing upwards of 13 pounds that are caught outside the Jan. 1- March 31 window for Legacy Lunkers. Legacy fish are 13-plus pounders that are loaned to TPWD for spawning and genetics research at the program headquarters in Athens. TPWD fisheries biologist Dan Ashe says he was somewhat surprised to hear the news about Harris’ November giant, mainly because it was caught at a time of year that typically doesn’t produce many Texas teeners. Most of the true heavyweights are caught during spring, once their ovaries are fully developed. “It’s a good sign for sure,” Ashe said. “It’s only November and we’re seeing near-14 pounders being caught. It makes you wonder what that fish might have weighed if she were caught later on, when she was a little more eggy. That fish could have easily weighed 1-and-a-half pounds more in January or February.” The big fish news on Sam Rayburn comes in the midst of what some anglers are calling one of the best fall fishing seasons in recent times. Harris has been visiting the lake at least once a week since late October. He’s been targeting offshore structure and brush piles most of the time. The angler says it is a big fish pattern that isn’t producing many bites, but the quality has been outstanding. “The fishing has been really good this fall,” he said. “I’ve probably caught 8-10 fish over eight pounds since October. I can catch better numbers fishing other ways, but I’m fishing specifically for big ones. I’m only getting a few bites a day running the patterns I’m running. The bigger fish aren’t hanging around with the smaller ones. It seems like they definitely want their space.” Fishing guide Tommy Martin says he and his clients have been enjoying some excellent fishing for numbers in skinny water, but quality fish have been hard to come by. Martin says he has averaged 50-60 bass per day up to four pounds on his last three trips. He has been targeting the coves and pockets in water ranging 2-5 feet of water. There isn’t much grass around to speak of, but there are hordes of bait fish. Martin’s go to bait has been a 1/2 ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad. He’s been throwing a gold color on cloudy days, silver under clear, sunny skies. “The fact there are so many fish and so much bait tells me that the lake is super healthy right now,” Martin said. “It’s fishing way better this fall than I’ve seen in a long time.” Plenty of the other Texas lakes are fishing pretty good this fall. Here are a few to put on the menu as water temperatures begin to take the tumble: Lake O’ The Pines Size: 18,700 acres The Fishing: Lake O’ the Pines is a lake you don’t hear a lot about, mainly because locals do their best to keep it under the radar of the masses. Jim Tutt of Longview has been chasing bass on the northeast Texas reservoir for decades and ranks it among his favorite lakes for fun fishing. “It’s full of them,” Tutt said. “You don't have a lot of the big weights in fall tournaments that you see during winter and spring, but the numbers can be really good.” Tutt summarized the best plan of attack for late fall largemouths with one word — Rat-L-Trap. Crawfish (red/orange) and shad (chrome or bone) patterns always work best. “A lot of guys think it’s too early to throw one, but I know better,” Tutt said. “They eat it here.” Tutt says the ‘Trap always works best around hydrilla beds. Some of the best stuff north of the Highway 155 bridge. He recommends working a 1/2-ounce bait just fast enough to keep it ticking the tops of scattered grass beneath the surface. Best water depth is 3-5 feet.” Bois ‘D Arc Size: 16,600 acres The Fishing: Located in Fannin County, Bois D’ Arc is Texas’ newest fishing hole and the first major reservoir to open statewide since 1991. The lake opened to recreational traffic in April 2024. It has already produced an official lake record of 9.05 pounds for fishing guide Jason Conn and numerous other fish in the eight-pound class, including an 8.15 pound Toyota Sharelunker, also caught by Conn. Growth rates on stocked bass have obviously been outstanding and certain to continue for a while. Bennett said he believes the lake could challenge the state record mark as early as 2029. This is the first fall for anglers to fish the lake. Conn says it has been a good one. He pointed to flooded bushes and old pond dams east the FM 897 bridge as good bets for numbers and quality. All of the brood ponds (3-7 acres) that were stocked prior to the lake filling are located in that area of the lake. Water depths of 15 feet or less will be best. The fish aren’t everywhere, though. They can be really spot oriented. Conn says Live Scope is a big player on Bois d’ Arc. “At times it can be like crappie fishing. Just scan around with ‘Scope until you find a tree or bush that’s got fish in it. If they are near the top of the tree, that's when they eat really well.” O.H. Ivie Size: 19,000-acres The Fishing: The remote West Texas reservoir east of San Angelo caught fire with big bass following the big freeze in February 2021. It’s been smokin’ ever since. ‘Ivie has been the leading producer of Toyota Legacy Class ShareLunkers for the last three years. It also finished among the Top 2 in Bassmaster’s annual Top 100 Lakes in America three times. The lake was No. 1 in 2023. Conn is a traveling guide who sets up camp at ‘Ivie each fall and winter. He and his clients have caught their share of big ones there, including a 17.03 pounder Conn reeled in during February 2023. Conn says ‘Ivie always produces some heavyweights during fall, many on big crank baits and swim baits. The majority are caught by anglers savvy with forward-facing sonar. He pointed out that the fish won’t be suspended in the water column like they will be later on during the pre-spawn. “A lot of times they’ll be right on bottom with their bellies buried in the mud,” he said. “That can make them a lot harder to see on ‘Scope.” Something anglers need to watch this year is water level. The lake was only 26.3 full (less than 7,500 acres) and falling in mid-August, but has risen more than nine feet to 41% of capacity since September. Fisheries biologist Lynn Wright says he has talked to numerous anglers lately who are finding the best action in shallow water around newly flooded salt cedars using frogs and other topwaters baits. “From what I’ve heard the guys who are fishing deep looking for big ones have been struggling,” he said. “The catch rates for the trophy hunters have really plummeted the last couple of months.” Matt Williams is a freelance writer based in Nacogdoches, mattwillwrite4u@yahoo.com .

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NoneA LEADING hotelier has said reducing the VAT would be a quick fix to the industry but it is not the only solution. John Burke has been working in the Armada Hotel in Clare for 25 years, taking over when he was 21, but it has been in his family for much longer. It has been open for 56 years, starting as a pub before progressing into a wedding venue and tourist spot. And he said the VAT reduction back to 9 per cent would be a great bonus for the industry, but it is not the only problem, citing the cost of food as a huge issue. John said: “I've been through a few ups and downs along the way, and there've been some really difficult times. And this is difficult, too. “It's just gone really, really tight. The business and the margins are gone really tight, particularly on the food side of it. For standalone restaurants and cafes, it's a really difficult time for them. “I suppose we have to make it a better industry to work in. We have to raise the pay. We have to raise the minimum wage. “We have to pay the sick pay that's been brought in. But it's all coming very suddenly. It's all coming at a cost.” Hospitality leaders have been campaigning political parties in the run-up to the election to bring back down the VAT as they had done during the pandemic. The rate had previously been cut to nine per cent to support the sector during the pandemic before being restored to 13.5 per cent. The industry had been calling for a nine per cent rate in the Budget announced on October 1, with an 11 per cent middle ground also floated. However, no such cut was announced and the rate remained at 13.5 per cent - much to the disappointment of hospitality representatives. John, who is married to Irish actress Aoibhin Garrihy , said: “That there is a quick fix, in that would resolve a lot of the issues. But it can't just be that. “Getting through the difficult times in the past, it is about being as creative as possible, working as hard as possible. "When you face a challenge, in particular during Covid, we worked harder, myself and the team, than we ever did before during those years. “And I'm working hard and coming up with new ideas. I suppose if you curl up and if you cower away from the challenges, you're definitely on a downward spiral. "But just trying to take them head on and trying to tackle them head on and trying to reinvent and trying to find opportunities where there's very little scope for them, that’s where it’s at.” He said it may be different for his perspective as the Armada “started with very little”. John said: “That was always the culture, like, fight for the scraps and fight for whatever you could. It was always very challenging and very, very tight. “But there's always opportunities. If you look, there's always opportunity. You just have to look hard and work really hard at them. And I suppose that's the kind of mindset we have in the business.” He added that VAT “can’t be the only solution”. The hotelier continued: “It is an important part of the solution, but it's not the only solution. We are a creative industry. "And I suppose when the chips are down, we can see what has happened in the past. We have to keep creating and working harder and finding ways. But it is challenging.” He said in the hotel business, the room costs are not as high as food. He added: “I believe hospitality, like cafes and restaurants, they're a huge part of the social fabric of areas and communities, and I think particularly in rural Ireland, like these cafes and restaurants are where people and where I see our team in the hotel on their days off, this is where they're hanging out “We know that there's a shift away from the drinking culture. But these are an important social part of society and particularly in smaller communities. And they can't continue to fail. “They have to get support. They have to be allowed to survive. They can't be fighting for scraps or trying to break even in a year. You know, they deliver more to society than the support that they are getting. “And I would say the Government was there when the chips were down during Covid. The recognition is deserved for that, but these are still really, really challenging times and with a bit of support, we can make it. "We can continue to make it a great industry and an industry that will thrive and won't cost the government with businesses closing down and everything else that comes with that.” Speaking about this time of year, he said it is “always tough” and the crew have to be creative to get people in the doors. They mainly rely on locals and Irish people holidaying for the months between November and March, as he does not want to close down for winter. John said: “I suppose the traditional thing in seasonal, in regional hotels, hotels along the coast would be to try and close down, you know, for a couple of months a year, but we're really, like I've always avoided that. And I suppose the objective is to continue to avoid that. “I feel like it's better for employment, it's better for the quality of the hotel and for our ability to kind of keep improving and progressing. if we could just try to generate enough business to make it worthwhile to stay open during the down season.” He added: “Everyone is kind of pursuing the same customers. What we're trying to do is stand out from the competition, be a bit more creative, try to do something a bit different, work harder from ourselves, we really have to continually work harder.”

Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump's most contentious picksIf given the choice, most dogs would prefer to stay with their grandparents over their owners because of the endless treats. But because they don't have a choice, one dog showed his true feelings in a recent TikTok. Calvin the cavapoo—a mix between a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a toy poodle —spent the weekend with his grandparents. It only took a few days for Calvin to taste the sweet life: treats, extra food, endless snuggles. He learned that he could do no wrong at his grandparents' house. Realizing his worth, he wanted to make a change when he returned to his home. In the November 13 TikTok video posted under the account @cavapoo.named.cal, Calvin sat with his parents in the living room. A seriousness overcame his demeanor as he readied to address his unfair treatment. His eyes peered into their souls. He had been unimpressed with the spoiledness level his parents had been giving him compared to his grandparents. The text on the video read Calvin's "expectations are higher now." And to show them he meant business, he stomped on the ground. They needed to step up their game or else he would go live with his grandparents. Cal's hilarious reaction amassed 860,700 views, 55,300 likes and 316 comments as of Friday. TikTok users immediately stood up for the injustice Calvin had been receiving with his owners. Newsweek reached out to @cavapoo.named.ca via email for additional comment. "The little stomp to indicate he was finally 'putting his foot down!'" commented a viewer. Another added: "Calvin ain't having it!!! He said level up!" Other owners know firsthand how dogs come home unimpressed after being with their grandparents: "Omg same I pick up my doodle and he's like, 'Wait I got to do whatever I wanted all night with grandma.'" Someone else pointed out: "And they come back a lil chunkier bc the grandparents think you're starving them." The owner responded: "Exactly! My mom said, 'You sure you are feeding him correctly?' Like ma'am he's fine." However, one cannot necessarily blame grandparents for always spoiling their human or furry grandchildren. An article from Scientific Origin reported that the bond between grandparents and grandchildren is rooted in emotional fulfillment, psychological rewards and social dynamics. The connection allows them to have unconditional love without the direct stress of parenting. Grandparents might also see their grandbabies as a "reward for successfully raising children." They feel accomplished seeing their children grow into adults and start their own families. Plus, grandparents typically have more time on their hands versus when they were raising their children. This gives them an opportunity to make up for lost time they might've felt they lost with their own children. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

Nebraska saw a football player announce a transfer for a third straight day Wednesday, this time a rotational member of the defensive line. Kai Wallin will move on after two seasons as a Husker, he announced on social media. He appeared in 11 games this fall with four tackles and recorded half a sack at Purdue. The 6-foot-5, 250-pounder said he “deliberated, consulted and prayed” about his decision. “While I hope to continue to grow and evolve and make an impact on a new field, I will never forget the honor it was to wear a Nebraska jersey,” Wallin wrote in part. Wallin played a year of junior-college ball before arriving at Nebraska in 2023. The Sacramento native redshirted his first season before logging 89 snaps this year including 13 against Wisconsin. He saw single-digit snaps in five games behind a senior-heavy starting line. People are also reading... 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Wallin is the 10th Husker to announce his intent to enter the transfer portal since Nov. 25. Migration among defenders has been higher as defensive coordinator Tony White and defensive line coach Terrance Knighton both left in recent days for Florida State. NU coach Matt Rhule said earlier Wednesday the roster churn – especially attrition – will continue in earnest as the team continues to trim closer to next season’s mandated limit of 105. “There’s going to be more,” Rhule said. “Everybody’s journey is different.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!WASHINGTON — Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO . Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Asked on NBC’s “Meet the Press” if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, “I am.” He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning election in November. “I don’t want to say anything about that, because I don’t want to do anything that could impede the negotiation,” Trump said. Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration. Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. None of the advisers traveling with him appeared to have expertise on Ukraine. Kyiv would like to close a deal, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.” “I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!” Trump added. He was referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favoring Russia. Zelenskyy described his discussions Saturday with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as “constructive” but has given no further details. Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a “just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years.” “When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land,” he said Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trump’s post by repeating Moscow’s long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. Peskov referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks “impossible” as long as Putin was Russia’s leader. That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. Trump’s former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, warned there was no such thing as a quick fix to ending Russia’s war with Ukraine. “What I’m worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of a deal,” McMaster told “Fox News Sunday.” “I think it’s really important for President Trump to adhere to his instinct in this connection ... peace through strength,” McMaster said, adding, “How about give them what they need to defend themselves, and then saying to Putin, ‘You’re going to lose this war?”’ While Trump has said before that he would like to see a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, his proposal Sunday was framed as a direct appeal to Russia. The quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president. Both Trump and President Joe Biden pointed this weekend to Russia’s disengagement in Syria , where the Russian military largely moved out of the way while Syrian rebels overthrew the country’s Russian-allied president , as evidence of the extent to which the Ukraine war has sapped Russia’s resources. Biden said at the White House on Sunday that resistance from Ukraine had “left Russia unable to protect its main ally in the Middle East.” The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraine’s allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, potentially forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to resume the war again once it has built back up its military strength. Trump portrays himself as up to making fast deals to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have frustrated many of the Biden administration’s own mediation efforts. There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so — unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise affect current U.S. policy. The Logan Act bars private citizens from trying to intervene in “disputes or controversies” between the United States and foreign powers without government approval. But the 1799 statute has produced just two criminal cases, none since the 1850s and neither resulting in a criminal conviction. In the NBC interview taped Friday, Trump renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term. Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending , due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term. Asked whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question. “If they’re paying their bills, and if I think they’re treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely I’d stay with NATO,” he said. But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, “Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.” Trump expressed the same openness when asked if Ukraine should brace for possible cuts in U.S. aid. “Possibly,” he said. U.S. arms and other military support are vital to Ukraine’s efforts to fend off invading Russian forces, and Biden has been surging assistance to Ukraine before leaving office. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday announced nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine. Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Sunday about the status of the war and U.S. military backing, the Pentagon said. Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement Sunday by Russia’s defense ministry. If confirmed, that gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said. - By Ellen Knickmeyer and Joanna Kozlowska, The Associated Press