Adrian Barich: How would you go at a ‘silent retreat’ where talking and even laughing aloud are banned?December 11 - Iowa State and Matt Campbell are in agreement on a new eight-year contract after the head coach led the Cyclones to their first 10-win season ever. The new deal runs through the 2032 season. Financial terms were not disclosed by the school Wednesday. No. 18 Iowa State (10-3) lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game last weekend, knocking the Cyclones out of the College Football Playoff. Iowa State will play No. 13 Miami in the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando, Fla. "It has been rewarding to see the amazing impact Coach Campbell, and his staff, have had over the past decade on our University, athletics department, and the young men in our football program," ISU athletic director Jamie Pollard said. "Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program. Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program." Campbell is 63-51 in nine seasons at Iowa State and will lead the Cyclones to their seventh bowl game in his tenure. He went 35-15 in five seasons at Toledo prior to being hired at Iowa State. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab
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Looking to build on its best start in 11 years, No. 12 Oregon begins its Big Ten Conference tenure on Wednesday in Los Angeles when it visits fellow league newcomer Southern California. The Ducks (8-0) extended their hottest opening stretch since the 2013-14 season with a dramatic, 83-81 win over then-No. 9 Alabama on Saturday in the championship game of the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Nate Bittle capped a 19-point, nine-rebound performance with a tip-dunk just before the buzzer, helping Oregon avoid a late-game collapse after the Crimson Tide scored six straight in the final minute to tie the score. Bittle's game-winning play continued a strong start for the 7-foot center in his return from various health issues that sidelined him for almost the entire 2023-24 season. He missed two months after breaking his wrist, then the final two months due to illness. Bittle heads to Los Angeles averaging team-highs of 14.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He is one of three Ducks averaging more than 10 points per game, along with forward Brandon Angel, who has posted 10.1, and TJ Bamba, Most Valuable Player of the Players Era Festival, posting 13 points per game. "Some nights are going to be your night, some nights are going to be your teammates' nights. You've just got to be happy for everybody, just knowing that you're going to have off-nights and you can trust your teammates," Bittle said of Oregon's depth in an episode of the Ducks' behind-the-scenes YouTube series. Jackson Shelstad, whose 20 points powered Oregon to a 78-69 win when the Ducks last visited USC in February for a Pac-12 Conference tilt, has a team-high 3.9 assists per game despite his individual scoring output dropping from 12.8 points a season ago to 9.8 so far in 2024-25. The win catapulted Oregon from unranked to No. 12 in the Ducks' first Associated Press Top 25 appearance of the season. This marks the 10th time in which Oregon has been ranked at some point in the season during coach Dana Altman's 15-year tenure, and the sixth time in seven seasons. USC (5-3), meanwhile, returns home after a disastrous showing at last week's Acrisure Classic in Palm Desert, Calif. The Trojans' first two games away from home this season produced a pair of double-digit losses, starting with a 71-36 blowout defeat on Thursday vs. Saint Mary's. USC's scoring output against the Gaels matched its lowest since November 2011. The next night against New Mexico, the Trojans gave up 83 points, the second-most they have allowed in a game this season, in a 10-point loss to the Lobos. First-year Trojans coach Eric Musselman said last week that "it's a mystery" how USC has allowed scorers to get into positions to get off clean shots so far this season. Against Saint Mary's, Gaels guard Jordan Ross' ability to get into the lane off the dribble repeatedly after halftime turned a manageable, 11-point deficit into a landslide in shorter order. "We've got to figure out what and who we are defensively," Musselman said. Opponents are shooting 35.7 percent from 3-point range and 53 percent inside the arc against the Trojans through eight games. --Field Level MediaGus Malzahn is leaving UCF to become Florida State's offensive coordinator, AP source says
Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picksKaylene Smikle's 16 points and Shyanne Sellers' 15 points helped No. 10 Maryland defeat George Mason 66-56 on Saturday in a tight game in the Navy Classic at Annapolis, Md. Saylor Poffenbarger added 10 points off the bench for Maryland (7-0). George Mason (6-1), on the strength of an 18-7 scoring edge in the third quarter, pulled ahead 45-44 going to the fourth. Sellers scored with five minutes left to break a 51-51 tie and the Terrapins led the rest of the way. Kennedy Harris led the Patriots, who shot 31.5 percent from the field and had 25 offensive rebounds, with 26 points. Louis Volker had 14 points off the bench. No. 4 South Carolina 99, Purdue 51 MiLaysia Fulwiley's 14 points led five Gamecocks reserves in double figures in an easy win over the Boilermakers at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Fla. Ashlyn Watkins and Tessa Johnson each had 13 points off the bench for South Carolina, while starters Chloe Kitts and Bree Hall both posted 12 points. Joyce Edwards (11) and Maddy McDaniel (10) also reached double figures. South Carolina (7-1), which led 53-18 at halftime, had a 56-26 rebounding advantage. Destini Lombard racked up 24 points, aided by four 3-pointers, for Purdue (4-3), which shot 39.6 percent from the field. No. 15 Iowa State 75, Middle Tennessee 59 Audi Crooks posted 21 points on 9-for-14 shooting as the Cyclones routed the Blue Raiders and left the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Fort Myers, Fla., on a high. Addy Brown had 12 points for Iowa State (6-2), which shot 54.7 percent from the floor following a 40-point loss to No. 4 South Carolina. The Cyclones held a fifth opponent under the 60-point mark. Ta'Mia Scott scored 24 points, including 8-for-8 on free throws, for Middle Tennessee (6-2). Anastasiia Boldyreva and Jalynn Gregory each added 14 points for the Blue Raiders, who were 19-of-20 at the foul line. No. 18 Mississippi 89, Alabama State 24 Reserve Sira Thienou's 16 points contributed to the romp for the host Rebels over the Lady Hornets at Oxford, Miss. Christeen Iwuala and Starr Jacobs each had 12 points and Kennedy Todd-Williams had 11 points for Ole Miss, which benefited from 33 turnovers by Alabama State. The Rebels (5-2) led 57-10 at halftime. Kaitlyn Bryant's seven points off the bench were tops for Alabama State (2-5), which shot 19 percent from the field. No. 24 Louisville 79, Colorado 71 Tajianna Roberts' go-ahead 3-point basket with less than 7 1/2 minutes remaining ignited a 16-0 run as the Cardinals picked up a road victory over the Buffaloes at Boulder, Colo. Jayda Curry and Nyla Harris each tallied 14 points, Roberts finished with 13 and Izela Arenas had 11 for Louisville (5-2). Frida Formann led Colorado (6-2) with 25 points. Jade Masogayo had 12 points and Nyamer Diew added 10 points. Kindyll Wetta had 10 assists. --Field Level MediaSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The No. 4 Penn State women's volleyball team clinched at least a share of the Big Ten title for the 18th time in program history Friday night at Rec Hall. The Nittany Lions took down No. 2 Nebraska 3-1 (25-21,14-25, 25-22, 25-23) behind a career-high 18 kills from redshirt freshman Caroline Jurevicius, daughter of former Penn State and NFL wide receiver Joe Jurevicius. Penn State wrapped up the regular season at 29-2 overall and 19-1 in the Big Ten. Nebraska fell to 28-2 overall and 18-1 in the conference. The Huskers can clinch a share of the title with a win over Maryland Saturday. If they were to lose, the outright conference championship would go to the Nittany Lions. Jurevicius, who spent a year at Nebraska during a redshirt season in 2023, racked up her career-high kill total on .414 hitting to help Penn State beat Nebraska for the first time since 2018. The win secured the Nittany Lions' first Big Ten title since 2017. They now have nine more conference championships than any other team in the conference. Camryn Hannah and Jess Mruzik joined Jurevicius in double digits with 12 and 10 kills, respectively. Maggie Mendelson tallied eight kills, while fellow middle blocker Taylor Trammell finished with six. Freshman setter Izzy Starck guided the attack with her 46 assists and finished off a double-double with her 11 digs. Penn State held Nebraska to .154 hitting, which was its lowest percentage of the season. The Cornhuskers were held below .200 just two other times this year. Meanwhile, it was the 24th time the Nittany Lions held their opponent under .200 hitting, including 15 of 16 matches at Rec Hall. Opponents are hitting .148 at Rec Hall this season. Mendelson and Starck were in on six blocks apiece as Penn State finished the match with 10. Trammell tallied four blocks. Gillian Grimes totaled 12 digs to lead a group of four Nittany Lions in double digits. Starck had 11 to finish off her 14th double-double of the season. Mruzik also had 10 to register her 12th double-double. Ava Falduto also had 10 digs, while Jocelyn Nathan stepped up with a career-high nine as she made her fourth start of the season. Andi Jackson led Nebraska with 10 kills on .667 hitting and was in on eight of the team's 16 blocks. Harper Murray recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 13 digs. Penn State got the fans on their feet early with a 4-0 run to open the match and went on to take the opening set 25-21. Mendelson and Jurevicius went off against their former team. Mendelson hit .833 with five kills, while Jurevicius had five kills on .444 hitting. The Nittany Lions broke a 14-all tie with a 3-0 run that included back-to-back kills by Mendelson and an ace by Mruzik. Nebraska battled back to tie it at 19-all before Penn State went on a 4-0 run. Hannah and Jurevicius had kills during that stretch. Set point was later scored on a kill by Mruzik. It was all Nebraska in the second set as the Cornhuskers piled up six blocks, including four from Rebekah Allick in a 25-14 win. Penn State was held to minus-.079 hitting in the set. Penn State bounced back strong with a 25-22 win in the third set behind six kills on .625 hitting by Jurevicius. That helped the Nittany Lions hold off an outstanding individual effort by Nebraska's Jackson, who had five kills on five swings. The Nittany Lions trailed 8-7 before going on a 3-0 run and never trailed again. Jurevicius started the run with a kill and followed it with a block alongside Trammell. Mruzik joined Trammell for a block to cap the run. Nebraska got within two numerous times during the set only to see Penn State side out. The final time was at 24-22 following a kill by Taylor Landfair. Hannah responded with a kill for set point for the Nittany Lions. Jurevicius added five more kills on .571 hitting, and Hannah tallied five on .444 hitting to lead Penn State to a match-clinching 25-23 win in the fourth set. Starck had her best set of the night, totaling 16 assists as the Nittany Lions hit .351. Penn State used a 5-0 run that included two kills apiece from Hannah and Trammell to go up 16-12. Nebraska battled back to take a 19-18 advantage, but that would be its final lead of the night. The teams traded points all the way to a 21-all tie before Penn State broke the pattern with a 3-0 run to go up 24-21. The run included a block by Trammell and Starck, as well as two Nebraska attack errors. The Cornhuskers stopped Penn State's first two chances at match point. The third time was the charm as Starck set Hannah for the final kill. (c)2024 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — Michael Gray Jr. had 19 points and Byron Ireland made two free throws with 6 seconds left to rally Nicholls to a 76-75 victory over Louisiana on Saturday night. Gray shot 6 for 11, including 5 for 10 from beyond the arc for the Colonels (4-4). Jamal West added 15 points and nine rebounds. Jaylen Searles hit three 3-pointers and scored 15. Ireland also finished with 15 points. The Ragin' Cajuns (1-7) were led by Kyran Ratliff's 25 points, 13 rebounds and two steals. Mostapha El Moutaouakkil added 19 points and six rebounds. Christian Wright had 12 points. The loss is the sixth in a row for the Ragin' Cajuns. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Status: Clearance Acquirer : KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. (Japan) Acquired : Cepton, Inc. (U.S.) Value : Unknown Industry Tags : Autonomous Vehicles; Lidar; Automotive On July 29, 2024, Cepton, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPTN) a provider of “lidar-based solutions for automotive (ADAS/AV), smart cities, smart spaces and smart industrial applications,” “signed a definitive agreement . . . providing for the acquisition by KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD. . . . (TSE: 7276), a leading automotive tier one supplier, of all of the outstanding capital stock of the Company not owned by Koito for $3.17 per share in an all-cash transaction.” (Press Release, Cepton, Inc., Form 8-K, Ex-99.1, July 29, 2024, SEC Filing .) CFIUS Approval is a condition to the transaction. (Agreement and Plan of Merger, Section 8.02(c), Cepton, Inc., Form 8-K, Ex-2.1, July 29, 2024, SEC Filing .) “The final CFIUS notice was submitted on September 13, 2024 and accepted for review on September 24, 2024. At the end of the 45-day review period, the parties received confirmation that CFIUS concluded its investigation as of November 7, 2024, communicating that there are no unresolved national security issues with respect to the Transaction.” ( Cepton, Inc., Schedule 14A, Nov. 21, 2024, SEC Filing .)
WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year. Wray’s intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, including in a television interview broadcast Sunday. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director before his term was up and Wray — by resigning before he could be fired — opting to avert a collision with the incoming Trump administration that he said would have plunged the FBI into political fighting. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. "In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The resignation would clear the way for Patel's ascension, assuming he is confirmed by the Senate. A White House staffer during Trump's first term, Patel has insisted that the federal government should be rid of “conspirators” against Trump. The comments have stirred alarm that he could seek to use the FBI for retribution against perceived enemies despite longstanding guardrails meant to ensure investigations have a proper basis. It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions. Trump said in the recent interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed. Trump applauded the resignation news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice.” and complaining anew about the Mar-a-Lago search. Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association. said in a statement Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. In fact, Wray was quick to distance himself and his leadership team from the FBI’s Russia investigation that was well underway when he took office. On the same day of a harshly critical inspector general report on that inquiry, Wray announced more than 40 corrective actions to the FBI’s process for applying for warrants for secret national security surveillance. He said mistakes made during the Russia inquiry were unacceptable and he helped tighten controls for investigations into candidates for federal office. FBI officials actively trumpeted those changes to make clear that Wray’s leadership had ushered in a different era at the bureau. Even then, though, Wray’s criticism of the investigation was occasionally measured — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of it as a “witch hunt” — and there were other instances, particularly in response to specific questions, when he memorably broke with the White House. In 2020, he said that there was “no indication” that Ukraine had interfered in the 2016 election, countering a frequent talking point at the time from Trump. When the Trump White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide, Wray made known his displeasure. Wray also angered Trump for saying that antifa was a movement and an ideology but not an organization. Trump had said he would like to designate the group as a terrorist organization. Then came the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search, which officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that action and has kept up his criticism ever since, including after Wray said at a congressional hearing last summer that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., during the “Bridgegate” affair. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.Decluttering Your Social Media: A Fresh Start For Your Digital LifeThese treatments promise younger skin without the use of needles. Do they really work?
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 .President-elect Donald Trump demonstrated backing for the H-1B visa initiative, joining tech tycoon Elon Musk in a passionate discussion among MAGA conservatives. In an interview with The New York Post on Saturday, Trump expressed support for immigration visas for skilled workers, a stance that has created rifts in his political base. “I’ve always liked the visas. I’ve always been in favor of the visas. That’s why we have them,” Trump stated, referring to the H-1B program, which allows companies to hire foreign specialists for key roles. Trump admitted to heavily utilizing H-1B visas at his properties, describing the program as “great” and “essential.” These remarks differ from Trump's previous position during his presidency when he placed limits on visas for foreign workers, such as the H-1B program. Critics have claimed that the initiative puts American workers at a disadvantage, a worry often expressed by staunch MAGA supporters. Elon Musk Defends H-1B ProgramElon Musk became a prominent supporter of the H-1B visa program, emphasizing its significance for sustaining U.S. competitiveness. Musk emphasized that the initiative is essential for acquiring high-quality engineering talent that is frequently not accessible within the country. Addressing critics on his social media platform, X, Musk ardently supported the program. His remarks escalated after Steven Mackey, an X user, mocked Musk’s advocacy by using Musk’s own words, “Stop trying to optimize something that shouldn’t exist.” Musk fired back, stating that the H-1B program enabled many key contributors, including himself, to thrive in America. “The reason I’m in America, along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla, and hundreds of other companies, is because of H-1B,” Musk wrote. In a heated exchange, Musk added, “Take a big step back and F–K YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” paraphrasing a famous line from the film Tropic Thunder. Pushback From MAGA ConservativesTrump's remarks and Musk's support have elicited strong backlash from certain MAGA conservatives. Notable individuals like Laura Loomer and Ann Coulter have claimed that the program is being misused by corporations to the detriment of American workers. Steve Bannon, an ex-White House advisor, ridiculed Musk on Gettr, suggesting a “wellness check” on the billionaire's mental health. As reported by The New York Post, these conservatives contend that H-1B visas compromise Trump's commitment to prioritize American jobs and implement tougher immigration regulations. Broader ImplicationsMusk’s stance has gained backing from certain individuals within Trump’s inner circle. Vivek Ramaswamy, set to head the Department of Government Efficiency under Trump, shared Musk’s views. Ramaswamy characterized American culture as one that “valued mediocrity more than excellence,” endorsing policies that draw in top talent. Musk stressed that the U.S. needs to compete internationally by attracting the best “0.1% of engineering talent” to maintain its leadership in fields such as technology and innovation. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.
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76ers look for season-best 4th straight win vs. BlazersCLEVELAND (AP) — Myles Garrett was in no mood to celebrate his birthday or making history. Garrett recorded two sacks to become the first NFL player with 14 sacks in four straight seasons, but the Cleveland Browns couldn't do anything on offense during a 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Garrett turned 29 and turned in another stellar performance in this dreadful season for the Browns (3-13), who had hoped to take another step after making the playoffs a year ago. But nothing has gone right in Cleveland, and now the team is facing another offseason of change. Garrett has 14 sacks this season and 102 1/2 in his eight-year career. He's making the case for a second consecutive NFL defensive player of the year honor. But there isn't any award that will ease the pain of his fourth double-digit loss season. “At the end of the day, we play for wins,” Garrett said. “The individual stuff is great. It's nice, you want to be remembered for all of the above. But cities remember you for wins and bringing championships back home. “That's always been my intention. So, I want to get back on track, want to get back to winning, whether it's the last one or whatever's in store next season.” Garrett recently made it clear that he does not want to be part of another rebuild in Cleveland, saying he wanted to see the team's plans to improve the roster. His comments opened the possibility that he could ask for a trade if he isn't satisfied with the Browns' outlook. After the Browns dropped their fifth in a row to finish 2-6 at home, Garrett said he never considered that it might be his last game in Cleveland. “I don't think about that kind of stuff,” he said. “My mission is to go out there and try to help this team win as a leader, as a brother, as a teammate. That's what I solely focus on. I'm not looking into the future. Next thing on my mind is recovery, looking at film, how can we improve going to the Ravens and try to play spoiler for them.” Garrett hasn't given up. For the second week in a row, he displayed extraordinary effort while chasing a scrambling quarterback without getting a sack. He won't quit. “He's the best pass rusher in the game,” Browns guard Joel Bitonio said. “You could ask all the players, all the coaches. He's probably the guy they fear going up against the most. He's dynamic. He's a special player. He's doing his thing. I hope we can get some stuff around him so he can win some games around here.” Garrett twice went into the medical tent during the game. He slowly walked to his locker to get dressed before turning on some music that brought a little life into an otherwise somber Cleveland locker room. Garrett laughed when asked if he's pushing himself to the end. “I'm just old,” he said. “I'm 29. I'm not going to be dragging myself through the finish line. I'll be fine by Friday, Saturday and be ready to go. I always am." ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Tom Withers, The Associated Press
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