Limited again, 49ers QB Brock Purdy still fighting sore shoulder
Tony Pollard's best plays from 129-yard game vs. Texans Week 12Gary O’Neil accepts criticism from Wolves fans after heavy defeat at EvertonFootage shows Roy Keane's 'heated confrontation' with fan after Ipswich Town vs Man United - SPORTbible
The big picture: Most hydrogen production still relies on natural gas. However, a new technique that uses only sunlight and water could allow humanity to move away from using fossil fuels to produce cleaner energy. Researchers at Shinshu University in Japan have built a novel reactor to manufacture renewable hydrogen fuel directly from sunlight and water. It's still an early prototype, but the system could eventually provide a way to produce zero-emission fuel cheaply and sustainably. The reactor is 1,076 sq ft and employs unique photocatalytic panels to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. This conversion leverages a two-step process. First, the reactor extracts oxygen. The second step separates the hydrogen atoms. The device can then siphon off the hydrogen and store it as a clean-burning fuel for powering vehicles, generators, or other machines. This method differs from today's "one-step" catalysts that split water into hydrogen and oxygen in one go. Although the traditional method is easier, it is also terribly inefficient because the hydrogen fuel requires refinement using natural gas. The team initially tested the reactor with UV light, which showed promise. Under actual sunlight, it yielded even better results, with around 50 percent higher solar energy conversion. The system sounds quite promising. However, there's a catch. The reactor only converts about one percent of sunlight into hydrogen fuel under standard simulated conditions. That's an improvement over previous attempts, but it's still too low for wide-scale adoption. The researchers note that an approximately five percent efficiency is needed to make it commercially viable. The scientists believe that increasing the reactor scale and developing new, higher-performing photocatalysts is critical. However, achieving viable efficiency will require a broader scientific effort focused on enhancing the photocatalysts. "The most important aspect to develop is the efficiency of solar-to-chemical energy conversion by photocatalysts," senior author Kazunari Domen said. "If it is improved to a practical level, many researchers will work seriously on the development of mass production technology and gas separation processes, as well as large-scale plant construction. This will also change the way many people, including policymakers, think about solar energy conversion, and accelerate the development of infrastructure, laws, and regulations related to solar fuels." Despite the remaining technical hurdles, the concept shows great promise. If scientists can refine the catalysts and scale up the reactors, we could be getting our fuel fix from two of the most plentiful resources on Earth rather than finite fossil fuels. Masthead credit: Philip Graves
The Kansas City Chiefs returned to winning ways on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdowns in a tight 30-27 victory against the Carolina Panthers . The Chiefs moved up to 10-1, bouncing back from last week's defeat to the Buffalo Bills that ended hopes of a perfect season. And as Kansas City continue their march towards a historic three-peat - their main goal this season - Travis Kelce hit a personal milestone. He made an early catch to take his total career receiving yards to 11,854, the third-highest number of any tight end in NFL history. Kelce has now overtaken the legendary Antonio Gates and only Tony Gonzalez (15,127) and Jason Witten (13,046), have more yards than him. While he moved up in that legendary list, Kelce was denied a chance to make franchise history on Sunday. The 35-year-old is currently tied with Gonzalez for most receiving touchdowns in Chiefs history, and one more score will see him set a new record with 77. He perhaps would have fancied his chances of getting into the end zone against the Panthers, but it wasn't to be. Instead, it was teammate and fellow tight end Noah Gray who scored two TDs instead. Both, impressively, came in the first half. Gray first caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to put the Chiefs ahead 7-0, and added a second on an 11-yard pass with 44 seconds left before the break. He also had two touchdown catches in last week's game against the Bills. And with another impressive display, he became the first tight end with multiple receiving touchdowns in consecutive games since George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. With Mahomes sharing the ball around, Kelce will need to wait another week to make history in Kansas City. So far, he has not found the end zone as frequently as he would have liked this season, and only has two TDs through 12 weeks of the season. This time last year, he had already scored five en-route to the Super Bowl . And with a historic three-peat on the cards, individual achievements may have to take a back seat. Despite not getting into the end zone, Kelce finished the game with 62 yards from six receptions. talkSPORT is your home of the NFL on UK radio, and you can stay up to date with all the latest from around the league via our dedicated 'EndZone' YouTube channel.
Kings head to San Jose looking to build off strong defensive homestand
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy finally became a winner on the final tournament of his fifth year on the PGA Tour, hitting 6-iron to 5 feet for birdie on the 18th hole at Sea Island for a 2-under 68 and a one-shot victory in the RSM Classic. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy finally became a winner on the final tournament of his fifth year on the PGA Tour, hitting 6-iron to 5 feet for birdie on the 18th hole at Sea Island for a 2-under 68 and a one-shot victory in the RSM Classic. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — Maverick McNealy finally became a winner on the final tournament of his fifth year on the PGA Tour, hitting 6-iron to 5 feet for birdie on the 18th hole at Sea Island for a 2-under 68 and a one-shot victory in the RSM Classic. He picked the right time to end nine holes without a birdie, even as so many others were making them to create a four-way tie for the lead. The victory came in his 134th start as a pro, and it sends him to Maui to start the year at The Sentry and to the Masters in April for the first time. Daniel Berger missed a 20-foot birdie attempt on the 18th that preceded McNealy’s winner. He tied for second with Nico Echavarria and Florida State sophomore Luke Clanton, both of whom missed par putts from inside 8 feet on the final hole that created the four-way tie. Berger got a small consolation prize, moving inside the top 125 to keep a full PGA Tour card for 2025 when the fields will be smaller and only the top 100 will keep cards. Henrik Norlander, who was No. 126 in the FedEx Cup last year, had a 63-68 weekend and joined Berger as the two players who moved into the top 125. For Joel Dahmen, it was a matter of staying there. He was at No. 124 coming into the final tournament, had to make a 5-foot par putt just to make the cut on the number and then delivered a tee-to-green clinic — along with holing a 113-yard sand wedge for eagle early in his round — for a closing 64. It was enough to stay at No. 124 with nine points to spare. “Two of the biggest pressure moments of my career I showed up, and I can take that going forward,” Dahmen said. Clanton was a shot away from joining Nick Dunlap as amateur winners on the PGA Tour this year. Clanton, who has taken over as the top-ranked amateur in the world, now has two runner-up finishes and four top 10s in the seven PGA Tour starts the last five months. He had the look of a winner, especially with McNealy stuck in neutral, when he poured in birdie putts on the 14th and 16th holes to tie for the lead. But he tugged his approach to the 18th into bunker, blasted out nicely to 7 feet and stooped over in disbelief when he missed his par putt and had to settle for a 66. “It’s going to be a tough one to definitely take, for sure, after bogeying the last,” Clanton said. “But I think it’s proven to me that out here I can win, so I’ll be training for that.” Echavarria, who won in Japan a month ago, had not made a bogey all day until going long on the 18th, chipping to 9 feet and catching the lip with his par putt. Michael Thorbjornsen was poised to move into the top 125 until he pulled his approach into the water on the par-5 15th hole and made bogey, closing with three pars for a 69. He tied for eighth and finished at No. 129. Thorbjornsen still has a full card next year from being No. 1 in PGA Tour University, but his status won’t be as high. McNealy, son of Sun Microsystems co-founder Scott McNealy, had been doing some of his best work outside the ropes, particularly effecting a change in FedEx Cup points distribution to make it more equitable. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Missing was a victory, and this one came down to the wire. He went out in 33 and led by two going to the back nine, and then it became a grind. He holed a 15-foot par putt from the fringe on the 11th to stay in the lead, and saved par after going bunker-to-bunker on the 13th. But he dropped a shot with an errant drive on the 14th, and when Echavarria birdied the 15th ahead of him, McNealy was out of the lead for the first time all day. He answered at just the right time, a 6-iron that covered the flag and settled just over 5 feet away. The victory gets him into three $20 million events over the first two months of the year, along with his first trip to the Masters. ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf Advertisement AdvertisementKnight stops 20 shots, Florida rolls past Carolina 6-0 for 2nd win over 'Canes in as many days
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — On a day when Josh Allen became the first player to have three touchdown passes and three rushing TDs in the same game, it was a play during which Buffalo's quarterback didn't reach the end zone that was the most discussed after the Bills' 44-42 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Trailing by nine late in the fourth quarter Sunday, Allen was stopped for no gain on a sneak up the middle on first-and-goal from the Rams 1-yard line. Buffalo then use the first of its three timeouts with 1:02 remaining. “I have to find a way to get in," said Allen, who passed for 324 yards and rushed for 82. "I don’t know the stats, but I know it wasn’t good enough to win the game.” After being stuffed, Allen went off left guard on second down for his ninth rushing score of the season to get the Bills within two points. But with a minute left, Buffalo was forced to attempt an onside kick. The Rams' Ronnie Rivers recovered Tyler Bass' kick at the Bills 45, allowing Los Angeles to run out the clock and end Buffalo's seven-game winning streak. Instead of still being within striking distance of Kansas City for the top spot in the AFC, the Bills are 10-3 and tied with Pittsburgh for the second seed. Allen and the Bills have been successful on short-yardage sneaks this season. It was only the third time in 19 rushing attempts he was stopped with a to-go distance of at least 1 yard. Two of those stops have occurred on the opponents' 1-yard line. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) is hit by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. Credit: AP/Gregory Bull The Bills quarterback is 20 of 27 on sneaks from the 1 during his seven-year career and four of six this season. Bills coach Sean McDermott, who didn't appear for his postgame news conference until 67 minutes after the game was over, defended the play call and then taking the timeout. McDermott also noted that 15 to 20 more seconds would have come off the clock if they would've tried to spike the ball instead of taking the timeout. “You have two options and neither are great," he said. "When you're in that situation with three timeouts, we were underneath the time where we could get the ball with a legit chance to win with no timeouts. We ran what we thought was our best play all year. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. Credit: AP/Eric Thayer “I thought we could get it on the first play. If we did get the onside kick, we had 15 yards and roughly 50 seconds and felt good about ourselves.” Recovering an onside kick, instead of having all three timeouts and trying to stop the Rams on three plays, has ended up having a lower rate of success. With teams having to declare an onside kick and rules preventing the kicking team from overloading players on one side, there have been only three instances out of 41 this season where a team has recovered an onside kick. The Bills reached the end zone on their final four possessions, but Allen said not scoring near the end of the first half and then going three-and-out on their first drive of the second half loomed large. “We have to find ways to score before and after the half. We didn’t do our part,” said Allen, who completed 22 of 37 passes. “I have to make one more play than they do. It was a total team loss in three phases. We didn’t play up to our standards.” Allen had all but one of his rushing yards in the second half as the Bills nearly rallied from a 38-21 deficit late in the third quarter. He joined Kordell Stewart as the only players in NFL history with at least three TD passes and two rushing scores in multiple career games. It also was Allen's fifth game with at least two rushing and passing scores, surpassing Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young for the most in NFL history. “I mean, he’s a nightmare to defend, and so it’s a balance. I don’t think you can just sit back and let him navigate the pocket," Rams coach Sean McVay said. "He can beat you from the pocket, he can beat you with his mind, he can beat you with his arm, he can beat you with his legs. That’s why he’s a legitimate MVP candidate. "He’s one of the best players in this league, but we were searching for some different answers.” Buffalo forced the Rams to punt only twice in nine possessions and also had a breakdown on special teams when Sam Martin's punt in the second quarter was blocked by Jacob Hummel. Hunter Long scooped up the loose ball and went 22 yards to extend Los Angeles' lead to 17-7. McDermott said Allen had an “incredible” game but that “we have to do a better job around him," especially with a road game at 12-1 Detroit next week. “We have our work cut out for us this week,” he said.BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Liga leader was stunned by Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday. Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphinha’s equalizer to give Las Palmas its first win at Barcelona in more than 50 years. Barcelona played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and was flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It had won all eight of its home games. But it has gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Before Las Palmas, it fell at Real Sociedad 1-0 and drew at Celta Vigo 2-2 after squandering a two-goal lead in the final minutes. The dropped points mean Madrid, despite its own troubles , especially in the Champions League, can move ahead of Barcelona in La Liga. It trails Barcelona by four points with two games in hand. “I don’t care about scoring, I care about winning,” Raphinha said after his standout performance was unable to end Barcelona's slump. “We have to take a hard look at what we are doing wrong. We have slipped in our form and are letting games get away form us. We have our next game on Tuesday (at Mallorca), and we need to turn this around so we can win the league.” Atletico Madrid was only two points behind Barcelona in second place — and with the same number of games played — after Antoine Griezmann scored a gem of a goal in a 5-0 demolition of last-placed Valladolid. History for Las Palmas Las Palmas savored its first victory at Barcelona since the 1971-72 season and just its third victory at the Catalan club overall. The other visits by the modest side that wears all yellow uniforms to Barcelona have ended in 34 defeats and three draws. “We are thrilled because we have made history,” Sandro said. “When you start the season you think that these games are usually going to end in wins for the bigger side, but if there is one thing we believe in is our capacity to work hard all week to get results like this.” Barcelona's Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Yamal appeared as a halftime substitute and Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also palmed a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes. Sandro, a former Barcelona youth player, capped a fine five-pass buildup by Las Palmas from its own box as it masterfully undid Barcelona’s high pressure in the 49th minute. Raphinha had already hit the crossbar in the first half before he equalized in the 61st. The Brazil forward took a short pass from Pedri just outside the area, skirted across the edge and drilled a shot between two defenders. But Barcelona was caught pushing forward for a second goal when Silva controlled a ball from Javi Muñoz and sent in a shot bouncing past Iñaki Peña in the 67th. The unexpected loss dampened Barcelona’s celebration of its 125th anniversary, which included the debut of its new mascot “Cat,” a large, yellow feline wearing its team kit. Balde carried off Barcelona lost left back Alejandro Balde early in the game when he couldn’t continue after he crashed into Sandro at full speed. Balde appeared to hurt his upper chest or neck area when he ran into Sandro’s shoulder. He was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Gerard Martín. Griezmann applauded Griezmann scored one of the goals of the season when the forward exchanged a quick one-two with Julián Alvarez and used a sleek touch of the inside of his boot to roll the ball with him as he spun before dinking it over the Valladolid goalkeeper. That was the visitor's fourth goal. Shortly after, Valladolid fans stood up and applauded when Griezmann was substituted. “That is what every players wants, to make people enjoy what we do. So I appreciate their warmth,” Griezmann said. Atletico also got goals from Alvarez, Clement Lenglet, Rodrigo de Paul, and Alexander Sorloth. Espanyol ends losing streak Espanyol beat Celta 3-1 to end a streak of four losses in the league and relieve pressure on coach Manolo González. Alaves also drew with Leganes 1-1 at home. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press
11 graves with 15 bodies found near Mexican border with GuatemalaREDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER), a leading life sciences company commercializing a disruptive new platform for proteomics, today announced it ranked No. 57 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 TM, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Seer grew 2,440% during this period. Seer’s President and CFO, David Horn, credits increased adoption of Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite, as well as new discoveries made by its customers across neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and metabolic disease, with the company’s 2,440% revenue growth. "This has been an exciting year for Seer, from the launch of our technology access center in Europe, to seeing our Proteograph platform used by astronauts on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, to the recent announcement of our co-marketing and sales agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific,” Horn said. “We’re proud to see continuing validation of our work providing customers and the broader scientific community with the power to enable deep proteomic insights at a scale and price point that hasn’t been possible before." Seer previously ranked No. 5 as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2023. Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500: Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Seer: Seer is a life sciences company developing transformative products that open a new gateway to the proteome. Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite is an integrated solution that includes proprietary engineered nanoparticles, consumables, automation instrumentation and software to perform deep, unbiased proteomic analysis at scale in a matter of hours. Seer designed the Proteograph workflow to be efficient and easy to use, leveraging widely adopted laboratory instrumentation to provide a decentralized solution that can be incorporated by nearly any lab. Seer’s Proteograph Product Suite is for research use only and is not intended for diagnostic procedures. For more information, please visit www.seer.bio . Media Contact: Patrick Schmidt pr@seer.bio Investor Contact: Carrie Mendivil investor@seer.bio About Deloitte: Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future . Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com . Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the “Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.
Prospera Financial Services Inc increased its stake in shares of Universal Display Co. ( NASDAQ:OLED – Free Report ) by 4.4% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 2,576 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after purchasing an additional 108 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc’s holdings in Universal Display were worth $542,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in OLED. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD increased its holdings in shares of Universal Display by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 22,867 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $3,852,000 after acquiring an additional 616 shares during the last quarter. Caxton Associates LP bought a new stake in Universal Display during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $4,848,000. Janus Henderson Group PLC boosted its stake in Universal Display by 66.6% during the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 434,029 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $73,099,000 after purchasing an additional 173,496 shares during the period. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. bought a new stake in Universal Display during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $620,000. Finally, Motley Fool Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in Universal Display during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $626,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.19% of the company’s stock. Insider Transactions at Universal Display In other Universal Display news, Director Lawrence Lacerte purchased 742 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 4th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $180.89 per share, with a total value of $134,220.38. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 122,372 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,135,871.08. This trade represents a 0.61 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . 1.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on OLED Universal Display Trading Up 0.8 % Shares of OLED opened at $168.41 on Friday. Universal Display Co. has a 1 year low of $148.75 and a 1 year high of $237.00. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $195.31 and a 200-day simple moving average of $195.64. The stock has a market cap of $7.99 billion, a PE ratio of 33.82, a PEG ratio of 1.79 and a beta of 1.43. Universal Display ( NASDAQ:OLED – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The semiconductor company reported $1.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.19 by $0.21. Universal Display had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 36.98%. The business had revenue of $161.63 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $165.28 million. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $1.08 EPS. Universal Display’s quarterly revenue was up 14.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Universal Display Co. will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Universal Display Dividend Announcement The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, December 17th will be issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 17th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.95%. Universal Display’s payout ratio is presently 32.13%. Universal Display Company Profile ( Free Report ) Universal Display Corporation engages in the research, development, and commercialization of organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies and materials for use in display and solid-state lighting applications in the United States and internationally. The company offers PHOLED technologies and materials for displays and lighting products under the UniversalPHOLED brand. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OLED? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Universal Display Co. ( NASDAQ:OLED – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Universal Display Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Universal Display and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .By Kimberly Jones / Beacon Media The devastation brought by Hurricane Helene to western North Carolina has left communities grappling with significant loss and upheaval. As we witness the aftermath, one thing is clear: the path to recovery will require time, commitment, and considerable resources. And while there are so many areas that will need help, how our people recover will most assuredly pass directly through North Carolina’s public schools. Schools have not just been places of learning but have become community lifelines, offering everything from emergency shelters to emotional support for students and families. In Waynesville, Heather Smith, our 2024 North Carolina Teacher of the Year, is a testament to this resilience. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, she and her community have shown unwavering dedication to their students. The Watauga High School community have been sharing stories about how staff and teachers worked tirelessly to account for all 1,647 of their students — even as many of them struggled without basic utilities themselves. Noticias recientes de política e inmigración directamente en tu correo! Newsletter Política e Inmigración This story of commitment is a powerful reminder of what our schools and educators do, day in and day out, to support their communities. North Carolina's public schools have always been more than just places of education; they are dynamic centers of dedication and community spirit, fostering a sense of culture, pride, and unity. Our schools unite students, families, and community members from all walks of life, all in the shared mission of providing one of society's most essential resources — education. Open to all, without tuition or discrimination, our public schools welcome every young person. They offer an environment where students are not only taught but uplifted and inspired to explore their potential and grow both academically and personally. In times of need, whether it be emotional, social, or academic, our public schools serve as beacons of hope, offering shelter and guidance through life’s challenges. But dedication alone will not rebuild our schools. The Department of Public Instruction has requested legislative action to cut through red tape and deliver critical resources to affected areas. This effort, however, is only the beginning. Our students will return with immense social and emotional needs, compounded by the trauma of displacement and loss. Addressing these needs requires investment in mental health support and educational resources, from tutors to counselors. Our state's teachers are already organizing to support their peers in the West, drawing on experiences from past challenges like Hurricane Florence and the disruptions of COVID-19. By partnering teachers in the West with those in the East who have faced similar challenges, we aim to create a support network that will help communities rebuild and students thrive. Yet, this will only succeed if the state steps up with the necessary financial backing. WhatsApp Únete a nuestra comunidad de WhatsApp Recibe gratis las noticias más importantes y de utilidad de Carolina del Norte directo en tu celular. Haz preguntas y comentarios, y charla con nuestros periodistas. This moment calls for a reevaluation of priorities. With the devastation in western North Carolina, now is not the time to divert public funds to private school vouchers. The shift of $463 million of public tax dollars to pay for so-called “vouchers” for private schools undermines the recovery efforts that our communities so desperately need. It’s crucial that state leaders ensure these funds remain in public education, where they can directly benefit the students who have already faced so much disruption. Our General Assembly must not only express their support through words but also through tangible financial commitments to Western North Carolina public schools. Investments such as addressing school infrastructure and technology needs, expanding mental health services, increasing support for low-income and at-risk students, and retaining and recruiting high-quality educators via increased pay and benefits will all help students regain a sense of normalcy and rebuild their academic standing. This is a long-term effort that goes beyond rebuilding classrooms; it’s about restoring hope and stability to our communities. As we move forward, lawmakers and education leaders alike will have the opportunity to shape the future of education in our state. Regardless of political affiliation, we need leaders who recognize the value of public education and who will prioritize our schools and teachers over divisive rhetoric. Now is the time for leaders who understand the realities of the classroom and who are committed to building a future where every student, especially those in crisis, has the opportunity to succeed. The resilience of our schools and educators is unwavering. But to truly rebuild and recover, North Carolina must commit to investing in the resources that our students and teachers need. It’s not just about restoring buildings — it’s about nurturing the potential of every child and ensuring that, even in the face of disaster, they have a path to a brighter future. __________ Kimberly Jones is an English and Humanities teacher for Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She is the 2023 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teacher of the Year. This column is syndicated by Beacon Media , please contact info@beacnmedianc.org with feedback or questions. The following article is an expression of personal opinion and does not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of Enlace Latino NC organization. This article has the purpose to generate discussion and exchange of ideas on the subject matter. The author is responsible for the opinions expressed in this article, which are based on his/her personal knowledge, experience and analysis of the subject. Enlace Latino NC combate la desinformación, eleva las voces de los inmigrantes y fomenta una comunidad más inclusiva e informada. ¡Tu apoyo hace la diferencia! Desde ahora hasta el 31 de diciembre, cada donación será triplicada (hasta $1,000). PODCAST En este episodio, exploramos el impacto de las políticas migratorias en la salud mental de los migrantes. Escucha testimonios de quienes viven con este miedo a diario y de terapeutas que explican sus efectos. Además, un periodista especializado nos brinda el contexto las políticas migratorias en el estado. Enlace Latino podcast Republish This Story Republique gratuitamente nuestras historias en su website o periódico. Seguimos la licencia de Creative Commons. Dele clic al recuadro, y siga las instrucciones. Republish this article This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License . by Beacon Media, Enlace Latino NC December 8, 2024