George Kenneth Brandalick, 81, of New Braunfels passed away Friday, November 29 at Houston Methodist Hospital in The Woodlands, surrounded by family. George was born February 12, 1943 in Youngstown, Ohio, to parents Adam and Kathryn Brandalick. He graduated from Fitch High School in Austintown, Ohio, in 1961 and went on to earn a bachelors degree in marketing and advertising from Youngstown State University in 1968, where he was also a published poet. On August 29, 1970, he married his wife Frances Marie Cheff. Together, they raised four children: Dean, Christina, Nicole and Keith. Throughout his professional life, George worked for several companies in Ohio, including Stambaugh-Thompson Hardware, Strauss-Kaufman Department Store, the United Way and the Catholic Charities of Youngstown, Ohio. In 1986, George and his family moved from Ohio to Wimberley so he could take a job at Environmental Projection Systems - Pixel Magic in San Marcos. In 1999, George and Fran moved to Las Vegas, where George worked for Cashman Photography and met many celebrities. In 2010, George and Fran moved back to Texas and lived in Corpus Christi with their daughter Chris and son-in-law Eric. In 2019, George and Fran purchased their forever home in New Braunfels, where George worked for a short time at the Columbus Club before reluctantly retiring. Some of his passions included photography, cars, racing, history, technology, physics and the way things mechanically worked. He could almost always be found behind a camera with a smile, especially at concerts, weddings, parties, baptisms or any events where his family and friends were. George and his family were very involved with the church, participating in weekly masses and volunteering when he could. He never met a stranger and would make friends everywhere he went. George is preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife; brother Matthew Brandalick and sister-in-law Kathy of Ft. Myers, Florida; children Dean Brandalick, Keith Brandalick, Nicole Hutchins and husband Jeff, all of New Braunfels and Christina Lehmann and husband Eric of Conroe; grandkids Devan, Jayden and Emmy Brandalick and Nolan and Ella Hutchins, all of New Braunfels, along with many other friends and family members. A visitation will be held on Monday, December 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a holy rosary being held at 7:00 p.m. at Zoeller Funeral Home. A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, December 10 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, with a graveside service following at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery.
Syria's Assad: the president who led a bloody crackdownFormer UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believes one of his greatest accomplishments is irreplicable. Demetrious Johnson accomplished many feats during his illustrious career in the cage. During stints in the UFC and ONE, Johnson tallied many highlight finishes during his multiple championship reigns with both promotions. Many things stand out about Johnson’s MMA career. One of which is the fact he was the centerpiece of the only major cross-promotional trade in the sport’s history when the UFC traded Johnson to ONE in exchange for Ben Askren. Before his UFC departure, Johnson’s long flyweight title reign finally ended against Henry Cejudo in his promotional finale. The loss marked the end of one of the greatest runs in UFC championship history, and certainly the longest. After walking away from MMA earlier this year, Johnson believes his UFC flyweight title reign is something fight fans and pundits will never see surpassed as the sport continues to gain traction worldwide. READ MORE: UFC legend explains how Jon Jones’ post-UFC 309 Tom Aspinall dismissals ruined his ‘brand’ Demetrious Johnson reveals his greatest UFC achievement that he feels won’t be replicated During a recent interview with MMA Fighting , Johnson was asked about one UFC record he believes will prove impossible to surpass. “What me and Anderson Silva have done with that many consecutive title defenses in a row, it’s gonna be untouched,” Johnson said. “You look at the landscape of mixed martial arts, you have Ilia Topuria who is 27 years old...Alex Pereira, he’s like 37 years old. All the champions, they’re in their 30s...from 2012 all the way to 2018, that’s six years of just dominance. You’re not going to see that nowadays, because everyone wants to go up and fight for [a second belt]. “11 consecutive title defenses will never be touched. Jon Jones, he’s been in and out, now he’s at heavyweight...what I’ve been able to accomplish as a champ, it’s not able to be replicated.” Johnson’s memorable win over Ray Borg at UFC 216 was his record-breaking 11th consecutive title defense. He surpassed longtime UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who notched 10 title defenses during his reign. READ MORE: Dana White highlights Netflix’s success with Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson as he considers UFC broadcast deal Demetrious Johnson retired in 2024 after legendary MMA career Johnson defeated the likes of Joseph Benavidez, John Dodson, and Cejudo during his UFC flyweight title reign. After UFC CEO Dana White allegedly threatened to disband the division, Johnson and others cemented the weight class for years to come, resulting in the flyweight talent we see today. Johnson announced his retirement at ONE 168 earlier this year, ending his legendary run in the cage. While Johnson walked away from MMA, he’ll continue to compete in various grappling competitions after discovering a new-found love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Johnson will likely enter the UFC Hall of Fame one day, especially after recently hanging up the gloves. But, his at-times strained relationship with White and the UFC brass could hinder his Hall of Fame chances. In an age in which the term ‘champ-champ’ is prevalent, Johnson’s long title reign may never be replicated. Time will tell if we’ll ever see anything like it ever again. READ MORE: Justin Gaethje breaks silence on potential rematch with Michael Chandler and confirms UFC fight date
Percentages: FG .440, FT .926. 3-Point Goals: 10-27, .370 (Byrd 4-5, Gonsalves 3-9, Berrett 2-7, Bieker 1-4, Riley 0-2). Team Rebounds: 5. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 4 (Ariyibi 3, Rainwater). Turnovers: 14 (Ariyibi 3, Rainwater 3, Byrd 2, Gonsalves 2, Riley 2, Bieker, Misic). Steals: 5 (Bieker 2, Ariyibi, Byrd, Riley). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .556, FT .550. 3-Point Goals: 8-17, .471 (Washington 3-6, Jones 2-2, Barbee 1-1, Martindale 1-2, Adams 1-3, Beard 0-1, Brinson 0-1, Cain 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 5 (Jones 3, Fofana 2). Turnovers: 11 (Jones 3, Adams 2, Beard, Brinson, Fofana, Fuller, Martindale, Washington). Steals: 7 (Barbee 2, Jones 2, Washington 2, Adams). Technical Fouls: None. A_138 (7,321).Set near Calne in an “idyllic position... with stunning views over neighbouring countryside” this sounds more like a resort than a house in the West Country. The four-bedroom house has been put up for sale by Strakers for £700,000. (Image: Strakers) Not only would it be great for a holiday, but imagine how this house with its garden office could change your work-from-home life - walking from your desk in your lunch break, across “large gardens” to take a dip. The house itself is described as a “spacious, beautifully presented, semi-detached house with large, well-maintained gardens”. The house is open-plan with “large” French doors opening onto the swimming pool and deck area with an outdoor dining table. (Image: Strakers) This outdoor table is protected from the elements by a wood-panelled canopy with skylights to avoid it being gloomy. This would be perfect for summer storms, sitting watching the rain fall while enjoying a drink in the dry. The agent is particularly keen on the gardens. They write: “One of the outstanding features of this impressive property is large, mature garden which is incredibly private and sides onto a field. (Image: Strakers) “The garden is divided into a number of sections including a superb, raised paved patio seating area with glass balustrade, extensive lawned area, well-stocked beds and ornamental bushes.” According to estate agent Strutt and Parker, a third of Brits want an indoor swimming pool - topping the list of features that people want in their own homes. Research from Ocean Finance reveals that 36 per cent of homeowners, or over 18 million people, crave an indoor swimming pool which they can call their own. (Image: Strakers) Meanwhile, 23 per cent of people want a jacuzzi or hot tub in their dream house. The house is located in the hamlet of Studley between Chippenham and Calne. The neighbouring village of Derry Hill offers a primary school, post office shop, church and the Lansdowne Arms pub. The pub is “a gabled, rural stone inn with 2 gardens and valley views”, according to its website, with strong reviews. The house was last listed for sale in 2012 for £395,000 when it looked radically different inside, but much the same outside with its pool. Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/subscribe/ As a digital subscriber, you will get:
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Misr Real Estate Asset Management partners with Belmazad for digital auctionsThe gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. Here's the latest: The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. “We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity. A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he ambushed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack . ▶ Read more about the search for the gunman In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. ▶ Read more about how companies protect their leaders Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. — Mike Balsamo Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations. The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday. “The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution. The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event. “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.” Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage. The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said. But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter. “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX. Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely. Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said. Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled. The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. ▶ Read more about the steps companies take to protect their leadership Police said Thursday they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper from a trash can near the scene of the ambush and think the suspect bought them from a Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The items were being tested by the city’s medical examiner.
ESPN pundit wants Warriors to trade for LeBron JamesIt's time for the holidays, which means robust family conversations and seemingly never-ending courses of food. But for the more tech-savvy among us, the journey home could also mean we'll be called on to provide a backlog of tech support to parents, grandparents and other family members. And with generative AI being used to supercharge some major cyber scams this year, it's also a good time to teach and not just fix. Here are some tips on how to manage your tech encounters this holiday season: Whether it's Windows, macOS, iOS or Android, simply keeping your operating system and apps up-to-date will help protect your family's computers and devices against a surprising number of security threats, such as malware, viruses and exploits. Most operating systems, especially those for mobile devices and their app stores, typically have auto-updates turned on by default. Be sure to double-check the device to make sure it has enough storage space to carry out the update. (More on this below.) Keeping apps updated may also reduce the number of "Why isn't this app working?" type of questions from your relatives. Chances are someone in your family is going to have a completely full mobile device. So full, in fact, that they can no longer update their phone or tablet without having to purge something first. There are many approaches to freeing up space. Here are a few you can easily take without having to triage data or apps. According to some admittedly unscientific studies, the average person has hundreds of passwords. That's a lot to remember. So as you help your relatives reset some of theirs, you may be tempted to recycle some to keep things simple for them. But that's one of the bad password habits that cybersecurity experts warn against. Instead, try introducing your forgetful family member to a password manager. They're useful tools for simplifying and keeping track of logins. And if you want to impress a more tech-savvy cousin or auntie, you could suggest switching to a more secure digital authentication method: passkeys. As scammers find new ways to steal money and personal information, you and your family should be more vigilant about who to trust. Artificial intelligence and other technologies are giving bad actors craftier tools to work with online. A quick way to remember what to do when you think you're getting scammed is to think about the three S's, said Alissa Abdullah, also known as Dr. Jay, Mastercard's deputy chief security officer "Stay suspicious, stop for a second (and think about it) and stay protected," she said. Simply being aware of typical scams can help, experts say. Robocalls frequently target vulnerable individuals like seniors, people with disabilities, and people with debt. So-called romance scams target lonely and isolated individuals. Quiz scams target those who spend a lot of time on social media. Check our AP guide on the latest scams and what to do when you're victimized. Home internet speeds are getting faster, so you want to make sure your family members are getting a high-speed connection if they've paid for one. Run a broadband speed test on your home network if they're still rocking an aging modem and router. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs. CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now! FCT, Abuja - An Abuja high court has given an order of interim injunction restraining Nyesom Wike , the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and some individuals from selling a landed property. As reported by Vanguard newspaper , the property is located at Plot No. 4411, Cadastral Zone A09, Guzape District, Abuja . Justice Mohammed Zubairu reportedly made the order following an ex-parte motion moved by counsel to the applicant, Reuben Atabo, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Although the motion ex-parte, marked: M/16807/2024, was moved by Atabo on Monday, December 23, its certified true copy (CTC) was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, December 24. The judge said: “The interim order of injunction is to last for a few days pending when all parties are served and appeared before this court for the hearing of the motion on notice. Read also BREAKING: High court gives notable order in DSS’ case against Miyetti Allah, details emerge PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! “Consequently, an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the defendants/respondents whether by themselves or agents. privies, servants, workmen and any person howsoever called acting on their behalf from trespassing into and interfering with the claimant’s exclusive possession of the properly.” The judge, who directed that the motion on notice already filed before the court be served on all the defendants, adjourned the case until Monday, December 30, 2024, for hearing of the substantive suit. Recall in the motion ex-parte dated and filed on Monday, December 16, the applicant, Nextdora Nigeria Limited, sued Eric Anyamene Nnamdi, Bilikisu Mallam, Wike, and Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively. The company sought four interim orders which were granted. The fourth relief is an order of Interim injunction restraining the defendants from, among others, developing or assigning the property situated at Plot No.4411, Cadastral Zone Ao9, Guzape District, Abuja . Read also Ibadan stampede: Call surfaces for deceased children’s parents to be arrested, reason emerges Read more on Nyesom Wike: “Nollywood script”: Ex-APC chieftain exposes political agenda behind Wike’s actions Buhari breaks silence as Wike revokes 762 plots of land belonging to ex-president, govs, lawmaker FCT land revocation: Wike gives fresh order to Onnoghen, Abass, Akume, others Wike threatened with “deadliest shutdown” in Abuja Earlier, Legit.ng resident doctors in Abuja gave Wike two weeks to meet their demands, threatening to paralyse medical activities if their requests were not granted. George Ebong, president of the FCTA Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), commended Wike for his infrastructure strides in Abuja but lamented that doctors were “abandoned projects. Ebong noted that Wike has 14 days to act on their demands to avert what he described as the "deadliest shutdown" of hospitals in the Nigerian capital city. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng
Aaron Judge wins second AL MVP in 3 seasons. Shohei Ohtani expected to win NL honor NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was a unanimous pick to win his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in three seasons on Thursday, easily outdistancing Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Shohei Ohtani was expected to win the National League honor later Thursday, his third MVP and first in the NL. Judge received all 30 first-place votes in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Witt got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks. The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s injury and prognosis Thursday after he was evaluated by doctors upon the teams’ return from a three-game road trip. This prolonged absence puts a pause on Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. He scored 15 goals in his first 18 games this season to move just 27 away of passing Gretzky. Ovechkin was on pace to break the record in February before his shin-on-shin collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on Monday night. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. QB Daniel Jones disagrees with the Giants' decision to bench him and says he wants to play EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With tears occasionally welling in his eyes, Daniel Jones disagreed on Thursday with the New York Giants' decision to bench him earlier this week and perhaps end his five-plus tenure as the team’s quarterback. The 27-year-old Jones said he gave the team everything he had after being taken sixth overall in the 2019 draft and he believes he still has a future in the NFL. He held himself accountable for the Giants making the playoffs once in his tenure as the starter. Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies' MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking time with Manchester City is far from over. The City manager has signed a two-year contract extension ending speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would prolong his tenure to 11 seasons. Guardiola’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season. The four-time defending Premier League champions announced the deal Thursday. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club. Narin An leads with a 64 in the wind as Nelly Korda struggles in LPGA finale NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Narin An is the surprise first-round leader at the richest-paying event on the LPGA Tour. The South Korean played bogey-free for a 64 in the CME Group Tour Championship. That gives An a one-shot lead over Angel Yin. As for Nelly Korda, she has some work to do. Coming off her seventh victory of the season last week, Korda could only manage an even-par 72. That leaves her needing to make up eight shots over the next three rounds. At stake if a $4 million payoff to the winner. Lydia Ko was among those three shots off the lead. Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia MALAGA, Spain (AP) — No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner has led defending champion Italy to a comeback victory over Argentina for a return to the Davis Cup semifinals. A rematch of last year's championship matchup against Australia now awaits in the final four on Saturday in Malaga, Spain. Italy fell behind 1-0 in the quarterfinals when Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1. But two-time Grand Slam champion Sinner overwhelmed Sebastián Báez 6-2, 6-1. Then Sinner teamed with Matteo Berrettini in the deciding doubles match to win 6-4, 7-5 against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Australia eliminated the U.S. to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. Drama surrounds final 3 races of F1 season as drivers voice displeasure with recent FIA decisions LAS VEGAS (AP) — There’s three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen is inching so close to a fourth consecutive world championship he could wrap it up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But all is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing. There’s a new race director following the shock sacking of Niels Wittich that blindsided the Grand Prix Driver’s Association so badly they created an Instagram account to rebuke the lack of FIA transparency. It’s the lone post on the account. Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media said last week he was stepping down from his position and F1 furiously denied over the weekend that Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Management, was also on the move. Colorado's 2-way star Travis Hunter eyes Big 12 title and more before 'for sure' entering NFL draft DENVER (AP) — Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations when he announced he’s for sure turning pro after this season, but not until he sees Colorado all the way through the College Football Playoff should the Buffaloes make it there. The first was a given for the junior who plays both receiver and cornerback. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected first-round draft pick who averages around 120 snaps a game. In years past, it took two extra postseason wins to capture a national title. Now, it could take up to four additional contests. That’s more of a chance to shine, but also more chance for an injury. 76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has a bone bruise on his left knee and will miss two games, the team said. The 76ers said George did not suffer any structural damage when he injured the same knee that he hyperextended during the preseason in Wednesday night’s loss at Memphis. George will miss home games Friday against Brooklyn and Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team says George will be evaluated again on Monday.Home for the holidays? Show relatives you care with some tech support
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As President-elect Donald Trump reshuffles his cabinet wish list, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seems to be moving closer to the halls of the Pentagon, that is if Trump's embattled first choice for the job flames out. Pete Hegseth's nomination continues to be clouded by troubling allegations raising serious concerns about his suitability for one of the country's most critical roles. That said, on Friday Trump made his first public show of support for Hegseth, according to ABC News since the scandals began to flood the airwaves. “Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep,” Trump wrote on his social media platform. “He was a great student — Princeton/Harvard educated — with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defense Defense [typo in original text], one who leads with charisma and skill," wrote Trump who added that Hegseth is a "WINNER." But then Trump invited someone else (DeSantis) to the upcoming annual Army-Navy college football game, reported Fox News on Friday. Which means? Read Also: Trump To Swap Hegseth For DeSantis? Here’s What Polymarket Odds For Defense Secretary Pick Show While not a defense stalwart though he did offer to send Florida troops to the Texas border to stop the flow of drugs and immigrants from Mexico, DeSantis served as a Navy Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer and deployed to Iraq, making him comparatively qualified by Trump standards, which seem to prioritize loyalty and optics over skill and experience. In Florida, DeSantis has been riding high since the defeat of the constitutional amendment to legalize cannabis, which he fought against tooth and nail despite widespread public support for legalization, which included Trump’s endorsement that no doubt irked the governor. Advocates argue DeSantis’ resistance to cannabis reform not only stifled economic opportunities in the state but also ignored the will of many Floridians. For an amendment to be adopted in Florida, it must receive 60% of the vote. The cannabis amendment received 57% — a majority, but no cigar. The cannabis angle could become relevant given the growing recognition of legalization as a bipartisan issue. For a potential Secretary of Defense nominee, opposition to marijuana reform could complicate relations within the states — 38 and counting — and nations where cannabis is embraced for its medical, social and economic benefits. Now Read : Trump’s DEA Drama: He Didn’t Quit, I Fired Him — A Tale Of Pastors, Pandemic And Hurt Feelings © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.WASHINGTON — A nearly two-year investigation by Democratic senators of Supreme Court ethics details more luxury travel by Justice Clarence Thomas and urges Congress to establish a way to enforce a new code of conduct. Any movement on the issue appears unlikely as Republicans prepare to take control of the Senate in January, underscoring the hurdles in imposing restrictions on a separate branch of government even as public confidence in the court has fallen to record lows. The 93-page report released Saturday by the Democratic majority of the Senate Judiciary Committee found additional travel taken in 2021 by Thomas but not reported on his annual financial disclosure form: a private jet flight to New York's Adirondacks in July and jet and yacht trip to New York City sponsored by billionaire Harlan Crow in October, one of more than two dozen times detailed in the report that Thomas took luxury travel and gifts from wealthy benefactors. The court adopted its first code of ethics in 2023, but it leaves compliance to each of the nine justices. "The highest court in the land can't have the lowest ethical standards," the committee chairman, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, said in a statement. He has long called for an enforceable code of ethics. Republicans protested the subpoenas authorized for Crow and others as part of the investigation. No Republicans signed on to the final report, and no formal report from them was expected. A spokesman for Crow said he voluntarily agreed to provide information for the investigation, which did not pinpoint any specific instances of undue influence. Crow said in a statement that Thomas and his wife Ginni had been unfairly maligned. "They are good and honorable people and no one should be treated this way," he said. Attorney Mark Paoletta, a longtime friend of Thomas who has been tapped for the incoming Trump administration, said the report was aimed at conservatives whose rulings Democrats disagreed with. "This entire investigation was never about 'ethics' but about trying to undermine the Supreme Court," Paoletta said in a statement posted on X. The court did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thomas has said he was not required to disclose the trips that he and his wife took with Crow because the big donor is a close friend of the family and disclosure of that type of travel was not previously required. The new ethics code does explicitly require it, and Thomas has since gone back and reported some travel. The report traces back to Justice Antonin Scalia, saying he "established the practice" of accepting undisclosed gifts and hundreds of trips over his decades on the bench. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg and retired Justice Stephen Breyer also took subsided trips but disclosed them on their annual forms, it said. The investigation found that Thomas has accepted gifts and travel from wealthy benefactors worth more than $4.75 million by some estimates since his 1991 confirmation and failed to disclose much of it. "The number, value, and extravagance of the gifts accepted by Justice Thomas have no comparison in modern American history," according to the report. It also detailed a 2008 luxury trip to Alaska taken by Justice Samuel Alito. He has said he was exempted from disclosing the trip under previous ethical rules. Alito also declined calls to withdraw from cases involving Donald Trump or the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol after flags associated with the riot were seen flying at two of Alito's homes. Alito has said the flags were raised by this wife. Thomas has ignored calls to step aside from cases involving Trump, too. Ginni Thomas supported Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that the Republican lost to Democrat Joe Biden. The report also pointed to scrutiny of Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who, aided by her staff, has advanced sales of her books through college visits over the past decade. Justices have also heard cases involving their book publishers, or involving companies in which justices owned stock. Biden has been the most prominent Democrat calling for a binding code of conduct. Justice Elena Kagan has publicly backed adopting an enforcement mechanism, though some ethics experts have said it could be legally tricky. Justice Neil Gorsuch recently cited the code when he recused himself from an environmental case. He had been facing calls to step aside because the outcome could stand to benefit a Colorado billionaire whom Gorsuch represented before becoming a judge. The report also calls for changes in the Judicial Conference, the federal courts' oversight body led by Chief Justice John Roberts, and further investigation by Congress. Copyright 2024 NPR
Adams' 25 help CSU Northridge down Utah Tech 89-79