No. 8 Maryland women’s basketball beats No. 19 Michigan State, 72-66MiLaysia Fulwiley put up 23 points and Chloe Kitts scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as No. 1 South Carolina routed Coppin State 92-60 on Thursday in Columbia, S.C. Te-Hina Paopao added 13 points and five assists for the Gamecocks (3-0). Joyce Edwards and Maryam Dauda each contributed 10 points for South Carolina, which shot 51.5 percent from the floor and compiled a 51-23 rebounding edge. Laila Lawrence scored 20 points and Angel Jones notched 17 for the Eagles (2-2). No. 8 Iowa State 80, St. Thomas (Minn.) 47 Audi Crooks shot 12-for-17 en route to 26 points and pulled down a game-high eight rebounds as the Cyclones topped the Tommies in Ames, Iowa. Sydney Harris registered 13 points while Addy Brown had 10 for Iowa State (4-0). Amber Scalia's 11 points paced St. Thomas (3-1). No. 10 Kansas State 86, Creighton 68 Ayoka Lee powered for 28 points in 16 minutes as the Wildcats topped the Bluejays in Manhattan, Kan. Kansas State (3-0) jumped out to a 22-9 lead after one quarter and rolled to the win. Temira Poindexter and Serena Sundell each had 12 points for the Wildcats, with Sundell adding eight assists and seven rebounds. Kennedy Townsend scored 16 points, Morgan Maly added 15 and Kiani Lockett had 11 for Creighton (1-2). No. 13 North Carolina State 79, Kent State 51 After leading by just five points at halftime, the Wolfpack expanded the lead in the third quarter and then cruised in the fourth to beat the Golden Flashes in Raleigh, N.C. Aziaha James paced NC State (2-1) with 20 points and nine rebounds, and Zamareya Jones scored 16 points. Kent State (1-2) got 17 points and eight rebounds from Bridget Dunn, plus 15 points from Jenna Batsch. No. 16 Duke 84, Dayton 49 Six players logged double-figure point totals for the Blue Devils in the one-sided victory over the Flyers at Durham, N.C. Ten players hit the scoresheet overall for Duke (3-1), which got a team-high 17 points from Jordan Wood. Toby Fournier added 15 points. Ivy Wolf had 14 points and seven rebounds, and Ajok Madol contributed 12 points for Dayton (2-1), which shot 32.1 percent from the floor and committed 24 turnovers. No. 17 Baylor 104, East Texas A&M 55 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs recorded 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Bears nearly doubled up the Lions in Waco, Texas. Aaronette Vonleh (18 points, 11 rebounds) also had a double-double for Baylor (2-1). Cora Horvath was the top offensive threat for East Texas A&M (2-2) with 22 points. No. 19 Ole Miss 80, Delaware State 42 Starr Jacobs hit 8 of 10 shots from the floor and scored 18 points as the Rebels pulled away from the Hornets in Dover, Del. Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and Sira Thienou each put up 13 points for Ole Miss (2-1), which outscored Delaware State 43-21 in the second half. The Hornets (1-3) were led by Kiarra Mcelrath with 13 points and Mahogany Cottingham with 10. No. 22 Alabama 88, Alcorn State 59 Essence Cody amassed 18 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as the Crimson Tide thrashed the Lady Braves in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Aaliyah Nye scored 17 points, Eris Lester had 15 and seven rebounds, and Sarah Ashlee Barker chipped in with 14 points and three steals for the Crimson Tide (5-0). Destiny Brown was the only player in double figures for Alcorn State (1-3), scoring 12 points. No. 23 Illinois 84, Eastern Illinois 37 Reserve Jasmine Brown-Hagger hit 10 of 15 shots scored 23 points to lead the Fighting Illini to a laugher against the Panthers in Champaign, Ill. Gretchen Dolan added 13 points, Kendall Bostic produced 11 points and 12 rebounds and Adalia McKenzie also had 11 points for Illinois (3-0). Jayda Johnston finished with eight points for Eastern Illinois (0-3). --Field Level Media
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The Denver Broncos are riding high at the moment. The defense is one of the best in the AFC, and the offense has had explosive moments in recent weeks to give them a noteworthy edge. They decided to shake up one position offense under Sean Payton on Monday afternoon, though. Broncos waive tight end The Broncos are waiving tight end Greg Dulcich , according to Adam Schefter. Broncos waived tight end Greg Dulcich. The young tight end is expected to get some waiver interest. Denver attempted to trade him before the deadline but didn't find the return value they were looking for at the time. He is a former third-round pick. Since being drafted in 2022, Dulcich started just ten games in Denver. Even then, moving on from a day two pick rather quickly is always a bit surprising for any team. His physical prowess and athleticism excited the Broncos during the pre-draft process, but he just couldn't make enough of a difference on the field. At the tight end position, it's tough to get on the field if you have struggles in-line, and that was often the case for the young TE. Dulcich was benched earlier this season. In 2024, he has totaled just 28 yards on five receptions. At still just 24 years old, he certainly deserves another shot around the league elsewhere. We will see if someone can develop Dulcich into a unique offensive weapon for depth at tight end. As for Denver, they still have Adam Trautman, Lucas Krull, and fullback/tight end Nate Adkins on their active 53-man roster. The prior two are the largest receiving threats at the position for Denver. The Broncos also have tight ends Donald Parham and Thomas Yassmin on their practice squad as of now. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.Jimmy Carter, the self-effacing peanut farmer, humanitarian and former navy lieutenant who helped Canada avert a nuclear catastrophe before ascending to the highest political office in the United States, died Sunday at his home in Georgia. He was 100, making him the longest-lived U.S. president in American history. Concern for Carter's health had become a recurring theme in recent years. He was successfully treated for brain cancer in 2015, then suffered a number of falls, including one in 2019 that resulted in a broken hip. Alarm spiked in February 2023, however, when the Carter Center — the philanthropic organization he and his wife Rosalynn founded in 1982 — announced he would enter hospice care at his modest, three-bedroom house in Plains, Ga. Rosalynn Carter, a mental health advocate whose role as presidential spouse helped to define the modern first lady, predeceased her husband in November 2023 — a death at 96 that triggered a remembrance to rival his. "Rosalynn was my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished," the former president said in a statement after she died. "As long as Rosalynn was in the world, I always knew somebody loved and supported me." Conventional wisdom saw his single White House term as middling. But Carter's altruistic work ethic, faith-filled benevolence and famous disdain for the financial trappings of high office only endeared him to generations after he left politics in 1981. "The trite phrase has been, 'Jimmy Carter has been the best former president in the history of the United States,'" said Gordon Giffin, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada who sits on the Carter Center's board of trustees. "That grated on him, because it distinguished his service as president from his service — and I literally mean service — as a former president." His relentless advocacy for human rights, a term Carter popularized long before it became part of the political lexicon, included helping to build homes for the poor across the U.S. and in 14 other countries, including Canada, well into his 90s. He devoted the resources of the Carter Center to tackling Guinea worm, a parasite that afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people in the developing world in the early 1980s and is today all but eradicated, with just 13 cases reported in 2022. And he was a tireless champion of ending armed conflict and promoting democratic elections in the wake of the Cold War, with his centre monitoring 113 such votes in 39 different countries — and offering conflict-resolution expertise when democracy receded. Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, nearly a quarter-century after his seminal work on the Camp David Accords helped pave the way for a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt in 1979, the first of its kind. "His presidency got sidelined in the historic evaluation too quickly, and now people are revisiting it," Giffin said. "I think his standing in history as president will grow." A lifelong Democrat who never officially visited Canada as president, Carter was nonetheless a pioneer of sorts when it came to Canada-U.S. relations and a close friend to the two Canadian prime ministers he served alongside. One of them, former Progressive Conservative leader Joe Clark, once called Carter a "pretty good Canadian" — a testament to the former commander-in-chief's authenticity and centre-left politics, which always resonated north of the Canada-U.S. border. The pair were reunited in 2017 at a panel discussion in Atlanta hosted by the Canadian American Business Council, and seemed to delight in teasing the host when she described Clark as a "conservative" and Carter as a "progressive." "I'm a Progressive Conservative — that's very important," Clark corrected her. Piped up Carter: "I'm a conservative progressive." In 2012, the Carters visited Kingston, Ont., to receive an honorary degree from Queen's University. Instead of a fancy hotel, they stayed with Arthur Milnes, a former speech writer, journalist and political scholar who'd long since become a close friend. "He became my hero, believe it or not, probably when I was about 12," said Milnes, whose parents had come of age during the Cold War and lived in perpetual fear of the ever-present nuclear threat until Carter took over the White House in 1977. "My mother never discussed politics, with one exception — and that was when Jimmy Carter was in the White House. She'd say, 'Art, Jimmy Carter is a good and decent man,'" Milnes recalled. "They always said, both of them, that for the first time since the 1950s, they felt safe, knowing that it was this special man from rural Georgia, Jimmy Carter, who had his finger on the proverbial button." While Richard Nixon and Pierre Trudeau appeared to share a mutual antipathy during their shared time in office, Carter got along famously with the prime minister. Indeed, it was at the express request of the Trudeau family that Carter attended the former prime minister's funeral in 2000, Giffin said. "The message I got back was the family would appreciate it if Jimmy Carter could come," said Giffin, who was the U.S. envoy in Ottawa at the time. "So he did come. He was at the Trudeau funeral. And to me, that said a lot about not only the relationship he had with Trudeau, but the relationship he had in the Canada-U.S. dynamic." It was at that funeral in Montreal that Carter — "much to my frustration," Giffin allowed — spent more than two hours in a holding room with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, a meeting that resulted in Carter visiting Cuba in 2002, the first former president to do so. But it was long before Carter ever entered politics that he established a permanent bond with Canada — one forged in the radioactive aftermath of what might otherwise have become the country's worst nuclear calamity. In 1952, Carter was a 28-year-old U.S. navy lieutenant, a submariner with a budding expertise in nuclear power, when he and his crew were dispatched to help control a partial meltdown at the experimental Chalk River Laboratories northwest of Ottawa. In his 2016 book "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety," Carter described working in teams of three, first practising on a mock-up of the reactor, then on the real thing, in short 90-second bursts to avoid absorbing more than the maximum allowable dose of radiation. "The limit on radiation absorption in the early 1950s was approximately 1,000 times higher than it is 60 years later," he wrote. "There were a lot of jokes about the effects of radioactivity, mostly about the prospect of being sterilized, and we had to monitor our urine until all our bodies returned to the normal range." That, Carter would later acknowledge in interviews, took him about six months. Carter and Clark were both in office during the so-called "Canadian Caper," a top-secret operation to spirit a group of U.S. diplomats out of Iran following the fall of the U.S. embassy in Tehran in 1979. The elaborate ploy, which involved passing the group off as a Canadian science-fiction film crew, was documented in the Oscar-winning 2012 Ben Affleck film "Argo." Carter didn't think much of the film. "The movie that was made, 'Argo,' was very distorted. They hardly mentioned the Canadian role in this very heroic, courageous event," he said during the CABC event. He described the true events of that escapade as "one of the greatest examples of a personal application of national friendship I have ever known." To the end, Carter was an innately humble and understated man, said Giffin — a rare commodity in any world leader, much less in one from the United States. "People underestimate who Jimmy Carter is because he leads with his humanity," he said. "I read an account the other day that said the Secret Service vehicles that are parked outside his house are worth more than the house. How many former presidents have done that?" This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec, 29, 2024. James McCarten, The Canadian Press
Three judges have put their names in for consideration for the empty associate justice position on the state's highest court. District Court Judges David Bargen of Adams and Jason M. Bergevin of Columbus and Nebraska Court of Appeals Judge Lawrence Welch Jr. of Plattsmouth have submitted applications for appointment to the seat on the Nebraska Supreme Court made vacant by current Chief Justice Jeff Funke's appointment to that role Nov. 1. A public hearing of the Judicial Nominating Commission will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 at the Hamilton County Courthouse in Aurora. The commission will hear from each of the applicants and ask them questions at that time. Southwest fans Kylea Stritt (from left), Peg Rice, and Stacey Wilson cheer on their team as the "horsemen" during a Class D-1 first-round match Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Millard West players dogpile on the floor after defeating Lincoln Southwest in five set match during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Lincoln Southwest's Shelby Harding dives to save the ball from hitting the ground in the first set during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Second graders Eli Gonzalez (left) and Shrutoshome Datta look at drawings that first and second grade students made at the Monster Jam Art Show on Wednesday at Elliott Elementary School. The elementary school students made drawings of monsters to be turned into different types of art by Lincoln High School students. Norris players celebrate a point against Lincoln Pius X in a Class B state volleyball tournament match, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Katie Goeling (left) fills out her ballot while her son Gunner, 4, holds her hand during Election Day on Tuesday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Malcolm. Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center. Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) during the first half of the game on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) autographs a poster for Freeman Public Schools student Godwil Muthiani, 12 (center), after the game against UNO on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Muthiani's sign says, "#3 Allison Weinder is the GOAT! Sorry I'm only 12." Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule speaks to an official after a targeting call on Nebraska during the first quarter of the game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. The call was overturned after review. Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores against UCLA in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Cadet Elena Burgwald (left) and Cadet Mason Beck look up as a B-1B Lancer flies over Memorial Stadium before the UCLA game against Nebraska on Saturday. UCLA's K.J. Wallace (7) defends Nebraska's Jacory Barney (17) as he makes a diving 40-yard catch in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. Lincoln Southeast quarterback Tre Bollen (left) and Tate Sandman react after losing a Class A football playoff game against Millard North on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Seacrest Field. Millard North won 10-3. After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School. A line of people waiting to vote has been normal at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office at 601 N. 46th St., as it was Friday afternoon. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to allow voters to cast an early ballot. If they wait until Election Day, they will need to go to their precinct or drop off their ballots at one of five drop boxes across the city. For more stories about about Tuesday's election, go to Journalstar.com . Iris Gonnerman, 8 (from right), her brother Oliver, 6, and cousin Noreen Milana, 9, wave flags while watching Veterans Parade outside the state Capitol on Sunday. Nebraska's Connor Essegian scores against Bethune-Cookma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Lincoln Lutheran players embrace one another as threy celebrate defeating Thayer Central in four sets to win the Class C-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Covered by a canopy of changing leaves, a car cruises along A street in a neighborhood north of Downtown Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Mild temperatures continue into the mid weeks of November. Wednesday calls for a chance of rain showers before noon with gusty winds. Most days this week are expected to be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and consistent breezes. Norris' Anna Jelinek (left) lifts the the Class B championship trophy alongside Rya Borer on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Superior players celebrate their three set win over EMF during the Class D-1 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Reflected in a ceiling beam, Leyton takes on Shelton in the first set of the Class D-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Omaha Skutt's Nicole Ott (left) and Addison West react after a point in the second set during a Class B semifinal match Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hasan Khalil, owner of Golden Scissors, trims the beard of Vitaliy Martynyuk on Friday at his barbershop in Lincoln. Second-time mother giraffe Allie nuzzles her new calf in the giraffe experience enclosure on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Nebraska celebrates during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center. A Lincoln firefighter sprays water on to the roof from a ladder truck as they battle a fire at the former Village Inn at 29th and O streets the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Luca Gustafson, 6, rides to school Tuesday with the bike bus at Riley Elementary School. Each Tuesday, students can bike to school with adult chaperones along a specific route. Wahoo's Braylon Iversen celebrates with Warrior players after they defeated Auburn in a Class C-1 state semifinal game Friday in Wahoo. Lincoln Fire Fighters Association member Andy Evans works to assemble a headboard during a bed-building day hosted by Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Saturday at Hampton Enterprises. Volunteers helped build 20 beds for children in need. District Judge Jason Bergevin Court of Appeals Judge Lawrence Welch Jr. District Judge David Bargen Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com . On Twitter @LJSpilger Get local news delivered to your inbox! {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Rhett Dryburgh had no choice but to say goodbye to the “love of his life”, Semaphore eatery, Sarah’s Sister’s Sustainable Cafe. The devastated business owner is still coming to terms with the closure of his much-loved vegan venue, which he had operated for four years but had served the local community for almost five decades. “It’s been incredibly tough, we’ve just been hanging on by our fingertips and unfortunately we just haven’t been able to make it through to the new year,” Mr Dryburgh, 25, said. “It’s been very upsetting to close what you have been working on. It’s the love of our life. You don’t get up and work everyday unless you love it.” Mr Dryburgh took over the cafe during the pandemic and battled through some tough times, but said the current cost-of-living crisis, coupled with rising business expenses, left him with no option but to close the doors permanently on December 7. “It was really out of our hands by the end. It was purely a financial decision, unfortunately it was just not viable anymore,” he said. SCROLL DOWN FOR THE LIST OF 2024 CLOSURES Operating expenses, including energy and food costs, rent and insurance premiums, had skyrocketed in the last couple of years, Mr Dryburgh said. He said the cafe’s electricity and gas bill had risen 100 per cent up to $12,000 per annum. “It’s just a ridiculous cost increase and we just couldn’t take it anymore,” Mr Dryburgh said. “We can’t keep passing on the price increases to the customers because we love them and we can’t keep expecting them to foot the bill.” Rhett Dryburgh at his former hospitality venue, Sarah's Sister's Sustainable Cafe in Semaphore. Picture: Rhett Dryburgh A dish from Sarah's Sister's Sustainable Cafe. Picture: Rhett Dryburgh Mr Dryburgh’s story has been mirrored across the state’s hospitality industry in 2024, with a string of venues, from cafes and restaurants to bars and clubs, shutting their doors for good. These include longstanding institutions such as Cardone’s at Jetty Rd , Glenelg, and Martini’s on the Parade , in Norwood, to newer establishments like My Lover Cindi , on Pirie St, burger bar chain Cheffy Chelby’s and Port Adelaide nightclub Confession . Confession owner Shane Hryhorec, who closed his disability-friendly nightclub in April, said people were spending less on a night out than ever before. “We had one night and it was a free event and a third of the people in the room weren’t paying for anything at all,” Mr Hryhorec said. “There was a significant drop on the per head spend – about a 40 per cent reduction across three years. It’s sad because people just have less places to go, less live entertainment venues and less options.” Confession owner Shane Hryhorec. Picture: Supplied Mr Hryhorec said the dire situation facing hospitality business owners would only get worse, before it gets better. “I’m seeing a lot of businesses open and they last three months,” he said. “I hate to not be positive but I do think the next 12 months will be the same, potentially worse.” Publican Simone Douglas was forced to close the doors on her city cafe, The dob on King William , in May. She still operates the Duke of Brunswick Hotel and the Port Admiral Hotel at Port Adelaide. “You never want to admit failure but when you’ve thrown everything at it and you’re still losing money, you just have to call it quits,” Ms Douglas said. “Everyone is just a bit exhausted. We love the industry but it’s been a very tough year and we’ve had to dig in hard, just to stay open.” The gap between large and small venues will only widen in the future, Ms Douglas said. “There’s going to be a much bigger divide between those large-scale footprint operators, and those smaller cafes and bars, as owners look to increase profitability,” she said. “The industry isn’t going anywhere but it’s going to have to evolve and change.” Simone Douglas, owner of the Duke of Brunswick. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette Mr Hryhorec called on the state government to “do more” to support hospitality businesses, including easy-to-apply for grants, similar to those offered during the pandemic. “I think that would go a long way, because once businesses close, they stay closed,” he said. Mr Dryburgh said it’s going to be a “rough summer” for hospitality operators and urged people to support local businesses if they can. “If businesses can make it through to the new year, I have some hope and optimism that we could see some improvement in the second half of 2025,” he said. “And an interest-rate cut from the RBA would be a nice present for everyone.” Australian Hotels Association SA chief executive Anna Moeller said there had been a “perfect storm” of economic crises that had hit the hospitality in the wake of Covid – cost of living, which affected the number of patrons coming through their doors, and cost-of-operating that had seen their bills for facilities, insurance and ingredients skyrocket. “There’s all these fixed costs that they just can’t change,” said Ms Moeller, who also blamed “overwhelming” regulations and “red tape”. “I think it was that perfect storm that has seen the industry have an unnaturally high number of closures.” WHERE ARE THEY NOW: LIFE AFTER HOSPO AHA chief executive Anna Moeller. Picture: Supplied Ms Moeller said skills and labour shortages were further devastating hotels and restaurant owners, who were struggling to fill vital roles, particularly chefs and cooks. “It is incredibly bad,” she said. “There are some places that cannot open their kitchen every day because they cannot get a cook or a chef. There are regional areas that have got FIFO workers that are cooks and chefs – FIFO is no longer just mining, it’s hospitality.” She said caps on migration and overseas students and the perception that hospitality was a “job that you did before you started your career” were also recruitment hurdles. Ms Moeller said the death knell for some restaurants and cafes was the fact that costs deferred during Covid – such as rent and insurance – were now coming due and struggling business owners could not afford them. “It was like this cliff that they were rapidly approaching,” she said. “Once the Covid era ended and people could operate again, all of those debts fell due. We could see the cliff coming and we were saying our second wave of Covid won’t be sickness, it will be the closure of all these businesses that lived through but then once everything becomes due ... it is disastrous.” 11 VENUES WE LOVED AND LOST IN 2024 Cardone’s Jetty Rd, Glenelg Cardone's Seafood and Grill Restaurant at Jetty Road, Glenelg, closed this year. Picture: File After 24 years operating in the same location, owner-operator Nick Cardone was left with no choice but to shut down his restaurant in March , due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic combined with rising business costs. Owner Nick Cardone with comedian Barry Humphries at Cardone's. Picture: File “It really saddens me. This is my life. Day in, day out. I don’t remember having three days off in a row for a very, very long time,” Mr Cardone told The Advertiser at the time. “I get emotional about it. I still can’t believe it’s actually closed. It’s really taken a toll on me, it’s been very emotional and overwhelming to be honest. “As disappointing as it is, it’s a sign of the times.” Enzo’s Ristorante Port Rd, Hindmarsh The Fazzari family closed their restaurant Enzo's on Port Road after 25 years this year. (Back) Natalie, Matt, Anthony and Alex. (Front) Teresa and Enzo Fazzari. Picture: Tom Huntley One of Adelaide’s most iconic Italian restaurants, Enzo’s Ristorante, finally closed its doors in May after 25 years. The building’s lease was up and the venue’s owners, Enzo and Teresa Fazzari, decided it was the right time to hang up the apron. Teresa and Enzo Fazzari owners of Enzo's Ristorante which closed this year. Picture Mark Brake “I’ve got very mixed emotions. Sadness in a way, humbled by the response and proud to have achieved 25 years in this restaurant,” said chef Mr Fazzari, 69. Enzo’s has won multiple awards, including Excellence in Formal Italian Dining in 2017 and 2019 in SA, and was the one of the first Australia restaurants to be awarded the Ospitalita Italiana accreditation by the Italian Government for its authentic Italian dining experience. Martini’s on the Parade The Parade, Norwood Chef and owner Larry Piscioneri closed down his acclaimed Italian restaurant Martini’s on the Parade. Larry Piscioneri at Martini’s on the Parade. Owner and executive chef Larry Piscioneri said the current “uncertain economic climate” left him with little choice but to sell the business after almost two decades . “It’s the right call to make,” he told The Advertiser. Mr Piscioneri, 54, said consumer spending had been well down due to the cost of living crisis, and he estimated trade at Martini had fallen almost 50 per cent in the year leading up to its closure in May. Business costs had also surged, he said. Italian restaurant Martini’s on the Parade. Picture: File “It’s been frustrating to run a business in the last four years. It’s had its highs and lows. The last year has been the hardest,” he said. “I have so many loyal customers ... but people just don’t have the money to spend on dining out, and the cost of everything has gone up. “It’s very hard to turn a profit in this climate.” Fire and Vine Bevington Rd, Glenunga Inaugural head chef Jamie Bennie and owner George Melissourgos at Fire and Vine. Picture: Matt Loxton Succeeding a dining institution like Cork & Cleaver was never going to be easy but this new restaurant barely got off the ground. Owner George Melissourgos closed his steak and seafood eatery in June , nine months after he opened , and just a fortnight after a less-than-flattering SA Weekend review . The review, by respected Adelaide food writer Simon Wilkinson, described lengthy service delays, including an hour wait for entrees. A chicken dish at Fire and Vine in Glenunga. Picture: Matt Loxton Mr Melissourgos told The Advertiser staff recruitment was an “ongoing” issue for the venue. “We are trying to find good, reliable, consistent staff that we can rely on and have on-call if we need them. That’s the biggest thing,” he said at the time. Paddy Barry’s Gilles St, Adelaide Paddy's Barry on Gilles St. Picture: Facebook The pressures of running a small business while raising a young family led to Jimmy Barry closing his popular city coffee spot . Mr Barry, who took over the cafe formerly known as Sibling in 2021, said it wasn’t an easy decision but “ultimately, family comes first”. Paddy's Barry owner James Barry at his former Adelaide cafe. Picture: Facebook “After three incredible years, it brings sadness and relief to say we’re shutting our doors in the coming months. A decision that wasn’t easy to make,” he explained in a post on social media. “Ultimately, family comes first and I want to be the best dad, partner, son, brother and friend I possibly can. With the pressure of small business, I’m finding it hard to be present.” Known for brewing some of Adelaide’s best coffee, the cafe nestled in Adelaide’s south and named after the owner’s grandad was a hit with locals for years. North Adelaide Burger Bar O’Connell St, North Adelaide North Adelaide Burger Bar has closed its doors for good. Picture: File Late night eats in North Adelaide will never be the same. The home of the original AB meal, and a staple of SA’s fast food history for over seven decades, this legendary burger bar shut up shop for good in June . North Adelaide Burger Bar. Picture: File Its owners announced their decision on social media, revealing that “the current financial climate, rising costs of running the business and increased utility expenses” had made it impossible for them to continue trading. The post said the tough decision had been made despite their “best efforts” to keep the burger bar’s storied legacy alive. Cheffy Chelby’s Morphett Vale and Hallett Cove Michelle Lowe at her Cheffy Chelby’s venue in Port Noarlunga. Picture: Tom Huntley Owner-operator Michelle Lowe pulled the pin on her award-winning chain of breakfast burger bars in April, citing rising costs and customers’ reticence to spend for her devastating decision. It came after she was forced to close her flagship Port Noarlunga eatery when the building it was located in was declared derelict and unsafe by the local council in February 2023. Ms Lowe said customers simply weren’t spending as much money as in the past – and the figures no longer added up, with soaring food costs meaning a small coffee should practically cost up to $8. “I’ve taken too many hits. It’s like I’m playing Mortal Kombat and I keep getting killed,” said Ms Lowe, a chef, who launched the business after losing her job at the start of the pandemic. Folklore Cafe Mundy St, Port Adelaide Anika Harvey at Folklore Cafe in Port Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley This community favourite overlooking the Port Adelaide River shut its doors permanently in Februar y after almost 10 years of trading. “It’s with a very heavy heart that I have decided to close Folklore Cafe,” owner Anika Havey said in an emotional Facebook post. “It’s been an incredible nine years and I feel very lucky to have been here for this long.” The popular cafe served a range of dishes made from local and sustainable produce. Ms Havey explained how difficult it was to reach the decision after making strong connections in the community. Terroir Auburn Main N Rd, Auburn, Clare Valley Dan Moss and Annika Parish at Terroir Auburn. Picture: File Owners Dan Moss and Annika Parish said the “extremely volatile and uncertain economic future” of the country was a big factor in their decision to close their award-winning restaurant in May . In an emotional social media post, the couple said political leaders had yet to “fully recognise” the serious issues crippling the state’s hospitality industry. Kingfish starter at Terroir Auburn. Picture: Supplied “We are just simply not willing to carry any debt into the rest of the year, and risk our young family’s future on a game that is impossible to win for small business owners in 2024. “We won’t be the only ones making this decision this year. Brilliant and very talented operators will be faced with this choice also, and we hope they have the courage to make the right business decision for their families.” Mr Moss has since joined nearby Skillogalee Estate as their executive head chef . My Lover Cindi Pirie St, Adelaide Owner Rachel Hosking at My Lover Cindi. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe The venue hosted a farewell weekend at the end of May, with its owner-operators Rachel Hosking and Kate Toone saying the “exorbitant costs” of running a nightclub left them with no other choice but to pull the pin . “All good things must come to an end. The simple answer is that maintaining the exorbitant costs of a night-time venue has been near impossible for the whole three years and finally at this point we can no longer continue,” they said in a social media post. It came a few months are they told followers they were facing “extreme” venue challenge s in a “vulnerable” Facebook post urging locals to help them “turn things around” by heading out and buying tickets to events if they could. Ponyboy Murray Bridge The yoghurt shop and cafe founded by members of Murray Bridge’s horse-racing community started with a gallop in 2022. But just weeks before Christmas, they announced they were at the finish line . “We put our heart and soul into Ponyboy but unfortunately we couldn’t make it work,” the Ponyboy team said at the time. “There’s no doubt it’s a challenging period for many in the community and we definitely felt that as a small business, particularly in the last 12 months.” In a post to Facebook, Ponyboy thanked patrons, saying the business had “loved being a part of the Murray Bridge community” and appreciated the support of its “lovely customers”. More Coverage Hospo hell continues as one of SA’s best-known burger bars shuts shop George Yankovich Hospo hell: Brutal conditions force popular venues to continue closing Tara Miko Originally published as The South Australia hospitality closures that rocked the state in 2024 SA News Don't miss out on the headlines from SA News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories SA News ‘I can’t believe it’: Homeless no more for Hayden and his dogs It’s been seven years since Hayden Patterson had a home and now with years on his feet in the streets, he can finally lay down safe in a place to call his own. Read more SA News ‘Knock you the f*** out’: Thug bashed female club promoter A drugged up thug has been jailed after he left a female club promoter unconscious in a sickening act of violence on Hindley Street. Read moreA cereal switch-up is stirring up sweet — well, mostly salty — discussion. Post Consumer Brands confirmed to TODAY.com that it’s discontinuing its beloved Oreo O’s cereal and replacing it with something new: Oreo Puffs. > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are It features chocolaty cereal puffs and mini marshmallows with the aim of creating a similar experience to dunking an Oreo cookie into a glass of milk. According to Post, Oreo Puffs are made with real Oreo cookie wafers — which are the cookies that sandwich the creme.. The new cereal will be available at retailers nationwide including Walmart and Target for an MSRP of $4.99. According to Post, Oreo Puffs are made with real Oreo cookie wafers — which are the cookies that sandwich the creme.. The new cereal will be available at retailers nationwide including Walmart and Target for an MSRP of $4.99. “With its introduction, OREO PUFFSTM cereal will replace OREO O’s® cereal on store shelves,” Post tells TODAY.com in an email. U.S. & World Bob Fernandez, 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor, dies peacefully at home 83 years after bombing Jay-Z rape accuser comes forward to NBC News, acknowledges inconsistencies in her allegations Oreo O’s was introduced to U.S. markets in 1997, stayed on shelves until 2007, and then was brought back in 2017 during a big wave of nostalgic marketing. And just like that ... it’s returned to the vault of cereals past. We’ll check back in about 10 years to see if it’s revived from its sugary slumber again. News of the swap has hit the crumb-filled corners of social media, with popular snack-spotting Instagram account Markie Devo posting about the new product and its predecessor. As usual, his comments section had thoughts. “They should’ve kept the rings but added marshmallows,” wrote one commenter. “Sooo coco puffs,” another said , referencing the General Mills-brand analog to the new cereal. “ya know some things just need to be left alone !!” wrote another, and one more added , “I’m tired of every cereal turning into puffs 😢.” Others were excited about the breakfast-basednews. “These sound amazing,” wrote one user, and another added , “Oh wow my kids would be all over this one!” “OREO Puffs Cereal is out now and will be REPLACING OREO O’s Cereal!” one more user wrote on a separate post about the cereal, adding they think the new cereal is an upgrade. “It’s disappointing whenever a beloved item becomes discontinued, but this is actually very exciting news for us because we believe marshmallows BELONG in OREO Cereal!” This story first appeared on TODAY.com . More from TODAY : Fortnite players will receive refunds for unwanted purchases. 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US consumer spending increased in November amid strong demand for a range of goods and services, underscoring the economy's resilience, which saw the Federal Reserve this week projecting fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than it had in September. There was also good news on inflation last month after a series of warmer readings. The report from the Commerce Department on Friday showed moderate monthly rises in prices, with a measure of underlying inflation posting its smallest gain in six months. Nonetheless, the annual increase in core inflation, excluding food and energy, remained stubbornly well above the US central bank's 2 percent target. There are also worries that plans by President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to cut taxes, impose or raise tariffs on imports and deport millions of undocumented immigrants would stoke inflation. "The economy continues to grow from strong consumer demand as income growth and the wealth effect from higher portfolio values give consumers capacity to spend," said Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial. "Inflation was more benign than expected but the stickiness of some categories supports the Fed's hesitancy to materially lower rates next year." Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, rose 0.4 percent last month after a downwardly revised 0.3 percent gain in October, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending advancing 0.5 percent after a previously reported 0.4 percent rise in October. The nearly broad-based increase in spending was led by new motor vehicles, likely in part as households replaced vehicles damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That accounted for the bulk of the 0.8 percent rebound in goods outlays. Spending on recreational goods and vehicles also rose as did outlays on financial services and insurance, mostly charges, fees and commissions. There was also increased spending on recreation services, healthcare, clothing and footwear, furniture as well as housing and utilities. Spending at restaurants and bars as well as on hotel and motel stays also increased. Spending on services rose 0.2 percent. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending rose 0.3 percent after edging up 0.1 percent in October. The so-called real consumer spending is running at an annualized rate of 3.1 percent in the first two months of the fourth quarter. "That will lay the foundation for another very solid GDP number for the fourth quarter," said Lou Crandall, chief economist at Wrightson ICAP. Consumer spending surged at a 3.7 percent pace in the third quarter, the fastest in 1-1/2 years, helping to propel the economy to a 3.1 percent growth rate following a 3.0 percent pace of expansion in the April-June quarter. The Atlanta Fed is forecasting gross domestic product increasing at a 3.1 percent rate in the fourth quarter. Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday described the economy as having "just been remarkable," adding "I feel very good about ... the performance of the economy and we want to keep that going." The central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to the 4.25 percent-4.50 percent range. It forecast only two rate reductions in 2025, in a nod to the economy's continued resilience and still-high inflation. In September, Fed officials had forecast four quarter-point rate cuts next year. The shallower rate cut path in the latest projections also reflected uncertainty over policies from the incoming Trump administration. STRONG WAGE GAINS Labor market stamina, marked by low layoffs and strong wage growth, is underpinning consumer spending. Strong household balance sheets, reflecting high stock market and home prices are also driving spending. Household savings remain supportive. Economists, however, cautioned that it was mostly middle- and higher-income households that were benefiting from the wage gains and wealth effects, noting that lower-income consumers were under financial pressure. Personal income rose 0.3 percent, with wages shooting up 0.6 percent. Income at the disposal of households after accounting for inflation rose 0.2 percent, meaning some tapped their savings to fund purchases. The saving rate dipped to 4.4 percent from 4.5 percent in October. Economists did not believe that the moderation in inflation last month would have changed the tone of the Fed's message on Wednesday. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.1 percent after an unrevised 0.2 percent gain in October. A column chart titled "Monthly change in US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index" that tracks the metric over the last year. Prices rose 0.1 percent in November A column chart titled "Monthly change in US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index" that tracks the metric over the last year. Prices rose 0.1 percent in November Goods prices were unchanged after three straight monthly decreases. Motor vehicle prices increased 0.7 percent, but the cost of recreational goods and vehicles fell for the fourth consecutive month. Services prices rose 0.2 percent after gaining 0.4 percent in October. Housing inflation increased at the slowest pace since April 2021, reflecting a moderation in rents. The cost of food and accommodation services rose by the most in 10 months. In the 12 months through November, the PCE price index advanced 2.4 percent after rising 2.3 percent in October. The increase in the annual inflation rate was partly due to last year's low readings dropping out of the calculation. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the PCE price index climbed 0.1 percent. That was the smallest rise since May, and followed an unrevised 0.3 percent gain in October. Core inflation was running at a 2.5 percent rate in the last three months. In the 12 months through November, core prices increased 2.8 percent after advancing by the same margin in October. The Fed tracks the PCE price measures for monetary policy. It hiked its policy rate by 5.25 percentage points between March 2022 and July 2023. "The general disinflation trend, in view of the much higher US dollar, is intact for the next two months," said Brian Bethune, an economics professor at Boston College. "However, if the incoming administration raises tariffs significantly, that will provoke retaliation and usher in a period of stagflation that will rival the stagflation of the 1970s." US consumer spending increased in November amid strong demand for a range of goods and services, underscoring the economy's resilience, which saw the Federal Reserve this week projecting fewer interest rate cuts in 2025 than it had in September. There was also good news on inflation last month after a series of warmer readings. The report from the Commerce Department on Friday showed moderate monthly rises in prices, with a measure of underlying inflation posting its smallest gain in six months. Nonetheless, the annual increase in core inflation, excluding food and energy, remained stubbornly well above the US central bank's 2 percent target. There are also worries that plans by President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration to cut taxes, impose or raise tariffs on imports and deport millions of undocumented immigrants would stoke inflation. "The economy continues to grow from strong consumer demand as income growth and the wealth effect from higher portfolio values give consumers capacity to spend," said Jeffrey Roach, chief economist at LPL Financial. "Inflation was more benign than expected but the stickiness of some categories supports the Fed's hesitancy to materially lower rates next year." Consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of US economic activity, rose 0.4 percent last month after a downwardly revised 0.3 percent gain in October, the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending advancing 0.5 percent after a previously reported 0.4 percent rise in October. The nearly broad-based increase in spending was led by new motor vehicles, likely in part as households replaced vehicles damaged during Hurricanes Helene and Milton. That accounted for the bulk of the 0.8 percent rebound in goods outlays. Spending on recreational goods and vehicles also rose as did outlays on financial services and insurance, mostly charges, fees and commissions. There was also increased spending on recreation services, healthcare, clothing and footwear, furniture as well as housing and utilities. Spending at restaurants and bars as well as on hotel and motel stays also increased. Spending on services rose 0.2 percent. When adjusted for inflation, consumer spending rose 0.3 percent after edging up 0.1 percent in October. The so-called real consumer spending is running at an annualized rate of 3.1 percent in the first two months of the fourth quarter. "That will lay the foundation for another very solid GDP number for the fourth quarter," said Lou Crandall, chief economist at Wrightson ICAP. Consumer spending surged at a 3.7 percent pace in the third quarter, the fastest in 1-1/2 years, helping to propel the economy to a 3.1 percent growth rate following a 3.0 percent pace of expansion in the April-June quarter. The Atlanta Fed is forecasting gross domestic product increasing at a 3.1 percent rate in the fourth quarter. Fed Chair Jerome Powell on Wednesday described the economy as having "just been remarkable," adding "I feel very good about ... the performance of the economy and we want to keep that going." The central bank on Wednesday cut its benchmark overnight interest rate by 25 basis points to the 4.25 percent-4.50 percent range. It forecast only two rate reductions in 2025, in a nod to the economy's continued resilience and still-high inflation. In September, Fed officials had forecast four quarter-point rate cuts next year. The shallower rate cut path in the latest projections also reflected uncertainty over policies from the incoming Trump administration. STRONG WAGE GAINS Labor market stamina, marked by low layoffs and strong wage growth, is underpinning consumer spending. Strong household balance sheets, reflecting high stock market and home prices are also driving spending. Household savings remain supportive. Economists, however, cautioned that it was mostly middle- and higher-income households that were benefiting from the wage gains and wealth effects, noting that lower-income consumers were under financial pressure. Personal income rose 0.3 percent, with wages shooting up 0.6 percent. Income at the disposal of households after accounting for inflation rose 0.2 percent, meaning some tapped their savings to fund purchases. The saving rate dipped to 4.4 percent from 4.5 percent in October. Economists did not believe that the moderation in inflation last month would have changed the tone of the Fed's message on Wednesday. The personal consumption expenditures (PCE) price index rose 0.1 percent after an unrevised 0.2 percent gain in October. A column chart titled "Monthly change in US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index" that tracks the metric over the last year. Prices rose 0.1 percent in November A column chart titled "Monthly change in US Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index" that tracks the metric over the last year. Prices rose 0.1 percent in November Goods prices were unchanged after three straight monthly decreases. Motor vehicle prices increased 0.7 percent, but the cost of recreational goods and vehicles fell for the fourth consecutive month. Services prices rose 0.2 percent after gaining 0.4 percent in October. Housing inflation increased at the slowest pace since April 2021, reflecting a moderation in rents. The cost of food and accommodation services rose by the most in 10 months. In the 12 months through November, the PCE price index advanced 2.4 percent after rising 2.3 percent in October. The increase in the annual inflation rate was partly due to last year's low readings dropping out of the calculation. Excluding the volatile food and energy components, the PCE price index climbed 0.1 percent. That was the smallest rise since May, and followed an unrevised 0.3 percent gain in October. Core inflation was running at a 2.5 percent rate in the last three months. In the 12 months through November, core prices increased 2.8 percent after advancing by the same margin in October. The Fed tracks the PCE price measures for monetary policy. It hiked its policy rate by 5.25 percentage points between March 2022 and July 2023. "The general disinflation trend, in view of the much higher US dollar, is intact for the next two months," said Brian Bethune, an economics professor at Boston College. "However, if the incoming administration raises tariffs significantly, that will provoke retaliation and usher in a period of stagflation that will rival the stagflation of the 1970s."The year in review: Influential people who died in 2024