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Justice Department announces sweeping reforms to curb suicides in federal prisons and jailsHow wine jargon leaves Brits in terroir: More than 50% of wine lovers are baffled by its terminology while a third are left embarrassed when asked to describe a typeNoneWith bowl drought quenched, Matt Rhule eager to see Nebraska football set new 'standard'
Trump’s Cabinet And Key Jobs: DEA Pick Chad Chronister WithdrawsFlorida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdraws as Trump's nominee to lead DEA
NoneUS lawmakers concluded a two-year investigation Monday into the Covid-19 outbreak that killed 1.1 million Americans -- backing the theory that the virus likely leaked from a Chinese laboratory. A 520-page report from the Republican-controlled House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic looked at the federal and state-level response, as well as the pandemic's origins and vaccination efforts. "This work will help the United States, and the world, predict the next pandemic, prepare for the next pandemic, protect ourselves from the next pandemic, and hopefully prevent the next pandemic," panel chairman Brad Wenstrup said in a letter to Congress. US federal agencies, the World Health Organization and scientists across the planet have arrived at different conclusions about the most likely origin of Covid-19, and no consensus has emerged. Most believe it to have spread from animals in China, but a US intelligence analysis said last year that the virus may have been genetically engineered and escaped from a virology lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan, where human cases first emerged. The congressional panel was persuaded by the lab leak theory after meeting 25 times, conducting more than 30 transcribed interviews and reviewing more than one million pages of documents. The investigation included two days of interviews behind closed doors with Anthony Fauci, the government scientist who became the nation's most trusted expert in the chaotic early days of the 2020 outbreak. Fauci's clashes with former and incoming president Donald Trump over the response sparked fury on the right, and he now lives with security protection following death threats against his family. Republicans accuse the 83-year-old immunologist of helping to set off the worst pandemic in a century by approving funding passed on to Chinese scientists they accuse of manufacturing the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Among its headline conclusions, the report said the National Institutes of Health had indeed funded contentious "gain-of-function" research -- which seeks to enhance viruses as a way of finding ways to combat them -- at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Fauci angrily denied covering up the origins of Covid-19 before the panel in June, arguing that it would be "molecularly impossible" for the bat viruses studied at the lab to be turned into the virus that caused the pandemic. But the panel's report said SARS-CoV-2 "likely emerged because of a laboratory or research related accident." The probe found that lockdowns "did more harm than good" and that mask mandates were "ineffective at controlling the spread of Covid-19," contradicting other research showing that masking in public does reduce transmission rates. Social distancing guidelines also came under criticism, although travel restrictions were deemed to have saved lives. Investigators found that Trump's Operation Warp Speed -- the publicly-funded project to develop Covid vaccines -- was a "tremendous success" but that school closures would have an "enduring impact" on US children. ft/jgcGov.-elect Bob Ferguson is tapping a Biden Administration official to lead the state’s Department of Ecology and to keep Washington at the forefront of the nation’s fight against the damaging effects of climate change. Ferguson named Casey Sixkiller, regional administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, to guide the department responsible for carrying out the state’s ambitious climate policies enacted under outgoing Gov. Jay Inslee. “Casey has the ability to craft practical solutions to complex problems, which will be critical to getting big things done and moving our state forward,” Ferguson said in a statement. Also this week, Ferguson named Tim Lang, a senior assistant attorney general, as the next secretary of the Department of Corrections. Lang is the department’s chief legal counsel and a member of the agency’s executive strategy team. Lang, who has been with Ferguson throughout his tenure as attorney general, will succeed Secretary of Corrections Cheryl Strange. “His extensive background in legal matters concerning corrections, coupled with his understanding of the challenges facing our state’s facilities, makes him the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Corrections,” Ferguson said in a statement. With the two appointments, Ferguson has now chosen six department heads ahead of his inauguration on Jan. 15. President Joe Biden appointed Sixkiller in 2022 as the EPA administrator for Region 10, which covers Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and 271 tribal nations. He will succeed Laura Watson who will be chief deputy attorney general for the next attorney general, Nick Brown. Prior to the federal appointment, Sixkiller served as deputy mayor of Seattle and chief operating officer of King County. He is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Inslee praised the selection of Sixkiller. “I’ve known Casey for a long time. I have a huge respect for him personally. He’s done a great job for EPA and I’m happy he’s going to be able to carry on the great work at Ecology,” he said Wednesday. Sixkiller is the first person Ferguson has named to lead a department who is not currently working for the state. Ferguson has said he will re-appoint Marcus Glasper as director of the Department of Licensing and David Puente Jr. as director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs. Both men were named to their positions in 2023 by Inslee. Strange is delaying a planned retirement to serve as acting secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services in the next administration. She ran the agency from 2017 to 2021. Ferguson previously named K.D. Chapman-See as his director of the Office of Financial Management. She will be the point person helping him construct state spending plans under the threat of a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com . Follow Washington State Standard on Facebook and X .
CarMax Inc. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the dayTrump’s Cabinet And Key Jobs: DEA Pick Chad Chronister WithdrawsBy Michelle Goth, Food Drink Life Are Christmas cards fading away? With social media and texting at our fingertips, many wonder if the tradition of sending handwritten holiday greetings is on its way out. However, many families still cherish the joy of sending and receiving Christmas cards, keeping this heartwarming tradition alive. Before you ditch the card aisle this year, consider the charm, nostalgia and personal touch that only a real Christmas card can deliver. So, is this the end of Christmas cards – or could this tradition be due for a holiday comeback? According to the Postal Museum , the tradition of mailing Christmas cards dates back to mid-19th-century England when the first commercial Christmas card was created by Sir Henry Cole, a civil servant involved in modernizing the British postal system. Sir Cole’s creation quickly resulted in a growing greeting card industry in England and the spread of Christmas cards to America by the 1870s. In America, holiday greetings have changed with the times. As printing technology improved, cards became more affordable, and the imagery and sentiments changed. National Army Museum mentions that families and soldiers mailed cards with patriotic themes during World Wars I and II. A Morning Call article states that in the late 1960s, cards featured psychedelic art and non-traditional colors to reflect popular culture. Today, Christmas cards are a global tradition. However, digital options and social media have introduced new ways for people to send holiday greetings, leading to a decline in the number of cards sent each year. In the early 2000s, TIME reported that Americans sent around 2.9 billion Christmas cards each year. But when social media platforms like Facebook were made available starting in 2004, holiday cards began declining, with the United States Postal Service reporting 1.1 billion Christmas cards now sent annually. Several reasons are behind this decline, ranging from social media availability and texting to environmental concerns and the rising cost of postage stamps. The increased commitments and risks of a holiday meltdown also factor in. Casey Rooney, a mother of three and the owner of Get On My Plate struggled with the decision, sharing, “Last year, several things came up around the holidays and I just could not get Christmas cards out. When I decided a card wouldn’t go out, it was a huge weight lifted.” Despite their decline in popularity over the last two decades, Christmas cards don’t need a eulogy just yet. According to the New York Post , more than half of American families still mail holiday greetings due to tradition and nostalgia, with most Americans preferring physical, customized cards regardless of their age. Ashley Wali, luxury family travel writer at Wanderlux , mails about 50 customized cards each holiday season for reasons beyond tradition, explaining, “I’ve found myself sharing less online in recent years, which makes holiday cards that much more important. They allow me to share big updates from the year and stay in touch with long-distance friends and family.” For Wali, mailing holiday cards is more than just supporting lasting connections. She explains, “Holiday cards are a chance for me to step back and reflect on the year. I write them as much for my friends and family as I do for myself.” Love connecting with family and friends during the holidays but don’t have the time or energy to send out traditional Christmas cards? You’re not alone. Many people find it difficult to keep up with the tradition of mailing cards. Fortunately, there are plenty of thoughtful, creative ways to share holiday cheer without stuffing envelopes or buying stamps. Whether through a quick email, festive social media post or small, in-person gestures, there’s a modern way for everyone to spread joy this season. The original intent of mailing holiday greetings was to nurture connections from afar. With the advent of social media, keeping social connections is easier than ever. Posting holiday greetings on social media can be a fun, creative and eco-friendly alternative to mailing traditional cards. Start by designing a festive image or using a family photo with holiday-themed graphics or frames in design apps like Canva or Adobe Express. For a distinctive touch, include a heartfelt caption or a year-in-review update to share highlights from the past year. Delivering homemade treats or festive holiday foods to nearby friends and family offers a thoughtful alternative to traditional Christmas cards. Instead of mailing a greeting, one can prepare a batch of cookies or spiced nuts packaged in decorative tins or holiday-themed wrapping. Purchased treats, like holiday chocolates, artisanal jams or charcuterie boxes also make excellent options for those who prefer not to cook. Adding a small note with a warm holiday message makes the gift. Minted explains that with the average family ordering 50 to 100 holiday cards each year, opting out can lead to substantial savings. Families might consider donating the amount saved to a charitable organization of their choice in honor of family and friends. Sending an email or e-newsletter instead of a traditional Christmas card offers a quick, eco-friendly and cost-effective way to spread holiday cheer. The email can include personalized messages, festive images or holiday videos. For families that prefer a newsletter-style greeting, an e-newsletter allows extensive sharing of family news. Some choose to send Christmas cards late or opt for alternative holidays to send greetings. Sage Scott, writer at Quote Queendom said, “After years of fighting an uphill battle I finally started sending New Year’s or Valentine’s Day cards instead. It is one less thing for me to do during the hectic holiday season, gives me time over the holidays to get updated photos of our family, and stands out in our friends and family members’ mailboxes since they receive it at an alternative time of the year.” Delaying the sending of holiday cards allows for a more relaxed and less rushed approach to sharing good wishes. While Christmas cards have experienced a decline due to digital alternatives and time constraints, they are far from disappearing. The tradition still holds value for many, offering a way to show thoughtfulness that technology can’t replicate. For those seeking alternatives, there are plenty of creative ways to spread holiday cheer without the mailbox, from sharing social media greetings to donating in honor of loved ones. Whether it’s through sharing your favorite homemade Christmas cracker candy or sending a festive e-newsletter, these options keep the spirit of the season alive, proving that Christmas cheer doesn’t have to come from a card alone. Michelle Goth is a professionally trained cook and cookbook author dedicated to celebrating Midwestern cooking traditions. She shares easy recipes for family dinners and holidays at Blackberry Babe .
NoneWESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT), a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing meaningful innovations in immuno-dermatology, today reported the grant of an aggregate of 44,000 restricted stock units of Arcutis’ common stock to six newly hired employees. These awards were approved by the Compensation Committee of Arcutis’ Board of Directors and granted under the Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. 2022 Inducement Plan, with a grant date of December 2, 2024, as an inducement material to the new employees entering into employment with Arcutis, in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). The restricted stock units vest over four years, with 25 percent vesting on each annual anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to the employee being continuously employed by Arcutis as of such vesting dates. Arcutis is providing this information in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). About Arcutis Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: ARQT) is a commercial-stage medical dermatology company that champions meaningful innovation to address the urgent needs of individuals living with immune-mediated dermatological diseases and conditions. With a commitment to solving the most persistent patient challenges in dermatology, Arcutis has a growing portfolio including three FDA approved products that harness our unique dermatology development platform coupled with our dermatology expertise to build differentiated therapies against biologically validated targets. Arcutis’ dermatology development platform includes a robust pipeline with multiple clinical programs for a range of inflammatory dermatological conditions including scalp and body psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and alopecia areata. For more information, visit www.arcutis.com or follow Arcutis on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , and X . Forward-Looking Statements Arcutis cautions you that statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company’s current beliefs and expectations. These statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the information expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to differ include risks inherent in the clinical development process and regulatory approval process, the timing of regulatory filings, the timing and expenses of commercialization efforts, and our ability to defend our intellectual property. For a further description of the risks and uncertainties applicable to our business, see the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K filed with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 27, 2024, as well as any subsequent filings with the SEC. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements in this press release. We undertake no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Contacts: Media Amanda Sheldon, Head of Corporate Communications media@arcutis.com Investors Latha Vairavan, Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller ir@arcutis.com
Lululemon's Strong Earnings and Share Buyback Push Analysts to Increase Price ForecastKansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. Houston's Al-Shaair apologizes for hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence that led to concussion HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post, Al-Shaair says "To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.” Philadelphia ready to go the distance with RockyFest week dedicated to 'Rocky' movies PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Rocky Balboa fans are ready to go the distance to honor Philly’s favorite fictional fighter almost 50 years after the first movie launched the enduring series of an underdog boxer persevering despite the odds. The city Rocky called home at last has a week dedicated to the box office heavyweight champion of the world a year after the inaugural Rocky Day was held at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps. RockyFest officially kicks off Tuesday and a series of events dedicated to the movies series are set to be held around the city. How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is 'brain rot' LONDON (AP) — Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” its word of the year. It's defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” especially from consuming too much low-grade online content. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. It was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. The five other word-of-the-year finalists were demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said the choice of phrase “feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world's rarest whale in 'extraordinary' New Zealand study WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Māori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. Hong Kong launches panda sculpture tour as the city hopes the bear craze boosts tourism HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting on Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s popular shopping districts, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. The displays reflect Hong Kong’s use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Violent hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'has no business being in our league,' coach says JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair. Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though. Al-Shaair and Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. Big Ten fines Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for postgame melee ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has announced it fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy for the on-field melee at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus .A fight broke out at midfield Saturday after the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes. Police used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves. One officer suffered a head injury when he was “knocked down and trampled while trying to separate players fighting." The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote 'Annie Hall' with Woody Allen, dies at 85 NEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman, whose wide-ranging career spanned some of Woody Allen’s best films, the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and a number of Johnny Carson’s most beloved sketches, has died. He was 85. Brickman died Friday in Manhattan, his daughter Sophie Brickman told The New York Times. No cause of death was cited. Brickman was best known for his extensive collaboration with Allen, beginning with the 1973 film “Sleeper.” Together, they co-wrote “Annie Hall," “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery." The loosely structured script for “Annie Hall,” in particular, has been hailed as one of the wittiest comedies. It won Brickman and Allen an Oscar for best original screenplay.These are not shining days for our justice system. The news Sunday that President Biden had pardoned his son Hunter for crimes he’s already been convicted of and prosecution for any crimes he committed between 2014 and Sunday, has caused even some Democrats to ask why the president had lied about doing just that. Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus, who often writes on the federal justice system, puts it this way in today’s print edition of the Sentinel: “Anyone who believed him then looks like a chump now. His failure to even acknowledge this reversal, no less explain or apologize for it, adds insult to injury. Where’s the simple principle of truth-telling now?” Marcus, while writing that Hunter Biden’s prosecution had political motivations and that she finds it understandable why a father would want to spare a family member from prison, President Biden has squandered some of what remains of his legacy. For many Americans, this is yet another example of a justice system that is hopelessly tilted toward the influential and powerful. But the politicization of our justice system has been going on for many decades (those old enough may remember when two attorney generals resigned in one 1973 evening rather than follow orders from President Richard Nixon to fire Watergate Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox) – and seems ready to turn ever more toxic under the incoming Trump administration. Trump’s appointees have included such notables as disgraced Florida (former) Congress member Matt Gaetz, who thankfully stepped away from a nomination to be Attorney General. Instead Trump has found another Floridian, former state Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime Trump ally who also would ostensibly prove loyal to the president-elect while heading up the U.S. Justice Department. Bondi was part of Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial as his team made false claims the 2020 election had been stolen due to voter fraud. In the latest example of prizing political loyalty over a concern for justice, Trump has nominated Kash Patel as the next FBI director. Patel, another staunch Trump ally, would replace current FBI director current Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee who still has three years left on his 10-year term. The compelling objection to Patel is his stated desire to use power in a second Trump term to seek revenge against the president-elect’s opponents. Speaking on Steve Bannon’s podcast in 2023, Mr. Patel said he’d follow “the facts and the law,” but then added, “we will go out and find the conspirators not just in government, but in the media. ... We’re going to come after you, whether it’s criminally or civilly.” But, as with the Hunter Biden pardon, a disregard for principles of justice for all and serving the greater good of the people does not just reside with the MAGA crowd. Witness the rise and fall of California’s progressive prosecutors, who, in the face of rising urban crime, often seemed more concerned with the perpetrators than the victims. But voters in three California cities said they had had enough of the politicization of their justice system. In San Francisco, in 2022, voters recalled progressive prosecutor Chesa Boudin. And in this November’s election, voters in Oakland recalled progressive District Attorney Pamela Price, whose decisions on leniency angered minority communities in the city that are most impacted by rising crime. In Los Angeles, progressive DA George Gascon was swept from office by voters and replaced by former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman, who in 2022 ran as a Republican for state attorney general. In all three cases, voters overwhemingly chose public safety over politics. Now, it is up to the United States Senate to consider carefully whether Trump’s nomination of Patel should stand, and what it would mean for the FBI. Senators, who warned Trump about Gaetz, will need to consider if Patel truly wants to make the FBI more accountable – or use it to pursue political retribution. The last thing this country needs is the vast powers of law enforcement and security to be even further politically weaponized.
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