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NoneEvans scores again as Canadiens down Lightning 5-2PERHAM — Katie Hennagir’s great-grandfather would be proud of her. Her business, Bay Window Quilt Shop, has grown over the years and now makes use of his entire 7,000-some square foot building in downtown Perham. Her great-grandfather on her mother’s side, Fred Bauck Jr., built the building in the very early 1900s, Katie said. “It was the general store for our community. It hosted the first doctor and the first dentist upstairs. It had a hat shop, and a hitching post out front for the horses.” ADVERTISEMENT Katie’s grandfather, George Bauck, opened Bauck Paint and Supply in the building, and that part of the operation is owned by Katie’s husband, Jace. He also is the master of the shop’s longarm quilting machines, and serves as director at the Perham High School Area Learning Center. Over the years, most of the building was divided up and rented out to outside businesses, A Red Owl grocery store occupied much of the main floor until around 1988, when it moved out to consolidate with another local grocery store. In 1989, Katie’s mom, Sarah, started a crafts shop in the building. “I was 10,” Katie said. “I wanted to work as soon as she’d let me.” Katie is now 45. She and Jace have three children – Jack, 16, Izzy, 14, and Lola, 10, and Katie hasn’t lost that enthusiasm for the business she grew up with. “It took us 100-some years to be the only renters in our own building,” she said. When Katie came back from college, she helped her mom start a website, “and we started taking over parts of the building as we grew,” Katie said. “We grew as the (quilting) hobby grew. The hobby was not as popular in 1989 or even in 1999 as it is now.” ADVERTISEMENT Quilting has become so popular in part because it’s satisfying to create a new quilt. “So many people say they love this hobby because you get something out of it in the end,” Katie said. It’s also popular because it’s a social hobby. “It’s something you do with others,” she said. “There is community in the hobby.” Bay Window Quilt Shop serves people from all over the area. “We draw from an hour (travel) radius every day we’re open, because quilt people travel,” she said. Of course, it helps that the quilt shop is a fun place to be, with its retail spaces full of colorful fabrics and patterns, both traditional and whimsical – and customers love its rooms and connecting areas with their nooks, crannies and closets. “The joys of an over-100-year-old building,” Katie said with a laugh. “But I would never change it.” The shop has a character all its own, that customers appreciate and that couldn’t be duplicated in a big box store. The shop is also fun because Katie has the space to carry extra inventory, and she uses it. “I go all-in on everything,” Katie said with a grin. “We have way more baby (designs) than most shops.” ADVERTISEMENT Another example is quilting material, which is usually cotton or flannel, and Bay Window has “a ton of flannel,” she said. “We have almost 700 bolts of just flannel cloth. It’s unique to us – a lot of shops don’t have the space and just leave it out. We make room for it, it’s just soft.” One area in the shop has sewing machines for sale, another has finished quilts for sale, and there’s a large space for quilting classes. The shop now carries yarn as well, since a lot of quilters also like to knit. “My mom’s motto always was ‘if three different customers ask for it, we’ll put it in – there’s a demand for it,’” Katie said. Katie started stocking yarn two years ago and hasn’t regretted it. “We’ve also jumped back into crafts again,” she said. “We’ve come full circle to when mom opened the store in 1989. She sold crafts, not quilts.” Katie doesn’t just sell quilting material, she is a talented quilt designer in her own right, with patterns sold at her shop and sold nationwide through Timeless Treasures Fabrics, a wholesale fabric supplier in New York City. “One of the things that sets my business apart, in high school I started designing my own patterns for our shop,” she said. “Most shops don’t have their own designers.” She has created fabric designs for the past 17 years. “It’s sort of like being a freelancer,” she said. “I give them my design ideas, and they manufacture them – I just get royalties.” ADVERTISEMENT Designing quilts is kind of like working a puzzle – you need an artistic vision and a good head for numbers. “There’s a lot of math, but I like math,” she said with a smile. “I write out all the instructions and test it before we put it in print.” All quilt fabric comes in collections, she explained. “It’s all coordinated by design, color, style, season, whether flannel or cotton, decor, color schemes, trends,” she said. There is a turnaround of between six and eight months from the time one of her designs is sold and the time it shows up in quilt stores, she said. The quilting business is “very event-driven,” Katie said. Bay Window recently held a quilting luncheon at the Perham golf course. “I do a trunk show presentation,” she said. “Holiday-themed quilts we’ve made for them to view.” Those quilts are kept on display for six or eight months, until the shop is done selling all products associated with them. Then those quilts are put up for sale in a room in the back of the shop. It’s a nice selection, considering that the shop is geared towards hobbyists who like to make their own quilts, not necessarily towards people looking to buy finished quilts. Katie’s love of family and history are behind some of the quirks at Bay Window Quilt Shop. The paint is worn off the middle of the wooden steps leading to the downstairs level. Customers may wonder about it as they use those stairs, but she keeps it that way because her grandfather was the last one to paint those steps, and she hasn't had the heart to paint over it. “I wonder how long it will be before they’re painted again?” she said. The paint store itself reminds her of her grandfather, who started that business. Quilt customers are sometimes surprised to find she knows her way around paint products. “I can mix paint,” she said. “I can mix paint to match your quilt if you want.” ADVERTISEMENT Her mom retired from Bay Window in 2020. “We worked together for 20 years. It was awesome," Katie said. “We worked side by side.” Both her parents — Sarah and Ed Hayden — waited to retire until Katie and Jace’s youngest child, Lola, was in kindergarten, she said. “My girls definitely help,” she said. “Will they take over (the business)? Maybe someday. I just hope it stays in the family.” In addition to owning and operating Bay Window Quilt Shop, Katie Hennagir is the executive director of the nonprofit Perham Center for the Arts. It’s located in the beautiful brick St. Stanislaus Church, which was built in 1922 with gorgeous stained-glass windows, a striking copper steeple and sweeping architectural lines. When the church closed in 2009, the community wanted to preserve the historic church, so the St. Stanislaus parishioners and the new nonprofit came together to make it happen in 2011. Katie was not part of the original group that set up the nonprofit, but now serves as executive director, in part to help bring in grant revenue. ADVERTISEMENT There’s a lot going on at the historic building. It is available as a venue for weddings and other events, and Katie said “there’s a Christmas concert we want to do by candlelight, which will be incredible.” Art classes “have really taken off,” at the art center, particularly a paint-your-own-pottery class. Leaf River Pottery brings pottery to the class, people paint their own pottery, and Leaf River fires the pottery and then gives back the finished work. There are pottery wheels and a pottery kiln in the basement of the art center, and members who pay a $15 monthly fee can put them to use as members of the Clay Club. “That’s just kicking off,” Katie said in mid-October. “Last month was our first month, so we’re excited about that.” Two volunteers oversee the group meetings, something Katie appreciates. “I help with the organization, but I need others to take and run with it,” she said. There are also dance classes held upstairs, where all but a few of the original pews have been removed to provide an open space for activities. “So I‘m busy, but it’s a good busy,” Katie said. “I’m super proud to be from Perham, there’s a lot of pride in being a fourth-generation business owner. The community is so supportive.” As a business owner and community volunteer, Katie said “I can see first-hand from both ends how collaborative our community is. Perham is special that way – we have got that in spades.”
Magdeburg mourns market attack victims
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The final results of the Nov. 5, 2024, Election in Mendocino County were posted this week by the Mendocino County Elections Office.
Revolutionary Single-Layer Film Eliminates Helmet Changes, Enhancing Driver Safety and Performance LAS VEGAS , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Racing Optics®, the global leader in high-performance tearoff visor film technology, proudly unveils its latest innovation: the Twilight Tearoff . This groundbreaking single-layer tearoff is engineered to elevate driver visibility during late-afternoon and early-evening races, providing superior glare reduction and contrast enhancement. The Twilight Tearoff redefines race-day performance by allowing drivers to maintain focus and adapt seamlessly to changing light conditions, eliminating the need for disruptive helmet changes. This innovation represents a significant leap forward in racing vision technology, delivering immediate and measurable benefits to professional drivers and teams alike. "The Twilight Tearoff solves one of racing's most persistent challenges—ensuring optimal visibility as lighting transitions rapidly during twilight races," said Chris Colton , Chief Applications Engineer at Racing Optics . "Our dedication to driver safety and performance drives every innovation, and the Twilight Tearoff is no exception." Transforming Racing at Twilight Racing teams are already embracing the Twilight Tearoff as a game-changing solution for twilight and low-light racing conditions. One racing team manager shared their experience: "In a recent twilight race, the Twilight Tearoff gave our drivers unmatched visual clarity. Transitioning from glaring sunlight to artificial lighting without pausing to change helmets was a decisive advantage that kept us competitive." By streamlining the driver experience, the Twilight Tearoff enhances safety and helps maintain uninterrupted race momentum—a critical edge in the high-stakes world of motorsports. Exclusive Debut at PRI Show 2024 The Twilight Tearoff will make its debut at the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show , held December 12–14, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana . This highly anticipated event marks Racing Optics' 25th anniversary , celebrating a legacy of trailblazing innovations in motorsports safety and performance. Availability The Twilight Tearoff is now available for purchase at RacingOptics.com and through authorized dealers. Teams and drivers looking to gain a competitive edge are encouraged to explore this latest advancement. About Racing Optics For 25 years, Racing Optics has led the field in racing vision technology, delivering innovative solutions that enhance safety and performance. With a commitment to collaboration and innovation, the company continues to push the boundaries of motorsports protective equipment. For additional information, please visit RacingOptics.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/racing-optics-introduces-game-changing-twilight-tearoff-to-enhance-visibility-in-low-light-racing-conditions-302329546.html SOURCE Racing Optics, Inc.PHOENIX — The head of the Arizona Office of Tourism resigned abruptly Friday amid questions of a conflict of interest in a $700,000 expenditure for a new logo. Lisa Urias submitted her resignation to Gov. Katie Hobbs less than 24 hours after House Majority Whip Teresa Martinez said she wants an investigation. The Casa Grande Republican said there are legal questions about the decision by Urias’ office to spend money with Urias Communications for a rebranding effort. Urias has said that while she still owns the company she has cut financial ties. She later told the Arizona Republic, however, she continues to get a “stipend’’ from the firm but would not disclose the amount. Whatever the financial arrangement, the governor said it was clear that Urias had to go. “Anyone who has the privilege of serving the public needs to be above reproach,’’ Hobbs said Friday. “That’s why I accepted her resignation this morning,’’ the governor continued. “This appearance of a conflict is not acceptable.’’ Hobbs sidestepped questions about whether it made sense for the state to spend $700,000 on what critics say was simply designing a new logo. “This is not about that project,’’ she said. “This is about the appearance of conflict that is unacceptable.’’ But what also is true is that Urias’ future at the agency likely was limited. In a social media post Thursday, Senate President Warren Petersen said the odds of Urias getting confirmed by the Senate “are zero.” Urias “She should resign or be removed by the governor immediately,” the Gilbert Republican said. Urias acknowledged that reality. “I was caught in a maelstrom of unfounded and false allegations regarding the financial management of this project,” she wrote in her resignation letter. And Urias said neither the firm that bears her name nor she personally has ever benefited from this project or any work related to the Arizona Office of Tourism. But that, she said, doesn’t make the issue go away. “It became evidence that these false allegations would obstruct by confirmation by the Senate confirmation committee,’’ Urias wrote. Hobbs, in accepting her resignation, said Friday she had not heard about the call by Martinez for an investigation. But Martinez said the resignation does not end her call for Attorney General Kris Mayes and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell to look into the issue. All this relates to reports by Arizona Agenda that Urias suggested to Heart & Soul Marketing, a third-party design firm, that it hire artist Kevin Coochwytewa to develop the new logo. He was eventually hired by that firm, earning a reported $27,500. But the report also said that Coochwytewa is the brother of Jason Coochwytewa, who took over for Urias as the CEO of Urias Communications. “The issue, originally, in my mind, was the conflict,’’ Martinez said, saying even if her company was not benefiting “the optics look bad.’’ She said, though, even with Urias on her way out the door from her $205,000 job — her resignation is effective Dec. 4 — there are other questions that need to be answered. And central to all that, Urias said, was the price tag for the new logo and why the state needed to hire an outside firm to design it. “People make fun of why a hammer costs $1,500 if the government buys it versus the 15 bucks at Ace Hardware,” she said. “This is government bloat,” Martinez continued. “This is waste and fraud and abuse. This is not a good thing.’’ But Josh Coddington, the public information officer at the tourism office, said all that is based on misinformation. Yes, he said, there is the logo. But Coddington said this was just a piece of the whole effort to rebrand the state. It included a year-long “discovering Arizona listening tour,’’ described by the agency as asking 1,000 Arizonans about things like what they love about where they live and what would they show a visitor. All that led to a new Vibrant Arizona brand identity including six “pillars’’ including majestic beauty; vibrant arts, culture and experiences,; abundant diversity; welcoming warmth; strong connections; and trailblazing ingenuity. Coddington said the contract also included a video highlighting the pillars and revealing the new identity. “We didn’t do it in house because we don’t have graphic designers on staff and because the ambitious scope of work was beyond what Arizona Office of Tourism could handle,’’ he said. Hobbs herself boasted of the work when she announced the Vibrant Arizona brand and log in August. “Arizona deserves a brand as vibrant as its people, one that showcases our collective Arizona story,’’ the governor said. Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bluesky , and Threads at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com . Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.LINCOLN — Whether there are torrential downpours, devastating winds from a tornado or bone-chilling temperatures with piles of snow, the National Weather Service is there to ensure that residents are prepared and protected. "We are primarily here for hazardous weather information," said Ed Shimon, warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS' Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln. "When the weather turns hazardous, where people can be affected in their travel, their daily lives, possibly even loss of life and injury, we want to make sure that that information is disseminated as quickly as possible." The NWS' Lincoln office, located just off Illinois Route 10 next to the Logan County Airport, has been operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, since opening there in 1995. Ed Shimon, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln, looks at data from an advanced weather information processing system. Shimon, who has been at the Lincoln site since April 2005, said the office replaced existing locations in Springfield and Peoria and now comprises 23 staff members, including meteorologists, electric technicians and other support specialists. Lincoln's Doppler radar sits just outside the office, on top of a 100-foot-high platform and covered by a fiberglass bubble. It runs 24 hours a day and is programmed with specific scan strategies that allow for quick updates during severe weather, and a slower scan during calmer weather, Shimon said. The radar is one of 158 across the United States, Guam and Puerto Rico. Illinois' other radar is in Chicago; other nearby radars are in St. Louis; Davenport, Iowa; Paducah, Kentucky; and Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana. The National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office is just off Illinois Route 10 next to the Logan County Airport in Lincoln. Lincoln's radar also been upgraded with dual polarization, which allows for three-dimensional visualizations of storm systems and objects that might be within them, like hail stones or debris that's been lofted into the air, Shimon said. Doppler radar data is compiled into a processing system where meteorologists can view computer models, satellite information, weather observations and more, Shimon said. The Doppler radar at the National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln sits on top of a 100-foot-high platform and is covered by a fiberglass bubble. Meteorologists also can sample the atmospheric air remotely via weather balloons launched twice a day, at 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. Instruments attached to the balloons measure temperature and relative humidity, with the data being input to computer forecast models, Shimon explained. "We're dedicated to making sure we utilize all the technology we can, and we train up on how to do that and leverage the models and the number of models that we have available, in what we call ensembling," Shimon said. "We're really focused into the future — if the weather is kind of in a lull, we're always looking for the next big storm." This winter, the office is expecting a high variability of temperature swings, with La Niña playing into the jet stream patterns and causing more moisture and warmer weather. Still, they do expect one or two highly impactful winter storms in the coming months, Shimon said. James Auten, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln, has been at the office since it opened in 1995. He is seen in this photo reviewing data on an advanced weather information processing system. Meteorologist James Auten, who has worked at the Lincoln office since it opened in 1995, said he has seen the NWS' impact on public safety when they put out severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings, which are more frequent in the summertime. He said one misconception the public has of the NWS is that they work at television stations. However, he explained, the NWS is actually part of the United States government and is one government agency that is regarded highly from all sides of the political spectrum. "That's our job, putting out that information and keeping the public safe," Auten said. "When you find a job that you love, then you're not really working. ... There's been some rough times and some hard times, but we're still doing it to keep the public safe." Twenty-three employees work at the National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office in Lincoln. Meteorologist Daryl Onton, who has worked at the Lincoln office since 2014, encourages the public to keep an eye on the NWS' website and social media, including the " US National Weather Service Central Illinois" page on Facebook , where they keep people updated on what is happening and what they can expect in the days to come. "The most important factor in the National Weather Service is protection of life and property, so we urge people to always stay safe out in the weather whenever possible," Onton said. "Just keep an eye on severe weather, severe winds, severe thunderstorms, severe flash flooding, severe winter storms, and make sure to heed some of those slogans we have, like, 'When thunder roars, go indoors,' and 'Turn around, don't drown.'" Meteorologist and science officer Andrew Taylor, who has been at the Lincoln office for over three years, said he loves learning about new technology and sharing it with his colleagues, making sure they can use all the tools necessary to do their jobs, and in some instances, make their jobs easier. Taylor said another aspect of the job is how the NWS interacts with partners at the local level, including municipalities, counties and state departments. It's important to make sure they all are receiving the most up-to-date information to keep people safe. The National Weather Service's Central Illinois Weather Forecast is just off Illinois Route 10 next to the Logan County Airport in Lincoln. The office has been operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, since opening there in 1995. "Something that I wasn't looking as much into when I was going into the weather service was the people aspect of the job, and I'd say that over time I've become just as interested in that as anything else," Taylor said. "The National Weather Service is a trusted source for information — our meteorologists live in the local area, and they interact with our partners in the communities." Christopher Hogan, a student volunteer and graduate student studying geographic information science at Western Illinois University, said since starting at the NWS in late July, he's been able to shadow everyone at the office, which has helped him gain a better understanding and hands-on experience with meteorology. Hogan said his master's thesis will focus on the distance of storm events like tornadoes, and if there is a correlation between the distance and timing of supercell tornados. He is working in collaboration with scientist and storm chaser Cameron Nixon's research, which looked at storm interactions and the correlation between where they are positioned. Nixon is well known for his storm chasing coverage on social media and works at the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman, Oklahoma. Hogan said he is grateful for the opportunity to work at the NWS in Lincoln, and he hopes people realize that the work being done there is not as easy as just looking at a weather model for a forecast. "The models are getting much better and we rely on those, but you have to understand statistics, physical science, how to use these computers and technology," Hogan said. "If people got to experience what we do, they'd understand that it's a lot more than just looking at a model and saying that's going to happen, because you have to look at multiple different models and see which one has biases and make your own forecast from there." Visit facebook.com/NWSLincoln or weather.gov/ilx to stay updated on the National Weather Service's Central Illinois office. To learn more about tours and job shadowing opportunities, visit weather.gov/ilx/contactus Contact Mateusz Janik at (309) 820-3234. Follow Mateusz on Twitter:@mjanik99 Local Weather Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox! Government Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case. “The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people,” Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute “will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.” Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits , that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern mirrored by the European Union on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September. In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three of them denied TikTok’s petition. In the court's ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikTok's main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to "suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. “Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok. “This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans’ access to information, ideas, and media from abroad,” said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. “We hope that the appeals court’s ruling won’t be the last word.”
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Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen seemed to sense the question might arise after his club was eliminated from playoff consideration Sunday with a ghastly 45-33 loss to the host New York Giants in East Rutheford, N.J. The Giants were 2-13 and had lost a franchise-record 10 straight games entering the contest and their season-high point total Sunday more than tripled their season average of 14.3 points per game. It was the type of bad loss that leads to head coaches being asked about their job security. "I control what I can control," Steichen said of the employment situation. The Colts (7-9) were outplayed all contest by the team that entered the day with the worst record in the NFL -- and with their playoff hopes on the line. Last season, Steichen's first as Indianapolis coach, the Colts also fell short, losing to the Houston Texans in the final week of the season to miss the playoffs. "It was as disappointing as it gets," Steichen said of the setback against the Giants. "As the leader of a football team, shoot, I always say I've got to be better, we've all got to be better. That's a group effort, everyone's got to chip in and do their part, so stuff like that doesn't happen." Giants quarterback Drew Lock passed for 309 yards and tied his career high of four touchdowns while also running for a score. Meanwhile, the Colts also went with a reserve quarterback in veteran Joe Flacco and he turned the ball over three times on two interceptions and a fumble. He also passed for 330 yards. Flacco started because rookie Anthony Richardson couldn't play due to back and foot injuries. Indianapolis completes the season next weekend at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I know it's a tough situation, obviously, when you're out of the playoff hunt, but again, I told (the team) we've got to be professional about it," Steichen said. "That's the biggest thing. We've got to show up and do our job still with one week left." The Colts last made the playoffs in the 2020 season. Their last playoff win was two seasons earlier. --Field Level MediaSouth Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached president
Bill Oram: Instead of a playoff, college football is giving us a new season of ‘Survivor’The COVID-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for change in the judicial system, speeding up the adoption of remote court hearings. The Minnesota Judicial Branch has made significant investments in technology to facilitate these hearings, aiming to improve access to justice, enhance efficiency, and meet evolving needs, especially during and after the pandemic. We now have the ability to hold all hearings over Zoom. But just because we can, should we? ADVERTISEMENT In the 6th Judicial District — which includes Cook, Lake, St. Louis (Duluth, Hibbing, and Virginia), and Carlton counties — remote hearings offer several advantages. These include increased accessibility and cost reductions. Traveling to court in our region can be time-consuming and expensive, particularly for those who need transportation, time off from work, or child care. Remote hearings provide a lifeline to individuals with mobility issues, disabilities, or health concerns. The shift to remote hearings has helped create a more-accessible and inclusive system for individuals who rely on legal-aid organizations. This expanded access not only benefits individuals seeking legal help but also supports the continued work of legal-aid organizations and court-appointed attorneys in delivering crucial services to underserved communities. Safety has also improved, as remote hearings eliminate the need for in-person contact between parties, reducing the risk of physical confrontations, intimidation, or harassment. However, remote hearings present significant challenges as well. Fairness is the most prominent concern. Critics argue that remote hearings compromise the principle of "having your day in court." Many feel that something essential is lost when justice is dispensed through a cold screen. The emotional weight of proceedings can be harder to convey remotely, and, for some, the experience may feel diminished. Those unfamiliar with the court process may find remote hearings especially alienating or confusing. Another challenge is the digital divide. The promise of a digital courtroom falls flat for those in rural, underserved areas who lack reliable internet or cellphone service. Northeastern Minnesota, in particular, struggles with connectivity issues, creating a significant gap. Decorum is also affected. Remote hearings are often perceived as less formal, important, or personal, which can influence participants' behavior and erode respect for the judicial process. Much like how people act differently when behind a keyboard, some say or do things online they never would in person. To address these issues, Minnesota Judicial Council Policy 525, known as the "oneCourtMN Hearings Initiative Policy," aims to standardize decisions on whether court proceedings should be conducted remotely or in-person. Policy 525 can be found on the Minnesota Judicial Branch's website ( mncourts.gov) . This policy directs district-court judges to schedule and hold most hearings remotely, though certain types of hearings will remain in-person unless exceptions apply. This new framework takes effect Feb. 3. ADVERTISEMENT It’s important to note that judicial officers in your local courthouses retain the discretion to deviate from the default hearing format on a case-by-case basis. A request for an exception can be made by a party or initiated by the court by filing a Request for Remote or In-Person Appearance Form, also available at the Minnesota Judicial Branch site. As a judge, I understand that the justice system must evolve to meet the needs of changing times. The oneCourtMN Hearings Initiative Policy is a step in the right direction, designed to make our courts more efficient, accessible, and fair. Ultimately, whether a hearing is held remotely or in-person should be determined on a case-by-case basis, considering the unique circumstances and needs of all parties involved. Steve Hanke is a 6th Judicial District judge in the Lake County Courthouse in Two Harbors and in the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais. He is a former assistant Duluth city attorney.
Capital project: plugging in profits from a big battery
Teals MP kingmaker accuses major parties of attempting to ‘rig’ future elections(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .
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