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game online slot 88 Illinois St. 84, UAB 83According to a report from the Entertainment Software Association, video games are the number one requested holiday gift for kids. AUSTIN, Texas - The big holiday gift this year isn't a traditional toy off a shelf. According to a report from the Entertainment Software Association, video games are the number one requested holiday gift for kids. The games are not just for boys. The ESA survey indicates 67% of girls are asking for video-game related gifts. "When we ask kids what they want. Nearly half of them still say they want a console. So, if you don't have the switch, Xbox or PlayStation at home, they want that. But a shocking number want Game Pass subscriptions," said Aubrey Quinn, a Senior Vice President with ESA. ESA has a Holiday Guide website that provides additional information for parents. Video games are not your traditional toy off the shelf for the holidays. There are a few things to know about video games, like having ratings similar to movies and TV shows. "The good news for parents is that the Entertainment Software Rating board, or ESRB, has been rating video games for over 30 years. So, if your kid asks for a specific game, I say look at the ESRP age rating of that game. Also, good news for parents. Over 80% of video games are rated EA for everyone. EA ten plus or T 14. The small minority of games are rated M for mature. A shopper carries a Sony PlayStation 5 and controller inside a Best Buy store on Black Friday in Pinole, California, US, on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. Economists will be paying close attention to Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales to get a sense of cons The ESRP Rating symbol is located on two places on a game box: the front and the back. "And if your kid wants to download the game directly to their device or to their phone, those games are also on all the digital or these ratings are on all the digital storefronts," said Quinn. The devices that play the games all come with parental blocking capabilities. The features can also limit how much time games can be played on the devices. "I depend on parental controls in my own house, so every device you can play video games on allows you to set time limits as well as time of day limits. You can limit the games the kids can see by those ESRB age ratings. You also can limit or entirely block in-game purchases. You can limit or entirely block player to player communication. And so, figure out what rules are right for your family in your house with video games, and then let the parental controls help you enforce those rules at home," said Quinn. The parental controls are designed for parents who are not tech-savvy. For how to control different gaming systems, click here. "It is really easy to set up parental controls, and it's also really easy to manage them. They're all connected to an app that you can put on your phone. And so as soon as you've set up those controls on your device, you can have the app on your phone. And so, when my daughter wants more time, if she wants to request a specific game, I just get an alert. It's like getting a text message pops up right on my phone and I can accept. I usually decline. I think it more time today. She doesn't get the game, but everything comes to my phone. It's password or pin protected, and I also get weekly updates about how much time she's spending. So, there's so much information and it's really so easy. If you can use a smartphone, you can use the parental controls," said Quinn. ESA provided links to information about the video game industry and advice on talking with kids about video gaming: The Source: Information from an interview conducted by FOX 7 Austin's Rudy Koski and from a survey

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An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalitionExtinct Hawaiian crow species reintroduced to wild by San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceBy Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children’s toys and hair accessories. The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were “an order of magnitude lower” than the EPA’s thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it’s actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren’t enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn’t be in these products in the first place. “The math error does not impact the study’s findings, conclusions or recommendations,” said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they’re heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you’re wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It’s nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That’s because these products that include recycled e-waste don’t disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it’s also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study “had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them,” she said. Anytime you’re looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you’re going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. There isn’t a definitively timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Green technologies and sustainability-focused project strategies are helping the industry address risks earlier and build longer-lasting community ties, a London industry event heard this week. Better technologies, integrating artisanal miners and out-of-the-box mine closure strategies are key to improving mining’s social and environmental impact, a panel heard at The Northern Miner’s International Metals Symposium on Dec. 1-2. Panelists agreed that mining companies ignoring sustainability risk losing social and political support. The panelists shared how their diverse approaches could bolster projects’ sustainability credentials. Brent Johnson, vice-president of environment at Dundee Sustainable Technologies (CSE: DST), called his company’s non-cyanide gold extraction process, CLEVR, a breakthrough for safety. “If cyanide were banned overnight, 80% to 90% of mines would face immediate disruption,” Johnson told the panel. Johnson stressed that new alternatives, like his company’s tech, mitigate risks. They also reduce long-term liabilities, especially in tailings management. “Our approach eliminates the need for massive tailings dams, transforming how mines manage waste,” he said. Technological push Process innovation is one answer. But, Thomas Mumford, vice-president for exploration at Scottie Resources (TSXV: SCOT), noted that electrification and automation entail another. They are more sustainable and efficient. But new technologies face hurdles due to high capital costs and slow industry uptake. “New technologies require rigorous testing, often by large companies with the resources to run pilot projects,” he said. “This slows adoption.” Mumford cited the Borden mine in Ontario, operated by Newmont (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT, ASX: NEM), as Canada’s first all-electric underground mine. He noted that, while it shows electrification is viable, such mines are rare. The industry is slow to adopt new technologies due to high costs and risks. Informal integration The discussion also explored challenges from artisanal mining. It accounts for 85% of gold production in places like Colombia. In 2012 and 2013, Aris Mining (TSX: ARIS; NYSE-A: ARMN) began to formalize artisanal miners at its Segovia operations in the country as a way to seal local buy-in for the project, senior vice-president for corporate affairs and sustainability Giovanna Romero said. The company integrated them as contract mining partners. This collaboration has led to 44% of the company’s gold production today coming from these partnerships. Romero described them as an important step in reducing environmental harm and fostering community trust. “By integrating artisanal miners into our supply chain and sharing geological and technical knowledge, we’ve transformed them into legal, productive partners,” she said. Innovative mine closure strategies also took centre stage. Romero described Aris’s reclamation project at Segovia that converted a tailings site into a community park featuring football fields and recreational domes. A second stage includes a photovoltaic plant, further extending the site’s utility. “This project, managed by the local municipality, illustrates how closures can benefit communities long after mining operations end,” she said. Technically savvy The panel stressed that sustainability is a must, not just a goal. It’s vital for both ethics and business. Mumford called for early planning to ensure mine sites can be reused productively after closure. “Reclaimed mines shouldn’t sit as wastelands. They need to contribute to the community in a meaningful way,” he said. Johnson emphasized that companies need to factor sustainability into financial risk management. He cited the 2015 Vale (NYSE: VALE) dam collapse in Brazil, which killed 19 people, polluted the Doce River all the way to the Atlantic and saddled the company with $29.9 billion in damages. “Spending extra money upfront on sustainable technologies isn’t just ethical — it’s a no-brainer when you consider the long-term savings on liabilities and the avoidance of catastrophic failures,” he said. Meanwhile, mining communities are becoming more “technically savvy” and demanding better practices. “A mine could win awards one year and face ruin the next over ESG failures,” Johnson said.

Companies tighten security after a health care CEO's killing leads to a surge of threats“Wanted” posters with the names and faces of health care executives have been popping up on the streets of New York. Hit lists with images of bullets are circulating online with warnings that industry leaders should be afraid. The apparent targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the menacing threats that followed have sent a shudder through corporate America and the health care industry in particular, leading to increased security for executives and some workers. In the week since the brazen shooting , health insurers have removed information about their top executives from company websites, canceled in-person meetings with shareholders and advised all employees to work from home temporarily. An internal New York Police Department bulletin warned this week that the online vitriol that followed the shooting could signal an immediate “elevated threat.” Police fear that the Dec. 4 shooting could "inspire a variety of extremists and grievance-driven malicious actors to violence," according to the bulletin, which was obtained by The Associated Press. “Wanted” posters pasted to parking meters and construction site fences in Manhattan included photos of health care executives and the words “Deny, defend, depose” — similar to a phrase scrawled on bullets found near Thompson’s body and echoing those used by insurance industry critics . Thompson's wife, Paulette, told NBC News last week that he told her some people had been threatening him and suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Investigators believe the shooting suspect, Luigi Mangione , may have been motivated by hostility toward health insurers. They are studying his writings about a previous back injury, and his disdain for corporate America and the U.S. health care system. Mangione’s lawyer has cautioned against prejudging the case. Mangione, 26, has remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was arrested Monday . Manhattan prosecutors are working to bring him to New York to face a murder charge. UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, said this week it was working with law enforcement to ensure a safe work environment and to reinforce security guidelines and building access policies, a spokesperson said. The company has taken down photos, names and biographies for its top executives from its websites, a spokesperson said. Other organizations, including CVS, the parent company for insurance giant Aetna, have taken similar actions. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. has announced that its investor day will be held online, rather than in-person as originally planned. Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm, said last week it was temporarily closing its six offices for security reasons and would have its employees work from home. Heightened security measures likely will make health care companies and their leaders more inaccessible to their policyholders, said former Cigna executive Wendell Potter. “And understandably so, with this act of violence. There’s no assurance that this won’t happen again,” said Potter, who’s now an advocate for health care reform. Private security firms and consultants have been in high demand, fielding calls almost immediately after the shooting from companies across a range of industries, including manufacturing and finance. Companies have long faced security risks and grappled with how far to take precautions for high-profile executives. But these recent threats sparked by Thompson's killing should not be ignored, said Dave Komendat, a former security chief for Boeing who now heads his own risk-management company. “The tone and tenor is different. The social reaction to this tragedy is different. And so I think that people need to take this seriously,” Komendat said. Just over a quarter of the companies in the Fortune 500 reported spending money to protect their CEOs and top executives. Of those, the median payment for personal security doubled over the last three years to just under $100,000. Hours after the shooting, Komendat was on a call with dozens of chief security officers from big corporations, and there have been many similar meetings since, hosted by security groups or law enforcement agencies assessing the threats, he said. “It just takes one person who is motivated by a poster — who may have experienced something in their life through one of these companies that was harmful," Komendat said. Associated Press reporters Wyatte Grantham-Philips in New York and Barbara Ortutay in San Francisco, contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Hosts Sean Hannity and Ainsley Earhardt are officially engaged , and President-elect Donald Trump couldn’t be more thrilled for the Fox News stars. Trump, who is gearing up for his second Inauguration Day next month, took to his social media platform Truth Social, to extend some well wishes and congratulations to the happy couple. “Great news about Sean and Ainsley,” he wrote. “They are officially engaged to be married! There are no finer people than these, and there will be no finer couple. Congratulations to both - A deal made in HEAVEN!!! DJT.” Fox News' Greg Gutfeld, 60, has fans 'teary’ with health update after birth of first child Ainsley Earhardt's net worth and it's a lot less than new fiancé Sean Hannity's huge sum On December 26, just one day after Christmas, Hannity and Earhardt sat down for an interview with Fox News, and opened up about taking the next step in their relationship. They revealed that Hannity popped the big question at their home church on Christmas Day. "We are overjoyed and so thankful to our families for all of their love and support during this wonderful time in our lives,” the pair expressed. They also explained that before getting down on one knee, Hannity made sure to get the blessing from their children. Both Hannity and Earhardt were previously married and have children from their prior relationships. Hannity shares a son and daughter with ex-wife Jill Rhodes, while Earhardt shares a daughter with ex-husband Will Proctor. DON'T MISS: Shark Tank contestant in awe as panel clash over his seven figure plea deal Frank Fritz’s jaw-dropping American Pickers’ salary paid towards monthly five figure bill Ivanka Trump dazzles in a series of festive looks after saying she’s done with politics Trump wasn’t the only person to send words of support to the couple. Over on X, formerly Twitter, fellow Fox News anchor Bret Baier wrote: "Congratulations to friends @seanhannity and @ainsleyearhardt! Great people! Here's to an amazing 2025." Hannity and Earhardt have yet to announce a date for their nuptials, but in the meantime he will continue to host his titular show while she will continue on as co-host of Fox and Friends.Percentages: FG .554, FT .684. 3-Point Goals: 8-19, .421 (Vasquez 3-4, Moore 2-5, Lendeborg 1-2, Toney 1-2, Johnson 1-5, McGhee 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Shaver). Turnovers: 16 (Coleman 3, Lendeborg 3, McGhee 3, Moore 2, Vasquez 2, Ezewiro, Johnson, Toney). Steals: 7 (Coleman 2, Shaver 2, Lendeborg, Toney, Vasquez). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .566, FT .765. 3-Point Goals: 11-27, .407 (Daugherty 3-6, Kinziger 2-5, Wolf 2-6, Walker 1-1, Boser 1-2, Poindexter 1-2, Pence 1-4, Banks 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Kinziger). Turnovers: 16 (Banks 4, Kinziger 3, Poindexter 3, Pence 2, Walker 2, Barnes, Boser). Steals: 10 (Banks 2, Kinziger 2, Pence 2, Daugherty, Poindexter, Walker, Wolf). Technical Fouls: None. .

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Actor and former Hells Angels leader Chuck Zito flips out on NYC cops after he’s busted for bogus license plateAston Villa president of football operations Monchi has broken his silence after Jhon Duran's red card appeal was rejected on Friday. The Colombia international was shown a red card in Villa's 3-0 loss at the hands of Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak and Joelinton were among the goals as the Magpies inflicted the sixth Premier League defeat on Unai Emery's side this season. Questions were raised during and after the match over the validity of Duran's sending off. The forward lost out in a tussle with Newcastle defender Fabian Schar and appeared to step on the Swiss international as they fell to the floor. While a painful challenge, Villa and Duran were insistent there was no intent and it was accidental. READ | Aston Villa learn outcome of Jhon Duran red card appeal after Newcastle controversy READ | What Jhon Duran did after leaving the pitch as the FA given perfect reason to overturn Aston Villa ban That was not the view of the FA, however, as the club announced on Friday evening that the ban will not be rescinded as the appeal was rejected by the governing body. As a result, the 21-year-old will now miss Villa's next two league games against Brighton and Leicester City, as well as their FA Cup meeting with West Ham. Duran will be available for selection again when Emery's side travel to take on Everton on January 15. In light of recent developments, Villa's president of football operations, Monchi, has shared his thoughts on the decision not to overturn Duran's red card. Speaking on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the 56-year-old said: "We can understand a mistake, because to err is human, but to insist on the mistake only creates doubts about the system. "I came from a place where the motto is NEVER SURRENDER. so here we say the same thing, we will not surrender and we will continue fighting for our club. Up the Villa." Villa are now ninth in the Premier League standings with 28 points. They are six points off top four as things stand, although Fulham and Manchester City also sit in the same position with 18 games played. Should Duran's ban have been overturned? Let us know in the comments section ...

Bravo star Kristen Doute has broken her silence over her former castmate James Kennedy's arrest for domestic violence, simply writing: "Finally." Law enforcement sources told TMZ that on the evening of December 10 Burbank police were called to a home after receiving a call about an argument between James and a woman, with the reality TV star allegedly "grabbing her at one point" although no visible injuries were seen. A screengrab of the TMZ story was posted by Kristin on social media, and she added the one word response underneath. TMZ reports that "after investigating the situation, police say they determined it was a domestic incident" and James was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence. He posted bail of $20,000. That same evening James attended Kathy Hilton 's DirecTV party, where he was pictured hand in hand with girlfriend Ally Lewber. On Wednesday, Ally didn't let on that her boyfriend had been arrested as she was the hostess with the mostest, welcoming guests including Nicole Young, The Bachelor ' s Rachel Recchia, and Davina Potratz to the event at Short Stories Hotel. Hosted by Ally and Windsor, "the ultimate shopping destination for every occasion," the party was the unveiling of their dazzling New Year’s Eve Collection. Guests sipped on sparkling refreshments and savored gourmet hor d’oeuvres while getting a sneak peek at some of Windsor’s upcoming must-have styles, while also receiving personalized astrology readings, aura photography, and experiencing ear seeding. James, who is from the UK, is a DJ but found fame on Vanderpump Rules, alongside Lisa Vanderpump. e was previously engaged to Rachel Leviss – who infamously had an affair with Tom Sandoval, who wa s in a long term relationship with Ariana Madix – before he fell in love with Ally. On December 3 it was revealed that the new season of V anderpump Rules would have an entirely new cast; James had been with the show for 10 seasons. Ally later told Us Weekly that James was "grieving" the decision by Bravo. "I think he was just like, 'Wow, that was crazy.' It was just an insane part of his life and such an important part of his life. I think he’s so proud — I know he’s so proud— of where he’s at now compared to where he started the show so, I think it’s just gratitude and looking back and going, 'Holy [expletive]. We just did that, and now we can move on.'"Country singer Caleb Kennedy, who competed in American Idol Season 19, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 car crash that killed a man in Pacolet, South Carolina. Kennedy pled guilty last week to the felony charge of driving under the influence resulting in death, according to the Greenville News . He was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, but he had that sentence and fine reduced to eight years and $15,100, with three of those years served in home detention. He also received credit for the nearly three years he has already served. Additionally, the singer will serve five years of probation, and he is required to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling. The legal update comes nearly three years after Kennedy, then 17, struck and killed 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris while driving his Ford F-150 on February 8, 2022. Warrants alleged that Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, and he was arrested on the DUI charge on the day of the crash. Ryan Beasley, Kennedy’s attorney, told the News that the sentencing was fair. “He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened,” Beasley said. “This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.” Beasley also said that Kennedy is “very remorseful” and that the sentencing “starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation.” (The News notes that Parris’ family wanted the maximum 25-year sentence.) Kennedy made it to the Top 7 of American Idol Season 19 but withdrew from the competition after a video of him standing next to a person wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style hood resurfaced. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse,” Kennedy said, in part, on social media at the time. “I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.” More Headlines: ‘Brilliant Minds’ Scoop on ‘Terrifying’ Cliffhanger, Plus What’s Next With Carol’s Patient? Are You a ‘Final Jeopardy’ Genius? Test Your Brainpower With This Week’s Clues ‘Blue Bloods’: Vanessa Ray Teases Eddie & Jamie as a Team Will Be ‘Put to the Test’ ‘Gold Rush’: Parker, Rick & Tony Hit Big Trouble – Can They Recover? (RECAP) ‘Cross’: Ryan Eggold Talks Ed Ramsey’s Fate & Working With Aldis Hodge (VIDEO)

Push to salvage climate talks after poor nations bristle at cash

Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 factories in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential effects, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with , arguing that information about the chemicals' dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs.Wisconsin officer grabbing Donovan Raiola's arm a 'misunderstanding,' UW police sayQueens Car Accident Attorney Keetick L. Sanchez Discusses Lower Back Pain Settlements Following Car Accidents

Country singer Caleb Kennedy, who competed in American Idol Season 19, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 car crash that killed a man in Pacolet, South Carolina. Kennedy pled guilty last week to the felony charge of driving under the influence resulting in death, according to the Greenville News . He was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, but he had that sentence and fine reduced to eight years and $15,100, with three of those years served in home detention. He also received credit for the nearly three years he has already served. Additionally, the singer will serve five years of probation, and he is required to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling. The legal update comes nearly three years after Kennedy, then 17, struck and killed 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris while driving his Ford F-150 on February 8, 2022. Warrants alleged that Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, and he was arrested on the DUI charge on the day of the crash. More from this section Ryan Beasley, Kennedy’s attorney, told the News that the sentencing was fair. “He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened,” Beasley said. “This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.” Beasley also said that Kennedy is “very remorseful” and that the sentencing “starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation.” (The News notes that Parris’ family wanted the maximum 25-year sentence.) Kennedy made it to the Top 7 of American Idol Season 19 but withdrew from the competition after a video of him standing next to a person wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style hood resurfaced. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse,” Kennedy said, in part, on social media at the time. “I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.” More Headlines: ‘Brilliant Minds’ Scoop on ‘Terrifying’ Cliffhanger, Plus What’s Next With Carol’s Patient? Are You a ‘Final Jeopardy’ Genius? Test Your Brainpower With This Week’s Clues ‘Blue Bloods’: Vanessa Ray Teases Eddie & Jamie as a Team Will Be ‘Put to the Test’ ‘Gold Rush’: Parker, Rick & Tony Hit Big Trouble – Can They Recover? (RECAP) ‘Cross’: Ryan Eggold Talks Ed Ramsey’s Fate & Working With Aldis Hodge (VIDEO)Picket line blocks bus from Woolworths’ warehouse despite Fair Work rulingFederal judge rules Alabama city must allow gay pride float at Christmas parade

NEW YORK — Victor Wembanyama had 19 points, seven rebounds and six blocks, Jeremy Sochan had 12 points and 14 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs beat the Brooklyn Nets 96-87 on Friday night. Julian Champagnie scored 18 points, and Keldon Johnson had 15 points and six rebounds to help the Spurs end a two-game skid. Keon Johnson scored a game-high 25 points and Shake Milton chipped in with 16 points and 12 assists for Brooklyn, which fell for the ninth time in its past 12 games. Takeaways San Antonio: After an abysmal shooting first half, where they shot just 27.5% from the field, the Spurs lit it up in the second half by making 21 of 37 field goals (56.7%). Brooklyn: Playing the second of a back-to-back, and without leading scorer Cam Johnson (hip contusion) and assist leader Ben Simmons (lower back management), the Nets struggled to generate offense, shooting just 38.9% from the field and scoring a season low for points. Key moment After a quiet four-point first half, Wembanyama came alive in the third quarter by scoring 11 points and knocking down three 3-pointers during the Spurs’ 22-9 run that turned a two-point deficit in to a 69-58 lead. The Spurs survived a brief third-quarter scare when Wembanyama went to the locker room after catching Jalen Wilson’s accidental head butt with 4:43 left. San Antonio outscored Brooklyn 12-8 with Wembanyama out of the game and 33-21 overall in the third quarter. San Antonio Spurs' Devin Vassell, left, shoots the ball against Brooklyn Nets' Nic Claxton, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, in New York. Credit: AP/Pamela Smith Key stat Wembanyama had at least four blocks in his fifth straight game. He also recorded at least one 3-pointer and at least one block for the 22nd straight game. Up next San Antonio: at Minnesota on Sunday. Brooklyn: at Orlando on Sunday.