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sports theme What medical care for transgender minors is at stake in Supreme Court case?HOUSTON (AP) — An elaborate parody appears to be behind an effort to resurrect Enron, the Houston-based energy company that exemplified the worst in American corporate fraud and greed after it went bankrupt in 2001. If its return is comedic, some former employees who lost everything in Enron’s collapse aren’t laughing. “It’s a pretty sick joke and it disparages the people that did work there. And why would you want to even bring it back up again?” said former Enron employee Diana Peters, who represented workers in the company’s bankruptcy proceedings. Here’s what to know about the history of Enron and the purported effort to bring it back. Once the nation’s seventh-largest company, Enron filed for bankruptcy protection on Dec. 2, 2001, after years of accounting tricks could no longer hide billions of dollars in debt or make failing ventures appear profitable. The energy company's collapse put more than 5,000 people out of work, wiped out more than $2 billion in employee pensions and rendered $60 billion in Enron stock worthless. Its aftershocks were felt throughout the energy sector. Twenty-four Enron executives , including former CEO Jeffrey Skilling , were eventually convicted for their roles in the fraud. Enron founder Ken Lay’s convictions were vacated after he died of heart disease following his 2006 trial. On Monday — the 23rd anniversary of the bankruptcy filing — a company representing itself as Enron announced in a news release that it was relaunching as a “company dedicated to solving the global energy crisis.” It also posted a video on social media, advertised on at least one Houston billboard and a took out a full-page ad in the Houston Chronicle In the minute-long video that was full of generic corporate jargon, the company talks about “growth” and “rebirth.” It ends with the words, “We’re back. Can we talk?” Enron's new website features a company store, where various items featuring the brand's tilted “E” logo are for sale, including a $118 hoodie. In an email, company spokesperson Will Chabot said the new Enron was not doing any interviews yet, but that "We’ll have more to share soon.” Signs point to the comeback being a joke. In the “terms of use and conditions of sale” on the company's website, it says “the information on the website about Enron is First Amendment protected parody, represents performance art, and is for entertainment purposes only.” Documents filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office show that College Company, an Arkansas-based LLC, owns the Enron trademark. The co-founder of College Company is Connor Gaydos, who helped create a joke conspiracy theory that claims all birds are actually surveillance drones for the government. Peters said that since learning about the “relaunch” of Enron, she has spoken with several other former employees and they are also upset by it. She said the apparent stunt was “in poor taste.” “If it’s a joke, it’s rude, extremely rude. And I hope that they realize it and apologize to all of the Enron employees,” Peters said. Peters, who is 74 years old, said she is still working in information technology because “I lost everything in Enron, and so my Social Security doesn’t always take care of things I need done.” “Enron’s downfall taught us critical lessons about corporate ethics, accountability, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Enron’s legacy was the employees in the trenches. Leave Enron buried,” she said. This story was corrected to fix the spelling of Ken Lay’s first name, which had been misspelled “Key.” Follow Juan A. Lozano on X at https://x.com/juanlozano70

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FBRX Stock Soars to 52-Week High, Reaching $21.47

The Lewis and Clark County commissioners have approved a $79,277 contract for a consultant to develop a master plan to expand nearly 30 acres of landscaped area of the historic Forestvale Cemetery. The work by Steiner Thuesen of Billings, according to the contract, includes general project management, site survey, stakeholder meetings, drainage assessment and recommendations, water availability analysis, development of conceptual layouts, final master plan development, cost estimates and recommendations for phasing of construction and implementation. The work to the property south and west of the existing cemetery is to be completed by Jan. 2, 2027, county engineer Dan Karlin said at Tuesday's commissioners meeting. Forestvale Cemetery north of Helena. In response to a question from Commissioner Tom Rolfe, Karlin said he expected the plan to be completed much shorter than two years, but when drafting contract proposals, they need to account for contingencies. The additional year is to allow for any snags. “It shouldn’t take two years, it should be less than a year,” he said. Karlin said the work was not difficult, but time-consuming. He expected the survey portion for the 30 acres alone to cost more $10,000. He said a water analysis would be done. There are multiple wells out there, but there may be questions as to whether another well is needed. It could also require legal analysis. Karlin said irrigation systems would be reviewed and they would determine if existing systems could be made more efficient and whether a new system be tied in. And he said there would be some “interesting” road design considered for the existing road network. A veteran is honored and remembered with flowers and a flag at Forestvale Cemetery. He said there would be several meetings to make the master plan meets the vision of Forestvale board and Historic Preservation Committee. Karlin said it is a time-intensive and hands-on investment. He said the Forestvale board and county has been planning for this expansion and the budget has set aside nearly this amount. “Our forecasting is matching up quite nicely for what we anticipated and what eventually came to us in a scoping fee,” he said. Karlin said Steiner Thuesen has worked with the Department of Defense on military cemeteries and has worked on municipal and private cemeteries as well. “They are very well qualified for this type of work,” he said. Bob Richards, Forestvale supervisor, said Wednesday the expansion is needed. "We’re starting to run out of room in the currently developed cemetery area," he said noting Forestvale has had 16,205 burials. Richards said that hopefully within the next few years they can get the new area prepped, looking nice and ready for sale. The cemetery at 490 Forestvale Road is about 21/2 miles north of the Helena city limits and consists of 148 acres with about 50 acres now developed, according to county officials. It has been on the National Register of Historic Places since Feb. 21, 1990. According to a 2003 tour guide of the cemetery posted on the website it was founded in 1890 by a group of investors as the Helena Cemetery in an area a local newspaper at the time described as "bleak and unattractive and too remote" from town. It was designed by Helena civil engineer Harry Wheeler, who used the theme of the cemetery as a "rural park" Several governors and other prominent people from Montana history have been buried there, as well as actress Myrna Loy. The cemetery includes a Chinese section, reflecting their presence and social status in Montana's history. A plaque explains the history of China Row at Forestvale Cemetery. The cemetery underwent a $107,000 upgrade in 2024 that included demolition and excavation as well as the addition of asphalt paving, a culvert extension, more parking spots, new signage and a sidewalk that leads from the parking area through the gated pedestrian entrance. The project was included in a county capital improvement plan. A November 2022 windstorm toppled more than 30 trees and unearthed several markers as well. For more on Forestvale Cemetery, go to Assistant editor Phil Drake can be reached at 406-231-9021. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Assistant editor/reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Should migrants get the right to vote? Currently, only Irish and British citizens over the age of 18 have the right to cast a ballot on Friday. Citizens of the European Union can vote in elections to the European Parliament, while all people resident in the State can participate in local elections . For some this might seem non-controversial but for migrant rights campaigner Teresa Buczkowska, it is something that she would dearly love to see changed. Ms Buczkowska has been living in Ireland for 19-years and has paid her taxes; however, on Friday, she will not be voting because she is a Polish citizen. “Even though, people who will be elected on Friday will be deciding about my life for the next five-years,” she told The Hard Shoulder . “Democracy is always work in progress; over 100-years ago, people granted voting rights to Irish women . “At that time, that idea was, for so many people, preposterous. “Right now, I know that the idea of voting rights for migrants might also sound weird but we have to think about what is the realistic implementation of democracy? I’ve been living in this country for 19-years, why can’t I vote? Why can I not participate in making decisions for this country?” Ms Buczkowska noted the migrant population is only likely to increase in the years ahead and feels the fact that so few have the vote undermines the spirit of a democratic society. “One-in-seven people living in Ireland are migrants,” she said. “So, when we have such a large number of people unable to cast a vote, what’s the value of our democracy? What’s the strength of our democracy?” Although she still has the right to vote in Polish elections, Ms Buczkowska said she would much rather vote in Ireland. “I haven’t been living in Poland for 19-years and I haven’t been paying my taxes for 19-years,” she said. “So, even though I still have voting rights in Poland, I don’t really do that anymore because it doesn’t feel right making decisions for Polish people.” In an ideal world, Ms Buczkowska said all people living in Ireland would have the right to vote after living in the country for a certain period. “I feel that because there are so many barriers to citizenship, I feel it would be fair voting rights for migrants who have been here for five-years,” she said. “If you are here for five-years, you can apply for citizenship. “So, if you are here and you are entitled to citizenship, you should be entitled to vote.” Polling takes place on Friday, November 29th. You can listen back here: Main image shows a person casting a vote. Image by: roibu / Alamy Stock Photo

OTTAWA — Canada will beef up its border security in time for the inauguration of president-elect Donald Trump, Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc said Tuesday as he appeared at a House of Commons committee. LeBlanc couldn't provide specifics on the number of extra "boots on the ground," but said the government is finalizing a plan based on advice received from the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency, and that he is now working with Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to fund it. "We haven't made, as a government, those final decisions," LeBlanc told the committee, in response to questions from Conservative MP Raquel Dancho. "There will be additional resources. Human and equipment. We will be making announcements in terms of procurement and personnel before (Jan. 20)," he said, referencing Trump's inauguration date. Last week, Trump threatened Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on all imports if Canada didn't do more to stem the passage of migrants and illegal drugs across the border. If enacted the move could critically damage Canada's economy, with more than 70 per cent of Canadian exports bound for the United States. On Friday, LeBlanc and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau flew to Florida to dine with Trump and some of his cabinet nominees at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida where they informally discussed trade and border security among other topics. Trudeau met with opposition leaders in his office on Parliament Hill on Tuesday to brief them on the situation as it stands now. An official in Trudeau's office said during the meeting Trudeau stressed the importance of not negotiating against Canada in public, and asked party leaders to state repeatedly and publicly that tariffs will raise the cost of living on both sides of the border. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, who attended the meeting, said at an afternoon news conference that unity is key among premiers and federal party leaders, because successfully beating back the tariffs is "not going to happen by accident." "All of us should be putting country before party," she said. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said the meeting was cordial, discussions rational and constructive, and said having more of those meetings would be helpful in having a consistent approach on U.S. policy — amid a looming Canadian election. "If that tone that was used in that type of meeting could show up in Parliament, people would have more confidence in us and take us more seriously," Blanchet told reporters, in French. In English he said he was willing to wait for the government's finalized plan for the border before commenting on it, adding he's trying not to turn the issue into a partisan fight. "The parts of (the plan) are exactly what we asked for a long time ago. We asked for more people at the border and ports of entry," Blanchet said. "This is what they seem to be doing with closer collaboration with U.S. authorities. We don't have the details, we don't have the numbers. But we know about the intention, which by itself is the beginning of a good thing." Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre emerged from the meeting appearing to heed Trudeau's call to stress the impact the tariffs could have on the U.S. economy. "It should be obvious and easy to make these arguments to the Americans, because they would be doing enormous damage to their own economy," Poilievre told reporters. But he was also highly critical of Trudeau for enacting policies that Poilievre said put Canada into the position it is in now. He said his demands are for Trudeau to fix the "disorder" at the border and the immigration system, as well as reverse economic damages he says were caused by the carbon price and an emissions cap on oil and gas production. Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said Trudeau told the party leaders that it would be helpful if they "didn't amplify the kind of messaging and language that the Trump administration is using to attack Canada." "When you sit around a table, there's the sense that we're all here with a shared view and goals that we share as Canadians," May told reporters. "That said, there were differences in responses as we went around afterwards how much we were willing to say 'yes, we will do whatever we can as opposition party leaders to avoid giving the Trump administration any sound bites that sound like Canadians agree with Trump.'" In a post on Truth Social Nov. 30, Trump called his meeting with Trudeau productive particularly about the drug crisis, but made no mention of whether it had moved the needle for him on tariffs. On Tuesday he posted an illustration of him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag and the caption "O Canada" without any further explanation. Earlier Tuesday at the public safety committee, RCMP Commissioner Michael Duheme said the RCMP did not have intelligence about where people might try to cross the U.S. border, which would inform where to deploy additional officers and how many. He said the challenging part is it's only a crime once people or drugs actually cross into the U.S. "There's collaboration (with U.S. Customs and Border Protection). But I think it's really important to identify those hot areas based on the position that the U.S. will take." Speaking to reporters outside the committee, Duheme said protecting the border is a shared responsibility between both countries and there are problems going both ways. "You heard fentanyl, you heard firearms are coming up from the south. So it's a shared responsibility," he said. The flow of illegal firearms is a topic LeBlanc and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised with Trump at their dinner Friday night. "The prime minister did say, when they were talking about their concerns around fentanyl and precursor chemicals and drugs, that we have for a long time worried about illegal firearms smuggled into Canada," LeBlanc told the committee. "We made that point to (Trump) that that was something we wanted to do in partnership with them." LeBlanc also told reporters on Monday that his department is mulling over expanding the CBSA's mandate to include border patrol between ports of entry. Right now, that responsibility falls on the RCMP. But LeBlanc said such a move would require a legislative change that would take some time to enact. "We’re always looking at good ideas and we’re not dismissing this one, but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want," LeBlanc said. Speaking to reporters following the leaders meeting with Trudeau, NDP leader Jagmeet Singh said it's a change he would support. "Let's protect our borders, keep us safe, and also help in the fight against these tariffs," Singh said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024 . -with files from David Baxter. Nick Murray, The Canadian Press

ORCHARD PARK — Matt Milano has lived in uncertainty for over a year. The structure and camaraderie of football was taken away and replaced by grueling rehabilitation. Just as Milano thought he was finished with months of work to return to the field, it was whisked away again during a drill performed countless times in practice throughout his football career. Back into the abyss he went. Unlike the leg fracture he suffered in Week 5 last season, the Buffalo Bills maintained their All-Pro linebacker would return at some point this season. and now it appears Milano is primed for a return as early as against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday. The Bills have not announced whether Milano will play against the 49ers and they have some time. Milano does not have to be added to the active roster until after Sunday’s game, and even if they bring him back to avoid losing him for the rest of the season, he still doesn’t have to play right away, like cornerback Tre’Davious White, who was activated on Nov. 1, 2022, but didn’t play for another three weeks. But for the first time since training camp, Milano was a full participant in practice Wednesday. He also shed the red non-contact jersey sported during his first week back with the team. “It feels good just to be out there with the guys, man,” Milano said. “Be competing again and playing ball.” The #Bills need to keep the pedal down coming out of the bye and @billhoppe.bsky.social and I discuss why. We also weigh Josh Allen's MVP odds and the #Sabres finally stringing together wins. fireside.fm/episode/sMvb... Whenever Milano does return to the lineup, it’s fair to wonder how much a 30-year-old who hasn’t played a game in almost 14 months can contribute immediately. Milano did not participate heavily in OTAs, and when he returned to training camp, . The leg fracture, 14 months removed, may still be the bigger concern for Milano than his repaired biceps. It is unknown how severe it was, as the Bills played coy on the injury for a while and didn’t acknowledge Milano wasn’t likely to return until more than a month after surgery. A severe fracture can take 3 to 6 months for the average person to recover, while a broken femur can take up to a year, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A completely torn biceps, though, can take 3 to 6 months. Upon returning, Milano is likely to wear a shoulder harness that prevents overextension of his elbow and shoulder. But the risk of tearing it again is minimal. A tibial plateau fracture is more severe because it’s near the top of the tibia, close to the knee, and is one of the main weight-bearing bones in the leg. It’s the area that takes a chunk of the pressure for a football player who is running, jumping and cutting. With the area of the fracture, doctors had to factor in the patellar tendon, which attaches in the front and pulls on the tibia. And there are ligaments and hamstrings that are also attached. “It’s just a slow recovery process because it’s such a bigger bone in the area when it comes to asking the body to do what it needs to do in there,” said Kyle Trimble, a physical therapist for Kaleida Health. “... It's just a slow recovery, given all the stuff that the lower extremities have to do, carrying the whole body weight and jumping and running around like it does there.” Bills coach Sean McDermott also said Wednesday that Milano would be on a pitch count during the early stages of his return to get reacclimated to playing again. The Bills acknowledged Milano wasn’t quite himself yet during training camp and now almost four months have been added to his absence. Milano will also have to adjust his reactionary time. His mind might know what to do, but initially, it could take time for his body to respond to instantaneous decision-making like he’s accustomed to on the field. And it’s also been over a year since Milano has given or taken a hit. With minimal contact during practices, even when players are healthy, there is no substitute for the body’s response to violent collisions. Should Milano try to jump in too quickly, he’s also at risk for soft-tissue injuries that come when the body isn’t used to performing the tasks it’s asked to complete. Milano missed three games in 2018 with a broken fibula, a game apiece for a hamstring in 2019, 2020 and 2021, five games for a pectoral injury in 2020 an abdomen injury cost him a game in 2022. “You’re worried about soft-tissue injuries such as hamstring, calf — you start getting fatigued too quickly and then you start compensating elsewhere because your legs get tired,” said Trimble, who operates Banged Up Bills accounts on Bluesky and X. “You’re just trying to react off of whatever instinct you have and maybe you make a sudden move and suddenly you hurt an oblique. He’s had all these injuries before, so they have to be mindful they don’t cause other injuries by trying to get him out there too quickly.” Milano’s return also means a decision must be made with Dorian Williams’ playing time. Williams has started all 12 games in Milano’s absence this year and the second-year linebacker ranks 13th in the NFL with 97 tackles. It’s plausible Williams plays weakside linebacker on early downs and Milano comes in for third downs or obvious passing downs. Milano thrives more in space than taking on blockers against the run, while Williams has struggled in pass coverage at times. Since Milano was injured last season, the Bills have played dime (six defensive backs) on 59% of their third downs. Having a second linebacker in the game who can cover gives the Bills more flexibility, especially on third and medium downs. “I'm here to play whatever role they want me to play, do whatever I need to do,” Williams told the Gazette Wednesday. “I love Matt. I love to see him out there and balling and doing his thing, too. So, I'm just out here trying to help us win. We're all trying to help the team go on and on and I think that's the beautiful thing about the team.” TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) did not practice Wednesday. ... OT Spencer Brown (ankle) and WR Keon Coleman (wrist) were limited. ... The Bills opened the 21-day windows for DT DeWayne Carter (wrist) and OT Tylan Grable (groin) to return from injured reserve. ... QB Josh Allen (left hand) did not appear on the injury report for the first time since Week 2.NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As holiday shopping ramps up, so do the efforts of scammers looking to cash in on the season's spending frenzy. But you don't have to be a victim. Recently, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association (FTA), Penny Lee, did a satellite media tour in partnership with D S Simon Media to share simple yet powerful tips to protect yourself and your wallet from common payment scams. "Scams can happen to anyone, which is why it's important to stay vigilant during key moments like the holiday shopping season," said Penny Lee, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Technology Association . "Our annual national campaign provides consumers with simple steps to protect their payments and be Smarter Than Scams." "Millions of Americans use Cash App daily to manage their financial lives securely and responsibly," said Brian Boates, Science Lead at Block , who oversees machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data science at the company. "Given the increasing rate and complexity of scams, and the evolving tactics of malicious actors, Cash App adopts a multifaceted strategy to effectively combat scams and safeguard its customers - and this starts with education. We're excited to continue working with our peers in the industry through efforts like Smarter Than Scams to empower consumers with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their finances." "Approximately a quarter of the world's digital commerce is powered by PayPal and Venmo each year reflecting that our brands are a trusted choice for consumers," said Aaron J. Webster, Global Chief Risk Officer at PayPal. "PayPal and Venmo do not tolerate fraudulent activity on our platforms. We leverage industry-leading fraud prevention and detection models, strategies, and tools to proactively identify and stop bad actors. We are proud to partner with the Financial Technology Association on Smarter Than Scams and will continue to demonstrate our leadership by empowering consumers with the education and innovative real-time transaction insights needed to avoid common scams and fraud." FTA's national "Smarter Than Scams" campaign brings awareness to the most common scams consumers face during the holiday season, such as charity, gift card, imposter, invoicing, pet deposit, phishing, and romance scams. The campaign outlines key steps consumers can take to protect themselves: Protect Your Personal Information by safeguarding your login details, using different passwords across accounts, and keeping any sign-in codes or magic links private. Be Aware of Account Activity by ensuring your account notifications, such as two-factor authentication and alerts for new device logins, are turned on. Pause Before You Pay by only sending money to people you know and trust and verifying and double-checking all recipient information. FTA represents industry-leading payment companies taking action to combat fraud and protect consumers from scams. FTA members deploy advanced technologies to monitor, detect, and combat bad actors, including sophisticated identity verification methods, strong authentication processes, and robust transaction monitoring. FTA has called for a coordinated national strategy to combat scams, including more resources for law enforcement, greater information sharing, ongoing consumer education, and modern identity verification, including digital ID. For more information about the common payment scams during the holiday season and how Cash App, PayPal, and Venmo work to protect consumers to transact safely, visit SmarterThanScams.com . About Financial Technology Association (FTA): The Financial Technology Association (FTA) is a Washington, DC-based trade association representing industry leaders shaping the future of finance. We champion the power of technology-centered financial services and advocate for the modernization of financial regulation to support inclusion and responsible innovation. About D S Simon Media: The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Financial Technology Association (FTA). Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f84529d-17be-4847-a278-00e436ec30ea © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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NoneSonic the Hedgehog 3 Video Highlights Keanu Reeves’ Performance as Shadow By A new is out, previewing the upcoming movie’s new character, Shadow, and how actor is excited to channel the role. What happens in the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 video? The new video is a featurette of the upcoming film, and highlights Reeves’ portrayal of Shadow, which says in the video is incredible. Stars Ben Schwartz (who plays Sonic) and (Knuckles) also appear in the video, also praising Reeves’ role. Meanwhile, the actor himself also dives deep into what makes the character so emotional. Check out the new Sonic the Hedgehog 3 video below: “Sonic the Hedgehog returns to the big screen this holiday season in his most thrilling adventure yet. Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before,” the synopsis for the movie reads. “With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.” Ben Schwartz returns to play in the new movie, while the voice cast also includes Colleen O’Shaughnessey as Miles “Tails” Prower, Idris Elba as Knuckles the Echidna, and Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog. James Marsden will reprise his role as Tom Wachowski. The live-action cast also features Tika Sumpter, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Cristo Fernández, Alyla Browne, and more. The film is directed by Jeff Fowler, who also helmed the previous two live-action movies in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 releases in U.S. theaters on December 20, 2024, from Paramount Pictures. Anthony Nash has been writing about games and the gaming industry for nearly a decade. When he’s not writing about games, he’s usually playing them. You can find him on Twitter talking about games or sports at @_anthonynash. Share article

49ers QB Brock Purdy remains severely limited by injury to his throwing shoulder