US to transform white elephant destroyers by fitting hypersonic weaponsAuthorities are sharing more details about Luigi Mangione 's arrest. After taking him into custody on firearm charges in Altoona, Pa. on Dec. 9, police revealed the items they found in possession of the 26-year-old, who the New York Police Department named as a "strong person of interest" in connection to the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . When Mangione was discovered by officials at a McDonald's in the Pennsylvania town, he was carrying a ghost gun and suppressor that was "consistent with the weapon used in the murder" of Thompson, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced at a news conference Dec. 9. And that's not all Mangione—who was recognized by a McDonald's employee, according to the NYPD—had on him at the time. Authorities also recovered multiple fraudulent IDs, one of which was a fake New Jersey license that matched the one used by the Thompson shooting suspect to check into a New York City hostel before Thompson's murder, per the NYPD. Additionally, police revealed that a mask consistent with those worn by the shooting suspect and a three-page document allegedly written by Mangione were uncovered, the latter of which Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney said "speaks to both" his "motivation and mindset." "These parasites had it coming," the Maryland native allegedly wrote in the multi-page paper, a police official who viewed the document told CNN Dec. 9 . "I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done." And while the NYPD did not provide further details into the document, Kenney said during the press conference that the writings showed that Mangione seems to have "some ill will toward corporate America." Mangione was taken into custody five days after Thompson was shot in the chest by an unidentified gunman outside the New York Hilton hotel in Manhattan, where he was headed to speak at an investor conference held by United Healthcare's parent company, UnitedHealth Group. Investigators recovered three discharged gun shell casings from the scene, which a senior New York City law enforcement official told NBC News at the time had the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" etched on them. Shortly after, Thompson's wife Paulette Thompson told NBC News that her husband had been receiving threats prior to his death , explaining to the outlet, "I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.” Mangione has not been charged in connection to Thompson's death, but multiple officials told NBC News that his arrest could be a break in the CEO's case. And as for Thompson's friends, coworkers and family? UnitedHealthcare shared in a Dec. 9 statement to NBC News that they hope this investigation update will bring relief to those affected by the "unspeakable tragedy." "We thank law enforcement, and we will continue to work with them on this investigation," the company's statement continued. "We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn.” For more on about Thompson’s death, keep reading. Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompson —though according to a Wall Street Journal report, they had been living in separate homes—and was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Department’s Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompson’s back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. “The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.” Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a “pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack” and not a random act of violence. “The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway,” she noted, “and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.” What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter—who has yet to be named or arrested—headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored “numerous other pedestrians”—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Dec. 5 the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on the shell casings. However, Kenny noted the motive for the killing is still unknown. He added a cellphone was discovered in an alley where the shooter fled before walking on a sidewalk toward the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Kenny also said investigators are "looking at everything"—including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help in the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. What have investigators revealed about the gunman who shot Brian Thompson? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who was "wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." On Dec. 4, New York police shared photos of an individual they're looking for holding a gun and riding a bike. Later that day, the NYPD tweeted out more pictures of a person they said they're searching for wearing a black mask, dark hooded jacket and gray backpack. Two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News these photos were captured from a Starbucks prior to the shooting. On Dec. 5, the NYPD released additional photos of a person of interest that showed the individual wearing a hooded jacket and lowered face mask. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News the photos came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel. Two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators are trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and paid cash for a hostel room. Three senior law enforcement officials also told NBC News investigators think the shooter possibly took a bus to New York from Atlanta, with the outlet reporting officials are looking at names on tickets from a Nov. 24 Greyhound bus trip to see if they can identify the shooter and that Greyhound said they're cooperating with authorities. On Dec. 6, Kenny told CNN investigators think the shooter may have left New York as he was spotted at Port Authority. What has Brian Thompson’s family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompson’s family mourned his passing. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” Thompson’s wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompson’s death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. These have included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC , remains active. And while a motive for the shooting has again not been revealed, many outlets have noted the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" on the shell casings are similar to the title of a 2010 book called Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family). (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Bill Belichick spent time after his NFL exit talking with college coaches wanting his thoughts on managing new wrinkles at their level that looked a lot like the pros. The two-minute timeout. The transfer portal as de facto free agency. Collectives generating name, image and likeness (NIL) money for athletes becoming like a payroll. The impending arrival of revenue sharing. It didn't take long for Belichick to envision how a college program should look based on his own NFL experience. "I do think there are a lot of parallels," Belichick said. And that's at least partly why the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach is now taking over at North Carolina. Years of rapid change at the have only increased the professionalization of college football across the country, with schools adjusting staffing to handle growing duties once seemingly more fitting for a pro team. People are also reading... UNC just happens to be making the most audacious of those bets, bringing in a 72-year-old who has never coached in college and asking him to build what amounts to a mini-NFL front office. But plenty could follow. "I really think there's going to be some of those guys that maybe don't have a job in the NFL anymore," Kansas State general manager Clint Brown said, "and now that this is going to be structured in a way where there is a cap that that's going to be something they're interested in." A changing college course The rapid changes in college athletics have fueled that, notably with players able to transfer and play right away without sitting out a year and be paid through NIL endorsement opportunities in the past five years. Recruiting is now just as much about bringing in veteran talent through the portal as signing recruits out of high school, mirroring the NFL with free agency and the draft, respectively. And a bigger change looms with revenue sharing, the result of a $2.78 billion legal settlement to antitrust lawsuits. Specifically, that model will allow the biggest schools to establish a pool of about $21.5 million for athletes in the first year, with a final hearing in that case set for April 2025. It will be up to schools to determine how to distribute that money and in which sports, though football's role as the revenue driver in college sports likely means a prominent cut everywhere as a direct parallel to a professional team's salary cap. Throw all that together, and it's why coaches are adjusting their staffs like Florida's Billy Napier interviewing candidates to be the Gators' general manager. "We're built to do it now," Napier said. "The big thing here is that we're getting ready to be in a business model. We have a cap. We have contracts. We have negotiation. We have strategy about how we distribute those funds, and it's a major math puzzle. "We're going to build out a front office here in the next couple of months, and it's primarily to help us manage that huge math problem," Napier added. "There'll be a ton of strategy around that. I'm looking forward to it." Still, that also explains why Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, the former head coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, said: "This job as a head coach is a juggernaut. There's way more to do here than I had to do in the NFL." The value of a hire And it explains why the Tar Heels are betting on Belichick to be the right fit for today's changing climate. "If I was 16 of 17 years old, a coach who came at you and won how many Super Bowls? And he said, 'Come play for me,'" said New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu, now in his third year out of UNC. "I mean, that's pretty hard to turn down now, especially in this day and age, he's telling you to come play for him and he's offering you some money, too. I mean, you can't go wrong with that choice." The timing worked for UNC with Belichick, who was bypassed for some NFL openings after leaving the New England Patriots last year and instead spent months taking a closer look at the college game. Those conversations with coaches — some in the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences, he said Thursday — made him understand how the changes in college aligned with his pro experience. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out." And his mere presence in Chapel Hill makes a difference, with athletic director Bubba Cunningham saying his "visibility" would likely allow the team to raise prices for advertising such as sponsorships and signage. Belichick is also hiring Michael Lombardi, a former NFL general manager and executive, as the Tar Heels' general manager. Cunningham also said the plan is for Belichick to continue his appearances on former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning's "Manningcast" broadcasts during Monday Night Football as well as ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" — all giving the coach the chance to promote himself and the program. Investing in football Yet these steps to reshape football at North Carolina comes with a rising price. Belichick will make $10 million per year in base and supplemental pay, with the first three years of the five-year deal guaranteed, according to a term sheet released by UNC on Thursday. That's roughly double of former coach Mack Brown, whose contract outlined about $4.2 million in base and supplemental salary before bonuses and other add-ons. Additionally, Belichick's deal includes $10 million for a salary pool for assistant coaches and $5.3 million for support staff. That's up from roughly $8.1 million for assistants and $4.8 million for support staff for the 2022 season, according to football financial data for UNC obtained by The Associated Press. And those figures from 2022 under Brown were already up significantly from Larry Fedora's tenure with the 2017 season ($4 million for assistant coaches, $2.3 million for support staff). There is at least one area where the Tar Heels are set for Belichick's arrival: facilities. UNC spent more than $40 million on its football practice complex with an indoor facility (2018) as the biggest project, while other projects include $3 million in upgrades to the locker room and weight room (2019), $14.5 million on renovations to the Kenan Football Center (2022), even $225,000 on Brown's former office (2021). Now it's up to Belichick to rethink the approach to football here for the changing times. "We're taking a risk," Cunningham said. "We're investing more in football with the hope and ambition that the return is going to significantly outweigh the investment." AP Sports Writers Tom Canavan in New Jersey; Mark Long in Florida; and Eric Olson in Nebraska; contributed to this report. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Technology Positions Symbotic to Grow with Groundbreaking Product Innovation WILMINGTON, Mass., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Symbotic Inc. (Nasdaq: SYM ), a leader in A.I.-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of OhmniLabs, a Silicon Valley-based innovator in the field of robotics solutions for health care. "Combining Symbotic's expertise in large-scale automation with OhmniLabs' ground-breaking mobile robots, vision and A.I. solutions will enable the development of unparalleled automation innovations across different settings,” said Rick Cohen, Executive Chairman and CEO of Symbotic. "We were drawn to OhmniLabs for its impressive talent and industry experience that will enable our expansion beyond the four walls of the warehouse.” Founded in 2015 by robotics experts, OhmniLabs has pioneered a fully in-house development and manufacturing model, enabling rapid innovation and speed-to-market for cutting-edge robotics solutions. The company is best known for its autonomous disinfection and telepresence robots, which create safer and healthier environments globally. With the strategic acquisition of OhmniLabs' industry expertise and talented robotics team, Symbotic will be better positioned to both expand its leading automation capabilities for supply chain customers while delivering enhanced innovation to customers in the health care industry. "OhmniLabs' mission has been to develop meaningful robotics to provide real-world solutions, and we have made significant progress with the support of our loyal team members and customers. Being a part of Symbotic, a true leader in robotics innovation, will propel this vision forward to deliver cutting-edge solutions that redefine what's possible in health care, logistics and beyond,” said Jared Go, Co-founder and CTO, OhmniLabs. ABOUT SYMBOTIC Symbotic is an automation technology leader reimagining the supply chain with its end-to-end, A.I.-powered robotic and software platform. Symbotic reinvents the warehouse as a strategic asset for the world's largest retail, wholesale, and food & beverage companies. Applying next-generation technology, high-density storage and machine learning to solve today's complex distribution challenges, Symbotic enables companies to move goods with unmatched speed, agility, accuracy and efficiency. As the backbone of commerce, Symbotic transforms the flow of goods and the economics of the supply chain for its customers. For more information, visit www.symbotic.com . FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, statements about Symbotic's acquisition of substantially all of the assets of OhmniLabs and Symbotic's expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. Certain of these risks are identified and discussed in Symbotic's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC”) on December 4, 2024. These forward-looking statements are expressed in good faith, and Symbotic believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that the events, results or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions of management on that date. Symbotic is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports that Symbotic has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC. INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT Charlie Anderson Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development [email protected] MEDIA INQUIRIES [email protected]
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Bill Belichick spent time after his NFL exit talking with college coaches wanting his thoughts on managing new wrinkles at their level that looked a lot like the pros. The two-minute timeout. The transfer portal as de facto free agency. Collectives generating name, image and likeness (NIL) money for athletes becoming like a payroll. The impending arrival of revenue sharing. It didn't take long for Belichick to envision how a college program should look based on his own NFL experience. "I do think there are a lot of parallels," Belichick said. And that's at least partly why the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach is now taking over at North Carolina. Years of rapid change at the have only increased the professionalization of college football across the country, with schools adjusting staffing to handle growing duties once seemingly more fitting for a pro team. UNC just happens to be making the most audacious of those bets, bringing in a 72-year-old who has never coached in college and asking him to build what amounts to a mini-NFL front office. But plenty could follow. "I really think there's going to be some of those guys that maybe don't have a job in the NFL anymore," Kansas State general manager Clint Brown said, "and now that this is going to be structured in a way where there is a cap that that's going to be something they're interested in." A changing college course The rapid changes in college athletics have fueled that, notably with players able to transfer and play right away without sitting out a year and be paid through NIL endorsement opportunities in the past five years. Recruiting is now just as much about bringing in veteran talent through the portal as signing recruits out of high school, mirroring the NFL with free agency and the draft, respectively. And a bigger change looms with revenue sharing, the result of a $2.78 billion legal settlement to antitrust lawsuits. Specifically, that model will allow the biggest schools to establish a pool of about $21.5 million for athletes in the first year, with a final hearing in that case set for April 2025. It will be up to schools to determine how to distribute that money and in which sports, though football's role as the revenue driver in college sports likely means a prominent cut everywhere as a direct parallel to a professional team's salary cap. Throw all that together, and it's why coaches are adjusting their staffs like Florida's Billy Napier interviewing candidates to be the Gators' general manager. "We're built to do it now," Napier said. "The big thing here is that we're getting ready to be in a business model. We have a cap. We have contracts. We have negotiation. We have strategy about how we distribute those funds, and it's a major math puzzle. "We're going to build out a front office here in the next couple of months, and it's primarily to help us manage that huge math problem," Napier added. "There'll be a ton of strategy around that. I'm looking forward to it." Still, that also explains why Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule, the former head coach of the NFL's Carolina Panthers, said: "This job as a head coach is a juggernaut. There's way more to do here than I had to do in the NFL." The value of a hire And it explains why the Tar Heels are betting on Belichick to be the right fit for today's changing climate. "If I was 16 of 17 years old, a coach who came at you and won how many Super Bowls? And he said, 'Come play for me,'" said New York Giants offensive lineman Joshua Ezeudu, now in his third year out of UNC. "I mean, that's pretty hard to turn down now, especially in this day and age, he's telling you to come play for him and he's offering you some money, too. I mean, you can't go wrong with that choice." The timing worked for UNC with Belichick, who was bypassed for some NFL openings after leaving the New England Patriots last year and instead spent months taking a closer look at the college game. Those conversations with coaches — some in the Atlantic Coast, Big Ten and Southeastern conferences, he said Thursday — made him understand how the changes in college aligned with his pro experience. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out." And his mere presence in Chapel Hill makes a difference, with athletic director Bubba Cunningham saying his "visibility" would likely allow the team to raise prices for advertising such as sponsorships and signage. Belichick is also hiring Michael Lombardi, a former NFL general manager and executive, as the Tar Heels' general manager. Cunningham also said the plan is for Belichick to continue his appearances on former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning's "Manningcast" broadcasts during Monday Night Football as well as ESPN's "The Pat McAfee Show" — all giving the coach the chance to promote himself and the program. Investing in football Yet these steps to reshape football at North Carolina comes with a rising price. Belichick will make $10 million per year in base and supplemental pay, with the first three years of the five-year deal guaranteed, according to a term sheet released by UNC on Thursday. That's roughly double of former coach Mack Brown, whose contract outlined about $4.2 million in base and supplemental salary before bonuses and other add-ons. Additionally, Belichick's deal includes $10 million for a salary pool for assistant coaches and $5.3 million for support staff. That's up from roughly $8.1 million for assistants and $4.8 million for support staff for the 2022 season, according to football financial data for UNC obtained by The Associated Press. And those figures from 2022 under Brown were already up significantly from Larry Fedora's tenure with the 2017 season ($4 million for assistant coaches, $2.3 million for support staff). There is at least one area where the Tar Heels are set for Belichick's arrival: facilities. UNC spent more than $40 million on its football practice complex with an indoor facility (2018) as the biggest project, while other projects include $3 million in upgrades to the locker room and weight room (2019), $14.5 million on renovations to the Kenan Football Center (2022), even $225,000 on Brown's former office (2021). Now it's up to Belichick to rethink the approach to football here for the changing times. "We're taking a risk," Cunningham said. "We're investing more in football with the hope and ambition that the return is going to significantly outweigh the investment."A 48-year-old Kearney man was charged Thursday after investigators with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Narcotics Task Force found nearly 200 grams of methamphetamine on him, according to court documents. Aaron Burkholder was charged with possession of more than 140 grams of meth, possession of money while violating drug laws and no drug tax stamp. Task force investigators were conducting surveillance in the 3000 block of Q Street when they noticed a Dodge Caliber driven by Burkholder arrive. According to the probable cause affidavit, Burkholder exited the car and entered a nearby residence. Police knew Burkholder had an outstanding warrant for violating probation. After a short time inside the residence, Burkholder left. Investigators tried to approach him, but he began to run on foot through the backyards of surrounding houses, the affidavit said. People are also reading... Burkholder was eventually caught near North 31st Street and Kleckner Court. During a search, investigators found 196.9 grams of suspected meth in a black zip-up bag as well as $403 in cash, police say. After his arrest, Burkholder was taken to Bryan West Campus after complaining about pain. He was treated and released. Judge Laurie Yardley set his percentage bond at $500,000, meaning he would have to pay $50,000 to be released. Burkholder is being held at the Lancaster County jail. 'Nutcracker' returns; bird flu cases reported; Huskers take on Dayton Top Journal Star photos for December 2024 Norris' Evan Greenfield (22) scores a layup as Wahoo's Jase Kaminski (13) goes up to defend the basket in the second half on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, at Wahoo High School. Ruby Augustine blows out the candles on her birthday cake during her 105th birthday party on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the Legacy Retirement Community. Cicely Wardyn of Lincoln adjusts an outdoor heater next to a Nativity scene during the Hometown Christmas event Sunday at the Governor's Mansion. Eddie Walters, dressed as the Grinch, leads the pack of runners along the Billy Wolff trail during the Santa Fun Run on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. Nebraska plays against Florida A&M in an NCAA tournament game on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at the Bob Devaney Sports Center. Fourth grade student Lulu Kulwick carries her review worksheet to meet with her teacher during computer science class. Each student was asked to analyze how fun, challenging and easy to understand each game was, and discuss what they thought was a good aspect to the game, and what could use some work. Ben Heppner is illuminated by morning light as he waits for the start of the Santa Fun Run on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, inside the Fleet Feet store. Nebraska head coach Amy Williams (left) and Callin Hake (14) cheer for their team after a defensive stop during the third quarter of the game against Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Members of the Lincoln Journal Star's 2024 Super State volleyball team compete in Dance Dance Revolution and air hockey while at a photo shoot on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, at Round 1 Arcade. Lincoln North Star's J'Shawn Afun (10) and Mekhi Wayne-Browne (11) battle Lincoln Southeast's Jaydee Dongrin (21) for a rebound in the first half on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at Lincoln Southeast High School. Miami's Flormarie Heredia Colon (left) and Ashley Carr celebrate a point against South Dakota State during an NCAA first-round match, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, at the Devaney Sports Center. Workers pull up the Capitol Christmas tree on Monday at the Capitol. The 22-foot Colorado spruce from Walton was selected by the Office of the Capitol Commission to be this year’s annual Christmas tree. Jenni Watson helps to arrange chairs for New Covenant Community Church's first service in their repaired main auditorium on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, at New Covenant Community Church. New Covenant Community Church is nearing completion of six months of reconstruction project after a fire in May damages the church. While the building was not fully consumed by fire, there was significant water damage to the main auditorium and the first floor south wing. Jack, the dog, lifts his leg on the Christmas tree that his owners David and Karen Petersen of Hickman chose as Max Novak helps them on Saturday at Prairie Woods tree farm in Hallam. Iowa's Drew Stevens (18) kicks a game-winning field goal through the arms of Nebraska's Ty Robinson (9) and Nash Hutmacher (0) on Friday at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. Lincoln Northwest senior Kynzee McFadden (top right) works with her teammates as they compete in an identifying game on the Anatomage Table on Tuesday at Lincoln Northwest High School. An Anatomage Table is a digital platform that allows students to perform virtual experiments on a life-size touchscreen. The table is a tool that provides an interactive view of the human body, allowing students to virtually work with different body parts. Dahlia Brandon of Lincoln tickles her 15-month-old daughter, Gema, with a stuffed animal while shopping at HobbyTown on Saturday. The toy and game store nearly doubled its sales on Black Friday from last year. Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (left) and South Dakota's Max Burchill (3) reach for the ball during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Reach the writer at 402-473-7254 or avargas@journalstar.com . On Twitter @Alex_Vargas1994 Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Public Safety Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
Percentages: FG .357, FT .875. 3-Point Goals: 7-22, .318 (Briggs 3-5, Marshall 2-3, Strand 1-3, Taylor 1-3, Adnan 0-1, Reddish 0-1, Topuz 0-1, Klaczek 0-2, Neely 0-3). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 1 (Taylor). Turnovers: 17 (Marshall 7, Adewale 3, Adnan 2, Klaczek 2, Briggs, Matulu, Topuz). Steals: 14 (Marshall 4, Klaczek 2, Matulu 2, Adewale, Adnan, Briggs, Neely, Reddish, Topuz). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .631, FT 1.000. 3-Point Goals: 9-22, .409 (Mack 3-4, Peavy 3-6, Burks 1-2, Fielder 1-2, Sorber 1-2, Cu.Williams 0-1, Montgomery 0-1, Epps 0-2, Mulready 0-2). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 3 (Peavy 3). Turnovers: 15 (Epps 4, Sorber 4, Peavy 3, Mack 2, Burks, Fielder). Steals: 12 (Epps 4, Peavy 4, Sorber 2, Burks, Montgomery). Technical Fouls: None. A_4,227 (20,356).California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sitesFantasy Football Stock Watch Week 15: What NFL coaches are saying about Jonathon Brooks, Puka Nacua, and more | Sporting NewsGOP congressman wants to cut Social Security to please Elon Musk
WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday voiced his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports, saying that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. The incoming president posted on social media that he met Harold Daggett, the president of the International Longshoreman's Association, and Dennis Daggett, the union's executive vice president. Recommended Videos “I’ve studied automation, and know just about everything there is to know about it,” Trump posted. “The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen. Foreign companies have made a fortune in the U.S. by giving them access to our markets. They shouldn’t be looking for every last penny knowing how many families are hurt.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. At the heart of the dispute is whether ports can install automated gates, cranes and container-moving trucks that could make it faster to unload and load ships. The union argues that automation would lead to fewer jobs, even though higher levels of productivity could do more to boost the salaries of remaining workers. The Maritime Alliance said in a statement that the contract goes beyond ports to “supporting American consumers and giving American businesses access to the global marketplace – from farmers, to manufacturers, to small businesses, and innovative start-ups looking for new markets to sell their products.” “To achieve this, we need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains,” said the alliance, adding that it looks forward to working with Trump. In October, the union representing 45,000 dockworkers went on strike for three days, raising the risk that a prolonged shutdown could push up inflation by making it difficult to unload container ships and export American products overseas. The issue pits an incoming president who won November's election on the promise of bringing down prices against commitments to support blue-collar workers along with the kinds of advanced technology that drew him support from Silicon Valley elite such as billionaire Elon Musk. Trump sought to portray the dispute as being between U.S. workers and foreign companies, but advanced ports are also key for staying globally competitive. China is opening a $1.3 billion port in Peru that could accommodate ships too large for the Panama Canal. There is a risk that shippers could move to other ports, which could also lead to job losses. Mexico is constructing a port that is highly automated, while Dubai, Singapore and Rotterdam already have more advanced ports. Instead, Trump said that ports and shipping companies should eschew “machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced.” “For the great privilege of accessing our markets, these foreign companies should hire our incredible American Workers, instead of laying them off, and sending those profits back to foreign countries,” Trump posted. “It is time to put AMERICA FIRST!” ___UTSA 78, HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 71
Belichick's bid to reshape UNC football latest sign of pro influence on college level
A trustee who oversaw the Infowars bankruptcy auction told a judge Tuesday that he picked The Onion's bid for the conspiracy-filled platform because was it far better than the only other proposal he received, from a company affiliated with Alex Jones. Trustee Christopher Murray testified during the second day of a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing Murray's decision to name the satirical news outlet's offer as the winning bid after a November auction that Jones alleges involved fraud and collusion. “Only two people showed up to bid and ... one was just better than the other,” Murray testified, referring to The Onion. Asked how much better it was, he said “by a lot.” It is not clear how quickly U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston will rule. Testimony on Tuesday was expected to go into the evening. The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies , offered $1.75 million in cash and other incentives for Infowars’ assets in the auction that concluded on Nov. 14. First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements, bid $3.5 million. Although The Onion’s cash offer was lower than that of First United American, it also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo $750,000 of the auction proceeds due to them and give it to other creditors, providing the other creditors more money than they would receive under First United American’s bid. Lopez could ultimately decide whether to void The Onion’s bid, name the Jones-affiliated company the winner or hold another auction, among other possibilities. Jones did not attend the proceedings and instead broadcast from his studios in Austin. “I can’t imagine the judge would certify this fraud,” Jones said on his show Tuesday. “I mean it’s head-spinning the stuff they did and what they claimed.” The trustee and The Onion deny the allegations from Jones and the company and accuse them of sour grapes. If The Onion wins, Jones expects to be kicked out of the Infowars studio and its web and social media platforms. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones’ personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control. Parents and children of many of the victims testified in court that they were traumatized by Jones’ conspiracies and threats from his followers. Jones has since acknowledged that the Connecticut school shooting happened . Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones’ personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families. Some proceeds will go to Jones’ other creditors. Murray testified that he did not favor either bidder over the other and was not biased. He also revealed that First United American submitted a revised bid in recent days, but he said he could not accept it because the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit objected. The Onion valued its bid, with the Sandy Hook families’ offer, at $7 million, because that amount was equal to a purchase price that would provide the same amount of money to the other creditors. In a court filing last month, Murray's lawyers called First United American's request to disqualify The Onion's bid a “disappointed bidder's improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open election process.” Murray's lawyer questioned him Tuesday afternoon. Attorneys for Jones and First United American were cross-examining him later Tuesday. In his opening argument Monday, Jones attorney Ben Broocks said there was no way The Onion should have been chosen over First United American. “How does a $1.75 million bid beat a $3.5 million bid?” he asked. “How is that $1.75 million greater? Well, it’s voodoo economics, to use a phrase.” Auctioneer Jeff Tanenbaum on Monday defended both the value of the bid and its selection. Up for sale were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, as well as the rights to its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations. Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights.
Global Hand Hygiene Monitoring System Market Set For 13.1% Growth, Reaching $9.87 Billion By 2028With technical prowess and considerable style, Marta danced around two sliding defenders, outwitted a goalkeeper and calmly scored as another player rushed forward in desperation to stop her. It was more Marta Magic. That goal last weekend helped propel the Orlando Pride into Saturday's National Women's Soccer League championship game against the Washington Spirit. Barbra Banda also scored in the Pride's 3-2 semifinal victory over the Kansas City Current . While Banda has had an incredible first season with the Pride, captain Marta has been the talisman that has helped lead the team in its remarkable turnaround this year. The last time the Pride were in the NWSL playoffs was in 2017 — Marta's first year with the club. But this season they nearly went undefeated, going 23 games without a loss to start the season before losing 2-0 to the Portland Thorns with just two regular-season games left. “I think because of the way that we did it, during this season, from beginning to now, it’s something very special that I’ve never had before with any other club that I’ve played for," Marta said. "Plus year by year, we see in America, strong competition. This is the best league in the world. And you never know what’s going to happen, and it’s hard to keep winning the games, being in the first place almost like the whole season. That’s why it’s really different and so special.” Marta’s goal was the latest gasp-inducing moment in a stellar career filled with them. Known by just her first name, the 38-year-old is a six-time FIFA world player of the year. "Let's see if tomorrow I can do something similar — or even better," Marta said on Friday. Her teammate Kylie Strom chimed in: “That was the greatest goal I've ever witnessed, hands down." Appropriate. Earlier this year, FIFA announced that the best goal in women's soccer each year would earn the Marta Award. In a lighthearted moment the day before the title match, Marta was asked if she thought it was possible she might give the award to herself. “You guys need to decide, because who votes for the best goal in the year? It’s you. It’s the people in the public. So it should be really interesting, like Marta’s Award goes to Marta!” she said with a laugh. Marta has played in six World Cups for Brazil and played this summer in her sixth Olympics, winning a silver medal after falling in the final to the United States . She previously said this would be her final year with the national team. But since then Brazil was named the host of the 2027 Women's World Cup. "I had a conversation with my coach, the national team coach, and I was really clear about playing in 2027. I told him it’s not my goal anymore,” she said. “But I’m always available to help the national team. And if they think I still can do something during this preparation for the World Cup, yeah, I would be happy to help them." Marta's club career started in Brazil when she was just 16. She has also played in Sweden and in the U.S. professional women's leagues that came before the NWSL. With nine regular-season goals, Marta has had one of her best seasons since she joined the Pride. “I can never pick a side, I never pick favorites — but I love to see this for Marta," U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Marta is someone we all like, admire and are grateful for. And that goal was just like prime Marta at her best. And so grateful for and thankful for her that she got the opportunity with another game with her team.” The Pride went 18-2-6 this season, clinching the NWSL Shield for the first trophy in club history. Orlando also set a record with 60 regular-season points to finish atop the standings. “We are sitting top of the table, but I think there still are a lot of doubters. I think there’s people out there who say, maybe this was a one-off season,” Strom said. “But we’re here to prove them all wrong. So I think we do carry a bit of that underdog mentality still with us.” The second-seeded Spirit advanced to the title match at Kansas City's CPKC Stadium last weekend on a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gotham FC. The Spirit's roster includes Trinity Rodman, a standout forward who formed the so-called “Triple Espresso” trio with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith for the United States at the Olympics. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerJennie Bond says 'I believe Prince Harry' as she urges 'stop making trouble in marriage'
Michael Grados, formerly of Johnstown, will be competing in this weekend’s Masters Swimming National in Warsaw, Poland. Grados, now living in Syracuse, New York, is seeded fifth in advance of the 100-meter butterfly, with a qualifying time of 59.28 seconds. Grados, who is representing Water Squad, is also slated to compete in the 50 and 100 freestyle events, the 50 butterfly, the 100 individual medley and various relays. (c)2024 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.A Toronto social service agency is suing the Ontario government, claiming its new legislation restricting overdose prevention sites violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “We are challenging the act,” said Bill Sinclair, CEO of the Neighbourhood Group Community Services, which initiated the lawsuit, during a press conference Tuesday afternoon at 91 Bellevue Ave. in Kensington Market. He added that removing the sites will “deprive people of lifesaving care.” The Community Care and Recovery Act, passed by the Ontario Legislature last week, is set to come into effect on March 31, 2025. The legislation introduces new zoning restrictions that require existing consumption treatment service sites — commonly known as supervised injection sites — to be located at least 200 metres from schools and daycare centres. As a result, 10 of the province’s current sites will be forced to close, including five in Toronto. The NGCS’s Kensington Market overdose prevention site, which is the only self-funded site affected by the new regulations, will be among those shut down. The agency argues that the legislation unlawfully limits access to critical harm reduction services, jeopardizing public health and violating the Charter-protected rights to life, liberty, and security. The lawsuit contends that the legislation exposes vulnerable Ontarians to increased risks of death and disease. The lawsuit, filed to the Superior Court of Justice on Dec. 9, further claims that the act unlawfully limits access to these critical services that have proven to save lives and reduce the spread of infectious diseases. According to the lawsuit, between 2020 and 2024, Ontario’s supervised consumption sites served 178,253 people, reversed 21,979 overdoses, and made more than 500,000 referrals for substance use treatment. The legal challenge also argues that the Community Care and Recovery Act violates the Charter by denying access to services that save lives. The lawsuit further contends that the act imposes cruel and unusual punishment under Section 12 of the Charter, as it exposes people who use drugs to an increased risk of harm in a manner “degrading, dehumanizing, and incompatible with basic conceptions of human dignity.” “We know we need more sites to save lives and the governments legislature does the opposite,” said Sandra Ka Hon Chu, co-executive director of the HIV Legal Network, an organization backing the legal challenge against the Ontario government. The group, who spoke at the afternoon press conference, supports supervised consumption services and released a 2024 report, The lawsuit also claims the legislation is discriminatory, denying people with substance use disorders — many of whom are marginalized and disadvantaged — access to proven medical treatment. The agency is asking the court to either exempt the Kensington Market site from the new regulations or declare the relevant sections of the Community Care and Recovery Act invalid. In response, a spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones did not comment directly on the lawsuit but provided an emailed statement to the Star, saying, “Our government is taking action to protect children and their families while taking the next step to create a system of care that prioritizes community safety, treatment, and recovery by investing $378 million to create HART (homelessness and addiction recovery treatment) Hubs. Each drug consumption site closing will have the opportunity to turn into a HART Hub.” Sinclair of the Neighbourhood Group Community Services warned that closing the supervised consumption sites will harm many people in the city. “These sites make a positive impact on individuals and the communities.”