The $450 million project to rebuild or renovate the New York State Thruway's 27 rest stops will be completed in 2025 . As 2024 concludes, 24 of the 27 rest stops have reopened since construction began in 2021. Most of the service areas were demolished and rebuilt, while four had significant renovations. Applegreen, which was awarded a 33-year contract to operate the rest stops, is leading the construction project. The changes to the service areas include a new restaurant lineup — Chick-fil-A, Popeyes and Shake Shack are among the fast-food options at the rest stops — and other amenities, such as dog walking areas and electric vehicle chargers. The $450 million project is funded by private sources. No tax or toll dollars have been used to finance the work. The project got off to a slow start in 2021, with delays caused by COVID-19 and supply chain issues . The first rest stops that closed for construction reopened in the third quarter of 2022, more than a year after the project began. As the pace of the projects improved, more rest stops reopened this year. In January, about half of the rest stops (13) had been rebuilt and were open to the public. By the end of the year, 11 more reopened. The final three rest stops are scheduled to reopen at different points in 2025. Angola Service Area, one of the largest Thruway rest stops, is slated to reopen in the first quarter. Angola is the westernmost service area and accessible from both sides of Interstate 90. Mohawk Service Area will also reopen in the first quarter, according to the Thruway Authority. Modena Service Area is along Interstate 87 and will reopen sometime in the fourth quarter of 2025. Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net . Follow him on X @RobertHarding. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Online producer/politics reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.With Devin Williams-Nestor Cortes swap, Yankees and Brewers both strengthen their pitching for 2025
The Tennessee Titans shocked the entire NFL world last offseason when the team fired head coach Mike Vrabel. The 2021 AP Coach of the Year led Tennessee to two division titles, an AFC Championship game appearance in 2019, and a 54-45 regular season record. Vrabel produced four consecutive winning seasons to start his Titans tenure but suffered two straight losing campaigns in 2022 and 2023 and was fired in January. Tennessee quickly hired former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan after parting ways with Vrabel, but Callahan's rookie campaign has been a complete disaster, as the Titans are 2-8 and will likely land a top-three pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Callahan and Vrabel are the two most recent head coaches of the Titans, but many forget that Mike Mularkey played a pivotal role in bringing winning football back to Nashville for a short stretch. Mularkey took over the job after the franchise fired Ken Whisenhunt during the 2015 season. The Florida native went 2-7 as the interim coach to finish 2015 and served as the full-time head coach for two seasons, leading the Titans to two straight winning seasons and a playoff victory in 2017. Tennessee fired Mularkey after the 2017 season in favor of Vrabel, but before departing Nashville, the long-time NFL coach wanted to have one more good laugh. During an appearance on the Action Sports Jax's Brent & Austen show, Mularkey stated that he called NFL Network's Ian Rapoport to tell him that he would be receiving a new contract from the Titans, knowing that he would be fired sooner rather than later. "The best thing I did there at the end, which I can now talk about, was when I got called in that Monday morning after the New England game. I knew they were going to fire me," Mularkey said on Action Sports Jax's Brent & Austen. "So Sunday night, I called Ian Rapoport, and I said, 'Hey, I don't know if you know this, but I'm going to break it to you - I'm getting a new contract in the morning." Do you remember @RapSheet reporting Mike Mularkey was going to get a contract extension from the #TitanUp but was fired instead? I think we might know why... @BrentASJax @A_Train_92 pic.twitter.com/2YlyRg7d2k Though getting fired isn't a joyful experience, Mularkey made sure to have some fun during a difficult situation. MORE TENNESSEE TITANS NEWS Titans named possible landing spot for $112 million superstar quarterback Ravens $36 million playmaker could be offseason target of Titans Titans rookie gets the ultimate compliment from superstar wide receiverMarvell Introduces 1.6 Tbps LPO Chipset to Enable Optical Short-reach, Scale-up Compute Fabric Interconnects
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CLAYTON — St. Louis County Executive Sam Page will appoint the next prosecuting attorney as an interim, which does not need County Council confirmation, a spokesman for Page said Tuesday. Page spokesman Doug Moore said Cort VanOstran's appointment needs council approval for him to become prosecuting attorney after Wesley Bell resigns Jan. 2 to take his newly won congressional seat. But if county councilmembers reject or don't act on the appointment, Page still has the power to seat VanOstran, Moore said, as an "acting" prosecutor. "They could either just not vote on him and he would just be there in that position, or they could vote on him and confirm him and the acting title would go away," Moore said. "And they could vote on him and say no, and he will still be acting prosecuting attorney." Councilman Dennis Hancock, a Republican from Fenton who often opposes the county executive, said he didn't think Page has the right to nominate an interim prosecuting attorney under St. Louis County law. "He can make an appointment and the council approves it or doesn't approve it," Hancock said. "There's nothing there that I'm aware of that he can appoint someone on an interim basis." Moore said Page's office is appointing VanOstran, regardless. "This is an opportunity to ensure this transition is a smooth one," Moore said. "The intention is to make sure there's not a leadership vacuum." A court will likely decide whether Page's plan is legal or not, said Richard Middleton IV, an attorney and professor of political science at University of Missouri-St. Louis. "If you are the county executive and you're determined to appoint someone as an interim, you certainly can," Middleton said. "It doesn't mean that it's legal. It just means that you've acted upon what you said you were going to do. It's going to take a lawsuit, that will probably be filed, to stay or stop an appointment until the lawsuit can be determined." "There will be a quick rush to the court to request an injunction," he added. If appointed, VanOstran would serve in the position until January 2027, when Bell's current term ends. VanOstran could run for election to the office to keep it. Some councilmembers have so far showed reluctance to even consider Page's pick. Council Chair Shalonda Webb said it's premature to consider nominees before Bell resigns. "It's about making sure we follow a process," Webb said on Tuesday. The county executive already faces a lawsuit from Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey claiming Gov. Mike Parson gets to name the next prosecuting attorney, not Page. Page ignored Bailey's lawsuit last week when he named VanOstran as his pick to finish Bell's term. Neither Bailey nor Parson's offices immediately responded to requests for comment Tuesday. Meanwhile, a hearing in the case has been set for 9 a.m. Dec. 18. in St. Louis County Circuit Court, and attorneys in Page's administration are fighting the lawsuit. The county counselor's office hired St. Louis law firm Lewis Rice to help with the case. Some councilmembers are resisting that decision too. The county's top attorney, Dana Redwing, needed council approval to hire Lewis Rice, four councilmembers wrote in a letter to Redwing dated Monday. Webb, the council chair, plans to introduce her own legislation hiring attorney Donnell Smith to represent the county in the case. Smith has served as a municipal attorney in St. Louis County and defended Webb when she faced litigation from the county after first taking office, Webb said. But Redwing said her office has the power to hire Lewis Rice, and plans to keep the firm involved in the Bailey case. Separately, the council is laying the groundwork to hire its own attorney after voters approved the move in November.
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Portronics launches Thunder 2.0 wireless speaker in India: Price, specs and moreBy HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. Related Articles “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”
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A recent advisory from the United States Surgeon General has made it clear — parents and caregivers are burned out. In a 2023 poll of more than 3,100 American parents, nearly 50 per cent reported experiencing debilitating levels of stress most days. Other recent surveys from Canada and the U.S. also found between 20 to 30 per cent of parents are experiencing moderate to severe levels of anxiety that could warrant a clinical diagnosis. When the tasks of the holidays are piled onto this baseline stress, it’s easy to see how the “season of joy” may feel more like the “season of overwhelm.” How can both our society as a whole and parents as individuals dial back the pressure? Structural changes are essential. But scientific insights about child development can also help parents prioritize what matters most and shift how they respond to things that may otherwise trigger anxiety. Much of what is making parents stressed these days is structural in nature: things are more expensive, it’s hard to find affordable child care, parents are more isolated, work is taking up more of parents’ time and children’s engagement with ever-evolving technology brings a range of serious health and safety concerns . These factors disproportionately affect parents who experience poverty, racism, violence or trauma. Addressing them will require substantial political and cultural shifts . But there are smaller factors to tackle as well. Parents today have more access to information than ever before. It’s not just a pediatrician or family member they can turn to for advice, but endless blogs, forums and social media platforms. While online sources can build community and confidence, they can also contribute to information overload as panic headlines and contradictory advice often compound parents’ feelings of anxiety and being overwhelmed. These platforms also tend to showcase idyllic situations that lead parents to create unhelpful comparisons and unrealistic expectations, contributing to feelings of shame and guilt . To counteract these feelings, it’s helpful to remember a few things: children’s development is influenced by many things parents can’t control, there are many benefits to imperfect parenting and independent play and parent wellness matters more than most else. It’s common for people who haven’t experienced discrimination or unexpected challenges to attribute children’s behaviours and outcomes to parents’ choices and efforts. This is an example of “attribution bias,” a bias towards a particular kind of explanation . Developmental science helps dispel this bias by highlighting that children’s development is influenced by many factors other than parenting and beyond parents’ control. First among these is genetics. For example, twin studies have found that genetic factors explain 57-76 per cent of child/adolescent mental illness, 60-84 per cent of picky eating and 60-85 per cent of school achievement. Another is exposure to adverse or positive experiences , such as witnessing violence or being supported by friends and non-parental adults. These types of experiences have substantial effects on children’s physical and mental health. But they are inequitably distributed, based on factors such as income and race . There are big differences in children’s temperaments and how they respond to their environments . The same parenting strategy applied to two different children can lead to two very different outcomes, as you may have observed in siblings. This is why the next time you catch yourself feeling shame or judgment about a child’s behaviour, it’s important to remember parenting choices might not be to blame. Psychologists and pediatricians often recommend certain parenting strategies to support children’s development. But rarely do these providers suggest parents must follow their advice 100 per cent of the time to achieve the desired effects. It’s what happens most of the time that matters. Even when parenting “imperfections” happen, like breaking routines or uncharacteristically snapping at children, they can be seen as opportunities. When “rupture” is followed up by “repair” in the form of acknowledgement, apologies, explanations and/or moments for restoring connection, it can benefit the parent-child attachment relationship and help children build their emotion-regulation skills. By using repair after the overwhelming moments that often happen during the holidays, parents can transform these moments from sources of shame to reasons for pride. Over the past few decades, parents’ worries about children’s physical safety have grown , while children’s unsupervised play time has declined . Many parents are spending more time with their children , hovering or helicoptering over them rather than promoting independent play. No doubt, playing with the support of a responsive adult has many benefits for children’s learning and development . But when it comes to parent involvement in play, sometimes less is more. Research shows that unstructured play — play that isn’t organized by adults and doesn’t have defined goals — is a “ fundamental necessity ” for children’s well-being. Outdoor risky play has enormous benefits for children’s physical and mental health that outweigh many of the perceived safety risks. There are also many unique benefits of playing with peers for both academic and social skill development. With this in mind, if you are a parent who is regularly your child’s main playmate, it may be time to seek more opportunities to take a step back. The holidays can be a great time to start. News and social media feeds are full of panic headlines that can make it seem that certain foods, toys or parenting habits are what make or break children’s life outcomes. It’s easy for parents consuming this media to feel anxious or even want to change their purchases or behaviours in response to every new study. But most headlines overstate the findings of weak studies or small effects. And if following the headlines comes at the cost of parental well-being, it could be doing more harm than good. This is because one of the most consistent and strongest predictors of children’s well-being is having safe, stable and nurturing relationships with caregivers — as both the Canadian and American Pediatric Societies have stated. Children need present and responsive caregivers more than they need any specific foods, presents or new parenting fads. This is why it may be worth considering what you can do to support yourself or other parents’ well-being this year. This could mean providing practical or social support to the parents around you or just making them feel heard and understood . With high parental stress , it’s more important than ever for everyone to replace judgment with empathy and advice with real support. And for parents, let’s try to distinguish what we can and can’t control, practise self-forgiveness in tough times, allow ourselves moments to do less and focus in on what matters most. It might help us experience more moments of joy in this holiday season and through all the seasons of parenthood. Nina Sokolovic has worked in several roles at non-profit and government organizations that support the well-being of children and parents, including her current as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Ontario Public Service. She previously received funding for her research from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.BERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday. The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. The England forward is the fastest player to reach 50 goals in the Bundesliga in what was his 43rd game. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in matches it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. Two minutes later, Kane scored with a header after controlling Leon Goretzka's cross with his first touch for a flattering scoreline. “We had to be patient,” Kane said. “And at halftime that’s what we said, to keep doing what we’re doing. We had a few chances in the first half and we just had to be a bit more clinical and obviously, thankfully, we got the penalty to kind of open the game up.” Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win without conceding a goal since it conceded four at Barcelona (4-1) on Oct. 23 in the Champions League. “You can see now that we have a solid defense and that's the basis, also in games like today's,” Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich said. “When it's a game of patience, then it's important for us to know that sometimes one goal will have to do. Like today we added two more before the finish, but in the end you only need to score one more than the opponent.” Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
For years, the Forza Horizon series has been a crown jewel in Microsoft’s gaming lineup, showcasing the power of Xbox consoles and its PC gaming platforms. Traditionally bound to the Xbox, the idea of it appearing on a PlayStation was unthinkable—until recent technological advances in cross-platform gaming communities began to raise questions about previously inviolable platform exclusives. Imagine a world where cross-platform collaboration thrives, allowing software to transcend hardware boundaries. As subscription services like Xbox Game Pass gain popularity, tech companies are seeking innovative ways to reach broader audiences. With competitors like Sony moving towards more inclusive gaming ecosystems, it’s not beyond the realm of possibility for a future where Forza Horizon’s spectacular open worlds could grace a PlayStation console. While there is no official announcement yet, industry speculation suggests possibilities owing to increasing demand for universal accessibility and more cooperative gaming experiences at the backend of technology. Moving forward, strategic alliances and technological harmonization could define new operational dynamics, challenging current industry standards. A Forza Horizon release on PlayStation would not only mark a significant shift in the gaming industry but would also serve as a testament to the evolving landscape of gaming technology. It posits an exciting future where hardware divides are diminished, and players unite under shared experiences, all fueled by next-generation technology and innovative strategic pivots. As this potential story develops, players worldwide remain on the cusp of a possible groundbreaking development in gaming. Forza Horizon on PlayStation? Exploring the Future of Cross-Platform Gaming In the ever-evolving world of gaming, the boundaries separating different platforms are becoming increasingly blurred. The renowned Forza Horizon series, long a staple of Xbox and PC gaming, may soon join this trend. This shift could herald a new era of cross-platform accessibility, challenging the traditional exclusivity of console gaming. Industry Trends and Predictions The gaming industry is witnessing an unprecedented movement towards cross-platform play, driven by the rise of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers enjoy access to a vast library of games on multiple devices, underscoring a growing demand for universal accessibility. As companies like Sony embrace inclusive ecosystems, we may see similar tactics employed by other industry giants to expand their reach and market presence. Technological Innovations Recent technological advancements are empowering developers and hardware manufacturers to break through previously impenetrable platform barriers. Cross-play, enhanced cloud gaming capabilities, and sophisticated streaming technologies create fertile ground for a Forza Horizon debut on PlayStation consoles. These innovations are pivotal in reshaping the way players engage with games, offering seamless transitions between different systems. Comparisons and Market Analysis If Forza Horizon becomes available on PlayStation, it could set a precedent, prompting other exclusive titles to bridge the gap between platforms. This openness could lead to increased competition and collaboration between console makers, ultimately benefiting the consumer. Market analysts predict that such moves could stimulate a surge in new gaming subscriptions and sales, as well as fostering a more robust gaming community across all platforms. Challenges and Limitations While the prospect is exciting, challenges remain. Licensing agreements, brand identity concerns, and technical compatibility are potential hurdles to overcome. The logistics of maintaining performance parity across different systems must be addressed to ensure a consistent gaming experience. These challenges will require innovative solutions and strategic partnerships to navigate successfully. Security and Player Experience Cross-platform gaming brings security challenges, as data and accounts traverse multiple ecosystems. Ensuring robust security measures are in place will be critical in safeguarding player information. Furthermore, maintaining a seamless user experience is paramount, requiring significant backend collaboration. Sustainability and Environmental Impact As gaming becomes more accessible, its environmental footprint grows. The industry will need to consider sustainable practices, from energy-efficient servers to digital distribution methods that reduce physical waste, aligning with global sustainability goals. The Future Awaits The potential of Forza Horizon appearing on PlayStation is more than a shift in platform availability; it represents a transformative milestone in gaming. This evolution could redefine player expectations and dismantle long-standing barriers in the gaming world. As we stand on the brink of this groundbreaking development, gamers can anticipate a future marked by endless possibilities and shared experiences. For more insights into the future of cross-platform gaming, visit the Xbox main page.
Jennifer Lopez and Emme spent the day before Christmas buying some coffee and enjoying a walk on Aspen. The two were accompanied by some of their family members and closest friends as they enjoyed the city, which has become a beloved destination for all manner of celebrities. Mariah Carey wears red in Aspen and is ready for Christmas Jennifer Lopez looks stunning in red for Christmas Eve Lopez and Emme were photographed enjoying some drinks, with Lopez wearing a stunning brown fur coat and some jeans. Emme wore a green jacket over a cream-colored hoodie. They both wore glasses, with Lopez opting for brown tinted sunglasses and Emme wearing what appears to be reading glasses. They were accompanied by Lopez's manager, Benny Medina, and her mother, Guadalupe Rodriguez. According to the photo agency, Lopez and her group were enjoying their morning in Aspen by stopping in a coffee shop and doing some Christmas shopping. More details about Lopez's Christmas Lopez shared a look of her Christmas on social media, sharing a video from her cozy-looking living room. “Merry Christmas Eve to you and yours," she captioned a clip, which showed her wearing a white shirt, and brown sweatpants, with a fire burning cozily by next to her. She smiles brightly while the song "Winter Wonderland" plays in the background. Her video showed a look at her surroundings, which included her friends and family enjoying each other's company as they drank some whiskey from their mugs. Before leaving for Aspen, Lopez and her ex -partner Ben Affleck met up to celebrate the holidays and exchange gifts, with their kids present at the small celebration. “It was nothing over the top, but more so a gesture to celebrate the holidays,” said a source to Page Six . “Ben and Jennifer have remained amicable despite the ongoing divorce proceedings.” The outlet reported on Affleck's gift for Lopez which was an autographed Marlon Brando book, an actor that Lopez is a big fan of.
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