What sets "Moonlight Bang" apart from other comedies is its clever blend of absurdity and heart. While the film revels in the absurd and surreal moments that drive the plot forward, it also explores themes of friendship, love, and self-discovery in a way that resonates with viewers on a deeper level. Through the uproarious chaos and hijinks, the characters learn valuable lessons about life and relationships, making the film not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.
It's been a long road back to the highest levels of motorsport for Canadian driver Robert Wickens. Six years after he was paralyzed in a violent wreck, Wickens will again be behind the wheel against some of the best drivers in North America. Wickens, from Guelph, Ont., was named the newest driver for DXDT Racing earlier this week, moving the 35-year-old up to IMSA GTD competition for 2025, the highest class on the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series. His promotion was made possible by a new hand control braking system created by Bosch Electronics, with help from GM Motorsports and Corvette Racing/Pratt Miller. "It's not going to be easy but I wanted to get to the highest levels of motorsport again because, frankly, that's where I was when I was injured," said Wickens, who crashed at Pocono Raceway in 2018 during IndyCar's ABC Supply 500. "But not only that, I want to prove to myself and other generations of people with disabilities that you can really do anything. "Maybe you're having a hard time getting back to your place of work after a life-altering accident and — whatever your discipline, it doesn't even have to be athletics — but I know it's possible as long as you align yourself with a strong support system." For Wickens, that's been his wife Karli Wickens, his family and, in his professional life, organizations like Bosch and GM. Wickens's crash left him with a thoracic spinal fracture, a neck fracture, tibia and fibula fractures to both legs, fractures in both hands, a fractured right forearm, a fractured elbow, four fractured ribs, a pulmonary contusion, and an indeterminate spinal injury that combined to make him a paraplegic. As he has slowly recovered some movement in his legs, Wickens has eased back into motor racing. He drove the parade lap of the 2019 Honda Indy Toronto, competed in the IndyCar iRacing Challenge during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then in January 2022 it was announced he would drive in the Michelin Pilot Challenge for Bryan Herta Autosport. He and co-driver Mark Wilkins won twice in the Michelin Pilot Challenge's TCR category with three podiums in 2022. In 2023 the pairing didn't win, but they reached the podium seven times to earn the TCR championship. All of Wickens's post-accident cars have been fitted with hand controls. Those conventional systems rely on paddles around the steering wheel that activate pneumatics that then press the foot pedals. Hand controls like that are acceptable for regular road vehicles and even lower levels of motorsports but in the highest classes, like IMSA GTD where cars top out at more than 280 kilometres, the lag between the driver toggling the paddle and the car responding is unacceptably slow. That's where the Bosch electronic system comes in, with the controls linked directly to the car's braking system, removing the pneumatics as an intermediary. "When you hit the brakes to slow the car down for each corner that was always a big challenge for me where (with) the Bosch electronic system, the latency is milliseconds not tenths of a second," said Wickens. "It's basically as accurate as I would be if I was an able-bodied driver wanting to apply the brake. "Honestly, it's just better in every facet imaginable. It's just been a true blessing." Advances in physical rehabilitation from spinal cord injuries as well as the ongoing development of vehicle technology has made Wickens's return to competitive motorsport possible. "I'm very fortunate in the timing of my paralysis and my career," Wickens said Wednesday from Tampa, Fla. "If this was even a decade ago we'd be having a very different conversation today." The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship has four classes of vehicles: two sports prototype categories and two grand tourer classes. GTD is considered the highest of the four classes because each team must have at least a silver or bronze driver and more than one platinum-rated driver on a team is prohibited. "I want to win," said Wickens. "I think the big thing for me on this journey back was I wanted to race again because I truly felt like I could still win. "I want to raise awareness for spinal cord injury and disability, not by just being a participant, but by being the guy. I want to win races, fight for podiums, win championships, every time I'm sitting in the car." Wickens said he won't just be a role model for people living with paralysis or other mobility disabilities, but the technology his car will employ in 2025 will likely become commercially available for use in road vehicles. "Motorsports and the automotive racing industry were founded to be a proving ground for everyday automotive vehicles," he said. "From there you make road cars and road safety better. "Hopefully we can provide the technology and have regularly available components that can make any race car accessible for anyone that needs hand controls or any other form of disability." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Follow jchidleyhill.bsky.social on Bluesky. John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian PressAs investors woke up to the news of the overnight party in Chinese stocks, trading floors around the world buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Traders scrambled to adjust their positions to capitalize on the bullish trend, while analysts revised their forecasts to reflect the newfound optimism in the market.
As investigations continue and measures are implemented to address the issue of carbon monoxide poisoning in bath centers, it is crucial for the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious symptoms or concerns to the authorities. By working together to raise awareness and enforce safety protocols, we can ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future and that everyone can enjoy a safe and pleasant experience at these establishments.The Liberal candidate in a federal byelection in British Columbia says she is applying for Métis membership after a local group questioned her claims of Indigenous identity. Madison Fleischer says in a written statement that she self-identifies as Métis based on what she knows about her great-grandmother's heritage and is "collecting the necessary documentation to go through the application process" for citizenship with B.C.'s Métis Nation. In the meantime, Fleischer, who is the candidate in the Dec. 16 byelection in Cloverdale-Langley City, says she has removed "Métis" from her social media profile descriptions to ensure there is "no confusion" about her Indigenous status. Her response comes after the Waceya Métis Society — which describes itself as a chartered community representing Métis people in the Langley and White Rock regions of B.C.'s Lower Mainland — said in a release that it "wishes to distance itself from Madison’s claims of Métis identity." The society says it met with Fleischer over the weekend to discuss her claims of Métis identity but was "disappointed that she could not provide any evidence to support her Métis heritage." The attention on Fleischer comes after Edmonton Centre Liberal MP Randy Boissonnault left cabinet last week amid questions about his shifting claims of Indigenous heritage and his business dealings. In her statement, Fleischer says she has "always been vocal about not yet holding Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship." The Waceya Métis Society says it has asked Fleischer to "properly research and verify her Indigenous heritage before making any further public assertions." "In this meeting, Madison was unable to substantiate her claims with any documentation or historical connections to Métis communities," the society says about their Nov. 23 meeting with Fleischer. "The integrity of Métis identity is not to be taken lightly, especially in public office, where the representation of our community must be accurate, respectful, and legitimate." Cloverdale-Langley City was previously held by Liberal John Aldag, who resigned to run for MLA with the B.C. New Democrats. Aldag was defeated by B.C. Conservative candidate Harman Bhangu in the Langley-Abbotsford seat in the Oct. 19 provincial election. Fleischer, whose Liberal party biography calls her a small-business owner who operates a public relations firm in Langley, is going up against candidates including federal Conservative Tamara Jansen, who held the seat from 2019 to 2021 before losing a close race to Aldag.
Title: Man Fails Three Consecutive Attempts at "Self-discipline Challenge" for A Chance at Winning 800,000 RMB, Netizens: You're After the Prize Money, They Just Want Your Registration FeeData protection and security are paramount in enterprise environments, making it essential for enterprise SSDs to incorporate advanced encryption and security features. Many enterprise SSDs come with built-in hardware encryption, such as self-encrypting drives (SEDs), to protect sensitive data against unauthorized access and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. These SSDs also offer secure erase functions and secure boot capabilities to prevent data breaches and maintain the confidentiality of critical business information. Furthermore, enterprise SSDs prioritize data integrity by implementing advanced error detection and correction mechanisms, as well as power loss protection features to safeguard against data corruption and loss.Williams 3-9 1-1 7, Hutchinson 3-11 0-0 6, Reese 2-9 0-0 4, Thompson 6-11 2-4 14, Thornton 4-12 1-2 10, Robinson 0-0 0-0 0, Polk 0-0 0-0 0, Waddle 2-8 0-0 4, Chairs 0-3 0-0 0, Schultz 1-3 0-0 3, Wilson 0-3 2-2 2, Totals 21-69 6-9 50 Daniels 4-8 3-4 11, Eke 3-8 1-2 7, Ladine 5-11 0-0 12, Sellers 5-8 5-6 16, Stines 2-8 1-1 6, Anderson 1-1 0-0 2, Gillmer 2-4 0-0 4, McDonald 0-1 0-0 0, Briggs 1-3 0-0 2, Brown 2-4 0-0 5, Coppinger 0-2 0-0 0, Totals 25-58 10-13 65 3-Point Goals_Prairie View 2-10 (Hutchinson 0-3, Thompson 0-1, Thornton 1-2, Chairs 0-2, Schultz 1-2), Washington 5-19 (Daniels 0-1, Ladine 2-5, Sellers 1-3, Stines 1-4, Gillmer 0-1, Briggs 0-1, Brown 1-2, Coppinger 0-2). Assists_Prairie View 6 (Thornton 3), Washington 12 (Sellers 3). Fouled Out_None. Rebounds_Prairie View 30 (Hutchinson 5, Waddle 5), Washington 48 (Eke 14). Total Fouls_Prairie View 17, Washington 9. Technical Fouls_None. A_1,665.
In the latest developments in Serie A, the Italian football league, there have been significant movements within the top clubs. The biggest headline news is the potential sale of AC Milan, known as the Rossoneri or the Red and Blacks, which has sent shockwaves through the football world. Meanwhile, fierce rivals Inter Milan, also known as the Nerazzurri or the Black and Blues, are preparing for a crucial Champions League battle, with questions surrounding their lineup and concerns over the form of star player, Lautaro Martinez.It’s a milestone for stoners. New York is set to hit the $1 billion mark in cannabis sales since the legal market launched two years ago, state officials tell The Post. “These numbers clearly indicate that New York is open for business. There’s strong momentum behind the market right now,” said John Kagia, policy director for the state’s Office of Cannabis Management. Pot sales hit $863.9 million as of last week — and they could top the billion-dollar mark by the end of December, regulators say. The state surpassed $500 million in sales in August. The market has ramped in recent months after a rocky rollout marred by lawsuits, a massive illegal market and enormous backlogs in the awarding of retail licenses issued by the often-criticized understaffed and overwhelmed OCM. The turmoil and hiccups delayed the state’s timeline to develop the new legal market for marijuana. Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered a management shake-up after a scathing report she commissioned in May issued blunt criticism of how the regulatory agency was run, and 64 new staffers were hired. OCM currently employs 213 full-time workers, said OCM rep Taylor Randi Lee. There are now 245 licensed retail weed outlets, up from 41 stores at the end of 2023. Retail sales of weed have generated $22 million in combined tax revenues for local governments, including $7.9 million to New York City, according to state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office. More than $16.6 million in tax revenue from the pot business also flowed to the state treasury through June and is on pace to double last year’s total Kagia said beefed-up enforcement and the padlocking of illegal pot shops under a new law approved by Hochul and the state Legislature had a big and immediate impact on boosting the bottom line of licensed cannabis retailers. Sales more than doubled — soaring 105% — among cannabis retailers that were in business before “Operation Padlock” took place in the spring and afterward, a survey by OCM found. Hochul’s office claimed the pot market is now reaching new highs. “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, more than 1,000 illegal dispensaries have been shut down, and the legal market, nearing $1 billion in sales, is booming,” said Hochul spokesman Miguel Arreola. “Her policies have helped transform the industry, increase revenues for local businesses, and spur reinvestments in the communities most harmed by historical wrongs — all while building the most equitable cannabis market in the nation,” the Hochul rep added. But social-justice advocates complain that too few licenses have gone to operators in communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs when marijuana was considered a crime — 5% of those set aside for the “equity” market and 2.5% overall. Still, Kagia said, “Any kind of conclusion is entirely premature. We still have a huge number of licenses to issue.” He said the cannabis agency has instituted a better and more accountable licensing process, such as making a staffer ” a point of contact” responsible for handling an applicant or licensee. More staff is being added to reduce the backlog of applications, too, Kagia said. An analysis by LeafLink, an online platform where pot retailers buy their cannabis from wholesalers, said New York has turned the corner and is now an emerging market primed for growth. “It’s clear New York is moving past some of its initial challenges and is on the path to meeting the lofty expectations that surround this market,” said LeafLink Vice President for Policy Rodney Holcombe. “Similar to other new markets, more work needs to be done to make sure businesses have the environment and proper tools at their disposal to run their businesses efficiently.” New York can only go up. A recent study said it could support 1,000 new pot stores . The LeafLink report shows New York is a cellar-dweller compared to other states that have legalized cannabis. Oklahoma, for example, has 1,900 licensed pot shops. New York currently has 245. There’s also data on pot sales per resident: Alaska is tops with $350 per resident, and Michigan has sales of more than $300 per person. New York sales are under under $50 per resident, about half of even neighboring New Jersey — even though both states legalized pot around the same time. One Downtown Manhattan pot retailer said high times are ahead. “New York’s cannabis market is certainly beginning to take off, especially here in New York City where the appetite for regulated, high-quality products is growing in tandem with efforts to curb the illicit market,” said Vanessa Yee-Chan, owner and founder of Atta Dispensary at 52 Kenmare St., the first weed retailer to open in Chinatown. “Since our grand opening nearly two months ago, our customer base has consistently grown, and we’ve had to increase the frequency in which we place purchase orders for certain products to ensure we are keeping things in stock.”
Malique Ewin finished with team highs of 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the Florida State Seminoles to a 92-59 victory over the Massachusetts Minutemen in each team's final game of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Sunday afternoon in Uncasville, Conn. The Seminoles (6-1) won their third consecutive game and went 2-0 in the event as they pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 36 points. It's Florida State's best start since the 2019-20 season when it went 7-1. UMass (1-5) dropped its fifth in a row following a season-opening win over New Hampshire despite a strong game on Sunday from Jaylen Curry, who scored 17 points. Curry, with six free throws, helped propel the Minutemen on a 10-0 run over a four-plus minute span in the first half to take a 24-23 lead with 4:22 left. FSU closed the half on a 13-3 run to lead 37-27 at halftime. A 15-4 surge to open the second half helped the Seminoles break the game open. Florida State's defense frustrated UMass shooters throughout the contest, especially on the perimeter, limiting the Minutemen to 3-for-24 shooting (12.5 percent) from 3-point range and 18-for-58 (31 percent) overall. The Seminoles finished with 22 points off 17 UMass turnovers. On the flipside, Florida State had one of its best shooting games of the season. The Seminoles moved the ball well throughout the game and finished with 25 assists while only turning the ball over 10 times. The Seminoles shot 33 for 58 (57 percent) from the field and made 9 of 18 three-pointers to put together a season-high scoring output. Once again, Florida State shined thanks to its depth as 10 players scored and four scored in double figures. The Seminoles were able to have 16 players participate in the game as well. Jamir Watkins finished with 14 points while Jerry Deng and Justin Thomas each had 10 points. For UMass, Daniel Rivera finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Nate Guerengomba had 10 points. Daniel Hankins-Sanford collected a game-high 13 rebounds. --Field Level Media
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Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings