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General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday questioned the Alliance For Change’s (AFC) ability to be accountable in Government given the party leaders’ refusal to answer questions relating to 2015 to 2020 when they served as ministers in the Coalition government. Jagdeo was at the time referring to a restriction placed on media practitioners during a recent AFC media conference where Executive Member Cathy Hughes narrowed questions to specific topics. She further stated that questions relating to five years ago –when her party was in Government –will not be addressed. “I really want you to pose questions that are topical to the issues we are discussing today. We are not prepared to entertain questions that go back four or five years,” Hughes told reporters in the presence of the AFC’s Leader Nigel Hughes, Chairman David Patterson and Executive Member Khemraj Ramjattan. The audio was replayed by Jagdeo at Thursday’s press conference where he pointed out that clarifications for decisions made five years ago is a form of showing accountability. “If they can’t be accountable now, how would they be accountable if they have political power?” he questioned adding that “it’s a kind of arrogance they had when they had political power, they brought it back out into the opposition.” The PPP General Secretary outlined that there are several issues during the APNU+AFC’s tenure which the party members can shed light on including the negotiation of the current Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and the issuance of contracts from Cathy Hughes former Ministry of Telecommunications to a company she owned. “How could you take the political party like this seriously when the entire leadership...says we will tell you what you can ask and we will not take questions from the past?” Jagdeo emphasised. In contrast, Jagdeo, who is also the country’s Vice President, noted that he can answer any question posed to him about his party, even if it predates his presidency. “If you ask me about a question from the 1950s when the party was formed, I will take your questions and give you an answer,” he told reporters.Roofing Chemicals Market which was USD 119 Billion in 2022 is expected to reach USD 218.63 Billion by 2030 and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 7.90% 11-21-2024 09:08 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research Private Ltd "Global Roofing Chemicals Market, By Type (Asphalt/Bituminous, Acrylic Resin, Epoxy Resin, Styrene, Elastomers), Application (Membrane Roofing, Elastomeric Roofing, Bituminous Roofing, Metal Roofing, Plastic (PVC) Roofing) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030. Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the Global Roofing Chemicals Market which was USD 119 Billion in 2022 is expected to reach USD 218.63 Billion by 2030 and is expected to undergo a CAGR of 7.90% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2030 Explore Further Details about This Research Roofing Chemicals Market Share Report https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-roofing-chemicals-market **Acrylonitrile Market Analysis:** **2021:** - The acrylonitrile market witnessed steady growth in 2021, driven by the increasing demand for acrylonitrile in various end-use industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the market showed resilience due to the versatility of acrylonitrile in manufacturing various products like acrylic fibers, ABS resins, and carbon fiber. The market was significantly impacted by supply chain disruptions and fluctuating raw material prices, leading to volatility in prices. However, increasing investments in research and development activities aimed at enhancing production processes and reducing environmental impact contributed to market growth. **2029:** - Looking ahead to 2029, the acrylonitrile market is poised for substantial growth due to the expanding applications of acrylonitrile in emerging sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, and packaging. The market is expected to benefit from technological advancements leading to improved production efficiencies and reduced carbon footprint. With the rising emphasis on sustainable practices, manufacturers are likely to focus on developing bio-based acrylonitrile to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Additionally, the shift towards lightweight materials in the automotive industry and the increasing adoption of acrylic fibers in textiles are projected to drive market expansion in the forecast period. **Market Players:** - Some of the key players in the acrylonitrile market include: - INEOS Group Holdings S.A. - Ascend Performance Materials LLC - AnQore - Lukoil - Repsol - Formosa Plastics Corporation - Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation - Asahi Kasei - Taekwang Industrial Co., Ltd. The competitive landscape of the acrylonitrile market is characterized by strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and product innovations aimed at strengthening market presence and enhancing product portfolios. Market players areThe acrylonitrile market is poised for significant growth in the coming years, driven by a multitude of factors that will shape the industry landscape. One key driver of growth in the acrylonitrile market is the expanding applications of the compound in various sectors such as aerospace, healthcare, and packaging. The versatility of acrylonitrile in manufacturing a wide range of products, including acrylic fibers, ABS resins, and carbon fiber, makes it a valuable component in these industries. As these sectors continue to grow and evolve, the demand for acrylonitrile is expected to rise correspondingly, providing ample opportunities for market expansion. Technological advancements are also expected to play a crucial role in shaping the acrylonitrile market in the forecast period. Improvements in production processes and the development of enhanced manufacturing techniques will lead to increased production efficiencies and reduced carbon footprint. This focus on sustainability and efficiency will not only drive market growth but also position acrylonitrile manufacturers as key players in the transition towards more environmentally friendly practices. The development of bio-based acrylonitrile is another significant trend that is expected to gain traction in the market, as manufacturers strive to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Furthermore, the automotive industry's shift towards lightweight materials and the increasing adoption of acrylic fibers in textiles are expected to be major growth drivers for the acrylonitrile market. Acrylonitrile's properties make it an ideal choice for these applications, as it offers excellent strength, durability, and chemical resistance. As the automotive industry continues to prioritize fuel efficiency and sustainability, the demand for lightweight materials like acrylonitrile-based products is likely to increase. Similarly, the textile industry's focus on performance fabrics and eco-friendly materials will drive the adoption of acrylic fibers, further boosting the demand for acrylonitrile. In terms of market competition, key players in the acrylonitrile market such as INEOS Group Holdings S.A., Asc**Market Players:** Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Solvay (US), AnQore (Netherlands), DSM (Netherlands), Ascend Performance Materials (US), INEOS (UK), LUKOIL (Russia), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan), Taekwang Industrial Co. Ltd (South Korea), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd (Japan), Lenntech BV (Netherlands), Repsol (Spain), Versalis S.p.A (Italy), LG Chem (South Korea), LUC Group (US), UNITED PLASTIC COMPONENTS INC. (US), Plastic Extrusion Technologies (US), RTP Company (US), Preferred Plastics, Inc. (US), Crafted Plastics Inc (US) SABIC (South Arabia). The acrylonitrile market is set for significant growth fueled by various factors that will shape the industry landscape in the coming years. The compound's expanding applications across sectors like aerospace, healthcare, and packaging are expected to be key drivers of market expansion. The versatility of acrylonitrile in the production of acrylic fibers, ABS resins, and carbon fiber positions it as a valuable component in these industries, driving demand for the compound. Technological advancements leading to enhanced production efficiencies and reduced carbon footprint will play a crucial role in driving market growth and positioning manufacturers as leaders in sustainability efforts. The development of bio-based acrylonitrile to meet the increasing Table Of Content 1 Introduction 1.1 Objectives Of The Study 1.2 Roofing Chemicals Market Definition 1.3 Overview 1.4 Limitations 1.5 Markets Covered 2 Roofing Chemicals Market Segmentation 2.1 Roofing Chemicals Market Covered 2.2 Geographical Scope 2.3 Years Considered For The Study 2.4 Currency And Pricing 2.5 Dbmr Tripod Data Validation Model 2.6 Multivariate Modeling 2.7 Primary Interviews With Key Opinion Leaders 2.8 Dbmr Roofing Chemicals Market Position Grid 2.9 Dbmr Vendor Share Analysis 2.1 Secondary Sources 2.11 Assumptions 3 Executive Summary............. Browse Related Reports: "https:// www.blogger.com/blog/post/preview/2082540787120326080/5014498096992220832 https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/preview/2082540787120326080/501449809699222083 https://strategicmarketresearch12.blogspot.com/2024/11/4d-printing-in-healthcare-market.html https://strategicmarketresearch12.blogspot.com/2024/11/automatic-sand-blasting-machine-market.html Contact Us: Data Bridge Market Research US: +1 614 591 3140 UK: +44 845 154 9652 APAC : +653 1251 975 Email: corporatesales@databridgemarketresearch.com About Data Bridge Market Research: Data Bridge set forth itself as an unconventional and neoteric Market research and consulting firm with unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are determined to unearth the best market opportunities and foster efficient information for your business to thrive in the market. Data Bridge endeavors to provide appropriate solutions to the complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. This release was published on openPR.SACRAMENTO, Calif. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Sac Homes Group , the #1 real estate team in Sacramento for four consecutive years and consistently ranked among the top five teams in California , is excited to announce a major new chapter in its journey. After years of leading the Sacramento real estate market, we are proud to partner with LPT Realty , a cutting-edge brokerage revolutionizing the real estate landscape. This partnership is set to elevate our service, create innovative opportunities, and enhance support for both our agents and valued clients. A Bold Transition for Growth and Excellence Founder Suneet Agarwal has also made the strategic decision to close Big Block Realty North, the independent brokerage that became a Sacramento legend in just five years. Reflecting on this move, Suneet shared: "Building Big Block Realty North has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my career. In five short years, we established a brand synonymous with excellence, innovation, and community impact. This transition to LPT Realty is a decision to focus even more on what I love—empowering agents, serving clients, and driving results." Why LPT Realty? A Vision for the Future The real estate industry is evolving at a rapid pace, with rising client expectations, increasing regulations, and the demand for innovative marketing tools. LPT Realty addresses these challenges with unmatched resources and support, offering agents: Pre-IPO stock options to build long-term equity Revenue sharing opportunities to incentivize success Industry-leading marketing collateral for standout listings Flexible financial models , including no monthly costs—key in today's fluctuating market "LPT Realty offers what no independent brokerage can match: the infrastructure, tools, and opportunities to thrive in any market condition. For the same costs our agents were paying at Big Block Realty North, they now gain access to resources that truly set them up for success," said Suneet. A Commitment to Agents and Clients The move to LPT Realty isn't just about resources; it's about refocusing on the vision of Best Sac Homes Group : to provide agents with everything they need to succeed and clients with the best possible service. From innovative marketing to enhanced mentorship, this partnership ensures: For Agents : A seamless transition into a model that enhances growth, productivity, and profitability. With LPT Realty's tools and leadership from Suneet, agents will have unprecedented opportunities to excel. For Clients : Access to cutting-edge technology and expanded marketing capabilities means better visibility, faster sales, and an even higher standard of service. "This move ensures our agents can thrive while our clients continue to receive the personalized, world-class service they expect from the Best Sac Homes Group," said Suneet. Adapting to a Rapidly Evolving Industry Independent brokerages face growing challenges, from increasing compliance risks to the need for scalability in a competitive market. Recent developments, including the NAR settlement and shifting market conditions, have underscored the need for forward-thinking solutions. "Real estate is evolving, and staying ahead means adopting innovation. By joining LPT Realty, we're not just adapting—we're leading the way into a new era of opportunity for agents, clients, and the industry as a whole," Suneet explained. Gratitude and a Look Ahead As this exciting transition unfolds, Suneet expressed deep gratitude: "I want to thank the agents, clients, and partners who have been part of this incredible journey. Your trust and collaboration have made all the difference, and I'm honored to bring that same energy and commitment into this next chapter with LPT Realty." About Best Sac Homes Group With deep roots in Sacramento , Best Sac Homes has been the #1 real estate team in Sacramento for four consecutive years and consistently ranks among the top five teams in California . They have built a legacy of service, expertise, and commitment to making the real estate process seamless for clients. About LPT Realty LPT Realty is a fast-growing, innovation-driven brokerage dedicated to agent success and client satisfaction With cutting-edge tools, a national network, and a forward thinking model, LPT Realty is transforming the real estate experience for agents and clients alike. Contact: Roheeni Bhana Marketing ***@suneetagarwal.com Photo(s): https://www.prlog.org/13049994 Press release distributed by PRLog View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/big-news-best-sac-homes-group-partners-with-lpt-realty-302325023.html SOURCE Best Sac Homes Group © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Texas weighs social media bans for minors as schools and police face challenges
France's far-right propped up the weak government. But could now bring it crashing downNo. 22 Texas A&M beats Texas Tech 72-67 in 1st meeting of former conference rivals since 2012
'Unbelievable' Odegaard transforms Arsenal and gets Saka smiling again
WASHINGTON , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a new major enhancement to the Apollo ® Customer Experience Platform (CXP), dealers partnering with Team Velocity can now unlock the power of automated customer scoring and real-time alerts with Deal Alerts. As customers engage throughout their journey, Apollo's predictive technology dynamically ranks and scores them, sending instant notifications when they hit custom thresholds. Powered by Apollo and intelligent predictive technology, Deal Alerts deliver closing ratios 3-4x higher than traditional sales leads, often within just five days – and best of all, there's no cost to the dealer. "Deal Alerts take our platform's predictive capabilities to the next level," said David Boice , Co-Founder and CEO at Team Velocity. "With this latest innovation, we're making it easier for dealers to connect with customers who are truly ready to buy. By focusing on what really matters, dealers can now spend less time on guesswork and more time building genuine, productive relationships with qualified leads. It's about turning data-driven insights into impactful customer experiences that are proven to convert." This innovative enhancement empowers dealers to further leverage the Command Center, enabling them to proactively prioritize leads, close more deals, and bridge CRM gaps. Apollo's Deal Alert technology intelligently filters website activity, distinguishing between shoppers (inventory searches, trade value estimates) and buyers (based on purchase history, service activity, and intent). Once identified, buyers are segmented into one of three high-value categories – Previous Buyer, Service Customer, and Conquest Customer – and assigned a dynamic score that reflects their likelihood to purchase. Updated every 30 minutes, these scores ensure dealers have real-time insights to act on hot opportunities before they're missed. During beta testing, Murgado Automotive Group and Yark Automotive Group saw the immediate effects of Team Velocity's new Deal Alert rollout. Averaging 4 days from alert to sale, the dealer groups are a shining example of the importance of intelligent lead scoring technology. "Deal Alerts have revolutionized the way we handle leads, turning what used to be guesswork into a precise, efficient process," said Mario Murgado Jr. , Director of Marketing and Operations at Murgado Automotive Group. "Instantly identifying the customers most ready to buy lets our teams focus on high-value opportunities, driving results faster than we ever imagined." "We're now closing deals at lightning speed—often within just a few days. It's a true game-changer that's brought our stores to the next level," said Billy Yark , Vice President and CMO at Yark Automotive Group. To learn more about Deal Alerts or to schedule a demo, please visit https://teamvelocitymarketing.com/websites/ . About Team Velocity Team Velocity is revolutionizing the automotive industry with technology that digitizes the car buying and vehicle ownership processes. Made by dealers for dealers, our Apollo Customer Experience Platform provides a suite of integrated applications that make, manage, and measure frictionless consumer experiences from the initial engagement to a final transaction. Apollo empowers dealers to own the entire customer journey by delivering hyper-personalized campaigns across every touchpoint, maximizing ROI and lifetime revenue. For more information, please visit www.teamvelocitymarketing.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/team-velocity-announces-latest-breakthrough-technology-with-automated-deal-alerts-and-customer-scoring-302325163.html SOURCE Team Velocity
A second young person is on the run from the government's trial boot camp, after one vanished while at the funeral of another participant , Oranga Tamariki senior executives have told a parliamentary committee. On Thursday it was reported that one of the young men taking part in the boot camp pilot was on the run after attending the funeral of another who had died. Those taking part in the pilot were released from the youth justice facility in Palmerston North in October, and have been in the community phase of the boot camp programme. Oranga Tamariki deputy chief executive of youth justice services and residential care Tusha Penny told a parliamentary select committee on Friday morning that two participants were actually on the run. One escaped from the tangi and another a day later, she said. Penny acknowledged the death of one of the boot camp's participants and their whānau. Speaking to MPs, Penny said the whānau of the teenager who has died was dealing with having to bury a son and brother, and that needed to be acknowledged first and foremost. "We sat here probably a year ago now and said transition is going to be tough, because it's evidenced up the wazoo and everyday people are fighting. The recidivism rates we have every week going into the youth justice residences are around 60 to 80 percent. "So I want to put that out there, because we need the reality." Penny says she was not going to give up, despite how tough it is, and everyone in the programme has had traumatic experiences. "Right now, two of the remaining nine rangatahi have absconded - one absconded from the tangi and one absconded a day later. "It's been tough, we've had two of the young people arrested on charges already, one of those people the charges were withdrawn," she said. "Do I think there will be further offending? Absolutely. "We also though have to look for the good cholestreol, because there's always some good. "We have one of our people in fulltime employment today, I say today because this is dynamic," Penny told MPs. "We have one of our young people on work experience, we have one likely to start work soon, we have six engaged in some education course." National MP Joseph Mooney, who chairs the social services committee, has worked as a youth advocate and criminal lawyer and got emotional talking to Penny about how tough it is to try and change young people's lives. Penny said the boot camps have been "incredibly politicised" but the programme was making change despite the whole thing not always "being successful". "I'm not saying this is the panacea, I'm not saying it's the answer, but I'm definitely saying what we're seeing could be an improvement for youth justice across the board with an operating model." Oranga Tamariki and Waikato police both confirmed the 15-year-old, who was granted bail on compassionate grounds to attend the funeral by the Youth Court, had absconded. Waikato police said he was wanted for arrest. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
No. 24 Arizona is coming off consecutive defeats for the first time in the Tommy Lloyd era when it faces undefeated Davidson on Wednesday to begin the Battle 4 Atlantis in Paradise Island, Bahamas. Arizona (2-2) lost at Wisconsin 103-88 on Nov. 15 and followed that with a home loss against Duke 69-55 on Friday. The Wildcats have dropped 15 spots in the Associated Press Top 25 poll in two weeks. Arizona's record is .500 this early in a season for the first time since it was 3-3 to start the 2017-18 schedule. "I've got work to do, so let's get to work," said Lloyd, in his fourth year as Arizona's head coach. "Let's see where we're at in a month, and if we're still struggling, you know what I'll do? I still got work to do, but I'm gonna get to it." Arizona shot 39.6 percent from the field against Duke, and just 26.1 percent (6 of 23) from 3-point range. The Wildcats were outrebounded by 43-30 and their 15 turnovers led to 19 points. Jaden Bradley led Arizona with 18 points and KJ Lewis added 12. Preseason All-American Caleb Love had eight points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, including 1-of-9 from 3-point range. Arizona made only one field goal in the last 5:39 as Duke pulled away after its lead was trimmed to six points. "We didn't play great," Lloyd said. "Now we need to take a step back and figure out why. Are there some schematic problems? Are there some problems with how our personnel is kind of put together? "We got to figure out what our certainties are, and the things we have to have, and then over the course of the next couple of days, if there's adjustments we need to make, we need to figure out what those are." Davidson is 4-0 after a 15-17 record last season, in which it lost its last six games to put an end to postseason hopes. A 93-66 win over visiting VMI on Friday followed a 91-85 win at Bowling Green and 76-70 victory over visiting East Tennessee State. The two wins by 10 points or fewer are important because Davidson was 6-12 in such games last season. It was 4-11 in games decided by five points or fewer. "The goal (is) to get better," Davidson head coach Matt McKillop said after the season opener. "We talk about fighting to win every possession. I think we had to figure out what that really felt like with the lights on." Davidson made 13 shots from 3-point range in the win over VMI. Reed Bailey had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Bobby Durkin added 19 points, including 17 of them and a career-best five 3-pointers in the first half. Bailey leads Davidson in scoring (19 points per game) and rebounding (7.8). Durkin is shooting 57.9 percent (22 of 38) from the field and 54.2 percent (13 of 24) from 3-point range. By contrast, Arizona's Love is shooting 32 percent (16 of 50) from the field and 21.4 percent (6 of 28) from beyond the arc. Bradley leads Arizona with 15.5 points per game. He is shooting 50 percent (24 of 48) from the field and is 35.7 percent (5 of 14) from 3-point range. --Field Level MediaDogecoin is a joke − so what’s behind its rally?No matter what becomes of Elon Musk’s out-of-government “Department of Government Efficiency,” or DOGE, Musk himself isn’t going anywhere for a long while. The 53-year-old world’s richest person (at least as of this writing) has too many fingers in too many pies, the ear of President-elect Donald Trump, and too much in the way of ideas, energy and influence to be ignored. He’s too big to be “canceled,” although apparently some will try. Last week offered two starkly different examples of how Trump’s opposition can respond to Musk. Rick Wilson, a former Republican political strategist and co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, announced that he’s a senior adviser to a new group called the Two Plus Two Coalition. According to the New York Times, the group plans to target Musk and Rupert Murdoch by uncovering “the hidden sources of disinformation and expose them for what they are,” and operating “as an opposition research firm but with a military-grade intelligence-gathering operation that went far beyond the document vetting typical of a political campaign.”
It’s a daunting reality for Democrats: Republican Donald Trump's support has grown broadly since he last sought the presidency. In his defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris , Trump won a bigger percentage of the vote in each one of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C., than he did four years ago. He won more actual votes than in 2020 in 40 states, according to an Associated Press analysis. Certainly, Harris’ more than 7 million vote decline from President Joe Biden’s 2020 total was a factor in her loss, especially in swing-state metropolitan areas that have been the party’s winning electoral strongholds. But, despite national turnout that was lower than in the high-enthusiasm 2020 election, Trump received 2.5 million more votes than he did four years ago. He swept the seven most competitive states to win a convincing Electoral College victory, becoming the first Republican nominee in 20 years to win a majority of the popular vote. Trump cut into places where Harris needed to overperform to win a close election. Now Democrats are weighing how to regain traction ahead of the midterm elections in two years, when control of Congress will again be up for grabs and dozens of governors elected. There were some notable pieces to how Trump's victory came together: Though Trump improved across the map, his gains were particularly noteworthy in urban counties home to the cities of Detroit, Milwaukee and Philadelphia, electoral engines that stalled for Harris in industrial swing states Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Harris fell more than 50,000 votes — and 5 percentage points — short of Biden's total in Wayne County, Michigan, which makes up the lion's share of the Detroit metro area. She was almost 36,000 votes off Biden's mark in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and about 1,000 short in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It wasn't only Harris' shortfall that helped Trump carry the states, a trio that Democrats had collectively carried in six of the seven previous elections before Nov. 5. Trump added to his 2020 totals in all three metro counties, netting more than 24,000 votes in Wayne County, more than 11,000 in Philadelphia County and almost 4,000 in Milwaukee County. It’s not yet possible to determine whether Harris fell short of Biden’s performance because Biden voters stayed home or switched their vote to Trump — or how some combination of the two produced the rightward drift evident in each of these states. Harris advertised heavily and campaigned regularly in each, and made Milwaukee County her first stop as a candidate with a rally in July. These swings alone were not the difference in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but her weaker performance than Biden across the three metros helped Trump, who held on to big 2020 margins in the three states' broad rural areas and improved or held steady in populous suburbs. Trump's team and outside groups supporting him knew from their data that he was making inroads with Black voters, particularly Black men younger than 50, more concentrated in these urban areas that have been key to Democratic victories. When James Blair, Trump's political director, saw results coming in from Philadelphia on election night, he knew Trump had cut into the more predominantly Black precincts, a gain that would echo in Wayne and Milwaukee counties. “The data made clear there was an opportunity there,” Blair said. AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters, found Trump won a larger share of Black and Latino voters than he did in 2020, and most notably among men under age 45. Democrats won Senate races in Michigan and Wisconsin but lost in Pennsylvania. In 2026, they will be defending governorships in all three states and a Senate seat in Michigan. Despite the burst of enthusiasm Harris' candidacy created among the Democratic base when she entered the race in July, she ended up receiving fewer votes than Biden in three of the seven states where she campaigned almost exclusively. In Arizona, she received about 90,000 fewer votes than Biden. She received about 67,000 fewer in Michigan and 39,000 fewer in Pennsylvania. In four others — Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin — Harris won more votes than Biden did. But Trump's support grew by more — in some states, significantly more. That dynamic is glaring in Georgia, where Harris received almost 73,000 more votes than Biden did when he very narrowly carried the state. But Trump added more than 200,000 to his 2020 total, en route to winning Georgia by roughly 2 percentage points. In Wisconsin, Trump's team reacted to slippage it saw in GOP-leaning counties in suburban Milwaukee by targeting once-Democratic-leaning, working-class areas, where Trump made notable gains. In the three largest suburban Milwaukee counties — Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha — which have formed the backbone of GOP victories for decades, Harris performed better than Biden did in 2020. She also gained more votes than Trump gained over 2020, though he still won the counties. That made Trump's focus on Rock County, a blue-collar area in south central Wisconsin, critical. Trump received 3,084 more votes in Rock County, home of the former automotive manufacturing city of Janesville, than he did in 2020, while Harris underperformed Biden's 2020 total by seven votes. That helped Trump offset Harris' improvement in Milwaukee's suburbs. The focus speaks to the strength Trump has had and continued to grow with middle-income, non-college educated voters, the Trump campaign's senior data analyst Tim Saler said. “If you're going to have to lean into working-class voters, they are particularly strong in Wisconsin,” Saler said. “We saw huge shifts from 2020 to 2024 in our favor.” Of the seven most competitive states, Arizona saw the smallest increase in the number of votes cast in the presidential contest — slightly more than 4,000 votes, in a state with more than 3.3 million ballots cast. That was despite nearly 30 campaign visits to Arizona by Trump, Harris and their running mates and more than $432 million spent on advertising by the campaigns and allied outside groups, according to the ad-monitoring firm AdImpact. Arizona, alone of the seven swing states, saw Harris fall short of Biden across small, midsize and large counties. In the other six states, she was able to hold on in at least one of these categories. Even more telling, it is also the only swing state where Trump improved his margin in every single county. While turnout in Maricopa County, Arizona's most populous as the home to Phoenix, dipped slightly from 2020 — by 14,199 votes, a tiny change in a county where more than 2 million people voted — Trump gained almost 56,000 more votes than four years ago. Meanwhile, Harris fell more than 60,000 votes short of Biden's total, contributing to a shift significant enough to swing the county and state to Trump, who lost Arizona by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2020. The biggest leaps to the right weren't taking place exclusively among Republican-leaning counties, but also among the most Democratic-leaning counties in the states. Michigan's Wayne County swung 9 points toward Trump, tying the more Republican-leaning Antrim County for the largest movement in the state. AP VoteCast found that voters were most likely to say the economy was the most important issue facing the country in 2024, followed by immigration. Trump supporters were more motivated by economic issues and immigration than Harris', the survey showed. “It’s still all about the economy," said North Carolina Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson, a senior adviser to Democrat Josh Stein, who won North Carolina’s governorship on Nov. 5 as Trump also carried the state. “Democrats have to embrace an economic message that actually works for real people and talk about it in the kind of terms that people get, rather than giving them a dissertation of economic policy,” he said. Governor’s elections in 2026 give Democrats a chance to test their understanding and messaging on the issue, said Democratic pollster Margie Omero, whose firm has advised Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the past and winning Arizona Senate candidate Ruben Gallego this year. “So there’s an opportunity to really make sure people, who governors have a connection to, are feeling some specificity and clarity with the Democratic economic message,” Omero said.ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Opening statements in the trial for six of those defendants happened a year ago . Four of them, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty last month. The rapper was freed on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick rejected plea deals after more than a week of negotiations, and their lawyers chose not to present evidence or witnesses. Both seemed to be in good spirits Tuesday morning after closings wrapped the previous night. Kendrick was chatting and laughing with Stillwell and his lawyers before the jury arrived for instructions. The jury started deliberating Tuesday afternoon and was dismissed at 5 p.m. Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Wednesday morning. If they don’t reach a verdict by 3 p.m. Wednesday, the judge will send them home for the Thanksgiving weekend and they will return Monday morning. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop. Prosecutors painted Stillwell and Kendrick as members of a violent street gang called Young Slime Life, or YSL, co-founded in 2012 by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. During closings on Monday, they pointed to tattoos, song lyrics and social media posts they said proved members, including Stillwell, admitted to killing people in rival gangs. Prosecutors say Thomas was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, which prosecutors said was in retaliation for the killing of two YSL associates days earlier. Defense attorneys Doug Weinstein and Max Schardt said the state presented unreliable witnesses, weak evidence and cherry-picked lyrics and social media posts to push a false narrative about Stillwell, Kendrick and the members of YSL. Schardt, Stillwell's attorney, reminded the jury that alleged YSL affiliates said during the trial that they had lied to police. Law enforcement played a “sick game” by promising they would escape long prison sentences if they said what police wanted them to say, Schardt said. He theorized that one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. The truth is that their clients were just trying to escape poverty through music, Schardt said. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Young Thug’s record label is also known as YSL, an acronym of Young Stoner Life. Kendrick was featured on two popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial" and “Slatty," which prosecutors presented as evidence in the trial. Weinstein, Kendrick’s defense attorney, said during closings it was wrong for prosecutors to target the defendants for their music and lyrics. Prosecutor Simone Hylton disagreed, and said surveillance footage and phone evidence supported her case. “They have the audacity to think they can just brag about killing somebody and nobody’s gonna hold them accountable,” Hylton said. The trial had more than its fair share of delays. Jury selection took nearly 10 months , and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which paused trial proceedings. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker took over after Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July because he had a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Whitaker often lost patience with prosecutors over moves such as not sharing evidence with defense attorneys, once accusing them of “poor lawyering.” But the trial sped up under her watch. In October, four defendants, including Young Thug , pleaded guilty, with the rapper entering a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, meaning he didn't have a deal worked out with prosecutors. Nine people charged in the indictment, including rapper Gunna , accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others are pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramonSouthwest states certify election results after the process led to controversy in previous years