Hampton will require owners of vacant buildings to register themNexOptic Technology Corp. ( CVE:NXO – Get Free Report ) shares traded down 20% on Saturday . The company traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02. 480,200 shares traded hands during trading, an increase of 387% from the average session volume of 98,644 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.03. NexOptic Technology Price Performance The firm has a market capitalization of C$3.90 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.00 and a beta of 1.14. The company has a quick ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 56.33. The company’s fifty day moving average is C$0.03 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$0.02. About NexOptic Technology ( Get Free Report ) NexOptic Technology Corp., a technology company, develops artificial intelligence and imaging products. It engages in developing All Light Intelligent Imaging Solutions (ALIIS), a suite of intelligent imaging solution that processes raw images and video in real time; and NexCompress technological solutions. See Also Receive News & Ratings for NexOptic Technology Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for NexOptic Technology and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 205 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown and San Diego beat Morehead State 37-14 in a season-ending contest for both teams on Saturday. Grant Sergent threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego (8-3, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) which ended the season with a four-game win streak and winners of six of seven. The Toreros finished in sole possession of second place in the PFL behind Drake (7-1), which clinched the league outright with a 49-10 win over Stetson on Saturday. Story continues below video Drake beat San Diego 30-28 on a walk-off field goal on Sept. 28 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Patterson threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and James Louis ran for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-5, 5-3). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballThe fury over the state of U.S. health care isn't going away. It's been a week since UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Manhattan. That shocking, targeted killing has also sparked a reckoning over the business he ran, in a country that has the most expensive health care in the world. Thompson led the largest U.S. health insurer, part of a massive, for-profit conglomerate that touches almost every part of how Americans access health care. His company has been widely criticized for making health care more expensive and more difficult to access. And those frustrations have boiled over in the response to his death, ranging from widespread jokes to outright celebrations. UnitedHealth has not directly responded to the widespread consumer criticisms since last week; a spokesperson for UnitedHealth declined to comment to NPR for this story. This week, after police arrested Luigi Mangione for the fatal shooting, some even rushed to support him. An online fundraiser for Mangione's legal defense had raised more than $65,000 by Thursday evening. Meanwhile, social-media videos showed "wanted" posters for other CEOs posted in downtown Manhattan. "We're facing an apocalyptic moment in the human story, where hundreds of thousands of Americans are going bankrupt because of medical bills – and the executive suites of these private health insurance [companies] are laughing all the way to the bank," says Sam Beard, an organizer of the Mangione legal-defense fundraiser. This rhetoric echoes the last time that consumers broadly mobilized to protest against powerful corporations and their wealthy executives, in the Occupy Wall Street movement in late 2011 that swept the country after the financial crisis. Those Occupy protests ultimately did not yield immediate consequences for the companies or CEOs they criticized; no Wall Street chief executives ever went to jail for the business decisions that led to the subprime mortgage crisis or the resulting waves of foreclosures. But those protests did articulate an overwhelming populist anger with the United States' stark income inequality . Now the response to Thompson's killing "has become a kind of marker of our age of inequality, where people feel fairly powerless," says Helaine Olen, managing editor at the American Economic Liberties Project, an anti-monopoly nonprofit. That populism and economic fatigue remains a powerful force in U.S. politics today, as inflation-weary voters recently demonstrated by reelecting former President Donald Trump. As Olen adds, "You've seen this really from the time of the financial crisis onward: There's just this sense of 'how can I get a fair deal'?" Consumers' sense of powerlessness is often amplified when dealing with health insurance companies, which govern the care that patients receive. But navigating those huge and opaque companies can be maddening at best , and consumers rarely have much of a say; for about 154 million Americans, employers select and provide health insurance coverage. UnitedHealth is the most dominant of these. It's the fourth-largest U.S. company by revenues overall, with divisions that employ doctors , provide pharmacy benefits , and process patients' medical claims. It — along with its largest competitors — is the subject of antitrust scrutiny , consumer lawsuits over widespread denials of claims, and bipartisan criticism. This week, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced legislation that would break up large healthcare conglomerates, including UnitedHealth. "The insurance companies are out of control. They need to be broken up," Hawley said on X . "No more buying up doctors' practices. No more owning pharmacies. Start putting patients first." Everyone interviewed for this story emphasized the need for change, and many health care providers are hoping that some good can come out of this tragic event. "This is not a heroic vigilante, and it's important that he be brought to justice," says Dr. A. Mark Fendrick of the University of Michigan. "That said, maybe there's a tiny lesson we could learn to move forward." Fendrick studies ways to improve health insurance and advocates for a more wholistic approach of what is known as "value-based" insurance. He published an article in a medical journal last week urging the healthcare industry to rethink how it does business and the kinds of services it charges higher prices for. "Now, in the wake of a tragedy that has captured the national conscience, might be the time to reframe the dialogue from how much we spend to how well we spend our medical care dollars," Fendrick wrote. Dr. Diana Girnita, a rheumatologist in Irvine, Calif., is already trying a different approach. After years of fighting with insurance companies, Girnita started a direct-care practice that bypasses insurance and offers her services to patients for often-lower fees. She published an article on LinkedIn last week in response to Thompson's death. Its headline asked : "How many more lives must be lost before we change healthcare?" Top executives at large healthcare companies have generally insisted that they are working to improve the quality of care available to all Americans. In an email to employees on Wednesday, UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty remembered Thompson as "one of the good guys," and shared anonymous testimonials and notes of support from UnitedHealth customers. "I am super proud to be a part of an organization that does so much good for so many," Witty said. Copyright 2024 NPR
'Should have been much clearer': Senator immediately walks back CEO shooting remarksChicago White Sox have an opening in the rotation after trading Garrett Crochet( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- My Blend is a groundbreaking blockchain project committed to integrating traditional ecosystems into a distributed digital space. Its methodology revolves around smart contracts, which execute transactions automatically based on predefined rules, reducing manual oversight and human error. By aligning established market practices with modern blockchain principles, Blend strives to create a system that is both verifiable and accessible to a wider audience. How Blend is Building an Evolving Ecosystem Beginning with gaming and expanding into AI and other industries, Blend aims to bridge the gap between conventional frameworks-where closed processes often lead to limited trust-and an environment where every participant can confirm outcomes, probabilities, and the flow of funds. Blend focuses on sustainable development that can adapt over time, emphasizing open participation at every step, letting the project adapt to new industry trends and community demands. A key motivator behind this evolving design is the desire to unite real-world operations with open, on-chain technology. In other words, instead of relying solely on traditional institutions or centralized platforms, Blend wants to eliminate obscure processes by moving critical components-such as game outcomes, probability calculations, and payout mechanisms-onto a public ledger. Initial Focus: Fair and Verifiable Gaming One of Blend's earliest and most prominent goals is to transform the gaming industry into a space where participants can see exactly how each round or match is determined. This shift marks a significant departure from traditional online casinos and gaming portals, which often rely on hidden algorithms or confidential odds. By contrast, games on Blend operate with open logic, meaning that everyone can review the parameters before deciding whether to join a table or place a wager. Planned Types of Games The Gaming Liquidity (GL) Model A standout aspect of Blend's approach to gaming involves the way it manages the“pot”-or the collective pool of funds used for rewards. Instead of a central house acting as the primary stakeholder, the system allows anyone to become a liquidity provider. This offers two main advantages: Chainlink Integration and On-Chain Verification For computations that must remain unbiased-particularly probability calculations and random number generation-Blend uses Chainlink. This is a well-known solution in the blockchain community for: Expansion into AI and Image Generation While gaming is a focal point, Blend also plans to explore AI-driven applications as a complementary pursuit. This emerging sector includes: Although these AI initiatives operate independently, the team envisions a synergy between blockchain gaming and intelligent systems, forming a well-rounded network of advanced technologies under one umbrella. Incentives and Profitability for Investors Initial Staking with Exclusive Benefits To incentivize early backers, Blend introduces a 10-day lock mechanism with a 15% return. Investors who lock their tokens during this initial period receive guaranteed yields, a move designed to reward those who show confidence in the project's roadmap. During this launch phase, participants also have access to a 12-level referral program , encouraging them to help the community expand. Commissions are distributed not just to direct referrers but also to multiple layers above them. Transition to Variable Staking Once the gaming platform, AI elements, and other key products reach operational maturity, the project plans to shift from a fixed-rate staking model to one driven by real profitability. This means that any returns offered to stakers would reflect the actual revenue generated by Blend's suite of services. Rather than relying on flat percentages, staking rewards would adjust in response to daily or weekly performance, aligning stakeholder interests with the health of the entire ecosystem. Governance and Community Decision-Making (DAO) A Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) underpins Blend's vision of shared responsibility. Under this model: Ecosystem Evolution As Blend moves beyond its foundational offerings, it will look for additional ways to bridge different industries with blockchain technology. Potential avenues include financial services (like decentralized lending or borrowing), extended entertainment collaborations, and even collaborations with established corporations seeking to optimize supply chain processes through smart contracts. The overarching ambition is to deliver a broad ecosystem where each new application-be it gaming, AI, or another area-connects back to a unified set of principles. Users can then explore diverse functionalities, all secured by the same base of trust and on-chain validation. Final Thoughts Blend represents a forward-thinking effort to unify traditional industries with the benefits of blockchain. Through decentralized governance mechanisms and the ongoing integration of advanced tools, the project's roadmap underscores the belief that active communities drive long-term success. Over time, Blend aspires to become a robust platform where new ideas can be tested, refined, and broadly implemented-with each contributor playing a meaningful role in shaping the journey. Participate in the Blend Community Join a revolution where innovation is powered by openness and collaboration. Blend opens the door to a world of possibilities for enthusiasts of blockchain, gaming, and decentralized innovation. Visit myblend.io to explore the platform and join the movement transforming industries through technology and transparency. For updates, connect with Blend on social media: X: Telegram: Contact person: Michael Allen Company name: My Blend Website: Email: ... Disclaimer: This content is provided by My Blend. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN28122024004107003653ID1109037505 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
New tires, new buses, more staff: TransLink lays out winter weather plan
Politics Scott Turner: From NFL Star to HUD Secretary Nominee By mayukh - November 23, 2024 President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Scott Turner, a former NFL player and Texas congressman, to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Turner’s extensive background in community revitalization and his deep commitment to improving underserved areas highlight his readiness for this pivotal role. Scott Turner: A Champion for Opportunity Turner’s path from the football field to public service exemplifies dedication and resilience. Serving as a U.S. Representative for Texas from 2013 to 2017, he brought a hands-on approach to addressing community needs. During Trump’s first term, Turner spearheaded the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council, focusing on uplifting distressed communities across the nation. His leadership fostered programs aimed at mentorship, economic growth, and equitable opportunities. Currently, Turner is the chair of the Center for Education Opportunity at the America First Policy Institute, further cementing his role as an advocate for accessible housing and education. In addition, he leads the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council, an initiative blending sports, mentorship, and economic development to empower struggling neighborhoods. A Vision for HUD As HUD Secretary, Turner is expected to bring a fresh perspective to housing policies, aligning with Trump’s vision of “Making America Great Again for every American.” Trump’s announcement praised Turner’s commitment to service and extended congratulations to his family. Turner’s nomination underscores the administration’s focus on combining policy expertise with grassroots-level impact. His history of advocating for economic revitalization and bridging gaps in underserved areas will likely shape his approach to tackling the housing crisis. If confirmed, Scott Turner’s unique blend of professional sports discipline, legislative experience, and community engagement may provide HUD with innovative solutions to persistent housing challenges, bringing hope to millions of Americans in need. TAGS Scott Turner Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Linkedin ReddIt Email Telegram Previous article Janette Nesheiwat: Trump’s Choice for Surgeon General Brings Fresh Focus to Public Health Next article Pam Bondi Nominated as Attorney General: A Tough Fighter for Trump’s Vision mayukh http://digitalmarketnews.comAs the rumored release of the iPad Pro M5 in late 2025 approaches, tech enthusiasts and professionals alike are eagerly anticipating Apple’s next leap in tablet innovation. With the expected inclusion of the M5 chip, this device has the potential to redefine what tablets are capable of, offering unparalleled power and efficiency. However, the question remains: can iPadOS fully harness the capabilities of this innovative hardware? For professionals, this raises a crucial debate—will the iPad Pro M5 finally replace your laptop, or will it remain a high-performance companion device? The has already set a high standard for professional-grade tablets. Its ultra-thin design—just 5.1mm for the 13-inch model and 5.3mm for the 11-inch—combined with the introduction of technology, delivers a stunning visual experience. The OLED screen, paired with 120Hz ProMotion, offers: Vibrant colors Deep blacks Fluid motion These a favorite among creatives and media enthusiasts. Under the hood, the M4 chip powers the device, offering configurations with up to and 2TB of storage. This hardware ensures smooth multitasking, whether you’re editing 4K videos or managing complex datasets. The redesigned Magic Keyboard, with function keys and improved camera placement, further enhances productivity. Despite these advancements, iPadOS remains a bottleneck, limiting the hardware’s full potential. The iPad Pro M5 is expected to build upon the strengths of its predecessor while introducing significant upgrades. At the heart of the device, the M5 chip is rumored to feature a and a , promising a substantial performance boost. This could make the device particularly appealing for professionals in demanding fields such as video editing, 3D modeling, and app development. Memory and storage are also likely to see enhancements. While the current model starts with 8GB of RAM, the M5 iPad Pro may begin at , with high-end configurations reaching up to . Storage options could start at 512GB, ensuring you have the capacity and speed needed for intensive workflows. Connectivity upgrades are another highlight. The inclusion of and a new could deliver faster, more reliable connections, whether you’re working remotely or on the move. These advancements make the iPad Pro M5 a strong contender for remote professionals and digital nomads who rely on seamless connectivity. If Apple maintains its typical release cycle, the iPad Pro M5 will likely debut in October or November 2025, approximately 18 months after the M4-based model. Pricing is expected to remain consistent with the current lineup, starting at $999 for the 11-inch version and $1,299 for the 13-inch. This positions the device firmly in the premium category, targeting professionals and power users who demand top-tier performance. Despite the impressive hardware of the iPad Pro series, it continues to face criticism for its reliance on iPadOS. While the operating system has evolved with features like Stage Manager and external display support, it still falls short of the versatility offered by . For professionals, this limitation raises doubts about whether the iPad Pro can truly replace a laptop. Many users and industry analysts have called for macOS support on the iPad Pro, arguing that it would unlock the device’s full potential. However, Apple has shown no signs of merging its tablet and desktop operating systems. Until that happens, the iPad Pro remains a powerful yet constrained tool, excelling in specific use cases but falling short as a universal solution. Don’t expect major accessory updates alongside the M5 iPad Pro. The Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, both refreshed in 2024, are likely to remain unchanged. However, Apple’s broader product lineup could see significant updates, including the introduction of M4 Max and Ultra chips and an M3-powered iPad Air. These developments may set the stage for the M5 iPad Pro’s release, offering a glimpse into Apple’s evolving ecosystem. The iPad Pro M5 promises to be a significant step forward in tablet technology, boasting innovative hardware that rivals many laptops. With its M5 chip, OLED display, and enhanced connectivity, it’s poised to be a powerful tool for professionals and creatives. However, the limitations of iPadOS continue to cast a shadow over its potential. For users, the decision boils down to whether this device is an innovative catalyst or simply an incremental upgrade. As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on Apple to see if the iPad Pro M5 can truly deliver on its promise and bridge the gap between tablet and laptop functionality. Only time will tell if this device will redefine the way professionals work or remain a high-performance companion to traditional computers. Source & Image Credit:
The New England Patriots entered Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins feeling like they were a team ready to turn a corner after a season’s worth of struggles. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * The New England Patriots entered Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins feeling like they were a team ready to turn a corner after a season’s worth of struggles. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? The New England Patriots entered Sunday’s matchup with the Miami Dolphins feeling like they were a team ready to turn a corner after a season’s worth of struggles. A 34-15 loss in Miami revealed just how much more work is left to do before they can make that pronouncement. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye struggled to make sense of things afterward but did make his own proclamation to his teammates. “I told some guys, just remember this feeling of really getting our butts whooped today, and it’s only up from here,” Maye said. There was plenty of bad football for the Patriots (3-9) to dwell on after losing for the third time in four games. It starts with self-inflicted mistakes, most notably committing 10 penalties for 75 yards, that left the team playing catch-up throughout the game. Maye completed 22 of 37 passes for 221 yards with 26 yards rushing but had a costly strip sack in the third quarter that led to a Miami score. It was his seventh turnover in three games. There also are big issues to work out for a Patriots defense that allowed Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to complete 29 of 40 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns. New England coach Jerod Mayo said his team entered this week prepared for some tough film sessions with only Sunday’s matchup against Indianapolis left before its bye week. “Those are those hard meetings where you have to address the elephant in the room, but it’s no secret,” he said. “The good thing about the sport, it’s all recorded. You can go back and forth on it, but the film doesn’t lie.” What’s working It seems insignificant right now, but it was encouraging to see Maye end the game on some positive notes after Miami took a 31-0 lead. On the Patriots’ next possession, Maye connected on deep passes to Demario Douglas and Hunter Henry before capping the drive with a 38-yard TD pass to Austin Hooper. What needs help Offensive line. This week brought regression for a group that had found some consistency after starting Ben Brown (center), Vederian Lowe (left tackle), Michael Jordan (left guard), Mike Onwenu (right guard) and Demontrey Jacobs (right tackle) in consecutive games. It evaporated against a Dolphins defense that sacked Maye four times. For the day, New England’s O-line was whistled for seven of the team’s 10 penalties. Stock up DE Christian Barmore. In his second game of the season, he notched his first sack, dropping Tagovailoa for a 2-yard loss in the third quarter. It’s a big milestone for Barmore, who was diagnosed with blood clots shortly after the start of training camp. Stock down Lowe. He was whistled for four penalties in the first half on Sunday: three false starts and a hold. He also allowed Zach Sieler to beat him for a strip-sack on Maye late in the third quarter that set up the Dolphins’ final touchdown of the day. Injuries The Patriots didn’t announce any injuries on Sunday. However, Lowe did seem to be bothered by a shoulder injury that limited his practice availability leading up to the game. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 7 — The number of Dolphins’ offensive plays that went for 15 or more yards against the Patriots. Next steps The Patriots host the Colts on Sunday. ___ AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement
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MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 205 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown and San Diego beat Morehead State 37-14 in a season-ending contest for both teams on Saturday. Grant Sergent threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego (8-3, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) which ended the season with a four-game win streak and winners of six of seven. The Toreros finished in sole possession of second place in the PFL behind Drake (7-1), which clinched the league outright with a 49-10 win over Stetson on Saturday. Drake beat San Diego 30-28 on a walk-off field goal on Sept. 28 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Patterson threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and James Louis ran for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-5, 5-3). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballMythwrecked: Ambrosia Island is like a lot of the games I’m most likely to pick up. It’s got a soothing, whitewashed color palette. The characters seem to be queer. And the gameplay includes a lot of environmental puzzles and jogging around, picking stuff up. It’s perfect for me. But by those metrics, so are a lot of games. So I expected some genre familiarity when I booted it up for the first time. But in reality, Mythwrecked is a breath of fresh air for the genre of chill, cozy role-playing games. Developed by Polygon Treehouse (no relation) and published by Whitethorn Games, Mythwrecked puts the player in the position of Alex, who gets shipwrecked on a mysterious island that’s inexplicably home to a handful of Greek gods who have no idea who they are or what they’re doing there. While it’s clear that Alex is motivated to get home at first, as she starts running into gods like Hermes, Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite, she becomes dedicated to helping them recover their memories by doing them favors and finding their lost mementos around the island. With each round of completed favors and returned items, Alex becomes better friends with the gods — who are generally painted in quite a generous light — and she learns more about how they forgot everything about themselves. It’s always fun to see a new retelling of Greek myths, especially when that retelling makes Athena nonbinary, turtlenecked, and blue-haired; Aphrodite short and curvy; and Hephaestus jacked, red-headed, and using a wheelchair. But the fun of Mythwrecked isn’t just in the story, which smartly has an end point when you get to level 3 for each of the eight gods. It’s also in the game mechanics — a huge reason it broke through the piles of cozy games I’ve played recently. Each god gives you a powerful object you can use to restore the island’s lights, windmills, and statues, delightfully complicated by environmental puzzles and locked doors. Beeping radar leads you to buried and hidden mementos; it’s up to you to sort out which god the memento belongs to, either using your real-life knowledge of these gods, or by getting a clue from the talking statue on the island. The gameplay might be too simplistic or repetitive for a game that goes on for tens of hours, but Mythwrecked doesn’t overstay its welcome — in fact, perhaps the opposite. (Lately I’ve been moseying around the island, collecting ambrosia fruit, just to play a little longer.) Each progression of the story is meaningfully linked to the puzzles you solved, and the game ultimately ends after about 10 hours of play, if you don’t dilly-dally like I’ve been doing. It’s just a good stand-alone game you can crush in a weekend — a subgenre of games I really value in the days of infinitely playable AAA games. Even some cozy games demand hundreds of hours of my time, and I often give it to them, willingly. But Mythwrecked is just as long as its story requires — with a little extra room for godly shenanigans, like any good Greek myth. Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island is now available on Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The game was reviewed on PC and ROG Ally X using a download code provided by Whitethorn Games. Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here . Fantasy Gaming Impressions
Someone else will earn that assignment in 2025 after the White Sox dealt Crochet to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday for four minor-league prospects in catcher Kyle Teel, outfielder Braden Montgomery, infielder Chase Meidroth and right-handed pitcher Wikelman Gonzalez. How will the Sox fill the opening in the rotation? The group of returning starters includes Jonathan Cannon, Drew Thorpe, Davis Martin and Sean Burke. Cannon, Thorpe and Burke each made their major-league debuts in 2024. So did Jairo Iriarte, who had six relief appearances. “He’ll get a long look in spring training,” Sox general manager Chris Getz said of Iriarte on Wednesday at the MLB winter meetings. Iriarte, who like Thorpe was part of the Cease trade, had a 1.50 ERA with six strikeouts for the Sox after posting a 3.71 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts) for Double-A Birmingham. “We’ll look to make some additions as well,” Getz said. “We have other arms in (someone like) Mason Adams, (who) will be in major-league camp. We think that we still have the depth in starter innings. With that being said, we are going to see if we can bring in some guys that can stabilize and protect those guys, too.” Adams, a 13th-round draft pick in 2022, went a combined 7-5 with a 2.92 ERA and 110 strikeouts in 23 games (22 starts) for Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte in 2024. The Sox went the pitching route in Wednesday’s Rule 5 draft, selecting Shane Smith from the Milwaukee Brewers. The right-hander went a combined 6-3 with a 3.05 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 32 outings (16 starts) for Double-A Biloxi and Triple-A Nashville. Smith, 24, is 13-7 with a 2.69 ERA and 203 strikeouts over three minor-league seasons. “He’s got starting ability as well,” Getz said. “He’ll come into camp and compete for a spot. He’s got an ability to pitch in the bullpen as well. “The Rule 5 gives you an opportunity to bring guys in and see if he can be a fit. It was a clear decision for us that he was the right guy. It was almost a consensus with our group, which isn’t always the case. But in this one, it was and just gave us more confidence to make the selection.” Around the same time the Rule 5 draft began Wednesday, news broke of the Crochet trade. Part of the return sets up an interesting situation for the Sox behind the plate. Teel, 22, was rated by MLB.com as the No. 4 prospect in the Red Sox organization, No. 25 in baseball and the No. 3 catcher. He slashed .288/.386/.433 with 23 doubles, 13 home runs, 78 RBIs, 88 runs, 68 walks and 12 stolen bases in 112 games last season between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. The left-handed hitter has a .301/.404/.444 career slash line with 29 doubles, 15 home runs, 100 RBIs, 103 runs, 89 walks and 15 stolen bases over parts of two minor-league seasons. A first-round pick in 2023 (No. 14), Teel joins Edgar Quero and Korey Lee as catcher options. Quero, ranked the No. 4 prospect in the organization by MLB.com , had a combined .280 average with 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 98 games for Birmingham and Charlotte in 2024. Lee slashed .210/.244/.347 with 12 home runs and 37 RBIs as the primary catcher for the Sox in 2024. “We feel like they can both be catchers for us at the major-league level,” Getz said of Teel and Quero. “You’ve got a switch-hitter in Edgar Quero, who’s really strong from the right side currently. And you’ve got Kyle Teel, who’s left-handed and has versatility in his background too. The catching position is just so valuable and it’s such a hard position to fill. “To have two guys like that and a Korey Lee — going to the foundation of an organization, so many things start up the middle of the diamond, and it starts at the catching position and how much they can impact the game with game-planning and directing traffic on the field. So to have strength there is really important to us. We were able to accomplish that.” Sox finalize Mike Tauchman deal The Sox finalized a one-year, $1.95-million contract with the veteran outfielder on Wednesday. The Palatine native has a career .241/.344/.374 slash line with 60 doubles, 32 home runs, 155 RBIs and 183 walks over parts of seven major-league seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2017-18), New York Yankees (2019-21), San Francisco Giants (2021) and Chicago Cubs (2023-24). He ranks sixth in the majors since the start of the 2023 season with an average of one walk every 7.29 plate appearances (minimum of 750 plate appearances). Reports of the signing first surfaced late Monday night.A Republican senator has blocked the promotion of a general who oversaw troops in Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, a Senate aide told NBC News . The move by Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin follows threats from President-elect Donald Trump to fire senior officers and officials who oversaw the chaotic pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. It also comes as Trump’s transition team weighs possible court-martial proceedings against current and former officers involved in the withdrawal, as NBC News previously reported. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was nominated for promotion to become a four-star general and to oversee U.S. Army forces in Europe. His nomination was among more than 900 proposed nominations sent to the Senate but Donahue’s was put on hold by Sen. Mullin, according to the Senate aide. Mullin’s office declined to comment. Donahue was the last American service member to board the final U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan in 2021. A night-vision photograph of Donahue boarding a cargo plane went viral, capturing the symbolism of the end of America’s 20-year-long war. After the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan fell to Taliban militants, Donahue — then commander of the 82nd Airborne Division — was ordered to Kabul to oversee the withdrawal of U.S. forces, American embassy staff and Afghans who fought alongside American troops. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, former head of Special Operations Command, said in a social media post that the decision was a “disgrace” and that Donahue was being treated as a “political pawn.” Heather Nauert, who worked for the State Department in Trump’s first presidential term, said in a social media post that she is a Trump supporter and likes Sen. Mullin but disagreed with the hold put on Donahue’s promotion. “Unless there are facts I don’t know, holding up military promotions bc of our disgraceful Afghanistan withdrawal is wrong,” she wrote. Donahue is currently commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. His promotion could now be at risk as the current Senate will soon go into recess and the new Republican-controlled Congress will start its work in 2025. This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more from NBC News here: Hyundai announces recall of over 42,000 vehicles due to wiring issue that can cause them to roll away How ‘Wicked’ the movie compares to ‘Wicked’ the musical Matthew Perry recalls 'scary' confrontation with Jennifer Aniston: 'She was the one'
AP Trending SummaryBrief at 5:10 p.m. ESTMOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Isaiah Smith ran for a career-high 205 yards on 31 carries and scored a touchdown and San Diego beat Morehead State 37-14 in a season-ending contest for both teams on Saturday. Grant Sergent threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns for San Diego (8-3, 6-2 Pioneer Football League) which ended the season with a four-game win streak and winners of six of seven. The Toreros finished in sole possession of second place in the PFL behind Drake (7-1), which clinched the league outright with a 49-10 win over Stetson on Saturday. Drake beat San Diego 30-28 on a walk-off field goal on Sept. 28 in Des Moines, Iowa. Bryce Patterson threw for 133 yards and a touchdown and James Louis ran for a touchdown for the Eagles (7-5, 5-3). ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP collegebasketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball3M Co. stock remains steady Wednesday, underperforms market