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Who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson? What we know about the suspect on the runProvincial Minister for Minorities Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora , US Envoy attend Christmas eventBUFFALO — The lack of affordable housing in the state is so harmful to residents and municipal tax bases that it “is a matter of state policy and state concern,” according to a draft bill headed for the 2025 legislative session. That is how the Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Interim Committee justified adding affordable housing to the list of urban renewal projects eligible for tax increment financing in a bill it forwarded for introduction. The expansion of the definition of urban renewal projects could allow municipalities and developers, with municipal approval, to use TIF – a public financing method that uses future property tax revenue to fund community improvement projects – to fund improvements specifically for and related to affordable housing developments. The challenge for the program’s use in Buffalo is that the city would have to declare an area “blighted” in order for the developer to secure TIF, and there are none currently declared in Buffalo, city building inspector Terry Asay said. While the city could elect to change that, that could be a hard sell, affordable housing advocate Jerry Spiering said. “It’s just a really hard concept to think about going to residents of Buffalo and saying we’re going to consider something blighted,” he said. Spiering is a part of the Johnson County Community Foundation, which was created to assist and encourage housing development in the community, although it serves a broader community-focused mission. Spiering said the city of Buffalo could declare some areas as blighted, and that could be something that the foundation advocates for. In Laramie, for example, the city declared everything within city limits as blighted. Spiering said, however, that the foundation isn’t ready to advocate for something like that. “It’s a tool, and I don’t think our group is well enough informed, entrenched enough in the community to pursue that in the near future,” he said. Buffalo Mayor Shane Schrader said that while he is open to classifying some areas as blighted, he said he doesn’t feel comfortable advocating for it without more research. “Oftentimes, things can look good but have unexpected outcomes,” he said. The city is currently looking for a full-time city planner, and Schrader said that using tax increment financing could be one of the things the city tasks its planner to look into. If the city successfully requests areas be eligible for TIF, private developers could use TIF funds for infrastructure projects including water, sewer and roads for affordable housing developments. Developers would need to bring their project ideas to the city council for approval. The bill defines affordable housing as housing (and utilities) that costs less than 30% of the resident’s gross income. Spiering said the issue with that definition is that it doesn’t target income ranges with the highest need for housing. Locally, Spiering said the housing needs are greatest for the so-called missing middle. The missing middle housing is for people who don’t qualify for affordable housing programs because they earn too much, but earn too little to afford housing in their area. In Johnson County, that income range includes some police officers, educators and health care workers. Spiering said that’s where the foundation is focusing, and that group earns around 60% to 120% of the area median income. (That’s between $57,240 and $114,480 for a family of four in Johnson County, according to the 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.) While the TIF bill passed the committee by an 11-3 vote, it still needs to pass the full legislature. Spiering said it may also be some time if and when TIF can be used in Buffalo. The foundation has been focusing on becoming informed and seeing what ways they can advocate for more housing in the community. For example, the foundation has met with Habitat for Humanity of the Eastern Bighorns, based in Sheridan, which has officially applied to expand into Johnson County. Spiering said housing is “staggeringly difficult” to afford for many people in Johnson County, yet many residents are opposed to affordable housing projects. “You think it’s a common need that people recognize, but they don’t,” he said. Spiering said that city leaders should also be more encouraging of development. Schrader said the city could do more to encourage developers, like lowering sewer and water tap fees or simplifying the permitting process. Ordinance changes that make development easier may be the best option, he said, because as the city’s costs have also gone up, waiving or lowering fees may not be feasible. Spiering said that it is appropriate for government agencies to become involved because private industry has not and may never address the lack of affordable housing in communities. The housing market is in a difficult place right now with how volatile the economy has been over the last several years, Schrader said. The cost of land in the area has also made developing less profitable. “How do you build attainable housing when the land costs more than the house you’re building on it?” he said. Right now, there is one developer looking to build a single-family housing development in Buffalo, and another that has applied for federal tax credits to build an affordable housing apartment complex, according to Asay. If that project moves forward, renters would pay based on their income, and renters must be within 30% to 60% of the AMI to qualify. That developer, Housing Solutions – based in Missoula, Montana – will not know if it received the tax credits until January 2026. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment, state legislature, CFD news, and more.The Tampa Bay Rays have had six of their 2025 regular-season games shifted to the early season due to weather issues from playing outside, Major League Baseball announced Monday. The Rays' usual home, domed Tropicana Field, was damaged by Hurricane Milton last month with almost all of its roof shredded and no possibility of playing there next year. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. 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Angela Rayner has criticised "scaremongering" over Labour's reforms to inheritance tax on farms. The deputy prime minister had to defend the government's changes to the levy in a bruising House of Commons session, as she stood in for Sir Keir Starmer while the prime minister was away at a G20 summit. It came a day after more than 10,000 farmers gathered in Westminster to protest against the announcement in last month's budget. Politics latest: Rayner faces hostile crowd The government will reduce inheritance tax relief applied to farms from 6 April 2026. The full 100% relief will only apply to the first £1m of property. Above this amount, landowners will pay inheritance tax at a reduced rate of 20%, rather than the standard 40%. Farmers will still benefit from reductions, with Labour saying that a "typical" couple handing their estate to their children can gift up to £3m tax-free, and then pay the 20% tax. They will also have 10 years to pay the charge, interest-free. However, many in agriculture have criticised the decision, and political parties from across the spectrum questioned Ms Rayner on it. Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat deputy leader and MP for St Albans in Hertfordshire, said farmers felt "betrayed" by the Conservative government and "lied to by Labour". Ms Rayner said she was "sorry" to hear that farmers were "distressed by what I would say is scaremongering around what the Labour Party is doing". Advertisement Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:11 Why should farmers be taxed more? Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor for the Duchy of Lancaster, was standing in for Kemi Badenoch - as it is convention for the leader of the Opposition to stand aside from Prime Minister's Questions if the prime minister is away. He asked Ms Rayner about a "typical, mid-sized, 360-acre" farm in Yorkshire - saying a family had spoken to their accountant and been told they could be... Tim BakerBombers GM Walters sees no need to blow up roster despite another Grey Cup loss
The Governor of Yucatan, Joaquin Diaz Mena, explained the competitive advantages and benefits that Yucatan offers for conducting high-end businesses. When participating in a discussion with attendees at the XXVI Annual Franchise Convention, Diaz Mena continued to position the state as a national benchmark in economic development and innovation. He highlighted the achievements made thanks to public policies focused on security, infrastructure, and the strengthening of human capital. These actions, he said, have allowed Yucatan to consolidate itself as one of the most attractive states for private investment, with key sectors such as tourism, agribusiness, and technology advancing by leaps and bounds. In a meeting with national and international franchisees, the governor underlined the benefits of the state: a trained workforce, social stability, and strategic connectivity with the rest of the country and abroad. In addition, projects such as the expansion of the Port of Progreso and the Mayan Train promise to further integrate Yucatan into the global economy, opening up new opportunities for local and foreign industries. At this event, which is being held for the first time in the state and is attended by representatives and owners of franchises of national and international brands, Díaz Mena stressed that investing in the state is safe thanks to its advantages and characteristics, including being the most peaceful state in Mexico. In addressing his message, and in the presence of the president of the Mexican Franchise Association, Mario Alberto Briceño Martínez, Díaz Mena thanked the trust placed in Yucatan for the realization of this event. He assured me that this is one more motivation to continue working on attracting business leaders who head national and international companies and brands, who are an example for other Mexicans who wish to enter this market. Together with the Vice President of International Affairs of the same organization, Mary Carmen Cabrera Cisneros, and the Secretary of Economic Development and Labor of the state, Ermilo Barrera Novelo, the governor highlighted that Yucatán has a wide range of tourist attractions and resources. This added to the logistics platform promoted by his administration and nearshoring, makes the state an ideal destination for local and global companies to invest. In addition, the Governor detailed the projects in the pipeline, developed in coordination with the Federal Government, which seek to contribute to the economic growth of the state as part of the Mayan Renaissance. These include the expansion and modernization of the Progreso Deepwater Port, the branch of the Mayan Train from Umán to the port, the Metropolitan Ring in Mérida, the Industrial Well-being Poles and various clean energy initiatives. These projects, Díaz Mena explained, aim to attract new companies that generate better-paid jobs for Yucatecans. In addition, the educational preparation of students is promoted so that they acquire the required skills, tourism focused on various sectors is encouraged, and the appropriate conditions are created for companies to establish themselves efficiently. “I am sure that you, as franchisors who have managed to market products and brands that already represent 5% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product, will be well received in Yucatan. This state welcomes you with open doors, with a view to the Mayan Renaissance allowing all the communities of the state to receive the benefits of the economic spillover,” Díaz Mena stressed. For his part, the president of the Mexican Franchise Association, Mario Alberto Briceño Martínez, accompanied by Simon Bartholomew, general secretary of the World Franchise Council, expressed his pride in holding this event in the safest state in the country. “Thank you, Huacho, for your hospitality and for allowing us to learn about the benefits of one of the most prosperous states in Mexico,” he concluded.
Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree
The has been filming for about a month with Cillian Murphy being spotted in his in several locations throughout England, including his Birmingham stomping grounds . Many will appear in the film, but Netflix and series creator Steven Knight have maintained a notable silence on whether Tommy’s older brother, Arthur, will resurface. [Sigh] It might be time — and I would love to be proven wrong about this — for diehards to accept that Arthur could be out of the story. This would run counter to , but could have led to that shift, and further suggestions of Arthur’s omission have come from Anderson’s social media. As filming kicked off, a possibly somber Anderson posted a old photo of Arthur and Tommy together with the and a black-heart emoji: “Love you brother.” Anderson’s (apparent) styling and show that he’s not exactly hanging with the Blinders, either. The situation feels awkward at best, and that leads to another issue. How Would The Explain Arthur’s Absence? The movie will take a time jump into the WWII era. It would be sadly believable if Arthur had passed away in the interim. The final season, after all, made it clear that Arthur was always a stone’s throw from falling back into drugging. Even Tommy threatening an opium den wouldn’t be a permanent solution, and his reconciliation with Linda seemed like a bandaid as well. So even without any extenuating circumstances, Arthur might not have been destined to live much longer than the sixth season finale. Additionally, the final episodes do point towards Arthur not being able to cope with discovering Tommy’s (supposedly) impending death due to a (fabricated) brain tumor. The series also didn’t clarify whether Tommy had swiftly let Arthur, or any other Shelby for that matter, know that he was still alive and well following his Ruby-fueled revelation that no tumor existed. We do know that Tommy’s gypsy wagon was burned to a crisp, and Arthur couldn’t bear to attend Tommy’s farewell dinner. In her husband’s place, Linda read a letter: “Where you’re going, Tommy, there will I be very soon. Love, Arthur.” It doesn’t take a stretch to believe that this could have driven Arthur back toward an irrevocably bleak place. With that said, Netflix has not been forthcoming on the subject, but leaving Tommy’s older brother out of press releases doesn’t seem like a jolly, “surprise appearance” type of omission. You know, unlike keeping a as Alfie Solomons a secret. We do know, however, that the the film will include returning cast members Sophie Rundle, Stephen Graham, Packy Lee, Ian Peck, and Ned Dennehy. They will be joined by Barry Keoghan, Tim Roth, Rebecca Ferguson, and more. The movie doesn’t have a release date yet, but we’re waiting.Barcelona grabs last quarterfinal spot in Women's Champions League with 3-0 win in Stockholm
Even with technology taking over much of our day-to-day lives, board games still offer quality entertainment that can’t be beaten. Of course, the popular board games of today are a far cry from the games your parents grew up playing. Board games are perfect for encouraging your family to work together or for bringing your group of friends around the table for an evening. If you’d like to start up a weekly game night, let this helpful list of the most popular board games be your guide. Utter Nonsense Ages 8+ This game will have every player rolling in stitches with each ridiculous phrase that’s uttered. Combine crazy accents and hilarious phrases to impress the Nonsense Judge and win the round. The player with the highest number of wins ultimately wins the game, but the true fun of this card game is listening to your fellow players trying to say some of the most entertaining phrases of all time. This game is perfect for game nights or parties. Speak Out Ages 8+ This hilarious game is perfect if you have teenagers or are hosting a party with all adults. To play, you insert a mouthpiece that alters the sound of your speech, making every word sound silly. Set the timer and read one of the phrases on the cards and try to help your teammate guess what you’re saying. Speak Out easily provides hours of fun that even grandparents will love. Escape Room in a Box Ages 13+ What’s the next best thing to trying to break out of a room? Escape Room in a Box, of course. This thrilling, immersive game involves solving 2D and 3D puzzles in order to prevent a mad scientist from turning you and your friends or family into werewolves. Work together to escape your fate and use Amazon Alexa to enhance the experience. Codenames Ages 14+ This fun strategy game is perfect for anyone with teenagers. Form two teams and select a spymaster on each team. Using clues, spymasters try to help their teammates find all 25 of the agents they’re in contact with, hopefully without selecting the other team’s agents or running into the deadly assassin. This innovative game offers a challenging and rewarding time working together. Harry Potter Clue Ages 9+ Excite your kids on game night with this modern twist on a classic. Play as six recognizable Hogwarts characters — Harry, Hermione, Ron, Luna, Ginny or Neville — to solve the mystery behind a fellow student’s disappearance. It’s up to you to figure out who attacked the student, what bewitching spell they used and where it occurred. Watch out for the Dark Mark, moving staircases and secret passages as you travel along in this magical family game. Pandemic Ages 8+ If you’ve ever wanted to save humanity from a deadly outbreak, you’ll love spending an hour playing Pandemic. You and your teammates must fight to contain four deadly diseases threatening the human race. Players must learn to work with their teammates to control outbreak hotspots and treat diseases. Win the game by curing all diseases without wiping out humanity first. Catan Ages 10+ This tactical 60-minute game will push your imagination to its limits as you embark on a journey across Catan. Acquire crucial resources as you travel, build roads, buildings, and cities, and be wary of the ruthless robber and other players halting you on your own road. Through careful trading and clever decisions, you can lead your travelers to victory in this role-playing game of limitless possibilities. Play again and again. Every game is different. Ticket to Ride Ages 8+ Train lovers will enjoy this innovative board game which has won numerous awards. This cross-country train adventure game mimics the concept of traveling around the world in 80 days. Collect train cars and claim railways across the country. Players earn the most points by establishing long train routes and connecting distant cities. Each game takes roughly 30 to 40 minutes to complete, and every adventure is different. 5 Second Rule Ages 10+ This quick-paced game gives each player five seconds to name items on a certain topic. Although the topics are objectively easy —“Name 3 Mountains,” “Name 3 Types of Hats” or “Name 3 Super Heroes,” the pressure of the time crunch is likely to put you on edge. Race the clock and remain composed to win this game. You can even make up your own topics if you prefer. Half the fun is just hearing what other people blurt out, whether it’s relevant to the topic or not. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
BY JESUS MEZA, GIOVANNI MARTINEZ & MASON RAMIREZ 10 Minutes with Tipton originated in January 2022 on the Education Page. Students in the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program at Tipton Elementary School take time to Zoom with individuals in the community. HANNAH MOORE, PORTERVILLE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR What is your job title/role in our community? “ I am the Public Relations Coordinator for Porterville Unified School District. My role is to serve as a bridge between the schools and the community — connecting students, parents, staff, and community members. I help ensure that everyone stays informed about important events, student achievements, and district news, helping build a stronger, more connected community.” Please tell us a little bit about yourself - Your background, where you grew up, your family. “ I grew up in Springville and attended high school at Harmony Magnet Academy, where I was in the Performing Arts Pathway. I went on to CSU Channel Islands, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication. Before joining PUSD, I worked as a Marketing Coordinator at Young’s Commercial Transfer for five years. I am married to my husband, A.J., and we have five nieces and goddaughters who keep us very busy.” Can you tell us about your role at Porterville Unified School District? Can you tell us what you do every day in your job? “ As the PR Coordinator, my job is all about sharing stories and keeping everyone informed. I get to tell people about the awesome things happening in our schools. I also write messages for parents and teachers, create posts for social media, and take pictures and videos of the cool things students are doing. I often attend events where students show off their hard work and talents, and I love sharing those moments with the community. That’s one of my favorite parts of the job.” What do you love about your career? What do you dislike about your career? "My favorite part of my career is getting to share all of the students' accomplishments and celebrate the amazing things they are doing. It’s so rewarding to help create a community that recognizes and celebrates their hard work! In my current job, there’s nothing I dislike. However, in this career field, this type of work can sometimes be undervalued. That’s why I feel very fortunate to work at an organization where communication is not only valued but prioritized.” Would you encourage others to pursue your career? “ If you enjoy storytelling, connecting with people, sharing success stories, and helping others stay informed, then yes, I would definitely encourage you to pursue this career. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that your work helps build a stronger and more connected community.” What is something that might surprise members of the public (either about you, or your career)? “ I think something that surprises people about working in communications, public relations, or marketing is all the behind-the-scenes work. It’s not just about taking pictures, creating videos, or typing all day. You have to be a jack of all trades, putting in effort across many different tasks. There’s also a lot of strategy involved, especially when it comes to planning events or telling an organization’s story.” What advice do you have for young people who might be pursuing your line of work? “ If you’re interested in communication, public relations, or marketing – pay attention to the storytelling that’s happening around you. Look at ads, TV shows, articles, and social media posts, and think critically about the story they’re trying to tell — not just what you see on the surface. Think about how organizations use stories to build their brand or culture. Practice storytelling yourself by creating videos, writing, or posting on social media. Paying attention and practicing these skills now can give you a big advantage when you enter college or the career field.” Where do you see yourself in 10 years? “ That’s a hard question. Five years ago, when I started my last job, I wouldn’t have guessed I’d be where I am now. In 10 years, I hope to still be working in communications at PUSD. This work is so important because the young people in our community are achieving things that are being nationally recognized through programs in our school district. Sharing their stories and accomplishments with the community is powerful — it not only makes students feel proud but also encourages them to do even more and aim even higher.” Anything else you would like to add? (Maybe a current, or past project you’re proud of?) “ I’m pretty new to this role — this is still my first month. Coming back to PUSD after being a student here and returning to Porterville after college, with a decade of new experiences under my belt, feels really special. It’s amazing to be back in the place where it all started for me. I’ve been where these students are, and now I get to be the person who tells their stories and shares their successes. I think that’s incredibly important.” What is your favorite quote? “ It’s not a quote, but my grandpa always told me to ask people about their jobs if I was interested in them. You’d be surprised by the variety of jobs people do and the insight they can share. Talking to them might help you discover something you don’t want to do — or something really unique that you’d love. We often think of jobs in big categories like business, accounting, or marketing, but it’s so much more than that. Every organization needs a mix of these skills. By talking to people in different industries, you’ll not only learn about what you don’t want to do, but you might also find a job you’re passionate about.” Jesus and Giovanni enjoy gaming in their spare time. Mason enjoys playing outside with his siblings. All three are seventh graders at Tipton Elementary School and are in the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program.
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