VANCOUVER — Vancouver Canucks defenceman Filip Hronek is expected to be out until the end of January as he recovers from a lower-body injury. General manager Patrik Allvin issued a statement Tuesday saying Hronek underwent a successful procedure for the undisclosed ailment and is expected to miss about eight weeks. He says the 27-year-old Czech blueliner will not require surgery for an upper-body injury. Hronek hasn't played since going into the endboards hard late in Vancouver's 5-4 loss to the Penguins in Pittsburgh last Wednesday. He's been paired with captain Quinn Hughes for much of the season and registered eight points (one goal, eight assists) in 21 games. The Canucks (13-7-3) have dealt with a litany of notable absences this season, including all-star goalie Thatcher Demko, who remains sidelined with a knee injury, and star centre J.T. Miller, who's on an indefinite leave for personal reasons. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024.From Mendocino County Office of Education Every winter, Mendocino County Office of Education (MCOE) employees and community members partner to bring joy to homeless students through an annual Gift Drive. Now in its eighth year, this initiative has grown to serve over 300 students across Mendocino County annually, providing gifts and a sense of community and care during a challenging time of year for many. In the MCOE River Campus lobby in Ukiah, a festive display features pegboards adorned with tags. Each tag lists general information about a student, such as their age and wish list ideas, making it easy for sponsors to choose a gift that will bring a smile to a child’s face. Student Services & Wellness Director Shane Hildebrand, Foster and Homeless Youth Services Coordinator Blythe Post, and staff member Brady Nord lead the campaign, ensuring every student on the list is matched with a sponsor. This tradition has garnered widespread support from MCOE staff and the broader community. County Superintendent of Schools Nicole Glentzer remarked, “The holiday season can be an especially difficult time for families experiencing homelessness. Through this drive, we have an opportunity to bring joy and hope to children who need it most, and I’m proud of the generosity shown by our staff and community members.” Fulfill a Gift Request: Public members are invited to visit the MCOE River Campus lobby at 2240 Old River Road in Ukiah on weekdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and select a gift tag from the pegboard. Each tag represents a child’s wish and should guide a gift purchase of around $25. Log your chosen tag in the provided logbook and return the wrapped gift with the tag number by Friday, Dec. 13. Donate: A $25 donation funds a gift for one student. Write a check payable to MCOE and include “Gift Drive” in the memo line. Mail or deliver your check to MCOE Foster & Homeless Youth Services at 2240 Old River Road, Ukiah, CA 95482. Post explained that the inspiration for the Gift Drive came from observing the added stress homeless students often feel during the holidays when they lack the resources to celebrate like their peers. “This drive ensures that every child our agency supports experiences some joy this winter,” she said. In the past two years, MCOE surpassed previous records, relying on donations and community participation to make the season special for all 300-plus children on the list. Year-round, the MCOE Foster and Homeless Youth Services team supports homeless youth by coordinating with schools, community agencies, and social services to provide essentials like food, clothing, and school supplies thanks to partnerships with organizations and agencies, including Community Foundation of Mendocino County, First Baptist Church Ukiah, Grocery Outlet Ukiah, Mendocino County Probation Department, Selzer Realty & Associates, Ukiah Elks Lodge, Ukiah Kiwanis Club, and Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. “Every little bit helps, and you may never know the impact you have on a homeless student, but it is profound,” said Shane Hildebrand. “With the Gift Drive, we’re not just giving presents – we’re offering hope and connection.”
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Gov.-elect Mike Braun on Tuesday pitched his first policy agenda since his November electoral victory — largely reemphasizing his commitment to campaign promises. Braun’s “Freedom and Opportunity Agenda” focuses on tax relief, government efficiency, economic development, public health and quality of life factors like public safety, energy affordability and water cleanliness. A news release indicated Braun wants to bring “historic” tax relief to Indiana families. “As Hoosiers contend with inflation, the State should provide comprehensive tax relief that protects taxpayers from runaway property taxes, supports retirees and families with targeted relief, and reduces the burden on Main Street businesses,” it read. The agenda includes limiting property tax increases 2%-3% annually and “resetting homeowner bills” to pre-pandemic levels. But the state can’t get too heavy-handed. It must abide by a decades-old ruling declaring Indiana’s previous tax system, which wasn’t based on the market, unconstitutional. Braun also wants to ditch state taxes on retirement income, establish farm savings accounts, change the formula used to assess farmland for property taxes, and introduce new sales tax holidays on things like back-to-school supplies. Braun leaned into his business roots in the agenda’s second priority: efficiency. “Unlike the private sector, where real economics incentivizes effectiveness and lower overhead, government at every level has grown unchecked,” the agenda reads. It goes on to suggest new performance metrics and trims of “unnecessary or underperforming” positions and programs. Indiana should also review its regulations to cut outdated requirements and lighten the load for agencies, it says. Braun also hopes to get agencies digital: automate eligibility verification procedures for veteran health care, streamline document processing at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and create a one-stop portal for farmer services. He’s already gotten started on another bullet point in the list — last month, Braun unveiled plans for a reorganized cabinet focusing on eight policy areas. He also hopes to present a balanced budget that “addresses the state’s deficit while reforming Medicaid spending,” per the release. Braun’s agenda views Indiana’s future prosperity as dependent on educating and developing a skilled workforce. He proposed implementing universal school choice, although Indiana is almost there. A recent hike in the income requirement means all but the state’s wealthiest families qualify for vouchers to private schools. The release also includes increases in teacher base pay, new performance-based pay, a focus on better literacy and math skills, and a dedicated school safety office. Braun also wants to push workforce development, with: a new workforce investment tax credit, a “restructured” Indiana Economic Development Corp, and more regional cooperation for creating jobs. Braun, who was active in the health care arena in the U.S. Senate, hopes to take aim at high prices and increase accessibility — while promoting industry innovation. Indiana faces expanding Medicaid costs and lower-than-expected revenues, however. Braun’s team said there weren’t plans to cut services. Instead, the gov.-elect hopes to find efficiencies to save money. Though states have little control over private employer-employee insurance deals, Braun’s team said he could still impact costs with more aggressive price transparency requirements, prior authorization reforms and pharmacy benefit manager regulations. The agenda also highlights rural health, calling for new incentives to draw health care facilities to rural areas — including obstetrics access— and better telehealth coverage. And it emphasizes continued coverage of pre-existing conditions, proposed a new primary care access revolving loan funding to support new facilities, and mental health treatment reforms intended to lift weight from the criminal justice system. Braun continued his focus on public safety in Tuesday’s agenda. “Hoosier families and communities deserve to know that their safety and security are the top priority of the state government,” it reads. “In today’s interconnected world, national issues like illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine have a real impact on communities across the state and country. Because of the complexity of modern public safety, it is imperative that the State supports our law enforcement officers in the line of duty.” Law enforcement offices could win higher salaries and better benefits packages, more training opportunities and non-discretionary minimum bail requirements for violent crimes. Braun also promised to protect qualified immunity. He also hit at drug trafficking and unauthorized immigration, with proposals for stronger drug distribution penalties, more interdiction powers for state police, sanctuary city ban enforcement and more. The agenda concludes with a push for lower energy costs. “Over the last decade, Hoosiers’ electricity bills have increased dramatically, outpacing the national average,” it says. “Indiana needs strong leadership to navigate these challenges and improve energy accessibility. The Braun administration will ensure that the State has enough affordable and reliable electricity to meet the needs of residents and attract new economic development.” Braun reemphasized commitment to an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, deregulation and still-development small modular nuclear reactor technology. His team expects combine executive actions, agency-level reforms and legislation to accomplish his priorities, according to the release.Raiders trade Peardon to Red Deer, acquire Smith
It didn’t take Izzy Abanikanda long to find a new home. The New York Jets released Abanikanda — a 5-foot-10, 215-pound running back from Brooklyn, N.Y. — Monday night to clear a roster spot, and the San Francisco 49ers picked him up off waivers Tuesday afternoon, Tom Pelissero reported. Abanikanda was stuck behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen in New York, but he’s entering a favorable situation with the 49ers. Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason, the 49ers’ top two running backs, were both placed on the IR this week. So, it left rookie Isaac Guerendo as the only healthy back on the roster. Abanikanda has an opportunity for serious playing time to finish the season. The #49ers claimed RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from the #Jets . — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 3, 2024 Abanikanda hasn’t played in a game yet this season, but he recorded 22 carries for 70 yards and seven receptions for 43 yards as a rookie last season. The Jets selected Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Abanikanda was an All-ACC, All-American running back at Pitt in 2022, serving as perhaps the best all-purpose weapon in college football, finishing fourth in all-purpose yards (1,805 yards) and second in all-purpose yards per game (164 yards) in college football last season. And he led the nation in total touchdowns (21). He rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging six yards per attempt and added 146 receiving yards and 228 kickoff return yards. It was a campaign with few historical rivals. It ranks as the eighth-best single-season effort in Pitt history, and his 320 yards and six touchdowns against Virginia Tech broke and tied, respectively, single-game program records. In his Pitt career, Izzy Abanikanda rushed 390 times for 2,177 yards and 28 touchdowns, caught 38 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns and returned 19 kickoffs for 434 yards and a touchdown. His 28 career touchdowns also rank eighth in team history, while he’s just one of four Pitt players to rush for at least 20 touchdowns in a single season. The 49ers are back in action this weekend against the Chicago Bears. This article first appeared on Pittsburgh Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.AGF Reports November 2024 Assets Under Management and Fee-Earning Assets
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