Seats filled: 1 7.20pm ‘If I was given the opportunity to be housing minister, I would grasp it with both hands. It desperately needs the greatest level of change in this country,’ says Eoin Ó Broin Eoin Ó Broin admits that he would “absolutely relish the opportunity to try and fix housing,” as a minister if he got the chance. “If I was given the opportunity to do that (be housing minister), I would grasp it with both hands because that's one of the areas we desperately need the greatest level of change in this country,” he told the Irish Independent. “I would absolutely relish the opportunity to try and fix housing. I've been a housing activist as long as I've been a political activist and housing is just the single biggest issue, both in my own constituency and across the State. “I'd like it not because I want to be a minister, I'd like it because I really think the plan that we have and the people around us could do so much better for people, whether it's people waiting on council list, people who are homeless, people who are looking to buy or rent affordably, also older people approaching pension age and living in the private rental sector and scared of what's going to happen in the future.” Ó Broin is proud of his “united,” campaign with Mark Ward, and hopes more Sinn Fein TD’s are elected this weekend. “Both myself and Mark Ward ran a really strong united campaign here in Dublin Mid-West and the objective was to try and take the first two seats. “I've been declared and my surplus is now going to be distributed. Mark will get the lion's share of that. While it might not bring him in this count, he'll certainly take the second seat, if not tonight, early tomorrow. “Two Sinn Fein TD's return from Dublin Mid-West with the plan and hopefully by tomorrow afternoon that will be achieved. “David Cullinane has beat me to be the first elected, and he will never let me hear the end of that. I'm delighted David did really, really well. It looks like Connor McGuinness, his running mate, has a really good chance of getting a second Sinn Fein seat in Waterford, which will be a huge gain.” 7pm ‘I’m scarlet,’ Sinn Fein’s Eoin Ó Broin first elected in Dublin Mid-West Whilst being lifted up in the air, Sinn Fein’s Eoin Ó Broin laughed ‘I’m scarlet.’ The spokesperson for housing got a total of 9892 votes in the first count. His colleague Mark Ward followed with 5325, and Ó Broin hopes that he’ll be elected later tonight or early tomorrow morning. 5.35pm Labour Party’s Cllr Francis Timmons bids farewell to Dublin Midwest election race. Cllr Francis Timmons, who was previously an Independent politician, ran as a Labour candidate in the General Election 2024. But with 5.3pc (2500) votes, he has thanked the public for the votes, but admitted this is not the change that he wanted. He said: “Thanks everyone that voted for me! Not the change I desperately wanted but the people that voted have spoken! Whoever forms the government I wish them well - there is no shortage of challenges but I hope they change direction or it will be the same issues in 5 years time!” 5:20pm First count is underway Social Democrats Councillor Eoin Ó Broin brings his “number one supporter,” to the count centre at the Adamstown Community Centre. His daughter Éanna is “keeping an eye on the proceedings,” ahead of the first count result. Social Democrats Councillor Eoin Ó Broin brings his daughter Éanna to the count centre. 12pm:In the tallies, Sinn Fein have come out on top with 32.3pc of the votes in Dublin Midwest. Fine Gael followed with 17.7pc with Fianna Fail third with 11.4pc. SF’s O'Broin has 20.7pc of the overall votes and his colleague, Ward is behind him with 11.7pc. The following in the top spots is Emer Higgins (FG) with 10.8pc and Shane Moynihan (FF) with 9.6pc of the votes. Paul Nicolas Gogarty, who is an Independent candidate, has 7.9pc of tally votes. Fine Gael’s Vicki Casserly is currently in sixth place with 7.7pc of the votes. Social Democrats Eoin O’Broin has 6.2pc of the final tally. With the official count taking place this afternoon and transfers on the cards, it could still be anyone’s game. 10am: Sinn Féin are dominating the tallies so far in Dublin Midwest with 36.3pc of the total votes in the bag. So far, 35pc of the boxes have been opened and tallied. In the candidate breakdown, Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó’Brion has 29.9pc and his colleague Mark Ward has 15.4pc. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity.
JONESBORO, Ark. (AP) — Josh Hill scored 26 points as Arkansas State beat Coastal Carolina 97-67 on Saturday. Hill shot 9 for 15, including 6 for 12 from beyond the arc for the Red Wolves (10-3, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference). Joseph Pinion scored 19 points while shooting 5 for 10 (4 for 7 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and added five rebounds and three steals. Taryn Todd finished 6 of 11 from the field to finish with 13 points, while adding five rebounds and six assists. Jordan Battle finished with 20 points and seven rebounds for the Chanticleers (6-6, 0-1). Colin Granger added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Coastal Carolina. Denzel Hines also had 13 points and 10 rebounds. Arkansas State next plays Thursday against Old Dominion on the road, and Coastal Carolina will host Warner on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Implements INDATA SaaS on a Front-to-Back Office Basis delivered via iPM Private Cloud GREENWICH, Conn. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- INDATA , a leading industry provider of cloud-native, SaaS-based solutions for buyside firms, today announced that Paradigm Capital Management (PCM) is live with INDATA's Software-as-a-Service for Front, Middle and Back Office . With a three-decade history of small-cap investing, Paradigm Capital Management, based in Albany, NY employs a disciplined, bottom-up approach with an emphasis on fundamental analysis and extensive management contact. Paradigm manages $1.8 billion in AUM and offers a range of products including institutional separately managed accounts, proprietary mutual funds, and private wealth via hedge funds and LP's. Paradigm is using the INDATA system for a range of functions including trade order management (OMS), Portfolio Accounting , Performance and Reporting, including managed services for streamlined reconciliation. "We are very pleased to have Paradigm Capital Management as a client. We look forward to partnering with Paradigm on their ongoing needs," commented David Csiki , President of INDATA. About INDATA ® INDATA is a leading specialized provider of SaaS (Software-as-a-Service), technology and managed outsourcing services for buyside firms, including trade order management (OMS), portfolio management, compliance, portfolio accounting and front-to-back office. INDATA iPM Portfolio Architect AITM is the industry's first portfolio construction, modeling, rebalancing and reporting tool based on AI, and Machine Learning. INDATA's iPM – Intelligent Portfolio Management® technology platform allows end users to efficiently collaborate in real-time across the enterprise and contains the best of class functionality demanded by sophisticated institutional investors, wealth managers, and hedge funds. The company's mission is to provide clients with cutting edge technology products and services to increase trading and operational efficiency while reducing risk and administrative overhead. INDATA provides software and services to a variety of buyside clients including asset managers, registered investment advisors, banks and wealth management firms, pension funds and hedge funds. Assets under management range from under $1 billion to more than $100 billion across a variety of asset classes globally. For more information, visit www.indataipm.com Media Contact: David Csiki , dave@indataipm.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paradigm-capital-management-live-with-indata-302330839.html SOURCE INDATAGEORGETOWN 100, ALBANY 68Analysis: Protecting QBs from violent late hits like the one that leveled Trevor Lawrence isn't easy
Many homes in Somalia don't have formal addresses. Here's how an Edmonton startup is helpingThe news media have been focused on President-elect Trump’s choices for his Cabinet. However, since this column is devoted to language and books, and not politics, let’s explore the terminology applied to the choices rather than the individuals. Most of the positions under discussion for the next administration’s Cabinet are termed “Secretary” of a particular department, as in Secretary of Defense, or Secretary of the Treasury, and so on. The Cabinet includes other positions, but I am focusing on those headed by a “Secretary.” In other contexts, “secretary” does not suggest a person of power or control. Quite the contrary. Outside of the government, secretaries are charged primarily with lesser tasks and work under and for a boss or supervisor, a job description quite different from what the title of secretary suggests in a president’s Cabinet. Quick refresher. When we are talking about how words communicate, we refer to what they denote, that is point out, and what, if anything, they connote, meaning our attitude toward what is denoted. In our present discussion, “secretary” denotes very different things when applied to the Cabinet or more ordinary office organizations. In the former, the secretary wields immense power and shoulders major responsibilities of national importance, but in the latter, “secretary” denotes an individual working in a much more subordinate position. The etymology of “secretary” and its historical usage, along with a technological innovation, begin to unlock this seemingly strange difference in how we apply the word. OED tells me that “secretary” derives from the French for secret, and that it was applied to individuals who could be trusted with a powerful individual’s personal affairs, coupled with the responsibility, in an age of limited literacy, of handling the powerful individual’s correspondence. That association with access to important secrets and connection to power still applies in our present terminology for Cabinet officials. But in other contexts, thanks to the invention of the typewriter in the late 19th century, the word’s denotation shifts to more ordinary office situations, and, significantly, its connotative value borders on the negative, as in an individual who has little personal autonomy. The typewriter became the ordinary instrument of producing writing instead of the pen in the hand of a skilled practitioner as in the older sense of the word and opened up a new and relatively well-paying occupation for women, who carried into the workplace the usual diminished respect accorded to their gender. That technology advancing into the computer age changed little in this regard. Thus, we have the combination of sexism and diminished authority on the one hand as it applies to ordinary office workplaces in contrast to our political appointees who, according to our presidential succession rules, are literally heartbeats away from rising to the presidency itself. Interestingly, our British cousins do have a “Home Secretary,” responsible for domestic governance as well as other important departments, headed by a “minister.” In Protestant theology, congregations are led by “ministers,” a word derived from “servant,” who serve their congregants by promoting their understanding of doctrine and its application in their lives. Their “president” is their “prime” or first in importance” minister. In contrast to that terminology, we have a “president,” from Latin ”set over,” who directs the “secretaries” in his/her Cabinet. In the British system, a “minister,” sits atop a governmental structure primarily of other, lesser ministers and under them are “secretaries,” civil servants handling certain areas of the minister’s responsibilities. One word carrying varying denotative and connotative values. I can add a personal note based on my experience as a midlevel academic administrator. In that capacity, my ability to effectively handle my responsibilities was significantly enhanced by the secretary who kept things on track.
Will Arizona men's basketball's rocky start impact March Madness? | Greg Hansen
PARADIGM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LIVE WITH INDATAConsumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. People are also reading... For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. David Zalubowski, Associated Press Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. David Zalubowski, Associated Press Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. Richard Drew, Associated Press E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. The 7 small business trends that paid off in 2024 The 7 small business trends that paid off in 2024 In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities.The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT, the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024.1. Small and cozy office spaces in industrial and flex condosCommercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space.In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office."More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople.Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says.Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing.2. More outsourcing of financial servicesMariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works, an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says."They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes, and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience.3. Automating bookkeeping tasks with AIEvery small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation. And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping.She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez.From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients."I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains.4. AI-driven customer serviceAccording to the SBA, 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience.According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar, small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries."This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says.5. Personalized customer experiences"By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer, a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile."One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't."Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey.Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey.6. Businesses promoting social impactLucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics, an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission."This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves.When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves.7. Increased social commerce salesLong gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping, Facebook Marketplace, and TikTok.Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers.Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli.He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli.To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation.This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Chay_Tee // Shutterstock 1. Small and cozy office spaces in industrial and flex condos 2. More outsourcing of financial services 3. Automating bookkeeping tasks with AI 4. AI-driven customer service 5. Personalized customer experiences 6. Businesses promoting social impact 7. Increased social commerce sales The business news you need
ILLINOIS ST. (3-2) Walker 3-8 4-6 10, Banks 3-7 3-5 10, Kinziger 2-6 4-4 10, Pence 5-9 2-3 14, Wolf 4-9 0-1 11, Poindexter 5-11 0-2 13, Boser 0-0 0-0 0, Barnes 0-0 0-0 0, Daugherty 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-50 13-21 68. MCNEESE ST. (3-2) Charles 3-6 1-2 8, Shumate 4-7 0-2 9, Cooper 1-2 1-1 3, Garcia 5-12 4-4 16, Murray 4-10 5-7 13, Parker 4-8 3-4 13, Richards 2-7 4-4 10, Selebangue 0-0 2-2 2, Copeland 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 24-54 20-26 76. Halftime_McNeese St. 43-36. 3-Point Goals_Illinois St. 11-26 (Wolf 3-6, Poindexter 3-8, Pence 2-4, Kinziger 2-5, Banks 1-3), McNeese St. 8-20 (Garcia 2-3, Parker 2-5, Richards 2-6, Charles 1-2, Shumate 1-3, Murray 0-1). Fouled Out_Kinziger. Rebounds_Illinois St. 26 (Pence 6), McNeese St. 34 (Shumate, Garcia 7). Assists_Illinois St. 14 (Banks 4), McNeese St. 10 (Cooper 5). Total Fouls_Illinois St. 19, McNeese St. 21.EDITOR'S NOTE: On Football analyzes the biggest topics in the NFL from week to week. No one wants to see any player take a vicious hit like the one that knocked Trevor Lawrence out of the game. It’s easy to agree on that point. Eliminating violent shots is the hard part. The NFL has instituted several rules to protect quarterbacks but football is a physical sport and players have to react instantly and make split-second decisions going at high speeds so injuries keep occurring. Lawrence was carted off the field in the first half of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to Houston on Sunday after Azeez Al-Shaair leveled the defenseless quarterback with a forearm to the facemask. The late hit put Lawrence in the fencing position — both fists clenched — and he stayed on the ground for several minutes, while a brawl ensued. Lawrence didn’t require hospitalization for his concussion but it’s unknown when he’ll return. People are also reading... ‘I don’t care who’s played': Nebraska’s Dana Holgorsen on personnel changes at tight end Search warrants lead to arrest of man in narcotics investigation Blue Springs family to host 2025 Cattleman's Ball They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 La Segoviana finds new home in Court Street Plaza Hospice foundation helps with extra support At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Fall Farmers Market and Brunch planned for Saturday Board of Supervisors denies permit for Filley telecom tower 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe Dale G. Lunsford Shatel: Emotions are still simmering, but Nebraska delivered the bottom line for 2024 — a bowl game Spreading kindness one butterfly at a time Black Friday starts a busy weekend of serving customers “Thank you to everyone who has reached out/been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote on X. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all.” Al-Shaair was ejected from the game and faces a fine and potential suspension after his latest unsportsmanlike penalty. The Texans' linebacker was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard last week. He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline that wasn’t flagged. Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. Al-Shaair once got away with grabbing Tom Brady by the throat on a pass rush in a game between the 49ers and Buccaneers. Outraged Jaguars players called Al-Shaair’s hit “dirty” and Texans coach DeMeco Ryans made it known he didn’t condone it. “It’s not what we’re coaching,” Ryans said. “Want to be smart in everything we do and not hurt the team, get a penalty there. Have to be smarter when the quarterback is going down. Unfortunate play. Not representative of who Azeez is. He’s a smart player, really great leader for us. We felt his presence not being there. His loss really affected us on the defensive side. Just not what we’re coaching. Didn’t want to see the melee and all the aftermath. That’s not what we’re about. Not representative of us. I’ll talk to Azeez, address him personally, and we’ll move forward from it.” Fox Sports color analyst Daryl Johnston, a former fullback for the Dallas Cowboys, didn’t hold back his criticism, calling it a “cheap shot.” “It’s everything you’re not supposed to do,” Johnston said. “Everything. You’ll see this in slow motion and Azeez Al-Shaair does everything you’re trying to prevent in this situation. It’s reckless. It’s disrespectful. There’s an honor that you give to your opponent on the football field and you respect him. And there’s opportunities to be physical and give big hits and play this game in that manner. And there’s other times when there’s a respect that you grant to your opponent.” Some former NFL quarterbacks blasted Al-Shaair on social media. “There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one,” Robert Griffin III wrote on X. Chase Daniel called it “one of the dirtiest hits” he’s ever seen on a quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram, right, jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, bottom, during the first half of a game on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. Even defensive players struggled to defend Al-Shaair. “That was uncalled for,” Hall of Fame defensive lineman Michael Strahan said on Fox’s studio show while fellow Hall of Famer Howie Long agreed. But the play also sparked debate about the quarterback slide. Lawrence slid feet first, which signals that he’s giving himself up on the play. The NFL rulebook states: “A defender must pull up when a runner begins a feet-first slide.” But defensive players aren’t automatically penalized if they make contact with a sliding quarterback if they already committed and the contact is unavoidable. The rules state it’s a foul when “the defender makes forcible contact into the head or neck area of the runner with the helmet, shoulder, or forearm, or commits some other act that is unnecessary roughness.” Al-Shaair did that so he was penalized and will face other repercussions. Still, given the hard-hitting nature of the sport, it won’t be the last time this happens. Here are the 10 best NFL rookie quarterbacks since 1960 Caleb Williams is the most anticipated NFL rookie When Caleb Williams took the field for the Chicago Bears' first regular season game against the Tennessee Titans, the anticipation for the rookie's debut game—possibly the most ever—was on full display. Despite a tough debut for the quarterback, the Bears secured a 24-17 win, a notable feat for the rookie. The victory made Williams the first #1 overall pick with a Week 1 win in over 20 years. Going forward this season, Williams is expected to eclipse C.J. Stroud's record-breaking 2023 rookie campaign with the Houston Texans. However, Stroud's success is an anomaly. Drafting a successful quarterback, especially one who is effective right away, is difficult. When teams have a high first-round draft pick, and they're coming off an unsuccessful few seasons, it's assumed that they will use their first pick on a quarterback . That player will assume the title of "the face of the franchise" and will get the central attention, win or lose. To see which quarterbacks have faced that challenge and triumphed, ATS.io compiled a ranking of the 10 best rookie quarterbacks since 1960 using data from StatHead . Rookies were defined as players who are in their first season of professional football and have not been on the roster of another professional team. Quarterbacks were ranked according to adjusted net yards per pass attempt, which quantifies efficient passing skill. Ties were broken using passer rating. Only rookie quarterbacks with at least 10 games played and 200 total passing attempts were considered. Since 1967, 130 quarterbacks have been drafted in the first round. Of those drafted, only 61 have won a playoff game as a starter, according to The Athletic, which used data from NFL Research . The biggest reason this success rate is not guaranteed is because there are differences between college and pro offensive systems. In the collegiate game, the ball is snapped at different points on the field, passing windows are wider, and defenders and linemen are not as quick, making the adjustment to the pro level more difficult. NFL scouts and general managers are gambling on what skills can be transferable and how long those adjustments might take, which is why some teams prefer redshirt quarterbacks to ease the transition. However, just because a team may not want to use their first-round pick on a quarterback, doesn't mean they can't find a diamond in the rough later in the draft. Think about Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, and Dak Prescott, all of which were not first-round picks, but have gone on to make a name for themselves in the NFL. #10. Gardner Minshew (2019) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.44 - Passer rating: 91.2 - Season stats: 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, 6 interceptions Coming out of college, Gardner Minshew was not a highly sought-after quarterback for NFL teams. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2019 draft—a draft that was headlined by Kyler Murray, Dwayne Haskins, and Daniel Jones. Nonetheless, Minshew's rookie season with the Jacksonville Jaguars was filled with many accomplishments. He won Rookie of the Week seven times despite not winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Minshew also had the highest passer rating of any rookie quarterback that started in 2019. #9. Baker Mayfield (2018) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.77 - Passer rating: 93.7 - Season stats: 3,725 yards, 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions Pressure was high for Baker Mayfield as the first overall pick in the 2018 draft. When he joined the Cleveland Browns, there was an expectation that once the team figured out the quarterback position, it could be playoff-ready. After trading for Jarvis Landry, a young wide receiver from the Miami Dolphins, in the offseason, the Browns were on their way. Mayfield's rookie season was filled with many firsts, and the Landry-Mayfield connection filled the stat sheet. Mayfield set the record for most passing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback in 2019 with 27 surpassing prior marks from Payton Manning and Russell Wilson. #8. Justin Herbert (2020) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.84 - Passer rating: 98.3 - Season stats: 4,336 yards, 31 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Justin Herbert was the third quarterback selected in the 2020 NFL draft behind Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa. As the No. 6 overall pick, expectations were high, but there was also an assumption that it would be a few years before Herbert's development would take shape. Then, Chargers starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor was accidentally punctured in the lung by a team doctor administering a painkiller before the second game of the season, and it wasn't clear what Taylor's status would be moving forward. When Herbert was given the nod to start minutes before the game, fans didn't know what to expect. Herbert shocked viewers when he threw for over 300 yards and only one interception in that game. He continued his strong rookie showing throughout the season and went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. #7. Ben Roethlisberger (2004) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 6.93 - Passer rating: 98.1 - Season stats: 2,621 yards, 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions Ben Roethlisberger was the third quarterback selected in his draft class behind the likes of Eli Manning and Philip Rivers—though fans wouldn't have been able to tell. From the moment Roethlisberger was called up by the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in his first game—Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens—it was clear he had a special arm, gaining the nickname "Golden Arm." While the next several games were bumpy for Steelers fans, it was clear that Roethlisberger was the future of the franchise. The Steelers had a solid running game and its receiving core, led by Hines Ward, was one of the best in the league . Once Roethlisberger gained his footing a few games in, he was unstoppable. He led Pittsburgh to its best record ever: 15-1. He also started the season on an eight-game winning streak, becoming the first rookie to do so. Additionally, Roethlisberger became the first quarterback to win AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. #6. Matt Ryan (2008) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 87.7 - Season stats: 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions As the No. 3 overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft, there were high expectations on Matt Ryan's shoulders heading to the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were coming off back-to-back losing seasons and off-the-field legal troubles with its starting quarterback Michael Vick overshadowing the team's play. Ryan was expected to pick up the pieces. He did that immediately, leading the Falcons to an 11-5 record in his rookie season and becoming the clear favorite for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year halfway through the season, which he went on to win. The tag team of Ryan and running back Michael Turner was one of the best offensive forces in the sport that season. #5. Russell Wilson (2012) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.01 - Passer rating: 100 - Season stats: 3,118 yards, 26 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Russell Wilson was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Considering Robert Griffin III and Andrew Luck headlined the NFL Draft that year, it was not believed that Wilson would be a starter come Week 1, but that quickly changed. Going into the 2012 NFL Draft, Tarvaris Jackson was the Seattle Seahawks' starting quarterback, and the team signed NFL veteran quarterback Matt Flynn as an insurance policy on the injury-prone Jackson . It was assumed in the short term that either Jackson or Flynn would lead the franchise. Once training camp arrived, however, the Seahawks' quarterback position was uncertain. Jackson was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Flynn was underwhelming at camp, forcing Head Coach Pete Carroll to take a gamble on his rookie quarterback, Wilson, in Week 1. Carroll, nor Wilson, ever looked back. Wilson was one of the best passing quarterbacks that season. He led the Seahawks to an 11-5 record and went on to win NFL Rookie of the Year. #4. Dan Marino (1983) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.39 - Passer rating: 96 - Season stats: 2,210 yards, 20 touchdowns, 6 interceptions When Dan Marino was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1983, the NFL looked very different. Running the ball was the name of the game. The quarterback would either run the football himself at the line of scrimmage or hand it off to the running back, and the offensive linemen would claw and push the pile forward as the runner powered his legs. It was not a pretty sight. However, Marino took a different approach, throwing the ball with a unique quick release for that era. He led the Dolphins to a 9-1 record after replacing David Woodley midway through his rookie season, ending with a 12-4 record. He went on to win Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to start a Pro Bowl. #3. C.J. Stroud (2023) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 100.8 - Season stats: 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, 5 interceptions When C.J. Stroud was drafted No. 2 by the Houston Texans last year, there were a lot of questions, not about his ability, but about the organization that he would be playing for. The Texans were coming off of a 3-13-1 season in 2022, finishing with the worst record in the league, and a lot of volatility in its front office. The team fired its head coach and a top executive before the draft. Weeks later, the team hired former Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans as its next head coach. While Ryans is a defensive-minded coach, Stroud was seen as a key ingredient to the team's success since Ryans hired his coaching staff around the quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in yards and TD-to-interception ratio during his rookie season, which is an efficiency statistic considering he didn't get his first interception until his sixth regular-season game against the New Orleans Saints. While Stroud was a part of the league MVP conversation for most of the season, he didn't ultimately win the title. However, he was named 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and his rookie season is seen as one of the best in NFL history. #2. Robert Griffin III (2012) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.47 - Passer rating: 102.4 - Season stats: 3,200 yards, 20 touchdowns, 5 interceptions Leading into the 2012 draft, it wasn't a matter of whether Washington would pick a quarterback, it was a matter of who. After several seasons of mediocre quarterback play and losing seasons from the likes of Jason Campbell, Donovan McNabb, and Rex Grossman, it was time for a new face to lead the offense. At No. 2, Washington selected Robert Griffin III making him the second quarterback selected in the 2012 NFL draft behind Andrew Luck. Griffin started his rookie year campaign with one of the best performances football fans have ever seen. He completed 19 of his 26 pass attempts for 320 yards and 2 touchdowns, beating the New Orleans Saints. That game earned him the highest passer rating by a rookie ever, 158.3. He now shares that record with Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Griffin III went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. #1. Dak Prescott (2016) - Adjusted net yards per pass attempt: 7.86 - Passer rating: 104.9 - Season stats: 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns, 4 interceptions Dak Prescott is statistically the best rookie quarterback ever, racking up the best passer rating as a rookie. After losing his first game, he led the Cowboys on an 11-game winning streak. That season, he led the team to its fourth-best season ever with a 13-3 record. Prescott was the 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and became the first NFL quarterback to be drafted in the fourth round or later to start all 16 regular season games. Data reporting by Karim Noorani. Story editing by Shanna Kelly. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Robert Wickwire. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on ATS.io and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Holiday travelers, football fans hampered by year's first snowfall
More night road closures as M1 extension works steam ahead
Here Comes the Next OnePresident-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Stephen Miran , a Treasury Department adviser in his first administration, would be the chair of his Council of Economic Advisers . The council advises the president on economic policy and is composed of three members, including the chair. The council assists in the preparation of an annual report that gives an overview of the country's economy, reviews federal policies and programs and makes economic policy recommendations. Earlier this year, Miran and economist Nouriel Roubini authored a hedge fund study that said the U.S. Treasury last year effectively provided economic stimulus by moderating long-dated bond sales. The study echoed suggestions by Republican lawmakers that the Treasury deliberately increased issuance of short-term Treasury bills to give the economy a "sugar high" ahead of the November elections. The Treasury denied any such strategy. Miran, a senior strategist at Hudson Bay Capital, has also argued that fears over trade tariffs that Trump has threatened to impose after he takes office next month are overblown. Trade and economic experts have said such duties would raise prices and would effectively be a new tax on consumers. Last month, Trump tapped Kevin Hassett, who was a key economic adviser in his first term, to chair his National Economic Council, which helps set domestic and international economic policy. Hudson Bay Capital took a position in Trump's social media firm Trump Media & Technology in the first quarter of this year.A Loving Family Acting Normal in Apple Ad Sparks Surprised Response
Article content I’ll bet you have been busy ever since Canada Post got back to work. I hope you’re not too overwhelmed. I look forward to our annual festive correspondence, right about this time. I’m grateful we have the relationship where I can be honest with you about things that just doesn’t revolve around toys and Christmas stockings. But gifts you could give which would be good for everybody, This year, Santa, I have a very big ask for Christmas, and if there’s someone who can make it happen, it is, indeed, you. I don’t know where you fit Canada in your global journey, but if I could respectfully ask you, consider sharing some extra time in our country. Everyone needs your help — especially your customers that, I think, mean the most to you. Children. I know you’ve been extremely busy and may not have heard the news about our federal government. To sugar-coat it wouldn’t be a creative culinary dish, because it our government is in a pickle. Our prime minister — you may know him as Junior Justin — is in a precarious situation, which many view as self-created. While I agree, I truly believe JJ — his nickname — doesn’t know what to do. Almost everyone thinks he should resign for a myriad of reasons, and then some. So Santa, you will know where JJ will be, because you know everybody will be during the early morning hours of Christmas morning. Please give him a few self-help books which hopefully gives him some direction. Clarity, if you will. Because we need some leadership in Canada: while the economy seems to be strong, a quick drive by any food bank in this country strongly suggests otherwise ... the United States are seriously talking about raising tariffs by Canada by 25 per cent ... Canada is in need of a leader with new blood. This may sound somewhat obscure, but, since you have a really good read of people, if you think JJ has a miracle up his rolled up sleeves, please: encourage him to use it. If you are like the majority of Canadians who think he needs to resign, perhaps you could write him a letter, or phone him. Somehow, I think JJ will listen to you, Santa. And that leaves us with another challenge. Who replaces JJ? If you have any suggestions, maybe you could give them a gift which gives them an idea. I suppose I could ask you to give me us a new prime minister. But I feel that might be too — I don’t know. Presumptuous, maybe? Because there’s a bigger, much broader, request I have. It’s for all the children — not just on Canadian soil — to enjoy Christmas Day, to laugh, to play, to have fun and not have any trepidations about their future. And to embrace it. I respectfully ask that. Because we need it now. You are Santa Claus. And, it’s Christmas. Safe sledding.How much is your coffee habit costing you?: Money Talks
Albania Joins Global Sustainable Tourism Council to Accelerate Sustainable Tourism Growth
Jane Goodall Biopic In Works At Disney
Analysis: Protecting QBs from violent late hits like the one that leveled Trevor Lawrence isn't easyMichigan fans will likely be talking about Saturday’s 13-10 upset win over No. 2 Ohio State for a while, but what happened after is something they’d presumably like to forget. During a team celebration after the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over their bitter rivals, several players gathered at midfield and planted the Michigan flag in the center of the Buckeyes’ “O” logo at the 50-yard line. OSU linebacker Jack Sawyer took exception to Michigan’s blatant show of disrespect, grabbing the flag and yanking it away, which incited a brawl between countless Wolverines and Buckeyes players. Things escalated rather quickly and the two teams had to be separated by officials and police officers. A video started making the rounds on social media in the direct aftermath of what happened, and it appeared that Michigan running back Tavierre Dunlap and linebacker Jason Hewlett were maced during the melee, which drew some visceral reactions on social media. Michigan players got Maced to break up the skirmish after Beating Ohio state on their home field pic.twitter.com/q3KZS1vcS2 “YOU CAN NOT MACE PLAYERS PERIOD. I’d rather have Malice in the Palace pt2 than ever see this again,” one fan wrote . “That’s insane that any officer on the field thought that was necessary,” another added . “Suspended both coaches. Control your teams,” one user chimed in . “Those police officers need to be held accountable,” another stated . “’Protecting and serving,’” quipped another . “That’s too much, you can’t mace student athletes. This will be a story and people will be fired,” remarked one fan . The macing doesn’t seem to be a targeted incident against Michigan as multiple reports indicated some Ohio State players were also maced as well. Related: Sherrone Moore’s Behavior After Michigan Upset No. 2 Ohio State Turns HeadsDecember 2 - San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and top backup Jordan Mason are being placed on injured reserve. McCaffrey left the snowy field in Buffalo on Sunday night after a 5-yard gain that was preceded by him heading to the sideline in apparent pain at the end of an 18-yard run. McCaffrey was diagnosed with a posterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and did not play in the second half. The 49ers also lost Jordan Mason, who emerged in a starting role with McCaffrey out the first two months of the season, to an ankle injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Mason has a high-ankle sprain, which typically requires a recovery window of 4-6 weeks. Those moves push rookie Isaac Guerendo into the RB1 spot. He scored the team's only touchdown at Buffalo. The IR slots in San Francisco are manned by multiple starters, including wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Mason had a team-leading 789 rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. Being placed on IR means he's not eligible to play until the regular-season finale at Arizona. McCaffrey had 53 yards on seven carries on Sunday night and caught two passes for 14 yards before exiting. He was playing in just his fourth game of the season after missing the first eight because of Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey was the NFL Offensive Player of the Year last season, when he led the league with 2,023 yards from scrimmage: a league-leading 1,459 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns plus 67 catches for 564 yards and seven scores. McCaffrey hasn't scored a touchdown in his four appearances this season. He has rushed for 202 yards on 50 carries and caught 15 passes for 146 yards. "It was frustrating," Shanahan said after the game. "He had a great week of practice and I could feel his urgency and stuff and thought he came out great, looking really good, and it looked like he just got his shoestring there. ... I hurt for him, and tough for our team not having him." The 49ers (5-7) played without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) in the 35-10 loss. San Francisco has lost three in a row heading into next Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears (4-8) in Santa Clara, Calif. San Francisco resides two games behind the NFC West-leading Seattle Seahawks (7-5) with five games remaining on the schedule. Seattle and San Francisco split their season series. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab