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The record will show that tight end Trey McBride had a great season, Marvin Harrison Jr. has a promising future, the Cardinals' defense played over its head for much of the year and Arizona was almost a good football team in 2024. Key word — almost. A frustrating stretch continued on Saturday when the Cardinals (7-9) lost 13-9 to the host Los Angeles Rams . Arizona was pushing for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, but Kyler Murray's pass took an unlucky bounce off McBride's helmet and LA's Ahkello Witherspoon made a spectacular grab for the interception, snagging the ball just before it hit the turf. “I think we can compete with anybody, but again, that doesn’t count,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s about winning and losing, you what I mean? I just got to do a better job, but I know they’re doing the right things.” The Cardinals did a lot of things right against the Rams. Despite being eliminated from the postseason, Arizona competed hard. Murray completed 33 of 48 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown — but also had two interceptions. McBride caught 12 passes for 123 yards, including his first TD catch of the year. Harrison had one of his best games with six catches for 96 yards. “I’m going to choose to be positive about it,” Murray said. “I see a light at the end of that tunnel. I think we’re a couple plays away, a couple of plays away from being a 10-win team or right where we want to be, going to the playoffs or winning the division.” The Cardinals' defense played well for most of the game, limiting the Rams to 257 yards. But in the end, it was another loss. The Cardinals have dropped five of six after starting 6-4. “I know we’re close, man, and I know it’s hard to see that,” Gannon said. “For me, that’s hard to take on the chin but we’ll get better from it. We’ll get better.” What’s working The Murray-to-Harrison connection was much better on Saturday, producing several big plays. Gannon challenged Harrison to be more physical against opposing defensive backs last week, and the receiver responded, looking much more like the player the Cardinals expected when they selected him with the No. 4 overall pick. “I think the physicality of it, coming from college to the league, guys don’t realize how physical you can be when you get to the league,” Murray said. “He's going to be big time.” What needs help After doing a great job of taking care of the ball over the first 11 games, Murray has thrown seven interceptions over the past five. A few of those came in late-game situations when he had to take a chance and force a pass, but it's still not a good trend. Stock up McBride had his third 100-yard game of the season, showing sure hands and fighting through contact for extra yards. The third-year player has 1,081 yards receiving this season, becoming just the second tight end in franchise history to exceed 1,000 yards. The other was Hall of Famer Jackie Smith, who had 1,205 yards in 1967. He has 104 catches and is just the 10th tight end in NFL history to top 100 in a season. Stock down Arizona's special teams have been very good for most of the year, but Los Angeles' block of an extra point attempt by Chad Ryland in the third quarter proved costly. If the Cardinals had trailed by three points on the final drive instead of four, they would have had the option of kicking a tying field goal in the final minute. Injuries RB James Conner tried to battle through a knee injury against the Rams, but gained just 4 yards on the ground. His status for the season's final game is uncertain. LB Joey Blount (ribs) and CB Elijah Jones (ankle) were inactive. Key number 822 — Harrison's receiving yards on the season. That ranks third for a rookie in franchise history behind Anquan Boldin (1,377 in 2003) and Frank Sanders (883 in 1995). Next steps Arizona's final game will be at home on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also eliminated from the playoff race. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl David Brandt, The Associated PressHow co-writing a book threatened the Carters' marriage NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. Canadian Press Dec 29, 2024 2:19 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message This combination of book cover images shows some of the many books authored by President Jimmy Carter, top row from left, "An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood," "Christmas in Plains: Memories," "The Nobel Peace Prize Lecture," "The Hornet's Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War," "Sharing Good Times," "Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis," and "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," bottom row from left, "Beyond the White House," "A Remarkable Mother," "We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work," "White House Diary" (FSG), "A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power," "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety," and "Faith: A Journey for All." (Simon & Schuster/FSG via AP) NEW YORK (AP) — No ex-president had a more prolific and diverse publishing career than Jimmy Carter . His more than two dozen books included nonfiction, poetry, fiction, religious meditations and a children’s story. His memoir “An Hour Before Daylight” was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002, while his 2006 best-seller “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” stirred a fierce debate by likening Israel’s policies in the West Bank to the brutal South African system of racial segregation. And just before his 100th birthday, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation honored him with a lifetime achievement award for how he wielded "the power of the written word to foster peace, social justice, and global understanding.” In one recent work, “A Full Life,” Carter observed that he “enjoyed writing” and that his books “provided a much-needed source of income.” But some projects were easier than others. “Everything to Gain,” a 1987 collaboration with his wife, Rosalynn, turned into the “worst threat we ever experienced in our marriage,” an intractable standoff for the facilitator of the Camp David accords and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to Carter, Rosalynn was a meticulous author who considered “the resulting sentences as though they have come down from Mount Sinai, carved into stone.” Their memories differed on various events and they fell into “constant arguments.” They were ready to abandon the book and return the advance, until their editor persuaded them to simply divide any disputed passages between them. “In the book, each of these paragraphs is identified by a ‘J’ or an ‘R,’ and our marriage survived,” he wrote. Here is a partial list of books by Carter: “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President” “The Blood of Abraham: Insights into the Middle East” (With Rosalynn Carter) “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life” “An Outdoor Journal: Adventures and Reflections” “Turning Point: A Candidate, a State, and a Nation Come of Age” “Always a Reckoning, and Other Poems” (With daughter Amy Carter) “The Little Baby Snoogle-Fleejer” “Living Faith” “The Virtues of Aging” “An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood” “Christmas in Plains: Memories” “The Hornet’s Nest: A Novel of the Revolutionary War” “Our Endangered Values: America’s Moral Crisis” “Faith & Freedom: The Christian Challenge for the World” “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid” “A Remarkable Mother” “Beyond the White House” “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” “White House Diary” “NIV Lessons from Life Bible: Personal Reflections with Jimmy Carter” “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power” “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety” The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News Charles Shyer, ‘Father of the Bride’ and ‘Baby Boom’ filmmaker, dies at 83 Dec 29, 2024 2:26 PM 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Dec 29, 2024 9:55 AM 'Sonic 3' and 'Mufasa' battle for No. 1 at the holiday box office Dec 29, 2024 9:02 AM Featured Flyer
Unhoused people in Los Angeles' Skid Row last month. Ringo Chiu/AP Homelessness in America reached the highest level on record last year, according to new data released by the Department of Housing and Urban Development—and it will likely only get worse, in light of both a Supreme Court decision issued in June and President-elect Donald Trump’s forthcoming presidency. The annual report —which estimates the number of people staying in shelters, temporary housing, and on the streets on a single night—found more than 770,000 people experiencing homelessness on a single night this past January, up 18 percent from a night in January 2023. The increase in the rate of families experiencing homelessness was even steeper, rising 39 percent from 2023 to 2024. And there was a 33 percent increase in children experiencing homelessness, bringing the amount recorded earlier this year to nearly 150,000 kids. (Experts say the numbers are likely an undercount.) HUD attributes this rise to “significant increases in rental costs, as a result of the pandemic and nearly decades of under-building of housing,” as well as natural disasters—such as the deadly August 2023 Maui wildfires —that destroyed housing. Other factors include “rising inflation, stagnating wages among middle- and lower-income households, and the persisting effects of systemic racism [that] have stretched homelessness services systems to their limits,” the report says. (Black people remain overrepresented, accounting for 12 percent of the US population but 32 percent of those experiencing homelessness, according to the report.) California and New York had the highest numbers of people experiencing homelessness. Some of the nationwide increase, the report notes, was also due to “a result of [communities’] work to shelter a rising number of asylum seekers.” In New York City , for example, asylum seekers accounted for almost 88 percent of the increase in sheltered homelessness. HUD points out that the counts were conducted after Republicans in Congress blocked a bipartisan Senate deal that would have funded border security and before President Joe Biden’s border crackdown via executive action—a reference Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) aimed to use to his advantage. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, responded on X that this was a “misdiagnosis of its causes,” adding that he has a report forthcoming on “this easy scapegoating of migrants for the homelessness crisis.” Despite the bleakness of the data, there were some signs of progress: Homelessness among veterans dropped to the lowest number on record: 32,882—an 8 percent decrease from 2023. The report also spotlights a few places ( Dallas , Los Angeles , and Chester County, Pennsylvania) that saw significant decreases in people experiencing homelessness thanks to targeted efforts to increase the availability of housing and other supportive services. Still, it’s hard not to see the data as an indictment of one of the world’s wealthiest nations, where basic necessities— housing , food , and healthcare —are out of reach to many low- and middle-income families. And, as the report intimates, it is likely that people experiencing homelessness will face even greater challenges in light of Grants Pass v. Johnson , the June Supreme Court decision that essentially greenlit the criminalization of homelessness. (As I have reported , domestic violence prevention advocates expect the ruling will be catastrophic for survivors, given the role abusive relationships can play in driving victims to homelessness.) Ann Olivia, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement she hopes the data will spur lawmakers “to advance evidence-based solutions to this crisis.” (Vice President Kamala Harris made new housing construction a key part of her campaign.) Some Democrats agree that politicians have to act—and fast: “As housing prices increase, homelessness increases,” Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) posted in response to the same AP article . “Homelessness is a housing problem.” But don’t hold your breath: Trump’s acolytes have signaled their desires to slash the social safety net and enact mass deportations of undocumented people, which experts have said will likely exacerbate the housing crisis given the role immigrants play in the construction industry. The closest his budding administration has come to offering a solution is VP-elect JD Vance’s claim that mass deportations will solve the housing shortage by freeing up units.
Yuewen Music Festival received scathing reviews from attendees after the first of its three-day event at Siloso Beach, Sentosa, on Dec 28. The festival, organised by Chinese entertainment company Yuewen Group, has two more days to go on Dec 29 and 31, but attendees on the first day are already calling it a disaster on social media platforms including Reddit, Xiaohongshu, Instagram and TikTok. The festival features a slate of Asian acts. On Dec 28, the line-up included Taiwanese Mandopop singers Maggie Chiang and Lala Hsu, K-pop girl groups Kiss Of Life, Itzy and Red Velvet’s sub-unit Irene & Seulgi, and Thai singer-actor idols Billkin Putthipong Assaratanakul and PP Krit Amnuaydechkorn. Trouble reportedly started midway through Chiang’s set, when a lightning warning was issued. Attendees were evacuated from the event area, and Chiang’s set was cut short. Netizens said they understood safety concerns regarding the weather, but one TikTok user claimed that Yuewen had “no wet weather plan”. While Yuewen’s official Instagram account stated that holders of standard passes to the event were supposed to be able to take shelter at the Sapphire Pavilion at Siloso Beach, several attendees reported that they were ushered out onto the road, where there was no shelter available. A Reddit user on the Singapore Raw forum alleged that organisers exposed attendees to a lightning risk and called the festival the “worst event” the user had attended. Singaporean contestant Yang Yan on Starlight Boys eliminated Many standard-pass ticket holders also said they were made to queue and go through bag checks again when re-entering the event, after the lightning warning was lifted. This caused a long line to form outside the entrance, and several fans of K-pop girl group Kiss Of Life – the first group to perform after the event resumed – said they missed the quartet’s show while being stuck in the re-entry queue. A post shared by Yuewen Official (@officialyuewen) One user on Yuewen’s Instagram account wrote: “Ridiculous that you dispersed people in the queue due to the lightning warning and when resumed, (the) show started immediately with lots of people still waiting for entry outside.” Another user said: “Came for Kiss Of Life, but couldn’t even get in during the performance because of horrible management (of the event).” Some also complained that during Thai singer PP Krit’s set, part of his performance was blocked by rain tents the organisers had set up onstage. The event did not allow attendees to take along umbrellas or water bottles, but also did not provide rain ponchos or drinking water. According to a Xiaohongshu user, ponchos reportedly cost $12, while a cup of water reportedly cost $5. Many netizens were also upset with the number of advertisements that ran between acts, with some saying that 10 to 30 minutes of advertisements for sponsors and Yuewen’s own works played between the performances. One comment written in Chinese on Yuewen’s Instagram account read: “We bought tickets to watch the artistes’ perform, we’re not here to watch your advertisements.” Prices ranged from $208 to $228 for a standard one-day ticket and $398 for a premium one-day ticket. The event had earlier been hit with criticisms. Its early-bird tickets were available from Oct 29 to Nov 9 at a 20 per cent discount, but a later sale – from Nov 29 to Dec 2 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday – offered tickets at up to 40 per cent off. The price difference angered many buyers of the early-bird tickets. A post shared by Akimoto Taiki (@akimototaiki) In response to the backlash, Yuewen Group issued a statement saying all outdoor performances, aside from the festival’s show on Dec 31, have to end by 10.30pm – which was why certain acts started their performances while many attendees were still waiting for re-entry. The group has added six extra tents to the main entrance, where standard-pass ticket holders can seek shelter in the event of an evacuation due to weather conditions, and handed out free ponchos on Dec 29 when it rained. The statement added: “In the event of unexpected weather, we will continue working with the police and the performing artistes’ teams to find solutions and ensure that every performance proceeds as scheduled.” More acts, including K-pop boy band BigBang’s Daesung and Taeyang, as well as Japanese pop diva Mika Nakashima are expected over the following days.
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To the editor, I am extremely disappointed in your new policy to not cover national politics. ADVERTISEMENT Many of the cabinet picks for the new president are totally unqualified and can’t pass a background check, yet will be rammed through without congressional approval. I can understand why Chuck Haga will not abide in this censorship. How can you be a newspaper without freedom of the press? Cheri Gunvalson Gonvick, MinnesotaFor the first time ever in their 10 season history, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks competed in the USL Championship title match, winning the cup 3-0. The team hosted Rhode Island FC at Weidner Field in front of a sold-out crowd and a national broadcast on CBS after a season of milestones. After winning the Western Conference Final at home for the first time in team history, the team had an opportunity that fans have only dreamed about for the past 10 seasons. The excitement that built up over the last week hit its peak Saturday morning as downtown Colorado Springs saw a sea of cyan and black hit the streets. Fans were lining up outside Weidner Field as early as 7:45 a.m. to celebrate and anticipate the 10 a.m. game kickoff, with the tailgate lot across the street beginning to fill up even earlier. Tim Owen, a board member for the Trailheads, the official supporters group for the Switchbacks, compared Saturday's game to the Colorado Springs equivalent of a Super Bowl. "I woke up happy, and getting up earlier on a weekend was totally worth it," Owen, who got up at 4:45 a.m. for the game, said. "It is definitely a different feel, it's like the Super Bowl of the USL here in the Springs." The Trailheads organized the tailgating lot, which was filled with excited fans decked out in face paint, glitter and even some hair dye. Brian Mcgary, who has been growing out his beard since the first game of the season, decided to dye it blue for Saturday's special game. "People make comments on it all the time, it makes people smile," Mcgary said with a laugh. "We make as much noise as possible inside, and it's a great release of the frustrations of a week to be able to just get out there, scream, and not have anybody looking at you like you're weird." Tailgaters were excited ahead of Saturday’s Switchbacks game! A major event for the team as they compete in the finals for the first time in their 10 seasons! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/LHzlCLeeIG It was a brisk morning ahead of the 10 a.m. start time for the soccer game, and merchandise tables surrounding Weidner Field were selling exclusion 10th season scarfs and shirts. According to the communications director Ashley Purslow, after winning the Western Conference Final, merch for the team was selling out quickly all week. Inside, it was a sold-out game, with standing room only tickets available in the days before the game. Purslow said the 8,000 tickets sold for the game originally sold out within 48 hours. An additional few hundred tickets were released just before Saturday, allowing even more of the community the chance to cheer on their home team. One long-time fan, Kristen Clingerman, got a little emotional when talking about the journey from the very first game the team ever played to Saturday's championship opportunity. "This is what we've been working for forever," Clingerman said. "Last game, I was just crying. We've been through thick and thin and this is so surreal." At nearly every Switchbacks game, one fan in particular stands out with his bright red hair and extravagant face paint both in tailgate lots and inside the stadium. Ben Currie, a member of the Kilted Hooligans, credits the team for many of the friends he has made over the years. "Every meaningful relationship I've built since I've moved out here comes from the stadium one way or the other," Currie said. "(The team) having massive success like this, when I'm kind of making some strides in my own life, it's a very cathartic feeling." Another fan in attendance also had a special story that started with him and his dad buying season tickets for the very first season of the Switchbacks. Jason Smith, who caught many other fans' attention with his costume for the game, cried all the way home after the team won the Western Conference Final. The team has a special place in his heart for helping him open up socially. Jason Smith, a longtime fan of the Switchbacks, drew lots of attention from other fans with his outfit for Saturday’s game! Had to snag a photo! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/8LxLWDBa3i "Everyone was so welcoming at the start, and we build and build over the years," Smith said. "It is just a family, we watch out for each other." In the last hour leading up to kick-off, excitement only continued to grow as DJs blasted music through the streets while a large group of supporters marched into Weidner Field. Supporters of the Switchbacks march into Weidner Field! @csgazette pic.twitter.com/I11P6JVnny At halftime, the Switchbacks were in the lead 2-0, holding complete control of the match in stoppage time. From outside the stadium, the cheers from fans echoed down the street as fireworks were shot off throughout the game. By the end of the game, the Switchbacks reached even more milestones by securing the cup and making Colorado Springs history. This season was previously tied with the 2022 season for the most home wins with 10 victories. That number officially jumped to 11 on Saturday afternoon. Energy from the fans was even higher following the conclusion of the match with the stadium erupting into cheers as the clock ran down. The ending score was 3-0. Even more fireworks launched into the sky with a cyan powder dusting the field. "The energy was palpable; I could feel it as soon as I walked in there," said Peter Burlingane, season ticket holder. "It's been amazing to watch this team. They started (shaky), and they went nine straight games unbeaten, and then they brought us to the championship and they brought home a cup."
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