Federal prosecutors seek records from company that deployed AI weapons scanner on NYC subwayBaylor celebrated Jake Spavital’s first anniversary as offensive coordinator with a bang. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin hauls in his first touchdown reception of the day after getting past Kansas safety Marvin Grant in the first quarter. Three thoughts from Baylor’s 45-17 win over Kansas Saturday afternoon at McLane Stadium. The Bears racked up more than 600 yards of total offense, their most against a Big 12 team since 2016, in a 45-17 win over Kansas Saturday afternoon to finish the season on a six-game winning streak. “I think Spav has got a really good scheme,” Baylor head coach Dave Aranda said. “I think our speed and our athleticism at receiver is as good as any anywhere. And you’ve got tight ends that can go the distance, too. That’s a matchup problem. “I credit our recruiters, I credit Spav, I credit our playmakers. They all have to do their part to get what you’re getting right now.” Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s (center) Baylor offense rolled up a season-high total of 603 yards on Saturday. Baylor operated at peak efficiency in the regular-season win over Kansas, scoring on seven of its 10 drives, including all four full drives in the second half. The win marked the 14th straight win for the Bears over the Jayhawks, and Baylor improved to 12-0 against Kansas in games played in Waco. Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron leaps past Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson and Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs, left, in the first half. Baylor running back Bryson Washington motors past Kansas cornerback Jalen Todd in the second half. Washington topped 1,000 rushing yards on the season with his 192-yard performance on Saturday. In senior Monaray Baldwin (seven catches, 119 yards, two touchdowns) and junior Josh Cameron (eight catches, 102 yards, one touchdown), the Bears had two 100-plus yard receivers in a game for the first time since 2019. In freshman Bryson Washington (28 carries, 192 yards, two touchdowns) and sophomore Dawson Pendergrass (11 carries, 104 yards), Baylor had 100-plus yard rushers for the first time since 2021. Washington also broke the program record for rushing yards by a freshman while becoming the first freshman in program history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. “It was a blessing, honestly,” Washington said. “I’m so grateful for the O-line, the coaching staff and the guys around me, these guys push me to be the best I can be.” Junior quarterback Sawyer Robertson threw for 310 yards and four touchdowns, his third game of the year with over 300 yards passing and his sixth with at least three touchdown passes. “I couldn’t be happier to be where I’m at now with the teammates that I’m with, with the coaches that I’m with,” Robertson said “It’s just such a cool moment and I’m going to enjoy it, just because it’s not (promised).” Baylor's turnaround is the most underrated in all of college football, and Dave Aranda and the Bears deserve applause for their resurrection from the dead. Defensively, sixth-year senior Matt Jones finished with six tackles to get to an even 100 on the season. He and sophomore Keaton Thomas are the first pair of Baylor linebackers to both have at least 100 tackles in a season since 2012. “It’s just so cool to see just the tenacity,” sophomore linebacker Kyler Jordan said. “He’s playing more beat-up than anybody even knows and he doesn’t even show it. He cares so much about the team, not much about himself. To see him succeed the way he has this season is really, really cool.” Coming off a three-win season a year ago, Baylor needed to show improvement this season for Aranda to get off the hot seat. The Bears started 2-4 after dropping a heartbreaking game at Colorado, seeing a comeback fall short at home against BYU and getting blown out at Iowa State. The mood was understandably dire. Everyone on the team knew what kind of potential they had, and Saturday’s finale was the exclamation point at the end of a memorable year. Baylor Football: Highlights vs. Kansas | November 30, 2024 // via BaylorAthletics on YouTube “Everything the seniors have been through, from the Big 12 championship to (finishing) 3-9 to the 2-4 start to this season, I’m so happy for all of them,” Robertson said. “All of them have played an important part on this team. To finish the game good and to finish the season we did, it’s super special.” Baylor didn’t get off to the best of starts defensively, getting called for a 15-yard personal foul on the opening kickoff and giving up back-to-back plays for double-digit yards. But the Jayhawks missed the 38-yard field goal. Baylor, which allowed just 15 sacks coming into Saturday, gave up two on its opening drive. Neal found the end zone on a 19-yard rush to get the Jayhawks on the board first with just over five minutes left in the first quarter when a flag for holding was picked up. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson celebrates with running back Dawson Pendergrass after his third-quarter touchdown against Kansas. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin pulls in the Bears' first touchdown of the game over Kansas safety Marvin Grant to tie the score at 7. The Bears answered right back with a six-play, 75-yard drive that saw Robertson throw a perfect pass to Baldwin, who made an over-the-shoulder catch for a 36-yard touchdown to tie the game. Devyn Bobby came down with an interception for the second game in a row, and two plays later, Robertson and Baldwin linked up on basically the same play call as the first touchdown. Baylor safety Devyn Bobby, left, pulls down an interception while teammate safety Corey Gordon Jr. reacts to the play in the first half. Baylor continued to play bend-but-don’t-break defense and held Kansas to a field goal early in the second quarter before Robertson and Cameron linked up for a 14-yard score with six minutes left in the half. After completing his first 10 passes of the game, Robertson completed two of his final eight attempts in the first half. Robertson was sharp to start the second half, completing all three of his passes on a nine-play, 74-yard scoring drive to start the second half. His sixth-straight completion of the second half went for a 20-yard touchdown by Pendergrass. The Jayhawks tried to stop the momentum with a touchdown run by Lawrence Arnold with five minutes left in the third quarter, but Washington scored with a few seconds left in the third quarter and Isaiah Hankins hit a 40-yard field goal for Baylor with 10 minutes left to seal the win. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass cruises into the end zone past Kansas safety Marvin Grant and Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson, right, in the third quarter. “I’m proud of that team in the locker room there, just the grit that they showed,” Aranda said. “I told them to go through the season that we did and to continue to believe and to not let the outside get on the inside. Those things are just really hard.” The Bears finish the season at 9-4 overall and 6-3 in Big 12 play and will wait to find out their bowl fate on Dec. 8. “I’d like to go somewhere tropical,” senior defensive lineman Treven Ma’ae said. “They say, the more wins you have, the warmer the (bowl game locations are). So, I’d like that. I’m just blessed and grateful to be a part of this.” Baylor running back Bryson Washington (30) celebrates a third-quarter touchdown with teammate Matthew Klopfenstein (right). Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin hauls in his first touchdown reception of the day after getting past Kansas safety Marvin Grant in the first quarter. Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron leaps past Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson and Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs, left, in the first half. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson celebrates a scores against Kansas in the second half. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass scores past Kansas safety Marvin Grant in the second quarter. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass runs down the Kansas sideline in the second half. Pendergrass finished with 104 yards rushing and a touchdown catch. Baylor linebacker Matt Jones (2) recovers a fumble by Kansas’ tight end Tevita Ahoafi-Noa (88) in the first half. Baylor defensive lineman Jackie Marshall reacts to his sack of Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels in the first half. "I'm proud of that team in the locker room, just the grit that they showed," said Baylor head coach Dave Aranda. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin celebrates a first-quarter touchdown against Kansas with teammate Josh Cameron, right. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin pulls in the Bears' first touchdown of the game over Kansas safety Marvin Grant to tie the score at 7. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin scores his second touchdown of the day in the second quarter. Baylor fans cheer on the Bears in the first half at McLane Stadium. Baylor fans try to boost the Bears' recruiting efforts at McLane Stadium on Saturday. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin hauls in a 39-yard touchdown pass for his second score of the day in the second quarter. At right is Kansas safety Marvin Grant. Baylor defensive lineman Jackie Marshall (0) celebrates after stopping Kansas running back Devin Neal (bottom right) behind the line of scrimmage in the first half. Baylor's Kyler Jordan (40) tackles Kansas running back Devin Neal (4) behind the line of scrimmage in the second half. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin beats Kansas safety Marvin Grant for his second touchdown reception of the day early in the second quarter. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin (4) celebrates his second touchdown of the day with wide receiver Josh Cameron (34) in the second quarter. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda gets fired up after a play in the first half. Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron powers to the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter as Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson tries to bring him down. Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron scores a touchdown to put the Bears up 21-10 in the second quarter as Kansas defensive end DJ Warner (15) and cornerback Mello Dotson (3) look on. Baylor running back Bryson Washington scores a touchdown while defended by Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs in the third quarter. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass breaks a tackle by Kansas linebacker JB Brown for a 20-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass takes it to the house for a touchdown in the third quarter in front of Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass puts the Bears up 35-10 with a 20-yard touchdown reception in front of Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson (3) and safety Marvin Grant (4) in the third quarter. Baylor running back Bryson Washington scores against Kansas defensive tackle Kenean Caldwell (97) in the second half. Baylor running back Bryson Washington (30) celebrates a third-quarter touchdown with teammate Matthew Klopfenstein (right). Baylor safety Devyn Bobby (3) celebrates his first-half interception with teammate Lorando Johnson (18). The Bears converted the turnover into points to go up 14-7. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson, center, Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron, left, and Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin, right, celebrate after a Baldwin touchdown against Kansas in the first half. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin catches his second touchdown pass of the day in front of Kansas safety Marvin Grant in the second quarter. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass cruises into the end zone past Kansas safety Marvin Grant and Kansas cornerback Mello Dotson, right, in the third quarter. Baylor running back Bryson Washington motors past Kansas cornerback Jalen Todd in the second half. Washington topped 1,000 rushing yards on the season with his 192-yard performance on Saturday. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass runs through the tackle of Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs in the second half. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson celebrates with running back Dawson Pendergrass after his third-quarter touchdown against Kansas. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson celebrates with running back Dawson Pendergrass after his third-quarter touchdown against Kansas. Baylor running back Dawson Pendergrass celebrates a second-half touchdown with teammate Omar Aigbedion. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin greets Bears fans following the win over Kansas on Saturday. Quarterback Sawyer Robertson greets Baylor freshmen following the Bears' win over Kansas in their last regular season game on Saturday. Dave Aranda's Baylor Bears finished the regular season with an 8-4 record, going 6-3 in Big 12 play, after Saturday's win over Kansas. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin gets past Kansas safety Marvin Grant for a touchdown in the first half. With Saturday's win, Dave Aranda now has a 31-29 record at Baylor with his Bears headed to their third bowl game in five years. Los Angeles Dodgers star and World Series champion Max Muncy, a Baylor alumnus, and his family were honored before the game against Kansas. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda greets Kansas head coach Lance Leipold after the Bears' 45-17 win at McLane Stadium on Saturday. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda takes in the atmosphere at McLane Stadium following the Bears’ 45-17 win over Kansas on Saturday. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda takes in the atmosphere at McLane Stadium following the Bears' 45-17 win over Kansas on Saturday. Baylor running back Bryson Washington runs for extra yardage against Kansas in the second half. Bryson Washington rushed for 192 yards and four touchdowns on Saturday. Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin (4) reacts to his touchdown against Kansas in the first half with teammate Josh Cameron (34). Baylor wide receiver Monaray Baldwin breaks away from Kansas safety O.J. Burroughs, right, for a short run in the second half. Baylor running back Bryson Washington gets pulled down by Kansas tight end Carson Bruhn in the second half. Offensive coordinator Jake Spavital’s (center) Baylor offense rolled up a season-high total of 603 yards on Saturday. Baylor wide receiver Josh Cameron reacts to his first half touchdown against Kansas. Baylor defensive lineman Jackie Marshall, right, bring down Kansas running back Devin Neal in the first half. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson spring past Kansas cornerback Aundre Gibson for a gain in the first half. Baylor safety Devyn Bobby, left, pulls down an interception while teammate safety Corey Gordon Jr. reacts to the play in the first half. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson throws from the pocket in the first half against Kansas. Robertson threw four touchdown passes on Saturday. Baylor linebacker Matt Jones (2) recovers Kansas’ tight end Tevita Ahoafi-Noa (88) fumble in the first half. Baylor's Kyler Jordan (right) pulls down Kansas running back Devin Neal behind the line of scrimmage in the second half. A member of the Baylor Line holds up a Thanksgiving-themed sign for Sawyer Robertson. Be the first to know Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI — The general manager of a Kalamazoo gentleman’s club will take center stage in December by climbing onto the roof of the building and bundling up while camping out to raise money for kids. The creative fundraiser is going on at Deja Vu Showgirls, 1336 Ravine Rd., Suite C, in Kalamazoo. General Manager Holly Johnson is planning to stay on the roof of the venue for the club’s first annual Santa’s Little Heroes “roof sit” from Dec. 1 through Dec. 7. Johnson will remain on the roof, sleeping in a tent and braving the elements, until the fundraiser reaches its goal of $20,000, the business said. The funds will go toward providing local children in need with 500 holiday backpacks filled with toys and essential care items. “Our goal is to make this holiday season a little brighter for children who may not have the resources for a special Christmas,” Johnson said in a news release. “By living on the roof for a week, I’m hoping to inspire others to get involved and help us reach our goal of $20,000.” The backpacks will include crayons and coloring books, mittens, socks, toothbrushes, as well as toys — such as dinosaurs for boys and Barbies for girls, the company said. The community can donate directly to the club by calling 269-344-8104 or emailing nick@gobestbiz.com for more information on how to contribute. “I’m committed to staying on this roof through rain, snow or shine until we’ve raised the funds to help as many kids as possible,” Johnson said. Throughout the week, Deja Vu Showgirls’ social media platforms will stream Johnson’s progress on the roof. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter.
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By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Vance is taking on an atypical role as Senate guide for Trump nominees The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Mar-a-Lago scene is a far cry from Vance’s hardscrabble upbringing Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. Related Articles On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” Vance is making his voice heard as Trump stocks his Cabinet While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance will draw on his Senate background going forward Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.Once the final presents are unwrapped and the last holiday cookie crumbs vacuumed up, our attention shifts toward the new year and the infinite possibilities it represents. Maybe 2025 will be the year you finally take that dream vacation (seems unlikely) or get that raise you’ve been gunning for at work (not a chance). But before our eyes widen with ambition at the prospect of the new year’s fresh start, this quiet period before the calendar flips offers a time for deep personal reflection; a taking stock of life’s seasons and how we engage with the world and the people we love. Since that sounds kind of scary, I’ve instead devoted what limited mental bandwidth I have left to reflect on the past year in local music. Some cool stuff happened. We lost some really good people. And there are reasons to believe that the future is looking bright. By virtue (at least in part) of a few pop stars slipping into some Wranglers, 2024 was deemed a banner year for country music and Washington wasn’t left out in the rain, starting this spring when the Seattle area went from having just one country radio station to three literally overnight . When most people think of music from America’s upper left, country is not atop their minds. Yet, several country wave-makers emerged out of Washington this year, including Sunnyside’s Zach Top and the Kalama kid Tucker Wetmore . Now based in Nashville, the two breakout stars hail from different ends of the country spectrum. A reformed bluegrasser, Top’s '90s flavor strikes a throwback chord (which there’s clearly an appetite for), while Wetmore’s more of a pop-smart shape-shifter working with a contemporary palette. While each made their mark nationally, back in the 360, Snohomish rapper-turned-country-singer Antwane Tyler scored a legitimate regional hit — a woefully rare feat these days outside of KEXP’s rotation — with “Homesick,” an infectious modern country bop with electronic drums. At the start of 2024, who’d have predicted that the Washington song of the year would be a newfangled country ditty? Seattle clubs may not have experienced a country takeover to the degree that the Billboard charts did in 2024. But it was arguably the year of the underplay, with a number of big-time music stars taking the stage in comparably small Seattle venues given their stature. There was LCD Soundsystem’s four-night run at the Paramount Theatre, where an intimately folky Shawn Mendes held court on an acoustic tour of areas where he recorded his latest album. (The Canadian pop star cut some of the new stuff at Bear Creek in Woodinville.) In October, some zealous music writer , high off the smoke emanating from Jack White’s guitar, proclaimed the White Stripes co-founder’s incendiary Showbox date the show of the year, only for the Soundgarden guys to reunite on that hallowed stage for a charity gig two months later. Joined by vocal dynamo Shaina Shepherd — who delivered the performance of her career — and (for a couple songs) Duff McKagan, the Seattle rock heroes threw down in old-school, ultraheavy fashion to help support local families dealing with unfathomable medical expenses for their kids. While we’re on the hometown tip, let’s not forget when Robin Pecknold packed the pews at “dream venue” Town Hall, playing the coziest solo set with a bunch of Fleet Foxes rarities and charmed folk covers. Of course, the granddaddy of Seattle homecomings came when Pearl Jam’s Dark Matter Tour touched down in the band’s backyard this May. Armed with a sterling new album that netted the band its first Grammy nominations in 14 years , Eddie and the boys made their long-awaited Climate Pledge Arena debut , outfitted with some new-look visuals by Washington artist Rob Sheridan. During the two inspiring shows, the palatial arena had literally never sounded better. It’s always an event when the PJ machine is reactivated and “Dark Matter” — its in-the-moment recording sessions shepherded by young, hotshot producer Andrew Watt — is one of the best-received albums of the band’s later years. In many respects, running a music venue focused on presenting local artists has arguably never been more financially challenging. Between post-pandemic habits, reduced alcohol consumption and the rising costs of everything, the economic formula could use some adjustment. All that considered, it’s a welcome sign that Seattle saw more venue openings than closings this year. We’ll pour one out for all-ages favorite Cafe Racer, which packed up its Capitol Hill space for good in June, while having an NYE toast to Pioneer Square newcomers Baba Yaga and nonprofit jazz spot Seattle Jazz Fellowship . Meanwhile, Hillman City’s highly anticipated Black & Tan Hall — a cooperatively owned community performance space and restaurant — has steadily ramped up activity throughout the year, recently adding regular bar and restaurant hours. Across town, employees of singer-songwriter haven Conor Byrne staved off a closing threat , reopening the cozy pub as a co-op. The resiliency and push for alternative models offers proof that Seattle’s artistic spirit won’t be stamped out by the unforgiving forces of capitalism. Amid a remarkably crowded field of newcomer pop stars, Washington’s Benson Boone made one of the biggest songs of the year with “Beautiful Things,” a rafter-reaching pop rocker that was truly inescapable. With equally impressive vocal range and abdominal strength, the former Monroe High School diving team standout has made quite the splash since dropping out of “American Idol” to chase a music career outside of reality TV, eventually signing with Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds’ imprint. It has clearly paid off for the 22-year-old singer-songwriter, who’s up for best new artist at next year’s Grammys, making Boone the first local nominated for the prestigious award since Macklemore & Ryan Lewis in 2014. Still, the fact that it was Boone’s only nomination was kind of a snub for one of pop’s biggest breakouts this year. Nary a year passes without us losing essential figures who have made great contributions to the community. 2024 was no different with the passing of Quincy Jones — a true giant among giants in the entertainment industry — and renowned journalists Charles R. Cross and former Seattle Times critic Patrick MacDonald . While the individual losses are profound, collectively it’s a testament to the depth and richness of the Seattle music heritage, and a reminder that ultimately, it’s about the people who cherish it, drive it and continue its legacy. Though I’d long admired his work, I didn’t know Cross well. We exchanged occasional emails and had an overdue hangout when he accompanied me to one of Eddie Vedder’s Benaroya Hall concerts last year. But since his death, whenever I’ve found myself in the middle of a crowded venue for an event that’s coursing with that Seattle spirit, I can’t help but think to myself, “Charley would have loved this.” I look forward to having more of those moments in 2025.
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Hugh Grant ‘s career has entered what the actor himself coined the “freak show stage” of his career. From the oh-so-tiny Oompa Loompa in Wonka to the short-lived Edward Keplinger in The Regime , the seasoned British actor has departed from his romantic lead typecast. For his most recent leading role as Mr. Reed in Heretic , Grant traps two young Mormon missionaries in his basement game of faith and horror. Green-haired, dancing orange man aside, Mr. Reed is his most extreme role to date. Playing a man who traps women in cages is as large a departure as he can take, especially when his origins are largely rooted as charming leads in romantic comedies. And not just any romantic leads. Grant has starred in some of the most iconic romantic comedies: Edward Farris in Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility , William Thacker in Richard Curtis ‘ Notting Hill , Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral (the first of his three films with the famed romance director), David the Prime Minister in Curtis’ Love Actually . Essential to each of these roles, Grant’s charming smile and self-effacing mumble made him a heartthrob of the ’90s and ’00s. But a heartthrob is not exempt from their red flags. Like a wolf in a beloved Englishman’s clothing, Grant’s characters have always been more villainous than they appear. The actor’s breakthrough role as Charles in Four Weddings and a Funeral marked him as good-looking and disarmingly likable. Charles flipped a leading man’s role on his head, appearing as non-threatening and passive, his true motives often taking a backseat to politeness. However, for the friend who forgets rings, arrives late, pursues a woman in a relationship, and abandons his fiancée at the altar, suave and shy are not necessarily the first words that come to mind. Perhaps his most cardinal sin of all was committed in Notting Hill . How did he allow Julia Roberts walk out the door to be ambushed by the paparazzi?! Without her pants?! On multiple occasions, when given the opportunity to profess his feelings to his own heartthrob Anna (played by the real-life movie star Roberts), William chose silence and inaction. He even rejected Anna’s own proposal to pursue the relationship legitimately after he had spent an entire year forlorn about what could have been. Never establishing a backbone to communicate properly with the women he truly loves has perhaps been a throughline of Grant’s romantic career. Even his casting as Edward Farris in the 1995 Sense and Sensibility fits the bill, the price of his inactions and omissions being paid by the woman who loved him most. 11 Mr. Darcy Characters From Movies & TV, Ranked His most meaningful encounter in the film, in my opinion, came far too late. In the final act, Elinor Dashwood ( Emma Thompson ) realized that Farris had been engaged to and then married a woman of higher society. This was the engagement that Farris had failed to mention during the entirety of their courtship. The man was shelling out his monogrammed kerchiefs left and right. Unforgivable! Lastly, Curtis’ 2003 holiday rom-com Love Actually follows the love stories of 10 different individuals and those in their lives. “Love” is used liberally as Grant is one of the many male characters engaging in inappropriate romantic relationships with his own employees. Grant plays David, the Prime Minister, who initially resists the urge to act on his attraction to a junior member of staff, Natalie ( Martine McCutcheon ). While he presents himself as a moral politician, looking down on the U.S. President ( Billy Bob Thornton ) for making his own advances on Natalie, David acts on his attraction in the end nonetheless. While the pair ends up in a public, seemingly unproblematic relationship (for now) by the end of the film, we can’t overlook their checkered origins. Looking back, Grant has actually always played the villain. We just weren’t looking hard enough. More Headlines: ‘Interior Chinatown’: Taika Waititi & Jimmy O. Yang Talk Training for Kung Fu Scenes & More (VIDEO) Hallmark Fave Andrew Walker Goes Inside His Skincare Line and Shares Holiday Plans (VIDEO) ‘The View’ Cohosts Slam Trump Case Dismissals: ‘No Such Thing as Karma’ (VIDEO) When Will ‘The Talk’ Final Episode Air? All the Details on Its Last Week of Live Shows Wendy Williams’ Legal Guardian Shares Heartbreaking Health Update
The 15 Biggest Dance Music Stories of 2024The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, has cancelled the PhD programme of former assistant commissioner of police, Mohd Mohsin Khan, for allegedly raping a 26-year-old IIT-K research scholar. The action against the 2013 PPS officer came on the basis of a recommendation from DGP headquarters. Director of IIT Kanpur Manindra Agarwal told PTI that the institution received a letter from the police department stating that the NOC (No Objection Certificate) issued for Khan to pursue the PhD programme had been cancelled. "Soon after getting the letter, the institute also terminated the PhD programme of Mohd Mohsin Khan, the then ACP Kanpur. The written communication has been made regarding termination," Agarwal said. Also read: Girl child raped in UP's Basti; 3 boys aged 6-7 booked What were the allegations against Mohsin Khan? Mohsin Khan was pursuing his PhD in cybercrime and criminology from IIT-K. On December 24, the student lodged an FIR against Khan on charges of criminal intimidation and defaming her. Also read: ACP accused of sexual abuse by IIT Kanpur student IIT-Kanpur's PhD student had stated in her FIR that Khan threatened her with serious consequences and made objectionable posts with the intent to defame her by levelling fake charges. The student told the police that Khan befriended her by falsely claiming to be unmarried and established a relationship with her. He later pressured her for physical intimacy under the pretext of marriage. Also read: Uttar Pradesh: Grandfather, father, uncle arrested for allegedly raping minor She said Khan would harass her whenever she raised the topic of their marriage. She approached IIT Kanpur's administration for support. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional DCP (Traffic) Archana Singh has been constituted to probe the matter. "The SIT has been directed to conduct a detailed investigation and ensure the case is disposed of based on facts and evidence," deputy commissioner of police (south) Ankita Sharma had earlier said. Meanwhile, the SIT has given 48 hours to Mohsin Khan to record his statements in the case. With inputs from PTI
The 25+ best Wayfair Cyber Monday deals according to an interior designer — up to 80% offAmericans have been appalled by thousands of illegal immigrants — those granted temporary legal status or who crossed the border undetected — exacerbating homelessness and straining shelters, schools and social services budgets. President-elect Donald Trump promised aggressive deportations during his campaign, but he hardly has a mandate. He won the popular vote by 1.5 percentage points, and Republicans enjoy a House majority of only three seats. President Biden muffed the immigration issue by reversing most of Mr. Trump’s tough border policies — including requiring many migrants to wait in Mexico while their asylum claims could be heard. The Biden policy coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and economic disorder in much of Latin America, and the number of immigrants in the U.S. illegally surpassed 13 million. Hardly all deadbeats, many found work and proved vital to sustaining the robust 2.5% pace of economic growth we enjoyed in the Trump and Biden years, compared with the 1.9% accomplished during the Bush-Obama era. After the pandemic shutdowns, the economy rapidly recovered and was at full employment in the summer of 2023. Over the next year, it added 195,000 jobs a month, when indigenous population growth and legal immigration could support only about 80,000 a month. Illegal immigrants made up the difference, account for half of agricultural workers and are prominently represented in the building trades, hospitality and day care for children and older adults. Vice President-elect J.D. Vance argues that these workers could be replaced by offering Americans higher wages, but that’s silly. In an economy with just 7 million job-seekers, it’s highly problematic to visualize how more than 1 million Americans could be motivated to take backbreaking jobs picking avocados and lettuce in the Central Valley of California, packing meat in Iowa or milking cows in Wisconsin. The combination of workers deported, fleeing to Canada or going into hiding would create significant food shortages and the kind of grocery price inflation suffered during and after the COVID shutdowns. It would force many women to quit the workforce for lack of child care. Familiar faces would disappear at supermarkets, restaurants and dry cleaners, while the pace of inflation, which appears to be settling at about 2.5%, would jump to 4.5%. Economic growth would slow dramatically and retirement security impaired by an anemic stock market. Workers in immigrant-dominated occupations would get pay raises that exceed the rate of inflation. But for Americans employed in other industries, moribund or nonexistent growth would spell more joblessness and wages lagging inflation like the years following the COVID shutdowns. The cost of mass deportation could reach $900 billion — enough to build nearly 3 million homes or 43,450 elementary schools. The incoming Trump administration is misreading its mandate. Americans may want the border and immigration laws tightly enforced, but according to a recent Pew Trust poll, 64% of Americans favor letting illegal immigrants who are already here stay if they meet conditions such as passing a background check. Seeing real incomes fall, shortages of basic services such as child care, elder care, home and office cleaners and counter help at fast-food places — and draconian images of the National Guard and sheriff’s deputies dragging immigrants from their workplaces and homes — would surely make the latter statistic rocket and permit Mr. Trump’s critics to paint him as a fascist. With only a slim Republican majority in the House, prospects for a good deal of his other economic and foreign policy priorities would be impaired. In the propaganda competition with China and Russia for influence in emerging nations, the American brand of champion of human rights would be severely damaged. Our current system permits too few legal immigrants, creating worker shortages, including in the tech sector. It is too biased toward family reunification, which can be abused through chain immigration and a diversity lottery. Instead, we should increase quotas enough to ensure 1 million to 1.5 million more workers a year. Like Canada, we should screen applicants primarily on the basis of their prospective contribution to the economy — prioritize those applicants filling needed employment categories. Let employers sponsor workers but pay a significant fee to be set by auction — the proceeds could be used to assist local governments with resettlement costs. Employers should be required to guarantee work for a minimum period of perhaps a year or two, subject to safeguards to prevent churning. It’s not just blue-collar and low-wage occupations that suffer shortages, and bigger quotas for engineers and other technology workers would likely accelerate growth in ways we have not calculated. Raising the cost to employers of immigrant workers through auctioned licenses would greatly reduce their incentive to turn to immigrants to avoid paying native-born Americans and green card holders higher wages. Stronger growth would raise real incomes for most everyone and help create more secure retirements through a higher worker-to-reitree ratio and a stronger stock market. . Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. .