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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Amar'e Marshall scored 17 points as Albany beat Puerto Rico-Mayaguez 93-50 on Friday. Marshall also contributed five assists for the Great Danes (4-1). Byron Joshua added 13 points while going 4 of 4 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while he also had five assists and five steals. Aaron Reddish shot 4 of 7 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state’s alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. RELATED COVERAGE Kentucky attorney general targets another big pharmacy benefit manager in opioid-related lawsuit Louisville police officer alleges discrimination over his opinion on Breonna Taylor’s killing Former Kentucky sheriff pleads not guilty in the fatal courthouse shooting of a judge The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold,” Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at ABC.ky.gov. Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Until this year’s change in the law, Kentucky regulators were required to destroy confiscated alcohol once a case was closed, the agency said. “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says.It has become more common of late to check the news and see headlines about drought, flooding, hurricanes, groundwater depletion, fire and other climate disasters, the vast majority of which are water-related. According to the , the U.S. now experiences an average of $1 billion in climate disasters every three weeks. The country is also ahead of that number for 2024. , 19 confirmed $1 billion climate disasters had occurred, including 15 severe storms, one tropical cyclone, one wildfire and two winter storms. This alarming frequency underscores the urgent need for action. We live in a new climate where flooding, storms, and fire are no longer “one-off" emergencies. They are consistent and often catastrophic in scale and damage. Within this new reality, state CIOs have an evolving role to play. Leaders responsible for managing agencies must adopt a new mindset focused on resilience, with water challenges at the forefront of their thinking. Questions like, “How might water-related disasters impact my constituents and agency operations?” and “Where is my agency vulnerable to water-related disasters that could affect infrastructure, resources, transportation, emergency services, and constituent safety?” should be central to both short- and long-term planning. Given the breadth and depth of their role, CIOs are uniquely positioned to build resiliency within and across agencies in state government. Technology and information are essential to solving issues and driving outcomes, allowing CIOs to unite organizations through collective understanding and cohesive action. CIOs were forced to adapt quickly during the pandemic, building new systems and tools that kept agencies running as the world adjusted to a “new normal.” This experience not only demonstrated CIOs' adaptability but also their potential to drive significant change. With the same ingenuity and enterprise mindset, we can lead our agencies toward a climate-resilient future, empowering us to make a real difference. Water is fundamental for any community, government, business or individual. As weather patterns become more erratic and severe, CIOs must adopt an innovative, enterprise mindset that leads to novel approaches to solving water-related challenges. They can start with understanding the most pressing community and constituent needs and working backward to build IT solutions rather than starting with technology to fit constituent needs to help ensure a resilient and prosperous future for all.Traffic enforcement cameras are on the rise. Here's where.
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BOISE — Idaho lawmakers are grappling with ways the state could benefit from generative artificial intelligence, how to put safeguards on it, and how or whether to try and regulate the use of it in the private sector. The interim legislative AI work group met for the second time Tuesday to hear from industry and government resources as the members prepare to potentially bring policy recommendations in January. “We’re using it in state government in one form or another today, and ... this is with the absence of guidance, the absence of a framework, the absence of guardrails,” Idaho Chief Information Officer and Administrator Alberto Gonzalez told the committee Tuesday. The state IT office conducted an AI survey this year, and of the nearly 3,000 employees from 45 agencies who responded, 23% said their agency was currently using a form of generative AI and another 23% were exploring options to do so. Most respondents said they used AI for content creation and process automation, Gonzalez said. The biggest concern of respondents was data privacy as well as ethical and regulatory and compliance issues. Gonzalez told lawmakers he sees a lot of potential to improve efficiency with AI tools, but there’s a need for rules and guidelines around its use. There’s also concerns about it replacing jobs, he said. Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, said his No. 1 priority is putting regulations on the technology’s use, but second is improving training so state employees can up-skill instead of being replaced. States across the nation are tackling the rising technology, according to staff from the National Conference of State Legislatures. “At NCSL, we’ve tracked AI-specific legislation over the past six years, and as you can imagine, the number of bills introduced in this time has increased substantially,” said Chelsea Canada, NCSL program principal for financial services, technology and communications. “With no major federal legislative enactments focusing on regulating AI use and/or protecting people from potential harms of AI and other automated systems, states are moving ahead to address potential harms from these technologies.” Idaho has enacted laws requiring disclosure in deceptive AI-generated electioneering content and prohibiting AI-created child pornography. Nationwide, there were 450 bills and resolutions related to AI introduced this year, Canada said. Most of the proposed legislation centered on government use closely followed by private-sector use. Most of the legislation that has been enacted falls within three categories: studying and overseeing the technology, government use, and targeted legislation toward specific uses, such as in health care, Canada said. Google’s Director of Customer Engineering for the Public Sector Chris Hein told lawmakers about AI tools aimed at public sector use and what kinds of safeguards the company puts in place. Lawmakers on Tuesday also heard about ethical considerations from Jim Berg, a Meridian resident who retired in 2020 after a career as a sales executive for tech companies such as Micron and NVIDIA, according to his LinkedIn page. Berg predicted a continued skyrocketed trajectory of AI technology’s improvement and its potential disruption to society. Berg and Hein both spoke to newer technology called “agent AI,” which does not generate content but can take actions and “make decisions,” within the parameters of its designated job. “It has the ability to create and execute very complex tasks,” Berg said. He said without rules surrounding ethics in the field, the tool’s ethical framework will depend on the developer creating it. His recommendation was to create an “ethics dashboard,” in which rules can be established and then an AI tool being used could be asked how it is applying the rules. He advocated for a Biblical perspective when creating the framework. “When you understand what you want your rules to be, my prayer is that it would be the Bible, but once you know what that looks like, you actually have to measure it and ask AI questions to see how it's being used in the environment that it’s in,” Berg told lawmakers. Committee co-Chair Jeff Ehlers, R-Meridian, told members to bring policy ideas to the next meeting, which will likely take place in January. The 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 6.The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers both have won four in a row and eight of their last 10 games. One Pacific Division power will continue its ascent at the other's expense on Saturday afternoon when they meet in Edmonton. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Cardlytics reports that card-linked cash-back offers represent a strategic stocking stuffer for smart shoppers navigating the expensive holiday landscape. Click for more. Holiday spending hacks: How to unwrap savings without sacrificing festive cheer
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Sparks scores 20 off the bench, Ball State knocks off Evansville 80-43None
MONROE, La. (AP) — Robert Davis Jr.'s 32 points led Old Dominion over UL Monroe 80-75 in overtime on Saturday. Davis shot 8 of 17 from the field, including 7 for 14 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 12 from the line for the Monarchs (4-8, 1-0 Sun Belt Conference). Sean Durugordon scored 15 points while shooting 4 of 11 from the field and 6 for 6 from the line and added five rebounds. R.J. Blakney had 11 points and went 5 of 11 from the field (0 for 4 from 3-point range). Old Dominion led 68-63 with 21 seconds left in regulation but the Warhawks came up with a Jacob Wilson 3-pointer, a Jalen Bolden steal and two free throws by Bolden to force overtime. In OT, Davis hit a tying 3-pointer with 1:09 to go and the Monarchs held the Warhawks scoreless over the final 97 seconds. The Warhawks (4-10, 0-1) were led by Wilson, who recorded 23 points, six rebounds and three steals. Bolden added 17 points and two steals for UL Monroe. Tyreese Watson finished with 14 points and six assists. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressEducators press lawmakers for support
U.S. Rolls Out a $4.745 Billion Chips Investment BoostIdaho lawmakers look to recommend AI policiesPatterson scores 33, Northwestern State takes down Southern University at New Orleans 89-79
Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy weekFRO stock touches 52-week low at $18.26 amid market shiftsOnline auction of confiscated booze features hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbons
Potter scores 19 as Miami (OH) knocks off Sacred Heart 94-76Facing record-breaking heat and a dwindling water supply, Utah farmers are experimenting with innovative crops to sustain agriculture in the arid West. Rancher Matt Redd, who operates Dugout Ranch near Canyonlands National Park, is among those leading the charge. On Redd's ranch, one field grows alfalfa under wheel line irrigation, while an adjacent field is planted with Kernza, a drought-tolerant grain that requires far less water. Even during Utah's scorching summer, Redd didn't irrigate the Kernza crop from July to September. "It looks good. It looks productive," he told local radio station KUER. "And it's taken less than half the water we've used on our irrigated pasture." Developed by Kansas-based agricultural researchers at The Land Institute, Kernza offers a sustainable alternative to traditional grains. Its roots stretch over 10 feet deep, enabling it to survive prolonged droughts, improve soil health and prevent erosion. Unlike annual crops like wheat, Kernza is a perennial, eliminating the need for yearly replanting and reducing diesel fuel use. The grain has already found its way into consumer products, from cereals to beer, offering new markets for farmers. Redd, who also serves as the project director for The Nature Conservancy's Canyonlands Research Center, is testing Kernza on his ranch to assess its potential for large-scale use in Utah. "Its potential to be both a grazing forage crop as well as a hay crop that uses less water—and takes less fossil fuels to plant—makes it a really good candidate for agriculture adapting to climate change in the Southwest," Redd said. However, challenges remain, not least the higher cost of Kernza seeds and the fact that they take longer to establish than other crops. Late last year, Redd planted his first 20 acres of Kernza and plans to expand with another field next spring. The success or failure of these experiments could play a vital role in encouraging other farmers in the region to abandon water-guzzling crops like alfalfa. The Colorado River, a vital water source for more than 40 million people that feeds Lake Powell and Lake Mead , has struggled in recent decades as agriculture and other water demands have piled up. Irrigation uses more than half of the river's water, according to data shared by NASA and published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment earlier this year. Alfalfa and other hay-like cattle feed consume most of that share—nearly a third of the river's total flow. "It's well known that crop irrigation is the largest water user worldwide," Laura Rocchio wrote for NASA. "The Colorado River Basin is no different; crops consume three times more water than all other direct human uses combined (municipal, commercial and industrial)." Redd envisions crops like Kernza, combined with advancements in irrigation technology, as key to securing the future of farming in Utah. He added, "There's no single silver bullet that will solve the challenges we face in this changing world. But this is one piece of the puzzle that can help agriculture remain sustainable." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about the Colorado River? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.Casino Plus celebrates unprecedented wins in Color Game Big Win Jackpot
Boeing's ( BA 0.17% ) announcement of a significant 737 MAX order from Pegasus Airlines is big news. It's a vote of confidence in the airplane and Boeing's ability to deliver it, and it helps highlight the bullish cash for the stock in 2025. Boeing has no easy or quick fixes, but most of its issues and solutions lie in its own hands, and the recent news supports the idea that a recovery is around the corner. Boeing's orders in 2024 Pegasus made a firm order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes and can order a further 100. To put the importance of the order into context, consider that until the end of November, Boeing had only received 314 gross orders on the 737 year to date. The following chart doesn't include the Pegasus order, so you can graphically extrapolate the importance of an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX airplanes in the battle over narrowbody orders with Airbus . Why Boeing fell behind Airbus in the narrowbody market The order is a shot in the arm for Boeing, not least because its recent issues have caused it to fall behind its rival, Airbus, in the key narrowbody market. The high-profile crashes in 2018 and 2019 were partly related to its flight stabilization system (MCAS) and caused the 737 MAX to be grounded from March 2019 to December 2020. If that wasn't bad enough, the pandemic came along in 2020, and the 737 MAX suffered a high-profile blowout in early January 2024, leading management to address manufacturing quality fundamentally. Throw in a costly labor contract negotiation, which led to strike action – potentially causing airlines to delay orders– and it's clear that the 737 MAX has lost out to the Airbus A320neo in the current generation of narrowbody airplanes. I'll return to that point in a moment. The order gives confidence While one order, irrespective of its size, isn't going to be a game-changer in itself, it highlights the potential at Boeing. That starts with executing its unfilled orders, which stood at 6,268 (including 4,818 Boeing 737s) at the end of November. Aside from the quality control issues at Boeing, there was also the concern that airlines would fail to place orders due to a lack of confidence in Boeing's ability to deliver. Those concerns are understandable when looking at just how Boeing's 737 production and delivery rates have slowed due to the need to reassess quality management and strike action. As a reminder, Boeing's original intention was to get to a stable rate of 38 a month on the 737 MAX in the year's second half. That's something that will have to wait until 2025. Still, the Pegasus deal helps allay those fears. Where will Boeing be in 2025? Despite all the difficulties in recent years and the disappointing deliveries in 2024, Boeing's orders haven't dried up, and the company still has a backlog that management can deliver on. As noted earlier, Boeing has fallen behind Airbus in the current generation of narrowbodies, but that's arguably already reflected in the share price. Nobody expects Boeing to suddenly trump Airbus in the narrowbody market, but it doesn't necessarily need to do so for the stock to outperform. Buying a stock is about buying value rather than, in this case, a vote on who has won the narrowbody airplane war. The primary long-term target is to ramp up 737 MAX and 787 widebody production and deliveries while delivering the new 777X. At the same time, Boeing needs to return its defense business to profitability. These are the keys to unlocking shareholder value . All of these things will improve Boeing's financial position, enabling it to develop a new airplane for the next generation of airplanes. As CEO Kelly Ortberg outlined on an earnings call, "Boeing is an airplane company, and at the right time in the future, we need to develop a new airplane. But we have a lot of work to do before then." Next year, Ortberg will aim to set Boeing on that path, but there won't be a pathway unless Boeing continues to win orders and carry the confidence of the airline industry, and that's what the Pegasus order helps to affirm.FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state's alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold," Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at ABC.ky.gov . Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can't miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Previously, confiscated bourbon or other spirits could end up being destroyed, he said. “We don't like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says.
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. (AP) — Trey Robinson had 20 points in Northern Kentucky's 58-47 win over South Carolina State on Saturday. Robinson added five rebounds for the Norse (7-6). Sam Vinson scored 12 points and added five rebounds. Randall Pettus II shot 3 for 9, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc to finish with eight points. Colin McKenzie led the Bulldogs (6-8) in scoring, finishing with 13 points. Omar Croskey added eight points for South Carolina State. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressSpaceX launching 30 satellites on Bandwagon-2 rideshare mission early Dec. 21Pro Medicus shares higher on $30m contract win
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