Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931.Dialectics of a Different War: How Syria’s Collapse Could Impact Israel’s Nuclear Deterrence Against Iran
When Bashar al-Assad's government brutally cracked down on protesters in 2011, former President Barack Obama wanted to ramp up sanctions but faced a dilemma. was already so heavily sanctioned that few cords connecting it to the global financial system were left to cut. "We're talking about a country whose economy is about the size of Pittsburgh's," a US official the New York Times in 2011. Those deliberations are worth remembering as 2024 comes to a close and Western and regional governments look to engage Syria's new government, which is led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Human rights groups and aid organisations will look to expand aid into Syria, where an estimated 90 percent of the country lives in poverty. Turkey, which enjoys close ties to HTS, is eyeing Syrian reconstruction opportunities. Oil-rich Gulf states including the , and could expand their influence in Syria, sandwiched in the heart of the Levant, at a time when Iran is in retreat. If reconstruction does get underway in Syria it could also be a boon to European and American engineering firms, an Arab official told MEE. Recently, talk about sanctions relief has focused on HTS, a former Al Qaeda affiliate that is sanctioned by the US and EU. In December, the US lifted a $10m bounty on HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, after he met senior US officials in Damascus. MEE previously that the US weighed removing the bounty as a "first step" to engage Syria's new rulers. HTS is still sanctioned and designated a US terror group. But the reality is that the sanctions on HTS are a drop in the bucket, compared to an overlapping sanctions regime on Syria that was five decades in the making, predating even the 2011 Arab Spring and Syrian civil war. When Hafez al-Assad took power in Syria in a 1970 coup, Syria was receiving financial and military aid from the Soviet Union. The elder Assad was renowned for keeping channels open to the US and its Cold War foes, but in 1979, he fell out with the US over Lebanon, and Syria was a state sponsor of terrorism. Those sanctions came after Assad's Baath party imposed sweeping nationalisation that chased out Syria's old bourgeois business class and deterred western investment. The designation put Syria in the same bracket as Cuba and Iran as a terror sponsor and imposed sweeping new restrictions on US foreign aid, a ban on defence sales, export controls for dual-use items and other financial restrictions. Despite the designation, Syria was still courted by the West and sanctions mainly applied to transactions involving the Syrian government. Ties between the US and Syria improved briefly after the elder Assad joined a US-led coalition to fight Saddam Hussein in the first Gulf War, but over Syria's ties to Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the flow of foreign fighters from Syria into Iraq after the 2003 US invasion. These tensions sparked the first massive wave of sanctions on Syria. Congress the Congressional Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act in 2003 and the following year former President George W. Bush imposed sweeping sanctions. American exports to Syria were all but prohibited, except for food and basic medicines. Then in 2006, the US banned transactions with the Commercial Bank of Syria. Syria's financial ties to the US were severely restricted, but not totally severed from the US. For example, the US federal government also continued to fund Arabic language students with five-figure grants to at Damascus University almost right up until 2011. US sanctions on Syria ramped up massively after Assad's brutal crackdown on protesters and as the civil war raged. The US slapped sanctions on Syrian businessmen, banks and the government. Bilateral US-Syria trade which still stood at roughly $900m in 2010 dropped below $60m in 2012. US economic ties have since revolved around northeast Syria, which is controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. In 2020, a US company was a sanctions waiver to develop oil fields in the region, but that project After 2011, the European Union also imposed sanctions on Syria similar to the US. The web of sanctions fell broadly into two categories. The first targeted individuals with travel bans and asset freezes. The second sought to prevent the Syrian government from accessing global financial channels, curb Syrian imports from Western countries and embargo Syrian oil exports. US sanctions in particular carry weight because the dollar is the world's reserve currency, and most international trade is conducted via the greenback. After the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, the US then began implementing secondary sanctions which means that anyone who did business with a sanctioned Syrian entity could see their access to the US-dollar-based economy curbed. The sanctions meant that even after the Assad government wrested control of two-thirds of Syria from rebels it could not emerge out of isolation. Assad visited the UAE in 2022 and the next year rejoined the Arab League, but the Gulf states who invest widely in the US and trade their oil in dollars refused to contribute to reconstruction. Similarly, in 2021, the US's top geopolitical foe, China, welcomed Syria into the Belt and Road Initiative. The multi-trillion-dollar programme for development and infrastructure was almost tailor-made for Syria's pummeled cities and highways, but Syria saw hardly a penny of Chinese investment, analysts because of US sanctions. One of the most restrictive measures on Syria is US sanctions on the Central Bank which go back to 2011, making it virtually impossible for the Syrian government to tap international financial markets or receive aid. The sanctions on the bank were reaffirmed under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act which was named after a Syrian military photographer who smuggled tens of thousands of gruesome photos out of the country that documented evidence of war crimes. On Thursday, the Gulf Cooperation Council called for sanctions to be lifted "provide all means of support to the brotherly Syrian people". Some in the US have gone even further, underscoring their vision for a post-Assad Syria. "A Trump tower in Damascus one day would be a welcome development!" Republican US Congressman Joe Wilson, a prominent architect of recent Syria sanctions, in December, advocating for Syria to be swiftly reconnected to the global economy. Wilson said he wanted "private and commercial investment" to fuel Syria's reconstruction, which the UN estimates will cost $400bn. Many groups are united in wanting to see Syria emerge out of isolation, for humanitarian, political and business reasons. But before the signature gold-lettered "Trump" sign can emblazon Damascus's skyline, a thicket of sanctions must be undone that prevent Syria from tapping the global financial system or western goods.NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Syracuse coach Fran Brown and Washington State acting coach Pete Kaligis shared a heartfelt hug after their Holiday Bowl news conference on Thursday. Kaligis can certainly use all the support he can get, especially an embrace and some encouraging words from the opposing coach. No. 22 Syracuse (9-3, No. 21 CFP), led by national passing leader Kyle McCord, is a 17-point favorite according to BetMGM in Friday night's Holiday Bowl against the depleted Cougars (8-4), whose season has nosedived since mid-November. After beating future Pac-12 opponent San Diego State 29-26 on Oct. 26 at Snapdragon Stadium, coach Jake Dickert, quarterback John Mateer and the rest of the Cougars were 7-1 and about to jump into The Associated Press Top 25. Now the Cougars are barely recognizable as they return to Snapdragon. Dickert was hired away by Wake Forest, Mateer transferred to Oklahoma and running back Wayshawn Parker left for Utah. Numerous coaches, including the offensive and defensive coordinators, are gone, and more than 20 players have entered the transfer portal. The Cougars, who lost their last three games, are a prime example of how college football's rapidly changing landscape can dramatically affect a program. “Going into the ins-and-outs of the game tomorrow doesn’t matter,” Kaligis said. “We are who we are, we have what we have. I know that’s for both of us.” Kaligis said players who entered the portal after Dickert left can suit up Friday night. “I know we came here with 98 guys. That's who we’re going to show up on the field with.” Kaligis said relationships between players and coaches are more important than ever, even if there's less time to develop trust “and coach them the right way.” “When a staff (member) leaves and guys get in the portal, it’s because of the relationships they have garnered with their position coaches. When that position coach isn’t guaranteed he’s going to be there, that’s who that young man trusts,” Kaligis said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time," he added. "What’s been hard for me, I spent 13 years at Wyoming, I saw three graduating classes. I remember I was the longest-tenured coach there. To see them all the way through. When I came to Wazzu, I was their fourth D-line coach." The Cougs improved to 8-1 by beating Utah State 49-28 on Nov. 9 but then lost three straight, including to Oregon State in the de facto championship game between the two teams left in the Pac-12. They also lost to New Mexico and Wyoming, two of the Mountain West teams that weren't invited to join the reconstituted Pac-12 starting in 2026. McCord, who transferred from Ohio State, rewrote the Orange's record book this season with 4,326 yards passing, 29 touchdowns and 367 completions. He's well within range of breaking Deshaun Watson's ACC single-season record of 4,593, which he set in 15 games in 2016. A win will give Syracuse 10 wins for the first time since 2018 and just the third time since 2000. Brown can become the second Syracuse coach since World War II to record 10 wins in his first season, joining Paul Pasqualoni, who did it in 1991. In their final regular-season game, the Orange rallied from a 21-0 deficit for a 42-38 win against then-No. 6 Miami that knocked the Hurricanes out of ACC title contention and ended their College Football Playoff hopes. McCord threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. “We want to go out and have a good game,” Brown said. “We have an opportunity of winning 10 games, which means you’re starting to become a successful program, right? Our players haven’t had a chance of winning a bowl game. So there’s a lot of things that are on the line for us to really be able to build our program and being able to move forward.” This will be the teams' second meeting. Syracuse beat Washington State 52-25 in 1979.
Oscar Fairs from Benfleet, Essex, was diagnosed with a rare 7cm ependymoma brain tumour in August 2023 and underwent seven surgeries, one round of chemotherapy and one round of radiotherapy to be told palliative care was the only option. A GoFundMe page was set up to help the family raise £100,000 towards a treatment trial in France. It is with deep and profound sadness that West Ham United confirm the tragic passing of our U15s Academy goalkeeper Oscar Fairs, following his brave battle with cancer. Rest in peace, brave Oscar. — West Ham United (@WestHam) December 13, 2024 West Ham footballers donated £27,000, chairman David Sullivan donated £10,000 and Arsenal footballer and former West Ham star Declan Rice gave £5,000, according to Ms Fairs. On Friday, West Ham announced that the 15-year-old had died. Sporting director Mark Noble said: “Oscar was adored by everyone at the Academy – not only was he a great goalkeeper, he was a true Hammer and a fantastic young person, who will be deeply missed by everyone who had the pleasure to know him. “I have wonderful memories of Oscar playing in my garden – (my son) Lenny and his teammates all loved him. “He was a friendly, happy, well-mannered and polite young man, who had such a bright future ahead of him, and it is just so unimaginably devastating that he has been taken from his family and friends at this age. “The thoughts and sincere condolences of everyone at the Club are with Oscar’s parents, Natalie and Russell, and his brother Harry, and we kindly ask that the family’s privacy is respected at this extremely difficult time.” All scheduled Academy fixtures over the weekend have been postponed as a mark of respect.Rate cut hopes drive UK stocks higher after weak economic data
Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis Market to Exhibit a Remarkable CAGR of 16.7% by 2030, Size, Share, Trends, Key Drivers, Demand, Opportunity Analysis and Competitive Outlook 12-12-2024 08:43 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: Data Bridge Market Research Data Bridge Market Research analyses that the next generation sequencing data analysis market which is USD 778.46 million in 2022, is expected to reach USD 2677.94 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 16.7% during the forecast period 2023 to 2030. Market Definition: NGS, also known as high throughput sequencing, is a term that refers to a number of advanced sequencing technologies. Researchers can investigate biological processes in depth for next-generation sequencing's high throughput, scalability, and speed. A higher level of understanding than that provided by traditional DNA sequencing methods is now required because of the complexities involved in genomic science. Browse More About This Research Report @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-next-generation-sequencing-data-analysis-market Some of the major players operating in the next generation sequencing data analysis market are: Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. (U.S.), QIAGEN (Germany), Illumina, Inc. (U.S.), F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. (Switzerland), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (U.S.), Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (U.S.), Pierian (India), Precigen (Germany), Partek Incorporated (U.S.), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), PacBio (U.S.), DNASTAR (U.S.), Congenica Ltd. (U.K.), Fabric Genomics, Inc. (U.S.), DNAnexus Inc. (U.S.). Competitive Landscape and Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis Market Share Analysis : The next generation sequencing data analysis market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to next generation sequencing data analysis market. Browse Trending Reports: https://dbmrganeshsak.blogspot.com/2024/12/photogrammetry-software-market-industry.html https://dbmrganeshsak.blogspot.com/2024/12/digital-asset-management-market.html https://dbmrganeshsak.blogspot.com/2024/12/automotive-refinish-coatings-market.html https://dbmrganeshsak.blogspot.com/2024/12/data-center-construction-market.html About Data Bridge Market Research: An absolute way to predict what the future holds is to understand the current trend! Data Bridge Market Research presented itself as an unconventional and neoteric market research and consulting firm with an unparalleled level of resilience and integrated approaches. We are committed to uncovering the best market opportunities and nurturing effective information for your business to thrive in the marketplace. Data Bridge strives to provide appropriate solutions to complex business challenges and initiates an effortless decision-making process. Data Bridge is a set of pure wisdom and experience that was formulated and framed in 2015 in Pune. Contact Us: - Data Bridge Market Research Email: - sopan.gedam@databridgemarketresearch.com This release was published on openPR.Google renews push into mixed reality headgear
Nana Kwame Bediako, the leader of the New Force and presidential candidate for the 2024 general elections, has refuted claims that he did not vote for himself. According to him, rumors and videos that went viral after the election outcome, purportedly portraying that he did not vote for himself but rather voted for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, should be disregarded. He explained that after voting for himself, he was just counting the number of candidates on the ballot paper to make sure it tallied up to 13, which made people perceive that he cast his vote differently. Speaking during a press conference on December 23, 2024, in Accra, he stated, “The 276 tour that I did, upon all the challenges we passed through, the kind of food and water that we took, the coldness and all, so upon all these, Ghanaians want to tell me that I still went ahead and voted for someone... I took the paper to count if the number was still 13 and if I was still number 12. “So, while I was counting, somebody said I held it and voted, but you see, as a nation, don’t we get enough of destroying our own?” He added, “So I want to use this opportunity to clear it once and for all... and yes, my wife voted for me, and my family also voted. That is okay, but whatever they gave us, that is okay because sometimes God gives you 1, sometimes He gives you 10, sometimes He gives you 9.” He also thanked Ghanaians for supporting his bid in the elections. According to him, he chose peace over victory, and as a result, he feels he is a winner in the just-ended presidential polls. It may be recalled that Ruby Bediako, the wife of Nana Kwame Bediako, demanded the whereabouts of her vote during the elections. Ruby, who voted together with her husband during the December 7 presidential and parliamentary general elections, could not account for her vote after the close of polls. This follows rumors that Nana Kwame Bediako received only one vote at a polling station in the Korle Klottey constituency (University of Media Arts and Communication (UniMAC) GIJ Campus, Ringway premises), where he cast his ballot together with his wife. Speaking in an interview, she questioned the whereabouts of her missing vote, stating, “It wasn’t just me. I think it was the whole family that went. I’m heartbroken because I think the system failed us. Where is my vote, people? I don’t know where my vote went,” she said in an interview. “I think that the comment on social media, it’s not just me. I think there are a lot more people looking for their votes, but we are all very happy. Ghana won, and that’s the most important thing. Let’s all celebrate and support our President-elect. Thank you very much, and thank you, Ghana,” she added. The Electoral Commission Chairperson, Jean Mensa, on Monday, December 9, declared National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate John Mahama the winner of the presidential election, with a total of 6,328,397 votes. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP received 4,657,304 votes. Mahama’s party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), achieved historic success by gaining a majority in Parliament. According to the National Communications Officer of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi, the party has so far won 185 parliamentary seats. Nana Kwame Bediako, on the other hand, had 84,478 of the total valid votes cast, representing 0.75%. AM/GA Watch some videos from the recent Parliamentary sittings below:The Wanted star Max George has said he is “staying positive” while in hospital waiting for tests that could shine a light on issues with his heart. In a post to Instagram on Thursday the singer, 36, explained that he went to hospital after feeling “really unwell” and added that he needed “a lot more tests” to determine “what surgery I will need to get me back on my feet.” Updating his fans, George posted a video from his hospital bed on Friday, and said he “had a bit of a rough day”. He added: “My heart rate dropped a bit this morning, which was, it was a little bit scary. “But everyone here is amazing, so wanted to get it back up a little bit and get it stable again, which is great. “Reason I’m not... like a lot of friends and family are asking why I’m not just going in and having anything (like surgery) done yet, because there’s so many tests that need to be done before we do anything. “So I just need to get through till, I guess, next week. Get all the tests done, and then they’ll know exactly what to do, because otherwise, obviously, they’ll be able to do something, but it’ll be better doing it with all the information that they need. “But, yeah, it’s shit, but still here and staying positive. “And thanks everyone as well for all the lovely messages and any friends and family and that that have messaged that I haven’t got back to. “I see you all and yeah, means a lot. Much love and have a nice Friday night.” George rose to fame in the 2010s with The Wanted, who had a number of hit songs including All Time Low, Glad You Came and Heart Vacancy. His bandmate Tom Parker died in 2022 at the age of 33 after being diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. George, who helped carry Parker’s coffin at his funeral alongside fellow bandmates Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Nathan Sykes, previously said on This Morning that he continued to message his late bandmate following his death as it brought him “a bit of comfort”. He also appeared in the US musical series Glee as Clint and in his band’s reality series The Wanted Life. Over the years, he has competed in a number of competition series including Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive and Richard Osman’s House Of Games. George’s girlfriend is former EastEnders star Maisie Smith, who appeared on BBC One dancing competition series Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 at the same time as George, though they have previously said that romantic sparks only began to fly in 2022. He was due to appear on a MasterChef Christmas special before the BBC pulled the show from its festive schedule amid allegations about the conduct of judge Gregg Wallace across a range of shows.Classic Rock's Ultimate Playlist of 2024
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FanDuel promo + anytime touchdown scorers for Seahawks vs. Bears and TNF odds and expert picks: Win $250 on $5 NFL bet | Sporting NewsLisa Weston has announced her candidacy for La Crosse’s District 12 city council seat, challenging long-time incumbent Doug Happel’s bid for reelection. District 12 begins at state Highway 33 and follows Pammel Creek to Hintgen Elementary School. Weston Weston has spent much of her adult life in La Crosse. She graduated with a degree in secondary education from UW-La Crosse in 2005 and later returned to the area after earning her master's degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She is an as an associate director of residence life at UW-L and wants to continue making a difference in the community. “La Crosse is a great, family friendly place to live and work,” said Weston. “I have always been civically engaged, as I grew up with parents who role-modeled the importance of giving back to the community and doing the hard work of public servants. Even as a teenager, I knew a great deal about how the school board, fire department, and church decisions were made because of how my parents spent their time.” This background has influenced her decision to run, and if elected, she hopes to use her experience to make a difference in La Crosse. “I value collaboration, effective communication, and being a problem solver. I care a great deal about ensuring that community members can share their voice, feedback, and ideas,” said Weston. “I know that most La Crosse residents want a sense of belonging, safety, and a variety of opportunities for social interaction and meaningful work. We want our children to have the same in this community. And I know, first hand, that many college students who come here to study at our institutions of higher education, experience this, and often want to stay.” While Weston has not previously run for elected office, she has a history of community involvement. Currently, she volunteers at several local organizations including the Mormon Coulee Lion’s Club, State Road PTO, and the English Lutheran Church. The spring election for La Crosse mayor, council members in districts 7-13, and a special election for the District 5 seat will take place Tuesday, April 1. All positions are elected to four-year terms. The deadline to file ballot documents is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the city clerk’s office.