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STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Jaylen Reed’s hands were still dirty and his face smeared with eye black as he took a seat in the Beaver Stadium media room. The hard-nosed veteran of nearly 50 college football games looked weary after Penn State pounded Maryland on Saturday, but lit up as he watched media members gather around teammate Audavion Collins next to him. The sophomore was excitedly describing his first career interception. Reed grinned, his pride was evident. One of Penn State’s captains, Reed loves when underclassmen earn playing time. He knows, especially on defense, the No. 3 Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) will likely rely on them to make a run at their first national championship since 1986. “Having that type of depth, having that type of guy that can step up and play the game every week, that’s something that’s going to help us down the stretch,” Reed said. “Having depth at all positions, I feel like that’s the main thing and I feel like we have huge depth.” Reed knows Collins is far from the only reserve player who has been effective for Tom Allen’s defense this season. Heading into Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon in Indianapolis, Penn State has used 39 players on a defense that ranks seventh nationally against the run and pass. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are fourth overall in total defense (266.8 yards) and sixth in scoring defense (14 points) entering the showdown with the Ducks' 15th-ranked offense with a College Football Playoff first-round bye at stake. It’s not just the starting 11 getting it done. Since mid-October, Penn State has regularly rotated at least nine defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs early and midway through games. As a result, seven players have snagged their first interceptions this season, while five others have recorded their first sacks. “We believe in everybody coming in behind us,” linebacker Tony Rojas said. “Our defense, we know what we’re capable of and I feel like our defense is top tier, if not the best.” It technically hasn’t been at full strength since Week 2 of the season. Then, star safety KJ Winston was lost to an unspecified long-term injury. He tried to play at Wisconsin on Oct. 26, but hasn’t seen action since. In the meantime, Winston’s absence has allowed Allen and head coach James Franklin to get a good look at Collins and other young backend players like Eliot Washington, Zion Tracy and Dejuan Lane. Tracy and Lane have seen their snap counts go up since November, and both have interceptions since. The Nittany Lions haven’t been immune to injuries up front, either. Star end Dani Dennis-Sutton was limited midway through the season by an unspecified ailment. Before last weekend’s game against Maryland, Penn State listed defensive tackles Alonzo Ford and Kaleb Artis and defensive end Zuriah Fisher out with injuries. While not near 100% healthy, Dennis-Sutton continued to suit up, but yielded reps to Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert. Vanover and Vilbert are seniors who were slowed over the years by injuries but have stuck around, and are now shoring up the team’s depth. “I think getting Dani back healthy, that’s been important,” Franklin said. “I think this was his first game back where he was really healthy, Abdul (Carter) the second half of the season, has gotten very comfortable playing defensive end. We’ve been able to rotate and get production out of guys like Amin as well, so I think all those things have been really important.” So is the fact that Penn State’s defense has continued to close out games. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 445 yards on 125 third-quarter plays this season. Meanwhile, they’ve outscored opponents 192-55 in the second half and overtime and held 19 of their last 22 Big Ten opponents to fewer that 100 rushing yards. Like Reed, senior Dvon J-Thomas spent much of the second half against Maryland cheering on his freshman teammates. Notably, tackle Ty Blanding who had his first career tackle for loss in his first defensive series. “I’ve seen a tremendous leap in their attention to detail,” J-Thomas said. “There’s not a lot of moments or times in your career where you’ll have an opportunity like this and I think they realize that." Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. New laws aimed at curbing youth crime, increasing construction productivity and getting the 2032 Olympic Games back on track will be introduced immediately by the state government. In an afternoon of historic pomp and ceremony, Governor Jeannette Young on Wednesday outlined the priorities of the infant LNP state government and how Queensland would change. The Governor’s Opening Speech - a tradition of the Westminster system - reiterated Mr Crisafulli’s election commitments including reducing crime and supporting victims, improving health services and building more housing. “My government will invest in the future of Queensland,” Dr Young said. “My government will boldly deliver a fresh start for Queensland. “It will be a government of accountability focused every day on the issues that matter to Queenslanders; safety where you live, health services when you need them, respect for your money, a place to call home and a government that works for you.” Queensland Governor Jeannette Young arriving for the opening of the new Queensland parliament. Picture: Premiers Department Politicians will get back to work on Thursday for the first ordinary sitting day of the 58th parliament, when the government will introduce legislation to establish its cornerstone adult crime, adult time crime laws. The Bill will be rushed through a shortened committee process where experts will be given just 12 days to scrutinise the complex laws and provide feedback to the government, before parliament returns on December 10. Despite Opposition Leader Steven Miles initially indicating he would support the crime laws, Labor will now consider the legislation before deciding. Mr Crisafulli has pledged to pass the laws before Christmas. Deputy Jarrod Bleijie is coming out of the gates at speed. Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie will also immediately introduce a Bill to reintroduce the productivity commission and reduce red tape. “The productivity commission’s first priority will be to conduct a regulatory review to ensure workers are well paid and safe, contracts are honoured, productivity is returned to job sites and housing red tape slowing down new builds, removed,” Dr Young said. Queenslanders would also see progress on the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Dr Young said, with the government expected to move related legislation on Thursday. The Governor’s speech repeated most of the commitments the LNP made during last month’s successful state election campaign. Originally published as How your life will change under the LNP Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Townsville Man pleads insanity after cocktail of drugs, cop bite A man who already attempted to appeal his jail sentence and failed has taken another swing by pleading insanity after he bit a police officer at a Townsville service station. Read more News ‘Close eye on it’: Local MPs pledge to keep watch on mayor Thuringowa’s new MP Natalie Marr, a former city councillor who served alongside David Crisafulli in local politics, will be watching the council’s performance. Read more
ATLANTA — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who along with Biden and other White House officials insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon. That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump, who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote of Biden on the social media platform X. “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation,” the governor continued, a reference to the president invoking fatherhood in explaining his decision. “Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.” Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said on X: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Certainly, the president has plenty of Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential powers to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” wrote prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper on X. “Sorry, but Biden was right to pardon his son Hunter to protect him against Kash Patel’s weaponized FBI,” Cooper concluded, referring to Trump’s apparent plan to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray in favor of a loyalist who has talked of going after political opponents and journalists. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House: “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Democrats already are facing the prospects of a Republican trifecta in Washington, with voters returning Trump to the White House and giving the GOP control of the House and Senate. Part of their argument against Trump and Republican leaders is expected to be that the president-elect is violating norms with his talk of taking retribution against his enemies. Before beating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump faced his own legal troubles, including two cases that stemmed from his efforts to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Those cases, including Trump’s sentencing after being convicted on New York state business fraud charges, have either been dismissed or indefinitely delayed since Trump’s victory on Nov. 5, forcing Democrats to recalibrate their approach to the president-elect. In June, President Biden firmly ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case, “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” As recently as Nov. 8, days after Trump’s victory, Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying, “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.” The president’s about-face came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. It capped a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after his father’s 2020 victory. The sweeping pardon covers not just the gun and tax offenses against the younger Biden, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.” Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when, prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He had been set to stand trial in September in a California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin. In his statement Sunday, the president argued that such offenses typically are not prosecuted with the same vigor as was directed against Hunter Biden. “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said in his statement. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. ... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.”Giants sound like they’re done with coach Brian Daboll
With public projects disrupted following the political changeover on August 5 and the interim government exercising caution in spending, the implementation rate of the annual development programme (ADP) fell to at least 14-year low in the July-October period of this fiscal year. The government allocated Tk 278,288 crore for the ADP this fiscal year, up 9.6 percent from last fiscal year's revised budget of Tk 254,000 crore. However, in the first four months of FY25, implementing agencies could spend only Tk 21,978 crore, according to data from the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED). They spent Tk 31,692 crore during the same period in the last fiscal year. This was reflected in the drop in the implementation rate, which fell from 11.54 percent to just 7.90 percent year-on-year in the four-month period. The government could implement only 14.25 percent of the ADP in the same period in FY20. According to the IMED officials, all projects under the ADP are on hold as contractors, who fled following the ouster of the Awami League government, are yet to return to work. The ADP implementation rate is usually slow at the beginning of the fiscal year, said Mir Nasir Hossain, managing director of construction company Mir Akhter Hossain Ltd. But this year is different due to the political changeover and anti-discrimination student movement, which impacted the ADP implementation, he said. Besides, the government is identifying project which are not that important, for which the rate of implementation of the ADP is slow compared to that of previous years, he said. However, Hossain is hopeful that the ADP implementation would gain pace in the third quarter of the fiscal year as the interim government would by then identify ways to expedite implementation of the development work. Among the 56 ministries and divisions that received a portion of the ADP allocation, the Cabinet Division, foreign affairs ministry, law and justice division, and parliament secretariat were unable to spend a single paisa. Another seven agencies spent less than one percent of their allocations. Among the 15 agencies that received the largest allocations, the local government division performed the best, managing to spend 13.90 percent of its total allocation followed by the Ministry of Science and Technology at 13.63 percent. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture managed 11.58 percent and the Ministry of Railways 12.90 percent. The IMED officials said the government is currently reviewing projects on a priority basis. They added that some projects, which were taken up on political consideration and which caused the implementation rate to slow, would be scrapped. However, the officials opined that implementation would gather momentum after the decisions were finalised. Meanwhile, steelmakers demanded that the government accelerate the implementation of development projects to provide relief to the industry, which has seen sales decline by 40 percent due to low public sector demand. According to Bangladesh Steel Manufacturers Association, the government accounts for 67 percent of the country's total steel consumption.Patrick Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Joel Dahmen keeps alive hopes of keeping his job
Israel cracks down on Palestinian citizens who speak out against the war in Gaza UMM AL-FAHM, Israel (AP) — In the year since the war in Gaza broke out, Israel's government has been cracking down on dissent among its Palestinian citizens. Authorities have charged Palestinians with “supporting terrorism” because of posts online or for demonstrating against the war. Activists and rights watchdogs say Palestinians have also lost jobs, been suspended from schools and faced police interrogations. Palestinians make up about 20% of Israel's population. Many feel forced to self-censor out of fear of being jailed and further marginalized in society. Others still find ways to dissent, but carefully. Israel's National Security Ministry counters that, “Freedom of speech is not the freedom to incite.” Israel says rabbi who went missing in the UAE was killed TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel says the body of of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found, citing Emirati authorities. The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Sunday said Zvi Kogan was murdered, calling it a “heinous antisemitic terror incident.” It said: “The state of Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Kogan went missing on Thursday, and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance comes as Iran has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after the two countries traded fire in October. Israeli strike on Lebanese army center kills soldier, wounds 18 others BEIRUT (AP) — An Israeli strike on a Lebanese army center has killed one soldier and wounded 18 others, the Lebanese military said. Sunday's was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes that have killed over 40 Lebanese troops, even as the military has largely kept to the sidelines in the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military, which has acknowledged mistakenly hitting Lebanese troops while saying they are not a target of its campaign against the militants. After Trump's Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles WASHINGTON (AP) — During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump had hailed what would become Project 2025 as a conservative roadmap for “exactly what our movement will do." Trump pulled an about-face when Project 2025 became a political liability. He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans, even though some were written by his former aides and many allies. Now, after winning the 2024 election, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the effort he temporarily shunned. Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy. Trump's Republican Party is increasingly winning union voters. It's a shift seen in his labor pick WASHINGTON (AP) — Working-class voters helped Republicans make steady election gains this year and expanded a coalition that increasingly includes rank-and-file union members. It's a political shift spotlighting one of President-elect Donald Trump’s latest Cabinet picks: a GOP congresswoman, who has drawn labor support, to be his labor secretary. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her bid for a second term this month, despite strong backing from union members. They're a key part of the Democratic base but are gravitating in the Trump era toward a Republican Party traditionally allied with business interests. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across US during Thanksgiving week WINDSOR, Calif. (AP) — Forecasters in the U.S. have warned of another round of winter weather that could complicate travel leading up to Thanksgiving. California is bracing for more snow and rain this weekend while still grappling with some flooding and small landslides from a previous storm. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for California's Sierra Nevada through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at high elevations. Thousands remained without power in the Seattle area on Saturday after a “bomb cyclone” storm system hit the West Coast earlier in the week, killing two people. Parts of the Northeast and Appalachia also began the weekend with heavy precipitation. Pakistan partially stops mobile and internet services ahead of pro-Imran Khan protest ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan has suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns” as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan gear up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry made the announcement on X, which is banned in Pakistan. Sunday's protest is to demand Khan's release. He has been in prison for more than a year but remains popular. His supporters rely heavily on social media and messaging apps to coordinate with each other. Pakistan has already sealed off Islamabad and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with Khan's power bases. Here's what to know about the new funding deal that countries agreed to at UN climate talks BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) — In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. But it’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still unsatisfied but hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. Japan holds Sado mines memorial despite South Korean boycott amid lingering historical tensions SADO, Japan (AP) — Japan has held a memorial ceremony near the Sado Island Gold Mines despite a last-minute boycott of the event by South Korea that highlighted tensions between the neighbors over the issue of Korean forced laborers at the site before and during World War II. South Korea’s absence at Sunday’s memorial, to which Seoul government officials and Korean victims’ families were invited, is a major setback in the rapidly improving ties between the two countries, which since last year have set aside their historical disputes to prioritize U.S.-led security cooperation. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump.In what is possibly the most high profile loss of this general election, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly lost his seat in the early hours of Monday morning. After two days and 13 counts, the Fianna Fáil minister lost out to Taoiseach Simon Harris's running mate Edward Timmins. The pair had been battling it out for the final seat but, having gotten just 6% of first preferences and with transfers strongly favouring Mr Timmins, Mr Donnelly just could not close the gap. In the hours before he lost the Wicklow seat, Mr Donnelly said that his chances of re-election were hampered by a strong "government vote" for Mr Harris and the loss of a seat in the constituency changes. In the months before the election, there were signs that Mr Donnelly was somewhat nervous about his chances. The decision to run him as the sole Fianna Fáil candidate in the constituency appeared to indicate that the party shared his concern. LIVE: GE24 updates Scroll for live results in your area Cork East Cork North Central Cork North West Cork South Central Cork South West Kerry Clare Limerick City Limerick County Tipperary North Tipperary South Waterford Dublin Bay North Dublin Bay South Dublin Central Dublin Fingal East Dublin Fingal West Dublin Mid West Dublin North West Dublin Rathdown Dublin South Central Dublin South West Dublin West Dun Laoghaire Carlow/Kilkenny Kildare North Kildare South Laois Longford/Westmeath Louth Meath East Meath West Offaly Wexford Wicklow Wicklow/Wexford Cavan/Monaghan Donegal Galway East Galway West Mayo Roscommon/Galway Sligo/Leitrim This weekend was not the first time Mr Donnelly faced a long and anxious wait to find out his fate. In 2020, he was not elected until the 15th count — failing to meet the quota. It was a tough election but, on that occasion, he scraped through. When the Government was eventually formed over four months later, Mr Donnelly took on the role of minister of health. The position has long been considered to be something of a poison chalice as, due to decades of mismanagement of the HSE, it means anyone who takes the position inherits a wealth of complex problems. However, it should be noted that the last three taoisigh — Simon Harris, Leo Varadkar, and Micheál Martin — all held the position prior to leading their respective parties and the country. When you add the fact that a large part of Mr Donnelly's four years in health was spent trying to contend with a global pandemic and its ripple effect across the entire health sector, it is difficult to come out unscathed. Mr Donnelly was also dogged by the enormous money pit that the new children's hospital has become, along with the number of children suffering while waiting for years to undergo spinal surgery. While the hospital was signed off by the outgoing taoiseach, the cost of the project continued to spiral, the completion date was pushed back multiple times, and relations between the Government and BAM deteriorated under Mr Donnelly's watch. Mr Donnelly said BAM had committed to a June 2025 completion deadline, but this has been met with great scepticism by the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) and members of the opposition. The resignation of the interim chief executive of Children's Health Ireland days before the country went to the polls cast further doubt on the minister's promises. In October, Mr Donnelly told Cabinet that the number of children waiting more than four months for surgery is expected to fall from 129 to 87 by the end of this year. It was too little, too late for the parents and the electorate. No doubt, over the coming weeks Mr Donnelly will be trying to figure out where it all started to go wrong. Going by election results, his decline began when he joined Fianna Fáil. In 2011, a relatively unknown 35-year-old Stephen Donnelly was elected as a Wicklow TD taking 9% of first-preference votes. At this time he worked closely with now-Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, whom he had encouraged to enter politics. The two shared a busy office in Greystones and were well received by their constituents. Ahead of the 2016 election, the Wicklow duo were the founding members of the Social Democrats —with Mr Donnelly serving as co-leader alongside Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall. It was at this time that Mr Donnelly hit his popular peak. Running as a Social Democrats TD on the promise of ensuring transparent governance and providing a strong economy that can underpin our society and communities, Mr Donnelly took 20% of the first-preference vote in Wicklow and was elected on the first count. Just seven months later, Mr Donnelly made the shock announcement that he was leaving the party he had helped to establish — but had not decided whether he would continue as an independent TD or join a party. "Ultimately, I couldn't ask people to believe in something I no longer believed in myself. Having tried, and failed, to get it working, the only honest option left was to step down," he said of the Social Democrats. The following year, he made his choice and announced he was joining Fianna Fáil — a party he had been vocally critical of in the past. This did not sit well with some of those who had elected him as a Social Democrats TD, which had been positioned as an alternative to the centrist parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. One of the reasons Mr Donnelly gave for leaving the Social Democrats was that he had "hoped to create something fresh, outward-looking, and brave". People then watched him join a party that has been in and out of power since the founding of the State, a party they did not view as fresh and brave. As a result, Mr Donnelly saw his first preferences share plummet from 20% to 7%. In four elections, Mr Donnelly has campaigned as an Independent, a Social Democrat, and a Fianna Fáiler. His inconsistency in his position may make voters wary of where he will stand in five years' time. Perhaps now, it is the electorate that feels he is asking people to believe in something that he is no longer sure of himself.'It felt amazing' — Victory over Wisconsin brings joy, relief for Huskers on 'special' day
Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence, the son of and daughter , just . Now, fans can’t help but imagine how entertaining their family gatherings will be. On November 30, the couple — who have been dating since 2021 — shared footage of the proposal. In a joint post set to Eric Benét’s “Spend My Life With You,” Eric popped the question in a room filled with white roses, candles, and an orange, heart-shaped light. “We’re engaged!!” they captioned the post, along with the date “11.27.2024.” “God truly blessed us with a love that feels like destiny. We couldn’t be more excited for this next chapter,” the couple wrote. “Special thank you to everyone who made this moment so beautiful!!” Although Eric and Jasmin have been together for three years, that didn’t stop fans on social media from sharing their excitement over the romantic pairing. “I wanna go to this wedding so bad,” one fan on X/Twitter. “Thanksgiving must be the most hilarious reunion ever,” another user , while someone else : “I know them family holidays go crazy.” Some people couldn’t help gush over Eric and Jasmin’s future children, who will be genetically predisposed to a sense of humor. “That baby gon be so funny, I’m laughing already,” one person , as someone else : “They have the chance to make the funniest human of all time.” Then, there were those who simply wanted Murphy and Lawrence to reunite on-screen with a film about their son and daughter’s real-life romance. “Now we need this as a movie where the father in laws hate each other and cause havoc during the wedding week,” one fan . Eric and Jasmin their relationship in June 2021. Their fathers first starred alongside each other in the 1992 romantic comedy , before appearing together again in 1999’s . They’re rumored to be teaming up again for a remake of . In 2022, Jasmine revealed to that it was actually her uncle that introduced her to Eric. “It wasn’t even our dads, and they’ve done two movies together,” she said at the time. “They’re friends. I don’t even know. It’s crazy. But we met through my uncle, and we became really good friends. We bonded on a lot of things. Obviously, we have similar backgrounds, so we understood each other on a certain level.” Lawrence previously joked about Eric and Jasmin’s possible future wedding on in 2022, claiming that he was going to “try to get Eddie to pay for it.” Kimmel noted that Eric and Jasmin would make “a comedy super baby” — a sentiment later echoed by Murphy in a interview last June, when he said: “Our gene pool is going to make this funny baby.” He also seemed pleased when he talked about the couple, saying: “They’re both beautiful, they look amazing together.”These Analysts Revise Their Forecasts On Dell After Q3 Results
Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. People are also reading... Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams making furniture in Alexander County again Statesville survives test from Franklin in high school football playoff opener Iredell County bridge to close for $1.2 replacement project Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' MerMade: Workspace opens in Statesville, caters to artists, crafters With supermajority in NC House gone, Iredell's Republican lawmakers talk changes, challenges Catawba native Christina Eagle appears on season 26 of 'The Voice' Statesville embraces underdog role in rematch with defending champ Hickory Iredell County woman wins first $150,000 top prize in new game Mooresville puts up 70 points, routs Alexander Central in high school football playoffs West Iredell starts season strong with win over Bunker Hill Statesville sweeps varsity doubleheader with South Iredell; Shehan reaches 1,000 points in Lake Norman win Statesville native's book offers clues to 5 hidden treasures The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. States with gains By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. States that lost At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Why it matters Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." 20 political cartoons draw out Donald Trump's win November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Aston Villa denied last-gasp winner in Juventus stalemate
Vasily Podkolzin vowed there's more to come after his first goal as an Edmonton Oiler. Podkolzin scored the game's first goal and Connor McDavid had two goals and an assist for the Oilers in a 6-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday. Podkolzin was all over opposing nets in recent games and was finally rewarded when he beat Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick for his first goal this season, his first as an Oiler and his first goal since last March for a span of 42 regular season games. "It took much longer than I thought, but sometimes God gives you a little bit of challenges for the life, and for being a better hockey player or better person," Podkolzin said. "It's tough, but sometimes you need these challenges in your life to be a better hockey player. Be patient, keep working, and try to think positive. Have a strong mentality." Connor McDavid scores to become the 4th-fastest NHL player to reach 1,000 points Leon Draisaitl dropped the puck back to Podkolzin whose one-timer went in off the post with 2:26 left in the first period. The 23-year-old Russian forward was a 10th overall pick by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, but he was traded to the Oilers in the summer for a fourth-round draft pick. Draisaitl's been impressed by Podkolzin's play and was thrilled to see finally see him get rewarded. "He's really underrated and does a lot of things that go unnoticed that a lot of people that don't really understand hockey, they don't pick up on it," Draisaitl said. "I am very happy for him to get on the board. He's had plenty of looks. Hopefully this opens the floodgates for him a little bit." Podkolzin said Draisaitl has been very supportive through his scoring drought. Leon Draisaitl potted a goal against the Rangers in the second period. He assisted on another goal Saturday night. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) "He tells me, after almost every game, 'Keep going. Everything is good. Work hard, and this stuff will come,'" he said. "And finally, I scored. And I'm going to score more." Draisaitl and Evan Bouchard each had a goal and an assist and Darnell Nurse also scored short-handed for the Oilers (11-9-2) who have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight outings. Mattias Janmark and Connor Brown each had a pair of assists for Edmonton. "There is a lot to build off of," Nurse said. "It's one of those foundation games that you can gain some momentum off of if we can take it and use it the right way. You want to be good on home ice, especially against good teams, and we did that tonight." It was Nurse's first game back in the lineup after a check to his head by Toronto's Ryan Reaves a week earlier. Reaves was slapped with a five-game suspension. The Rangers' Jacob Trouba, left, tries to defend against Connor McDavid, right, during Saturday's game. McDavid had three points on the night, scoring twice and assisting once. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) Stuart Skinner made 33 saves in net for the Oilers. Artemi Panarin replied with a pair of goals for the Rangers (12-6-1) who have lost two straight after opening a four-game road trip with a pair of victories. "We're leaving our goalies out to dry in the first period especially and we have to come out with a lot more urgency and we have to dig deep here and look at ourselves in the mirror before the next game," said New York forward Vincent Trocheck. Quick had 34 saves for the Rangers.
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KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Javonte Brown had 17 points in Rhode Island's 91-53 victory against Charleston (SC) on Sunday. Brown added seven rebounds and four blocks for the Rams (5-0). Jamarques Lawrence shot 6 for 11, including 4 for 8 from beyond the arc to add 16 points. Sebastian Thomas shot 5 for 10 (3 for 6 from 3-point range) and 2 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. AJ Smith finished with 10 points for the Cougars (4-2). Derrin Boyd added nine points and four assists for Charleston (SC). Deywilk Tavarez also had nine points. Rhode Island took the lead with 19:31 left in the first half and did not give it up. Brown led his team in scoring with 10 points in the first half to help put them up 45-16 at the break. Rhode Island outscored Charleston (SC) by nine points over the final half, while Lawrence led the way with a team-high eight second-half points. NEXT UP Both teams next play Wednesday. Rhode Island plays Detroit Mercy and Charleston (SC)plays Northern Kentucky at home. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The hard-nosed veteran of nearly 50 college football games looked weary after Penn State pounded Maryland on Saturday, but lit up as he watched media members gather around teammate Audavion Collins next to him. The sophomore was excitedly describing his first career interception. Reed grinned, his pride was evident. One of Penn State’s captains, Reed loves when underclassmen earn playing time. He knows, especially on defense, the No. 3 Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) will likely rely on them to make a run at their first national championship since 1986. “Having that type of depth, having that type of guy that can step up and play the game every week, that’s something that’s going to help us down the stretch,” Reed said. “Having depth at all positions, I feel like that’s the main thing and I feel like we have huge depth.” Reed knows Collins is far from the only reserve player who has been effective for Tom Allen’s defense this season. Heading into Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon in Indianapolis, Penn State has used 39 players on a defense that ranks seventh nationally against the run and pass. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are fourth overall in total defense (266.8 yards) and sixth in scoring defense (14 points) entering the showdown with the Ducks' 15th-ranked offense with a College Football Playoff first-round bye at stake. It’s not just the starting 11 getting it done. Since mid-October, Penn State has regularly rotated at least nine defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs early and midway through games. As a result, seven players have snagged their first interceptions this season, while five others have recorded their first sacks. “We believe in everybody coming in behind us,” linebacker Tony Rojas said. “Our defense, we know what we’re capable of and I feel like our defense is top tier, if not the best.” It technically hasn’t been at full strength since Week 2 of the season. Then, star safety KJ Winston was lost to an unspecified long-term injury. He tried to play at Wisconsin on Oct. 26, but hasn’t seen action since. In the meantime, Winston’s absence has allowed Allen and head coach James Franklin to get a good look at Collins and other young backend players like Eliot Washington, Zion Tracy and Dejuan Lane. Tracy and Lane have seen their snap counts go up since November, and both have interceptions since. The Nittany Lions haven’t been immune to injuries up front, either. Star end Dani Dennis-Sutton was limited midway through the season by an unspecified ailment. Before last weekend’s game against Maryland, Penn State listed defensive tackles Alonzo Ford and Kaleb Artis and defensive end Zuriah Fisher out with injuries. While not near 100% healthy, Dennis-Sutton continued to suit up, but yielded reps to Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert. Vanover and Vilbert are seniors who were slowed over the years by injuries but have stuck around, and are now shoring up the team’s depth. “I think getting Dani back healthy, that’s been important,” Franklin said. “I think this was his first game back where he was really healthy, Abdul (Carter) the second half of the season, has gotten very comfortable playing defensive end. We’ve been able to rotate and get production out of guys like Amin as well, so I think all those things have been really important.” So is the fact that Penn State’s defense has continued to close out games. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 445 yards on 125 third-quarter plays this season. Meanwhile, they’ve outscored opponents 192-55 in the second half and overtime and held 19 of their last 22 Big Ten opponents to fewer that 100 rushing yards. Like Reed, senior Dvon J-Thomas spent much of the second half against Maryland cheering on his freshman teammates. Notably, tackle Ty Blanding who had his first career tackle for loss in his first defensive series. “I’ve seen a tremendous leap in their attention to detail,” J-Thomas said. “There’s not a lot of moments or times in your career where you’ll have an opportunity like this and I think they realize that." Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballGerman Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on a rare visit to Kyiv, announced substantial new military aid for Ukraine, signaling continuous German support in the face of Russian aggression. Scholz's trip is a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin that Berlin remains committed to backing Ukraine for an extended period. This strategic visit comes as uncertainty looms over Germany's political landscape, with Scholz's governing coalition recently collapsing. The political shifts could potentially impact the level of European support for Ukraine, particularly if U.S. aid diminishes under potential leadership changes. Scholz's announcement includes the delivery of IRIS-T air defense systems, Leopard 1 tanks, and drones, worth 650 million euros. His stance on not providing Taurus cruise missiles, due to fears of escalation, remains unchanged. Meanwhile, Ukraine's path to NATO membership remains a pivotal issue in Germany's upcoming elections. (With inputs from agencies.)Keanu Reeves says he joined Sonic The Hedgehog 3 cast as he is ‘a big fan’