ORLANDO, Fla. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Magnifica, a global high-luxury lifestyle brand under CIG Companies, is set to redefine elevated living experiences with its highly anticipated launch event on December 9th, 2024 , at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando , FL. Under the visionary leadership of Charles D. Carey , CEO and Co-Founder, Magnifica celebrates an expansive vision of luxury that includes its signature developments—Magnifica Residences and Magnifica Resorts, both slated for launch in 2026—and its bold foray into the luxury aviation sector with Magnifica Air, taking flight in 2027. A Revolutionary Vision for Modern Luxury Magnifica embodies a balanced approach to luxury, blending timeless design with sustainable innovation. Guided by CIG Companies' commitment to impactful investments in clean energy and local conservation, Magnifica represents the pinnacle of elevated living. From elegant residences to immersive resort experiences, every Magnifica offering reflects an unwavering dedication to quality, sustainability, and community enrichment. Propelling this vision further is Magnifica Air, poised to disrupt the luxury aviation space with its trailblazing approach to personalized air travel. With the filing for FAA certification, Magnifica Air is ready to redefine the customer journey from the ground up. The certification process, an intensive evaluation involving design reviews, safety tests, and operational validations, underscores Magnifica Air's commitment to the highest standards of safety and excellence. Magnifica Air: Redefining the Skies Designed to bridge the exclusivity of private aviation with the accessibility of premium commercial travel, Magnifica Air offers a truly bespoke experience. Every detail has been designed to elevate the passenger journey, from its spacious, elegantly designed cabins to cutting-edge technology that ensures frictionless, tailored service. "Magnifica Air isn't just about getting from one place to another—it's about creating an unforgettable experience where luxury meets deeply personalized service," says Wade Black , CEO and Co-Founder of Magnifica Air "Our recent FAA certification filing reflects our dedication to operational excellence, innovation, and a customer-centric philosophy that ensures each traveler feels known and valued." An Evening of Elegance and Vision The December 9th launch event will be a celebration of culture, innovation, and high luxury. Guests will be treated to a captivating performance by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, alongside other notable musicians and artists, a showcase of Magnifica's master plan, and exclusive previews of upcoming projects, including Magnifica Residences and Resorts. A highlight of the evening will be an exclusive preview of Magnifica Air, offering a glimpse into the unparalleled travel experiences that await. The evening will culminate in a private afterparty at the Magnifica Residence Showroom, where guests will experience the artistry and intentionality behind Magnifica's iconic designs. From curated cuisine to thoughtful architectural details, every element will reflect the brand's ethos of timeless luxury. The Magnifica Experience: A Lifestyle Redefined From its meticulously crafted homes to transformative travel experiences, Magnifica is more than a brand—it is a promise to deliver elevated living. With Magnifica Air leading the charge into the future of luxury aviation, the Magnifica portfolio is a testament to the art of creating meaningful, unforgettable experiences. For media inquiries and event attendance requests, please contact: Magnifica Media Relations info@magnifica.com About Magnifica Magnifica, a subsidiary of CIG Companies, is dedicated to redefining luxury living through exceptional design, sustainable practices, and transformative experiences. The Magnifica portfolio includes Magnifica Residences, Magnifica Resorts, and Magnifica Air, each a testament to the brand's commitment to creating spaces and journeys that inspire, connect, and endure. About CIG Companies CIG Companies is a leader in high-value sustainable investments across diverse sectors, including real estate, clean energy, and infrastructure. With a focus on innovation and community impact, CIG Companies shapes projects that leave a lasting legacy View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/magnifica-unveils-the-future-of-luxury-living-at-december-9th-launch-event-orlando-fl--december-2024-302324357.html SOURCE Magnifica, LLCEFF confident of winning Phala Phala case in ConCourtDigital Realty Trust ( NYSE:DLR – Free Report ) had its price objective increased by Stifel Nicolaus from $195.00 to $205.00 in a research note published on Thursday, Benzinga reports. Stifel Nicolaus currently has a buy rating on the real estate investment trust’s stock. DLR has been the subject of several other research reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $177.00 to $207.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, October 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $180.00 to $185.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Raymond James boosted their price target on shares of Digital Realty Trust from $170.00 to $190.00 and gave the company a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $175.00 to $185.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, October 25th. Finally, HSBC upgraded Digital Realty Trust from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating and upped their price target for the company from $124.00 to $160.00 in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Digital Realty Trust presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $170.37. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Digital Realty Trust Digital Realty Trust Price Performance Digital Realty Trust ( NYSE:DLR – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $0.09 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($1.58). Digital Realty Trust had a net margin of 8.04% and a return on equity of 2.24%. The company had revenue of $1.43 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.43 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.62 earnings per share. Digital Realty Trust’s revenue was up 2.1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Digital Realty Trust will post 6.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Digital Realty Trust Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 17th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 13th will be paid a dividend of $1.22 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. This represents a $4.88 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.57%. Digital Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 410.08%. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Digital Realty Trust Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Meeder Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Gradient Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 75.2% in the 2nd quarter. Gradient Investments LLC now owns 177 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 76 shares in the last quarter. American Capital Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in Digital Realty Trust in the second quarter worth about $27,000. Private Ocean LLC bought a new position in shares of Digital Realty Trust during the second quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Finally, Asset Dedication LLC bought a new stake in shares of Digital Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $31,000. Institutional investors own 99.71% of the company’s stock. Digital Realty Trust Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Digital Realty brings companies and data together by delivering the full spectrum of data center, colocation, and interconnection solutions. PlatformDIGITAL, the company's global data center platform, provides customers with a secure data meeting place and a proven Pervasive Datacenter Architecture (PDx) solution methodology for powering innovation and efficiently managing Data Gravity challenges. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Digital Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Digital Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96Magnifica Unveils the Future of Luxury Living at December 9th Launch Event Orlando, FL - December 2024
You might think your personality is unique, but all it takes is a two-hour interview for an AI model to create a virtual replica with your attitudes and behaviors. That’s according to published by researchers from Stanford and DeepMind. In the study, 1,052 participants were asked to complete a two-hour interview which covered a wide range of topics, from their personal life story to their views on contemporary social issues. Their responses were recorded and the script was used to train generative AI models – or “simulation agents” – for each individual. To test how well these agents could mimic their human counterparts, both were asked to complete a set of tasks, including personality tests and games. Participants were then asked to replicate their own answers a fortnight later. Remarkably, the AI agents were able to simulate answers with 85% accuracy compared to the human participants. What’s more, the simulation agents were similarly effective when asked to predict personality traits across five social science experiments. While your personality might seem like an intangible or unquantifiable thing, this research shows that it's possible to distill your value structure from a relatively small amount of information, by capturing qualitative responses to a fixed set of questions. Fed this data, AI models can convincingly imitate your personality – at least, in a controlled, test-based setting. And that could make deepfakes even more dangerous. Double agent The research was led by Joon Sung Park, a Stanford PhD student. The idea behind creating these simulation agents is to give social science researchers more freedom when conducting studies. By creating digital replicas which behave like the real people they’re based on, scientists can run studies without the expense of bringing in thousands of human participants every time. They may also be able to run experiments which would be unethical to conduct with real human participants. Speaking to , John Horton, an associate professor of information technologies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, said that the paper demonstrates a way you can “use real humans to generate personas which can then be used programmatically/in-simulation in ways you could not with real humans.” Whether study participants are morally comfortable with this is one thing. More concerning for many people will be the potential for simulation agents to become something more nefarious in the future. In that same MIT Technology Review story, Park predicted that one day “you can have a bunch of small ‘yous’ running around and actually making the decisions that you would have made.” For many, this will set dystopian alarm bells ringing. The idea of digital replicas opens up a realm of security, privacy and identity theft concerns. It doesn’t take a stretch of the imagination to foresee a world where scammers – who are already using AI to imitate the voices of loved-ones – could build personality deepfakes to imitate people online. This is particularly concerning when you consider that the AI simulation agents were created in the study using just two hours of interview data. This is much less than the amount of information currently required by companies such as , which create digital twins based on a trove of user data.Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. Investors: Please contact the Portnoy Law Firm to recover your losses. February 7, 2025 Deadline to file Lead Plaintiff Motion.
Thriving in the Sixth Wave of innovation‘What a difference a year makes’: Stocks in this sector are set to surge in 2025 after a disappointing year, Citi says
Seahawks try for 7th straight win in series vs. Cards in crucial NFC West matchup(The Center Square) – Momentum is with the emerging electric vehicle industry even with many question marks surrounding energy policy as the Trump administration takes office in January, observers of the industry say. “At the local and state level, there's an incredible amount of energy and action taking place to support transportation electrification,” Ben Prochazka, executive director of the Electrification Coalition, told The Center Square. With Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, playing a significant role in President-elect Donald Trump’s election and chosen with Vivek Ramaswamy to head his new Department of Government Efficiency, it is also unlikely that the electric vehicle industry will be neglected nationally. “The hope is that Elon Musk has influence in the new administration, which does look to be the case,” said Prochazka. “Hopefully, that means there’s a great recognition around the economic benefits that exist.” It remains to be seen how electric vehicle incentive or tax credit programs – different than mandates – might be affected by Trump’s moves to cut spending. Mainstream outlets have already proclaimed that Trump has an "anti-EV agenda," as a group of automakers urged him to retain a national $7,500 consumer tax credit for electric vehicle purchases. On the other hand, Prochazka said tariffs and the deregulation of the domestic automotive industry could play a positive role in the electric vehicle industry, depending on how they are "established." “With any new administration, there's always going to be question marks about what the prevailing winds are,” explained Prochazka, whose nonpartisan, nonprofit coalition engages in policy development, advocacy campaigns and consumer education. "E verything has the potential to be reevaluated and then changed." Willett Kempton is in the University of Delaware's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and has research interests in offshore wind power, electric vehicles and public environmental beliefs and values. He agrees with Prochazka that a lot is still up in the air about Trump’s policy approach to the electric vehicle industry. Certain policies could potentially " slow down" growth domestically, he said. Yet, that wouldn't permanently stop growth. “National governments can slow this growth by policy changes, but that doesn’t change the cost advantages nor the long-term trends,” Kempton told The Center Square. In the past, Republicans generally have been notably skeptical about electric vehicles and especially mandates for them, preferring those powered by fossil fuels. Reliability is among the key drivers of the party's choice when it comes to opposition of the broader green agenda of Democrats. Musk’s involvement has the potential to change that skepticism. Prochazka said he is hopeful for that, emphasizing that his organization believes that electric vehicles should not be a partisan issue. “The last election ultimately created more partisan views on electrification,” he said. “We are working really hard to make sure it's clear that transportation electrification is not a red or a blue issue, but it's really about what's better for the country, especially when you look at it through the lens of global competition. We need to maintain our automotive leadership.” For Prochazka, growing the eclectic vehicle industry is an issue of both “national and economic security.” “The automotive sector is a trillion dollar a year industry that has millions and millions of jobs that are a part of the U.S. automotive sector," he said. "So, as the world goes electric, we need to compete so that we can not only maintain our current market share, but hopefully grow it. There’s a global race to electrification.” There are nearly 2.5 million electric vehicles registered throughout the nation, with the highest percentage of those in California. Even then, only 2.5% of the vehicles in California are electric vehicles and only 6.8% of the vehicles sold nationwide in 2024 were electric. Kempton and Prochazka say the transition to electric vehicles will be inevitable and that America should be the nation leading it. “The shift to electric vehicles is worldwide and there are so many advantages to EVs that this will proceed,” Kempton said. “In most territories, clean energy is already the lowest-cost electricity source and largest amount of new generation being installed. These are driven by market forces and producer projections of where the most future growth will be. So, I would not call these ‘movements’ but rather markets or growth trends and adoption of new technologies.” Only 38% of United States adults say they would even consider buying an electric vehicle. Prochazka said he believes that will continue to change, both as there are nationally moves to protect the economic interests of the United States and as more people get familiar with electric vehicles. “We need to also make sure the U.S. is moving as quickly as possible, so that we can compete with the sort of global efforts to electrify,” he said. “Most people have not gotten behind the wheel and have not plugged one in. I think it’s something that people really just need to try, because then they'll realize this is a much better vehicle. It's just about getting people behind the wheel.”Federal Land Nomura Real Estate (FNG) sets out with a unique vision of Japanese-inspired living in the Philippines
How deepfake technology works
High-Amperage WLM6E-2000A-3300 Electronic Molded Case Circuit Breaker for Industrial and Commercial ApplicationsEnergy boss tells customers to 'snuggle up' under electric blankets to beat the cold this winter - as energy bills set to rise AGAIN next year By JASON GROVES POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 18:07 EST, 22 November 2024 | Updated: 18:09 EST, 22 November 2024 e-mail 8 View comments An energy boss yesterday suggested vulnerable customers should 'snuggle up' under electric blankets this winter – as heating bills rose again. Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson encouraged those struggling to warm their homes this winter to avoid further costs by using cheaper heating methods. Speaking on the day that Ofgem announced the energy price cap would rise again on January 1, Mr Jackson told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'If people are worried about their heating, they can stay warm and healthier much more cheaply by snuggling up in electric blankets for a while.' Adding to his comments on the blankets, of which his firm has given away 65,000 to customers in need, the CEO said: 'They're not tokenism. It saves 300 quid a year on your gas bill during the crisis and keeps you warm and safe.' His remarks came as the Prime Minister defended his decision to axe vital fuel payments for ten million pensioners, saying the Budget had required 'tough decisions'. Sir Keir Starmer , who was quizzed on the issue during a string of interviews with BBC local radio stations, acknowledged he could not remember the last time he struggled to pay a bill. But he said it was right to introduce means-testing to the winter fuel payment, which means older people with incomes of more than about £13,000 will lose a lifeline worth £300. He said: 'At the moment, the allowance goes to everyone, whether they need it or not... many don't need it because they are relatively wealthy. Most people would say that doesn't make sense when we have got a really tight Budget... it makes sense to make the change.' There is mounting concern about the impact of rising energy costs and cuts to winter fuel payments during the current cold snap. The Prime Minister has defended his decision to axe vital fuel payments for ten million pensioners, saying the Budget required 'tough decisions' Octopus Energy founder Greg Jackson encouraged those struggling to warm their homes this winter to avoid further costs by using cheaper heating methods Official Government figures this week forecast that the proposed cuts would drive 100,000 extra pensioners into fuel poverty over the next two years Official Government figures this week forecast that the cuts would drive 100,000 extra pensioners into fuel poverty over the next two years. Age UK said the study by the Department for Work and Pensions confirmed that 'brutally rationing the winter fuel payment will swell the numbers of pensioners already living below the poverty line'. But Sir Keir disputed the Government's own figures, saying they failed to take account of factors such as a drive to encourage the poorest to sign up for Pension Credit, which would guarantee their winter fuel payments. Read More BREAKING NEWS Energy bills to rise again from January in bitter blow to cash-strapped Brits At one point during his interview round, the PM appeared to suggest the cut to winter fuel payments had yet to come in, saying: 'Until we make the changes, that is obviously available to everyone – all pensioners.' But in fact, ministers rushed through emergency legislation in September to ensure the payments continue to only those on Pension Credit this winter, saving the Government £1.5billion. Ofgem yesterday confirmed that the energy price cap will increase by approximately 1.2 per cent from January, raising it by £21 to £1,738. Tim Jarvis, of Ofgem, said the cap had remained 'relatively stable' but acknowledged 'the cost of energy remains a challenge for too many households'. Age UK's Caroline Abrahams said the rise would be 'bitterly disappointing' for millions of pensioners after losing the fuel payment. Keir Starmer Ofgem Share or comment on this article: Energy boss tells customers to 'snuggle up' under electric blankets to beat the cold this winter - as energy bills set to rise AGAIN next year e-mail Add commentSeeing is believing — at least, that is how Jae’Shaun Phillips feels about attending Sacramento State, the California State University with the largest Black student body, with over 2,000 students. He is in the inaugural class of the Black Honors College, a new initiative created to support future Black scholars and leaders. Now, Sacramento State is leading similar charges statewide. For one, the university is hosting the Cal State system’s new Office for the Advancement of Black Student Success , which oversees efforts to better serve Black students throughout the Cal State system. Secondly, on a wider scope, this office will soon manage a special designation for California colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong dedication to their Black students. A new law taking effect Jan. 1, enacted as SB 1348 , creates the first official Black-Serving Institution designation in the country. The designation will be given to qualifying colleges that vow to take a more aggressive approach to address California’s systemic obstacles that have kept Black students at the lowest college-going and graduation rates. Though it’s not stated in the law explicitly, the intent is that both public and private nonprofit institutions are allowed to apply, according to the office of Democratic state Sen. Steven Bradford of Inglewood , who authored the law. This designation is not federally recognized nor will campuses receive federal funding. Besides meeting other student support requirements, the designation is only available to institutions that have a Black student enrollment of at least 10%. For campuses that can’t meet the 10% threshold, they must have at least 1,500 students who are Black. Students like Phillips find comfort in these numbers. “I feel like it pushes me further, just seeing a lot of motivated people, our colors, trying to (succeed) in college,” Phillips said. This is not the reality for most Black college students who find themselves a minority in the majority of California classrooms. California colleges and universities educate over 217,000 Black college students in a pool of over 3.4 million. California’s Black students trail behind their peers academically. Two-thirds of the state’s Black students start at community colleges yet only 35% transfer to a four-year university within six years, compared to 45% for white students, according to an independent study using California Community Colleges data. Cal States lag in graduating their Black students at 49% within six years compared to 62% overall , according to U.S. Department of Education data. At the UCs, where Black enrollment is the lowest, 78% of Black students graduate in six years but are still 8 percentage points behind the general population. Bradford finds those statistics “concerning,” further noting that Black undergraduate enrollment nationwide has declined 25% between 2010 and 2020 . Bradford hopes this new law will reverse the enrollment decline by recognizing colleges that are “accepting and open and there to support African American students.” In California, no colleges or universities meet either of the two primary federal designations for serving Black students: Predominantly Black Institutions, which must have at least a 40% Black student population, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which apply to schools established before 1964 with a primary mission to educate Black students. The Office of Black Excellence will oversee the applications from campuses seeking the Black-Serving Institution designation. Designees will be selected by a governing board consisting of the lieutenant governor, the chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, two members of the public, and college and university officials representing public and private, nonprofit higher education institutions. To qualify for the designation, schools must have established programs dedicated to Black student success, a yet-to-be-determined track record with Black retention and graduation rates, and a five-year plan to boost those rates. Bradford’s office says the governing board will clarify ambiguities in the law regarding application requirements and determine the logistics once it convenes in January. The law does not outline the requirements for two-year nonprofit private institutions applying to the designation nor does it stipulate a deadline for when the first Black-Serving Institution will be recognized. The law is also unclear about which student enrollment data, self-reported or federal, schools will use to show eligibility and whether they can include both undergraduate and graduate students. Self-reported data introduces the potential for inconsistency in how the board vets the institutions — in some cases the numbers nearly double. For example, the UC system indicates that 4.5% of its undergraduate students are Black. However, according to federal Department of Education data, that number is just 2.3%. According to 2022 federal counts of undergraduates and graduate students, 60 California colleges and universities meet one or both of the student population requirements to be a Black-Serving Institution. Of those schools, 32 are private nonprofits, 24 are community colleges, three are Cal States, and only one is a UC — UCLA with 3.6%, or 1,681, Black students. However, according to UC’s self-reported data in 2022, two of the 10 UCs reported more than 1,500 Black students. That number jumped to four in 2023. This is because the UC system counts a person of mixed race as a single race based on a hierarchy that places the highest priority on Black students. UC data rules state that a student who self-identifies as Black and any other group will be reported in UC’s system as Black. Meanwhile, federal data counts mixed-race students in a separate “two or more” category. The Cal State and community college systems also publish internal demographic numbers that vary somewhat from federal data. Unlike the UC, these systems use a category of two or more racial groups. Private, nonprofit institutions operate independently, making it difficult to assess each college’s internal methodology. A few campuses that have confronted inequities served as the blueprint for the new Black-Serving Institution designation. Keith Curry, president of Compton College, and Luke Wood, president of Sacramento State, worked closely with Bradford’s office to conceptualize the law. Both presidents say they recognize the limitations imposed by Proposition 209 , passed in 1996 to ban race-based admissions and education programs, and emphasize that their programs focus on minority students but are open to everyone. In 2022, Curry proclaimed Compton College a Black-Serving Institution, encouraging educational leaders to serve Black students “unapologetically” in an Op-Ed for Diverse magazine. Located south of Los Angeles, Compton College has 1,204 Black students, a quarter of its population. Curry said he harnesses the power of culture to boost student interest with events such as Black Welcome and Black Graduation. This past spring, rapper Kendrick Lamar spoke at graduation, creating some social buzz. In 2021, Compton College created a new leadership role, director of Black and Males of Color Success. In the role, Antonio Banks connects students to tutoring services, basic needs resources, and specialized programming. He also oversees the Men’s Leadership Academy, which hosts weekly events dedicated to community building, such as the recent “Babyboy: Building Emotional Intelligence to Combat Toxic Masculinity.” Banks said they focus on fostering community and “helping students become advocates, both in their own fight for education, (and) the fight for others.” Curry believes his Black-centered approach is already working. During the 2023-24 academic year, returning Black full-time equivalent students increased 34.6% from the previous year, according to Compton’s data. Banks says it will take one to three years to fully reveal the impact of their programs on graduation rates. In the Cal State system, Wood has been a leading advocate in supporting Black students. A 2023 report by the chancellor’s Black Student Success Workgroup acknowledged the university system’s failure to produce equal outcomes for its Black students. The report made recommendations to all Cal State universities, including recruiting faculty with a high record of success in serving their Black students, implementing inclusive curriculum, and establishing a Black Resource Center on every campus. Much of what the report entails, Sacramento State has already established. Sacramento State hosts over a dozen groups and resources dedicated to supporting Black and marginalized students. “We’re trying to create an experience outside of the classroom that celebrates Black history, life and culture in a way that you would only see at an institution that is a HBCU,” Wood said. An example is the Black Honors College, which focuses entirely on Black academia and culture. Select students receive specialized staffing and resources for seminars, coursework, therapy, research opportunities, housing, and more. The university has also started establishing pipelines with some community colleges with large Black student populations, including Merritt College in Oakland and Compton College. Business major Phillips attended predominantly white grade schools in Tracy, California. One of the reasons he chose Sacramento State was the community it has built for Black students. He said initiatives like the Black Honors College have special impact on “kids who are very strong in academics, but may not have that home life that really supports them, or for kids who have a lot of capability, potential and talent, but (are not) being promoted or pushed through all the way to see that full potential.” Wood says their efforts have already helped in recruiting and graduating Black students. Applications overall were up by around 4,000 this fall, with a 17% increase for enrolled Black freshmen and a 40% increase among Black community college transfers. Four-year graduation rates for Black students rose to 1 in 4 graduating in 2024, compared to 1 in 5 in 2019 . Universities that pursue the new Black-Serving Institution designation seek to attract students like Nora Thompson, who is studying administration of justice at Merritt College and has always wanted the HBCU experience. Merritt serves a 20.4% Black student population. Thompson has plans to transfer to North Carolina Central University, an HBCU, in the spring. She dreams of becoming a judge like her grandfather. “I had to work 30 times harder to be seen as a student and as someone who cared about their education,” Thompson said. “For most people, their HBCU changes their life ... I wanted to experience feeling like being part of a community in every possible way, not just education wise.” She lamented having to leave the state — and pay out-of-state tuition — just to experience a flourishing Black academic setting. Thompson says that even with the Black-Serving designation, California’s Black student populations are not enough to keep her here. Further north in a more remote area of the state, junior journalism major and Black Student Union president at Cal Poly Humboldt, Kaylon Coleman, is not satisfied with his experience at the university — from the subtle racism by his classmates to the few opportunities to learn from Black scholars. Cal Poly Humboldt is a predominantly white institution. Federal data as of 2022 shows that of the 6,025 students enrolled, only 179 were Black — far below the minimum to qualify as a Black-Serving Institution. As a freshman, Coleman was told by counselors that the Black Student Union had a history of disbanding due to low Black student enrollment. He turned to the Umoja Center for Pan African Student Excellence, the university’s cultural center for those who are Black identifying or of African descent. A friend of Coleman’s revived the union, and he joined. Like many students attending universities with small Black populations, Coleman said it’s exhausting to speak up about the behavior of those around him. “It’s hard to be that one person — Black person — in your class, or the one to explain why this was a microaggression, or why this was racist, or why you can’t touch my hair, stuff like that,” Coleman said. Coleman feels that students attending schools without the Black-Serving Institution title will be left behind. He believes that Black students at every California college deserve to reap the benefits that would come with the label. Kyira Todmia, a senior in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior at UC Davis, shared a slightly different experience. In 2022, federal data reported Davis had 783 Black students, representing 2% of over 39,000 students total. However, it self-reports 1,472 Black students, or 3.7% of the population. She says that while her school may not have a large Black student population, the student resources are strong. Todmia built her social circle around the African American “learning community” in student housing as a freshman. She also hangs out at the Center for African Diaspora, where students have access to study spaces, tutors, peer advisors and events. During Todmia’s four years at Davis, she’s only had one Black professor. Because few Black students are in STEM majors, at times she is the only Black student in classes of 300 to 500 people. At least in her learning community, she said, she was able to see rooms full of Black folks every day — even if they weren’t in most of her classes. For Sen. Bradford, now 64, the new law is personal. Bradford reflected on his own experience as a biology student at Cal State Dominguez Hills in the 1980s. For a campus that earns the Black-Serving Institution designation, Bradford said, “It’s going to be an environment that’s going to be welcoming, that’s going to be supportive. I only wish that had existed when I entered college over 40 years ago.” Mikhail Zinshteyn contributed to this story. This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
By LARRY NEUMEISTER, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — In an angry outburst in a New York courtroom, Rudy Giuliani accused a judge Tuesday of making wrong assumptions about him as he tries to comply with an order requiring him to turn over most of his assets to two election poll workers who won a libel case against him. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman responded by saying he’s not going to let the former New York City mayor and onetime presidential candidate blurt things out anymore in court unless he’s a sworn witness. The interruption to an otherwise routine pretrial hearing in Manhattan came as the judge questioned Giuliani’s lawyer about why Giuliani has not yet provided the title to a car he has relinquished in his effort to satisfy a $148 million defamation judgment won by two former Georgia election workers. “Your client was the U.S. attorney for this district,” the judge said, referring to Giuliani’s years in the 1980s as the head of the federal prosecutor’s office in the Southern District of New York, as he suggested it was hard to believe that Giuliani was incapable of getting a duplicate title to the car. Giuliani learned forward and began speaking into a microphone, telling the judge he had applied for a duplicate copy of the car’s title but that it had not yet arrived. “The implication I’ve been not diligent about it is totally incorrect,” Giuliani said in a scolding tone. “The implication you make is against me and every implication against me is wrong.” Giuliani went on: “I’m not impoverished. Everything I have is tied up. I don’t have a car. I don’t have a credit card. I don’t have cash. I can’t get to bank accounts that truly would be mine because they have put ... stop orders on, for example, my Social Security account, which they have no right to do.” Liman responded by warning defense lawyers that the next time Giuliani interrupts a hearing, “he’s not going to be permitted to speak and the court will take action.” The judge said Giuliani could either choose to represent himself or let lawyers do so, but “you can’t have hybrid representation.” If Giuliani wants to speak in court again, he can be put on the witness stand and be sworn as a witness, Liman added. The exchange came at a hearing in which the judge refused to delay a Jan. 16 trial over the disposition of Giuliani’s Florida residence and World Series rings. Those are two sets of assets that Giuliani is trying to shield from confiscation as part of Liman’s order to turn over many prized possessions to the poll workers. Earlier in the proceeding, defense attorney Joseph M. Cammarata asked Liman to delay the trial, which will be heard without a jury, for a month because of Giuliani’s “involvement” in inauguration planning for President-elect Donald Trump. “My client regularly consults and deals directly with President-elect Trump on issues that are taking place as the incoming administration is afoot as well as (the) inauguration,” Cammarata said. “My client wants to exercise his political right to be there.” The judge turned down the request, saying Giuliani’s “social calendar” was not a reason to postpone the trial. Giuliani, who once served as Trump’s personal attorney, was found liable last year for defaming two Georgia poll workers by falsely accusing them of tampering with ballots during the 2020 presidential election. The women said they faced death threats after Giuliani falsely claimed they sneaked in ballots in suitcases, counted ballots multiple times and tampered with voting machines.Israel strikes kill 52 in Lebanon as Hezbollah targets south Israel
Rudy Giuliani in a courtroom outburst accuses judge in assets case of being unfair, drawing a rebuke
The Predator movie franchise is now enjoying a resurgence thanks to the big hit that was Prey (2022). With a sequel in the works and another standalone Predator movie coming in the near future, we thought we’d hunt down the best Predator games of all time. Shockingly, the Predator IP hasn’t been nearly as explored as the Alien franchise in video games, at least not on its own; most of the best Predator games ever are actually Alien vs. Predator titles. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ‘solo’ Predator games worth checking out, but just don’t expect a barrage of them. Hopefully, with Disney now at the wheel, the property will be passed around between developers more often. If you’re in the mood for more sci-fi horror games, we recommend checking out our ranked list of the best space horror games ever. We also have some thoughts about the rankings of the Alien and Predator movie series, and of course, don’t skip the best Alien games of all time if you need a change of pace. Platforms: SEGA Genesis Developer: Teeny Weeny Games One of the three different video games that adapted Predator 2 back in the day, the SEGA Genesis third-person shooter developed by Teeny Weeny Games didn’t feature much Predator action, but it was a fun short ride nonetheless. Playing as Mike Harrigan, the main character of the movie, the player must defeat gang members and quickly rescue hostages for most of the game, all while avoiding the Predator’s attacks and stopping them from reaching those same hostages. If too many hostages are killed, it’s game over. The action is snappy and breezy, and the sprites that are used throughout the game look pretty nice. Given the average level of big movie tie-ins back in the early 1990s, Predator 2 was an effective and replayable one. Platforms: Atari Jaguar Developer: Rebellion Rebellion’s history with the Alien vs. Predator IP is extensive and started shortly after the AvP comics became a pop culture sensation. Built as an exclusive game for Atari’s Jaguar console, 1994’s Alien vs. Predator was a high-profile release when it launched. Of course, this game hasn’t aged well and was instantly improved upon by Rebellion’s second AvP project, but for a 1994 first-person shooter, a lot was achieved here. From the menacing visuals to the diversity of the gameplay across three different species, it was a highlight amidst far more generic shooters following Doom ’s release in 1993. Platforms: Super Nintendo Developer: Jorudan The year before Alien vs. Predator for the Jaguar launched, another console exclusive based on the now-famous sci-fi crossover was released for the Super Nintendo. This one kept things simpler, letting players control a single Predator warrior in a side-scrolling, beat ‘em up adventure. Thanks to the good-looking SNES sprites and adequate controls, Alien vs. Predator ’93 belongs to the group of early 1990s beat ‘em ups that have aged gracefully. It just works, and beyond its IP appeal, there’s a solid old-school adventure at its core. Plus, the story, which takes place on the planet Vega 4, works quite well as an extension of the comic books it was based on. Platforms: PC, PS4/5, Xbox Series X/S Developer: IllFonic Predator: Hunting Grounds is an online multiplayer title that has been around for over three years now. After a rough first year, it’s quickly evolved into a competant asymmetrical shooter in which you can either be the hunter or the hunted. Moreover, a current-gen release has just arrived alongside content based on Prey, the latest Predator movie. There isn’t much here for gamers who dislike online games, but Predator fans should get a kick from the numerous callbacks to the movie series and wider canon, while the actual game modes and missions push its PvPvE formula to its limits. Sure, it’s a bit rough around the edges still, but IllFonic’s notable commitment to the game has paid off for the most part. Platforms: Xbox, PS2 Developer: Zono This often overlooked game was an off-beat mix of real-time strategy and the Aliens vs. Predator IP... exclusive to consoles. Developed by Zono, who already had experience with the genre, AvP: Extinction is perhaps the weirdest big-budget release the Alien and Predator franchise has ever been used for. Due to control limitations, the focus was put on unit management and combat over base-building and resource-gathering. The entire game revolves around three sizable, interwoven campaigns which are light on actual storytelling, but shape the levels and starting conditions depending on the narrative. Each species plays very differently, so in the end, AvP: Extinction almost feels like three weird but solid RTS titles bundled into one. Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3 Developer: Rebellion AvP video games had another shot at FPS glory in 2010 after a long downtime, and with Rebellion back developing the reboot. Once again, the full story is told across three different campaigns, following in the footsteps of Monolith’s AvP 2 instead of its 1999 game. As for the online multiplayer, the offering of modes (both competitive and co-op) was diverse and unique, which explains why there’s a small but dedicated community still alive and kicking to this day. The most interesting thing about this iteration of the formula is that Rebellion took some big swings with gameplay elements such as melee combat, giving it a special flavor and visceral feeling in the moment-to-moment gameplay. The campaigns were a bit short, but they squarely delivered on the promise of more carnage between science fiction’s most famous horror icons. Platforms: PS2, Xbox Developer: Eurocom Predator: Concrete Jungle had sufficient juice and enough cool ideas to become the definitive Predator game, but a number of story and gameplay shortcomings keep it out of the top three. It’s a third-person action-adventure game with semi-linear levels and a narrative that follows a disgraced hunter who’s banished for a century after failing a hunt in 1930. In the future, things have changed a lot, and criminal families have used leftover Predator tech to take urban war to the next level. The mission? To make things right, but the plot gets wild fast. Overall, Concrete Jungle feels like a perfect riff on some of the zaniest Predator comics, and both the setting and the alien hunter’s abilities are great. Platforms: PC, macOS Developer: Rebellion After Rebellion’s AvP FPS for the Atari Jaguar, the studio truly wowed players in 1999. Technology had come a long way in just a few short years, and the full-3D graphics powered the ultimate Alien and Predator (first-person) power fantasies... as well some super-tense human marine gameplay. In early 2010, after several years of (legal) unavailability, AvP was re-released under the title Aliens vs. Predator Classic 2000. This version works on modern computers and has controller support and other improvements. Moreover, it packs all the extra content released back in the day (and online multiplayer). The storylines for each species are independent of one another and take players through both original locations and some iconic scenarios from the Alien movies. If you can grapple with the aged controls and old-school level design, this one shouldn’t be missed even if its two sequels were more accessible. Platforms: Arcade Developer: Capcom Though Alien vs. Predator had already landed on the SNES by 1994 with a solid beat ‘em up, Capcom’s AvP for arcade machines is considered to be one of the best games ever made within that genre. And to be honest, we completely agree, as it looks gorgeous and packs quite a punch, with fantastic controls and level variety that wasn’t common back then. Four characters are available (the game can do three-player co-op): the Predator warrior and hunter, Major Dutch Schaefer (very loosely based on Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character from the original Predator movie), and Lt. Linn Kurosawa, a human cyborg expert in martial arts. They all work together to put an end to an alien infestation overrunning a major human city in futuristic California. The only bad thing about it is that you’ll need to emulate the game until Capcom does a modern re-release at some point. Platforms: PC, macOS Developer: Monolith Productions Monolith’s 2001 sequel to Rebellion’s classic hasn’t received a remaster nor a modern re-release, but it firmly remains the best Alien vs. Predator game ever, and we are sure its campaign and class-based online multiplayer equal the best Predator game period. The jump in graphical fidelity was vast, and each of the three campaigns – interwoven this time around – feels meaty and challenging. But more importantly, each species had a bigger arsenal of weapons and abilities to destroy their enemies and move around the levels. It’s a fantastic time for Alien and Colonial Marines fans too, but Predators have never felt better to embody. Plus, the entire game holds up quite well and plays just fine on modern systems... if you can find it.
During Tuesday’s Board of County Commissioners meeting, Fremont County Sheriff’s Transport Deputy Tracy Breeding was named the 2024 Fremont County Employee of the Year. Nominated by his co-workers, Breeding’s nomination letter states that he is a model of a sheriff’s deputy and he is honest, reliable and always there when needed. The letter states that he is professional and caring when speaking with everyone. “It means a lot to me because of my team,” he said. “It’s really all of us because, without them, I couldn’t do this. It’s really all of us that get his award – it’s not just me.” Breeding was surprised and humbled to receive the honor. “I was very surprised, very surprised,” he said. “I didn’t expect somebody from the Sheriff’s Office would get the bump up to the Employee of the Year.” Breeding and his wife moved to Fremont County six years ago, at which time he was hired by the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office. He started as a detention deputy before going through the training academy and moving over to the patrol division. About two and a half years ago, he went back to the detention side as a transport deputy, escorting detainees to and from court, and carrying out extraditions inside and out of the state. The best part of his job is working with his team. “There are three other individuals and we all watch each other’s back and make sure our job gets done safely,” he said. He aims to treat everyone fairly, from his co-workers to the detainees. Originally from Missouri, Breeding previously worked as a wildland firefighter, in the HVAC industry and ran his own handyman business. Twelve employees were nominated for this year’s top honor. All of the Fremont County elected officials vote for the final honoree. 2024 Nominees: Tracy Breeding – Detention Deputy/FCSO Employee of the Year Evelyn Campbell – Custodian Supervisor/Facilities Kevin Cavalier- IT Technician/IT Dept Josh Clark- Maintenance Worker/Facilities Sydney Danielson- Office Assistant /Public Health Dotty Gardunio- Chief Deputy/Clerk & Recorder Loni Hudnall- Appraiser/ Assessors Office Indira Lottig-Custodian/Facilities Office Berta Newell – Deputy Clerk/Motor Vehicle Bailey Owen – Administrative Sergeant-Detention/FCSO Lenny Saint – IT Lead Specialist/IT Department Jacquelyn Wilner – Lead Caseworker/ Department of Human Services In other business, the board approved a resolution designating matters of state interest and adopting guidelines and regulations for the county administration of certain activities of state interest to include site selection and construction of major new domestic water and sewage treatment systems and major extension of existing domestic water and sewage treatment systems; site selection and construction of major facilities of a public utility; and efficient utilization of municipal and industrial water projects, and regulations concerning the same. This applies only to areas in unincorporated Fremont County. Commissioner Kevin Grantham said this is not an intent to add more regulations, but without it, the state could take away the county’s ability to govern itself regarding land use, site-specific regulations and utility-scale projects. “The intent on the state level is to take away our ability to approve or decline certain energy facilities, all because of a political necessity on their part to push an agenda,” he said. “This will help us retain our ability to have a say locally.” It also gives citizens a say through the public hearing process. “It’s not that we desire more control over what people do with their property – but we do desire to keep that out of hands of the state,” Grantham said. The guidelines will take effect around Jan. 21. The resolution may be found at https://bit.ly/49xQahp .Seattle (7-5) at Arizona (6-6) Sunday, 4:05 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Cardinals by 2 1/2. Series record: Seahawks lead 28-22-1. Against the spread: Seahawks 5-6-1, Cardinals 8-4. Last meeting: Seahawks beat Cardinals 16-6 on Nov. 24, 2024, in Seattle. Last week: Seahawks beat Chargers, 26-21; Cardinals lost to Vikings, 23-22. Seahawks offense: overall (16), rush (28), pass (2), scoring (15). Seahawks defense: overall (18), rush (21), pass (12), scoring (12). Cardinals offense: overall (11), rush (6), pass (22), scoring (17). Cardinals defense: overall (17), rush (13), pass (18), scoring (11). Turnover differential: Seahawks minus-6, Cardinals minus-1. DT Leonard Williams has been one of the most dominant players in the league over the past two weeks. Williams had 2 1/2 sacks, four tackles for loss and three quarterback hits two weeks ago against the Cardinals. Williams sacked Aaron Rodgers twice and scored his first career touchdown on a 92-yard pick-6. QB Kyler Murray has had some good moments over the past two games and completed 31 of 45 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown against the Vikings. But he also threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter which proved costly. QB Geno Smith vs. Arizona's defense. Smith has had another solid season and now he'll face an Arizona defense that's been vastly improved over the past 1 1/2 months. The Cardinals have been much more productive in the pass rush with 23 sacks over the past six games. That ranks third in the NFL over that span. Coach Mike Macdonald said he is optimistic that P Michael Dickson (back spasms) will be able to play this weekend, but bringing in another punter this week is “on the table.”.. LB Uchenna Nwosu has a chance to play this week. Nwosu missed the first four games of the season with a knee injury, then injured his thigh in his first game back in Week 5, and has been on injured reserve since. ... The Cardinals are relatively healthy. DLs Darius Robinson (calf) and Dante Stills (back) have been limited in practice this week. The Seahawks have won six straight games in the series going back to 2022. The Cardinals last won 23-13 on Nov. 21, 2021. The Cardinals haven't won at home against the Seahawks since 2020. The Seahawks' next win will be the 400th in franchise history. ... Since Week 9, Seattle’s defense ranks fifth in the NFL with 17.5 points allowed per game, 299 yards allowed per game, and 84.3 rushing yards allowed per game, while ranking sixth in the league with 18.8 first downs allowed. ... The Seahawks have two pick-6s in the past two games, the first time the team has done so since 2012. ... The Seahawks have held three straight opponents to under 300 yards, and fewer than 100 rushing yards. ... Seattle has outscored its opponents by 37 points in the final two minutes of halves this season, the best in the NFL. .. WR DK Metcalf needs one receiving TD to pass Steve Largent for the most in a player’s first six seasons in franchise history with 47. ... Smith needs one 300-yard game to tie Russell Wilson for the most 300-yard games in a single season in franchise history with five. ... WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba Needs 171 yards for his first 1,000-yard season, and to become the 10th player in franchise history to reach that mark. ... Arizona has won three straight games at home. The Cardinals outscored those opponents 77-30 while scoring nine touchdowns and allowing none. ... TE Trey McBride has caught 12 passes in two straight games, which is the first time a tight end has had at least 12 receptions in two straight games in NFL history. ... Arizona's six losses have come to teams with a combined 55-18 record this season entering Week 14. ... S Budda Baker has 114 tackles this season, which ranks sixth in the league. ... McBride's caught 73 passes this season. He needs just nine more catches over the next five games to break his franchise record for a tight end. ... WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has caught seven TD passes this season, which leads all NFL rookies. ... The Cardinals have been flagged for 61 penalties this season, which is the fewest in the NFL. But the team was flagged 10 times in last week's loss to the Vikings. Arizona's defense is a strong play at home. The Cardinals are giving up just 17 points per game at State Farm Stadium, which is second in the league behind Pittsburgh. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl