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Bryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media
Jumia: Cleaning Up The Business For 2025
Lamar Jackson takes on Philadelphia's top-ranked defense when the Ravens host the Eagles
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The transactions, from...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22803/sports/basketball/top-trades-that-made-impact-in-rwandan-basketball-in-2024" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/24/67045.jpeg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/24/67045.jpeg" }, "articleBody": "The 2024 Rwanda basketball league season has been shaped by a flurry of blockbuster trades that left fans and analysts buzzing. The transactions, from orchestrated trades and free agency signings to contract extensions in large part, affected how each of the 10 top-tier clubs conducted their business on and off the court. Most of the teams made seismic moves, solving their roster dilemma in landing international players, with some going as far as landing NBA-G League talents. Also recruited are diaspora-bound talent with Rwandan roots who jetted back to continue their careers in the domestic league. But it was not just about landing the stints to play in the local league, the majority of the trades lived up to expectations. Here is a look at some of the trades that left a mark in 2024: Isaiah Miller to APR It didn't take the American point guard too long to make his impact noticed since joining APR in July, powering the club to a second straight championship after a 4-2 finals series win over rivals Patriots. Miller’s numbers at APR don’t lie. He was a joy to watch and that went with individual different accolades where he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) courtesy of his stellar performances during the betPawa playoffs. He came at the time APR were on the heels of losing their star point guard Adonis Filer who was sidelined through a lengthy injury that he suffered during the BAL Conference Games in Dakar, Senegal, in May. Filer’s absence was felt during the regular season and Miller had a task to fill the void that not many could afford. But the 182 cm guard delivered. During the 2024 season which closed in September, Miller was named among the bucket getters of the local league. The 26-year-old has previously featured in the NBA training camps with different teams including the Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and the Utah Jazz. Stephaun Branch He may not have succeeded in helping Patriots bring the championship home, but Branch played quite an instrumental in leading the club back to their finals appearance after a three-year jinx. During the regular season, Branch was widely recognized as a towering guard who can shoot the basketball, grab rebounds in addition to logging steals and blocks. The 28-year-old is an experienced hooper who has featured for clubs in various countries including Mexico, Romania, Belgium, Israel, Uruguay and his native USA. Branch’s impact on the floor was mainly felt during the playoffs run, where he cemented his name on the local basketball scene. It was not all rosy for the champions APR to go past the Branch-led Patriots, in a finals series which was determined in the last minutes of Game 6. Branch also powered his team to a powerful regular season, where the Patriots side finished at the top of the standings. His mix with William Perry could create a powerful backcourt for the Patriots, should they be maintained in the roster. Chad Bowie Jordan to Kepler The 28-year-old point guard had an impressive 2024 season in Kepler’s colours, finishing as the top scorer with 410 points. He also added 62 steals on top of being the third best three-point shooter with 54 points scored from three pointers. Bowie joined the Kepler side in their first ever season as a top-tier club in the Rwanda Basketball League. He went on to power the team to the playoffs before Patriots eliminated them with clean sweep in the semifinals playoffs. At Kepler, Bowie finds himself in arguably one of the most ambitious sports projects in the country. Bowie previously plied his trade in the US and Canada. He revealed his move to Rwanda was motivated by the fact that he wanted to expand his experience and show his level of play. He was also eager to experience new things and see new places. Osborne Shema After a successful college basketball journey in the US, talented forward Osborne Shema jetted back to Rwanda where he joined APR. The 26-year-old previously played for various US schools since 2017. He graduated from Iona University in New York this year and returned home to continue his basketball career at the army side. “I want to become a great player, a great person; and I want to leave a good legacy. So, I am really looking to invest a lot of time in becoming a professional basketball player,” Shema told The New Times in an earlier exclusive interview. APR have a clear project aimed at dominating Rwanda and Africa, and Shema believes he fits very well in it, as he looks to help the army side win titles and make an impact on the national team as well. Antino Jackson Antino’s move to Rwanda Energy Group (REG) is arguably one of the trades that sent the local fanbase in a buzz considering the skills he showed on the basketball court. Jackson, 28, joined the electricians earlier in 2024 before crossed over to APR at the end of the season. Despite falling short of a championship, Antino’s first season was enough for him to prove his worth. He was among leading players in points, and assists last season. He powered the energy side to the playoffs before being eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champions APR. 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Saturn Oil & Gas: Strong Buy On Improving Fundamentals And Balance Sheet Repair
Robbins LLP reminds investors of the class action filed on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Humacyte, Inc. (NASDAQ: HUMA) securities between May 10, 2024 and October 17, 2024. Humacyte and its consolidated subsidiaries develop and manufacture off-the-shelf, implantable, and bioengineered human tissues. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr., or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Humacyte, Inc (HUMA) Misled Investors Regarding its Manufacturing Practices According to the complaint, Humacyte is currently engaged in engineering and manufacturing Acellular Tissue Engineered Vessel (“ATEV”), also known as“Human Acellular Vessel,” which is a lab-grown blood vessel implant that can act as a replacement for an injured or damaged blood vessel. On August 9, 2024, Humacyte issued a press release announcing that the FDA“will require additional time to complete its review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for the acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) in the vascular trauma indication.” The press release disclosed in part, that,“[d]uring the course of the BLA review, the FDA has conducted inspections of our manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and has actively engaged with us in multiple discussions regarding our BLA filing[.]” On this news, the Company's stock price declined $1.29, or 16.4%, to close at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024. The complaint further alleges that on October 17, 2024, the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility, which revealed violations, including“no microbial quality assurance,”“no microbial testing,” and inadequate“quality oversight.” On this news, the Company's stock price declined $0.95, or 16.35%, to close at $4.86 per share on October 17, 2024. Plaintiff alleges that during the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma. What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Humacyte, Inc. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 17, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LL have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Humacyte, Inc. settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN24122024004107003653ID1109028402 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Year in review: What the Pa. Legislature achieved in 2024
Jimmy Carter, 39th president of the United States, dies at 100
Jimmy Carter, the longest-living U.S. president, , the Carter Center said. He was 100 years old. Carter entered hospice care in February 2023 after several hospital stays, forgoing further medical treatments to stop the spread of melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The former president started from humble beginnings as a peanut farmer on his family’s farm just outside of his birthplace and beloved Plains, a place that helped shape his political career and philanthropy work. Out of all of his accomplishments, Carter said the he ever did was marry fellow Plains native Rosalynn Smith in 1946. Rosalynn Carter on Nov. 19, 2023, shortly after entering hospice following a dementia diagnosis. Carter, a Democrat, took office as the 39th U.S. president in January 1977. During his one term in the White House, he decreased the budget deficit, became a , negotiated the Panama Canal treaties, brokered the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, created millions of jobs and the Education Department, brought diversity to the federal bench and diverted a nuclear disaster. But his , as well as the diplomatic standoff of the Iranian hostage crisis, contributed to his loss to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election. In 2002, Carter became the third president to win the Nobel Peace Prize for his work, both during and after his presidency, in helping to resolve international conflicts, advancing social welfare and campaigning for human rights. After Carter lost reelection, he and Rosalynn moved back to Plains, lived in a modest home and were commonly spotted by the town's hundreds of residents. From there, Carter helped to build, renovate and repair 4,300 homes in a , as well as raising funding for construction. Well into his 90s, Carter could be seen teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church, .Charles Dolan, HBO founder and pioneering cable TV mogul, passes away
First Security Islami Bank sacks DMDFormer NFL head coach Mike Mularkey admits to leaking false information to media just before he was fired READ MORE: Why this could be the worst weekend of the entire NFL season By JAKE NISSE Published: 22:06, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 22:09, 21 November 2024 e-mail View comments Former Titans head coach Mike Mularkey has admitted to leaking fake information regarding his future with the franchise before being fired in 2018. Mularkey's Titans went 9-7 during the 2017 regular season before losing to the Patriots in the divisional round of the playoffs. And while he knew that defeat would spell the end of his time in Tennessee , he told NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport that he was actually about to get a contract extension, as he revealed in a new interview. 'The best thing I did there at the end... was when I got called in that Monday morning after the New England game. I knew they were going to fire me,' Mularkey began on Action Sports Jax's 'Brent & Austen' , per A to Z Sports . 'So Sunday night, I called Ian Rapoport, and I said, 'Hey, I don't know if you know this, but I'm going to break it to you - I'm getting a new contract in the morning.' Mike Mularkey is seen after the Titans lost the divisional round game to the Patriots in 2019 Ian Rapoport was told by Mularkey that he was getting a new deal, and reported as such Do you remember @RapSheet reporting Mike Mularkey was going to get a contract extension from the #TitanUp but was fired instead? I think we might know why... @BrentASJax @A_Train_92 pic.twitter.com/2YlyRg7d2k — BrentDanStuartMarcelAlivia (@ActionSportsJax) November 20, 2024 'And he reported that. It was all over the country [that] I was getting [a] contract, knowing that I was going to get fired, but I just wanted to see the faces on the owner and the GM who was out to get me. And I'm pretty sure I got him for for a minute or two. When I walked in the next morning, there wasn't a whole lot of conversation.' Mularkey did in fact get fired from his Titans role, but not before Rapoport tweeted the coach's misinformation out to his followers. Rapoport's tweet was retweeted more than 2.2k times and received 2.4k likes. Notably, Rapoport had reported earlier that January that Mularkey could lose his job if the Titans lost to the Chiefs in the wild card round. Tennessee won that game but didn't get any further as they fell to Tom Brady and the Patriots at the next stage. Mularkey, who also coached the Bills and Jaguars before getting to Tennessee, was last in the NFL in 2019 as the Falcons' tight ends coach. Tennessee Titans Share or comment on this article: Former NFL head coach Mike Mularkey admits to leaking false information to media just before he was fired e-mail Add comment
In a recent SEC filing, it was revealed that Daniel Roy Hopgood , EVP at Nordson NDSN , made a noteworthy insider purchase on December 23,. What Happened: Hopgood's recent move, as outlined in a Form 4 filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, involves purchasing 1,201 shares of Nordson. The total transaction value is $251,885. During Tuesday's morning session, Nordson shares up by 0.11%, currently priced at $209.53. Unveiling the Story Behind Nordson Nordson manufactures equipment (including pumps, valves, dispensers, applicators, filters, and pelletizers) used for dispensing adhesives, coatings, sealants, and other materials. The firm serves a diverse range of end markets including packaging, medical, electronics, and industrial. Nordson's business is organized into three segments: industrial precision solutions, medical and fluid solutions, and advanced technology solutions. The company generated approximately $2.7 billion in revenue in its fiscal 2024. Understanding the Numbers: Nordson's Finances Revenue Growth: Nordson's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 31 October, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 12.53% . This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Industrials sector. Exploring Profitability: Gross Margin: The company maintains a high gross margin of 54.11% , indicating strong cost management and profitability compared to its peers. Earnings per Share (EPS): Nordson's EPS is a standout, portraying a positive bottom-line trend that exceeds the industry average with a current EPS of 2.14 . Debt Management: The company faces challenges in debt management with a debt-to-equity ratio higher than the industry average. With a ratio of 0.75 , caution is advised due to increased financial risk. Valuation Overview: Price to Earnings (P/E) Ratio: The Price to Earnings ratio of 25.81 is lower than the industry average, indicating potential undervaluation for the stock. Price to Sales (P/S) Ratio: A higher-than-average P/S ratio of 4.48 suggests overvaluation in the eyes of investors, considering sales performance. EV/EBITDA Analysis (Enterprise Value to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation & Amortization): With an EV/EBITDA ratio of 17.44 , the company's market valuation exceeds industry averages. Market Capitalization Analysis: Reflecting a smaller scale, the company's market capitalization is positioned below industry averages. This could be attributed to factors such as growth expectations or operational capacity. Now trade stocks online commission free with Charles Schwab, a trusted and complete investment firm. Why Pay Attention to Insider Transactions Insider transactions are not the sole determinant of investment choices, but they are a factor worth considering. Exploring the legal landscape, an "insider" is defined as any officer, director, or beneficial owner holding more than ten percent of a company's equity securities, as stipulated by Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. This encompasses executives in the c-suite and major hedge funds. These insiders are required to report their transactions through a Form 4 filing, which must be submitted within two business days of the transaction. Highlighted by a company insider's new purchase, there's a positive anticipation for the stock to rise. But, insider sells may not necessarily indicate a bearish view and can be motivated by various factors. Navigating the World of Insider Transaction Codes When dissecting transactions, the focal point for investors is often those occurring in the open market, meticulously detailed in Table I of the Form 4 filing. A P in Box 3 denotes a purchase, while S signifies a sale. Transaction code C indicates the conversion of an option, and transaction code A denotes a grant, award, or other acquisition of securities from the company. Check Out The Full List Of Nordson's Insider Trades. Insider Buying Alert: Profit from C-Suite Moves Benzinga Edge reveals every insider trade in real-time. Don't miss the next big stock move driven by insider confidence. Unlock this ultimate sentiment indicator now. Click here for access . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.MSP offers safety tips for winter driving
ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Former Associated Press journalist Alex Sanz contributed to this report.U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Tuesday he will direct his Justice Department to "vigorously pursue" the death penalty to protect Americans from "violent rapists, murderers, and monsters" when he takes power on Jan. 20. Trump's statement on his social media platform Truth Social was in response to President Joe Biden's announcement on Monday that he had commuted the sentences of 37 out of 40 federal inmates on death row, converting them to life in prison without parole. "As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters," Trump said. Trump restarted federal executions during his first term in office from 2017 to 2021 after a nearly 20-year pause. Biden, who ran for president opposing the death penalty, put federal executions on hold when he took office in January 2021. Unlike executive orders, clemency decisions cannot be reversed by a president's successor, although the death penalty can be sought more aggressively in future cases. The Trump transition team on Monday had denounced Biden's decision, calling it abhorrent and favoring convicts who are "among the worst killers in the world." (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)Kansas City (14-1) at Pittsburgh (10-5) Wednesday, 1 p.m., EST, Netflix. BetMGM NFL Odds: Chiefs by 2 1/2. Against the spread: Chiefs 7-8; Steelers 10-5 Series record: Steelers lead 25-14. Last meeting: Chiefs beat Steelers 42-21 in the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022, in Kansas City. Last week: Chiefs beat Texans 27-19; Steelers lost to Ravens 34-17 Chiefs offense: overall (13), rush (15), pass (12), scoring (11). Chiefs defense: overall (3), rush (3), pass (17), scoring (3). Steelers offense: overall (19), rush (11), pass (25), scoring (12). Steelers defense: overall (11), rush (8), pass (20), scoring (7). Turnover differential: Chiefs plus-4; Steelers plus-16. Chiefs player to watch WR Marquise Brown, who hurt his shoulder on the first play of the preseason and landed on injured reserve, made an impressive regular-season debut against Houston last week. “Hollywood” caught five passes for 45 yards, including an early 13-yarder that converted a fourth down and led to an eventual touchdown. But perhaps most importantly, Brown’s mere presence kept Houston from double-teaming Xavier Worthy, DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce all afternoon. Steelers player to watch LB T.J. Watt. The perennial All-Pro is dealing with an ankle injury and had a quiet game in the loss to Baltimore, finishing with just four tackles and didn’t have a single hit against Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh’s best chance at pulling the upset relies heavily on disrupting Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes at every turn. To do it, Watt will need to do some Watt-like things. The 30-year-old leads the NFL in forced fumbles for a defense that thrives on takeaways. Key matchup Steelers RBs Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris against the Chiefs rush defense, which is ranked third in the NFL and allowing just 91.4 yards per game. The Chiefs held the Texans’ Joe Mixon to just 57 yards rushing last week, the latest in a season-long trend of shutting down top running backs. The Browns’ Nick Chubb had 41 yards the previous week, and the Ravens’ Derrick Henry, the Falcons’ Bijan Robinson and the Saints’ Alvin Kamara are among those who have similarly struggled against Kansas City. Key injuries Chiefs: LT D.J. Humphries (hamstring) and CB Chamarri Conner (concussion) are likely to miss a second straight game. DT Chris Jones (calf) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee) are iffy after getting hurt against Houston. Steelers: WR George Pickens (hamstring) should return after missing the past three games. S DeShon Elliott (hamstring) and DT Larry Ogunjobi (groin) may also be back after sitting the past two weeks. Starting CB Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and backup wide receiver/special teams ace Ben Skowronek (hip) are out. Series notes The Steelers have dominated the series, leading 23-14, but the Chiefs have won the past three games. That includes a 42-21 rout in their most recent matchup in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 16, 2022 — the last game played by Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Prior to the Chiefs’ three-game win streak, the Steelers had won three in a row, including an 18-16 victory in the divisional round on Jan. 15, 2017, that they won despite not scoring a touchdown. Stats and stuff Kansas City can clinch the No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye with a win over the Steelers, or if the Bills lose or tie when they play the Jets on Sunday. ... Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, but can still earn its first AFC North title since 2020 by winning its last two games. ... The Chiefs can set a franchise record for regular-season wins with their 15th by beating Pittsburgh or Denver in their regular-season finale, breaking a tie with the 2020 and ‘22 teams. ... The Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes needs three TD passes to break Peyton Manning’s record of 244 for a QB’s first eight seasons. Mahomes did not start as a rookie and has played just 111 games while Manning played 128 over that span. ... Mahomes has dominated the Steelers so far in his career, throwing 14 touchdowns without a pick while leading Kansas City to three victories in as many tries. ... Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins has an NFL-leading 177 straight games with a catch. TE Travis Kelce is second with 173. ... Kelce has 76 TD catches, tied with Tony Gonzalez for the Chiefs record. Kelce has 79 total TDs, four shy of Priest Holmes’ franchise record. ... WR Xavier Worthy has five TD catches, tied for the sixth most by a rookie in Chiefs history. Worthy also has three TD runs, and the eight total is also tied for sixth most in franchise history. ... Chiefs DB Trent McDuffie has intercepted a pass in back-to-back games. He did not have a pick in his first 48 games. ... This is the 12th game in Steelers history to be played on Wednesday and the first since 2020, when a showdown with the Ravens was repeatedly postponed because of COVID-19 issues. Pittsburgh is 5-6 all time on Wednesdays. ... A healthy Pickens will likely give the Steelers passing game a serious boost. QB Russell Wilson is averaging just 167.7 yards per game in Pickens’ absence, down from 271 yards per game with Pickens in the lineup. ... This is Pittsburgh’s first regular-season game against a team with 14 wins. ... The Steelers have five wins against the defending Super Bowl champions since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. ... Pittsburgh is 26-12 in Weeks 17 and 18 since the start of the 1990 season, the second-most wins in the NFL over that span behind Green Bay (28). ... The Steelers have won seven straight games and 12 of their past 13 the week following a loss of at least 17 points. ... Pittsburgh leads the NFL with 31 takeaways. and has forced at least two turnovers 11 times. Fantasy tip It might be championship week in your league, so why not turn to a championship quarterback. Mahomes has earned the benefit of the doubt even in a “down” season by his standards and with Pittsburgh missing its top cornerback and the pass rush slowed of late, give Mahomes a start against a team he has toyed with in his career. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
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