Garmin: Defying The OddsNEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes fell Dec. 12 following some potentially discouraging data on the economy. The S&P 500 slipped 0.5 percent Thursday for its fourth loss in the last six days. It's a pause for the index, which has been rallying toward one of its best years of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.5 percent, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7 percent from its record set the day before. A report early in the morning said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected. A separate update, meanwhile, showed that inflation at the wholesale level, before it reaches U.S. consumers, was hotter last month than economists expected. Neither report points to imminent disaster, but they dilute one of the hopes that's driven the S&P 500 to 57 record highs this year: Inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, while the economy is remaining solid enough to stay out of a recession. WASHINGTON — Wholesale costs in the U.S. picked up sharply last month, signaling that price pressures are still evident in the economy even though inflation has tumbled from the peak levels it hit more than two years ago. The Labor Department reported Dec. 12 that its producer price index — which tracks inflation before it reaches consumers — rose 0.4 percent last month from October, up from 0.3 percent the month before. Measured from 12 months earlier, wholesale prices climbed 3 percent in November, the sharpest year-over-year rise since February 2023. Excluding volatile food and energy prices, so-called core producer prices rose 0.2 percent from October and 3.4 percent from November 2023. Higher food prices pushed up the November wholesale inflation reading, which came in hotter than expected. Surging prices of fruits, vegetables and eggs drove wholesale food costs up 3.1 percent from October. They had been unchanged the month before. The report comes a day after the government said consumer prices rose 2.7 percent in November from a year earlier, up from an annual gain of 2.6 percent in October, showing inflation has yet to be fully tamed. DALLAS — The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, who has led a tougher enforcement policy against Boeing since a panel blew off a jetliner in January, said he'll step down next month, clearing the way for President-elect Donald Trump to name his choice to lead the agency. Mike Whitaker announced his pending resignation Dec. 12 in a message to employees of the FAA, which regulates airlines and aircraft manufacturers and manages the nation's airspace. He became the agency's administrator in October 2023. Since then, the challenges confronting Whitaker have included a surge in close calls between planes, a need for stricter oversight of Boeing. antiquated equipment and a shortage of air traffic controllers at a time of high consumer demand for air travel. Whitaker took the helm of the FAA after the Senate, which is frequently divided along partisan lines, voted 98-0 last year to confirm his selection by President Joe Biden. The agency had been without a Senate-confirmed chief for nearly 19 months, and a previous Biden nominee withdrew in the face of Republican opposition. FAA administrators — who hold a job that has long been seen as nonpartisan — generally serve for five years, but that has not happened recently. NEW YORK — An appeals court in New Orleans has ruled that Nasdaq can't require diversity on the boards of companies that list on the exchange. The decision comes more than three years after the Securities and Exchange Commission approved Nasdaq's proposal to boost the number of women, racial minorities and LGBTQ people on U.S. corporate boards. The proposed policy — which was to be the first of its kind for a U.S. securities exchange — would have required most of the nearly 3,000 companies listed on Nasdaq to have at least one woman on their board of directors, along with one person from a racial minority or who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer. It also would have required companies to publicly disclose statistics on the demographic composition of their boards. Some conservative groups and Republican lawmakers have strenuously opposed the proposal, arguing the requirements were arbitrary and burdensome. And on Dec. 11, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided that the proposal was not legal. Nasdaq said it stands by its policy but will not seek further legal reviews. NEW YORK — DoorDash will require its drivers to verify their identity more often as part of a larger effort to crack down on unauthorized account sharing. DoorDash has been under pressure to ensure its drivers are operating legally. Over the summer, it pledged to do a better job identifying and removing dangerous drivers after a flood of complaints of dangerous driving from cities. Officials in Boston, New York and other cities have said that in many cases, people with multiple traffic violations continue making deliveries using accounts registered to others. The San Francisco delivery company said Dec. 12 it has begun requiring some drivers to complete real-time identity checks immediately after they complete a delivery. Previously, drivers were occasionally asked to re-verify their identity before or after a shift. The new system has been introduced in Los Angeles, Denver, Seattle and other cities and will roll out more widely next year. NEW YORK — The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said Dec. 12 that it's capping overdraft fees at $5. The rule is set to take effect in October 2025, if it isn't overturned by Congress or altered under the incoming Trump administration. President Joe Biden had called the charges, which can be as high as $35, “exploitative.” The banking industry has lobbied extensively to keep the existing fee structures in place. WASHINGTON — U.S. applications for unemployment benefits jumped to their highest level in two months last week but remain low relative to historical standards. Jobless claim applications climbed by 17,000 to 242,000 for the week of Dec. 7, the Labor Department reported Dec. 12. That's significantly more than the 220,000 analysts were forecasting and yet another data point that reflects a cooling labor market. This week's report also showed that continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, rose by 15,000 to 1.89 million for the week of Nov. 30. The four-week average of weekly claims, which softens some of the week-to-week volatility, rose by nearly 6,000 to 224,250. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for U.S. layoffs. While the job markets has shown some cracks recently, it remains broadly healthy NEW ORLEANS — Facebook's parent company Meta says it will build a $10 billion data center in northeast Louisiana to meet demand from artificial intelligence technologies, bringing hopes that the 50-worker project will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. .Gov. Jeff Landry called it "game-changing," while some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels and whether it could lead to higher energy bills for residents. Meta announced plans this year for a South Carolina data center near Aiken. The company said it anticipates the Louisiana site will create 5,000 temporary construction jobs.
OTTAWA — Billionaire Elon Musk called Canada's prime minister an "insufferable tool" on his social media platform today. Musk's comments were in response to Justin Trudeau likening Kamala Harris's defeat in the U.S. presidential election to an attack on women's rights and progress. This afternoon, Trudeau met with provincial and territorial premiers to discuss Canada's approach to negotiations with the U.S. Canada is facing a threat of a 25 per cent tariff hike from incoming president Donald Trump, who defeated Harris in the November election. Earlier this week, Trump taunted Trudeau on social media, referring to the prime minister as the governor of what he called the "Great State of Canada." The post was an apparent reference to a joke Trump cracked at his dinner with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate nearly two weeks ago, where the president-elect teased that Canada could join the U.S. as its 51st state. Speaking on Tuesday night at an event hosted by the Equal Voice Foundation — an organization dedicated to improving gender representation in Canadian politics — Trudeau said there are regressive forces fighting against women's progress. "It shouldn't be that way. It wasn't supposed to be that way. We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult sometimes, march towards progress," Trudeau said, adding he is a proud feminist and will always be an ally. "And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president. Everywhere, women's rights and women's progress is under attack. Overtly, and subtly." In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk responded to a clip of Trudeau's remarks, saying, "He’s such an insufferable tool. Won't be in power for much longer." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Nick Murray, The Canadian PressNoneTravis Hunter's odyssey through the college game took him to Jackson, Miss. and Boulder, Colo. On Saturday, he'll reach what in all likelihood will be the final destination of his "amateur" career — San Antonio, of all places. Hunter and his No. 23 Colorado teammates are set to wage battle with No. 17 BYU at the Alamo Bowl. For the newly minted Heisman winner, that means one last opportunity to leave a mark on the national stage. Hunter has already left a lasting legacy in college football's history, garnering praise for his stamina, swiftness of foot, desire to win, and flair for the dramatic. What better place to showcase those attributes than at the Alamodome, one of college football's more under-appreciated landmarks? Hunter and the Buffaloes will have their hands full trying to blot a Cougars side that fell just short of a spot in the Big 12 Championship game. BYU was better than most in the regular season, tallying a 10-2 record while downing Kansas State and SMU on its way to the top. If not for a pair of pesky end-of-season defeats, perhaps the Cougars would be representing the Big 12 in the College Football Playoff. Still, as long as Deion Sanders' side has Hunter, it has a chance. If there's anyone who can shatter all expectations and will his team to victory, it's Hunter. He's done it with relative consistency ever since arriving in the college game. The Sporting News is tracking live updates from Saturday's match between Colorado and BYU at the Alamo Bowl. Follow below for highlights, analysis, and more as two of the Big 12's best sides duel from San Antonio. STREAM: Watch Colorado vs. BYU live with Fubo (free trial) Colorado vs. BYU score Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final Colorado x x x x x BYU x x x x x Travis Hunter stats today Receptions : Receiving yards : AVG : TDs : Tackles : Passes defended : INTs : NCAAF HQ: Live NCAAF scores | Updated NCAAF standings | Full NCAAF schedule Colorado vs. BYU live updates, results, highlights from 2024 Alamo Bowl (All times ET) Updates will start closer to the game's 7:30 p.m. ET scheduled start time. Colorado vs. BYU start time Date: Saturday, Dec. 28 Time: 7:30 p.m. ET The Buffaloes and Cougars will kick things off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game is being held at the Alamodome in San Antonio. COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS SN 2024 All-America team Player of the Year: Travis Hunter Coach of the Year: Curt Cignetti What channel is Colorado vs. BYU on today? TV channel: ABC Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo Colorado and BYU's matchup is one of eight games slated to take place on Saturday. The joust will be broadcast on ABC. Cord-cutters can find the action on ESPN+ or Fubo . NFL DRAFT NEWS: SN's Latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft NFL Draft Top 100 Big Board Updated NFL Draft order after Week 16
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes got back to climbing on Wednesday after the latest update on inflation appeared to clear the way for more help for the economy from the Federal Reserve . The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to break its first two-day losing streak in nearly a month and finished just short of its all-time high. Big Tech stocks led the way, which drove the Nasdaq composite up 1.8% to top the 20,000 level for the first time. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, meanwhile, lagged the market with a dip of 99 points, or 0.2%. Stocks got a boost as expectations built that Wednesday’s inflation data will allow the Fed to deliver another cut to interest rates at its meeting next week. Traders are betting on a nearly 99% probability of that, according to data from CME Group, up from 89% a day before. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. “The data have given the Fed the ‘all clear’ for next week, and today’s inflation data keep a January cut in active discussion,” according to Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Expectations for a series of cuts to rates by the Fed have been one of the main reasons the S&P 500 has set an all-time high 57 times this year , with the latest coming last week. The biggest boosts for the index on Wednesday came from Nvidia and other Big Tech stocks. Their massive growth has made them Wall Street’s biggest stars for years, though other kinds of stocks have recently been catching up somewhat amid hopes for the broader U.S. economy. Tesla jumped 5.9% to finish above $420 at $424.77. It’s a level that Elon Musk made famous in a 2018 tweet when he said he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Stitch Fix soared 44.3% after the company that sends clothes to your door reported a smaller loss for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also gave financial forecasts for the current quarter that were better than expected, including for revenue. GE Vernova rallied 5% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500. The energy company that spun out of General Electric said it would pay a 25 cent dividend every three months, and it approved a plan to send up to another $6 billion to its shareholders by buying back its own stock. On the losing end of Wall Street, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment tumbled 20.1% after reporting a worse loss for the latest quarter than expected. It also said CEO Chris Morris has resigned, and the board has been working with an executive-search firm for the last few months to find its next permanent leader. Albertsons fell 1.5% after filing a lawsuit against Kroger, saying it didn’t do enough for their proposed $24.6 billion merger agreement to win regulatory clearance. Albertsons said it’s seeking billions of dollars in damages from Kroger, whose stock rose 1%. A day earlier, judges in separate cases in Oregon and Washington nixed the supermarket giants’ merger. The grocers contended a combination could have helped them compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon, but critics said it would hurt competition. After terminating the merger agreement with Kroger, Albertsons said it plans to boost its dividend 25% and increased the size of its program to buy back its own stock. Macy’s slipped 0.8% after cutting some of its financial forecasts for the full year of 2024, including for how much profit it expects to make off each $1 of revenue. All told, the S&P 500 rose 49.28 points to 6,084.19. The Dow dipped 99.27 to 44,148.56, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 347.65 to 20,034.89. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.27% from 4.23% late Tuesday. The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, edged up to 4.15% from 4.14%. In stock markets abroad, indexes rose across much of Europe and Asia. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was an outlier and slipped 0.8% as Chinese leaders convened an annual planning meeting in Beijing that is expected to set economic policies and growth targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1%, up for a second straight day as it climbs back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.Patriots reportedly host 5 kickers for workoutsMONCTON, New Brunswick, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Major Drilling Group International Inc. (“Major Drilling”), is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashley Martin as Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Company, effective immediately. “I am happy to announce the promotion of Ashley into the newly created role of COO. This appointment is in line with our strategic focus on growth and innovation. Ashley has dedicated 30 years to the drilling industry, with the last 23 years focused on Major Drilling's success. Throughout his career, he has excelled in various leadership roles, including General Manager of Canada and, more recently, Vice President of Operations – Latin America,” Mr. Denis Larocque, President & CEO of Major Drilling said. As COO, Mr. Martin will work closely with recently appointed Chief Technology Officer (“CTO”), Marc Landry, to implement innovative operational solutions and data technologies throughout the organization, a reflection of Major Drilling’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and continuous improvements on safety. “This new role will help support our growth initiatives in terms of integration of our latest Explomin acquisition, but also in terms of organic growth in new jurisdictions,” Mr. Larocque explained. “The creation of new COO and CTO roles is aimed at reinforcing our position as the leader in the specialized drilling market and meeting the increasing demands of our valued customers, as the long-term outlook for the Company remains encouraging,” said Mr. Larocque. Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address future events, developments, or performance that the Company expects to occur (including management’s expectations regarding the Company’s objectives, strategies, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and businesses) are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by future or conditional verbs such as “outlook”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “project”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, and terms and expressions of similar import. All forward-looking information in this news release is qualified by this cautionary note. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon various estimates and assumptions including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management related to the factors set forth below. While these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by the Company as at the date of this document in light of management’s experience and perception of current conditions and expected developments, these statements are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that include, but are not limited to: the level of activity in the mining industry and the demand for the Company’s services; competitive pressures; global and local political and economic environments and conditions; the level of funding for the Company’s clients (particularly for junior mining companies); the Company’s dependence on key customers; the integration of business acquisitions and the realization of the intended benefits of such acquisitions; efficient management of the Company’s growth; exposure to currency movements (which can affect the Company’s revenue in Canadian dollars); currency restrictions; safety of the Company’s workforce; risks and uncertainties relating to climate change and natural disaster; the geographic distribution of the Company’s operations; the impact of operational changes; changes in jurisdictions in which the Company operates (including changes in regulation); failure by counterparties to fulfill contractual obligations; disease outbreak; as well as other risk factors described under “General Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s MD&A for the year ended April 30, 2024, available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca . Should one or more risk, uncertainty, contingency, or other factor materialize or should any factor or assumption prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements made in this document are made as of the date of this document and the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available, as a result of future events, or for any other reasons, except as required by applicable securities laws. About Major Drilling Major Drilling Group International Inc. is the world’s leading provider of specialized drilling services primarily serving the mining industry. Established in 1980, Major Drilling has over 1,000 years of combined experience and expertise within its management team. The Company maintains field operations and offices in North America, South America, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Europe. Major Drilling provides a complete suite of drilling services including surface and underground coring, directional, reverse circulation, sonic, geotechnical, environmental, water-well, coal-bed methane, shallow gas, underground percussive/longhole drilling, surface drill and blast, a variety of mine services, and ongoing development of data-driven, high-tech drillside solutions. For further information: Ryan Hanley Director, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Tel: (506) 857-8636 ir@majordrilling.com
Key details about the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Global market Report 2024 - Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033 The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-for a limited time only! LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, December 13, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-limited time only! How Has The Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market Grown Recently? The clinical communication and collaboration software market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It has increased from $1.64 billion in 2023 to $1.94 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 18.5%. The growth during this historical period can be attributed to growing investments in healthcare IT, the adoption of mobile health mHealth solutions, the rise of telemedicine and virtual care, the growing focus on patient-centric care, and the demand for secure and compliant solutions. Discover Key Insights and Market Trends with a Free Sample Report of the Global Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market: What is the Forecasted Growth and Size of the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market? The clinical communication and collaboration software market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. This market will surge to $3.84 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 18.6%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of smart technologies in the healthcare sector, rising demand for cloud-based storage, growing instances of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and diabetes, increasing focus on patient-centric care, and rising healthcare spending. What are the Key Drivers Leading to the Rise of the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market? The rising adoption of digital technologies is expected to propel the growth of the clinical communication and collaboration software markets going forward. Digital technologies encompass electronic tools and systems that manage, store, or process data, such as computers, mobile devices or applications, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence AI. The increase in digital technology adoption is largely driven by businesses' need to boost efficiency and maintain competitiveness. These technologies allow businesses to streamline operations and make more effective decisions. Digital technologies enhance clinical communication and collaboration software by enabling instant data sharing, integrating multiple digital platforms, and improving patient information management, thereby benefiting healthcare professionals in better coordination and patient care enhancement. Pre-book the report for a swift delivery: Who are the Major Players in the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market? Key companies operating in the clinical communication and collaboration software market include Microsoft Corporation, Oracle Corporation, Hill-Rom Holdings Inc., Everbridge Inc., Ascom Holding AG, Vocera Communications Inc., Spok Holdings Inc., Imprivata Inc., Symplr, PerfectServe Inc., QliqSOFT Inc., Voalte Inc., Agnity Inc., Telmediq Inc., AMTELCO, PatientSafe Solutions Inc., OnPage Corporation, TigerConnect Inc., NHSmail, Pulsara Inc., Mobile Heartbeat Inc. What Emerging Trends are Impacting the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market? Major companies operating in the clinical communication and collaboration software market are focusing on developing platforms for patient monitoring, community care, and augmented reality. These advancements aim to enhance real-time care delivery and improve healthcare outcomes. How is the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market Segmented? The clinical communication and collaboration software market covered in this report is segmented as follows: 1 By Type: Cloud Based, Web Based 2 By Functionality: Secure Messaging, Medical Alerts And Alarms, Mobile Health Integration 3 By Application: Clinical Workflows, Administrative Workflows 4 By End User: Hospitals, Clinics And Ambulatory Settings, Long-Term Care Facilities What are the Regional Insights of the Clinical Communication And Collaboration Software Market? North America was the largest region in the clinical communication and collaboration software market in 2023. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period. The regions covered in the clinical communication and collaboration software market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa. Browse more similar reports- Clinical Oncology Next Generation Sequencing Global Market Report 2024 Cancer Clinical Decision Tools Global Market Report 2024 Clinical Nutrition Global Market Report 2024 About The Business Research Company Learn More About The Business Research Company. With over 15000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Armed with 1,500,000 datasets, the optimistic contribution of in-depth secondary research, and unique insights from industry leaders, you can get the information you need to stay ahead in the game. Contact us at: The Business Research Company: Americas +1 3156230293 Asia +44 2071930708 Europe +44 2071930708 Email us at ... Follow us on: LinkedIn: YouTube: Global Market Model: global-market-model Oliver Guirdham The Business Research Company +44 20 7193 0708 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "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 author above. 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WASHINGTON — State Rep. Brian Harrison, a Republican, said Friday he plans to meet with top University of Texas System officials after they announced a plan to provide free tuition and waived fees to students whose families make $100,000 or less. While many elected officials have praised the initiative , Harrison criticized it as an “abuse of power” that makes Texas higher education “more socialist than California.” Harrison said Friday he’s unswayed by statements from the system and supporters who say the move will be funded from university endowments, not taxpayers. Harrison compared such statements to someone saying they’re removing water from the shallow side of a pool, not the deep end. It’s all the same water. “Money is fungible, so that doesn’t satisfy me in the slightest,” Harrison said. The new initiative is an expansion of the Promise Plus Program, a needs-based financial aid initiative, and comes amid widespread concerns about the effect of inflation and college costs on families. Gov. Greg Abbott recently prohibited Texas colleges and universities from raising tuition for the next two years. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken hailed the expansion as a “game changer” that will make “enormous, real difference” to improve college access for all Texans. Not everyone is a fan. Harrison and like-minded House colleagues have compared it to President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan that drew intense blowback from conservatives and was largely struck down by the courts . They also said such a consequential change in policy should come from the elected lawmakers serving in the Legislature. “There must be consequences,” Harrison said on X . “UT’s budget must be cut, and bureaucrats should be fired.” He led 10 Republican lawmakers, most of them incoming freshmen, in a letter to the regents demanding answers to a litany of questions, including the price tag of the expansion and the source of that money. “What specific statutory authority did the regents rely on to make a decision this consequential, which will have direct financial consequences for our constituents, many of whom are already struggling to put gas in their tanks and food on their tables?” the lawmakers wrote. UT System spokesman Paul Corliss has said the program is not funded through taxes or any kind of public subsidy. “Rather it is funded through existing UT System endowments,” Corliss said. Rep. Donna Howard, a Democrat, hammered that point in a response to Harrison on social media. “There are no tax dollars involved,” Howard said on X . “Higher Ed institutions are already helping families afford college. This expands philanthropic endowments and helps meet affordability goals of (Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board).” Harrison and his colleagues will have to contend with many members of the public embracing a plan that already is encouraging young people to adjust their higher education aspirations. Frank Whitefeather, a high school senior, stayed up until 2:30 a.m. Friday working on his college application essay. He was freshly motivated after the announcement that students whose families make less than $100,000 annually will get free tuition and waived fees at the University of Texas, Austin and other schools in the UT System. “I wouldn’t be in debt,” said Whitefeather, 17. “I wouldn’t have to have student loans.” Whitefeather, who attends Dallas ISD’s Sunset High School, thinks the UT news also could change many of his peers’ lives. It’s already changing his plans. Whitefeather hopes to study engineering and be his own boss one day. Texas A&M and UT Austin were his top two choices, but the free tuition announcement has pushed UT ahead. Harrison said the university system is being contradictory by simultaneously saying it has enough money to offer tuition-free education, but also that a tuition freeze could leave it cash strapped and require more funding from the Legislature. “I guarantee you they’re going to be requesting more tax money from the Legislature next session,” he said. ©2024 The Dallas Morning News. Visit dallasnews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.