DES MOINES — Sen. Janice Weiner, of Iowa City, has been chosen by her colleagues to lead the Democrats in the Iowa Senate, the caucus announced late last week. Weiner replaces Pam Jochum, who earlier this year announced her retirement from the Iowa Senate after serving 31 years in the Iowa Legislature. Jochum became the Senate Democratic caucus leader in 2023 when the group voted to make a change from its previous leader, Sen. Zach Wahls, of Coralville. Weiner was first elected to the Iowa Senate in 2022. Her district, Senate District 45, includes most of Iowa City and University Heights. Prior to the Senate, Weiner served on the Iowa City Council and worked for 26 years as a Foreign Services Officer with the U.S. State Department abroad and in Washington, D.C., according to a Senate Democrats news release. Weiner assumes the top leadership position of a Democratic caucus that in recent elections has dwindled to just 15 members in the 50-member Senate. That’s the smallest number of Senate Democrats since 1972. “I have spent countless hours talking to Iowans all over our state — from small towns to urban centers, from the suburbs to our rural communities. I listened to Iowans describe their struggle to make ends meet, their challenges accessing health care, and their concerns about inadequate resources and a lack of funding for their kids’ public schools. It is clear we have a lot of work to do for the people of Iowa,” Weiner said in a news release. “As I look ahead to 2025 and beyond, Senate Democrats will fight to ensure opportunity for all Iowans — every worker, every family, and every child,” Weiner added. “We will hold those in power accountable, and work to preserve and protect Iowans’ freedoms.” Senate Democrats also elected the remainder of their leadership team: Sen. Bill Dotzler, of Waterloo, as Democratic Whip; and as assistant leaders, Sens. Cindy Winckler, of Davenport; Molly Donahue, of Cedar Rapids; Claire Celsi, of West Des Moines; and Izaah Knox, of Des Moines. The 2025 session of the Iowa Legislature begins Jan. 13. Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has announced the creation of the Senate DOGE Caucus, a group of Republican Senators that plans to work with President-elect Donald Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency. The new department, whose creation and mission is being led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has pledged to reduce federal spending by trillions of dollars. Ernst said the Senate DOGE Caucus will expose “trillions in waste, fraud, and abuse.” “Iowans elected me with a mandate to cut Washington’s pork and make ’em squeal,” Ernst said in a news release, making a reference to her 2014 campaign slogan. “From billion-dollar boondoggles to welfare for politicians and trillion-dollar slush funds, my decade-long investigations have exposed levels of abuse that are almost too insane to believe. The tables are finally turning, the knives are out, and waste is on the chopping block.” The news release from Ernst’s office included a statement of support and thanks from Ramaswamy. Ernst said the Senate DOGE Caucus will include Republican Sens. John Cornyn, Texas; Ted Budd, N.C.; Mike Lee, Utah; Rick Scott, Fla.; Roger Marshall, Kan.; and James Lankford, Okla. A House DOGE Caucus also has formed, Ernst said, and is led by Republican Reps. Aaron Bean, Fla.; and Pete Sessions, Texas. Ernst’s office said this week she will release a “Thanksgiving menu of trillions of dollars of cuts to be carved out of Washington’s budget.” Led by Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Grant Menke, a 16-member delegation recently completed a nine-day trade mission to Japan and Taiwan, according to the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the state agency that coordinated the trip. The Iowa delegation visited Taipei, Taiwan, and Tokyo and Osaka in Japan from Nov. 15 to Nov. 23, according to IEDA. The delegation included representatives from Iowa’s meat production, grain, and meat processing industries, and the trip’s purpose was to “encourage trade development, bolster partnerships and identify opportunities to expand export markets,” according to IEDA. The representatives included officials from the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Corn, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Soybean Association. Iowa companies in 2023 exported $1.3 billion in agricultural goods to Japan and $225.1 million to Taiwan, according to IEDA. Japan is Iowa’s fourth-largest export destination and Taiwan the state’s 13th-largest, according to IEDA. “Iowa is an agricultural production powerhouse, so it is vital for our state’s farmers and agribusinesses to be able to share our abundance with the world through trade and to seek new market opportunities for Iowa ag products through participation in international trade missions,” Menke said in a news release. “This North Asian mission allowed our well-rounded ag delegation to build on Iowa’s long-standing friendship and partnership in trade with both Japan and Taiwan — strong, stable markets that depend heavily on imports for their food and agriculture needs and deeply value the reliability and premium quality of Iowa’s meat products and commodities,” Menke added. Weiner Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
NoneAn on-field interaction between a UW-Madison Police officer and a Nebraska football assistant coach after Saturday's game was a "misunderstanding" that ended in an apology, a police spokesperson said. Lt. Adam Boardman, one of the UWPD officers escorting University of Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell to the locker room amid fans rushing the field after a 44-25 Huskers victory, turned away to grab Nebraska offensive line coach Donovan Raiola by the arm, video posted to social media showed. That followed an apparent exchange of words between Raiola and Fickell and Badgers assistant offensive line coach Casey Rabach, who were walking in opposite directions. The context of the discussion wasn't apparent from the video, but Fickell and Raiola both pointed at the other, and Rabach later pointed at Raiola. Boardman and Raiola talked for about 15 seconds after Boardman pried Raiola away from a hug with Nebraska running backs coach EJ Barthel. UWPD spokesperson Marc Lovicott said it was a "misunderstanding amid a pretty chaotic scene." He said Boardman made contact with an "unknown individual who had approached" Badgers coaches as they were leaving the field. "Once it was confirmed that the individual was a member of the Nebraska coaching staff, the UWPD officer apologized for the misunderstanding," Lovicott wrote in an email Tuesday. "The interaction concluded cordially with a handshake." Lovicott said UW Police has made contact with counterparts at Nebraska "and they're also considering it a misunderstanding." Raiola played for Wisconsin from 2002 to 2005. "I don't want speculate without knowing, obviously Donny went to Wisconsin, so I don't know if there was some history there with somebody or something," said Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, who said he was shown video of the incident Monday. "When I asked Donny about it, he was like, 'No big deal.' Things happen after games and people are emotional, but he seemed to kinda brush it off." Fickell said he didn't know much about the interaction when he was asked about it at his weekly news conference Monday. "I mean, I don't know if he was talking to Casey, somebody said something, I don't know," Fickell said. "I just said it looked like maybe he said something to me, but I had no idea. And I had no idea that that was even something. So if it was, I didn't spend a whole lot of time thinking about it." — Lincoln Journal Star reporter Luke Mullin contributed to this report. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Trump asks Georgia appeals court to end state case against himENGLEWOOD, Colo. — John Elway says any remorse over bypassing Josh Allen in the 2018 NFL draft is quickly dissipating with rookie Bo Nix's rapid rise, suggesting the Denver Broncos have finally found their next franchise quarterback. Elway said Nix, the sixth passer selected in April's draft, is an ideal fit in Denver with coach Sean Payton navigating his transition to the pros and Vance Joseph's defense serving as a pressure release valve for the former Oregon QB. "We've seen the progression of Bo in continuing to get better and better each week and Sean giving him more each week and trusting him more and more to where last week we saw his best game of the year," Elway said in a nod to Nix's first game with 300 yards and four touchdown throws in a rout of Atlanta. For that performance, Nix earned his second straight NFL Rookie of the Week honor along with the AFC Offensive Player of the Week award. "I think the sky's the limit," Elway said, "and that's just going to continue to get better and better." In a wide-ranging interview with The Associated Press, Elway also touted former coach Mike Shanahan's Hall of Fame credentials, spoke about the future of University of Colorado star and Heisman favorite Travis Hunter and discussed his ongoing bout with a chronic hand condition. Elway spent the last half of his decade as the Broncos' GM in a futile search for a worthy successor to Peyton Manning, a pursuit that continued as he transitioned into a two-year consultant role that ended after the 2022 season. "You have all these young quarterbacks and you look at the ones that make it and the ones that don't and it's so important to have the right system and a coach that really knows how to tutelage quarterbacks, and Sean's really good at that," Elway said. "I think the combination of Bo's maturity, having started 61 games in college, his athletic ability and his knowledge of the game has been such a tremendous help for him,'" Elway added. "But also Vance Joseph's done a heck of a job on the defensive side to where all that pressure's not being put on Bo and the offense to score all the time." Payton and his staff have methodically expanded Nix's repertoire and incorporated his speed into their blueprints. Elway lauded them for "what they're doing offensively and how they're breaking Bo into the NFL because it's a huge jump and I think patience is something that goes a long way in the NFL when it comes down to quarterbacks." Elway said he hopes to sit down with Nix at some point when things slow down for the rookie. Nix, whose six wins are one more than Elway had as a rookie, said he looks forward to meeting the man who won two Super Bowls during his Hall of Fame playing career and another from the front office. "He's a legend not only here for this organization, but for the entire NFL," Nix said, adding, "most guys, they would love to have a chat with John Elway, just pick his brain. It's just awesome that I'm even in that situation." Orange Crush linebacker Randy Gradishar joined Elway in the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, something Elway called "way, way overdue." Elway suggested it's also long past time for the Hall to honor Shanahan, who won back-to-back Super Bowls in Denver with Elway at QB and whose footprint you see every weekend in the NFL because of his expansive coaching tree. Elway called University of Colorado stars Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders "both great athletes." He said he really hopes Sanders gets drafted by a team that will bring him along like the Broncos have done with Nix, and he sees Hunter being able to play both ways in the pros — but not full time. Elway said he thinks Hunter will be primarily a corner in the NFL but with significant contributions on offense: "He's great at both. He's got great instincts, and that's what you need at corner." It's been five years since Elway announced he was dealing with Dupuytren's contracture, a chronic condition that typically appears after age 40 and causes one or more fingers to permanently bend toward the palm. Elway's ring fingers on both hands were originally affected and he said now the middle finger on his right hand is starting to pull forward. So, he'll get another injection of a drug called Xiaflex, which is the only FDA-approved non-surgical treatment, one that he's endorsing in an awareness campaign for the chronic condition that affects 17 million Americans. The condition can make it difficult to do everyday tasks such as shaking hands or picking up a coffee mug. Elway said what bothered him most was "I couldn't pick up a football and I could not imagine not being able to put my hand around a football." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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NoneRussia has a stock of powerful new missiles "ready to be used", President Vladimir Putin has said, a day after his country fired a new ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. In an unscheduled TV address, the Russian leader said the Oreshnik missile could not be intercepted and promised to carry out more tests, including in "combat conditions". Russia's use of the Oreshnik capped a week of escalation in the war that also saw Ukraine fire US and British missiles into Russia for the first time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for world leaders to give a "serious response" so that Putin "feels the real consequences of his actions". His country was asking Western partners for updated air defence systems, he added. According to news agency Interfax-Ukraine, Kyiv is seeking to obtain the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), or to upgrade its Patriot anti-ballistic missile defence systems. In Friday's address Putin said the Oreshnik hypersonic missiles flew at 10 times the speed of sound and ordered them to be put into production. He had earlier said that use of the missile was a response to Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow and Atacms missiles. Thursday's strike on Dnipro was described as unusual by eyewitnesses and triggered explosions which went on for three hours. The attack included a strike by a missile so powerful that in the aftermath Ukrainian officials said it resembled an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Justin Crump, CEO and founder of the risk advisory company Sibylline, told the BBC that Moscow likely used the strike as a warning, noting that the missile - which is faster and more advanced that others in its arsenal - has the capacity to seriously challenge Ukraine's air defences. This week's escalation has also prompted several warnings from other world leaders about the direction of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said the war was entering a decisive stage - with a real risk of global conflict. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban meanwhile said the West should take Vladimir Putin's warnings "at face value" because Russia "bases its policies primarily on military power". And North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un warned "never before" had the threat of a nuclear war been greater and accused the US of having an "aggressive and hostile" policy towards Pyongyang. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to fight on Russia's side and Ukrainian forces have reported clashes with them in Russia's Kursk region, where Ukrainian troops are occupying some territory. US President Biden has said he gave Ukraine permission to use longer-range Atacms missiles against targets inside Russia as a response to Moscow's use of North Korean troops. Both Russia and Ukraine are trying to secure a battlefield advantage before Donald Trump becomes US president in January. Trump has vowed to end the war within hours but has not provided details as to how. In his nightly address, Zelensky also criticised China for its response to Moscow's new missile after China's foreign ministry said all parties should "remain calm and exercise restraint". "From Russia, this is a mockery of the position of states such as China, states of the Global South, some leaders who call for restraint every time," he said. He also criticised the Ukrainian parliament for postponing a session on Friday over security concerns following the attack on Dnipro. In a post on Telegram, he said unless an air raid signal sounded everyone should work as normal - and not take Russian threats as "permission to have a day off". "The siren sounds - we go to shelter. When there is no siren - we work and serve. There is no other way in war," he said.
Golden at-bat idea brings critics to the plate: ‘Absolutely stupid and ridiculous’Olivia Lloyd | (TNS) The Charlotte Observer CHARLOTTE, N.C.— A pet food company based in North Carolina is recalling puppy mix sold in seven states after a batch tested positive for salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The contamination came to light when a litter of puppies got sick after consuming Blue Ridge Beef’s Puppy Mix, and the customer reported it to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, according to the FDA. The FDA said it notified the company that the food tested positive for salmonella on Nov. 27, and Blue Ridge Beef issued a voluntary recall on its 2-pound plastic-wrapped logs sold in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The recall affects puppy mix sold from Aug. 6 to Aug. 23 with logs labeled with lot numbers 08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25, with UPC 854298001696. It’s not the company’s only recall in the past year. In January, Blue Ridge Beef expanded a December 2023 recall of its puppy mix, as well as some of its kitten food, due to possible salmonella and listeria contamination, FDA records show. “Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting,” according to the FDA. “Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.” Related Articles National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York. National News | US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags Pet owners who notice these symptoms should notify their veterinarian. Humans are also at risk of contracting the food-borne illness if they don’t wash their hands or sanitize surfaces the product has touched. The FDA said customers who believe they purchased the recalled mix should return the product to the place they bought it or destroy the food in a way that ensures no humans or animals will be contaminated. The company declined to comment on the recall to McClatchy News on Dec. 3. Blue Ridge Beef is located in Statesville in Iredell County, about a 40-mile drive north from Charlotte. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say A shooter kills UnitedHealthcare’s CEO in an ambush in New York, police say The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads The latest business openings and closings in Hampton Roads German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News German restaurant Deutsche Ecke opens in Newport News Amazon same-day delivery center opens in Hampton — the 1st of its kind in Hampton Roads Amazon same-day delivery center opens in Hampton — the 1st of its kind in Hampton Roads Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Williamsburg Christmas parade to feature Commanders marching band Here are the top 50 high school football recruits in Hampton Roads’ Class of 2025 Here are the top 50 high school football recruits in Hampton Roads’ Class of 2025 No arrests made in Newport News triple shooting as police continue investigation No arrests made in Newport News triple shooting as police continue investigation Newport News retiree warns of losing access to doctors under city’s insurance provider Newport News retiree warns of losing access to doctors under city’s insurance provider Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck says great things lie ahead in his final State of the City address Hampton Mayor Donnie Tuck says great things lie ahead in his final State of the City address Langley Speedway to honor late employee with benefit at track on Saturday Langley Speedway to honor late employee with benefit at track on Saturday Trending Nationally Tijuana once again sets up additional checkpoint at border crossing Fox News contributor Dr. Kelly Powers dead at 45 Disneyland offers discount tickets for Southern California residents in 2025 UK rock band robbed at gunpoint outside Bay Area coffeehouse Florida axes Boy Scouts and other low-selling specialty license platesNone
Andrej Jakimovski hit a layup with 8 seconds left, and Colorado upset No. 2 UConn 73-72 in the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday in Lahaina, Hawaii. Colorado (5-1) rallied from down 11 in the first half to get the win over the two-time defending national champions Huskies. Jakimovski finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Julian Hammond III and Elijah Malone each scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who advanced to the fifth-place game in Maui on Wednesday. Down 72-71, Jakimovski drove the right side of the lane and made a scoop shot as he was falling down. UConn called timeout to set up the final play but Hassan Diarra missed a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left. Liam McNeeley led UConn with 20 points, Solo Ball scored 16 and Diarra finished with 11. The Huskies (4-2) lost two straight for the first time since dropping three in a row from Jan. 11-18, 2023. Colorado trailed by eight at halftime and Diarra hit two 3-pointers early in the second half that made it 46-37. The Buffaloes scored the next 11 points to take a 48-46 lead, their first of the game. Hammond bookended that run with a pair of triples. UConn went back in front 55-52 on Tarris Reed Jr.'s driving layup but Malone's bucket with 8:34 left tied it at 59. McNeeley's hook shot gave the Huskies a 63-60 lead before Jakimovski drained a 3-pointer to tie it again with 5:16 left. Ball hit a 3-pointer and a layup to give UConn a five-point lead but Colorado got within 70-69 on two free throws by Malone with 2:04 left. A putback from Jaylin Stewart made it a three-point game with 1:29 remaining. Malone answered with a layup, Javon Ruffin blocked Diarra's shot and Colorado got an offensive rebound with 24 seconds left to set up the winning basket. McNeeley made his first four shots from deep and had 16 points by intermission to lead the Huskies. Colorado had opportunities to make it a close game by halftime but went just 12-for-19 from the foul line and trailed 40-32. UConn attempted only four free throws in the first half and had five players with two or more fouls, including Reed, who had three. --Field Level MediaGolden at-bat idea brings critics to the plate: ‘Absolutely stupid and ridiculous’
Japan has initiated an ambitious project wherein it plans to use AI techniques to keep an eye on sites that offer pirated versions of anime and manga, reported. With the rising popularity of manga, there has also been a spurt in piracy of manga and anime content that is believed to cost the industry billions of dollars every year. As some publishers have claimed, there are about a thousand websites currently in operation that are engaged in manga piracy. They allow users to download manga, usually, the ones that are most in demand globally, completely free of cost. Needless to say, this deprives the original content creators of their rightful share of the revenue that they deserve for their creativity. The publishers also stated the majority of such websites, or 70 percent to be precise, that are in the business of offering pirated manga and anime content operate in foreign languages such as English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. With manga popularity ever on the rise, there are always those who would like to snag the latest copy of popular manga titles for free. However, keeping a tab on the websites manually is a huge endeavor, one that takes a lot of time and effort to make it feasible. This is where AI comes into the picture. The Cultural Affairs Agency in Japan has earmarked a budget of ¥300 million or $2 million in a project that aims to detect illegal content using image and text detection algorithms. All of this, Japan feels will help it achieve its target of exporting cultural assets such as manga and anime worth ¥20 trillion by 2033. This forms part of the “Cool Japan” strategy that the government had revealed earlier in June. Earlier in 2022, the segment’s exports had reached ¥4.7 trillion. With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:50 p.m. ESTColombia denies UN claims of 20,000 bodies at Bogota airport
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Stocks Buoyed by Tech Rally With Powell in Focus: Markets WrapNow that Bayern II have started their winter break, it is a great time to look back at the season so far and evaluate it. In this article, the individual performance of the members of Bayern Munich ’s U-23 squad during the first half of the season will be graded from 1-6, with 1 being the best grade and 6 being the worst grade. This encompasses matchdays 1-22 and ignores participation in the UEFA Youth League for the U-19s. Not every player has played enough minutes to be fairly rated, however. so only players who have contested at least 270 minutes of game time will be evaluated. Without further ado, here are the ratings: Goalkeepers: Max Schmitt: 2 GK, 18 years old, 1260 minutes played, 16 goals conceded, 4 clean sheets Young goalkeepers are always difficult to rate. It is the position where the most self-assuredness is required, yet that kind of self-assuredness is one that cannot always be expected from young players. Schmitt has had an up and down season, making several mistakes that led to goals as well as putting in several performances that saved Bayern’s bacon as their defense faltered. He was briefly dropped, but almost immediately won his starting spot back and kept it. Additionally, he was even given the chance to experience Bundesliga and Champions league nights on the bench of Bayern’s first team. He is deservedly Bayern II’s No.1 goalie and has had a good season so far. Anthony Pavlešić: 3+ GK, 18 years old, 360 minutes played, 4 goals conceded, 1 clean sheet Though he has a better goals conceded per game ratio than Schmitt, their performances do not really compare. Pavlesic got a chance to stake his claim as the No.1 for Bayern II around the start of September, before dropping an absolute clanger of a performance against TSV Aubstadt. Since then, he has only gotten game time when Schmitt was promoted to the first team. Benjamin Ballis NR GK, 19 years old, 180 minutes played Hannes Hailmeir NR GK, 20 years old, 0 minutes played Defenders: Grayson Dettoni: 2 CB, 19 years old, 1576 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists Grayson Dettoni is another who has been good. After battling his way into the starting XI last season, he has maintained his spot this season. Dettoni is not the fastest player in the world, but he is decent with the ball at his feet and holds up well physically in a league full of grown men. The USA-born footballer is truly coming into his own and it is great to see. Plus, he sat down to have an interview with BFW a few years ago. If that is not the sign of a cool person, then I don’t know what is. Steve Breitkreuz: 2+ CB, 32 years old, 1610 minutes played, 6 goals, 0 assists Signed in 2023 to be one of the old heads that guide the young players, Steve Breitkreuz has done a good job so far. His leadership at the back is palpable, he takes charge during defensive plays and he scores a lot of really important goals. At 6 goals scored in the league, he is the team’s second highest goal scorer. However, his lack of quality on the ball and recklessness when charging out to win the ball can cost him and the team at times. Still, his leadership and his 6 goals bump him up a quite a bit. Gabriel Marušić, NR CB, 21 years old, 32 minutes played Gabriel Marušić made his comeback from a cruciate ligament tear sustained in April, 2023, back in October. Ergo he could not play enough to get rated. Paul Scholl: 3+ CB, 18 years old, 542 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists Though Paul Scholl also played for the U-19s this season, he is officially on the U-23s roster, so he will be evaluated in this article. His performances have been fine, but the difference in quality between him versus the duo of Dettoni and Breitzkreuz is noticeable whenever he play in their stead. He is less positionally steady and not quite able to impose himself physically. And he is perhaps even less assured on the ball. Given time, this should improve as he adapts to the league. Adam Aznou: 1- LB, 18 years old, 585 minutes played, 0 goals, 0 assists Of course, most Bayern fans know who Adam Aznou is. The magnificent Moroccan magician has been knocking on the door to the first team all season, after all. This effort has landed him on the bench of the first team for most of the season, so he has been unable to accumulate minutes with Bayern II. Whenever he did play for the U-23, he generally demonstrated his impressive passing, dribbling and improved defensive acumen. But he also had a tendency to fall back into some bad decision making habits, deciding to dribble and take on the world instead of making the simple pass far too often. That is why he “only” gets a 1-. Davide Dell’Erba: 2+ LB/CM, 20 years old, 1282 minutes played, 2 goals, 1 assist This certainly cannot have been the plan when Davide Dell’Erba was signed. Though the German/Italian dual international was initially signed to bolster the midfield, the left footed creative midfielder has spent the majority of his time in Munich at left back instead. This season, Aznou’s development and subsequent promotion to the first team saw him forced to fill the role again. Yet he has hardly looked phased as his technique, ease on the ball and attacking fervor keeps the left side running nicely. Of course, Dell’Erba does sometimes focus a little too much on getting forward, but it is understandable. He gets plus points for ramming home a late, late pressure penalty in Bayern II’s last Regionalliga game of the year. Angelo Brückner: 3 LB/RB, 21 years old, 1313 minutes played, 0 goals, 1 assist Oh, Angelo Brückner. He is really hard working, capable of incredible technique, quite capable of playing with both feet and possesses great agility. But his development has really stalled over the years, meaning he has the same flaws he did when he played his first season of football with Bayern II in 2021. Brückner makes too many simple mistakes, he still struggles in duels, his technique is wildly inconsistent and he chooses the wrong option far too often. The former TSV Hartberg player is very likable but it has been a rough few years for him and his career. The plan in Munich is that players are supposed to stay no more than 2 years at Bayern II before moving on. But Brückner has just finished three years now. It tells you all you need to know about his development. Vincent Manuba: 2- RB, 19 years old, 562 minutes played, 0 goals, 1 assist What a shame. Vincent Manuba’s season has been blighted by injuries and that will continue to be the case until next season, for his cruciate ligament tear rules him out until then. Considering he also spent over 2 months out with a meniscus injury, this man really cannot catch a break. It is all the more frustrating because he was beginning to show signs of serious development, especially physically. The 19-year-old has really grown into his body and it means he has a great combination of wiry strength and genuine speed. His technical skills may not be on par with those physical skills, but his development was quite clear until the heart shattering injury. Here’s to hoping Manuba has a smooth and speedy recovery. Overall score: 2 In general, it is difficult to complain too much. Most players have taken at least one step forward, even if none of them have made any massive leaps in improvement. The defensive record of 23 goals conceded in 21 games is also pretty good, though, to a certain extent, some unbelievable profligacy from the opponents contributed to the defensive effort as well. A B seems to be a fair grade for a good but not excellent overall effort. But please work on them with their ball playing skills, Bayern coaches. It can be painful to watch them try to progress the ball at times. The latest Bavarian Podcast Works Show has dropped! Let’s talk about the news breaking from the AGM, Bayern Munich’s complex injury situation, and why the club probably doesn’t just want Florian Wirtz, but needs him. You can get the show on Patreon , Spotify , or below: Support Bavarian Podcast Works on Patreon! If you like our podcasts and want more, or just want to listen our episodes ad-free, then support us on Patreon! Every single dollar will be used to help boost the coverage of the team we all love. Mia San Mia. DONATE NOW! Related Report: Five clubs battling to sign Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel on loan Inside Bayern Munich’s canceled pursuit of Hugo Ekitiké Paul Wanner says Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz do not factor into Germany or Austria decision Daily Schmankerl: Liverpool could make move for Bayern Munich’s Leroy Sané; Jamal Musiala wouldn’t have changed a thing about his career journey so far; Federico Chiesa to Napoli?; Bayern confident on Alphonso Davies talks; and MORE!
PHILADELPHIA — Nikki Giovanni, the legendary poet and leader of the Black Arts Movement, died at 81 on Monday, Dec. 9, in Blacksburg, Virginia, after receiving a third diagnosis of cancer, according to news reports . Her longtime partner, Virginia Fowler, was by her side. The revolutionary writer who penned verses about Black life, feminism, politics, rage and love, was born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni Jr., in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1943 and raised in Cincinnati. She spent many years in New York and Virginia, where she taught English at Virginia Tech for decades. Giovanni had many connections with this region, and notable Philadelphians shared their condolences on social media. Harriet’s Bookshop owner Jeannine A. Cook shared a photo of her cooking with Giovanni on a video call, writing, “May our good deeds add onto yours—thank you for teaching me how to make fried chicken among many other things. Long live the keepers of the word.” Questlove posted a photograph of a young Giovanni with her reading of the popular poem “Ego Tripping” playing in the background; he wrote, “Man: thank you for gifts Nikki Giovanni.” Early in her career, Giovanni spent time in Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. As she developed her first book, the self-published poetry collection "Black Feeling, Black Talk/Black Judgement" (1971), Giovanni worked at a People’s Settlement House in Delaware. Around that time, she studied at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Work, pursuing a master’s of social work, and commuted into the city from Wilmington. She dropped out of the program and moved to New York, going on to become a prolific writer, outspoken activist, lesbian icon, and beloved English teacher. Giovanni returned to Philadelphia briefly in the 1990s, when she recorded her 1997 poetry album "In Philadelphia" at the historic Sigma Sound studio. She also served as the 1996 artist-in-residence at the famed Clef Club. Renowned for her disarming humor and incisive commentary across dozens of books, Giovanni appeared at literary events in Philadelphia throughout her career and found a deep and loving fandom of all ages. In 2010, North Philadelphia’s Art Sanctuary named her the recipient of its Lifetime Achievement Award. One of her last trips to the city was captured in the Emmy-winning documentary "Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project" that screened at the 2023 BlackStar Film Festival (and is now streaming on Max). Speaking about her 2017 book, "A Good Cry: What We Learn From Tears and Laughter," Giovanni had a room full of teens laughing at the Free Library of Philadelphia and heard from several attendees, particularly Black women, who said she was their biggest inspiration. Some had named their children for her. “Philadelphia was the birthplace of the United States,” Giovanni told the Inquirer in a Zoom interview last year . “Having the documentary about me in Philadelphia is also saying that there is still a new world, there’s still something to create, still another step, or as the old spirituals used to say, we are climbing Jacob’s ladder.” During our interview, she introduced me to her loud Yorkie, Cleopatra, and showed off the “Thug life” tattoo that she got on her arm in honor of Tupac Shakur. In her later years, the poet was fascinated by space exploration (inspiring the documentary title). She called herself a “space freak” and told me about her wish for artists to be sent to the moon. She was also curious to learn more about potential new discoveries of alien life, which she welcomed. “If another life-form is coming to Earth, they can drop by my house, and I’ll do what Black women always do, ‘Come on in baby, are you hungry?’” she said. “Because that’s what Black women do, no matter what it is. We save life whenever we can, and we feed it, and we welcome that.” Fiercely determined to make every last minute count, Giovanni was still working during her final weeks. She’s expected to get the last word in the 2025 release of her forthcoming project, "The Last Book." ©2024 The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit inquirer.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.How to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Wednesday, December 11