NEW YORK (AP) — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.Extendicare Inc. ( OTCMKTS:EXETF – Get Free Report ) declared a dividend on Tuesday, December 24th, investing.com reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 1st will be paid a dividend of 0.0282 per share on Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a dividend yield of 4.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, December 31st. Extendicare Stock Performance OTCMKTS:EXETF opened at $7.14 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $7.09 and a 200 day moving average of $6.41. Extendicare has a 52 week low of $4.74 and a 52 week high of $7.80. Extendicare Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Read More Receive News & Ratings for Extendicare Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Extendicare and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts may sit out a potential NFC East clincher against Dallas because of the lingering effects of a . The Eagles could also just rest Hurts to play it safe -- even if he’s medically cleared ahead of Sunday’s game -- and protect their franchise QB from additional injury over the final two games. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni kept quiet this week on which QB will start Sunday, in large part, of course, because of the head injury suffered by Hurts in last week’s that forced him into the . The issue was complicated by backup Kenny Pickett’s rib injury suffered in relief of Hurts in his first real game competition in nearly a year. Tanner McKee, the third-string QB, could move into a backup role — or maybe even get the start against the Cowboys. Philadelphia's starting quarterback situation has surged past Saquon Barkley's season rushing record as the most intriguing talking point in the final two games. The Eagles (12-3) appear certain to win the division title — they're two games ahead of Washington (10-5) — and a No. 2 seed in the conference no matter the quarterback headed into the playoffs. Even with an unsettled QB spot, the Eagles are are still 7 1/2-point home favorites to beat division rival Dallas, per BetMGM Sportsbook. Sirianni appreciated that quarterback depth has been a strength for the Eagles. “We feel good about that room,” he said. So why risk Hurts against the Cowboys? There's little reason to make Hurts play only a week after absorbing a pair of blows to the head and the extra week off — maybe two if the finale against the Giants is truly meaningless — could add to his recovery time ahead of a home playoff game. The Eagles were burned in a similar situation last season when Hurts and star wide receiver A.J. Brown were in the final game against the Giants with little at stake. With both players hampered by unnecessary injuries, the Eagles were dumped the next week by Tampa Bay in the NFC wild-card playoff game. The Eagles have options if Hurts is inactive. Pickett was 14 of 24 for 143 yards in relief, throwing a touchdown pass to Brown and an interception. Pickett, a first-round pick out of Pitt in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter for the Steelers before he was traded to the Eagles in the offseason. McKee was the Eagles’ 2023 sixth-round pick out of Stanford. The 6-foot-6, 231-pound quarterback has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game. He's mostly used in practice on the scout team or in developmental periods — at best, he'll stay late after practice to get some reps in with the top receivers. “Every week, every opportunity, it's knowing it could be my shot, my chance,” McKee said. He could finally get that shot against Dallas. Rolling with Rush With the Cowboys out of playoff contention, the questions persist for coach Mike McCarthy about bypassing Cooper Rush for a look at Trey Lance before both QBs hit free agency. McCarthy’s answer hasn’t wavered: Rush gives Dallas the best chance to win. Rush is 4-3 since Dak Prescott’s season-ending hamstring tear after going 5-1 over two previous stints as an injury replacement. That’s 9-4 total. Half the losses came in both of Rush’s starts against Eagles – the last of five games filling in during the 2022 season and the first game this season. “The mindset is to win,” McCarthy said. “We’re going to Philadelphia to win the game.” Barkley watch Barkley leads the NFL with 1,838 yards rushing for the season through 15 games. He still needs two big outings in the final games of the season against Dallas and the New York Giants to top Dickerson and his 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. Barkley is 268 yards away from passing Dickerson for the season mark and 162 shy from becoming the ninth player in NFL history with 2,000 yards rushing in a season. He ran for only 66 yards in the first game this season against Dallas. Dallas ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, surrendering 135.9 yards per contest. Philadelphia, behind Barkley’s stellar play, tops the league at 187.9 yards per game on the ground. The Eagles have already have set a team record for yards rushing in a season with 2,818, and they are within four rushing touchdowns of tying the club’s single-season mark of 32, set in 2022. Barkley needs four more rushing touchdowns to tie LeSean McCoy’s Eagles record, set in 2011 and just 33 yards from scrimmage to break McCoy’s mark of 2,146 set in 2013. Seeing double digits Star Dallas edge rusher Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach double digits in each of his first four seasons despite missing four games with a high ankle sprain, the first injury absence of his career. The 2021 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year would be the fifth player to reach 10 sacks in each of his first four seasons. The other four — Claude Humphrey, Reggie White, Derrick Thomas and Dwight Freeney - are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Schuyler Dixon contributed from Arlington, Texas. ___ AP NFL: Dan Gelston, The Associated Press
Barcelona midfielder Gavi couldn’t hide his frustration after seeing his team throw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Celta on Saturday . Gavi made his first start in a year at Balaidos and had his team on course for a 2-0 win until a late collapse saw Hansi Flick’s side forced to settle for a point. Here’s what he had to say afterwards: “We had the game under control but we got involved in two poor moves and we have to learn from that,” he told the media. “The first goal was a stupid thing. We have to clear the ball in that position but that’s football. You have to learn. “With a man down it’s really difficult, not just against Celta against any team, if you’re not focused what can happen can happen. “It’s my first start after a year. I’m happy with that but obviously the thing was to get three points and we didn’t get that.” It’s a disappointing night for Barcelona and more dropped points for Flick’s side. They are back in action in midweek against Brest in the Champions League.
World Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. South Korean lawmakers have impeached acting president Han Duck-soo, sinking the country even deeper into political crisis two weeks after his predecessor was suspended over a martial law declaration that shocked the world. Han, a career bureaucrat who was serving as prime minister, took over from President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14 after parliament voted to impeach him on allegations of insurrection. Opposition MPs have now also stripped Han of his duties, arguing that he refused demands to complete Yoon’s impeachment process and to bring him to justice. “I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks to reporters as he leaves the Government Complex in Seoul after his impeachment motion was passed by the National Assembly. Picture: Yonhap/AFP Lawmakers from the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) loudly protested in parliament after the speaker said only a simple majority was required for impeachment to pass, instead of the two-thirds required to remove Yoon. PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily, with many rushing towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote. In addition to being the second impeachment of a head of state in just two weeks, Friday’s vote was also South Korea’s first impeachment of an acting president. PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han “must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition’s passage of the impeachment motion”. However, Han said in a statement that he “respects the parliament’s decision” and would wait for the Constitutional Court’s subsequent decision on whether to uphold it. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is now stepping into the roles of both acting president and prime minister, pledged to do all he can to end the political upheaval gripping his country. “Minimising governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment,” Choi said in an address shortly after his appointment as acting leader, adding that “the government will also dedicate all its efforts to overcoming this period of turmoil.” South Korea's ruling People Power Party lawmakers argue to National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik during the plenary session for the impeachment vote of acting president Han Duck-soo at the National Assembly in Seoul. Picture: Jung Yeon-Je/AFP Amid the ongoing crisis, South Korea’s won touched a 16-year low against the US dollar on Friday, faring worse than in the immediate aftermath of Yoon’s martial law declaration, which sent the currency sliding to a two-year low against the greenback. Seoul’s stocks also tumbled, with the KOSPI Index closing down by 1.02 per cent on Friday. At the heart of the backlash against Han was his refusal to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament’s decision to impeach Yoon, and now Han as well. The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon. The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock. Han’s refusal to formally appoint more judges “revealed his true colours”, said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae. South Korea's Finance Minister and new acting president Choi Sang-mok (left) speaks as he presides over a meeting of the National Security Council at the Government Complex in Seoul, after Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion was passed by the National Assembly. Picture: Yonhap/AFP The refusal “is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law”, said Jo. The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was “intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges”. Such actions, it said, were “in violation of a public official’s duty to uphold the law ... and serve the public”. Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees. “The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions,” he argued. The United States affirmed its “ironclad” commitment to South Korea, a key strategic ally against North Korea and China, after news of Han’s impeachment. “We reiterate our support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens and democratic processes, and the rule of law,” Pentagon spokesman Major Pete Nguyen said in a statement, referring to the South by its official name. South Korea’s Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon’s impeachment on Friday, despite the latest controversy, with the suspended president’s legal team attending. More Coverage ‘We will contest’: impeached S Korean President to fight charges Merryn Johns, AFP ‘Madness’: Wild scenes in South Korea AFP Originally published as South Korean lawmakers impeach second president in two weeks Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories World Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Coombs rape accuser to remain anonymous The woman accusing rappers Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Coombs of raping her when she was 13 can remain anonymous a judge has ruled. But the judge didn’t stop there. Read more National ‘Not welcome arms’: Why Aussie expats don’t return They’ll always be Aussies, but our expats who have pulled up stumps to chase their dreams overseas are facing increasingly high hurdles to return. See why and watch the video. Read more
Attributes 2,440% revenue growth to increased adoption of its ProteographTM Product Suite and exciting discoveries made by Seer customers across multiple areas of biology and disease REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seer, Inc. (Nasdaq: SEER), a leading life sciences company commercializing a disruptive new platform for proteomics, today announced it ranked No. 57 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 TM, a ranking of the 500 fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 30th year. Seer grew 2,440% during this period. Seer's President and CFO, David Horn, credits increased adoption of Seer's Proteograph Product Suite, as well as new discoveries made by its customers across neurodegenerative disease, cancer, and metabolic disease, with the company's 2,440% revenue growth. "This has been an exciting year for Seer, from the launch of our technology access center in Europe, to seeing our Proteograph platform used by astronauts on the SpaceX Inspiration4 mission, to the recent announcement of our co-marketing and sales agreement with Thermo Fisher Scientific,” Horn said. "We're proud to see continuing validation of our work providing customers and the broader scientific community with the power to enable deep proteomic insights at a scale and price point that hasn't been possible before." Seer previously ranked No. 5 as a Technology Fast 500 award winner for 2023. Overall, 2024 Technology Fast 500 companies achieved revenue growth ranging from 201% to 153,625% over the three-year time frame, with an average growth rate of 1,981% and median growth rate of 460%. About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 : Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies - both public and private - in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2020 to 2023. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company's operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America. About Seer : Seer is a life sciences company developing transformative products that open a new gateway to the proteome. Seer's Proteograph Product Suite is an integrated solution that includes proprietary engineered nanoparticles, consumables, automation instrumentation and software to perform deep, unbiased proteomic analysis at scale in a matter of hours. Seer designed the Proteograph workflow to be efficient and easy to use, leveraging widely adopted laboratory instrumentation to provide a decentralized solution that can be incorporated by nearly any lab. Seer's Proteograph Product Suite is for research use only and is not intended for diagnostic procedures. For more information, please visit www.seer.bio . Media Contact: Patrick Schmidt [email protected] Investor Contact: Carrie Mendivil [email protected] About Deloitte : Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future . Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com . Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL”), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global”) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte” name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.AP News Summary at 4:36 p.m. ESTHow Can You Make 2025 a Healthy New Year? Health Experts Offer TipsBy MICHELLE L. PRICE WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer’s comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar.” Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump’s world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world’s richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump’s movement but his stance on the tech industry’s hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry’s need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent,” he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Related Articles National Politics | Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns Trump’s own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump’s businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country” and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country,” he told the “All-In” podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump’s budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.
The Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has stated that Nigeria lacks structured documentation and review of traditional medicine processes. The Director-General of NNMDA, Prof. Martins Emeje, outlined these initiatives during his presentation, “The Media as Natural Medicine Ambassador,” at a media parley in Lagos, noting that this will change in 2025. He also emphasized the need for enhanced research and systematic documentation of traditional medicine practices, alongside targeted strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance and livestock diseases. According to Emeje, NNMDA aims to create a comprehensive traditional medicine database while also reviewing the country’s biodiversity to bolster research efforts. Highlighting the agency’s strides in securing competitive research grants, Emeje disclosed plans to utilize these funds to address antimicrobial resistance. “We will focus on identifying medicinal plants endemic to specific regions and developing products tailored to the prevalent diseases in those areas,” he stated. This approach, he added, seeks to empower local communities by reducing dependence on foreign medicinal aid. “The solutions to our health challenges are within our reach; we only need to harness them,” he emphasized. Emeje pointed out that NNMDA’s 2025 agenda includes addressing livestock diseases, with partnerships already established with the Netherlands and India to develop herbal remedies. He added that the agency is prioritizing cures for snakebites, a significant public health concern, particularly in regions like Katungu, Gombe State, known for venomous snake populations. “Snakebites represent a critical health insecurity. With funding, we are poised to develop effective treatments and deploy them without delay,” Emeje assured. Reflecting on 2024, Emeje celebrated NNMDA’s pioneering use of nanotechnology to create indigenous herbal products for cholera treatment, a feat that positioned the agency at the forefront of innovation in traditional medicine. “Our model is built on research, science, technology, and innovation. We view every disease as a challenge that requires immediate and strategic action,” he stated. NIGERIAN TRIBUNEHow major US stock indexes fared Friday, 12/27/2024Now that Christmas is over, families are bracing for the hefty costs that come with outfitting children for the new academic year. From clothing and supplies to electronics and extracurricular activities, the price tag can quickly add up. However, there are several strategies that can help save money and ease the financial burden. Take Advantage of Sales and Discounts Retailers often offer back-to-school sales, especially in late summer. Look for discounts on clothing, shoes, and school supplies, both in-store and online. Many stores also run “buy one, get one free” promotions or offer student discounts. Be sure to shop early, as the best deals often appear in the weeks leading up to school. Buy in Bulk Stock up on items that are required in large quantities, such as notebooks, pens, and folders. Purchasing these supplies in bulk can result in significant savings. Additionally, consider sharing supplies with other families or pooling resources to take advantage of bulk pricing. Repurpose and Reuse Check if your child has leftover supplies from the previous year that are still in good condition. Backpacks, binders, and pens can be reused, which will save money. A fresh set of notebooks or a new lunchbox may be all that’s needed to give old supplies a new life. Shop at Discount Stores For essentials like uniforms, shoes, and backpacks, consider shopping at discount stores or thrift shops. You can often find high-quality items at a fraction of the cost of brand-name retailers. Embrace Digital Learning For students in need of laptops or tablets, consider buying refurbished models or taking advantage of school or government programs offering discounted technology. By being strategic and planning ahead, families can significantly reduce back-to-school expenses while still providing everything students need to succeed.
Lasertec Co. ( OTCMKTS:LSRCF – Get Free Report )’s stock price traded down 0.2% during mid-day trading on Friday . The stock traded as low as $95.20 and last traded at $96.67. 632 shares were traded during mid-day trading, an increase of 5% from the average session volume of 603 shares. The stock had previously closed at $96.90. Lasertec Stock Down 0.2 % The firm has a fifty day moving average of $123.07 and a two-hundred day moving average of $167.49. Lasertec Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Lasertec Corporation engages in the designing, manufacturing, and sale of inspection and measurement equipment in Japan and internationally. The company offers semiconductor related products, which includes mask related systems for extreme ultraviolet and deep ultraviolet solutions, and wafers inspection and review systems; and FPD photomask inspection systems. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lasertec Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lasertec and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Democrats Need Their Own Donald Trump
This picturesque seaside village in regional Victoria lures food lovers for its annual Wild Harvest Seafood Festival and, year round, delights those looking for a stay that combines the bush, fishing and relaxation. The cruise Take a cruise on the historic M.V. Loch-Ard. To really appreciate the beauty and size of the surrounding lakes get on board the MV Loch-Ard, which has been beetling around the Victorian waterways since it was first built, from Huon pine and kauri, in 1910. It is a snugly romantic vessel and during a sunset cruise you can watch the changing colours of the skies, see white sea eagles dive for an evening meal and hear some great local stories from Captain Dale Winward. See mallacootacruises.com The historic stay Karbeethong Lodge was built in 1922 and offers a slice of nostalgia. Karbeethong Lodge has the distinction of being favourably compared to heaven by A Sentimental Bloke author C.J. Dennis when he stayed here in 1932. It is hard to argue with him as you sit on the balcony of this 1920s-built seaside guesthouse with a local Gippsland drop in hand, looking across the grassy slope of a yard to the tranquil East Gippsland waters. Owners Graeme and Jenny Mitchell keep things warm and inviting with a retro collection of furnishings that populate the communal spaces of the huge living room and the help-yourself kitchen. Rooms are quirky and often have more beds than you need, but this is a very special place from which to explore the region. See karbeethonglodge.com.au The local dinner Lucy’s Cantonese fare is legendary in Mallacoota. Lucy’s, on the main street of Mallacoota, is an order-at-the-counter, family-working-all-stations affair that is packed on a weekend with visitors and locals sharing tables full of simple but utterly delicious dishes in serves that often require a take-away container. The go-tos here are the fresh, handmade noodles teamed with locally caught abalone and homegrown herbs, generously stuffed prawn har gau and rolled-up newspaper-sized spring rolls. The museum Mallacoota’s Bunker Museum was once part of a group of World War II-era military installations. The Bunker Museum was originally part of a chain of military installations that protected this exposed easterly part of the Australian coast during World War II. Now visitors descend the stairs into the rainbow-roofed bunker for a taste of military and local history with displays of “trench art” made from shell casings, the story of the sinking of British ship the SS Cumberland and a full-scale replica of home life in the 1940s complete with a mannequin looking like she has come off the set of Dad’s Army . See mallacootabunker.com.au The market Located near The Muddie, the mud brick pavilion at the centre of the Lions Park in town, this local market is full of the freshest local produce, local arts and crafts and community groups. It is a regularly changing roster of stallholders but keep an eye out for The Travelling Squid with its signature salt-and-pepper calamari and “prawn twists”. See mallacootamarkets.com The festival The Wild Harvest Seafood Festival was created to celebrate some of the less-loved creatures of the sea, such as the abalone and sea urchin that Mallacoota is known for. Started in 2022 (after some delays), the “whelk-om” dinner might have local oysters cooked over fire by Noel Butler from First Nations social enterprise Black Duck Foods, and pesce crudo using locally caught fish by guest chefs such as Stefano de Pieri. You might catch a live band, learn a sea shanty or enter a sandcastle making competition. It is an intimate introduction to this special part of Victoria. See wildharvestseafoodfestival.com The creative hub The Mallacoota Art Space, inside the Croajingolong Centre, often hosts an artist-in-residence. Tucked in behind the local radio station, inside the Croajingolong Centre, is the Mallacoota Art Space that is not only hung with works from local artists but, more often that not, will have an artist-in-residence producing works who is up for a chat about the local area and the wild coast that provides much of the inspiration for the local makers and creators. See visitmallacoota.com.au The nature walk Croajingalong National Park is great for bathing, walking or just taking in the view. It is a short drive to Genoa Falls in the Croajingolong National Park, just outside of Mallacoota, where the water runs down a long, flat slope packed full of water dragons that dart away into the rocks as soon as they see you. It is a great spot for bathing or simply wandering through the walking trails. If you have extra time the walk to Genoa Peak gives you a killer view of the surrounding bush and waterways. See visitmallacoota.com.au One more thing ... Abalone is now being processed locally. Mallacoota is the abalone capital of Victoria and the Australian Wild Abalone plant recently opened after the previous operation was devastated by the 2019 Gippsland bushfires. In the past, most of the popular aquatic meat was sent straight to Asia, but there is a renewed interest in using the fresh meat at home, so keep an eye out for it on local menus and at markets. See ex1191.com.au Paul Chai was a guest of Wild Harvest Festival and Destination Gippsland.And that’s that. High school football season in Macomb County ended this past Saturday, Nov. 16 when the final teams – Dakota, De La Salle, Lutheran North and Armada – lost in the state quarterfinal round. It wrapped an impressive season in the area which saw multiple program-firsts, thrilling contests and incredible numbers from some of the county’s brightest stars. Here, we’ll consider a team’s full body of work during the 2024 season and do our best to give our definitely (not) definitive ranking of the top 10 teams in the 586. The Cougars have been a top three team in the county all season, and overall, they’re the cream of the crop. All of their MAC Red wins were by multiple scores. Their lone loss (at Eisenhower, 21-14) was decisively avenged when the Cougars crushed the Eagles 41-14 in the postseason to win a district title. And the game that knocked them out of the playoffs (21-14 vs. Cass Tech) was an absolute war with the difference being a ridiculous touchdown catch with under 30 seconds left in the game. Brady Hamby had a Mr. Football finalist-worthy season, playing both sides of the ball and being one of the best players on the field whenever he was on it. His linebacking partner, Dimari Malone, proved why he’s worthy of being a Michigan State Spartan by playing outstanding linebacker all year. He played a decent chunk of snaps at running back and wide receiver, and he was lethal there, too, scoring 10 touchdowns. Fellow MSU commit Justin Bell and Nick Battaglia led one of the area’s most dominant offensive lines, and Logan Criteser set a new school record with 16 sacks. De La Salle’s résumé can be put up against anybody’s in the state: regular season wins over Davison, Detroit King, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Chippewa Valley set up a playoff run that included knocking off Port Huron Northern and then-unbeaten Grosse Pointe South. Their season ended with a bit of controversy when Birmingham Groves – also undefeated heading into the state semifinals, by the way – was awarded a touchdown on a play that was originally flagged with the Falcon receiver touching the ball after running out of bounds. Warranted or not, there’s no arguing that the Pilots were talented enough to continue their run of four-straight championship appearances. And they’d have been going into a rematch with the OLSM Eaglets, who will duel Groves instead. Anthony Bitonti broke out in a big way this season, rushing for double-digit touchdowns and being the Pilots’ leader in all rushing categories. Damion King IV continued his breakout, going for over 1,000 all-purpose yards between rushing, receiving and returning with nine touchdowns. Bryce Hurley was on a Mr. Football finalist-caliber pace during the Eagles’ blazing start that included wins over Division 1 playoff teams Oxford, Romeo and Dakota, but his injury took a major punch out of a balanced Ike attack that featured a strong senior season from first-year starter Jack Bullock. Hurley still managed to go for 870 yards at a clip of 7.4 YPC and 10 touchdowns. He had over 1,000 all-purpose yards before even taking into account his lethality on kickoff returns. Braylon Burnside, Conner Temple and Keaton Duda is as talented of a wide receiver group as any in the county, and when Hurley was going, the Eagles’ offense was an absolute chore to stop. Mike Dziadula was the anchor up front that helped make everything go. But perhaps the Eagles’ most impressive trait this season was their ability to bounce back; After both of their regular season wins, they rebounded by beating Dakota to clinch a share of the MAC Red championship. Then, following a surprising 29-point loss to Clarkston, they came out and beat Romeo by 23 points in the playoffs. Not every team can do that. And, if Hurley was healthy, it’s worth wondering ‘what if?’ Speaking of ‘what ifs’ – two of Roseville’s three losses were by a single point, including their district semifinal defeat at Grosse Pointe South. That’s not by mistake, either. They were competitive in every game and played a few box office bangers, too, which included a 66-65 slobberknocker against Anchor Bay in Week 2. They finished the regular season by beating Romeo and West Bloomfield in close contests. Desmond Straughton looks like a future Big Ten gamebreaker – as a running back, the incoming Illini scored 29 touchdowns and had 1,857 yards between rushing and receiving. On defense, he broke up eight passes, had 38 tackles and one interception. Nobody in the county had better numbers with the ball in their hands. Quarterback Jordan Simes had a heck of a swansong, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns. A Ferris State commit, his current teammate – Elizah Jolly – will turn rival at Grand Valley next year after terrorizing the MAC White with 12 sacks and 13 TFLs in 2024. It was fair to wonder how high the Mustangs’ ceiling this season was when Hudson MacDonald, one of Macomb County’s most dynamic athletes, went down for the season in Week 2. It makes what they ended up accomplishing that much more impressive. Lutheran North finished the regular season on a five-game winning streak, including wins over Riverview Gabriel Richard, Liggett and Ann Arbor Richard before leading into a second-straight Prep Bowl appearance against Everest Collegiate, in which they took the overtime thriller – one of their preseason goals – despite the adversity they faced. Their playoff wins over St. Clair and Croswell-Lexington were impressive as well. Jack May stepped in and helped lead the run-heavy offense behind star lineman Chris Gottschalk plus Ian McGrath and Jax Mason, who helped the Mustangs continue to pound the rock despite missing their top weapon. Cam Campisi stepped up huge in their win over St. Clair, setting a new school record in rushing touchdowns in a game. That specifically shows what the Mustangs were – fearless and willing to step up in the big moments. For as scary as the Cougars’ offense was this season, it’s fair to say that their district championship round loss to Marine City was a disappointment. But that doesn’t mean this season was a lost one. It definitely wasn’t for Caleb Moore – the Cougar quarterback passed for 2,340 yards and rushed for 703 more, racking up over 3,000 all-purpose yards and 42 touchdowns with zero interceptions. He was a stud on defense, getting six picks and 44 tackles making him one of the state’s most lethal two-way weapons. With his brother, Jacob Moore, Taye Redding, Demarion Johnson and others, this year’s Cougar team was one of the absolute most exciting to watch in Macomb County. They were unstoppable in the Charter League, too, going undefeated with zero games decided by single-digit points. As Michigan Collegiate begins to transition into a new era, they salute the departing class of Cougars who helped shape the program into what it is now — and their rivals are thrilled to see them go. It’s not always safe to make blanket statements, but there’s no denying it – Armada football just wrapped up their best season in school history. A program wins record (10) and a first-ever district championship win will do that. TJ Seiler, Jackson Malburg and Zefi Gjelaj – among others – will be remembered fondly for their contributions to the Tigers’ cause this season. Malburg even set a school record for touchdowns in a game in the Tigers’ district championship win over Hazel Park, punching paydirt seven times. They also beat rival Richmond twice, they crushed Yale and beat Croswell-Lexington and North Branch, taking out a long time of BWAC frustration. And the good part is that, as long as Detroit Lions Coach of the Week winner Kyle Rowley is in Armada, this type of season could become more regular than the Tigers’ woes of past. The Bulldogs’ season was tumultuous – after taking three losses to open the season, they won four of their next six – three over MAC Red teams and another against D1 district champion Grand Blanc – to get into the postseason. Had Romeo’s close losses to Adams and Roseville gone the other way, the Bulldogs’ would’ve had a different path to the postseason and maybe, just maybe, their campaign would’ve gone longer. And while a first round loss is disappointing in north Macomb, there’s plenty for this year’s Bulldogs to be proud of. For starters, WRs Drake VanDriessche and DJ Phillips both compiled strong film, along with tight end Jackson Swords. In fact, there’s practically no question that those guys – along with others – will continue the strong tradition of Bulldogs in the NCAA. Stevenson made the playoffs, but a matchup with state championship semifinalist Cass Tech delivered an unfortunate start to their postseason run aspirations. It was a strong start to the season for Justin Newcomb’s squad – wins over Novi, Utica and Chippewa Valley showed that they were absolutely above a tier of solid teams, but how was it going to translate against the elite ones? Not well. But still, they were competitive for most of the season despite several bumps and bruises across the roster, including to quarterback Andrew Knight II, who was, at times, hindered in his ability to perform to the high expectations he holds himself to. But while there’s going to be talent moving onto the college ranks – Jude Osanaiye and Brayden Clark both proved plenty this season – they’ll have another offseason with Knight II and his star receiver, Ronnie Hill, to build up their rapport for one more season. The connection between Mott quarterback Mike Kronner and wide receiver Wesley Gilmore might have been the most electric in the entire county – Gilmore finished with 62 catches for 1,119 yards and 17 touchdown receptions, a major chunk of Kronner’s 2,001 yards and 27 yards through the air. Those two helped continue a tradition of winning at Warren Mott, which included a sweep of city rivals (Fitzgerald, Cousino, Woods Tower). Their troubles came once they left Macomb County – they went 2-3 against out-of-county foes with their season being ended by Birmingham Seaholm. Still, there’s not a lot to be disappointed about outside of that. In fact, the Marauders could be in line for a promotion to the MAC White.