Appeals court upholds nearly $1.3 billion Sandy Hook verdict against Alex Jones
A man is in custody after a deadly shooting in Woodbridge early Friday morning. San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Heather Brent said deputies responded to a shooting in the 900 block of Academy Street just after midnight and found a woman with a fatal gunshot wound. The suspect was found immediately on scene and arrested on suspicion of murder, she said. Brent said investigators are not disclosing the suspect's name at this time out of respect to the families involved. Hilda Loza, a hairdresser at Salon Envy, 200 N. School St., said the victim was her employer Nicole Winans. Loza said she had known Winans for five years, and that she had been going through a divorce. Loza said that Winans' clients had been stopping by the salon all day to drop off flowers in sympathy. "It's been hard on everyone," Loza said. "She was a beautiful person inside and out. She was the best boss. She was very loving and caring person. Her family was everything to her. She had beautiful kids who were her world." According to San Joaquin County Jail inmate record posted on social media Friday morning, Shane Winans was booked on murder and willful cruelty to a child with possible injury or death charges at 8:46 a.m. Friday. Shane Winans, the owner of Anchors Away Tattoo and Body Piercing Parlor, located at 8 N. School St., is being held without bail. He is to appear in San Joaquin County Superior Court on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. "It never crossed (Nicole's) mind that he would hurt her like that," Loza said. A vigil for Winans is planned for 7 p.m. at the salon, Loza said. Friday's homicide was the fifth in the Lodi area this year. On May 13, San Joaquin County Sheriff's office deputies responded to the report of a shooting in the 6000 block of East Pine Street shortly after 10 p.m. Upon arrival, deputies located a male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Life-saving measures were attempted, but the victim, identified as 27-year-old Jorge Cortes Bejar of Lodi, was pronounced dead at the scene, reports state. Gabriel Hernandez, 41, of Lodi, was arrested on suspicion of murder during a traffic stop in Manteca the following day, reports state. On Sept. 24, 18-year-old Gregory Kranich of Jackson and a 17-year-old Lodi boy were arrested in Jackson on suspicion of murdering a 28-year-old man in Lodi the day prior. According to reports, officers responded to the report of gunshots fired on the 100 block of East Pine Street at 4:45 a.m. on Sept. 23. Upon arrival, they found a 28-year-old man, later identified as Abraham Reyna Navarrete, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving measures, the man was pronounced dead at the scene, Police said the incident appeared to be gang related. On June 8 at about 6:33 p.m., Sheriff's Office deputies were dispatched to the 1500 block of East Mettler Road, south of Lodi, to conduct a welfare check after concerned family members reported they had not been able to reach the residents for over a week. Upon arrival, deputies found three adult residents — later identified as 60-year-old Joe Pena, 69-year-old Kim Huynh and 45-year-old Alfred Nguyen, all of Lodi — dead from gunshot wounds. Deputies arrested 25-year-old Steven Guerrero Jr. on Sept. 14. The Sheriff's Office said the incident was not reported in June in an effort to not jeopardize the investigation. On Oct. 26, Lodi officers responded to reports of a fight involving several people in the 300 block of West Century Boulevard at about 4:27 p.m. While en route, officers were informed that a man who had sustained a stab wound had been taken to a local hospital by relatives. The man, alter identified as 29-year-old Albert Bustamante of Lodi, eventually succumbed to his injuries, police said. When officers arrived on scene, they arrested 30-year-old Juan Suarez and 35-year-old David Flores, both of Lodi, on suspicion of murder. Flores was also charged as an accessory, police said.
NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to a “sudden loss of consciousness at home,” the hospital said in a statement. “Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the Medical Emergency” at 8:06 p.m., the hospital said, but “despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9:51 p.m.” Singh was being treated for “age-related medical conditions,” the statement said. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and leader of the Congress Party in the Parliament's Upper House, earning a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. He was chosen to fill the role in 2004 by Sonia Gandhi, the widow of assassinated Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi . But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Singh was reelected in 2009, but his second term as prime minister was clouded by financial scandals and corruption charges over the organization of the 2010 Commonwealth Games. This led to the Congress Party’s crushing defeat in the 2014 national election by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party under the leadership of Narendra Modi . Singh adopted a low profile after relinquishing the post of prime minister. Prime Minister Modi, who succeeded Singh in 2014, called him one of India’s “most distinguished leaders” who rose from humble origins and left “a strong imprint on our economic policy over the years.” “As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people’s lives,” Modi said in a post on the social platform X. He called Singh’s interventions in Parliament as a lawmaker “insightful” and said “his wisdom and humility were always visible.” Rahul Gandhi, from the same party as Singh and the opposition leader in the lower house of the Indian Parliament, said Singh’s “deep understanding of economics inspired the nation” and that he “led India with immense wisdom and integrity.” “I have lost a mentor and guide. Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride,” Gandhi wrote on X. Born on Sept. 26, 1932, in a village in the Punjab province of undivided India, Singh’s brilliant academic career took him to Cambridge University in Britain, where he earned a degree in economics in 1957. He then got his doctorate in economics from Nuffield College at Oxford University in 1962. Singh taught at Panjab University and the prestigious Delhi School of Economics before joining the Indian government in 1971 as economic advisor in the Commerce Ministry. In 1982, he became chief economic adviser to the Finance Ministry. He also served as deputy chair of the Planning Commission and governor of the Reserve Bank of India. As finance minister, Singh in 1991 instituted reforms that opened up the economy and moved India away from a socialist-patterned economy and toward a capitalist model in the face of a huge balance of payments deficit, skirting a potential economic crisis. His accolades include the 1987 Padma Vibhushan Award, India’s second-highest civilian honor; the Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award of the Indian Science Congress in 1995; and the Asia Money Award for Finance Minister of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Singh was a member of India’s Upper House of Parliament and was leader of the opposition from 1998 to 2004 before he was named prime minister. He was the first Sikh to hold the country’s top post and made a public apology in Parliament for the 1984 Sikh Massacre in which some 3,000 Sikhs were killed after then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards. Under Singh, India adopted a Right to Information Act in 2005 to promote accountability and transparency from government officials and bureaucrats. He was also instrumental in implementing a welfare scheme that guaranteed at least 100 paid workdays for Indian rural citizens. The coalition government he headed for a decade brought together politicians and parties with differing ideologies that were rivals in the country’s various states. In a move hailed as one of his biggest achievements apart from economic reforms, Singh ended India’s nuclear isolation by signing a deal with the U.S. that gave India access to American nuclear technology. But the deal hit his government adversely, with Communist allies withdrawing support and criticism of the agreement growing within India in 2008 when it was finalized. Singh adopted a pragmatic foreign policy approach, pursuing a peace process with nuclear rival and neighbor Pakistan. But his efforts suffered a major setback after Pakistani militants carried out a massive gun and bomb attack in Mumbai in November 2008. He also tried to end the border dispute with China, brokering a deal to reopen the Nathu La pass into Tibet, which had been closed for more than 40 years. His 1965 book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth,” dealt with India’s inward-oriented trade policy. Singh is survived by his wife Gursharan Kaur and three daughters. Associated Press writer Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi contributed to this report.Oprah’s chic and comfy ankle boots are water-repellent — and under $150
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Published 5:53 pm Thursday, December 26, 2024 by GRAHAM LEE BREWER Associated Press Founded during the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s, Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday that is observed by millions of Americans. It has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States that also is celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations. It serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression. The holiday spans seven days from the day after Christmas to New Year’s Day. African American author, activist and professor Maulana Karenga founded Kwanzaa following the 1965 Watts Riots in Los Angeles, also known as the Watts Rebellion. Kwanzaa has become a nationally recognized celebration of African culture and community in the United States since its founding in 1966 and also is celebrated in countries with large African descendant populations. Email newsletter signup The holiday, which serves as a nationwide communal event reinforcing self-determination and unity in the face of oppression, spans seven days from the day after Christmas through New Year’s Day. It is observed in large, city-sponsored events as well as in smaller communities and homes nationwide. Kwanzaa has grown in popularity in the decades since its founding and is celebrated by 3% of the country, according to a 2019 AP-NORC survey. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama all released statements commemorating the holiday, and in 1997 the U.S. Postal Service began issuing Kwanzaa stamps. It is not recognized as a federal holiday. Kwanzaa’s origins Kwanzaa emerged during the Black Freedom Movement of the 1960s as a way to reconnect Black communities in the U.S. with important African cultural traditions that were severed by the transatlantic slave trade. It also promotes unity and liberation. “It was also shaped by that defining decade of fierce strivings and struggles for freedom, justice and associated goods waged by Africans and other peoples of color all over the world in the 1960s,” Maulana Karenga, the holiday’s founder, wrote in his annual Kwanzaa address in 2023. “Kwanzaa thus came into being, grounded itself and grew as an act of freedom, an instrument of freedom, a celebration of freedom and a practice of freedom.” Karenga, an African American author, activist and professor, founded Kwanzaa following the Watts Riots, also known as the Watts Rebellion, in Los Angeles in 1965. Karenga described Kwanzaa as a “political-motivator holiday” in an interview with Henry Lewis Gates Jr. for PBS. “The idea is for African and African descended people to come together around family, community and culture so we can be in spaces where, in Dr. Karenga’s words, we feel fully African and fully human at the same time,” said Janine Bell, president and artistic director at the Elegba Folklore Society in Richmond, Virginia. The basics Many people who observe Kwanzaa, which is a secular holiday, celebrate it alongside religious festivals such as Christmas. People of any faith, race or ethnic background can participate. The name Kwanzaa derives from “mutanda ya kwanza” a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits” or “first harvest.” The final “a” was added to the name to accommodate the seven children present at the first Kwanzaa, each of whom was given a letter to represent. The holiday is governed by seven principles, known collectively as the Nguzo Saba, and a different principle is celebrated each day: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith). The Nguzo Saba is represented by a candleholder with seven candles called a kinara. Each night, one of those candles is lit. The candles are the same colors as the Kwanzaa flag: Black representing the people, red their struggle and green their hope. Large Kwanzaa celebrations happen across the country every year in cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta and Detroit. These events often feature storytellers, music and dance. Bell said the theme at this year’s Capital City Kwanzaa Festival in Richmond is “knowledge of self,” and an African descendent will be selected by drawing a name from a fishbowl to win a free DNA test so they can learn where they come from. The holiday is also observed in individual homes, often focusing on children, because they are key to the survival of culture and the development of community. This concept of children and the future they embody is often represented symbolically by corn. “The intention is that it’s 365 (days a year),” Bell said. “The need for the principles and the strengthening value of the principals don’t go away on January 2nd.” Family celebrations also involve giving gifts and sharing African American and Pan African foods, culminating in the Karamu, a feast featuring dishes from across the African diaspora. Typical meals include staples of southern cuisine like sweet potato pie or popular dishes from Africa like jollof rice. Activities over the seven days are geared toward reaffirming community bonds, commemorating the past and recommitting to important African cultural ideals. This can include dancing, reading poetry, honoring ancestors and the daily lighting of the kinara. UPDATE: One dead, two injured in Christmas Eve shooting Finding hope and purpose: MCC grad transforms her life through Culinary Arts Holiday scenes spread festive cheer Parks and Rec holds Holiday Ball Bash
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Stock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street toward more recordsOf all the public policy issues legislators wrestle with, the issue of chronic homelessness is easily among the most frustrating. It’s frustrating to think of all the billions of tax dollars that have been spent on a myriad of programs intended to reduce homelessness in our state, without an appropriate return on that huge investment. The issue is even more challenging now than it was just a few years ago because of the Legislature’s failed drug-decriminalization experiment. That made the homelessness crisis immeasurably worse, especially in Washington’s urban communities. But instead of going on about the many flaws in state government’s approach to addressing chronic homelessness, I would rather put a spotlight on a local approach that gives me hope, during this season of hope. It’s called the Good Neighbor Village (GNV), and will be constructed in the Spanaway Lake area of Pierce County. The groundbreaking ceremony took place Nov. 21. The GNV is the product of a unique public-private partnership between Pierce County and the Tacoma Rescue Mission. It is modeled on the Community First! Village in Austin, Texas. Two of my former Senate Republican colleagues took the lead on this for Pierce County: county executive Bruce Dammeier and Steve O’Ban. But even more exciting to me, Democrats and Republicans on the county council joined together to support this solution. The vision of these villages is to empower people to be good neighbors, in a literal sense, with those who are chronically homeless — people who have lived more than a year, sometimes decades, on the streets. These people were often driven to the streets by addictions, mental illness, other disabilities, or a combination of those conditions. Pierce County has approximately 900 chronically homeless residents, nearly 125 of whom are military veterans. Having no suitable housing options, they are the people we see living in the rights-of-way, parks, and doorways — the “visible homeless,” as former Sen. O’Ban puts it. Many of the chronically homeless have lost the basic skills necessary to work and even socially interact with others. The model for the GNV seeks to restore those skills by creating a community in which formerly homeless people and their new neighbors all live in tiny homes. In a sense, the village will act as the social safety net which so many chronically homeless people have lost, because bridges to family members and friends have been burned. The feeling of community offered by the GNV approach is what seems to separate it most from the “housing first” strategy advocated elsewhere in our state. An example of the latter is the Partnership for Zero project in King County that collapsed in September 2023, less than 18 months after it launched. The flaws of the housing-first approach are exposed in a raw, unflinching way in a recently released documentary, “Behind Closed Doors.” It was produced by the partnership of ChangeWashington and filmmaker V Ginny Burton, and is easily found through an internet search for the title and filmmaker’s name. The interviews featured throughout the film reveal how most residents of several Seattle housing projects continue to use illegal drugs, violence is an everyday occurrence, and staff has no ability to help those who seek addiction or mental health treatment. The film also explores how housing-first policies are a huge drain on government resources, including law enforcement. Amazingly, the state’s Homeless Housing Strategic Plan for 2024-2029, which was quietly released by the Department of Commerce on Sept. 1, clings to the idea that the cost of housing and lack of housing in our state are the key drivers of homelessness. The plan criticizes the “criminalization” of homelessness — meaning the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Grants Pass v. Johnson that allows communities to enforce rules against camping and sleeping in public. However, the plan goes out of its way to downplay any connection between substance use and homelessness, or mental health and homelessness. Income inequity, systemic racism and natural hazards made the list of “structural pressures” that influence the risk of homelessness, but not substance use or mental illness. If simply sheltering someone was the answer, you have to ask why King County was so quick to pull the plug on the Partnership for Zero, especially after the King County executive repeatedly promised it would help formerly homeless people get their lives back. The GNV plan in Pierce County is for 285 microhomes, common buildings and a farm. Behavioral-health treatment, and drug and alcohol treatment will be provided. Vocational and recreational activities will be offered. But most of all, the village approach offers something less tangible, which the housing-first approach clearly seems to lack: the opportunity, as one of my former Senate colleagues puts it, to live in a community that offers dignity, accountability, and hope — and feel like a human being again. If all of this sounds too good to be true, know that getting it off the ground was a challenge. In Austin, three sites were opposed by surrounding communities because of fear that bad experiences might follow. But finally, a location was found. Pierce County and the Tacoma Rescue Mission initially identified four potential sites for the Good Neighbor Village. The one they chose is in the middle of an area with a significant chronic homelessness problem. Nearly 70% of the 191 encampments Pierce County cleaned up between 2019 and this past year — at a cost of $1.07 million — were in the Spanaway area or neighboring Parkland. Fear of the unknown caused some around the future Pierce County village to protest as well. Their objection was not to the concept, but to the location — and their apprehension is totally understandable. However, just as the Community First! Village in Austin won its neighbors over, I’m willing to bet Pierce County’s commitment to excellence will ensure the Good Neighbor Village is a good neighbor to other residents of the Spanaway-Parkland area. In fact, former Senator O’Ban says the county and Tacoma Rescue Mission agreed the first 50 microhomes would be set aside for homeless people from the immediate area. There is no question the issue of chronic homelessness, as frustrating as it is, will again be high on the legislative agenda in 2025. Considering what we know about the Good Neighbor Village effort in Pierce County, versus the failures of the housing-first approach, this would be a good time to revisit the state’s approach to addressing chronic homelessness. Instead of focusing on how much money there is to spend, let’s talk about how the money is spent. I am reluctant to pour even more money into programs and services that pretend addictions and mental illness are not major drivers of chronic homelessness. I would rather look at investing in a housing model that is honest about the causes of chronic homelessness and responds to them in a way that offers real hope to our homeless neighbors. That’s how we can make our state better. ••• Sen. John Braun of Centralia serves the 20th Legislative District, which spans parts of four counties from Yelm to Vancouver. He became Senate Republican leader in 2020.Donald Trump has appointed Peter Navarro, a former aide known for his loyalty, to be a senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, marking a return to a role he previously held. Navarro, who recently completed a prison sentence for contempt of Congress, will likely face security clearance issues in his new position. Navarro's role will focus on advancing the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas, similar to his responsibilities during Trump's first administration. His appointment complements the new trade team, with Wall Street CEO Howard Lutnick nominated as Commerce secretary and Jamieson Greer appointed to lead the USTR trade agency. Despite potential vetting challenges due to his criminal conviction, experts suggest Trump could override them or issue a presidential pardon for Navarro. This appointment underscores Navarro's involvement in previous trade negotiations, including deals with Mexico, Canada, and South Korea. (With inputs from agencies.)
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As Ghana prepares for its crucial presidential and parliamentary elections on December 7, 2024, the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has raised serious concerns over alleged attempts to manipulate the electoral process and the heavy deployment of military personnel across the country. NDC flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, took to social media to accuse the Electoral Commission (EC) of conspiring with the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. Mahama criticized the EC for what he called a deliberate leak of validation stamps, which, according to him, would allow political parties to print their own fake ballot papers. In his post, Mahama stated, “With less than 24 hours to go, it has become obvious that the Electoral Commission is determined to aid the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) to rig the elections. But they will fail because the people of Ghana are determined to vote for change and protect their ballots.” He further claimed that the EC had exposed serial numbers of the validating stamps in an internal memo, which could enable parties to counterfeit the stamps and engage in ballot stuffing. Mahama called on various stakeholders, including the National Peace Council, religious and traditional leaders, civil society, and international observers, to hold the EC accountable and ensure a fair election. In addition, NDC General Secretary, Johnson Asiedu Nketia, echoed Mahama’s concerns, demanding that President Akufo-Addo recall the military personnel deployed to various constituencies, which he described as “militarization” of the election. The NDC warned that it would not tolerate such actions and called for the immediate withdrawal of military forces from election-related duties. Meanwhile, Malik Basintale, the NDC’s Deputy General Secretary, issued a strong statement, warning that the party would take retaliatory action if it perceived any unfairness or violence during the elections. His post read, “We are ready! Tomorrow, if we hear K3, we will do.” As the nation heads to the polls tomorrow, the allegations from the NDC add to the tense atmosphere surrounding the election, with both sides on high alert. The Electoral Commission, however, has not yet responded to these accusations. Security measures have been ramped up across the country, with the Ghana Armed Forces deploying personnel in support of the police to maintain law and order during the election process.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! has just dropped a bombshell twist, and eagle-eyed fans reckon they've sussed out ITV's hidden agenda. In an unexpected shake-up to the usual format, the I'm A Celeb team revealed that one lucky campmate will be granted immunity. The stars will battle it out in a string of challenges, with the victors dodging the next two public votes, catapulting them straight into the final and giving them a shot at the iconic Celebrity Cyclone. On Twitter, viewers have been buzzing with theories that this surprise immunity is a ploy to sidestep public opinion and ensure a particular celeb sails through to the final stages. One viewer tweeted, "#ImACeleb suddenly offering immunity from the next two evictions tells me *someone* might not be doing as well in the voting as ITV wants them to be doing," sparking debate among the show's followers. Jumping into the conversation, another fan hinted that McFly's Danny Jones could be the producers' pet, noting his recent stints on other ITV hits: "Maybe that someone's Danny," they mused. "In the past year he's appeared on the masked singer, the voice and now I'm a celeb. Just maybe ITV are handing him a golden ticket to the final, reports the Mirror . I'm a Celeb fans are absolutely livid about the show's major twist, labelling it "unfair" and griping that it gives the production too much control over who gets to wear the jungle crown, effectively muffling the public's voice. Viewers took to social media to vent their frustration; one fumed, "I don't like this it's like saving people that would otherwise go and what people win a ticket to cyclone rather than being final 4? Too much influencing public vote this is not bbuk." Another irritated fan exclaimed, "Stop trying to affect the voting and send someone straight into the final ffs," while another was unsure, pondering "Celebs have a chance to be saved from two vote offs and get to do the cyclone. Not sure how I feel about this." The sentiment was widespread, with more viewers questioning the need for teasers at all in ITV shows, as one complained, "What is it with ITV shows adding unnecessary and pointless twists towards the end of their series." The uproar continued, with another devotee demanding, "What? We don't get to vote for who we want in the final? I don't want the celebs to get golden tickets to the cyclone. I want to vote for my faves to be there!" The commotion arose shortly after Melvin Odoom got the boot from the jungle on Tuesday, much to the dismay of many who were sad to see the cheerful contestant leave, with some fans even suggesting he had been set up following his surprising eviction as the fourth campmate to depart. Viewers were left scratching their heads in disbelief at the results, as one fumed: "So rigged! I mean how? Over GK Barry," while another insisted there was some manipulative manoeuvring behind the scenes, adding: "It's clear ITV wants GK and Richard in the final. They get sooooooo much air time."US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Police believe the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO quickly left NYC on a bus after shooting NEW YORK (AP) — Police officials say the gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene on a bicycle and hopping in a cab. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny says video of the gunman fleeing Wednesday’s shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson showed him riding through Central Park and later taking a taxi to a bus terminal, directly across from New Jersey. Police have video of the man entering the bus station but no video of him exiting. Investigators on Friday found a backpack in Central Park that was carried by the shooter, police said. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy BANGKOK (AP) — China has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips. Both sides say the controls are justified by national security concerns. Analysts say they could have a much wider impact on manufacturing in many industries and supply chains, depending on the ability of each side to compensate for loss of access to strategically important materials, equipment and components. Here's why this could be a tipping point in trade conflict between the two biggest economies.
Titans coach says WR Treylon Burks recently had surgery to fix partially torn ACLNone