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Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the Senate
NoneNoneOnly four players have netted more goals than Wolves' Matheus Cunha in the first 18 matches of this Premier League season. Alexander Isak is the only player to have achieved this feat without the aid of a single penalty. When you factor in Cunha's assists (four), he ranks sixth in the league for overall contributions. This achievement is even more impressive considering Wolves are currently languishing in 17th place, teetering just above the relegation zone. The next player from a higher-placed team on this list is Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford, who sits in 12th place. He is followed by Jarrod Bowen of West Ham, who is 13th in the league and 17th in the contribution chart. Such statistics are significant indicators of a player's worth, value, and performance. It's no surprise then that Liverpool are reportedly interested in Wolves' star player. As we head into 2025, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle are all said to be vying for Cunha. Despite the interest and his impressive form, Cunha is not reported to be seeking a move away next month, reports the Liverpool Echo . However, he is certainly one to watch in the upcoming winter and summer transfer windows. After finishing last season with 12 goals and seven assists - only one of which was a penalty - Cunha's consistent performances are demanding attention. Having shown promise at Hertha Berlin and Atletico Madrid, he is now emerging as a standout player in the Premier League. Despite his tender years, the Brazilian international has always commanded hefty transfer fees. RB Leipzig shelled out over £10million to secure him as a teenager before nearly doubling their investment two years later in a Bundesliga switch. Fast forward 18 months and it was Diego Simeone again forking out almost twice as much with Atleti. Wolves were swayed by his six-month loan stint and splashed out over £45million to bring him to Molineux. It's rumoured that at least the same amount will be needed to prise Cunha away from Wolves in 2025. Given his current form, it's a price tag that's hard to dispute. If anything, considering the current market rates, it's probably less than might have been anticipated. Wolves aren't under any pressure to sell at the moment, and their fortunes have started to improve under Vitor Pereira. If they manage to avoid relegation, it will only strengthen their resolve to retain him. Such has been Cunha's meteoric rise, his estimated value has skyrocketed along with his reputation in the game. Shortly after his loan move to Wolves, Transfermarkt valued him at just over £25million. That figure has steadily increased, reflecting his significant influence on the pitch. This time last year, his price tag was pegged at just under £30million, ending last season at over £40million - a valuation in line with Wolves' assessment of him as a player. Now, it sits even higher at nearly £45million. The CIES Football Observatory concurs, valuing him at £43million earlier this season. Liverpool will have to dig deep to lure him away from the Midlands, and it's a bitter pill to swallow considering how his stock has risen and how readily available he might have been in the past. However, when you're competing at the top of the table, there's little room for manoeuvre and waiting for Cunha to hit his stride isn't much of an option either. The fact that he was snapped up for £25million just over three years ago and is now worth significantly more is a tough blow. But that's the nature of the game at the highest level, and Liverpool may well see it as a fair price to pay now.
SANDYVILLE, W.Va. (WV News) — The Highmark Foundation offers a School Grants Program that makes available up to $500,000 for schools in grades K-12 in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The goal is to create healthy school environments. The Highmark Foundation provides grants up to $7,500 for program activities, including those that increase physical activity, promote healthy eating and nutrition education, improve personal hygiene habits and promote health and disease prevention education. Jackson County educator Brenda Moore submitted an application to the Highmark Foundation on behalf of Evans and Gilmore Elementary schools. The schools received a $4,000 grant to implement First Tee in the classroom at both schools. First Tee is a golf program that can be done with K-5th grade students. It is a program that believes in developing experiences that are just as fun as they are meaningful. Since 2004, First Tee has been integrating the program into PE classes across the country. The program has equipped educators at elementary and middle schools with a curriculum built around the game of golf, while positively impacting kids through both the game and its inherent ability to improve social-emotional learning skills. Over 200 schools in West Virginia are participating in this program, according to First Tee Executive Director Jeff Preast. “We are the first schools in Jackson County to participate,” Moore said. “It will be implemented in the spring.”
NORMAN, Okla. — Xavier Robinson ran for career highs of 107 yards and two touchdowns, and Oklahoma stunned No. 7 Alabama 24-3 on Saturday night to become bowl eligible and deal a severe blow to the Crimson Tide's chances of receiving a College Football Playoff berth. Jackson Arnold ran for 131 yards on 25 carries and completed 9 of 11 passes for the Sooners (6-5, 2-5 SEC), who got coach Brent Venables off the hot seat on Senior Night. It was Oklahoma's first Southeastern Conference home win after leaving the Big 12 this summer. Sooners fans rushed the field with 28 seconds remaining, knocking down both goalposts. After the field was cleared, Oklahoma took a knee, and the fans returned to the field to celebrate. Alabama's Jalen Milroe, who had been one of the nation's best players, had his worst game of the season. He completed 11 of 26 passes for 164 yards with three interceptions and gained just seven yards on 15 carries for Alabama (8-3, 4-3, No. 7 CFP). The Sooners held Alabama to 234 yards. Robinson's 18-yard touchdown run with 37 seconds left in the second quarter put the Sooners up 10-3, a score that held up until halftime. Oklahoma outgained the Crimson Tide 242 yards to 97 before the break. Milroe completed 2 of 7 passes for 62 yards and ran nine times for minus-2 yards before the break. Oklahoma outgained Alabama 118 yards to 15 in the second quarter and kept the ball for just over 11 of the 15 minutes. Oklahoma's Eli Bowen intercepted Milroe on the third play of the second half and returned it 25 yards to the Alabama 14. Robinson's 1-yard touchdown run increased Oklahoma's lead to 17-3. Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) is tackled by Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) during the second quarter of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams On the next possession, Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis intercepted Milroe and ran it back 49 yards for a touchdown to put the Sooners up 24-3 with 8:05 left in the third quarter. The Takeaway Alabama: The Crimson Tide have been up and down this season, and they picked the wrong night to be down. Alabama lost this game in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma: The Sooners found out what happens when they don't hurt themselves. They started to find their identity as a run-heavy offense that complements its defense two weeks ago against Maine and stayed true to it against Alabama. Poll Implications Alabama will take a steep drop for losing to an unranked team it was heavily favored to beat. Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) gestures to his team before a play against Alabama during the second quarter of a NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Norman, Okla. Credit: AP/Alonzo Adams Up Next Alabama: Visits Auburn on Saturday. Oklahoma: Visits LSU on Saturday.
Florida State continues torrid star with rout of UMassNone
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Surprising twist in fate of bankrupt Big Lots and Party City READ MORE: Big Lots begins epic 'going out of business' sales By DANIEL JONES, CONSUMER EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 00:38, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 00:38, 30 December 2024 e-mail View comments Big Lots and Party City could both be saved from closure. The two retailers have no connection other than both being in the news this month after saying - within two days of each other - they were going out of business. But they could also now become sister companies if retail mogul Mitch Modell has his way. The founder of the Modell's sporting goods chain has bold plans to rescue the two struggling brands. Last Friday (December 20), Party City bosses shocked staff by telling them it was going out of business and would shut all of its remaining 700 stores by February. The next day the company filed for bankruptcy. It was the second announcement of a high profile retailer shutting down in as many days. Big Lots announced on December 19 that it was beginning 'going out of business' sales at all its 963 remaining locations across the US, after a buyer fell through. It had filed for bankruptcy in September and had hoped to keep going once it restructured. In an exclusive interview with The Real Deal, Modell revealed that he plans to submit formal bids for both companies by the end of the week. Party City is shutting down all its stores immediately, putting an end to nearly four decades of business Big Lots is beginning 'going out of business' sales at all its stores across the US, as it prepares to close its remaining locations Mitch Modell - the founder of the Modell's sporting goods chain - has bold plans to rescue Big Lots and Party City Although Modell has not yet reached out to either company or enlisted legal counsel, he made it clear he is determined to revive both brands. 'We're gonna get the deal,' Modell confidently stated in the interview. To spearhead the effort, Modell has enlisted a seasoned team, including Demos Parneros, former CEO of Barnes & Noble, and Larry Meyer, former CFO of Forever 21. Modell plans to appoint Parneros as CEO and Meyer as CFO of the new venture. Meyer would also take on the role of executive vice president. Modell, who previously shut down his own 141-store sporting goods chain in 2020, says he expects to have financing secured by the end of the week but declined to provide specifics on his funding sources. Both Party City and Big Lots have been in financial turmoil for months. Party City, which employs approximately 12,000 people, recently informed its workers that it plans to close its doors by February. With around 700 stores nationwide, the company has struggled with declining sales, ballooning debt, and increased competition. Big Lots is also in a similar position, currently in the process of closing about 970 locations and liquidating its remaining inventory. Despite these bleak circumstances, Big Lots CEO Bruce Thorn has expressed hopes of finding a buyer, and Modell sees an opening to step in and 'save' both brands. 'We want to save every job in the 1,600 stores,' he said, referring to the combined total of Party City and Big Lots locations. Modell's vision for the two companies involves a dramatic shift in focus. While Party City would retain its core business of party supplies, Modell envisions Big Lots pivoting toward affordable apparel and sporting goods. He also plans to introduce low-cost footwear - priced at just $20 - and fresh produce. The revamped Big Lots would also cut back on certain product categories, including furniture, recliners, and electronics over $10. Instead, Modell wants to focus on offering 'closeouts' and 'special deals' sourced directly from liquidators. 'We're going to make it a treasure hunt on steroids,' Modell explained, adding that most items would be priced at $10 or less. To keep costs down, Modell plans to source goods directly from factories and farms. With 75 warehouses stocked with goods ready to ship, Modell is already gearing up for the next phase of his retail comeback. He aims to have a prototype store open by mid-January. 'Everyone - lenders, creditors, bankers, investors - who doubted me is going to see what a store looks like and the excitement it brings,' he said. Party City was also in the news this week when it emerged the final nail in its the coffin was self-inflicted . The chain's troubles began with an appraisal conducted by retail consultants Hilco Global, which Party City hired in September. The firm was tasked with assessing the value of Party City's inventory - the products stocked in its stores and warehouses - as part of a plan to secure more financing. Bosses had hoped to use a generous appraisal of the value of inventory – from costumes to party hats – would allow the retailer to borrow more money to shore up its finances. However, in mid-November, Hilco's preliminary report dealt a crushing blow to the business. It said that the value of Party City's inventory had been 'dramatically' slashed compared to previous appraisals. 'This basically means the appraisers thoughts that the various products on store shelves and piled up in warehouses was worthless tat,' a retail expert told DailyMail.com. Since the expert has consulted with Party City, they asked not to be named. This revelation over the plunge in value of stock was shared by Party City lawyer Christopher Hopkins during a US Bankruptcy Court hearing in Houston on Monday. After the initial low valuation, Party City's creditors, owed around $162 million, demanded the retailer set aside $50 million in reserve to cover loans. This pushed the company closer to the brink, court papers show. The group of creditors took over the business when it first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2023. When the group were unwilling to plough in more investment and the company could not raise any more external funds the company had to take more drastic action. This included stopping new inventory orders, delaying rent and vendor payments ceasing new inventory orders and delaying rent and vendor payments, according to court documents. Although Party City managed to exit bankruptcy in September last year, by December 10 this year its cash pile had fallen below the $50 million reserve its lenders wanted, and it again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Lenders 'considered it essential to commence store closing sales before the Christmas and New Year's selling season to maximize the proceeds of such sales for the benefit of all stakeholders,' Party City Chief Restructuring Officer Deborah Rieger-Paganis said in a sworn statement to the bankruptcy court. It is a bleak time for US retailers as non-essential spending plummets due to soaring living costs. America's top department store Macy's will close 65 stores within weeks . Retail experts warn this could be just the beginning, with 2024 shaping up to see the highest number of store closures since the pandemic. So far this year, US retailers have shut 7,300 stores - up nearly 60 percent from 2023. The final nail in the Party City coffin appears to have been self-inflicted The chain's troubles began with an appraisal conducted by retail consultants Hilco Global The New Jersey-based party supply giant is folding under financial pressure Despite being saved from bankruptcy in 2023, the retailer never recovered Read More Downfall of America's most famous retailer hits new low as it's left clinging on in only four states Party City, which was the largest party supply retailer in the U.S., employed around 6,400 full-time and 10,100 part-time workers as of 2021. When Litwin took the helm in August he promised to strengthen Party City's finances. A cloud of uncertainty has hung over Party City since the company first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2023. It only exited in September. The company had wiped out $1 billion of its $1.7 billion debt. It also managed to keep the majority of its 800-plus stores open, though over 80 locations were shuttered between late 2022 and August 2024. Party City - based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - underwent a restructuring as lenders, including Monarch Alternative Capital and Silver Point Capital, took over and managed to clear around $1 billion of its debts, allowing about 850 shops to remain open. Although some stores were saved, more than 60 had to close their doors, including five in Topeka, Kansas , Salina, New York, Joplin , Missouri and Owensboro, Kentucky , and most recently in Staten Island. But the remaining $800 million debt proved too much. Party City was successfully expanding before the pandemic and had sales of $2.35 billion in 2019, according to Forbes. Overnight, its main customers - those hosting or attending parties - had no reason to shop at the store as social distancing was implemented. As it emerged from the lockdowns it was plagued by supply chain issues, rampant inflation and increased competition. New Jersey Kentucky CNN Kansas Walmart Share or comment on this article: Surprising twist in fate of bankrupt Big Lots and Party City e-mail
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Simmons scores 19 as Gardner-Webb takes down SE Louisiana 73-69Jurors end 1st day of deliberations without a verdict in the YSL gang and racketeering trialPartnering with hummel and Northwell Health, the new kit honors the club's iconic local roots. WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Westchester Soccer Club (WSC) – the first homegrown professional sports club to call New York's most populous suburb home – debuted the team's inaugural home kit last week at an event with Northwell Health, its front of kit sponsor and official health partner. See images of the new kit here and the video reveal. Through an exciting partnership with hummel, a leading global sportswear brand, and with sponsorship from Northwell Health, the home kit builds on the excitement of WSC's iconic homegrown brand unveiled earlier this summer. The White, Gold, and Blue "Zee" Kit represents the next step in WSC's campaign to deepen community engagement as it prepares for the 2025 season in the United Soccer League One (USL). Earlier this year, USL announced that Westchester County, N.Y. has been granted the rights to a USL League One franchise, with WSC to kick off in 2025 as the host of home matches at the newly renovated Memorial Field in Mount Vernon, N.Y. "Our new kits proudly showcase the defining spirit of our community. At its core, the jersey is a celebration of our heritage, with the "Infinity W" mark (found in our badge and side-striping) and the Tappan Zee Bridge representing the connection between our players, fans, and our hometown communities," said Mitch Baruchowitz, majority owner of WSC. "Northwell Health is very proud to be the front-of-kit sponsor and official health partner of Westchester Soccer Club. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering a healthier, more connected community," said Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez of Northwell Health. "The new jerseys symbolize the strength of this collaboration, and we are excited to stand alongside WSC in uniting and inspiring Westchester through the power of soccer." Designed with the vibrant spirit of the NY suburban landscape in mind, the jerseys embody the pride and identity of WSC as a uniter of families and communities in the greater Westchester Region. The distinctive home kits resonate with the club's unique identity and aim to bring fans together and feature one of the region's iconic landmarks. In addition to the introduction of the new kits, WSC is also excited to announce the availability of season ticket deposits for the upcoming League One season. A deposit includes exclusive access to club information, announcements, invitations to events and more, providing fans the opportunity to secure their seats for an exciting season ahead, further solidifying their connection to the club. The new jerseys, and other items in a brand-new line of merchandise, are now available online at WSC's website for ensuring that fans can proudly display their support for the club ahead of the season. For more information about the new jerseys, season ticket options, and upcoming events, please visit: https://www.westchestersc.com/ . About Westchester Soccer Club Westchester Soccer Club, Westchester's first homegrown professional sports team, will join USL One in the 2025 season. The club is dedicated to celebrating the region's profound love for soccer through exciting game experiences and community-focused events. With a strong commitment to nurturing local talent, WSC aims to build a world-class developmental pipeline for both boys and girls in Westchester. For more information and updates, follow WSC on social media: Twitter/X: @westchestersc • Instagram: @westchestersc • Facebook: @westchestersc Sign up for email updates at www.westchestersc.com Media Contact: Josh Vlasto josh@joshvlasto.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/westchester-soccer-club-debuts-new-home-kit-to-kick-off-upcoming-season-302317028.html SOURCE Westchester Soccer Club
ALTOONA, Pa. — After UnitedHealthcare’s CEO was gunned down on a New York sidewalk, police searched for the masked gunman with dogs, drones and scuba divers. Officers used the city's muscular surveillance system. Investigators analyzed DNA samples, fingerprints and internet addresses. Police went door-to-door looking for witnesses. When an arrest came five days later, those sprawling investigative efforts shared credit with an alert civilian's instincts. A Pennsylvania McDonald's customer noticed another patron who resembled the man in the oblique security-camera photos that New York police had publicized. Luigi Nicholas Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, was arrested Monday in the killing of Brian Thompson, who headed one of the United States’ largest medical insurance companies. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. By late evening, prosecutors in Manhattan had added a charge of murder, according to an online court docket. He's expected to be extradited to New York eventually. It’s unclear whether Mangione has an attorney who can comment on the allegations. Asked at Monday's arraignment whether he needed a public defender, Mangione asked whether he could “answer that at a future date.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after the McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Police in Altoona, about 233 miles (375 kilometers) west of New York City, were soon summoned. They arrived to find Mangione sitting at a table in the back of the restaurant, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said at a news conference in Hollidaysburg. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a Manhattan news conference that Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash — $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a midtown Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson’s body. The words mimic a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry. From surveillance video, New York investigators gathered that the shooter fled by bike into Central Park, emerged, then took a taxi to a northern Manhattan bus terminal. Once in Pennsylvania, he went from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, “trying to stay low-profile” by avoiding cameras, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Mangione was valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, where his 2016 graduation speech lauded his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” He went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Luigi Nicholas Mangione worked for a time for the car-buying website TrueCar and left in 2023, CEO Jantoon Reigersman said by email. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of Honolulu tourist mecca Waikiki. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back," Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. Although the gunman obscured his face during the shooting, he left a trail of evidence in New York, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza, a water bottle and a protein bar wrapper. In the days after the shooting, the NYPD collected hundreds of hours of surveillance video and released multiple clips and still images in hopes of enlisting the public’s eyes to help find a suspect. “This combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what led to this result today,” Tisch said at the New York news conference. ___