Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightingsKimberly Guilfoyle becomes latest Trump family ally tapped for administration role President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Kimberly Guilfoyle to serve as the ambassador to Greece. Guilfoyle, who dated Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., is the latest family friend set to join the new administration. Political strategists Meghan Hays and Lance Trover join "America Decides" with analysis.With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and Republicans taking full control of Congress in 2025, the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is back on the chopping block. More than 3 million adults in nine states would be at immediate risk of losing their health coverage should the GOP reduce the extra federal Medicaid funding that’s enabled states to widen eligibility, according to KFF , a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News , and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families . That’s because the states have trigger laws that would swiftly end their Medicaid expansions if federal funding falls. The states are Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia. The 2010 Affordable Care Act encouraged states to expand Medicaid programs to cover more low-income Americans who didn’t get health insurance through their jobs. Forty states and the District of Columbia agreed, extending health insurance since 2014 to an estimated 21 million people and helping drive the U.S. uninsured rate to record lows. In exchange, the federal government pays 90% of the cost to cover the expanded population. That’s far higher than the federal match for other Medicaid beneficiaries, which averages about 57% nationwide. Conservative policy groups, which generally have opposed the ACA, say the program costs too much and covers too many people. Democrats say the Medicaid expansion has saved lives and helped communities by widening coverage to people who could not afford private insurance. If Congress cuts federal funding, Medicaid expansion would be at risk in all states that have opted into it — even those without trigger laws — because state legislatures would be forced to make up the difference, said Renuka Tipirneni, an associate professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Decisions to keep or roll back the expansion “would depend on the politics at the state level,” Tipirneni said. For instance, Michigan approved a trigger as part of its Medicaid expansion in 2013, when it was controlled by a Republican governor and legislature. Last year, with the government controlled by Democrats, the state eliminated its funding trigger. Six of the nine states with trigger laws — Arizona, Arkansas, Indiana, Montana, North Carolina, and Utah — went for Trump in the 2024 election. Most of the nine states’ triggers kick in if federal funding falls below the 90% threshold. Arizona’s trigger would eliminate its expansion if funding falls below 80%. Montana’s law rolls back expansion below 90% funding but allows it to continue if lawmakers identify additional funding. Under state law, Montana lawmakers must reauthorize its Medicaid expansion in 2025 or the expansion will end. Across the states with triggers, between 3.1 million and 3.7 million people would swiftly lose their coverage, researchers at KFF and the Georgetown center estimate. The difference depends on how states treat people who were added to Medicaid before the ACA expansion; they may continue to qualify even if the expansion ends. Three other states — Iowa, Idaho, and New Mexico— have laws that require their governments to mitigate the financial impact of losing federal Medicaid expansion funding but would not automatically end expansions. With those three states included, about 4.3 million Medicaid expansion enrollees would be at risk of losing coverage, according to KFF. The ACA allowed Medicaid expansions to adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or about $20,783 for an individual in 2024. Nearly a quarter of the 81 million people enrolled in Medicaid nationally are in the program due to expansions. “With a reduction in the expansion match rate, it is likely that all states would need to evaluate whether to continue expansion coverage because it would require a significant increase in state spending,” said Robin Rudowitz, vice president and director of the Program on Medicaid and the Uninsured at KFF. “If states drop coverage, it is likely that there would be an increase in the number of uninsured, and that would limit access to care across red and blue states that have adopted expansion.” States rarely cut eligibility for social programs such as Medicaid once it’s been granted. The triggers make it politically easier for state lawmakers to end Medicaid expansion because they would not have to take any new action to cut coverage, said Edwin Park, a research professor at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families. To see the impact of trigger laws, consider what happened after the Supreme Court in 2022 struck down Roe v. Wade and, with it, the constitutional right to an abortion. Conservative lawmakers in 13 states had crafted trigger laws that would automatically implement bans in the event a national right to abortion were struck down. Those state laws resulted in restrictions taking effect immediately after the court ruling, or shortly thereafter. States adopted triggers as part of Medicaid expansion to win over lawmakers skeptical of putting state dollars on the hook for a federal program unpopular with most Republicans. It’s unclear what Trump and congressional Republicans will do with Medicaid after he takes office in January, but one indicator could be a recent recommendation from the Paragon Health Institute, a leading conservative policy organization led by former Trump health adviser Brian Blase. Paragon has proposed that starting in 2026 the federal government would phase down the 90% federal match for expansion until 2034, when it would reach parity with each state’s federal match for its traditional enrollees. Under that plan, states could still get ACA Medicaid expansion funding but restrict coverage to enrollees with incomes up to the federal poverty level. Currently, to receive expansion funding, states must offer coverage to everyone up to 138% of the poverty level. Daniel Derksen, director of the Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona, said it’s unlikely Arizona would move to eliminate its trigger and make up for lost federal funds. “It would be a tough sell right now as it would put a big strain on the budget,” he said. Medicaid has been in the crosshairs of Republicans in Washington before. Republican congressional leaders in 2017 proposed legislation to cut federal expansion funding, a move that would have shifted billions in costs to states. That plan, part of a strategy to repeal Obamacare, ultimately failed. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF . Subscribe to KFF Health News’ free Morning Briefing. This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Jim Rossman | Tribune News Service Cord cutting used to refer to abandoning pay TV and putting up an antenna to watch free over-the-air TV. Then cord cutting expanded to include streaming services like Netflix and Hulu and individual streaming sources. Related Articles TLC, Alanis Morissette added to ‘New Year’s Rockin’ Eve’ lineup Gift ideas for people planning their next trip Hundreds of bookstore staffers receive holiday bonuses from author James Patterson Lights and decor, réveillon meals make Christmastime special in New Orleans Why American travelers are choosing Europe for Christmas Now we also include streaming bundles, like YouTube TV or Hulu Live or DirecTV Stream. These bundled services mimic cable and satellite service, in that they have hundreds of channels. The ease or complexity of the cord cutting experience depends on how you have things set up. Let’s take a look at some gift options for your favorite cord cutter. As far as I know DirecTV is the only streaming bundle service that offers its own hardware. The Gemini Air is a small dongle that plugs into an HDMI port on your TV. It is paired with a remote control to allow for easy navigation. If you were an AT&T U-Verse TV customer, the Gemini Air/DirecTV Stream experience will be very familiar. The Gemini Air is a rarity in that it has number buttons. DirecTV Stream has the option of turning on channel numbers in the guide. I’ve used DirecTV Stream with my Roku TV and with the Gemini Air and the Air makes navigating the huge list of channels much easier. The Gemini Air runs the Google operating system, so you can see and use all your other streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Max and more. You can also load apps and games from the Google Play store. The Gemini Air connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network, and it can stream 4K content to your TV. The remote control has a microphone so you can use your voice to search or interact with Hey Google’s voice assistant. DirecTV Stream customers can get a free Gemini Air from AT&T with their service. Additional units are available for $120. There are lots of smart TV brands. Some run on the Roku operating system, some run Google TV and some use their own brand of smart TV apps. If you’d like to add Google TV to any set, you can get Google’s new TV Streamer (4K) for just $99 from store.google.com. The small device connects to your TV’s HDMI port. It also can connect to your home’s internet via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connection. The Google TV interface is not tied to any specific streaming service. You can use any streaming service or app that’s available on the Google Play store. It features a simple remote with voice control and the Google TV Streamer is also a hub and controller for Matter and Thread home devices that work with Google’s home ecosystem. If you use an over-the-air antenna for watching your free local channels, I’m betting you’d like the option to record those channels. TiVo used to be the best/easiest way to record OTA TV, but they’ve discontinued their OTA recorders. A great alternative is from TabloTV, which is a small box that you connect to your TV antenna. The TabloTV does not directly connect to your TV. Instead it connects to your home’s Wi-Fi, and the antenna signal is wirelessly sent to any TV or compatible device in your home. Your TV picks up the signal through a free app, which is compatible with smart TV brands like Samsung, LG, Google TV, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or Android TV. This method is extremely handy if you don’t want to be bothered running an antenna wire from your attic or roof all the way to your TV. It’s also great if you want to use an indoor antenna, but your TV is not situated in a room that faces the broadcast towers. You can place the antenna and TabloTV where you get the best reception. The TabloTV comes in two models – with either two or four tuners. This means you can record or watch two or four shows at a time. TabloTV has onboard storage to record up to 50 hours of shows, but you can plug in any USB hard drive and expand to record thousands of hours of programming. You can also bundle a TabloTV with an OTA antenna if you like, or you can use your own antenna. Two things to know, there are no ongoing subscription costs for guide data, and there is no streaming service integration. You will need another way to add in streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. TabloTV models start at $99.95 for the two tuner model at tablotv.com. The four-tuner model is $139.95, but they may be on sale during the holidays. ©2024 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.GE Aerospace stock rises Thursday, still underperforms market
Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsA new app called RapidDeploy has a video feature that allows 911 responders to see and hear what's going on at the scene of an emergency. 911 Dispatcher : Walton County, 911. What's the address of the emergency? Caller : We're out in the water right off of Dolphin Cove. My husband fell in the water off the boat. A woman frantically called 911 after her husband went overboard from a boat off the coast of Florida. And thanks to the video feature in RapidDeploy allowing 911 dispatchers to see and hear what's going on at the scene, they were able to help the woman start her boat, and guide her to the location of the original call to rescue her husband. Apps like RapidDeploy are serving as vital reinforcement for 911 telecommunicators at call centers across the country. Debbie de la Fuente, who has been on the job for 18 years in Arlington, Virginia showed ABC's Elizabeth Schulze how the app works. "I'm going to go ahead and send you a video request," she said. This will pinpoint a caller's exact location and initiate a video call. "I'm going to accept it and there we go. So now you can see me, and if I was at the scene of a crime, you could also see what's happening in real-time," said Schulze. "Yes, which is great for us if we need to obtain a good description of a suspect," said De la Fuente. The new technology has been deployed at over 1,500 911 call centers in 25 states, as they face intense staffing shortages. It's a critical backup in a job where every second counts. A recent national report found a staggering number of unfilled positions at 911 call centers, with an average 25% vacancy rate nationwide. With this technology, there is no app to download. The 911 operator sends you a link and you simply click on it to activate video sharing. When you hang up, the 911 dispatcher no longer has access to your camera or your location.
NoneNewly updated on the use of biometric technology systems in Scottish schools serves as a critical document for education authorities that emphasizes the potential of biometric technologies while also underscoring significant privacy and civil rights concerns. Biometric systems are being considered for various school applications in Scotland, including managing attendance, enabling , and automating library services. However, their implementation raises profound ethical, legal, and social questions that must be carefully addressed, the updated guidance says. Central to the debate over biometric systems in schools is the . These technologies process highly sensitive personal data, referred to as “special category data” under the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). This data includes unique identifiers that, if misused or compromised, could have severe implications for the affected individuals. The guidance defines biometric data as any personal data derived from physical or behavioral traits that uniquely identify a person. This sensitivity necessitates stringent compliance with data protection laws, particularly the Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK GDPR. The collection and processing of such sensitive data inherently carries risks. The potential for misuse, data breaches, or unauthorized surveillance poses significant threats to students’ privacy. Biometric systems, by design, collect and store information that is immutable – unlike a password or ID card, fingerprints or facial patterns cannot be changed if they are stolen or improperly accessed. This permanence intensifies the responsibility of education authorities to implement robust security measures, including encryption and strict access controls. Any failure to safeguard this data not only undermines trust but also exposes students to lifelong vulnerabilities. A crucial aspect of implementing biometric systems is ensuring the fairness and transparency of these processes, the updated guidance highlights, noting that schools must justify why they are adopting such intrusive technologies and assess whether less invasive alternatives, like smart cards, could achieve the same objectives. The principle of proportionality is central: biometric systems should only be used where the benefits significantly outweigh the privacy costs. For example, while a fingerprint-based system might streamline lunch payments, it raises the question of whether such convenience justifies the collection of sensitive biometric data. The guidance stresses the importance of conducting thorough assessments of necessity, ensuring that these systems are implemented only when absolutely required. The civil rights implications of biometric technology extend beyond privacy. The use of such systems must align with broader human rights frameworks, including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. These frameworks emphasize the importance of protecting children from undue intrusion and ensuring their autonomy and dignity are respected. The guidance emphasizes that transparency is a key component of fairness. Schools must clearly communicate with students and parents about how biometric data will be used, stored, and protected. This includes providing detailed privacy notices and ensuring that the information is accessible and comprehensible to all stakeholders, particularly children. Consent is another critical element in the implementation of biometric systems. Under the UK GDPR, consent must be freely given, informed, and specific. For students under the age of 12 or those deemed unable to provide informed consent, parental consent is required. However, the guidance also acknowledges the evolving capacity of children, stating that students aged 12 or older are presumed capable of exercising their data protection rights unless proven otherwise. Even with parental consent, schools must ensure that students are aware of their rights and can withdraw their consent at any time. The opt-out provisions for biometric systems are essential in safeguarding civil liberties. Students and parents who object to the use of biometric data must be offered alternative systems that provide equal access to school services. These alternatives, such as smart cards, must not disadvantage those who opt out, ensuring inclusivity and preventing discrimination. The guidance stresses that opting out must be a genuine choice, free from coercion or negative repercussions. Another significant issue is the potential for discriminatory outcomes stemming from the use of biometric technology. Schools must ensure that these systems do not inadvertently exclude or stigmatize students based on disabilities or other characteristics. For instance, students who cannot provide biometric data due to physical disabilities must have access to alternative systems that are equally efficient and non-intrusive. The Equality Act 2010 mandates that schools accommodate such needs, reinforcing the principle that no student should face discrimination in accessing educational services. The Equality Act 2010 is a UK law that protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in society. It replaced several anti-discrimination laws with a single act, making the law easier to understand and strengthening protection. The guidance also touches on broader societal concerns, particularly the normalization of surveillance. Introducing biometric systems in schools risks acclimating children to intrusive monitoring from an early age, potentially eroding their expectations of privacy. This concern is amplified when considering systems like facial recognition, which have been criticized as disproportionately intrusive and unnecessary in educational contexts. The guidance advises against the use of facial recognition for routine school activities, citing its potential for overreach and the heightened risks it poses to students’ rights. To address these privacy and civil rights issues, the guidance outlines a rigorous framework for evaluating and implementing biometric systems. Education authorities are required to conduct Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs) to identify and mitigate risks associated with the processing of biometric data. DPIAs are crucial tools for ensuring accountability and demonstrating that the adoption of biometric systems aligns with data protection laws and ethical standards. If a DPIA reveals high risks that cannot be mitigated, schools must consult with the Information Commissioner’s Office before proceeding. The role of Data Protection Officers (DPOs) is also emphasized in the guidance. DPOs play a critical role in monitoring compliance, advising on data protection obligations, and acting as a point of contact for students, parents, and regulatory authorities. Their involvement is essential in ensuring that biometric systems are deployed responsibly and in compliance with legal and ethical standards. Ultimately, the guidance on biometric systems in schools serves as both a roadmap and a cautionary tale. While these technologies offer undeniable benefits in terms of efficiency and convenience, they also pose significant challenges to privacy, inclusivity, and civil rights. The decision to implement biometric systems requires a careful balancing of the potential benefits against the risks and a commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of students. In an era where digital technologies increasingly permeate every aspect of life, the introduction of biometric systems in schools serves as a litmus test for society’s commitment to upholding privacy and civil liberties. Schools and education authorities must navigate this complex landscape with transparency, accountability, and a focus on the best interests of the students they serve. The guidance provides a strong foundation for this effort, reminding all stakeholders that technological progress must never come at the expense of fundamental rights. | | | | | | | | |
TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose Thursday, helped by strength in energy and utilities stocks, while U.S. markets moved lower ahead of reports on the labour market on both sides of the border. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 38.86 points at 25,680.04. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 248.33 points at 44,765.71. The S&P 500 index was down 11.38 points at 6,075.11, while the Nasdaq composite was down 34.86 points at 19,700.26. Friday will bring the monthly jobs reports in both the U.S. and Canada, which markets will be eyeing for clues on upcoming interest rate decisions by central banks, said Kevin Headland, co-chief investment strategist at Manulife Investment Management. The U.S. Federal Reserve has several key data reports coming before it makes its own decision on Dec. 18, said Headland, including inflation. Markets are currently leaning toward a quarter-percentage-point cut from the Fed, he said. But “there’s a lot of data for them to digest before the announcement.” The Bank of Canada’s decision is next week, and Headland said markets seem to think there’s a good chance the central bank could cut by an outsized half-percentage point. “In my belief, the bank is trying to front-run the mortgage renewals that are coming due over the next year or so, to just avoid some of the bigger hits to discretionary spending,” said Headland. “There’s no reason for them not to continue rate cuts unless there’s a surprise tomorrow.” Canadian bank earnings continued to roll in on Thursday. CIBC saw its profit rise while its provisions for loan losses dropped. TD also saw its profit rise, though its adjusted earnings were lower as the bank continues to work through the fallout from its anti-money laundering deficiencies. Meanwhile, BMO’s earnings were a miss on analyst expectations but the bank said it expects loan performance to improve in 2025. So far, there haven’t been any major surprises from bank earnings overall, said Headland. Bitcoin continued its meteoric rise, briefly breaching US$100,000 for the first time after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump tapped crypto advocate Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. “US$100,000 is definitely a psychological threshold,” said Headland. “I guess time will tell whether it can remain at that level,” he added. “If we’re getting downside pressure to risk assets, I would assume that Bitcoin and other companies will be swept up in that negativity.” But for now, the surge is indicative of the broader positive momentum markets have enjoyed since Donald Trump’s election, said Headland. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.24 cents US compared with 71.09 cents US on Wednesday. The January crude oil contract was down 24 cents at US$68.30 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up four cents at US$3.08 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$27.80 at US$2,648.40 an ounce and the March copper contract was down a penny at US$4.19 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressNoneSeventy-seven Democrats in the House of Representatives signed a letter Thursday accusing Israel of violating human rights law, disagreeing with the Biden-Harris administration and potentially triggering an arms embargo on Israel. The signatories to the letter include well-known left-wing Jewish Democrats, such as Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Sara Jacobs (D-CA). The latter is romantically involved with former Democratic congressional candidate and former Obama administration official Ammar Campa-Najjar , who is the grandson of a notorious Palestinian terrorist. The letter claims to support Israel’s right to self-defense, then undermines that claim by arguing that Israel is not complying with international human rights law and humanitarian law, which would mean that the U.S. would have to cut off arms sales to the Jewish state, even as it faces a war on several fronts against terrorists and the Iranian regime. The Jewish News Syndicate elaborated : While the letter does not make an explicit request to halt aid, it references the statute requiring the administration to cut off arms sales to countries that block delivery of humanitarian aid, and accuses Israel of deliberately restricting aid. ... The letter asks the administration to create a full assessment of Israel’s compliance with U.S. arms sales laws, saying that their concerns “remain urgent and largely unresolved, including arbitrary restrictions on humanitarian aid and insufficient delivery routes, among others.” ... The letter was led by Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA). The effort is backed by the left-wing, George Soros-funded J Street group, which often opposes Israel in Congress. Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of the recent e-book, Neither Free nor Fair: The 2020 U.S. Presidential Election . His recent book, RED NOVEMBER , tells the story of the 2020 Democratic presidential primary from a conservative perspective. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .
Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ), a leading beverage alcohol company, announced today it will report financial results for its third quarter ended November 30, 2024, on Thursday, January 9, 2025, before the open of the U.S. markets. A conference call to discuss the financial results and outlook will be hosted by President and Chief Executive Officer, Bill Newlands, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Garth Hankinson, at 10:30 a.m. ET, January 9, 2025. The conference call can be accessed by dialing +1-877-407-9121 and entering conference identification number 13750414, beginning at 10:20 a.m. ET. A live, listen-only webcast of the conference call will be available on the company’s investor relations website at under the section. When the call begins, financial information discussed on the conference call, and reconciliations of reported GAAP financial measures with comparable and other non-GAAP financial measures, will also be available on the company’s investor relations website under the section. For anyone unable to participate in the conference call, a replay will be available on the company’s investor relations website. Constellation Brands (NYSE: STZ) is a leading international producer and marketer of beer, wine, and spirits with operations in the U.S., Mexico, New Zealand, and Italy. Our mission is to build brands that people love because we believe elevating human connections is Worth Reaching For. It’s worth our dedication, hard work, and calculated risks to anticipate market trends and deliver more for our consumers, shareholders, employees, and industry. This dedication is what has driven us to become one of the fastest-growing, large CPG companies in the U.S. at retail, and it drives our pursuit to deliver what’s next. Every day, people reach for our high-end, iconic imported beer brands such as those in the Corona brand family like the flagship Corona Extra, Modelo Especial and the flavorful lineup of Modelo Cheladas, Pacifico, and Victoria; our fine wine and craft spirits brands including The Prisoner Wine Company, Robert Mondavi Winery, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey; and our premium wine brands such as Kim Crawford and Meiomi. As an agriculture-based company, we have a long history of operating sustainably and responsibly. Our ESG strategy is embedded into our business and our work focuses on serving as good stewards of the environment, enhancing social equity within our industry and communities, and promoting responsible beverage alcohol consumption. These commitments ground our aspirations beyond driving the bottom line as we work to create a future that is truly Worth Reaching For. To learn more, visit and follow us on , , and . A downloadable PDF copy of this news release can be found here: