Benchmark Reaffirms “Buy” Rating for Bitdeer Technologies Group (NASDAQ:BTDR)MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace." Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Jason Aldean told Fox News Digital that he has no problem speaking his mind when it comes to "things I believe in." Country music star Jason Aldean ‘s wife, Brittany Aldean, is blaming "woke" politics for why her husband was left off Billboard Magazine's "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time" list this week. Billboard published its staff-selected list this week of the 100 best country artists spanning over the past 100 years. The list drew criticism on social media from some country music fans, who complained about the magazine including artists who have left country music, like Maren Morris, but snubbing Aldean, who has sold over 20 million albums and had over two dozen #1 singles over his career. "Despite holding the crown as the reigning ACM Artist of the Decade with 28 number one hits in his back pocket, Jason Aldean was somehow not listed as one of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Country Artists of All-Time," social media account, the Country Music Wire , reported. Aldean's wife Brittany shared the social media post to her Instagram stories and suggested Billboard didn't like her husband's conservative political beliefs. BRITTANY ALDEAN SAYS TRUMP WILL DO ‘GREAT THINGS’ FOR AMERICA, ‘TIDE IS TURNING’ Brittany Aldean accused Billboard Magazine of "wokeness" for leaving her husband, Jason Aldean, off of its 100 Greatest Country Artists list. (Steve Granitz) "Remember when I said it's been a journey standing up for what we believe in??" she wrote. "This is a prime example of Jason being left out of things in the industry."[Billboard] your wokeness obviously overrides your ability to give credit where it's due, and it's sad," her post continued. The "Try That in a Small Town" singer and his wife have been outspoken supporters of President-elect Donald Trump over the years, and were spotted sitting next to Trump on the fourth night of the Republican National Convention this past July. Two of Aldean's bandmates, bassist Tully Kennedy and guitarist Kurt Allison, also suggested the magazine's snub was influenced by politics. "It ain’t always easy standing up for what you believe in," Kennedy wrote in an Instagram post . "I don’t know whats funnier @billboard .. How ridiculous this makes you look or the fact that you think it would bother us. Thx for making that chip on our shoulder just a little bit bigger. Proud to make this music and be on that stage with ya every night @jasonaldean .. love ya brother." LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Recording artist Jason Aldean performs during the launch of his three-night "JASON ALDEAN: RIDE ALL NIGHT VEGAS" engagement at Park Theater. (David Becker/Getty Images) JASON ALDEAN IS ‘PROUD’ OF AMERICA EVEN THOUGH ‘SOMETIMES IT GETS A LITTLE SIDEWAYS’ "What a joke @billboard — but not surprising considering the source," Allison posted. Jason Aldean also responded in a comment under Allison's post. "This shouldn’t come as a shock. And people ask if we still have a chip on our shoulder and feel like we have something to prove???" he posted with a laughing emoji. "Hell yea we do and this is a prime example why!! We’ll just keep hammerin and do what we do. Same as we always have," he posted with a fist bump emoji. Billboard did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment. DULUTH, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 23: Country music singer Jason Aldean delivers remarks at a Turning Point PAC campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The magazine's editors explained in the article that commercial success was not the only factor that influenced their choices. "While commercial success was a factor, artistry, longevity and enduring influence counted just as much. Because it’s too early to gauge the long-term impact of many of the newer acts yet, the list leans largely on artists whose place in country music history is already secure," the article said. The Aldeans said recently that they do not regret their vocal support for Trump, despite the backlash they've faced over the years. "We've taken a lot of heat from the entertainment industry and the media for our support of @realDonaldTrump," Jason Aldean wrote in a November 5 social media post. "As a father and an American citizen, I want to see our country get back to its values and principles that made us great to begin with. Vote so our kids can have a safe and secure future. I proudly voted for Trump and encourage everyone to et out today and VOTE!! IT MATTERS," he wrote with the hashtag, #Noregrets. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 18: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump greets Brittany Aldean (C) and country music artist Jason Aldean (R) as he arrives on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention. (Getty Images/Leon Neal/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Brittany Aldean posted a similar message to her followers on the same day. "Even after all the media bashing, business deals lost, relationship changes, being left out of music industry events and multiple attempts to vilify our character - I wouldn’t change a thing," she wrote on a Nov. 5 Instagram post . Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more.
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Former New Orleans priest convicted of raping teen boy dies while serving life sentenceMOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday apologized to his Azerbaijani counterpart for what he called a "tragic incident" following the crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan that killed 38 people, but stopped short of acknowledging that Moscow was responsible. Putin's apology came as allegations mounted that Russian air defenses shot down the plane while attempting to deflect a Ukrainian drone strike near Grozny, the regional capital of the Russian republic of Chechnya. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a Security Council meeting via videoconference Saturday at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia. An official Kremlin statement issued Saturday said that air defense systems were firing near Grozny airport as the airliner "repeatedly" attempted to land there on Wednesday. It did not explicitly say one of these hit the plane. The statement said Putin apologized to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "for the fact that the tragic incident occurred in Russian airspace." The readout said Russia has launched a criminal probe into the incident, and Azerbaijani state prosecutors have arrived in Grozny to participate. The Kremlin also said that "relevant services" from Russia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are jointly investigating the crash site near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, to Grozny when it turned toward Kazakhstan, hundreds of miles across the Caspian Sea from its intended destination, and crashed while attempting to land. There were 29 survivors. According to a readout of the call provided by Aliyev's press office, the Azerbaijani president told Putin that the plane was subject to "external physical and technical interference," though he also stopped short of blaming Russian air defenses. Part of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane lies on the ground Thursday near the airport of Aktau, Kazakhstan. Aliyev noted the plane had holes in its fuselage and the occupants sustained injuries "due to foreign particles penetrating the cabin mid-flight." He said that a team of international experts began a probe of the incident at Azerbaijan's initiative, but provided no details. Earlier this week, the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's office confirmed that investigators from Azerbaijan are working in Grozny. On Friday, a U.S. official and an Azerbaijani minister made separate statements blaming the crash on an external weapon, echoing those made by aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defense systems responding to a Ukrainian attack. U.S. President Joe Biden, responding Saturday to a reporter asking whether he thought Putin should take responsibility for the crash, said: "Apparently he did but I haven't spoken to him." Biden made the comment after leaving church in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Passengers and crew members who survived the crash told Azerbaijani media they heard loud noises on the aircraft as it circled over Grozny. Dmitry Yadrov, head of Russia's civil aviation authority Rosaviatsia, said Friday that as the plane was preparing to land in Grozny in deep fog, Ukrainian drones were targeting the city, prompting authorities to close the area to air traffic. Yadrov said after the captain made two unsuccessful attempts to land, he was offered other airports but decided to fly to Aktau. People attend a funeral Saturday for Mahammadali Eganov, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's airport of Aktau at the age of 13, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Earlier this past week, Rosaviatsia cited unspecified early evidence as showing that a bird strike led to an emergency on board. In the days following the crash, Azerbaijan Airlines blamed "physical and technical interference" and announced the suspension of flights to several Russian airports. It didn't say where the interference came from or provide any further details. If proven that the plane crashed after being hit by Russian fire, it would be the second deadly civil aviation accident linked to fighting in Ukraine. Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was downed with a Russian surface-to-air missile, killing all 298 people aboard, as it flew over the area in eastern Ukraine controlled by Moscow-backed separatists in 2014. Russia denied responsibility but a Dutch court in 2022 convicted two Russians and a pro-Russia Ukrainian man for their role in downing the plane with an air defense system brought into Ukraine from a Russian military base. The grave of Mahammadali Eganov, 13, who died in the Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190 crash near the Kazakhstan's Aktau airport, is seen Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following Wednesday's suspension of flights from Baku to Grozny and nearby Makhachkala, Azerbaijan Airlines announced Friday that it would also halt service to eight more Russian cities. Several other airlines made similar announcements since the crash. Kazakhstan's Qazaq Air on Friday said it would stop flying from Astana to the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in the Ural Mountains for a month. Turkmenistan Airlines, the Central Asian country's flagship carrier, on Saturday halted flights to Moscow for at least a month, citing safety concerns. Earlier this past week, Israel's El Al carrier suspended service from Tel Aviv to the Russian capital, citing "developments in Russia's airspace." Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The end appears to be near for The Weeknd , according to nationwide billboards. The pop star has been promoting his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow , which includes a motion picture starring Jenna Ortega. The album arrives in January, but the latest campaign has possibly advertised the end of the singer's iconic persona. Billboards across the county read: "The E nd is near." The Weeknd has hinted at a change in his music for years. In a 2023 interview with W Magazine , Abel discussed a change, saying, "I'm going through a cathartic path right now. It's getting to a place and a time where I'm getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I'll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I'm definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn." The billboards have sparked mixed reactions from fans across social media. An X user commented, "Good thing he writing his own ending instead of making us OVO goons do it for him!" Another user questioned the validity of the plan. They tweeted: "Good marketing, but what artist gonna fill the gap when he’s officially done?" "He mentioned retiring the name 'The Weeknd' few years ago but it also could mean The end of the trilogy," tweeted a user about the singer. Read more: Music The Weeknd's Music-Based Film With Jenna Ortega & Barry Keoghan Gets Release Date Lionsgate has set May 16, 2025, as the North American release date for Hurry Up Tomorrow , the highly anticipated feature film debut of pop icon The Weeknd. Directed by Trey Edward Shults, the film is described as a "musically driven psychological thriller" and serves as a creative extension of The Weeknd’s latest artistic endeavors. The film studio is betting on The Weeknd’s massive global fan base to fuel box office success. The film promises fans an immersive experience that connects his cinematic vision with the music and themes of his album. With seven Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits to his name, including chart-toppers like “Blinding Lights” and “Starboy,” The Weeknd is one of the most-streamed artists in history. He recently became the first artist to achieve 24 songs with over one billion streams each on Spotify, further solidifying his cultural impact. Read more: Playboi Carti's "I AM MUSIC" Gets Promising Pre-Order UpdateIndia Industrial Air Compressor Market Size 2024: Global Share, Industry And Report Analysis By 2031 | Airman Asia Sdn Bhd (Hokuetsu Industries Co., Ltd.) Atlas Copco AB BAUER COMPRESSORS INC. 12-28-2024 11:05 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: orion market research India Industrial Air Compressor Market India industrial air compressor market is estimated to grow modestly at a CAGR of around 6.2% during the forecast period. This informative India Industrial Air Compressor Market report provides new method and covers foremost regions such as Latin America, Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific. Making most out of the consumer insights and market opportunities, market players can boost up the revenue rate of their business. It also permits key organizations to make communication with customers and know their demands for making right investment in the product development. By increasing the product portfolio by referring the important market data provided in this India Industrial Air Compressor Market research report, key players can grow and expand their business forward. Continuously developing customer demands are also described in this global report to help new entrants make required changes in the final product launch and then bring into the market. It becomes easy for key players to prioritize the demands and requirements of target audience and have complete understanding of end-user experience with the help of this India Industrial Air Compressor Market study report. Get Free Sample link @ https://www.omrglobal.com/request-sample/india-industrial-air-compressor-market According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the cumulative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India's manufacturing sector reached nearly $91.2 billion during April 2000-June 2019. Cohesive government initiatives such as "Make in India", huge FDI inflow, and significant efforts of major manufacturing companies such as GE Healthcare, Siemens AG, HTC, Toshiba Corp., and Boeing AG to set up their manufacturing plants in India, is further anticipated to contribute towards the growth of the industrial air compressor market in the country. A full report of India Industrial Air Compressor Market available @ https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/india-industrial-air-compressor-market •Market Coverage •Market number available for - 2024-2031 •Base year- 2024 •Forecast period- 2024-2031 •Segment Covered- By Source, By Product Type, By Applications •Competitive Landscape- Archer Daniels Midland Co., Ingredion Inc., Kerry Group Plc, Cargill Inc., and others Market Segmentation India Industrial Air Compressor Market by Type oPortable oStationary India Industrial Air Compressor Market by Technology oDynamic Displacement Compressors oAxial Flow Air Compressors oCentrifugal Compressors oPositive Displacement Compressors oRotary Air Compressors oReciprocating Compressors India Industrial Air Compressor Market by End-User oFood & Beverages oOil & Gas oEnergy and Power oManufacturing oAutomotive oOthers (Construction and Mining) Company Profiles oAtlas Copco AB oBAC Compressors oBAUER COMPRESSORS INC. oCurtis-Toledo, Inc oELGi Equipments Ltd. oGeneral Electric Co. oHitachi Ltd. oIndo-Air Compressors Pvt. Ltd. oKirloskar Pneumatic Co. Ltd. oSiemens AG The Report Covers •Comprehensive research methodology of the India industrial air compressor market. •This report also includes a detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights. •An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations. •Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the India industrial air compressor market. •Insights about market determinants which are stimulating the India industrial air compressor market. •Detailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecasted revenues. •Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players. For More Customized Data, Request for Report Customization @ https://www.omrglobal.com/report-customization/india-industrial-air-compressor-market About Orion Market Research Orion Market Research (OMR) is a market research and consulting company known for its crisp and concise reports. The company is equipped with an experienced team of analysts and consultants. OMR offers quality syndicated research reports, customized research reports, consulting and other research-based services. The company also offer Digital Marketing services through its subsidiary OMR Digital and Software development and Consulting Services through another subsidiary Encanto Technologies. Media Contact: Company Name: Orion Market Research Contact Person: Mr. Anurag Tiwari Email: info@omrglobal.com Contact no: +91 780-304-0404 This release was published on openPR.
NoneLet’s be real — Utah’s plunge in the West didn’t just happen overnight. This has been brewing since the Jazz hit the reset button in 2022, blowing up their playoff-ready roster by trading away Donovan Mitchell , Rudy Gobert , Bojan Bogdanovic , and Royce O’Neale . In return, they hauled in a treasure chest of draft picks — seven first-rounders, six of them unprotected. But here’s the kicker: so far, only one has turned into an actual player, rookie guard Keyonte George in 2023. Fast forward to now, and the Jazz are fully leaning into a youth movement. They boast the youngest roster in the league with eight players under 24. Translation: This season isn’t about wins and losses — it’s about figuring out what they’ve got in their young core. What We’re Watching Player development isn’t just a buzzword in Salt Lake City. It’s the mission. Guys like George and Walker Kessler are front and center as the Jazz take stock of their future. Head coach Will Hardy has the green light to experiment, giving these young guns the reps they need to grow. But don’t sleep on the trade market. Utah is expected to stay busy, with veterans like John Collins , Jordan Clarkson , and Collin Sexton all potentially on the move. Collins has been solid but doesn’t exactly fit the team’s long-term timeline. Clarkson remains a bucket-getter, and Sexton’s name keeps popping up in trade chatter. The Jazz aren’t holding a fire sale, but if the right offer comes along? They’ll listen. The Big Picture For now, Utah’s priorities are clear: develop the young roster, evaluate talent, and position themselves for what looks like a loaded 2025 draft lottery. It’s not the most glamorous plan, but it’s a necessary one if the Jazz want to turn those draft assets into a winning foundation. The Jazz faithful may have to endure some growing pains this season, but there’s a silver lining. With their mix of promising young talent and valuable trade chips, the future isn’t just bright — it’s wide open. All it takes is one or two smart moves to change everything. In Utah, the rebuild might just be getting started, but the pieces seemingly are already starting to fall into place. This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.BOZEMAN — Myles Sansted’s excitement only grew as Montana was stopped on a fourth-and-3 with 25 seconds left in the first half. The turnover around midfield meant a field goal attempt was in play. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott orchestrated a quick drive to the UM 32-yard line with 4 seconds remaining. As Sansted set up on the right hash, the Grizzlies called a timeout. MSU backup QB and holder Patrick Duchien cracked jokes to ease the tension. Sansted — who took UM’s aggressiveness as a lack of belief in MSU’s placekicking operation — was fired up. He trusted his process, relying on the personal affirmations he repeats on the sideline. He trusted Tommy Sullivan on the snap, Duchien on the hold and his blockers up front. Sansted didn’t go for “a bigger swing” on the 49-yard attempt, he said, instead making contact as he had all season. Not only was it a new personal best for Sansted, but the make put the Bobcats up three scores at the break en route to a 34-11 victory . Myles Sansted connects from 4⃣9⃣! 🎯 @myles_s1 | #BobcatBuilt pic.twitter.com/ytIbLnTM0z Sansted remembered being on the sideline for the 2023 edition of the Brawl of the Wild, a 37-7 MSU loss in Missoula. All the Alexandria, Minnesota, native could do at the time was watch. In 2024, Sansted made his own impact. “To do it for all the Montana guys on the team (was great), but also we’re all Montanans now. We’re all Bobcats,” Sansted said. “It was really just a dream come true.” Just a week before, Sansted had come up inches short on a 47-yard FG attempt at UC Davis, with the ball bouncing off the crossbar. A week later, Sansted nailed a 49-yarder with room to spare. Maybe it was the elevation, the wind or extra “juice,” said MSU special teams quality control coach Marcus Monaco. Regardless of external factors, Sansted didn’t change his approach. “Being able to execute at halftime, two-minute drill, that was really impressive in a really big moment,” Monaco said. Consistency was an issue for MSU’s placekicking unit throughout the 2023 season, with the Bobcats missing a combined nine FGs and six point-after attempts between Brendan Hall and Casey Kautzman. The season ended on a blocked PAT in a 35-34 overtime loss to North Dakota State. After competing for the starting job in fall camp , along with an injury to Kautzman, MSU turned to Sansted. The Bobcats found that stability they were looking for in Sansted, a walk-on in his second stint with the team. “He’s filled a void from a consistency perspective that we didn’t have last year and we’ll continue to need as these games get bigger and bigger,” said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. “So I’m very pleased with what he’s been able to do and I don’t know if I would have seen this coming when he chose to come to Montana State a few years back.” Montana State kicker Myles Sansted kicks an extra point attempt during a game against Sacramento State on Nov. 9 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. Sansted, who is also Vigen’s nephew, was a four-sport athlete at Alexandria High School, competing in basketball, soccer, track and field and as a kicker on the football team. He got a taste of playing in big games, such as the boys basketball Class 3A state championship game as a junior in 2021. Alexandria lost 80-29 to Minnehaha Academy, which was led by future Gonzaga and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Sansted noted how tight-knit his team was, something he didn’t think he’d find again until he joined the Bobcats. Sansted didn’t make much of an effort to play sports at the next level. A few offers from Division III schools in Minnesota came in, but he narrowed it down to MSU and Kansas. He ultimately chose MSU after receiving some scholarship money and the chance to be close to family. Sansted — whose mother is the twin sister of Brent Vigen’s wife, Molly — said his family has been “super supportive” since day one in Bozeman. “(My cousins) Jake and Grant and Luke, they’re also Bobcat fans and so they’re cheering for me,” Sansted added. “So it’s been super cool to kind of get to go through all that together.” Sansted also knew wherever he went to college he would try to walk on as a kicker. He first joined the Bobcats in spring 2023, shortly after then-starting kicker Blake Glessner transferred to UCLA. He worked through the summer and got two weeks in fall camp before being told he wouldn’t make that year’s roster. The Bobcats had added Hall through the transfer portal along with Kautzman as a walk-on. Sansted returned for one last shot in spring 2024. He injured his quad on the second day of spring ball, but got in three practices and appeared in the Sonny Holland Classic, making three PATs. He continued to compete for playing time alongside Kautzman, Hall and two kickers the Bobcats brought in during fall camp. Sansted said each kicker supported each other because “we all want what’s best for Montana State.” Monaco added that it was important to replicate game scenarios as much as possible and keep everyone healthy. Montana State’s Myles Sansted practices kicks on the sidelines during a game against Mercyhurst on Sept. 21 at Bobcat Stadium. “We needed to understand how we were going to be able to operate in stressful situations, knowing that we had a good shot to be pretty good this year and knowing that he’s going to be in some (high-pressure) situations,” Monaco said. Sansted got the starting job and Hall focused on punting and kickoffs. Duchien — who was also battling for reps at QB — was named the first-string holder. Sansted said Duchien has been “so money” all season and added that Sullivan, who has started 50-plus games at long snapper, has been a rock. “Tommy makes my job pretty easy,” Duchien added. “He gets to me every time, laces are usually already out by the time I’m catching the ball. It’s a pretty cool job and I enjoy working with those guys.” There was still a level of uncertainty heading into the season opener at New Mexico. Duchien remembered talking with Sansted on the sideline about a potential game-tying field goal and noticed how Sansted was “really nervous” about kicking in high winds. That didn’t come to pass, with MSU winning 35-31 in regulation . In his first game, Sansted went 5 for 5 on PATs. That consistency carried throughout the regular season, with Sansted missing two PATs and four FGs. Monaco said those misses can partly be chalked up to Sansted being hyped up after a big play. One example was a blocked PAT after wide receiver Taco Dowler’s 79-yard punt return TD against Davis. “It could be a one-play drive,” Monaco said. “We’ve had multiple of those this year where it’s been a really big explosive, and we got to be ready to go out there and (execute).” Sansted said he’s worked with counselor John Shirkey, as well as utilizing prayer and his personal affirmations to bounce back from a missed or blocked kick. He’s implemented a one kick at a time mindset. “Also the guys are super supportive,” Sansted said, adding, “You know they got your back, and that’s a huge motivator to (be like), ‘Hey, I got the next one.’” Montana State kicker Myles Sansted lines up a field goal attempt in the second half against Idaho on Oct. 12 at Bobcat Stadium. Vigen said Sansted has only mis-hit a few balls this season and has otherwise been consistent in all 12 games. That’s been achieved through Sansted’s mentality and how the Bobcats approach practices. MSU hasn’t over-extended reps, Monaco said, because fatigue can play a role. The additions of the new scoreboard and the indoor practice facility have changed the direction of the wind in Bobcat Stadium. The group has also focused on executing in inclement weather and high-pressure situations. The most important thing, Monaco said, is sticking to the same process each time out. “That kick’s got no chance if we don’t give it a chance,” Monaco added. “So we got to be able to go out and give it the best opportunity to go that we can.” Sansted, who approaches each kick the same, has connected on long-range kicks several times. That includes a 44-yarder at Idaho State, a 45-yarder at Portland State and the 49-yarder at Cat-Griz. Since the season opener, Duchien has noticed Sansted growing in confidence. “Now I can kind of see on the sideline he’s ready to go,” Duchien said, adding, “He wants to go out there and kick these big kicks.” Montana State's Myles Sansted makes a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter against Idaho State on Sept. 28 at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello, Idaho. Around the time of the Eastern Washington game on Nov. 2, Sansted felt a shift in how much his coaches relied on him. He said the faith of Vigen, Monaco and special teams coordinator/WRs coach Justin Udy has propelled him in his first season. “That can’t just be built at one point,” Sansted added. “It’s built time over time again, rep over rep in practice and in games.” Monaco has seen Sansted mature all season, now “knowing that he belongs” on a national title contender. Vigen pointed to how MSU’s offense wants to be aggressive around midfield, but can rely on Sansted to come through in key situations as well. While it hasn’t been a linear journey, Sansted said he “wouldn’t trade it for the world.” “Not being on the team for two seasons and being able to do this with this group, I wouldn’t change anything,” Sansted said. “I think it made me stronger mentally, especially, and just going through it each and every day. It’s been super rewarding.” Braden Shaw can be reached at bshaw@dailychronicle.com or 406-582-2690. 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Large crowd adds to fun for Illinois State women in lopsided triumphWASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. 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