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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A 93-year-old former Catholic priest sentenced to life in prison earlier this month for raping a teenage boy has died, Louisiana authorities and his lawyer confirmed Friday. Less than two weeks after being sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars, Lawrence Hecker died of natural causes at 3 a.m. Thursday at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center, according to Ken Pastorick, Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections communications director. Hecker had pleaded guilty to charges including first-degree rape and aggravated kidnapping shortly before jury selection for his long-delayed trial had been scheduled to begin earlier this month, with other victims prepared to testify against him. The survivor of the assault to which Hecker pleaded guilty had said that Hecker raped him after offering to instruct him in wrestling moves ahead of tryouts for a school team in the mid-1970s. “The only prayer I can come up with I hope he spends eternity in hell after God's judgment of him,” the survivor said in a written statement provided by his attorney, Richard Trahant. “Now after his death I feel vindicated and free,” he said. The Associated Press does not identify those who say they have been sexually assaulted. Hecker's trial had been delayed for months partly because of questions around his mental competency. Hecker had suffered from dementia, his lawyer Bobby Hjortsberg said. Hecker had been ordained as an archdiocesan priest in 1958 and remained in this position even after facing an undisputed complaint of child molestation in the late 1980s, according to court records . Hecker left the ministry in 2002. Hecker's conviction occurred amid a wave of sexual abuse allegations against the Catholic church in New Orleans, many resurfacing from decades ago. The fallout has left the Archdiocese of New Orleans embroiled in bankruptcy negotiations. Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96 This story has been updated to clarify that Hecker died at the Elayn Hunt Correctional Center. Authorities had previously stated he died at a Baton Rouge hospital.Restaurant forced to close over ‘Ladies’ Night’ gender discrimination lawsuitNone
FILE PHOTO: South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun attends a joint press conference during a 2+2 meeting, at the State Department in Washington, U.S., October 31, 2024. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo SEOUL - South Korean prosecutors on Sunday questioned ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on Tuesday, Yonhap News Agency said. Kim voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning at around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday (1630 GMT on Saturday), the report said. The office was not immediately available for comments. Kim, who offered his resignation on Wednesday, was seen as a central figure in Tuesday's brief martial law declaration. A senior military official and filings to impeach Yoon by opposition members said Kim had made the proposal to Yoon. Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, prompted by his short-lived attempt to impose martial law, but the leader of his own party said the president would eventually have to step down. Three minority opposition parties filed a complaint with the prosecution against Yoon, Kim and martial law commander Park An-su, accusing them of treason. Kim faces a travel ban as prosecutors investigate, Yonhap said. The national police are also investigating claims of treason against Yoon and top ministers. Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against the decree. Yoon's martial law declaration plunged South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. military ally, into its greatest political crisis in decades, threatening to shatter the country's reputation as a democratic success story. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowIn Pictures: Politics frames the debate as Ireland holds five ballots in 2024
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Ontario's drug-site law violates Charter, Constitution, group says in legal challenge
By Trevor Hass, The Boston Globe When the Boston College football team faces Nebraska in the Pinstripe Bowl on Saturday at noon, the Eagles will have an eye toward honoring the past, maximizing the present, and fortifying the future. With a chance to cement the program’s first eight-win season since 2009, the Eagles (7-5, 4-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) will try to make a statement at Yankee Stadium. BC will be without standouts Donovan Ezeiruaku (defensive end) and Ozzy Trapilo (right tackle) as they gear up for the NFL Draft. While coach Bill O’Brien is grateful for their contributions, his focus is on preparing for the Cornhuskers (6-6, 3-6 Big Ten). A win would pay major dividends for a BC program building momentum and on the cusp of vaulting into the upper echelon of the ACC. “It’s one of those opportunities that don’t come along very often,” O’Brien said. That includes the activities leading up to the game. The Eagles have welcomed newcomers while cherishing an action-packed week in New York. Following a team dinner on Christmas Day, they visited the 9/11 Memorial & Museum on Thursday. They’ll play for 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, a Boston College alumnus who is credited with saving at least a dozen people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Crowther’s mother, Alison, was there to greet the Eagles. “Obviously an incredible Boston College family and story,” O’Brien said. “For her to make the trek over, to be there, she addressed our team and she gave us a little tour of the place. She was part of the tour. It was just awesome.” The Eagles then rang the ball at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday morning. While the festivities are a major part of the experience, O’Brien and Co. have allocated plenty of time toward Nebraska. O’Brien praised Dylan Raiola, the former No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country, for his natural abilities. “He’s got a lot of Mahomes-type qualities,” O’Brien said. “I’m not saying he’s Patrick Mahomes, but he’s very, very good. He’s an instinctive player.” BC defensive coordinator Tim Lewis echoed O’Brien’s outlook. “He can throw it, can touch-pass it,” Lewis said. “He can drop the bombs on you, he can drill it, he’s accurate, he’s mobile enough. He’s not the slowest cat.” Emmett Johnson is a catalyst at running back, and Jahmal Banks highlights a deep receiving corps. The Eagles know other players will have to step up with Ezeiruaku absent, and they’re eager for the opportunity to prove themselves against an offense with big-play potential. For seniors such as linebacker Joe Marinaro, it’s a chance to cap their careers with a signature win. “I’m just trying to take in every last moment and really enjoy these last few days with my teammates, playing football,” Marinaro said. “I don’t think it’s sunk in completely, but I’m starting to definitely feel the gravity of the situation.” Grayson James will have a chance to punctuate his recent surge and bolster his chances of remaining the starting quarterback next season. With Alabama transfer Dylan Lonergan coming in, James will have to prove himself again. He’ll continue to lean on wide receiver Reed Harris, who has emerged as a deep threat late in the year. Harris, a 6-foot-5-inch redshirt freshman, has totaled at least 70 receiving yards in each of the last three games and is averaging 30.7 yards per catch on the season. “Grayson and I have been getting reps together since the summer,” Harris said. “We’ve basically grown together as the offense has evolved. That definitely helps a lot when we’re trying to connect on passes.” While the Eagles have improved their passing attack, their run game is their top asset. Kye Robichaux is a reliable threat in a balanced group and will lean on a formidable offensive line. Nebraska coach Matt Rhule said the Eagles can run the ball “as well as anybody” and are physical, tough, and creative. On a day that may be wet and will be cold, BC could have an advantage in that area. “When you see that football team, you think of Coach O’Brien, who he is,” Rhule said. “I think they’re a mirror image of him.” BC offensive coordinator Will Lawing will be up against a familiar foe in newly minted Nebraska defensive coordinator John Butler. Butler coached under O’Brien, and with Lawing, at Penn State and with the Houston Texans. O’Brien said he’s sure Butler added to his repertoire when he was in Buffalo with Bills coach Sean McDermott. Lawing, meanwhile, said he’s learned “a ton” under O’Brien and has grown as a play-caller while at BC. “We try not to do too much,” Lawing said. “It’s more about having core plays that you believe in, and that the quarterback’s comfortable with, and then just dressing them up different ways so the defense sees it a different way.” The Eagles are hoping to send their seniors out in style, but they also want to continue laying the foundation for the future. Outside of the seniors, and some potential transfers, the group on the field Saturday will largely offer a glimpse into next year’s team. Young players have had the chance to prove themselves during extra practices, and now they’ll have a shot to shine on a grand stage. “For the most part, what you’ll see out there is a 2025 preview,” O’Brien said. Get the latest Boston sports news Receive updates on your favorite Boston teams, straight from our newsroom to your inbox. Be civil. Be kind.Selected Stocks Close Change ADM $51.42 -$0.86 AT&T $23.88 $0.06 Berkshire CL A $705,236.50 $830.50 Berkshire CL B $470.29 -$0.28 The Buckle $52.90 $0.35 Campbell Soup $42.77 $0.13 Coca Cola Co. $62.53 -$0.39 Conagra Foods $27.23 -$0.59 Harley Davidson $33.03 $0.18 Hewlett-Packard $23.95 $2.31 Hormel $32.46 -$0.41 Microsoft $443.57 $0.95 O’Reilly Auto $1,257.78 $22.97 Pfizer Inc. $25.73 $0.03 3M Company $132.90 -$0.43 US Bancorp $52.18 $0.06 Valmont $338.10 -$11.07 Walgreen $8.56 $0.09 Wal-Mart Stores $95.66 $0.33 Werner Ent $39.37 -$0.05 The Tribune receives stocks at approximately 4 p.m. Grain prices Yesterday’s closing prices were provided courtesy of Fremont elevators. All are price per bushel. Corn $4.17 -4.18 Soybean $9.59 -9.63 Wheat $5.39 County Posted Price The Farm Service Agency’s posted county price for Dodge County for yesterday was: Corn $4.05 Oats $2.82 Soybeans $9.39 Wheat $4.87
A new report from state officials paints the clearest picture yet of the scale of Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. Earlier this month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife unveiled the latest iteration of its Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, a guiding document for public land management that is updated on a five-year cycle. The sprawling document, which identifies challenges, strategies and priorities for the state’s recreation sector, also contains a wide breadth of data on how Coloradans use outdoor spaces. “As the 2025 (plan) confirms, outdoor recreation is essential to Colorado’s economy and quality of life,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, in a statement. Here are four takeaways from the 242-page report : Last year, outdoor recreation generated $65.8 billion in economic output for the state economy, and recreationists in Colorado spent over $52.1 billion on trips and equipment, according to the report. “However, the economic impacts do not stop there — outdoor recreation spending has positive ripple effects across other sectors through supply purchases, wages and other factors,” the report states. “People and businesses are drawn to Colorado by its outdoor recreation opportunities, further driving the state’s economic engine.” The industry created $36.5 billion in the state’s gross domestic product, which is 8.5% of the state’s entire GDP, and generated $11.2 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue. Over 400,000 jobs — 12.5% of the state’s labor force — were supported by outdoor recreation in 2023. Another report released last month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Colorado ranks in the top 10 for states with the largest outdoor recreation economies. Outdoor recreation use remains historically high, though the report suggests a slowdown in some areas. A survey of 479 public land managers in Colorado indicates that outdoor recreation surged during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic . Most respondents represented local agencies, such as county, city and town governments. Over half — 62% — indicated visitation had increased during the height of the pandemic from approximately March 2020 through December 2021. During the fiscal years of 2020 and 2021, the number of sales of hunting and fishing licenses reached above 1.1 million but dipped below 1 million in 2022, 2023 and 2024. “There was an increase in fishing license sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the sales volumes appear to have returned to pre-pandemic levels,” the report states. Between fiscal years 2019 and 2024, boat registration sales decreased by around 3% while hunting license sales increased by around 1%. Sales of big game hunting licenses decreased by about 10% while the sales of other hunting licenses increased by 11%. In a survey of 765 Colorado residents, 72% said they recreate outdoors at least once per week but less than half — 42% — said they participated more frequently in outdoor recreation following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most respondents — 69% — expected their participation in the next year to remain about the same compared to the previous year. Nationally, the number of Americans who recreate outdoors continues to increase, with 55% of the U.S. population above the age of 6 engaging in outdoor recreation in 2022. “However, for the first time since the 2020 pandemic, the number of outings per participant decreased, indicating that new participants are continuing to recreate outdoors post-pandemic, but they tend to do so less frequently,” the report reads. Other state agencies like the Colorado Tourism Office are also working to help manage the influx of recreationists in recent years. Earlier this year, the office released its 158-page Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan , a 10-year framework for state, regional and local officials — as well as community groups, tribes and landowners — to partner on tourism management and recreation sustainability initiatives. According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife report, 1.2 million Coloradans — 20% of the state’s population — lack access to open space, parks, trails and water within a 10-minute walk from home. At the same time, just 1% of the population lives outside a 10-mile drive to any recreation opportunity. The largest gaps in recreation access are concentrated along the Eastern Plains. In surveys of state residents and public land managers, both groups said protecting existing infrastructure at recreation sites was a top priority. Sixty percent of respondents who were Colorado residents said they want land managers to prioritize the operation of current outdoor areas and facilities. The top three amenities that users want prioritized and maintained were wildlife viewing areas, dirt or soft surface trails and paths and picnic areas for small and large groups. For land managers, the vast majority — 87% — identified maintaining existing recreation infrastructure or resources as the highest priority for current management needs. Eighty-three percent identified maintaining existing trails as the highest trail-related priority. The top three priorities regarding new outdoor recreation included developing new trails or expanding existing trails, connecting to adjacent or regional trail systems and developing neighborhood, community or special-use parks or facilities, such as playgrounds. Most respondents — 79% — identified maintaining visitor safety and protection as the highest priority for visitor service. The issue ranked third in priorities in the previous two reports. The 242-page report dedicates one page to the impact of climate change on the state’s outdoor recreation economy. The section warns of threats to the ski industry, fishing and wildlife-related activities. “Colorado is warming, and our warming climate is already impacting recreation in our state,” the report reads. Over the last 130 years, Colorado warmed 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit and is expected to warm an additional 1-4 degrees by 2050, under a medium-low greenhouse gas emissions scenario. By 2050, an average year is likely to be as warm as the very warmest years on record through 2022, and by 2070, an average year is likely to be warmer than the warmest years through 2022, according to the report. The report states Colorado’s declining snowpack, particularly at lower elevations, will lead to a shortened winter recreation period while expanding shoulder season recreation opportunities. “Lower streamflows and warmer waters will force rafting outfitters in some areas to shift operations earlier in the year, and are leading to more voluntary or mandatory fishing closures to protect heat-stressed fish,” the report states. “Some areas in Colorado are already shifting to stocking more heat-tolerant fish, such as brown trout.” The report adds that more frequent heat waves, particularly in the Front Range and Grand Junction areas, will likely increase pressure on mountain communities and parks with water resources and may drive greater recreation activity in the early morning and evening. “Wildfires can also cause area closures, smoke and resulting health impacts on the public, and post-fire flooding and landslides that disrupt transportation routes and aquatic ecosystems,” the report states. “Outdoor industries are already adapting to changing conditions and may increasingly need to modify operations and infrastructure as warming continues.” The full Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan can be viewed at CPW.State.co.us/plans-and-reports .
Sunday's inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff bracket reveal officially set the stage for the most anticipated postseason the sport has ever seen. Eight more spots in the playoff field have created two extra rounds to determine a national champion, which could come from the Big Ten, the Southeastern Conference or even the Mountain West! Now that the initial matchups are set, it's time to examine the FanDuel odds for the first-round games and, of course, the latest national championship odds. CFP Bracket: Odds for First-Round Games Oregon's win over Penn State in the Big Ten championship locked the Ducks into the No. 1 seed, while Georgia's overtime triumph over Texas for the SEC crown moved the Bulldogs up to No. 2. Boise State slotted in at No. 9 in the final CFP rankings but is the No. 3 seed thanks to its win over UNLV in the Mountain West championship. With SMU losing to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, No. 12-ranked Arizona State is the four seed after it throttled Iowa State to win the Big 12. The top four teams get a bye, with the 5-12 seeds meeting in the first round. 12-seed Clemson (+330) vs. 5-seed Texas (-11.5) Texas was favored to win the SEC and lock down a top-four seed, but Clemson was not expected to beat SMU for the ACC title. The Longhorns will therefore hunt redemption, while Dabo Swinney's team is essentially playing with house money. The winner will face Arizona State in the Peach Bowl. 9-seed Tennessee (+215) vs. 8-seed Ohio State (-7.5) The third-highest-ranked team from the SEC (No. 7 Tennessee) will face off with the third-highest-ranked squad from the Big Ten (No. 6 Ohio State). This game brings the Buckeyes a chance at redemption for their embarrassing loss to Michigan to end the regular season. The winner will travel to the Rose Bowl to play Oregon. 11-seed SMU (+240) vs. 6-seed Penn State (-7.5) Concerns over strength of schedule dog both teams. Both have 11-2 records and were runners-up in their respective conferences. Penn State's only win over a ranked opponent was against then-No. 19 Illinois in Week 4, while SMU has knocked off then-No. 22 Louisville and then-No. 18 Pittsburgh. The winner will meet Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl. 10-seed Indiana (+230) vs. 7-seed Notre Dame (-7.5) The Hoosiers may be the biggest surprise in college football this season, although their inclusion came with a few concerns over the strength of their schedule. After falling flat in a potential statement game against then-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 23, Indiana can prove its might against a Fighting Irish squad that won its last 10 games. The winner will take on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. National Championship Odds and Picks Oregon was the betting favorite (odds via FanDuel) prior to the final rankings reveal at +230. Post-reveal, Texas and Georgia are co-favorites at +360, followed by Oregon at +380, Ohio State at +500 and Penn State at +600. Boise State is the biggest long shot at +7500 despite having a first-round bye. Like Boise State, Arizona State saw its odds go from +3500 to +6000 even though it doesn't play until the quarterfinals. The Picks are In... First-Round Best Bet: Indiana-Notre Dame UNDER 51.5-both teams have solid offenses but will find it difficult to move the ball against the other's defense. Upset Special: Clemson (+340) over Texas-Cade Klubnik will have his hands full against the Texas secondary, but the Clemson defense could be up for the challenge against Quinn Ewers and the Longhorns offense. National Championship Winner: Favorite-Oregon +380; Dark Horse-Notre Dame +1200; Long Shot-Arizona State +6000 --Field Level MediaThe 11 weirdest things humans did to robots in 2024
Unai Emery knows Champions League top-eight spot is possible for Aston Villa
Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has named Andrew Ferguson to be the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission. Ferguson is already one of the FTC's five commissioners. He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. Trump wrote on Truth Social on Tuesday evening that Ferguson has “a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country.” The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. Proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges The proposed $24.6 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the merger. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the proposed merger until an in-house administrative judge at the Federal Trade Commission considers it. Shortly afterward, a judge in Washington state issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in that state, saying it lessens competition. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. But the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Washington sued earlier this year. Kroger and Albertsons said Tuesday they are disappointed in the decisions and are reviewing their options. Biden says he was 'stupid' not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, like Donald Trump had done in 2020. He noted Tuesday in a speech at the Brookings Institution that Trump likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he defended his economic record and challenged Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Trump’s decision to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Former chairman of state-owned bank China Everbright Group jailed for 12 years for corruption BEIJING (AP) — Chinese official broadcaster CCTV says a former chairman of the state-owned bank China Everbright Group has been jailed 12 years for embezzlement and bribery. Tang Shuangning, who had also held senior posts at the People’s Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, was arrested in January, part of a wider wave of prosecutions of senior officials accused of financial crimes. A court in the city of Tangshan, about 100 miles east of Beijing, found him guilty of taking advantage of his position at the state-owned bank in “seeking convenience for others” in jobs and loans, in exchange for illegal payments. The court said he had accepted illegal property with a total value of more than $1.5 million. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. GM to retreat from robotaxis and stop funding its Cruise autonomous vehicle unit DETROIT (AP) — General Motors says it will retreat from the robotaxi business and stop funding its money-losing Cruise autonomous vehicle unit. Instead the Detroit automaker will focus on development of partially automated driver-assist systems like its Super Cruise, which allows drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel. In a statement Tuesday, GM said it would get out of robotaxis due to what it described as the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market. What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google has released its annual “Year in Search," rounding up 2024's top trending searches. It shows terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated overall search trends, led by queries for Copa América, the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year’s Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google’s people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit on Tuesday also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Ospreys. The military aircraft have been grounded in the United States following a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident was caused by weakened metal components. It was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The U.S. measure prompted the suspension of Ospreys operated by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. Small businesses plan events, start marketing earlier to deal with shorter holiday shopping season The holiday shopping season is underway, and this year small businesses have less time to capitalize on the busy shopping period. Only 27 days separate Thanksgiving and Christmas — five fewer than last year. But there are still ways to make the most of a shorter season. One key strategy is for owners to promote deals to customers wherever they can, from social media to physical ads. The National Retail Federation predicts that retail sales will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Online shopping is expected to grow too. Adobe Digital Insights predicts an 8.4% increase online for the full season. 10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, Americans still found time to read. Sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market. Many chose the release of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up the tie-in book to Taylor Swift’s blockbuster tour, which had the best opening week of 2024. Others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones.It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history—one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life—formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to protect kids from things that parents believe they’re not ready for, the nation’s move is both ambitious and not exactly simple, particularly in a world where young people are often shaped, defined and judged by the online company they keep. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have become so ingrained in young people’s lives that going cold turkey will be difficult. Other questions loom. Does the ban limit kids’ free expression and—especially for those in vulnerable groups—isolate them and curtail their opportunity to connect with members of their community? And how will social sites verify people’s ages, anyway? Can’t kids just get around such technicalities, as they so often do? This is, after all, the 21st century—an era when social media is the primary communications tool for most of those born in the past 25 years who, in a fragmented world, seek the common cultures of trends, music and memes. What happens when big swaths of that fall away? Is Australia’s initiative a good, long-time-coming development that will protect the vulnerable, or could it become a well-meaning experiment with unintended consequences? Platforms will be held liable The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars ($33 million) for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” said Jim Steyer, president and CEO of the nonprofit Common Sense Media. Leaders and parents in countries around the world are watching Australia’s policy closely as many seek to protect young kids from the internet’s dangerous corners—and, not incidentally, from each other. Most nations have taken different routes, from parental consent requirements to minimum age limits. Many child safety experts, parents and even teens who have waited to get on social media consider Australia’s move a positive step. They say there’s ample reason to ensure that children wait. “What’s most important for kids, just like adults, is real human connection. Less time alone on the screen means more time to connect, not less,” said Julie Scelfo, the founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction, or MAMA, a grassroots group of parents aimed at combatting the harms of social media to children. “I’m confident we can support our kids in interacting in any number of ways aside from sharing the latest meme.” The harms to children from social media have been well documented in the two decades since Facebook’s launch ushered in a new era in how the world communicates. Kids who spend more time on social media, especially as tweens or young teenagers, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, according to multiple studies—though it is not yet clear if there is a causal relationship. What’s more, many are exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age, including pornography and violence, as well as social pressures about body image and makeup. They also face bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted advances from their peers as well as adult strangers. Because their brains are not fully developed, teenagers, especially younger ones the law is focused on, are also more affected by social comparisons than adults, so even happy posts from friends can send them into a negative spiral. What unintended harms could be caused? Many major initiatives, particularly those aimed at social engineering, can produce side effects—often unintended. Could that happen here? What, if anything, do kids stand to lose by separating kids and the networks in which they participate? Paul Taske, associate director of litigation at the tech lobbying group NetChoice, says he considers the ban “one of the most extreme violations of free speech on the world stage today” even as he expressed relief that the First Amendment prevents such law in the United States “These restrictions would create a massive cultural shift,” Taske said. “Not only is the Australian government preventing young people from engaging with issues they’re passionate about, but they’re also doing so even if their parents are ok with them using digital services,” he said. “Parents know their children and their needs the best, and they should be making these decisions for their families—not big government. That kind of forcible control over families inevitably will have downstream cultural impacts.” David Inserra, a fellow for Free Expression and Technology, Cato Institute, called the bill “about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike” in a recent blog post. While Australia’s law doesn’t require “hard verification” such as an uploaded ID, he said, it calls for effective “age assurance.” He said no verification system can ensure accuracy while also protecting privacy and not impacting adults in the process. Privacy advocates have also raised concerns about the law’s effect on online anonymity, a cornerstone of online communications—and something that can protect teens on social platforms. “Whether it be religious minorities and dissidents, LGBTQ youth, those in abusive situations, whistleblowers, or countless other speakers in tricky situations, anonymous speech is a critical tool to safely challenge authority and express controversial opinions,” Inserra said. A spot check of kids at one mall in the Australian city of Brisbane on Wednesday didn’t turn up a great deal of worry, though. “Social media is still important because you get to talk to people, but I think it’s still good that they’re like limiting it,” said Swan Son, a 13-year-old student at Brisbane State High School. She said she has had limited exposure to social media and wouldn’t really miss it for a couple of years. Her parents already enforce a daily one-hour limit. And as for her friends? “I see them at school every day, so I think I’ll be fine.” Conor Negric, 16, said he felt he’d dodged a bullet because of his age. Still, he considers the law reasonable. “I think 16 is fine. Some kids, I know some kids like 10 who’re on Instagram, Snapchat. I only got Instagram when I was 14.” His mom, Sive Negric, who has two teenage sons, said she was happy for her boys to avoid exposure to social media too early: “That aspect of the internet, it’s a bit ‘meanland.’” Other countries are trying to figure it out, too Parents in Britain and across Europe earlier this year organized on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to promise not to buy smartphones for children younger than 12 or 13. This approach costs almost no money and requires no government enforcement. In the United States, some parents are keeping kids off social media either informally or as part of an organized campaign such as Wait Until 8th, a group that helps parents delay kids’ access to social media and phones. This fall, Norway announced plans to ban kids under 15 from using social media, while France is testing a smartphone ban for kids under 15 in a limited number of schools—a policy that could be rolled out nationwide if successful. US lawmakers have held multiple congressional hearings—most recently in January—on child online safety. Still, the last federal law aimed at protecting children online was enacted in 1998, six years before Facebook’s founding. In July, the US Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation designed to protect children from dangerous online content, pushing forward with what would be the first major effort by Congress in decades to hold tech companies more accountable. But the Kids Online Safety Act has since stalled in the House. While several states have passed laws requiring age verification, those are stuck in court. Utah became the first state to pass laws regulating children’s social media use in 2023. In September, a judge issued the preliminary injunction against the law, which would have required social media companies to verify the ages of users, apply privacy settings and limit some features. NetChoice has also obtained injunctions temporarily halting similar laws in several other states. And last May, US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said there is insufficient evidence to show social media is safe for kids. He urged policymakers to treat social media like car seats, baby formula, medication and other products children use. “Why should social media products be any different? Scelfo said. “Parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children safe online, because the problems are baked into the design of the products.” Image credits: Generative Illustration: Emilio Manzaneque Crespo via Dreamstime.com
WWE returns to Madison Square Garden for a Raw taping in march, and the pre-sale code is online. WWE announced the March 10th taping at last night’s live event in the venue, and the online pre-sale starts on January 8th with a January 10th general public sale. As you can see below via the MSG Twitter account, the pre-sale code is SOCIAL . JUST ANNOUNCED: For the first time in three years, WWE returns to The Garden with Monday Night RAW on Mar 10! Access venue presale tickets starting Wed, Jan 8 at 10am with code SOCIAL. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Fri, Jan 10 at 10am. pic.twitter.com/eKYVZvJkY2 — MSG (@TheGarden) December 27, 2024Manmohan Singh’s special bond with Visakhapatnam