Louisiana lawmakers pass income and corporate tax cuts, raising statewide sales tax to pay for it
Florida knocks No. 9 Ole Miss out of College Football Playoff contention
Confused what to watch? Check top 7 most-watched movies from 2024!FORT WORTH, Texas — Although Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker gives the new city manager finalist the thumbs up, the selection process is coming under fire by one of her fellow council members. After a national search, in Parker’s opinion, Jay Chapa is what Fort Worth needs. “So excited to welcome Jay Chapa as our solo finalist," said Mayor Parker. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion and their feelings about the process. This process was transparent. We had buy-in from every single member of the council. It is no any different from a sweep search across this country.” But Councilman Chris Nettles has a different opinion saying Chapa was the pick all along calling the process flawed. “This process did not have an independent source from this process, did not allow community engagement. This process has been rushed and poured down our throats," Nettles said. Chris Nettles has been serving on the Fort Worth City Council since he was elected in May 2021. Representing District 8, Nettles is known for his advocacy on issues such as public safety, economic development, and infrastructure improvements. He ran unopposed for re-election in 2023 and has been a vocal leader in his district. The annual budget for the City of Fort Worth for the year 2025 was recently approved by the city council totaling $2.79 billion. Under the current City Manager, David Cook, Fort Worth managed to maintain the same tax rate. The new budget includes increased funding for the fire department and police department, hiring more 911 operators, and adding more school resource officers. David Cook announced he is retiring in February 2025 after being the longest-running City Manager in Fort Worth history . When Jay Chapa served as Fort Worth's Deputy City Manager, he oversaw several departments including Economic Development, Finance, Human Resources, and Public Events. He also managed the city’s Police Department playing a pivotal role in the controversial firing of f ormer police chief Joel Fitzgerald . Eventually, the city settled with Fitzgerald paying him $5 million in damages. Chapa’s fingerprints are on big city projects like the development of Dickies Arena. After leaving the city he provided consulting to help Fort Worth land the multi-million-dollar contract for the Texas A&M University downtown campus. “Jay will work with our legal department to cut ties with any client where there might be some kind of perceived issue there," said Mayor Parker. Most council members are expected to support Chapa during an official vote on Tuesday, December 10. Mayor Parker and other council members believe Chapa will eventually win over Nettles’ full support. Fort Worth Councilman Michael Crain began serving on the Fort Worth City Council as the representative for District 3 in 2021. He is now in his second term after being reelected in 2023. Crain focuses on communication, public safety, infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility in his role. Just like Nettles, Crain is often seen at many community events in his district. He paid close attention to the process as well for selecting the next City Manager. “Six months from now, Chris and other council names that might be negative about it, we will find that Jay is top-notch," said Michael Crain. If hired, Chapa would make history, becoming the city’s first-ever Hispanic City Manager. Related Articles 'It makes us more competitive.' | Fort Worth Police get big pay raises with new labor contract Dallas names four semifinalists for city manager job Fort Worth poised to replace its longest-serving city manager with first Hispanic city manager
President Joe Biden pledged another 600 million US dollars (£472 million) on Wednesday for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. Mr Biden told African leaders the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long”. “But not anymore,” Mr Biden added. “Africa is the future.” Mr Biden used the third and final day of a visit to Angola – his long-awaited, first trip to sub-Saharan Africa as president – to travel to the coastal city of Lobito and tour an Atlantic port terminal that’s part of the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment. Mr Biden described it as the largest US investment in a train project outside America. The US and allies are investing heavily in the project that will refurbish nearly 1,200 miles of train lines connecting to the mineral-rich areas of Congo and Zambia in central Africa. The corridor, which likely will take years to complete, gives the US better access to cobalt, copper and other critical minerals in Congo and Zambia that are used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies that Mr Biden said would power the future. China is dominant in mining in Congo and Zambia. The US investment has strategic implications for US-China economic competition, which went up a notch this week as they traded blows over access to key materials and technologies. The African leaders who met with Mr Biden on Wednesday said the railway corridor offered their countries a much faster route for minerals and goods – and a convenient outlet to Western markets. “This is a project that is full of hope for our countries and our region,” said Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, whose country has more than 70% of the word’s cobalt. “This is not just a logistical project. It is a driving force for economic and social transformation for millions of our people.” The leaders said the corridor should spur private-sector investment and improve a myriad of related areas like roads, communication networks, agriculture and clean energy technologies. For the African countries, it could create a wave of new jobs for a burgeoning young population. Cargo that once took 45 days to get to the US – usually involving trucks via South Africa – would now take around 45 hours, Mr Biden said. He predicted the project could transform the region from a food importer to exporter. It’s “something that if done right will outlast all of us and keep delivering for our people for generations to come,” he said. The announcement of an additional $600 million took the U.S.’s investment in the Lobito Corridor to 4.0 billion dollars (£3.15 billion).US President-elect Donald Trump has reiterated his support for Pentagon nominee Pete Hegseth, citing the Ivy League-educated former Fox News host's "charisma" and calling him "a WINNER" even as the nomination faces headwinds in Congress amid allegations of misconduct. or signup to continue reading A 44-year-old Army National Guard veteran, Hegseth has vowed to continue fighting for the top Department of Defence job and spent the week meeting with senators as some key lawmakers have said they are not yet ready to support him. "Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep," Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of Defence, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" "Thank you Mr. President. Like you, we will never back down," Hegseth responded. Trump's fellow Republicans will take control of the Senate next month ahead of his January 20 inauguration. If Democrats remain united against Hegseth, he can only afford to lose support from three Republicans and still win Senate approval. Trump has weighed alternative Republican nominees, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Senator Joni Ernst and Representative Mike Waltz, who Trump has already picked for national security adviser, sources told Reuters earlier this week. Ernst, a senior Armed Services Committee member who on Thursday said she was not yet ready to back Hegseth, posted on Friday that she planned to meet him next week. "At a minimum, we agree that he deserves the opportunity to lay out his vision for our warfighters at a fair hearing," she wrote on X. Hegseth served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and has two Bronze Stars. But he has been criticised for lacking the management experience needed to lead 1.3 million active-duty service members and the nearly one million civilians who work for the nation's military. A California police report showed a woman filed a sexual assault complaint in 2017. Hegseth was never charged and has denied any wrongdoing. His lawyer told CNN late Thursday that they may take legal action against the woman if Hegseth is not confirmed. On Wednesday, Hegseth told Sirius XM that he has "never had a drinking problem" but would nonetheless not drink alcohol if confirmed as defence secretary. Ernst, herself a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor, on Thursday said there must be a very thorough vetting process and that senators wanted "that any allegations have been cleared." Other Republicans offered tepid support. Two other Trump nominees have already ended their bids for top jobs: former Representative Matt Gaetz for US attorney general and Florida sheriff Chad Chronister for head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. 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Magtigi ang mga bituon sa Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) sa giatngan nga All-Star Game karong adlawa, Nobiyembre 24, sa Cebu Coliseum. Mopahuway una ang mga players sa ilang naandan nga duwa para sa ilang team, ug karong higayona mopakita kini og aksiyon para sa Team East ug Team West. Sa college division, si reigning MVP Kent Ivo Salarda, Jimpaul Amistoso, Ivan Clark Alsola, Raul Gentallan, and Froilan Maglasang sa two-time defending champions University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers maoy mo-banner sa Team East. Ang coach sa Team East si Paul Alelu Flores sa Cebu Roosevelt Memorial Colleges (CRMC) Mustangs. Lakip sa East team sila Elmer Echavez, Felvic Dorado and AJ Calizar sa University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, Matt Flores, JZ Dizon,Kent Joshua Cabanlit, ug AJ de los Reyes sa University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu Fighting Maroons, ug Paulo Dalumpines, Keaton Taburnal, ug Earl Laniton sa CRMC Mustangs. Sa pikas habig, naa sa West team sila Zareygel Rosano, Jasper Pacaña, Michael Diaz ug Jhiey Paraldo sa University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters, AJ Tolipas, Serge Gabines, ug Kenneth Babalcon of the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs, ug Neon Chavez, John Miguel Maglasang and Peter John Peteros sa University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers. Nagkompleto sa West roster sila Jerian Marc Abello, Edgar Sajol ug Matthew Paras of the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats ug James Gica ug Bryle Puntual sa University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors. Ang West team gipangulohan ni coach BJ Murillo of the BC Cheetahs. Sa high school division, Ang Team West nga gimentor ni coach Axel Rabaya sa CIT-U Baby Wildcats manglangkob nila Alden Cainglet, Froilan Maglasang, ug Lars Fjellvang sa Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles ug John Nathan de la Torre, Kenneth Cole, Roderick Cambarijan sa UV Baby Lancers. Lakip pud sa West side sila Kieff Russel Suarez, Randel Jay Mendaros, ug Ryko Batuigas sa CIT-U Baby Wildcats, Wade Adam Luche, Prince Juver Neil Mallorca, ug Dan Mitchell Ferraren sa University of Cebu Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue (UCLM), ug Brent Cuyno ug Karl Agravante sa CRMC Baby Mustangs, ug Angelo de la Cerna sa Don Bosco Technical College (DBTC)-Cebu Greywolves Ang ilang kaatbang mao ang Team Easat nila Jan Vince Oringo, J Lord Pepito ug Kyle Barrieta sa USJ-R Baby Jaguars, Jake Yong, Carlo Salgarino ug Stephen Pagalan sa UC Baby Webmasters, ug Lybron James Lamo, Kenneth Robert Fuller, ug Reyvene Arobo sa Cebu Eastern College (CEC) Dragons. Lakip sa East stars mao sila Fritz Gonzalez, Champ Brigoli, ug Ralph Seares sa USPF Baby Panthers, Xian Garcia ug Zack Judilla sa USC Baby Warriors, ug Kyle Nalisa sa BC Baby Cheetahs. Ang mogiya sa East team mao si coach Julius Cadavis sa USJ-R Baby Jaguars. / RSC
Paid non-client promotion: Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate investing products to write unbiased product reviews. The best money advice is usually boring and unsexy, which explains why no one wants to hear it. But CPA Rachel Wooten says these tips can help you save more for retirement and your other goals. She advises maxing out your HSA, avoiding lifestyle creep, and starting to save for retirement ASAP. The best money advice is decidedly unsexy. Just do a quick Google search, and you'll find dozens of books, financial advisors , and self-made millionaires all preaching the same thing: invest for the long term, don't try to time the market, and let your investments compound over many years. Most of us would rather cover our ears and hope to get rich quick. When I spoke with Rachel Wooten, a CPA and then-finance director at the Flint Group, she confirmed that there's plenty of money advice no one wants to hear, but everyone should follow. Here are four things she wants you to know. 1. Invest the maximum possible in your health savings account When it comes to retirement planning , most of us have heard that we should max out our IRA or 401(k) . But a just-as-helpful retirement tool that you should also max out is your health savings account. An HSA is a tax-advantaged savings account created in 2003 to help people with high-deductible health plans pay for out-of-pocket medical expenses. Although the purpose of an HSA is to save money for inevitable healthcare expenses, you can just as easily use your HSA as an investing tool. "The HSA is the only account that allows you to pay no taxes at all on contributions, growth, or withdrawals," says Wooten. "Invest your HSA funds and avoid reimbursing yourself for those expensive braces or doctor visits, and you'll come out ahead in the long run." Also, if you leave your HSA money in your account until age 65, you can withdraw your HSA funds for non-medical expenses at any point. 2. Put your investments on auto-pilot After juggling work, family, and hobbies, the last thing most of us want to think about is actively trading a portfolio. That's why one of the best ways to set yourself up for the future is through an employer-sponsored retirement plan. These are attractive, passive options that most employees can take advantage of. All you have to do is select how much of your paycheck you want to contribute each pay period. The best strategy is to put your investments in a total market index fund or exchange-traded fund , and then forget them. "Sure, trading stocks is fun and a lot more interesting than this boring strategy, but over the long term, you are more likely to lose money actively trading than to beat market returns," Wooten says. 3. Avoid lifestyle creep It's not what you make. It's what you keep. Unfortunately, this idea gets lost on most people after they get a raise. "After a salary increase, many people immediately consider upgrading their house or vehicle. However, studies have shown that cars, houses, etc., can become quickly acclimated to, so the uplift in happiness is short-lived," Wooten says. If you can avoid this tendency for lifestyle creep and instead boost your savings and investments when you get a raise or bonus, you can significantly decrease your financial stress. Sure, there are exceptions to this rule. Maybe you've been putting off a house repair or medical emergency for financial reasons. However, to become financially secure, consider upgrades carefully before committing to a higher standard of living. 4. Start saving for retirement as early as possible For most people just starting their careers, it's difficult to set money aside for something as far down the road as retirement. "It's hard to convince a person in their 20s to consider the well-being of their older self, but money stashed away early in your career will have the benefit of compounding doing the heavy lifting for them," says Wooten. To see the importance of investing earlier rather than later, let's look at this example (you can run your own through our free retirement calculator ). Two people save $100 a month for retirement, each has a 5% annual compound rate of return, but one starts at 25, and the other starts at 35. The one who started at 25 will have saved nearly twice as much by age 65. The person who started investing at 25 will have roughly $162,000 in their account, while the person who started at 35 will only have $89,000. This is the power of compound interest . The 25-year-old investor would have only invested $12,000 more of their own money, yet they would have over $70,000 more than the person who started at 35. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests. Start your search now. This article was originally published in July 2021.Eskom extended the deadline to upgrade prepaid meters but customers will be required to buy electricity tokens by Saturday to make their meters key revision number 2 (KRN2) compliant. Thousands of residents continued to queue outside Eskom sites on Saturday to get assistance in upgrading their prepaid meters in an attempt to meet the initial Sunday deadline. But the power utility announced it will extend the deadline for zero buyers with active meters, said Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena. “A technological breakthrough has enabled Eskom to pre-create key change tokens (KCT) on its online vending system. Zero buyers in this situation need to go to their legal vending sites with their meter numbers to buy electricity. They will be issued with their KCT by the vending agents to make their meters KRN2 compliant.” She said purchasing such tokens should be done before Sunday to trigger the activation of meters in KRN2 mode. “Once the meter has been activated by the purchase of electricity, the customer can visit any of the Eskom sites to complete the conversion process. The final step can be completed after [Sunday].” Earlier this week, minister of electricity and energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa reiterated that meters using the KRN1 system would no longer accept electricity tokens. He said more than 2.1-million people had still not migrated to the new system and stood the risk of not having electricity after the deadline. To verify if your meter is ready: TimesLIVE Would you like to comment on this article? Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now. Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
The AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Colby Rogers scored 28 points and Moussa Cisse had 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks as Memphis defeated No. 16 MIssissippi 87-70 on Saturday. PJ Haggerty finished with 17 points as Memphis (10-3) won for the third time in four games. Sean Pedulla led Ole Miss (11-2) with 13 points and four assists. Jaylen Murray scored 12 and Malik Dia 11 as the Rebels had their five-game winning streak halted. Memphis’ defense caused early problems for the Rebels, and the Tigers extended their lead to double digits. But, Ole Miss made five straight field goals, including a string of 3-pointers, to get back into the game before halftime, trailing by just two points at the break. The Tigers opened the second half on a 14-4 run and extended their lead to as many as 13 points near the midway point of the second half. Takeaways Ole Miss: The Rebels are 24-2 in non-conference games since Chris Beard took over last season, the only other loss to Purdue on Nov. 29. Memphis: The Tigers entered with two straight home losses, to Arkansas State and Mississippi State. Key moment From the start, Cisse played inspired. The first play was set up for a Cisse dunk, part of Memphis getting off to a good start. His inside game complemented Rogers’ scoring from the outside. RELATED COVERAGE Omier has 19 points, 24 rebounds to lead No. 25 Baylor’s 107-53 rout of Arlington Baptist Hurley, Karaban forge strong link during title runs and help UConn shake off early slump this season No. 14 Gonzaga’s matchup with No. 22 UCLA is the headliner on the week’s light AP Top 25 schedule Key stat Ole Miss commits less than nine turnovers a game while forcing 16.7 per game for opponents. The Memphis defense caused eight Rebel miscues before halftime. While the Rebels cut down on the turnovers in the second half, Memphis defenders continued to cause problems. Up next Ole Miss opens SEC play on Jan. 4 against Georgia. Memphis travels to Florida Atlantic on Thursday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballTrudeau accuses Poilievre of failing to put politics aside in face of Trump tariff threat
A new model curriculum for journalism educationRuben Amorim has explained how Manchester United will avenge their Premier League defeat against Arsenal when they return to the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round. United made it difficult for the hosts on Wednesday night but were undone by two corners to suffer their first defeat of the Amorim era. The Red Devils were blunt in attack, but the visitors' compact gameplan was working to perfection before Arsenal 's sixth set-piece goal of the season in the 54th minute. Jurrien Timber headed Declan Rice's pinpoint delivery past Andre Onana to send Mikel Arteta 's side on a winning course. Arsenal 's seventh set-piece goal of the campaign arrived on 73 minutes when William Saliba directed the ball into the net after a corner from the other side. The Gunners could have notched one or two more before full-time, but United stayed firm to limit the damage at 2-0. Amorim and his players don't have long to wait before the opportunity for revenge comes around at the start of the hunt for a record-equalling 14th FA Cup. Arsenal will host United again in round three between January 9 and January 13 after Mark Hughes and Dion Dublin drew the blockbuster tie at the start of Monday's draw at Old Trafford. And Amorim made it clear that his side would have to improve their set-piece defending when they return to north London in just over a month. "Set pieces. That is important," the Portuguese head coach responded to Amazon Prime Sport when asked what must improve in the rematch. "And we have to be more aggressive near the opponent's box. But we have a lot to improve in all areas of the team." Arsenal 's threat at set pieces was no secret, and Amorim could only praise Arteta and his staff for making use of what has become a cheat code for goals. "We have to understand that they have years of doing that," Amorim explained. man-utd "Even when you are here for so long, you can see that Arsenal can change games like that. "We tried to defend them with the space of two days to train but it's hard for every team to defend the set pieces of Arsenal . The United boss added: "It's incredible, especially the way they change the games. "Because sometimes they aren't dominating, and I think today you feel it in the game. It was really divided, no big opportunities, and then two set pieces change the game."