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49 jiliasia Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio delivers combative testimony in ex-cops defenseAP Business SummaryBrief at 5:25 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON — The Environmental Protection Agency enhanced enforcement efforts this year, doubling financial penalties issued to polluters and issuing the first-ever arrest for a climate change-related crime, the agency said in a report Thursday. The EPA said it concluded more than 1,850 civil cases, a 3.4% increase over 2023, and charged 121 criminal defendants, a 17.6% increase over the previous year. The “revitalized enforcement and compliance efforts” resulted in the reduction or elimination of more than 225 million pounds of pollution in overburdened communities, the agency said in its final report on Biden-era enforcement actions before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. The agency said it issued $1.7 billion in fines and penalties, more than double the 2023 total and the highest level in seven years. Bolstered by 300 new employees hired since last year, the enforcement program focused on “21st century environmental challenges,” including climate change, environmental justice and chemical waste, said David Uhlmann, EPA’s assistant administrator for enforcement and compliance assurance. More than half the agency’s inspections and settlements involved poor and disadvantaged communities long scarred by pollution, reflecting the Biden administration’s emphasis on environmental justice issues. Enforcement efforts included first-ever criminal charges for a climate change-related crime. A California man was charged in March with smuggling climate-damaging air coolants into the United States. The case involved hydrofluorocarbons, a highly potent greenhouse gas also known as HFCs, a gas once commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners. A 2020 law passed by Congress prohibits importation of HFCs without allowances issued by the EPA. The law is part of a global phaseout designed to slow climate change. Uhlmann called enforcement of the HFC law a high priority for the United States and the world. “Alongside methane, HFCs are one of the most significant near-term drivers of climate change. And the criminal program is front and center there,’’ he said. In other highlights, engine maker Cummins Inc. paid more than $2 billion in fines and penalties — and agreed to recall 600,000 Ram trucks — as part of a settlement with federal and California authorities. Cummins was found to use illegal software that let Ram trucks — manufactured by Stellantis — to skirt diesel emissions tests for nearly a decade. The fine is the largest ever secured under the federal Clean Air Act. The EPA and Justice Department also reached a $241.5 million settlement with Marathon Oil for alleged air quality violations at the company’s oil and gas operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires Marathon to reduce climate- and health-harming emissions from those facilities and will result in over 2.3 millions tons worth of pollution reduction, officials said. Uhlmann, who was confirmed as head of the enforcement office last year, said in an interview that with the help of a spending boost approved by Congress, the agency has made “consequential changes in how we approach enforcement at EPA.’’ “We’ve revitalized an enforcement program that suffered more than a decade of budget cuts and was badly hampered by the (COVID-19) pandemic,’’ he said. The agency also weathered a series of actions by former President Donald Trump’s administration to roll back environmental regulations and reduce overall staffing. “We’ve strengthened the partnership between the criminal and civil programs, and we’ve also focused on moving our cases with greater urgency so that we provide meaningful results to communities in time frames that make sense to the people who are harmed when unlawful pollution occurs,” Uhlmann said. With Trump set to return to the White House, Uhlmann said he hoped enforcement would not suffer, noting that a host of civil and criminal investigations begun in the past two years could bear fruit in 2025 and beyond. Trump, who has named former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to be EPA administrator, has said he will again slash regulations and target what he calls onerous rules on power plants, factories and oil and natural gas production. Uhlmann declined to speculate on how enforcement will change under Trump but said, “Upholding the rule of law and making sure that polluters are held accountable and communities are protected from harmful pollution is not a partisan matter. We do enforcement at EPA based on the law, based on the facts, without regard to politics. “So, you know, communities should expect that EPA will continue to protect them from harmful pollution.”How cybersecurity certification can drive business growthSMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Malik Grant rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns and Rhode Island beat Bryant 35-21 on Saturday to capture its first league title in 39 years. Rhode Island (10-2, 7-1 Coastal Athletic Association) secured the program's seventh title, with each of the previous six coming in the Yankee Conference. The Rams tied a program record for total wins in a season with 10, first set in 1984 and matched in 1985. Hunter Helms threw for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Rhode Island. Grant also added his first touchdown reception of the season. Grant rushed for 47 yards on the first snap of the second half. He ran for 56 yards on the drive that ended with his 4-yard touchdown catch for a 20-14 lead. An interception by Braden Price on the ensuing Bryant possession set up another Grant rushing touchdown. Bryant scored in the fourth quarter to make it a one-score game, but a 15-play, 72-yard drive ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Grant. Grant's 13 rushing touchdowns are tied for Rhode Island's single-season record set last season by Ja’Den McKenzie. Brennan Myer threw for 189 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Bryant (2-10, 0-8). Dylan Kedzior rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Landon Ruggieri caught eight passes for 105 yards and a score. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Get any of our free daily email newsletters — news headlines, opinion, e-edition, obituaries and more.

DirecTV extends its agreement as title sponsor of the Holiday BowlSANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Packers with a sore throwing shoulder.

US Debt Load Tops Fed’s Survey of Financial Stability Risks

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Protara Announces Closing of $100 Million Public Offering

"We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz said in an 88-page report. Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a bid to prevent congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. Right-wing media and even some Republican lawmakers have spuriously claimed that undercover FBI agents provoked the attack on Congress, which followed a fiery speech by Trump in which he falsely claimed the election had been stolen. The inspector general said that while no undercover FBI agents were present at the Trump rally or the Capitol, 26 FBI informants known as confidential human sources (CHS) were in Washington at the time. Three of the informants had been tasked with reporting on domestic terrorist suspects while the others were there on their own. "None of these FBI CHSs were authorized to enter the Capitol or a restricted area, or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report said. The inspector general also said there had been an intelligence-gathering failure by the FBI ahead of the January 6 attack. "While the FBI undertook significant efforts to identify domestic terrorism subjects who planned to travel to the Capital region on January 6," the report said, "the FBI did not take a step that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations. "Specifically, the FBI did not canvass its field offices in advance of January 6, 2021, to identify any intelligence, including CHS reporting, about potential threats to the January 6 Electoral Certification," it said. FBI deputy director Paul Abbate was quoted as saying this was a "basic step that was missed" in "understanding the threat picture prior to January 6." Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives following the attack on the Capitol, but acquitted by the Senate. He is to return to the White House on January 20 after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election. More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the assault on Congress. Trump has lauded them as "patriots" and "political prisoners" and pledged to pardon many of them when he returns to the White House. cl/stTTM Technologies, Inc. Introduces Innovative Radio Frequency Components for Telecom Band n104 to Enhance 5.5G Applications

Spending squeeze ‘could cost more than 10,000 Civil Service jobs’Little signs statement backing Trump immigration and deportation policies

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Key Tronic Corporation KTCC , a provider of electronic manufacturing services (EMS), today announced that it entered into a new financing arrangement with the Bank of Montreal and Callodine Commercial Finance which extends and increases its access to working capital through December 2029. The combined financing agreement provides up to $143 million in availability, subject to the Company's borrowing base and other limitations. The new credit agreements replace Key Tronic's asset-based line of credit with Bank of America, which was set to expire in December 2025. In connection with these agreements, the Company expects to write off approximately $0.9 million in unamortized capitalized loan fees. "We are excited to update our financing arrangements as we prepare for growth in coming years," said Tony Voorhees, Chief Financial Officer. "We believe the new financing significantly enhances our access to working capital over the next five years and address liquidity to support our long-term growth plans. Additionally, we anticipate these new facilities will lower our interest expense and provide greater financial flexibility moving forward." About Key Tronic Key Tronic is a leading contract manufacturer offering value-added design and manufacturing services from its facilities in the United States, Mexico, China and Vietnam. The Company provides its customers with full engineering services, materials management, worldwide manufacturing facilities, assembly services, in-house testing, and worldwide distribution. Its customers include some of the world's leading original equipment manufacturers. For more information about Key Tronic visit: www.keytronic.com . Forward-Looking Statements Some of the statements in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to those including such words as anticipates, believes, expects, will, and similar verbs, or nouns corresponding to such verbs, which may be forward looking. Forward-looking statements also include other passages that are relevant to expected future events, performances, and actions or that can only be fully evaluated by events that will occur in the future. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, the Company's statements regarding its expectations with respect to anticipated growth and the availability of financing, reduced interest expense, and financial flexibility under the new financing arrangements. There are many factors, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted or projected in forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: the future of the global economic environment and its impact on our customers and suppliers; the availability of components from the supply chain; the availability of a healthy workforce; the accuracy of suppliers' and customers' forecasts; development and success of customers' programs and products; timing and effectiveness of ramping of new programs; success of new-product introductions; the risk of legal proceedings or governmental investigations relating to the previously reported financial statement restatements and related material weaknesses, the May 2024 cybersecurity incident, and the subject of the internal investigation by the Company's Audit Committee and related or other unrelated matters; acquisitions or divestitures of operations or facilities; technology advances; changes in pricing policies by the Company, its competitors, customers or suppliers; impact of new governmental legislation and regulation, including tax reform, tariffs and related activities, such trade negotiations and other risks; and other factors, risks, and uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC filings. CONTACTS: Tony Voorhees Michael Newman Chief Financial Officer Investor Relations Key Tronic Corporation StreetConnect (509)-927-5345 (206) 729-3625 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Unique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine

Gavin McKenna will suit up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. Set to turn 17 next week, the star forward with the Western Hockey League's Medicine Hat Tigers headlines the country's 25-player roster for the annual tournament announced Friday. McKenna, who is projected as the potential top pick at the 2026 NHL draft, will be joined by a pair of fellow youngsters battling for the No. 1 selection spot in June — 18-year-old winger Porter Martone and 17-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer. Five of seven eligible returnees from last year's squad that finished a disappointing fifth in Sweden are back, with forwards Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager and Carson Rehkopf getting the nod, while defencemen Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk will anchor the blue line. The two players unable to hold onto their spots for the event set to run Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa are forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Scott Ratzlaff. Making up the rest of the group up front are Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin and Mathieu Cataford. Nadeau didn't attend selection camp in Ottawa this week, but was guaranteed a spot after being made available by the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes from their American Hockey League affiliate. Canada's defence corps also includes Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Sawyer Mynio and Beau Akey. The hockey powerhouse's three-headed crease contingent is made up of goaltenders Jack Ivankovic — another 17-year-old eligible for June's NHL draft — Carter George and Carson Bjarnason. "We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice," Hockey Canada's Peter Anholt, who leads the under-20 program's management group, said in a statement. "We look forward to them wearing the Maple Leaf with pride." The Canadians, who will be looking to add to a record 20 gold medals at the annual showcase, were ousted in last year's quarterfinals thanks to a last-minute loss to Czechia. Among the other notable cuts Friday were Calgary Flames defence prospect Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2024 draft. Both players were late injury additions for selection camp and are eligible to try out again next year. Canada will now hold training camp in Petawawa, Ont., before pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden and Czechia. The hosts open Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, on Boxing Day against Finland. The defending champions United States, Latvia and Germany make up the rest of the field. Group B at TD Place, home of the Ontario Hockey League's Ottawa 67's, includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Russia remains banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation due to that country's ongoing war in Ukraine. Ottawa last hosted the world juniors in 2009 when Canada defeated Sweden to secure a record-tying fifth straight gold. Cameron, who guided the country atop the podium in 2022 after winning silver in 2011, was an assistant coach on the staff of the late Pat Quinn at that tournament 15 years ago in the nation's capital. "This group of 25 players is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in front of Canadian fans in Ottawa, and to represent their country in our quest to win a gold medal," he said in a statement. "This is a great accomplishment for these players and their families. "We know they will enjoy the world juniors experience while bringing the competitiveness needed for us to be successful and accomplish our goal." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian PressWhat kind of day will tomorrow be? To find out what the stars say, read the forecast given for your birth sign. For Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024 Although the day may start out a tad moody, the atmosphere is overall a lot lighter and brighter than it's been over the past couple days, giving us a welcome burst of holiday cheer. The spirit of goodwill is strong, and we're encouraged to spread warmth and positivity around. The day is great for team-based projects, meeting new people, and connecting with friends. The evening hours bode especially well for socializing and dating. Creative inspiration should also be in ample supply. ARIES (March 21 to April 19) There's much fun and enjoyment to be had from spending time with friends or participating in group activities. The more, the merrier! TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) There might be some extra money, a promotion, or a new opportunity in your near future. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) It's a good time to take a trip or plan one. You can also experience success with teaching, public speaking, or meeting people from other parts of the world. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) You might receive a blessing of some sort or an unexpected gift. Someone is looking out for you! LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Sharing your joy and generosity with others is good for your soul as well as theirs. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Hitting your targets for the day should be a breeze. If you have a team to work with, it will be easy to get everyone on the same page. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Enjoy the lighthearted and romantic energy in the air. Your creative endeavors will be rewarded, too. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) The support of your family will get you through the day. Meanwhile, this could be a good time to decorate your space to promote relaxation and cheer. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) You'll have luck with meetings, talks or negotiations. In addition, spend time with someone who makes you laugh. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) You could experience improvement with a health or financial matter. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Spoil yourself today. Meanwhile, your charm and charisma can help you attract good things, including love. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Revel in your alone time. You deserve a break. FOR TODAY'S BIRTHDAY You crave to understand as much as you can about yourself and the world at large. You may also get a lot of enjoyment out of teaching, inspiring or entertaining others. Being a part of experiences that encourage your growth is good for you. Additionally, you love people who allow you to have fun and be fully yourself. Chances are, you have a style, talent or approach that's all your own. You're drawn to anything that's bold, fresh and exciting. This year, let go of old, self-limiting beliefs and open yourself to something new. Birthdate of: Jake Gyllenhaal, actor; Ronan Farrow, journalist; Tyson Beckford, model/actor. Get more of Mecca's astro-guidance at www.mylifecreated.com . Her book "Astrology for Happiness and Success" is available now. (c) 2024 King Features Syndicate, Inc.CHICAGO , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Green Courte Partners, LLC ("GCP"), a private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors, announced today that its sixth investment fund, Green Courte Real Estate Partners VI, LLC and its affiliates, acquired Cottages of Monroe , a 51-unit active-adult cottage community located in Monroe, Georgia , just east of Atlanta . The acquisition increases GCP's national senior living portfolio, which is managed by the firm's wholly owned operating platform, True Connection Communities, to 20 communities containing approximately 3,200 units. www.GreenCourtePartners.com for more information. (PRNewsfoto/Green Courte Partners, LLC)" alt="Green Courte Partners, LLC Logo. Please visit www.GreenCourtePartners.com for more information. (PRNewsfoto/Green Courte Partners, LLC)"> Matt Pyzyk , Managing Director at GCP, said, "We are excited to expand our portfolio and enter the Atlanta market with the acquisition of Cottages of Monroe , which has earned a strong local reputation and consistently maintained high occupancy rates. This gated community has been a key target for us due to its attractive location and the desirability of its single-story cottage product. With this acquisition, our senior living portfolio now includes approximately 650 cottages. We are actively pursuing opportunities to acquire or develop similar communities to expand our senior cottage portfolio." Randy Griffin , one of Green Courte's counterparties in the transaction, added, "We've had a long-standing relationship with GCP. They approached us directly and were able to structure a deal that accomplished our objectives. We were pleased with the timeline and outcome of the transaction." About Green Courte Partners, LLC Green Courte Partners, LLC is a Chicago -based private equity real estate investment firm focused on building industry-leading companies within niche real estate sectors. The firm has active investments in the following sectors: active-adult/independent senior living, land-lease communities, industrial outdoor storage, and near-airport parking. The firm combines focused investment strategies with a disciplined approach to transaction execution, operations, and asset management. Green Courte's goal is to invest in high-quality real estate assets that will generate attractive risk-adjusted returns over a long-term holding period. For additional information, please visit Green Courte's website at www.GreenCourtePartners.com . About True Connection Communities True Connection Communities operates a high-quality portfolio of 20 active-adult and independent senior living communities, containing approximately 3,200 units located in 11 states, to meet the growing needs of Americans over the age of 55 seeking an active and engaged lifestyle. To deliver an exceptional resident experience, the company focuses on five key offerings: custom-designed fitness and wellness programs, creative chef-prepared meals made with the freshest seasonal ingredients, social activities designed for a life on the move, innovative educational programs, and state-of-the-art technology. To learn more, visit www.TrueConnectionCommunities.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/green-courte-partners-acquires-active-adult-community-located-in-atlanta-georgia-msa-302330844.html SOURCE Green Courte Partners, LLC © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Time magazine gave Donald Trump something it has never done for a designee: a lengthy fact-check of claims he made in an accompanying interview. Related Articles The accompanies a transcript of what the president-elect told the newsmagazine’s journalists. Described as a “12 minute read,” it calls into question 15 separate statements that Trump made. It was the second time Trump earned the Time accolade; he also won in 2016, the first year he was elected president. Time editors said it wasn’t a particularly hard choice over other finalists Kamala Harris, Elon Musk, Benjamin Netanyahu and Kate Middleton. Time said Friday that no other Person of the Year has been fact-checked in the near-century that the magazine has annually written about the figure that has had the greatest impact on the news. But it has done the same for past interviews with the likes of Joe Biden, Netanyahu and Trump. Such corrections have been a sticking point for Trump and his team in the past, most notably when ABC News did it with Democrat Kamala Harris this fall. There was no immediate response to a request for comment on Friday. In the piece, Time called into question statements Trump made about border security, autism and the size of a crowd at one of his rallies. When the president-elect talked about the “massive” mandate he had received from voters, Time pointed out that former President Barack Obama won more electoral votes the two times he had run for president. The magazine also questioned Trump’s claim that he would do interviews with anyone who asked during the campaign, if he had the time. The candidate rejected a request to speak the magazine said. “In the final months of his campaign, Trump prioritized interviews with podcasts over mainstream media,” reporters Simmone Shah and Leslie Dickstein wrote.Sean 'Diddy' Combs' third bid to be released on bail won't be decided until next week