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movie roulette Leadership roles shift in Calumet Township office following Kim Robinson’s guilty plea, resignationAJ Brown immediately knew he'd made a mistake after catching a touchdown pass from Tanner McKee and throwing the ball into the stands in celebration. It had been the first touchdown pass the quarterback had thrown in his NFL career. Already being down their starting quarterback Jalen Hurts who missed out a second game with a concussion, back-up quarterback Kenny Pickett got the start against the Dallas Cowboys and lead the team to an impressive start in the game. But in the third-quarter, Pickett left the game with a rib injury after a hit from Micah Parsons that saw him land awkwardly on his side and immediately getting up to leave the field, with McKee entering an NFL game for the first time. Greg Gumbel's 4.30am message to Terry Bradshaw spoke volumes about their relationship Terry Bradshaw moment which landed him FOX job – 'He stood up from the desk' A 2023 sixth-round draft pick, who many had believed to be an underrated prospect, McKee has been the Eagles' third-string quarterback since he entered the league, meaning he'd been yet to get his opportunity on the field in the regular season. And in this first game, his impressive throws, along with the brilliance of Saquon Barkley running the ball, saw McKee able to lead the offense down the field with the second-year quarterback finding Brown in the end zone with a back-shoulder fade throw before Brown threw the ball into the stands while celebrating - realizing he'd thrown away McKee's first ever touchdown ball. As he came to the sidelines, Brown had his hands on his head before finding the fans that had caught the ball with help from Eagles staffers. Brown worked out a deal with the fan – he'd give him his jersey if he returns the football. After throwing the touchdown, it did not take long for McKee to throw his second of his career after he found Devonta Smith on an inside slant which he was able to take 25 yards into the end zone for the score, completing a dominant performance by the Eagles. The Eagles will now be hoping to get Hurts back for their final game of the season, but they could already have wrapped up the number one seed by then, with the current number one team in the Detroit Lions set for tough outings in their final two against the San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings. Whatever the case, the Eagles will land a home playoff game, and will be confident in McKee if he has to play in week 18, where they will face the struggling New York Giants. **Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. ** Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 ** so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.**

TikTok is challenging the federal government’s order to shut down its operations in Canada. The company filed in documents in Federal Court in Vancouver on Thursday. The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform. That means TikTok must “wind down” its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians. TikTok wants the court to overturn the government’s order and to place a pause on the order while the court hears the case. It is claiming the minister’s decision was “unreasonable” and “driven by improper purposes.” The review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to harm national security. Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement at the time the government was taking action to address “specific national security risks,” though it didn’t specify what those risks were. TikTok’s filing says Champagne “failed to engage with TikTok Canada on the purported substance of the concerns that led to the (order.)” The company argues the government ordered “measures that bear no rational connection to the national security risks it identifies.” It says the reasons for the order “are unintelligible, fail to reveal a rational chain of analysis and are rife with logical fallacies.” The company’s law firm, Osler Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, declined to comment, while Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the order would “eliminate the jobs and livelihoods of our hundreds of dedicated local employees — who support the community of more than 14 million monthly Canadian users on TikTok, including businesses, advertisers, creators and initiatives developed especially for Canada.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 10, 2024. Darryl Greer and Anja Karadeglija, The Canadian PressNone

U.S. shares lower at close of trade; Dow Jones Industrial Average down 0.35%How Jimmy Carter's NASCAR fandom collided with president's Middle East peace summitMicrosoft’s Copilot is an amazing development in AI, and Copilot+ PCs are designed to take advantage of the technology. If you want a Copilot+ laptop for an affordable price, check out Best Buy’s offer for the Asus Vivobook S 14. From $950, it’s down to only $650 following a $300 discount. We’re not sure when its price will return to normal though, so if you want to get this device with huge savings, you’re going to have to complete your purchase for it as soon as you can. Why you should buy the Asus Vivobook S 14 Microsoft’s Copilot was created to streamline and boost productivity, and Copilot+ PCs integrate support for the AI technology at a systemwide level. The Asus Vivobook S 14 is one of the Copilot+ laptops that are already available, passing the hardware requirements to earn this designation with its Intel Core Ultra 5 Series 2 processor, Intel Arc Graphics, and 16GB of RAM that’s on the level of top-tier machines, says our guide on how much RAM do you need . The laptop also comes with a 512GB SSD with Windows 11 Home pre-loaded, so you can already start using it right after unboxing. The Asus Vivobook S 14 is packing powerful performance under its hood, but its external features are amazing as well. It’s equipped with a 14-inch OLED screen with WUXGA resolution, a 16:10 aspect ratio, and a 0.02ms response time, for stunning and vivid visuals. The relatively compact screen makes the Asus Vivobook S 14 extremely portable, in addition to its thickness of just 0.55 inches and weight of less than 3 pounds, but the laptop offers military-grade durability so you don’t have to be extra careful with it when you’re on the move. Copilot+ PCs aren’t appearing much in laptop deals yet, so if you want to enjoy savings when buying a device that fully integrates Microsoft’s AI, you don’t want to miss Best Buy’s $300 discount for the Asus Vivobook S 14. It’s down to a more affordable $650 from $950, but the offer won’t last long. The stocks up for sale may run out at any moment, so if you want the Asus Vivobook S 14 as your next laptop, we highly recommend pushing forward with your transaction for it right now.

A complete timeline of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's relationshipNavy Establishes Software Modernization & Innovation Organization

WWMVIP is Redefining Financial Contract Management and Trading 12-26-2024 09:28 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire WMVIP [ https://wwmvip.com/ ], a leading financial contracts manager, is changing the landscape of high-return investment opportunities with its innovative approach to securing high-performing financial contracts. Through cutting-edge technology and a dedicated team of expert brokers, WWMVIP ensures that its clients receive top-tier trading services, maximizing profits in an ever-evolving market. Industry-Leading Investment Contracts WWMVIP specializes in managing a diverse array of investment contracts, offering clients access to lucrative opportunities with tested return percentages. The platform's commitment to delivering high returns has been validated by a growing community of VIP clients who continue to praise the platform for its profitability and reliability. These verified testimonials underscore WWMVIP's reputation as a trusted financial partner. Automatic Trading with Broker Oversight At the core of WWMVIP's services is its automatic trading system, a state-of-the-art solution that combines cutting-edge technology with expert broker supervision. This advanced feature is powered by a team of experienced brokers who provide expert supervision to fine-tune each trade for the highest return on investment. Whether catering to seasoned traders or newcomers, WWMVIP's seamless integration of automated trading strategies with professional oversight ensures that every trade is fine-tuned for maximum return on investment. A Global Leadersh in ETF Contracts WWMVIP stands as the only global provider of ETF contracts, a key differentiator that positions the company as a leader in financial contracts management. Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) allow for diversified investments with low fees, and WWMVIP brings this highly sought-after financial tool to clients worldwide. With its secure and easy-to-use platform, investors can confidently trade ETF contracts with precision and efficiency. Advanced Tools for Maximum Performance The platform's intuitive trading tools are designed to give clients the edge they need in an increasingly competitive market. Managed by expert financial brokers, WWMVIP's tools are backed by comprehensive market insights that help clients execute their trading strategies with confidence. From real-time market updates to in-depth analysis, WWMVIP ensures that clients are always a step ahead, making informed decisions to maximize returns. Client-Centric Solutions: Secure Portal & Reporting WWMVIP's user-friendly portal ensures that clients can access their accounts securely, with detailed reporting tools that provide transparency and easy tracking of their investments. The emphasis on simplicity and clarity makes it easy for investors to stay informed while focusing on the main goal: maximizing profitability. The company understands that trust and transparency are paramount, which is why it prioritizes secure access to sensitive financial data. Fully Licensed and Regulated by the Financial Services Authority In addition to its technological advantages, WWMVIP operates with the highest standards of regulatory compliance. The company is fully licensed by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK, giving clients peace of mind knowing that their investments are managed by a trusted and regulated financial institution. A Commitment to Excellence At WWMVIP, excellence is at the heart of everything the company does. Its dedicated team of brokers, financial analysts, and technology experts work tirelessly to provide the highest levels of service and profitability for all clients. Whether the user is new to the world of trading or a seasoned investor, WWMVIP provides the tools, support, and expertise needed to succeed in the financial markets. Why Choose WWMVIP? * Proven Returns: Reliable investment contracts with a track record of high returns. * VIP Client Success: Verified testimonials from high-net-worth clients worldwide. * Advanced Trading Tools: An intuitive platform backed by expert financial brokers. * Security and Transparency: A secure client portal with comprehensive reporting features. * Global ETF Provider: Exclusive access to ETF contracts worldwide. * Regulatory Compliance: Fully licensed and regulated by the FSA in the UK. For inquiries, email support@wwmvip.com or call +44 748 8882881. About WWMVIP WWMVIP is a leading global financial contracts management company specializing in high-return investment contracts and automatic trading solutions. With a team of expert brokers and a commitment to providing the highest level of service, WWMVIP continues to transform the investment industry by offering secure, intuitive, and profitable trading opportunities for clients worldwide. For more information, visit wwmvip.com [ https://wwmvip.com/ ]. Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Media Contact Company Name: WWMVIP Contact Person: Support Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=wwmvip-is-redefining-financial-contract-management-and-trading ] City: London Country: United Kingdom Website: http://wwmvip.com This release was published on openPR.Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) Partners with MongoDB to Integrate AI Models into MAAP Technology Stack for Faster AI Application Delivery

WATERTOWN, Mass. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D BioLabs LLC ("3D BioLabs" or "3DB"), has reached a pivotal milestone in the field of regenerative medicine as recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences . 3DB's study has demonstrated a new approach to creating large organs to solve the organ transplant shortage. Using 3D printing, computational fluid dynamics, and organ specific cells, their study demonstrated effective blood flow and cell viability and function within the model device, marking a significant advance toward a bioengineered liver replacement. The study was led by 3D BioLabs Scientific Founder Dr. Joseph P. Vacanti , the Distinguished John Homans Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Hospital. 3D BioLabs 3D printed device (3DPD) has been engineered to mimic native liver tissue structure by using fractal architecture to support both vascular anastomosis and hepatocyte function. The device features embedded portal-venous (PV) channels that enable continuous blood flow when implanted and hepatobiliary (HB) channels that support the viability of liver cells. Active perfusion of tissue scaffolds allows for improved oxygen and nutrient availability to increase cell density, further supporting the feasibility of the device as a functional liver tissue substitute. Dr. Vacanti said: "We are extremely pleased to reach this pivotal milestone in the development of functioning 3D printed organs, which furthers our mission of solving the long-standing issue of organ transplant shortages. With our recent study, we are one step closer to achieving an engineered alternative to liver transplantation, addressing critical organ shortages and helping patients in need." 3DB's proprietary technology builds upon decades of work in tissue engineering, beginning with the first patent in tissue engineering granted to Dr. Vacanti in 1988 and the Vacanti ear mouse in 1997. This milestone is supported by recent work implanting large and complex devices into pigs for as long as one week. For further details, visit 3DBioLabs.com . About 3D BioLabs: 3D BioLabs is comprised of scientists, engineers and visionary clinical scientists that aim to improve world health by providing man made organs for individuals suffering from organ failure and other complex problems of tissue loss. Our mission is the development of a platform technology that will result in sophisticated designs that allow for precise mimicry of what happens inside humans more closely than other systems, where decades of research have reached barriers based on organ size and complexity. SOURCE 3D BioLabsBrowns starting running back leaves game against DolphinsPriority Income Fund Announces 12.0% Annualized Total Cash Distribution Rate (on Class R Offering Price) with "Bonus" and "Base" Common Shareholder Distributions for December 2024 through February 2025 and Declaration of Preferred Stock Distributions for December 2024

Crypto Lists, a leading website for Bitcoin and iGaming insights, proudly announces a major breakthrough and explains how the industry developed in 2024. Dublin, Ireland, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The popular review site CryptoLists.com celebrates their latest achievement today, reaching 150 reviews of newly launched Bitcoin casinos. This remarkable milestone underscores the company's dedication to providing comprehensive and timely information for the crypto-gaming community. Markus Jalmerot, Editor-in-Chief at Crypto Lists, commented: "It's been a busier Summer than expected with 58 brands launched, but a slightly slower Autumn than usual. With Bitcoin continuously reaching all-time high, Crypto Lists expects an uptick in new brands being launched in the coming six months, with a peak in March 2025”. He continued: "The high amount of releases in the summer might be due to delayed crypto payment integration systems and anticipation for a coming bull market among entrepreneurs that target crypto users. Next year looks to be a positive one for the crypto space at large, and it will be very interesting to see how that affects the development of new crypto casinos in 2025 in terms of decentralization, anonymity, social media integration, and other features." Among the 579 Bitcoin casino reviews on the site, less than one-third are considered newly launched. Crypto Lists sets itself apart with precise and detailed tracking of casino launch dates and classifies new sites as those launched in the last 12 months. This achievement comes as the crypto gaming landscape continues to evolve. Notable changes include the emergence of new licensing jurisdictions like Anjouan and a shift toward anonymity, with some casinos forgoing traditional licenses. Crypto Lists has also enhanced its reviews by introducing a dedicated KYC section, helping players easily identify what kind of personal documentation and information is required for sign-up. Looking ahead, Crypto Lists anticipates increased acceptance of smaller cryptocurrencies in the igaming space, while an even higher percentage of traditional online casinos is expected to use payment processors to handle crypto deposits. Markus estimates that over 50% of all new online casinos released in 2024 welcome deposits with cryptocurrencies, a strong increase from just two years ago. Meme coins and native tokens for some of the fastest blockchains are on the rise when it comes to deposits and players often use the ones they find overvalued at the time of playing. For an extensive list of the 150 latest releases by launch date, visit https://www.cryptolists.com/casinos/new/ . About Crypto Lists CryptoLists.com is a leading review site that covers crypto projects, casinos accepting deposits with cryptocurrencies, and important industry events in this space. Established at the end of 2021, Crypto Lists is committed to providing comprehensive, accurate, and up-to-date information about everything from blockchains and their native tokens to the latest crypto casinos launched, empowering readers to make smarter decisions in the fast-paced worlds of Web3 and iGaming. Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. CONTACT: Markus Jalmerot mj-at-cryptolists.com

: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad’s Runners Club is hosting its Half Marathon on December 1. Around 1,300 participants from around the country are expected to join the event which will feature a 5K fun run, a 10K race, and the half marathon. On Saturday, race bibs were unveiled at a ceremony held on the campus. The event was attended by IIT Hyderabad’s Director Prof. B.S. Murty, along with the organisers, including Prof. Prem Pal, president and race director, Dr Upender Sunkari, the vice-president, Dr Himanshu Joshi, general secretary, and members of the IIT Hyderabad Runners Club. Participants can also collect their bibs at Sarath City Capital Mall in Gachibowli on November 24. Runners will take on routes within the institute’s 600-acre campus which offers a scenic course. The event aims to encourage fitness and bring together people from different backgrounds in a shared experience.How Musk Could Reap Big Rewards From Trump’s Latest Proposal

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East division title on Sunday, handing the Dallas Cowboys a humiliating 41-7 defeat while the Buffalo Bills secured the second seed in the AFC with a 40-14 crushing of the New York Jets. The Cowboys were already eliminated from playoff contention and without top receiver CeeDee Lamb with a shoulder injury, but it was their defense that struggled. Eagles starting quarter-back Jalen Hurts missed the game due to concussion. Kenny Pickett got the start but had to leave the game in the third quarter with a rib injury with Philadelphia 24-7 up. That meant third-choice Tanner McKee took over under the center and two of his four passes were for touchdowns. The real damage to the Cowboys, who gave up four turnovers, was done by the Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley who put up 167 yards on 31 carries to pass the 2,000 yard mark for the season. Barkley, who has 2,005 yards needs to put up 101 yards next week to break Eric Dickerson's record for the most rushing yards in a season, set for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The win means the Eagles are guaranteed at least the number two seed in the NFC. The Bills take the second seed in the AFC, behind the Kansas City Chiefs, after taking care of business against the New York Jets. The Bills led 12-0 at the half before their quarterback Josh Allen took total control of the game with touchdown passes to Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman either side of a rushing score from James Cook. Allen, who threw for 182 yards, had opened the scoring with a one-yard rush. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. The Indianapolis Colts were eliminated from playoff contention after falling 45-33 to the 3-13 New York Giants. While the Giants had nothing to play for, quarterback Drew Lock enjoyed himself -- he matched his career high of four touchdown passes and rushed for another score as the Giants ended their 10-game losing streak. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their post-season hopes alive as Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. Later on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings, searching for the top seed in the NFC, take on NFC North divisional rivals the Green Bay Packers. The Washington Commanders would book a playoff berth if they can beat the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday night's game. sev/bbEmail notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. James Naismith is my homeboy. No, don’t send in the whitecoats. I realize that Naismith has been dead for 85 years. But I still have always felt a deep connection to the inventor of basketball, simply because of the joy his game has brought to my life all these years. So much so that I typically refer to him as Jimmy. (I figure Jimmy and I are that close.) To say I love basketball does not fully encompass the depth of my emotion for this game. I love watching it. I love covering it. I love talking about it. I love playing it. I’ve eaten, slept and breathed basketball for a good chunk of my 51 years on the planet — considering I’ve eaten orange and black cupcakes after coaching youth games, slept on fuzzy basketball-shaped pillows as a teenager, and breathed in that unmistakable and pungent, ahem, fragrance of a locker room. So, whenever I get a chance to visit the sport’s Mecca, the place where it all began, I must seize that opportunity. Last Thursday I had some time to kill before my flight home from Connecticut, the day after Baylor’s basketball game at UConn. (Yes, it’s highly possible I purposefully scheduled it that way). Hartford is a mere 30-minute drive from Springfield, Massachusetts, site of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. So, I hopped in my sleigh (a Volkswagen rental car) and ventured through the winter wonderland of New England to the birthplace of the Greatest Game Ever Invented. At this point, I considered myself a varsity Hall of Fame patron. I made my JV voyage back in November 2010, during another trip covering Baylor basketball. (The BU women played Geno Auriemma’s Huskies at the XL Center in Hartford.) Jerry Hill of the Baylor Bear Insider accompanied me on that particular visit, but Jerry didn’t make the trip this time, so I was flying solo. Much has changed at the Hall since my last visit 14 years ago, and I appreciate that. The game evolves, why shouldn’t the museum honoring its history evolve, too? After purchasing my ticket, I ducked into a 200-seat movie theater to watch a short film about the game’s history and impact. Then I returned to the lobby, where a series of large columns featured display cases highlighting the accomplishments of some of the game’s most iconic players — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Anne Donovan, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Nancy Lieberman, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, among others. The coolest feature of those lobby cases made its presence known when you stepped in front of one to soak in the glass-encased memorabilia. A sensor would note your presence and begin playing a video about the featured player. It was as if Magic Johnson himself was throwing you a no-look pass, always aware of your presence. (I remember being equally impressed on my last visit to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which featured a similar sensor setup.) One of my favorite displays recognized “Pistol” Pete Maravich, the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer at LSU who went on to play with the Hawks, Jazz and Celtics in the NBA. Though the Pistol’s heyday predated my own hoops hysteria, I’ve always been a big Maravich fan. His flashy style always appealed to me, as Pete understood as well as anyone the art of on-court entertainment. That said, his look proved less iconic, with his chili bowl-1970s haircut and his floppy socks. Fittingly, his display case included a pair of those socks — elastic not included. Once I felt sufficiently stuffed by the hall of icons in the lobby, it was time to enter the elevator. The Hall of Fame incorporates a unique and well-designed architecture, housing many of its exhibits inside a giant silver sphere. Thus, when you make your way up to the third floor to begin your self-guided tour, you find yourself literally going in circles, descending to the bottom. (Don’t worry, you’re unlikely to get dizzy, unless you spend too much time trying to analyze Allen Iverson’s crossover.) The top floor allows visitors to measure up against the pros. You can stick your sneaker into the footprint of one of the game’s post giants or press your handprint into the outline of some of the handiest players. For instance, I measured my paw against Kevin Durant’s, and it was as if my hands suddenly belonged to a toddler. It was staggering just how large KD’s mitts were, and while it was tempting to think that it must have been an exaggeration, then I remembered that I once walked past Durant in a Toyota Center hallway at the NBA All-Star Game and thought that he was the tallest human I’d ever seen. Want to see how your wingspan stacks up against Giannis Antetokounmpo’s or Brittney Griner’s? Prepare to feel shortchanged. (Our pal BG also has a Baylor jersey and shoes located within the museum. Other Baylor connections: Of course you can find some homages to Kim Mulkey along the way, including a Kim bobblehead, and I spotted a video with a clip of Lauren Cox talking about her juggling of basketball with her Type-1 diabetes.) I took selfies with the likes of Muggsy Bogues and Yao Ming, figuring that I’d check out both ends of the spectrum. OK, not the real-life Muggsy and Yao, but rather life-sized cutouts of those physical marvels. And before you dismiss the 5-foot-3 Muggsy and think, “I could totally post him up,” just know that before your first reverse pivot Muggsy would have already stolen the ball and would have been skittering down the court the other direction. At the center of the 40,000-square foot museum is the Jerry Colangelo Court of Dreams, named for the former owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Though you can go hit the court and get up some shots at any point in your visit, the layout of the museum makes sense to wait until the end, as you reach the bottom floor. (So, we’ll get to that later). Any modern museum worth its admission price would be wise to incorporate technology into the experience, and the Hall of Fame has really upgraded its bells and whistles over the years. There are a variety of touch screens and trivia games along the way to keep people — especially the youngest customers — engaged. For example, in the area of the museum that highlighted the game’s origins, I played around with a screen that allowed me to create a barnstorming team, select a certain city to call home, then go on a “choose your own adventure-style” barnstorming tour. Arguably the coolest tech arrived when I turned a corner and encountered a replica TNT “Inside the NBA” set. A Hall of Fame worker posted there explained that I could sit at the desk and act out a scene with Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley. I just had to remember to follow the words on the teleprompter. Given that I consider “Inside the NBA” to be the greatest studio show in the history of sports, I was hooked. So, I played a game with Shaq, quizzing him on certain players’ jersey numbers, while Ernie, Kenny and the Chuckster chuckled along. Then the Hall of Fame emailed me the video within 15 minutes. Too cool. Another slick exhibit paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant. It displayed a variety of Kobe’s jerseys, shoes and other trinkets, and was highlighted by a small room/theater where visitors could soak in Kobe highlights or clips from his Oscar-winning 2017 film, “Dear Basketball.” All that was missing was a trash can and a stack of paper, for what modern basketball fan hasn’t crumpled a piece of paper and fired up a fadeaway while shouting, “Kobe!”? If you’re a little more old-school and can remember when set shots and Chuck Taylors were all the rage, the museum will offer enough swell goodies that you’ll be thinking this place really is the bee’s knees. Anytime I come across Naismith’s original rules of basketball, I am mesmerized. (The game remains so beautiful in its simplicity, and has not detoured drastically from that original set of 13 rules). I also couldn’t help but chuckle when I came across the original NBA shot clock, the most marvelous timepiece ever created. Why was that funny to me? Well, it conjured up a memory of a long-ago news meeting at the Trib. A group of us editors were going over our daily stories and through the course of our discussion the name Jonas Salk came up. “Who’s Jonas Salk?” I asked, ignorantly. “WHO’S JONAS SALK?” Tim Woods, our managing editor at the time and a guy who knew how to push my buttons, responded. “You don’t know who Jonas Salk is? Inventor of the polio vaccine?” “Yeah ... well ... do you know who Danny Biasone is?” I shot back. “No,” Tim said, puzzled. “He invented the shot clock, and that was a pretty big deal too!” The other editors in the room looked at us with bemused expressions, entertained by our bickering. (Incidentally, I’ve never forgotten who Jonas Salk was since. I wonder if Tim recalls Danny Biasone?) On my last visit to the Hall of Fame, photos of the more than 400 players, coaches and contributors who have been enshrined as Hall of Famers hung on a massive wall. That exhibit is no more, having been replaced by a sleek gallery where a variety of touch-screen monitors contain a wealth of information about the inductees. You can flip through quotes, photos, videos and more. A part of me missed the photos, but I understand that the screens are probably more practical and user-friendly to today’s younger tech-savvy generations. But while the photo wall may have vanished, a large glass display still lists the names of each Hall of Fame induction class by the year in which they were enshrined. After you leave that gallery, you turn a corner and run into an actual Larry O’Brien NBA championship trophy, just sitting on a podium, waiting to be touched. (Another tip for would-be sports museums — give your customers plenty of photo opps.) A nice, old Hall of Fame worker asked if I wanted a picture with the trophy, and naturally I said yes. And before you chastise me for calling this elderly gentleman old, you’ve got to know, he might’ve been there for Naismith’s first pickup game. (But, hey, he knows how to work a smartphone camera, so put some respect on that guy’s game.) Finally, it was time for me to venture out to the court. Now, as I had made my way through the museum, I’d taken stock of the court several times to see who was inhabiting it. Once it was a couple of schlubs who put the err in airball, another time a retired guy was tossing up soft jumpers. But when I was ready to take to the court, a raucous group of teenagers that I took to be a couple of private school high school basketball teams, boys and girls, had fanned out all over the place. So much for Spalding and I getting some quality alone time together. One of the new additions to the Court of Dreams is a mammoth video screen that shows highlights of classic basketball moments. It’s also fun to try your hand shooting at the varying incarnations of basketball hoops, from a replica peach basket to an Indiana farmhouse-style wooden backboard to the gorgeous, crystal-clear baskets populating the top courts today. With the court so crowded, I didn’t spend as much time shooting as I probably would have otherwise. But I made my first shot and (always) my last, and knocked down several more in between. As I strolled off the court and made my way to the gift shop to close my Hall of Fame visit, I thought to myself, “It’s cool, let the kids have their fun.” A statement that, if you think about it, captures the essence of hoops. Thanks, Jimmy. Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Professor says Illinois political landscape continues to change

Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer who as US president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center said. He was 100. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.” A Democrat, he served as president from January 1977 to January 1981 after defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford in the 1976 US election. Carter was swept from office four years later in an electoral landslide as voters embraced Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, the former actor and California governor. Carter lived longer after his term in office than any other US president. Along the way, he earned a reputation as a better former president than he was a president — a status he readily acknowledged. His one-term presidency was marked by the highs of the 1978 Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, bringing some stability to the Middle East. But it was dogged by an economy in recession, persistent unpopularity and the embarrassment of the Iran hostage crisis that consumed his final 444 days in office. In recent years, Carter had experienced several health issues including melanoma that spread to his liver and brain. Carter decided to receive hospice care in February 2023 instead of undergoing additional medical intervention. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, died on November 19, 2023, at age 96. He looked frail when he attended her memorial service and funeral in a wheelchair. Carter left office profoundly unpopular but worked energetically for decades on humanitarian causes. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in recognition of his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." Carter had been a centrist as governor of Georgia with populist tendencies when he moved into the White House as the 39th US president. He was a Washington outsider at a time when America was still reeling from the Watergate scandal that led Republican Richard Nixon to resign as president in 1974 and elevated Ford from vice president. "I'm Jimmy Carter and I'm running for president. I will never lie to you," Carter promised with an ear-to-ear smile. Asked to assess his presidency, Carter said in a 1991 documentary: "The biggest failure we had was a political failure. I never was able to convince the American people that I was a forceful and strong leader." Despite his difficulties in office, Carter had few rivals for accomplishments as a former president. He gained global acclaim as a tireless human rights advocate, a voice for the disenfranchised and a leader in the fight against hunger and poverty, winning the respect that eluded him in the White House. Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote human rights and resolve conflicts around the world, from Ethiopia and Eritrea to Bosnia and Haiti. His Carter Center in Atlanta sent international election-monitoring delegations to polls around the world. A Southern Baptist Sunday school teacher since his teens, Carter brought a strong sense of morality to the presidency, speaking openly about his religious faith. He also sought to take some pomp out of an increasingly imperial presidency — walking, rather than riding in a limousine, in his 1977 inauguration parade. The Middle East was the focus of Carter's foreign policy. The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty, based on the 1978 Camp David Accords, ended a state of war between the two neighbours. Carter brought Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland for talks. Later, as the accords seemed to be unravelling, Carter saved the day by flying to Cairo and Jerusalem for personal shuttle diplomacy. The treaty provided for Israeli withdrawal from Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and the establishment of diplomatic relations. Begin and Sadat each won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. By the 1980 election, the overriding issues were double-digit inflation, interest rates that exceeded 20% and soaring gas prices, as well as the Iran hostage crisis that brought humiliation to America. These issues marred Carter's presidency and undermined his chances of winning a second term. On Nov. 4, 1979, revolutionaries devoted to Iran's Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini stormed the US Embassy in Tehran, seized the Americans present and demanded the return of the ousted shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who was backed by the United States and was being treated in a US hospital. The American public initially rallied behind Carter. But his support faded in April 1980 when a commando raid failed to rescue the hostages, with eight US soldiers killed in an aircraft accident in the Iranian desert. Carter's final ignominy was that Iran held the 52 hostages until minutes after Reagan took his oath of office on Jan. 20, 1981, to replace Carter, then released the planes carrying them to freedom. In another crisis, Carter protested the former Soviet Union's 1979 invasion of Afghanistan by boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. He also asked the US Senate to defer consideration of a major nuclear arms accord with Moscow. Unswayed, the Soviets remained in Afghanistan for a decade. Carter won narrow Senate approval in 1978 of a treaty to transfer the Panama Canal to the control of Panama despite critics who argued the waterway was vital to American security. He also completed negotiations on full US ties with China. Carter created two new US Cabinet departments - education and energy. Amid high gas prices, he said America's "energy crisis" was "the moral equivalent of war" and urged the country to embrace conservation. "Ours is the most wasteful nation on earth," he told Americans in 1977. In 1979, Carter delivered what became known as his "malaise" speech to the nation, although he never used that word. "After listening to the American people I have been reminded again that all the legislation in the world can't fix what's wrong with America," he said in his televised address. "The threat is nearly invisible in ordinary ways. It is a crisis of confidence. It is a crisis that strikes at the very heart soul and spirit of our national will. The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America." As president, the strait-laced Carter was embarrassed by the behaviour of his hard-drinking younger brother, Billy Carter, who had boasted: "I got a red neck, white socks, and Blue Ribbon beer." Jimmy Carter withstood a challenge from Massachusetts Senator Edward Kennedy for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination but was politically diminished heading into his general election battle against a vigorous Republican adversary. Reagan, the conservative who projected an image of strength, kept Carter off balance during their debates before the November 1980 election. Reagan dismissively told Carter, "There you go again," when the Republican challenger felt the president had misrepresented Reagan's views during one debate. Carter lost the 1980 election to Reagan, who won 44 of the 50 states and amassed an Electoral College landslide. James Earl Carter Jr was born on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, one of four children of a farmer and shopkeeper. He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1946, served in the nuclear submarine program and left to manage the family peanut farming business. He married his wife, Rosalynn, in 1946, a union he called "the most important thing in my life." They had three sons and a daughter. Carter became a millionaire, a Georgia state legislator and Georgia's governor from 1971 to 1975. He mounted an underdog bid for the 1976 Democratic presidential nomination and out-hustled his rivals for the right to face Ford in the general election. With Walter Mondale as his vice presidential running mate, Carter was given a boost by a major Ford gaffe during one of their debates. Ford said that "there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and there never will be under a Ford administration," despite decades of just such domination. Carter edged Ford in the election, even though Ford won more states — 27 to Carter's 23. Not all of Carter's post-presidential work was appreciated. Former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, both Republicans, were said to have been displeased by Carter's freelance diplomacy in Iraq and elsewhere. In 2004, Carter called the Iraq war launched in 2003 by the younger Bush one of the most "gross and damaging mistakes our nation ever made." He called George W. Bush's administration "the worst in history" and said Vice President Dick Cheney was "a disaster for our country." In 2019, Carter questioned Republican Donald Trump's legitimacy as president, saying "he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf." Trump responded by calling Carter "a terrible president." Carter also made trips to communist North Korea. A 1994 visit defused a nuclear crisis, as President Kim Il Sung agreed to freeze his nuclear program in exchange for resumed dialogue with the United States. That led to a deal in which North Korea, in return for aid, promised not to restart its nuclear reactor or reprocess the plant's spent fuel. But Carter irked Democratic President Bill Clinton's administration by announcing the deal with North Korea's leader without first checking with Washington. In 2010, Carter won the release of an American sentenced to eight years of hard labour for illegally entering North Korea. Carter wrote more than two dozen books, ranging from a presidential memoir to a children's book and poetry, as well as works about religious faith and diplomacy. His book "Faith: A Journey for All," was published in 2018.Next year could be the year for reforming the federal tax system, and while we’re optimistic, we also recognize the high stakes for our country’s future. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to extend his signature Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a 2017 law that revised the tax code and provided some sweet breaks to favored constituents. Many of those provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025 and, given the GOP’s control of Congress and the White House, the pressure will be on to act fast. Failure to extend the measures would mean increases for most taxpayers in 2026, and they would have no one to blame but Trump & Co. During his campaign, the president-elect teased additional giveaways, vowing to eliminate taxes on tips, which doesn’t make much sense, as well as Social Security income. Apparently, all kinds of ideas are on the table, which makes the complex job of rewriting tax law even more challenging. Throughout the 2000s, the U.S. has lived far beyond its means, as both major parties embraced deficit spending. Extending the Trump tax cuts will jack up the deficit by something like $5 trillion through fiscal 2035. Sweetening the pot with additional goodies would add still more to the tab. We send our best wishes to the much-ballyhooed Department of Government Efficiency, to be run by tech bosses Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. We’re all for eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. But given governmental instincts for self-preservation, experience teaches us to keep expectations modest. That leaves the national debt at $36 trillion and counting, threatening to increase inflation, raise interest rates, weaken the dollar and reduce the government’s capacity to make strategic investments. It’s disappointing to see the GOP , which always claimed to be the party of fiscal discipline when Democrats were in power, freeze out its deficit hawks when it controls the nation’s wallet. Trump has nominated some smart people for his economic team, including Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary, and we’re hopeful that grown-up thinking will prevail. Other Trump nominees could work against that, however. Consider Billy Long, a former GOP congressman from Missouri, whom Trump has proposed to head the Internal Revenue Service. The colorful Long is a professional auctioneer who went into business peddling a fraud-plagued tax credit after leaving public office. During his tenure, he joined other opportunists in scoring cheap political points by demonizing the IRS and pushing attention-getting tax ideas, evidently for effect . Exhibit A is Long’s effort to scrap the federal tax code, and the IRS along with it, while replacing the lost revenue with a regressive national sales tax. That would raise the cost of goods and services by anywhere from 30 to 44 cents for every dollar spent. It doesn’t take a political genius to recognize that raising the cost of a $1 item to as much as $1.44 would never work. Yet Long pushed for it, and now this unserious nominee is in line to run one of the most serious government agencies. Rather than promising to tear down the IRS for the sake of sound bites, the GOP needs to get real about change. This agency that everyone loves to hate will be crucial to carrying out its tax plan in 2025 and beyond. And, as Bessent and some of the better Trump nominees surely recognize, the GOP has a precious opportunity to bring about reform, if its more credible leaders are willing to put in the work instead of voicing fantasies about eliminating essential government services. The complexity of the federal tax code imposes an estimated $546 billion in annual costs on the U.S. economy, including billions of hours in lost productivity and out-of-pocket compliance costs, according to the center-right Tax Foundation. ... If the incoming Trump administration wants its tax-change plans to be carried out effectively, it should retire its anti-IRS rhetoric and give the agency the tools it needs to get the job done. After all, it’s a matter of following the law. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports, while the World Health Organization's director-general said the bombardment occurred nearby as he prepared to board a flight in Sanaa, with a crew member injured. “The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few meters from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and U.N. colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said, without mentioning the source of the bombardment. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in the cities of Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel's military didn't immediately respond to questions about Tedros' post but issued a statement saying it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively.” The strikes came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned" as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days. The United Nations has noted that the targeted ports are important entryways for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The U.N. Security Council has scheduled an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that the council condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying weapons to the rebels. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said that all were militants posing as reporters. The strike hit a car outside Al-Awda Hospital in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The journalists were working for the local news outlet Al-Quds Today, a television channel affiliated with the Islamic Jihad militant group. Islamic Jihad is a smaller and more extreme ally of Hamas and took part in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack in southern Israel, which ignited the war. The Israeli military identified four of the men as combat propagandists and said that intelligence, including a list of Islamic Jihad operatives found by soldiers in Gaza, had confirmed that all five were affiliated with the group. Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups operate political, media and charitable operations in addition to their armed wings. Associated Press footage showed the incinerated shell of a van, with press markings visible on the back doors. Sobbing young men attended the funeral outside the hospital. The bodies were wrapped in shrouds, with blue press vests draped over them. The Committee to Protect Journalists says more than 130 Palestinian reporters have been killed since the start of the war. Israel hasn't allowed foreign reporters to enter Gaza except on military embeds. Israel has banned the pan-Arab Al Jazeera network and accused six of its Gaza reporters of being militants. The Qatar-based broadcaster denies the allegations and accuses Israel of trying to silence its war coverage, which has focused heavily on civilian casualties from Israeli military operations. Separately, Israel's military said that a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza early Thursday. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation more than a year ago. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border in an attack on nearby army bases and farming communities. They killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250. About 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Israel's air and ground offensive has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry. It says more than half the fatalities have been women and children, but doesn't say how many of the dead were fighters. Israel says it has killed more than 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The offensive has caused widespread destruction and driven around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid tent camps along the coast, with little protection from the cold, wet winter. Also Thursday, people mourned eight Palestinians killed by Israeli military operations in and around the city of Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said that it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid.