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Eagle Point sells $42,034 in acres commercial realty stockGuitar Player Roger Mayer is a legend. His innovations include the Octavia, a groundbreaking fuzz box that doubled signal frequencies, a sound not obtainable previously. Mayer and his effect heavily shaped albums like Jimi Hendrix's and . And then there’s his work with the Isley Brothers, whose guitar sound was tonally linchpinned by Hendrix and Mayer’s effects. Those sounds influenced a young gun named Junior Marvin, who Mayer worked with in the mid 70s and who would be drafted into Bob Marley and the Wailers at a time when Marley wanted his group to evolve from what Mayer describes as a "raggedy-assed" musicians to proper reggae icons. Mayer started from square one, tearing down Marley's rig and ensuring all involved in his midst were quite literally playing in tune. The result was what Mayer likens to perfection. "When everything else is perfect, recording a song is pretty simple," he tells . “There’s nothing special about that for me," he says. "Anybody could walk into a recording studio, hit record, and if the other things are perfect, it's gonna sound good." It's hard to argue with that, considering Mayer's work on Marley's iconic 1975 record . "I did everything I could in the studio to talk to Bob and Junior about how they could dial in what they heard in the brains," he says. Mayer did the job. catapulted the Wailers from a poorly produced group from the beaches of Jamaica to a powerhouse. The result was the album's title track reaching number one in Jamaica, number 14 in Germany, and the top 20 in the U.K. All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox! laid-back vibe meshed perfectly with Marley and Marvin's inspired guitar playing. As a result, tracks like "Three Little Birds," "Jammin'" and "Waiting in Vain" became Marley classics — and FM radio staples. Mayer is aware of all of this — and he'll be the first to tell you that he had a feeling about from the jump, meaning greatness wasn't just intended but inherent. "That record is very well thought of," he beams. "I knew what a hit record sounded like. We had all the puzzle pieces come into place. Like with Hendrix and the Isley Brothers, I'd helped, but it wasn't a mistake that it sounded that good." "I knew what a hit record sounded like. We had all the puzzle pieces come into place. Like with Hendrix and the Isley Brothers, I'd helped, but it wasn't a mistake that it sounded that good." I had a relationship with Junior Marvin before Junior signed on to work with Bob. We'd finished recording some original material in England in December 1976, so we'd spend a lot of time together while recording, alternating between New York and London. With Junior, we'd recorded at Music Mountain in Jamaica, at Electric Lady in New York and Island Studios in London, so yeah, I was aware of Bob Marley through all of that. I'd come to see him a few times, and I knew Chris Blackwell [ ]. Junior knew Chris too. But it wasn't until after we finished the record with Junior, and he signed on with Bob Marley and the Wailers, that I got to work with Bob. Junior was recruited into Bob's band to provide the rock and roll aspect to the Wailers, which they were lacking. Before the recordings started, Bob was aware that he needed to change direction so that the music had more international appeal. They came to be because, obviously, they'd heard the work I was doing with the Isley Brothers, Rick James, Parliament Funkadelic, and all those bands that had crossed over into the mainstream market. When I went to America with Jimi Hendrix back in '68 and then worked with Stevie Wonder, these were artists who had ties to Motown and were given free rein. To paint a picture, the idea was that Black artists in the '70s had a very difficult time in America as far as getting recognition because the music charts were more into white rock 'n' roll than R&B and soul. It was spread apart. So after Junior joined the Wailers, it helped because they became a bit more rock 'n' roll. "Black artists in the '70s had a very difficult time in America because the music charts were more into white rock and roll. After Junior joined, it helped because they became a bit more rock 'n' roll. After Junior joined, I sent him some of what they requested, which was some new equipment. I went and bought some guitars for Junior in New York and sent them to him after I'd modified them. That included some of the effects we'd used with Ernie Isley and Jimi Hendrix. And then, of course, everybody started to sit up and say, "Yeah, well, who is this new guitar player that Bob Marley's changed to?" Junior was a bit more rock 'n' roll and was a complete departure from Bob's previous records. Everything was going very well. I got invited down to Jamaica to meet Bob just before the One Love concert, and that's when I first met him. He was a very charming guy. I asked him, "What exactly do you want me to do? How can I help you?" Bob said, "I want to sound more international." That was the right answer, mate. I said, "For you to go forward in music and take a step forward — especially in record sales and international recognition — you have to have a record that sounds great.” I told him, “It has to stand up to the quality of what's around." He couldn't just come from an island and not have the same technological advantages that everybody else had. If he did that, his record would have sounded a big amateurish. Bob's early albums were kind of tolerated because they came from the islands, you know what I mean? People didn't expect the records to have the same sonic qualities that all the other top artists had, or some of the other artists I was working with. So, yeah... that's how I got roped into it. [ ] The first thing I did after meeting Bob was completely set up all the guitars for him. I'd listened to the band live and said, "The whole band's completely out of tune. For us to go forward, the first thing to do is make the band solid, if not perfect." In reggae, that's very important, as it is with any music oriented by bass. The bass and drum sounds had to be perfect, or else you lose the magical quality of the beat. The bass guitars had suffered being in Jamaica and needed a lot of work, so we started with that. I wanted to fix that up to give off a really authentic, top-quality sound. I moved on to Bob's guitars because Junior already had a guitar that I'd previously modified and had been used in concert and in the studio. I went through all of Bob's guitars, tuned them up, and rebuilt the whole guitar. Every guitar that had been down in Jamaica for years had to be completely pulled apart and rebuilt because of what the humidity in the tropics would do to the electrics in the guitar. Once I made sure the band was mechanically sound, and actually in tune, and sounded perfect with all the harmonics resonating, that's when we could really get started. That was the beginning of it. “That's why every track we recorded with Jimi Hendrix sounds so accessible. It's not just a case of buying a pedal, plugging it in, and playing. It's more complicated than that.” My job was working with Junior to get the right guitar sounds and with Bob. Once Bob's guitar was perfectly in tune, his approach to the song became different because of the way he played. The feeling, solos, and overall feeling of the record became different. This might sound mundane, but you can only record what's there. In my case, the actual job became making good sounds, and after that, it was recording the sound. I didn't have to do anything. The bass and guitar sounds were perfect. Bob set the people up to play the vibe, and the performances were amazing—much better than before because they were all playing in tune. They were all very highly attuned to the vibrations and the perfection of it all. So, while putting together the tracks, Junior and I would go into the studio and discuss what he wanted to do, for example, "Waiting in Vain" or "Three Little Birds." Those tracks have my touch on them with the various guitar tones, and we worked together to select the perfect tones for each track. That's one of the secrets! You have the have the ability, and in my case, technical ability, to change the tone, and make it fit the track. That's why every track we recorded with Jimi Hendrix sounds so accessible. It's not just a case of buying a pedal, plugging it in, and playing. It's more complicated than that. It's having the knowledge of being in the studio and using recording equipment and consoles to know exactly what sound you have to produce in the studio to make it come out well on record. You have to have a whole knowledge of the whole process of recording. It's about knowing where to put microphones and how they should sound in the studio. You had to really, really know how with some of these bands back then, you know, with how to actually tailor the sound so that they can record a song. Yeah, but at the same time, I'd been in the studio many times before when lots of famous records were made. I wasn't new to what a hit record sounded like. I had a good idea of what it should sound like, so, yeah, , after the tracks were put together, sounded really good. But the magic of isn't just that it's a really good collection of songs; there's more to it than that. Remember: A lot of the songs on have been recorded before. They weren't new. There were previous incarnations of "Three Little Birds," from what I remember. The difference, I think, with Bob and was the actual sound of that record. It's perfect. It sounds great. The sound of the music, and the beat, just the whole thing, makes that record sound international. It doesn't sound like a raggedy bunch of Jamaican musicians. It's interesting and culturally different, but before that, they weren't producing the international quality of music that sounded like that. I've been involved with many records, but I've been involved with very involved in three or four, like, really records, I think. is great. The sound of it is just unbelievable. But these things don't happen by accident, right? It doesn't happen by mistake. The people involved in that record weren't just fortuitous; my sound, equipment, and electronics are on so many hit records. That's not me boasting; it's just the truth. But Bob and Junior were a pleasure to work with and making that record didn't happen by mistake. It's like they say: you could get a well, a well-nourished orangutan with a pencil and a piece of white paper is not going to make a great picture. It was all the right pieces at the right time. It doesn't happen otherwise. Andrew Daly is an iced-coffee-addicted, oddball Telecaster-playing, alfredo pasta-loving journalist from Long Island, NY, who, in addition to being a contributing writer for Guitar World, scribes for Rock Candy, Bass Player, Total Guitar, and Classic Rock History. Andrew has interviewed favorites like Ace Frehley, Johnny Marr, Vito Bratta, Bruce Kulick, Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Rich Robinson, and Paul Stanley, while his all-time favorite (rhythm player), Keith Richards, continues to elude him.

Olivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' dies at 73

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has accused Nigel Farage of “fakery” over Reform UK membership numbers, after his party claimed they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”, but Mr Farage said he would “gladly invite” a firm to “audit our membership numbers” as long as the Conservatives do the same. The row comes after a digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Manipulating your own supporters at Xmas eh, Nigel?It’s not real. It’s a fake ⏰ coded to tick up automatically. We’ve been watching the back end for days and can also see they’ve just changed the code to link to a different site as people point this out. Farage doesn’t... https://t.co/2tAsszfHsG — Kemi Badenoch (@KemiBadenoch) December 26, 2024 When the figure was announced, Mr Farage said it was an “historic moment”. However in a thread on X later on Thursday, Mrs Badenoch said it was “a fake” and used a clock emoji to say that it was “coded to tick up automatically”. She added that “we’ve been watching the back end” of the counter “for days” Mrs Badenoch added: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn, but Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. In response to the thread, Mr Farage said that the “Conservative brand is dying” under Mrs Badenoch’s leadership, and added: “We will gladly invite one of the Big 4 firms in to audit our membership numbers as long as you do the same.” The official Reform X account also posted an image that it said included a “screenshot of our internal membership numbers”, which appeared to show figures at more than 134,000. Hi Kemi, this is very embarrassing for you. Here is a screenshot of our internal membership numbers. Whether you like it or not, we have more members. We are the real opposition. https://t.co/mS8VbkAi8N pic.twitter.com/Rb47zrsZ04 — Reform UK (@reformparty_uk) December 26, 2024 In a post on X on Thursday evening, Mr Farage said that “over 5,000 people have joined Reform today”. A research briefing published by the House of Commons Library in 2022 said comparing party membership numbers can be “difficult”, saying there is not a uniformly recognised definition of membership, or an established method to monitor it. Over 5,000 people have joined Reform today, another record day. Click the link below to join the fastest growing movement in British politics. https://t.co/5g6BAtEkUb — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 26, 2024 Luke Tryl, director of the More in Common think tank, similarly told the PA news agency it is an “opaque” process. Speaking before Mrs Badenoch made her accusations, Mr Tryl said: “Parties are notoriously opaque about this sort of thing”. He described party membership as “very opaque and murky as a metric anyway”. On Reform, Mr Tryl said one of the challenges for the party will be whether membership converts to campaigners. He told PA: “There is no doubt Reform had a very good autumn. I think they capitalised off some of Labour’s early mistakes, but also the fact the Conservative brand is still struggling. They’ve clearly got momentum.” Discussing Reform’s membership, he said: “We know that lots of Reform’s most vocal supporters are very online. “Do those people who are very online and joined up, do they also go out and pound the streets, deliver leaflets, canvass, that sort of thing? “That remains an open question.” Reform was set up as a limited company and in September Mr Farage announced that he would change the ownership structure so that it would be owned by members. “I no longer need to control this party,” he said at the time. In a video posted on X, he said: “We will change the structure of the party from one limited by shares to a company limited by guarantee, and that means it’s the members of Reform that will own this party.”Iga Swiatek opens up about her ‘struggles’ of balancing tennis with social life amid recent doping rowBetter Quantum Computing Stock: IonQ vs. Quantum Computing, Inc.

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans certainly didn’t look like a playoff team in a rout by the Baltimore Ravens on Wednesday. With just one game left until the playoffs begin, the AFC South champions know they’ll have to get much better to be competitive in the postseason. “That’s not who we are. That’s not what we represent,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “What we put out there on the field, that’s not Texans football. For anybody to come back and bounce back from it you’ve got to check yourself and make sure you’re playing with elite execution and elite energy.” The 29-point loss to the Ravens was Houston’s most lopsided defeat this season. The defense gave up a season-high 251 yards rushing and the offense was shut out, with the team’s only points coming on a second-quarter safety. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw an interception and missed several throws in a performance he called “one of the worst games of my whole career.” He was asked how he and the team can move on from such a tough loss. “That’s the only thing we can do,” he said. “There is nothing in life you can go ... back and re-do, so it’s all about how you respond. You hit rock bottom; the only way is up. So, we still have a lot of hope. At the end of the day, we clinched our division. We still have an opportunity in the playoffs.” The Texans (9-7) went 0 for 2 in the red zone Wednesday to lower their red zone efficiency to 50.94% this season, which ranks 26th in the NFL. After their safety Wednesday, they had a chance to cut the lead or potentially tie the game when they had a first down at the 10-yard line. Joe Mixon ran for 7 yards on first down before the drive stalled. He was dropped for a 1-yard loss on second down before an incompletion by Stroud brought up fourth-and-4. Stroud threw a short pass to Mixon and he was stopped at the 1-yard line to give the Ravens the ball back. Lamar Jackson then led a 99-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-2. What's working Not much was working in this debacle. About the only good thing that happened for the Texans on Wednesday was a 45-yard kickoff return by Dameon Pierce in the second quarter to start the drive that ended with Mixon being stopped on fourth down. The second-year player is averaging 38.1 yards per return. What needs help The Texans managed just 58 yards rushing against the Ravens with Mixon gaining 26 yards on nine carries. Houston hasn’t reached 100 yards rushing in three straight games and four of its past five. The Texans must get their running game going to take some pressure off Stroud, who is working with a thin receiving group with Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs out for the season with knee injuries. Stock up WR John Metchie led the team with five receptions for 48 yards as he took on a bigger role in the offense in the first game without Dell. It’s the second-most yards Metchie has had in a three-year career where he missed his entire rookie season undergoing cancer treatments. Stock down Wednesday was the second time in three games where Mixon was held to fewer than 30 yards rushing. He started the season strong, running for at least 100 yards in six of his first eight games. But he’s struggled since then, reaching 100 yards just once in five games. Injuries G Shaq Mason missed Wednesday’s game after injuring his knee against the Chiefs and it’s unclear if he can return for the next game. ... C/G Juice Scruggs missed a fourth straight game with foot injury. Key number 59.2 — Stroud had a 59.2 passer rating in the loss, which is tied for the third-worst rating of his career. Next steps After playing three games in 11 days, the Texans now have an extended break before wrapping up the regular season next weekend at Tennessee. Stroud will try and use this setback to get better. “There’s not sunny days if there is not days with rain,” he said. “It’s a rainy day but at the end of the day the sun will rise up tomorrow. We have another crack at this thing next week to keep rolling.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kristie Rieken, The Associated PressSlovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said Friday that his government may stop electricity supplies to Ukraine following the anticipated end of Russian gas transit through Ukraine on Jan. 1, 2025. “If necessary, we will stop the supply of electricity, which Ukraine desperately needs during grid outages. Or we will agree on another course of action,” Fico said in a video post on social media. Fico’s remarks come after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed opposition to the continued transit of Russian gas through Ukraine to Slovakia once the current contract expires at the beginning of next year. Fico added that according to estimates, the termination of Russian gas transit through Ukraine and Slovakia could cost the European Union 120 billion euros over the next two years. Slovakia, he said, would lose up to 500 million euros annually in transit fees. Fico also indicated Slovakia’s readiness to host peace talks on Ukraine. “If someone wants to organize peace talks in Slovakia, we will be ready and hospitable,” Fico said. Fico met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Dec. 22 in Moscow, discussing issues including the transit of Russian gas.

In a year filled with national election news, Marin County had an ample supply of important stories on the local front. The topics included contentious elections; conflicts over rent control, housing and homelessness; and the persistent problems of water supply, climate upheaval and traffic congestion. A look at top stories for 2024: Politics Marin County voters weighed in on dozens of contests in March and November, electing a new county supervisor, booting incumbents on the Fairfax Town Council and affirming or rejecting a number of ballot measures. San Anselmo Councilmember Brian Colbert claimed the Ross Valley seat on the Board of Supervisors in the runoff election with Kentfield resident Heather McPhail Sridharan. Colbert, the first Black resident elected supervisor in Marin, ran for Katie Rice’s seat after she declined to seek reelection. In Fairfax, division over rent control, development and other issues spurred former Town Council members Frank Egger and Mike Ghiringhelli to run for seats again. They won, forcing incumbents Bruce Ackerman and Chance Cutrano out of office, while incumbent Barbara Coler narrowly retained her seat. The other two incumbents, Stephanie Hellman and Lisel Blash, would have been on the ballot, too, if an earlier recall petition had succeeded. Meanwhile, voters rejected Measure J, an $18 million bond measure for road repairs. In the Tamalpais Union High School District, residents voted last month to approve Measure B, a $289 million bond to pay for repairs and maintenance projects, after rejecting a $517 million measure in the spring. In San Rafael, voters narrowly approved Measure P, a parcel tax to support the construction of a new library and community center. In Novato, voters passed Measure M, a three-quarter-cent sales tax expected to raise about $10.3 million annually as the city addresses its chronic deficits. Also, with Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race, Marin officials, educators, nonprofits and immigrant advocates began to gird for potential policy shifts and funding cuts promised during the campaign. Rent control Voters in Larkspur, San Anselmo and Fairfax rejected four ballot measures in November that would have enacted tougher rent-control laws in their communities. In Larkspur, voters weighed in on Measure K, which would have made the rent-control ordinance voters narrowly upheld in March stricter while also adding tenant protections. Fairfax residents voted on Measure I, which would have repealed the rent-control and renter protections that the Town Council approved in 2022. In San Anselmo, voters were asked to make the call on two related rent-control measures. Measure N would have enacted a rent-control ordinance approved by the Town Council by a 3-2 vote in April, and Measure O would have penalized landlords of properties with three or more dwellings who terminate a tenancy due to no fault of the tenant. Flood control In March, San Anselmo residents voted to withdraw the town from Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District 9. The measure was brought on by a faction of residents who said millions of dollars in stormwater drainage fees collected by the district since 2007 have largely been wasted, and that a district plan to remove an old bridge in downtown San Anselmo to reduce flood risk is misguided. Opponents to the move said removing the bridge is a key component of a plan to reduce flooding risk for about 500 Ross Valley homes. Despite San Anselmo dropping out of the taxing district, residents in Ross, Larkspur and Fairfax did not see an increase in their storm drainage fee this year. The controversial removal of the bridge known as Building Bridge 2 was supposed to be done over the summer, but was postponed to 2025 because of Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements and local permitting requirements. Water supply After rain returned in a big way last year, the trend continued into 2024 with the Marin Municipal Water District and the North Marin Water District receiving above-average rainfall counts. The Marin Municipal Water District recorded 62 inches of rain from July 2023 through June, or about 120% of the average of 52 inches. The North Marin Water District recorded 34.5 inches of rain at Stafford Lake, its reservoir in Novato, exceeding its average of 27.3 inches. Since 2023, the district has been examining the best ways to increase water supply ahead of the next drought. A recent analysis showed that a project to modify Nicasio Reservoir’s spillway gates to add 3,000 acre-feet of water storage would be the most efficient way to boost supply. The $5 million project is anticipated to produce 750 acre-feet of water annually in dry conditions. An acre-foot is about 326,000 gallons. Other potential projects include enlarged reservoirs, a desalination plant, new pipelines to connect to the Russian River and other improvements to the water supply system. Public safety After years of work on a lifesaving barrier on the Golden Gate Bridge, officials celebrated the completion of the $224 million project this year. “This deterrent is not just a physical barrier, it is a symbol of our collective effort to prevent the loss of life and the lifelong heartache that follows,” said Kymberlyrenee Gamboa, whose 18-year-old son Kyle Gamboa died after jumping off the bridge in 2013. “This deterrent shows we care, that we all care about human beings, that we all care about life.” Also this year, e-bike safety was enhanced by new school rules and legislation. The development came amid public health reports that injuries are rising for youths — especially those younger than 16 — riding e-bikes that travel more than 20 miles per hour. Assemblymember Damon Connolly, a Democrat from San Rafael, introduced Assembly Bill 1778, which aimed to prohibit riders under 16 from operating Class 2 electric bikes and require riders to wear a helmet. The legislation proposed the rules as a pilot program for Marin County. Housing This month, the San Rafael City Council approved a proposal to redevelop the Northgate mall with 1,422 residences around shops and restaurants, capping more than three years of planning and contentious hearings. Detractors objected to the size of the complex and the influx of new residents they said could create traffic and safety issues in the neighborhood. Supporters praised the project for creating needed housing. In Marin City, opponents are resisting a large apartment project at 825 Drake Ave. A group called Save Our City filed a lawsuit last year to void a 3-2 decision by the Board of Supervisors to approve issuing up to $40 million in bonds to underwrite. In November, Marin County Superior Court judge nullified approvals for the tax-exempt bond funds. Meanwhile, the county continued to grapple with homelessness. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state agencies this summer to remove homeless encampments, clearing the path for Marin municipalities to begin enforcing new camping rules that had been blocked by the courts. Supported by a $5.9 million grant, San Rafael opened an authorized camping area with 50 tents at Mahon Creek Path in October. The program offers social services and potential access to housing. Marin County is using an $8.67 million state grant to support a project to create housing for about 60 Latino service and agricultural workers in Bolinas. A $3.72 million grant is supporting an effort to find housing for a large group of vehicle inhabitants along Binford Road in unincorporated Novato. Land use After nearly 30 years of wrangling among the landowners and preservationists, the Marin County Open Space District closed escrow this year on its $42.1 million purchase of the Martha Co. property in Tiburon, a 110-acre ridgetop tract with panoramic views. The property is being annexed into the 122-acre Old Saint Hilary’s property, a popular hiking destination. In western Marin, the National Park Service approved a plan to remove a tule elk enclosure fence at Point Reyes National Seashore. But the agency only removed 850 feet of the 2-mile fence before being stalled by a federal lawsuit from the California Cattlemen’s Association, which has asked the court for an injunction. Parks officials and supporters said removing the barrier would enable the elk to access additional habitat, increase the species’ population resilience during drought and promote a more natural population cycle. The California Cattlemen’s Association lawsuit asserts that giving the elk freedom to roam will devastate ranching operations. Child care, education After two years of controversy, Ross Valley School District trustees agreed to sell the property that houses the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children’s Center at Deer Park in Fairfax. The nonprofit Seiderman Legacy Children’s Fund closed escrow on the $2 million deal in May and offered the children’s center a long-term lease there. The saga began in 2022 after the district deemed the property and determined it needed about $8 million worth of work to bring it up to local and state code. Staff recommended the district evict the center because of the liability concerns, prompting a community outcry. In Mill Valley, environmental issues put plans for a new $130 million Mill Valley Middle School on hold. The delay is for more studies at the campus at 425 Sycamore Ave., which used to be a burn dump. The district’s plan is to demolish the school and rebuild it at the same site. More than 200 parents signed an online petition calling for the district to rethink both the middle school site and the site of temporary classrooms during construction. The petition calls the project site dangerous because of its position on the former dump. A draft environmental impact report, which had been scheduled to be finished in October, won’t be released until February.Q: This past spring, we tried starting some of our own plants from seed indoors, but they got tall, spindly and weak by the time we wanted to plant them outdoors. What did we do wrong? — Tyler P. A: Seedlings growing tall and spindly indoors is an age-old problem, and the same wisdom holds true now that it did years ago. The problem occurs if plants are started too early and the light level isn’t intense enough. ADVERTISEMENT Because plants grow at different rates, some types need to be started very early, while others should wait until April for seeding indoors. Begonias and onions require many weeks to grow and can be seeded in February. March 1 is the recommended date for seeding petunias, impatiens, coleus and snapdragons. March 15 is the date to seed peppers, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Tomatoes and marigolds should wait until April 1, and zinnias until April 15. If seeds are started earlier than their recommended date, plants can languish indoors, becoming lanky and weak. In addition, seedlings need high light levels to remain stocky and strong. Plants grown with too little light often stretch and become weak-stemmed. Seedlings can be grown in a sunny window, but many windows don’t receive full, all-day sunshine as the sun moves across the sky, unless the windows are very wide. The short days of winter and early spring also keep light levels lower than seedlings prefer. A perfect way to provide seedlings with optimal light is with artificial lights, which can be standard LEDs, fluorescent, or special plant-type lights. Tube-type bulbs distribute light over seedling trays better than round bulbs. Seedling trays should be kept within several inches of the bulbs. Lights can be set on a timer with 16 hours on and eight hours off, similar to humans getting the recommended eight hours of sleep, which is how I remember it. Q: Thanks for the recent article on Blue By You salvia. Do you know where we can purchase this perennial come spring? — Rachelle S. A: Blue By You perennial salvia, an All-America Selections award winner and an outstanding feature in our perennial beds and landscapes, has been on the market for about two years, which is relatively recent as new plants go. ADVERTISEMENT As with many new cultivars, it takes time for new plant material to be widely available. Your best bet is to contact locally owned garden centers and inquire, which can be done now. This can give garden centers the opportunity to order the plants if they haven’t already. With the tens of thousands of plant cultivars available, no garden center can stock them all, but if they receive requests for specific types, they can often add them to their selection. Garden centers plan their inventory far in advance of the spring season, so the earlier a request is made, the more likely it can be fulfilled. Q: I know you prefer starting cuttings, such as houseplants, in mixtures of vermiculite, sand or potting mix instead of water. I’m curious why that is. Sometimes I have luck in water, but sometimes the cuttings rot. — Jenny S. A: Some plant types, such as pothos, root very easily in water and can even grow in water for many weeks. Other cutting types rot easily in water, which is why a solid-type medium often works best for coaxing cuttings to root. Sometimes I use high-quality potting mix, other times vermiculite, perlite or sand, and sometimes mixtures. Besides being less prone to rotting, starting cuttings in a solid-type medium has another important advantage. Roots that form in water are accustomed to growing in water, and when the cuttings are transferred into potting mix, there can be a stressful period of adjustment and shock. When roots begin forming in solid media, they are often more fibrous, well-branched and less gangly. Because they’re accustomed to growing in a solid medium, there’s usually less transplant shock when transferred into potting mix. For easy-to-root plants, rooting in water is handy, but solid media has distinct advantages. ADVERTISEMENT If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu . Questions with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice.

President-elect Donald Trump’s vow to curtail big tech’s power aligns with about three-quarters of Americans who are concerned about its vast influence, according to a JL Partners poll obtained exclusively by Breitbart News. Seventy-four percent of Americans are very or somewhat worried about big tech’s influence on politics, the economy, and the lives of average Americans, the poll found. Fifteen percent are a little concerned, with just seven percent not at all concerned. Seventy-eight percent are worried about big tech’s expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars to influence government policymaking. The poll sampled 1,000 registered voters from November 15-18 with a 3.1 percentage point margin of error. The survey comes as Trump vowed to reduce big tech’s power if he won reelection. Trump warned Facebook during the 2024 campaign against a repeat performance. “CEASE & DESIST: I, together with many Attorneys and Legal Scholars, am watching the Sanctity of the 2024 Presidential Election very closely because I know, better than most, the rampant Cheating and Skullduggery that has taken place by the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential Election. It was a Disgrace to our Nation!” Trump posted in September. “Therefore, the 2024 Election, where Votes have just started being cast, will be under the closest professional scrutiny and, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences so that this Depravity of Justice does not happen again. We cannot let our Country further devolve into a Third World Nation, AND WE WON’T!” Trump has a history of pushing back against big tech. During Trump’s first term, his Justice Department and several Republican-controlled states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google. Trump called the search results “election interference.” “It has been determined that Google has illegally used a system of only revealing and displaying bad stories about Donald J. Trump, some made up for this purpose while, at the same time, only revealing good stories about Comrade Kamala Harris,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “This is an ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, and hopefully the Justice Department will criminally prosecute them for this blatant Interference of Elections.” “If not, and subject to the Laws of our Country, I will request their prosecution, at the maximum levels, when I win the Election, and become President of the United States!” he concluded. Wendell Husebo is a political reporter with Breitbart News and a former RNC War Room Analyst. He is the author of Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell on “X” @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social @WendellHusebo.At least 65 million tune in for Netflix NFL Christmas Day games. NBA holiday ratings also skyrocket

JERUSALEM — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen on Thursday targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital 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. U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the U.N. Humanitarian Air Service. At least three people were later reported killed and dozens injured in the airport strike. The U.N. team members left the airport and were "safe and sound" in Sanaa while the injured crew member was being treated at a hospital, she said. Tremblay said the damage assessment would be made on Friday morning to see whether WHO chief and the U.N. team can leave Yemen. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the escalation in attacks between Yemen and Israel and described Thursday's attacks as "especially alarming," Tremblay said. Israel's army later told The Associated Press it wasn't aware that the WHO chief or delegation was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in 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 added it had "capabilities to strike very far from Israel's territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively." The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "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 Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The U.S. military also has targeted the Houthis in recent days. The U.N. has said 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, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. 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 an emergency meeting Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them weapons. Five journalists killed in Gaza Meanwhile, an Israeli strike killed five Palestinian journalists outside a hospital in Gaza overnight, the territory's Health Ministry said. The Israeli military said 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 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 that ignited the war. Israel's 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. 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. Another Israeli soldier killed Separately, Israel's military said a 35-year-old reserve soldier was killed during fighting in central Gaza. A total of 389 soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the start of the ground operation. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 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 hunger and driven around 90% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Hundreds of thousands are packed into squalid 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 Tulkarem in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. The Israeli military said it opened fire after militants attacked soldiers, and it was aware of uninvolved civilians who were harmed in the raid.NYT ‘Connections’ Hints And Answers For Sunday, December 29Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Mr Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him. The move, announced in court papers, marks the end of the Justice Department’s landmark effort to hold Mr Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. In court papers, prosecutors said the Justice Department’s position “is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated”. Mr Smith’s team emphasised that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Mr Smith’s team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Mr Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris . The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Mr Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated and has vowed to fire Mr Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. However, it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Mr Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The US Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Mr Smith’s team filed a lengthy brief in October laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will over voters after he lost to President Joe Biden .

Qatar tribune Nick Kyrgios has described Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek’s positive doping tests as “disgusting” ahead of his return to tennis. The controversial Australian has played only one match in more than two years because of injury but that has not stopped him being an outspoken presence on social media during a difficult few months for the sport. First it was announced in August that Sinner had failed two doping tests in March but was cleared of fault, while in November Swiatek was handed a one-month ban for a failed test caused by contaminated medication. Kyrgios has been particularly vociferous in his criticism of Sinner, who could yet face a ban after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the finding of no fault or negligence in his case. At a press conference ahead of the Brisbane International, Kyrgios told reporters: “I have to be outspoken about it because I don’t think there’s enough people that are speaking about it. I think people are trying to sweep it under the rug. I just think that it’s been handled horrifically in our sport. Two world number ones both getting done for doping is disgusting for our sport. It’s a horrible look. The tennis integrity right now - and everyone knows it, but no one wants to speak about it - it’s awful.” Kyrgios initially underwent knee surgery in January 2023. The 29-year-old will make his comeback in Brisbane this week. “It’s good to be back,” said Kyrgios. (PA Media/DPA) Copy 29/12/2024 10

WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – A Barbadian scientist has been honoured by the Organisation of American States (OAS) as one of seven of the hemisphere’s top minds. Dr Cardinal Warde was awarded the prestigious Science, Technology and Innovation Award of the Americas during the recent VII Meeting of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Science and Technology, (REMYCT). He was the only Caribbean recipient among the distinguished scientists and researchers recognised for “their outstanding body of work, but more importantly for their dedication to nation building by fostering cooperation and partnerships for development across OAS member states”. Dr Warde, Professor of Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), President of the Caribbean Diaspora for Science, Technology, and Innovation, and Interim Executive Director of the Caribbean Science Foundation, was specifically honoured for “equipping young scientists and engineers with tools and opportunities”. The other awardees were: Dr Alejandro Adem of Canada, President of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Dr Pablo Zamora, President of Fundación Chile; Dr Rosibel Ochoa of Honduras, Associate Vice Chancellor at UC Riverside; Dr Arturo Reyes Sandoval of Mexico, Director of the National Polytechnic Institute; Dr Natacha DePaola of the United States, Professor of Biomedical Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Director of the Illinois Tech Digital Medical Engineering and Technology Research and Education Center; and Dr Henry Cohen of Uruguay, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Hospital of the University of the Republic, and Director of the ECHO Project. The OAS said that from revolutionising healthcare to advancing sustainable agriculture and empowering the next generation of scientists, the honorees have been reshaping the Americas. In her congratulatory message, OAS Executive Secretary for Integral Development, Kim Osborne, spoke of the importance of ensuring the contributions from the Americas to global science and innovation does not go unnoticed. “Each of you in your own way have made your mark on the world of science, technology, and innovation, today, the OAS simply wants to say thank you for enriching our work with your time and expertise,” she said. The OAS Science and Technology Awards, established in 1972 as the “Bernardo Houssay” Award, honour the legacy of the esteemed Argentine Nobel laureate whose work on diabetes transformed global health. Since then, the award has celebrated outstanding achievements in fields like biological sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and applied technological research. -30-Simple Hacks to Make the Holidays Merrier (and Cheaper)Third Coast Bancshares EVP William Bobbora buys $51,228 in stock

The Sault's very own homegrown social network, SPACES, is abuzz with activity this week. It’s your events bulletin board, a place to shout out good Samaritans, and now it’s also a hub to connect with fellow birders. Are you looking to take part in some festive activities? There’s lots to do in the Sault — and SPACES has the latest listings: Dec. 7: Puppy Yoga at Northern Superior Tap Room posted by Erica Hogan: Yoga, puppies, and beer — what’s not to love? Stretch it out with some adorable pups at your side. A perfect way to start your Saturday. Dec. 7: Elf on the Shelf Decorating Class at Hogan’s Homestead Cafe posted by Erica Hogan: Get crafty this season! Join for a fun class to create your own personalized Elf on the Shelf decor. Dec. 8: Cards & Collectibles Christmas Show at Moose Lodge posted by Erica Hogan: Calling all collectors! Whether you’re on the hunt for unique cards, memorabilia, or just love browsing, this Christmas show is not to be missed! Dec. 10: Upcoming Youth Night at The Algoma Youth Wellness Hub, posted by Elise Nelson. Dec. 11-15: A Snow White Christmas at Sault Theatre Workshop, posted by Harry Houston: Tuesday, Dec. 10 is pay what you can with proceeds to St. Vincent Place! Dec. 14: Sault Ste. Marie Christmas Bird Count posted by Carter Dorscht: If you have bird feeders up anywhere within Sault Ste. Marie, please consider spending a few minutes watching them and reporting what you see. On now – until Jan. 11: The Confluence Art Exhibit is on display at the Art Gallery of Algoma. There are loads of other events going on in the Sault this holiday season; find them in the Things to Do space. If your scene is jammin’ to local beats, the Live Music space has you covered. Here’s what’s happening within the next two weeks: Dec. 6-7: Blues for Food Show posted by Elise Nelson. It’s two unforgettable nights of amazing local blues music, all in support of our community! Says Musicians host Pat Mackan, “Remember to support your local musicians around town and have fun listening or dancing to all of their wonderful tunes.” Dec. 14: Jam Night in Celebration of 365 days Around the Sun Distracted posted by Elise Nelson: There will be a small art showing as well as several songs to be sung. Bring your own creative projects and/or your own instruments! Dec. 21: HAILS, The BAG and Elijah Russell posted by Elise Nelson: C'mon down to The Distraction on Saturday, Dec. 21 for some seasonal celebrations in the cellar. Catch up on the behind the scenes of Irving Berlin's White Christmas by the Musical Comedy Guild of Sault Ste. Marie with Sarah Huckson’s 12 Days of White Christmas series. Her penultimate entry was a love letter to an incredible cast of characters she’s proud to be a part of. With a somber tone, she noted in her Day 3 entry that the latest snow storm has put a damper on the show, but in true performer fashion, says that she promised a White Christmas and Mother Nature sure has helped the cast and crew deliver. See: SPACES is live! Welcome to Sault Ste. Marie’s very own social network Of course, when the Sault was pummelled in snow last week, neighbours rose to the occasion, helping one another dig out from it. It was all captured in the Good News space. And, our new Birding space is a hoot! We’re pleased to have Carter Dorscht, Executive Director of The Kensington Conservancy and resident bird expert, as host. His eagle eye is sharp for bird identification and we’re sure this space will become a nesting ground for discussion. There’s a lot more to SPACES, too. Join a Sloyd and Green spoon carving club that was suggested in the Woodworking space. One enthusiastic member proposed starting a group that gathers monthly to carve spoons and other green woodworking projects. “Sloyd is a method of teaching woodworking and handcrafts that originated in Sweden in the 19th century. It was developed to help children develop character and skill through the use of tools and materials,” member Allison Suffel adds. See: MEET YOUR HOST: Talented local carpenter helps us build the Sault’s new social network Or snow shoe the Haiwatha trails with the fat bike club: Cycling host Terrance Roode posted “I have put together a group of us to snow shoe the trails. We have approximately 20 people for Dec. 14.” Back at home, get inspiration for festive baking with Leah Johnson’s The Holiday Baker's Dozen Series. Catch up on the recipes and tips for the best gingerbread cookies, shortbread , peppermint bark , chewy sugar cookies and Rice Krispies Christmas Trees – yum! What Christmas treat do you think packs the most magic per crumb? Share it with our Baking host, and join the conversation. After all, good things come to those who bake – and cook. Wondering what to make for dinner tonight? Or are you excited to share your latest culinary masterpiece? Take a meander through the What’s For Dinner space. If you’re looking forward to tossing back your favourite tipple this holiday season, you’re among merry revellers. All members of a recent poll say they plan on imbibing this holiday season. Will you be having a booze-free holiday? Weigh in on the discussion, cast your vote and hear what others have to say, in the Food & drink space. While you’re browsing, stop by the Newcomers space, and help arriving Saultites feel at home. See: MEET YOUR HOST: Sault newcomer excited to welcome others to a special space In host Shelly Bazil-Smith’s Conversations with a Newcomer Segment, she talks with those who are new to the Sault (and new to Canada) about their courageous decision to move here, the challenges they’ve faced and the strength they have found along their settlement journeys. Hear from newcomer Marlene Smith and Syed Islam on why they moved to the Sault and the support systems they were able to tap into. Whatever your interest, there’s lots to explore in SPACES! Connect with your community, learn a little or a lot, and say hello to a host. There’s also a chance for you to win a luxury suite at the Soo Greyhounds game on Dec. 29. And if there’s someone in your circle you think would love to check in out, share SPACES with them.

At the crossroads of news and opinion, ‘Morning Joe’ hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting

Elon Musk sparked widespread discussion with a tweet about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). “The final step of @DOGE is to delete itself,” Musk wrote. The post was a response to Vivek Ramaswamy, who co-leads the department. Ramaswamy tweeted earlier, “Most government projects should come with a clear expiry date. That’s why we set one for @DOGE: July 4, 2026.” DOGE is an ambitious advisory council that seeks to transform the federal government. Ramaswamy, a businessman and previous Republican presidential candidate, and Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), are among its leaders. In order to create government changes, the agency intends to work with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Bold Proposals to Shrink GovernmentMusk has pledged to reduce the yearly government budget by $2 trillion. Over one-third of the government's current expenditures are represented by this. As part of his proposal, there would be 99 federal agencies instead of 428. Ramaswamy outlined yet another ambitious goal: a 75% cutback in the government workforce. There are almost 2 million civilian employees of the government. This strategy calls for the elimination of 1.5 million jobs. Critics cautioned that such extreme restrictions may affect vital services like food aid and defense operations. Marjorie Taylor Greene Joins the EffortMarjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican congresswoman, has been selected for a crucial position. She will likely serve as the head of a brand-new House panel tasked with carrying out personnel cuts. The DOGE subcommittee has not yet been formally approved. Greene is renowned for her advocacy of government downsizing and was a strong supporter of former President Donald Trump. She is supposed to provide detailed strategies for firing government workers. Bipartisan Reactions to DOGETrump's plan for government reform included the introduction of DOGE. Despite having Republican leadership, the effort has garnered interest from people of all political persuasions. Recently, Senator Bernie Sanders showed unanticipated support for the department. "Elon Musk is right," Sanders said, in keeping with DOGE's objective to simplify federal processes. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.SAN JOSE – The San Jose Sharks activated center Nico Sturm off injured reserve Monday and made room for him on the 23-man roster by assigning defenseman Jack Thompson to the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. The transactions mean that the Sharks currently have 14 forwards, six defensemen, and three goalies: Mackenzie Blackwood, Vitek Vanecek, and rookie Yaroslav Askarov. Sturm’s return to the Sharks’ active roster was believed to be imminent after he showed signs of improvement last week and practiced with the team on Sunday. He also took part in the Sharks’ morning skate on Monday, when he was officially considered a game-time decision by coach Ryan Warsofsky. The Sharks play the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night in the second game of a four-game homestand. Warsofsky did not say who his starting goalie would be. Warsofsky said he had a few players who were “nicked up” and considered game-time decisions, although it would be a surprise not to see Sturm, a mainstay as the Sharks’ fourth-line center, play against the Kings. Sturm, injured in the Sharks’ game earlier this month against the New York Rangers, is the Sharks’ faceoff leader by percentage and is one of the team’s leading penalty-killing forwards. Thompson has been on the Sharks’ roster for almost the entire season and played in 13 of the team’s 23 games. His five points are third-most among all Sharks defensemen, as he’s averaged just under 16 minutes of ice time per game. The Sharks have had three goalies on their roster since Nov. 18, when they recalled Askarov from the Barracuda. At the time, Vanecek was considered day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but Vanecek backed up Blackwood on Saturday in the Sharks’ 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Askarov made his Sharks debut on Thursday, making 29 saves in a 3-2 shootout loss to the St. Louis Blues. It’s unclear how long the Sharks plan to keep three goalies on their active roster. Both Blackwood and Vanecek are pending unrestricted free agents, and speculation is that one could be dealt to another team before the NHL trade deadline on March 7. Kevin Weekes of ESPN and the NHL Network posted on the social media platform X on Monday that the Carolina Hurricanes “are exploring potential goalie options in the market.” Frederik Andersen is out eight to 12 weeks after knee surgery, and Pyotr Kochetkov left Saturday’s game at Columbus after colliding with defenseman Sean Walker. Kochetkov is now in concussion protocol.

Picture credit As we approach the end of 2024, it’s clear that the personal loan landscape has undergone significant transformations over the past year. From the widespread adoption of digital technologies to the increased emphasis on personalized and sustainable lending practices, the personal loan industry has been shaped by a number of key trends that are set to define the future. When asked, “What is the future of personal lending?” Matt Mayerle, Personal Finance Editor at CreditNinja , responds, “The future of personal lending is all about accessibility, personalization, and technology. We’re seeing lenders use AI and alternative data to make lending more efficient and tailored to each individual’s unique financial profile. This means faster approvals, more flexible terms, and loan options that are accessible to a broader range of people. Additionally, the focus on sustainable lending practices is growing, with lenders increasingly prioritizing financial inclusion and responsible lending standards. Together, these trends are shaping a lending environment that’s more adaptable and inclusive than ever before.” In this article, we will explore these emerging trends and examine how they are shaping the future of personal loans. The personal loan industry has been undergoing a digital revolution, which has only accelerated in 2024. Lenders are increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to streamline the application and approval process, providing borrowers with a more efficient and user-friendly experience. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have played a pivotal role in this transformation, enabling lenders to make more informed credit decisions, automate underwriting, and personalize loan offerings. By harnessing the power of data analytics, lenders can better assess risk, identify potential fraud, and tailor their products to meet the unique needs of individual borrowers. As consumer expectations continue to rise, lenders have placed a growing emphasis on offering personalized lending solutions that cater to the diverse financial needs of their customers. This year, we’ve seen a wider range of loan options, flexible repayment terms, and tailored interest rates, all designed to meet the specific circumstances and goals of borrowers. The rise of alternative data sources, such as employment history, education, and social media activity, has empowered lenders to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a borrower’s financial profile. This has allowed them to make more informed decisions and provide customers with personalized loan products that better fit their individual needs. Mayerle explains, “In 2024, lenders are recognizing that one-size-fits-all doesn’t work for personal loans. By using alternative data sources, lenders can better understand a borrower’s unique financial background and offer tailored loan options that truly meet individual needs. This approach not only improves access but also enhances the borrower experience.” Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns have become increasingly important in shaping consumer behavior and regulatory landscapes, and the personal loan industry has responded by embracing sustainable lending practices. We’ve seen a greater focus on responsible lending, with lenders strongly emphasizing financial inclusion, ethical underwriting, and the long-term financial well-being of their customers. This shift towards sustainable lending has involved introducing “green” personal loan products, which may offer incentives or favorable terms for borrowers committed to eco-friendly practices or sustainable lifestyle choices. Additionally, lenders have implemented more robust credit counseling and financial education programs to empower borrowers and promote financial literacy. Traditional financial institutions like banks and credit unions have often dominated the personal loan market. However, the rise of alternative lenders, including peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms and fintech companies, has introduced a new level of competition and innovation to the industry. In 2024, these alternative lenders have continued to disrupt the personal loan landscape, offering faster, more flexible, and even affordable borrowing options. Leveraging advanced technologies and data-driven decision-making, these lenders have been able to cater to underserved or niche segments of the market, providing opportunities for borrowers who may not meet the stringent criteria of traditional lenders. One of the most promising trends in the personal loan industry has been the growing focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Lenders have recognized the importance of reaching underbanked and underserved populations and have worked to develop lending solutions that cater to a diverse range of financial needs and backgrounds. “One of the most impactful trends this year is the push for inclusivity,” Mayerle remarks. “With alternative credit scoring and mobile lending platforms, lenders are reaching populations who may have been underserved in the past. This accessibility allows more people to achieve their financial goals and makes personal loans a more viable option for diverse groups.” This has involved the use of alternative credit scoring models, the expansion of online and mobile lending platforms, and the implementation of more flexible underwriting criteria. Additionally, lending companies like CreditNinja have provided a lifeline to those who may not have access to traditional banking resources in times of emergency or unexpected expenses. The personal loan industry has bridged the financial divide and empowered more individuals to achieve their financial goals. As we reflect on the trends that have shaped the personal loan industry in 2024, it’s clear that the future of this market is both exciting and transformative. From the widespread adoption of digital technologies to the increased emphasis on personalized and sustainable lending practices, the personal loan landscape has evolved to better serve the diverse needs of borrowers. So, as you consider your borrowing needs, consider these trends and leverage the right lending solutions to unlock the power of personal loans.