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$10 million 5G upgrade by Rogers at BC Place Stadium now complete and clearly works, after the stress test by SwiftiesMANCHESTER CITY really do have a mountain to climb to get back to where they once were. This game – played in the shadow of the Alps - showed just how far they have fallen since the end of October. Dusan Vlahovic’s header – which somehow squeezed past Ederson – and Weston McKennie’s volley mean it is now one win in 10 for Pep Guardiola’s men Seven of those have been defeats and now the boss has to pick his weary troops up for Sunday’s Manchester derby. In recent years, they have made light work of the Champions League groups – effortlessly gliding through. Yet when the competition returns in a month’s time, a finish in the top 24 is by no means guaranteed. Their next game is at old foes Paris Saint-Germain, who also need the points – followed by a home game against Club Brugge. From kings of Europe 18 months ago to scrambling to make the Last 16 play offs is a sobering fall from grace. And right now City look completely devoid of confidence – shipping goals alarmingly at the back while struggling to take their chances at the other end. It has been a nightmare six weeks for Pep - who don't forget signed a new two-year contract in the middle of all the chaos. BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKER S A trip to Turin might look daunting but Juve have lost four their last six European games at their Allianz Stadium. Thiago Motta’s men started out a couple of places behind City in the table – clinging on to a place in the play-offs by their fingertips. Guardiola recalled his first-choice keeper Ederson, who had paid the price for his erratic display in the last Champions League game against Feyenoord . That result – when they threw away a three-goal lead in 15 astonishing minutes – had left their place in this tournament beyond January in some doubt. Pep had once again had to patch up his team – playing Rico Lewis as a left back after his eventful day at Selhurst Park on Saturday. City were seeing plenty of the ball which is what Guardiola had asked of them before the game – suggesting they needed to go back to basics. But they were struggling to create much and at the other end they were relieved to see a shot from Kenan Yildiz drift just wide. The Turkish winger also showed City skipper Kyle Walker a clean pair of heels on more than one occasion. England defender Walker can no longer rely on his pace as he used to and this time he had Ruben Dias to thank for making a key block. Meanwhile, City failed to record an effort of note in the opening half hour – the first time that has happened in a European game in four years. Erling Haaland saw an effort blocked by Teun Koopmeiners before it ricocheted into the grateful arms of Michele di Gregorio. The pair were face to face again moments later as the Norwegian ran onto a trademark pass from Kevin De Bruyne. He tried to lift it over the home keeper who got enough on it to keep it out and the best chance of the half was gone. The City boss would have been pleased with the amount of possession his team had – but slightly concerned how little they had created and how pedestrian they looked at times. Meanwhile after shipping seven goals in their previous two matches in this competition, at least they had kept the home team at bay. Guardiola knew failure to win here would have put their hopes of finishing in the top eight and qualifying automatically for the Last 16 almost out of the question. A two legged play-off in February is the last thing a squad that has already stretched by injuries needs. Not surprisingly, City’s best moments came from De Bruyne and his low cross soon after the restart found Ilkay Gundogan – but the German’s tame effort was blocked. And the two misses proved costly with Juventus taking the lead as Federico Gatti’s acrobatic effort was pushed away by Ederson. Josko Gvardiol made a hash of clearing his lines and Yildiz swung the ball back over. Vlahovic got up highest and while Ederson scooped it around the post, goaline technology said it had already crossed the line. It was a matter of millimetres but it was a poor goal to concede and another error by Gvardiol, who is having a miserable time right now. City knew they had to snap into action and they did – but Juventus were throwing everything in the way to protect their lead. Bernardo Silva saw a good chance blocked while De Bruyne’s long-range effort fizzed just past the post. Di Gregorio dived full stretch to push Gundgan’s effort from the edge of the box around the post. But as they pushed for an equaliser they were caught on the break as sub Timothy Weah – son of former City player George – broke down the right. His cross made its way to US international team-mate McKennie whose volley had too much on it for Ederson.New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew said Wednesday that "very qualified" and "reliable" sources believe the mystery drones populating New Jersey's skies are originating from an Iranian "mothership" parked off the US East Coast, a claim the Pentagon subsequently denied. "Here is the real deal," the GOP lawmaker told Fox News' Harris Faulkner. "I'm on the Transportation Committee, on the Aviation Subcommittee, and I've gotten to know people. And from very high sources, very qualified sources, very responsible sources. I'm going to tell you... Iran launched a mothership probably about a month ago that contains these drones. That mothership is off the east coast of the United States of America." Van Drew did not provide the names of sources responsible for the information, citing confidentiality. "You know that Iran made a deal with China to purchase drones, motherships and technology in order to go forward..." he added later. "...These drones should be shot down. Whether it was some crazy hobbyist that we can't imagine, or whether it is Iran – and I think it very possibly could be – they should be shot down. We are not getting the full deal and the military is on alert with this." Fox News chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin asked Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh during a briefing today about Van Drew's allegations, and she said there was no truth to them. "There is no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called ‘mothership’ launching drones toward the United States," Singh said. Van Drew's claims come as officials and state residents demand answers on the mysterious development, yet major agencies remain puzzled by the ordeal, including the FBI. The agency is investigating the sightings and have urged the public to report any drones they see. Recordings of drones soaring over homes at night, with flashing lights and no apparent purpose, have circulated in the news. Some have been seen nightly in some areas, and have been spotted traveling in groups at times. Some are even said to be SUV-sized. Drone sightings were also previously reported on Staten Island in New York. Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy posted to X last Thursday that "there is no known threat to the public at this time." State officials have said they are taking the mystery drone sightings "seriously." Originally published as Pentagon denies lawmaker's claims that random drones flying over New Jersey are from Iran: 'Should be shot down'
NoneNew York (CNN) — Truth Social, the social media platform owned by President-elect Donald Trump, appears to be exploring a move into the crypto space. Trump Media & Technology Group filed a trademark application earlier this week for TruthFi, which it described as a cryptocurrency payment processing platform. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Guideline Announces Vincent Mifsud as CEOUS stocks closed out the trading week near the unchanged mark in a subdued session on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Dow posting weekly declines, while the Nasdaq secured its fourth consecutive week of gains. Broadcom forecast quarterly revenue surpassing Wall Street expectations and predicted robust growth in demand for its custom AI chips over the next few years. The optimistic outlook propelled the company's shares 24 per cent higher, pushing its market capitalisation past $US1 trillion ($A1.6 trillion) for the first time. Chip stocks were mixed, with Broadcom rival Marvell Technology rising 10.8 per cent, while AI bellwether Nvidia closed 2.2 per cent lower. But a gauge of semiconductor stocks added 3.2 per cent. Yields on US Treasuries rose across the board, with ones on the benchmark 10-year bond hitting a three-week high. "Right now the interest rate selloff is winning," said Jay Hatfield, chief executive officer at Infrastructure Capital Management in New York. "It's pretty natural for value and income stocks to go down when tech stocks are rising." Technology stocks continued their upward momentum, driving the Nasdaq above the 20,000 mark for the first time on Wednesday. The rally was further bolstered by an in-line inflation report, which solidified expectations for a 25 basis-point interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve in its meeting next week. Trader bets on the cut at the central bank's December 17-18 meeting stand at near 97 per cent, according to CME's FedWatch Tool. However, they indicate chances of a pause in January. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 86.06 points, or 0.20 per cent, to 43,828.06, the S&P 500 lost 0.16 point, or 0.00 per cent, to 6,051.09 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 23.88 points, or 0.12 per cent, to 19,926.72. Wall Street had taken a breather in the previous session after recent gains and some hot economic data ahead of the Fed's meeting, setting up the benchmark S&P 500 and the Dow for weekly losses. However, the Nasdaq ended the week higher. US stocks have repeatedly reached all-time highs this year, driven by surging interest in heavyweight tech companies capitalising on artificial-intelligence trends. Investor sentiment also received a boost following Donald Trump's presidential election victory, as markets anticipate his pro-business policies could enhance corporate profitability. Among other movers, RH jumped 16.95 per cent after the home furnishings retailer reported higher net revenue for the third quarter, while D.R. Horton eased 0.89 per cent as J.P. Morgan downgraded its rating on the homebuilder to "underweight." Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.23-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 100 new highs and 141 new lows on the NYSE. The S&P 500 posted 8 new 52-week highs and 15 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 75 new highs and 199 new lows. Volume on US exchanges was 12.56 billion shares, compared with the 14.03 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days.
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Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Navy quarterback Blake Horvath read the play perfectly and turned it into the longest in school history, a 95-yard touchdown run in the Armed Forces Bowl. “By somebody that’s not really that fast,” Horvath said after the 21-20 win over Oklahoma on Friday. The Midshipmen (10-3) fell behind by two touchdowns less than 10 minutes into the game, but Horvath's record run late in the third quarter tied the game at 14-all. He put them ahead on a 6-yard TD with 4:34 left before Navy’s defense stopped an Oklahoma 2-point conversion with six seconds left in the game. “Probably over-pursued by them,” Horvath said of the 95-yarder. “Some tendencies they showed earlier, just thought I could get a pull.” After faking a handoff on the read-option play, Horvath ran straight up the middle into the open field. Brandon Chatman cut off a pursing defender around the Sooners 20. By time another defender, cornerback Woodi Washington, was able to catch up and started to bring him down, Horvath stretched the ball over the goal line — though he was initially ruled short before a replay review resulted in the touchdown. “Brandon Chatman actually busted his tail to get his butt down the field,” Horvath said. “I can see him out of the corner of my eye busting his butt. And honestly, it’s almost not even my touchdown without him and the offensive line blocking.” The previous longest play for the Midshipmen came during the Roger Staubach era, when Johnny Sai had a 93-yard run against Duke in 1963. Horvath also had a 90-yard TD run against Memphis, making him only the second Navy player with two 90-yard runs in the same season. The other was quarterback Malcolm Perry in 2017, when he had runs of 92 and 91 yards. “That’s a play we know can hit big and it did, and definitely exciting to see,” fullback Alex Tecza said. “I was getting tired just chasing him. ... It's great. He's being doing that all year.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballSen. Chuck Schumer wants expanded surveillance and drone detection systems for the tristate area following numerous reports of the unmanned flying vehicles disturbing residents . Schumer (D-N.Y.) said federal authorities should hand more power to state and local law enforcement to deal with the drones. “Locals should not have to shake an eight ball to get desperate answers on non-stop drone sightings when the feds can do more to help,” Schumer said Sunday. New Jersey residents have been bothered by drones since late November and numerous recent sightings have been reported in Queens, the Bronx and the Hudson Valley . On Friday night, runways at Stewart International Airport in Orange County were shut down for an hour due to drones. Gov. Hochul said Sunday that the federal government had approved a “state-of-the-art” drone detection system for the state. But that was only one system, a small step in the desired effort, according to Schumer’s office. Schumer specifically focused on a company called Robin, which makes drone detection technology. Over the summer, the Netherlands purchased 51 Robin drone radar systems and sent them to Ukraine . “I want [Robin] deployed across New York and New Jersey and the metro area widely to help give us concrete answers on what is going on and from where,” Schumer said Sunday. “The (briefings) I have had tell me there is no evidence that this is a government or foreign activity and so we have to answer the logical question of ‘Who?’” Federal authorities have downplayed the threat of the drones . The FBI and Department of Homeland Security said Thursday there is no evidence of the drones flying in restricted airspace. In fact, according to the feds, many of the reported “drone” sightings were actually “manned aircraft, operating lawfully.” Republican lawmakers and leaders have urged the federal government to take more decisive action by simply shooting the drones down. It is illegal for private citizens to shoot down drones so the military would have to handle any such action. “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge,” President-elect Donald Trump wrote Friday on social media . “I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” It is illegal to fly drones in New York City without a permit , leading New York leaders to call for help from the feds. “Our federal partners are deploying a state-of-the-art drone detection system to New York State,” Hochul said in a statement. “This system will support state and federal law enforcement in their investigations. We are grateful to the Biden Administration for their support, but ultimately we need further assistance from Congress.” Hochul mentioned a bill that would allow state and local authorities to respond to drones without consulting the feds first. The bill has not yet hit the Senate floor.AP News Summary at 2:48 p.m. EST
In April, just 12 weeks into her pregnancy, Kathleen Clark was standing at the receptionist window of her OB-GYN’s office when she was asked to pay $960, the total the office estimated she would owe after she delivered. Clark, 39, was shocked that she was asked to pay that amount during this second prenatal visit. Normally, patients receive the bill after insurance has paid its part, and for pregnant women that’s usually only when the pregnancy ends. It would be months before the office filed the claim with her health insurer. Clark said she felt stuck. The Cleveland, Tennessee, obstetrics practice was affiliated with a birthing center where she wanted to deliver. Plus, she and her husband had been wanting to have a baby for a long time. And Clark was emotional, because just weeks earlier her mother had died. “You’re standing there at the window, and there’s people all around, and you’re trying to be really nice,” recalled Clark, through tears. “So, I paid it.” On online and other , pregnant women say they are being asked by their providers to pay out-of-pocket fees earlier than expected. The practice is legal, but patient advocacy groups call it unethical. Medical providers argue that asking for payment up front ensures they get compensated for their services. How frequently this happens is hard to track because it is considered a private transaction between the provider and the patient. Therefore, the payments are not recorded in insurance claims data and are not studied by researchers. Patients, medical billing experts, and patient advocates say the billing practice causes unexpected anxiety at a time of already heightened stress and financial pressure. Estimates can sometimes be higher than what a patient might ultimately owe and force people to fight for refunds if they miscarry or the amount paid was higher than the final bill. Up-front payments also create hurdles for women who may want to switch providers if they are unhappy with their care. In some cases, they may cause women to forgo prenatal care altogether, especially in places where few other maternity care options exist. It’s “holding their treatment hostage,” said Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the . Medical billing and women’s health experts believe OB-GYN offices adopted the practice to manage the high cost of maternity care and the way it is billed for in the U.S. When a pregnancy ends, OB-GYNs typically file a single insurance claim for routine prenatal care, labor, delivery, and, often, postpartum care. That practice of bundling all maternity care into one billing code began three decades ago, said Lisa Satterfield, senior director of health and payment policy at the . But such bundled billing has become outdated, she said. Previously, pregnant patients had been subject to copayments for each prenatal visit, which might lead them to skip crucial appointments to save money. But the Affordable Care Act now requires all commercial insurers to fully cover certain prenatal services. Plus, it’s become more common for pregnant women to switch providers, or have different providers handle prenatal care, labor, and delivery — especially in rural areas where patient transfers are common. Some providers say prepayments allow them to over the course of the pregnancy to ensure that they are compensated for the care they do provide, even if they don’t ultimately deliver the baby. “You have people who, unfortunately, are not getting paid for the work that they do,” said Pamela Boatner, who works as a midwife in a Georgia hospital. While she believes women should receive pregnancy care regardless of their ability to pay, she also understands that some providers want to make sure their bill isn’t ignored after the baby is delivered. New parents might be overloaded with hospital bills and the costs of caring for a new child, and they may lack income if a parent isn’t working, Boatner said. In the U.S., having a baby can be expensive. People who obtain health insurance through large employers pay an average of nearly $3,000 out-of-pocket for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, according to the . In addition, many people are opting for high-deductible health insurance plans, leaving them to shoulder a larger share of the costs. Of the with health care debt, 12% attribute at least some of it to maternity care, according to . Families need time to save money for the high costs of pregnancy, childbirth, and child care, especially if they lack paid maternity leave, said , CEO of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, a Los Angeles-based policy think tank. Asking them to prepay “is another gut punch,” she said. “What if you don’t have the money? Do you put it on credit cards and hope your credit card goes through?” Calculating the final costs of childbirth depends on multiple factors, such as the , plan benefits, and health complications, said , a health policy researcher at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics. The final bill for the patient is unclear until a health plan decides how much of the claim it will cover, she said. But sometimes the option to wait for the insurer is taken away. During Jamie Daw’s first pregnancy in 2020, her OB-GYN accepted her refusal to pay in advance because Daw wanted to see the final bill. But in 2023, during her second pregnancy, a private midwifery practice in New York told her that since she had a high-deductible plan, it was mandatory to pay $2,000 spread out with monthly payments. Daw, a health policy researcher at Columbia University, delivered in September 2023 and got a refund check that November for $640 to cover the difference between the estimate and the final bill. “I study health insurance,” she said. “But, as most of us know, it’s so complicated when you’re really living it.” While the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to cover some prenatal services, it doesn’t prohibit providers from sending their final bill to patients early. It would be a challenge politically and practically for state and federal governments to attempt to regulate the timing of the payment request, said , a co-director of the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University. Medical lobbying groups are powerful and contracts between insurers and medical providers are proprietary. Because of the legal gray area, , an insurance broker at Rapha Health and Life in Texas, advises clients to ask their insurer if they can refuse to prepay their deductible. Some insurance plans prohibit providers in their network from requiring payment up front. If the insurer says they can refuse to pay up front, Marshall said, she tells clients to get established with a practice before declining to pay, so that the provider can’t refuse treatment. Related Articles Clark said she met her insurance deductible after paying for genetic testing, extra ultrasounds, and other services out of her health care flexible spending account. Then she called her OB-GYN’s office and asked for a refund. “I got my spine back,” said Clark, who had previously worked at a health insurer and a medical office. She got an initial check for about half the $960 she originally paid. In August, Clark was sent to the hospital after her blood pressure spiked. A high-risk pregnancy specialist — not her original OB-GYN practice — delivered her son, Peter, prematurely via emergency cesarean section at 30 weeks. It was only after she resolved most of the bills from the delivery that she received the rest of her refund from the other OB-GYN practice. This final check came in October, just days after Clark brought Peter home from the hospital, and after multiple calls to the office. She said it all added stress to an already stressful period. “Why am I having to pay the price as a patient?” she said. “I’m just trying to have a baby.” ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Ekanit returns as Thais aim for victory
Trump gave Interior nominee one directive for a half-billion acres of US land: ‘Drill.’In our latest episode , we sit down with Hamid Hassanzadeh , the visionary founder of Parametric Architecture (PA) , to explore the extraordinary journey of a platform that has reshaped the world of computational and parametric design. From its humble beginnings to becoming a global hub for architects, designers, and enthusiasts, Hamid shares the story of PA’s growth, its impact on the design community, and the future of architecture in the digital age. Also, check out our latest merch at Interesting Engineering Shop . Born in a bathroom Like some of the greatest brands today, PA started with humble beginnings, “Parametric Architecture was born in a toilet,” Hamid recollected. In 2016, he worked as an architect in Istanbul, Turkey. At that time, Hamid was experimenting with tools like Rhino and Grasshopper to integrate visual scripting into architectural workflows. These experiments ignited a passion for parametric design, inspiring him to create an Instagram page to share his projects. “I signed out of my account, created a new one called Parametric Architecture, and uploaded my first logo in Photoshop. That’s how it all started,” he added. What began as a small page showcasing his work quickly gained traction. “In just one hour, a video I posted got 2,000 views, and I only had 20 followers,” he recalls. Encouraged by the response, Hamid committed to sharing one project each week. Within seven months, the page had amassed 10,000 followers. Designed for designers Initially focused on sharing his work, Hamid soon expanded the platform to feature other designers and their projects. “After seven months, I thought, maybe it’s better to share other designers’ works as well—not to be selfish,” he says. This shift broadened the platform’s scope and opened Hamid’s eyes to the vast possibilities of parametric design. “I got to know more architects, more designs. My eyes opened widely to the world,” he told us. By 2020, Parametric Architecture had grown to over 500,000 followers. During the pandemic, Hamid transformed his side hustle into a full-fledged business. “We started a website, Twitter, LinkedIn, and invited architects to discuss the emergence of these tools in architecture. The platform skyrocketed,” he explained. What is parametric design? For those unfamiliar with the term, parametric design can seem daunting. Hamid breaks it down: “Parametric design uses algorithms, relationships, and coding to calculate forms, spaces, and designs. It’s about using data-driven tools to create optimized models and iterate thousands of designs by changing just one parameter.” He credits the 2007 launch of Grasshopper 3D as a pivotal moment. “Grasshopper opened the floodgates for architects to use visual scripting directly. Before that, coding wasn’t practical for architects. Grasshopper made it accessible,” he added. Bridging gaps between architects and engineers Hamid is passionate about parametric tools, particularly their ability to connect architects and engineers. “Now architects can speak the language of engineers,” he explains. “They can optimize their models faster and adapt to the needs of structural and electrical engineers in real-time. This collaboration has made design environments more cohesive,” he added. Tools like Grasshopper and Rhino and artificial intelligence (AI) advancements have revolutionized workflows. “The beauty of these tools is that you can iterate endlessly. Change one parameter, and the entire design updates in real time,” he says. This iterative approach saves time and fosters creativity. Community building at its heart One of the most significant contributions of Parametric Architecture has been the development of a global community. “We are democratizing knowledge,” Hamid told us. “We’re making advanced design tools and computational techniques accessible to everyone, from students to professionals,” he added. Through initiatives like PA Talks and PA Academy , the platform has become a hub for learning and inspiration. “PA Talks started in 2018 to give architects a voice,” Hamid explains. “We’ve hosted legends like Peter Eisenman, who joined a live session on Instagram at 90. It was surreal,” he added. PA Academy, launched in 2022, focuses on teaching cutting-edge tools like AI and parametric design. “We want to make this knowledge accessible and affordable,” Hamid says. “You shouldn’t have to pay $50,000 for a master’s degree to learn these skills,” he said. AI in architecture The rise of AI has been a game-changer for the architectural field. “AI tools like MidJourney and ComfyUI are merging parametric design with artificial intelligence, giving architects unprecedented control over their designs,” Hamid notes. “You can type a prompt and explore multiple design options instantly,” he added. Despite the hype around AI, Hamid is quick to clarify its role. “Architecture is not just image generation. It’s a combination of design, materials, engineering, and context. AI is just one tool in a much larger process,” Hamid added. Sustainability to its core Parametric design has profound implications for sustainability. “By reducing the use of concrete through advanced geometries, we’re contributing to a more sustainable future,” Hamid emphasizes. He also sees a bright future for 3D printing in construction: “In the next 10 years, we might see multi-material 3D printers constructing entire buildings, from concrete walls to timber features.” This innovation extends beyond Earth. “Imagine robots building shelters on other planets before humans arrive. 3D printing could make this a reality,” he predicts. Architecture is not for the faint-hearted Despite its advancements, architecture remains a tough profession. “Architects often work long hours for low pay,” Hamid says candidly. “They design projects before getting funded, making it hard to sustain offices and teams,” he said. He hopes platforms like PA can help. “By providing resources and education, we aim to empower architects to be more efficient and adapt to new technologies,” he says. The road ahead As PA continues to grow, Hamid remains focused on accessibility. “We want to lower costs, expand workshops, and collaborate with universities to make advanced tools available to everyone,” he explained. His ultimate goal? “To create a more efficient and sustainable built environment. With the right tools, architects can design better buildings and improve the entire construction process,” he concluded.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After taking over as governor amid a scandal in 2018, Republican Mike Parson hoped to bring stability to a state that had just watched the unsettling resignation of his predecessor. But, in an expansive interview as he prepares to leave office, Missouri’s 57th chief executive said he remains in awe of how multiple crises unfolded during his tenure as chief executive. Within weeks of taking over for scandal-plagued Republican Eric Greitens, the former state lawmaker and county sheriff raced to Branson in the aftermath of the sinking of a duck boat ride at Table Rock Lake that killed 17 tourists. There was a flood, a drought , a crisis in the St. Louis prosecutor’s office and the COVID-19 pandemic. “There was so much turmoil when I first walked in these doors. The first big challenge was, ‘How do you stabilize that?’” Parson said. “I think at the end of the day, we did.” Parson will leave the warren of offices overlooking the Missouri River on the Capitol’s second floor on Jan. 13, handing the keys to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, a fellow Republican who has signaled he too wants relative continuity in 2025 by retaining a number of Parson holdovers to serve in his Cabinet. In a wide-ranging conversation with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Parson said there were many incidents that no governor could have been prepared to face, including a respiratory virus that infected a third of all residents and killed 22,000 Missourians. Like other governors, Parson faced evolving and often conflicting health advice, as well as members of the public split on masks, vaccines and school and business closures. “It was one of the most difficult times I had,” Parson said. “It was just unprecedented.” The governmental response to the virus wasn’t just a fight between a more relaxed approach in rural Missouri versus heightened health concerns in more populous urban areas, Parson said. “Some people wanted mandates, some people didn’t and that was all over the state,” said Parson, pointing to examples that came from friends in his hometown of Bolivar. “I remember people down home talking about churches, for example. I remember people calling me and saying you need to shut the churches down,” Parson said. “And that was people back home. You had that kind of pressure every day.” The COVID-19 shutdowns sent Missouri’s unemployment rate skyrocketing, pushing beyond the 12% level in April 2020. But, through a combination of vaccines and businesses opening, the rate was down to 6.8% by July 2020 and 4.2% a year later. “The whole time you’re fighting the virus you’re trying to keep the economy going,” he said. Parson said his decision to not shut down the state was based largely on his experience of owning a Polk County gas station in his younger days. Small business owners need to pay loans, mortgages and employees. “We made it possible for people to stay open,” Parson said. “I think looking back on it we did the right thing.” It wasn’t smooth sailing. In July 2020, Parson downplayed the risk of children contracting the coronavirus during school reopenings, insisting “they’re going to get over it.” “These kids have got to get back to school,” he said at the time. “They’re at the lowest risk possible. And if they do get COVID-19, which they will — and they will when they go to school — they’re not going to the hospitals. They’re not going to have to sit in doctor’s offices. They’re going to go home and they’re going to get over it.” “We gotta move on,” he continued. “We can’t just let this thing stop us in our tracks.” The blowback was harsh. Some health officials expressed concern about returning to schools because students could carry the virus home to older relatives. “I probably didn’t do it as tactfully as I should have,” Parson now acknowledges. “It was pretty brutal. People came after me with both barrels.” The governor’s approach to COVID-19 was similar to how he addressed other issues. Often out of sync Parson governed as a staunch Republican, eagerly taking up GOP talking points on guns, immigration and cultural issues. He signed a strict abortion ban in 2019 that went into effect in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. He won legislative support to give the nation’s lowest-paid state workers raises topping 25% to address an ongoing labor shortage in his administration, but he refused to sign any state worker employee union contracts during his entire tenure. Long waiting times for residents seeking state benefits were a frustrating feature of the Parson era. Missouri voters also sent Parson and his fellow Republicans multiple reminders that Missouri is not a wholly red state when it comes to social service issues. In 2020, for example, Missouri voters approved an expansion of Medicaid coverage after years of Republican opposition to President Barack Obama’s signature achievement of trying to fix the nation’s health care system. Parson opposed the expansion as a dangerous drain on tax revenues. The administration slow-walked the voter-approved rollout until the Supreme Court of Missouri held the expansion amendment to be constitutional. People began enrolling in October 2021, nearly a year after the matter was approved at the ballot box. Expansion has proven popular. As of Dec. 6, more than 316,000 adults were enrolled to get health coverage. In all, there are nearly 1.3 million Missourians receiving health insurance through Obamacare. In response to the Medicaid vote and other citizen-led petition drives, Parson says lawmakers must make it harder for residents to amend the state’s constitution. Republicans who control the Legislature were unable to raise the threshold for passage during a contentious spring legislative session and, by the fall, voters overturned the ban on abortion through an initiative petition. Although Parson favors toughening the standards for passage of amendments, he also urged the Legislature to resolve problems before residents feel the need to make changes themselves at the ballot box. “If you don’t take action ... people are going to go to the initiative petition process because they get frustrated because nothing ever happens here and nobody is willing to come to a compromise,” Parson said. The state budget also grew exponentially during his tenure, some of that due to an influx of billions of dollars in federal funds. As he leaves office, Parson contends that a series of income tax cuts also helped boost the bottom line. “Yes, the budget has ballooned during this administration. There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “It’s because revenues went up. If you put money back in people’s pockets, the general revenue and the economy grows.” Picking the ‘right people’ Parson’s relationship with the Democrat-controlled St. Louis region was sometimes testy over Republican opposition to tightening the state’s loose gun laws and ongoing threats to put the city’s police department under state control. “I set out early on to make sure the people of St. Louis realize I just wasn’t some old country boy from southwest Missouri and I was just going to take care of things back home,” Parson said. “For the state of Missouri to do well, St. Louis must do well.” “You’ve got to be part of finding solutions. Sometimes when you get involved it becomes controversial,” he said. Parson said he never imagined he would be in the middle of a fight over the St. Louis city prosecutor’s office when he was first sworn in. “I didn’t even know it was my job to pick the circuit attorney of St. Louis,” Parson said. In 2023, Parson appointed Gabe Gore , a civil attorney, to rebuild the city prosecutor’s office following the abrupt resignation of beleaguered Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner. Gore, then a partner at the high-powered and politically connected Dowd Bennett law firm, served on the Ferguson Commission following protests over the 2014 death of Michael Brown and worked as an assistant U.S. attorney prosecutor in the 1990s. “That was a big selection. You could tell he cared about the city,” Parson said of Gore. Parson also had the unprecedented opportunity to appoint four people to statewide office to fill vacancies when the officeholder ran for higher office and left the post open. He elevated state treasurer Eric Schmitt to attorney general to succeed Josh Hawley. Hawley and Schmitt are now both U.S. senators. Parson named Scott Fitzpatrick, a state representative, to succeed Schmitt as treasurer. Fitzpatrick is now state auditor. The governor named his general counsel Andrew Bailey to succeed Schmitt as attorney general and lawyer Vivek Malek to succeed Fitzpatrick as treasurer. “I really tried to pick people who were good for the jobs,” he said. All four ran for election after their appointments and voters gave them easy wins on Election Day — a result Parson says means that he chose the right people. “I think the people of the state said, ‘You did a pretty good job,’” Parson said. There also were controversies inside the Capitol and outside. At the height of the pandemic, amid concerns about the ongoing spread of the virus, former House Speaker Rob Vescovo informed Parson’s office that he would have to deliver the annual State of the State speech to an empty House chamber. An enraged Parson received permission to give his speech in the Senate chamber. Two days later, a fuming Parson fired off a letter accusing Vescovo of engaging in a “purposeful and disgusting scheme to embarrass” him. “Instead, Wednesday became an insider stunt and petty show of arrogance and political power,” Parson wrote. Dealing with the media In 2021, Parson accused the Post-Dispatch of hacking into a state website despite evidence that his own administration’s computer shortcomings had left personal information about Missouri teachers available within a few mouse clicks on a state-run website. He never apologized for the accusation after prosecutors declined to press charges. Parson also raised eyebrows for pardoning Central West End attorney Mark McCloskey and his wife, Patricia, in 2021 for brandishing guns at protesters who were moving through the neighborhood. He also was criticized in 2024 for pardoning Britt Reid, the son of Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid, who had been in prison for a drunken driving crash that seriously injured a 5-year-old girl. His decision this month to commute the prison sentence of former police detective Eric DeValkenaere , the first Kansas City officer ever convicted of killing a Black man, was, as expected, highly controversial. But Parson also was widely praised for granting clemency to Patty Prewitt , who had spent 40 years behind bars for her husband’s 1984 murder. “It wasn’t like we liked all the stories anyone wrote, but you’re not in the business of writing everything I like,” Parson said. “You have to learn to deal with the media. From Day One, we tried to establish a role with the media. And for the most part we were able to do that,” he said. Parson said Kehoe will hit the ground running next month. He hopes the former senator and Jefferson City businessman will address the state’s child care industry, which has not recovered from the pandemic. A key to solving the problems lies with Kehoe navigating divisiveness among Republicans, who have been unable to overcome differences in the state Senate, leading to a record-low number of non-budget bills going to Parson’s desk. “I think he’s got a really good foundation to build on,” Parson said. “If there is one thing on the table that I didn’t get done ... you’ve got to do something about the day care situation in the state.” “It is a huge issue for everyday people out there. There’s just a lack of it,” Parson said. As he heads back to Bolivar, a city of 11,300 people, his small cattle operation and home to Southwest Baptist University, Parson said the last six years were more intense than many can imagine. “The worst part of the job is time. You just have very little time,” Parson said. “I missed my family. I missed a lot of ball games. It is a pressure cooker every day and it just never stops.” But, he said, “We got about everything done that we started out to do. I’m looking forward to going home.” ©2024 STLtoday.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The 49ers' playoff hopes are still teetering even after get-right game against the Bears
On behalf of applicant Matthew Helsby, from Billinge, O'Rourke-Designs submitted proposals to convert the former Spex4Less premises on Bickerstaffe Street into a seven-bedroom HMO. After more than 30 years of operation in Bickerstaffe Street, the family-run Spex4Less relocated to Ormskirk in August as its owners believed the business would be "unsustainable" during the regeneration works in St Helens town centre. The HMO application follows a trend of submissions in St Helens, with the properties often used to help meet housing demands and offer cheaper alternatives than the private rental market. The application has since been withdrawn, a decision notice on the council planning portal has confirmed. The Spex4Less unit was closed as the business relocated in August (Image: .) The application had stated: "The proposed change of use is consistent with the broader trend of diversification in St Helens town centre. "With many commercial premises being converted to residential use, the introduction of an HMO at this location is appropriate and will contribute to meeting the local need for affordable housing. The building’s external alterations will respect the surrounding architectural styles and will not significantly alter the overall appearance of the street. "The site’s location in the town centre provides excellent access to public transportation, with St Helens Central train station and several bus routes within walking distance. "The development will encourage sustainable travel modes, with residents likely to rely on walking, cycling, or public transport. Secure cycle storage will be provided, and the lack of parking provision reflects the site’s sustainable location. READ > St Helens listed among region's hotspots for Japanese knotweed "The proposed development at 7 Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens, represents a positive contribution to the area’s housing stock, providing much-needed shared accommodation in a highly sustainable location. "The design respects the character of the surrounding area and ensures that the building will remain an attractive part of the town centre streetscape. "The external alterations have been designed to be sympathetic to the building’s existing architectural style, and the internal layout has been optimised to meet modern HMO standards. "Access to the building will be maintained and improved where necessary, ensuring the development is accessible, sustainable, and well-integrated into the surrounding area." A reason for the application's withdrawal was not cited. The applicant has been asked to discuss any amendments to the plans with the planning officer if they intend to resubmit the proposals. If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of St Helens. Please get in touch at simon.mulligan@newsquest.co.uk
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