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Christmas Eve 72 years ago - simpler timesOn Tuesday morning, Sheila Gonzalez was reading news reports about the arrest of a man charged with killing Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan a day earlier in the Lawndale Food Lion. She immediately recognized Tarell McMillian's mugshot. Why? Because he was at the same Food Lion on Monday morning filling her Instacart order, she says. McMillian Instacart is a delivery company where users of the platform can pay someone to buy and deliver their groceries to their home. "My Instacart shopper yesterday was Tarell McMillan!" she posted on Nextdoor , the neighborhood social media app. Horan was shot inside the store yesterday morning around 11 a.m. after responding to a call about a man with a firearm inside the Food Lion according to law enforcement. According to screenshots from Gonzalez's post, she had received a message from Instacart at 10:32 a.m. saying McMillian had begun shopping for her. At 11:48 a.m. she had received a notification that her order was running late. Ramona Miller, 63, who was in the store at the time of the shooting, said Tuesday a man who looked like McMillian was rushing through aisles and pushing carts aside to pass. She said she heard five or six gunshots coming from near the produce section. Gonzalez's post goes on to say that McMillan "was at Food Lion and stopped shopping halfway through my order, and my order was reassigned. I thought it was unusual at the time, but didn't think much of it until I saw a news alert about a police officer being shot. My first thought was that my shopper was present when the incident occurred." Gonzalez was shocked to find out it that the person shopping for her was the person being held responsible for the shooting. "It’s chilling to think someone dangerous was almost at my doorstep," she wrote. "I'm now rethinking using these services, especially during the busy holidays. Please stay alert and safe!" Reporter Susie Spear contributed to this report. camdyn.bruce@greensboro.com 336-373-7094 Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart's sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups. The changes announced by the world's biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Trump's incoming deputy chief of policy will be his former adviser Stephen Miller , who leads a group called America First Legal that has aggressively challenged corporate DEI policies. “There has been a lot of reassessment of risk looking at programs that could be deemed to constitute reverse discrimination,” said Allan Schweyer, principal researcher at the Human Capital Center at the Conference Board. “This is another domino to fall and it is a rather large domino,” he added. Among other changes, Walmart said it will no longer give priority treatment to suppliers owned by women or minorities. The company also will not renew a five-year commitment for a racial equity center set up in 2020 after the police killing of George Floyd. And it pulled out of a prominent gay rights index . Schweyer said the biggest trigger for companies making such changes is simply a reassessment of their legal risk exposure, which began after U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2023 that ended affirmative action in college admissions. Since then, conservative groups using similar arguments have secured court victories against various diversity programs, especially those that steer contracts to minority or women-owned businesses. Most recently, the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty won a victory in a case against the U.S. Department of Transportation over its use of a program that gives priority to minority-owned businesses when it awards contracts. Companies are seeing a big legal risk in continuing with DEI efforts, said Dan Lennington, a deputy counsel at the institute. His organization says it has identified more than 60 programs in the federal government that it considers discriminatory, he said. “We have a legal landscape within the entire federal government, all three branches -- the U.S. Supreme Court, the Congress and the President -- are all now firmly pointed in the direction towards equality of individuals and individualized treatment of all Americans, instead of diversity, equity and inclusion treating people as members of racial groups,” Lennington said. The Trump administration is also likely to take direct aim at DEI initiatives through executive orders and other policies that affect private companies, especially federal contractors. “The impact of the election on DEI policies is huge. It can’t be overstated,” said Jason Schwartz, co-chair of the Labor & Employment Practice Group at law firm Gibson Dunn. With Miller returning to the White House, rolling back DEI initiatives is likely to be a priority, Schwartz said. “Companies are trying to strike the right balance to make clear they’ve got an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome, and they want to get the best talent, while at the same time trying not to alienate various parts of their employees and customer base who might feel one way or the other. It’s a virtually impossible dilemma,” Schwartz said. A recent survey by Pew Research Center showed that workers are divided on the merits of DEI policies. While still broadly popular, the share of workers who said focusing on workplace diversity was mostly a good thing fell to 52% in the October survey, compared to 56% in a similar survey in February 2023. Rachel Minkin, a research associate at Pew, called it a small but significant shift in short amount of time. There will be more companies pulling back from their DEI policies, but it likely won’t be a retreat across the board, said David Glasgow, executive director of the Meltzer Center for Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging at New York University. “There are vastly more companies that are sticking with DEI," Glasgow said. "The only reason you don’t hear about it is most of them are doing it by stealth. They’re putting their heads down and doing DEI work and hoping not to attract attention.” Glasgow advises organizations to stick to their own core values, because attitudes toward the topic can change quickly in the span of four years. “It’s going to leave them looking a little bit weak if there’s a kind of flip-flopping, depending on whichever direction the political winds are blowing,” he said. One reason DEI programs exist is because without those programs, companies may be vulnerable to lawsuits for traditional discrimination. “Really think carefully about the risks in all directions on this topic,” Glasgow said. Walmart confirmed will no longer consider race and gender as a litmus test to improve diversity when it offers supplier contracts. Walmart says its U.S. businesses sourced more than $13 billion in goods and services from diverse suppliers in fiscal year 2024, including businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. It was unclear how its relationships with such business would change going forward. Organizations that have partnered with Walmart on its diversity initiatives offered a cautious response. The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, a non-profit that last year named Walmart one of America's top corporation for women-owned enterprises, said it was still evaluating the impact of Walmart's announcement. Pamela Prince-Eason, the president and CEO of the organization, said she hoped Walmart's need to cater to its diverse customer base will continue to drive contracts to women-owned suppliers even if the company has no explicit dollar goals. “I suspect Walmart will continue to have one of the most inclusive supply chains in the World,” Prince-Eason wrote. “Any retailer's ability to serve the communities they operate in will continue to value understanding their customers, (many of which are women), in order to better provide products and services desired and no one understands customers better than Walmart." Walmart's announcement came after the company spoke directly with conservative political commentator and activist Robby Starbuck, who has been going after corporate DEI policies, calling out individual companies on the social media platform X. Several of those companies have subsequently announced that they are pulling back their initiatives, including Ford , Harley-Davidson, Lowe’s and Tractor Supply . Walmart confirmed to The Associated Press that it will better monitor its third-party marketplace items to make sure they don’t feature sexual and transgender products aimed at minors. The company also will stop participating in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual benchmark index that measures workplace inclusion for LGBTQ+ employees. A Walmart spokesperson added that some of the changes were already in progress and not as a result of conversations that it had with Starbuck. RaShawn “Shawnie” Hawkins, senior director of the HRC Foundation’s Workplace Equality Program, said companies that “abandon” their commitments workplace inclusion policies “are shirking their responsibility to their employees, consumers, and shareholders.” She said the buying power of LGBTQ customers is powerful and noted that the index will have record participation of more than 1,400 companies in 2025.

By KAREEM CHEHAYEB BEIRUT (AP) — In 2006, after a bruising monthlong war between Israel and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah militant group, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted for a resolution to end the conflict and pave the way for lasting security along the border. But while there was relative calm for nearly two decades, Resolution 1701’s terms were never fully enforced. Now, figuring out how to finally enforce it is key to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal approved by Israel on Tuesday. In late September, after nearly a year of low-level clashes , the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah spiraled into all-out war and an Israeli ground invasion . As Israeli jets pound deep inside Lebanon and Hezbollah fires rockets deeper into northern Israel, U.N. and diplomatic officials again turned to the 2006 resolution in a bid to end the conflict. Years of deeply divided politics and regionwide geopolitical hostilities have halted substantial progress on its implementation, yet the international community believes Resolution 1701 is still the brightest prospect for long-term stability between Israel and Lebanon. Almost two decades after the last war between Israel and Hezbollah, the United States led shuttle diplomacy efforts between Lebanon and Israel to agree on a ceasefire proposal that renewed commitment to the resolution, this time with an implementation plan to try to bring the document back to life. In 2000, Israel withdrew its forces from most of southern Lebanon along a U.N.-demarcated “Blue Line” that separated the two countries and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, which most of the world considers occupied Syrian territory. U.N. peacekeeping forces in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL , increased their presence along the line of withdrawal. Resolution 1701 was supposed to complete Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon and ensure Hezbollah would move north of the Litani River, keeping the area exclusively under the Lebanese military and U.N. peacekeepers. Up to 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers would help to maintain calm, return displaced Lebanese and secure the area alongside the Lebanese military. The goal was long-term security, with land borders eventually demarcated to resolve territorial disputes. The resolution also reaffirmed previous ones that call for the disarmament of all armed groups in Lebanon — Hezbollah among them. “It was made for a certain situation and context,” Elias Hanna, a retired Lebanese army general, told The Associated Press. “But as time goes on, the essence of the resolution begins to hollow.” For years, Lebanon and Israel blamed each other for countless violations along the tense frontier. Israel said Hezbollah’s elite Radwan Force and growing arsenal remained, and accused the group of using a local environmental organization to spy on troops. Lebanon complained about Israeli military jets and naval ships entering Lebanese territory even when there was no active conflict. Related Articles “You had a role of the UNIFIL that slowly eroded like any other peacekeeping with time that has no clear mandate,” said Joseph Bahout, the director of the Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy at the American University of Beirut. “They don’t have permission to inspect the area without coordinating with the Lebanese army.” UNIFIL for years has urged Israel to withdraw from some territory north of the frontier, but to no avail. In the ongoing war, the peacekeeping mission has accused Israel, as well as Hezbollah , of obstructing and harming its forces and infrastructure. Hezbollah’s power, meanwhile, has grown, both in its arsenal and as a political influence in the Lebanese state. The Iran-backed group was essential in keeping Syrian President Bashar Assad in power when armed opposition groups tried to topple him, and it supports Iran-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen. It has an estimated 150,000 rockets and missiles, including precision-guided missiles pointed at Israel, and has introduced drones into its arsenal . Hanna says Hezbollah “is something never seen before as a non-state actor” with political and military influence. Israel’s security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time Wednesday. Efforts led by the U.S. and France for the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah underscored that they still view the resolution as key. For almost a year, Washington has promoted various versions of a deal that would gradually lead to its full implementation. International mediators hope that by boosting financial support for the Lebanese army — which was not a party in the Israel-Hezbollah war — Lebanon can deploy some 6,000 additional troops south of the Litani River to help enforce the resolution. Under the deal, an international monitoring committee headed by the United States would oversee implementation to ensure that Hezbollah and Israel’s withdrawals take place. It is not entirely clear how the committee would work or how potential violations would be reported and dealt with. The circumstances now are far more complicated than in 2006. Some are still skeptical of the resolution’s viability given that the political realities and balance of power both regionally and within Lebanon have dramatically changed since then. “You’re tying 1701 with a hundred things,” Bahout said. “A resolution is the reflection of a balance of power and political context.” Now with the ceasefire in place, the hope is that Israel and Lebanon can begin negotiations to demarcate their land border and settle disputes over several points along the Blue Line for long-term security after decades of conflict and tension.KBC Group NV bought a new stake in Cassava Sciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SAVA – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 1,944 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $57,000. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. International Assets Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in Cassava Sciences in the 3rd quarter valued at about $10,610,000. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System lifted its position in shares of Cassava Sciences by 5.7% in the first quarter. State Board of Administration of Florida Retirement System now owns 12,149 shares of the company’s stock valued at $247,000 after acquiring an additional 650 shares in the last quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co boosted its stake in shares of Cassava Sciences by 146.7% in the first quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 9,408 shares of the company’s stock worth $191,000 after acquiring an additional 5,594 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Cassava Sciences by 1.4% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 2,356,480 shares of the company’s stock worth $47,813,000 after purchasing an additional 31,854 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its position in shares of Cassava Sciences by 18.1% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 140,847 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,739,000 after purchasing an additional 21,558 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 38.05% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several brokerages have issued reports on SAVA. Rodman & Renshaw reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $107.00 target price on shares of Cassava Sciences in a research note on Thursday, August 8th. HC Wainwright restated a “buy” rating and set a $116.00 price target on shares of Cassava Sciences in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Cassava Sciences Price Performance SAVA stock opened at $26.48 on Friday. Cassava Sciences, Inc. has a 1 year low of $8.79 and a 1 year high of $42.20. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.27 billion, a PE ratio of -19.19 and a beta of -0.59. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $27.55 and a 200-day simple moving average of $23.38. Cassava Sciences ( NASDAQ:SAVA – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 7th. The company reported ($0.58) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($1.37) by $0.79. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned ($0.61) earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Cassava Sciences, Inc. will post -3.63 EPS for the current year. Cassava Sciences Profile ( Free Report ) Cassava Sciences, Inc, a clinical stage biotechnology company, develops drugs for neurodegenerative diseases. Its lead therapeutic product candidate is simufilam, a small molecule drug, which is completed Phase 2 clinical trial; and investigational diagnostic product candidate is SavaDx, a blood-based biomarker/diagnostic to detect Alzheimer's disease. See Also Five stocks we like better than Cassava Sciences The Most Important Warren Buffett Stock for Investors: His Own Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot EV Stocks and How to Profit from Them MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 What is the FTSE 100 index? 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SAVA? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cassava Sciences, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SAVA – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Cassava Sciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cassava Sciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

ESTERO, Fla. (AP) — Kaden Cooper led Louisiana Tech with 16 points, and Daniel Batcho and Amaree Abram made key free throws in the closing seconds as the Bulldogs defeated Richmond 65-62 on Tuesday. Cooper added nine rebounds and four steals for the Bulldogs (6-0). Batcho scored 13 points, going 4 of 6 and 5 of 7 from the free-throw line. Abram shot 3 for 13 (2 for 7 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding six rebounds. Delonnie Hunt finished with 26 points and three steals for the Spiders (3-4). Abram scored eight points in the first half and Louisiana Tech went into halftime trailing 35-27. Sean Newman Jr. scored a team-high 12 points for Louisiana Tech in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Jones, Christensen lead Sumner-Fred/Wapsie to top half of field

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is below the turkey on your list of Thanksgiving necessities, so you’ll want to plan accordingly. Whether you’re looking to enhance the festivities through sharing drinks, laughter, and stories or avoid the awkwardness of discussing politics, navigating family dynamics, and explaining your personal life (we’ve all been there), whiskey helps. That’s precisely why having a good, reliable bottle of the brown stuff nearby helps the holiday season go down smoothly. To aid you in your attempts to either survive or thrive this Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving), we put together a list of to bring along with you. As a bonus, we broke them all up into price segments because even though it the most festive time of the year, . That said, we’ll start with fantastic budget bottles you won’t mind sharing because of the price, leaving you looking like a hero because they’re eagerly enjoyed. Next, we’ll get into the pricier mid-shelf range, a real sweet spot for showing off some high-quality bottles that will impress everyone trying them. Finally, we’ll end with high-end bottles that are worth the cost to prove to your loved ones that you don’t just have the extra cash but also the discerning taste and class to match. Now, without further ado, let’s dive in! Bottles from $10-$30 4. Duncan Taylor 12-Year Blended Scotch Whisky Duncan Taylor’s 12-year blend of malt and grain whiskey from the Speyside, Islay, Highland, and Lowland regions of Scotland makes for an approachable entry point into the brand, which also carries several rare and exorbitantly priced single malt options. The nosing notes open with a floral aspect of lavender honey before a faint bit of smokiness and sweet malt come wafting up to greet the nose. Overall, it has an arrangement of light but clearly well-developed aromas with lemon zest, dried apricots, and toasted multigrain bread notes. Once on the palate, there’s a creaminess that comes and quickly dissipates as the light flavors lay claim to the tongue. Primary among those notes are the bits of dried apricot and lemon zest alone with lavender honey and gentle, well-incorporated peat smoke. The succinct finish welcomes an uptick in the smoky flavor, a touch of salinity and black pepper, plus a final flourish of the citrus notes found at midpalate. For a $30 blended whiskey that delivers on flavor and can open the eyes of your friends and family to a world beyond Johnnie Walker ( ) Duncan Taylor is the right choice. The approachable flavor profile and moderate ABV will allow you to enjoy from the time the hors d’oeuvres are served, right up until the big bird hits the table. 3. Maker’s Mark Bourbon Maker’s Mark features the bourbon world’s most iconic bottle design, the same one they’ve been utilizing since their founding in 1953, and a mash bill that’s been used for just as long. This wheated bourbon is one of the best-selling whiskeys in the entire world, making it a ubiquitous sight on liquor store shelves. On the nose, you’ll find a bit of corn pudding, vanilla extract, and indistinct red berry aromas wafting out of the glass. There’s also a bit of graham cracker sweetness and white pepper. On the palate, Maker’s Mark greets the tongue with a bunch of honeyed graham cracker notes that soon make way for vanilla pod and cornbread. A second sip morphs the vanilla pod into a custard note, complete with caramelized sugar and some red berry compote. The finish of Maker’s Mark features some mellow spice and more red berry compote, as those natural sugars fuse with vanilla notes to quickly dissipate from the palate. Despite its modest proof point, Maker’s Mark has a ton of flavor, meaning you won’t blow out your palate or scare off if you decide to sip this one neat. It’s ubiquitous on liquor store shelves and should be a staple on your bar cart, primarily if you aim to offer Thanksgiving guests a smooth bourbon they can enjoy all night long. 2. Evan Williams Bottled In Bond Bourbon Evan Williams Bottled in Bond is often named as . Aged for at least four years, per the Bottled in Bond regulations, this 100-proof bourbon is almost as readily found around the country as Evan Williams’ flagship “black label” expression. The nosing notes open with honey, lemon zest, and a distinct peanut note on this bourbon. From there, the periphery aromas are faint — a touch of brown butter, apricots, and cumin, but otherwise nondescript. In the mouth, those initial three notes make the most substantial impression, along with a piquant texture that slightly prickles the tongue and adds a bit of pop to the citrus flavors in the liquid. On the finish, you’ll find some black pepper spice and youthful oak that curtail the peanut and lemon zest flavors. The finish is short-to-medium, giving just enough room to make a satisfying impression on the palate before encouraging repeat sips. Evan Williams’ Bottled in Bond Expression is a masterclass in delivering a high-quality, no-frills bourbon. At 100-proof, it can stand tall in cocktails, bringing an abundance of flavor to classics , but it has just enough depth to perform well on its own—making for a delicious, cost-friendly sipper. 1. Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon is not only the most classic expression in the brand’s lineup, . Wild Turkey’s signature 101-proof designation was first formulated in the 1940s by Austin, Nichols & Co. executive Thomas McCarthy, and it’s been a benchmark for high-quality, budget-friendly bourbon ever since. The nose on this whiskey encapsulates what Wild Turkey is all about. There’s a lovely dusting of baking spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove resting atop stone fruits like stewed red apples, bruised peaches, and a faint dose of caramel and oak. On the palate, Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon offers a familiar range of flavors, from apple chips, cinnamon bark, and oak to vanilla extract, nutmeg, and clove. The mouthfeel is intriguing, maintaining enough grip on the palate to heighten the impact of the various baking spices but enough give for the fruit-forward flavors to strut their stuff. The finish is where black pepper flares up, along with a more forceful impression of the oak and clove notes. It’s a short-to-medium finish that pairs well with the flavor profile, giving the impression that this blend is perfectly proofed. Wild Turkey 101 might conjure memories of crazy college nights for some people, but serious connoisseurs know that even with its rowdy reputation, this is one of the best-kept secrets in bourbon. With a robust, spice-heavy profile, Wild Turkey 101 is bold enough to while offering the depth of flavor that makes it great to savor at length in the evening’s quieter moments, too. Bottles from $30-$60 4. Bushmills Single Malt 12-Year Irish Whiskey Bushmills 12, made from 100% Irish malted barley, is part of the well-known brand’s core range. Alongside Jameson and Redbreast, Bushmills is perhaps the most widely known Irish whiskey brand, and that’s due to their 237-year legacy of producing high-quality liquid. For this expression, they marry ex-bourbon and ex-Oloroso casks together, then finish them in ex-Marsala casks for 6-9 months. The nose opens with dilute honey and bright apple notes with a lovely infusion of faint nutmeg, pears, and vanilla beans, giving this whiskey a distinctly autumnal vibe from the outset. Once the liquid crosses your lips and hits your palate, those lovely aromas from the nose spring to life as full-figured flavors on your tongue. Apple chips dipped in honey come to mind at the tip of the tongue before the graininess of Cheerios curtails the sweetness and allows you to appreciate the creamy texture as it barrels toward the finish. The finish is short to medium in length and introduces a bit more baking spice, caramel, and dried apple flavors. Bushmills 12 is a beautiful display of balance when using finishing casks, as each of the barrels selected contributes a little bit of oomph to the overall flavor profile. Caramel and faint coconut from the bourbon casks, rich apple notes from the Oloroso, and a slight nuttiness offer a more full-bodied texture with the Marsala casks, making this one ideal for holiday enjoyment. 3. Nikka Whisky From The Barrel Nikka Whisky From The Barrel features a blend of whiskies from Japan and Scotch, mingling single malt and single grain whiskies for this singular release. Offered “overproof” at 51.4% ABV, this stout bottle packs quite a punch. Also, for clarity’s sake, while this whisky was produced in Japan and contained Japanese whisky, it cannot legally be called a Japanese whisky as of 2021, thanks to new regulations and its inclusion of Scotch whiskey in the blend. Orange marmalade and dark berries (think blueberries and blackberries) inform the nose right away that this is going to be a rich, full-bodied whisky experience. There’s also some strong oak with a faint leather backbone to go with an elusive level of smoke that grows in prominence once you initially detect it. On the palate, those jammy berry notes come to the fore along with some stern oak, a stronger presence of smoke, and further accenting notes of roasted hazelnuts, toasted multigrain bread, and caramelized sugar. At this hefty proof, it definitely sits on your palate with some density, making it a treat to chew and enjoy at length. The finish is lingering and strips away some of the sweeter, fruit-forward notes in favor of the slight nuttiness and oak influences. Toffee is there, but white pepper, hazelnuts, and tobacco leaf flavors close things out. While American palates are more accustomed to the bold flavors of bourbon and rye whiskies, this nifty blend of Japanese whisky and Scotch offers a range of rich flavors capable of not only dispelling that myth but also standing up to the assortment of flavors found in your typical Thanksgiving meal. Even better, it can definitely enhance protein dishes like baked ham and the main event — the turkey. 2. Glenglassaugh Sandend Inspired by the crescent beach of Sandend Bay, home of Glenglassaugh, this expression of single malt Scotch utilizes bourbon, sherry, and manzanilla casks to create a floral and fruity flavor profile. Also of note is that this was voted for 2023. The nose opens with an explosion of tropical fruit and vanilla ice cream as chunks of pineapple greet bright red cherries as some slight salinity and crème brûlée notes fill the air above the glass. The flavor wheel starts spinning with more of those lively fruit notes from pineapple chunks to bright red cherries and blood orange before the crème brûlée’s caramelized sugar and vanilla custard flavors have their say. There’s some salted caramel to be found as well, and the texture is very supple, gently coating the palate while remaining spry enough to bounce around from corner to corner of the mouth. The finish is appropriately medium-length with more fruit and crème brûlée undulating against the cheeks while white pepper and a touch of allspice close out each sip with a baking spice flourish. What makes Glenglassaugh’s Sandend expression so ideal for enjoyment during Thanksgiving is that it brings forth a ton of sweet, fruity notes that seem tailor-made for the spice profile and dishes served during the holiday. Try serving this one up alongside cranberry sauce, for example, to exploit all of that fruity flavor, or use it as a counter to savory dishes or sweet potatoes. 1. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon Russell’s Reserve’s 10-Year Bourbon was initially released in 2001 as an age-stated, 101-proof expression. In 2005, much to the chagrin of Wild Turkey fans, the ABV was brought down to its current level, making this a 90-proof expression. The nose on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon contains varying vanillas, from ice cream to vanilla extract. There are also pastry notes and the aroma of brioche buns, along with a touch of salted caramel, warm oak, and fresh nutmeg. The palate on Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon is distinctly earthy at first, with toasted walnuts, apple leather, and mature oak leading the charge. As you chew the bourbon, you’ll notice that those notes grow in prominence with the oak and walnut flavors outpacing the restrained fruitiness and baking spices like clove and cinnamon become more pronounced. The mouthfeel is middle of the road, which serves well to carry all of those earthy flavors without being overly slick and distracting from them. The finish is marked by more vanilla tones, think vanilla pod more so than vanilla extract, and there’s more hazelnut flavor to be discovered alongside oak and red apple skin. It’s a medium-length finish that works well because it fades before that mature oak begins to dry out the back of your palate. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon is one of the best values in American whiskey, offering a well-aged expression at an affordable price. This expression is perhaps the best example of Wild Turkey’s ability to deliver that consistently competes with bourbons at twice the price. Let’s face it, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than bringing one of Wild best bourbons to Thanksgiving dinner. Bottles from $60-$100 4. WhistlePig 10-Year Small Batch Rye Whiskey WhistlePig’s 10-year-old rye whiskey, sourced from Canada, is so damn good (and well-known at this point) that it’s probably the contemporary standard for Canadian whiskey among American whiskey enthusiasts. Aged for at least 10 years, these bottles have been known to house liquid that pushes up to 11 or 12 years old and beyond. The nosing notes open with some applewood, cedar, slight mint, and red apples. I’m immediately put into an autumnal state of mind when nosing this whiskey as a touch of butterscotch and salted caramel rounds things out. On the palate, the whiskey is immediately mouth-coating and creamy, with those notes of fresh red apples and cedar claiming the lead in terms of prominence while butterscotch, faint hints of dill and mint, plus cedar wood begin to blossom at midpalate. The medium-length finish is drying like apples can be, as the fruit sugars dissipate and leave the edges of your tongue slightly astringent. There’s more cedar, cinnamon bark, and a faint bit of clove to be found before it all ends. This viscous, sweet whiskey fits perfectly under the “crushable” descriptor while offering enough intrigue to keep you from hurriedly tossing it back. It is the perfect whiskey for a holiday party because it’s good enough to warrant conversation but simply enjoyable enough to enhance all of the conversation happening around it. 3. Lagavulin 16 Considered by many to be the benchmark of smoky Islay Scotch whisky, Lagavulin’s well-earned reputation is difficult to escape. This peated Scotch classic achieved its status as the King of Islay for balancing that smoky profile with a deft touch of sweetness. The nose opens with bold billows of peat smoke, but as those gently waft away, you’ll notice some meaty undertones with slight salinity reminiscent of savory bacon fat, a touch of smoked honey, sweet sherry, and creamy vanilla ice cream with a touch of cinnamon bark. On the palate, this whiskey remains true to its aroma notes as it opens with enveloping smoke that then introduces the savory bacon fat notes, which then subside, allowing space for the sherry sweetness along with a touch of honeyed black tea and the flavor of crème brûlée. The texture is robust, and it simultaneously coats your palate while also spryly rolling over your tongue, searching for new territory to claim. The finish continues the interplay of savory and sweet with a gentle kiss of smoke as it lingers for quite a while after the final sip is gone, gently and slowly receding as it beckons you to re-fill your glass. While isn’t for everyone, this bottle is sure to sink its hooks into someone. At the very least, it’s a cool idea to bring this classic example of Islay Scotch for guests to try, but you shouldn’t be shocked if a smaller group of discerning individuals slowly drink the bottle into extinction over the course of the night. 2. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon This bottle, a single-barrel version of Four Roses’ OBSV recipe ( ), is an absolutely classic bourbon. The brand describes the OBSV recipe as having a delicate, fruit-forward yeast and a high-rye mash bill. The nosing notes are resplendent with red berries as the aroma of raspberries and black cherries leap out of the glass, along with a touch of sage, singed mint, Brazil nuts, and blood oranges. This is one expressive and inviting nose. On the palate, those flavors continue to develop as the blood orange fuses with black cherries, and they’re joined by black pepper spice, singed mint, sage, and even a bit of cedar at midpalate. The juxtaposition of citrus, sweetness, woodsiness, and baking spice might seem like a cacophony of flavors, but they all come together harmoniously. The finish is where the baking spice slightly wins out over the fruit-forward notes as it lingers with medium length on the tongue, sizzling the tip and leaving bits of bright cherry and Valencia orange meat on the back end. If you aren’t picking up on a theme here, this bottle should help spell it out. Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon is packed with flavor but still maintains an approachability and sweetness that will make it appealing to connoisseurs and novices alike. Furthermore, it has a berry-forward flavor profile that pairs well with Thanksgiving dishes and still lands at a price point that makes it fair game for mixing in cocktails. 1. Benriach The Smoky Ten Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Benriach’s use of Highland peat sets them apart from the bruising Islay peated expressions that most whiskey drinkers are familiar with. The Highlands’ wood-rich peat is more delicate and fruit-forward, and it’s part of what makes Benriach’s Smoky Ten (and their fabulous Smoky 12) expression so unique. This one is made from a blend of peated and unpeated whiskey that was aged in a combination of ex-bourbon barrels, ex-Jamaican rum casks, and virgin oak that was toasted to the distillery’s specifications. The nose gives you an indication of that intricate lineage with a faint bit of tropical fruits like overripe mangoes and bananas joining forces with butterscotch, dried apricots, and smoked applewood. Once on the palate, this whiskey opens with spiced pear flavors along with smoked honey and dried apricots. Wow, the first sip is so complex and full of well-defined flavors that a second sip is immediately necessary, and once you take a second sip, the joy of unlocking that mystery takes hold. The liquid is moderately textured, which means that its viscousness doesn’t stand in the way of your picking apart each layer of flavor and savoring it at length. The medium-length finish is where the smoke takes hold, and as promised, it’s a gentler smoke profile than most Islay Scotches and comes complete with an applewood and honey sweetness that makes it more palatable for beginners and more intriguing for avid imbibers. Benriach’s Smoky Ten expression perfectly encapsulates the type of fun, flavorful whiskeys that the Highland distillery is making across its portfolio. While it remains true to the delicate, sweet, and slightly floral profile that Highland single malt is known for, by adding that twist of Highland peat, Benriach elevates this whiskey to must-try status with ease. As a holiday companion, this is one you’re likely to stick to like glue throughout the entire night. Bottles over $100 4. Heaven Hill Grain To Glass Rye (2024) Heaven Hill’s brand-new Grain To Glass lineup features three whiskeys intended to highlight the carefully grown grains (Beck’s 6158 corn) they sourced from hand-selected local farming partners. For the lineup’s lone rye offering, they bottled a whiskey that utilizes a different grain source and mash bill from their other standout expressions like Parker’s Heritage 10-Year Rye and Pikesville Rye. Tobacco leaf, almond, mint sprigs, and oak all take turns rising and falling on the nose for a dense, impressive melange that makes you want to sit with your glass for extended consideration. The heavy mouthfeel brings milk chocolate, tobacco leaf, oak, and smoked mint across the palate on the first sip. The layers of flavor go deeper on the second sip, with cayenne, caramel, and cinnamon dancing on the center of the palate, while the influence of ethanol causes the periphery of the tongue to pulsate with delight. The finish is long-lasting, drying the palate out a bit while black tea, oak, freshly cracked black pepper, and mint linger at the back of the tongue. Heaven Hill’s Grain To Glass series hit the mark across the entire lineup, but the rye is easily the star of the show. They’ve delivered a bottle of rye that can go toe-to-toe with the best of them by switching up their grain source and tinkering with the mash bill to optimize it. You’ll want your friends and family to appreciate what makes this whiskey different from the others in . 3. Octomore 15.2 For Octomore 15.2, the whiskey was initially aged in second-fill wine casks (42%) and second-fill Bourbon casks (58%) before being finished in second-fill French oak ex-Cognac casks that push the flavor profile in an intriguing direction. The 15.2 features the same batch of Scottish-grown barley as 15.1, also malted to 108.22 PPM. The aroma notes sing with Brie cheese, lime zest, walnuts, and cherries. Despite having the same phenol level of 15.1, the 15.2 comes across as less smoky thanks to its pine-like woodsiness, with moss, ginger cookies, and brown butter. Once on the palate, those nosing notes delicately unfurl with wisps of moss and smoke, subtly masking the vanilla custard, dried apricot, and Rainier cherry notes. The slick, velvety texture finds a home in every corner of the mouth as it gently coats the palate, allowing each flavor note to develop with ample space. The finish is where a greater infusion of smoke comes through with pink peppercorn, nutmeg, and a slight salinity. While this year’s Octomore 15.3 is drawing a lot of attention for being a phenomenal phenolic force, . With a balanced bouquet of aromas married to a patient, revealing palate, Octomore 15.2 is a testament to the delicate deployment of peat. It’ll make an awesome companion to some of the holiday’s savory dishes. 2. Redbreast 15-Year-Old Irish Whiskey Utilizing first fill and refill casks (ex-bourbon and ex-sherry, to be exact) combines a bevy of classic flavors for this exciting Irish whiskey offering aged for at least 15 years. Redbreast is well known for being in the world, and this 15-year expression, a step up from their flagship 12-year, is where the whiskey starts hitting its stride. The aroma notes begin with caramel-drizzled pineapple for an unexpectedly sweet opening that then lends itself to a touch of savoriness in the form of cooked dates and bacon fat before the fruit-forward aspect lurches to the top of those aromas with cooked blueberries and Manuka honey. On the palate, the whiskey has a rich texture atop the tongue, which quickly recedes like a bubble bursting to reveal all of the fruity flavor hiding underneath its initial viscousness. Star anise and vanilla pod flavors accent notes of hazelnut spread, dark chocolate chunks, ripe oranges, and grilled peaches. As it takes a turn to the finish, you’ll also pick up hints of cinnamon, dandelions, and ginger. The finish is where the sweetness becomes more restrained as hazelnuts, ginger, and vanilla pods linger on the palate, leaving a touch of citrus and cacao behind before things slowly come to a close. Whether you’re already an avid fan of Irish whiskey or new to the game, it’d be hard to do better than exploring the Redbreast core lineup. This 15-year whiskey is capable of creating converts across the whisk(e)y spectrum, and you’d be wise to put it to the test at your next holiday gathering to see how many hardcore Scotch and bourbon drinkers find themselves gravitating towards this tasty treat. 1. A Midwinter Night’s Dram Act 12, Scene 1 . Though the expression has seen its price creep up in recent years, the enthusiasm around the brand hasn’t abated, making the blend of rye whiskies finished in both Tawny and Ruby port barrels one of the season’s hard-to-find bottles that are worth it. The nosing notes open with the sweetness of the port wine casks as a slight nuttiness envelopes the overall profile before jammy red berries, allspice, cedar, and a faint bit of mint pick up in prominence. On the palate, this whiskey begins a bit austere but soon blossoms to reveal the red berry notes from the nose in lockstep with allspice, mint, and honeyed, toasted multigrain bread. The texture, too, begins a bit austere before unwinding as the whiskey travels toward the back of the palate, revealing ribbons of black pepper and more mint before reaching the finish. The medium-length finish is where black pepper, raspberry compote, and singed mint can be found, along with some vanilla pod flavor and restrained sage. While High West’s Midwinter Night’s Dram offering has waxed and waned in quality over the years, what remains consistent is that this unique flavor profile is a perfect fit for holiday enjoyment. While it’s exceedingly welcome at the Thanksgiving table, don’t feel bad if you can’t secure a bottle before then; it’ll be an equally delicious treat for Christmas.None

It wasn't a great day to be a running back. First, it was early in the game, but he later returned. Then it was , who appeared to be knocked out at the conclusion of a wild 60 minutes. The Week 12 game featured lead changes, special teams mayhem and some near-magic for the Commanders. While the comeback effort fell short, dropping Washington to 7-4 on the season, the concern now shifts to Ekeler. Here is the latest on the Commanders' veteran running back. LANDOVER, Md. — running back Austin Ekeler was taken to the hospital after suffering a concussion late in Sunday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys "out of an abundance of caution," a team spokesman said. Ekeler suffered the injury on the final kick return of the afternoon with the Commanders trailing by eight points and less than 10 seconds on the clock. A pair of Cowboys sandwiched him on the tackle and the 29-year-old's helmet hit the ground with force. He remained on the ground for a few minutes. Players from both teams took knees as Washington’s training staff tended to him. Ekeler walked off the field and to the locker room but with significant help from the trainers. Ekeler rushed for 22 yards on 9 carries against Dallas and caught two passes for two yards. The eight-year veteran is in his first season with the Commanders and spent the first seven with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has four rushing touchdowns this season and entered Sunday with 667 combined rushing and receiving yards. Austin Ekeler Scary looking play, appears to get hit in the head while running, then again hits his head hard on the ground. Hoping for the best 🙏🏻 — Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) If Ekeler is forced to miss time, Washington will be down to just two running backs. Robinson Jr. would remain the starting back, but McNichols would likely see more work.

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Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victoryMembers of Congress were set to make a few thousand extra bucks under a government funding bill. Then, Elon Musk helped tank it. That's despite growing concern that it's becoming unaffordable to serve in Congress. One of the most controversial pieces of the short-term government funding bill that Elon Musk helped tank last week was a provision that would have allowed members of Congress to receive a modest salary increase . Advertisement As Musk argued against the so-called "continuing resolution" in a stream of posts on X, he claimed that lawmakers were set to receive a 40% salary increase if the bill passed. In reality, it would have at most been a $6,600 pay bump for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate, or 3.8% of their $174,000 annual salary, according to the Congressional Research Service. Related Video How can this be called a “continuing resolution” if it includes a 40% pay increase for Congress? https://t.co/qFFUP0eUOH — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 18, 2024 Nonetheless, that provision wasn't included in the bill that emerged — and was signed into law — after two days of chaos on Capitol Hill. That's despite growing sentiment from lawmakers in both parties that increasing the congressional salary is necessary to ensure that less wealthy people are able to serve and aren't lured away by higher salaries in the private sector, even if the optics are poor. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican and staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump , told reporters last week that the demands and responsibilities of the job made serving in Congress "not affordable" for those who weren't already wealthy like him. Advertisement "If we're not careful, you're only going to get the individuals that are millionaires-plus that's able to serve in Congress, and that's not what it's supposed to be," Mullin said. "It's supposed to be the people's house." $174,000 is far more than the average household income, but that salary hasn't budged since 2009 . Accounting for inflation, that means lawmakers' salaries have essentially decreased by more than 30% in the last 15 years. Members of Congress also face unique demands, including the need to maintain two residences — one in Washington, DC, the other in their home district — and those who can't afford it often opt to sleep in their offices . Experts have also said it's simply a matter of good governance: If lawmakers are paid well, they're less incentivized to cash out by becoming lobbyists after their tenure. Advertisement "I tell people, the worst financial decision I ever made was running for Congress," Mullin said jokingly. The provision tucked into the original funding bill technically was not a raise, but rather allowed an automatic cost-of-living increase that was originally established by the 1989 Ethics Reform Act. Those annual adjustments, which are typically single-digit percentage salary increases, are designed to avoid the optics of lawmakers voting to increase their own pay. Rep. Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House Administration Committee, sought to downplay the notion that members were even receiving a raise. "It just complies with existing law," Morelle told BI last week. "There's nothing extraordinary about it." Advertisement Congress has nonetheless chosen to block those adjustments every year since 2009, owing to both inertia and the political unpopularity of increasing lawmakers' salaries. Earlier this year, a cohort of current and former lawmakers filed a class action lawsuit over those denials, arguing their wages had been "unconstitutionally suppressed." The politics of raising wages on Capitol remains toxic, however. As word spread on Wednesday about the cost of living adjustment in the ball, lawmakers in both parties came out against it. "I cannot and will not vote to give myself more money when my constituents are feeling unbelievable financial pressure," Rep. Pat Ryan, a Democrat who represents a New York swing seat, said in a statement that day. "Congress should be focused on lowering costs for the American people, not giving ourselves a raise. If this provision isn't removed, I will be voting against the continuing resolution." Advertisement Ultimately, the cost of living adjustment was blocked once more. Elon Musk did not respond to a request for comment.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Patrick Mahomes threw for 269 yards and three touchdowns , Spencer Shrader kicked a 31-yard field goal as time expired and the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Carolina Panthers 30-27 on Sunday to reach double-digit wins for the 10th straight season. Noah Gray caught two TD passes as the Chiefs (10-1) bounced back from last week’s 30-21 loss at Buffalo and won at the buzzer yet again in a season of narrow escapes. DeAndre Hopkins also had a touchdown catch for the two-time defending Super Bowl champions, who scored on their first five possessions. Bryce Young finished 21 of 35 for 262 yards and a touchdown for the Panthers (3-8), who had their two-game winning streak snapped. David Moore had six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. Trailing 27-19, Young completed a fourth-down pass to Adam Thielen to move the chains, then went deep for the veteran receiver, who drew a pass-interference penalty on Chamarri Conner. That set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Chuba Hubbard. Young's initial 2-point conversion toss to Moore drew a flag on Trent McDuffie, and Hubbard ran for 2 on the next play to tie the game with 1:46 left. Mahomes ran for 33 yards on the ensuing drive and was sprung by a downfield block from Justin Watson to reach field goal range. Then he connected with Kareem Hunt for 10 yards to make it a chip shot for Shrader. Mahomes finished with 60 yards rushing. The Chiefs wasted no time setting the tone as Samaje Perine returned the opening kickoff 56 yards and Mahomes found Gray for a 35-yard touchdown strike on the third play of scrimmage for a 7-0 lead. Gray went nine games without a TD catch before hauling in two last week against Buffalo. His 11-yard score late in the second quarter gave him two more against the Panthers . The Panthers moved the ball well but struggled in the red zone, resulting in field goals of 30, 32, 29 and 33 yards for Eddy Pineiro, the most accurate kicker in NFL history. Running back Jonathan Brooks made his NFL debut for Carolina, but was limited to 7 yards on two carries. Eight of the Chiefs' wins have come by a one-score margin, and this was their second straight victory decided on the last play. They beat Denver two weeks ago by blocking a would-be game-winning field goal. Kansas City's Travis Kelce had six catches for 62 yards and moved into third place in career yards receiving by a tight end. He ranks behind only Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. However, Kelce failed to find the end zone for the ninth time in 11 games this season. Panthers: Rookie TE Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to the hospital with a neck injury after landing awkwardly on his head after making a catch near the end of the second quarter. Chiefs: Host Las Vegas on Friday. Panthers: Host Tampa Bay next Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL