NoneMORGANTOWN -- Normally, it's fun to look back upon Yogi Berra-isms. Not today. Not on the day West Virginia's football team went out and proved Yogi Berra wrong. See, Berra's credited with the quote "It's not over until it's over." He was wrong ... wrong about Saturday's football game in Lubbock, Texas, when West Virginia''s completed the regular season in the ashes of a 52-15 defeat to Texas Tech, leaving them at 6-6. The address there is "Nowheresville." But this game didn't end with the final gun; moments after quarterback Garrett Greene gave it a symbolic ending by throwing an interception. It ended far before that, when the deflated and defeated Mountaineers headed for the safety of their locker room at halftime, shell shocked by a 29-0 second quarter that left them red-faced at their performance and with no chance to win the game. The score at halftime was 35-3 and, folks, it was over then. They played the second half not to decide the outcome, only to sell beer, whiskey, automobiles and promote upcoming television programs. Berra's statement was wrong not only about the game, but about the entire Mountaineer season. They had come out of the heat of summer living in what proved to be a fantasy world, thinking they would contend for a spot in the Big 12's Championship game. Then they were smacked back to reality by Penn State and Pittsburgh and, whether they want to admit it or not, it was over ... yes,Yogi, it was over before it was over. Oh, they put together a nice mid-year run but the truth was that it really wasn't meaningful for this team never had an occasion where it rose up to pull off an upset. And while there is nothing to be proud of from a 6-6 season, when you analyze it closely you note they did not play Colorado, BYU and Arizona State. Those are arguably the three best teams in the conference and WVU's schedule did not include them. The Mountaineers beat teams they were supposed to beat, lost to teams they were supposed to lose to. They were the definition of a .500 team. "Our record wasn't what we hoped for," Brown admitted. "I will say this. Over the course of the year there were times when people counted us out and we bounced back. We have some good people in the locker room. We have some where we have to do some work. I'm talking about personnel areas. "We're very cognizant of it. We're not covering our eyes. There's areas where we have to get better. We won five games in the league. There were some games there we were capable of winning. So, I don't think we're miles away but there are some critical areas where we have to improve." Brown won't accept what most people are thinking:That this year's WVU team, his sixth as head coach, that this game and this season defined his team. "I don't think the first half of football defined who we are," Brown said. "It didn't define who we are as individuals and it didn't define who we are as a team," But you can't ignore reality. You are what you are and six years in Neal Brown's record in Big 12 games is 37-36. He hasn't beaten any Top 10 teams. They are far better than the first team he inherited from Dana Holgorsen, but they are not a contender in the conference and that's not opinion, it's there in the standings. The fans' frustration is warranted. Now what? "It's been a long season. They have to catch their breath. The positive is this is not the end of it. We have another game. Our guys will bounce back. They bounced back in the second half," Brown said. Certainly he wasn't talking about this game. True, they weren't blitzed 29-0 as they had been in the second quarter, but what kind of bounce back is it when you get outscored 17-12 in the second half. And, yeah, you can look at the stat sheet and see that WVU finished with 405 yards gained, which is not a bad offensive day ...until you realize it produced only 15 points against the team that ranked 125th in the nation in points allowed. The truth was, most of those yards were picked up, if you will pardon the expression, after this game was over. --- Follow @bhertzel on X (formerly Twitter)
By Chad Finn, The Boston Globe Even in retirement, Dale Arnold remains a team player. It is, after all, what hockey people do. After 28 years at NESN — the first 12 as the Bruins’ play-by-play voice, the next 16 as a studio host — Arnold retired in April 2023. He and his wife Susan moved to his native Maine, where he stayed busy writing hockey books (his upcoming fourth, on coaches, is currently in the hands of his publisher), playing plenty of golf, and enjoying the way life should be. “A pretty normal life,’’ he said. When Brian Zechello, the coordinating producer for NESN’s Bruins broadcasts, called him approximately two weeks ago, Arnold figured it had something to do with last Sunday’s Centennial Game celebration of the 100th anniversary of the franchise’s first game. And it did. Just not in the way Arnold anticipated. “My assumption was that for the Centennial Game they were going to bring back all of these different people from across Bruins history, and that they wanted me to show up for that reason,’’ he said. “That’s what I thought it was.” Zechello and NESN did want Arnold back for that game — to host it from the studio, as well as upcoming broadcasts on an interim basis while Arnold’s successor as host, Sophia Jurksztowicz, remains on a personal leave of absence. Adam Pellerin had been handling hosting duties in her absence, but Arnold’s return gives him a breather while also freeing him up for in-game reporter duties, along with Andrew Raycroft. “When Brian asked if I would consider coming back and helping out and hosting the games again, I was shocked, but I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely I’ll help,’ ’’ said Arnold. “It was a pretty quick decision, though after we hung up, I did go talk to my wife and say, ‘I’m going to be away from home a bit here over the next little bit however long this goes.’ ” Arnold has an easy solution to circumventing the complicated logistics of commuting from midcoast Maine to TD Garden, a trip that would take about 2 hours 20 minutes on a good day. “My rule of thumb is: If I have two days off, I come home to Maine,’’ he said. “If I only have one day off, I will stay at one of our two daughters’ houses [one lives in Plymouth, and one in Thompson, Conn.]. I had to make sure they were still OK with Dad showing up on their doorstep from time to time, and they seem to be pretty fired up about it.” Arnold said that when he retired, he never considered the possibility that he might be back in the NESN studios and on air again someday. “As far as I was concerned, in my head, that was it,’’ he said. Arnold is quick to emphasize that he is doing it just until Jurksztowicz, who took her leave just before the start of the regular season, is ready to return. “I’m happy to help out as long as they need me,’’ he said, “and as I said the first segment of the pregame show last Sunday, that spot is Sophia’s. I’m just there to hold it down until she’s ready to come back and then I will gladly yield it back. I’m the placeholder for her.” Arnold said he was more nervous than he expected to be heading into the Centennial Game broadcast, which featured a two-hour pregame show. “I hadn’t done a game in 18 months and I didn’t want to go out there and look like a fool, especially on the occasion of the Centennial Game,’’ he said. “But after the first segment of the pregame was over with I kind of settled down a little bit and the nerves settled down a little bit.” It helped that he was working with analysts and longtime colleagues such as Raycroft, Billy Jaffe, and Barry Pederson — and, of course, given how adept hockey players are at chirping each other, they gave Arnold a good-natured hard time about his return. “Those guys are my best friends,’’ said Arnold. “And we give each other a pretty hard time anyway. But as I told Billy, ‘I’m retired, not expired.’ ” History might be different Tyler Kepner, the superb baseball writer for The Athletic/New York Times, wrote a thought-provoking column this past week on how many legendary moments in baseball history would have been altered, or never happened at all, had commissioner Rob Manfred’s gimmicky “Golden At-Bat” idea been in place. The “Golden At-Bat” would allow a manager to use a different hitter than the expected batter once per game. So, theoretically, Shohei Ohtani could bat twice in a row in a ninth-inning situation, and that sort of thing. Kepner’s piece made me think of all the famous broadcasting calls featuring unlikely heroes — such as Sean McDonough’s on obscure Braves catcher Francisco Cabrera’s winning hit in Game 7 of the 1992 NLCS — that probably never would have happened. And what’s better about baseball than an unlikely hero coming through, and being immortalized by a fantastic call? NFL getting animated On Monday, ESPN/Disney will premiere “The Simpsons Funday Football,” an animated real-time broadcast of the Cowboys-Bengals matchup that will use Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology to Simpsonize a special broadcast available on Disney+ and ESPN+. Drew Carter, who in his non-cartoon form is the Celtics’ play-by-play voice on NBC Sports Boston, will handle the play-by-play for the Simpsons version, the fourth animated alternate telecast he has been a part of for ESPN . . . Congratulations are in order for Cosmina Schulman, senior vice president of strategic broadcast and digital partnerships at NESN, who was named to Cablefax magazine’s 2024 Most Powerful Women list. Schulman was recognized as the Women’s Advancement champion for her work advancing and launching Women of NESN (WON), the network’s initiative dedicated to championing women’s sports coverage, commentary, and storytelling. 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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were ready to deal veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline until Mike McDaniel stepped in. “I may or may not have thrown an adult temper tantrum,” Miami's coach said, confirming the news first reported by NFL Network Sunday morning. The Dolphins were 2-6 and had lost three straight at that point. They'd played four uninspired games without their starting quarterback, going 1-3 after Tua Tagovailoa went on injured reserve on Sept. 17 with a concussion. Campbell would have had a chance to rejoin the contending Ravens, and Miami would have received a 2026 fifth-round pick in return, NFL Network reported. McDaniel argued that Campbell was too valuable to lose. “I was happy that they brought me into the conversations," Campbell said after Miami's 34-15 win over the New England Patriots . “They didn't have to say anything to me at all. We had a really good conversation about what we think about this team, where we are. We felt like we had a good shot to get back into the fight.” Added McDaniel: “I think it wasn’t like it was (GM) Chris (Grier) versus me. ... That’s the tricky thing about Chris’ job is he has to look long-term and short-term at the same time, what’s the best for the organization.” Campbell, a 17-year veteran, signed with the Dolphins after playing for Atlanta last season. Players and coaches have praised the 38-year-old's contributions on the field and in the locker room. “There’s no one’s game I’ve come to respect more than Calais up front on the D-line,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said, “being with him this year and just the energy, the attitude and the mindset he brings every week. It can’t be matched, and that’s the reason why he is who he is today and doing what he’s doing at 17 years.” Campbell leads the team with four sacks. With back-to-back sacks in Weeks 10 and 11, he became the eighth player 38 or older to record sacks in consecutive games since the 1970 merger. He also has nine tackles for loss, giving him at least five tackles for loss in 15 of his 17 seasons. He played for Baltimore from 2020-2022, totaling 11 sacks and 113 tackles. “I think he means a great deal to not only the defensive line room, but the entire defense as well as the entire team,” McDaniel said earlier this week. “It’s rare for a guy to get here when he did, and then be voted, with such conviction, captain. I think the way that he operates to be a pro, I think has had a substantial impact on a lot of players that hadn’t been fortunate enough to be around someone with sustained success like he’s had.” The Dolphins have won three straight games since the deadline. Miami's defense held the Patriots scoreless until the fourth quarter on Sunday. Campbell broke down the team's pregame huddle as he has done before most games this season. He was also seen coaching up rookie linebacker Chop Robinson, who is always seeking pointers from the six-time Pro Bowler. “My job is to speak on behalf of what’s the best thing for the 2024 Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “I’m just fortunate to work in an organization where myself and the GM can be transparent and work together. “And he didn’t want to see any more adult temper tantrums.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLWhat Fox chiefs want Tom Brady to change about his NFL commentary READ MORE: Tom Brady reveals what he thinks about working Thanksgiving By ISABEL BALDWIN Published: 20:33 GMT, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 20:33 GMT, 27 November 2024 e-mail View comments Fox Sports executives are reportedly targeting an area of Tom Brady 's performance in the booth as they nurture their rookie in his budding broadcasting career. Brady, who is in the first season of his ten-year deal worth $375million, has endured a heavily-criticized start to life in the booth. However, Fox chiefs are said to be coaching up their seven-time Super Bowl winning asset with one aspect identified as crucial to whip into shape. The powers-that-be at the network want the 47-year-old to incorporate more commentary on what he's seeing on the field and less intangibles, according to John Ourand’s Puck Newsletter. Brady has received mixed reviews on his on-air performance after being heavily slated for his debut. But executives are said to be confident that Brady can continue to improve in the booth after already showing progression. Fox executives have reportedly identified an area of Tom Brady's performance to improve He has fined-tuned some of the gaps of silence and lagging responses on air, instead brining more animation and a strong focus on the development of young players and leadership. After being strongly slated in the early weeks of his contract, many felt Brady's task would only get more challenging when he was finally approved as a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders last month . Brady initially agreed to become a limited partner of the Raiders back in May 2023 but his 10 percent stake deal was stalled amid concerns from other NFL owners regarding his quoted price and new role as an analyst for Fox Sports. Now, as a part owner of a franchise, Brady is not permitted to attend in-person or online broadcast production meetings and may not have access to team facilities, players or coaches - access Fox and other networks are typically afforded . He will also have to watch what he says in the booth as Brady must abide by the league constitution and bylaws that prohibit public criticism of officials and other clubs. Fans raised concerns last month with many on social media claiming that the restrictions placed on Brady by the league - due to his newfound ownership - render his media duties redundant. While these restrictions were already in place since the beginning of his broadcasting career in summer due to his pending bid, fans claimed that Fox should have the right to terminate Brady's contract. Meanwhile, NFL insiders have claimed that the restrictions could severely impact Brady's future in broadcasting as the potentially drain his passion for the role. The seven-time Super Bowl winner has improved in the booth since his debut in September Brady was approved as a minority own of the Raiders last month (Pictured with Mark Davis) 'There's an interesting theory that's making the rounds in league circles, because there had been teams that have said to the league, "We want Tom Brady to be involved in the production meetings." And through that push and pull because the league says no, no, no, no, no exceptions even if you waive it. It doesn't matter,' Pro Football Talk insider Mike Florio previously said on Ourand's 'The Varsity' podcast. 'There's been a sense that maybe Brady doesn't really want to do it anyway. Because you think of how thinly he's spread, all of the different things that he's doing, it may not be that he wants to be the absolute best at everything he does. 'It may just be that he wants us to think he's the absolute best at everything that he does, and he's doing a lot of different things and he's making a lot of different appearances and he's making a lot of money... 'Him being an owner and him being a broadcaster I think it keeps him from being the absolute best he could ever be. And it just always seemed beneath him — he's Tom Brady... I just wonder how many years he'll continue to do it.' Tom Brady Share or comment on this article: What Fox chiefs want Tom Brady to change about his NFL commentary e-mail Add commentLOS ANGELES — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks' overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 points and Tessa Johnson scored 14 for the Gamecocks, whose road winning streak was third-longest in Division I history. It was the first time UCLA took down a No. 1 team in school history, having been 0-20 in such games. The program's previous best wins were over a couple of No. 2s — Oregon in 2019 and Stanford in 2008. Elina Aarnisalo added 13 points as one of five Bruins in double figures. UCLA (5-0) dominated from start to finish, with the Bruins' suffocating defense preventing the Gamecocks from making any sustained scoring runs. South Carolina: The Gamecocks trailed by double-digits at halftime for the first time since Dec. 21, 2021, against Stanford, according to ESPN. Chloe Kitts, who averages a team-leading 14 points, finished the game with 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. UCLA: The Bruins led 43-22 at halftime. Eight different players scored and contributed to 11-0 and 7-0 runs in the first and second quarters as they shot 52% from the field. The first quarter set the tone for a game in which the Gamecocks never led. They missed their first nine shots and were 4 of 18 from the floor in the quarter. UCLA ran off 11 straight points to take a 20-10 lead into the second quarter. The Bruins dominated the boards, 41-34, and held the Gamecocks well under their scoring average of 80.2 points. South Carolina travels to Florida to meet Iowa State in the Fort Myers Tipoff on Thanksgiving. UCLA travels to the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Hawaii to play UT Martin on Friday. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Punjab, emission control systems have been installed in 96 percent of Lahore’s industries for the first time in history, while 21 industrial units that did not comply with environmental laws were sealed by the EPA. Lahore, once renowned as the “City of Gardens” for its lush greenery and vibrant landscapes, is now grappling with a severe smog crisis that has transformed its skies into a grey with a suffocating blanket. In recent years, air pollution in Lahore reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently surpassing hazardous limits, sometimes exceeding 300-400 AQI, far above the safe threshold of Punjab Environmental Quality Standards and those set by World Health Organization (WHO). According to the 2023 census, Lahore’s population has surged to over 13 million, growing at an annual rate of 3.41 percent, further straining the city’s infrastructure and increasing vehicular and industrial emissions. Noted environmentalist Dr. Mahmood Khalid Qamar told APP that air pollutants directly hinder plant growth, while reducing photosynthesis and degrading tree health, diminishing their ability to filter pollutants. Wildlife, especially birds, experience respiratory disorders and their habitat loss, and similarly soil quality declines, further disrupting ecosystems. Obviously this is evident from the situation produced due to recent severe smog that affected animals at Lahore Zoo, Qamar said, adding that it caused respiratory and eye problems, particularly in those in open enclosures. It is worth mentioning that to mitigate this situation, the zoo provided immune-boosting supplements for almost all animal and birds, employing water spraying and shaded shelters. According to a survey by the Urban Unit, in Lahore, the number of industries with air cleaning systems was 43 percent in April 2024, while due to the efforts of the EPA, the number of industries with air cleaning systems has increased to 96 percent in December 2024. The Environmental Protection Department has established 25 AQI monitoring stations in different cities, while work is underway on 35 stations. Meanwhile, Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said in a statement that Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s zero tolerance policy is being implemented to eliminate pollution. It may be mentioned here that in order to combat hazardous smog and air pollution across Punjab, home of more than 100 million people, the Punjab government used Chinese anti-smog technology by installing smog towers in Lahore and other parts of the province. In an effort to tackle severe air pollution, the Punjab government has also launched recently a smog clean tower in Lahore. The smog tower aims to reduce hazardous smog levels that have paralysed the city, particularly in the past two months, affecting nearly two million residents. The provincial capital has been struggling with toxic air due to heavy vehicle emissions, industrial activity, and crop burning, leading to widespread health issues.Ontario to match federal GST holiday on some items
Nowadays, your website is usually the first impression clients and customers have of your brand. But hiring a developer or managing expensive subscriptions can quickly eat into your budget. MaxiBlocks, a no-code WordPress website builder, changes the game by letting you design professional websites without technical skills or hefty monthly costs. You can get a lifetime subscription on sale for just $59 for a limited time. WordPress powers more than 43% of all websites globally, making it the most trusted platform for businesses of every size. MaxiBlocks takes full advantage of WordPress's flexibility with its drag-and-drop builder , giving you the tools to create sleek, responsive sites that look custom-made. Whether you're launching a new business, showcasing your portfolio, or building an e-commerce store, MaxiBlocks makes it fast and intuitive. And it's cost-effective. While competitors like Wix and Squarespace charge at least $16 per month for basic plans, MaxiBlocks offers a no-subscription deal. That means you can save hundreds over time while still enjoying professional results. With features like ready-made templates, full WordPress compatibility, and an intuitive interface, MaxiBlocks lets you build like a pro — no coding required. Focus on growing your business while MaxiBlocks takes care of your website with a lifetime subscription to a MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder Pro Plan for $59. MaxiBlocks No-Code Webpage Builder: Pro Plan Lifetime Subscription (3 Licenses) - $59 See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.How David Cook went from Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan’s ally to lead the movement to replace himPolls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish
Arsenal thump West Ham in chaotic, great showcase for Premier LeagueMr Martin was comfortably elected on the first count after topping the poll in the Cork South Central constituency, and was hoisted into the air by his sons Cillian and Micheal Aodh. The exit poll put his party on 19.5%, behind its Civil War rival-turned coalition partner Fine Gael at 21%, and the largest opposition party Sinn Fein at 21.1%. Speaking immediately after his election, a jubilant Mr Martin predicted: “It transpires that we’ll probably exceed that exit poll prediction above the margin of error [of 1.4%] – we could be looking at 21.9% now.” He said the day following the poll had been a “rollercoaster”, reflecting that the party had been “left wondering ‘where were we?'” after the exit poll. Asked about that possibility he would become Taoiseach as the leader of the largest party in the next coalition, he told reporters he was now awaiting the national results – which could take days to finalise. He added: “That remains to be seen, obviously, in terms of the results the length and breadth of the country.” He further warned that the election remains “extraordinarily competitive” and added: “There’s going to be a lot of twists and turns.” Mr Martin thanked the people of Cork South Central for re-electing him, adding that he feels a “huge sense of responsibility”. “I will also be grateful to them for enabling me to have the honour of representing them in Dail Eireann – that is my first task, a representative of Cork South Central and advance the interests of Cork more generally.” He also thanked his family, saying: “I want to thank my wife Mary who really worked night and day when I was around the country, leading the campaign with Micheal Aodh and Aoibhe and Cillian.” Speculation has begun on what parties or independents may join with Fianna Fail – and Fine Gael – in a future coalition. Both those parties have ruled out a coalition with Sinn Fein. Turning to that process of government formation, he said he would like to see that happen faster than in 2020 – when it took several months. That process resulted in Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreeing to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power. The Greens joined as a junior partner, but early indications showed the party could be facing an electoral wipeout. Mr Martin said: The Greens, to their credit, didn’t buckle over the four and a half years. “Being in government can be difficult for any political party. “It is to the credit of the Greens that they went into government. We had challenges, we had different priorities of three political parties, but this government went full term, and I think Ireland was for the better for that.” Taking the previous formation talks into consideration, Mr Martin predicted the future will involve very difficult negotiations between parties: “It will be challenging. This is not easy.” He said there has to be “real clarity” around a programme for government before forming a coalition. Asked how important it is to form a government before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, Mr Martin said: “I think we have to... to be honest with you, in the best interests of Ireland in the first instance.” Fianna Fail had campaigned on a message of stable financial management in the face of potential economic shocks caused by policy decisions from the next US administration. Asked why he felt Fianna Fail was underestimated in the polls, he said: “Look, I’m not going to go on about polls but I would have had a better evening last night if they had been more accurate.” He added: “I mean the polls give Fianna Fail heart attacks all the time.”
ST. PAUL — Former Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic died Friday following a battle with cancer. She was 62. Her family said she died surrounded by loved ones. “She had a heart of gold, willing to go to any measure to help those she loved,” they said in a statement. ADVERTISEMENT Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party Chair Ken Martin the Minneapolis Democrat was committed to working for Minnesotans. She served in the Minnesota Senate for more than a decade. “It is impossible to overstate the positive impact that Senator Dziedzic’s leadership has had on our state,” Martin said in a statement. “She devoted her life to making her fellow Minnesotans’ lives better, and she refused to allow cancer to get in her way. Minnesota has lost a giant, but her extraordinary legacy will outlast us all.” Dziedzic was instrumental in holding together the Senate DFL caucus in 2023 as they passed, with a one-vote majority, a variety of Democratic priorities like funding universal school meals for students, approving a paid family and medical leave program, cementing legal protections for abortion and gender-affirming care and legalizing cannabis for recreational use. She was respected on both sides of the political aisle and her demeanor was always steady, even amid tense times in the Senate. Dziedzic’s laid-back style made her a surprising pick for majority leader after the 2022 election. Leaders from both major political parties said they were heartbroken by her death. “Senator Kari Dziedzic was a passionate legislator, a respected leader, and a trusted colleague and friend. She will be remembered for her integrity and her compassion for Minnesotans, something that we all saw as she continued to serve even as she battled cancer,” said Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson, an East Grand Forks Republican. “I’m deeply saddened at her passing and am praying for her family and friends as we all mourn this loss.” House Speaker Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, said she was “one of the most skilled diplomats ever to serve in elected office.” ADVERTISEMENT “Her legacy includes significant achievements in policy and investment in Minnesota, but more importantly she will be remembered for treating people with dignity and respect and never giving up on finding workable compromises,” Hortman said. “She had an incredible ability to work diligently through the most arcane and difficult policy issues to find resolution.” Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy, DFL-St. Paul, agreed, saying she was “an uncommon leader.” “Her talents as a consequential and thoughtful leader made us all better legislators, and her examples of kindness humor, and selflessness made us all better people,” Murphy said. Former Senate DFL Leader Melisa López Franzen praised Dziedzic as a hard worker. “The last time I spoke to Kari a few weeks ago she was still serving her constituents,” she wrote on social media. “That’s Senator Dziedzic, the hardest working legislator I have ever had the honor to serve with. Rest in peace my friend.” Dziedzic was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2023 and underwent emergency surgery to limit its spread. She stepped down from her leadership position in February after her cancer recurred. The Senate will now stand in a 33-33 tie between Democrats and Republicans heading into the 2025 legislative session. Gov. Tim Walz has not yet said when he might call for a special election in the Minneapolis district. ADVERTISEMENT Dziedzic had a degree in engineering but couldn’t resist the family pull into public service. Her father, Walt, was a colorful Minneapolis city council member who later served on the park board. Dziedzic told MPR News that she felt drawn into politics after watching her father’s example. “I knew the long hours. I knew the phone calls at home. I knew what I was walking into,” she said. “But I also knew the opportunity that you have to help other people. And it’s about helping people and making your community better.” Dziedzic began a career in public service as a campaign volunteer and later moved on to become a scheduling aide for former U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone. After a stint working for a Hennepin County commissioner, she was nudged to run for a state Senate seat when longtime lawmaker Larry Pogemiller stepped down to take another government job. Gov. Tim Walz called Dziedzic a “one-of-a-kind leader.” He added, “Her legacy should inspire all of us in elected office to be better public servants.” Details for a memorial service have not yet been announced. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Mike McDaniel stepped in to keep Dolphins from trading veteran DT Calais Campbell to Ravens
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Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday started examining four cases that turn on how far social media should be regulated, and what responsibilities platforms have in cracking down on illegal content. The judicial review comes a month after the same court forced Elon Musk's X platform to obey rulings aimed at battling online disinformation. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Mike McDaniel stepped in to keep Dolphins from trading veteran DT Calais Campbell to Ravens
LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Fernanda Galan | (TNS) The Sacramento Bee Is your Thanksgiving turkey safe to eat? As poultry farms and dairies across California continue to battle bird flu outbreaks, residents may be worried about food safety this holiday season. Related Articles Health | Are you tracking your health with a device? Here’s what could happen with the data Health | Political stress: Can you stay engaged without sacrificing your mental health? Health | Trump chooses controversial Stanford professor Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead NIH Health | Abortion bans could reverse decline in teen births, experts warn Health | After institutions for people with disabilities close, graves are at risk of being forgotten Highly pathogenic avian influenza surfaced in the United States in January 2022, the virus has been detected in wild birds and domestic poultry, according to the Fresno Bee’s previous reporting. As of Nov. 18, a total of 294 dairies in California were under quarantine due to the avian flu, state agriculture officials confirmed. More than 4 million turkeys and chickens have been killed at poultry ranches across the state in an attempt to stop the virus from spreading. Meanwhile, the bird flu virus was detected in a batch of raw milk from Raw Farm in Fresno County, the California Department of Public Health reported. The Fresno Bee talked to María Soledad, a food safety inspection service spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to learn more about the virus and how it affects food safety. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, highly pathogenic avian influenza — also known as bird flu or H5N1 — is a highly contagious and often deadly disease primarily found in poultry. It is “caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5) and A (H7) viruses,” the agency said on its website. HPAI can spread from wild birds to domestic poultry and other animals. The virus can also infect humans in rare cases. “It is important to note that ‘highly pathogenic’ refers to severe impact in birds, not necessarily in humans,” the agency said. Unlike seasonal influenza viruses, which are typically contracted through human-to-human transmission, avian influenza viruses are spread by infected birds through saliva, mucus and feces, according to the CDC. The virus can also be present in the respiratory secretions, organs, blood, or body fluids of other infected animals — including milk. Human infections occur when the virus enters the eyes, nose or mouth, or is inhaled through airborne droplets, aerosol particles or dust. It can also be transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face. “Illness in humans from avian influenza virus infections have ranged in severity from no symptoms or mild illness to severe disease that resulted in death,” the CDC said. “Consumers can safely enjoy turkey this holiday season,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration wrote in an email to The Bee, noting that food safety inspectors examine turkeys for disease “before and after slaughter.” That includes your Thanksgiving bird. “The turkeys from farms with confirmed avian influenza don’t even get sent to slaughter,” Soledad said. “They are destroyed on premises.” During an avian flu outbreak, “The chance of infected poultry or eggs entering the food chain is low,” the FDA said on its website in April, “because of the rapid onset of symptoms in poultry as well as the safeguards in place, which include testing of flocks and federal inspection programs.” “When food is properly prepared and stored, the risk of consumers becoming infected with HPAI is reduced even further,” the FDA said. UC Davis professor Linda J. Harris, who focuses on microbial food safety, says you should prepare your Thanksgiving turkey using four essential steps: clean, cook, chill and separate. You can watch the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Holiday Food Safety video for tips on how to prepare a turkey the safe way, or check out the turkey recipe developed by the Partnership for Food Safety Education, a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food-borne illness risks. According to the USDA, any traces of highly pathogenic avian influenza in your turkey are inactivated when food reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. The USDA recommends following this rule anytime you’re preparing raw poultry, including chicken. On its Thanksgiving food safety website , the USDA has videos and information including calculators that help you determine the appropriate amount of time to thaw and cook your turkey. “Simply select your turkey’s weight, along with your preferred thawing and cooking methods, and you’ll immediately receive guidance on how to safely prepare your turkey this Thanksgiving!’ USDA congressional public affairs specialist Maria Machuca wrote in an email to The Bee. “There is no evidence that the virus can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared food,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on its website. Pasteurized milk and other dairy products are safe to consume and cook with, according to Hebah Ghanem, infectious disease specialist at University of California San Francisco, Fresno. “The most important thing that it has to be pasteurized, because the virus is killed with heat,” Ghanem told The Bee. “Pasteurization of milk was adopted decades ago as a basic public health measure to kill dangerous bacteria and largely eliminate the risk of getting sick,” the FDA said on its website. All egg products are pasteurized as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “This means that they have been rapidly heated and held at a minimum required temperature for a specified time to destroy bacteria,” the agency said. However, eggs that are still in their shells aren’t required to be pasteurized, leading to potential health risks if eaten raw or uncooked. According to the CDC, avian flu symptoms in humans may include: California dairy workers infected with avian flu have experienced mild flu-like symptoms, The Bee previously reported. “All the cases that we have here in California are very mild,” Ghanem told the Fresno Bee in October. “They haven’t needed hospitalization.” To prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, people should avoid exposure to dead animals, Ghanem said in October. That includes wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds and cows. People should also avoid exposure to animal feces as well as fluids. Here are other tips from Ghanem: ©2024 The Sacramento Bee. Visit at sacbee.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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