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WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. It passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because "we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint." He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. "It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity," said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. "They don't get paid very much, so they're going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats voted for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against it. "It's disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission," Johnson, R-La., said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights. To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon. But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24% , and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024. “There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace. “If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again. “The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the Pentagon Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores. But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses. In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor. When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / Shutterstock The debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others. Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital. According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information. Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others. The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal. Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group. These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / Shutterstock Although widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members. The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military. The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period. The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members. Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / Shutterstock In 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA. Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond , is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members. In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to. Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / Shutterstock On May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional. That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election. If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate. In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Photo Credit: Lux Blue / Shutterstock Seasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates. The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments. Debt Complaints by Service Members The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates. 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021 . To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024. Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here . For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org . Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military. "This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis." At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero. Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows. Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment. These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan. Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life. Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker. "It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said. Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit. Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches . This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability. Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. High rents make it difficult to save up, even when applying for a VA loan—a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that typically has more favorable terms. While the VA does not require a downpayment, some lenders, who ultimately provide the loan, do. They're not entirely risk-free either, and veterans can still lose their homes if they are unable to keep up with their mortgages. In November 2023, the VA put a six-month pause on foreclosures when an NPR investigation found thousands of veterans were in danger of losing their homes after a COVID forbearance program ended. Biden officials pointed to high rents and the end of COVID-era housing restrictions like eviction moratoriums to explain the spike in Americans experiencing homelessness. In the last year, homelessness rose 12%—to more than 650,000 people—the highest level since data began being collected in 2007. Overall, more than half of people experiencing homelessness in 2023 live in states with high living costs. Most were in California, followed by New York and Florida. Western states, including Montana and Utah, experienced massive population growth during the pandemic, becoming hubs for remote workers who drove home prices and rents even further. For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers. "It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families. Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness , according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems. Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma , either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness . Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation. Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps. That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need. In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services. Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'" Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!A former Allianz fund manager was spared prison time on Friday over his role in a meltdown of private investment funds sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic that caused an estimated $7 billion of investor losses. Gregoire Tournant, 57, of Basalt, Colorado, pleaded guilty in June to two counts of investment adviser fraud. He agreed to give up $17.5 million in ill-gotten gains, including bonuses that were inflated by his fraud. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the federal court in Manhattan sentenced him to 18 months home confinement and three years probation. Tournant’s defence lawyers had urged Swain to spare him prison time, citing health issues. They also said Tournant had expressed remorse and called the case less serious than the typical investment adviser fraud scheme. “We are deeply appreciative to the Court for imposing this just sentence and recognising that incarceration was not appropriate in this case,” defence lawyers Seth Levine and Daniel Alonso said in a statement. Prosecutors with the US attorney’s office in Manhattan had recommended that Tournant be sentenced to at least seven years in prison. They argued that more than 100 investors in Tournant’s funds lost billions of dollars when they collapsed and that he continued to minimize the importance of what he had done. The case stemmed from the March 2020 collapse of the German insurer’s now-defunct Structured Alpha funds, which Tournant had created and oversaw as chief investment officer. In May 2022, Allianz agreed to pay more than $6 billion and its US asset management unit pleaded guilty to securities fraud to resolve government probes into the collapse. Two other former Allianz fund managers pleaded guilty at the time. The Structured Alpha funds had bet heavily on stock options, in a manner designed to limit losses in a market selloff, which Tournant likened to a form of insurance. Prosecutors said Tournant misled investors about the funds’ risks by altering performance data and diverging from his promised hedging strategy and obstructed a US Securities and Exchange Commission probe by directing a colleague to lie. The funds once had more than $11 billion of assets under management, but lost about $7 billion in February and March 2020 as the start of the pandemic set off a worldwide market panic. Prosecutors said the fraud ran from 2014 through March 2020, with Tournant being paid more than $60 million over that time.
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FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WV News) – The great teams make the difficult look easy and the Class AAA No. 3 Bridgeport Indians did it again on Saturday afternoon, dispatching defending Class AA state champion and this year’s No. 2 seed Fairmont Senior Polar Bears, 36-7, in a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in the Class AAA state semifinals at East-West Stadium. Bridgeport (13-0) now faces No. 4 Herbert Hoover (13-0) in the Class AAA championship game at Laidley Field in Charleston on Saturday at 12 p.m. Bridgeport returns to the title game for the first time since winning Class AA in 2019 and has now made the five of the last eight finals that they weren’t in the state’s highest classification. "None of our kids have ever been there before," Bridgeport coach Tyler Phares said of making it to the final round. "Fairmont Senior's a very, very good football program and we know that we wanted to bust that door down that we haven't busted down in a while. It wasn't going to be easy." Fairmont Senior bows at 11-2, with both losses to Bridgeport. Timothy Jeffress led Bridgeport with 14 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns, with Alex Moses (16 carries, 89 yards, two touchdowns) and Josh Love (14 carries, 88 yards, one touchdown, plus an interception on defense) also turning in excellent performances. "That's what we really want with this offense," Phares said. "We want to be multiple with our kids. We want to be able to run to the weak side and run our trap game in the middle and run to the strong side. It was a big deal to have Timmy get his wheels moving there in the first half. I thought it really helped us." Chris Wilson led Fairmont Senior with 11 carries for 71 yards, while Brody Whitehair, in his first real action in a month due to injury and still not 100%, completed 6 of 12 passes for 47 yards with an interception. "They were moving around in a lot of formations and it did a really good job of keeping us on our toes there early on," Phares said. "They were really able to run the ball and move the ball on us. It was more difficult than we expected." Jeffress picked up 23 yards on third-and-3 on Bridgeport’s opening set of downs, setting up Alex Moses’ 1-yard touchdown push up the middle with 7:52 left in the first quarter. The run for 2 failed, leaving Bridgeport ahead, 6-0. After a bad snap for a loss of 15 yards derailed Fairmont Senior’s first drive, Bridgeport moved the ball across midfield on a Love run, then Jack Spatafore lofted a 30-yard pass down the left side to Donovan Williams, moving the ball to the Polar Bears’ 16. On third-and-6, Love went left for nine yards. Fairmont Senior stopped Love and Jeffress on the next two plays for minimal gain, but Jeffress went in standing up behind his blockers from three yards out on the third try. Bridgeport went up 13-0 after Gavin Williams’ PAT with 1:15 left in the first quarter. Fairmont Senior then mounted a solid drive, but Bridgeport swarmed quarterback Logan Canfield’s keeper on fourth-and-3, stopping him for no gain at the Tribe 21 with 8:05 to go in the half. After a few solid runs advanced the ball over midfield, Bridgeport improved to 4-for-4 on third down as Moses easily picked up a third-and-1 down to the Fairmont Senior 33. Love went untouched up the middle for the 14-yard TD four plays later: 20-0, 3:44 left in the second quarter. Both teams got stops on fourth down, then Love intercepted Whitehair at the Bridgeport 16. An incomplete pass and a Moses run capped the half: Bridgeport led, 20-0, on the scoreboard and in offensive yards, 217-79, behind the three-headed rushing monster of Love (nine carries, 66 yards, one TD), Moses (10 carries, 63 yards, one TD) and Jeffress (eight carries, 54 yards, one TD). To open the second half, Fairmont Senior moved the ball to the Bridgeport 19 before turning the ball over on downs on a tipped pass on fourth down. "We knew they were going to come with their best football in the third quarter and I'm just proud of our kids for coming out and bowing their backs," Phares said. Jeffress ripped off 33 yards on third-and-8 to the Fairmont Senior 23 and Moses high-stepped home two plays later from 19 away: 27-0, 5:38 left in the third quarter. A sack by Noah West of Whitehair on first down forced a fumble, which Jon Bender scooped up at the Fairmont Senior 11. Jeffress went in on the next play, but the run for 2 – and a 35-point running clock – failed: 33-0, 5:24 to go in the third. After a Polar Bear punt, Bridgeport worked off the rest of the time in the third quarter, then tacked on a Williams 34-yard field goal: 36-0 with 8:46 remaining in the game. Damani Johnson’s 67-yard TD rush with 5:46 to go spared Fairmont Senior its first home shutout since Sept. 19, 2003 against University. "I feel like we get better every year, no matter what season it is," Phares said. "Our goal is to play our best football come November...our kids did a really good job of getting better at football every day and I think that's showing right now."BE A SANTA to a Senior: There are Christmas trees at Broadway Bank, Home Instead and Barker and Wortman Coffee, inside H-E-B, with “ornaments” that contain a local senior’s name and a wish list for that individual’s Christmas. Shoppers purchase gifts from the list and return them to the location they picked the wish list by Dec. 9. December 7 BOERNE CHRISTMAS SHOW: The Boerne Community Theater presents “Ebenezer Scrooge’s Big Boerne Christmas Show” Dec. 6-15 at the theater, 907 E. Blanco Road. A fastpaced take on the traditional Dickens story. All tickets are $15. Reserve online at www.boernetheatre.org or 830-249-9166. STOCKING STROLL: A popular holiday event; shoppers get a special gift from each business as they stroll along the Hill Country Mile, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $35. For details, see the Boerne Parks and Rec website. CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL BY Boerne Love, includes visits with Santa, letter writing to Santa, free hot chocolate, a special Christmas dance lesson, local vendors and more, hosted from 3-6 p.m. at the Boerne Post Haus, 615 S. Main St. Event is 9 HOLID , free and open to the public. Details: connect@boernelove. com. CLAW-LA-LA-LA at the Von Erich Ranch, at the Ironwood Barn, 1637 Ranch Road 473, from noon to 11 p.m. There will be wrestling matches, a meet-and-greet with Kevin Von Erich and Whey Jennings, an exclusive memorabilia room, food from the Compadres Hill Country Cocina and more. OMA’S CHRISTMAS FAIR, at the Kendall County Fairgrounds, is a two-day market show with three buildings of handmade and hand-crafted merchandise produced by 100 vendors from across Texas. Saturday’s hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday’s hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. DOWN HOME CHRISTMAS at the AgriCultural Museum and Arts Center, 102 City Park Road, from noon to 4 p.m. Photo ops with Santa by a tractor, antique tractor hayrides, petting zoo, decorating cookies and Christmas tree ornaments, shopping, bluegrass music, a working blacksmith, Texas’s largest antique toy tractor collection, candy-filled stockings for every kid, face painting, popcorn and more. SIXTH ANNUAL FARM Shops hosted by Eden’s Promise and Rosewood Farm and Fragrance. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 16 Comanche Trail, there will be homemade and farm fresh goods available for purchase, making for the perfect holiday gift. WEIHNACHTS PARADE by Boerne Parks and Recreation. This beloved Christmas tradition in Boerne dates back more than 30 years. Beginning at 6 p.m., up to 100 floats, bands and other entries are lit up in holiday cheer as they make their way from the Boerne fire station to the parade’s end at River Road. Bring a chair, some blankets and pick out your space to take it all in along the Hill Country Mile. THERE IS A CHANCE OF A RAIN DELAY, TO SUNDAY. Follow along for more details on the Boerne Parks and Recreation Facebook page, the city website, and the Boerne Star website. December 8 CHRISTMAS WORSHIP CONCERT at First Baptist Church, 631 S. School St. “This is our God: Jesus Saves!” is a free Christmas worship concert, free and open to anyone who loves Christmas music, kids and families. You can watch and sing along with the FBC Worship and Kids ministries at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., and 6 p.m. BOERNE CONCERT BAND Christmas concert directed by Larry Schmidt, “Traditions of Christmas” at Boerne Middle School North, 240 Johns Road. The Boerne Ukuladies will kick off the afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with Christmas favorites as the audience arrives, followed by the Boerne Jazz Band with Christmas jazz selections sure to entertain. The Boerne Concert Band performs Christmas classics, traditional and contemporary, a full evening of music of the season with something for everyone. December 10 WALK IN BETHELEHEM: Dec. 10-11 step back in time as you walk through the little town of Bethlehem at St. Helena’s Episcopal, 410 N. Main St. From 6-7 p.m. each night, you’ll meet guards at the gate and citizens going about their evening. You could be walking next to Mary and Joseph as they wander through the town. December 11 GIFTWRAPPING PARTY from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. for the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program gifts. Volunteers will gather at Home Instead, 206 S. Saunders St., to sort, wrap and prepare heartfelt gifts for older adults who might otherwise feel isolated during the holidays. December 13 OLDE TOWN WEEKEND: A merry mistletoe weekend in celebration of Boerne’s olde town heritage. Join downtown retailers; enjoy live music, tasty eats, and quality Christmas shopping all weekend along the Hill Country Mile. Details: Boerne Retail and Restaurant Owners Association’s Facebook page. December 14 SANTA PANCAKE BREAKFAST from 10 a.m. to noon at Triple H Equitherapy, 791 Backhaus Road, Pipe Creek. Enjoy Triple H’s horses, a visit by Santa, pancakes, games, crafts and a hayride to the North Pole. Free and open to the public. STORYTIME WITH MS. Constance at the Herff Farm, 33 Herff Road. Storytime will be held from 10:30-11:30 a.m. with the theme, “Merry Moving and Grooving.” There will even be a surprise visit from Mrs. Claus. SANTA PAWS VISIT: Bring your pets to meet Hill Country Animal League’s very own Santa Paws at one of their three pop-up events on Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St. From 10 a.m. until noon Dec. 14-15 and capture a paw-fect holiday photo. Photos are $25; all proceeds go toward HCAL. Sign up at www. hcaltx.org/santapaws. December 20 SANTA PAWS VISIT: Bring your pets to meet Hill Country Animal League’s very own Santa Paws from 4-7 p.m. at the HCAL, 924 N. Main St., and capture a paw-fect holiday photo. Photos are $25; all proceeds go to HCAL. Sign up at www. hcaltx.org/santapaws. KINDER FEST WEEKEND: Bring the kids for a weekend full of Christmas fun. Everyone is encouraged to show off their ugly Christmas sweaters, silly Christmas pajamas, and Whoville hairdos. Friday and Saturday will include a Cookie Crawl and a Santa Scavenger Hunt on the Hill Country Mile. On Saturday and Sunday, meet Santa and enjoy Cowboy Christmas Market Days. Details: Boerne Retail and Restaurant Owners Association’s Facebook page. December 21 COWBOY CHRISTMAS MARKET Days: Find a unique last-minute gift at the annual Cowboy Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Plaza, 100 N. Main St. It will be bustling with booths featuring everything from collectibles to modern innovations that bring a smile of wonder to those who stroll past. December 22 NORTH POLE WORKSHOP: This is a three hour “Drop Off” event at the Wonderland Factory, 137 Industrial Drive, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents are invited to stay if they want, but the day is designed to allow parents to finish up any shopping or “to-do” list tasks. There will an assortment of “Make and Take” projects for the kids, a gift wrap station in case any of the projects are gifts, and themed crafts, games, and snacks.The has been on a remarkable run, fueled by declining inflation, lower borrowing costs, and renewed optimism across sectors. As a result, the benchmark has surged by 25.6% over the last 12 months. However, this rally doesn’t mean that risks have disappeared. Investors are still navigating economic uncertainties, from global geopolitical tensions to questions around long-term growth sustainability. In this environment, finding a stock that could provide both stability and consistent returns is more important than ever. In my opinion, ( ) could be one of the safest TSX stocks for 2025 and beyond. Before I discuss why it’s not just safe but also a growth powerhouse for the years ahead, let’s take a closer look at what led to a selloff in DOL stock after its recently released quarterly earnings report. Why Dollarama stock dived after earnings event In the third quarter (ended in October 2024) of its fiscal year 2025, Dollarama reported a 5.7% increase in its total revenue from a year ago to $1.6 billion. This improvement in revenue was mainly driven by a 3.3% YoY rise in its comparable store sales growth and positive contribution from new store openings. On the profitability side, the Canadian discount retailer’s operating profit rose 5.4% YoY to $407.5 million. Overall, these results demonstrated Dollarama’s ability to navigate challenging economic conditions and maintain profitability even as consumers tightened their budgets. However, investors still appeared disappointed as the company’s adjusted quarterly earnings figure of $0.98 per share, which reflected a 6.5% YoY gain, missed Bay Street analysts’ expectations by a narrow margin. In addition, it was the sixth consecutive quarter when Dollarama’s sales growth continued to slow. The company attributed this deceleration to a shift in consumer behaviour, with cautious spending patterns emerging in response to broader economic challenges. These could be the main reasons why this top TSX stock slipped by nearly 5% on December 4, despite reporting YoY improvements in its revenue as well as earnings. But these factors still make it the safest stock for 2025 and beyond It’s important to note that Dollarama stock has been a consistent performer since its listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange in 2009. With a of $39.4 billion, its stock currently trades at $140.56 per share after rallying by 47.2% so far in 2024. Interestingly, this marks the 14th year out of the last 15 that DOL stock has delivered strong double-digit returns to investors. Although its YoY sales growth rate has indeed slowed in the last few quarters, it’s important to note that the company is still continuing to post solid revenue and profit growth, even in a challenging economic environment. Its business model, focused on offering a wide range of affordable, everyday essentials, is inherently defensive. Moreover, Dollarama’s ambitious expansion plans underline its confidence in future growth. The company recently increased its long-term Canadian store target from 2,000 locations by 2031 to 2,200 locations by 2034. This decision reflects management’s belief in the sustained demand for its low-cost, high-value offerings across Canada. Given all these factors, the recent decline could be an opportunity for long-term investors to buy Dollarama stock at a bargain, which could continue to be one of the safest stocks for 2025 and beyond.
Jamie Dimon: Internet Bubble Was 'Hype,' Artificial Intelligence Is 'Real'
How can vehicle emissions be reduced without necessarily having to change cars? A new monitoring system, developed by Politecnico di Milano and described in a study in the journal , offers a concrete answer that makes sustainable mobility accessible to all. The proposed methodology uses a virtual sensing system to accurately estimate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and (NO ), using very simple instruments, exceeding the limits of the Euro classification alone. Thanks to the use of small telematic devices equipped with GPS for positioning and an inertial unit for measuring acceleration, the system measures emissions based on actual driving behavior. Using a large database of data collected from over 8,000 equipped with in Italy and analyzed for over 11 million journeys, the algorithms calculate the real environmental impact of each vehicle. UnipolTech, the telematics division of the Unipol Group, provided a unique data set in terms of accuracy and amplitude, with information on speed, distance traveled and driving style, which allowed the proposed algorithms to be validated. "The methodology provides a concrete answer for those who want to do their bit for sustainability without having to change their vehicle immediately. This means sustainable mobility for all," explains Professor Silvia Strada, lead author of the study. "Empowering drivers to manage, understand and improve their environmental impact opens up an inclusive transition to sustainability." The system uses three (KPIs): fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and NO emissions. These KPIs show that emissions and fuel consumption depend not only on vehicle technology but also on driving behavior, providing a personalized assessment of environmental impact. For example, there is a "green speed," i.e. an optimal speed range between 50–75 km/h, which is more efficient in terms of both consumption and emissions. This has many potential applications for cities: councils can use it to manage emissions in restricted traffic areas and adjust access and parking fees based on the actual environmental impact of vehicles, without banning anyone from driving altogether. In addition, the indicators could support incentives for virtuous driving, while respecting the technological neutrality of the car. As part of a sustainable transition, the European Union has set ambitious targets: a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050, as required by the Green Deal. This system is a direct response to this need, making monitoring accessible and fair to those who are currently unable to invest in zero-emission vehicles. The new approach shows that an older vehicle can still be sustainable if driven carefully and for limited distances, challenging the current paradigm based solely on Euro classes. This system is now a concrete tool for those who want to drive more responsibly and for cities that want to reduce emissions. The proposed emission estimation algorithms can form an essential basis for sustainable mobility, contributing to a more inclusive and less impactful management of urban mobility and beyond.Share Tweet Share Share Email Stickers are a timeless medium of expression, offering endless possibilities for creativity, organization, and personal branding. They have evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from simple decorative tools to versatile assets in various domains, including business, education, and art. With the ability to personalize and customize designs, stickers have become indispensable for individuals and organizations seeking a unique way to communicate their identity or message. One of the most prominent aspects of modern sticker use is customization. Platforms like Vograce have made it possible to design stickers tailored to specific needs and preferences. Whether it’s for personal projects or professional branding, creating personalized stickers opens up avenues for self-expression and functionality. Stickers can be customized to showcase intricate designs, meaningful slogans, or distinctive artwork, allowing users to leave a memorable impression in both personal and public spheres. In creative endeavors, stickers serve as a medium to elevate projects with visual elements that resonate with specific themes or moods. From scrapbooks and journals to larger-scale artistic displays, custom designs enable individuals to craft pieces that are uniquely their own. For businesses, stickers can be a practical tool for advertising, offering an affordable and effective way to promote a brand or product. By distributing stickers featuring a business logo or catchphrase, companies can increase visibility and recognition in a manner that feels approachable and engaging. Among the various types of stickers available today, vinyl stickers stand out for their durability and aesthetic appeal. Their resistance to wear and tear makes them ideal for applications requiring long-lasting visual impact. For instance, custom vinyl stickers are commonly used on vehicles, laptops, and other high-use surfaces where resilience is key. Their water-resistant and fade-resistant qualities ensure that the designs remain vibrant over time, making them a reliable choice for both personal and commercial purposes. The practical uses of stickers extend beyond decoration and branding. In organizational contexts, they can be employed to label and categorize items efficiently. For educators, stickers are valuable tools for rewarding students, marking completed tasks, or creating interactive learning materials. In personal spaces, stickers can serve functional purposes, such as marking storage containers or personalizing belongings to prevent mix-ups. For creative professionals and hobbyists, the ability to produce custom designs elevates stickers from mere embellishments to a versatile tool for storytelling. Artists, for example, can use stickers to extend their portfolio, offering them as collectible items or integrating them into mixed-media works. Fans of specific franchises or cultural movements often use stickers to display their affiliations, transforming everyday objects like water bottles or phone cases into personal statements. Incorporating stickers into digital and physical projects also provides a tactile, human element in an increasingly digital world. Unlike digital graphics, which exist solely on screens, stickers create a physical connection between the creator and the audience. This tangible quality makes them particularly effective for building a sense of authenticity and engagement. As customization options continue to expand, the possibilities for innovative sticker use grow alongside them. Advances in printing technology have enabled the production of detailed, high-resolution designs, allowing even the most intricate concepts to come to life. For instance, platforms offering custom vinyl stickers provide users with the tools to create highly detailed and personalized designs, ensuring that every project aligns precisely with their vision. Custom Stickers also play a crucial role in fostering a sense of community and shared identity. Whether used to signify membership in a club, support for a cause, or participation in an event, stickers act as visual symbols that connect individuals. Custom designs can encapsulate the values, aesthetics, or themes of a group, serving as both a badge of belonging and a conversation starter. In addition to their functional and aesthetic qualities, stickers have a psychological appeal rooted in their simplicity and versatility. The act of applying a sticker can be deeply satisfying, providing a sense of ownership and customization. For many, stickers evoke nostalgia, recalling childhood experiences of collecting and trading them. This emotional connection enhances their appeal, making them a timeless choice for creative and practical purposes alike. In conclusion, stickers, whether traditional or vinyl, are far more than decorative elements. They are versatile tools that bridge creativity and functionality, catering to a wide range of personal and professional needs. The ability to customize stickers elevates their potential, allowing users to transform ordinary surfaces into personalized canvases for expression, organization, and branding. As platforms like Vograce continue to expand the possibilities for creating and personalizing stickers, their role in our lives becomes even more significant. Whether for artistic projects, promotional campaigns, or everyday organization, stickers remain a simple yet powerful medium for communication and connection. Their enduring charm lies in their ability to adapt to the needs of individuals and communities, ensuring their relevance for years to come . Related Items: Practical Uses , stickers Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Can I Make Custom Stickers at Staples? A Comprehensive Guide Drive Engagement with Custom Die Cut Stickers: 5 Effective Strategies Magic of Temporary Tattoo Custom Stickers Comments
CME Group Tour Championship Par Scores
Montreal Canadiens forward Patrik Laine took part in his first regular season game in nearly a year, and while it wasn’t perfect, we saw a lot of the qualities that makes him a special player. It was an encouraging start, bolstered by the fact that Laine followed up his Habs debut by scoring a powerplay goal in the very next game. If the 6’4′′ winger can add explosiveness and speed to the mix, and recover some stamina sooner than later, his addition to the Habs could prove a deal that moves the needle for a franchise in desperate need of offensive reinforcements. Regardless of how fast he manages to find his former game shape, there still are five aspects of his game that shone through in Laine’s first two matches with the Canadiens. PATRIK LAINE AGAIN Two goals in two games in a @CanadiensMTL uniform! pic.twitter.com/nCnMb0i1Ur — NHL (@NHL) December 6, 2024 Lethal Weapon It’s no secret, Laine has a fantastic shot. Much like the league’s top powerplay goalscorers, such as Alex Ovechkin, he can find twine even when the opposing team pays close attention to him in the offensive zone. We saw a perfect example of that against the Islanders, as goaltender Ilya Sorokin squared up to the shot, only to see the puck fly by him before he could get a good read on the shot’s destination. Laine exploited a miniscule area of opportunity — a sharpshooter’s goal. His accuracy and the velocity powering his shots makes it rather difficult to defend against, even more so when you’re trying to figure out where he’ll shoot. WELCOME BACK, PATRIK LAINE!! pic.twitter.com/eB119eOQBD — NHL (@NHL) December 4, 2024 Furthermore, by moving Laine to Caufield’s former spot on the powerplay, it allows head coach Martin St-Louis to have all his players sitting in the right chair. So far in his young career, Caufield hasn’t seen extended success as the left dot trigger man. Prior to joining the Canadiens, Caufield was often seen at the bumper position, notably with Team USA, and looked dangerous there. On top of moving Lane Hutson to the first powerplay unit, adding Laine on the dot and moving Caufield to the bumper cold mean improved conversion rates with the special units. Controlled Entries One thing Laine likes to do above all, is hold on to the puck. When his confidence is high, he uses his soft hands to deke defenders, and gain the offensive zone. Remember, a controlled entry leads to a much more high-danger chances than a dump-in. We saw a few examples of this against the Islanders, whereas lesser talented players might have simply lobbed the puck in the zone. Improving controlled zone entries should yield more possession time when it matters, yet another area of weakness for the Montreal Canadiens that should improve with Laine’s addition to the lineup. It’s no secret that you win more games when the puck is on your stick, in the offensive zone. MONTREAL LOVES LAINE The @CanadiensMTL crowd really gave Patrik Laine a warm welcome. pic.twitter.com/3ViIj62dT4 — NHL (@NHL) September 24, 2024 Patty’s Puck Protection Generating controlled entries is just the beginning for Laine, as he also has a tendency to drive the offence with the puck on his stick in high-danger scoring areas, drawing defenders toward him, which, in turn, makes life a little easier on his linemates. With his big frame and long reach, it becomes very difficult for defenders to force turnovers. on a bien senti ce « wooo » we felt that “wooo” #GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/ZaFMHBI3SQ — Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) December 4, 2024 There was one particular shift against the Islanders where Laine spent two whole minutes (!) in the offensive zone, as he and linemates Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky played keep away, seemingly toying with their opponents. This style of play is also a strong suit for these two young players, showing that Laine can adapt to the pieces already in place, rather than forcing a re-tool of the team’s offensive strategies. Before long, this line could very well be too good to dismantle, and having a legitimate second line would be a welcome sight for all involved, including St-Louis, who is enjoying a healthy lineup for the first time since his taking over. It’s a rare opportunity to share the wealth throughout the lineup. Consequently, coaches formulating a game plan to shut down the Canadiens would no longer have to simply focus on a few players, or one line. Montreal Canadiens Aura The Bell Centre was electric both times they got a chance to watch Laine in action. Unsurprisingly, the crowd went berserk when two goals in two games. The re-invigoration goes beyond the fans, who definitely deserve a little more excitement in the mix considering the high prices of NHL tickets. Laine’s stoic, yet positive personality has started to spread among Montreal Canadiens players, energizing them at a time when the team risks of falling by the wayside due to the struggles involved in playing for a rebuilding organization. It’s almost like his presence inspired the rest of the team to step up, work harder, and focus on not only individual growth, but team-wide improvements as well. #Habs Patrik Laine on the ovation he received from the fans at the Bell Centre tonight: “that was the most outrageous thing I’ve ever heard in my life” – says he felt he didn’t deserve it but will remember it for the rest of his life. — Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024 Hockey Humans, Not Hockey Robots Laine’s recent health issues are well documented, and while mental health remains stigmatized in the professional sports setting, having a player openly discussing his use of a therapist is an important reminder that once the uniforms come off, hockey players also deal with difficult situations that can cast a dark cloud on their day-to-day lives. Everyone stumbles once in a while, that’s to be expected. It’s the manner in which you get back up that really counts, and you’d be hard-pressed to argue Laine did not take all the right steps to get back to doing what he loves most, playing hockey. It makes rooting for the 26-year-old Finn a rather easy proposal. #Habs Patrik Laine: “I talked with my therapist about this when I was a little nervous yesterday and decided putting this jersey on today is an achievement after everything and everything that comes after that is a plus.” — Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 4, 2024 What are your impressions of the newest member of the Montreal Canadiens, Patrik Laine ? This article first appeared on Montreal Hockey Now and was syndicated with permission.
AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Malek Abdelgowad scored 26 points as UMass beat UMass-Boston 86-52 on Saturday. Abdelgowad also contributed 14 rebounds for the Minutemen (4-7). Daniel Rivera added 11 points while going 4 of 6 and 3 of 7 from the free-throw line while they also had 10 rebounds. Jaylen Curry had 10 points and finished 4 of 7 from the field. The Beacons were led in scoring by Cameron Perkins, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals. Xavier McKenzie added 13 points, two steals and two blocks for UMass-Boston. Raphel Laurent also recorded eight points. UMass took the lead with 15:49 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 47-24 at halftime, with Abdelgowad racking up 18 points. UMass extended its lead to 66-36 during the second half, fueled by a 14-2 scoring run. Abdelgowad scored a team-high eight points in the second half as their team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Kim Kardashian breaks foot as she shares photo in black medical boot