The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they don't have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of COVID-19 pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. A man walks past a homeless encampment Oct. 25, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. "No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve," HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on "evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness." Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Almost 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially last year's catastrophic Maui wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. More than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assist state police as they order people living in a homeless encampment to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. "Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing," Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement. "As advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience have warned, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs." Robert Marbut Jr., the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021, called the nearly 33% increase in homelessness over the past four years "disgraceful" and said the federal government needs to abandon efforts to prioritize permanent housing. "We need to focus on treatment of substance use and mental illness, and bring back program requirements, like job training," Marbut said in an email. The numbers also come as increasing numbers of communities are taking a hard line against homelessness. People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings Oct. 23 after Louisiana State Police ordered them to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. Angered by often dangerous and dirty tent camps, communities — especially in Western states — have enforced bans on camping. That follows a 6-3 ruling this summer by the Supreme Court that found outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. There was some positive news in the count, as homelessness among veterans continued to trend downward. Homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. It was an even larger decrease for unsheltered veterans, declining 11% to 13,851 in 2024. "The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country's housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing." Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. A rat sniffs the hand of a sleeping man experiencing homelessness Dec. 18 in downtown Los Angeles. California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The sharp increase in the homeless population over the past two years contrasts with success the U.S. had for more than a decade. Going back to the first 2007 survey, the U.S. made steady progress for about a decade in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017. The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments and a temporary eviction moratorium. Homelessness is intertwined with the cost of living, and the high cost of living is hitting older adults fairly hard. A for the Department of Health and Human Services found that older adults are the fastest-growing cohort of the homeless population. Emergency housing for seniors can keep that number from climbing higher. details how to access it. The number of homeless seniors isn't based solely on people remaining homeless as they age; it also includes those whose first experience with homelessness came after they turned 50. In 2023, The (HUD) reported that 1 in 5 homeless people were over the age of 55. For seniors and other older adults, fixed incomes make it hard to battle the ever-increasing cost of expenses. cites that 2.35 million older adults are paying over half of their limited income to rent. Based on , that's exactly why 1 in 15 retired seniors worry about losing their homes. Shelter use in homeless people older than 51 has from 2007 to 2017, according to the HUD. But luckily, so has the number of shelters. Between 2022 and 2023, the HUD reports that emergency shelters added 28,760 more beds in emergency shelters, though this is a reduction in the amount of beds available during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency homeless assistance, or emergency housing, is a temporary solution. It's designed to provide shelter while those facing housing instability figure out their next step. Emergency housing for homeless seniors gives someone the immediate ability to remain housed and safely sheltered. Local nonprofits are often involved in placing people experiencing homelessness or housing instability into emergency shelters. Low-income seniors, and might not make rent, or seniors who need to leave their homes for other reasons can use emergency housing. Many cities have their own emergency housing programs. There are also nationwide programs that provide emergency housing for seniors. The internet is the fastest tool for locating local emergency housing. Libraries have free internet access, for those who might not have a computer or Wi-Fi to begin their search. The list below leads to websites that include phone numbers for emergency homeless assistance. Seniors in need of immediate assistance and resources should call 2-1-1 or . The 2-1-1 crisis hotline partners with United Way, which is committed to helping homeless seniors find local shelters or access transitional housing. The service can also connect seniors with other resources, including food, mental health support, or funding for health care expenses. Calling 2-1-1 is often required as a prerequisite before trying to get into a shelter or obtaining other assistance. Because 2-1-1 is for people in crisis, there are no eligibility requirements. However, some programs seniors may access through 2-1-1 do have eligibility requirements. Seniors can simply dial 2-1-1 from nearly anywhere in the U.S. to be put in touch with the programs and resources they need. Designed specifically for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, the is a federal program offering low-income housing options and rent assistance. These vouchers are available through your local public housing agency (PHA). This program enables and encourages participants to choose their own housing. Housing options don't need to be a part of subsidized housing projects, but there are limits on unit size. Typically, participants must pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent, and the voucher program pays the remainder. Applicant income and family size help the PHA determine eligibility. Citizenship and eligible immigration status also play a factor. The family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where they're applying to live. Of the vouchers, 75% must go to people whose income is at or less than 30% of their area's median income. Contact your . helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for seniors. This program gives low-income seniors options that allow them to live independently, with support for cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc. This program is open to any very low-income household that has at least one person 62 years old or older. Applicants must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on . was created as emergency homeless assistance for veterans. Its goal is to give homeless veterans access to permanent housing through public housing authorities. Veterans receive rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program and additional case management services through the VA. By December 2023, the HUD had allocated nearly 112,000 vouchers to help house veterans nationwide. To help veterans achieve stability and remain housed, VA case managers may connect veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling. If you or your loved one is a low-income senior with eligible military service, you may apply. Your local VA can tell you if your service qualifies you for HUD-VASH. Senior veterans may apply online or call (877) 424-3838. to learn more about the emergency housing options for seniors available in your state. Low-income seniors who aren't in or might find themselves facing housing instability. Emergency housing for seniors can help you or your loved one seek shelter. Crisis hotlines and public housing agencies can offer support. Finding emergency housing for seniors depends heavily on your area. The first step is to call the Crisis Hotline at 2-1-1. Finding a shelter takes less time than applying and getting approved for low-income housing voucher programs. The 2-1-1 hotline can direct you to local resources and locators. Yes and no. The duration depends on the type of housing. Shelters have limits that vary. Some shelters allow people to stay for up to six months, though that can vary based on demand. Seniors can remain in Section 202 supportive housing as long as they meet age and income requirements. Yes. Many counties have financial emergency programs that help seniors handle home repairs or short-term financial crises like utility shutoff. These programs allow the senior to focus their funds on their rent or mortgage. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Thankfully, the field for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff was set Sunday morning. Had the process lasted another week, it might have ripped the sport apart and pitted conference commissioners against each other in steel-cage matches. Not everything sparked outrage when the CFP selection committee revealed the pairings. Oregon and Georgia were the top-two seeds, as expected. Boise State, champion of the Mountain West, and Arizona State, which won the Big 12, received the No. 3 and 4 seeds, respectively, and will have opening-round byes. Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State will play home games in the opening round. But that’s where the relative peace and tranquility ended. The committee granted the final at-large berth to SMU, not Alabama, and you could instantly imagine smoke billowing from the nostrils of SEC commissioner Greg Sankey. Alabama (9-3) had more quality wins and played a vastly tougher schedule than the Mustangs (11-2) but also had uglier losses than the ACC runner-up. That wasn’t the only flashpoint. Boise State was seeded higher than Arizona State despite a weaker schedule — an outcome that sends the Broncos to the Fiesta Bowl (Glendale) for their quarterfinal game and forces the Sun Devils to play in the Peach Bowl (Atlanta). The debate Sunday was simply a continuation of the past five weeks, which featured athletic directors squabbling on social media, conference commissioners squawking over resumes and the committee chair himself, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, seemingly contradicting the stated selection criteria. All of it unfolded under the threat of demolition. Two months ago, executives from the SEC and Big Ten gathered in Nashville to discuss the future of the sport. At the conclusion of the summit, Sankey, the most powerful figure in the sport, told reporters that the CFP process “just has to go incredibly well.” You did not need a master’s degree in political gamesmanship to grasp the meaning. If the SEC and Big Ten were less than satisfied with their allotments of bids and seeds, they would force changes to the selection process. Specifically, the behemoths would grant themselves a truckload of automatic bids, reduce access for the other conferences and, potentially, disband the selection committee altogether. Needless to say, the process did not go “incredibly well” for the SEC. In fact, it could not have gone much worse. In addition to Alabama’s exclusion, Tennessee lost the No. 8-9 seed showdown against Ohio State and will open the playoff in Columbus. Meanwhile, three-loss South Carolina was left out entirely one week after winning at three-loss Clemson, while the Tigers advanced to the CFP with the ACC’s automatic bid. (In the committee’s final rankings, South Carolina was one spot above Clemson.) The repercussions could ripple through the sport for years. Earlier this week, another warning flare went skyward from SEC country when Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne posted the following note on the social media platform X: “When you look at the @CFBPlayoff Principles for its Selection Committee, the first bullet point on the list of considerations is strength of schedule. Not all schedules and conferences are created equal. We’ve worked diligently to add more challenging non-conference home-and-homes, which is good for college football ...” The implication was clear: If Alabama’s schedule strength wasn’t rewarded, the Crimson Tide would rethink the merits of playing A-level non-conference games in the first half of September. Alabama faced Wisconsin this season and has booked upcoming series with Florida State, Ohio State and Notre Dame. Those could be in jeopardy. Why risk the loss when the benefits of scheduling the game are limited? And if Alabama cancels marquee matchups, other SEC schools will assuredly follow — potentially sapping the sport of must-see intersectional duels that energize the September competition calendar. Asked on ESPN about the non-conference scheduling issue, Manuel, the committee chair and Michigan’s athletic director, offered the following: “I would just say, you need to schedule the games you feel are best for your team and your fan base.” Given the unprecedented nature of the season — with the expanded playoff and engorged conferences — there was no reason to expect a smooth ride from early November, when the first CFP rankings were released, through selection day. But the gaffes, misreads and contradictions by the 13-person committee were frequent and severe. Head-to-head results, schedule strength and quality wins were shoved to the background as the committee, loaded with former coaches, prioritized win-loss record. It was as if the coaches were collectively channeling their inner Lou Holtz — the former Notre Dame coach was the ultimate sandbagger — and determined a 74- point win over Western Illinois (by Indiana) was equivalent to a 15-point win at Texas (by Georgia). “One of the things we really need to do,” said Nick Saban, the ESPN analyst and former Alabama coach, “is (recognize) all wins are not the same as the other wins.” There were risks to selecting Alabama over SMU, as well. Had the committee excluded the Mustangs following their loss to Clemson in the ACC championship — on a walk-off field goal, no less — the decision would have undermined the credibility of conference title games. “The committee is going to lose no matter what they do,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said. But just as not all wins are created equal, neither are all losses. Alabama’s out, the SEC is seething and major changes are coming to the CFP as a result. *** Send suggestions, comments and tips (confidentiality guaranteed) to wilnerhotline@bayareanewsgroup.com or call 408-920-5716 *** Follow me on the social media platform X: @ WilnerHotline
Senior members of Canada's cabinet held talks Friday with US President-elect Donald Trump's nominees to lead the departments of commerce and the interior, as Ottawa works to hold off the threat of punishing tariffs. Canada's newly-appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary nominee, who will also lead the country's tariff and trade agenda. Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum was also at the meeting held at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Leblanc's spokesman Jean-Sebastien Comeau, who confirmed the participants, described the talks as "positive and productive." Trump has vowed to impose crippling 25-percent tariffs on all Canadian imports when he takes office next month. He has said they will remain in place until Canada addresses the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised retaliatory measures should Trump follow through on his pledge, raising fears of a trade war. Leblanc and Joly "outlined the measures in Canada's Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives," Comeau said in a statement. Canada's Border Plan -- estimated to cost CAN$1 billion ($694 million) -- was crafted as part of Ottawa's response to Trump's concerns. Lutnick and Burgum "agreed to relay information to President Trump," the statement said. Trudeau is facing his worst political crisis since sweeping into office in 2015. Leblanc was named finance minister earlier this month after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing handouts to voters instead of preparing Canada's finances for a possible trade war. More than 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and nearly two million Canadian jobs depend on trade. bs/ahaMarkem-Imaje Launches Ultraply Range of Print and Apply Consumables Catering to Scannable 2D Barcode DemandApple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Stake Reduced by Oak Asset Management LLC
BEND, OREGON (AP) — Eliza Wilson is a little nervous as she draws the microphone close, but she is determined to share her life story. “My father was a disabled veteran,” she says. “I first experienced homelessness when I was 5 years old.” Wilson, who’s 36, leads programs focused on unhoused youth. On a recent Saturday, she is addressing a citizen assembly, a grassroots gathering seeking solutions to tough local challenges. Her audience consists of 30 ordinary Oregonians. They are acupuncturists and elk hunters; house cleaners and retired riverboat pilots. None are public policy experts. All the same, these participants have been asked to recommend new strategies for combating youth homelessness — a major problem in this affluent Oregon city and the surrounding rural areas of Deschutes County. This unusual experiment in small-D democracy is underwritten by more than $250,000 in grants from backers such as the Rockefeller Foundation and Omidyar Network. As a key early presenter, Wilson wins rapt attention, clicking through data-rich slides and sharing her story of crisis and recovery. That’s how citizen assemblies should work, says Kevin O’Neil, an innovation specialist at the Rockefeller Foundation. His research shows Americans are frustrated with what they perceive as aloofness and gridlock within civic institutions. “People want to be directly involved in decision-making,” O’Neil says. “They recognize the value of expertise, but they don’t want to delegate decision-making to experts.” Assemblies can help “overcome polarization and strengthen societal cohesion,” says Claudia Chwalisz, founder of . Her nonprofit, launched in Paris in 2022, champions such assemblies worldwide, hoping they can “create the democratic spaces for everyday people to grapple with the complexity of policy issues, listen to one another, and find common ground.” At least, that’s the theory. To succeed, citizen assemblies can’t settle for a few days of harmonious dialogue among well-intentioned strangers. They need to inspire policy changes or new programs from government and other civic institutions. In Europe, such wins abound. In the United States, results are spottier. The most fruitful U.S. effort to date was a in Washington State that produced 148 ideas — including more solar canopies and food composting — to combat climate change. More often, progress is challenging. An assembly in 2022 in Petaluma, California, spun up ideas to repurpose a long-time county fairground site. Two years later, the fair still operates under short-term leases; its long-term destiny remains in limbo. In , enacting an assembly’s bold ideas for improving rural day care has been “more of a marathon than a sprint,” says organizer Morgan Lasher. Can central Oregon do better? It may take years to know, but evidence so far shows both the assembly system’s opportunities and the challenges. Bend’s local economy is strong, with a jobless rate of just 4.2% and median household income of more than $80,000. As housing costs have skyrocketed, though, the spectacle of people living in tent and trailer encampments has become more common. A January count found more than 1,800 people were homeless in Deschutes County, up from in 2020. In 2023, DemocracyNext and , a Portland, Oregon, nonprofit, connected with Bend officials interested in bringing the assembly idea to central Oregon. Josh Burgess, an Air Force veteran, who moved to Bend and became the proverbial “advance man” for DemocracyNext. Operating in a county between Democrats and Republicans, Burgess built rapport with both liberal and conservative members on the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners. “It took four or five meetings to get there,” Burgess recalls. Organizers decided to focus on homelessness among ages 14 to 24, where opportunities for progress seemed greatest. To pick citizens for the assembly, organizers contacted 12,000 county residents before selecting just 30. Everything was balanced by age, race, gender, and geography – a slow, costly requirement. Even so, advocates such as Michelle Barsa of Omidyar Network says assemblies’ big edge comes from using “an actual representative sample of the community, not just the people who always show up at town-hall meetings and yell into a microphone for three minutes.” At the northern edge of Oregon State’s Bend campus, a few hundred yards from the Deschutes River, is the McGrath Family atrium, a sunlight-drenched space with panoramic woodland views. It feels almost like a spa. As the Bend assembly gets started, black tablecloths at a huge, U-shaped table convey gravity. Name tags identify attendees as “Noelle,” “Dave,” “Alex.” The first few hours go slowly, but everything perks up after lunch. Eliza Wilson takes command, introducing herself as director of runaway and homeless youth services at , a social-services organization. Her voice is unfailingly steady, but emotions race fast across her face: hope, frustration, empathy, resolve, and more. “Teens get really good at hiding their homelessness,” Wilson explains. “We don’t share family business outside of the family. I was really fortunate that a high-school counselor pointed me, at age 15, to the first youth shelter that had just opened in Bend. I stayed there for three years, until I graduated from high school. I finally got on my feet at age 21.” As Wilson finishes, questions stream in. “Are there any programs advocating for children to get back to their parents?” one woman wants to know. “Is there open communication between you guys and the school district?” a man asks. Wilson and other presenters respond with a road map of what exists today. They point out how homeless youth are in a precarious but not hopeless situation, counting on allies for a couch to sleep on. Less than 20 percent live outside in encampments. Practically everyone in the audience takes notes. The next day, assembly members strike up conversations with young adults who were once homeless. Chronic problems — and glimmers of ideas about how to address them — tumble forth. Flaws in the foster parent system. The risk of sexual abuse. The unique challenges that LGBTQ youth face. Attendees — who shared their thoughts with the Chronicle on the condition they be identified only by their first name — regarded those conversations as eye-opening breakthroughs in their hunt for policy recommendations. “I’m coming away with a whole different point of view,” Ken told me. He had arrived believing that poor parenting and drug abuse led to homelessness, and that affected families should personally address such challenges. Now, he said, he was interested in broader solutions. Several local officials stopped by to watch the assembly proceedings. Phil Chang, a Deschutes County commissioner, said the broad-based assembly creates “social license for us to do things that the community wants.” Conservative county commissioner Tony DeBone worries that Oregon’s rollback of drug-offense laws has worsened social problems; he also believes that an economic upturn would do the most good. Still, he says, he’s willing to see what the assembly can offer. Ultimately, the assembly’s effectiveness will depend on whether its recommendations can overcome bureaucratic inertia, says Tammy Baney, executive director of the . Proposed changes in police interactions with homeless youth could be acted on within a month or two if local law enforcement is receptive, she says. Improving Oregon’s gridlocked foster-care system might be much harder. “It all depends on how much political will there is,” Baney says. _____ is editor-at-large at the Chronicle of Philanthropy, where you can read the . This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as part of a partnership to cover philanthropy and nonprofits supported by the Lilly Endowment. The Chronicle is solely responsible for the content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit . George Anders Of The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, The Associated Press
College Football Playoff field set: SMU’s in, Alabama’s out and there could be consequences
NORMAL, Ill. — In closing the 2024 season on a cloudy, cold Saturday afternoon, the UND football program was consistent right up to the bitter end. The Fighting Hawks consistently struggled to stop the run and consistently were unable to perform on the road. ADVERTISEMENT UND lost a fifth-straight game for the first time since 1986 with a 35-13 loss against No. 14 Illinois State at Hancock Stadium. The Fighting Hawks gave up at least 35 points for the fifth-straight game and finished the year 0-5 on the road. UND ends the year 5-7, finishing under .500 for the fourth time in Bubba Schweigert's 11 years as head coach. Schweigert signed a contract extension through the 2027 season this past offseason but a lengthy losing skid to close 2024 has produced a growing buzz of those questioning his job security. "There's two people that I have concern how they feel and that's our athletic director and the president of the university," Schweigert said when asked about his future after the game. "The other stuff is outside noise." Illinois State's Wenkers Wright ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns as the Redbirds piled up 420 yards of total offense. "We've got to tackle better," Schweigert said. "We know that's a fundamental that we have to get better at. We have to be more physical up front and fit the run better." The game's turning point came early in the third quarter. ADVERTISEMENT The Fighting Hawks trailed 14-10 at halftime and the defense forced a stop on Illinois State's opening drive of the second half. UND running back Sawyer Seidl took the next three carries. The young speedster busted off a run of 11 yards, then an 18-yard run in which the Hawks' offensive line helped push the pile in a scrum situation. Seidl entered another scrum situation on his next carry and UND's sideline was energized by the physical running game. As the scrum carried on, however, Illinois State was able to rip a fumble away from Seidl at the last moment. Nine plays later, Wright scored from 18 yards out to extend the Illinois State lead to 21-10. "I didn't see it but it went to review and they confirmed it," Schweigert said. "We had three, four physical plays in a row. Sawyer was running hard, and it was unfortunate he lost the ball." UND was limited to 266 yards of total offense as quarterback Simon Romfo was 11-for-26 for 135 yards. "We left a lot of plays out there," said UND wide receiver Bo Belquist, who had three catches for 42 yards. "I thought our offensive line and running backs were super physical and did a great job. We got stuck on a couple of drives, and you can't do that against good teams and that's why they're in the playoffs." ADVERTISEMENT Belquist finishes his decorated career one touchdown shy of Greg Hardin's Division I school record for touchdown catches (31). "Not the way you want to end (your career)," Belquist said. "It wasn't my greatest performance out there but it's over and it is what it is. You have to move on and embrace the memories you made over the years and the relationships you created. Life goes on."
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Helping an honour, founder saysGiannis Antetokounmpo is celebrating Festivus this year by airing out his grievances against the league. In an interview this week with Eric Nehm of The Athletic , the Milwaukee Bucks star Antetokounmpo called out the NBA for not scheduling their team to play on Christmas this year. Antetokounmpo added that he was “pissed” about the Bucks getting snubbed. “I’m a little bit upset or kind of questioning it,” Antetokounmpo said. “But I really believe there’s probably an algorithm that takes place within the NBA that shows who is the most attractive team or which team gets the most attention for them to be able to play in the Christmas game. “There’s gotta be an algorithm because if it’s — how can I say — like a popularity contest, I can give you facts,” he added. “Two of the NBA All-Star starters, Dame [Lillard] and Giannis, and the All-Star MVP [Lillard], right? And the No. 1 vote-getter — not in the East, in the whole NBA — is not in the Christmas game? It’s a fact ... We don’t get a Christmas game. Why? Because we got a small market? Maybe that’s the case. Or I want to believe what I tell you, I think there’s an algorithm within the NBA that they choose which team will get the most attention, the most viewership that day ... I’m pissed.” After winning the 2021 NBA championship, the Bucks have underwhelmed this season and currently sit at 15-12 (No. 5 in the Eastern Conference). But they have righted the ship in recent weeks (winning the NBA Cup title over the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this month) and still have four All-Stars on the roster in Antetokounmpo, Lillard, Khris Middleton, and Brook Lopez. The former MVP Antetokounmpo also has a point in that the Bucks are usually playing on Christmas Day, and you have to go all the way back to 2017 for the last time that they did not. Antetokounmpo did add too though that he is “happy” and grateful that he gets to spend the holiday this year with his family instead. But it is clear that the snub from Christmas 2024 bothers The Greek Freak, who already took to social media over the offseason to express displeasure with the NBA’s decision . This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Mumbai, Dec 8, 2024 The combined market valuation of six of the top-10 most valued firms surged Rs 2.03 lakh crore last week as the Indian stock market ended with gains. In the trading session from December 2 to December 6, Nifty closed at 24,677 with a gain of 2.27 per cent or 546 points and Sensex closed at 81,709 with a gain of 2.39 per cent or 1,906 points. This was the third consecutive week when the stock market closed in the green. Among the top 10, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Reliance Industries, and State Bank of India (SBI) were gainers, while Bharti Airtel, Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), ITC, and Hindustan Unilever were laggards. The market capitalisation of TCS surged by Rs 62,574 crore to Rs 16,08,782 crore. The market valuation of HDFC Bank jumped Rs 45,338 crore to Rs 14,19,270 crore. Infosys added Rs 26,885 crore taking its market cap to Rs 7,98,560 crore and the market capitalisation of Reliance Industries surged by Rs 26,185 crore to Rs 17,75,176 crore. The market capitalisation of SBI soared by Rs 22,311 crore to Rs 7,71,087 crore. ICICI Bank added Rs 19,821 crore to its market capitalisation to Rs 9,37,545 crore. On the other hand, the market capitalisation of Bharti Airtel declined by Rs 16,720 crore to Rs 9,10,005 crore. The market valuation of ITC went lower by Rs 7,256 crore to Rs 5,89,572 crore and the market capitalisation of Hindustan Unilever declined by Rs 2,843.01 crore to Rs 5,83,673.71 crore. LIC’s market cap declined by Rs 1,265 crore to Rs 6,21,937.02 crore. On Friday, the stock market ended with a marginal loss. Sensex and Nifty declined by 56 points and 30 points, respectively.(Agency)KKR & Co. Inc. ( NYSE:KKR – Free Report ) had its price objective upped by The Goldman Sachs Group from $160.00 to $177.00 in a report issued on Tuesday morning, Benzinga reports. The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a buy rating on the asset manager’s stock. Several other equities research analysts have also weighed in on KKR. Argus upgraded shares of KKR & Co. Inc. to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 1st. Hsbc Global Res raised KKR & Co. Inc. to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Evercore ISI upped their price objective on KKR & Co. Inc. from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Monday, October 14th. HSBC started coverage on KKR & Co. Inc. in a research report on Wednesday, September 18th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $148.00 target price on the stock. Finally, StockNews.com raised shares of KKR & Co. Inc. to a “sell” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, twelve have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, KKR & Co. Inc. presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $154.14. View Our Latest Stock Report on KKR & Co. Inc. KKR & Co. Inc. Trading Up 0.6 % KKR & Co. Inc. ( NYSE:KKR – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 24th. The asset manager reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.35. KKR & Co. Inc. had a return on equity of 5.77% and a net margin of 13.21%. The firm had revenue of $4.79 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.23 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.73 earnings per share. On average, analysts predict that KKR & Co. Inc. will post 4.16 EPS for the current year. KKR & Co. Inc. Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 19th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 4th were given a dividend of $0.175 per share. This represents a $0.70 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.44%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, November 4th. KKR & Co. Inc.’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 21.28%. Insider Transactions at KKR & Co. Inc. In other KKR & Co. Inc. news, major shareholder Kkr Group Partnership L.P. bought 11,619,998 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 11th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $11.13 per share, with a total value of $129,330,577.74. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now directly owns 92,959,984 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,034,644,621.92. This trade represents a 14.29 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, major shareholder Genetic Disorder L.P. Kkr sold 5,800,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $25.75, for a total transaction of $149,350,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 25,260,971 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $650,470,003.25. The trade was a 18.67 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Company insiders own 39.34% of the company’s stock. Institutional Investors Weigh In On KKR & Co. Inc. Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Swedbank AB boosted its holdings in shares of KKR & Co. Inc. by 33.5% in the second quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 65,432 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $6,886,000 after buying an additional 16,424 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd boosted its stake in KKR & Co. Inc. by 116.8% in the 2nd quarter. XTX Topco Ltd now owns 29,619 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $3,117,000 after purchasing an additional 15,959 shares during the period. Advisors Asset Management Inc. grew its position in KKR & Co. Inc. by 100.7% during the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 20,055 shares of the asset manager’s stock worth $2,017,000 after purchasing an additional 10,060 shares in the last quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC raised its stake in KKR & Co. Inc. by 42.1% during the 3rd quarter. OneDigital Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,136 shares of the asset manager’s stock valued at $1,976,000 after purchasing an additional 4,481 shares during the period. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund purchased a new stake in shares of KKR & Co. Inc. in the first quarter valued at $2,514,000. 76.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. KKR & Co. Inc. Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) KKR & Co Inc is a private equity and real estate investment firm specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. It specializes in acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, credit special situations, growth equity, mature, mezzanine, distressed, turnaround, lower middle market and middle market investments. See Also Receive News & Ratings for KKR & Co. Inc. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KKR & Co. Inc. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
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Renewable energy trounces nuclear on generation costsTwo major automakers are joining forces to surviveDaily Post Nigeria Robbery, fraud suspects set to face trial in Jigawa — Police Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport News Robbery, fraud suspects set to face trial in Jigawa — Police Published on December 23, 2024 By Chris Johnson The Jigawa State Police Command has announced that suspects arrested for crimes including fraud, cybercrime, armed robbery, and assault will be prosecuted following ongoing investigations. In a statement issued on Sunday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu Adam, highlighted the success of recent operations, which led to multiple arrests and the recovery of stolen items such as vehicles and motorcycles. Among the suspects is 23-year-old Usman Ahmed, who was arrested during a routine patrol along Gagarawa Road on December 14, 2024. According to DSP Adam, Ahmed, a resident of Hotoro Quarters in Gezawa LGA, Kano State, was found in possession of an unregistered Daylong motorcycle and failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for it. Further investigation revealed that Ahmed and his accomplices had deceived a motorcyclist, 22-year-old Dini Idris, into transporting them to Sahara Hotel in Gumel. Upon arrival, the suspects attacked Idris, striking him with a bottle and stabbing him multiple times. Idris was rushed to Gumel General Hospital, where he is currently receiving medical treatment. Ahmed reportedly confessed to the crime while in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Dutse. In a separate incident, the police arrested Mustapha Ibrahim, who is suspected of stealing an ATM card and fraudulently withdrawing N1.5 million. DSP Adam reported that N600,000 of the stolen funds had been recovered, and two victims identified Ibrahim as the perpetrator. He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend Ibrahim’s accomplices. The police also intercepted a stolen Hilux vehicle with registration number 89 CO 1 at Dankama border in Kaita LGA, Katsina State. The vehicle, belonging to the primary healthcare cold store in Dutse, was recovered, and investigations are underway to track the fleeing suspects. DSP Adam assured the public that all suspects will face the full force of the law. He praised the dedication of the command’s officers and urged residents to cooperate with the police in combating crime. “We are committed to keeping Jigawa State safe. We encourage members of the public to come forward with any information about criminal activities,” he stated. Related Topics: Jigawa police Don't Miss Osun retirees protest, demand N18,000 minimum wage implementation from state govt You may like Police warn Kano content creators against blocking highways Miscreants on rampage, 1 killed as police raid hard drugs joint in Calabar Yuletide: Osun Police reinforce bans on fireworks, prohibit street carnivals Insecurity: FCT Police deploy 3,180 ahead of Christmas celebration Yuletide: Police restrict movement in 5 Plateau LGAs Delta Assembly accuses Police, DSS of frustrating enforcement of anti-open grazing law Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd