Spoiler alert for Dune: Prophecy finale A new HBO show is giving Game of Thrones a run for its money after it's bloody finale. Dune: Prophecy is a prequel show to the blockbuster Dune movies starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya. The HBO Max show takes place 10,000 years before Timothee's character, Paul Atreides, "ascends" and follows "two Harkonnen sisters as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind, and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit." The Bene Gesserit is a powerful group whose members are able to have superhuman powers after years of intense aphysical and mental conditioning. They have power among the social, religious, and political spheres. Netflix show's season two trailer has fans 'sobbing' as huge twist confirmed Netflix drops chilling teaser for Robert De Niro thriller about deadly cyberattack The finale of the show ended with the death of Emperor Javicco Corrino (Mark Strong) was killed, along with others. Fans were left shocked and took to social media to share their thoughts. "These girls are wild. This was a bloodbath... #DuneProphecy," one wrote. Another added: "That #DuneProphecy finale was absolutely insaneeee! What a show, 10/10 recommend." A third added: "I hope other shows will leave aside the fireworks show and focus more on the script and acting like Dune Prophecy. Great final season! #DuneProphecy." Many compared the show to Game of Thrones, which also aired on HBO. "I expected House of the Dragon to bring back the Game of Thrones type of tension, but #DuneProphecy was the one to do it," someone said. "#DuneProphecy is basically Game of Thrones in space and I love it," another added. Game of Thrones had a shock penultimate episode in season three known as The Red Wedding that had fans caught off guard. While those who read the books by George R R Martin knew the bloodbath to come, many first time viewers were shocked as Robb Stark (Richard Madden), his pregnant wife Talisa Stark (Oona Chaplin), and his mother Catelyn Stark (Michelle Fairley) were all killed on the order of the Lannister family. The medieval fantasy show lasted eight seasons and, even though the final season was panned and criticized by fans. Meanwhile, this is only Dune: Prophecy's first season. The show has been renewed for a second season, set to hit our screens either in 2025 or 2026. Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Finding the can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.
PHOENIX — Santa Claus found some time on Christmas Eve to help deliver a couple of puppies to their new forever homes in Arizona. The Maricopa County Animal Care and Control recruited the assistance of Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus to deliver two dogs to Valley families wishing to add a furry friend to their home. Carrying the puppies in his arms, Santa appeared on the doorsteps of homes where children had been wanting to adopt a dog. Patricia Lara said she's grateful the county offered this delivery service that will create a special memory for her daughter, especially at a time when the child's father had recently been diagnosed with cancer. "She's going to remember this for the rest of her life," Lara said. "It'll be memories that she'll keep forever." The Santa delivery service was offered to families who had already visited the animal shelter to adopt a pet. This was the third year Maricopa County has delivered adopted pets with Santa's help. A spokesperson for animal control said the county still has over 600 dogs in need of a forever home. RELATED: Where is Santa Claus right now? NORAD tracks Santa for 69th year RELATED: Elaborate holiday light displays are making spirits bright in a big way Watch 12News for free You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12+ app! The free 12+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku, Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV . 12+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku : Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV : Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12+ app to add to your account , or have the 12+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app.Hyderabad: Student dies of electric shock after touching water cooler
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. Read this article for free: Already have an account? As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed. Now, more than ever, we need your support. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527. Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community! REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders will elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Here’s what to look for in the contest. How does the election work? Voters will choose 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. Why now? A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But on Oct. 13 Benediktsson decided his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnson, a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Why is Iceland’s politics so fractured? The splintering of Iceland’s political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after its debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” What are the issues? Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. What about the volcano? Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,” she said. —— Kirka reported from London. Advertisement Advertisement
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DEAN McCullough and Ant McPartlin came face-to-face on I'm A Celebrity tonight after fans said they spotted a feud between them. Radio 1 DJ Dean has done several dreaded Bushtucker Trials - therefore spending a lot of time with Ant and Dec. In tonight's (November 22) episode, Dean and McFly star Danny Jones took on the latest trial, High Street Of Horrors. Shortly after their arrival, Ant acknowledged past tension between the two. He told the celebrity campmate: "Dean, I'm not angry anymore, I'm just disappointed." The trial itself comprised three shops, each containing a number of stars to win for camp. Overall, the objective was to locate all of them within the allotted time for their shopping spree. The first stop, Grim Grocers had three stars on offer with three minutes to find them. Danny, in his eagerness, tripped over when the klaxon sounded. In their effort, the duo won a total of eight stars for camp altogether. At the same time, new additions Reverend Richard Coles and Maura Higgins continued their deceit of the main camp. Arriving before Danny and Dean, they pretended to have already done the trial miserably - winning no stars. Reverend Richard joked: “I’m really consumed with guilt!” A twist after the trial saw Dean go back to the Junkyard with Maura and Reverend Richard. Ant previously addressed the "feud" with Dean during Thursday's episode of ITV2 spin-off show Unpacked. The star admitted he was "annoyed" at the DJ for screaming 'I'm A Celeb' and quitting the task early - and being "unprofessional" in how he dealt with it. He said: "My annoyance came across on screen and it was quite unprofessional and I'm not happy about it." Dec sarcastically responded "I think you hid it quite well, Ant...I think you hid it quite well." Ant went on: "You get to the point when you think 'what are you doing?'" Taking to social media, viewers at home shared their observations. i'm A Celebrity is back for its 24th series, with a batch of famous faces living in the Aussie jungle. The Sun's Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars on the show this year.. Coleen Rooney - Arguably the most famous name in the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney , has made a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to be on the show this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever. Tulisa - The popstar and former X Factor judge has made her triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year's I'm A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal. Alan Halsall - The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he has become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities. Melvin Odoom - The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. Melvin has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet - the Aussie jungle . GK Barry - The UK's biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brands such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers. Dean McCullough - A rising star amongst this year's bunch of celebs , Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live. Oti Mabuse - The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She originally found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV's Dancing On Ice . Danny Jones - The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle , after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he's now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice , along with bandmate Tom Fletcher. Jane Moore - The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist is braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge - having recently split from her husband . It will be Jane's first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past. Barry McGuigan - Former pro boxer Barry is the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to bowel cancer . He told The Late Late Show in 2021: "She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache." Maura Higgins - The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard . Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year. Rev. Richard Coles - Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is a late arrival on I’m A Celebrity , and he's ready to spill the beans on his former employer. The former Communards and Strictly star , said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year. An insider said: "Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly and his later life as a man of the cloth." One wrote on X: “im not angry” “im just disappointed” ant is so fed up with dean." Another added: "dying at how obvious it is that ant cannot stand dean." While a third commented: "Ant & Dec absolutely despise Dean don’t they #ImACeleb." I'm A Celebrity continues on ITV1 and ITVX.I’ve started admiring other men’s bodies at the pool and it makes me wonder if I’m gay
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Ustby, Donarski lead No. 16 North Carolina women over Villanova 53-36 in Battle 4 Atlantis semifinalBy JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things To Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.
Ex-DePaul guard leads N. Illinois against Chris Holtmann's Blue Demons
(The Center Square) — A quarter of the homeless shelter beds in the City of Los Angeles are empty each night, causing a loss of $218 million from 2019 to 2023, according to a new report from the city controller. The report also notes the city has tripled its homeless shelter capacity since 2019, which led to a reduction in the city’s unsheltered homeless population at the start of 2024. The report also said the number of individuals placed into “permanent” housing, including permanently “free” supportive housing paid for by taxpayers that the report supports, has only increased by 21% since 2019. “Until a person is permanently housed, that person’s homelessness is not successfully ended,” said City Controller Kenneth Mejia in the first line of the report. “That is the guiding principle for the City and nation’s homelessness strategy.” The report says city-funded shelter capacity stands at 6,929 beds, which make up 53% of the area’s total 13,000 beds. At an average 25% occupancy, that means 3,250 beds are empty each night, enough to house more than one in ten of the city’s 29,275 unsheltered homeless individuals. Occupancy rates — and thus losses — vary significantly by type of homeless shelter. Congregate shelters, in which individuals are housed in large rooms together, are 70% of city-funded interim shelter beds and had a 65% occupancy rate with an annual cost of $29,000 per bed. More from this section Tiny-homes, which are typically single-occupancy but can be double-occupancy, and hotel-based interim shelters, which are only single occupancy, are 30% of city beds and had a 86% occupancy rate with an annual cost of $57,000 per bed. These costs include many of the social services included at shelters, such as case management and food. Once accounting for the cost of vacancies, the cost per congregate bed rises $15,615 per individual, to $44,615 per bed, while the cost per private bed rises to $66,300, reducing the difference in cost between the two shelters by about $6,300. Mejia says vacancies arise from city councilmembers reserving shelter beds “based on geographic zones (“catchments”) and prior to encampment cleanups or 41.18 enforcement operations.” Now that Los Angeles has a larger shelter capacity, empty beds cost the city about $68 million per year. Mejia has previously said the city is “ broke ” and must borrow $80 million to make court-ordered liability payments, spending on vacant shelters could have paid for most of the shortfall. Over the summer Mejia also reported the city’s hotel homeless shelter program has spent $341 million, serving 2,728 individuals since December 2022. Other city reports have found 45% of the city’s homeless individuals are “service resistant,” or unwilling to make use of offered city services. Between July and December of 2023, the city attempted contacting 22,019 verified separate homeless individuals, 12,043 of whom engaged with city personnel and enrolled in city programs. Of those 12,043, 2,962 took offers of city shelter, 428 exited to permanent housing, which for that report included the city’s hotel program), and 328 exited to “temporary destinations.” The city says it funds 29,554 vouchers for permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families paid for by taxpayers; vouchers for one-bedroom apartments are $2,407 per month.We head into Week 17 of the 2024 NFL regular season, and it's rather uncharted territory. We have 2 games on Christmas Day, and it still seems a little goofy having NFL football on Wednesday. The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers battle at 1 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium, and that game is streaming on Netflix. Let's hope things go a little better than they did for the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson farce, and we're not constantly staring at the circle of death. In the late window, the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans square off at 4:30 p.m. ET, also on Netflix, giving us 2 holiday games with huge implications in the AFC playoff picture. We struck gold on Thanksgiving with a 3-for-3 parlay winner, and followed that up for the Sunday slate that week with another 3-for-3 parlay winner. Let's hope the holidays are equally good to us here. Not only will we pick a winner for each of the two Wednesday games, but we'll toss in the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears game on Thursday, so we can have a 3-game slate. After looking at BetMGM Sportsbook's NFL Week 17 odds , here is our "Winner winner Christmas dinner" NFL parlay bet to cash in on among SportsbookWire's NFL expert picks and predictions . FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+ Winner winner Christmas dinner NFL parlay WEEK 17 Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds . Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:31 p.m. ET. All games Wednesday or Thursday and ET. Leg 1: Under 44 (-110) - Chiefs at Steelers – Wednesday, 1 p.m. (Netflix) The Chiefs (14-1) square off with the Steelers (10-5) in the early-window game on Christmas Day, and it could be a potential playoff preview. Kansas City has cashed low in 3 of the past 4 games, averaging just 21.5 points per game (PPG) on offense in the past 4 outings. Defensively, though, the Chiefs have been fierce, allowing 19 or fewer points in each of those contests. In fact, looking at Kansas City's defense, it has allowed just 307.2 total yards, 91.4 rushing yards and 18.5 PPG, and each of those marks rank inside the Top 5 in the NFL Much of Pittsburgh's success has been because of the defense, too, and it is particularly stout against the run, allowing 102.7 yards per game to rank inside the Top 10. The Steelers have hit the Under in 2 of the past 3 games, while allowing 20 or fewer points in all 6 previous home outings. Leg 2: RAVENS -5.5 (-110) at Texans – Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. (Netflix) The Ravens (10-5) travel to meet the Texans (9-6) in huge game in the AFC playoff picture. The Ravens doubled up the Steelers 34-17 last week in Charm City to win and cover for the third time in the past 4 games. Baltimore is also 3-1 ATS in the past 4 games when favored by 4 or more points. For the Texans, they have to soldier on after losing WR Tank Dell to a gruesome knee injury last week. QB C.J. Stroud was visibly upset, even shedding tears on the field for his fallen friend. Houston lost 27-19 to the Chiefs last week, and it is just 1-2-1 ATS in the past 4 games, while going 1-2 ATS in the previous 3 games as an underdog. Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now ! Leg 3: SEAHAWKS -3.5 (-110) at Bears – Thursday, 8:15 p.m. (Prime Video) The Seattle Seahawks (8-7) meet the Chicago Bears (4-11) in a Thursday night game on Boxing Day. I trusted the Bears in Week 15, and they ruined my 3-game parlay. I promised never to trust them again. Chicago was doubled up by the Detroit Lions last week, falling 34-17 at Soldier Field. Chicago is 0-3 SU/ATS in 3 games under interim coach Thomas Brown, averaging just 14.0 PPG on offense while allowing at least 30 points in each of the 3 outings. Perhaps Matt Eberflus wasn't that bad after all. Anyway, the Seahawks are in the mix for the NFC West Division championship, while the Bears are in the mix for a high draft pick. This won't end well for the home side, and it's surprising to see the line so low. PARLAY CARD Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $59.58 (payout = $69.58). Try out the USA TODAY Parlay Calculator . For more sports betting picks and tips , check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW . Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X . Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook . Access more NFL coverage: BetFTW | TheHuddle Fantasy Football | BearsWire | BengalsWire | BillsWire | BroncosWire | BrownsWire | BucsWire | CardsWire | ChargersWire | ChiefsWire | ColtsWire | CommandersWire | CowboysWire | DolphinsWire | EaglesWire | FalconsWire | GiantsWire | JaguarsWire | JetsWire | LionsWire | NinersWire | PackersWire | PanthersWire | PatriotsWire | RaidersWire | RamsWire | RavensWire | SaintsWire | SeahawksWire | SteelersWire | TexansWire | TitansWire | VikingsWire | DraftWire | TouchdownWire | ListWire More NFL Picks and Predictions! First look: Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings odds and lines Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers odds, picks and predictions SportsbookWire's NFL Week 17 picks: ML, ATS and O/U predictions for all games