Attorneys for Donald Trump conducted an internal investigation into allegations that one of his top aides, Boris Epshteyn, has sought to gain financially from his influence with Trump and others in the president-elect’s orbit, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The internal investigation, which was confirmed by half a dozen sources and is not criminal in nature, has probed multiple instances of Epshteyn allegedly requesting payment in exchange for promoting candidates for administration positions or offering to connect individuals with people in the upcoming administration relevant to their industries, sources said. In one instance he requested as much as $100,000 per month in exchange for his services, according to sources familiar with the matter. Epshteyn’s alleged activities prompted those looking into the matter to make an initial recommendation that Epshteyn should be removed from Trump’s proximity and that he should not be employed or paid by Trump entities, according to two sources. As of Monday afternoon, it does not appear the transition team will heed that recommendation. “I am honored to work for President Trump and with his team,” Epshteyn said in a statement to CNN. “These fake claims are false and defamatory and will not distract us from Making America Great Again.” The alleged behavior by one of Trump’s closest advisers hints at some of the turmoil and strife behind the scenes of the transition process as the president-elect and his team staff the incoming administration. Epshteyn, long seen as one of Trump’s most loyal advisers, has played a significant role in the transition, sitting in on key meetings and candidate briefings at the president-elect’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. But his presence has often been a divisive one. A notorious Trump-world infighter, Epshteyn is known for his combative and loud personality, and often boasts about his close relationship with Trump, according to sources in and around the president-elect’s orbit. In recent years, Epshteyn has acted as both an attorney and an adviser to Trump and – much to the chagrin of some more experienced lawyers in Trump’s inner circle– played an influential role in organizing his criminal defense strategy after the former president was indicted four times. While Epshteyn has not been accused of illegal behavior, the decision to launch an internal investigation reflects the Trump team’s cautiousness around activity that could appear unsavory. “As is standard practice, a broad review of the campaign’s consulting agreements has been conducted and completed, including as to Boris, among others,” Trump transition spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement to CNN. “We are now moving ahead together as a team to help President Trump Make America Great Again.” Source: ‘Very much pay-for-play’ Part of that investigation focused on claims that Epshteyn proposed that Scott Bessent, Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary, pay him to promote his name with Trump and others at Mar-a-Lago. Bessent did not make payments to Epshteyn. CNN has reached out to representatives of Bessent for comment. The back-and-forth between Epshteyn and Bessent resulted in a heated confrontation last week in the lobby of Mar-a-Lago, where Epshteyn raised his voice at Bessent, according to two sources briefed on the matter. In at least one other instance, Epshteyn asked for payment in exchange for introductions and influence with the incoming Trump administration, according to two sources. Trump’s legal team was investigating several other similar alleged incidents, according to sources familiar with the situation. The allegations concerning Epshteyn were brought to incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. It is unclear whether the allegations have been presented to Trump directly. At times, Epshteyn has described the services he is trying to sell as a type of consulting, but the legal team investigating the issue has struggled to pinpoint any legitimate consulting work Epshteyn has provided, according to a source familiar with the matter. “The way I see it is it’s very much a pay-for-play,” said one person who spoke to the legal team that investigated Epshteyn. This person described a separate incident in which Epshteyn allegedly tried to request payment for questionable consulting services, offering to connect the person with incoming administration officials relevant to their industry or lobbying firms that will be the most well-connected to the new administration. The investigator assured the person that their interaction with Epshteyn wasn’t an isolated incident. “It was like, ‘Hey, you’re not the only one,’” the person who spoke to investigators said. “He’s gone to everybody for it.” One person close to Epshteyn brushed off the notion that this was pay-for-play. “This is how Washington works,” the person said. Allies of Epshteyn described the internal review as the product of newer associates not understanding the dynamic between Trump and Epshteyn as well as a disdain for the power Epshteyn wields with the President-elect. Epshteyn was a constant presence on Trump’s plane through the end of the 2024 campaign, often insisting on being present for conversations and briefings that had nothing to do with legal matters, a source close to Trump told CNN. “Boris is a Trump original—loyal and effective from the very beginning,” a Trump transition official told CNN. “He works for President Trump, and nobody else, and has helped defeat the most vicious lawfare campaign in history. Boris has seen these petty skirmishes before, but he always perseveres.” Lobbied for Gaetz As the legal team’s investigation got underway, Epshteyn sent cease-and-desist-style messages to associates, claiming he had never demanded payment and threatening legal action, according to two people familiar with the matter. Epshteyn has long been a fixture of the president-elect’s inner circle and has been part of key meetings with Trump at Mar-a-Lago during the transition period. He is often spotted at Mar-a-Lago eating dinner with the president-elect on the patio and has sat in on several transition meetings and candidate briefings, particularly related to Trump’s choices for the Department of Justice. Sources described Epshteyn as responsible for pushing former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz’s name amid discussions about who Trump should pick as his attorney general. Epshteyn lobbied for Gaetz directly to Trump on a flight just hours before Gaetz was named as the pick. The former Florida congressman later withdrew after it became clear he didn’t have the votes in the Senate amid the potential disclosure of a House Ethics Committee report detailing an investigation into Gaetz, including over allegations of sexual misconduct and other alleged crimes. Confrontation with Musk Despite a seemingly more orderly and quick process than in 2016, Trump’s transition this time around is still rife with the infighting that is typically on display in Trump’s orbit, multiple sources familiar with the matter tell CNN. Sources on the transition team have expressed frustration at how many people have Trump’s ear and how quickly a day’s progress can be undone. Tensions between Epshteyn and some other members of Trump’s inner circle have escalated in recent weeks. Elon Musk, who has been by Trump’s side regularly since the election and has a growing influence on the president-elect, has questioned Epshteyn’s sway over Trump. The two also had a confrontation at Mar-a-Lago, with Musk leveling a number of accusations at Epshteyn, according to two sources familiar with the matter. This year, the Trump campaign paid Epshteyn’s firm, Georgetown Advisory, $53,500 each month for communications and legal consulting, according to campaign finance records through October, the most recent month available. Epshteyn briefly served in the first Trump administration as a special assistant to the president in 2017, but he has not been offered a formal role in the incoming administration. Epshteyn stood alongside Trump during his arraignment in his New York hush money case and traveled with him for his arraignments in Georgia and Washington, DC. Epshteyn himself faces criminal charges in a case in Arizona related to efforts to upend the results of the 2020 presidential election. He has pleaded not guilty.( MENAFN - IANS) Seoul, Dec 13 (IANS) The transport Ministry said on Friday it will conduct a flight demonstration of a commercial-level air taxi model this week, as part of a government project to introduce the urban air mobility (UAM) industry in the country. The ministry will demonstrate the operation of the S-4 model built by U.S. electric aircraft manufacturer Joby Aviation Inc. at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute's aviation center in Goheung, about 330 kilometers south of Seoul, on Saturday. The demonstration is part of the K-UAM Grand Challenge, a government-led demonstration program that will test UAM vehicle safety and traffic management capabilities for commercial services, reports Yonhap news agency. The deployment of the S-4, capable of carrying a pilot and up to four passengers, will mark the first use of a commercial-level UAM aircraft in the country. The demonstration will include testing with UAM operational technologies, such as those involving flight management and air traffic, developed by a consortium formed by SK Telecom Co., Korea Airports Corp. and Hanwha Systems Co. Meanwhile, the government has pledged comprehensive support toward a pilot program for a commercial air taxi service on the southern resort island of Jeju. The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province aims to launch the pilot programme on Jeju Island in 2025 in partnership with an urban air mobility (UAM) consortium comprised of public and private firms, including SK Telecom and Hanwha Systems. The government and the province plan to establish vertiports for air taxi takeoffs and landings initially in three locations: Jeju International Airport, Seongsan Port in Seogwipo and the Jungmun Tourist Complex. The pilot operation will focus on verifying the safety and commercial viability of UAM routes based at these locations. Jeju plans to apply for the designation of UAM pilot operation zones in 2025. -IANS na/ MENAFN12122024000231011071ID1108988680 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Lam Research Corp. stock rises Wednesday, outperforms market
Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan’s largest exploration and production company, has successfully revived and enhanced oil production from the Pasakhi-5 well, located in Hyderabad district of Sindh. According to a new release, the well is part of the Pasakhi Development & Production Lease (D&PL), with OGDCL holding a 100% working interest. As part of a strategic optimization initiative, OGDCL deployed a rig to install an artificial lift system (ESP) at the well to enhance oil production. Previously, the well was producing 480 barrels of oil per day (BPD) on natural flow. Following the installation, oil production from the well has increased significantly to 900 BPD, marking an impressive increase of 420 BPD. OGDCL’s initiative aligns with its broader strategy to optimize energy output and ensure sustainable energy supply, contributing to Pakistan’s energy security and economic growth. By leveraging innovative technologies, the company is striving to enhance operational efficiency and unlock the full potential of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources. The company is committed to driving progress in the oil and gas sector, exploring new opportunities, and ensuring a reliable energy supply for the country’s industrial and economic development.PITTSBURGH – Pitt’s sophomore linebacker Kyle Louis and junior all-purpose back Desmond Reid have been named to a pair of All-America teams by prestigious national media outlets. Louis and Reid were selected as second-team All-Americans by The Athletic as well as CBS Sports. Each outlet revealed its respective All-America squads Wednesday. It marked the first national postseason honors of Louis’ collegiate career. The 6-foot, 225-pounder established himself as one of college football’s rising stars with a breakthrough sophomore campaign. For Reid, it was the second consecutive year he earned national postseason recognition. He also garnered All-America accolades while starring at Western Carolina in 2023. No defender in the country filled a stat line like Louis this past season. He compiled 96 tackles, 15.5 stops for loss, seven sacks, four interceptions (not including his interception of a two-point conversion pass) and a forced fumble. Reid truly was a do-it-all threat with the ball in his hands this season. He averaged 150.9 all-purpose yards per game to rank sixth nationally. Reid additionally averaged an ACC-best 12.3 yards per punt return, which ranked ninth in the country. Reid is the only player in the nation this season to compile three games with at least 100 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards. That feat was previously accomplished by Stanford's Christian McCaffrey in 2015. Louis and Reid will lead Pitt into its final contest of the season, the GameAbove Sports Bowl against Toledo Dec. 26. The game, held inside Detroit’s Ford Field, will be nationally televised by ESPN and kick off at 2 p.m. (c)2024 The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) Visit The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) at www.tribune-democrat.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Christmas travel hell warning as Labour’s huge pay rise for train drivers means FEWER will work over the holidays
Share this Story : Ottawa Senators looking to kickstart power play, remain among NHL's best Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Ottawa Senators Sports Hockey NHL Senators Extra Ottawa Senators looking to kickstart power play, remain among NHL's best Author of the article: Tim Baines Published Nov 25, 2024 • Last updated 11 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Josh Norris of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his power-play goal as Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins skates by. Photo by Winslow Townson / GETTY IMAGES Article content The Ottawa Senators have plenty to figure out in the coming days, weeks and months. With the Senators passing the quarter-pole mark with Monday’s home game against the Calgary Flames, they’ve got 61 games left in the regular season. Sure, it’s a lot of time, but when it comes down to the math of who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t, every point can matter. Heading into a three-game western trip that has stops in San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim, the Senators are putting the time in to fine tune even the most basic of details. They need to be better in 5-on-5 hockey and they want to step it up with their special teams — on the power play and while playing short-handed. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content We’ll turn our attention to the power play. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . Play Video The Senators, who started the season playing particularly well with the man advantage, have cooled off a bit, but they’re still top 5. Through their five-game losing streak heading into Monday’s game, Ottawa was 5-for-18 on the power play. Two of those goals came in Saturday’s 4-3 loss to Vancouver. However, they did come up empty on a five-minute man-advantage early in the game when Canucks defenceman Quinn Hughes was kicked out of the game on a boarding penalty. With the game scoreless at the time, a goal would have given the Senators momentum — something they haven’t gotten much of early in recent games. Still, with a 28.8% conversion rate, the Senators (heading into Monday) were fifth-best in the NHL, trailing Winnipeg (33.9%), New Jersey (31.0), Colorado (30.3) and Vegas (29.6). For comparison’s sake, St. Louis was last at 16.7%. “The power play is definitely a big part of the game,” winger Drake Batherson said. “It can run hot and cold. There are months where the power play is going to win you four or five games. Then, there are other months where it’s just not as sharp and you have to find a way to win other ways.” Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content The Senators have plenty of firepower — with Batherson playing alongside Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Josh Norris and Jake Sanderson — on their first-team power-play unit. So far, they’ve stepped well ahead of a disappointing 2023-24 season during which the Senators ranked 18th with a 20.1% conversion rate. The previous season, they were 14th league-wide at 21.7%. Tkachuk, who already has five power-play goals, is coming off seasons of 11 and 12. Batherson, who has four power-play goals, had 14 in 2022-23 and seven a season ago. Stutzle had 10 in 2022-23, but had just one last season (with one so far this year). Norris had 16 in 2021-22, but fell to just two last year. “It’s a place where I thrive, I enjoy being out there and trying to make a difference,” Batherson said. “Getting 14 was awesome, I’m trying to do that or better this season.” It’s not as simple as always throwing the puck at the net and hoping it goes in. There are X’s and O’s involved, schemes that allow players to find soft spots in the defence, usually by quickly passing the puck around. “There are times where you step over the boards and you feel like you’re going to score,” Batherson said. “If you’re playing good 5-on-5, it usually translates over to the power play. A few years ago, I think we clicked at 50% for a month. It comes in waves. You’re trying to get into the high 20s, low 30% range.” Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content If the power play gets rolling, it helps with the confidence where players aren’t hesitant to make cross-ice passes or throw the puck into tight spots. “We need to play like we were at the start of the year,” Stutzle said. “Pucks were going in, they’re not right now. Confidence is a big part of that. We’ve been on a losing streak so maybe the confidence is not as high. “You need to make smart decisions with the puck. We’ve been giving it away too much. If we can get this going, it’s going to be a good power play.” Recommended from Editorial Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green comes to defence of captain Brady Tkachuk Ottawa Senators defenceman Artem Zub out long-term with broken foot MISTAKES HAPPEN Defenceman Thomas Chabot said the Senators are making too many mistakes; the key is bouncing back. “Hockey is a game of mistakes, but it’s how we respond and react to those mistakes,” he said. “When times get tough, sometimes you don’t get the bounces or you make a mistake and the puck ends up in the back of your net. “We believe we’ll get through this. It’s about digging in. No one likes losing, nobody’s happy. We have a great group of guys, a bunch of different personalities. We’re pushing each other trying to accomplish something. “You’re trying to build every night. Some nights it doesn’t go your way, other nights it does.” ICE CHIPS Senators coach Travis Green bristled at the thought of just firing the puck toward the net with no traffic in front of the goalie. “We don’t just throw pucks at the net. We want to have the puck in the O-zone,” he said. “We don’t want to be a shot volume team just to be a shot volume team. I’d rather not shoot the puck if there’s no one there.” ... After blocking a shot against Vancouver on Saturday, defenceman Artem Zub is facing an extended absence with a fractured foot. Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Ottawa Senators looking to kickstart power play, remain among NHL's best Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Ottawa weather: freezing rain likely on the way News Downtown Ottawa office occupancy still low despite hiked presence of public servants Public Service Rockcliffe Park fight over 'big, modern' home not over yet Local News Old knee injury no reason to avoid Sunday shifts: labour relations board News Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green comes to defence of captain Brady Tkachuk Ottawa Senators Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local SavingsAnalysis: All the ingredients were there for a 'trap game.' The Steelers baked up a masterpiece
Plymouth County Legislative Delegation Engages in MILO Training at Annual Meeting with Sheriff McDonald
Buy these ASX dividend stocks for ~6% yieldsA rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL’s entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show, will not affect the league’s relationship with the music mogul. “We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL (National Football League) commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings. “We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit on Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game at Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Mr Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”The first inclement weather of the season led to a multi-vehicle crash on the 401 near the Ridgetown exit last Thursday that sent five people to the hospital. The Elgin Ontario Provincial Police and Chatham-Kent Emergency Services responded to the 401 near Victoria Road around 4 p.m. for accidents involving nine vehicles in both lanes. A total of 12 people were involved in the collision, and five of those were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Both eastbound and westbound lanes were shut down for about two hours, and both on-ramps at Victoria Road were shut down to remove vehicles and allow the OPP to conduct their investigation. The highway closure led to increased traffic on local detour routes. “A small weather system moved through the area at the time that resulted in a rapid change in road and weather conditions, undoubtedly contributing to the collision,” said OPP Constable Brett Phair in a video on social media. Phair said the multi-vehicle collision is a reminder to motorists to be prepared for sudden weather changes as the winter season begins. “You need to be aware that the weather, road conditions, traffic conditions can always change on a dime, but especially this time of year, unexpected and rapid changes are going to happen,” Phair said. “We need everyone to remain vigilant and make the adjustments that are necessary to make sure you get home safely to your families.” The OPP and Chatham-Kent Police Service also attended numerous weather-related collisions in the area of Highway 40 and Electric Line, south of Wallaceburg, the same day.
Should you bet on Gustav Nyquist to find the back of the net when the Nashville Predators and the Dallas Stars go head to head on Thursday at 8:00 PM ET? In the piece below, we dissect all the stats you need to know before making any bets. Sign up for ESPN+ today to watch 1,000+ out-of-market NHL games, ESPN+ Hockey Night & more. Odds to score a goal this game: +390 (Bet $10 to win $39.00 if he scores a goal) Place your bets on any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Sign up today using our link. Catch NHL action all season long on Fubo. Catch NHL action all season long on Max. Bet on this or any NHL matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .First Hawaiian, Inc. COO to Leave the Company in March 2025
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts defense started this season struggling. It couldn't stop the run, couldn't keep teams out of the end zone, couldn't get off the field. Now the script has flipped. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley's group is playing stouter, holding teams — even the high-scoring Detroit Lions — largely in check long enough to give Indy a chance to win, and it's the Colts offense that has struggled. “They are playing their tails off. You don’t want them on the field a bunch and as an offense you want to be able to play complementary football,” running back Jonathan Taylor said after Sunday's 24-6 loss. “I would say specifically on offense, it sucks when you can’t help your defense out when they are fighting their tails off all game.” Indy's defense held up its end of the bargain by limiting the Lions (10-1) to 14 first-half points and allowing just 24, matching Detroit's lowest output since Week 3. The problem: Even when the Colts (5-7) did get Detroit off the field, they couldn't sustain drives or score touchdowns. Again. Anthony Richardson provided the bulk of the ground game by rushing 10 times for 61 yards, mostly early. Taylor managed just 35 yards on 11 carries and a season-high 10 penalties constantly forced the Colts to dig out from deep deficits. Part of that was by design. “We knew Jonathan Taylor was going to be the guy we needed to shut down,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “We did that. The quarterback runs. It got us on a couple but overall, we did what we needed to do, and we kept them out of that game." Part of it could be because of an injury-battered offensive line that has started three rookies each of the past two weeks and finished the previous game with the same three rookies. Whatever the fix, Indy needs a good solution. There is good news for Indy is that its schedule now gets substantially more manageable. After losing four of five, all to teams in playoff position and three to division leaders, Indy faces only one team with a winning record in its final five games. The most recent time the Colts played a team with a losing mark, Richardson rallied them past the New York Jets 28-27. But Colts coach Shane Steichen knows that's not the answer. The Colts must get this offense righted now. “We’ve got to get that figured out. We’ve got to get him going on the ground,” Steichen said when asked about Taylor, who has 92 yards on his past 35 carries. “We’ll look at the offensive line. We’ll look at everything." What’s working Pass rush. Pro Bowl DT DeForest Buckner's presence certainly has been felt since he returned from a sprained ankle Oct. 27. In those past five games, the Colts have had 14 sacks, including three of Jared Goff on Sunday. What needs work Penalties. The Colts have had one of the cleanest operations in the league most of this season. Sunday was an anomaly, but one that can't merely be written off. Stock up WR Michael Pittman Jr. The five-year veteran is one of the league's toughest guys, but playing through a back injury appeared to take its toll on Pittman's productivity. Since sitting out in Week 10, Pittman has 11 receptions for 142 yards including six for 96 yards, his second-highest total of the season, Sunday. Stock down Tight ends. Each week the Colts want their tight ends to make an impact. And each week, they seem to fail. It happened again Sunday when Drew Ogletree dropped a TD pass that would have given Indy a 10-7 lead. Instead, Indy settled for a field goal and a 7-6 deficit. Through 12 games, Indy's tight ends have a total of 26 catches, 299 yards and two TDs. That's just not good enough in a league where versatile, productive tight ends increasingly signal success. Injuries Pittman and WR Josh Downs both returned to the game after leaving briefly with shoulder injuries. WR Ashton Dulin did not return after hurting his foot in the second half. But the bigger questions come on the offensive line. LT Bernhard Raimann (knee) was inactive Sunday, and rookie center Tanor Bortolini entered the concussion protocol Monday. Bortolini was one of three rookie starters the past two weeks, replacing Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly who is on injured reserve. Key number 55.88 — Indy has scored touchdowns on 55.88% of its red zone trips this season. While it puts it near the middle of the NFL, it's cost the Colts multiple wins. Next steps Richardson needs to rebound from this latest 11 of 28 performance and show he can lead the Colts to victories week after week. He'll get plenty of chances over the season's final month, starting with next week's game at the New England Patriots. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Michael Marot, The Associated Press
1 Nuclear Fuel Stock Is Still a Buy Thanks to Meta PlatformsWASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats failed Wednesday to confirm a Democratic member of the National Labor Relations Board after independent Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema opposed the nomination, thwarting their hopes of locking in a majority at the federal agency for the first two years of President-elect Donald Trump's term. A vote to move ahead with the nomination of Lauren McFarren, who currently chairs the NLRB, failed 49-50. Had she been confirmed to another five-year term, it would have cemented a Democratic majority on the agency's board for the first two years of the incoming Trump administration. Now, Trump will likely be able to nominate McFarren's replacement. The NLRB oversees labor disputes, supervises union elections and has the power to investigate unfair labor practices . The partisan breakdown of the NLRB’s leadership is fiercely contested by businesses and labor groups, as the majority on the board sets the agenda and determines how readily the agency uses its power to investigate and enforce labor laws. “It is deeply disappointing, a direct attack on working people, and incredibly troubling that this highly qualified nominee — with a proven track record of protecting worker rights — did not have the votes," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a statement. The rejection of McFarren was yet another blow to Senate Democrats and President Joe Biden from Manchin and Sinema, who served as major brakes — and at times outright obstacles — to much of their legislative agenda the first two years of Biden's term. Manchin left the Democratic Party in May, while Sinema withdrew from the party in 2022. Both chose not to run for another Senate term and will be leaving the Congress in January. Some congressional Republicans praised Manchin and Sinema for preventing the confirmation. “This NLRB seat should be filled by President Trump and the new incoming Senate. Not a historically unpopular president and a Senate Democrat Majority that has lost its mandate to govern,” Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, said in a statement after the vote. “Big Labor knows the days of having the federal government do its bidding are numbered,” Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., wrote in a statement. Foxx, who chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said that the incoming Trump administration would focus on “enacting a truly pro-worker agenda.” Business groups also praised the rejection of McFarren. Kristen Swearingen, a vice president at Associated Builders and Contractors, a trade group, called McFarren's policies “harmful” and said the process to nominate her was “flawed.” “Under McFerran’s leadership, the NLRB has issued decisions and expanded interpretations of the National Labor Relations Act that have been rejected by the business community, Congress and federal courts," argued Swearingen. Labor unions decried the vote. Liz Shuler, president of the AFL-CIO, the nation's largest consortium of labor unions, said the senators who rejected McFarren's nomination “voted against the working people of this country” and warned that the incoming Trump administration would direct the NLRB to side with management over workers. “Make no mistake: This vote had nothing to do with stopping Chair McFerran’s renomination and everything to do with reversing generations of progress workers have made toward building a fairer and more just economy," Shuler said. Democratic lawmakers, like Schumer, took a dim view of the vote. Some directed their anger directly at Manchin and Sinema. “Shortchanging workers is a bad way to leave,” Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., wrote on social media .
The best touchless trash cans for modern, mess-free living