Mississippi State overcomes early deficit to down Prairie View A&M
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Legendary Entertainment and Mondo , a subsidiary of Funko, Inc. (Nasdaq: FNKO), commemorate, the 10th anniversary of the Monsterverse—the epic cinematic universe that brought iconic monsters like Godzilla and King Kong to the big screen—with a new collection available here . The collaboration will bring fans an exciting slate of limited-edition, artist-forward products inspired by groundbreaking films, including Godzilla (2014), Kong: Skull Island (2017), Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126123254/en/ "The Monsterverse is one of the most iconic and beloved franchises in modern cinema,” said Mondo’s Senior Director, Creative and Product Development, Hector Arce. “It's an honor to work alongside Legendary to bring fans a collection that reflects the scope, beauty, and power of these creatures—we’re creating something exceptional that we think fans will love.” "Reaching the 10th anniversary of the Monsterverse is a truly exciting moment for Legendary, and we’re thrilled to join forces with Mondo to celebrate it in such an artfully crafted way," said Barnaby Legg, Chief of Creative Marketing at Legendary. "Mondo has been amazing creative partners ever since our first Godzilla film in 2014, so it feels only fitting to celebrate 10 epic years with them. Their renowned expertise in crafting exceptional pop culture products perfectly aligns with the essence of the Monsterverse, and this collaboration offers fans a great opportunity to celebrate their favorite Titans through meticulously designed, high-quality items that honor these iconic legends." As part of the partnership, Mondo collaborated with some of the most talented artists and designers in the collectible space to produce the following exclusives, which reflect the grandeur of the Monsterverse: Since its inception, the Monsterverse has captured the imaginations of millions around the world, blending larger-than-life creatures with thrilling narratives that have transcended the art of cinema. Mondo is honoring this anniversary by creating a collection of premium products that bring these iconic monsters' immense scale, intricacies, and beauty to life in an all-new way. Legendary Entertainment and Mondo’s Monsterverse collection will be available starting today exclusively here . For more information regarding Mondo, visit Mondoshop.com or follow Mondo on TikTok , X , Instagram , and Facebook . ABOUT LEGENDARY ENTERTAINMENT Legendary Entertainment is a leading media company with film (Legendary Pictures), television and digital (Legendary Television and Digital Media) and comics (Legendary Comics) divisions dedicated to owning, producing and delivering content to worldwide audiences. Legendary has built a library of marquee media properties and has established itself as a trusted brand which consistently delivers high-quality, commercial entertainment including some of the world’s most popular intellectual property. In aggregate, Legendary Pictures-associated productions have realized grosses of more than $20 billion worldwide at the box office. ABOUT MONDO Mondo is an expanding enterprise with a passionate love of film, art, music and pop culture, best known for creating limited-edition posters, vinyl soundtracks, premium and collectibles. Founded in Austin, Texas, the team collaborates with an international network of talented artists and creators to produce the highest quality products inspired by licensed properties and original IPs. Over the last decade, Mondo has partnered with leading entertainment brands along with dozens of independent studios and filmmakers from around the world. For more information, visit mondoshop.com or follow us on TikTok , X , Instagram , and Facebook . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126123254/en/ CONTACT: 42West on behalf of Mondo mondo@42west.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDIA ENTERTAINMENT ONLINE RETAIL FILM & MOTION PICTURES SPECIALTY CONSUMER GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL TV AND RADIO OTHER CONSUMER MUSIC COMMUNICATIONS SOURCE: Funko, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 01:00 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 01:01 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126123254/enUnderstanding Nifty: A Simple Guide for EveryoneDec. 8—Two separate public hearings will be held during a future Newton school board meeting to allow the community to provide feedback on the use of Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) dollars to construct a concession stand and bathrooms for the baseball field and new bleachers at H.A. Lynn Stadium. Both public hearings will be held during the regular school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 13, 2025, at the E.J.H. Beard Administration Center. Tim Bloom, director of business services at the Newton Community School District, said school board members may want to increase the amount that would be used for the bleachers. Bloom allocated $700,000 for the project, but the cost estimates from FRK Architects + Engineers recommend $729,500. School board member Travis Padget asked if it would be worth it to make the amount even larger to account for potentially higher bids for the project later on in the process. Bloom said if the project costs came in much higher than estimated then the district could use Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) funds. "That's what we did with our baseball field," Bloom said to school board members. "That came in above the dollar amount. We had planned on that and then transferred some of that (PPEL) over. I'm fine either way, but I think it would be best if we just amended it now in order to avoid confusion." School board members would go on to vote 7-0 to amend the estimated cost of the resolution from $700,000 to $800,000. Accessibility of the H.A. Lynn Stadium bleachers were brought to light by a citizen who voiced his concerns about the lack of handrails in some areas. Tom Hollander urged school board members in September to make improvements, leading to productive board discussions with engineer input. Hollander reflected on his issues with bleachers, saying he and his wife cannot climb the stairs anymore without the assistance of handrails. But it isn't just a personal issue. Hollander argued it is a community issue that has likely affected spectators of Cardinal football games for a long time. "I never thought 40 years ago, 30 years ago, 10 years ago that there were people there having the same issue that I'm having today," Hollander said. "And at Friday night at the game I would have been trying to navigate those steps and the new play thing they have at the new stadium is the new strobe lights." For a person with balance issues, that could create hardships, Hollander argued. It was already hard enough to go up the stairs with the lights on, he said. The easiest way to resolve the issue, Hollander added, would be for him and his wife to stop going to games. But that's not what he wants either. In response to Hollander's request, the district had its civil engineer provide additional context to board members about the facility and give them options if they wanted to move forward with accessibility projects that go beyond just the bleachers. For instance, accessibility at the high school has been an issue. Rachelle Hines of FRK Architects + Engineers said in the past the district has discussed adding ramps and handrails on the home side of the stadium. While some areas of the stadium are not currently ADA compliant, Hines said they are grandfathered in because of the time they were built. But it would be possible for the district to make some updates to the stadium to bring the bleachers up to current code requirements. Ramps would need to be installed, stair widths would need modified, handrails need to be added and guardrails would need to be raised. Currently, H.A. Lynn Stadium can seat less than 1,000 people. The concession stand and bathrooms are part of the second phase of the baseball field project. Bloom said the estimated cost for the project is $758,000, but the resolution set the SAVE fund allotment for $800,000. In December 2022, the Newton school board moved ahead with the construction of the new baseball field. The diamond has already been constructed and is very much operational. The project cost about $3 million and was financed with SAVE and PPEL funds. It is located across the street from the district's softball complex and H.A. Lynn Stadium. (c)2024 the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) Visit the Newton Daily News (Newton, Iowa) at www.newtondailynews.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Mendel Capital Management LLC Grows Stock Position in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM)
EDMONTON — Leaders of the Prairie provinces are urging Canada to act on American concerns over illegal cross-border traffic of people and drugs to stave off the looming threat of 25 per cent tariffs. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said Tuesday that Canada must do better to address the concerns of its largest trading partner. Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump promised Monday to impose the tariffs on his first day in office in January. He said he would keep the tariffs in place until Canada and Mexico stop illegal border crossings and prevent drugs such as fentanyl from entering the U.S. Kinew said 25 per cent tariffs would mean a recession for his province and that Canada needs to show the new U.S. administration it's serious about security and tackling the drug crisis. He said it begins with Canada’s pledge to NATO allies to spend two per cent of its gross domestic product on defence by 2032. "First and foremost, (it’s about) hitting that target of two per cent spending on defence,” said Kinew. “That gets us in the game just to be taken seriously as a security partner with the U.S. If we don't do it, it's going to become a trade problem." In a video posted to social media, Alberta's premier said Canada needs to reach its pledged commitment on defence. "If their trade partners are looking to be free riders on American security interests, that's also going to harm the relationship," Smith said, adding, "You also have to take seriously the asylum seekers." Smith added in another post that the incoming Trump administration has "valid concerns related to illegal activities" at the border. The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner, with $188 billion in bilateral trade in 2023. Last year, energy products accounted for more than 80 per cent of that trade, or about $134 billion. Smith said the vast majority of Alberta's energy exports to the U.S. are "delivered through secure and safe pipelines," which "do not in any way contribute to these illegal activities." In Saskatchewan, Moe said he understands Trump’s position on border security. “As Canadians, we can all benefit from additional border security stopping the flow of illegal drugs and migrants across our borders,” he said in a social media post. He said his province plans to use all levers at its disposal to stop the tariffs and will approach the U.S. directly. Moe added the proposed tariffs would hurt Saskatchewan’s export-based economy and drive up prices on both sides of the border. Speaking to CTV early Tuesday, Moe said his government would represent Saskatchewan interests alongside the federal government, fellow premiers "and on our own when necessary." "We have a strong relationship with a number of the administration that President Trump has appointed," Moe said. In 2023, Saskatchewan’s exports to the U.S. amounted to almost $27 billion after hitting a record high of $29 billion in 2022. Its top exports include crude oil, potash and canola. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has convened an emergency meeting for Wednesday with the country's premiers to discuss the tariffs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. — With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina and Brittany Hobson in Winnipeg Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press
Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders was taken to a hospital for a neck injury after landing on his head while making a catch late in the first half of Sunday's 30-27 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. As Sanders was brought down near the sideline after a 10-yard reception, he was flipped upside down and landed directly on the top of his helmet as he went out of bounds on the tackle by cornerback Trent McDuffie. After receiving attention from the team's medical staff, Sanders was strapped to a backboard and taken off the field on a cart with 40 seconds remaining in the half. He was taken to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for observation and later released Sunday afternoon, according to the team. On the CBS broadcast following halftime, Panthers head coach Dave Canales said Sanders had movement in all his extremities, while extreme precaution was taken because of back tightness. CBS reported he was being examined for a concussion before later amending that to a neck injury. The 21-year-old rookie out of Texas had a team-leading three receptions for the Panthers at the half for 49 yards. In 11 games this season, Sanders has 29 receptions for 302 yards and a touchdown. Sanders was a fourth-round selection in the NFL draft in April. --Field Level Media
None
FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Looking for hard-to-find bottles of Kentucky bourbon to toast the holidays or add to a collection? Get your bids ready as the Bluegrass State launches its first online auction of confiscated alcohol. Whiskeys up for sale include two bottles of Old Rip Van Winkle, a Blanton’s Single Barrel Gold in box with Japanese markings and a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Barrel Strength 2011. The sale is the result of a new Kentucky law, which allows alcohol confiscated from closed criminal investigations by the state’s alcoholic beverage control agency to be auctioned. Online bidding opens Wednesday and closes at midnight on Dec. 11. Proceeds will support programs promoting responsible alcohol use by adults and awareness programs for youths. “This is a really good auction,” Eric Gregory, president of the Kentucky Distillers’ Association, said by phone Tuesday. “There are some hard-to-find and rare bottles on there.” No estimate has been given on how much the auction might raise. “We look forward to seeing the response to this auction and have started planning additional auctions for 2025,” said Allyson Taylor, commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The auction features 32 bottles of alcohol and includes a “stock the bar” bundle with bottles of wine, vodka, rum and whiskey, the agency said. But the stars are the hard-to-find and rare bourbons up for sale. “It’s not every day you go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Blanton’s Gold,” Gregory said. “You never go to a liquor store and find a bottle of Four Roses 2011.” The lineup includes bottles of E.H. Taylor bourbon, Blanton’s Single Barrel, Eagle Rare 10 yr., Weller Antique 107, Willett Family Estate Single Barrel Rye, Michter’s, an Old Forester gift set and more. A link to the online auction is available at . Auction items cannot be shipped, so winning bidders must pick up items in Frankfort, the state said. The auctions will become a “can’t miss opportunity” for bourbon connoisseurs, Gregory said. Previously, confiscated bourbon or other spirits could end up being destroyed, he said. “We don’t like to see good bourbon poured down the drain,” Gregory said. Kentucky distillers produce 95% of the global bourbon supply, the Kentucky distillers’ group says.
None
City at least avoided a sixth consecutive defeat but the manner in which they blew a commanding advantage will do little to settle nerves in and around the club ahead of Sunday’s trip to Premier League leaders Liverpool. City appeared in total control after a brace from Erling Haaland and another from Ilkay Gundogan had them three up seven minutes into the second half, but after Anis Hadj Moussa got one back in the 75th minute, City imploded. “It is what it is, difficult to swallow right now,” Guardiola said. “The game was good, we played well, we scored three and could have scored more. We do everything and then we give away, especially the first one, and after we are not stable enough to do it. “It’s not about no run or no commitment, but football you have to be [switched on] in certain moments to do it.” Santiago Gimenez got Feyenoord’s second in the 82nd minute and David Hancko got a dramatic equaliser in the 89th, making City the first team in Champions League history to have led 3-0 in the 75th minute of a match and fail to win. Some City fans, who suffered through Saturday’s 4-0 humiliation at home to Tottenham, made their frustrations known at the final whistle. “The last game against Tottenham, 0-4, the supporters were there, applause,” he said. “They are disappointed of course and we understand it. “People come here not to remember success of the past, they come here to see the team win and perform well. I am not the one when the situation is bad or good [to say] what they have to do. “These supporters, when we go away, our fans are amazing, travelling. There is nothing to do and they are right to express what they feel.” Guardiola’s own frustrations were apparent given the number of scratches visible on his head after the match. The Catalan had arrived at the ground with a cut on his nose, which he said he had caused himself with a long fingernail. City now face a trip to Anfield to face the Liverpool side of former Feyenoord boss Arne Slot, whose named was chanted by the visiting fans during the match. “Everybody knows the situation, I don’t have to add absolutely anything,” Guardiola said. “We are going to train tomorrow, recovery and prepare the next game. Day off and we have two or three days to prepare that and go for it. We will learn for the future and what has been has been. “It will be a tough season for us and we have to accept it for many circumstances.” Feyenoord’s late fightback brought jubilant scenes in the away end. “I think if you’re from Feyenoord it was an unbelievable evening,” head coach Brian Priske said. “A strange game which ends 3-3 which is an unbelievable result for us and also remarkable in the essence of being 3-0 down in minute 75 away from home against still, for me, the best team in the world. “Normally we don’t celebrate draws but this one is a little bit special.”"Perfection is the enemy of progress." That old adage, famously attributed to Winston Churchill, significantly predates the phenomenon of artificial intelligence. But when it comes to deploying AI today, the proverb is more appropriate than ever. Many organizations experimenting with AI may find themselves stuck in a "perfection trap," reluctant to deploy anything less than 100% complete. This widespread hesitation to move forward can hinder AI progress — and very few organizations have moved beyond the experimentation phase. Some remain optimistic about scaling the technology, with surveyed leaders expecting to double the number of AI applications they operate in the coming year. But many still struggle to move beyond initial experiments and realize AI's full potential. Cathy Reese, Public Data and Technology Service Line Leader at IBM Consulting, focuses on how businesses can more effectively turn their AI ambitions into reality. Her advice to organizations looking to level up their AI efforts? Start with small, value-driven steps to overcome hesitancy and foster a dynamic culture that supports incremental progress. "By breaking down big problems, organizations can show value early and avoid getting stuck in the proof-of-concept phase, which delays meaningful returns," she said. Experiments that drive value According to Reese, a good first step for most organizations is to start with small-scale AI solutions that demonstrate immediate value. "It doesn't have to be perfect to make a difference — it's about showing value in steps," Reese added. According to the "AI in Action 2024" report, many decision-makers are seeing these gradual improvements — and in diverse areas. For example, almost half of those surveyed (47%) say they have seen a 25% or greater increase in staff productivity in areas where they've implemented AI. Leveraging trusted data These leaders are confident they will continue to see such gains, but AI should be based on reliable data. Roughly 80% of surveyed AI leaders report data-related challenges, including governance concerns. These challenges must be solved to turn AI experiments into full-scale projects. Establishing good governance Setting up governance boards with specialized roles can help address these concerns and build a framework to help scale AI across departments. By making trust and oversight the foundation of their AI strategy, organizations can transition confidently from small-scale pilots to impactful, enterprisewide implementations. Still, organizations must learn to recognize and address risks inherent in their AI projects. "It's about finding that sensible way to take risks — starting with projects that showcase AI's potential while building a comfort level within the organization," Reese said. To sustain growth, organizations should create AI centers of excellence staffed by teams of specialists who can guide AI projects at all stages, from early concept to full deployment. These knowledge hubs help embed AI capabilities throughout an organization to support cross-functional adoption and drive sustainable growth. In turn, this bridges the gap from experimental pilots to enterprise applications. The hype is real — and so are the results Reese said an AI readiness assessment is a critical part of her approach because it helps organizations measure their AI maturity and chart a realistic path forward. This assessment evaluates strategic, technical, and operational capabilities, so Reese and her team can design an incremental roadmap for AI deployment. This is key to ensuring the test project aligns with core business goals as it is scaled up. By understanding each organization's unique starting point, Reese enables her clients to scale AI responsibly. "The hype around AI is real, but so are the results," she said. Her approach emphasizes the importance of showing value at each stage rather than waiting for perfect solutions. Creating an environment that values steady growth means that organizations can build momentum and demonstrate AI's transformative impact over time. Leaders who champion a culture of progress will find that AI's value becomes evident, and can help them stay competitive in an increasingly AI-driven world. The path to successful AI adoption relies on intentional, incremental progress. Starting small lays the foundation, but the ultimate goal is a structured approach to scaling and integrating AI as a core part of the organization's long-term strategy. By avoiding the perfection trap, leaders can foster sustained innovation and maximize the value of their AI investments. Read the AI in Action 2024 report to learn more about how IBM can help you turn AI experiments into transformative solutions. This post was created by Insider Studios with IBM.CHICAGO — Scotty Pippen Jr. had a career-best 30 points with 10 assists to lead the Memphis Grizzlies past the Chicago Bulls 142-131 on Saturday night. Jaylen Wells added 26 points as Memphis won its second straight. Pippen, playing in the arena where his Hall of Fame father’s retired number hangs, had 26 points in the first three quarters for Memphis, which has won three of its last four. Memphis led 109-98 after three quarters and broke the game open with an 8-3 run in the opening minutes of the final period. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 23 points, and Santi Aldama added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Memphis, which led 64-60 at halftime and outrebounded the Bulls 49-35. The Bulls fell despite 29 points from Zach LaVine, which included 26 in the second half, and 26 points and eight rebounds from Nikola Vucevic. Takeaways Grizzlies: Memphis improved to 5-3 during Ja Morant’s absence. The two-time All-Star remained out of action with a hip injury. Memphis Grizzlies' Scotty Pippen Jr. posts up on Chicago Bulls' Jalen Smith as Coby White handles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Charles Rex Arbogast Bulls: Taking more 3-pointers has been a priority this season, but Chicago wasn't able to earn a win despite shooting 45.2% (19 of 42) from 3. Key moment Up 91-84 midway through the third quarter, Memphis got consecutive 3-pointers from Jay Huff and Luke Kennard that pushed the lead into double digits and forced a Chicago timeout. The hosts got the deficit under 10 points just twice the rest of the night. Key stat The Bulls shot 37% from the floor and managed just 22 points during the first quarter as Memphis took a lead it never lost. Up next The Grizzlies host Portland on Monday night, and Chicago visits Washington on Tuesday.
Lab confirms seized DAP of poor quality, says agriculture ministerNew $17bn mega-project will rival Suez Canal by building 'uninterrupted highway' between Europe and AsiaPrairie premiers urge action on security amid Trump's tariff threats
Hemant Soren triumphs again; BJP crumbles in Jharkhand
KyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level MediaOnline auction of confiscated booze features rare Kentucky bourbons