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lobby roblox Jack in the Box ( NASDAQ:JACK – Get Free Report ) was upgraded by equities researchers at StockNews.com from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note issued to investors on Thursday. A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. Northcoast Research lowered Jack in the Box from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Truist Financial lowered their price target on shares of Jack in the Box from $83.00 to $70.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Loop Capital cut their price objective on shares of Jack in the Box from $87.00 to $70.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 14th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their target price on Jack in the Box from $55.00 to $47.00 and set a “sell” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 21st. Finally, TD Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $50.00 target price on shares of Jack in the Box in a research report on Thursday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $60.38. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on Jack in the Box Jack in the Box Price Performance Insider Activity at Jack in the Box In other Jack in the Box news, CFO Brian M. Scott sold 696 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $48.66, for a total value of $33,867.36. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 13,201 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $642,360.66. The trade was a 5.01 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . 1.60% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Jack in the Box Several large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale acquired a new stake in Jack in the Box in the third quarter valued at approximately $41,000. EntryPoint Capital LLC increased its holdings in Jack in the Box by 73.2% in the 1st quarter. EntryPoint Capital LLC now owns 866 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $59,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares in the last quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. raised its position in Jack in the Box by 172.3% during the third quarter. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. now owns 2,140 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $100,000 after acquiring an additional 1,354 shares during the period. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Jack in the Box in the third quarter valued at about $185,000. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC increased its stake in shares of Jack in the Box by 20.3% during the third quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 4,852 shares of the restaurant operator’s stock worth $226,000 after purchasing an additional 819 shares in the last quarter. 99.79% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Jack in the Box Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Jack in the Box Inc operates and franchises Jack in the Box and Del Taco quick-service restaurants in the United States. The company was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in San Diego, California. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Jack in the Box Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Jack in the Box and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Caprock Group LLC lifted its holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. ( NASDAQ:SFM – Free Report ) by 1.9% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,477 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 102 shares during the period. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Sprouts Farmers Market were worth $605,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the business. Accent Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Sprouts Farmers Market in the 3rd quarter valued at $25,000. Crewe Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Sprouts Farmers Market by 223.5% in the second quarter. Crewe Advisors LLC now owns 317 shares of the company’s stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 219 shares during the period. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in Sprouts Farmers Market in the third quarter valued at about $38,000. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. bought a new stake in Sprouts Farmers Market during the second quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Quarry LP grew its stake in Sprouts Farmers Market by 1,425.8% during the second quarter. Quarry LP now owns 473 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 442 shares in the last quarter. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SFM has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Sprouts Farmers Market from $127.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Bank of America raised their target price on Sprouts Farmers Market from $115.00 to $135.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, October 25th. Evercore ISI boosted their price target on Sprouts Farmers Market from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on Sprouts Farmers Market from $63.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Monday, July 29th. Finally, Melius Research initiated coverage on Sprouts Farmers Market in a research note on Monday, September 23rd. They set a “hold” rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $115.40. Sprouts Farmers Market Stock Performance Sprouts Farmers Market stock opened at $147.13 on Friday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $121.68 and a 200-day moving average of $98.73. The company has a market capitalization of $14.71 billion, a P/E ratio of 42.52, a P/E/G ratio of 2.17 and a beta of 0.54. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. has a 1 year low of $41.27 and a 1 year high of $148.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.01, a current ratio of 1.13 and a quick ratio of 0.59. Sprouts Farmers Market ( NASDAQ:SFM – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The company reported $0.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.77 by $0.14. Sprouts Farmers Market had a net margin of 4.73% and a return on equity of 28.24%. The firm had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.88 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $0.65 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 13.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. will post 3.68 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Activity In other news, insider Dustin Hamilton sold 5,097 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.00, for a total value of $519,894.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 26,138 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,666,076. This represents a 16.32 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, Director Kristen E. Blum sold 2,000 shares of Sprouts Farmers Market stock in a transaction on Monday, August 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $100.00, for a total transaction of $200,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 51,627 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,162,700. This represents a 3.73 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 50,148 shares of company stock valued at $5,853,826. Company insiders own 1.10% of the company’s stock. About Sprouts Farmers Market ( Free Report ) Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the retailing of fresh, natural, and organic food products under the Sprouts brand in the United States. It offers perishable product categories, including fresh produce, meat and meat alternatives, seafood, deli, bakery, floral, and dairy and dairy alternatives; and non-perishable product categories, such as grocery, vitamins and supplements, bulk items, frozen foods, beer and wine, and natural health and body care. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Sprouts Farmers Market Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sprouts Farmers Market and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Onana once looked like another Man Utd flop but is now one of Prem’s best keepers and making huge difference off pitch1. An Our Place ovenware set complete with three gorgeous stone baking dishes perfect for cooking and serving, as well as the top-rated Oven Pan that they'll be able to use for just about anything. As a giant stove griddle for less dishes? Yep! In the oven for baking and roasting? Well, of course. It's cute and multifunctional! With the set, they'll be able to bake, roast, braise, serve, and SO much more. Promising review: "This ovenware set is wonderful! The different pieces are so versatile,... t hey’re a breeze to clean , and look so pretty that they can go from oven to table. I’m in love with them!" — Stephanie S. Shipping info: All orders with in-stock items take up to two business days to process and generally take 1-7 business days for delivery. Get it from Our Place for $115 (originally $195; available in four colors). 2. A fancy set of truffle-infused hot sauces for the person who loves to add some spice to their meals. With this set, they'll get a ~sophisticated~ spice with three different levels of hotness. Promising review: "I'm loving this variety pack!! The flavor is sweet and earthy with just a bit of spice (the black one is very mild, and the hotter one is more like low medium heat). I'm eating it on everything! One of my favorite simple things to have it on is rice with just a little bit of butter and Truff. Unbelievably good!!" — L. Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (also sold individually, in two-packs, and packets). 3. An easy-to-use SodaStream so they'll have yummy, refreshing sparkling water whenever they want it! Not only will this limit plastic bottle use, but you're helping them save tons of $$$ not buying cases of LaCroix every month. 😅 The SodaStream also comes with a 60-liter Co2 cylinder, a one-liter BPA-free reusable carbonating bottle, and lime flavoring! Reviewers suggest also buying two CO2 cartridges and trying various natural fruit flavors to spice things up! Promising review : "Why didn't I buy this sooner? Let me start by saying I drink a lot... A LOT... of seltzer. I was going through multiple cans a day which added up quickly in my garage and was a hassle to return). The Sodastream Terra has been a welcomed change in our household. I keep three 1L bottles cold on hand in the fridge at all times and rotate them around as we use them. The machine itself is so easy to use and fits right under the cabinets in my kitchen with very little footprint. The first canister lasted around a month, depending on how much fizz you enjoy it could last more or less. The CO2 quick connect is very easy to install as well making this item 1000% worth the time and energy to make my own seltzer vs buying at the store." — MM Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (available in three colors). Check out BuzzFeed editor Abby Kass's full SodaStream review . 4. An indoor herb garden for those who love gardening, but don't have the yard to do so. This compact garden features two different grow modes (for fruit and veggies) and has a built-in LED grow light to help them flourish indoors. Promising reviews: " Easily grow vegetables all year round indoors without having to worry about bugs! I love this product. It looks sleek on my countertop. Inbloom Hydroponic growing systems also make great gifts. Excellent quality and price point!" — Carolyn Davis "I purchased this as a gift for a friend and it was most enthusiastically received. Apparently, it was one of their most requested items, and they were absolutely thrilled to be gifted this hydroponic garden. The product is easy to use and doesn’t take up too much space. Such an ideal gift for new homeowners and those wanting to begin growing their own produce in a small space without being overwhelmed. Highly recommend!" — Samuel Brown Samuel Brown Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in two sizes, two styles, and three colors). And grab an herb seed growing kit to complete the gift! 5. An Ember temperature-control smart mug because it can keep their coffee and tea as hot as when they first poured it. It's aaaall controlled through the app where they choose their desired temperature and can even make presets for specific beverages. Fancy stuff, right? Promising review: "Best thing since sliced bread! I hate when my coffee gets cold. I was originally looking for one of those warming coasters, but then, I saw the Ember mugs. ... There was no turning back. I can take my coffee with me into my boss's office, and it still stays hot?? Yes, please. I used that app and have adjusted my temp down to 127 degrees. It stays at that temperature the entire time. I’ve not had an issue with battery life either, doesn’t take me more than an hour to polish off a cup of coffee. I HIGHLY recommend." — Mathews Get it from Amazon for $109.99+ (available in two sizes and 10 colors). 6. A set of the fanciest olive oil, vinegar, and honey they will be bragging about any chance they get! The olive oil is handcrafted from California olives, the vinegar is made with chardonnay grapes and Valencia oranges, and the honey has a surprising orange blossom twist. How delicious does that sound!? Brightland Co. is a small business based in California. Promising reviews: " Wonderful, flavorful high-quality products. I love it all so much! Bright, interesting, and complex flavors in all three! I sent [this set] to my best friend for her birthday — that's how good it is! :) I will definitely buy again. Highly recommend." — Diane V. "WOW — the flavor, the packaging, ALL OF IT! I received Brightland as a gift, and If I had not received the gift, I would not have known about these amazing oils. The flavor is great, the packaging is great, and just the overall experience was amazing. Will purchase again." — Brittany Shipping info: Orders are typically processed within 1–3 business days. Expedited shipping is available for an additional cost at checkout. Get it from Brightland Co. for $88 . 7. An enameled, cast-iron Le Creuset Dutch Oven I'm positive they'll be cooking out of for years to come (seriously, reviewers say they last forever!). It's easy to clean and won't chip or crack even after years of use. Promising reviews: " Best cooking item I've ever bought . It really pays to buy the absolute best sometimes, and this is it in Dutch ovens. I've used it at least twice a week since I bought it. It's such a delight to use." — Consuela S. , Sur La Table customer " A must-have for your kitchen. Beautiful, high quality. Even temperatures and great for roasting anything. So easy to clean also. The hardest decision is the color and size!" — Gail C. , Sur La Table customer Get a 5.5 qt. from Sur La Table for $419.95 (available in 15 colors) or from Amazon for $399+ (available in 10 colors). 8. A Keurig K-Mini coffee maker for a quick and delicious cup of joe before starting their day. Will they get up early enough to stop at the cafe? Debatable. But will they have an easy, single-serve coffee maker at home? Yep, thanks to you! Need some coffee to go with? Try this variety pack of 60 K-Cups ( $36.09 ) or these reusable K-Cups ( $13.95 ) for a low-waste option. Promising review: "It’s the PERFECT size for my dorm room. Super pretty color and super cute. Nothing bad to say about this product. Shipped quickly and works great. Can’t wait for my 2 a.m. essay coffees with this bad boy!" — Mary Get it from Amazon for $49.99+ (originally $99.99; available in six colors). 9. A *mini* KitchenAid stand mixer so they can bake to their heart's desire, without taking up a ton of counter space in the kitchen. This baby comes with over 10 attachments that'll allow them to mix dough for cookies, batter for pancakes, and SO much more. Promising review: "This mini is perfect for everything that doesn't need the capacity of my full size KitchenAid. It's great for beating eggs, whipping cream, etc., but it's also ideal for making small-batch cookie dough, dinner rolls, single loaves of yeast bread, crumble toppings, and on and on." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $279.95+ (available in eight colors). 10. An electric wine opener because opening a bottle of vino should be as stressless as possible. They are, after all, about to sit and relax with a glass, right? The modern and sleek design makes it stylish enough to sit right on top of their kitchen counter, too. They'll love it! Promising review: "Luxurious look. This product has a fancy design and is super quiet! It's easy to use, and within seconds, you will have wine ready to pour. Hassle free and a neat way to open bottles of wine. It lights up blue, easy to recharge, and most definitely a good product to give as a gift." — Babi Gendut Get it from Amazon for $19.80 . 11. A chic and compact Beast Blender — a mini version of the viral original but with *way* more color options. The ribbed design helps things blend faster and more smoothly. And bonus points for the matching to-go drinking lid, straws, and storage cap that's included! Promising review: "I bought this for my husband who has started drinking protein powder drinks every morning. The switch from typical blender to The Beast is a much quieter, cleaner, and more compact process... he's very happy with his Mini Blender, and the color Terra is lovely!" — Jan B. Beast Shipping info: Orders typically shipped within 48-72 hours of purchase. Free standard shipping for all domestic orders over $85+. Expedited shipping options also available. Get it from Amazon for $119+ (available in five colors) or straight from Beast for $84.15+ (originally $99+; available in five colors). Check out BuzzFeed's full review of the Beast Blender for more details. 12. An ~app-controlled~ touchscreen air fryer for make quick and delicious meals! With the help of five cooking presets, this Cosori air fryer can help even the worst of cooks make something great. Reviewers rave about making everything from french fries to whole steaks (and some yummy reheated meals in between). Promising review: "I'm obsessed with it. This Cosori air fryer is incredibly easy to operate and clean. The design is sleek and appealing (I leave it out on my counter). And the results have greatly exceeded my expectations. I'm hooked and I think for the foreseeable future I will be using this almost every day. Here are just a few examples of what I've made so far:- Brussels sprouts: the results of cooking these at home in a normal gas oven have always sucked. While not quite restaurant quality (restaurants use oil fryers) the Cosori comes incredibly close and shaves about 10 min of cooking time. - Reheating french fries: This alone was worth the purchase. They were crispy and just as delicious as the night before. - Reheating steak that I cooked to a rare temp the night before on the pan: no complaints and super easy to clean afterward. - Bacon: Way faster, way cleaner (and can easily save the bacon fat) and turned out perfect. I'm so excited to experiment more with this awesome machine. 5/5" — Nolan S. Get it from Amazon for $79.99+ (available in three colors). 13. OR, a Dash compact air fryer that won't take up much space, but will make (or reheat) some amazing meals. Promising review: "Fantastic kitchen tool and well deserving of the hype. It’s helped me immensely when cooking meals in my kitchen, especially with side dishes such as Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and the ubiquitous fried potato. The Dash has removed all the stress of trying to get the timing right when preparing multiple dishes and cooks everything perfectly crisp on all sides. Getting tofu crisped has always been a struggle...but with this, I’ve been able to get results that I’ve been trying to for years. ... Highly recommended. It looks cool and doesn’t take up too much counter space either." — User of Consumer goods/bads Get it from Amazon for $49.95 (available in five colors). 14. A 12-piece ceramic, nonstick Caraway cookware set to give their kitchen a ✨pop✨ of color with topnotch quality to match. The sauté pan alone is 100% worth the investment because of how many things you can use it for! Bonus points: This bestselling set is oven-safe, has nontoxic coating, AND is easy to store (a lid holder and pan rack are included!). I started out with just the cream-colored sauté pan and loved it so much I knew I *needed* the entire set. TL;DR the hype is absolutely real. This cookware is gorge in person, but I love that it's actually non-stick! It's so easy to cook on, it's easy to clean , and it's cute enough to leave on top of the stove for all (i.e. me) to see. I also love the pan and lid storage that comes with the set. They each fit inside my kitchen cabinets perfectly and really help with keeping things tidy and organized. I'd say it's definitely worth the investment! Learn more about this cookware set in our full Caraway Pan Set review ! This set includes a 10.5" frying pan, 3-qt. saucepan and lid, 6.5-qt. Dutch oven and lid, 4.5-qt. sauté pan and lid, four modular magnetic pan racks, and a canvas lid holder with hooks. Caraway shipping info: Orders shipped through ground usually take between 2-4 business days to deliver once processed. On select products, customers may choose expedited shipping. Get the 12-piece set from Amazon for $355.50+ (available in six colors) or straight from Caraway for $355.50+ (originally $545; available in 12 colorways). You can also shop the pots and pans individually on Amazon or Caraway starting at $85. 15. A ✨best-selling✨ wine purifier perfect for wine-lovers (especially wine-lovers prone to headaches). This purifier will even get their cheap wine tasting like they paid the big bucks. When attached, it allows the perfect amount of oxygen into your wine, allowing you to taste the nuances, and enhancing the flavor. Üllo is a wine-focused small business based in Chicago. Promising review: "Life-changing for my wife. Before this, she was not able to drink red wine at all. She has not had a problem at all since." — FLted , Williams Sonoma customer Williams Sonoma shipping info: Standard shipping is 3-5 business days (or $26 for next-day shipping); orders must by placed by December 19 for guaranteed delivery by December 24. Get it from Amazon for $55.99 or Williams Sonoma for $79.95 (also available as a wine decanter and purifier combo ). 16. An automatic grinder that can grind herbs and spices with just a push of a button. It comes with three spice pods that are easily interchangeable, making seasoning while cooking so much easier. BTW, this grinder is battery-operated. Make sure to get a few AA batteries , too! Promising reviews: "Nothing like freshly ground spices to add a little snap to your cooking. The pods snap on and off with ease, and the grind size is very easy to adjust from barely ground to pulverized. ... The ability to group commonly used spices together in threes and carry them across the kitchen or outside to the grill just adds to the usability." — Todd Tittle "I love this thing!!! It works beautifully. I ordered more pods and trays so I could use my various salts. It's easy to switch pods, and the triangular tray is perfect!" — cindybeadlady "My sons bought me this set for a gift and I love it! I use this set every time I cook. I have arthritis in my hands that tends to come and go. The ease of use is fantastic. One-handed wonder! " — MrsMcPatriot Get it from Amazon for $44.99 (available in seven colors, comes with grinder and two interchangeable pods). 17. A handheld mixer complete with three different attachments for whisking, frothing, and blending. The design is fully electric with a copper motor, which means no tired arms when they're making their favorite meals. It also features an ergonomic, comfy, nonslip handle! Reviewers use this handheld blender for everything from making salsa and soups to beating eggs and frothing milk for coffee! The possibilities are endless with this kitchen gadget. Promising reviews: "I LOVE it! I've intended to get a hand blender for years and finally just did it. I looked at ones that were much more expensive and was worried that this would be cheaply made (because you often get what you pay for). However, I have been pleasantly surprised with this one. At 500 watts, it has serious power, and it is super easy to use. I made tomato soup, and it blended it in under a minute; then, I just popped the bottom off and washed it! Super simple. Super happy with my purchase!" — amazonaddicted "Worked great, feels sturdy, took on boiling temperature to blend, but the top of the shaft stayed cool. Great buy!" — Nol Get it from Amazon for $24.99+ (also available with three or seven accessories). 18. An Instant Pot 7-in-1 pressure cooker because it really does it all. Perfect for the cooks with limited space and even better for non-cooks with limited experience. It features 13 pre-programmed and customizable cooking settings for things as simple as soup or rice, to more complicated ventures like slow cooking and sautéing. It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and food warmer all rolled into one nifty appliance. Read our full review of the Instant Pot ! Promising review: "This is quite possibly the coolest, most versatile kitchen gadget I’ve ever owned. I love it so much that I’ve purchased two more for friends and relatives. What can it do? I think the real question is, 'What can’t it do?' I truly believe you could replace every cooking appliance (including your oven and stovetop) and do EVERYTHING in the Instant Pot. I purchased two sizes for my own use: the 3-quart (which is my almost-every-day workhorse for two-person dishes) and the 8-quart (which I bring out to handle my dinner party dishes). Everything I’ve tried has been fabulous. In the realm of kitchen appliances, there is no better investment than the Instant Pot. Highly recommended!!!" — Stereoman Get it from Amazon for $79.99 . AND a very handy pressure cooker magnetic cheat sheet set that'll be perfect as a stocking stuffer or matching bonus gift. It's got TONS of useful information like suggested cooking times, liquid ratios, and more. Cooking anything with an Instant Pot will be so much easier (and faster) with this! Promising review: "These magnets assisted me in using my Instant Pot for the first time and I love it. It was very helpful with the cooking time and very accurate. The different items I've made in the pot have come out perfect. The instructions were easy to follow for my older children to use as well. [The magnet on the refrigerator is convenient because] you don't have to go far to look for instructions, just turn around and peek. I recommend using this product for anyone who likes easy quick instructions when preparing food. I also have instructions for the air fryer, and everything has turned out perfect with the instructions as well. Helpful tool." — iverygirl Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in two sizes and in an Airfryer version ). 19. A rapid egg cooker for quick eggs in tons of different styles: hard/medium/soft boiled, poached, scrambled — you name it! This gadget does it all EGGcellently. It also features an auto-shutoff function! It can boil up to six eggs at a time, poach up to two eggs at a time, or make an omelet! There's a poaching tray, omelet tray, a six-egg holder tray, a measuring cup, a recipe book, and access to a recipe database. All nonelectric parts are dishwasher-safe! BuzzFeed's own Samantha Wieder absolutely loves this egg cooker: "I love cooking, I really do, but there are two very inconvenient times that my cooking laziness strikes, and that is first thing in the morning when I wake up, and at the end of the day when it's time for dinner. Thankfully, in the morning, I now have this rapid egg cooker which allows me to make soft-, medium-, or hard-boiled eggs, poached eggs, or an omelet, all without having to stand over the stove. It's also a great way to whip up a high-protein snack during the day when you're busy with work, school, or just in the middle of a very important Netflix binge. The egg maker will let out a sound when your eggs are cooked, and then, all you have to do is enjoy them!" Promising review: " I didn't believe the hype until I bought it for myself. My boiled eggs come out perfect EVERY TIME. Trust me, this is not one of those kitchen products you buy to make life easier that just ends up sitting on top of the cabinet collecting dust. If you are a deviled egg/hard boiled egg/omelet lover, YOU NEED THIS." — M. Brown Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in seven colors). 20. A sous vide precision cooker so they can have restaurant-quality meals at home, minus all of the effort. This cooker can be controlled right from their phone and even provides cooking notifications from up to 30 feet away! Multitasking has never been so easy. The temperature range is 32-197 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, you get access to over 1,000 recipes, so you'll have inspiration for yummy meals! Get the Anova app here . Promising reviews: "After years of hearing about how great sous vide cooking is, I finally pulled the trigger on this unit, and it really does live up to the hype. Super easy to set up, and the app provides a ton of recipes to use." — PL "Since I started cooking sous vide, my family says my cooking has gone to a new level. I started with the original Anova, and just recently, picked up this Nano. The Nano is awesome because it's much smaller vs. the first Anova, making it easier to store in a drawer or something. It sounds trivial, but by making it easier to grab, setup is so much quicker, and I can cook a beef roast for 30 hours without adding ANY water. If you're just starting out in sous vide, I recommend this cooker." — Jeff Nichols Get it from Amazon for $64.99 . 21. An automatic bread maker , the perfect gift for those who still love their newfound quarantine hobby but hate the time it takes. This bread maker handles the entire baking process from start to finish and allows you to make other things such as cake and jams. Yum! This machine has 12 settings: French, quick bread (no yeast), sweet, 1.5-pound express, 2-pound express, dough, jam, cake, whole grain, and bake. It allows you to select your loaf size and between a light, medium, or dark crust setting. Includes an interior pan and two kneading paddles that are all dishwasher-safe! Promising review: "The machine is perfect!!!! I already made two loaves of bread yesterday and am getting ready to make another loaf today. If you are lazy like me and would rather put all the ingredients into a machine and let it do all the work, this is the bread maker for you. " — Pam Charmley Get it from Amazon for $89.99 . 22. A cold brew pitcher if they're strictly an iced coffee fan. All they need to do is put grounds into the filter, add some water, and let it sit overnight. The next day, they'll have some yummy cold brew and ~you'll~ have a phone full of thank you texts! Promising reviews: " Believe the hype! This thing is the real deal. I bought a second one because I love this iced coffee maker so much! This thing is a game-changer. If you love iced coffee, BUY IT NOW! You won’t regret it. So easy to use and clean. Unbelievable!" — Connie Howard "I am a HUGE believer in the Takeya cold brew coffee maker for several reasons. I have two, one that I use at home, and one that I use in the field doing Army work or on deployments. It requires no electricity to make my delicious cold brew, it is plastic, and it is water-tight. This means in a pinch, I can throw it into the vehicle or into a bag and run out to a new location with no worries about breaking, spilling, or leaking. ... Overall, awesome investment and no real gripes." — electronmods Get it from Amazon for $19.94 (available in two sizes and two styles). 23. OR, a HyperChiller beverage cooler a cool gadget that turns a hot beverage — like coffee, soda, or wine — ice cold in 60 seconds (yes, seconds) flat. All they'll need to do is fill the container with water and keep it in the freezer so it's always ready when needed. The dishwasher-safe container can also be used to chill tea, juice, wine , or whatever else you feel like drinking. No water comes into contact with your beverage, so you don't have to worry about dilution, either. Promising reviews : "Wow. Believe the hype. It really works and is easy to use. So much better than just waiting for your coffee to cool or putting it in the freezer. Great item. Had to wait months for it to be in stock." — Mary E. Burnett Get it from Amazon for $17.49+ (available in five colors). 24. A Breville waffle maker that adjusts the temperature as it cooks and works so well it'll make even to crankiest giftee a morning person. It can make up to four thick and delicious 4-inch waffles at a time, has an auto-temperature adjuster with Smart technology, AND has nonstick coating for easy cleanup. Promising review: "Yes, it's pricey...but so worth it! Having the preset options and timer make it so easy. Our waffles have turned out great every time. The moat is awesome, too, as my husband often overfills, and the batter will spill out, making for easy cleanup." — hkatem Shipping info: Standard shipping is 3-5 business days (or $26 for next-day shipping); orders must be placed by December 16 for guaranteed delivery by December 24. Get it from Williams Sonoma for $219.95+ (available with two or four squares). 25. A soft-serve dessert maker to turn their favorite fruits into a creamy, sorbet treat! It's the perfect gift for anyone with a sweet tooth, but especially for that one person who loves ice cream even in the dead of winter. Promising review: "This deserves 50 stars! Oh my gosh, why did it take me so long to find this amazing gadget! Ice cream lovers, fruit lovers, sorbet lovers — THIS IS THE BEST INVENTION! So easy, quick, delicious, and magical!!" — Jackie Get it from Amazon for $34.49 (available in six colors). 26. A manual food ch o pper so they can quickly and easily chop up fruits, veggies, and even ice in a flash. It's also dishwasher-safe (top rack only!), so cleanup is super simple. Promising reviews: "Great purchase — believe the hype! Makes chopping up veggies super quick!" — Amalia "This is great for cutting lots of veggies super fast . All you have to do is rough chop down your veggies, toss them in, and give it four to five pulls for perfectly diced chunks for salsa or toppings on eggs or tacos. It comes with a handy cover, too, so all you have to do is rinse the blade and toss the container in the fridge or cooler." — Kevin B. Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors). 27. A Toshiba voice-controlled microwave that'll allow them to multitask in the kitchen or stay put on the couch for five more minutes (whichever they prefer). This microwave can also be controlled through an app. ... No wonder it's got 36,000+ 5-star reviews! BTW, the voice control feature on this microwave is Alexa-powered, so you'll need an Echo Dot to get her going. Promising review: "I love this microwave!! I needed one that was the same size for a specific space on my counter. Most larger microwaves are extremely expensive if they're of good quality. However, this one was very reasonable, and it's surpassed my wildest expectations. Besides being the perfect size and not being overly heavy, it also connects to my Alexa. I can be doing other things in my kitchen and just talk to Alexa, and she will automatically start the microwave. If you don't have an Alexa, there is an app for the microwave that works with your Wi-Fi. So, that is another option that works really well! I'm extremely impressed by all of the functions available to me! You won't be disappointed if you buy this one!" — Sweetthang Get it from Amazon for $143.99 . 28. A Fellow electric gooseneck kettle to make preparing hot beverages an effortless task. The stainless-steel gooseneck actually makes pouring much smoother and more precise, while the balance handle (see where the thumb goes?) gives you a better grip and less chance of overflow. I've been using my Fellow kettle for yeaaars now (that's mine above on the right!), and it's honestly heaven-sent. Easy coffee in the morning, matcha in the afternoon, and tea before bed. It heats up very quickly, the stainless steel interior makes it easy to clean , and it just looks really sleek on my kitchen counter. All you need to do is add water and place the kettle on the included base, press the 'on' button, set your desired temperature on the LCD screen (it goes up to 212 degrees F), and it heats up in *seconds* . It can also keep the water hot for up to an hour which is extremely convenient for when you know you'll be back for more in a short period of time. TL;DR: It's a must for anyone who loves making hot beverages at home! Fellow is a San Francisco-based small biz that's aaall about coffee, creating high-end coffee grinders, brew systems, mugs, and more. Get it straight from Fellow for $132+ (originally $165+; available in seven colors and four handle finishes) or from Amazon for $156 (available in black only). 29. An electric indoor grill for when they're in the mood for grilling meat or veggies, making a panini, or barbecuing right in their kitchen — any time of year👏 ! The grill plate is completely removable, so it's also super easy to clean, too. Promising review: "Seriously, I love this grill. Recently moved into the city and can't use my grill, so thought I'd give this a try. Man, it's amazing how well this works considering what it is and what it costs. I really can't see why anyone would have ANYTHING negative to say about it. The first two meals I cooked on it looked fantastic and tasted even better. Seriously, if you've been on the fence about this grill, get off and just buy it. You won't be disappointed." — AdventureChuck Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available with or without a viewing window). 30. A NutriBullet blender set complete with not one, but two travel cups! This baby has some ultra powerful blades that can whip up anything they need, from protein shakes and smoothies to homemade salsa and (most importantly) frozen margs. They'll love it! It comes with a regular large blender container and two travel cups. Promising review: "I use this to make smoothies and cashew cream and any other job that calls for a blender. It's powerful and has a specific button for extracting. ... It does a good job for what I need a blender for. Love that it comes with separate blade and cups for personal smoothie to go." — Amazon shopper Get it from Amazon for $67.99 . 31. An espresso machine that's *truly* worth the investment (and the hype). No more Starbucks lines, messed up orders, and hundreds of dollars spent every year on coffee! This baby brings barista-level caffeine right into their home. And BTW, it's a best seller with over 14,000 5-⭐️ reviews! If you're someone who buys a specialty cup of coffee every single day (what's that, like $4 a cup now??), add in the cost of gas/transportation, and you're spending way more on coffee every year. This is definitely worth the investment in the long run! Promising reviews: " This thing lives up to the hype! ... The actual espresso pull mechanism looks and acts exactly as you would see at your local $18-per-cup coffee place just without a barista to spell your name wrong. The steamer attachment also works well and does the job. I literally have a cup (or two) of cafe-quality coffee every morning now, and it is even more gratifying than I thought it would be. ... [It's] an amazingly delicious, dare I say bliss-inducing, coffee experience every day. Absolutely recommend this splurge!" — K Clark "I really love the way this machine works and the espresso and latte that I can make. It makes the espresso easily and much quicker than any machine I have used. The taste and texture of the lattes are beyond compare. " — Tom T. (Make sure to check out the entire review, they give TONS of advice on use, benefits of the machine, and more.) Get it from Amazon for $549.95 (available in black and stainless steel). 32. A Levo II to make cooking from scratch a much more realistic (and fun) possibility for your giftee. They'll be making infused butter, oil, honey, and even salad dressing or gummy candy (among a ton of other things) with ease. PS: You can even make soaps and bath bombs with the Levo. All you have to do is fill the herb pod and set your dry or activation cycle, add oil or butter, set your infuse cycle, dispense, and enjoy. Levo is a woman-owned small business founded in 2016 by Christina Bellman and based in Denver, Colorado. Promising review: "We love our Levo II! Can't imagine a better way to spend time than learning how to make my own infused oils that help our whole family, whatever the need. Want to add zest to a recipe? Make a concoction to help your loved one sleep? Try a new salad dressing without the mess? Whatever the need, LEVO II will help make an oil, a botanical, a new soap, tea, or a lotion that is perfect. The app is abundant with recipes and ideas, so I feel supported with each and every step. Easy, fast cleanup. End-to-end customer experience is exceptional!" — Kendall E. Coleman Get it from Amazon for $299 (available in five colors). 33. An electric matcha maker that will grind and whisk the matcha for them. This cool gadget even comes with matcha leaf packets so they can have the freshest, cafe-level matcha lattes every morning and afternoon. Just select the preferred strength and go! Cuzen Matcha is an Asian-owned small business with the goal to make authentic, fresh matcha available in homes all over the world in a sustainable way. Promising review: " This machine will change my life, not only health-wise but also saving money from buying so many matcha lattes from cafes. Obviously, for the price point, you want incredible matcha, and let me tell you, this product is worth every penny. ... The design is beautiful. It’s the most beautiful device I have in my apartment, but the most impressive thing is how quickly it creates a perfect and delicious shot of matcha. I like my matcha strong so the two times strength is beyond perfect for me. I can drink the premium blend straight, and it tastes smooth and not bitter. Watching the machine do its thing is so much fun. Knowing that it’s grinding the leaves and then producing fresh matcha powder is so cool and fun, and when you drink it , you know you’re experiencing this tea the way it was meant to be experienced." — Lisa , Cuzen Matcha Customer Cuzen Matcha shipping info: All orders received before noon in PST will be fulfilled on the same day. The rest will be fulfilled on the next day. Expedited shipping is available. Get it from Cuzen Matcha or from Amazon for $299 (available in two colors). How I'd describe your gift-giving skills: Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.

Don’t brine your Thanksgiving turkey in Utah’s Great Salt Lake, rangers warn — after an entire packaged turkey washed up on the lake’s shores. “It’s the time of year again!” officials said on the park and marina’s social media pages. “Just your annual reminder not to use Great Salt Lake to brine your turkey .” A photo shows the turkey on what looks like a wooden pier, with real feathers stuck in its packaging. “Not only is the salinity too high for a proper brine, the waves can be very strong and there’s a good chance you could lose the entire turkey as this person did,” officials said. “It ended up washed up on Silver Sands Beach and someone went turkey-less.” The lake is a “dynamic ecosystem” that supports brine shrimp and several shorebirds and waterfowl, Cowboy State Daily reported. So it’s possible the feathers came from birds that call the lake home. And while the salty water — between 5% to 27% salinity depending on the water level — is great for the wellbeing of wild birds, it’s full of other minerals that are toxic to humans, Cowboy State Daily reported. “We have a lot of potassium, sulfur and other stuff that you’re not going to want your turkey to be brining in,” Ryan Sylvester, the lead park ranger aide at the state park, told the outlet. Many people commenting on the park’s Facebook post were disturbed by the discovery. “That’s absolutely disgusting,” someone said in the comments on the post. “Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sulfur should add some interesting flavor to your turkey,” another person said. That prompted someone else to chime in about the heavy metals found in the lake’s soil. “Maybe a little cadmium and arsenic too,” they said. Others were a little more lighthearted about the whole thing. “Doordash never fails at delivering to the wrong lake,” someone said.Vikings waive former starting cornerback Akayleb Evans in another blow to 2022 draft classBusway-Bus Duct Market Technology, Opportunities And Key Manufacturers Report 2021-2031

NEW YORK – With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. Recommended Videos “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Change your relationship with money Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. Know your “why” When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. Budget, budget, budget “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. Pay down outstanding debt “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. Take control of your credit card interest rate “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. Set realistic, practical goals When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. Don't ‘flamingo' or bury your head in the sand “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automate savings, where possible Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Slow down Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, executive vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Focus on financial wellness Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes letters from readers online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• Dick Schwartz’s Thanksgiving Day commentary, “The year a mother’s turkey encountered a son’s new vegetarian ways” was an utter delight. A wonderful and refreshing change from the usual holier-than-thou rants about progressive insanity or conservative evil. The rants are now tedious. This was the opposite to me. Uplifting, giving me a smile, and relatable. What son or daughter hasn’t gotten sideways with Mom because we did something young and stupid? Just a wonderful thing to read. Michael Heiser, Eden Prairie ••• I read with some perplexity the expressions of horror over suggesting that cannabis could be a part of Thanksgiving celebrations (Readers Write, Dec. 2). A simple substitution illustrates it better: “Apparently there are people who want to add the odor of [alcohol] to the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie. ... What will the safe dose be for the children at the feast? How will anyone keep the little ones away if everyone is so mellow? What will be the safe dose for the designated drivers driving, or staggering away, from grandmother’s house?” If you’re serving alcohol at your own Thanksgiving celebration, don’t presume to lecture others about cannabis. Steve Hoffmann, Anoka ••• First, to the Minnesota Star Tribune Editorial Board regarding a quote from “Thankful, mindful, hopeful, realistic” (editorial, Nov. 28): “Be thankful for free and fair elections, and for the peaceful transfer of presidential power that has endured throughout our nation’s history.” You all must have missed the insurrection and the unpeaceful transfer of power following the 2020 election. Second, I also agree with the writer of “Let’s take it a step further” (Readers Write, Nov. 28) that civics should be taught in schools. Marla Riemer, Maple Grove Keep holding Trump accountable There were two versions of Donald Trump’s call with Mexico. Thanks to the Minnesota Star Tribune for making this front-page news (”2 versions of Trump call with Mexico,” Nov. 29). MAGA media was already trying to promote Trump as a brilliant negotiator with his 25% tariff gambit, supposedly causing Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum to cave in to his demands. The truth is, Mexico had already responded to President Joe Biden’s negotiations that resulted in a 75% reduction in border apprehensions since December 2023. I trust the Star Tribune will also continue to call out Trump, the consummate credit-grabber, for claiming he is responsible for the infrastructure transformation, new factories being built, significant job gains and huge private investments that are the result of Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and CHIPS and Science Act. Please keep reminding people of all the promises that Trump made to the workers of this country that he will not keep, while he makes sure his billionaire buddies get their tax breaks made permanent. Roland Hayes, Shoreview ••• Why do I believe the president of Mexico is telling the truth and not the newly elected president of the United States. So, so sad. Four years of lies. Bill White, Eagan Bremer’s sale is good for Minnesota It’s disappointing that Evan Ramstad felt compelled to criticize the leaders of Bremer Bank for the announced sale to Old National Bank ( ”Bremer Bank’s inglorious ending,” Nov. 26). The Bremer management team has strong integrity and character and, importantly, expert judgment about what is best for the shareholders, employees and communities Bremer serves. While it’s easy to think prior arrangements that never had firm footing would have been better, litigation caused a change in approach, or remaining independent is better for Minnesota, Ramstad fails to address the fundamental shifts occurring in the banking industry. Progressing regulation, rapidly advancing technology and intense competition are leading all banks to re-evaluate their strategy, and consolidation is a critical element of improving scale that addresses the numerous environmental challenges. What is best for Minnesota is a solid and competitive banking sector, and I am confident Old National and Bremer will help ensure this. Benefiting from my 35-year career in banking, this is how Bremer’s shareholders, employees and communities will succeed. Elliot Jaffee, Minneapolis The writer is the former executive vice president of U.S. Bank. Well, I’m staying I have read with amusement the recent debate on the opinion pages between people vowing to either keep or cancel their subscriptions to the Star Tribune. It amazes me the degree to which people become exercised and the myriad subjects that push their buttons. Well, I’m staying. Even though the agenda and mission of the Star Tribune’s columnists and the great majority of the Editorial Board are anathema to me, I’m continuing to subscribe as a tip of the cap to the great Chinese general and military strategist Sun Tzu, who is credited with saying, “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” I want to keep learning what you guys are up to. Phil Larsen, Dayton ••• I was initially confused about why a reader suggested the paper should try to make conservatives smile by covering stories about criminals, grocery prices and student loans ( “Switch up your coverage,” Readers Write, Nov. 30). However, I’m trying to lean into Becky Kennedy’s advice in her book “Good Inside” about making the MGI (most generous interpretation) about someone’s behavior. I’m going to assume the reader simply does not have time to read the entire paper every day. For example, on Nov. 29 the front page featured a picture of two siblings serving a meal to a guest at a homeless shelter who had two cats on their shoulders (”On Thanksgiving, furry family gets a seat at the table”). Big smile from my four-year-old daughter when I showed her. Strib Voices featured a couple celebrating fifty years of marriage and their meet-cute story ( ” ‘Where did you meet?’ It was my 157th visit to the Joint Bar, and it was Mary’s first ... “ ). Big smile from me, an unabashed romantic comedy lover. Below that article was a holiday memory of two young sisters from 1960 that I shared with my mom ( ”A Christmas lunch in Minneapolis, 64 years ago” ). She texted back saying it brought back a “feel good feeling” from her own childhood. If those were not enough, I find Arlo and Janis, F Minus, and Pearls Before Swine (notice I left out Doonesbury!) often bring a nonpolitical smile to my face most days. I believe there are plenty of subjects that would make folks across the political spectrum smile in this paper, if one is lucky enough to have the time. Joe Kennealy, Eden Prairie More than meets the tie I attended the recent Gophers-Nanooks hockey game that your paper reported as simply ending in a “tie” ( “U shoots plenty, settles for tie,” Nov. 30). This description understates a great match that went into double overtime and ultimately a shootout. As a grandfather who went with his grandsons, we witnessed an excitement that built throughout the overtime periods. While the game is officially recorded as a tie for NCAA tournament purposes, the teams played through additional overtime periods and a shootout to determine crucial conference points. This distinction explains why the score appeared as a tie in your reporting, despite the game’s dramatic extended conclusion. There’s no way that those of us at 3M Arena at Mariucci experienced a tie — we experienced a game that deserved nuanced coverage. Future reporting might better serve your readers by explaining both the official result and the exciting conclusion that determined conference points. Andy Halper, Edina

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A white ex-police detective in Kansas died Monday in an apparent suicide just before the start of his criminal trial over allegations that he sexually assaulted Black women and terrorized those who tried fight back. Local police found Roger Golubski dead of a gunshot wound on the back porch of his split-level home outside Kansas City, Kansas. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said “there are no indications of foul play" in the 71-year-old's death, discovered Monday morning after a neighbor heard a gunshot. Fifty miles (80 kilometers) to the west, prosecutors and Golubski's attorneys were inside the federal courthouse in Topeka, where Golubski faced six felony counts of violating women's civil rights. Prosecutors say that, for years, Golubski preyed on female residents in poor neighborhoods, demanding sexual favors and sometimes threatening to harm or jail their relatives if they refused. He had pleaded not guilty. His death led U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse to dismiss the charges at prosecutors' request, though a second criminal case involving three other co-defendants remains. U.S. Department of Justice officials said it's “difficult” when a case cannot “be fully and fairly heard in a public trial,” but advocates for the women who accused Golubski of abusing them were angry, feeling that they and the community were denied a reckoning. “There is no justice for the victims,” said Anita Randle-Stanley, who went to court to watch jury selection. Randle-Stanley, who is not a victim in this case, said Golubski began harassing her when she was a teenager decades ago, but she always refused him. The heart of this trial focused on two women: one who said Golubski began sexually abusing her when she was a young teen in middle school, and another who said he began abusing her after her twin sons were arrested. Prosecutors said seven other women were planning to testify that Golubski abused or harassed them as well. And advocates for the women believe there are other victims who have either died or have been afraid to come forward. The allegations that Golubski preyed on women over decades with seeming impunity outraged the community and deepened its historical distrust of law enforcement. The prosecution followed earlier reports of similar abuse allegations across the country where hundreds of officers have lost their badges after allegations of sexual assaults. Some of the women and their advocates were upset that Golubski was under house arrest while he underwent kidney dialysis treatments three times a week. Cheryl Pilate, an attorney representing some of the women, said she has questions about how well the government was monitoring Golubski. “The community had an enormous interest in seeing this trial go forward,” she added. “Now, the victims, the community and justice itself have been cheated.” After Golubski failed to appear in court Monday, his lead attorney, Christopher Joseph, said his client “was despondent about the media coverage.” Joseph said he had talked to Golubski regularly, including Monday morning, and he was shocked to hear that his client had apparently killed himself. As for Golubski’s death, he said, “I don’t know the details.” This case against Golubski was part of a string of lawsuits and criminal allegations that led the county prosecutor’s office to begin a $1.7 million effort to reexamine cases Golubski worked on during his 35 years on the force. One double murder case Golubski investigated already has resulted in an exoneration , and an organization run by rapper Jay-Z is suing to obtain police records. Joseph had said lawsuits over the allegations were an “inspiration for fabrication” by his accusers. “We have to keep fighting,” said Starr Cooper, who was in the courthouse Monday to watch jury selection and said Golubski victimized her mother before her death in 1983. About 50 people had a short rally Monday morning in sub-freezing temperatures outside the federal courthouse in Topeka to show their support for the women accusing Golubski. They held signs with slogans such as, “Justice Now!” Lora McDonald, executive director of MORE2, a Kansas City-area social justice group, said participants learned that Golubski didn’t show up in court just as the rally began. They dispersed before prosecutors announced his death. They later joined Pilate in calling for an independent, outside investigation into Golubski's death. “Golubski terrorized an entire community and co-conspired with dangerous people,” McDonald said. “Our rally today was not just about Roger Golubski. Rather, it was about the department in which his criminal activity flourished." Pilate lamented that without a trial for Golubski, "In the eyes of the law he died an innocent man.” Max Seifert, a former Kansas City police officer who graduated from the police academy with Golubski in 1975, said Golubski's supporters will treat him as a martyred victim of unfair pretrial publicity. He contends the department condoned misconduct. “I feel that there is always going to be a cloud of mystery about this,” he added. Stories about Golubski remained just whispers in the neighborhoods near Kansas City’s former cattle stockyards partly because of the extreme poverty of a place where crime was abundant and some homes are boarded up. One neighborhood where Golubski worked is part of Kansas’ second-poorest zip code. Fellow officers once revered Golubski for his ability to clear cases, and he rose to the rank of captain in Kansas City before retiring there in 2010 and then working on a suburban police force for six more years. His former partner served a stint as police chief. The inquiry into Golubski stems from the case of Lamonte McIntyre, who started writing to McCloskey’s nonprofit nearly two decades ago. McIntyre was just 17 in 1994 when he was arrested and charged in connection with a double homicide, within hours of the crimes. He had an alibi; no physical evidence linked him to the killings; and an eyewitness believed the killer was an underling of a local drug dealer. In the other federal criminal case involving Golubski, that drug dealer also was charged with him, accused of running a violent sex trafficking operation. McIntyre's mother said in a 2014 affidavit that she wonders whether her refusal to grant regular sexual favors to Golubski prompted him to retaliate against her son. In 2022, the local government agreed to pay $12.5 million to McIntyre and his mother to settle a lawsuit after a deposition in which Golubski invoked his Fifth Amendment right to remain silent 555 times. The state also paid McIntyre $1.5 million. The last name of a woman who says the ex-detective harassed her for years has been corrected. She is Anita Randle-Stanley, not Randel-Stanley. Hollingsworth and Ingram reported from Edwardsville, Kansas.NEW YORK (AP) — With the end of 2024 around the corner, you might be reflecting on financial goals for 2025. Whether you're saving to move out of your parents' house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated, said Courtney Alev, consumer advocate for Credit Karma. “Entering a new year doesn’t erase all our financial challenges from the prior year," Alev said. “But it can really help to bring a fresh-start mentality to how you’re managing your finances.” If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they're attainable for your lifestyle. Here are some tips from experts: Think about how you currently deal with finances — what's good, what's bad, and what can improve. “Let this be the year you change your relationship with money,” said Ashley Lapato, personal finance educator for YNAB, a budgeting app. If you feel like money is a chore, that there's shame surrounding the topic of money, or like you were born being “bad at money,” it's time to change that mentality, Lapato said. To adjust your approach, Lapato recommends viewing money goals as an opportunity to imagine your desired lifestyle in the future. She recommends asking questions like, “What do my 30s look like? What do my 40s look like?” and using money as a means to get there. Liz Young Thomas, head of SoFi Investment Strategy, added that it’s key you forgive yourself for past mistakes in order to move into the new year with motivation. When setting your financial resolutions for 2025, it's important to establish the “why” of each, said Matt Watson, CEO of Origin, a financial tracking app. “If you can attach the financial goal to a bigger life goal, it’s much more motivating and more likely you’ll continue on that path,” Watson said. Whether you're saving to buy a house, pay off credit card debt or take a summer vacation, being clear about the goal can keep you motivated. Watson also recommends using a tool to help you keep track of your finances, such as an app, spreadsheet, or website. “After three years of inflation, your pay increases are likely still playing catch up to your monthly expenses, leaving you wondering where all the money is going," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate. "Make that monthly budget for 2025 and resolve to track your spending against it throughout the year." McBride said that you may need to make adjustments during the year as certain expenses increase, which would require cutting back in other areas. “Calibrate your spending with your income, and any month you spend less than budgeted, transfer the difference into your savings account, ideally a high-yield savings account,” he said. “Interest rates aren’t likely to come down very fast, so you’re still going to have to put in the hard work of paying down debt, especially high-cost credit card debt, and do so with urgency,” McBride said. Start by taking stock of how much debt you have now relative to the beginning of the year. Hopefully you’ve made steady progress on paying it down, but, if you’ve gone in the other direction, McBride encourages making a game plan. That includes looking into 0% balance transfer offers. “You have more power over credit card interest rates than you think you do," said Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree. “Wielding that power is one of the best moves you can make in 2025.” A 0% balance transfer credit card is “a good weapon” in the fight against high card APRs, or annual percentage rates, he said. A low-interest personal loan is an option as well. You may simply be able to pick up the phone and ask for a lower interest rate. LendingTree found that a majority of people who did that in 2024 were successful, and the average reduction was more than 6 points. When planning for your financial resolutions, it’s important to consider how you’re going to make your goals sustainable for your lifestyle, said Credit Karma's Alev. “It really is a marathon, not a sprint,” Alev said. Alev recommends setting realistic, practical goals to make it easier to stick with them. For example, instead of planning to save thousands of dollars by the end of the year, start by saving $20 a paycheck. Even when your plans are achievable, there are times you'll get derailed. Maybe it’s an unexpected medical bill or an extraordinary life event. When these situations happen, Alev recommends trying not to feel defeated and working to get back on track without feeling guilty. “You can't manage what you can't see, so set a New Year’s resolution to check your credit score monthly in 2025," said Rikard Bandebo, chief economist at VantageScore. “Be sure to pay more than the minimum on your credit accounts, as that's one of the best ways to boost your credit score.” Bandebo also advises student loan borrowers to make all payments on time, as servicers will begin to report late payments starting in January, and missed payments will affect borrowers' credit scores. Automated changes, like increasing workplace 401(k) plan contributions, setting up direct deposits from paychecks into dedicated savings accounts, and arranging for monthly transfers into an IRA and/or 529 college savings accounts all add up quickly, McBride said. Your financial goals can encompass more than just managing your money better — they can also be about keeping your money safe from scams . A golden rule to protect yourself from scams is to “slow down,” said Johan Gerber, vice president of security solutions at Mastercard. “You have to slow down and talk to other people if you’re not sure (whether or not) it’s scam,” said Gerber, who recommends building an accountability system with family to keep yourself and your loved ones secure. Scammers use urgency to make people fall for their tricks, so taking your time to make any financial decision can keep you from losing money. Your financial goals don’t always have to be rooted in a dollar amount — they can also be about well-being. Finances are deeply connected with our mental health, and, to take care of our money, we also need to take care of ourselves. “I think that now more than any other year, your financial wellness should be a resolution," said Alejandra Rojas, personal finance expert and founder of The Money Mindset Hub, a mentoring platform for women entrepreneurs. "Your mental health with money should be a resolution.” To focus on your financial wellness, you can set one or two goals focusing on your relationship with money. For example, you could find ways to address and resolve financial trauma, or you could set a goal to talk more openly with loved ones about money, Rojas said. —— The Associated Press receives support from Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.

Heart disease: Unilorin don cautions against exposure to petroleum emissionsOften undervalued and ignored even more than their film counterparts, animated shows have always been a television staple. But the confines of both the kids’ and adult animation subgroups have often unfortunately homogenized these series. After all, for those that turn their noses up at animation, how is the crude humor of Family Guy any different from the slapstick comedy of The Simpsons ? How does Rebecca Sugar’s impactful Steven Universe stand apart from the equally moving She-Ra and the Princesses of Power or The Owl House ? But when Arcane debuted in 2021, with the confident audacity to be released in a three-week “act” structure on the typically binge-or-bust Netflix, animated television’s magnum opus dared audiences to try to look away. But, for Netflix, going all in on Arcane was a no-brainer , having a long history of creative, risk-taking animation projects under its belt (and Riot Games footing a lot of the bill, comparatively ). However, the important difference between Arcane and the series that have come both before and since is that Netflix actually let creators Christian Linke and Alex Yee tell the story they set out to tell in its entirety, with little concession. While Netflix has undeniably had its fair share of animated hits over the years ( Bojack Horseman and Big Mouth immediately spring to mind), its animation offerings beyond those standouts are, frankly, scattershot, resulting in a proverbial graveyard of creative animated triumphs and misses that all ultimately failed to stake a strong foothold in the overcrowded catalog of the world’s biggest streamer. Much like everything on Netflix, its animation offerings are mostly a mishmash of “content” thrown at the wall to see what will stick, produced solely to drive subscriptions. The second a series fails to bring new eyes to the service, it becomes expendable. Blue Eye Samurai might be a bona fide hit for now, but it will only become less valuable to the growth-driven streamer over time, likely to result in an untimely cancellation. But unlike abandoned projects like The Midnight Gospel and under-promoted masterpieces like Scott Pilgrim Takes Off , Netflix (uncharacteristically — again, likely with a strong push from collaborator Riot Games) believed in Arcane , enough to propel the series to a number of Emmy wins, consistent viewership from season 1 to season 2, and a stunningly executed story from beginning to end. And, truly, the tale Arcane spins across those paltry 18 episodes is nothing short of brilliant. Following the tragedy of two doomed sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Jinx (Ella Purnell) , this series takes the lore of League and transforms it into a moving examination of the basest human emotions contrasted against the most bastardizing, hellish abominations. Where anger and lust and love and grief take center stage, those beacons of mankind battle against greed, warmongering, fear, and artificial homogenization, morphing into a meticulously animated love letter to the messiness and beauty of humanity in a stunning package. The series’ first season opened with heartache and tragedy, and the anguish these central characters endure never truly stops until the credits roll on season 2. But Arcane admirably never becomes wholly masochistic, with the final act of the season allotting as much time to the poignant, moving connections between these complex characters as it does for bloodshed and battle. In the first of Arcane ’s three-episode finale, titled “Pretend Like It’s the First Time,” Ekko (Reed Shannon) and Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert) find themselves trapped in an alternate reality where Vi died during the sisters’ ill-conceived heist, preventing the deaths of their father and their friends, as well as ensuring Powder never morphed into Jinx. What follows is a beautiful dance between Ekko and Powder, as they flirt and bicker within the confines of their working relationship and this odd predicament Ekko has found himself in. The episode as a whole acts as a reprieve, contrasting this pulsating, heartwarming expression of connection and love against Jayce’s (Kevin Alejandro) trek through a hell of his own creation. Arcane has always been about the mystifying power of the Arcane and the larger whims and machinations of war, separation, and greed, but more than that, this series’ voracious commitment to these quiet, humanizing moments between its central players brings this beautifully untouchable world within tangible reach. Like Caitlyn (Katie Leung) states in her final monologue in the aftermath of their hard-fought battle, “With every loss, we found some light, some good worth fighting for.” And it’s Arcane ’s hope and belief in the power of humanity and connection that bleeds into the art that lights up the screen. Much like Ekko and Powder’s endearing dance, Vi and Caitlyn are allowed their own electric moment, once again contrasted against the act’s brutality and nervous anticipation. War-torn tension is replaced by teasing banter as these two are finally able to shed their armor and simply be with one another after outside forces kept them apart. While it may seem like blatant fanservice to toss a sex scene in the middle of the preparation for all-out war, the scene’s meticulous intimacy provides yet another example of what all this bloodshed, heartache, and war is truly for — what’s the point of risking life and limb to protect the sanctity of human connection and emotion if you don’t get to tug on those threads with someone you love? While some dubbed this season “self-indulgent,” throwing digs at the music video-esque moments and the languid pacing of this unavoidable, bloody conflict, Arcane ’s penchant for transforming universal emotions into large, bombastic sequences or heart-wrenching slow-motion tributes is exactly why this series is as captivating as it is. Episode 4’s “Paint the Town Blue” sequence is the distillation of hatred, rebellion, hope, and fear, communicating so much through splashes of blue spray paint and riotous stylization. Caitlyn transforms into a revenge-fueled leader; Isha fans the flames of hope in a newly invigorated people; Jinx becomes a larger-than-life figurehead of a rebellion she never expected — all communicated with no dialogue and a barrage of black-and-white images. And two episodes later, when Isha sacrifices herself to save her newly formed family, the watercolor fluidity of her short life with Jinx backdropped by the aptly titled “Isha’s Song” captures the fleeting beauty of life’s most precious moments. Arcane allots time for these breaks and pauses in its propelling story because they are the series’ most important. Sure, it’s interesting and fun to learn more about the mysterious Arcane, to dive deeper into Zaunian politics or watch as Piltover crumbles to violent regimes. But Arcane ’s insistence on making its audience sit with its characters’ innermost emotions splashed with color and illustrated to perfection showcases this series’ commitment to humanity more than any moving bit of dialogue or lore dump ever could. For every painstakingly animated twitch at the corner of every mouth that graces the screen, for every eyeball that flickers with emotion beneath the painterly, captivating style that has become synonymous with this series, Arcane posits that art itself is humanity, and emphasizes that through the clear love injected into every animated frame. While the three years between seasons 1 and 2 were nothing short of tortuous, the end result is too stunning and too moving to argue with. From the brutality of battle to the tearjerking weight of empathy and sacrifice, Arcane ’s beauty, success, and perseverance — both within its fictional world and beyond — is nothing short of a miracle, delivering unto us blessed viewers a tale combatting the increasing threat of AI and callousness, reminding us all that humanity and kindness is just around every bend for those with keen eyes to see. From beginning to end, Arcane utilized its animated prowess to tell a comparatively small, human story about two sisters who band together and fall apart while trying to make the world a better place, and its artful commitment to its characters, its style, its substance, and its heart transformed it into a singular miracle unmatched by anything else on TV. No matter what comes next for Netflix’s collaboration with Riot Games and the League of Legends lore, Arcane has cemented its place as a genre-defining project, changing animation on television for the better by daring to dream in vibrant, resounding colors. Animation Entertainment Polygon Picks Reviews TV

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