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Photo provided by Adobe Stock As holiday festivities come to a close, working parents often find themselves facing the intimidating task of transitioning back into a school routine. Balancing professional commitments, family needs and personal wellness can be overwhelming, but you can easily make it through this busy season with the right strategies and resources. This survival guide provides practical tips and innovative solutions to help you manage your time effectively while ensuring your family is well cared for. Face the post-holiday hustle with confidence and discover how to make this back-to-school season a positive experience for parents and children alike. 1. Stay Connected (and Safer!) With Bark Technologies Making sure children stay connected while remaining safe online is a top priority for parents. Choosing the right phone and plan for kids can help facilitate communication everywhere, from school drop-off to soccer practice, giving parents some much-needed peace of mind. People are also reading... Bark Technologies has created innovative kids phones with built-in safety features called the Bark Phone. These state-of-the-art Samsung smartphones help you manage your children’s screen time, monitor their online interactions and more, providing a comprehensive approach to digital safety. Bark's advanced content monitoring system analyzes text messages, social media activity and more and will alert parents to potential issues such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content. This proactive approach allows you to intervene when necessary while encouraging open conversations about online behavior. With the Bark Phone, you can help ensure your children are connected to friends and family while navigating the online world safely. 2. Manage Symptoms With O Positiv Photo provided by O Positiv Helping your kids transition back to school while dealing with the often-intrusive symptoms of menopause can be an enormous challenge. Thankfully, the MENO menopause supplements from O Positiv are here to save the day. Dedicated to providing products designed to specifically address women’s needs, O Positiv is proud to offer a supplement that can help you manage the symptoms of menopause. Hormone-free and science-backed, this supplement can target hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and occasional sleeplessness. With just two vegan capsules a day, you can harness the power of some of nature’s strongest ingredients and take control of your menopause journey. Some of these natural superstars include Black Cohosh, Chasteberry, Vitamin D3, Vitamin B6 and Ashwagandha KSM-66. Black Cohosh, for example, has been used for thousands of years to provide relief from hot flashes and night sweats. Meanwhile, ashwagandha has been used traditionally to help support a healthy response to stress while supporting a better night’s sleep, while Chasteberry can help decrease prolactin levels to help rebalance other hormones. These ingredients mean menopause doesn’t have to stop you from helping your kids transition back to school while you get back to business. 3. Choose the Right Dog Food With The Pets Table Photo provided by The Pets Table Ensuring that a beloved dog receives the right nutrition is essential for maintaining their overall health and happiness. While you may worry about having enough time to care for your kids, your pets, your business and yourself, there’s an easier way to make meal times for your pets a no-brainer. The Pets Table offers a personalized approach to dog food, starting with a simple quiz about your pup’s specific needs and preferences. By understanding factors such as age, weight and dietary restrictions, The Pets Table creates a tailored meal plan that best suits each individual dog. With a variety of options available, including Fresh, Air-Dried, Mixed, and Half of Fresh plans, pet owners can choose meals that provide a balanced combination of proteins, vegetables and superfoods. Fresh meals are prepared with human-grade ingredients, while the air-dried options offer a minimally processed alternative to kibble. This range ensures that even the pickiest eaters can find a nutritious and delicious option that excites their taste buds and supports their overall wellness. 4. Manage Work-Life Balance With Zoom Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital for working parents, and a small business phone from Zoom can be an invaluable tool in supporting seamless communication. Between school pick-ups, Monday meetings and family dinners at home, it can be easy to worry about missing a message or forgetting about a task. Zoom’s VoIP phone makes that stress a thing of the past with user-friendly features that provide an easy way to communicate with colleagues, clients and family members. This flexibility allows you to manage business responsibilities while still being present for your children. Zoom’s cloud phone is like a personal assistant in your pocket, providing functionalities like post-call summaries, voicemail task extraction and voicemail prioritization. These features enable parents to handle business calls and meetings efficiently — even if they miss a call or two. By keeping professional and personal communications organized in one place, you can minimize distractions and maximize their productivity. Also, having a dedicated business phone helps establish boundaries between your professional and home life. Designating specific hours for business-related calls and messages helps you ensure you remain engaged with your family during personal time. 5. Boost Your System With Fatty15 Photo provided by Fatty15 If you’re a working parent, then you already know that your overall health and wellness are integral to keeping your family and business running. That’s why it’s a great idea to start the year off right by taking the C15 supplement from Fatty15. As you get ready to help your kids transition back to school, help your cells out with this revolutionary supplement. C15:0 is an essential fatty acid, and it becomes especially important as you age. You might be familiar with omega-3, another essential fatty acid. Although they’re similar, C15:0 has three times the benefits of omega-3, which makes it a must-have for a healthy, happy body. That being said, the turn away from full-fat dairy products means that people are getting less and less C15 in their diets. However, thanks to these vegan capsules from Fatty15, you can easily incorporate this vital nutrient into your diet by taking just one capsule per day. When you start taking C15, you may notice several positive changes. Within just six weeks of starting to take these supplements, two out of three customers report calmer mood, deeper sleep and less desire to snack throughout the day. Fatty15 may also promote a healthy metabolism, immune functioning, gut health and heart health, making it an all-around winner for working parents. 6. Streamline Scheduling With Eden Photo provided by Eden Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack For working parents juggling multiple responsibilities, efficient scheduling can turn a hectic day into a well-oiled machine. Eden’s desk booking software can simplify the process of managing office space and resources, making it easier for you to coordinate business schedules around your family needs. With intuitive features that allow users to reserve desks, meeting rooms and conference rooms, this software enhances office organization and increases efficiencies. Eden’s desk booking system provides availability day of and in advance, which enables you to plan your in-office days with confidence. By having visibility into when and where they can work, you can better align your schedule with school drop-offs, pick-ups and other family commitments. This flexibility contributes to a more productive corporate environment and ensures that employees can make the most of their days at the office. 7. Build Community With Hero Journey Club Building a sense of community is essential for mental well-being, especially for kids as they go back to school after the holidays. Hero Journey Club offers a fun solution through its subclinical group mental health sessions conducted in popular video games. Hero Journey Club’s innovative approach allows kids to connect with others in a relaxed and enjoyable setting, making social connections while addressing mental health needs like anger management for kids. Each session is limited to a small number of members to create an intimate environment that encourages open dialogue and support. Participants engage using online usernames and avatars, which allows for anonymity that can help reduce any stigma associated with discussing mental health. This setting cultivates a safe space where kids can share their experiences, challenges and desires, all while enjoying the immersive worlds of their favorite. By joining the Hero Journey Club, your kids can tap into a game-loving community. These sessions will provide subclinical mental health support and offer a fun way to unwind and reconnect with themselves and others, ultimately enhancing their overall well-being and resilience. 8. Prioritize Leisure With Ghost Golf Balancing professional needs and family life can be challenging for parents, often leaving little room for personal leisure activities. Ghost Golf understands you need a little “me time,” offering golf bags designed for convenience and style that make it easier to incorporate leisure into a busy schedule. With the right gear, finding an opportunity for a round of golf becomes more manageable, allowing you to unwind and enjoy your favorite sport. Ghost Golf bags are crafted with features that cater to functionality and aesthetics. Easy to carry and durable, these bags offer ample storage space for clubs, accessories, and personal items to ensure you have everything you need for a day on the course within reach. This attention to detail encourages you to prioritize leisure and engage in activities that promote relaxation and mental well-being. Plus, you can always turn your weekly self-care Sunday on the links into a valuable networking opportunity, helping you pull double duty and manage your schedule more efficiently. With Ghost Golf bags, you can easily transition from your responsibilities to the golf course to create a healthy work-life balance. 9. Enhance Your Pet's Mobility With Antinol Plus Pets are cherished members of the family, and their well-being is a priority for working parents. Antinol Plus offers a powerful natural joint supplement that significantly enhances the mobility and quality of life of your beloved pups. Antinol Plus is formulated from a proprietary blend of green-lipped mussel oil and Antarctic Krill. The mussel oil is sustainably sourced from New Zealand’s waters, which are said to be among the cleanest on the planet. Meanwhile, Antarctica’s nutrient-dense waters make it an ideal source for this supplement’s krill. Antinol Plus allows pet owners to take a proactive approach to their pets' health and support a healthy inflammatory response. Enhanced mobility means more playtime, longer walks and an overall happier pet, which contributes to the emotional well-being of both pets and their owners. With Antinol Plus, you can feel confident that you are investing in your pets' long-term health so that your beloved companions can keep up with your active lifestyles. 10. Keep Your Space Clean With Tumble Maintaining a clean and organized home can be a time-consuming task for busy parents, especially when children and pets are part of the equation. Tumble washable rugs provide a practical solution to the challenges of keeping floors neat and tidy. These rugs are designed to be easily cleaned in the washing machine, which makes it simple to remove stains, spills, and dirt without the hassle of traditional rug cleaning methods. Tumble rugs come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you can choose options that complement your home décor while also taking one more thing off your to-do list. The durable materials used in these rugs ensure they can withstand the wear and tear of everyday life, making them an excellent investment for families. With Tumble washable rugs in the home, you can focus on enjoying nights with your family instead of worrying about constant clean-ups. 11. Radiate Wellness With BUBS Naturals Maintaining personal health often takes a backseat for parents after the holidays. BUBS Naturals collagen peptides powder offers a convenient way to support skin, joint and overall health, making it easier to prioritize wellness. This tasteless powder is designed to fit seamlessly into a busy lifestyle and provide essential nutrients without adding complexity to daily routines. Collagen peptides powders from BUBS Naturals are derived from high-quality bovine sources to ensure that users receive the maximum benefits. Incorporating these peptides into a morning smoothie or coffee enhances the nutritional profile of meals and promotes healthy skin, hair, nails and joint function. The ease of use encourages caretakers to take proactive steps toward their health without sacrificing their precious time. By focusing on health with BUBS Naturals collagen peptides, you can feel more ready to tackle your busy schedule with confidence. Supporting personal wellness ultimately benefits the entire family because healthier parents can engage more fully in their children’s lives and create a positive cycle of well-being and active living. 12. Facilitate Family Fun With Dobble Dobble is an exciting speed and observation game that brings families together for hours of fun. The game's objective is simple: Players must quickly spot the one matching symbol between two cards. The first to identify and name the symbol wins the card, making for a fast-paced and engaging experience suitable for all ages. With its quick rounds and easy-to-understand rules, Dobble encourages friendly competition and sharpens observation skills. It’s perfect for family game nights or gatherings, ensuring everyone stays entertained while strengthening bonds through laughter and teamwork. This game is a delightful addition to any family's collection, offering endless fun for both kids and adults. 13. Simplify Meals With Half-Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy The Half Baked Harvest Quick & Cozy is an ideal resource for busy families looking to simplify mealtime without sacrificing flavor. Featuring easy-to-follow recipes that focus on comfort food, this cookbook makes it easy to whip up satisfying dishes in minimal time. With a range of recipes catering to various tastes and dietary preferences, this cookbook encourages creativity in the kitchen while keeping prep and cooking times manageable. It transforms weeknight dinners into enjoyable experiences and makes meal planning a breeze for working caretakers. Start the New Semester With Confidence The strategies and products discussed in this guide can provide valuable support for working parents navigating post-holiday challenges. By prioritizing well-being and nurturing family connections, you can confidently approach the new school year equipped with tools that foster balance and create lasting memories. Good luck! Stay up-to-date on what's happeningCOLLEGE FB NOTES
Manchester United expert journalist Andy Mitten has revealed what every single former manager has told him about Marcus Rashford as the forward's Old Trafford career moves closer to the brink of collapse. The 27-year-old has been left out of Ruben Amorim 's last four matchday squads after failing to impress the new manager with his efforts in training. Rashford's startling decline comes less than two seasons after posting a career-best 30 goals during Erik ten Hag's debut campaign, figures that he has not come close to replicating since. After being dropped for the Manchester derby earlier in December, the player stated he believed it was the right time for him to leave the club . Now Mitten, who has worked for The Athletic and started the United We Stand fanzine, has revealed exactly what he has been told about Rashford in the past. Amorim explained why he had dropped Rashford and Garnacho, but the new statistics give further details behind his thinking Mitten Claims Every Manager Has Had Problems With Rashford Speaking to talkSPORT, Mitten explained what previous managers had told him in confidence throughout the years about Rashford and how they all claimed to have had issues with the player in the past. The journalist stated: "Every previous manager has had issues with Marcus Rashford. I've spoken to them, I know them. They've told me in confidence going back years and years and years. And the Marcus confounds those opinions by having a really good season. "From his perspective, there's not a lot of support for him among Manchester United fans. Marcus rashford is not celebrated by United fans as he once was. His stock is clearly very, very low." GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Rashford went 189 days without scoring a Premier League goal before his first strike of the season against Southampton. During his United career, the Englishman has played under eight managers if you include the temporary stints of Michael Carrick and Ruud van Nistelrooy. He was handed his debut by Louis van Gaal but fell slightly down the pecking order under Jose Mourinho. He was restored to prominence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but scored just twice in 22 games under Ralf Rangnick. While it initially seemed as though Erik ten Hag had finally managed to get the best out of him, Rashford was one of United's most disappointing performers during the 2023-24 campaign and has continued to struggle throughout the current season. He has not been named in the last four matchday squads since Amorim revealed he left him out of the Manchester derby due to a lack of engagement with his teammates . Rashford reportedly wants out, and these are the best destinations for him according to AI All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 29/12/2024Reform UK has said it could help Labour's candidate for First Minister of Scotland - as 'anything is preferable to the SNP '. Nigel Farage 's party hopes to become kingmakers in the Scottish Parliament's 2026 election, where it expected to gain around 14 seats. The party is expected to become the fourth biggest in the Holyrood election, the Scottish Daily Express reports , behind Labour, the SNP and the Tories , although Reform even hopes to knock the Conservatives into fourth. The position of First Minister is set to be taken by either Labour or the SNP - with Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice indicating the party would help to put Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in power in Edinburgh. Speaking to the Telegraph , he claimed Scotland had suffered under an SNP government and that it was 'time for a change'. He added: "Our ambition is we see it being quite possible that we end up being the kingmakers in the next Holyrood government. "And from a standing start, give or take at the beginning of this year in Scottish terms, that is a pretty significant and quite achievable observation. "It's quite possible that we poll as the third largest party in terms of the number of votes and seats." The Reform MP for Boston and Skegness added that he felt the party would perform particularly well in North East Scotland in 2026. However he also believes the party could 'surprise' people in Glasgow after Reform came third in a recent by-election in the city's North East ward. Mr Tice added: "If you look at where we're polling and I think for most people that's unexpected rapid growth. "And polling is being at least matched by by-election results - so it's for real. It's not just keyboard warriors."
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Heisman Trophy finalist and two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter was named The Associated Press Big 12 defensive player of the year while also being a first-team selection at wide receiver on Thursday. Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders is the league's top offensive player. Kenny Dillingham, the 34-year-old in his second season at Arizona State, was the unanimous choice as Big 12 coach of the year after leading his alma mater to a championship and a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. The Sun Devils (11-2) went into their league debut as the preseason pick to finish last among the 16 teams. At cornerback, Hunter had 31 tackles, tied for the Big 12 lead with 11 pass breakups and was tied for second with four interceptions. On offense, he leads the Big 12 with 92 receptions and 14 receiving touchdowns, and is second with 1,152 yards receiving. His 21 catches of at least 20 yards are the most nationally. He is also the AP's player of the year. Sanders is the Big 12 passing leader, completing 337 of 454 passes (74.2%) for 3,926 yards and a school-record 35 touchdowns with eight interceptions for the Buffaloes (10-2) Arizona State freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, who is 11-1 as a starter, is the league’s top newcomer. The Michigan State transfer has 2,663 yards passing with 24 touchdowns and only five picks in 304 attempts. LAS VEGAS — Former Florida and Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has agreed to lead UNLV's 24th-ranked football program, two people with knowledge of the hire said Wednesday. The people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no announcement has been made. The 52-year-old Mullen replaces Barry Odom, who left for Purdue on Sunday after going 19-8 and helping the Rebels receive back-to-back bowl invitations for the first time in program history. UNLV will play California in the LA Bowl on Wednesday. UNLV athletic director Erick Harper wasted little time in finding Odom's replacement. Mullen, most recently an ESPN college football analyst, went 103-61 at Florida and Mississippi State. Rich Rodriguez is returning to West Virginia for a second stint as head coach at his alma mater. Athletic director Wren Baker announced the hiring on Thursday, 17 years after Rodriguez made a hasty exit for what became a disastrous three-year experiment at Michigan. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Rich Rodriguez and his family back home,” Baker said in a statement. “Coach Rodriguez understands what it takes to win at West Virginia, and I believe he will pour his heart, soul and every ounce of his energy into our program. I am convinced Coach Rodriguez wants what is best for West Virginia, WVU and West Virginia football, and I am excited about the future of our program.” Rodriguez, who is the current coach at Jacksonville State, an architect of the spread offense and a polarizing figure in his home state, replaces Neal Brown, who was fired on Dec. 1 after going 37-35 in six seasons, including 6-6 this year. TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona star receiver Tetairoa McMillan declared for the NFL draft following three stellar seasons. McMillan announced his decision Thursday on Instagram. “Now, it’s time to take the next step. ... I’m officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft,” McMillan posted. “This is only the beginning.” McMillian is Arizona's all-time leader in receiving yards, finishing with 3,423 in three seasons, and is projected to be a first-round NFL draft pick. BRIEFLY FCS: The NCAA is taking its Football Championship Subdivision title game back to Tennessee. The FCS championship games at the end of the 2025 and 2026 seasons will be played in Nashville on the Vanderbilt campus. This season’s game will be played Jan. 6 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, which will host the game for a record 15th season in a row and was set for at least two more. OC: UCLA announced Tino Sunseri’s hiring as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Sunseri replaces Eric Bieniemy, who was fired on Dec. 5 after fielding one of the nation’s worst offenses this season. Sunseri spent one season as Indiana’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach after following Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison. Get local news delivered to your inbox!SHC directs Sindh government to submit details of cases against Dr Arif Alvi
CAMBRIDGE, UK , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Darktrace, a global leader in AI for cybersecurity, today announces that Darktrace / EMAILTM, has been recognized in the first ever Gartner Magic QuadrantTM for Email Security Platforms (ESP) as a Challenger. Chris Kozup, Chief Marketing Officer, Darktrace, said of the recognition: "We are extremely proud to have been recognized in the first Magic Quadrant for ESP. Since launching Darktrace / EMAIL in 2019, we have grown quickly to support email security for nearly 5,000 organizations around the world, helping to keep them safe from even the most sophisticated and novel email compromises. We believe this wide-scale adoption is a result of our unique, AI-native approach to developing products. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional customer service and innovations that safeguard our customers against the email challenges of today— and tomorrow." Darktrace customers consistently acknowledge its exceptional customer support, delivered by an award-winning 1 service team. Darktrace has the highest percentage of 5-star ratings with a 4.8 rating on Gartner® Peer InsightsTM out of 249 reviews as of 19 th December . We feel this unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in strong renewal rates and accelerated growth in Darktrace / EMAIL over the past few years, gaining almost 5,000 customers since its launch in 2019. Darktrace / EMAIL, one of the fastest-growing email security products on the market, is built on Darktrace's unique Self-Learning AI, a multi-layered AI engine that leverages different types of AI including NLP and behavioral analysis to detect threats, instead of traditional security measures such as signatures and sandboxing. This approach enables Darktrace to detect and stop threats like business email compromise attacks and novel techniques, including some 56% of which passed through customers' other email security layers. This pioneering approach has enabled Darktrace to introduce industry-leading capabilities such as QR code analysis and automated incident investigations, alongside differentiated functionality to help teams add new depth to their email security, including: Marco Cavallo , IT Manager at Darktrace / EMAIL customer Arpa Industries comments: "During the POV, Darktrace / EMAIL showed how specific attacks were surgically blocked. We realized that other tools wouldn't have detected these threats." Darktrace / EMAIL is part of Darktrace's ActiveAI Security PlatformTM, offering network, cloud, endpoint, identity and operational technology protection from a single shared architecture, all built on Darktrace's unique AI engine – providing a strong, integrated approach to threat prevention, detection and response across an organization's entire digital footprint. Darktrace's global presence supports a diverse and varied customer base, and adapts proactively to customer pain points of all kinds. Darktrace's adaptability across all market segments, from SMBs to large enterprises, supports both first time email security buyers and mature email security stacks. It is able to meet varied security needs with lower setup requirements, includes capability for advanced depth in configuration and, particularly for mature organizations, can augment existing security providers with additional protections. Download the full Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms here Resources: Gartner disclaimers Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms, Max Taggett , Nikul Patel , Franz Hinner , Deepak Mishra , 16 December 2024 GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant and Peer Insights are a registered trademark, of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. About Darktrace Darktrace is a global leader in AI for cybersecurity that keeps organizations ahead of the changing threat landscape every day. Founded in 2013, Darktrace provides the essential cybersecurity platform protecting organizations from unknown threats using its proprietary AI that learns from the unique patterns of life for each customer in real-time. The Darktrace ActiveAI Security PlatformTM delivers a proactive approach to cyber resilience with pre-emptive visibility into security posture, real-time threat detection, and autonomous response – securing the business across cloud, email, identities, operational technology, endpoints, and network. Breakthrough innovations from our R&D teams in Cambridge, UK , and The Hague, Netherlands have resulted in over 200 patent applications filed. Darktrace's platform and services are supported by over 2,400 employees around the world who protect nearly 10,000 customers across all major industries globally. To learn more, visit http://www.darktrace.com . 1 Darktrace wins two Globee awards for excellent customer service [ Press Release ] View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/darktrace--email-recognized-in-first-ever-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-email-security-platforms-302336602.html SOURCE Darktrace
Four members of Congress unveiled a bipartisan bill Friday that would spark changes at the U.S. Center for SafeSport, placing a time limit on resolving cases that can sometimes take years and improving communication between the center and abuse survivors. The Safer Sports for Athletes Act looks to address some of the bigger concerns that have opened the center to criticism since it was established in 2017 to handle sex-abuse cases in Olympic sports and their grassroots cousins. The bill would quadruple an existing grant to the center to $10 million a year. But that wouldn't solve all the problems. As before, that grant can only be used for training and education , not investigations and enforcement, which are the focus of complaints about the center. The center operates on a budget of around $21 million a year, most of which comes from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and its sports affiliates, known as national governing bodies, or NGBs. CEO Ju'Riese Colon said the center currently receives about 155 reports a week, which comes to more than 8,000 a year. “We’re hoping the combination of appropriations for other activities will free up money for investigations, as well as the streamlining,” said Rep. Deborah Ross, D-North Carolina. The other bill sponsors were Reps. Dave Joyce, R-Ohio; Don Bacon, R-Nebraska; and Kathy Castor, D-Florida. The center's critics are skeptical about giving more resources to an agency they feel is missing the mark. Colon said even if the center receives the additional money in the form of the grant, tamping down problems addressed in the legislation won't be as simple as shifting funds around. “We have a lot of questions,” she said. “Because some it, we just don't know how it works, practically.” The law would mandate that investigations be concluded within 180 days after a report is made, with possibilities to extend them. Some of the most egregious complaints about the center have come from people who say it has taken years for their cases to be resolved. “Too many other survivors have also been left waiting for years for SafeSport to investigate or have their cases closed without action,” said soccer player Mana Shim, who helped lawmakers draft the bill. Shim's own case, involving sexual harassment and coercion by her coach, took more than two years for the center to resolve and led to investigations and reforms across American soccer. Other reforms include a requirement for the center to provide victim advocates at no cost for those needing them — a move already underway as part of a menu of changes the center announced earlier this year — and to assign case managers who can give timely updates to victims and the accused. “I have questions around, if the center were to hire and staff the advocates, there might be some conflict of interest with us doing this internally," Colon said. The lawmakers positioned the bill as one that will help the Denver-based center, while making clear they are not satisfied with the results so far. “We're going to make sure the center has the resources it needs to effectively respond to thousands of reports it handles annually,” Castor said. “It has unfortunately fallen short." Ross conceded this bill will probably get pushed to the next Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, “but we needed to set the stage as soon as possible.” ___ AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-gamesTesla’s international limbo has governments seeking alternatives, but holding onto hopeBC SPCA recovers adult cats and kittens from Kamloops property