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Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bearish approach towards Dollar Gen DG , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in DG usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 11 extraordinary options activities for Dollar Gen. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 9% leaning bullish and 81% bearish. Among these notable options, 7 are puts, totaling $927,997, and 4 are calls, amounting to $174,454. Expected Price Movements Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $40.0 to $150.0 for Dollar Gen during the past quarter. Volume & Open Interest Trends In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Dollar Gen options trades today is 1219.67 with a total volume of 3,126.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Dollar Gen's big money trades within a strike price range of $40.0 to $150.0 over the last 30 days. Dollar Gen Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Biggest Options Spotted: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume DG PUT SWEEP BEARISH 03/21/25 $10.25 $10.1 $10.25 $80.00 $254.2K 2.3K 285 DG PUT SWEEP NEUTRAL 01/31/25 $16.05 $13.15 $14.64 $88.00 $218.7K 0 148 DG PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $10.7 $10.7 $10.7 $70.00 $107.0K 2.2K 310 DG PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $10.85 $10.65 $10.77 $70.00 $106.6K 2.2K 410 DG PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $10.7 $10.45 $10.7 $70.00 $105.9K 2.2K 210 About Dollar Gen With more than 20,000 locations, Dollar General's banner is nearly ubiquitous across the rural United States. Dollar General serves as a convenient shopping destination for fill-in store trips, with its value proposition most relevant to consumers in small communities with a dearth of shopping options. The retailer operates a frugal store of about 7,500 square feet and primarily offers an assortment of branded and private-label consumable items (80% of net sales) such as paper and cleaning products, packaged and perishable food, and health and beauty items at low prices. Dollar General also offers a limited assortment of seasonal merchandise, home products, and apparel. The firm sells most items at a price point of $10 or less. After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Dollar Gen, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance. Present Market Standing of Dollar Gen Trading volume stands at 2,433,632, with DG's price down by -3.27%, positioned at $73.91. RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold. Earnings announcement expected in 80 days. Professional Analyst Ratings for Dollar Gen In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $87.4. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access .* In a positive move, an analyst from B of A Securities has upgraded their rating to Buy and adjusted the price target to $95. * An analyst from Telsey Advisory Group persists with their Market Perform rating on Dollar Gen, maintaining a target price of $88. * Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Telsey Advisory Group continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Dollar Gen, targeting a price of $90. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from BMO Capital keeps a Market Perform rating on Dollar Gen with a target price of $84. * Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Dollar Gen, targeting a price of $80. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Dollar Gen with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.No more daylight saving time? Musk, Ramaswamy muse on ending clock changes
Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
California businesses — and households that pay payroll taxes on domestic employees — are waking up to the reality that they are being forced to pay for the state’s default on $20 billion in federal loans to cover a COVID-era shortfall. The issue came to light this week with a social media post by restaurateur Andrew Gruel about unexpected costs: The Hoover Institution, based at Stanford University, had warned about the problem more than a year ago: Little did California businesses know that they were cosigners on the state’s nearly $20 billion loan from the federal government that was used to cover California’s unemployment fund shortfall during the COVID pandemic. This ugly truth became apparent when the state recently decided to stop making payments on this loan. When a state defaults on its federal unemployment insurance loan, federal law requires that the state’s businesses repay the loan. What makes this default even more egregious is that the stone-age-era IT system of the state’s Employment and Development Department (EDD) opened the floodgates to bad actors, permitting more than $30 billion in fraudulent unemployment claims during the pandemic. Those receiving fraudulent payments include incarcerated felons, a person impersonating a one-year-old, and a person impersonating Senator Dianne Feinstein. A single residential address received checks for around 60 separate individuals filing from that address. ... The state’s decision to default is inexcusable. California recorded a nearly $100 billion state budget surplus last year, thanks to the state’s top earners, that could have been used to repay the debt. The state received $27 billion in federal COVID aid it could have used to repay the debt. The state’s record $300 billion–plus 2022–23 budget could have retired the debt. Even after defaulting, the state could have resumed its payments this year and offset the tax burden on businesses, as it planned to do in its 2023–24 budget. But as the state’s finances continue to decline, the state has walked back making payments or offsetting higher business federal unemployment insurance taxes. Households that employ legal immigrants and pay payroll taxes have been penalized with similar, sudden tax hikes. Californians could soon be on the hook for more. Reason.com recently reported : “California’s total long-term debt, between the state and local governments, has quietly surged to over half a trillion dollars, making it the most indebted state in the nation.” Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News and the host of Breitbart News Sunday on Sirius XM Patriot on Sunday evenings from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET (4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PT). He is the author of The Agenda: What Trump Should Do in His First 100 Days , available for pre-order on Amazon. He is also the author of The Trumpian Virtues: The Lessons and Legacy of Donald Trump’s Presidency , now available on Audible. He is a winner of the 2018 Robert Novak Journalism Alumni Fellowship. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak .MADRID (AP) — Getafe scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to beat struggling Valladolid 2-0 and record only its second win in La Liga on Friday. The victory ended Getafe’s five-game winless run and lifted it into 15th place in the 20-team standings. Valladolid remained second to last. In the buildup to the match, Getafe sporting director Rubén Reyes described the game as a final but his team was lucky not to go behind as Valladolid created more of the early chances. However, the home side took control in the 69th minute when substitute Álvaro Rodríguez got the opener. Three minutes later, man of the match Allan Nyom made it 2-0. “There’s been a lot of games where we’ve run and fought but lost or drawn,” Nyom, the veteran Cameroon full back, said. “A game that reflects the effort we’ve put in in training is very welcome.” Adding to Valladolid’s woes, coach Paulo Pezzolano was sent off before halftime. The Uruguayan has the league’s worst disciplinary record, with seven yellow cards before Friday’s red. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerDemocrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inauguration
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.’’ Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racingGrace Clinton’s star is fast rising, her guile and skill undeniable after a season-long loan with Tottenham last year and a blistering impact in Manchester United’s starting XI since September. At a bitterly cold Bramall Lane on Tuesday night those talents were on display once more in England’s 1-0 win, but another characteristic was also on show: she is a leader. In Sarina Wiegman’s B team – only Jess Park kept her place following the 0-0 friendly draw with the USA on Saturday – Clinton played conductor. Making her fifth appearance for the senior side, the 21-year-old was the sixth most-capped player in the experimental team – with only Millie Bright, on 84 caps, Esme Morgan and Hannah Hampton on 10 and Park on 12 in double figures – for the starting Lionesses in Sheffield. But it was Clinton who was the dictator, a dynamic sun around which her teammates orbited, always there to collect and send on. When England had possession Clinton wanted the ball, arm raised regularly, calling for the pass; when she could see the better option elsewhere, she would point to where it should go or to whom should go; if she wanted it into her feet she would gesture with both hands towards the floor. That level of leadership from one of the most critical creative areas of the pitch is exciting, and unusual in someone so young and inexperienced at the top level. England don’t need depth in the No 10 position in theory but in practice they are light. Their Euro 2022 mainstay Fran Kirby is grappling with injury again following the game against the USA and Ella Toone and Lauren James are nursing calf injuries, the latter kept out for the last two international camps, and Clinton could be the answer, her onfield direction distinguishing her from her peers in the role. In that respect, it was disappointing not to see the United player be handed the chance to test the budding relationships with England’s more senior players at Wembley on Saturday. Park was afforded that honour, before making way for Kirby. When asked about Clinton’s surprising leadership for someone her age, Wiegman said that, in the first half in particular, it was due to her and the majority of the team feeling “very comfortable”, bar a few newer players who were “finding their feet”. “How we got in the pockets with players close to her felt really comfortable,” she said. “That was really good to see. What I would like to see more from her is that she is overseeing things even when the phase of the game is faster than it was tonight, but you can see she is on her way and improving.” That it was the Liverpool‐born midfielder who broke the deadlock to score England’s only goal across the camp was fitting, a statement of just how important a player she is becoming for now as much as for the future. That she was alert to the rebound, after Millie Turner had headed Park’s cross off the post to fire into the roof of the net, reflected the confidence with which she is playing. It was also her third goal in five games for the Lionesses and, although they failed to extend their lead, her link-up play with Aggie Beever-Jones was a highlight of a somewhat patchy match overall – to be expected with 10 changes and so few caps on the pitch. Sign up to Moving the Goalposts No topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women’s football after newsletter promotion Wiegman said that Clinton still “has to do a couple of things”, adding that the next step for the young midfielder is “to get into the squad more often and get consistency – but I was happy, and you can really tell she is developing”. She is building that consistency. She already has three goals in eight games for United, slotting comfortably into the midfield. Last season she scored four in 20 games when on loan at Tottenham. The Beatles’ Revolution and Oasis’s Half the World Away show that it’s possible for a B side to outshine its A side but with as many changes as here, there was little chance of Wiegman’s second string doing that across the board at Bramall Lane. However, Clinton is the outlier, the player who looks ready for the main stage and ready to grab her chance to get a coveted place in the squad for Euro 2025 in Switzerland. In the new year, the prospect of the increasing integration of Clinton into the starting XI is an exciting one.Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murdering healthcare CEO
Bryan sets record for hotel revenue in NovemberWhat did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show
WASHINGTON (AP) — The chair of the Democratic National Committee informed party leaders on Monday that the DNC will choose his successor in February, an election that will speak volumes about how the party wants to present itself during four more years of Donald Trump in the White House. Jaime Harrison, in a letter to members of the party’s powerful Rules & Bylaws Committee, outlined the process of how the party will elect its new chair. Harrison said in the letter that the committee will host four candidate forums — some in person and some virtually — in January, with the final election on Feb. 1 during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. The race to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, while an insular party affair, will come days after Trump is inaugurated for a second term. Democrats' selection of a leader after Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss will be a key starting point as the party starts to move forward, including addressing any structural problems and determining how to oppose Trump. Members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet on Dec. 12 to establish the rules for these elections, which beyond the chair position will include top party roles like vice chairs, treasurer, secretary and national finance chair. The committee will also use that meeting to decide the requirements for gaining access to the ballot for those top party roles. In 2021, candidates were required to submit a nominating statement that included signatures from 40 DNC members and that will likely be the same standard for the 2025 campaigns. “The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.” Two Democrats have announced campaigns for chair: Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chair of the national party, and Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Other top Democrats are either considering a run to succeed Harrison or are being pushed by party insiders, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; Michael Blake, a former vice chair of the party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and a former Chicago mayor; Sen. Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate, and Chuck Rocha, a longtime Democratic strategist. The next chair of the committee will be tasked with rebuilding a party demoralized by a second Trump victory. They will also oversee the party’s 2028 nominating process, a complex and contentious exercise that will make the chair central to the next presidential election. Harrison, of South Carolina, made clear in his letter to the rules committee that the four forums hosted by the party would be live streamed and the party would give grassroots Democrats across the country the ability to engage with the process through those events. He also said he intends to remain neutral during the chair election. This story has been corrected to show that McMorrow is a senator, not a representative.NoneScheifele notches hat trick as Jets top Maple Leafs 5-2 ahead of NHL's holiday break TORONTO — Mark Scheifele scored a hat trick and an assist while Kyle Connor collected two goals and an assist to spark the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets to a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press Dec 23, 2024 1:58 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) looks back at his net as Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor scores during first-period NHL action in Toronto on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO — Mark Scheifele scored a hat trick and an assist while Kyle Connor collected two goals and an assist to spark the NHL-leading Winnipeg Jets to a 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday. The Jets enter the Christmas break with back-to-back wins, while the Maple Leafs dropped their second in a row at Scotiabank Arena without wounded captain Auston Matthews, out with an upper-body injury. Connor scored late in the first period on the power play and early in the second to give the Jets a two-goal lead. Gabriel Vilardi picked up his second assist of the night with a brilliant pass to Scheifele in front at 3:27 of the third, giving the Jets a 3-1 advantage. Scheifele banged in a loose puck for his 20th midway through the third period and added an empty-netter for his hat trick. John Tavares scored twice for the Maple Leafs. Winnipeg out-shot the Leafs 27-25, with Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck making 23 saves before a crowd of 18,923 fans. Joseph Woll stopped 22 shots in the Toronto net. Jets defenceman Josh Morrissey also notched two assists to reach 30 for the season. The win avenged the Maple Leafs' 6-4 victory in Winnipeg on Oct. 28, which ended the Jets' eight-game win streak to start the season. Maple Leafs forward William Nylander extended his point streak to seven games with assists on the Tavares goals. Takeaways Toronto: Defender Chris Tanev missed his first game this year with a lower-body ailment after skating in the pre-game warmup. Winnipeg: As impressive as the Jets (25-10-1) have played before the break, they are only one point ahead of the 36-game pace of 23-9-4 set a year ago. Key moment After Jets defenceman Neal Pionk had his shot blocked, the puck bounded to Marner for a breakaway. Pionk hustled back to lift Marner's stick to foil his shot attempt early in the second period to preserve Winnipeg's 2-0 lead. Key stat The Maple Leafs have gone 7-4-0 with Matthews on the sidelines this season and 42-23-2 in his career. Up next Toronto returns to action after the holiday break on Friday, visiting the Detroit Red Wings. On Saturday, the Jets play host to the Ottawa Senators. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Sports Roughriders acquire quarterback Maier's rights from Stampeders for '25 draft pick Dec 23, 2024 1:59 PM Rangers forward Chris Kreider a healthy scratch against Devils Dec 23, 2024 1:36 PM Judge rejects lawsuit tied to controversial 2017 Montreal Formula E car race Dec 23, 2024 1:23 PM Featured Flyer
Chandigarh: Punjab food and civil supplies minister Lal Chand Kataruchak on Tuesday said the even though milling of the procured paddy had begun in three districts, the Centre had managed to create space for only 25 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) for fresh stocks of rice, against 115 LMT required by the end of the milling season in March, 2025. While informing that 173.65 LMT of paddy had been procured during the procurement season that ended on Nov 30, the minister said that rice milling had begun in Pathankot, Mohali and Ropar but the issue of storage space was yet to be addressed by the Centre. “The Centre should expedite creation of space for rice stocks. We don’t wish to create panic, but it is a valid demand. In the last two months, 25 LMT space has been created. But when the fresh stocks of paddy are milled, we will need space for 115 LMT of rice. The state govt has been continually raising the matter with the Centre and the Food Corporation of India (FCI),” said Kataruchak after a meeting with officials as the paddy procurement season ended on Nov 30. Kataruchak said that the FCI has set a target of moving out 15 LMT of foodgrains in the month of Dec and there is need for the Centre to do more so that there is no problem at the end of the milling process. “The milling exercise will gradually pick up in the state. Presently, 18 trains are being used for movement of trains from the state,” he said. In October, the Centre had assured to move out 40 LMT foodgrains from the state in the next 2-3 months to address the storage issue. Ranjit Singh Jossan, vice-president, Punjab Basmati Rice Millers and Exporters Association, said millers in the state demand that the promise about creation of adequate space should be fulfilled. “This year, around 174 LMT of paddy arrived in Punjab's markets, which rice millers have stored despite last year’s challenges. Trusting the Punjab government and the FCI’s promise to provide 40 LMT of rice storage space by Dec 1, Punjab millers lifted all the paddy. However, only 26 LMT of space has been created so far. Punjab millers demand the government ensure complete storage availability by March 31 and fulfil its commitment,” he said. The rice millers also demanded ‘transparency’ in the trials for PR-126 done by central teams in October. “The report on PR 126 trials conducted by IIT Kharagpur teams should be made public and implemented promptly to mitigate potential losses to the rice milling sector,” he added. Meanwhile, Kataruchak said an e-KYC survey was currently going on with regard to the verification of the ration cards. He said that out of the total 1.57 crore beneficiaries, the e-KYC process of verification has been completed for 1.06 crore beneficiaries and appealed to the remaining beneficiaries to go for the e - KYC procedure so as to make sure that the genuine and needy beneficiaries are not devoid of the benefits of receiving 5 Kg wheat per person per month.Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level MediaWASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to abandon the classified documents case against President-elect Donald Trump in light of longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The announcement in an appeals court filing in Florida came shortly after a similar filing was made by prosecutors in Washington, D.C., where they asked to dismiss the case accusing Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election . The move amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to a criminal case that just one year ago had been seen as the most perilous legal threat that he faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump’s victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and conduct that prosecutors said had jeopardized national scrutiny. The dismissal had been foreshadowed in recent weeks by the revelation that special counsel Jack Smith was evaluating how to wind down both that case and a separate pending prosecution he brought charging Trump with plotting to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Justice Department legal opinions dating back decades say sitting presidents cannot be indicted or prosecuted while in office. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith asked a federal judge on Monday to dismiss the case accusing President-elect Donald Trump of plotting to overturn the 2020 election , citing longstanding Justice Department policy shielding presidents from prosecution while in office. The move announced in court papers marks the end of the Justice Department's landmark effort to hold Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters' attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Justice Department prosecutors, citing longstanding department guidance that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, said the department’s position is that “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated.” “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to President Joe Biden.
The political post that ended a partnership between Fuzzies Burgers and Peabody Heights Brewery may have been shared to a personal account, but the ensuing backlash has quickly turned into a public liability for two Baltimore businesses. On Tuesday, hours after Peabody Heights it would stop hosting the smashburger vendor following a pro-Donald Trump post by Fuzzies co-owner Josh Vecchiolla, Vecchiolla issued a statement saying his own views had been misconstrued as those of his business. “One of our owners’ personal views was shared and mistakenly interpreted as a political endorsement by Fuzzies Burgers, and for this reason it was quickly removed,” the statement said. “We want to be clear, Fuzzies does not endorse any political ideology, but we respect everyone’s opinion — it makes all of us stronger.” But in an increasingly polarized nation, business and public relations experts say the line between personal opinion and public stance has blurred. On a national scale, comments from executives have resulted in consumer outcry — and sometimes boosted sales. “It’s all public,” said Matt McDermott, the president of Humble and Wallop, a Hampden-based marketing firm. “If you’re going to put yourself out there as the owner of a business, you don’t have the luxury of separating your personal views from your business’s.” The controversy started late last week when Vecchiolla posted a photo of Trump to his personal Instagram account. Under an image of the president-elect raising a fist after a July assassination attempt was a caption celebrating his recent electoral victory. “The people have spoken, take it on the chin like an adult,” Vecchiolla wrote. A screenshot of the post made its way to Reddit, where members of the online community weighed in with their own takes. Many on the site urged a boycott of Fuzzies, while others argued the backlash was a sign of “cancel culture.” Vecchiolla soon deleted his Instagram account. By then, however, Peabody Heights customers were calling on the Abell brewery to cut ties with Fuzzies over the political post. Peabody commenting in over the weekend, saying it would “engage with the owners of Fuzzies Burgers to determine a constructive way forward” and highlighting its commitment to “fostering a safe and inclusive space for women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of color.” Tuesday, the brewery said it would end its relationship with the burger stand, which also has a stall at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and two roving food trucks. The decision prompted another wave of reactions: Backlash from Fuzzies supporters, as well as praise for Peabody Heights. “Peabody Heights Brewery lost my support ... Too woke to support Freedom of speech. Sad what this country has become,” wrote one Facebook user. “Kudos to Peabody Heights Brewery for caring about inclusiveness! You are definitely a class act!” said another. One commenter was more pragmatic, summing up the business implications: “The market speaks. Period.” Americans can expect to see more of these tussles creep into the marketplace amid a tense political climate, some experts say. “Four years ago, I don’t think this would have happened,” said Stacey Lee, a professor of law and ethics at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. “I think you are now seeing people become even freer expressing their opinions,” Lee said. “There will be a lot of examining of the messaging that is coming out of all types of businesses and institutions as people begin to orient around what the next four years is going to look like.” On a national scale, some corporations have already dipped a toe in the political pool, to mixed results. Goya Foods faced a boycott from liberals, but also a , after CEO Bob Unanue in 2020. Conservatives for an advertising campaign featuring transgender social media influencer Dylan Mulvaney and at Target for its . Partisanship is becoming a more and more important part of identity in the U.S., said Flavio Hickel Jr., an assistant professor of political science at Washington College. “People are increasingly likely to think of themselves as Republican or Democrat,” he said. While consumers may not have cared much about the political affiliations of a restaurant owner in the past, “the moment is too hot right now,” Hickel said. “The election is still very raw for many people, and there might be a sense of Trump supporters doing a victory lap that just rubs people the wrong way.” Some companies bake political statements into their core mission. Ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s, for instance, is known for taking progressive stances on the environment and social justice issues. Chick-fil-A closes its stores on Sundays and has opposed same-sex marriage, reflecting its founder’s Southern Baptist beliefs. Lee said businesses that venture into the political arena should have a solid understanding of their customer base. And when there is controversy, large corporations usually weather the storm more easily than small companies. “For small businesses, you are the face of your business,” she said, “and your PR department is much smaller.” In general, “corporations want to have the broadest base possible,” Hickel said. But this presidential election cycle forced business leaders to grapple with the growing partisan gulf. , including Mark Cuban, Magic Johnson and the former leaders of 21st Century Fox, American Express, Starbucks and Yahoo, signed a letter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris. The world’s richest man, Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk, to Trump’s campaign. Others hedged their bets, avoiding overt endorsements while currying favor with candidates behind the scenes. The billionaire owners of the Washington Post and Los Angeles Times their newspapers not to endorse a candidate for president, sparking anger from customers who en masse. Despite allowing Trump to make a campaign stop at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s, the fast-food giant saying the event shouldn’t be interpreted as an endorsement. Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett, a Democrat, wrote on the firm’s website that he . A social media firestorm is the last thing a small restaurant wants to face in an already challenging business climate. That’s why John Maroon advises his clients to keep their opinions to themselves. “I think, in the polarizing state of our nation, if a business owner decides they want to make public political statements they’ve got to ask themselves what’s the value: Why am I doing it, what’s the upside, what’s the downside,” Maroon, the president of Columbia-based communications agency Maroon PR, said. “I would argue that in today’s world there’s not a lot of upside for business owners to be making huge political statements one way or another.” If the political hot take is already out of the bag, both he and McDermott said they would advise clients to let the controversy blow over. “When you start continuing to issue statements you extend the life of the story,” Maroon said. “If Fuzzies were my client, I would tell them just wait,” said McDermott. “Typically, as we’ve seen in the past, a large segment of their audience doesn’t care.” Both agreed that Peabody Heights was thrust into a difficult position by the Trump post. McDermott thinks the brewery made the right decision to listen to its core customer base and cut Fuzzies loose. “They had to respond to something that they had no control over initially,” he said. “I’d imagine they have a much younger audience, and a higher percentage of these folks are on social media.” The saga “is a fascinating example of how politics is seeping into so many aspects of our social and economic lives,” said Hickel. “It’s kind of a sad story.”French President Emmanuel Macron’s office has announced a new government, after the previous Cabinet collapsed in a historic vote prompted by fighting over the country’s budget. Newly named Prime Minister Francois Bayrou put together the government that includes members of the outgoing conservative-dominated team and some new figures from centrist or left-leaning backgrounds. Coming up with a 2025 budget will be the most urgent order of business. The new government enters office after months of political deadlock and pressure from financial markets to reduce France’s colossal debt. Mr Macron has vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027, but has struggled to govern since snap elections in the summer left no single party with a majority in the National Assembly. Since his appointment 10 days ago, Mr Bayrou has held talks with political leaders from various parties in search of the right balance for the new government. Some critics were angry at Mr Bayrou for consulting with Marine Le Pen’s far-right party, and some argue the government looks too much like the old one to win the trust of politicians. Former prime minister Michel Barnier resigned this month following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functioning government. Ms Le Pen played a key role in Mr Barnier’s downfall by joining her National Rally party’s forces with the left to pass the no-confidence motion. Mr Bayrou will need support from moderate legislators on the right and left to keep his government alive. Banker Eric Lombard will be finance minister, a crucial post when France is working to fulfil its promises to European Union partners to reduce its deficit, estimated to reach 6% of its gross domestic product this year. Mr Lombard briefly worked as an adviser to a socialist finance minister in the 1990s. Mr Bayrou has said he supports tax hikes championed by his predecessor, but it is not clear how the new government can find the right calculation for a budget that satisfies a majority of politicians angry over spending cuts. Bruno Retailleau stays on as interior minister, with responsibility for France’s security and migration policy. Sebastien Lecornu, who has been at the forefront of France’s military support for Ukraine, remains defence minister, while foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who has travelled extensively in the Middle East in recent weeks, also retains his post. Among the new faces are two former prime ministers. Manuel Valls will be minister for overseas affairs, and Elisabeth Borne takes the education ministry.WASHINGTON (AP) — The chair of the Democratic National Committee informed party leaders on Monday that the DNC will choose his successor in February, an election that will speak volumes about how the party wants to present itself during four more years of Donald Trump in the White House. Jaime Harrison, in a letter to members of the party’s powerful Rules & Bylaws Committee, outlined the process of how the party will elect its new chair. Harrison said in the letter that the committee will host four candidate forums — some in person and some virtually — in January, with the final election on Feb. 1 during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. The race to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, while an insular party affair, will come days after Trump is inaugurated for a second term. Democrats' selection of a leader after Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss will be a key starting point as the party starts to move forward, including addressing any structural problems and determining how to oppose Trump. Members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet on Dec. 12 to establish the rules for these elections, which beyond the chair position will include top party roles like vice chairs, treasurer, secretary and national finance chair. The committee will also use that meeting to decide the requirements for gaining access to the ballot for those top party roles. In 2021, candidates were required to submit a nominating statement that included signatures from 40 DNC members and that will likely be the same standard for the 2025 campaigns. “The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.” Two Democrats have announced campaigns for chair: Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chair of the national party, and Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Other top Democrats are either considering a run to succeed Harrison or are being pushed by party insiders, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; Michael Blake, a former vice chair of the party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and a former Chicago mayor; Sen. Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate, and Chuck Rocha, a longtime Democratic strategist. The next chair of the committee will be tasked with rebuilding a party demoralized by a second Trump victory. They will also oversee the party’s 2028 nominating process, a complex and contentious exercise that will make the chair central to the next presidential election. Harrison, of South Carolina, made clear in his letter to the rules committee that the four forums hosted by the party would be live streamed and the party would give grassroots Democrats across the country the ability to engage with the process through those events. He also said he intends to remain neutral during the chair election. This story has been corrected to show that McMorrow is a senator, not a representative.
Democrats plan to elect new party leader just days after Trump's inauguration