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Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a special election timetable to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz. It's a marked contrast to the delay in setting a special election to fill a vacancy in South Florida.Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'em: Players to play or bench during NFL Week 14
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Can Guardiola turn around Manchester City amid the worst losing run of his coaching career?USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden MaiavaWANTED IN THE HAGUE Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant attend a military ceremony in October before the defense chief was fired early this month over his differences with Netanyahu in the handling of the conflict in Gaza and Lebanon. —REUTERS PARIS — World leaders were divided over the arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued on Thursday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ousted Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, with some saying they disagreed with the issuance of the warrants even as they noted that they were bound to enforce the orders. The ICC also issued a warrant on Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif—in response to accusations of crimes against humanity and war crimes in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza, set off by the militant Palestinian group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The court urged member states to enforce “a policy of severing contact and meetings” with Netanyahu and Gallant. Netanyahu in a statement said: “The anti-Semitic decision of the International Criminal Court is comparable to the modern-day Dreyfus trial—and it will end in the same way.” He was referring to the 19th-century Alfred Dreyfus affair in which a Jewish army captain was wrongly convicted of treason in France before being exonerated. READ: Netanyahu says ICC warrant won’t stop Israel defending itself Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it,” Netanyahu said, again saying that the judges were “driven by anti-Semitic hatred of Israel.” The United States said it “fundamentally rejects” the ICC’s decision. “We remain deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” said a National Security Council spokesperson. “The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.” US President Joe Biden himself, in a statement on Thursday, called the warrants on the top Israeli leaders “outrageous.” “Whatever the ICC might imply, there is no equivalence—none—between Israel and Hamas,” Biden said. “We will always stand with Israel against threats to its security.” Posting on X, Argentine President Javier Milei said the warrant “ignores Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense against the constant attacks by terrorist organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah.” But Josep Borrell, foreign policy chief of the European Union, said the warrant “is not a political decision.” “It is a decision of a court, of a court of justice, of an international court of justice. And the decision of the court has to be respected and implemented,” he said. But there has been some contradiction among EU’s member states, with Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto saying his country would be obliged to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they visited, no matter that he thinks the ICC is “wrong” to put Netanyahu on the same level as Hamas. Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary said on Friday he would invite Netanyahu to visit and assure him that the ICC’s warrants would “not be observed.” Germany said it will carefully examine the warrants, but will not take further steps until a visit by Netanyahu is planned. Cyprus, which has close ties with Israel, said it still considers arrest warrants issued by the ICC as binding in principle. The Palestinian Authority, a rival of Hamas, said “the ICC’s decision represents hope and confidence in international law and its institutions.” Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim said of the warrants against the Israeli leaders: “[It’s] an important step toward justice and can lead to redress for the victims in general, but it remains limited and symbolic if it is not supported by all means by all countries around the world.” Yael Vias Gvirsman, who represents 300 Israeli victims of the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, said the “arrest warrant against Mr Deif is massively significant.” “It means these victims’ voices are being heard,” she added, speaking from outside the court in The Hague on Thursday. In March last year, the ICC issued arrest warrants on Russian leader Vladimir Putin and his commissioner on children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with the “unlawful deportation” of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . READ: Netanyahu: Hamas shot hostages in ‘back of the head’
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet attends 'Eric Stonestreet visits The SiriusXM Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles' at SiriusXM Studios on Oct. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM/TNS) Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.
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The Bell Capital Cup entered its halfway point on Sunday and the long-running tournament continues to make history. For the first time in its 24 years, four teams took to the ice to play sledge hockey. The teams include kids aged 3 to 17-years-old with physical or cognitive disabilities. Last year, sledge hockey was introduced with a team from Quebec and Ottawa taking part in a demonstration game. This year, they're joined by teams from Kingston and Hamilton, giving them a full division. "They are playing to win their championship, just like all the other kids that are playing in this same tournament," said Bell Capital Cup general manager Mark Sluban. "We're very inclusive here at the Bell Cup, it's something I thought was very important for us to strive for and we're only going to make that bigger and better for years to come." Tyrone Henry was in attendance to watch the first games played. Henry has spent a decade as a member of the Canadian National Sledge Hockey Team. "Having the kids play on a big rink with a bunch of fans in the stands, I think it gives them a bit of pride in playing the sport and what they're doing." Henry said. Sledge Hockey Eastern Ontario president Mia Van Bommel added, "We're pretty welcoming and we do group people in larger groups so that we have enough athletes to play." "We really want to showcase the talent of our athletes and really introduce the Ottawa community and the greater community to the sport that we love." The semi-finals will be played on Monday with the finals set for New Years Eve at the Bell Sensplex. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day Ottawa Top Stories 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Bell Capital Cup debuts sledge hockey division for children with disabilities Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’ OPP seeking witnesses of wrong way driver on Hwy. 401 FOG ADVISORY | Environment Canada warns of 'near-zero' visibility as fog blankets Ottawa Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Two taken to hospital following basement fire in Centretown West CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Trudeau, Biden, Trump, other world leaders remember former U.S. president Jimmy Carter Former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. Upon news of his death, political figures and heads of state from around the world gave praise to Carter, celebrating his faith and time both in office and afterwards. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Police in eastern Ontario charged a Toronto resident who was allegedly in possession of hundreds of grams of cocaine earlier this month. 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. Atlantic TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. N.B. entrepreneur honours memory of mother with 'thank you' note legacy N.B. entrepreneur Emily Somers honours her mother with 'thank you' notes. Toronto Pedestrian taken to hospital after hit-and-run in Mississauga A pedestrian has been taken to the hospital following a hit-and-run in Mississauga Sunday. Suspect charged after woman found dead at Niagara Falls home A suspect has been charged after a woman was found dead inside her Niagara Falls home. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. McGill research team pioneering stem cell therapy for heart disease treatment In the heart of the McGill University Health Centre’s research institute, Dr. Renzo Cecere and his team are revolutionizing the future of cardiac care. Earthquake near Maniwaki felt in Gatineau, Ottawa, and Montreal A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning, according to Earthquake Canada. Northern Ontario Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Windsor Crews battle two apartment fires in under two hours Windsor Fire and Rescue responded to two calls at Ouellette Avenue apartment buildings Sunday morning. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Woman with outstanding warrant arrested in Chatham One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent police officers conducted a traffic stop Saturday in Chatham. London Fatal crash in Middlesex County Middlesex County OPP attended the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision in Strathroy-Caradoc early Sunday morning. New Year’s Eve in London’s Victoria Park You can ring in 2025 this Tuesday night at London’s free New Year’s Eve in the Park celebration. Can you help solve this cold case in Sarnia? Sarnia police are seeking the public’s help in finding any new leads for a cold case from over 20 years ago. Kitchener Are fluctuating temperatures here to stay this winter? Waterloo Region residents traded snow boots for raincoats this weekend as temperatures soared above seasonal norms. Portion of Highway 6 closed following collision in Ennotville, Ont. A portion of Highway 6 is closed Sunday evening following a collision in Ennotville, Ont., just north of Guelph. Police, coroner investigating two deaths at Brantford, Ont. encampment An investigation is underway into the deaths of two people at an encampment in Brantford, Ont. Barrie Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. $47K in drugs seized, man arrested in alleged domestic assault Police in Owen Sound made one arrest and seized a ‘large’ quantity of multiple drugs after responding to an alleged domestic assault on Saturday. Winnipeg Stolen vehicle chase ends in arrest, drug seizure A Winnipeg man has been charged with several offences after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle and hundreds of dollars worth of drugs. Fifth night of Hanukkah celebrated ahead of Manitoba Moose hockey game As Jewish people around the world mark the fifth night of Hanukkah, members of Winnipeg’s Jewish community brought the celebration to Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg hotel fire forces residents to evacuate A fire at a Winnipeg hotel forced residents to leave the building Sunday morning. Calgary 1 man hospitalized after being shot in leg near Calgary’s Drop-In Centre One man was taken to hospital after a shooting downtown Saturday night. ‘Eternal optimists’: Southern Alberta farmers wary of drought conditions look to prairie skies for comfort Mcgrath farmer Sean Stanford has lived through too many dry summers to be completely hopeful about the coming growing season in southern Alberta, but he sees signs that the summer of 2025 might be better for farmers than the last few years. Canadian float celebrating Coding for Veterans to participate in Rose Bowl Parade A Canadian parade float will be featured in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena next week. Edmonton Edmonton to start up cold weather response plan Monday morning The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response plan with the weather forecast calling for cold temperatures over the next eight days. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. What is known about a fiery passenger jet crash landing that claimed 179 lives in South Korea? Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Regina Regina police charge 2 youths in city's 6th homicide of 2024 Two Regina teens are facing murder charges in connection to the death of a Regina man on Boxing Day. Hockey talent showcased in Regina for Male U15, Top 160 tournament The last weekend of 2024 saw Saskatchewan's best hockey players under 15 years of age showing off their skills at the Co-operators Centre in Regina. Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver 2 shot during fight outside Surrey pub Two people were injured in a shooting outside of a Surrey pub in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to authorities. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory reopening after months-long closure Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory is set to reopen after a lengthy closure for upgrades, according to the park board. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Kelowna B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Stay Connected
‘A man of principle, faith and humility’Twenty-three people died Sunday when a bus on a remote mountain road in Brazil's Alagoas state plunged into a ravine, regional authorities said. Rescue services confirmed that 22 died on the spot and another person, a pregnant woman, succumbed after being taken to hospital, the Alagoas state government said in a statement. Brazilian media said the bus had been carrying 40 passengers and "dozens" of them were injured. The accident occurred near the town of Uniao dos Palmares. State Governor Paulo Dantas declared on social media platform X three days of mourning over the "tragedy." The bus went off the road in an area difficult to access in a mountainous region called Serra da Barriga.None
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TSX Lower to Begin Year’s Final MonthAs 2024 comes to a close, SM Supermalls celebrates a remarkable year of empowering Filipino Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through dynamic trade fairs and partnerships that have championed local entrepreneurship and fueled economic growth. Across its 80+ malls, SM Supermalls has become a vital platform where MSMEs thrive, bringing Filipino creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation to the forefront. A marketplace for growth SM Supermalls’ trade fairs have been instrumental in providing MSMEs access to ready markets, affordable spaces, and high foot traffic. These fairs served as launchpads for local entrepreneurs, offering increased brand visibility, direct customer engagement, robust marketing support, and invaluable networking opportunities with fellow business owners, suppliers, and potential investors. Featured MSME products ranged from artisanal crafts and sustainable fashion to gourmet food and homegrown innovations, showcasing the best of Filipino creativity. Events like the Bahandi Eastern Visayas Trade Fair, Orgullo Kan Bicol Trade Fair, and Likha ng Central Luzon celebrated regional artistry, while the National Arts and Crafts Fair and Coconut Trade Fair highlighted the diverse richness of Philippine culture. The best of Eastern Visayas is showcased through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s Bahandi Trade Fair, with a curated selection of handcrafted treasures from over 100 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall last October. Bicol’s rich heritage is celebrated at the Orgullo Kan Bicol Trade Fair, featuring a diverse array of products from local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall last October. A dynamic display of handmade products, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, is featured at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)’s National Arts and Crafts Fair 2024, held at the SM Megamall Megatrade Hall last October. The wonders of Philippine coconut are displayed at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI’s) Coconut Philippines Trade Fair in SM Megatrade Hall last December 2–4. A win-win for shoppers For customers, SM Supermalls’ trade fairs offered more than just shopping—they delivered dynamic experiences. Visitors enjoyed live demonstrations, interactive activities, and exclusive promos while discovering unique, high-quality local products. These events created a sense of purpose among shoppers, who relished the opportunity to support Filipino entrepreneurs. SM for MSMEs: Going digital In line with its commitment to innovation, SM Supermalls recently launched the SM for MSMEs Website , a digital platform designed to streamline the application and approval processes for MSME exhibit opportunities. Entrepreneurs can now submit applications, track status updates, and access key resources online—making it easier to connect with SM Supermalls’ ecosystem. This initiative empowers MSMEs with greater efficiency, aligning with SM’s vision of driving growth through technology. Apply now: https://www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ Nation-building through partnerships Collaborating with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other organizations, SM Supermalls amplified its efforts to promote Filipino MSMEs through high-impact national trade fairs like the Bagong Pilipinas National Food Fair and the Beauty Fair. These initiatives boosted local economies, generating significant sales for participating businesses while preserving Filipino heritage. The finest in Filipino beauty is highlighted at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI’s) “Beauty Fair” in SM Megamall Mega Fashion Hall last August, supporting thriving local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Looking Ahead: What’s Next in 2025? In 2025, SM Supermalls aims to elevate its MSME initiatives with innovative programs, expanding participation to showcase regional specialties and untapped talents. The focus will also shift towards sustainability, promoting eco-friendly brands and practices. Specialized trade fair themes, including health, crafts, and technology, will engage both MSMEs and shoppers. SM will also strengthen community support with workshops and training programs for aspiring entrepreneurs. The newly launched SM for MSMEs website will streamline the application process, connecting businesses with SM Supermalls’ ecosystem for a brighter future. For more on upcoming MSME programs, visit SM Supermalls’ website or follow us on social media. Together, let’s empower local enterprises to succeed! ABOUT SM SUPERMALLS SM Supermalls, owned by SM Prime Holdings, is the leading mall developer and operator in the Philippines. As a staunch advocate for MSMEs, SM Supermalls is dedicated to helping Filipino entrepreneurs succeed. Join our thriving marketplace across 80+ malls nationwide. Visit www.smsupermalls.com/sm-for-msmes/ to download your MSME application or email us at customercare@smsupermalls.com with your most innovative product and preferred location. Grab this opportunity to grow your business with SM Supermalls today! Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.Assam: Himanta Biswa Sarma proposes establishing bio-foundries, bio-manufacturing hubs
Tirupati temple board plans automation, AI chatbot to streamline pilgrim experiencePrivate equity bids long goodbye to IPOsThe Yomiuri Shimbun 21:00 JST, November 30, 2024 Four main broadcasters in the Nippon TV network will integrate their businesses in April through the establishment of a holding company, the stations announced Friday. The four — Sapporo Television Broadcasting Co. (STV) in Sapporo, Chukyo TV. Broadcasting Co. (CTV) in Nagoya, Yomiuri Telecasting Corp. (YTV) in Osaka and Fukuoka Broadcasting System Corp. (FBS) in Fukuoka — will become wholly owned subsidiaries of Yomiuri Chukyo FS Broadcasting Holdings Corp. (FYCS) on April 1. This holding company will be established through a joint stock transfer among STV, CTV, YTV and FBS, according to the announcement. Under FYCS, the four aim to establish a new cooperative structure to create a robust management base, thus providing more content that is appealing to viewers in conjunction with Nippon TV and other local stations in its network. Kimio Maruyama, chairman of CTV, is set to be appointed as FYCS’ chairman and representative director, while Akira Ishizawa, president and chief executive officer of Nippon Television Holdings, Inc., will assume the post of FYCS’ president and representative director. Nippon Television Holdings will hold at least a 20% stake in FYCS to be its biggest shareholder and make the new holding company its equity method affiliate. The Yomiuri Shimbun Holdings is expected to be the second-largest shareholder in FYCS with about a 15% stake. Current shareholders of STV, CTV, YTV and FBS will receive stocks to be issued when the holding company is established. Even after the business integration, STV, CTV, YTV and FBS will continue broadcasting and other activities in their respective service areas. The new holding company will play a central role in promoting collaboration among the four stations. In their statement, the four local stations said they will continue to work for regional revitalization as core companies by transmitting information on Hokkaido, Tokai, Kansai and northern Kyushu, the regions in which they are based. “We will contribute to the further development and revitalization of local communities by promoting cultural and economic exchanges” in the four regions, as well as such exchanges between Japan and abroad, they added. As business conditions surrounding regional broadcasters are changing mostly due to the nation’s population decline, the new holding company will take the lead in discussing on joint use of relay stations. FYCS might also consider streamlining its operations in the future.
ESPN SP+ Predicts Winner of Ohio State-Michigan GameHow did leaders of the Army Reserve respond to the many, clear warning signs about the Lewiston shooter, a part-time soldier who was in a dangerous, downward spiral? And why didn’t they take further action? The Army has acknowledged some failures but also cast blame elsewhere. Maine Public Radio , in partnership with the Portland Press Herald and Frontline PBS, presents “Breakdown:” a limited-series podcast about the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history. In Episode 3, we look at questionable medical decisions, missed communication and lack of follow up by the Army. Finally, we’ll learn why the shooter’s family believes the military could do more to prevent brain injuries in troops. KEVIN MILLER, HOST: A note to listeners: this episode deals with gun violence and suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8. [sound of knocking on door] FIRST TROOPER, UNIDENTIFIED: “Robert? Robert, this is [redacted] with the State Police. Can you open the door for me, please?” [ambient guitar music fades up] HOST: It is July of 2023 and a crew of New York state troopers is at a military hotel near West Point. [sound of knocking again, door opening] FIRST TROOPER: “Thank you, my man. You wanna throw a shirt on and come in and talk to you?” HOST: Leaders of an Army Reserve unit have called the troopers to help with a reservist who’d been hearing voices and picking fights. He’s locked himself in his room. And he insists that everyone — friends, family and total strangers — are spreading lies that he’s gay and a pedophile. SECOND TROOPER, UNIDENTIFIED: “What, what was it that caused the issue last night?” In this image taken from New York State Police body camera video, troopers interview Army reservist Robert Card at Camp Smith, in Cortlandt, N.Y., July 16, 2023. New York State Police ROBERT CARD: “Uhhh, they keep saying shit behind my back, I confront them and they pretend like I’m hearing stuff.” SECOND TROOPER: “OK. ... You say that they’re talking about you behind your back, but you actually hear them saying these things, or ... ?” ROBERT CARD: “Yeah, I’m hearing ’em.” HOST: Army Reserve Sgt. 1st Class Robert Card sits perched on the edge of the bed in a cinder block room strewn with clothes and shoes. He’s a 20-year veteran, lean and fit. He’s wearing matching Army shorts and T-shirt — plus a fresh buzzcut. His unit is on a two-week training stint at West Point. Card’s specialty is showing hundreds of cadets, one by one, how to toss live hand grenades. Card’s mental health has been deteriorating for at least six months now. And something is clearly off with him this weekend. ROBERT CARD: “It’s happening everywhere. I’m hearing bits and pieces of all of it and it’s just getting old. And I confront people and it doesn’t stop.” SECOND TROOPER: “OK, we’ve talked to a few of them today and they’re — they’re saying like nothing like that is happening.” HOST: The troopers tell Card that he’s been directed by his Reserve commanders to get a psych evaluation — that very day. It’s an order, not a request. [ambient music fades up] CARD: “Is it going to help anything? No. I would rather have people stop talking, stop looking at me. I’m a fucking private person. I don’t like fucking my shit out there.” HOST: And then this exchange happens. THIRD TROOPER, UNIDENTIFIED: “These guys, I mean, I hope you understand that they are concerned enough about your welfare that they called us.” ROBERT CARD: “Because they’re scared because I’m gonna friggin’ do something. Cause I am capable.” HOST: “I am capable.” The state trooper seizes on the phrase. THIRD TROOPER: “Like, what do you mean by that?” ROBERT CARD: “Huh?” THIRD TROOPER: “What do you mean by that?” ROBERT CARD: “Nothing. No.” HOST: “I am capable.” In the months leading up to this, Robert Card had been making threats. Just about everyone he was close to was worried about him. And months later, he would go into two nightspots in Lewiston, Maine, with an assault rifle. He’d kill 18 people and wound 13 more in the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history. Two days later, he’d be found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This police body cam footage, released by the New York State Police in response to a public records request, is one of the only recordings of Card to surface publicly since the shooting. And when a coworker and I watch it, we both get chills hearing those words from the future gunman. Reserve 1st Sgt. Kelvin Mote was in the hallway that day at the hotel near West Point. He overheard what Card said. KELVIN MOTE, COMMISSION: “’I am capable.’ That was enough for me. At that moment, I decided he was going to the hospital, one way or the other.” Army Reserve First Sgt. Kelvin Mote gives testimony Thursday, March 7, 2024, in Augusta, Maine, during a hearing of the independent commission investigating the law enforcement response to the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine. Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press [xylophone music fades up] HOST: Last episode, we heard about the missed opportunities — especially among local police — to prevent the tragedy in Lewiston. In this episode, we focus on the military. I’m Kevin Miller and for the past year my colleagues and I have been looking into how the Army Reserve responded to the many clear warning signs about a soldier in a dangerous, downward spiral. We were there as members of the Army and Army Reserve testified under oath for more than 15 hours about that July incident. We talked to dozens of people about what happened in the months before — and after. We analyzed investigative reports from the Army and a state commission. And we spoke to members of Congress who are pressing the military for changes after Lewiston. Army Reserve leaders have acknowledged some failures. They’ve also cast blame onto local police and criticized a private psychiatric hospital. And that July morning ... This could have been a turning point. Reserve unit leaders took the initiative to get Card help. But the help never came. Instead, what followed were questionable medical decisions ... months of miscommunication and military red tape — with tragic consequences. Those mistakes have raised questions about how the Army manages mental health concerns within its ranks. And it’s highlighted disparities between the regular military and the Reserves. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “I mean, I, we’re doing the best that we can in terms of understanding what did transpire and then make changes for the future.” ED YUREK, COMMISSION: “It’s clear that it wasn’t just a hunch and that Sgt. Card had legitimate issues.” CARA LAMB, INTERVIEW: “None of us should be allowed to say that we did enough in this scenario, in this situation.” HOST: From Maine Public Radio, the Portland Press Herald and Frontline PBS, this is Breakdown. Episode 3: Dereliction of duty. Like most reservists, members of the 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment typically spend one weekend a month in uniform plus a two-week “active training” mission. For the 304th, that mission happens at West Point. [archival tape about West Point, ambient piano music fades up] HOST: The two-century old military academy overlooking the Hudson River has churned out scores of future generals and even a few presidents. And for several decades now, those future military leaders learn how to literally shoot straight with help from the Maine-based 304th. Robert Card was regarded as a quote “solid and reliable” member of the unit and an Army Reserve evaluation from earlier in 2023 described him as a “consummate professional.” But he had been losing his hearing for years. And Card’s mental health was already on the radar of his unit leaders by the time he arrived at West Point that July. Two months earlier, in May, a sheriff’s deputy in Maine had contacted a Reserve leader after Card’s ex-wife and son raised concerns that he seemed to be hearing voices, and about his erratic behavior and his access to guns at home. As we heard in previous episodes, there was talk of getting him treatment and working with other family members to remove his guns. But ultimately little was done and Card continued showing up for drills. Yet Card had tried to get out of the West Point training. He had served 20 years in the Reserve and was eligible for retirement. And Card had already accused other unit members of talking trash about him. The state troopers who showed up at Card’s room that day gave him two options for getting to West Point’s military hospital: either ride quietly with other reservists — or in handcuffs with troopers. FIRST TROOPER: “Yeah, we don’t, we don’t want to do that, alright? So if you give me your word that you’ll go with them.” ROBERT CARD: “I have over 20 years, I shouldn’t even be here. I fucking tried to get out of this fucking AT. ‘No, you have to fucking come.’ Ugh.” HOST: Card is driven to the hospital in an SUV with three other noncommissioned officers. It’s part of a four-vehicle caravan that includes two state police cruisers. Card tears up at one point. He’s otherwise silent as he stares out of the window. Maj. Matthew Dickison appears remotely in July 2024, before the commission investigating the mass shooting in Lewiston last fall. Zoom screenshot At Keller Army Community Hospital, Card tells psychiatric nurse practitioner Maj. Matthew Dickison that people everywhere are talking about him, calling him a pedophile and gay. He’s angry. Card doesn’t make specific threats, but Dickison remembers him saying that if people don’t stop, quote, “something was going to happen.” [soft piano music fades up] Dickison spoke publicly at a commission created by Maine’s governor and attorney general that spent months looking into the shooting. DAN WATHEN, COMMISSION: “We have convened this evening for the purpose of interviewing and hearing from Maj. Matthew Dickison, who I believe is with us.” HOST: For months, my colleagues and I pressed military officials for specifics about their dealings with Robert Card and his mental health treatment. They wouldn’t agree to interviews but shared general information. This past summer, they also released a 115-page internal investigation that identified multiple failures, which we’ll get to a bit later. And we have hours of public testimony before the state commission from members of the Army and Army Reserve. Maj. Matthew Dickison testified that it took him less than a hour to declare Robert Card unfit for duty. MATTHEW DICKISON, COMMISSION: “Mr. Card was exhibiting psychosis and paranoia. And I actually had safety concerns because he was actually assigned with his unit, running a range where he had access to weapons and munitions. ... My recommendation was that he be moved to a higher level of care for further assessment.” HOST: Keller hospital wasn’t equipped at the time to offer Card the intensive, around-the-clock psychiatric care that Dickison says he needed. So Card was transferred to a private facility, called Four Winds Hospital, located about an hour away. Master Sgt. Ed Yurek was attending the West Point training that weekend, too. ED YUREK, COMMISSION: “It’s clear that it wasn’t just a hunch and that Sgt. Card had legitimate issues and it was getting addressed. We were all high-fiving each other because it was the perfect scenario: we got him to where he needed to be, they identified it, ‘Yeah, you are right,’ and they brought him to a place where he was supposed to be treated. We were very happy with the way it turned out, as far as the unit was concerned.” U.S. Army Reserve Ed Yurek gives testimony in front of the commission investigating the Lewiston mass shooting Thursday, April 25, 2024. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald [ambient music fades up] HOST: Here’s where things start to get murkier. We know that Card spent 19 days at the private hospital. But the details remain sketchy a year after the shooting and his suicide. That’s because the Army couldn’t force Four Winds Hospital to participate in its investigation. Maine Public Radio, the Portland Press Herald and FRONTLINE’s team reached out to the hospital more than a dozen times. They responded twice, referring us to a communications staffer and an outside attorney, neither of whom replied. Members of Maine’s shooting commission did talk to the psychiatrist who treated Card at Four Winds. But that questioning took place in private because, even though the former patient had died, there were quote, “legal concerns” stemming from New York state’s medical privacy laws. A commission spokesman also confirmed that Four Winds shared Card’s medical files, but up until now, the panel hasn’t released those documents publicly. In its 215-page final report, the commission devoted just a few paragraphs to Card’s time at Four Winds and their interview with the psychiatrist. As for why, Commission chairman Dan Wathen hasn’t publicly said. DAN WATHEN, COMMISSION: “We set forth the facts as we determined them to be and they are in the report. And I’d let the report speak for itself in that regard.” [piano music] HOST: Here’s what we do know, though, based on details in the Army and state commission reports. Card’s hospital intake paperwork said he was suffering from paranoia, psychosis, auditory hallucinations, aggression and “homicidal ideations.” He also told Four Winds staff he kept a quote, “hit list.” Card occasionally cooperated at Four Winds. But the Army’s internal investigation shows that Card became quote, “irritable and agitated” when Four Winds staff asked about the guns he had at home — at least 10 of them. He said he struggled with social anxiety and might consider taking medication. He denied any serious mental health problems — yet insisted that even hospital staff were talking about him. The state commission report says that more than a week into his stay at Four Winds, Card let the staff know that he wanted to leave. In response, the hospital asked a court to make him stay. They wanted to involuntarily commit him. But the day before the court hearing, both Card and the hospital dropped their competing requests. So on Aug. 3rd, Robert Card walked out of Four Winds. He had his discharge instructions — but no follow-up appointments scheduled. Had he been involuntarily committed, federal law would have prohibited Card from owning guns when he was eventually released. His sudden departure shocked many, including the Army nurse practitioner, Maj. Dickison, who first evaluated him. MATTHEW DICKISON, COMMISSION: “For me personally, yeah, sure I was a little surprised.” HOST: and Master Sgt. Yurek, who heard the news from Card’s older brother, Ryan. ED YUREK, COMMISSION: “We thought that he was going to be there for a very long time. And when Ryan Card called me and said he was out, I said, ‘That can’t be true.’ And he said — actually how naive I was, I said. ‘Well then he’s all better.’ And he said, ‘No no, he’s still the same.’ And I said ‘I don’t believe that the hospital released him the same way they got him, I just don’t believe that.’ And he said ‘He is the same.’” [guitar strumming music] HOST: According to the state commission, Card’s attending psychiatrist said she didn’t think a court would agree to have him committed. Card had shown progress, said he would take his meds and participate in therapy after release. Four Winds staff worked out a quote, “safety plan,” with members of Card’s family. However, details of that plan have not been released. They also tried several times to reach him, according to the Army report, but were not successful. One answer may come from Card himself. Sean Hodgson drove six and a half hours from Maine to pick up his fellow reservist and friend. SEAN HODGSON, INTERVIEW: “I thought I had to go talk to somebody and I pulled up and I saw him waving through the window and the door. Thought that was odd. And I was like, Alright, I parked my car. And I walked up. And they just let him out the door with his bags. And he’s like, ‘You want me to drive?'” In May 2024, Sean Hodgson, the friend who warned officials of the threats Robert Card made against the Army a month before the Lewiston shooting, visits the site where Card ditched his car on the night of the shootings. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald HOST: On the way home, Card bragged about “playing the game” to get released. He told Hodgson how he threatened to sue and how hospital staff were quote, “abusing his rights” by keeping him there. SEAN HODGSON, INTERVIEW: “He just started telling me everything all over again, and what happened in the hospital, how he pretty much played them, played the game. He told them straight out. He knew exactly what to say to get out.” [ambient music fades up] HOST: Card arrived back in Maine 20 days after he left for New York. The commission report states that, before his release, Card assured Four Winds staff that he would take the prescribed drugs, get treatment and seek support from family and friends. But they were all empty promises. He never made any appointments and stopped taking his medications within days of getting home. Robert Card lived with his dog in Bowdoin, Maine. It’s a farming community about 40 miles from Portland — but a world away, with about 3,000 people and one convenience store. Card was raised there. His family owns hundreds of acres of farmland and woods in the tight-knit community. Card got home from the hospital in New York 12 weeks before the mass shooting. He was back in civilian life. And according to the Army’s own investigation, that was a failure by the military. [guitar music fades up] HOST: To better understand why, I need to explain the difference between the Reserves and active-duty military. The regular Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines or Coast Guard is a full-time job. You can be deployed at any time. You are subject to military law. That’s why when an active-duty soldier or sailor is busted for, say, driving drunk on a Saturday night, the military justice system might demote or imprison them. They could be ordered to undergo treatment or even kicked out. That’s active-duty. Reservists, on the other hand, are only soldiers part time. During weekend “battle assemblies” or the annual two-week training, reservists are “on duty.” That means they’re under the command of their unit leaders and anyone above them. But as soon as they arrive home, they become civilians again and their Reserve leaders have no real authority over them. And that’s what happened with Robert Card. Card was on “active duty” during the 19 days he spent at the hospital. That ended when he reached his home in Maine. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “A U.S. Army Reserve soldier is only in a duty status for about 38 days per year. And outside of that duty status, unit commanders have no legal authority to compel soldiers to undergo medical treatment, to execute follow-on care or surrender personally owned weapons regardless of the circumstances. This is a complex challenge ...” Lt. General Jody J. Daniels, administers the oath to new members of the military during a ceremony at an NFL football game between the Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders, Sunday, Nov. 6, 2022, in Landover, Maryland. Julio Cortez / Associated Press HOST: Lt. Gen. Jody Daniels was the top-ranking general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command in July. That’s when the Army released a report after they investigated Card’s case. The report found that Reserve leaders or staff at Keller Army hospital should have kept him on active-duty status. Card was hospitalized for more than 24 hours while on a training mission, so under military rules that should have triggered an investigation. If his mental illness was caused or aggravated by his service, the government should have kept paying for his care. But none of that happened. What did happen next reveals alarming gaps in the mental health support system for soldiers and their families. [piano music fades up] HOST: Roughly a week after returning home, Card stopped answering calls and messages from an Army psychological health case manager. They were supposed to keep tabs on his progress and help connect him with services. But he ignored them. And at the end of August, the case manager simply closed Card’s file. The Army investigator criticized that decision. But they also acknowledged that it was entirely consistent with Army Reserve policy. At that time, the Reserve’s psychological health program could close a case after five unsuccessful attempts to reach someone over three weeks. So again — five unanswered calls, emails or text messages, and it’s case closed. SUSAN COLLINS: That program is supposed to follow up with soldiers who have mental illness. HOST: Sen. Susan Collins is the senior member of Maine’s congressional delegation and the top Republican on the powerful Senate committee that controls military spending. Collins says it was quote, “inexplicable” that the psychological health case manager would close the case or that the policy would allow it. SUSAN COLLINS: And yet to me, it’s difficult to think of a greater warning sign than his failure to respond to repeated inquiries from medical professionals. That suggested that he was not taking his medication and that he was not complying with the discharge orders. HOST: Lt. Gen. Daniels told reporters during the July press conference that the Army Reserve has since changed that policy in response to what happened in Maine. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “Just because someone is non-responsive doesn’t mean that we don’t need to have additional contact with them. ... So we don’t want to close it just because they didn’t, didn’t, answer the phone. So we’re making that change.” [ambient music fades up] HOST: But the Army’s own report laid out more than a half-dozen other failings in the months before the mass shooting in Maine. Four Winds and the military hospital each thought the other was responsible for making sure Card was taking his medication and continuing therapy. The result, according to the Army investigator, was “no one adequately followed up” on Card’s care after his release. West Point’s military hospital should have formally “handed off” Card to his Reserve unit. That’s what’s supposed to happen after a Reservist is commanded to get a psychological evaluation. But it didn’t. And the Army report says that Card’s unit leaders didn’t try reaching the military hospital in West Point either. And there were also delays in communication. It took the private hospital eight days to fax Card’s psychological assessment and treatment recommendations to the Army hospital. And then it took the military hospital another 10 days to upload those documents into the military health system. There were also weak links within the Reserve unit’s chain of command. Here again is Lt. Gen. Daniels. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “While unit leadership took several consistent and sustained actions to address Sgt. Card’s deteriorating mental health ... there were also a series of failures by unit leadership.” HOST: According to the Army investigator, Card’s commanders were supposed to investigate after he was hospitalized for more than 24 hours. They should have filed a critical information report or notified the Army’s “insider threat” program after Card threatened to shoot up the Reserve complex. None of that happened. Card’s commanders believed that the federal health policy law known as HIPAA prevented them from accessing his medical files. But it doesn’t. In the end, three leaders of Card’s unit were charged with “dereliction of duty.” Their names were redacted throughout the report, and when pressed by reporters, Daniels would not elaborate on their punishments other than to say she had taken quote, “administrative actions” that could prevent those officers from advancing further in their military careers. They could also be discharged. [guitar strumming music] HOST: Like the Army’s internal review, the special commission in Maine investigating the mass shooting found plenty of fault in how the Reserves handled Robert Card’s deteriorating mental health. The commission created by Gov. Janet Mills weeks after the shooting was stacked with retired judges, prosecutors, criminal investigators and mental health experts. Mills, who is a former attorney general, also made sure Maine lawmakers granted the commission the power to use subpoenas to make people testify. Ellen Gorman (center) and the commission investigating the Lewiston shootings listen to testimony in April. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald HOST: I sat through dozens of hours of these commission hearings. They were solemn and oftentimes tense affairs as the panel heard from law enforcement who responded to those horrific scenes and led the ensuing two-day manhunt. They heard from people who survived the shootings — and loved ones of those who didn’t. And Robert Card’s family testified tearfully about their unsuccessful attempts to get him help. These kinds of investigations aren’t unusual after a mass shooting. What is unusual about the process in Maine is that the public could watch most of the testimony because it was live streamed and open to the press. Over a half-dozen meetings, the commission heard from members of the Army and the Army Reserve. The proceedings sometimes felt like court trials. DAN WATHEN, COMMISSION: “Do you swear that the testimony you will give in the matter now in hearing will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” MATTHEW DICKISON, COMMISSION: “I do.” HOST: One by one, commanders from the Army and Army Reserve raised their right hands and swore to truthfully answer the commission’s questions. Often, they had military lawyers, or JAG officers, sitting beside or close behind. On occasion, they brought their own attorneys. Some of the tensest exchanges involved the commanding officer of Card’s Reserve unit, Capt. Jeremy Reamer, who was subpoenaed twice by the commission. Member and retired judge Ellen Gorman pressed Reamer on what HE should have done to ensure Card was getting help after he left the hospital. ELLEN GORMAN, COMMISSION: “You have said on a couple of occasions that you expected the law enforcement here in Maine to do their job.” JEREMY REAMER, COMMISSION: “Mmm hmm.” ELLEN GORMAN, COMMISSION: “Was it your job to complete the developmental counseling form?” JEREMY REAMER, COMMISSION: “That was a requirement of me, yes.” Capt. Jeremy Reamer, center, of the Army Reserve in Saco, sits before the Lewiston Commission taking questions in April 2024. Ben McCanna/Portland Press Herald ELLEN GORMAN, COMMISSION: “Did you do that?” JEREMY REAMER, COMMISSION: “I did not.” ELLEN GORMAN, COMMISSION: “And was it your job to ensure that Card followed through with the mental health treatment that had been ordered him, that he had been ordered to comply with by the Army? ... That was your job.” JEREMY REAMER, COMMISSION: “Part of my job. Yes.” ELLEN GORMAN, COMMISSION: “Did you do that?” HOST: Reamer goes quiet here. His lips move but he hesitates as he appears to scan his memory, searching for an answer while under oath. After about ten seconds, with a pained expression on his face, he says. [guitar and piano music fades up] JEREMY REAMER, COMMISSION: “I, personally, did not follow up with him regarding that.” HOST: Reamer has not spoken publicly beyond the commission testimony and did not respond to messages requesting comment for this episode. He did testify that he didn’t have the power to force Card into mental health treatment and that he believed that local police and Card’s family would remove Card’s weapons. This exchange took place in April and by this point Capt. Reamer was no longer leading the Reserve unit. He told the commission that it was his time to cycle out of that position. Reamer is never named in the Army report. Lt. Gen. Daniels said one of the three unit leaders punished for dereliction of duty was a captain. The Reserves made other changes, big and small. As of late-October, the Pentagon is still reviewing whether to stop working with Four Winds and a contracting agency for potential sub-standard care and for not following procedures. And no more five tries and you get to close a case. Even if they can’t reach a reservist who’s in their care, Army health care providers have to consult with unit leaders first — and notify other higher-ups — before closing a case. Lt. Gen. Daniels says she also directed Reserve leaders to be re-trained in the HIPAA health privacy law and about their options for safely storing private guns at Reserve facilities. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “I mean, We are doing the best that we can in terms of understanding what did transpire and then make changes for the future.” HOST: Maine Sen. Angus King says the Army has quote “made all the right noises” with its planned changes. But King, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, says he wants more than just rhetoric. ANGUS KING: I had a call with the Secretary of Defense about a month ago and that was my blunt message: The reports are good, the recommendations are good, but I want to be sure that the word gets down all the way to the command level, that this isn’t just something that just sitting in a report somewhere in the Pentagon. So I will reserve judgment until I see the actions that are taken as a result of all of this work. [guitar strumming music] HOST: In mid-October, less than two weeks before the one-year anniversary of the shooting, attorneys representing dozens of survivors and families of Card’s victims formally notified the federal government of their intent to sue the Army and West Point’s military hospital over how the Army handled Card’s deteriorating mental health. Attorney Travis Brennan: TRAVIS BRENNAN, PRESS CONFERENCE: “The Army bureaucracy failed Robert Card. The Army bureaucracy failed this state and community and it failed our clients.” HOST: Robert Card’s ex-wife, Cara Lamb, is infuriated by the finger-pointing she’s seen among law enforcement and Reserve leaders. CARA LAMB, INTERVIEW: “None of us should be allowed to say that we did enough in this scenario, in this situation.” Cara Lamb, ex-wife of Robert Card, in July 2024. Michele McDonald/Portland Press Herald HOST: Lamb, along with Robert Card’s son, then a high school senior, were the first to alert local police to their concerns about Card’s deepening paranoia and access to guns. That was in May of 2023 — more than five and a half months before his rampage. CARA LAMB, INTERVIEW: “All of these people saying that it wasn’t their, their job because it’s such a different life between military and civilian life, that you only have so much control over the soldiers after they leave drill. But you do have a say, you do have a connection to that person still. And you have a requirement, many requirements.” HOST: In tearful testimony, other family members like Robert Card’s sister, Nicole Herling, told the state commission that they wished the family had pushed harder. Even after Card answered their knocks on his door with a gun. And especially after he gradually stopped communicating with most family members. NICOLE HERLING, COMMISSION: “I acknowledge my responsibility as Robbie’s sister. I wish I had done everything in my power to get him the help he needed. My pride prevented me from seeking help after facing rejection.” HOST: Herling and her other brother, Ryan, had tried to get him into treatment. She told the state commission about the countless hours trying to navigate the assistance programs that are supposed to be available to military personnel and their families. NICOLE HERLING, COMMISSION: “Despite exhaustive online searches, I couldn’t find clear information on where to report my concerns. The information I did come across was outdated. And despite leaving numerous voicemails, none were returned.” HOST: She and her husband, James, told commission members that Card was a quiet but loving father, brother and uncle before something went horribly wrong inside his head. Before he became convinced that even his family was part of a massive conspiracy against him. JAMES HERLING, COMMISSION: “This is not an excuse for the behavior and action that Robbie committed. It was a wrongful act of evil. My brother-in-law was not this man. His brain was hijacked.” [ambient piano music] HOST: Exactly what happened to Card’s brain has been the subject to a lot of debate and speculation. Maine’s medical examiner sent Card’s brain tissue to a lab at Boston University’s medical school that studies brain injuries among athletes, like pro football players, and among military personnel. The lab found Card had significant degeneration, inflammation and damage within his brain, and those results were consistent with injuries in other veterans who were repeatedly exposed to blasts. The Boston University lab would not discuss Robert Card’s brain tissue analysis for this series. In a statement earlier this year, lab director Dr. Ann McKee said she could not say “with certainty” that Card’s behavioral changes were caused by the damage her team observed. But she added that based on the lab’s previous work, quote, “brain injury likely played a role in his symptoms.” It’s not possible, scientists say, to definitively link brain injuries to specific behaviors. But Card’s family believes his injuries likely led or at least contributed to his mental health deterioration. The Army’s internal investigation agrees that Card likely suffered a traumatic brain injury — but it raises a different theory. Card fell from his roof and broke his neck in 2008, the report says, quote, “possibly leading to a traumatic brain injury.” Military experts are still reviewing Card’s case. And during her July press conference, Lt. Gen. Daniels deferred to Army medical experts on the issue. But she also seemed to dismiss the possibility that hand grenade blasts may have injured Card’s brain. JODY DANIELS, BRIEFING: “So the fall from the house on a ladder, I believe, is that injury that took place. The amount of exposure that he had to other shock is relatively minor.” HOST: Since then, the Pentagon has announced new safety provisions for soldiers including quote, “baseline cognitive assessment” for all new military recruits — including Reservists. Nicole Herling told the commission that her brother may have been exposed to up to a thousand shockwaves from grenade blasts during his years training West Point cadets. Now, she and other family members say they are working to raise awareness about mental health in military personnel and are encouraging other veterans to get involved with a national nonprofit that advocates on brain injuries. The goal is to push the military to do more to protect all service members both during combat and training. [piano music fades up] NICOLE HERLING, COMMISSION: “They fought for us. Now we fight for them. This is our call to action.” Nicole Herling and her husband, James, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. Shawn Patrick Ouellette / Portland Press Herald HOST: In the aftermath of the Lewiston mass shooting, Maine lawmakers passed a slate of gun reform measures, but they stopped short of overhauling the state’s process for keeping guns away from dangerous people. DAVID TRAHAN, INTERVIEW: “It wasn’t the system that failed, it was the people in the system.” JANET MILLS, PRESS CONFERENCE: “This tragedy was caused by a colossal failure of human judgment by several people on several occasions.” HOST: Next time on Breakdown, we’ll explore the political dynamics over gun control in Maine — a place where firearms and hunting are ingrained in the state’s culture and history. Breakdown is a collaboration between Maine Public Radio, the Portland Press Herald and Frontline PBS, with support from Rock Creek Sound. Our reporters are Susan Sharon, Steve Mistler and Patty Wight. The producer is Emily Pisacreta. The show is edited by Ellen Weiss and Keith Shortall. Our executive producers are Mark Simpson and Erin Texeira. Sound design and mixing are by Benjamin Frisch. Fact checking by Nicole Reinert. Legal support from Dale Cohen. Rick Schneider is the President and CEO of Maine Public Radio. Lisa Desisto is the CEO and Publisher of the Portland Press Herald. Raney Aronson-Rath is the executive producer and editor-in-chief of FRONTLINE. Breakdown is produced through FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative, which is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For an upcoming video translation of the podcast in American Sign Language, go to frontline.org. For additional reporting about Lewiston, visit mainepublic.org/breakdown, pressherald.com and frontline.org, where you can also stream an upcoming documentary. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. We’re a new podcast and the best way to help us get discovered is to leave a five-star review wherever you get our show, and tell your friends. I’m Kevin Miller, thanks for listening. This story is part of an ongoing collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS) and Maine Public that includes an upcoming documentary. It is supported through FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative , which is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous Next »
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