(TNS) — The Spokane County Sheriff's Office is one of a number of agencies statewide and across the country turning to artificial intelligence and researchers to review to what Sheriff John Nowels referred 'as law enforcement's single largest data set: body camera footage. In the Evergreen State, much of that work is done at Washington State University's Complex Social Interactions Lab, which has reviewed more than 40,000 hours of footage for a number of law enforcement agencies since its inception in 2016. Lab Director David Makin said the trend is an effort to turn those large data sets into usable and actionable information. "It's an untapped data source that you're spending a considerable amount of money to collect and store, but unfortunately, without these tools or integrated practices, it just sits there," Makin said. "It's a data source that largely is untapped, when you could use it to improve outcomes." The lab partners with a number of law enforcement agencies across the state, and can tailor analysis to what an agency might want to learn from its trove of footage, Makin said. He added that any Washington agency could participate in the lab's studies free of charge. For example, an agency may ask the lab to explore possible discrimination within the agency's force, the effectiveness of an agency's de-escalation tactics or a review of how often resources are provided following a domestic violence call. The lab also partners with Axon, the largest provider of police cameras and footage storage in the country. The company's database of body camera footage sat at around 4 terabytes in 2016, as reported by ProPublica. As of August, that figure has grown to around 400 petabytes, according to a company letter to shareholders. That's the storage capacity equivalent to 3,125,000 iPhone 16s, if opting for the cheapest model. Makin said his field has grown exponentially over the years, due in part to a somewhat competitive landscape and the piggybacking successes of involved parties. Makin said there are two main camps on the analysis side: researchers like himself who are developing open-source technologies that can be shared widely, and private companies developing proprietary programs and techniques. The company the county has partnered with, Polis Solutions and its software TrustStat, is an example of the latter. Where TrustStat relies predominantly on artificial intelligence to carry the load, Makin's lab uses around 50 student researchers to assist in analysis. The students process the footage, take notes on the information they can gather, then enter it into machine learning algorithms to look for identifiable patterns or connections between what was observed and the eventual outcome of the police encounter. Makin said that the human element helps with cases where a person's judgment might be needed. "We need some element of subjective kind of assessment, and so that's what we need our students for, as well," Makin said. "They help us label data, but they also give us that vantage of, 'Well, how well do you think the officer did in this interaction?'" While implementing an analysis tool, or a program like the Sheriff's Office's, is one piece of the puzzle, Makin said incorporating the technology into an institution plays an equally large role. Integrating the tech into existing practices and daily operations is often where agencies fall short, he said. "Integrating it means I got to align policy and practice so that if the technology identifies a set of body-worn material videos that I should go look at for various reasons, do I have a policy that tells the person how they have to do it?" Makin said. "What has to happen next?" Makin said they evaluate the success of integrating technology on five main principles: it should lead to an improvement in efficiencies, effectiveness, resource allocation and the ability to deploy resources, while also having an accountability aspect. "You can have a successful integration if you can do all five of those," Makin said. "What's uncommon is actually going through it when you do your integration and checking, because you could actually implement a technology and actually it produces operational inefficiencies, introduces organizational ineffectiveness." "Then we're kind of back at square one, and most people end up scrapping the technology and saying it didn't work," Makin said. Nowels said he was not aware of the lab's ongoing work, and that the agency could have partnered with the lab free of charge. Makin takes the blame for that, saying the lab and researchers as a whole could do more to build awareness of their efforts. "We just don't do well to market ourselves," Makin said. "I'm a researcher and I'm not a salesperson." Makin said he looks forward to seeing the results of the Spokane County program, and he hopes the aforementioned board overseeing the project has a research plan on what they hope to learn, how those lessons will be implemented, and so on. "I think that's the missing part of all of this, right?" Makin said. "It's: 'We just got a grant to buy this technology.' Well, does it come with a plan to evaluate its effectiveness or its efficiency?" ©
Elon Musk throws weight behind German far right partyMatt Gaetz is pulling a George Santos . The Florida Republican has gone from a sitting member of Congress to selling custom videos on Cameo in about the span of a week. On Friday, as first noticed by Semafor political reporter Kadia Goba, Matt Gaetz opened up an official account on Cameo, a website that allows celebrities to sell custom message videos to fans. When Gaetz opened the account, he priced his videos at $250 before quickly updating the price to $500. As of publishing, Gaetz is now selling Cameo videos for $525. Matt Gaetz's Cameo page Gaetz has already sold and completed at least two videos, both are viewable on his Cameo profile page. "I served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker," reads Gaetz's profile on Cameo. The disgraced Congressman to Cameo pipeline As his profile hints, Gaetz resigned from Congress on Nov. 13, shortly after President-elect Donald Trump announced that he was nominating the Florida Republican to be attorney general. Gaetz was a controversial pick from the start. The former Congressman was disliked even by members of his own party. As he mentions in his profile, Gaetz played a critical role in ousting former Congressman Kevin McCarthy from his House Speaker role in 2023. Gaetz also faced another big hurdle: A House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old. Gaetz withdrew from AG consideration around the time CNN published a report about a second sexual misconduct allegation. According to reports, Trump had called Gaetz to let him know that he did not have the votes in Congress to be confirmed as AG as well. The move to Cameo from Gaetz is reminiscent of another disgraced former Congressman's post-politics plan. Republican George Santos was kicked out of Congress late last year following an array of federal charges, including wire fraud and identity theft. Shortly after leaving Congress, Santos started a Cameo account where he began selling custom videos for $150. Santos also quickly raised his prices too. Gaetz move isn't that much of a surprise as Santos' Cameo career has proved to be quite lucrative. In February 2024, it was reported that Santos had sold 1,200 videos on Cameo and had made $400,000 in just a couple of months. That beats what Gaetz and Santos were making as Congressmen, which comes with a salary of $174,000.
Headland softball player Ava Allsup signs with Wallace College Lady GovsZDNET's product of the year: Oura Ring 4 bested Samsung, Apple, and others in 2024
By Lukman Olabiyi Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has presented the 2025 Budget proposal of over N3.005 trillion to the State House of Assembly for passage into law. Governor Sanwo-Olu made the presentation at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, tagging the budget, “Budget of Sustainability,” which comprises a Total Revenue of N2,597,034,000,000 and Deficit Financing of N408,902,000,000. The governor further said that his administration had proposed in the budget a total of N1.239 trillion (41%) for recurrent expenditure, comprising total overhead, total personnel cost, and recurrent debt service, while a sum of N1.766 trillion (59%) was proposed for capital expenditure. Giving the sectoral allocation of the proposed budget, Sanwo-Olu said Economic Affairs had a sum of N908.699 billion for it; Environment, N233.176 billion; Health, N204.005 billion; Education, N208.376 billion; Security, Safety, and Public Order, N124.073 billion; and Social Protection – N47.077 billion. “Mr. Speaker, it is now my pleasure to present to you today the 2025 Budget proposal, tagged ‘Budget of Sustainability.'” “The 2025 Budget, as proposed, has a total budget size of Three Trillion, Five Billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, One Hundred and Ninety-Eight Thousand, Four Hundred and One Naira (N3,005,935,198,401), comprising a Total Revenue of Two Trillion, Five Hundred and Ninety-Seven Billion, and Thirty-Four Million Naira (N2,597,034,000,000) and Deficit Financing of Four Hundred and Eight Billion, Nine Hundred and Two Million Naira (N408,902,000,000).” “Total Revenue comprises our Internally Generated Revenue of One Trillion, Nine Hundred and Seventy Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety-Seven Million Naira (N1,970,897,000,000), and Total Federal Transfers of Six Hundred and Twenty-Six Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Seven Million Naira (N626,137,000,000).” “We equally propose a recurrent expenditure of One Trillion, Two Hundred and Thirty-Nine Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighteen Million Naira (N1,239,818,000,000), comprising total overhead, total personnel cost, and recurrent debt service, as follows:” “Total Overhead Cost: N722.586 Billion, as follows: Overhead: N432.580 Billion Subventions: N139.728 Billion Dedicated Funds: N150.278 Billion Total Personnel Cost: N392.000 Billion Recurrent Debt Charges: N125.232 Billion” “For Capital Expenditure, we propose a total figure of N1.766 trillion, as follows: Capital Expenditure: N1.452 trillion Repayments: N313.515 billion,” Sanwo-Olu said. “Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members of this esteemed House, I hereby present highlights of the sectoral allocation in the budget: Economic Affairs – N908.699 billion Environment – N233.176 billion Health – N204.005 billion Education – N208.376 billion Security, Safety, and Public Order – N124.073 billion Social Protection – N47.077 billion” “Mr. Speaker, as you will notice, the budget size is made up of recurrent expenditure of N1.239 trillion (41%) and capital expenditure of N1.766 trillion (59%). The deficit financing, which is within our fiscal sustainability parameters, shall consist of external and internal loans and bonds,” he added.Penn State kicks off Sunshine Slam by cruising past Fordham
During the COP29 plenary session in Baku, country representatives gathered to tackle key negotiations, aiming to set a new target for annual climate finance. The talks are crucial, with global attention fixed on the outcome. Azerbaijan's COP29 President, Mukhtar Babayev, urged delegates to intensify their efforts, highlighting the global spotlight on their discussions. Babayev emphasized that time is limited and stressed the importance of bridging remaining differences. Brazil's Environment Minister, Marina Silva, conveyed through a translator the need for a minimally acceptable result, noting the urgent environmental challenges faced by societies worldwide. Silva called for renewed urgency and accountability to safeguard the planet. (With inputs from agencies.)Turkish FM Discusses with Blinken Need to Cooperate with New Syrian AdministrationNone
World News | Canada's Top Military Commander Calls out US Senator for Questioning Woman's Role in CombatNick Kern came off the bench for 20 points and 13 rebounds as Penn State remained unbeaten with an 85-66 thumping of Fordham in a semifinal of the Sunshine Slam on Monday in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Nittany Lions (6-0), who will play either San Francisco or Clemson for the tournament title on Tuesday, put four other players in double figures. Zach Hicks scored 16 points, while Puff Johnson added 15. Ace Baldwin and Yanic Konan Niederhauser each chipped in 12 points. Penn State sank nearly 53 percent of its field goal attempts and earned a 38-30 advantage on the boards, more than enough to offset missing 12 of its 32 foul shots. Four players reached double figures for the Rams (3-4), led by 15 points apiece from Jackie Johnson III and reserve Joshua Rivera. Romad Dean and Jahmere Tripp each added 13. Fordham was as close as 56-49 after Tripp made a layup with 14:25 left in the game. But the Nittany Lions responded with a 16-1 run, capped with a layup by Kern for a 22-point lead at the 9:33 mark, and they never looked back. The main storyline prior to tipoff was whether Penn State could continue its torrid early start that saw it come into the day leading Division I in steals and ranked second in scoring at 98.2 points per game. The Nittany Lions certainly played to their billing for most of the first half, establishing a 21-8 lead at the 10:08 mark via Hicks' three-point play. Fordham predictably struggled early with the pressure defense, committing four turnovers in the first four minutes. But the Rams got their bearings over the last 10 minutes and made some shots. They got as close as four on two occasions late in the half before Penn State pushed the lead to 42-34 at the half. The officials were busy in the half, calling 23 fouls and administering 27 free throws. --Field Level Media
Startup Mantra: Finding viable solution to address industrial wasteHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Corbin Burnes and Arizona Diamondbacks agree to $210 million, 6-year deal, AP source says PHOENIX (AP) — Corbin Burnes and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $210 million, six-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was pending a successful physical. The 30-year-old Burnes was perhaps the top free agent pitcher on the market after going 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA for Baltimore last season. The Orioles acquired the right-hander in a February trade after he spent his first six major league seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. Patriots QB Drake Maye returns to game after evaluation for head injury vs. Chargers FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye has returned to the game after being evaluated for a head injury following a blow to the helmet in the first quarter of New England’s matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye was scrambling near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession of the game when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field on his own power. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent and then the locker room. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett in the next series. But Maye returned at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. NBA coaches react with dismay over firing of 2-time coach of the year Mike Brown ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Not even two years ago, Rick Carlisle publicly lauded Mike Brown for the job he did on the way to winning the NBA’s coach of the year award. And on Friday, Carlisle was among the coaches reacting with dismay that Brown was fired. The Sacramento Kings dismissed Brown on Friday, with the team off to a 13-18 start this season and mired toward the bottom of the Western Conference — despite back-to-back winning seasons, something that franchise hadn’t managed in nearly two decades. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas. Hurts is still in the NFL concussion protocol. The Eagles will turn to backup Kenny Pickett on Sunday because Hurts is dealing with the lingering effects of a concussion suffered against Washington. Hurts was injured early at Washington after his head slammed against the ground on one run and he was hit in the helmet by Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu at the end of another. Hurts isn’t healthy enough to play just yet. McCord throws for 453 yards, 5 TDs in No. 22 Syracuse's 52-35 Holiday Bowl win over Washington State SAN DIEGO (AP) — Kyle McCord threw for 453 yards and five touchdowns to break Deshaun Watson’s Atlantic Coast Conference season passing record and lead No. 22 Syracuse to a 52-35 victory over depleted-yet-scrappy Washington State in the Holiday Bowl on Friday night. LeQuint Allen rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns for his second straight 1,000-yard season for the Orange (10-3), who had their first 10-win season since 2018. Fran Brown joined Paul Pasqualoni (1991) as the only Orange coaches since World War II to win 10 game in their first season. The Cougars (8-5) lost their fourth straight game but were spirited despite losing coach Jake Dickert to Wake Forest, quarterback John Mateer to Oklahoma, both coordinators and the quarterbacks and running backs coach. Southern California overcomes 17-point deficit to beat Texas A&M 35-31 in Las Vegas Bowl LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jayden Maiava threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Ford with eight seconds left to give Southern California a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M in the Las Vegas Bowl on Friday night. A graduate of Liberty High School in nearby Henderson and a transfer from UNLV, Maiava helped the Trojans (7-6) overcome a 17-point deficit. After Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed raced 19 yards for a touchdown with 1:49 remaining to regain the lead, Maiava drove Southern California 75 yards in 10 plays for the winning score.The Aggies (8-5) opened the third quarter by scoring 17 straight points to take a 24-7 lead. Taylen Green leads Arkansas to 39-26 victory over Texas Tech in the Liberty Bowl MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Taylen Green threw for 341 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 81 yards in Arkansas’ 39-26 victory over Texas Tech on Friday night in the Liberty Bowl. Green completed 11 of 21 passes and Arkansas (7-6) had 573 yards of total offense. J’Koby Williams rushed for 123 yards and a TD for Texas Tech (8-5). Will Hammond threw for 280 yards and a touchdown. The Red Raiders took a shot before game time when leading running back Tahj Brooks, who rushed for 1,505 yards, opted not to play for “personal reasons.” The first half was highlighted by big scoring plays, including a 54-yard run by Williams and a 94-yard pass from Green to receiver Dazmin James, the longest pass play in Liberty Bowl history.