Qꔧo lX8vmen$y]FVg#o1w Gr5 ?xx .P!761sӑFAU8l"> #h\Ü+a7."Wdz U B:dץ6It]&>Qꔧo lX8vmen$y]FVg#o1w Gr5 ?xx .P!761sӑFAU8l— Recommendations are independently chosen by our editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Black Friday 2024 delivered some stellar sales from big box retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Target , Wayfair and too many more. If you're looking to shop off the beaten path, Small Business Saturday is the perfect opportunity to support your favorite local shops and discover unique products with exclusive deals. Today, November 30 , small businesses across the country are offering special sales to encourage customers to shop local and support their community and thriving brands. Below, I've highlighted our team's favorite Small Business Saturday shopping recommendations from beauty and fashion to jewelry and CBD . Small Business Saturday shopping recommendations Beauty Alleyoop : Save up to 40% on multi-purpose, travel-friendly Alleyoop makeup with coupon code BFCM . Shop bundles, get a free gift with orders of $50 or more at Alleyoop during Small Business Saturday. Tower28 Beauty : The popular Asian-owned business is hosting its biggest sale of the year during Small Business Saturday. Save 28% sitewide and get a free mini mascara with orders of $50 or more at Tower28 today. Hairstory : Hairstory offers responsible hair products that include refillable packaging and healthy ingredients for a range of hair types. Use coupon code FRIDAY2024 to save 20% on your entire order on Small Business Saturday. Iris & Romeo : Don't miss Iris & Romeo's Small Business Saturday sitewide sale with 25% off their multi-functional beauty products. Known for their skin-loving ingredients and minimalistic approach, Iris & Romeo's products are designed to enhance your natural beauty with ease. Ami Cole : Support Black-owned business Ami Cole on Small Business Saturday and save 25% on their clean and inclusive beauty products, including the best-selling lip oil . Specializing in skincare and makeup for melanin-rich skin, Ami Cole's sale is the perfect opportunity to stock up on your favorite essentials. Medik8 : Take advantage of Medik8's Small Business Saturday sale and get up to 30% off their vegan and cruelty-free skincare products. From anti-aging serums to hydrating moisturizers, Medik8 offers a range of solutions to keep your skin glowing and healthy. Fashion Nisolo : Shop Nisolo this Small Business Saturday and get up to 50% off their ethically-made footwear and accessories. Nisolo offers beautifully crafted shoes and bags that support sustainable practices and fair wages for their artisans. Hey Dude : Discover the ultimate comfort with Hey Dude during Small Business Saturday and enjoy 25% off their lightweight and stylish footwear . Perfect for everyday wear, Hey Dude shoes combine functionality with contemporary designs. MATE the Label : Embrace sustainable fashion with MATE the Label's Small Business Saturday sale and save 30% on their eco-friendly apparel and activewear. From organic cotton basics to stylish loungewear, MATE the Label prioritizes your comfort and the planet. Bombas : Support a brand that gives back with Bombas during Small Business Saturday and get 20% off their comfortable socks and apparel. For every item purchased, Bombas donates an item to those in need, so you can shop and make a difference. Pistola Denim : Update your wardrobe at Pistola Denim this Small Business Saturday and get 25% off their high-quality jeans and apparel. Known for their perfect fit and modern styles, Pistola Denim offers versatile pieces for any occasion. Cuyana : Discover timeless elegance with Cuyana this Small Business Saturday and save 30% on almost everything, including their top-selling work bags and apparel. Known for their "fewer, better" philosophy, Cuyana offers high-quality, sustainably made items that are designed to last. Left On Friday : Celebrate Small Business Saturday at Left On Friday and grab 30% off their high-performance swimwear and activewear. Known for their durable fabrics and flattering fits, Left On Friday offers stylish options for both water and land activities. Jewelry Ana Luisa : Shop Ana Luisa jewelry this Small Business Saturday and get up to 35% off when you purchase three or more items. Best known for their sustainable earrings and affordable pieces, Ana Luisa offers a beautiful selection of fine jewelry to complement any style. Mint & Lily : Check out Mint & Lily's sale on Small Business Saturday 2024 to shop their personalized jewelry collections and special buy one, get one 50% off offer on select pieces. Known for their customizable options, Mint & Lily provides unique and meaningful gifts perfect for any occasion. Hey Harper : Shop Hey Harper's Small Business Saturday deals and get up to 50% off their waterproof and tarnish-free jewelry, plus a free gift when you buy three items. Hey Harper's durable and stylish pieces are designed to withstand everyday wear while looking effortlessly chic. Oak and Luna : Discover the contemporary elegance of Oak and Luna during Small Business Saturday 2024 with 20% off their unique jewelry designs with coupon code BF20 . Oak and Luna's pieces are perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your collection. CBD Sunday Scaries : Need to relax and unwind this holiday season? Shop Sunday Scaries during Small Business Saturday sale and save 30% on their premium CBD products with coupon code BFCM30 . CBD gummies and tinctures from Sunday Scaries are known for their high-quality ingredients and effective formulations, offering a bit of peace during hectic times. CBDFx : Check out CBDfx to get 40% off their wide range of CBD products with code THANKFUL . From tinctures and gummies to skincare and pet-friendly products , CBDfx offers high-quality, lab-tested CBD solutions for your wellness needs. More ways to support small businesses today: Etsy : If you're shopping for unique or handcrafted items, Etsy is a must-shop this Small Business Saturday. You can find discounts across various shops and creators. From custom jewelry to home décor, Etsy offers a vast selection of one-of-a-kind products created by talented artisans. Goldbelly : We all have to eat. On Small Business Saturday, try supporting your local restaurants, grocery stores and shops with help from Goldbelly. Whether you're craving a classic New York bagel or a Texas BBQ feast, Goldbelly can deliver culinary delights right to your doorstep. Right now, use code BELLYJOY20 to save 20% on your next order. How did Small Business Saturday start? Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 and plays a crucial role in promoting the shopping season for small, thriving businesses. As consumers eagerly anticipate holiday deals and promotions, such as those seen on Black Friday 2024, Small Business Saturday offers a unique opportunity to highlight local community-driven shops. With an increasing emphasis on personalized service and unique products, this day encourages shoppers to explore and invest in local businesses. By participating, you can help contribute to the local economy while still enjoying exclusive deals and discounts. Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.High Point defeats Pfeiffer 81-50
Teen dies after falling from rope swing on Gold Coast
Ohio State Coach Ryan Day Called Out For Decision During Postgame BrawlThe American Canyon and Vanden high school football team earned spots in 2024 CIF Regional Football Championship Bowl Games after brackets were released on Sunday. The Wolves (11-2), who beat Redwood 35-28 on Saturday for their first North Coast Section crown in school history, will host Lassen of Susanville (10-3) in the 5-A bowl on Saturday at 6 p.m. Lassen beat Orland 49-35 in the Northern Section championship. The Grizzlies will travel 260 miles to American Canyon for the bowl game. With a win, American Canyon will play Rio Hondo Prep or Poway for a state crown. Vanden (11-2), which beat Oakdale 49-35 on Saturday in the Sac-Joaquin Section championship, will travel to Pleasant Valley of Chico (9-3) in the Division 3-A bowl game at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Pleasant Valley knocked off Red Bluff 49-21 in the Northern Section title game. With a win, Vanden will play Rio Hondo Prep or Poway for a state crown. Tickets for the regional bowl games are available though the CIF’s ticketing partner, GoFan. Tickets go on sale to the general public at noon on Monday. For more about the other bowls, see cifstate.org.
Sam Hicks, defense lead Abilene Christian over Northern Arizona 24-0 to extend 1st trip to playoffsBob Casey concedes Pa. Senate race, congratulates Dave McCormick on win
Hezbollah says it carried out a 'defensive warning strike' on an Israeli military position, according to Reuters. The Israeli military said the Hezbollah strike is consisted of two missiles. The fire was into a disputed border zone held by IDF. Trump demands the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, warning of severe consequences if not freed before his Jan. 20 inauguration. His ultimatum follows reports of a U.S.-Israeli citizen’s death and a hostage video calling for his intervention. The crisis began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and displaced millions in Gaza. WASHINGTON - President-elect Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Hamas, demanding the immediate release of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, 2025, warned that failure to release the hostages before his inauguration would result in "HELL TO PAY." "Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform. "Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!" While Trump did not explicitly state whether he would involve U.S. military forces in Israel’s campaign against Hamas, his language has left the door open to speculation. Allies of the president-elect suggested that Trump hopes for a resolution before he assumes office, potentially avoiding further escalation. Israeli President Isaac Herzog praised Trump’s remarks, responding on X (formerly Twitter): "Thank you and bless you Mr. President-elect @realDonaldTrump. We all pray for the moment we see our sisters and brothers back home!" Hamas has released a propaganda video of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander, who has been held captive for 422 days. The White House denounced the video of Alexander, calling it "a cruel reminder of Hamas’s terror." The disturbing footage shows the 20-year-old covering his face and crying. Alexander, who is a dual American-Israeli citizen, was serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) when he was abducted by Hamas terrorists during the Oct. 7 attacks. LiveNOW's Andy Mac spoke about the hostage video and other headlines with Hussain Abdul-Hussain, a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on Trump’s statements. The hostage situation began during Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel. Militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took approximately 250 hostages into Gaza. Israeli officials estimate that about 100 hostages are still in captivity, with two-thirds believed to be alive. Trump’s ultimatum followed reports of the death of Omer Neutra, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen whose body remains in Gaza, and a hostage video of Israeli soldier Edan Alexander filmed under apparent duress. In the video, Alexander called on Trump to work toward securing the hostages' freedom. The Biden administration has attempted to broker talks between Israel and Hamas alongside a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. However, U.S. officials have expressed frustration, citing Hamas’s unwillingness to negotiate and indifference towards Gaza’s civilian casualties. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has devastated Gaza, killing at least 44,429 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and displacing 90% of its population of 2.3 million people. With Trump’s inauguration drawing closer, his forceful rhetoric marks a potential turning point in U.S. involvement in the region.
Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contestThe USS Zumwalt is at a Mississippi shipyard where workers have installed missile tubes that replace twin turrets from a gun system that was never activated because it was too expensive. Once the system is complete, the Zumwalt will provide a platform for conducting fast, precision strikes from greater distances, adding to the usefulness of the warship. “It was a costly blunder. But the Navy could take victory from the jaws of defeat here, and get some utility out of (the ships) by making them into a hypersonic platform,” said Bryan Clark, a defence analyst at the Hudson Institute. The US has had several types of hypersonic weapons in development for the past two decades, but recent tests by both Russia and China have added pressure to the US military to hasten their production. Hypersonic weapons travel beyond Mach 5, five times the speed of sound, with added manoeuvrability making them harder to shoot down. Last year, The Washington Post newspaper reported that among the documents leaked by former Massachusetts Air National Guard member Jack Teixeira was a defence department briefing that confirmed China had recently tested an intermediate-range hypersonic weapon called the DF-27. While the Pentagon had previously acknowledged the weapon’s development, it had not recognised its testing. One of the US programmes in development and planned for the Zumwalt is the Conventional Prompt Strike. It would launch like a ballistic missile and then release a hypersonic glide vehicle that would travel at speeds seven to eight times faster than the speed of sound before hitting the target. The weapon system is being developed jointly by the Navy and Army. Each of the three Zumwalt-class destroyers would be equipped with four missile tubes, each with three of the missiles for a total of 12 hypersonic weapons per ship. In choosing the Zumwalt, the Navy is attempting to add to the usefulness of a 7.5 billion US dollars (£5.9 billion) warship that is considered by critics to be an expensive mistake despite serving as a test platform for multiple innovations. The Zumwalt was envisioned as providing land-attack capability with an advanced gun system with rocket-assisted projectiles to open the way for Marines to charge ashore. But the system featuring 155mm guns hidden in stealthy turrets was cancelled because each of the rocket-assisted projectiles cost up to one million dollars (£790,000). Despite the stain on their reputation, the three Zumwalt-class destroyers: Zumwalt, Michael Monsoor and Lyndon B Johnson; remain the Navy’s most advanced surface warships in terms of new technologies. Those innovations include electric propulsion, an angular shape to minimise radar signature, an unconventional wave-piercing hull, automated fire and damage control and a composite deckhouse that hides radar and other sensors. The US is accelerating development because hypersonics have been identified as vital to US national security with “survivable and lethal capabilities”, said James Weber, principal director for hypersonics in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies. “Fielding new capabilities that are based on hypersonic technologies is a priority for the defence department to sustain and strengthen our integrated deterrence, and to build enduring advantages,” he said.DEADLINE ALERT: Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Investigates Claims on Behalf of Investors of TMC
‘God Bless the USA’ charts again after Trump’s winArticle content Justin Trudeau’s Liberals are fiddling while Canada burns. And Jagmeet Singh’s New Democrats are performing as their backup musicians. Recommended Videos The Liberals are obsessed with getting their gimmicky GST holiday passed. At the same time, on Nov. 29, Statistics Canada announced that for the sixth consecutive quarter (and the eighth quarter in the last nine), Canada’s per-capita Gross Domestic Product declined. The GDP decline is the far bigger problem. It’s the national fire. A country that is in economic decline cannot afford all its fancy social programs such as health care and pensions. So what are the Liberals doing about that? Nothing. Are they cutting spending so the public sector doesn’t suck as much energy out of the economy? Don’t be silly. Are they lowering taxes, such as the income tax or carbon tax, in a meaningful way so public spending doesn’t crowd out personal spending? Nope. In the spring budget, the Liberals projected this year’s deficit would be in the neighbourhood of $40 billion. Now it’s almost certainly at $50 billion, with four more months to go in the budget year. On top of which they’re thinking of adding $6 billion to pay for their two-month GST hiatus and their $250 cheques to working Canadians (but likely not seniors, the self-employed or small businesspeople). The Liberals’ backup fiddlers – the New Democrats – are demanding even more spending. So, by the end of March, expect this year’s deficit to be nearer $60 billion. That kind of out-of-control spending puts huge upward pressure on inflation — more pressure than the GST forgiveness can relieve. There’s an excellent chance the Liberals’ scheme to give Canadians temporary relief from the high cost of living will end up raising the cost. Borrowing less money might help the Liberals put out the fire threatening our economy. Will they borrow less so the Bank of Canada can continue to bring down interest rates? Not a hope. If you have to refinance your mortgage in the coming months and the interest rate goes up, blame it on the inflationary pressure caused by Trudeau’s GST gimmick. I’m sure as you’ve laid awake nights, wondering how you were going to afford food for your family AND activities for the kids AND repairs to your car AND a new mortgage, the thought never once came to your head, “Gee, I sure wish the federal Liberals would remove the GST on beer until the middle of February. That would be a big help.” Using 1995 as a base, Canada’s per-capita GDP is now only 35% higher than it was 30 years ago; the Americans’ is 63% higher. And since the Trudeau Liberals came to office in 2015, our per-capita wealth has barely budged. It’s up under five percentage points, while the Americans’ has risen 25 points. Over the past nine years, America’s per-capita GDP has risen five times faster than ours, largely for two reasons. Their federal governments during that period have not been as anti-business, anti-investment as the Trudeau Liberals. And they have allowed in nowhere near as many legal immigrants as we have – immigrants who need housing, jobs, health care and other benefits. They have a bigger pie but have grown the number competing for a slice more slowly. A side effect of the GST gimmick will be a huge cost to businesses; it will be felt especially by small businesses. They will have to recalculate every item on which they must still collect GST and every item on which they no longer do. Then at the end of 60 days, they’ll have to go right back to collecting GST on the things they do now. That will eat away any increased business income they might have earned from Canadians spending their GST savings. Fiddle, Mr. Trudeau. Fiddle.Every win the UCLA women's basketball team has earned this season has been one that adds to the historical legacy of head coach Cori Close and her team. Eight games into the season, the Bruins have already accomplished historical firsts for the program. Last Sunday, the Bruins became the first team in the 51-year history of the program to defeat a No. 1 team with their 77-62 victory over South Carolina. The next day, they became the first women’s basketball team in UCLA history to be ranked No.1 in the Associated Press poll. The Bruins (8-0) have since added a 70-49 win over Hawaii on Sunday in the Rainbow Wahine Showdown in Honolulu, Hawaii. Why it matters The collegiate women's basketball game has changed so much over the years. UConn and Tennessee were the dominant programs for over two decades, but is no longer a two-team sport. In the past 20 years, we have seen South Carolina, Stanford, Notre Dame, Baylor, LSU and Iowa make their presence known on a national level. The more championship teams there are, the better it is for the sport. UCLA is ready to be the "next" power on the women's basketball landscape, and this season can be the one where it shows it . Changing the conversation When the casual fan mentions UCLA basketball, the men's program often comes to mind. Eleven national titles will give you that instant and deserved recognition. Close, who is in her 14 th year as head coach of the Bruins, wants to change that and have the women's program also earn the respect as a basketball power. With each game this season, she is getting closer to that goal. In 51 years, the Bruins have only won one national title in 1978. Close wants to make it two for the program, and the team's early season success could be a preview of what is to come in March. Shaping a new culture for the program Close’s work hard, play hard mentality defined her as a player and has continued as a coach in her career at UC Santa Barbara, Florida State and UCLA. It has led to success in each chapter of her basketball life, culminating with her building a powerful team that has been a perennial NCAA Tournament qualifier eight times over the past 14 years. Currently, the Bruins have two players who are making a name for themselves on the national level. Freshman point guard Elina Aarnisalo is tied for 14 th nationally in assists, averaging 6.3 per game. Junior center Lauren Betts is tied for 12th in the country in averaging 10.9 rebounds and is tied for 35th in the country in averaging 2.1 blocks per game . They provide UCLA with a diversified attack inside and outside the lane, making them a team hard to defend and score against. The Bruins have size and speed and can attack and defend from all areas of the court. More challenges on the way The Bruins have a lot of challenges in front of them as they aim for their first national title since 1978. They are in their first year in the Big Ten conference, which is a highly competitive one. Last season, eight league schools made the NCAA Tournament, and six are currently nationally ranked. The Bruins will be playing a large number of teams with different styles of play than they are used to. It will be an experience that will only test them as they get prepared for the postseason in March.
If you're feeling uneasy about the future of Social Security right now, you're not alone. A whopping 87% of U.S. adults say they're concerned about the program, according to a 2024 poll from Gallup, with 43% of that group saying they worry "a great deal" about it. Furthermore, 43% of retirees believe their benefits will be cut in the future, while 47% of nonretired adults worry that Social Security won't be able to pay them a benefit at all once they retire. It's no secret that Social Security is on shaky footing, and the current political climate could create more uncertainty around its future. While the problem may not be as dire as some might believe, there's still good reason to be cautious going forward. Here's what you need to know. The biggest problem plaguing Social Security Social Security is a complex program, and one of the more confusing aspects is the financial state of its trust funds: the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) fund (which covers retirement benefits) and the Disability Insurance (DI) fund (covering disability benefits). Normally, Social Security's income sources -- primarily payroll taxes -- should be enough to fully fund benefits. The cash coming in from taxes is paid out to current beneficiaries, and future generations of workers will fund future retirees' and workers with disabilities' payments. However, in recent years, the program's income hasn't been enough to fully fund benefits. There are a slew of reasons behind this, from older adults living much longer lifespans (collecting more years' worth of benefits than previous generations) to a declining birth rate in the U.S. (with fewer workers paying into the system). Because Social Security's expenses exceed its income, the Social Security Administration (SSA) has been pulling money from the trust funds to bridge the gap. This strategy has avoided benefit cuts in the short term, but both the OASI and DI funds are expected to run out by 2035, according to the SSA Board of Trustees' latest estimates. Can lawmakers solve the problem? The good news is that Social Security isn't going bankrupt, and as long as workers continue paying payroll taxes, there will always be at least some money to pay out in benefits. That said, if nothing happens between now and 2035, the trust funds will eventually run out. Social Security would need to rely solely on its income sources to pay out benefits, and according to the Board of Trustees' projections, that income will only be enough to cover around 83% of future payments. There's also a chance the problem could worsen between now and then. President-elect Donald Trump has already promised to eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits, as well as taxes on tips and overtime pay. He has also suggested eliminating federal income tax altogether. While tax cuts could put more money into the pockets of many Americans, it will also slash Social Security's biggest income source. Without taxes, the SSA will not only have to pull more money from the trust funds in the short term (causing them to run out even faster), but once those funds are depleted, there will be even less cash to pay out in benefits (resulting in steeper cuts down the road). It's unclear right now whether these proposed tax cuts will happen, and there are other solutions on the table -- such as increasing taxes for workers earning more than $400,000 per year, raising the full retirement age for retirees, and reducing benefits for high earners. Should you be worried right now? Nobody can say for certain what will happen between now and 2035. It's likely that lawmakers will come up with some sort of solution before widespread benefit cuts become a reality, and any plans to eliminate federal taxes will almost surely face hurdles in Congress. That said, if you're going to be relying on Social Security in retirement, it's wise to start coming up with a backup plan now. That could mean working a few years longer than planned to beef up your savings, or, if you can swing it, continuing to work at least part time in retirement. You could also try picking up a source of passive income to help replace Social Security in your budget. At the very least, staying informed about these issues can help you plan more effectively. Social Security's future may be up in the air right now, but by staying updated and having a backup plan ready, you can better protect your finances going forward.Veralto Stock: Analyst Estimates & Ratings
No. 15 Tennessee women beat Winthrop 112-50 for seventh 12-0 start in program history
The Chicago White Sox are looking for a "meaningful piece," in return for center fielder Luis Robert Jr., according to The Athletic's Will Sammon, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal . Potential trade partners seem to be seeking "something for nothing," according to the White Sox, with one executive stating, "I don't think they understand what his value is," per Sammon, Woo, and Rosenthal. The White Sox aren't demanding multiple prospects for Robert Jr. but feel that teams are overreaching in trade negotiations for the 27-year-old. According to one rival executive, the White Sox are also "rightly asking high" in trade discussions involving left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, per Sammon, Woo, and Rosenthal. It was reported on Nov. 25 that the White Sox would "love to unload" Robert Jr. before they trade away Crochet, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale . The team signed Robert Jr. to a six-year, $50 million contract five years ago, expecting big things from the outfielder. However, the 27-year-old has struggled to meet those expectations. "The guy is certainly intriguing, but they've got a really high price tag on him," one anonymous general manager said, per Nightengale. "You've got to hope he finally stays healthy and can be the player everyone envisioned all along. But the White Sox are acting like he's some big star center fielder and are asking for your top prospects." Robert Jr. has spent all five of his professional seasons with the White Sox, recording 88 career home runs, 245 RBI and a .267 batting average. He also boasts a 2023 Silver Slugger Award and a 2020 Gold Glove Award. The White Sox finished last season with a 41-121 record, ranking last in both the American League Central Division and the entire AL. Robert Jr. finished the season with 14 home runs, 35 RBI and a .224 batting average while leading the team with 141 strikeouts in 100 games.