The bald eagle has landed in the U.S. code after President Joe Biden signed a bill Tuesday making the predator the official national bird. Congress passed the measure with unanimous support. Although the bird of prey is at the center of the Great Seal of the United States, it was never formally recognized as the country's official bird. Some of the Founding Fathers — Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson — were tasked with creating a national seal but simply couldn't come to an agreement. In 1782, a version of the seal with a bald eagle was submitted by Secretary of the Continental Congress Charles Thomson and approved. Most Americans are familiar with the seal's eagle carrying a flag-emblazoned shield holding an olive branch in one talon and arrows in the other. Franklin was historically against the decision, arguing in a letter to his daughter that the bald eagle was "a bird of bad moral character." Either way, the U.S. has not had an official bird in the almost 250 years since its founding. Minnesota resident Preston Cook has long hoped that the eagle would ascend into the U.S. code, even writing a draft a bill and sending it to lawmakers. Cook described himself as having a lifelong obsession with the bald eagle, and took it upon himself to push for a change when discovering that there was no official U.S. bird. He wrote a simple piece of legislation that would change the code to say that, “The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is the national bird.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., then led a bipartisan group who brought it to the Senate floor in July. It passed unanimously before sailing through the House last week with no opposition. Cook told NBC News earlier this month that this is one overlooked piece of history he felt compelled to fix. “No one has to change anything; it’s just a correction. It is only a correction in history to make things right and makes things the way they should be,” Cook said.An NFL owner's daughter is trending on social media for her outfit on the field on Sunday afternoon. The Kansas City Chiefs topped the Carolina Panthers, 30-27, at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday. Bryce Young and the Panthers put up a tough fight, tying the game late in the fourth quarter, but Patrick Mahomes and Co. were able to pull out another late win. The Chiefs, who lost to the Bills, 30-21, last weekend, were able to get back in the win column on Sunday. Kansas City improved to 10-1 on the season, while Carolina dropped to 3-8 on the year. Gracie Hunt, the daughter of the Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, trended on social media for her stunning outfit on Sunday. Gracie Hunt/IG Gracie Hunt, the daughter of the Kansas City Chiefs owner, stunned with her beige outfit on the field. "Taking on week twelve! 🏈🔥" she wrote. NFL fans loved it. "Good Morning. Sweet, go chiefs!!! ❤️💛🏈" one fan wrote. "❤️🔥😍," one fan added. "LETS GO CHIEFS," another fan added. "Absolutely gorgeous as always! Love your shoes! 💕💕💕💕," another fan added. "Let's go, Chiefs ❤️💛🏈 Gorgeous Gracie🩷," one fan added. "The Queen in the Queen City. Bet mostly Chiefs fans. Looking great in white," one fan added. View the original article to see embedded media. The Chiefs, winners of the past two Super Bowls, are set to return to the field on Friday against the Las Vegas Raiders, in a Black Friday Game. Kickoff between Kansas City and Las Vegas is scheduled for 3 p.m E.T. The game will air on Amazon Prime.
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In the history of presidential pardons, the absolution granted to Hunter Biden by President Joe Biden stands alone. This clemency will register as one of the shameful culminating acts of a good man, and father, now inelegantly exiting the West Wing. The crimes committed by Hunter Biden, the youngest son of Joe Biden, are far from the most heinous ever to elicit the mercy of a U.S. president. Presidents have extended pardons to war criminals. And it’s not historically rare for a president to pardon someone who shares a direct family bloodline — though this is the first time a president has bestowed the extraordinary forgiveness to a direct progeny. What makes the president’s pardon historically consequential is that it’s a pardon Joe Biden said on several occasions he wouldn’t offer. He didn’t equivocate. So now we’re left to question whether Joe Biden simply changed his mind or deliberately misled the American public in the heat of an election campaign from which he had yet to withdraw. When President Biden told the American public he would accept the will of the jury, which convicted Hunter Biden on gun charges earlier this year, he was clear. He vowed to respect the rule of law as our best leaders do. “I’m extremely proud of my son Hunter,” Joe Biden said after the conviction. “He has overcome an addiction. He is one of the brightest, most decent men I know. I abide by the jury decision. I will do that, and I will not pardon him.” Jurors found Hunter Biden guilty in June of lying to a federally licensed gun dealer, making a false claim on the application by saying he was not a drug user and illegally possessing a gun for 11 days. At the time of this pardon, he had yet to be sentenced. Before the pardon, Hunter Biden was also scheduled to face a judge to be sentenced on a felony tax-evasion guilty plea. The false equivalencies have begun in earnest. Shortly after Joe Biden’s grant of clemency was announced Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump wrote the following post on the Truth Social platform: “Does the pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 (January 6th) hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?” Trump wrote. “Such an abuse and miscarriage of justice!” A spokesperson for the Trump transition team offered additional perspective in defense of Trump, who was found guilty of 34 felony charges related to a hush-money payment to a porn actress in the 2016 campaign. The cases involving Trump and Hunter Biden bear no comparison, but that hasn’t prevented either side from arguing that they are victims of a politicized Department of Justice. “The failed witch hunts against President Trump have proved that the Democrat-controlled DOJ and other radical prosecutors are guilty of weaponizing the justice system,” Trump’s incoming White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement to Fox News. “That system of justice must be fixed, and due process must be restored for all Americans, which is exactly what President Trump will do as he returns to the White House with an overwhelming mandate from the American people,” Cheung said. It’s a false equivalency. Trump and a group of his supporters attempted to overturn a fair and free election. He branded the Jan. 6 protesters (and associated insurrectionists) as patriots and now may soon use his sweeping constitutional powers to grant them the same courtesy that Joe Biden granted his son. At least Trump has previously said he would consider pardons on a case-by-case basis. Even the sad spectacle of Trump potentially pardoning those who stormed the Capitol won’t completely eclipse one of the final acts of Joe Biden as U.S. president. He chose his son over country. He did so despite his stated intent that he wouldn’t. Morris is the opinion editor for the Minneapolis Star Tribune . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
USC loses veteran WR Kyron Hudson to transfer portalLondon honored for supporting student mental health and eliminating barriers to care NATICK, Mass. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Business Journal honored Uwill founder and CEO Michael London as part of its 2025 Innovators in Healthcare list . Honorees represent a cross-section of Boston -based innovators addressing some of the most urgent and pressing challenges in the health care industry. London is the founding CEO of Uwill , the leading mental health and wellness solution proudly supporting more than 3 million students at 400 institutions globally. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness programming, realtime data, and support. "It's truly an honor to be recognized among this incredible group of innovators," said Michael London , Uwill founder and CEO. "At Uwill, our mission is to break down barriers to mental health care, delivering immediate and accessible support to students worldwide. This recognition reflects more than innovation—it underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing a vital need for students everywhere." London is a recognized thought-leader and pioneer within social impact entrepreneurship, having created more than one billion dollars in company value throughout his career. In 2013, he founded Examity, a leader in learning validation and online proctoring. Prior, London led Bloomberg Institute, an EdTech start-up funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg . Earlier in his career, he founded College Coach and co-founded EdAssist, both acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions. In 2019, he was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and held a position on the Massachusetts Governor's Commission for Digital Education and Lifelong Learning. Michael is a current Trustee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a Member of the Advisory Board at Babson College where he graduated with honors. He also received his MBA from Boston University . About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. As the most cost-effective way to enhance a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 400 institutions, including Princeton University , the Ohio State University , Santa Fe Community College , and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the exclusive teletherapy education partner for the Online Learning Consortium and teletherapy education partner of NASPA. For more information, visit uwill.com . Contact: Brett Silk bsilk@uwill.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uwill-founder--ceo-michael-london-named-innovator-in-healthcare-302338655.html SOURCE Uwill, Inc
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Following their disappointing start to the season, the Milwaukee Bucks have completely turned things around by slowly improving the chemistry of their tandem. They have clawed their way into a top-five seed in the Eastern Conference after a 2-8 start, and along the way, they have also become NBA Cup champions. This fight-back has given their team a completely different mindset. Bobby Portis exuded that confidence during a guest appearance on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back . He showed that their camaraderie isn’t restricted to strictly players. The players of the Wisconsin side will not hesitate to go to war for the team’s coaches as well. In other words, the Bucks big man admitted that the team is excited for their matchup against the Lakers to exact revenge for their assistant coach and former Lakers head coach, Darvin Ham. “I mean it’s going to be a fun game to play in... Obviously for Coach Ham it’s a big moment for him. I think our guys will be fired up for him to go and get a [win] . On the other side, they’ll [Lakers] be fired up to not let their coach beat them,” he said. We are still months away from the Bucks and Lakers’ first matchup of the season on March 13. However, Portis’ comments following the NBA Cup win may have potentially ignited a rivalry between the two teams. He called the Bucks’ NBA Cup team “hardworking” while calling last year’s NBA Cup champions, the Lakers, “Hollywood”. He didn’t even hesitate to double down on his comments. This energy from Portis showed just how positive the atmosphere is in the Bucks’ locker room. Now we’ll have to see if the team can sustain their run. in the meantime, Portis is looking forward to going head-to-head against the Lakers. His motivation comes in the form of defending Ham’s honor after his disgraceful firing from the Lakers organization. Ham spent two full seasons with the Lakers before the team terminated his contract earlier this year. The Bucks big man predicts the game to be highly competitive and must-watch TV when the time comes. Darvin Ham’s history as the Lakers head coach Ham accomplished some impressive feats with the Lakers in his two-year stint. In his first season at the helm, he led the team to the Western Conference Finals as a Play-In team. Los Angeles went on to lose in a competitive four-game sweep to the eventual NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets. The problems began in his second season. At first, the Lakers seemed to have expanded on their successful 2023 postseason run. They won the inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament and their chemistry looked amazing. However, their season soon fell apart. The Lakers finished the season as the seventh seed for the consecutive year. In addition, they lost to the Nuggets once again, this time, in the first round. Ham received tremendous criticism for his poor in-game adjustments and lack of effective substitutions. As a result, the Lakers fired him ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season and hired JJ Redick as his replacement. Ham believes he was made the scapegoat for the Lakers’ problems, which will make the matchup against the Bucks all the more worth watching.UTSA 78, HOUSTON CHRISTIAN 71
NoneLondon honored for supporting student mental health and eliminating barriers to care NATICK, Mass. , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Business Journal honored Uwill founder and CEO Michael London as part of its 2025 Innovators in Healthcare list . Honorees represent a cross-section of Boston -based innovators addressing some of the most urgent and pressing challenges in the health care industry. London is the founding CEO of Uwill , the leading mental health and wellness solution proudly supporting more than 3 million students at 400 institutions globally. Utilizing its proprietary technology and counselor team, Uwill pioneered the first student and therapist matching platform. The solution offers an immediate appointment with a licensed counselor based on student preferences, all modalities of teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, wellness programming, realtime data, and support. "It's truly an honor to be recognized among this incredible group of innovators," said Michael London , Uwill founder and CEO. "At Uwill, our mission is to break down barriers to mental health care, delivering immediate and accessible support to students worldwide. This recognition reflects more than innovation—it underscores our unwavering commitment to addressing a vital need for students everywhere." London is a recognized thought-leader and pioneer within social impact entrepreneurship, having created more than one billion dollars in company value throughout his career. In 2013, he founded Examity, a leader in learning validation and online proctoring. Prior, London led Bloomberg Institute, an EdTech start-up funded by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg . Earlier in his career, he founded College Coach and co-founded EdAssist, both acquired by Bright Horizons Family Solutions. In 2019, he was a finalist for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award and held a position on the Massachusetts Governor's Commission for Digital Education and Lifelong Learning. Michael is a current Trustee at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He is a Member of the Advisory Board at Babson College where he graduated with honors. He also received his MBA from Boston University . About Uwill: Uwill is the leading mental health and wellness solution for colleges and students. As the most cost-effective way to enhance a college's mental health offering, Uwill partners with more than 400 institutions, including Princeton University , the Ohio State University , Santa Fe Community College , and University of Alabama - Online. Uwill is also the exclusive teletherapy education partner for the Online Learning Consortium and teletherapy education partner of NASPA. For more information, visit uwill.com . Contact: Brett Silk bsilk@uwill.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uwill-founder--ceo-michael-london-named-innovator-in-healthcare-302338655.html SOURCE Uwill, IncGene editing technology is being widely deployed to generate precise data about disease-causing gene mutations and networks, helping to identify optimal therapeutic targets. These approaches are fueling efforts to develop cell and gene therapies for a growing number of genetic disorders among an estimated 6,000 Mendelian diseases, most of which still lack cures. In this webinar, our expert panelists will discuss recent insights into the relationship between human genetic variation and disease from functional genomic studies. They will share their preferred strategies for improving payload development and delivery in functional genomics studies using gene editing. Key takeaways include: · An understanding of the complexities of therapeutic development including cell and gene engineering and manufacturing challenges. · An introduction to Revvity’s Dharmacon product suite—solutions for targeted editing in almost any cell type including CRISPR knockout, knock-in, and interference.
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem marked another somber Christmas Eve on Tuesday in the traditional birthplace of Jesus under the shadow of war in Gaza . The excitement and cheer that typically descends on the West Bank during Christmas week were nowhere to be found. The festive lights and giant tree that normally decorate Manger Square were missing, as were the throngs of foreign tourists that usually fill the square. Palestinian scouts marched silently through the streets, a departure from their usual raucous brass marching band. Security forces arranged barriers near the Church of the Nativity, built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The cancellation of Christmas festivities is a severe blow to the town's economy. Tourism accounts for an estimated 70% of Bethlehem’s income — almost all from the Christmas season. Salman said unemployment is hovering around 50% — higher than the 30% unemployment across the rest of the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Finance Ministry. Latin Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the top Roman Catholic cleric in the Holy Land, noted the shuttered shops and empty streets and expressed hope that next year would be better. “This has to be the last Christmas that is so sad,” he told hundreds of people gathered in Manger Square, where normally tens of thousands would congregate. Pizzaballa held a special pre-Christmas Mass in the Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City. Several Palestinian Christians told the Associated Press that they have been displaced in the church since the war began in October of last year with barely enough food and water. “We hope by next year at the same day we’d be able to celebrate Christmas at our homes and go to Bethlehem,” said Najla Tarazi, a displaced woman. “We hope to celebrate in Jerusalem ... and for the war to end. This is the most important thing for us and the most important demand we have these days because the situation is really hard. We don’t feel happy.” Bethlehem is an important center in the history of Christianity, but Christians make up only a small percentage of the roughly 14 million people spread across the Holy Land. There are about 182,000 in Israel, 50,000 in the West Bank and Jerusalem and 1,300 in Gaza, according to the U.S. State Department. The number of visitors to the town plunged from a pre-COVID high of around 2 million per year in 2019 to fewer than 100,000 in 2024, said Jiries Qumsiyeh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Tourism Ministry. After nightfall, the golden walls of the Church of the Nativity were illuminated as a few dozen people quietly milled about. A young boy stood holding a pile of balloons for sale, but gave up because there were no customers to buy them. The war in Gaza has deterred tourists and has prompted a surge of violence in the West Bank , with more than 800 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire and dozens of Israelis killed in militant attacks. Palestinian officials do not provide a breakdown of how many of the deceased are civilians and how many are fighters. Since the deadly Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack that sparked the war , access to and from Bethlehem and other towns in the West Bank has been difficult, with long lines of motorists waiting to pass through Israeli military checkpoints. The restrictions have prevented some 150,000 Palestinians from leaving the territory to work in Israel, causing the economy there to contract by 25%. In the Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel, Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took more than 250 Israeli hostages. Israeli officials believe that around 100 hostages remain in captivity in the Gaza Strip. Elsewhere, Christmas celebrations were also subdued. Scores of Syrian Christians protested Tuesday in Damascus, demanding protection after the burning of a Christmas tree in Hama the day before. Videos and images shared on social media showed the large, decorated tree burning at a roundabout in Suqalabiyah, a town in the Hama countryside. It remains unclear who was responsible for setting the tree on fire. In a video that circulated on social media, a representative of Syria’s new leadership, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, could be seen visiting the site and addressing the community. He said: “This act was committed by people who are not Syrian, and they will be punished beyond your expectations.” German celebrations were darkened by a car attack on a Christmas market on Friday that left five people dead and 200 people injured. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier rewrote his annual recorded Christmas Day speech to address the attack. He plans to acknowledge that “there is grief, pain, horror and incomprehension over what took place in Magdeburg,” while urging Germans to “stand together,” according to an early copy of the speech. A snowstorm in the Balkans stranded drivers and downed power lines, but some saw the beauty in it. “I’m actually glad its falling, especially because of Christmas,” said Mirsad Jasarevic in Zenica, Bosnia. “We did not have snow for Christmas for 17 years here, and now is the time for wonderful white Christmas.” American Airlines briefly grounded flights across the U.S. on Tuesday due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive. Winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Meanwhile, the flight-tracking site FlightAware reported that 1,447 flights entering or leaving the U.S., or serving domestic destinations, were delayed Tuesday, with 28 flights canceled. In the port of Barcelona, Spain, volunteers from the faith-based ministry Stella Maris visited seven ships docked there on Christmas Eve to deliver Nativity scenes and the local specialty of turrón (nougat candy) to seafarers. The volunteers met seafarers from India, the Philippines, Turkey and elsewhere, said Ricard Rodríguez-Martos, a Catholic deacon and former merchant marine captain who leads Stella Maris in this major Mediterranean harbor. Associated Press writers Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al Balah, Gaza Strip, Melanie Lidman in Tel Aviv, Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis contributed to this report.BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans issue Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell complaint over 'words from another planet'BUFFALO, N.Y. – When Tyson Kozak looks down at the ink on his left forearm, he sees a friendly reminder. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * BUFFALO, N.Y. – When Tyson Kozak looks down at the ink on his left forearm, he sees a friendly reminder. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? BUFFALO, N.Y. – When Tyson Kozak looks down at the ink on his left forearm, he sees a friendly reminder. As someone who left Souris at the age of 16 to pursue his dream, the feisty forward decided to get a tattoo with some special significance. “Those are the co-ordinates of my hometown,” Kozak said Thursday in a one-on-one interview hours before making his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres against the Winnipeg Jets. “I got it just before I went back for my second or third junior season. I’ve been away from home for a long time, just coming back in the summer. Jeffrey T. Barnes / The Associated Press Buffalo Sabres centre Tyson Kozak left his hometown of Souris at 16 to pursue his hockey dreams. “It’s for remembering where you came from and not getting too high. Stay grounded and stay humble.” It’s clear that being from Souris is something of which Kozak is immensely proud. “Yeah. I spent a lot of time on the outdoor rink and played with the same guys every year, being from a small town. I played with the same group every year growing up. They’ve been texting me since I’ve been here, letting me know how proud they are of me,” said Kozak. “It’s pretty special because everybody pretty much knows everybody, growing up in a small town. It means a lot for my family and for the people back home. There are kids playing hockey back there and seeing someone from our small town has a chance to play (in the NHL), it could give them hope and maybe spark something inside them.” During a 10-minute conversation, it’s also evident Kozak has remained humble and grounded and that’s part of what helped him achieve his goal. Chosen in the seventh round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Kozak’s high motor, willingness to go to the hard areas and shift disturber mentality are what helped him earn his first recall and a spot on Lindy Ruff’s lineup card. “I would say I’m a 200-foot player who is responsible in his own zone. I may not be a point machine or anything but I’m hard on the forecheck, a physical player,” said Kozak, who played AAA hockey with the Southwest Cougars before earning a spot with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League. “Before I got to junior, I was trying to be more of a skilled guy. Once I got to junior, I realized there are a lot of those guys out there. I realized what my role was and that I needed to change it if I wanted to be a successful hockey player.” The change is now paying dividends for Kozak, who spent the first two seasons and change adapting to the pro game with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. On Nov. 29, Kozak was preparing for a game against the Syracuse Crunch when he was called into the head coach’s office. Kozak was about to be a healthy scratch, but for the best reason possible. “I was about to start warming up and we just had a team meeting and we were actually watching the Sabres game on the TV. They were in overtime against Vancouver and my coach called me into the office and told me I had been called up,” said Kozak. “It was a whirlwind of emotions and it was crazy.” Those emotions were front and centre once again on Thursday, when Kozak finally got into the Sabres lineup. Whether it was his helmetless warm-up that included the rookie solo lap or being in the starting lineup against the team from his home province, Kozak admitted to feeling butterflies. “My legs were shaking, hands were shaking. But after that first shift, I felt very comfortable,” Kozak said. The evidence would support Kozak’s assessment of his own game. He didn’t look the least bit out of place, using his skating ability to create some chaos on a fourth line with Beck Malenstyn and Nicolas Aube-Kubel. In 8:26 of ice time, Kozak had one shot on goal, five shot attempts, two hits and was 63 per cent in the faceoff circle. With 2:24 to go in the second period, Kozak appeared to have scored his first NHL goal, finding a loose puck in front and beating Connor Hellebuyck with a shot that would have given the Sabres a 3-2 lead. The Jets used a coach’s challenge for goalie interference and the overhead view clearly showed that Malenstyn made contact with Hellebuyck inside the crease and the memorable goal was taken off the board. “Just saw (an) open net and I had the puck in the slot, and decided to put it in,” said Kozak, whose parents, Trevor and Michelle, and younger sister Paige were inside KeyBank Center for the monumental moment. “It sucks for it to be disallowed, and, obviously, it sucks even more for us to lose in overtime.” The topic du jour around the NHL this week was the unveiling of the 4 Nations Face-Off rosters for Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland and right on cue, folks around the country were quick to weigh in on the choices — with the level of vitriol ranging but often reaching a high intensity level. Count us among those surprised Jets centre Mark Scheifele wasn’t chosen by Team Canada. Jets head coach Scott Arniel revealed he’d spoken to Team Canada GM Don Sweeney and Scheifele about his omission, but that he’s still under consideration as an injury replacement should the need to add the forward arise. In his first game since the announcements were made public, Scheifele had his best game since his hat trick against the Florida Panthers, notching a pair of assists in just under 25 minutes of ice time. He looked more like himself and the Jets top line with Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi scored an even-strength marker on a beautiful redirection by Vilardi and had numerous shifts where they created a number of scoring chances. There’s no doubt Scheifele is at not being named to the roster, but the best thing he can do to keep himself on the radar is to continue to play a determined game. Speaking of Team Canada, in the spirit of full transparency and keeping the receipts, Ken correctly identified 10 of the 13 forwards, five of the seven D-men and two of the three goalies in our projections one month ago, while Mike correctly identified eight of the 13 forwards, five of the seven D-men and all three goalies. I had mentioned both Winnipegger Seth Jarvis and Tampa Bay Lightning centre Anthony Cirelli in the sleeper category, but opted to put Zach Hyman and Alexis Lafreniere ahead of them on my list on Nov. 8. On the most exciting day of his hockey life, Kozak shared some thoughts on Jarvis getting the call to play for his country. “I played with him when I was younger and I played with him in junior. It’s pretty insane (to see him named). It’s good for him though,” said Kozak. “He’s such a hard worker. In junior, he was the hardest working guy on the team, all the time. I couldn’t be more proud.” There’s little doubt that it was a difficult task to make the final selections and even a full roster of the snubs generated plenty of buzz for still having more-than-capable players that were left off the “B” team for Canada. No, this won’t be quite as good as the previous Olympics, but it’s well past time for NHLers to be involved in best-on-best competition and we can’t wait to tune in to see what it’s going to look like in February. It’s nice to see that former Jets’ sniper Patrik Laine is in a better place and finding joy on the ice once again. Since returning to the Montreal Canadiens lineup earlier this week, Laine has scored a goal in consecutive games, recorded five shots on goal and is averaging just over 17 minutes of ice time per game. Laine and the Canadiens will be in Winnipeg to face the Jets Dec. 14, and you can expect he will receive a warm welcome. It was definitely a bit surprising to see former Jets defenceman and New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba involved in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks on Friday. Although Trouba’s name was circulating in trade rumours at the 2024 NHL Draft, the expectation was that he would finish this season with the Broadway Blueshirts and then be on the move during the summer. Instead, with the Rangers stuck in a serious rut, GM Chris Drury acted swiftly and shipped Trouba to a West Coast team that has some skilled D-men in the organization but could use a bit more grit and leadership. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The Ducks were one of the few teams that could absorb the entire US$8 million AAV Trouba is carrying this season and next, but the really interesting thing to monitor will be whether the physical blue-liner will finish out the contract in Anaheim or if he’s on the move again — either at the trade deadline or later down the road. ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement
USC loses veteran WR Kyron Hudson to transfer portalThe discovery of missing hiker Vendula "Wendy" Rose, 38, in the Talladega National Forest has brought a somber close to a weeks-long search. Local officials, including Sheriff Jon Daniel and Coroner Adam Downs, took to social media this week to share their appreciation for those involved in the search efforts while expressing condolences to Rose’s family. Rose, a Marysville, Ohio, resident, was reported missing on Oct. 3 after failing to return from a hiking trip. Her body was discovered Nov. 30 by a hunter near a remote campsite near Alabama 281. Authorities confirmed on Dec. 4 that the remains were hers. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Wild Christmas: BC Ferries cancels many sailings over 'severe' forecastGuest Opinion: Like predecessors, Trump threatens to overreach his mandate
It was a year of change in Ottawa in 2024, with federal public servants required to spend more time in the office, alcohol now available in grocery stores and gas stations, and the Ottawa Senators taking the next step towards moving downtown. 2024 was also a year of tragedy in the city, including six people killed inside a Barrhaven home and the Ottawa Police Service labelling a killing as a femicide for the first time. CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at the top stories in Ottawa in 2024. 6 people killed, including mother and 4 children, in Barrhaven home A mother, her four children and a family acquaintance were killed in a "mass killing" at a Barrhaven home on March 6. The Ottawa Police Service says officers responded to two 9-1-1 calls from the Berrigan Drive area "reporting a suspicious incident where a male was yelling and asking people to call 9-1-1," Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs told reporters. "Officers entered the home to check on the safety of those inside, and that is where they began to discover the six victims, the youngest of which is less than three months old. The family are newcomers to Canada and are originally from Sri Lanka." The victims were identified as 35-year-old Banbaranayake Gama Walwwe Darshani Dilanthika Ekanyake and her four children: 7-year-old Inuka Wickramasinghe, 4-year-old Ashwini Wickramasinghe, 3-year-old Ranaya Wickramasinghe and two-month-old Kelly Wickramasinghe. A sixth man, 40-year-old Gamini Amarakoon Amarakoon Mudiyanselage, was also found deceased at the home. Febrio De-Zoysa, 19, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. The Wickramasinghe family is pictured here in this undated image. The four young children and their mother were killed in their Ottawa home on March 6, 2024 alongside a family friend. The father was seriously injured in the attack. A 19-year-old suspect is in custody and is facing multiple counts of first-degree murder. First time the Ottawa Police Service labels a killing as a femicide The Ottawa Police Service labelled the death of a woman at a home in Ottawa's rural west end in August as a femicide, the first-time police used the term in a media release. Police say they were called to an address on Lady Slipper Way, a rural area just north of Highway 7 at about 6:40 p.m. on Aug. 25. The victim was identified as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa. "In the context of police investigations, we consider this death to be a femicide, as it occurred in the context of intimate partner violence, which is one of the many forms of misogynist killings," Ottawa police said in a news release. "A femicide is generally defined as 'the killing of women and girls because of their gender' often driven by stereotyped gender roles, discrimination towards women and girls or unequal power relations between women and men. Michael Zabarylo, 55, of Ottawa, has been charged with second-degree murder. Ottawa police identified the victim of a homicide on Lady Slipper Way as Jennifer Zabarylo, 47, of Ottawa. Police have labelled her death a femicide. (Facebook) In October, police classified the death of Brkti Berhe , 36, of Ottawa as a femicide. The woman died in a stabbing at Paul Landry Park on Oct. 24. Ottawa Senators, National Capital Commission reach agreement for new NHL arena at LeBreton Flats The Ottawa Senators moved one step closer to building a new home in downtown Ottawa in 2024. After more than two years of talks, the Senators and the National Capital Commission reached an agreement in principle to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats. NCC CEO Tobi Nussbaum said the Senators will buy "just over 10 acres" of land to build the new arena. The Senators say it will be "years, not months, before shovels are in the ground." A rendering of what a new Ottawa Senators arena at LeBreton Flats could look like. (Capital Sports Development Inc.) Ottawa high school principal apologizes for song played during Remembrance Day assembly The principal of an Ottawa high school apologized to students, parents and guardians after an Arabic-language song was played during the school's Remembrance Day service. The assembly for students and staff at Sir Robert Borden High School on Nov. 11 included the song 'Haza Salam' being played. "It has come to my attention that the inclusion of the song 'Haza Salam' in the program caused significant distress to some members of our school community," principal Aaron Hobbs said in a letter to Sir Robert Borden families. "For this, I would like to offer my apologies." 'Haza Salam' translates in English to "This is Peace." On YouTube, there are several different versions of the song 'Haza Salam', and it has become a song to oppose the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) said it was conducting a "thorough investigation into this issue to ensure it is addressed appropriately and meaningfully." Sir Robert Borden High School on Greenbank Road in Ottawa. (Google Maps) PSAC encourages federal workers to 'buy nothing' as civil servants return to the office Tens of thousands of federal public servants returned to the office more days a week in 2024. In September, the federal government introduced new rules requiring federal workers in the core public service to be in the office a minimum of three days a week, and executives to be in the office four days a week. Federal public service unions protested the new hybrid work requirements, including launching a federal court challenge. The Public Service Alliance of Canada encouraged workers to "buy nothing" at downtown Ottawa businesses as they returned to the office in September, in an apparent retaliation against downtown Ottawa businesses for the new protocols. "The needs of the downtown core shouldn't fall on the back of workers and the federal public service. How workers spend their money on in-office days will send a clear message to politicians," PSAC said in a post on Instagram. PSAC asked members to minimize spending on in-office days and buy from local businesses in their neighbourhoods. PSAC calls for downtown boycott The next day, PSAC encouraged its members to "buy local" and support neighbourhood businesses . This year, the federal government signalled it was going to cut 5,000 federal jobs through attrition. In November, the Canada Revenue Agency confirmed it was eliminating 600 temporary and contract employees by the end of the year. Alcohol in corner stores and gas stations 2024 marked the largest change to alcohol sales in Ontario in nearly a century. The Ontario government opened up the liquor market, allowing beer, wine and spirits to be sold in corner stores, gas stations and big box stores, including Costco. In September, Ontario allowed convenient stores in Ottawa and across Ontario to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. More than 180 gas stations and convenience stores in Ottawa are selling alcoholic beverages. According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission website, five Costco stores and four Walmart locations in Ottawa were licensed to sell alcohol starting Oct. 31. Licensed stores are only allowed to sell alcohol between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. However, officials say deliveries of alcohol will only be permitted between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. The AGCO says stores permitted to open on holidays will be allowed to sell alcohol between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Beer sits in storage at the Pioneer gas station on Industrial Avenue in Ottawa in advance Sept. 5, when convenience stores and gas stations are legally able to sell alcohol in Ontario. Aug. 27, 2024. (Katie Griffin/CTV News Ottawa) Trillium Line Commuters were hoping to ride the Trillium Line in 2024, but delays have pushed the opening of the new north-south light rail transit line until Jan. 6, 2025. Line 2 will run from Bayview Station to Limebank Station, including stops at Carleton University and South Keys. Line 4 will run from South Keys to the Ottawa International Airport. OC Transpo says the new Line 2 and Line 4 will open in three phases, beginning Jan. 6 with Monday to Friday service. The three-phase approach will look like this: A Trillium Line train entering South Keys station on Dec. 16, 2024. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa) Historic solar eclipse brings breathtaking views across eastern Ontario Thousands of people gathered as a solar eclipse moved across eastern Ontario on April 8, achieving totality in several communities. More than 5,500 people were at Fort Henry in Kingston, Ont. — one of the communities in the path of totality — and many more gathered in places like Brockville and Cornwall to witness the total eclipse, despite a cloudy day. Events in Ottawa, where the eclipse was partial, still drew crowds. The partial eclipse began the moment the edge of the moon touched the edge of the sun. Totality began when the edge of the moon covered all of the sun and totality ended when the edge of the moon exposed the sun. The partial eclipse ends the moment the edge of the moon leaves the edge of the sun. While total solar eclipses occur about once every 18 months, you need to be directly along the eclipse's specific path to see the full effect. A total solar eclipse hadn't been seen in Canada since 1979. A diamond ring effect is seen during the totality phase of a total solar eclipse, in Kingston, Ont., Monday, April 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Rare cloud formations ripple the sky over Ottawa A unique cloud formation over Ottawa was the talk of social media in October. The clouds, known as asperitas clouds, are known for their distinctive formations that look like rippling waves. "The thing about these clouds is, I mean, they're beautiful to look at, but they're scientifically really compelling as well, because we don't really understand why they form," Dan Riskin, CTV Science and Technology specialist, told CTV News Ottawa. "I mean, they're kind of associated with bad weather, but they don't actually cause rain to come out. They tend to show up before a storm or after the storm, but not always. And they have this undulation to them. So, they make for beautiful images." The World Meteorological Organization added the asperitas clouds to its International Cloud Atlas in 2015. It is the latest cloud type to be added to its atlas and the first in more than 50 years. Its name comes from the Latin word for "roughness." "It looked biblical," Jody Harrison said. "We were just enjoying the rolling of them all from the west, just coming right at our place. So, it was really cool." Visiting Ottawa from Saskatchewan (land of living skies), I couldn't resist taking these photos that I'd never seen before!! (Barb McCaslin/CTV Viewer) Ottawa woman dies after battle with pancreatic cancer An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Sindy Hooper passed away in September. "She did it in typical Sindy style, courageously and gracefully while surrounded by good friends. She was able to see many of our good friends over the last few days, had them reminiscing, laughing, and as always, she gently encouraged us and reminded us to make every moment count," said Jonathan Hooper, Sindy's husband in a post on her Instagram account. "There is no way I can coherently express what an incredible person, friend, wife and mother she is." Hooper was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2013. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer that spread to her lung, spine and ribs. Hooper continued to run, raising funds for pancreatic research and treatment. A fundraising campaign is underway as part of the 2025 Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend. An Ottawa woman who raised more than $500,000 for cancer research at the Ottawa Hospital has died after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. (Jonathan Hooper/ Instagram) Other top stories on CTVNewsOttawa.ca in 2024 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. Editor's Picks 10 Family Calendars And Planners That'll Help You Keep Track Of Everything In The New Year Our Guide To The Best Winter Boots You Can Get In Canada 16 Cozy Home Essentials That Cost Less Than $100 Home Our Guide To The Best Snow Shovels In Canada In 2024 (And Where To Get Them) 14 Of The Best Home Security Devices You Can Find Online Right Now (And They've Got The Reviews To Prove It) 13 Of The Best Fidget Toys For Adults Gifts The Clock Is Ticking — Shop These 25 Last-Minute Amazon Prime Gifts Now If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 70+ Crowd-Pleasing Gifts Will Still Arrive Before Christmas If You Have An Amazon Prime Account, These 50 Brilliant Stocking Stuffers Will Still Arrive Before Christmas Beauty 20 Products Your Dry, Dehydrated Skin Will Thank You For Ordering 14 Hydrating Face Masks That’ll Save Your Skin This December 12 Budget-Friendly Products To Add To Your Winter Skincare Routine Deals Set The Table For Less — Fable's Boxing Week Sale Is Here The Silk & Snow End Of Year Sale Is Officially On — Here's What To Add To Your Cart 50+ Of The Best Amazon Canada Boxing Day Sales, Deals, And Discounts For 2024 Ottawa Top Stories YEAR-IN-REVIEW | Top stories in Ottawa in 2024 PART 2 | Ottawa mayor speaks on Sprung structures, challenges facing the city in year-end interview OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Friends, family reunite in Ottawa on Christmas Eve What's open and closed in Ottawa over the holidays Ottawa driver gets double licence suspension after allegedly going 3 times the speed limit Last minute shoppers in Ottawa wrap up Christmas wish lists Shoppers in Brockville, Ont. enjoying stress-free last-minute shopping CTVNews.ca Top Stories What is flagpoling? A new ban on the practice is starting to take effect Immigration measures announced as part of Canada's border response to president-elect Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what's known as 'flagpoling.' Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and bounties for six activists including two Canadians Hong Kong police on Tuesday announced a fresh round of arrest warrants for six activists based overseas, with bounties set at $1 million Hong Kong dollars for information leading to their arrests. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano One of the world's most active volcanoes spewed lava into the air for a second straight day on Tuesday. Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday because of a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. OPP and Ottawa firefighters help remove vehicle wedged into Highway 417 overpass Ottawa firefighters and local Ontario Provincial Police officers were called to a bizarre scene Tuesday morning along Highway 417, where a driver managed to wedge his vehicle under an overpass. On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world Pope Francis said the story of Jesus' birth as a poor carpenter's son should instill hope that all people can make an impact on the world, as the pontiff on Tuesday led the world's Roman Catholics into Christmas. Read Trudeau's Christmas message Prime Minister Justin Trudeau issued his Christmas message on Tuesday. Here is his message in full. Ontario First Nation challenging selection of underground nuclear waste site in court A First Nation in northern Ontario is challenging the selection of a nearby region as the site of a deep geological repository that will hold Canada's nuclear waste, arguing in a court filing that it should have had a say in the matter as the site falls "squarely" within its territory. Atlantic Two deaths in Truro ruled homicides: RCMP Police in Nova Scotia are investigating after two deaths in Truro, N.S., over the weekend have been ruled homicides. Snow forecast through Christmas Eve for parts of the Maritimes Parts of the Maritimes that were hit by a weekend snowstorm are in for more of the white stuff this Christmas Eve. 'Can I taste it?': Rare $55,000 bottle of spirits for sale in Moncton, N.B. A rare bottle of Scotch whisky is for sale in downtown Moncton, N.B., with a price tag reading $55,000. Toronto Suspect charged in killing of senior found dead in North York driveway Toronto police have charged a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 69-year-old grandfather who was found in the driveway of a North York home earlier this month. Trudeau could stay or go. Either way, Canadians should brace for a spring election Canada appears to be barrelling toward a spring election now that the NDP is vowing to vote down the government early next year -- whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stays on or not. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Montreal Snowfall means a white Christmas, but also traffic woes across southern Quebec roads A heavy snowfall has guaranteed much of Quebec a white Christmas, but it has also sent cars skidding off the province's roads during the busy holiday travel period. Montreal homeless centres lacking for space during cold snap Despite a cold snap, some Montreal homeless centres are being forced to turn people away as beds fill up. Warmer temperatures mean fewer Montreal ice rinks open for Christmas With climate change meaning warmer winter temperatures, fewer outdoor Montreal ice rinks are opening by the end of December. Northern Ontario Indigenous family faced discrimination in North Bay, Ont., when they were kicked off transit bus Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal has awarded members of an Indigenous family in North Bay $15,000 each after it ruled they were victims of discrimination. Norad crew waiting for Santa to fly over Canada as annual holiday track underway Departing from the North Pole while we were all sleeping, Santa Claus' journey around the world bringing presents and Christmas cheer for all of the good boys and girls who believe is underway. Dismiss Trump taunts, expert says after 'churlish' social media posts about Canada U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and those in his corner continue to send out strong messages about Canada. Windsor Mother daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom. 'We may have to look at other sensible locations': Where will Windsor’s new H4 be located? The search for a site to house Windsor’s new Homelessness and Housing Help Hub (H4) is back underway after the city scrapped plans at 700 Wellington Avenue on Monday. Sandwich Street officially opens after six months of construction A more than 2-kilometre stretch of Sandwich Street near the University of Windsor had been under construction since mid-June. London Palace Theatre boarded up over the holidays due to recent damage A break in, theft, and continued property damage has led to the boarding up of the Palace Theatre over the Christmas holidays. Knights stars ready to help Canada chase gold at World Juniors Three London Knights are on the roster, including Easton Cowan, who scored a hat-trick in Canada’s first exhibition game. London fire responds to Wellington Road collision, contains fuel leak London Fire Department was on the scene of a two vehicle collision involving a delivery truck on Tuesday morning. Kitchener Why holiday shopping may feel a little different this year At around 11 a.m. Tuesday at Kitchener’s Fairview Park Mall, there were plenty of parking spots available. It’s a sign that maybe this year, the rush for last minute gifts is no more. How to stay safe during the holiday season As fun festivities begin, the Canadian government, SickKids and fire departments in the Waterloo Region are reminding families of the higher safety risks during the holiday season. What’s open and what’s closed over the holidays A detailed guide to what’s open and closed between Dec. 24 and New Year's Day. Barrie Here's when Santa is coming down your chimney, live tracking underway in Simcoe County The spirit of Christmas is in the air as Santa Claus begins his lasting journey to deliver presents to children around the region. Help this missing pup make it home for Christmas The Ontario SPCA in Barrie needs your help bringing this handsome pup home to his family before Christmas. Last minute shoppers braced for chaos but found calm on Christmas Eve Many shoppers were out on Christmas Eve, and while the rush was expected to be chaotic, many found the day surprisingly manageable. Winnipeg 'They gambled with trees': Cutting down trees resumes in Lemay Forest The next chapter of the Lemay Forest saga has unfolded as the sounds of trees coming down could be heard Monday. One person dead, another injured following Monday night house fire One person has died and another is in unstable condition following a house fire Monday evening. Winnipeg police investigating string of packages being stolen The Winnipeg Police Service is investigating a string of package thefts in the Transcona area. Calgary Speed, alcohol possible factors in Glenmore Trail crash that left man, 18, dead: police Speed and alcohol are possible factors in a fatal crash on Glenmore Trail on Monday night, according to police. Person in critical condition after downtown Calgary fire A person was sent to hospital in life-threatening condition after a fire in downtown Calgary on Tuesday morning. Skier seriously injured in avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C. A skier was seriously injured after an avalanche near Revelstoke, B.C., over the weekend. Edmonton Edmonton apartment building boarded up after evacuation order from the city An Edmonton apartment building that was evacuated for safety reasons on Monday now sits boarded up. Panthers' Hubbard among NFL's elite running backs as he joins exclusive Canadian club Chuba Hubbard has reached 1,000 yards rushing this NFL campaign, joining a handful of others near the top of the league stats sheet, but also to become just the second Canadian to reach the mark in a season. 1 charged after van stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday One person has been arrested after a van was stolen from Edmonton's Food Bank on Monday. Regina Sask. RCMP still searching for man suspected of small-town break-ins spanning years A man suspected of breaking into offices and small businesses across Saskatchewan over the past number of years has struck again – according to RCMP. Tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle in Sask. this holiday season The City of Regina is urging residents to recycle their holiday waste responsibly. 'A nice way to connect': Christmas card exchange between Sask. friends spans 60 years What started out as a little holiday fun between two Regina friends has turned into a tradition that now spans six decades. Saskatoon 'People prop the doors open': Saskatoon resident concerned as people shelter in her stairwell With the number of homeless people in Saskatoon at an unprecedented high, it’s no surprise people are looking for places to warm up. A separate Ukrainian Christmas may be a thing of the past There might be more households than usual celebrating this Christmas Eve, as many Ukrainians around the world are opting to abandon the orthodox calendar. Lloydminster man killed in Christmas Eve highway crash: RCMP A 24-year-old Lloydminster man was killed Tuesday after his pickup truck collided with a semi. Vancouver DEVELOPING | Several Christmas Day ferries between Tsawwassen, Victoria cancelled – and others are 'at risk' The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans. Rappelling RCMP members bring Christmas magic to B.C.’s Ronald McDonald house Children at the Ronald McDonald House at BC Children’s Hospital were paid a surprise visit from a number of nimble guests on Friday, sent from none other than the jolly old man himself. Striking janitors at Vancouver airport reach tentative deal, cancel escalation Escalating job action from striking janitors at the Vancouver International Airport was called off on Christmas Eve after the workers and their employer reached a tentative agreement. Vancouver Island Ripe avalanche conditions for parts of B.C. expected to persist this week A forecaster says ripe avalanche conditions are expected to persist across much of British Columbia for the rest of the week. Woman struck by vehicle dies in Burnaby, B.C. A 24-year-old woman who was struck by a vehicle last week in Burnaby, B.C., has died. Homicide victim identified as 36-year-old man from Langley, B.C. Homicide investigators are identifying the victim of a suspected murder last year in Langley, B.C. Kelowna Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna. Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature." B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying. Stay ConnectedPolls close in Uruguay’s election, with ruling coalition and opposition headed for photo finish
Adam McKay warns 'radical' Wicked could be banned by politicians in '3 to 5 years' By TERRY ZELLER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 23:42 GMT, 24 December 2024 | Updated: 23:53 GMT, 24 December 2024 e-mail View comments Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay has expressed concern that films like Wicked could face censorship in the U.S. if current political trends persist. In a series of posts via X on Monday, McKay described Wicked as 'one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made' and criticized the increasingly right-wing atmosphere in the U.S. 'Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda,' McKay wrote, adding that its release is particularly significant 'now, when America has never been more right-wing and propagandized.' The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande , was recently pulled briefly from theaters in Kuwait , allegedly due to its LGBTQ cast. McKay acknowledged that Wicked: Part 2, slated for release on November 21, 2025, leans more mainstream but doubled down on his concerns. In response to another X user, he speculated that 'if America keeps going on the track it is, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years.' Don’t Look Up director Adam McKay has expressed concern that films like Wicked could face censorship in the U.S. if current political trends persist; (seen in 2020) In a series of posts via X on Monday, McKay described Wicked as 'one of the most radical big studio Hollywood movies ever made' and criticized the increasingly right-wing atmosphere in the U.S He followed up with 'It’s bizarre how many people think the possibility of movies, books, music being banned in the U.S. in the near future is a "crazy" idea. 'There’s a whole crowd that really has zero idea what’s going on big picture.' The filmmaker also compared Wicked to some of the most iconic films in history, including The Sound of Music, Citizen Kane, and Bridge on the River Kwai, as well as modern hits like The Hunger Games, which he called 'incredibly left-wing.' McKay’s statements come after the film has also secured Golden Globe nominations, including Best Musical/Comedy, as well as individual acting nods for Cynthia Erivo and Grande, solidifying its position as a major contender this awards season. Kuwait removed Wicked from its cinema listings just one day before the film’s scheduled release on Thursday, December 5, sparking speculation about the reasons behind the decision. While no official explanation has been provided, local reports suggest the removal may be linked to the film’s LGBTQ+ cast, according to Variety. This mirrors past actions by Kuwait, which banned Barbie last year, citing the protection of 'public ethics and social traditions .' Lebanon also prohibited Barbie, claiming it 'promoted homosexuality.' 'Part 1 is nakedly about radicalization in the face of careerism, fascism, propaganda,' McKay wrote, adding that its release is particularly significant 'now, when America has never been more right-wing and propagandized' The film, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande , was recently pulled briefly from theaters in Kuwait , allegedly due to its LGBTQ cast In response to another X user, he speculated that 'if America keeps going on the track it is, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the movie banned in 3-5 years' While the reason is not officially known, it is speculated by local media that the film's removal from theaters is due to the LGBTQ + cast, per Variety If Wicked faced similar scrutiny, the decision might seem puzzling, as the film doesn’t include overtly LGBTQ+ storylines. However, Grande, who stars as Glinda, recently described her character as 'a little in the closet.' Additionally, fans have often interpreted the relationship between Glinda and Elphaba as carrying homoerotic undertones, though the characters are not explicitly queer. Several cast members, including Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Bowen Yang, and Marissa Bode, openly identify as queer, potentially adding to the controversy in more conservative markets. Despite the ban in Kuwait, Wicked has been a massive success elsewhere. The musical fantasy, also starring Ethan Slater and Jeff Goldblum, premiered in the U.S. over Thanksgiving and shattered box office records. To date, the movie has now grossed over $571 million across the globe. Cynthia Erivo Share or comment on this article: Adam McKay warns 'radical' Wicked could be banned by politicians in '3 to 5 years' e-mail Add comment