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No Week 17 game will have more volatility under center than the hosting the Indianapolis Colts. Epitomizing high-variance play is Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson, who has oscillated between franchise quarterback and colossal bust with seemingly every pass attempt. He looked the part in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, throwing 11 times to his nine rush attempts and looking incredibly efficient. This season, he’s had more turnovers than touchdowns in five separate games. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.Dodgers blockbuster trade pitch lands All-Star CF to replace Teoscar Hernández | Sporting NewsSITE (Society for Incentive Travel Excellence) Nominates Creative Group Canada for Prestigious Crystal Award SCHAUMBURG, Ill. , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Creative Group, Inc., a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency, was recently nominated for a Crystal Award in the category of Most Creative Solution Deployed to Overcome Adversity when war broke out in Israel . THE STORY Janet Traphagen, President of Creative Group, said, "I am so proud of our internal associates and our client's collaboration – the way they quickly pivoted to a new solution during a time of crisis was nothing short of amazing." The client and the qualifiers were thrilled with the newly designed travel experience and the creative thinking involved in bringing this alternative solution to life in such a short timeframe. THE IMPACT About Creative Group Creative Group is a full-service meeting, event, and incentive agency that delivers business results by inspiring people to thrive. An industry leader, Creative Group has been honored with numerous Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) awards and the CMI 25 Award, which recognizes the top 25 most influential meeting and incentive management companies in the U.S. Creative Group was founded in 1970, and has served clients in financial services, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, retail, technology, automotive, and hospitality. Employing 220+ people, the company is headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois , and maintains offices in San Francisco , Appleton, Wisconsin , and Toronto, Canada . For more information about Creative Group, visit http://www.creativegroupinc.com About the SITE Crystal Awards Recognition Program: Considered the highest honor in the incentive travel industry, the SITE Crystal Awards recognize creative, practical and truly memorable incentive programs that not only keep employees engaged but also drive business results and improve the bottom line. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creative-group-nominated-for-site-2025-crystal-award-for-most-creative-solution-deployed-to-overcome-adversity-302335550.html SOURCE Creative Group, Inc.
Vance takes on a more visible transition role, working to boost Trump’s most contentious picks
Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100Silicon on Insulator (SOI) Market to Reach $6.5 Billion by 2034, Growing at a CAGR of 12.8% | TMR
Creative Group Nominated for SITE 2025 Crystal Award for Most Creative Solution Deployed to Overcome Adversity
NEW YORK , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P MidCap 400 constituent Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) will replace Catalent Inc. (NYSE: CTLT) in the S&P 500, and BILL Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BILL) will replace Lennox International in the S&P MidCap 400 effective prior to the opening of trading on Monday, December 23 . Novo Holdings A/S has acquired Catalent in a deal that closed today, December 18 . Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date: Effective Date Index Name Action Company Name Ticker GICS Sector Dec 23, 2024 S&P 500 Addition Lennox International LII Industrials Dec 23, 2024 S&P 500 Deletion Catalent CTLT Health Care Dec 23, 2024 S&P MidCap 400 Addition BILL Holdings BILL Information Technology Dec 23, 2024 S&P MidCap 400 Deletion Lennox International LII Industrials For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: S&P Dow Jones Indices index_services@spglobal.com Media Inquiries spdji.comms@spglobal.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lennox-international-set-to-join-sp-500-and-bill-holdings-to-join-sp-midcap-400-302335548.html SOURCE S&P Dow Jones IndicesXRP Bull that Held From 2017 Now Switches To Next Big Ecosystem: Is Ripple Momentum Switching?
Jim Harbaugh picks up $1 million bonus for Los Angeles Chargers clinching playoff berthNEW YORK (AP) — If you're planning on ringing in the new year quietly at home, you're not alone. A majority of U.S adults intend to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, according to a new poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research . “As I’ve gotten older over the last few years, it’s like if I don’t make it to midnight, it’s not a big deal, you know?” says Carla Woods, 70, from Vinton, Iowa. Nearly 2 in 10 will be celebrating at a friend or family member’s home, and just 5% plan to go out to celebrate at a bar, restaurant or organized event, the poll found. But many U.S. adults will celebrate the new year in a different way — by making a resolution. More than half say they'll make at least one resolution for 2025. There's some optimism about the year ahead, although more than half aren't expecting a positive change. About 4 in 10 say 2025 will be a better year for them personally. About one-third don’t expect much of a difference between 2024 and 2025, and about one-quarter think 2025 will be a worse year than 2024. Relaxed New Year's Eve plans for many Kourtney Kershaw, a 32-year-old bartender in Chicago, often fields questions from customers and friends about upcoming events for New Year's Eve. She said this year is trending toward low-key. “A majority of who I’ve spoken to in my age range, they want to go out, but they don’t know what they’re going to do because they haven’t found anything or things are just really expensive,” she said. “Party packages or an entry fee are like a turnoff, especially with the climate of the world and how much things cost.” As expected, younger people are more interested in ringing in the new year at a bar or organized event — about 1 in 10 U.S. adults under 30 say they plan to do that. But about 3 in 10 older adults — 60 and above — say they won’t celebrate the beginning of 2025 at all. Anthony Tremblay, 35, from Pittsburgh, doesn't usually go out to toast the arrival of the new year, but this year he's got something special cooked up: He and his wife will be traveling through Ireland. “I don’t do anything too crazy for New Year’s, usually. So this is definitely a change,” he said. “I wanted to do something unique this year, so I did.” Woods will be working New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. She answers calls on The Iowa Warmline, a confidential, noncrisis listening line for people struggling with mental health or substance use issues. “Holidays are really hard for people, so I don’t mind working,” she said. “I’m passionate about it because I have mental health issues in the family and so being able to help people is rewarding to me.” Younger Americans are more likely to make a resolution Every New Year's also triggers the eternal debate about resolutions. A majority of U.S. adults say they intend to make a New Year’s resolution of some type, but millennials and Gen Z are especially likely to be on board — about two-thirds expect to do so, compared to about half of older adults. Women are also more likely than men to say they will set a goal for 2025. Tremblay hopes to lose some weight and focus more on self-care — more sleep, meditation and breathing exercises. “It’s probably a good year to focus on mental health,” he said. Many others agree. About 3 in 10 adults choose resolutions involving exercise or eating healthier. About one-quarter said they'll make a resolution involving losing weight and a similar number said they'll resolve to make changes about priorities of money or mental health. Woods' resolutions are to stay social and active. As a mental health counselor, she knows those are key to a happy 2025 and beyond: “Probably one of my biggest resolutions is trying to make sure I stay social, try to get out at least once a week — get out and either have coffee or do something with a friend. That’s not only for the physical but also for the mental health part.” Kershaw, the bartender, says weight loss and better health are the top resolutions she hears people make. “Mental health is the new one, but I think it’s high up there as well as with regular health,” she said. She prefers more goal-oriented resolutions and, this time, it's to do more traveling and see more of the world: “I don’t know if that’s really a resolution, but that’s a goal that I’m setting.” And how will she welcome the arrival of 2025? Usually, she takes the night off and stays home watching movies with plenty of snacks, but this year Kershaw has a different plan, maybe one of the most Chicago things you can do. This die-hard sports fan will be at Wrigley Field on Tuesday watching the Chicago Blackhawks take on the St. Louis Blues. “Hockey’s my favorite sport. So I will be watching hockey and bringing in the new year,” she said. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,251 adults was conducted Dec. 5-9, 2024, using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. ___ Sanders reported from Washington. Mark Kennedy And Linley Sanders, The Associated Press
Philomena Cunk, aka the hilarious Diane Morgan, is back with a new Netflix special, Cunk On Life
Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3 but after Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, the Argentina international struck in Sardinia. The Inter captain took his tally against Cagliari to 10 goals in as many games after 71 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu capped an excellent night for the visitors from the penalty spot a few moments later. This moment >>> — Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) Inter’s fifth-successive league victory led to them temporarily leapfrogging Atalanta, who reclaimed top spot but saw their lead cut to a single point following a 1-1 draw at Lazio. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were grateful for a point in the end after falling behind to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike, only drawing level with two minutes remaining thanks to Marco Brescianini. Lautaro Valenti’s last-gasp strike condemned rock-bottom Monza to a 10th defeat in 18 matches as Parma edged a 2-1 victory, while Genoa defeated Empoli by the same scoreline.Nebraska builds big lead, holds off Boston College in Pinstripe Bowl
ECC okays summaries for urea subsidy, PM youth loan, SIFC supplementary grant ECC approves creation of pension fund through Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) regulated by SECP Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, chairs the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) at the Finance Division in Islamabad on December 18, 2024.— PID ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has approved 16 summaries including sharing the cost of subsidy on imported urea on basis of 50:50 percent, Prime Minister Youth Loan Scheme and technical supplementary grant of SIFC. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); The ECC approved the creation of a pension fund through a Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) regulated by the SECP. Rs30 million was authorised as seed money for the NBFC, with Rs1 million approved to meet incorporation expenses. The ECC apparoved inclusion of tier 4 in the Cabinet-approved portfolio of the PM’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYBALS). Under tier 4, all loans will be term loans only, with an end-user rate of 0% on a first-loss basis on the disbursed portfolio. The scheme has a budgetary allocation of Rs8.6 billion for the current fiscal year. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, chaired the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet meeting. The committee reviewed a summary submitted by the Ministry of Commerce regarding the sharing of subsidies on imported urea on a 50:50 basis. It approved the release of Rs10 billion to the ministry for immediate settlement of outstanding dues related to imported urea subsidies. The decision aims to alleviate the financial burden and ensure smooth and timely availability of urea to meet agricultural needs. The ECC further directed the provinces to fulfil their share of subsidy payments, emphasising equitable cost-sharing among all stakeholders. The ECC approved a proposal regarding the establishment of the Siah Dik Copper Project in District Chagai, Balochistan, submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production. It approved the declaration of Private Export Processing Zone (Saindak EPZ), under Section 9A, read with Section (k) of the Ordinance. The decision aims to facilitate development and export potential of the mineral sector in the region. The ECC approved a TSG amounting to Rs2,022,857,991 (approx. US$7,276,468) for the Digital Economy Enhancement Project (DEEP) NADRA, as surrendered by the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecom for the year 2024-25 in favour of the interior ministry. The ECC reiterated its previous decision regarding a quota ratio local/imported wheat for the remaining months of the current fiscal year at subsidised rates. The ECC approved a proposal from the Ministry of Law and Justice to transfer funds amounting to Rs21,250,000 to the Islamabad High Court, Islamabad, through a Technical Supplementary Grant for the repair and maintenance works of the buildings of the IHC. The ECC approved the restructuring plan for PRAL (Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited). It also decided on a revised financial flow and budgeting mechanism, including the opening of selected cost centres and the diversion of current year funding in consultation with the secretary finance. The provision of Rs3.7 billion as the TSG for the current financial year 2024-25 was approved. The ECC approved the Finance Division’s proposal for the arrangement of rupee cover amounting to Rs10 billion. This includes adjustments from the current side budgetary allocation for the current fiscal year, with US$105.5 million allocated for the Water Infrastructure Project (WIF), funded by ADB and US$137 million for the Flood Impact Infrastructure Project (FIIP), funded by the World Bank. Chairing the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the federal cabinet, the minister for finance and revenue provided the participants an overview of the economic landscape, underscoring the government’s efforts to implement policies aimed at bolstering economic stability and ensuring sustainable growth. He highlighted the progress made towards economic stability, the continued improvement in various economic sectors and government’s firm resolve to maintain and accelerate this momentum. Aurangzeb emphasised that the positive trends observed in economic indicators reflect the effectiveness of the government’s targeted measures and commitment to steering the country towards greater prosperity. A key highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the most recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, which recorded a significant drop to 4.9 percent in November 2024. This represents the lowest level of inflation since April 2018, when CPI stood at 3.96 percent. The decline in CPI reflects the government’s success in managing inflationary pressures and restoring price stability, particularly for essential commodities. The ECC was also briefed on the substantial reduction in the prices of several essential goods and services. Among the items that have seen price drops are wheat flour, chilli powder, diesel, petrol, pulses, onions, basmati rice, electricity charges, sugar, plain bread, tea, soap, chicken, eggs, tomatoes, garlic, firewood, and salt. These reductions are seen as critical measures that have eased the financial burden on the common man and strengthened the purchasing power of the population. Finance Minister Aurangzeb appreciated the efforts of stakeholders as prices of chicken have dropped by Rs49 per kg (from Rs383 to Rs334), gram pulse Rs31per kg (from Rs411 to Rs380) and Mash pulse to Rs20 per kg (from Rs528 to Rs508) during the last four weeks. The chair also directed the National Price Monitoring Committee and provincial governments to ensure a smooth supply of essential items as well as corrective measures regarding undue price hikes. The minister reiterated that the government remains fully committed to ensuring that the positive trajectory of economy continues. He emphasized that the government’s fiscal policies, including effective management of public finances, trade and energy sectors, have contributed significantly to an improvement in these indicators. He also reassured the public and business community that the government would remain focused on addressing inflation, stabilising the currency and improving domestic production. During the meeting, it was noted that while the country is experiencing a period of economic stability, continued efforts are required to maintain this progress. The government plans to enhance economic diversification, invest in key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing and infrastructure, and pursue reforms to strengthen the financial system. The ECC also acknowledged the critical role of public-private partnerships in achieving long-term economic growth and job creation. It reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ongoing reforms and stabilisation measures aimed at ensuring economic growth and improving the living standards of the people. The ECC would continue to closely monitor developments and take proactive steps to safeguard economic stability and foster sustainable growth. The finance minister expressed optimism that the progress made so far would serve as a foundation for future successes, as the government remains dedicated to building a prosperous and stable Pakistan.The Yomiuri Shimbun 2:00 JST, December 25, 2024 The government plans to submit a bill to revise the Whistleblower Protection Law to the next ordinary Diet session, to be convened in January, to impose criminal punishments on corporations and other entities that mistreat whistleblowers by dismissing them or through other means. Officials concluded it was necessary to enhance the law in light of the case of a prefectural senior official who was given a three-month suspension after accusing of the governor of wrongdoing. Criminal punishment is expected to be imposed on organizations and individuals that violate the law. The degree of that punishment will be finalized going forward. The Whistleblower Protection Law already prohibits mistreating people for whistleblowing, but there have been no penal provisions against violations. Dismissing and taking disciplinary measures against whistleblowers are expected to be subjected to criminal punishment as forms of mistreatment. But the government does not plan to cover personnel relocations and harassment under this law, because it is expected to be difficult to objectively determine their causal connection with whistleblowing. The Whistleblower Protection Law already obliges companies and other entities with more than 300 employees to set up an internal consultation center for whistleblowing and assign personnel to respond to reports from whistleblowers. The government also plans to introduce criminal penalties for failure to meet these obligations. The government also plans to introduce new clauses that ban trying to figure out a whistleblower’s identity and trying to obstruct whistleblowing, such as by making employees promise not to blow the whistle when they sign an employment contract. According to a 2023 questionnaire by the Consumer Affairs Agency, 17.2% of whistleblowers said they regretted having made their reports, citing such reasons as they were mistreated or their colleagues found out that they were a whistleblower. In the case of Hyogo Gov. Motohiko Saito, who was accused of using his power to harass prefectural government officials, the prefectural government identified the whistleblower, who was then a senior government official, and handed him a three-month disciplinary suspension. It was pointed out that the prefectural government’s acts violated the Whistleblower Protection Law, which prohibits any mistreatment of whistleblowers due to their whistleblowing. In the case of major used car dealer Bigmotor Co., whose operations were taken over by a new company after revelations of fraudulent insurance claims by the original management, it came to light that the company failed to have a whistleblowing system. A Consumer Affairs Agency panel tasked with discussing systems to protect whistleblowers plans to compile a report by the end of this year. The report by the panel, which is headed by University of Tokyo Prof. Ryuji Yamamoto, is expected to point to the need to incorporate criminal penalties into the law. The government will make preparations to revise the law in line with the report’s findings. The government hopes to adopt the revision bill at a Cabinet meeting in February and submit it to the ordinary Diet session.Residents in Seattle, Washington, plan to stop tipping as a minimum wage hike in the Democrat-run city looms. The city’s minimum wage is supposed to go from $19.97 to $20.76 an hour on January 1, the Daily Mail reported on Friday. Tipping workers on top of the approaching hourly rate hike does not appear to be a popular idea with some residents who have said they will no longer be shelling out the extra money for workers. The Mail article continued: One user who shared a Reddit post on the wage hike, which has picked up steam in the local area, said: ‘With Seattle’s new minimum wage going into effect really soon, most food industry workers are finally reaching a level playing field. ‘As a result, I’ll no longer be tipping more than 5-10%. And I’m ONLY doing that if service is EXCEPTIONAL. It’s only fair—hard work deserves fair pay across all industries. ‘Any instance where I am ordering busing my own table, getting my own utensils, etc warrants $0. I also am not tipping at coffee shops anymore.’ Seattle’s minimum wage rate is among the highest in America, KTTH radio host Jason Rantz wrote in an opinion piece on Thursday. He noted that Seattle’s minimum wage ordinance requires the increases based on inflation. Rantz then said, “Seattle restaurant operators are panicked ahead of a minimum wage update that will now prevent tips and benefits from being deducted from hourly wages. For some Seattle restaurants, it will add about $45,000 in expenses per month that they don’t have.” Restaurant worker Brandon Nyland also spoke of the difficulties the pay raise may shove onto businesses, King 5 reported on Friday. “A lot of restaurants are going to have razor-thin, one- to three-percent profit margins. So, a lot of places are probably going to build that price increase into the menu,” he said. In 2021, Breitbart News’s economics editor John Carney noted that President Joe Biden (D) claimed raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would force employers to pay a living wage to people working for them. However, Carney said, “the weight of economic studies say that it would have an adverse effect on employment.”
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By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’
Kirk Ferentz made sure to note the number one rule before offering his thoughts on Bill Belichick’s decision to return to coaching. “Rule number one for Bill is do not talk for other people,” Ferentz said. “Keep that in mind.” New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick holds up a UNC branded sleeveless hoodie presented to him during an NCAA college football press conference announcing his hiring, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) To Ferentz, the decision from the eight-time Super Bowl winner to take over as the head coach at North Carolina demonstrated a clear passion for the game. “It says he loves coaching,” Ferentz said. “I think that is pretty evident. The other logical thing, if you watch his press conference, he talked about his dad. His dad was a career college coach at the Naval Academy, most of his career. Coincidentally, (he spent) a couple years at UNC, which is interesting. ... His dad was an amazing person. You can see where Bill’s love of football came from because his dad was all about football all the time.” New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick waves to the crowd at Dean Smith Center during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game between La Salle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) During his introductory press conference in Chapel Hill last week, Belichick cited his love for coaching as his reason for returning to the sideline at 72 years old, confirming Ferentz's suspicions. “When you love what you do, it is not work,” Belichick said. “I love what I do. I love coaching. I love the interactions with the players. I love building a team, working with assistants, game-planning, the game itself.” The all-time winningest head coach in Iowa’s history then jokingly offered his advice to his former boss from his time with the Cleveland Brown as Belichick joins the college ranks for the first time in his storied career. “Turn around and run like hell,” Ferentz said. Joking aside, Ferentz said he expects Belichick to find success with the Tar Heels despite his exclusively professional resume after starting as a special assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1975. New North Carolina head football coach Bill Belichick walks on the court of Dean Smith Center during halftime of an NCAA college basketball game between La Salle and North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) “Football is football — pro, college or high school,” Ferentz said. “If you are coaching, then you love coaching. I think it is not a surprise at all. I think it is probably a genius move at UNC.” “Nobody is more adept at handling change or crazy circumstances. ... He is ultra-successful for a lot of reasons. He can take whatever presents itself and he is going to figure out a way to work through it.” Ferentz specifically cited the Browns’ decision to cut quarterback Bernie Kosar midway through the 1993 season, and the relocation of the franchise to Baltimore in the middle of the 1995 season, as evidence of Belichick’s ability to adapt on the fly. “He does not need my advice,” Ferentz said. “He will do really well. I know he will have really good people around him, starting with Mike Lombardi. He will be ready to roll.” Ferentz highlighted Belichick’s “firsthand exposure” through his father, Steve Belichick, and his son Stephen Belichick’s role as defensive coordinator at Washington and his scouting experience as additional reasons to be confident in the future Hall of Fame coach. “He spent time up there with Steve,” Ferentz said. “He has gotten firsthand exposure live and in-person. He knows the college game from going around scouting, talking to college coaches frequently regarding prospects.” Like Ferentz’s inclination regarding his love for coaching, Belichick also affirmed Ferentz’s inclinations regarding his familiarity with the college game during his presser. “This really kind of a dream come true,” Belichick said. “I grew up in college football with my dad as a coach at Navy for 50 years. As a kid, all I knew was college football. So, it is great to come back home to Carolina and back in an environment that I really grew up in. “When you are little, you do not remember everything. I was too young to remember a lot of things from Carolina, but as I grew up, you hear the same stories over and over and over again. So one story I always heard was Billy’s first words were: Beat Duke.” Belichick also mentioned he saw a lot of parallels between the college and professional levels of college football. “There are certainly some differences, but there are some parallels,” Belichick said. “That is the reason for the general structure of (the staff) Michael (Lombardi) as a general manager, myself as a coach and working together collaboratively like we have done in a professional organization.” Belichick’s work is cut out for him. On Saturday, the Tar Heels fell to Connecticut 27-14 in the Fenway Bowl to finish the season 6-7 and 12 th in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). North Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class also ranks fourth in the ACC despite bringing in more recruits (33) than any other team in the league. Nonetheless, Ferentz sees success ahead for Belichick and the Tar Heels. “Just make sure they are not on our schedule,” Ferentz said. “That would be a task there.” Iowa’s backfield in good hands against Missouri despite Kaleb Johnson’s exit SEC Bias? What bowl matchup against Missouri means to Iowa Iowa transfer portal tracker: Hawkeyes add MAC defensive lineman Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!10 Superstars WWE and AEW Must Push in 2025