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Conservative Texas lawmakers and power brokers in recent years have criticized university professors for being “woke” activists who indoctrinate college students with far-left teachings and ideas. Now, as state lawmakers head back to the Capitol for the 2025 legislative session, they could limit the influence faculty have over campus culture and curriculum. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick wants lawmakers to recommend potential changes to the roles of faculty senates, which traditionally take the lead on developing curriculum — and ensuring professors have the academic freedom to teach and research their subject areas without fear of political interference. But conservatives say university curriculum has been infused with ideologies that have helped take higher education in Texas in an overly liberal direction. “If we’re going to refocus our universities on their mission of open inquiry and freedom of speech, we’ve got to take a look at the curriculum and who’s controlling it,” Sherry Sylvester, a fellow at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, told state senators in November. Some Texas professors, though, fear the Republican-controlled Legislature could undermine a long-standing balance of power at universities that’s meant to protect higher education from politicization. Their concerns are that without a proper voice on campus, and a guarantee that faculty have control over their teaching and research, faculty might leave Texas or be less likely to take a job at a Texas university, research would be imperiled, and there would be no checks and balances on university leadership. “There’s very clearly an ideological based attack against higher education and more specifically against faculty,” said Michael Harris, a professor of higher education at Southern Methodist University, a private institution in Dallas. “A place where faculty are most noticeable is a faculty senate.” Here’s a look at faculty senates in Texas and the role they play in higher education. Faculty senates are made up of professors from across a university. The body approves academic policies, curriculum design, faculty hiring and evaluation, and other issues that impact the academic mission. They also relay university-wide news and plans back to their colleagues.. The senates often meet monthly and invite guests from the administration to speak directly to faculty on university issues. “They provide a critical advisory voice on so many things we do on campus,” Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh recently told reporters. “The faculty senate does work that is fundamentally important to what we do as a university.” Faculty at many Texas universities elect a professor in their specific college to serve as a representative on the senate. Faculty will typically elect a chair or co-chairs for a one or two year term. Other faculty members can serve on specific committees that provide recommendations to leadership on specific issues, such as budget, research or facility planning. Faculty say that it’s vital that they have a voice in the decision making processes and that university boards of regents listen to those on the ground when making decisions that impact their work. “At a Fortune 500 company, you wouldn’t want the CEO to make every single decision,” said Harris, the SMU professor. “They don’t have time. People close to the product line or business aspect are best able to do that. The same thing is true here. You want your faculty who teach undergrads to make policy (about undergrads). They know the issues there better.” Bill Carroll served as president of the University of Texas at Arlington’s faculty senate four years ago. He said administrators often haven’t taught in a classroom in years and rely on current faculty to share their experiences that can help shape decision-making. “The faculty senate can provide that input and that information to administration so they can understand how the faculty are perceiving things and understand what faculty needs to do their job in an effective way,” he said. Public universities and university systems are overseen by boards of regents, who are appointed by the governor. Those boards hire university presidents, who serve as a CEO of the institution. While there is nothing in state law that specifies how faculty senates should be organized or function, many universities have adopted rules based on the American Association of University Professors’ guidance that faculty have academic freedom in the classroom and in research. They also rely on the 1966 Statement on Government of Colleges and Universities to guide how boards, presidents and faculty senates interact to operate the university. This statement was developed by national organizations that represent faculty, university presidents and governing boards. The statement spells out who should handle each sector of university operations. “It’s not something that was just drawn up by faculty saying, ‘Here is our best practice, deal with it,’” said Joey Velasco, president of the Texas Council of Faculty Senates who also teaches at Sul Ross State University in Far West Texas. “It really was a joint effort.” Faculty should be responsible for curriculum, methods of instruction and research, the statement reads. If the governing board or university president ultimately makes a decision that goes against the faculty’s wishes, that statement urges the board or president to communicate those reasons with the faculty. “It’s through open dialogue and mutual respect and a shared vision that faculty, administrators and governing boards can ensure their institutions continue to thrive,” Velasco said. Faculty senates found themselves in Patrick’s crosshairs three years ago when he boldly declared he wanted to end tenure for new faculty hires at Texas’ public universities. It was a radical legislative priority condemned by faculty groups across the country. At the time, Patrick was honest about his motivations: he was angry at The Faculty Council at the University of Texas at Austin. The elected group of faculty had passed a nonbinding resolution reaffirming their right to teach critical race theory in the college classroom after the state banned its teaching in K-12 schools. In the statement, faculty at UT-Austin said they will “stand firm against any and all encroachment on faculty authority including by the legislature or the Board of Regents.” Patrick called the professors “Loony Marxists” on social media and accused them of poisoning the minds of college students with such teaching. Ending tenure would make it easier to terminate or punish faculty who were teaching these ideas. Patrick ultimately was unable to outright ban tenure at Texas’ public universities. But Harris said it’s clear that the Faculty Council “poked the bear.” “I do wonder, were it not for that, would it have been as much on the radar,” Harris said, though he feels like the wave of similar actions at universities in other states, such as Florida , would’ve led Texas to take similar routes. Faculty senates largely garner the most attention outside the university when they issue a vote of no confidence in a school leader. These votes are non binding, but are meant as a way for faculty to express their discontent with the direction a president is taking the school. Sometimes, they can lead to the resignation of a university leader. Other times, they’re completely ignored. Last year, most faculty members at West Texas A&M University in Canyon said they lost confidence in the president for a variety of issues, including his decision to cancel a student drag show on campus. Nothing happened after the vote and Walter Wendler remained president. At Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, faculty took a vote of no confidence in the leadership of former President Scott Gordon after he accepted an $85,000 pay bump amid a COVID-19 budget shortfall. In that case, the board of regents stood behind Gordon despite the no confidence vote. Still, he stepped down six months later. Nationally, a Chronicle of Higher Education analysis found that a president ends up leaving office within a year of a no-confidence vote about half of the time. This spring, more than 600 faculty at UT-Austin signed a letter stating they had no confidence in President Jay Hartzell’s leadership after police arrested a swath of pro-Palestinian demonstrators protesting the war in Gaza. However, that letter came from the UT-Austin chapter of the American Association of University Professors, not the Faculty Council. Across the country, other states have sought to curtail the power and freedoms of faculty. The Arizona Legislature passed a law that would reduce the power of faculty senates. The bill eliminated language in the state that says the faculty “shall participate in” or “share responsibility” for academic and personnel decisions. Instead, professors could only “consult with” university leaders on decisions. Arizona’s Democratic governor vetoed the bill. When Florida passed a higher education bill that banned diversity, equity and inclusion programs at public institutions last year, it also included language that said public university presidents and administrators are not bound by faculty recommendations or opinions in hiring decisions. In Texas, at a November state Senate Higher Education Subcommittee meeting, Sylvestor, with the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation, suggested that the Legislature require all faculty senate votes to be public, all meetings be open to the public and live streamed, and all curriculum changes made public. Many faculty senates at Texas universities already livestream their meetings and post agendas and minutes online. Velasco with the Texas Council for Faculty Senates said many votes are taken publicly, too. But there are instances when private voting is better, he said, such as when faculty vote whether to award tenure. This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.Prosecutors seek February trial for 5 remaining defendants indicted with rapper Young ThugAstro Bot PS5, Now 17% OffGlobal monitor says famine is weeks away in north Gaza. A US diplomat calls warning 'irresponsible'
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Trump names David Sacks as White House AI and crypto czarBanque Cantonale Vaudoise Sells 50 Shares of ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML)None(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .
No. 1 South Carolina women stunned by fifth-ranked UCLA 77-62, ending Gamecocks' 43-game win streakUkraine's Defence Minister agrees with US to deepen cooperation in cybersecurityYOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) — EJ Farmer scored 20 points as Youngstown State beat Toledo 93-87 on Saturday. Farmer went 8 of 15 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) for the Penguins (6-5). Nico Galette scored 17 points while shooting 5 for 13 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line and added 11 rebounds and seven assists. Juwan Maxey shot 4 for 9 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. Sam Lewis led the Rockets (6-4) in scoring, finishing with 21 points and eight rebounds. Sonny Wilson added 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for Toledo. Seth Hubbard had 14 points. Farmer put up 13 points in the first half for Youngstown State, who led 44-39 at halftime. Youngstown State used a 7-0 second-half run to break a 76-76 tie and take the lead at 83-76 with 3:14 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Galette scored 12 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Sarah Michelle Gellar cleared the air after she seemed to snub a reporter who asked about her former co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt . While at the premiere of her new series Dexter: Original Sin on Dec. 11, Gellar was asked if she knew whether Hewitt would be returning for the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot movie. “I have nothing to do with that,” the actress said quickly before stepping away . The moment went viral online and resurfaced old rumors of an on-set feud between the two women as stars of the original 1997 slasher movie. On Friday, however, Gellar explained why she seemed so cagey in her Instagram stories, chalking up her behavior to not wanting to violate non-disclosure agreements after she accidentally posted photos from the project’s set several weeks prior. “Aspiring actors please note: this deer in the headlights reaction is perfect for when you are excited to see so many old friends in one project but have already stupidly forgotten what NDA means once this month,” she wrote. Ultimately, Hewitt also confirmed her return to the reboot on Friday captioning a photo on Instagram. “It’s never too late to go back. Julie James is returning. I know what you will be doing next summer!” A post shared by Jennifer Love Hewitt (@jenniferlovehewitt) World-famous cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason said he was forced to cancel a concert after Air Canada refused to give his 300-year-old, $3,200,000 -cello a seat he had booked for his flight. Kanneh-Mason is touring Canada with his sister, pianist Kanneh-Mason, and the two released a joint statement addressing the show, which was supposed to take place Wednesday in Toronto. “First we had delays, then a cancellation, and the day concluded by being denied boarding with the cello – despite having a confirmed seat for it – on a new, final flight into Toronto,” they explained in the statement . “We can only dream of a time when all airlines have a standardized, global and carefully considered approach to the carriage of precious instruments that are booked to travel in the cabin.” The airline addressed the incident in a statement to CBC. “In this case, the customers made a last-minute booking due to their original flight on another airline being cancelled,” a spokesperson said. “We are still reviewing what happened including why the cello was not successfully rebooked.” Kanneh-Mason rose to world renown after playing at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle ’s wedding. A post shared by Sheku (@shekukannehmason) Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Consuming cannabis as an adult feels very different than doing so as a fresh-faced 21-year-old—so why should your smoking habits make your space feel like a disheveled college dorm room? NWTN Home’s collection of chic smoking essentials offers a more elevated way to enjoy cannabis in the comfort of your home. NWTN Home is a smokeware brand bringing craftsmanship to the cannabis industry by designing what they call “homeware for the high-minded.” Its weed-associated products are built to double as elegant and functional houseware items , helping you upgrade your home into a full smoking sanctuary. Plus, they make the perfect holiday gifts for your favorite creative cannabis connoisseur! This hand-poured, marbled ashtray rests atop a sleek melamine rolling tray and includes a helpful brass tool that can assist in your rolling process, making it the perfect blend of form and function. This standout stackable flower pot ashtray set is a surefire solution to keep your space clean—and your houseguests impressed. No cannabis collection is complete without something to smoke out of! These avant-garde gravity bongs are inspired by vintage housewares and designed to seamlessly blend into your barware and greenware set-ups. Gideon Moncrieffe, a TikTok executive who was slashed on the New York City subway by a stranger in 2023, is now suing the MTA for “systemic negligence,” according to the New York Post . The outlet, which obtained court filings, reports that Moncrieffe is suing for an unspecified amount because of the “profound psychological trauma” he has dealt with since the random attack by a rider named Sean Lewis. The slashing, which occurred shortly after the Daniel Penny fatal chokehold incident, came about when Moncrieffe stepped in during an argument Lewis was having with another rider. “I said, ‘Look, somebody was killed on the train two weeks ago, they were choked out because someone proceeded to be aggressive,’” Moncrieffe told Lewis before being sliced down his face. One hundred stitches were needed to sew up the 8-inch wound. Shortly before assaulting Moncrieffe, Lewis had been arrested for choking and threatening his girlfriend with a knife. In the suit, Moncrieffe called the incident “foreseeable” and urged the MTA to stay on top of its banned rider policy along with other safety measures. Lewis was sentenced to seven years in jail for slashing Moncrieffe. TV icon Oprah Winfrey left her longtime best friend Gayle King flabbergasted after surprising her with a huge 70th birthday bash. The big reveal was captured on camera and posted to Winfrey’s Instagram. King, her mouth agape, clutches her chest and freezes—completely astonished. The camera pans to show a room filled to the brim with King’s loved ones. “My bestie of 50 years is turning 70 so we gathered everyone that loved her to celebrate,” Winfrey captioned the post . “Hard thing to surprise her, O the stories we have made up, the lies we have told to keep this a secret. Happy birthday @gayleking, sorry we almost gave you a heart attack.” Winfrey and King, both successful media personalities, have been dear friends since they met as young journalists at Baltimore’s WJZ television station. When Winfrey celebrated her own 70th birthday a year earlier, she said , “No day is promised to any of us. So to reach this major milestone feels like grace in action.” A post shared by Oprah (@oprah) Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Paula Abdul has reached a settlement with American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe following a year-long sexual assault legal battle. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed. “I am grateful that this chapter has successfully come to a close and is now something I can now put behind me...,” Abdul said in a statement. “I hope my experience can serve to inspire other women, facing similar struggles, to overcome their own challenges with dignity and respect, so that they too can turn the page and begin a new chapter of their lives.” Lythgoe continued to dispute Abdul’s accusations, claiming, “We live in a troubling time where a person is now automatically assumed to be guilty until proven innocent, a process that can take years,” in a statement. Abdul accused Lythgoe of groping her in an elevator nearly 20 years ago when she was a judge on American Idol. A decade later, when she was a judge on So You Think You Can Dance , she alleged Lythgoe invited her to his home and then attempted to forced himself on her. Lythgoe stepped down as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance in January after a second suit was filed accusing him of sexually assaulting two contestants on a different show. A third lawsuit was filed in March, accusing Lythgoe of sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2018. It’s been some 26 years since Jennifer Love Hewitt’s ‘final girl’ faced off with a vengeful killer fisherman in the I Know What You Did Last Summe r series. (That was in the film’s sequel, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer ; a third film is not considered canon by horror fans, while a related TV series aired in 2021.) But with filming on an official threequel—set for release, wait for it, next summer—currently underway, Hewitt confirmed Friday that she’ll be reprising her original role. “It’s never too late to go back,” Hewitt wrote in an Instagram caption confirming the casting news. Hewitt joins her former co-star Freddie Prinze Jr. in the forthcoming film, alongside a lineup of young Hollywood talent who will near inevitably end up as roadkill . Perhaps unsurprisingly, Prinze Jr.‘s wife Sarah Michelle Gellar —who also starred in the first IKWYDLS movie—had previously confirmed she won’t be returning, because her character died . Fair enough! That hasn’t stopped the Internet from wondering if she didn’t really want to see Love Hewitt back either, with commenters reading deeply into an apparently shady red carpet moment . A post shared by Jennifer Love Hewitt (@jenniferlovehewitt) BBC reported that Apple’s new AI notification system sent a message from the outlet that falsely claimed Luigi Mangione shot himself. The new technology aims to group together notifications; however, it falsely wrote that the suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s Manhattan slaying had shot himself. The BBC sent a message to Apple in regards to the notification, but the company declined to comment. A BBC spokesperson said, “It is essential to us that our audiences can trust any information or journalism published in our name and that includes notifications.” The notification included other news stories, which were described correctly. The message read: “Luigi Mangione shoots himself; Syrian mother hopes Assad pays the price; South Korea police raid Yoon Suk Yeol’s office.” The BBC also reported that it’s seemingly not the only news organization dealing with the misleading summarizations. A screenshot allegedly showed that a New York Times grouped notification read that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was arrested. The screenshot could not be independently verified by the BBC, and the New York Times declined to comment. The NFL wished Taylor Swift a Happy Birthday with a TikTok of her and Travis Kelce’s most memorable moments—on and off the field. Kelce’s employer posted the video of the singer and his relationship, which already has racked up over 1 million views. The caption read, “Karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me.” The clips showed Kelce and Swift celebrating his wins at games, the pair at her concerts, and her glitzed out in Chiefs gear. “If you told me 2 years ago I would be following the NFL on tiktok and not falling asleep everytime a game is on TV... never would’ve believed it,” wrote one commenter. “Happy birthday Taylor. Thank you for uniting the Swifties and the Football Fans together in the name of art and sport,” another wrote. Swift has been seen at many Chiefs games since the beginning of her relationship with the tight end, with him visiting her at some of her tour dates. karma is the guy on the @Chiefs saying happy bday to me 🎶 #taylorswift #traviskelce #nfl #kansascitychiefs Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Apparently, boosting prostate health can actually be pleasurable—at least, that’s what premium sexual wellness brand MysteryVibe says. The Molto, an ultra-slim and bendable prostate vibrator designed by a doctor, is engineered to be the same size and width as a doctor’s finger and to mimic similar motions to that performed during an exam, allowing for not only intense prostate (the prostate is often hailed as the male ‘G-spot’) and anal stimulation but also a release of prostatic fluids. According to the brand, some studies have found that excess prostatic fluid can lead to inflammation and pressure, so not only is this a sex toy , but it’s also possibly an investment in your prostate health. Think of it almost like a lymphatic massage for your prostate—except one that can give you intense orgasms, too. Made with body-safe silicone, the multifunctional and gender-fluid vibrator is powered by one “anatomically-placed” motor that delivers potent yet precise vibration to the anus and prostate without feeling bulky or inflexible. It’s a great sex toy for those new to anal play or who are looking for an ultra-sleek vibrator with possible health-boosting benefits. The prostate vibrator is equipped with 16 vibration settings and eight pre-set vibration patterns, allowing for superior control and customization. Plus, the device comes with access to a catalog of vibration patterns with the free MysteryVibe smartphone app. Best of all? Because the Molto vibrator is an FDA-registered class II medical device, it’s also FSA/HSA eligible. Saturday Night Live alum Pete Davidson , known best to some for his past relationships with Kim Kardashian , Ariana Grande , Kate Beckinsale , and more famous women, now says he doesn’t want to be known as “this f---ing loser who just dates people,” in a new interview for W Magazine . to promote his new role as creative director for colorful sock brand Doublesoul, Davidson told the outlet his feeling that he was one of “a handful of celebs every couple of years” that the media “destroys,” after multiple run-ins with tabloids over his famous exes. “For some reason, I’m one of the people they chose to go after,” he said. But, he added, “It’s actually, in a way, a blessing, because it allowed me to take a step back and evaluate things. What do you want to be? Who are you?” Davidson said he only wants to be seen publicly “when it’s movie, stand-up, charity, or business ventures” and to focus on his stand-up career. “I’m someone who is from Staten Island, wanted to do stand-up, and if I got to do anything else because of stand-up, it was a miracle.” The iconic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle will hit screens for the first time in 18 years, with a limited run of four episodes set to premiere on Disney+ . Frankie Muniz, who will reprise his role as Malcolm, announced the reboot Friday, along with Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek, who play his parents. The original creator of the show will also return as a writer. The new series follows Malcolm returning home with his daughter for his parents’ 40th wedding anniversary, according to Deadline . Christopher Kennedy Masterson, who played the eldest brother Francis, and Justin Berfield, who played the middle child Reese, are likely to be asked to reprise their roles. Though it’s unlikely that Erik Per Sullivan, who plays the youngest brother Dewey, will make an appearance. He quit acting in 2010 and has not appeared at any reunions. Malcolm in the Middle first premiered on Fox in 2000 and ran for seven seasons. Its success as a family comedy is credited with paving the way for other single-camera sitcoms.FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — TCU leading scorer Frankie Collins will miss the rest of the season because of a broken bone in his left foot, the school said Friday. The 6-foot-2 senior guard, in his first season at TCU after spending the past two at Arizona State, is scheduled to have surgery Tuesday in Dallas. Collins leads the Horned Frogs (5-4) with 11.2 points and 4.4 assists per game. He also averages 4.4 rebounds per game. TCU said Collins broke his foot in the first half of its 83-74 loss to Vanderbilt last Sunday. He still played 35 minutes, finishing with six points and seven assists. Collins played 31 games as a freshman for Michigan's NCAA Sweet 16 team in 2021-22 before transferring to Arizona State. He started all 32 games last season for the Sun Devils, averaging 13.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He could potentially get another college season through a medical redshirt. Arizona State is in its first Big 12 season. It will host TCU on Feb. 15. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll
‘Wicked” proved there’s still life in big-budget studio films. But the bulk of 2024’s best still came from independent studios, streaming services and foreign filmmakers. Does that say the business is expanding? Or has the capital of moviemaking shifted? Take a look at the list, and you’ll realize the idea of actors milling about a Hollywood studio didn’t happen this year. Citing high costs, producers used locations to cut the bottom line and produce the year’s best. The year’s best films, in order of preference, go like this: Shot around the world in VistaVision (a process used decades ago to lend importance to a film), this was one of the longest films of the year, clocking in at 3 hours and 35 minutes and featuring an intermission. It accomplished what Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” couldn’t — it told an engrossing story about an architect who had to rebuild his life after World War II. Coming to America, Laszlo Toth (a brilliant Adrien Brody) survives on menial jobs, then gets a commission to design a towering facility that reflects his own growth. Co-written and directed by Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist” zips by as turmoil threatens to hammer Toth at every turn. Luckily, determination helps him see the project through, brick by brick. Considering it was produced for less than $10 million, Corbet’s achievement is remarkable. Choosing a pope may seem simple, but Edward Berger’s account makes it every bit as exciting as a John Grisham thriller. Led by Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal running the election, it slyly introduced its candidates, then let the very formal voting process comprise the story. One by one, frontrunners emerged, then fell only to lead to a conclusion that few could see coming. Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini were standouts in a cast filled with scene stealers. The best foreign-language film of the year, “Emilia Pérez” combined several hot-button issues in one elaborate musical. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film let Zoe Saldaña fire on all cylinders as the attorney for a drug-cartel leader who has a dream — to live life as a woman. While making her moves, Saldaña encounters countless “players” in the leader’s life, including his wife (nicely played by Selena Gomez). Karla Sofia Gascon, as the title character, crossed countless barriers while showing how important the quest was. Covering the Olympics is difficult. Covering a terrorist attack during the Olympics is almost impossible. Yet the men and women at ABC Sports gave viewers a window onto a world they hadn’t seen before. As terrorists claimed hostages at the 1972 Munich Games, reporters scrambled to get the story right. In a day when hearsay is often enough for broadcasters to break into regular programming, this is the real deal — the way journalism should be done. Peter Sarsgaard was outstanding as leader Roone Arledge; Leonie Benesch was unforgettable as a translator trying to help Americans disseminate the truth. Director Tim Fehlbaum got the look just right and made us long for a time when ingenuity and integrity were key. Popular. What can we say? Jon M. Chu did the Broadway fans proud with an adaptation that expanded the story (there are two parts — the second comes next year), introduced new characters and leaned into the O.G., “The Wizard of Oz.” While Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande were overexposed in the lead-up to its release, they didn’t let “Wicked” down. Their performances were ideal and won over a tough crowd. Even original stars Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel got to be part of the fun. Don’t be surprised if this wins the Best Picture Oscar. Mikey Madison made a huge splash as a sex worker who amused the son of a Russian oligarch and quickly found herself in a pot full of trouble. The way director Sean Baker twisted the story made it impossible to ignore. As the Russians in Anora’s life, Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov were welcome additions to the American acting scene. Both brought new colors to the medium and let Madison shine in ways even she wouldn’t think possible. Three stellar performances in a well-written thrill comedy were more than we could ask. After making a name for himself in documentary films, RaMell Ross turned Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize winner into a cinematic original. Using some of those documentary techniques, he found a way to pull audiences into the story of two boys sent to an abusive reform school. The film’s cinematography was key; its editing connected the story’s dots. On the 50th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live,” director Jason Reitman came up with the perfect present — a look at the first days of the revolutionary television series. Getting actors to more than suggest the personalities it created justified Reitman’s belief there was something worth preserving. Cory Michael Smith was almost too good as Chevy Chase, the show’s first big star. Actor Jesse Eisenberg wrote and directed this look at cousins who go to Poland to pay homage to their late grandmother. While she may have been the only tie that bound them, she served as a catalyst for change in both. Eisenberg played the uptight cousin; Kieran Culkin (in an Oscar-winning turn) played the rebel. Both were exceptional. Luca Guadagnino had a flashier film this year (“Queer” with Daniel Craig), but this was the more accessible entry. Zendaya starred as a tennis pro who turned to coaching after her playing days were over. Her friendships, however, made it difficult to choose one over the other. Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor played her potential life doubles partners, and they kept the rally going throughout the film. Guadagnino tried a few tricks of his own and came away with a film that was both glossy and telling.LOS ANGELES (AP) — Londynn Jones scored 15 points, making all five of her 3-pointers, and fifth-ranked UCLA stunned No. 1 South Carolina 77-62 on Sunday, ending the Gamecocks’ overall 43-game winning streak and their run of 33 consecutive road victories. The Gamecocks (5-1) lost for the first time since April 2023, when Caitlin Clark and Iowa beat them in the NCAA Tournament national semifinals. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.National Tax Lien Association Warns of Negative Impact from Ohio Sub. S.B. No. 206 on Local Governments and Taxpayers
Nigeria partners Brazil to revolutionise Agriculture with $4.3bn InvestmentBurns puts up 17 points as Maine edges Canisius 84-79There wasn’t any one moment this season when Rome Odunze felt like he’d built enough chemistry with his quarterback, fellow Bears rookie Caleb Williams. There may never be, at any point in their careers. “You gotta go out there and prove it on the field,” the receiver said this week. “We have to continue to do that ... Kind of like Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers, they have to go out and prove that every single Sunday, too. And they continue to do so. “Even though we’re at the inception of our duo, you still have to prove it.” The Bears envisioned Williams and Odunze would become one of the best young quarterback-receiver pairings in the NFL — though maybe not to the extent of the former Packers-turned-Jets —when they drafted the former first and the latter ninth in April. The two have shown flashes of that this season — Odunze caught a 50-50 ball for 30 yards on fourth-and-1 Sunday — but not often enough to avoid a nine-game losing streak. Odunze fumbled twice in the first quarter of Sunday’s 34-17 loss to the Lions, once on a fly sweep handoff from Williams, another after a 19-yard catch. Perhaps that’s why Odunze, who is rarely short on words, gave a stilted answer when asked how he evaluated his rookie season. “I couldn’t tell you,” he said. “We still got games to go. I can’t really encapsulate it yet.” Through 15 games, Odunze’s performance has fallen just shy of Marvin Harrison, Jr., the Ohio State receiver that so many Bears fans pined for and who was picked fourth by the Cardinals. In 15 games, Harrison Jr. has 51 catches on 100 targets for 726 yards. Odunze has 51 catches on 95 passes for 701. Harrison has seven touchdowns to Odunze’s three, though. Harrison is fourth in receiving yards among rookie receivers, Odunze fifth. The Jaguars’ Brian Thomas has a league-high 1,088 rookie receiving yards. Neither Harrison nor Thomas has had to break in a rookie quarterback the way Odunze has. The good news is that he and Williams can grow together. The bad news has been self-evident this season, as the Bears’ offense has struggled to find consistency on and off the field. Williams is on his third different offensive coordinator and second different play-caller. “I think Rome has been consistent from Day 1,” interim head coach Thomas Brown said. “The ball hasn’t always found him throughout the year as far as his role in kind of how it plays out from a progression standpoint. “But when he’s had an opportunity to make plays, the guy constantly shows up.” Williams has seen that, even though Odunze ranks third on the team in catches and targets and second in receiving yards. “Being able to have him here and grow with him and our relationship over the years is going to be vital, I think, for the team,” Williams said. “So I’ve been able to be able to continue that and continue to grow that. [It] t is going to be really fun — and really vital.” NOTE: The Bears held a walk-through Tuesday and estimated their player’s participation for a real practice. Guard Teven Jenkins (calf). safety Elijah Hicks (ankle/foot), running back Travis Homer (hamstring) and tight end Marcedes Lewis (rest) were among the players who would have sat out.
Burns puts up 17 points as Maine edges Canisius 84-79
"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
I REFER to the story regarding Newcastle council's "modest surplus" ( Newcastle Herald 12/11). While it presents a fairly positive view of the 2023-24 financials, I have a different view when taking into account the history leading to this point. This administration always places great stock in the Audit Office's report. It is good that the dollars have been put in the right boxes, but the AO always has a disclaimer that the " audit does not include, nor provide assurance that the council has carried out its activities effectively, efficiently and economically". Login or signup to continue reading I believe the $4.2 million surplus does not stack up against the fact that rates have gone up 72 per cent since the big rate rise introduced in 2016. This is three times the inflation rate and yielded an extra $75 million in rates in 2023-24 alone. Over the same period, fees and charges have gone up 72 per cent. It is easy to make a surplus when ratepayers are contributing so much more every year. Where is all the extra money going? Well, workforce costs alone have gone up 37 per cent over the past five years. The waste business made a surplus of $14 million last year, and this was on top of a $12 million surplus in each of the two previous years. However, domestic waste charges went up 10 per cent last year, and have gone up 50 per cent over the last five years. Despite spending $40 million on infrastructure renewal last year, this is 20 per cent behind the NSW government target. In fact, this council has not met the target in any of the last seven years and is now $100 million behind what it should have spent over that period. This is driving up the infrastructure backlog, which is now double the target and increasing. If the council had not changed the accounting method and wiped $101 million of the backlog a couple of years ago, it would now be 11 per cent versus the target of 2 per cent. In 2015 the council promised IPART that it would achieve 2 per cent, under the old measurement system, with proceeds from the rate increase. It is very difficult to determine where the money is going because there are large chunks of operating expenditure where the split-up of costs is not visible. For a number of years, ratepayers have been complaining that project budgets, costs and delivery times have been hidden from the public. It appears to me that the public is getting a raw deal, and I hope that the messages delivered by the electorate in the recent election are taken seriously by the new council. GLENDALE offers an unprecedented opportunity for Newcastle Basketball to be involved in the largest sporting complex in NSW with existing facilities. Consider that within kilometres there is already is conglomerate of venues such as a first class golf course, bowling, sailing, boating, fishing, rugby league, Aussie rules, baseball, swimming, croquet, cricket, BMX, netball, roller and ice skating, soccer, walking and cycling. Combine the above with uncomplicated access. Sorry, did I miss a sport? The area also has motels, hotels, licenced clubs, schools and TAFE. Build the stadium at Glendale. Look at the bigger picture in the future. The Hunter may become the mecca for sport and recreation. WHY is it that Woolworths and Coles are copping a hammering because they are trying to do well to keep shareholders happy? Why is it that our major airlines go over and above to look after their shareholders and nothing is said? They double their prices in peak times like Christmas and school holidays and we don't hear a whisper. Yet if our supermarkets were to price gouge in those times, they would be hauled over the coals. Can someone tell me the difference? Major supermarkets have cost of living to take into account such as warehousing, power costs and everything that goes into it like transport. It's all a balancing act to make a profit over all their stores, and to make a profit for the shareholders. Major airlines have static costs all year round yet they take advantage of the travelling public and don't give a damn. I'M so pleased that a choir has once again been created for dementia patients in Newcastle. In 2010, a singing group was formed at the Alzheimer's Centre in Percy Street, Hamilton, for dementia patients and their carers. It was a social morning with tea and biscuits followed by an hour of singing. The group was dubbed The Percy Street Singers. COVID put a stop to this, but the group was apparently never allowed back into the centre. Since Dementia Australia took over the centre, in my view all the activities virtually stopped. Like so many things in Newcastle, it seemed to become a Sydney-centric organisation. My husband died 10 years ago, and by then could not hold a conversation but could sing every word in every song. It was a great joy for him. The centre also provided a men's cooking group, movie afternoons, coffee groups, art and creative afternoons, and memory loss courses for people with dementia and their careers. The funding for so much was gradually removed, and staff dwindled. What a sad time for Newcastle. Destiny on Dyke Point has welcomed visitors to our safe, beautiful harbour for almost 25 years. It was Destiny's birthday on Sunday (November 24). She was sculpted by Julie Squires, a wonderfully talented local sculptor. When you stroll the promenade at Honeysuckle check her out. She is so beautiful and gracious: we are your destiny, you are safe and welcomed. Cheers to her. I arrived at the protest site about 9:15am on Friday. It was too early for any action but the police presence was way over the top. They also had a visible presence down as far as Honeysuckle, so it would be in the interest of balanced reporting could the Herald get official figures on police numbers? And yes, I rode there by bike - 39km return trip. ALAN Jones's high-profile supporters have deserted him, like rats deserting a sinking ship. "A friend in need is a friend indeed" seems to not apply here. AS one who occasionally uses the word 'woke', I'd like make it clear that to me it refers to those who think they are superior to the rest, never wrong, overuse - often incorrectly - words such as 'racist' and 'misogynist', and jump on every left-wing bandwagon in their never-ending search for popularity. LABOR'S latest Orwellian attempt to control public debate, its Misinformation and Disinformation (MAD) Bill, seems dead in the water in the face of growing Senate opposition. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. DON Owers ("Disruptions aren't all equal", Letters, 21/11), doesn't seem to know that no government has authority over industrial action. It's the domain of the Fair Work Commission. I don't remember anything from Mr Owers when the Liberal government closed the rail network for a day in 2022, claiming "safety issues". It blamed striking workers despite them not being on strike and at work. Quietly dropped with no apology when the FWC demanded to see their risk assessment. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Fresh daily!CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Bryce Thompson scored 17 points, Marchelus Avery had 15 points and eight rebounds, and Oklahoma State beat Miami 80-74 on Friday in the consolation bracket of the Charleston Classic. Oklahoma State (4-1) will play in the fifth-place game on Sunday, while Miami (3-2) will try to avoid going winless in the tournament. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.
AMHERST, Mass. (AP) — Malek Abdelgowad scored 26 points as UMass beat UMass-Boston 86-52 on Saturday. Abdelgowad also contributed 14 rebounds for the Minutemen (4-7). Daniel Rivera added 11 points while going 4 of 6 and 3 of 7 from the free-throw line while they also had 10 rebounds. Jaylen Curry had 10 points and finished 4 of 7 from the field. The Beacons were led in scoring by Cameron Perkins, who finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals. Xavier McKenzie added 13 points, two steals and two blocks for UMass-Boston. Raphel Laurent also recorded eight points. UMass took the lead with 15:49 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 47-24 at halftime, with Abdelgowad racking up 18 points. UMass extended its lead to 66-36 during the second half, fueled by a 14-2 scoring run. Abdelgowad scored a team-high eight points in the second half as their team closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Monolithic Microwave IC (MMIC) Market Size and ForecastSaudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise
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