Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Billy Smith scored 18 points as Bellarmine beat Bowling Green 80-68 on Saturday. Smith also contributed three steals for the Knights (1-5). Jack Karasinski added 15 points while going 6 of 9 (2 for 4 from 3-point range) while they also had five rebounds. Ben Johnson shot 4 for 12 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 14 points. Derrick Butler and Javontae Campbell each scored 21 points for the Falcons (2-4). Youssef Khayat also had 11 points. Karasinski led his team in scoring with nine points in the first half to help put them up 34-29 at the break. Bellarmine extended its lead to 58-46 during the second half, fueled by an 8-0 scoring run. Smith scored a team-high 12 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Top five 4×4 utes of 2024
Inman: Brock Purdy’s long-term outlook worth pondering as 49ers QB rests sore shoulder
In a tie game, the New England Patriots ’ second offensive possession on Sunday seemed promising. Antonio Gibson picked up a pair of 14-yard gains while Drake Maye made things happen with both his arm and legs. All of that overcame a pair of penalties by offensive tackles Vederian Lowe and Trey Jacobs earlier in the drive. But then, a third penalty — a hold on Jacobs — proved too costly as the drive stalled before Joey Slye’s field goal rang off the uprights. “Penalties just hurt us. Hurt us the whole first half,” Maye said post game. “Just hurting ourselves. Felt like we had the chance to move the ball on these guys. They’re pretty good up front and a good defense that we faced, just nothing that they did. Penalties set us back and put us behind the eight ball. Can’t do that in this league.” That drive set the stage for New England on Sunday, as penalties proved costly in the team’s 34-15 loss to the Miami Dolphins . In total, the Patriots were called for 13 penalties — 10 of which were accepted. Among the penalties, six came before the snap. “Look, it starts with me,” head coach Jerod Mayo said. “It starts with me. We’ve had these hiccups of games where the penalties really affected us, and it did today.” New England’s tackles were the main culprits throughout the day. Left tackle Vederian Lowe ended the day with four total penalties — including a holding call that negated a 19-yard screen to Rhamondre Stevenson. On the right side, Jacobs had a pair of his own pre-snap penalties while also he struggled in pass protection against rookie Chop Robinson. The whole package led to him being pulled in the second half in favor of Sidy Sow. “Yeah, he was having a tough game,” Mayo said of Jacobs. “Whether it’s penalties or blocking the edge, he was having a tough game. And we got to protect the quarterback as an offensive linemen. That’s what we do. We protect quarterbacks, and we got to open up holes for the backs.” The Patriots know penalties are not part of the winning formula with their style of football. As they turn the page to their final game before the bye week, keeping the flags in the refs pocket will start with improved focus. “These penalties are something you can control,” Maye explained. “When you see something improving, we’re making play and got the chance to do some things. But penalties, not necessarily an easy fix but focus — listening to the calls and to the cadence and little things like that. “I don’t think it’s something where we’re getting beat and out-talented. We’re hurting ourselves and we got a chance these last games to put something good film on tape and find ways to get some wins.”With Thanksgiving just days away and the Christmas season soon to be here as well, many of you are making plans to spend time with loved ones, share meals and exchange gifts. But for some families in our community, this season brings a stark reminder of hardship. This is where we have the power to make a difference through an organization that has been brightening children’s lives for decades – Toys for Tots. Here in Hunt County, the need is greater than ever. Already, applications have been received for more than 4,000 children to receive toys this Christmas, with more expected before the Dec. 10 deadline. That’s thousands of kids whose holiday joy depends on the kindness of their neighbors – us. To meet this growing need, Hunt County Toys for Tots has placed about 250 donation boxes in offices, businesses and government buildings across the county. But while every toy donated is a blessing, the organization is especially in need of items for tweens and teens – a group often overlooked during toy drives. Imagine being a 12-year-old who’s starting to outgrow dolls and action figures or a 14-year-old who dreams of a small gift that feels just for them. Sports equipment, art supplies, board games, headphones or gift cards are all fantastic options to consider when shopping for donations. If you’re inspired to take your support further, consider hosting a donation box at your business or office. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to get your employees, customers or clients involved in the season of giving. For more information, reach out to Hunt County Toys for Tots at (469) 360-6300 or via email at huntcountytx.toysfortots.org . Let’s come together as a community to make this holiday season unforgettable for every child in Hunt County. Your generosity can turn a challenging year into a magical Christmas for those who need it most. This year, let’s remind our children that their community cares about them. Let’s join Hunt County Toys for Tots in spreading joy, laughter and the true spirit of giving. Together, we can make this a season to remember for all the right reasons. --- Herald-Banner
James Madison 71, Jacksonville St. 65Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes officeLAWRENCEBURG – Two Dearborn County high school seniors recently learned they are the 2025 recipients of a prestigious Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. The Dearborn Community Foundation staff made surprise visits to award the full-tuition scholarships to East Central High School’s Annabelle Black and Lawrenceburg High School’s Nathan Parker. Each Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship provides for full tuition, required fees and a special allocation of up to $900 per year for required books and required equipment for four years of undergraduate study on a full-time basis leading to a baccalaureate degree at any eligible Indiana public or private nonprofit college or university. Lilly Endowment Community Scholars may also participate in the Lilly Scholars Network, which connects scholars with resources and opportunities to be active leaders on their campuses and in their communities. Both the scholarship program and the LSN are supported by grants from Lilly Endowment to Independent Colleges of Indiana, and Indiana Humanities. “Annabelle and Nathan epitomize what the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship is all about: community involvement, academic achievement, character and leadership,” said Fred McCarter, Executive Director of DCF. “They were selected from among a competitive group of applicants for this high honor and our community should be very proud of Annabelle, Nathan, and the other four finalists.” Black is the daughter of Kelly and B.J. Black. She plans to study Optometry at Hanover College. She was shocked and excited to learn she is a Lilly Scholar. “I’m appreciative and grateful,” she said. “I’m excited for the future.” At East Central, Black has been active in many clubs and groups: National Honor Society (Indiana Rising Star Award); Trojan Exchange; Eco Club; and AOK Club. She also participated in soccer, basketball and softball. She also completed a significant number of volunteer service hours. Parker is the son of Amanda and Brandon Parker. He plans to study Computer Science/Computer Software Engineering. He’s undecided, but leaning toward attending Indiana University, Bloomington. “I don’t have any words,” Black said upon learning he was a 2025 Lilly Scholar. “It’s life changing. It’s a blessing and something I’ve been striving toward a lot.” At Lawrenceburg High School, Parker participated in the Hope Squad throughout high school and completed a significant number of community service hours: providing Chromebook onboarding and repair, IT helpdesk support for both students and staff; and working as a teacher’s assistant, helping both students and staff with technological issues/assignments. He also found the time to hold down a job during the school year. DCF administers the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program in Dearborn County. A five-member scholarship committee and the DCF staff annually review each application during Phase I of the scholarship process. During Phase I, committee members assign scores to each blinded application based on an essay written to address a specific question. DCF assigns additional scores based on financial need, cumulative academic scores, and number of family dependents. Based on the highest total scores during Phase I of the process, six Lilly finalists are selected to move on to Phase II of the selection process. In October, the finalists complete Phase II, which consists of a personal interview, including a PowerPoint presentation to the scholarship committee and writing an impromptu essay on a specific topic. The scholarship committee then submits the top-scoring applicants to the DCF Board for approval before sending the nominations to the statewide administrator for LECSP, Independent Colleges of Indiana, for the selection of scholarship recipients. Lilly Endowment Inc. created the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program for the 1997-1998 school year and has supported the program every year since with tuition grants totaling more than $505 million. More than 5,300 Indiana students have received the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship since the program’s inception. The primary purposes of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program are: 1) to help raise the level of educational attainment in Indiana; 2) to increase awareness of the beneficial roles Indiana community foundations can play in their communities; and 3) to encourage and support the efforts of current and past Lilly Endowment Community Scholars to engage with each other and with Indiana business, governmental, educational, nonprofit and civic leaders to improve the quality of life in Indiana generally and in local communities throughout the state. The four remaining LECSP finalists are recognized as 2025 Dearborn Community Foundation Scholarship recipients. Each student receives a $1,000 scholarship paid directly to the student’s school. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years of secondary education at the college or university of the student’s choice. The Foundation is pleased to award the 2025 DCF scholarships to: Emily Klem, East Central High School; Isabel Pearson, South Dearborn High School (SDHS); Sophie Ferguson, SDHS; and Trinity Taylor, LHS. Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937 by J.K. Lilly Sr. and his sons Eli and J.K. Jr. through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly and Company. Although the gifts of stock remain a financial bedrock of the Endowment, it is a separate entity from the company, with a distinct governing board, staff and location. In keeping with the founders’ wishes, the Endowment supports the causes of community development, education and religion. The Endowment funds significant programs throughout the United States, especially in the field of religion. However, it maintains a special commitment to its founders’ hometown, Indianapolis, and home state, Indiana. Since 1997, Independent Colleges of Indiana has administered the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program statewide with funding provided by Lilly Endowment. Founded in 1948, ICI serves as the collective voice for the state’s 29 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. ICI institutions employ over 22,000 Hoosiers and generate a total local economic impact of over $5 billion annually. Students at ICI colleges have Indiana’s highest four-year, on-time graduation rates, and ICI institutions produce 30 percent of Indiana’s bachelor’s degrees while enrolling 20 percent of its undergraduates.
The people that president-elect Donald Trump has selected to lead federal health agencies in his second administration include a retired congressman, a surgeon and a former talk-show host. All of them could play pivotal roles in fulfilling a new political agenda that could change how the government goes about safeguarding Americans' health — from health care and medicines to food safety and science research. And if Congress approves, at the helm of the team as Department of Health and Human Services secretary will be prominent environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine organizer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. By and large, the nominees don't have experience running large bureaucratic agencies, but they know how to talk about health on TV . Centers for Medicare and Medicaid pick Dr. Mehmet Oz hosted a talk show for 13 years and is a well-known wellness and lifestyle influencer. The pick for the Food and Drug Administration, Dr. Marty Makary, and for surgeon general, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, are frequent Fox News contributors. Many on the list were critical of COVID-19 measures like masking and booster vaccinations for young people. Some of them have ties to Florida like many of Trump's other Cabinet nominees: CDC pick Dr. Dave Weldon represented the state in Congress for 14 years and is affiliated with a medical group on the state's Atlantic coast. Nesheiwat's brother-in-law is Rep. Mike Waltz , R-Fla., tapped by Trump as national security adviser. Here's a look at the nominees' potential role in carrying out what Kennedy says is the task to “reorganize” agencies, which have an overall $1.7 billion budget; employ 80,000 scientists, researchers, doctors and other officials; and affect the lives of all Americans. The Atlanta-based CDC, with a $9.2 billion core budget, is charged with protecting Americans from disease outbreaks and other public health threats. Kennedy has long attacked vaccines and criticized the CDC, repeatedly alleging corruption at the agency. He said on a 2023 podcast that there is "no vaccine that is safe and effective,” and urged people to resist the CDC's guidelines on if and when kids should get vaccinated . Decades ago, Kennedy found common ground with Weldon , the 71-year-old nominee to run the CDC who served in the Army and worked as an internal medicine doctor before he represented a central Florida congressional district from 1995 to 2009. Starting in the early 2000s, Weldon had a prominent part in a debate about whether there was a relationship between a vaccine preservative called thimerosal and autism. He was a founding member of the Congressional Autism Caucus and tried to ban thimerosal from all vaccines. Kennedy, then a senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, believed there was a tie between thimerosal and autism and also charged that the government hid documents showing the danger. Since 2001, all vaccines manufactured for the U.S. market and routinely recommended for children 6 years or younger have contained no thimerosal or only trace amounts, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine. Meanwhile, study after study after study found no evidence that thimerosal caused autism. Weldon's congressional voting record suggests he may go along with Republican efforts to downsize the CDC, including to eliminate the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, which works on topics like drownings, drug overdoses and shooting deaths. Weldon also voted to ban federal funding for needle-exchange programs as an approach to reduce overdoses, and the National Rifle Association gave him an “A” rating for his pro-gun rights voting record. Kennedy is extremely critical of the FDA, which has 18,000 employees and is responsible for the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs, vaccines and other medical products — as well as overseeing cosmetics, electronic cigarettes and most foods. Makary, Trump’s pick to run the FDA, is closely aligned with Kennedy on several topics . The professor at Johns Hopkins University who is a trained surgeon and cancer specialist has decried the overprescribing of drugs, the use of pesticides on foods and the undue influence of pharmaceutical and insurance companies over doctors and government regulators. Kennedy has suggested he'll clear our “entire” FDA departments and also recently threatened to fire FDA employees for “aggressive suppression” of a host of unsubstantiated products and therapies, including stem cells, raw milk , psychedelics and discredited COVID-era treatments like ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. Makary's contrarian views during the COVID-19 pandemic including the need for masking and giving young kids COVID vaccine boosters. But anything Makary and Kennedy might want to do when it comes to unwinding FDA regulations or revoking long-standing vaccine and drug approvals would be challenging. The agency has lengthy requirements for removing medicines from the market, which are based on federal laws passed by Congress. The agency provides health care coverage for more than 160 million people through Medicaid, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act, and also sets Medicare payment rates for hospitals, doctors and other providers. With a $1.1 trillion budget and more than 6,000 employees, Oz has a massive agency to run if confirmed — and an agency that Kennedy hasn't talked about much when it comes to his plans. While Trump tried to scrap the Affordable Care Act in his first term, Kennedy has not taken aim at it yet. But he has been critical of Medicaid and Medicare for covering expensive weight-loss drugs — though they're not widely covered by either . Trump said during his campaign that he would protect Medicare, which provides insurance for older Americans. Oz has endorsed expanding Medicare Advantage — a privately run version of Medicare that is popular but also a source of widespread fraud — in an AARP questionnaire during his failed 2022 bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania and in a 2020 Forbes op-ed with a former Kaiser Permanente CEO. Oz also said in a Washington Examiner op-ed with three co-writers that aging healthier and living longer could help fix the U.S. budget deficit because people would work longer and add more to the gross domestic product. Neither Trump nor Kennedy have said much about Medicaid, the insurance program for low-income Americans. Trump's first administration reshaped the program by allowing states to introduce work requirements for recipients. Kennedy doesn't appear to have said much publicly about what he'd like to see from surgeon general position, which is the nation's top doctor and oversees 6,000 U.S. Public Health Service Corps members. The surgeon general has little administrative power, but can be an influential government spokesperson on what counts as a public health danger and what to do about it — suggesting things like warning labels for products and issuing advisories. The current surgeon general, Vivek Murthy, declared gun violence as a public health crisis in June. Trump's pick, Nesheiwat, is employed as a New York City medical director with CityMD, a group of urgent care facilities in the New York and New Jersey area, and has been at City MD for 12 years. She also has appeared on Fox News and other TV shows, authored a book on the “transformative power of prayer” in her medical career and endorses a brand of vitamin supplements. She encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, calling them “a gift from God” in a February 2021 Fox News op-ed, as well as anti-viral pills like Paxlovid. In a 2019 Q&A with the Women in Medicine Legacy Foundation , Nesheiwat said she is a “firm believer in preventive medicine” and “can give a dissertation on hand-washing alone.” As of Saturday, Trump had not yet named his choice to lead the National Institutes of Health, which funds medical research through grants to researchers across the nation and conducts its own research. It has a $48 billion budget. Kennedy has said he'd pause drug development and infectious disease research to shift the focus to chronic diseases. He'd like to keep NIH funding from researchers with conflicts of interest, and criticized the agency in 2017 for what he said was not doing enough research into the role of vaccines in autism — an idea that has long been debunked .NC State and East Carolina meet in next season's opener. But first, the Military Bowl
Percentages: FG .554, FT .684. 3-Point Goals: 8-19, .421 (Vasquez 3-4, Moore 2-5, Lendeborg 1-2, Toney 1-2, Johnson 1-5, McGhee 0-1). Team Rebounds: 4. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Shaver). Turnovers: 16 (Coleman 3, Lendeborg 3, McGhee 3, Moore 2, Vasquez 2, Ezewiro, Johnson, Toney). Steals: 7 (Coleman 2, Shaver 2, Lendeborg, Toney, Vasquez). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .566, FT .765. 3-Point Goals: 11-27, .407 (Daugherty 3-6, Kinziger 2-5, Wolf 2-6, Walker 1-1, Boser 1-2, Poindexter 1-2, Pence 1-4, Banks 0-1). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 1 (Kinziger). Turnovers: 16 (Banks 4, Kinziger 3, Poindexter 3, Pence 2, Walker 2, Barnes, Boser). Steals: 10 (Banks 2, Kinziger 2, Pence 2, Daugherty, Poindexter, Walker, Wolf). Technical Fouls: None. .Country singer Caleb Kennedy, who competed in American Idol Season 19, has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his involvement in a 2022 car crash that killed a man in Pacolet, South Carolina. Kennedy pled guilty last week to the felony charge of driving under the influence resulting in death, according to the Greenville News . He was initially sentenced to 25 years in prison and a $25,100 fine, but he had that sentence and fine reduced to eight years and $15,100, with three of those years served in home detention. He also received credit for the nearly three years he has already served. Additionally, the singer will serve five years of probation, and he is required to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling. The legal update comes nearly three years after Kennedy, then 17, struck and killed 54-year-old Larry Duane Parris while driving his Ford F-150 on February 8, 2022. Warrants alleged that Kennedy was under the influence of marijuana at the time, and he was arrested on the DUI charge on the day of the crash. Ryan Beasley, Kennedy’s attorney, told the News that the sentencing was fair. “He’s got no record, and he was a minor when this happened,” Beasley said. “This wasn’t such an egregious act that you see most of the time, where people were drinking and driving then they hit somebody at night or going the wrong way down the road. This was a weird reaction from his prescription medicine and possibly THC.” Beasley also said that Kennedy is “very remorseful” and that the sentencing “starts the healing process for everybody involved in this situation.” (The News notes that Parris’ family wanted the maximum 25-year sentence.) Kennedy made it to the Top 7 of American Idol Season 19 but withdrew from the competition after a video of him standing next to a person wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style hood resurfaced. “I was younger and did not think about the actions, but that’s not an excuse,” Kennedy said, in part, on social media at the time. “I wanna say I’m sorry to all my fans and everyone who I have let down.” More Headlines:The Bucs are now up to three empty spots on their active roster. Following the placement of safety Christian Izien on injured reserve earlier this week, Tampa Bay has released reserve defensive players Antonio Grier and Earnest Brown IV. The team did not make any immediate corresponding moves so they now have just 50 players on their 53-man active roster. Buccaneers Waive Brown, Grier Press Release: https://t.co/3vv7Gs1fUu — Buccaneers Communications (@BuccaneersComms) December 27, 2024 Brown was a pre-season darling, making several plays as a pass rusher. Player grading site Pro Football Focus credited him with five pressures, including a quarterback hit in the final two preseason games of the season. In the regular season Brown has played sparingly as the team’s sixth defensive lineman, registering just 21 defensive snaps across three games. Brown has not been a special teams contributor which made him less useful for the team’s current roster needs. Grier, on the other hand has over 100 special teams snaps across four different units, but just two defensive snaps. But as the Bucs are getting healthier at linebacker with starter K.J. Britt listed as questionable on Friday’s injury report and J.J. Russell and Vi Jones both at full health, the team has opted to let go of their fifth linebacker. Possible Replacements For Bucs With three open spots on their active roster there will be plenty of speculation that the team will be adding former star Shaq Barrett following his release from the Miami Dolphins. And while the team may be interested in a reunion with the veteran pass rusher, don’t look for this to be the transaction that re-ties the knot. Practice squad punter Jack Browning has no elevations left so the Bucs will have to use one of those spots on him. Browning has hardly impressed since making his debut week 14 against the Las Vegas Raiders. His 33.9 net average is one of the lowest in the NFL and over 50% of his punts are being returned at a 12.5 yards per return average. The other two likely candidates are players currently on injured reserve who have had their practice windows opened up. Receiver Kam Johnson is nearing the end of his window which was opened December 12th. If the Bucs don’t activate him by December 31st, he will revert to permanent injured reserve. Whitehead was designated for return on Christmas Eve and has been practicing all week. Both players were listed as questionable on the team’s Friday injury report. Whitehead would be the most welcome return with Izien going down and adding to the team’s injury woes at defensive back. Antoine Winfield Jr. has already been ruled out for this week’s game, but Mike Edwards was listed as a full participant all week and has no injury designation for Sunday’s game. If Whitehead is re-activated, he and Edwards would likely start together. Shaq Barrett As I said earlier, Barrett is most likely not ready to re-join the team’s active roster. But the Bucs could add Barrett to their practice squad and still elevate him for their remaining few games. This would allow Barrett to earn full game checks while not occupying a roster spot until he is ready. This article first appeared on Pewter Report and was syndicated with permission.
A look at how some of Trump's picks to lead health agencies could help carry out Kennedy's overhaul
Portland and Falmouth took home gold footballs Saturday after posting state championship victories at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland. In the Class A game, Portland quarterback Louis Thurston ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more to help the Bulldogs overpower Thornton Academy of Saco 35-14. The win avenged last year’s loss to the Trojans in the title game. Portland finished the season with a 10-2 record. Thornton, playing in its sixth consecutive Class A championship, finished 9-3. Trailing 7-6 in the third quarter, Portland’s offense ignited behind Thurston, who finished with 119 rushing yards on 13 carries and 126 passing yards, according to the Portland Press Herald . It started with an 81-yard touchdown run by Thurston. He then completed a pass for the 2-point PAT to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead. On Portland’s next possession, Thurston completed a 64-yard TD pass to Aidan McGowan. After Portland recovered an onside kick, Thurston tossed a TD pass to Cordell Jones to make it 28-7. The teams traded touchdowns to account for the final. Thornton Academy was led by Mauricio Sunderland, who had a 21-yard TD run and gained 115 yards. In the Class B game, Falmouth’s Indi Backman and Gio Guerrette ran for touchdowns and quarterback Tres Walker threw for a score to lead the Navigators to a 26-13 victory over Kennebunk. Falmouth finished the season 11-0 with the victory which marked its first state title. Defending state champion Kennebunk finished 10-1. Falmouth jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half only to see Kennebunk lineman Calvin Johnson intercept a Walker pass and return it 15 yards for a touchdown to pull the Rams within 14-6, according to Centralmaine.com Peter Kearns of Falmouth kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 17-6 at halftime. Kearns punctuated a Falmouth drive by kicking another 35-yard field goal to start the second half making it 20-6. Kennebunk’s Jaiden Homa returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown to pull the Rams within 20-13. But Falmouth countered when Guerrette scored on an 80-yard run to give the Navigators a 26-13 lead.Justus McNair's midcourt 3-pointer at the buzzer gives Valparaiso a 76-73 win over Western Michigan