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Students from the Tennessee College of Applied Technology at Phipps Bend helped make the holidays a little cheerier for local residents by packing hundreds of Christmas food boxes last week. Of One Accord Ministry in Rogersville has been one of the key providers of Christmas dinners for the underprivileged for over 35 years, but that is possible only through the support of a wide variety of community members. One such example happened on Dec. 17 when Scott McDonald, an instructor at the Phipps Bend TCAT in Surgoinsville, rounded up 25 students who volunteered to put together 550 of the food boxes. Those boxes then were distributed to Hawkins County families on Dec. 21 in Rogersville and Church Hill. “The ministry staff each year are amazed to witness these students put boxes together in record time,” said Of One Accord Director Sheldon Livesay. 110,851 food items statewide The Phipps Bend TCAT was part of a statewide effort to make sure all Tennesseans have a good meal on Christmas. Tennessee’s community and technical colleges donated or collected the equivalent of 110,851 food items during the College System of Tennessee’s 26th annual Food Drive Challenge. The donations go to campus food pantries for students in need and local food programs serving their communities. The Food Drive Challenge was conceived in 1999 by the Student Government Presidents Council — student leaders from across the state — as a project to help fellow students and others in need. The campus communities have kept the campaign going annually since in a friendly competition to see which can collect the most, in tiers based on college enrollment size. Cash donations are counted as two items for each dollar. Including this year’s collections, more than 1.8 million items of food and funds have been donated and collected over the 26 years of the challenge. This year’s campaign saw 23 colleges across the state participate. This year’s challenge winners in each enrollment tier — with the total items and funds converted to items collected — were: Community colleges: Roane State Community College — 6,108 items; Pellissippi State Community College — 49,470 items. TCATs: TCAT Hartsville — 3,542 items; TCAT Henry/Carroll — 4,850 items; TCAT Northwest — 12,312 items. Food items and funds are used to stock campus food pantries and also support community food banks, nonprofits that provide food assistance, and other local support agencies. Donations may still be made online through the College System Food Pantry Campaign at: https://www.tbr.edu/advancement/college-system-tennessee-food-pantry-campaign The spirit of giving In addition to the food drive, most of the colleges also participate in other local programs in the spirit of giving back to their communities. Examples include TCAT Crump, TCAT Jacksboro and Dyersburg State Community College adopting angels from Angel and Giving Tree programs to provide children, seniors and others with gifts this holiday season. Roane State connected with a local nonprofit organization to provide children’s gifts to parenting students, while TCAT Morristown collected toys and gifts for 25 children in the community. TCAT Northwest and several others packaged holiday food for families over the holidays. TCAT Dickson hosted fundraisers for campus members facing hardships, TCAT McMinnville collected pet food and supplies, Pellissippi State collected school supplies and hygiene items, and TCAT Henry/Carroll donated to the local school district’s backpack program. Dyersburg State also hosted a Backpack Blessing Supply drive for hygiene and clothing items for unsheltered residents in the community. Pellissippi State packed and distributed 150 Thanksgiving food boxes and its Student Care and Advocacy Office, along with the Stay Strong Success Center, served over 300 students hot meals during finals. The generosity continues as some campuses continue to collect items for donation. Jackson State is wrapping up its toy drive and will donate the toys to children in the community, and Dyersburg State is hosting an Eagle Tree to collect hygiene and school supplies for students into the new year. These efforts are in addition to bottled water and fundraisers hosted at campuses across the state earlier this fall to support victims of the Hurricane Helene flooding disaster in Northeast Tennessee. “Everyone is a winner in this challenge! What a wonderful way to support students and give back to our communities,” said Dr. Heidi Leming, Tennessee Board of Regents Vice Chancellor for Student Success and Strategic Partnerships, whose office coordinates the Food Drive Challenge. Food insecurity is a major challenge on college campuses. A 2023 report by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) cited research concluding that students experiencing food insecurity are less likely to excel academically and more likely to report stress levels that hinder their ability to focus on their studies. More information about food insecurity among students, and resources such as campus food pantries and other programs, is available on the THEC website at https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/thec/learn-about/task-forces/food-insecurity.html .NEW YORK (AP) — Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa scored 27 points as Columbia beat Fairfield 85-72 on Saturday night. De La Rosa shot 8 of 15 from the field, including 5 for 11 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Lions (11-1). Avery Brown shot 5 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to add 16 points. Kenny Noland went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 15 points. The Stags (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Louis Bleechmore, who recorded 12 points. Fairfield also got 12 points and seven assists from Jamie Bergens. Deon Perry had 12 points and five assists. Columbia's next game is Monday against Rutgers on the road, and Fairfield visits Merrimack on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .10 gadget gift ideas to help you tech the halls this year
UTICA — Following his push earlier this year, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he has secured over $1.8 million via the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law to fix the infamous and outdated Genesee Street traffic signals in the City of Utica. Schumer said Utica plans to pilot the latest in smart-traffic signals along Genesee Street, which local officials say will reduce traffic and accidents while strengthening safety for motorists and pedestrians along this busy corridor. “Every Utican knows that these traffic lights can be frustrating and outright dangerous and for years the City of Utica has been developing a plan to fix it. That’s why I urged U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for funding to increase safety in Utica and revamp this corridor with a new network of cutting-edge, smart-traffic signals,” Schumer said. “New traffic lights are putting Utica in the fast lane to decrease traffic, accidents, and wait times. I created the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation grant program in my Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law because I knew we have the technology to pave the way for a smoother and safer commute for all, and I’m thrilled that it’s delivering for Utica today.” Schumer said this federal funding allows the City of Utica to move forward with plans to upgrade its traffic signals, stating that the aging stop lights on Genesee Street have plagued Utica residents for years. Phase one of the city’s planned multi-phase upgrade was completed in 2012, but officials later reported that there was not enough funding for traffic signal synchronization or timing. Over a decade later, many Genesee Street traffic signals are reported to still be out-of-time and frustrating Uticans every day. At times, it can take 15 minutes or more to travel the length of Genesee Street in a car, causing traffic delays that drive vehicles off the city’s main drag and onto side streets. With the funding — $1,809,957 in total — Schumer said Utica will be able to install and pilot dozens of new, state-of-the-art, smart traffic signals along a 2-mile street of Genesee Street and a continuous 5-block offshoot of Bleecker and Elizabeth Streets, supporting key partner locations like Utica Fire Station #2, Utica’s nationally recognized refugee agency (The Center), Utica’s public transit hub (CENTRO), the Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and more. Utica’s smart traffic signals will include long sought after synchronization, connectivity, and other smart city features, including: Emergency preemption with multi-level right of way for fire, police, snowplow, and transit vehicles. 360-degree video detection for vehicles and pedestrians. Pedestrian crossing accessibility features, such as audio/visual cues and passive detection. Data collection and analysis tools to enhance planning, engineering, management and traffic study. According to the New York State Sheriff’s Association, 38% of pedestrian-involved crashes and nearly 20% of all crashes in the City of Utica occur along this corridor. “We are now poised to implement state-of-the-art smart grid technology along Genesee Street — marking the beginning of a comprehensive modernization of Utica’s signaling infrastructure,” said Utica Mayor Michael P. Galime. “This milestone signals a brighter future for our city, enhancing public safety, improving community well-being, and laying the groundwork for a fully connected smart grid system. As Utica experiences a renaissance of redevelopment, these advancements are a critical step toward a more efficient, sustainable, and thriving urban center.”
Tech Startup Attorney Shield Surpasses 7,000 Paid Members, Raises Over $450,000 On Startengine‘Tis the season to start shopping for loved ones – family, friends and colleagues you care about – and perhaps putting something for yourself under the tree this year. And if it’s a tech toy you want to give, there’s no shortage of sleek screens, great games and smart home-related gear worthy of your consideration. The following are a few thought-starters to suit varying budgets and tastes. For budding astronomers (or insomniacs) Project an “out of this world” moving image onto your bedroom ceiling with the Govee Star Light Projector ($79). Capable of creating a stunning 650-square-foot image with a button press on the app (or on the unit itself), with 16 million colors, flowing aurora effects and 52 scene modes. There are optional white noise tracks, too, and it’s a Bluetooth speaker, if you want to play your own songs. Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. For avid readers Gift the gift of reading with Amazon’s new Kindle Paperwhite (from $179) and Kindle Paperwhite Kids (from $199), both with sharp, anti-glare 7-inch screens. Now with 20% faster page turns, the new Kindles are also waterproof, so you can take it to the beach, pool or a bubble bath. An optional backlight lets you read in bed without disturbing anyone. The Paperwhite Kids model also includes a protective folio screen, parental controls and 6 months of the Amazon Kids+ service that offers a ton of free content. For gamers on the go The versatile Nintendo Switch ($299) can be played at home on your big-screen TV (in its dock, included), perhaps in a multiplayer match with the family, but it can also be played on the go, such as in the backseat of a car on a road trip, via its built-in screen. A holiday bundle includes the Nintendo Switch console, a digital copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, and a 12-month individual membership to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service to play with others over the internet (a $100 value). For online shoppers After connecting the $29 Chamberlain Smart Garage Control to your existing garage door system, use the free myQ app (iPhone or Android) to open and close your garage door, anywhere in the world, so you’ll never have to worry about accidentally leaving the garage door open. Or set an open and close schedule. This small doohickey works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery, an exclusive Prime member benefit that protects your packages from porch pirates and increment weather. For thrill-seekers From $299 (for 128GB), the new Meta Quest 3S lets you experience mind-blowing 360-degree virtual reality content. Plus, this device also supports augmented reality (AR), too, since you can also see the real-world around you in some apps and games (like aliens hiding behind your sofa). Beyond games, Meta Quest 3S is also great for fitness and meditation exercises, chat rooms, virtual concerts and more. It includes a downloadable copy of Batman: Arkham Shadow. Gifts for gamers: The best video game picks for the 2024 holiday shopping season For fitness and health nuts Among several other features, Apple Watch can gauge your heart health, track sleep and fitness, show notifications, stream music, and lets you pay for items at retail by simply waving your watch over a contactless sensor. Apple Watch Series 10 (from $299) offers a thinner design, bigger and better display, new colors and band options. If you’re shopping for an Android user, the Pixel Watch 3 (from $299) is a stellar pick. For AI lovers Powered by Google’s ChromeOS, this 14-inch HP x360 laptop (from $399) delivers an enhanced Chromebook experience, with a vibrant touchscreen display that bends back to become a tablet - and twice the storage, speed and memory compared to a regular Chromebook. Google AI tools let you get more done in less time, including handy features like Help Me Write and Magic Editor to fix up your photos. The Intel Core-powered laptop has an all-day battery, B&O audio and integrated Google Play store. For the person who has everything The RayNeo Air 2S ($319) “XR” glasses house twin Micro-OLED 1080p displays that mimic a 201-inch picture for binging TV shows and blockbuster movies – on a plane, in bed, anywhere. And since these 16:9 screens each boast a 120Hz refresh rate, they’re also ideal for fast-moving video games and sports. Weighing 78 grams and with four integrated speakers, these glasses work with a host of USB-C devices, including newer iPhones, Android devices, computers and game consoles. For nomadic TV bingers For public viewing, on the other hand, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF22 Portable Smart Laser Projector ($999) produces a super bright image, up to 1,000 lumens of color and white brightness – and no lamp to replace. The 360-swivel stand lets you beam the up-to-150-inch image against a wall or ceiling, or to the backyard for summer movie nights. The Google TV platform is built-in with thousands of apps, such as video streaming services. For serious home theater enthusiasts Available in six screen sizes ranging from 42 to 83 inches, and with multiple mounting options, the LG OLED evo C4 TV (from $1,399) features a stunningly sharp display, AI-powered upscaling and a Smart TV powered by webOS. Self-lit pixels create perfect black levels and luminous colors, and so it’s easy to see why OLED is the most desirable panel technology on the market. Along with being ultra-slim and light, the glare-free picture looks great from any angle, so there isn't a bad seat in the room. This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Follow Marc on X: @marc_saltzman . Email him or subscribe to his Tech It Out podcast . The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.
The HSE has denied it is sitting on land that could be used for much-needed housing despite an internal audit finding it has over 200 vacant sites. Social Democrats' deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan said it is "unconscionable" that a state agency would hold that much land in a housing crisis. “The HSE must outline why it is sitting on these properties and if any plans have been drawn up to sell or repurpose them," said Mr O'Callaghan. “It also raises the wider question of how many vacant properties owned by state bodies are lying empty around the country. “In addition to introducing a vacant property tax with teeth, the next government must carry out a full audit of any empty public buildings or offices that could be handed over to the Land Development Agency or local authorities to deliver social or affordable homes.” In response to Mr O'Callaghan's comments, the HSE said that it had 130 sites in various stages of either being sold or being reviewed for sale. 'Retained assets' It also has 104 properties that are considered retained assets. It says that these properties are vacant and have been retained for "varying reasons", including future needs. "Decisions, informed by service management are based on an understanding of current or future healthcare service needs in the relevant area. "A building may be vacated by one service with a view to refurbishment for alternative use, or a property may be maintained for future service expansion at a specific location for demographic or service requirements. They may be vacant/derelict buildings in the middle of healthcare campus." A spokesperson for the HSE said it continues to "engage with the Department of Health, Department of Housing, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Department of An Taoiseach in relation to its surplus assets as part of an ‘all of Government’ approach to increasing housing stock". The HSE said that it adheres to requirements around offering surplus buildings to the State. It said the HSE has disposed of 46 assets in 2023 and 2024, a significant amount of which have been transferred to local authorities and said that state stakeholders, local authorities and approved housing bodies have expressed interest in 55 of the overall total of 130 vacant HSE properties. The HSE said that it also transferred St Kevin’s in Cork City to the LDA for the provision of 266 homes and land at St Finan’s in Killarney to Kerry County Council for housing purposes.Editor's picks: 2024's most exciting technology advancements
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FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye received a nice ovation from the Gillette Stadium crowd when he returned to Saturday’s game after it appeared the New England Patriots had lost their rookie quarterback to another head injury. By the fourth quarter, those fans who chose to stick around until the end of a to the Los Angeles Chargers chose to voice their displeasure in a season in which very little has gone right for the former NFL powerhouse. Chants of “Fire Mayo!” reverberated throughout the stadium, which was a quarter full by game’s end. “You hear those things. At the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we’ve got to play better. If we play better, we don’t have to hear that stuff,” head coach Jerod Mayo said after the Patriots dropped their sixth straight game. Instead of building off last week’s strong effort at Buffalo, New England took another series of steps backward in the season’s penultimate game. With another game against the Bills on tap next weekend, questions concerning the future of Mayo and several assistant coaches – mostly notably offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington – figure to intensify. “I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots. I’m okay. Look, I always do what’s best for the team,” Mayo said. “I have full confidence in the staff. I have full confidence in the players in (the locker room). I think again, it just comes down to being consistent across the board.” Remember, the Patriots parted ways with six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick following last year’s dismal 4-13 record. The coaching change didn’t produce the desired upward swing, with New England staring at the possibility of producing fewer wins in Mayo’s first season. “I’m just tired of losing. I’m trying to be in the playoffs and have a winning season,” said second-year receiver DeMario Douglas, who connected with Maye for New England’s lone touchdown. The most important asset in the Patriots’ rebuilding efforts, Maye was questionable to return with a head injury after taking a blow to the helmet in the first quarter. The No. 3 overall pick from this spring’s NFL draft scrambled near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett, but for only one series that ended with a three-and-out. After further evaluation in the locker room, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. The 22-year-old was knocked out of the Patriots’ Week 8 win over the New York Jets after he suffered a blow to the back of his head. “Just kind of got my bell rung on the first drive. I feel good, I still feel good, and then I was good to go,” Maye said afterward. To his teammates, it wasn't a shock to see Maye re-enter the game after taking a blow to the head. On his first play back under center, Maye took off for a 9-yard run and drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. “He didn’t have to come back, but he did. That gave everyone a lot of confidence,” Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said. Maye set a Patriots rookie franchise record for touchdown passes in consecutive games (eight) when he connected with Douglas on a play on which the Chargers called for defensive offsides. He also turned the ball over for the eighth straight game – a fumble on a pitch attempt to Douglas that Los Angeles turned into points to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. “I’ve got to give him a better ball to catch. That falls back on me,” Maye said. It appears the Patriots dodged a bullet with respect to Maye and his health. Now, the focus shifts back to Mayo and what his 2025 status. “I think the biggest thing was you don’t see those guys quitting. I think the score may not tell that today, but I feel like the guys are still wanting to win. We’re still leaving it out there every week, and I think that was kind of my message to the team,” Maye said. AP NFL:
Drake Maye returns after a hit to the head, but same problems persist in Patriots' loss to ChargersThroughout the last three months, 8 analysts have evaluated Accolade ACCD , offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish. The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 4 1 3 0 0 Last 30D 0 0 1 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 3M Ago 4 1 2 0 0 Providing deeper insights, analysts have established 12-month price targets, indicating an average target of $6.81, along with a high estimate of $8.00 and a low estimate of $5.00. Experiencing a 18.05% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $8.31. Investigating Analyst Ratings: An Elaborate Study A comprehensive examination of how financial experts perceive Accolade is derived from recent analyst actions. The following is a detailed summary of key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Ricky Goldwasser Morgan Stanley Lowers Equal-Weight $5.00 $6.00 Stan Berenshteyn Wells Fargo Lowers Equal-Weight $6.00 $7.00 Jailendra Singh Truist Securities Lowers Buy $7.50 $9.00 Richard Close Canaccord Genuity Lowers Buy $7.00 $13.00 Stephanie Davis Barclays Lowers Equal-Weight $5.00 $5.50 Jeff Garro Stephens & Co. Lowers Overweight $8.00 $10.00 Ryan MacDonald Needham Maintains Buy $8.00 $8.00 Ryan MacDonald Needham Maintains Buy $8.00 $8.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Accolade. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Unveiling insights, analysts deliver qualitative insights into stock performance, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey expectations for the relative performance of Accolade compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Delving into movements, analysts provide estimates for the future value of Accolade's stock. This analysis reveals shifts in analysts' expectations over time. Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Accolade's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Accolade analyst ratings. If you are interested in following small-cap stock news and performance you can start by tracking it here . About Accolade Accolade Inc offers technology-enabled solutions that help people understand, navigate, and utilize the healthcare system and their workplace benefits. The company's platform combines open, cloud-based intelligent technology with multimodal support from a team of Accolade Care Advocates and clinicians, including registered nurses, physician medical directors, pharmacists, primary care physicians, and other professionals to provide advocacy, medical opinion, and virtual primary care services. Accolade: Financial Performance Dissected Market Capitalization Analysis: The company exhibits a lower market capitalization profile, positioning itself below industry averages. This suggests a smaller scale relative to peers. Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Accolade showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 9.8% as of 31 August, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company stands out with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Health Care sector. Net Margin: Accolade's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -22.5% . This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health. Return on Equity (ROE): Accolade's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -5.58% . This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): Accolade's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching -3.14% . This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health. Debt Management: Accolade's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.56 . How Are Analyst Ratings Determined? Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter. Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.