“ Yellowstone ” season 5 has returned, and the season is racing toward its explosive finale, which is already only a few weeks away. What will likely be the biggest show of 2024 is airing another episode on Sunday, Nov. 24 , which will be the third episode of part 2 of its 5th season. The episode is entitled “ Three Fifty-Three ,” and according to its vague, ominous description, Kayce will take his investigation into his own hands. The episode will be available to watch on Philo , Sling TV , Fubo TV , and DirecTV Stream as it airs. Each of these services offers free trials, while Sling offers 50% off the first month. Here’s the information you’ll need to watch a free live stream of “Yellowstone” online without cable. Read More: When will ‘Yellowstone’ season 5 be on Peacock? How to watch ‘Yellowstone’ without cable If you’re a cord-cutter or don’t have cable, you can live stream “Yellowstone” on any one of the following streaming services: Philo (free trial) Philo is remarkably inexpensive for the amount of content it offers, with more than 70+ live channels, the ability to stream from three devices simultaneously and a 365-day DVR with unlimited space. Subscribers will also have access to thousands of movies and TV series on-demand. The service costs $28 per month. There are several available packages that include premium channels, like MGM+ and AMC+, for an additional cost. Philo also offers a seven-day free trial that includes all the features of full subscription. DIRECTV Stream (free trial) In addition to ABC, Freeform, ESPN, and the other Disney channels, DIRECTV Stream offers CBS, NBC, and FOX. This sets it apart from most live TV streaming services. On top of that, a subscription gets you access to more than 65 other channels in its base package, including Nickelodeon, MTV, CNN, vh1, and more. The biggest selling point for DIRECTV Stream , however, is that it is the best for live and regional sports coverage. Add that to over 65,000 on-demand titles and its Cloud DVR and you have a diverse, versatile service that can meet any of your streaming needs. The base package costs $64.99 per month, with a wide range of add-on options. DIRECTV Stream offers a five-day free trial . Fubo TV (free trial) Fubo is considered the ultimate live TV streaming service for anyone seeking to cut the cord. With a subscription, you get access to over 100 channels (depending on your local area), 30 hours of DVR space, and tons of on-demand content, mainly featuring episodes of shows that have aired in recent weeks. Fubo has ABC and the ESPN family, too, making it a top option for sports fans. $74.99 per month, with a range of add-on options. Fubo’s standard package features a seven-day free trial . Sling TV Sling TV costs either $35 or $50 per month , depending on which package you choose. A subscription can be canceled at any time. While Sling TV’s range of channels doesn’t quite match some other services, it is far cheaper than almost any other live TV streaming service. And the streaming services closer to Sling TV’s price range don’t offer as much customization among packages. Sling TV does not currently offer a free trial but the company is running a promotion for 50% off the first month , so a subscription to Sling Orange & Blue is just $30 for the first month. When does “ Yellowstone ” return? “Yellowstone” will continue to air its 5th and final season on Sunday, November 24, 2024 . These will be the final 6 episodes of the series, which means there will be no “Yellowstone” season 6. What channel is “Yellowstone” on? What time does “Yellowstone” air? “ Yellowstone ” airs on the Paramount Network. It will air at 8 p.m., which has been its airtime since the beginning of its run. How to watch “Yellowstone,” including the old seasons Because “ Yellowstone ” is a Paramount Network exclusive, this might lead you to believe that it is available to stream on Paramount Plus, but that is not the case . The series has a complicated streaming arrangement (which precedes its explosive popularity), which means it will not be available on Paramount Plus for the foreseeable future. Instead, exclusive streaming rights to “Yellowstone” belong to Peacock . The streaming service offers the first five seasons of the show on-demand , with the second half of season 5 to release some time after it begins airing. What is “Yellowstone” about? “ Yellowstone ” started airing on Paramount Network in 2018 as a modern take on the traditional Western/cowboy narrative. The series follows an intense — and often violent — border dispute in Montana between the Dutton family cattle ranch, a group of encroaching land developers, and a Native American reservation. As the series progresses, its scope expands with the Dutton family trying to assert their dominance in the arena of state politics. The series stars Kevin Costner, Wes Bentley, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Forrie J. Smith, and Gil Birmingham, among others. Here’s a look at “Yellowstone,” courtesy of Paramount Network’s official YouTube channel: Where can I watch the “Yellowstone” spinoffs? Where can I watch “1923′′ and “1883?” The sole season of “1883′′ is only available on Paramount Plus. There is nowhere else to watch the series. The same is true of “1923.” You can sign up for Paramount Plus on the streaming service’s website . Currently, Paramount Plus features two subscription plans : a “limited commercials” option for $6 per month ($60 annually), and a premium “no commercials” option for $12 per month ($120 annually). You can try out either tier with a full 7-day free trial . Paramount Plus will also be the home of upcoming “Yellowstone” spinoffs such as “1944,” the sequel to “1923,” and present-day spinoff “6666.” How to watch Yellowstone How to watch ‘Yellowstone’ Season 5 Episode 10 (for free) in case you missed it live How to watch the 'Yellowstone' premiere (for free) in case you missed it live How to get 38% off Peacock before “Yellowstone” returns When does season 5 of ‘Yellowstone’ start? How to watch every season of ‘Yellowstone’ Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Joseph Rejent covers TV, writing about live television, streaming services and cord-cutting. He can be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com .gettyimagesbank Korea's super-rich, who account for less than 1 percent of the country’s population, are choosing low-risk investment options next year due to economic uncertainties, a report showed Sunday. The report from KB Financial Group's think tank showed that 461,000 Koreans, estimated to represent just 0.9 percent of the population, held financial assets worth 1 billion won ($689,800) in 2023. Their financial assets were valued at 2,826 trillion won in total. The amount went up 2.9 percent from a year earlier and made up a 58.6 percent share of all Korean households' financial assets last year. Financial assets refer to cash, deposits and financial investment products such as stocks and bonds that can be cashed quickly and easily. Due to their cash flow, they have an advantage over non-financial assets such as property, commodities, patents and trademarks that usually bring returns in the long term. Of the 461,000, 63 percent said they would keep their investment in stocks to the same level in 2025, and the other 21.8 percent said they would reduce stock investment. Only the remaining 15.3 percent said they will increase the corresponding investment. Concerning deposits, 73 percent of the 461,000 individuals said they will remain unchanged in the amount next year. Other 11 percent said they will save more cash as deposits, while the remaining 16 percent responded said they will cash out some deposits. “The finding suggests rich individuals are cautious about going aggressive in investment,” the report said, referring to stagnant country’s economic growth due to uncertainties here and abroad. Meanwhile, 32.8 percent of the 461,000 respondents said they mostly accumulated wealth through business income. Other 26.3 percent said they created wealth through property investment. A total of 60.8 percent of these respondents also inherited cash, real estate and other forms of wealth from their parents. To remove this article -
Alongside our Game of the Year top 10 list and personal picks from the Push Square editorial team, we are recognising the best PS5 games of 2024 in select categories. Today is the turn of the best PS5 indie game of 2024 . Bronze Trophy: Crypt Custodian What if instead of going to heaven when you die, you're instead instructed to clean the afterlife with a broom as a cat? That's the setup for Crypt Custodian, and it helps fuel one of this year's best Metroidvanias. Its gameplay loop of action and platforming is oh so enjoyable, and its light Metroidvania elements of opening up new paths with fresh abilities keep any backtracking engaging. The whole thing is just incredibly charming and a proper example of how the indie scene is still shining bright. Read our Crypt Custodian PS5 review through the link. Silver Trophy: Thank Goodness You're Here! Thank Goodness You're Here! is the silliest game we've played in a long time, and it achieves that with such aplomb that it has to be rewarded. In essence, it's akin to a point and click adventure; all you can do is jump and smack things, but these interactions lead to consistently funny dialogue and scenes throughout. The cartoon Yorkshire town of Barnsworth is so well observed, and along with its barmy cast of residents, it feels like a real place. The presentation is perfectly pitched, the voice work is great, and the unhinged British humour hits the mark all the way through. It's not the most complex game in the world, but it's one of the most entertaining we've played this year. Read our Thank Goodness You're Here! PS5 review through the link. Gold Trophy: Nine Sols Red Candle Games has converted Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice into a 2D Metroidvania, and in doing so, produced one of the finest independent games of the year. It may be difficult, but stick with it and you'll be rewarded with a very gripping adventure bursting with fantastic combat, stunning visuals, and a surprisingly good story. With an excellent soundtrack to boot, there's no need to continue your excruciating wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong because one of the very best Metroidvanias is already available now. Read our Nine Sols PS5 review through the link. Platinum Trophy: Balatro There's a simple reason Balatro is the most talked about indie game of 2024, and it's because it's bloody brilliant. This roguelike card game starts simple as you play your typical 52-card deck, but soon evolves into something far deeper and richer the further you go. It layers on various synergistic systems and items, all combining in deliciously satisfying ways to make your deck a potent points-earning machine. Building a game-breakingly powerful deck and watching all the multipliers and effects pop off is incredibly rewarding, and you'll be searching over and over for opportunities to get that dopamine hit. It's endlessly replayable, hypnotically addictive, and stuffed with new cards to unlock and alternative ways to play. This is our top indie game of the year, but it's easily among the best games of 2024 period. Read our Balatro PS5 review through the link. Do you agree with our picks for the best PS5 indie game of 2024 ? Share your thoughts in the comments below and check out more of our Game of the Year coverage through the link.Photography helps Navy vet see the light
Arrowhead's Helldivers 2 picked up four trophies at The Golden Joystick Awards last month. The viral 2024 sensation took home the fan-voted gongs for Best Multiplayer Game, Best Game Trailer, and Console Game of the Year, as well as the Critics’ Choice Award. Backstage at The Golden Joysticks, shortly after picking up the Best Multiplayer trophy, Helldivers 2 production director Alex Bolle spoke to Radio Times Gaming . Bolle shared a sweet message for the fans who voted. You can watch the video above, or keep reading for the written version! On winning the award, Bolle said, "It's amazing. Yeah, I'm speechless. "It's such a beautiful moment. I think it's crystallising all those years of development. It's crystallising this year of life for the game." Sign up for our gaming newsletter to receive the latest insights, reviews and expert recommendations By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy . You can unsubscribe at any time. He added: "It's been an amazing interaction with the players. I just love what we're doing every day with them, it's something very, very important for us." With this award being decided by a community vote, how much does it mean that Helldivers fans showed up in numbers to show their support? In Bolle’s words, "Yeah, that’s really the thing. I'm convinced that it's been a huge rally for the players, and I cannot help but thank them for that. It’s amazing." And would Bolle have a message for the fans? "So many," he said. The message he went with was this: "Guys, thank you. You did it for Super Earth, you did it for democracy. "There's a lot to come. We are hearing you. We want to work with you. We love you." How sweet is that? If you missed the video at the top, we'll also include it below. Also, around the time of The Golden Joystick Awards, we caught up with the ceremony's host, Ben Starr — the beloved actor behind Clive Rosfield in Final Fantasy 16. We also spoke to Neil Newbon and Samantha Béart , the Baldur's Gate 3 stars who played Astarion and Karlach respectively, on the red carpet. Briana White, Aerith from Final Fantasy 7, sent a message to the fans who voted at The Golden Joysticks, too. We'll keep bringing you insights from within the gaming industry in the New Year. Have a great break! Read more on Helldivers 2: Helldivers 2 player count | Helldivers 2 server status | Helldivers 2 enemies | Helldivers 2 stratagems | Helldivers 2 trophies | Helldivers 2 ‘Rickroll’ Steam Deck players | Helldivers 2 solo guide | Helldivers 2 crossplay | Helldivers console exclusivity explained | Is Helldivers 2 on PS4? Alternatives explained | Helldivers 2 roadmap | Helldivers 2 level cap | Helldivers 2 ranks Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast .Ministry of Education launches USpaceTorrington animal shelter expands comfort for cats with new cagesSC college suspended student for gun-related social media posts. Suit claims free speech
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Stock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000The month of December reminds me of Fall of Dhaka in 1971, and the iconic poetry of Naseer Turabi, who in an instant heart-wrenching aura penned a poem reflecting the remorse of dismemberment of East Pakistan in all humility. To this day, the ghazal (ode) he wrote reverberates as a grim reminder of our fallacies in the national milieu, and the trust that the poet had in the truncated section of our erstwhile nationhood. The legendary poet was felicitous as he wrote: "Woh humsafar thaa magar us sey humnawai na thi Kay dhoop chaaon ka aalam raha, judaai na thi " (He was my companion, but with him I didn't have like-mindedness; Like the clouds and sunlight, together but as apart as can be ). Turabi went on to state the obvious with a big heart: "Adaavatein theen, taghaaful thaa, ranjishein theen magar; Bicharne walay mein sab kuch thaa, be-wafaai na thi " (There were feelings of animosity, indifference and anguish (between us) but; my departed lover had everything (but) hadn't had unfaithfulness ). Five decades down the line as Bangladesh and Pakistan look back at the trauma, it pains and has nothing to account for but regrets. It is, however, some great consolation that Dhaka is willing to bury the hatchet, and wants to normalise relations with Islamabad. The desire on the part of Dr Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader, to "move on from 1971" is statesmanship. The new thinking, perhaps, hints at the Bengali nation having come a long way from the Bangabandhu psyche to a progressive, all-inclusive emerging society. The end of Shaikh Hasina's regime has also impacted in helping Dhaka realise that in an era of geo-economics, carrying the baggage of animosity is an undesired liability. The plausible interactions are many. The first that needs to be done is to reorient the academia and intelligentsia, and let them brief and debrief over the checkered history in all openness. Trade, commerce and communication avenues are aplenty for a joint populace of around half a billion, with a collective GDP of more than $750 billion. Apart from buoying trade, both the countries must work together for reviving the moribund eight-nation SAARC, which was conceptualised by Dhaka as a viable organic regional organisation in 1985. Bangladesh can prevail over India to give in its resistance to the regional bloc and help rewrite a new chapter of homogeneity on the pattern of ASEAN. As India sits fingers-crossed with the fall of its ally-dispensation in Dhaka, there can be a quid pro quo for regional amalgamation making it a win-win situation in bilateralism. The opening up of our quondam eastern flank can unfurl lessons in pluralism, institutional building and respect for political mandate that Bengalis had cherished. Pakistan, unfortunately groped in parochialism these days, can learn a lot and work inwardly for strengthening national unity. With origins of our freedom movement and its founding fathers from Bengal, there is a lot of intellectualism that needs to be revisited, and made part of our national life. To pick a thread from Faiz Ahmed Faiz, "Kab nazar mein aaye gi be-daagh sabzay ki bahaar; Khoon ke dhabbay dhuleinge kitni barsaaton ke baad..." (When will we see the unsullied green of spring? After how many monsoons will the stains of blood be washed?), it's time to take a leap forward and connect the dots with Dhaka. An apology from Pakistan - which has expressed regrets over the debacle though - is direly needed for a fresh start. This also comes as an opportunity to touch-base on the Bihari legion and make an earnest effort to embrace them and heal the wounds of history. Indeed, this reconnecting desires some soul-searching as more than 300,000 Biharis are stranded in Bangladesh - poor souls who stood for Pakistan and paid a price in blood and misery. If Dhaka can embrace Rohingya Muslims, what prevents Islamabad from bringing back Biharis and undoing their statelessness? Looking beyond the bitterness of 1971 demands an open head and heart, and a comprehensive leap forward is indispensable. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see ourNo subsidy for shingles vaccine which costs $720-$950aespa’s Body Makeup Sparks Heated Debate
On an October afternoon, Dale Rutherford gathered with friends and family at the Barge Restaurant in Raymond, Washington, just a few miles from where he was born 99 years earlier at South Bend Hospital. Everyone had come to see him receive the Pacific County Farm Forestry Association’s “Tree Farmer of the Year” award and to share stories about his life. Only, Rutherford himself had left his hearing aids at home in Lebam. Chapter president Nick Somero was partway through his speech when Rutherford turned to his daughter, Nancy Salme, and her husband, Brett, and asked, “Well how come nobody’s talking anymore?” The room erupted in laughter. Not being able to hear didn’t keep Rutherford from waving to the crowd later on and offering a brief but heartfelt, “Thanks, everybody!” But even if he could have heard Somero call him the “epitome of forest (stewardship),” it seems doubtful that he would have found much more to say in the way of a response. When asked a few weeks after the luncheon how it felt to receive the award, Rutherford said, with characteristic, self-effacing cheer, “I didn’t think I deserved it, because I haven’t done anything extra special.” “I just do my ordinary things every day,” he added. “It’s just routine, I guess.” At age 99, after a lifetime of laboring and sojourning in the woods, that routine still includes regularly driving to the Lebam post office in search of a conversation (or at least somebody to wave to), pruning trees on his roughly 40 acres of forestland and feeding his cows twice a day. “He walks that catwalk 25 feet above the cows in the manger, leans over and gets the hay ... drops it down to the cows, turns around, walks back along the catwalk ... and comes back down the old wooden ladder, every morning and every night,” Nancy Salme said. “And if we tried to stop him, he wouldn’t listen to us.” None of this may feel special to Rutherford, even if he does acknowledge that he’s been at it longer than most. But it isn’t just the fact of his longevity that those closest to him find so laudable. It’s the nature of it — the modesty of his lifestyle, the consistency of his values, the spirit and ethic with which he does everything. “Dale is one of my heroes,” says longtime family friend and Frances resident Lynette Falkner. “He really lives the values of the Greatest Generation — he is kind, he is polite, he is respectful and he is very hardworking.” Rex Hutchins, of Menlo, used to lead forest tours for fourth graders alongside Rutherford and the late Bob Falkner as part of the Project Learning Tree program. “I always told the kids then that when I grow up, I want to be like Dale,” he said. “I was kind of hoping he would donate blood somewhere so I could go get some,” he added with a laugh. Over and over again, the Chinook Observer heard comments like this from Rutherford’s friends and family. By naming him Pacific County Tree Farmer of the Year, they intend not only to recognize his qualities as a steward of the land, but as a human being and member of the community. Which, around these parts, overlap considerably. Many of the life experiences that shaped Rutherford as a citizen-forester came during a time when most of the hard work in this country was still done by hand — when making it to tomorrow, or the next ridge over, in a place like southwest Washington still took a unique combination of guts, ingenuity and endurance. “They’d just take off ... from over here on the Trap Creek side and walk clear over to Naselle,” said Brett Salme of the years Rutherford spent cruising and surveying, before many of the highways that transect the Willapa Hills even existed. “They’d survey so far in a day, and just camp out and get up the next day and survey a little farther, and of course ... nowadays ... at the end of the day you hop in your truck and drive home!” “It was a very simple life,” added Nancy Salme. “And he got by with what they had, and made the best of what he did.” Those early days may have been rugged and barebones, but Rutherford himself still speaks of them with joy and reverence. In 1929, when he was 4 years old, his father was hired to run the Forks Creek Hatchery in Nallpee. “We lived there for 12 years, which were some of the best years of my life, (as there) was always something to do and ... always somebody there to see,” wrote Rutherford. “They got thousands of fish in those years and they gave fish to everyone during the Depression; people came and worked on the fish traps in the high waters to get fish and to have something to do, (as) there was not very much work during the bad years.” Experiencing this intersection of natural bounty, man-made hardship and human solidarity would prove formative to Rutherford’s worldview, especially as it pertained to natural resources. At a time when what the land had to offer seemed inexhaustible — and when people often acted like it, too — seeing firsthand the consequences of short-sightedness impressed on Rutherford the importance of patience and thrift. Persevering through lean times, when the woods provided both sustenance and diversion, taught him how to appreciate the land for more than its dollar value. “I know that (Dale’s) seen when it was logged in the early 1900s and not replanted,” said Rob Friese, of Lebam, another longtime family friend. “And that’s just not something a bright person would do.” Indeed, one of Rutherford’s first jobs in the woods, even before he began logging in 1948, was planting trees. He did so first for the state of Washington, and later on for independent outfits, at a time when the practice was still novel. “He was really in the infancy of tree-planting,” said Victor Niemcziek, of Frances. Unsurprisingly, none of this is particularly noteworthy to Rutherford, who still speaks of planting and pruning trees as one might of brushing their teeth or getting dressed. “I planted all over around the county here — it’s just one of those things I do normally,” he said. “Just like you’d do certain things every day and don’t think much about it.” It’s hard to get Rutherford to say much more than this — to really get at what makes him tick. But when pressed, he does offer, with finality: “I enjoy seeing the trees there. Everything isn’t about money. You can do a lot of things and not get any big return out of it — just enjoyment for yourself.” On a tour of his forestland, Rutherford pauses for the Chinook Observer’s cameras beneath a stately, second-growth Douglas fir. These days, there is a slight hitch in his step. But it is still the unmistakable, loping stride of a seasoned woodsman — brisk and relentless. That’s when it occurs to this reporter to ask, “Dale, do you think you’re older than some of these trees?” To which he replies, “Oh yeah, I probably am.” For now, he probably is. But they will outlive him yet.
NoneMale govt teacher gets maternity leave in Bihar
The next clash in a contentious zoning battle in Middlebury will hinge on how a state judge reads a state law tailored to the block the development of a proposed 670,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution complex on the former Timex headquarters property. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and two neighboring property owners are claiming in court filings that wetlands and zoning approvals for the controversial project violated that 2023 state law that was stealthily enacted at the request of state Rep. William Pizzuto, R-Middlebury, a nearby homeowner and an open opponent of the proposed development. The law limits the size and location of warehouse and distribution operations in Middlebury. Pizzuto leveraged his vote for a bipartisan two-year, $51.1 billion state budget to get local zoning restriction on the statute books. He lives within 500 feet of the Christian Road entrance to the Timex property in the private Avalon Farms neighborhood and publicly opposed the Southford Park project. The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission, the Middlebury Conservation Commission, and developer David Drubner and business partners in Southford Park LLC are counter claiming in court filings that the 2023 law does not apply to the proposed development project. Southford Park received approvals to build a 539,500-square-foot building and a smaller 130,000-square-foot building. Hundreds of town residents opposed the project, and some opponents formed the Middlebury Small Town Alliance to fight it. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the two sets of neighboring property owners are also contesting a lot line revision that critically reconfigured the project site, disputing the proposed development is a permitted use under zoning regulations, and alleging a violation of the state’s minority representation law involving the political makeup of the Middlebury PZC. Arguments are scheduled for 3 p.m. today in Waterbury Superior Court in three consolidated cases that Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners have brought against the two land-use commissions and Southford Park. THE CONSOLIDATED APPEALS present the first opportunity for a state court to interpret and apply the 2023 law that Pizzuto got quietly inserted into the bipartisan budget package that Gov. Ned Lamont and General Assembly leaders negotiated. No legislation proposing the zoning restriction was ever introduced or given a hearing. Pizzuto and House Republican leaders capitalized on Lamont’s desire for a bipartisan budget vote to get the provision inserted in the 832-page budget bill at the last minute. He has denied exchanging his budget vote for the zoning restriction. He was re-elected to another two-year term in November as an unopposed candidate_ The law imposes a size limit of 100,000 square feet for “warehousing or distributing facilities” on one or more parcels that are less than 150 acres in towns with a population between 6,000 and 8,000 that also contain more than 5 acres of wetlands and are situated within two miles of an elementary school. If all criteria apply, it bars the siting, construction, permitting, operation or use of a larger warehouse or distribution center in the town. The Middlebury PZC and Conservation Commission each determined that the 2023 law is inapplicable based on two legal opinions that concluded that the wetlands condition does not apply following a lot line revision to the project site. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance disputes those interpretations of the law. The trial court will decide which side is legally in the right. TIMEX GROUP USA and Southford Park completed a $7.5 million sale in August 2023 for much of the nearly 93-acre Christian Road property that had been the site of the Timex world headquarters since 2001. In addition, the development group acquired a neighboring 18-acre property on Southford Road belonging to another Drubner family partnership. A lot revision filed at the same time combined the two properties. The revised lot lines resulted in a 77-acre parcel and a 35-acre parcel subject to a conversation easement. The larger parcel contained 3.8 acres of wetlands and the smaller one contained 3.9 acres. In separate legal opinions, attorneys Mark Branse of the Hartford law firm of Halloran & Sage and Gail E. Taggart of the Waterbury law firm of Secor Cassidy & McPartland concluded the 100,000-square-foot size limit is not applicable to either parcel because each contains less than 5 acres of wetlands. Each opinion also concluded the revised lot line map depicts separate parcels that are owned by two separate property owners, so they must be considered as separate The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are challenging both conclusions in court filings, saying the interpretations of the 2023 law are erroneous, and calling the lot line revision an impermissible end run to ensure neither parcel had more than 5 acres of wetlands to trigger the statute and the resulting two parcels inextricably linked as one project site. SOUTHFORD PARK ARGUES in its court filings that the Middlebury PZC properly found the 2023 law did not apply based on a plain reading of the statute and its proper reliance on two legal opinions that concluded the law was inapplicable. The developers also dispute the court has jurisdiction to hear the associated lot line claims. The Middlebury PZC denies in its court filings that its approvals for the Southford Park project violated the 2023 law, the commission improperly interpreted its zoning regulations and approved the lot line revision, and the commission’s political makeup violated the minority representation statute. Southford Park also disputed the latter two claims in its court filings. The Middlebury Small Town Alliance and the neighboring property owners are claiming the Middlebury PZC was illegally constituted at its Jan. 4 meeting when members approved a site plan for the Southford Park project, a zone text change concerning building height, and an excavation permit the development group needed to proceed with its plan because an alternate Republican member was seated violating minority representation requirements. The Middlebury PZC not only disputes this claim, but also argues in court filings that the challenged Republican alternate chosen was the only alternate member of the commission who attended all of the hearings and meetings on the zoning applications. The death of a Democratic commissioner before the Jan. 4 meeting necessitated the appointment of an alternate.
LUQUE, Paraguay — Sake is perhaps more Japanese than the world-famous sushi. It's brewed in centuries-old mountaintop warehouses, savored in the country’s pub-like izakayas, poured during weddings and served slightly chilled for special toasts. The smooth rice wine that plays a crucial role in Japan's culinary traditions was enshrined on Wednesday by UNESCO on its list of the “intangible cultural heritage of humanity." At a meeting in Luque, Paraguay, members of UNESCO’s committee for safeguarding humanity's cultural heritage voted to recognize 45 cultural practices and products around the world, including Brazilian white cheese, Caribbean cassava bread and Palestinian olive oil soap. People are also reading... Unlike UNESCO’s World Heritage List, which includes sites considered important to humanity like the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, the Intangible Cultural Heritage designation names products and practices of different cultures that are deserving of recognition. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts after the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was officially named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. A Japanese delegation welcomed the announcement in Luque. “Sake is considered a divine gift and is essential for social and cultural events in Japan,” Kano Takehiro, the Japanese ambassador to UNESCO, told The Associated Press. The basic ingredients of sake are few: rice, water, yeast and koji, a rice mold that breaks down the starches into fermentable sugars like malting does in beer production. The whole two-month process of steaming, stirring, fermenting and pressing can be grueling. The rice — which wields tremendous marketing power as part of Japan's broader cultural identity — is key to the alcoholic brew. For a product to be categorized Japanese sake, the rice must be Japanese. Japanese sake, a nominee for UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list, are displayed on Japan's delegation table, during a UNESCO World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay, on Wednesday. The UNESCO recognition, the delegation said, captured more than the craft knowledge of making high-quality sake. It also honored a tradition dating back some 1,000 years — sake makes a cameo in Japan’s famous 11th century novel, “The Tale of Genji,” as the drink of choice in the refined Heian court. Now, officials hope to restore sake's image as Japan's premier alcoholic drink even as the younger drinkers in the country switch to imported wine or domestic beer and whiskey. Japanese breweries also expressed hope the listing could give a lift to the country's export economy as the popularity of sake booms around the world and in the United States amid heightened interest in Japanese cuisine. “I hope that this will also be an opportunity for Japanese people to take another look at sake, shochu and awamori, which are the essence of their culture," Hitoshi Utsunomiya, director of the trade group Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association, said in Tokyo. "I would like them to try it even once and see what it tastes like,” he said. Sake exports, mostly to the U.S. and China, now rake in over $265 million a year, according to the association. Japan's Takehiro Kano, ambassador to UNESCO, reacts as the traditional Japanese brewing of sake was named to UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity" list during a World Heritage Convention in Asuncion, Paraguay on Wednesday. Japan's delegation appeared ready to celebrate Wednesday — in classic Japanese style. After the announcement, Takehiro raised a cypress box full of sake to toast the alcoholic brew and cultural rite. “It means a lot to Japan and to the Japanese,” he said of the UNESCO designation. "This will help to renew interest in traditional sake elaboration.” In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said he was “delighted” by UNESCO's recognition of traditional sake-making techniques, and he congratulated those dedicated to preserving and promoting the tradition. How to host the ultimate wine tasting How to host the ultimate wine tasting The crisp autumn air ushers in more than just pumpkin spice latte season. Consider cozying up inside with friends for a wine tasting and sharing delicious food and drinks with more complex flavors than cinnamon and sugar. Perhaps once thought of as stuffy affairs only for wine connoisseurs, today a tasting can be as casual as pouring a few bottles while doing another activity—say, bar games like darts or art activities like painting. The tasting can also be more traditional, especially if held at a winery or local wine shop, which is a great way to learn about what wines you might like to later serve at home. To host the ultimate wine tasting, it pays to do some R&D. One of the best aspects of hosting a wine tasting at home is that you get to establish the mood, tone, and guest list for the gathering—you can't pick a playlist when you sample wines at a bar or wine shop or make the dress code loungewear. So whether the mood is serious or playful, sophisticated or laid-back, the key to a successful tasting is enjoying and appreciating the wine and having fun with friends and family. Of course, there are a few other things to figure out along the way. Peerspace put together a few tips for hosting your wine-tasting party. Tip 1: Determine the vibe A tasting party is all about sampling different wines and evaluating and hopefully enjoying them—and there are a variety of ways to do that. Would you like to host a playful gathering where each guest brings a mystery bottle of wine within a certain price range—a BYOB affair? Or would it be better to have more control over which wines are featured by curating and supplying all the wines as a host? This decision sets the tone—a tasting where guests contribute wine can be a bit of a free-for-all, whereas one where you select wines you supply allows guests to sit back and simply enjoy. And you don't have to break the bank to buy excellent wines—there are lots of wine experts ready to share their affordable picks. How much folks know about wine differs—and that's a good thing. Tastings are group learning experiences. Expertise isn't necessary to host or attend a tasting, but it is helpful to think about what will keep guests comfortable and having fun. Decide whether the vibe will be relaxed and laid-back, like friends sipping wine fireside, or more upbeat and formal. Think about elements like the atmosphere and the location, and consider whether folks will be seated or standing. Will you have a spirited playlist (couldn't resist) or live music? Do you want an expert to introduce each wine, or will you be that expert? Consider how guests will share their thoughts on what they are tasting. Do you want to just talk about them or do something more organized, like take notes or give ratings? Then supply notebooks or notecards and pencils, with categories or questions established ahead of time—all of which can reflect your evening's tone as well. Tip 2: Know your numbers How many people to invite is a question largely informed by the answers to tip #1: Are you having a big, formal affair or an intimate catch-up with close friends? Or something in between? Whatever the case, an RSVP is essential because not only do you need to plan the setup of the space, but you must also make sure there's enough wine for everyone to taste, including each of the wines featured. There's nothing worse than a tasting that runs dry! The math to determine how much wine you need considers the size of the tasting pours—a full glass of wine at a restaurant is usually around 5 ounces, which yields around five glasses of wine from a standard bottle. For tastings, you'll want to do less, depending on how many wines you are featuring—say, 2 ounces if you'll be trying a lot of different wines. Experts agree, having more wine than you need is always a good idea—that way you can send guests home with a bottle should there be a prize at the end of the night. Tip 3: Set a theme Picking a theme is essential to curating the selection of wines—it's the organizing principle behind your selections. Otherwise, your tasting might as well be just walking down the wine aisle at the grocery store and taking sips from random bottles. There's too much wine out there not to be strategic about this. Plus, a theme helps you to tell the story of each wine better—it's the plot line of the night, if you will. Common themes are types of wine, regions they are from, or even price points—really, one can get as creative as they wish. For inspiration, check out local wine shops and see what they do for tastings. Often, they will follow seasonality and group wines in novel ways for their own in-house tastings. Tip 5: Small pours = big fun The bottom line is, however you do it, hosting the ultimate wine tasting should be fun. Wine can feel intimidating to many people, but most wine experts are passionate, inspired folks who want to share what they know and help you find wines you like. So visit your local wine store or winemaker and ask questions. There are good guides specifically concerning how to taste wine. Dig a little, taste a lot, and have fun. It's all research for your next ultimate wine tasting. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Peerspace and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Tip 4: Don't forget food Don't let food be an afterthought for the festivities—after all, food can enhance particular qualities of wine and vice versa. There are many rules around what foods to pair with which wines, but consider this simple advice from Alder Yarrow's Vinography : "Stick with eating good food and drinking good wine." Since the focus is on the wines, allow the drinks to determine what food makes sense, but don't overthink it. Food is a supporting character here—at the very least, guests will need something to soak up all the alcohol (unless you are spitting it out). Eating foods that contain a mixture of protein, fats, and carbs when drinking helps increase the rate of alcohol elimination . Whether it's a full meal or heavy hors d'oeuvres, thoughtful noshes are necessary. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Bazilah listens to a point shared by one of the two panellists. KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 9): As artificial intelligence (AI) disrupts industries and redefines decision-making processes, experts argue that the core qualities of human leadership – determination, empathy and discipline – will remain irreplaceable. International, Industrial & Institutional Partnership deputy dean Assoc Prof Ts Dr Bazilah A Talip highlighted that while AI enhances efficiency and provides valuable data-driven insights, she remarked ‘it cannot replicate human foresight, ethical judgment or the ability to inspire and motivate teams’. “AI is a tool, not a replacement. True leadership requires vision and resilience to navigate through uncertainties that AI alone cannot predict,” said the Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) researcher at a forum entitled ‘Strategic Leadership & Visionary Leaders of the Future in the Era of Artificial Leadersip’, conducted recently. According to Bazilah, the Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, has been at the forefront of such initiatives which aim to integrate AI into leadership practices without losing sight of the human element. She added that AKEPT collaborates with industry and academic experts to equip them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in increasingly complex environment through initiatives such as forums and workshops, meant to explore the intersection of AI and leadership. “AI cannot replace a leader’s ability to build trust, motivate teams or navigate ambiguity, instead it should offer support by helping leaders make informed decisions faster and more accurately,” said Bazilah. She added that to prepare for the future, AKEPT and UniKL have intensified efforts to train leaders with both technical expertise and emotional intelligence. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, both organisations aim to produce leaders ready to embrace AI while safeguarding core leadership principles. “By emphasising human values in tandem with technological advancement, we can build a future where innovation thrives without losing sight of what makes us human.” Furthermore, Bazilah pointed out that qualities such as determination, consistency and discipline are indispensable for long-term success. “AI may assist with operational tasks but it’s the leader’s human qualities that set the vision and drive results.”
NoneWASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report's release Monday, slammed the committee's findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. "Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn't ask for — and that isn't 'charged' for sex is now prostitution?!?" Gaetz wrote in one post Monday. "There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses." Here's a look at some of the committee's key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women "likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use." He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the "transactional nature" of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman's request that he send her money, "claiming she only gave him a 'drive by.'" Women interviewed by the committee said there was a "general expectation of sex," the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that "99 percent of the time" that when she hung out with Gaetz "there was sex involved." However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so "some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature," the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their "rendezvous," the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled "on several occasions" with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she had a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does "$400 per meet." Greenberg replied: "He understands the deal," along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asked if they were old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him "really cute." "Well, he's down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard," Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with "multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid." The committee pointed to "credible testimony" from the now-woman herself as well as "multiple individuals" who corroborated the allegation. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, "which she understood to be payment for sex," according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was "certain" of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There's no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn't tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and he didn't ask how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for "commercial sex" again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. Yuki Iwamura, Associated Press In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. "Gaetz pointed to evidence that would 'exonerate' him yet failed to produce any such materials," the committee said. Gaetz "continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed." The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as "nosey" and a "weaponization" of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 getaway with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt "to" the destination, but declined to share his return "from" the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would "welcome" the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would "no longer" voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation "frivolous," adding, "Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration." The report said that while Gaetz's obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress "act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House." The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn't disclose information about investigations that don't result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, and after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over "publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual," according to the report. "To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses," the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn't want to "relive their experience," the committee said. "They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ's lack of action on their prior testimony," the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women's statements. The agency's lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee's probe, lawmakers said. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. George Walker IV, Associated Press Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Derik Hamilton Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Matt Rourke, Associated Press The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Matt Kelley, Associated Press Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Evan Vucci Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. AP Photo/Evan Vucci FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. John Bazemore - staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. José Luis Villegas, Associated Press Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. AP Photo/ Evan Vucci, File) Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. John Raoux, Associated Press Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Brynn Anderson, Associated Press/Pool A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Paul Sancya, Associated Press Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Oded Balilty, Associated Press Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. John Bazemore, Associated Press Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Mariam Zuhaib, Associated Press Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” AP file Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Branden Camp Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Jose Luis Magana, Associated PressInside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use
Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams
Dana Hull | (TNS) Bloomberg News Jared Birchall, Elon Musk’s money manager and the head of his family office, is listed as the chief executive officer. Jehn Balajadia, a longtime Musk aide who has worked at SpaceX and the Boring Co., is named as an official contact. Related Articles National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own National Politics | President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak But they’re not connected to Musk’s new technology venture, or the political operation that’s endeared him to Donald Trump. Instead, they’re tied to the billionaire’s new Montessori school outside Bastrop, Texas, called Ad Astra, according to documents filed with state authorities and obtained via a Texas Public Information Act request. The world’s richest person oversees an overlapping empire of six companies — or seven, if you include his political action committee. Alongside rockets, electric cars, brain implants, social media and the next Trump administration, he is increasingly focused on education, spanning preschool to college. One part of his endeavor was revealed last year, when Bloomberg News reported that his foundation had set aside roughly $100 million to create a technology-focused primary and secondary school in Austin, with eventual plans for a university. An additional $137 million in cash and stock was allotted last year, according to the most recent tax filing for the Musk Foundation. Ad Astra is closer to fruition. The state documents show Texas authorities issued an initial permit last month, clearing the way for the center to operate with as many as 21 pupils. Ad Astra’s website says it’s “currently open to all children ages 3 to 9.” The school’s account on X includes job postings for an assistant teacher for preschool and kindergarten and an assistant teacher for students ages 6 to 9. To run the school, Ad Astra is partnering with a company that has experience with billionaires: Xplor Education, which developed Hala Kahiki Montessori school in Lanai, Hawaii, the island 98% owned by Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison. Ad Astra sits on a highway outside Bastrop, a bedroom community about 30 miles from Austin and part of a region that’s home to several of Musk’s businesses. On a visit during a recent weekday morning, there was a single Toyota Prius in the parking lot and no one answered the door at the white building with a gray metal roof. The school’s main entrance was blocked by a gate, and there was no sign of any children on the grounds. But what information there is about Ad Astra makes it sound like a fairly typical, if high-end, Montessori preschool. The proposed schedule includes “thematic, STEM-based activities and projects” as well as outdoor play and nap time. A sample snack calendar features carrots and hummus. While Birchall’s and Balajadia’s names appear in the application, it isn’t clear that they’ll have substantive roles at the school once it’s operational. Musk, Birchall and Balajadia didn’t respond to emailed questions. A phone call and email to the school went unanswered. Access to high quality, affordable childcare is a huge issue for working parents across the country, and tends to be an especially vexing problem in rural areas like Bastrop. Many families live in “childcare deserts” where there is either not a facility or there isn’t an available slot. Opening Ad Astra gives Musk a chance to showcase his vision for education, and his support for the hands-on learning and problem solving that are a hallmark of his industrial companies. His public comments about learning frequently overlap with cultural concerns popular among conservatives and the Make America Great Again crowd, often focusing on what he sees as young minds being indoctrinated by teachers spewing left-wing propaganda. He has railed against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, and in August posted that “a lot of schools are teaching white boys to hate themselves.” Musk’s educational interests dovetail with his new role as Trump’s “first buddy.” The billionaire has pitched a role for himself that he — and now the incoming Trump administration — call “DOGE,” or the Department of Government Efficiency. Though it’s not an actual department, DOGE now posts on X, the social media platform that Musk owns. “The Department of Education spent over $1 billion promoting DEI in America’s schools,” the account posted Dec. 12. Back in Texas, Bastrop is quickly becoming a key Musk point of interest. The Boring Co., his tunneling venture, is based in an unincorporated area there. Across the road, SpaceX produces Starlink satellites at a 500,000-square-foot (46,000-square-meter) facility. Nearby, X is constructing a building for trust and safety workers. Musk employees, as well as the general public, can grab snacks at the Boring Bodega, a convenience store housed within Musk’s Hyperloop Plaza, which also contains a bar, candy shop and hair salon. Ad Astra is just a five-minute drive away. It seems to have been designed with the children of Musk’s employees — if not Musk’s own offspring — in mind. Musk has fathered at least 12 children, six of them in the last five years. “Ad Astra’s mission is to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking in the next generation of problem solvers and builders,” reads the school’s website. A job posting on the website of the Montessori Institute of North Texas says “While their parents support the breakthroughs that expand the realm of human possibility, their children will grow into the next generation of innovators in a way that only authentic Montessori can provide.” The school has hired an executive director, according to documents Bloomberg obtained from Texas Health and Human Services. Ad Astra is located on 40 acres of land, according to the documents, which said a 4,000-square-foot house would be remodeled for the preschool. It isn’t uncommon for entrepreneurs to take an interest in education, according to Bill Gormley, a professor emeritus at the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University who studies early childhood education. Charles Butt, the chairman of the Texas-based H-E-B grocery chain, has made public education a focus of his philanthropy. Along with other business and community leaders, Butt founded “Raise Your Hand Texas,” which advocates on school funding, teacher workforce and retention issues and fully funding pre-kindergarten. “Musk is not the only entrepreneur to recognize the value of preschool for Texas workers,” Gormley said. “A lot of politicians and business people get enthusiastic about education in general — and preschool in particular — because they salivate at the prospect of a better workforce.” Musk spent much of October actively campaigning for Trump’s presidential effort, becoming the most prolific donor of the election cycle. He poured at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, including $238 million to America PAC, the political action committee he founded. While the vast majority of money raised by America PAC came from Musk himself, it also had support from other donors. Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary in Trump’s first term, donated $250,000, federal filings show. The Department of Education is already in the new administration’s cross hairs. Trump campaigned on the idea of disbanding the department and dismantling diversity initiatives, and he has also taken aim at transgender rights. “Rather than indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material, which is what we’re doing now, our schools must be totally refocused to prepare our children to succeed in the world of work,” Trump wrote in Agenda 47, his campaign platform. Musk has three children with the musician Grimes and three with Shivon Zilis, who in the past was actively involved at Neuralink, his brain machine interface company. All are under the age of five. Musk took X, his son with Grimes, with him on a recent trip to Capitol Hill. After his visit, he shared a graphic that showed the growth of administrators in America’s public schools since 2000. Musk is a fan of hands-on education. During a Tesla earnings call in 2018, he talked about the need for more electricians as the electric-car maker scaled up the energy side of its business. On the Joe Rogan podcast in 2020, Musk said that “too many smart people go into finance and law.” “I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters,” Musk said while campaigning for Trump in Pennsylvania in October. “That’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors.” Ad Astra’s website says the cost of tuition will be initially subsidized, but in future years “tuition will be in line with local private schools that include an extended day program.” “I do think we need significant reform in education,” Musk said at a separate Trump campaign event. “The priority should be to teach kids skills that they will find useful later in life, and to leave any sort of social propaganda out of the classroom.” With assistance from Sophie Alexander and Kara Carlson. ©2024 Bloomberg News. Visit at bloomberg.com. 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