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Wall Street's Year-End Rollercoaster: A Liquidity LessonROME — Pope Francis inaugurated his Holy Year at Rome's main prison on Thursday, bringing a message of hope to inmates and involving them in the Catholic Church's once every quarter-century celebration that is expected to bring about 32 million pilgrims to Rome. Francis stood up from his wheelchair, knocked on the door to the chapel at Rebibbia prison and walked across the threshold, reenacting the gesture he performed at the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica two nights earlier on Christmas Eve. The opening of the Holy Door at the basilica officially kicked off the Jubilee year, a church tradition dating to 1300 that nowadays occurs every 25 years and involves the faithful coming to Rome on pilgrimages. "The first Holy Door I opened at Christmas in St. Peter's. I wanted the second one to be here, in a prison," Francis told the Rebibbia inmates before he entered. "I wanted each of us here, inside and out, to have the possibility of throwing open the door of our hearts and understanding that hope doesn't disappoint." Francis dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to hope and made clear that prisoners would be an important part of it: The final grand event of the Jubilee is a special Mass for inmates at St. Peter's on Dec. 14, 2025. Francis has long made prison ministry an important part of his priestly vocation and has made several visits to Rebibbia since becoming pope in 2013 while also including prison visits in many of his foreign trips. His message is always one of hope, believing that people who are serving prison sentences need something to look forward to more than most. That is especially true in Italy, where prison overcrowding and inmate suicides are at record highs, according to the Antigone Association, which tracks prison conditions. According to Antigone's 2024 report, 88 prisoners killed themselves in Italian lockups this year — more than any other year — and Italy's inmate population was 132% over the system's capacity. In a statement Thursday, Antigone called on Italian authorities to hear Francis' appeal to give prisoners hope. It called for structural reforms that put into practice the constitutional principles of "a punishment that is dignified, humane and looks to the social reintegration of those who are in prison." In his homily, Francis suggested the prisoners think of hope as an anchor that is fixed on the ground and that they try to hold tight to the rope that is attached to it, even if it sometimes hurts their hands. "Hold onto the rope of hope, hold onto the anchor," Francis said. "Never let it go." Speaking to reporters outside, Francis recalled that whenever he speaks to prisoners, the first thing he always asks himself is "why them and not me." "Because we all can fall, the important thing is to not lose hope, to hold onto that anchor of hope," he said. Back at the Vatican for his noon blessing, Francis called prison "a cathedral of pain and hope" as he repeated his message. He also doubled down on his 2025 wish for peace in the world and for wealthy countries to reduce or eliminate the debt owed by poorer countries. "One of the things that characterizes Jubilees is the remission of debts," Francis said, calling the debts owed by many poor countries simply "unsustainable." Francis' outing to Rebibbia on a frigid morning was his final big event of the week after he celebrated Christmas Eve Mass on Tuesday evening at St. Peter's Basilica and delivered his Christmas Day blessing from the loggia overlooking the square. The 88-year-old pope, who often suffers from respiratory infections in winter, has a few days to rest before gearing up for the New Year's Eve vigil and Mass the following day. With the St. Peter's Holy Door now open to the public, a steady stream of pilgrims was filing into the basilica, a pace that is expected to continue through next year until the door closes on Jan. 6, 2026. Francis' 2025 involves a dizzying calendar of Jubilee events that will sorely test his stamina, with special Jubilee Masses for all the main groups of pilgrims who are being celebrated during the year: Adolescents, migrants, teachers and law enforcement, among others. So far, he has only one foreign trip under study: A May visit to Turkey to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, Christianity's first ecumenical council.
Selected Stocks Close Change ADM ; $50.61 ; -$0.03 AT&T ; $22.96 ; $0.01 Berkshire CL A ; $687,600.00 ; $158.19 Berkshire CL B ; $459.08 ; $0.12 The Buckle ; $51.73 ; $0.47 Campbell Soup ; $41.72 ; $0.08 Coca Cola Co. ; $62.57 ; -$0.22 Conagra Foods ; $27.55 ; -$0.09 Harley Davidson ; $30.79 ; -$0.04 Hewlett-Packard ; $22.03 ; $0.14 Hormel ; $31.68 ; $0.07 Microsoft ; $438.11 ; -$1.22 O’Reilly Auto ; $1,206.78 ; -$14.87 Pfizer Inc. ; $26.56 ; -$0.18 3M Company ; $131.18 ; $0.91 US Bancorp ; $49.01 ; $0.20 Valmont ; $310.48 ; -$0.91 Walgreen ; $9.68 ; $0.49 Wal-Mart Stores ; $92.79 ; $0.11 Werner Ent ; $36.40 ; $0.32 The Tribune receives stocks at approximately 4 p.m. Grain prices Yesterday’s closing prices were provided courtesy of Fremont elevators. All are price per bushel. Corn $4.31-4.34 Soybean $9.53 Wheat $5.51 County Posted Price The Farm Service Agency’s posted county price for Dodge County for yesterday was: Corn $4.18 Oats $2.68 Soybeans $9.20 Wheat $4.82Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce calls Black Friday game with Chiefs 'best team in football vs. worst team'Manmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PMA judge on Monday rejected a request to block a San Jose State women’s volleyball team member from playing in a conference tournament on grounds that she is transgender. Monday’s ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to continue competing in the Mountain West Conference women’s championship scheduled for later this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes after a lawsuit was filed by nine current players who are suing the Mountain West Conference to challenge the league’s policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Judge Crews referred to the athlete as an “alleged transgender” player in his ruling and noted that no defendant disputed that San Jose State rosters a transgender woman volleyball player. He said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting that the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a forfeit in league standings. He also said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 – making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season’s awareness of her identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a political campaign year. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. San Jose State is seeded second. The judge's order maintains the seedings and pairings for the tournament. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada’s players stated they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Crews served as a magistrate judge in Colorado’s U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him to serve as a federal judge in January of this year. Gruver reported from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and Hanson from Helena, Montana. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
AP News Summary at 5:45 p.m. ESTArtificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. A Florida law bans children under 14 accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said.
Back in 1987 local businessman Bill Fitzpatrick, wondered how Ladysmith could do something to bring more attention to what resident had available in their own community in terms of Christmas shopping. Fitzpatrick knew there was a strong business community, locally, and was disappointed with shoppers heading to larger centres on Friday nights and weekends. So he, along with a small group, decided to create an event to make folks more aware of their downtown shopping advantages: a “light up” of downtown on the last Thursday in November. The town, at that time, had only a couple of strings of light bulbs, going across First Avenue, and a Santa sleigh and a reindeer on the old Ladysmith entrance sign at Bob Stuart Park. Initially, it was a struggle, but after about six years, the town realized the group had hit on something and momentum grew. Nearly 40 years later, the Ladysmith Festival of Lights attracts thousands of visitors from up and down the Island to watch the lights go on and twinkle through the holiday season Black Press Media spoke to Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Roberta Bowman about how the message Fitzpatrick's crew wanted to share still resonates: Is the FOL an advantage to the Ladysmith Community? The Festival of Lights offers significant advantages to the Ladysmith community by boosting local businesses, fostering community engagement, and enhancing cultural pride. By attracting visitors from surrounding areas, the event stimulates economic activity in restaurants, shops, and accommodations. It also brings residents together, promoting social bonds and showcasing local talent through performances and art displays. Volunteer opportunities abound, allowing community members to participate actively, develop skills, and connect with one another. Overall, the festival cultivates a vibrant atmosphere that elevates the quality of life in Ladysmith, making it a vital asset for the community. Is there benefit to the business community from Festival? The Festival of Lights significantly benefits the business community in Ladysmith by increasing foot traffic and sales for local shops and restaurants. The event attracts visitors, encouraging businesses to extend their operating hours and offer holiday promotions, which boosts visibility and customer engagement. Additionally, the festival fosters networking opportunities among local business owners, promoting collaborations that can enhance community ties. By participating in the festival, businesses contribute to a sense of community pride, encouraging local support and tourism. Overall, the festival serves as a powerful catalyst for economic activity, benefiting the business community and enhancing the local economy. Does the actual ‘Light Up’ night help businesses on that particular day or is any advantage come after that night? The actual “Light Up” night provides immediate benefits to businesses in Ladysmith, as increased foot traffic leads to higher sales as attendees shop and dine. Many local businesses capitalize on the event by offering special promotions and extending their operating hours, enhancing customer engagement. Additionally, the positive experiences created during the festival can foster long-term advantages, encouraging visitors to return in the following days and weeks. Word-of-mouth promotion and heightened community visibility can further boost tourism and local patronage. Overall, “Light Up” night not only supports businesses on the event day but also contributes to ongoing economic activity. Is the traditional Thursday night a good night for the event, for businesses, or would it be more productive if it was on a weekend? Holding the Festival of Lights on a traditional Thursday night offers advantages, such as reduced competition with fewer events, making it a standout occasion. It can also serve as a festive kickoff to the weekend, attracting an after-work crowd and encouraging attendees to return for shopping and dining in the days that follow. However, a weekend event could potentially draw higher attendance, allowing more people to participate and enjoy extended celebrations. Ultimately, the best choice depends on community preferences, and a hybrid approach, with a Thursday kickoff followed by weekend activities, could maximize benefits for local businesses. Holding the event on a Friday or Saturday night would be challenging as the town would see an inflow of folks for the actual light up event, which could double or triple the amount of people the town sees on a Thursday Light Up. The town doesn’t have the emergency support services nor parking capacity nor volunteers for a weekend event date. What can businesses do to improve their business on Light Up night? To improve business on Light Up night, businesses can implement several strategies. Offering special promotions or discounts can entice festival-goers, while extending operating hours allows for increased sales opportunities. Creating a festive atmosphere with themed decor and unique holiday offerings can attract more customers. Engaging with the community by participating in festival activities or hosting entertainment, such as live music, enhances visibility and encourages longer visits. Utilizing social media to promote participation and sharing behind-the-scenes content can generate buzz. Finally, focusing on excellent customer service ensures a positive experience that encourages repeat visits in the future. What do you think FOL (or others) can do to attract visitors downtown for the weeks while the lights are still on? To attract visitors downtown during the holiday season, a variety of engaging strategies can be implemented. Themed nights such as “Tasty Thursdays” with food tastings and “Family Fun Nights” featuring activities for children can draw in families and food enthusiasts. Promotions and discounts can be offered in collaboration with local businesses, encouraging shoppers to explore multiple stores. Community workshops for crafting, baking, or other holiday-themed activities allow residents to engage with local artisans and learn new skills while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Utilizing social media to promote events and create engaging content can help attract both locals and tourists. Additionally, Community collaborations with local organizations, schools, or charities can host events that give back, fostering participation and a sense of community involvement. Late night shopping — folks like to come and enjoy the lights when it is dark after work, in the evening time. It would be helpful if businesses were to stay open later on even one day a week to embrace those coming to Ladysmith to enjoy Light Up and Ladysmith as a whole. Should Light Up be made even larger? Expanding the Festival of Lights could significantly benefit the community by increasing attendance, boosting local tourism, and enhancing community spirit. A larger festival would allow for a wider range of activities, such as more performances, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment, catering to diverse interests. However, careful planning is essential to address potential challenges related to budget, logistics, and crowd management. Engaging with the community for feedback ensures the expansion aligns with local preferences and needs. Ultimately, while a larger festival could create a more immersive experience, it must be approached thoughtfully to maximize its positive impact on the community. *** This year's Ladysmith Festival of Lights is set to go Thursday, Nov. 27 in downtown Ladysmith. From 4-6 p.m. on Light Up Night, attendees are invited to Ladysmith’s 1st Avenue to experience elite live street entertainment for all ages. With backgrounds in Cirque Du Soleil, theatre and opera, these performers will bring an entertaining, unique and sophisticated style to the Light Up festivities. “We’re thrilled to have so many acts to choose from — jugglers, stilt walkers, and more — which allows us to create a truly custom, dynamic experience for Ladysmith,” said Laura Goodwin, Festival of Lights board member. "A standout act includes an LED robot circus, bringing the magic of fireworks down to street level. As one young attendee excitedly put it, 'The robots are like real-life superheroes!'" After that, Santa will flick the switch heralding the light display, then the annual light parade will meander through downtown. This year there will be no fireworks display due to fire risk concerns. There will also be two photo booths this year, at no cost to attendees. You can get your picture taken professionally and printed on a card or sent digitally to your phone or email address. There will also be an extension of Light Up called Ladysmith’s Magical Christmas LIGHT UP Tour ... Explore ... Vote ... Celebrate Contest. Everyone is encouraged to do the tour, between Nov. 29 and Dec. 18 and then vote online, on the Chamber’s website. The winner will be announced on Dec. 20. For more information on the evening's activities and beyond, check out the Festival of Lights website. — with a file from Morgan Brayton
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) — Makai Richards had 17 points in Chattanooga's 84-76 victory against Bryant on Wednesday. Richards added five rebounds for the Mocs (5-3). Trey Bonham shot 4 of 11 from the field, including 2 for 8 from 3-point range, and went 5 for 7 from the line to add 15 points. Sean Cusano went 5 of 7 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with 13 points. Earl Timberlake led the Bulldogs (4-4) in scoring, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists. Bryant also got 16 points from Rafael Pinzon. Jakai Robinson finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the firing hadn't been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the firing. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season, leading to the move to fire Brown about six months after he agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have lost an NBA-worst nine games this season after leading in the fourth quarter with the worst one coming in Brown's final game as coach Thursday night against Detroit. Sacramento led by 10 points with less than three minutes to play only to collapse down the stretch. Jaden Ivey converted a four-point play with 3 seconds left when he made a 3-pointer in the right corner and was fouled by De’Aaron Fox. That gave the Pistons a 114-113 win, leaving the Kings in 12th place in the Western Conference. Brown has a 107-88 record in two-plus seasons in Sacramento with a winning record in both of his full seasons. Rick Adelman is the only other coach to post a winning record in a full season since the Kings moved to Sacramento Brown previously had two stints as coach in Cleveland and spent one-plus season as Lakers coach. He has a 455-304 record and has made the playoffs in seven of his nine full seasons. He won Coach of the Year twice, also getting the award in Cleveland in 2008-09. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA Josh Dubow, The Associated Press
If you’re itching for a fall-colored mountain getaway, the , or the are obvious options. While these destinations are undeniably stunning, let us point you in the direction of the Smoky Mountains, which boast one of the longest fall seasons in the country, offering a picturesque escape that’s often overlooked. Known as the “Gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains,” Gatlinburg, is an ideal fall retreat for those seeking more than just the typical mountain experience. Though this quaint town — with a population of just 3,650 – is known for its quirky tourist attractions and kitschy charm, it also harbors a side that’s perfect for a more refined, adult-oriented adventure. Beyond the themed restaurants and eccentric hotels, Gatlinburg offers luxury forested accommodations, unique shops, and scenic activities that make it an enchanting destination for a romantic autumn escape. Disclaimer: if late-night bar hopping is part of your fall plans, Gatlinburg... . The town’s nightlife winds down early, with most bars nestled within restaurants closing by 11 p.m. Gatlinburg isn’t a party destination, but it can be a fun-and-flirty mountain getaway with the right itinerary. Where To Stay If you’re planning an adults-only mountain getaway, you need to make sure you do it proper. This means, sleeping among the trees, luxury style, with no kids in sight. You won’t find anything better for price and accomodations than . Located right off the Great Smoky National Park highway, Treehouse Grove offers 16 treehouses that are fitted with luxury features to make your stay comfortable. The road leading to the treehouses follows a little creek into the woods about two or three miles. I absolutely loved pulling up to The Cherry treehouse, surrounded by views of the Smoky Mountains while hearing the quietness of the forest. It’s on the end of one of the little treehouse “neighborhoods,” making it a little more secluded. I was immediately greeted with the fresh smell of wood as soon as you walked in, which to me made it even more alluring and sexy. At night, it was so peaceful sitting out on the private deck overlooking base of the Smoky Mountains and hearing the coyotes howl all around you. Day 1 After waking up to the sounds of the trees in your treehouse, get your day started by exploring downtown. Parking is available all over downtown Gatlinburg, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come with a price. Expect to pay $20-30 anywhere in Gatlinburg regardless of how long you’re parked there, so pick a spot and stay there all day to make it worth it. Gatlinburg is known for its little shops, and you won’t be disappointed by “The Village.” You can’t miss it, since there’s a wooden arching sign leading to what I can best describe as a real-life version of Shrek’s mystical town of The Land Of Far Far Away. Here you’ll find cute cobblestone alleyways mirroring an old world village full of unique boutiques, eateries, and of course, obscure attractions that will give you a good laugh. It’s also a perfect place to sit down and people watch, read a book in a little alleyway corner, or just find some shade since shade is few and far between in the rest of downtown Gatlinburg. I won’t sugarcoat it, most of the attractions in Gatlinburg are cheesy. But I’m here to tell you that the mirror maze is actually really freaking cool. Do yourself a favor and pay $1 extra for the 3D glasses. It took me 20 minutes to find my way out, but I took my time because I loved the psychedelic rock music that soundtracked my journey and it was such a vibe that I decided to take my sweet time. With the glasses on, it’s actually really hard to find your way around and it makes for a fun and flirty experience with your partner. I’ll be honest, I actually never heard of until I was on the chondola (part chair lift, part Gondola) going up to it. Little did I know this would be the highlight of the whole trip. Translating to “the place of high ground” in Cherokee, this mountaintop adventure park is very unassuming since the journey starts in downtown Gatlinburg. After a brief 15 chondola ride you enter a beautiful 70-acre mountain amusement park fit for all ages. Going at sunset is the move here as you’ll encounter less kids as the night grows darker. The first point to head to: Cliff Top Grill & Bar. If you can secure a table outside, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking dining experience with 360-degree views of the Smoky Mountains. This is even better if you time it with the sunset, which paints a beautiful watercolor glow over the mountains. I was very surprised at how good the food was here, offering a little something for everyone. The 14-ounce Rocky Top Ribeye with the restaurant’s blue cheese sauce on top melted in my mouth. Going on a post-dinner walk lends great health benefits, and Anakeeskta is the perfect place for this. The Appalachian bluegrass music played over the speakers throughout the park creates a great outdoor atmosphere to explore with its treetop adventures, mountain coasters, ziplines, and more. It’s the 11pm walk though that completely turns this into a trippy adults-only experience. If you go this late, you will get the darkest landscape to fully enjoy this illuminating woods walk, but also bypass any families with little kids that can threaten the peaceful experience. The one-mile walk takes you through a heavily wooded trail where you encounter lighting, projection mapping, and ethereal sounds. I ended up doing this during a full moon, which made it even more magical. It’s truly an amazing experience to share with your lover or friends. Day 2 Inspired by Nashville’s Sun Records, Sun Diner is known as “Tennessee’s favorite diner.” While the original location sits next to the Johnny Cash Museum in Nashville, its Gatlinburg location does the trick of transporting you to a ‘50s eatery soundtracked by black and white videos of Sun Records artists and the label’s famous rockabilly sound. You never know what you’ll walk into at Sun Diner. With it being on Gatlinburg’s main strip, it gets quite a lot of foot traffic and it doesn’t take reservations. Don’t let that deter you though. The aroma of pancakes and syrup will pull you in from the street, and soon enough you’ll be sitting on one of its cherry chrome red stools watching the kitchen staff cook up your food. The boasts a great variety of southern comfort food named after Sun Records’ artists. Its biggest weakness? The syrup. You’ll find different flavored bottles of Sun Diner “maple syrup” on your table but if you take a look at the ingredients list, you’ll find it to all be high fructose corn syrup. If you can turn a blind eye to this or just order something that doesn’t need syrup, then it’s great. Remember when I said that parking in Gatlinburg was expensive? Make sure you keep your parking spot all day. After having your brunch at Sun Diner, walk 900 feet to so you can walk off the food 500 feet above Gatlinburg. Located at the top of the iconic SkyLift sitting at 1,800 feet above sea level, the Gatlinburg SkyBridge is the longest pedestrian cable bridge in North America and was a great way to overlook Gatlinburg and the surrounding Smoky Mountains. Depending on the time of year you go, you’ll be treated to summer’s lush greenery or fall’s colorful mountainous landscape without needing to hike to get the views. Halfway through the 700-foot-long bridge, you’ll come across a section of glass, where you get to walk across 30 feet of a see-through floor with views 500 feet below you. A ticket to the SkyPark will also grant you access to , a leisurely hike in the mountains that grants you views of the famous SkyBridge, as well as the , offering outdoor seating areas, tiered waterfall, firepit, and overall serene landscape of Gatlinburg. Believe it or not, it’s still pretty warm in Gatlinburg during the fall season. If you find yourself in need of an experience out of the sun, it’s definitely worth checking out Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. Be warned, you will encounter children here. But the darkened and cool rooms of the aquarium make up for it and are a great way to spend the hotter hours of the afternoon as you gawk at 12-foot sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and underwater tropical creatures. The leafy seadragons were the coolest to see. I definitely recommend making sure you have a decently full belly before going here. The one little restaurant is overpowered by the smell of fish and has the darkest “dining room” I’ve ever seen. There aren’t many fancy restaurants in Gatlinburg, making one of the best by default. Default or not, this former mountain lodge turned “food and spirit outpost” is a local favorite due to its exquisite steakhouse dining experience boasting forested views. Get here a little early for your reservation to enjoy its outdoor patio space adorned with spiral fire lanterns and a firepit to sip on one of its 170 different bourbon labels for a pre-dinner treat. Everyone always expects fresh bread and butter to be brought to the table upon waiting on drinks and appetizers, but here they do things differently. Instead, you’re brought its acclaimed baked cornbread in a mini cast iron skillet, doused in butter. Beware though, as it’s so warm and delicious that you can easily ruin your whole dinner. I literally had to ask the waiter to take it away it was so good. I’m always a sucker for scallops no matter where I go, and I was happily treated to three hugely plump scallops that melted in my mouth and held a peppery crunch after taste. The Nashville Hot Oysters are something worth checking out as well. These spicy fried fresh shucked oysters have pickled shallot and pickle juice “caviar.” The fried component was a bit overbearing but the pickle brined flavor was a treat for the senses. The New York Strip steak is amazing. It’s cooked to a perfect medium rare. Day 3 A trip to Gatlinburg isn’t complete without spending some time in the most popular National Park in the United States. While it is a highly trafficked fall destination – greeting an average of 13 million visitors every year – there’s plenty of space to enjoy all of its incredible hiking trails and gorgeous drives without the crowds. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers some of the most breathtaking autumn hikes, where you can immerse yourself in vibrant fall foliage through some easier hikes than those in Colorado or Maine. To fully experience the fall colors, plan your visit around mid-October when the colors are most vibrant and widespread across the park. , so I took some of her recommendations and added in my own: : Easy to moderate. The trail is paved the entire way, and the elevation gain is only about 300 feet. : The roundtrip distance is 2.4 miles. The Laurel Falls Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and for good reason. The relatively easy 2.4-mile roundtrip hike leads to a cascading 80-foot waterfall, the titular Laurel Falls. The paved trail winds through a lush forest, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and hike among fall flowers and yellow-hued trees along the way. Distance: 11 miles The Alum Cave Trail to Mount LeConte is a challenging but rewarding hike rated as the number 1 hike in the park on AllTrails. But with a total of 11 miles out and back, with an elevation gain of over 2,700 feet, it’s not for beginners. The first part of the trail is relatively easy but becomes steeper and more challenging as you get closer to Alum Cave, a large rock overhang that was once used to mine alum. As you ascend to Mount LeConte, you’ll pass through tunnels of rhododendron and catch panoramic views of the Smokies draped in autumn colors. From Alum Cave, the trail continues up a series of switchbacks to the top of Mount LeConte, with 360-degree panoramic views of the multi-colored surrounding mountains. Distance: 1.3 miles roundtrip Clingman’s Dome Observation Tower Trail offers a short and rewarding hike to the highest point not just in Great Smoky Mountains National Park but in all of Tennessee. Climb the 54-foot observation tower for breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains where, on a clear day, you can see up to 100 miles into Tennessee, North Carolina, and sometimes even Georgia and Virginia. Standing at 6,643 feet, temperatures at the top can be 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in the lowlands, and the famous Smokies’ clouds and fog are also common, so there’s a possibility of limited views. Luckily, the hike is easy if you end up in the clouds. Distance: 8 miles round trip This hike along the Appalachian Trail offers some of the best vistas in the Smokies. Charlies Bunion is a rocky outcrop with panoramic views of the mountains, which are especially vibrant during peak fall foliage. The trail also provides glimpses of diverse forest types, showcasing a rich tapestry of fall colors. Distance: 5.4 miles round trip Rainbow Falls is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the park, and the trail leading to it is lined with vibrant fall foliage. The combination of the colorful leaves and the waterfall makes this a popular autumn hike, so going earlier in the day to encounter less people is recommended. The trail continues beyond the falls to Mount LeConte for those seeking a longer adventure.UAC FOOTBALL: EKU's Calwise honored againAP News Summary at 1:11 p.m. EST