A divisive election. At least two major wars raging in Europe and the Middle East. And the ever-present pitfalls of internal family politics. Together, they might make for one of the nation’s tensest Thanksgivings yet — or you could consider eating some psychedelic mushrooms to up your overall sense of love and sail right through it, two experts told The Baltimore Sun. The legality of doing that in Maryland saw a major boost forward this year, when Gov. Wes Moore signed Maryland Senate Bill 1009 into law, enacting the Task Force on Responsible Use of Natural Psychedelic Substances, which will look at how to enact a legal framework for introducing sales of psychedelics into the state. “The Task Force will study naturally derived substances such as psilocybin, psilocin, dimethyltryptamine, and mescaline and is tasked with making recommendations on use, permitting, education and safety, access to treatment, and regulated support to enable equitable and affordable access to psychedelic substances,” health care provider Healthesystems said. How Marylanders respond to legalized psychedelics is yet to be determined. But two industry experts told The Sun that in places where mushrooms are legal, they‘re an excellent fit for creating less stressful holidays. Gary Logan, ATCD, and Robert Grover, MSc., are founders of The Journeymen Collective, an alternative wellness collective that conducts guided retreats for clients during psilocybin trips. Conducted in the mountains outside of Vancouver, Canada, Logan and Grover say that taking “magic” mushrooms is a logical choice for stressed-out Americans looking for ways to make an already tense Thanksgiving a much calmer, thankful affair. “It can open up a greater perspective to more easily recognize the blessings we’ve been given,” Logan said. “There is often a new appreciation for personal and professional relationships.” That America has recently been through what one political analyst told The Sun was a “painful slog of an election season” is in no doubt. With voters almost as closely divided as they were in 2016, and a Democratic administration flipping back to another Trump administration, political scientists said they are concerned about how civil this year’s national gathering may be. Flavio Hickel Jr, assistant professor of American Politics at Washington College, told The Sun that while it depends on the individual group’s personal and political dynamics, the stress and worry that permeated much of the election could now condense into one super feud in families that had members who voted each way. In fact, Hickel said even single-party voting families may find it hard to stay civil on Thanksgiving. “In general, yes, I expect Thanksgivings to be more tense this year. It was a very contested election,” Hickel said. “Even in a group where everyone is a Democrat, discussions of why Democrats lost can invoke strong feelings and breed tension, let alone the strong feelings and tensions that could emerge if Democrats and Republicans discuss the election results and future around the dinner table,” he said. Logan, the psychedelic guide and founder, said that while he wouldn’t advise actually eating mushrooms at the meal, the properties that come along with this type of plant-based substance are ideal for defusing events that might go into confrontational areas. “While it certainly would be interesting to mix in the mashed potatoes at the Thanksgiving table, we wouldn’t advise that,” Logan said. Nor should Baltimoreans or Marylanders look to swap the traditional American Thanksgiving drinks table for psilocybin, although it might change their attitude toward drinking later. “We definitely wouldn’t suggest replacing your alcohol use with psilocybin. We have had people come in and have a guided journey then go home and say they didn’t feel the need to drink anymore,” he said. “I’d also say that the mushroom is a fungi that grows in the forest and we see it as a medicine from nature. We certainly believe it is better for your mind, body and spirit than alcohol.” He said that for Marylanders, looking into guided experiences might be the first step toward having an even better holiday season in 2025. “So, if this year you started looking into a guided retreat now, by next time you sat down at the Thanksgiving table you may have an entirely different outlook on the people around it, yourself, and the holiday,” he said. Matt McDermott, president of Humble & Wallop, a strategy and creative firm in Hampden, told The Sun that in Baltimore, as in anywhere else in the U.S., this is a particularly delicate year for avoiding or confronting politics at gatherings like Thanksgiving. As these issues have become more personal to people, they are more likely to see a debate centered around them. “The fear that this administration has a mandate that could lead to the greatest assault on human rights since Jim Crow. Women’s rights,” McDermott said. “Trans rights. Immigrant rights. We’re not talking about economic policy or defense budgets,” he said. “We’re talking about a right to exist, [like] life, liberty, happiness. As a husband of a strong, successful woman and a father of a trans teen, I couldn’t shrug off a dinner-table hot take that argues against their rights.” Hickel gave the following tips for Baltimoreans across all political backgrounds for Thanksgiving, regardless of whether legal alcohol or substances are being used. “If political conversations are unavoidable, try to remember that it is unlikely you will be able to convince a partisan opponent through one conversation/argument,” Hickel said “If you aren’t trying to win the argument, then you are less likely to get irritated when you can’t.” If using all those tips and avoiding a conversation isn’t possible, then perhaps consider just bringing up taking or buying legalized mushrooms as a topic for the whole gathering to consider, Grover suggested. “Again, I wouldn’t suggest just trying it at your Thanksgiving table but it might make for an interesting conversation to tell your family you were thinking of trying a guided magic mushroom journey,” he said. “They might not understand it but in reality many of them could probably benefit from it,” Grover said. “And if you put the work into one you could definitely have an entirely different perspective on life and the family in it by the next Thanksgiving dinner.” And if that still doesn’t work? Well, there’s always a foolproof way to make yourself thankful and welcome at holidays this year. “Bring pie, but leave the politics at home,” McDermott advises. Have a news tip? Contact Riley Gutiérrez McDermid at rmcdermid@baltsun.com .Emily Ratajkowski is thoroughly enjoying her December. The model and author has shared various albums of her most recent activities, packed with some of what she's been up to over the past month. One of these photos shows her in a Santa Claus hat, spreading the festive Holiday cheer. Emily Ratajkowski debuts her empowering ‘divorce ring’ Watch the 10 Best Celebrity TikToks of the Week: Shawn Mendes, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, and more Ratajkowski shared the photo earlier this month, showing her followers a thorough look of her activities. Photos showed her having some drinks and spending time with her friends at various outings. They also showed her enjoying various Christmas trademarks , like setting up the Christmas tree and attending various potlucks. Her son, Sly , was also featured, looking adorably out the window while wearing some reindeer antlers. One of the photos showed her wearing bright red shorts, a black sweater and a Santa Claus hat. The image shows her looking towards her left, with one of her legs raised up in a chair. Ratajkowski's Christmas Eve plans In a more recent post, Ratajkowski shared a look at the remainder of her December, revealing that she made time to enjoy a bit of the snow and spend time with her loved ones on Christmas Eve. Photos showed her and Sly making snow angels, likely taken at some point during the past week in New York, where we experienced the first snow of this winter season. The pair were accompanied by their dog, Colombo, an adorable and furry Husky-German Shepherd mix. More photos showed an inside look at her home, including her stockings placed over her fireplace, which holds an adorable framed photo of herself holding on to a baby Sly. She appears to have celebrated Christmas with friends and family, wearing a tight black dress for the occasion and spending the evening in an apartment, with them gathering to enjoy a meal and some Christmas cookies.
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It’s peak wedding season in India and airlines and operators of charter jets are rejoicing with the honeymooners. India’s peak wedding season spans from November to March, aligning with a higher number of dates deemed auspicious for matrimonial alliances. For airlines operating in India, that’s expected to translate to more families, wedding guests and newly wedded couples taking to the skies. On 17 November, a Sunday, India’s daily air passenger traffic climbed to a record 505,412, per data from India’s ministry of civil aviation, although this is also attributed to the ongoing festive season. The previous record of about 499,000 passengers was reached a couple of days earlier, on 15 November. “Tier 2 cities are powering the wedding season this year," said Aloke Bajpai, group chief executive, ixigo, a digital travel and hotels booking platform run by Le Travenues Technology Ltd. “Travel (bookings) to tier 2 and 3 cities for November and December have seen a significant rise, with Varanasi bookings up by an impressive 265% and Gorakhpur by 109%. Amritsar, Chandigarh and Patna have also recorded an increase of over 70% in flight bookings." According to ixigo, more people are flying to small towns like Varanasi owing to a combination of factors: people travelling to their hometowns for weddings and others for religious tourism. Flight bookings to major metro hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai as well as leisure destinations such as Srinagar, Jaipur, and Goa are also seeing a strong 70-80% year-on-year increase for November-December, Bajpai said. International destinations are also in demand, as in any wedding season. “Overseas honeymoon bookings to destinations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East have risen by 2x, marking this wedding season as one of the most dynamic and high-demand periods yet," said Rikant Pittie, co-founder of EaseMyTrip, another leading travel booking platform. “Indians are increasingly making bookings for honeymoon travel, showcasing a shift in preferences toward destinations like Thailand, the Andaman Islands, and Vietnam, moving away from traditional spots like the Maldives and Kerala." Bajpai too highlighted Southeast Asia and West Asia, or the Middle East, as among the top overseas destinations for Indian honeymooners this season. “... Hotspots like Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur (are) seeing a 120-130% YoY rise in bookings for November and December." India typically registers about 10 million weddings every year, per industry estimates. And given the growing fondness for lavish Indian weddings, Prabhudas Lilladher estimates revenue generation of 4.25 trillion from around 3.5 million weddings in just November to mid-December this year. India’s airline industry hopes the wedding season will make up for lower-than-anticipated flight bookings during Diwali in October. “We have increasingly seen a lot of demand for travel during the marriage season, and this year seems to be similar in terms of demand," said a senior executive at Tata Group’s Air India Express, declining to be identified. “The booking trend is equally encouraging and we might see a strong third quarter supported by weddings." Per India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation, domestic air traffic increased 4.7% on-year to 92.3 million in the first half of 2024 (January-July). The Centre for Aviation, or CAPA, a leading aviation industry research and advisory firm, expects India’s domestic air traffic to increase by 6-8% to 162-165 million. So far this wedding season, EaseMyTrip, operated by Easy Trip Planners Ltd, is seeing a 15% overall increase in travel bookings as compared with last year’s. While Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, Jaipur and Goa are witnessing a 40% year-on-year growth in bookings, tier 2 cities such as Varanasi and Gorakhpur are recording 90% and 75% increases, respectively, said Pittie, EaseMyTrip’s co-founded. As per ixigo data, Varanasi has recorded the highest jump in flight bookings so far for November-December, with a year-on-year surge of 265%, followed by Gorakhpur with a jump of 109%. Among international destinations, ixigo has registered a 270% year-on-year increase in flight bookings for Phuket in Thailand for November-December this year, followed by a 244% jump for Malaysia’s capital Kuala Lumpur and 205% rise for Kuwait. For uber-wealthy Indian families with more lavish budgets, charter planes make for a grand wedding accessory. “For weddings, the demand is for business jets to fly the immediate family and VIP guests and bigger planes (an ATR or other aircraft) to fly (other) people," said Santosh Sharma, founder of Bookmyjet, an online platform for booking business jets. While a charter jet can seat 4-20 passengers, an ATR aircraft can carry fly 80 passengers. The charter cost depends on the type of aircraft—from 1.50 lakh per hour and going up to 30 lakh per hour for larger jets. “We are seeing demand from smaller cities like Indore, Rajkot, Raipur and also Kolkata, with flights going into Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur," said Sharma, adding that the company was seeing an interest in business jets also from foreigners and Indian diaspora families planning destination weddings in India. “People from Middle East are getting married in India and they are booking flights from Delhi and Mumbai to marriage destinations to ferry their guests."
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Tories accuse Labour of waging 'war on rural England' after Angela Rayner announced plans to expand 'London sprawl' across the UK green beltBy Vanessa G. Sánchez, KFF Health News (TNS) LOS ANGELES — President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations and tougher immigration restrictions is deepening mistrust of the health care system among California’s immigrants and clouding the future for providers serving the state’s most impoverished residents. At the same time, immigrants living illegally in Southern California told KFF Health News they thought the economy would improve and their incomes might increase under Trump, and for some that outweighed concerns about health care. Community health workers say fear of deportation is already affecting participation in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents, which was expanded in phases to all immigrants regardless of residency status over the past several years. That could undercut the state’s progress in reducing the uninsured rate, which reached a record low of 6.4% last year. Immigrants lacking legal residency have long worried that participation in government programs could make them targets, and Trump’s election has compounded those concerns, community advocates say. The incoming Trump administration is also expected to target Medicaid with funding cuts and enrollment restrictions , which activists worry could threaten the Medi-Cal expansion and kneecap efforts to extend health insurance subsidies under Covered California to all immigrants. “The fear alone has so many consequences to the health of our communities,” said Mar Velez , director of policy with the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. “This is, as they say, not their first rodeo. They understand how the system works. I think this machine is going to be, unfortunately, a lot more harmful to our communities.” Alongside such worries, though, is a strain of optimism that Trump might be a boon to the economy, according to interviews with immigrants in Los Angeles whom health care workers were soliciting to sign up for Medi-Cal. Since Election Day, community health worker Yanet Martinez said, people are more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” Martinez said. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Clinics and community health workers encourage immigrants to enroll for health coverage through Medi-Cal and Covered California. But workers have noticed that fear of deportation has chilled participation. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Community health workers like Yanet Martinez encourage people to enroll for health benefits. But many California immigrants fear that using subsidized services could hurt their chances of obtaining legal residency. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Since Election Day, community health worker Yanet Martinez said, people are more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” Martinez said. (Vanessa G. Sánchez/KFF Health News/TNS) Selvin, 39, who, like others interviewed for this article, asked to be identified by only his first name because he’s living here without legal permission, said that even though he believes Trump dislikes people like him, he thinks the new administration could help boost his hours at the food processing facility where he works packing noodles. “I do see how he could improve the economy. From that perspective, I think it’s good that he won.” He became eligible for Medi-Cal this year but decided not to enroll, worrying it could jeopardize his chances of changing his immigration status. “I’ve thought about it,” Selvin said, but “I feel like it could end up hurting me. I won’t deny that, obviously, I’d like to benefit — get my teeth fixed, a physical checkup.” But fear holds him back, he said, and he hasn’t seen a doctor in nine years. It’s not Trump’s mass deportation plan in particular that’s scaring him off, though. “If I’m not committing any crimes or getting a DUI, I think I won’t get deported,” Selvin said. Petrona, 55, came from El Salvador seeking asylum and enrolled in Medi-Cal last year. She said that if her health insurance benefits were cut, she wouldn’t be able to afford her visits to the dentist. A street food vendor, she hears often about Trump’s deportation plan, but she said it will be the criminals the new president pushes out. “I’ve heard people say he’s going to get rid of everyone who’s stealing.” Although she’s afraid she could be deported, she’s also hopeful about Trump. “He says he’s going to give a lot of work to Hispanics because Latinos are the ones who work the hardest,” she said. “That’s good, more work for us, the ones who came here to work.” Newly elected Republican Assembly member Jeff Gonzalez, who flipped a seat long held by Democrats in the Latino-heavy desert region in the southeastern part of the state, said his constituents were anxious to see a new economic direction. “They’re just really kind of fed up with the status quo in California,” Gonzalez said. “People on the ground are saying, ‘I’m hopeful,’ because now we have a different perspective. We have a businessperson who is looking at the very things that we are looking at, which is the price of eggs, the price of gas, the safety.” Gonzalez said he’s not going to comment about potential Medicaid cuts, because Trump has not made any official announcement. Unlike most in his party, Gonzalez said he supports the extension of health care services to all residents regardless of immigration status . Health care providers said they are facing a twin challenge of hesitancy among those they are supposed to serve and the threat of major cuts to Medicaid, the federal program that provides over 60% of the funding for Medi-Cal. Health providers and policy researchers say a loss in federal contributions could lead the state to roll back or downsize some programs, including the expansion to cover those without legal authorization. California and Oregon are the only states that offer comprehensive health insurance to all income-eligible immigrants regardless of status. About 1.5 million people without authorization have enrolled in California, at a cost of over $6 billion a year to state taxpayers. “Everyone wants to put these types of services on the chopping block, which is really unfair,” said state Sen. Lena Gonzalez, a Democrat and chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “We will do everything we can to ensure that we prioritize this.” Sen. Gonzalez said it will be challenging to expand programs such as Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, for which immigrants lacking permanent legal status are not eligible. A big concern for immigrants and their advocates is that Trump could reinstate changes to the public charge policy, which can deny green cards or visas based on the use of government benefits. “President Trump’s mass deportation plan will end the financial drain posed by illegal immigrants on our healthcare system, and ensure that our country can care for American citizens who rely on Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to KFF Health News. During his first term, in 2019, Trump broadened the policy to include the use of Medicaid, as well as housing and nutrition subsidies. The Biden administration rescinded the change in 2021. KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News, found immigrants use less health care than people born in the United States. And about 1 in 4 likely undocumented immigrant adults said they have avoided applying for assistance with health care, food, and housing because of immigration-related fears, according to a 2023 survey . Another uncertainty is the fate of the Affordable Care Act, which was opened in November to immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children and are protected by the Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals program. If DACA eligibility for the act’s plans, or even the act itself, were to be reversed under Trump, that would leave roughly 40,000 California DACA recipients, and about 100,000 nationwide , without access to subsidized health insurance. On Dec. 9, a federal court in North Dakota issued an order blocking DACA recipients from accessing Affordable Care Act health plans in 19 states that had challenged the Biden administration’s rule. Clinics and community health workers are encouraging people to continue enrolling in health benefits. But amid the push to spread the message, the chilling effects are already apparent up and down the state. “¿Ya tiene Medi-Cal?” community health worker Yanet Martinez said, asking residents whether they had Medi-Cal as she walked down Pico Boulevard recently in a Los Angeles neighborhood with many Salvadorans. “¡Nosotros podemos ayudarle a solicitar Medi-Cal! ¡Todo gratuito!” she shouted, offering help to sign up, free of charge. “Gracias, pero no,” said one young woman, responding with a no thanks. She shrugged her shoulders and averted her eyes under a cap that covered her from the late-morning sun. Since Election Day, Martinez said, people have been more reluctant to hear her pitch for subsidized health insurance or cancer prevention screenings. “They think I’m going to share their information to deport them,” she said. “They don’t want anything to do with it.” This article was produced by KFF Health News , which publishes California Healthline , an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation . ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Every December, as it has since 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, Time magazine selects and features the most consequential Person of the Year (13 United States presidents, other world leaders, popes). Sometimes it has not been a person, as such, but a tectonic societal shift (the personal computer, the #MeToo movement). Donald Trump, just named Time’s 2024 Person of the Year , was first elevated to that title after his 2016 election victory. He is consequential because he has returned to power even after attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, even after supporting the insurrection on January 6, 2021, and notwithstanding being twice impeached and convicted of a felony. President-elect Donald Trump speaks during Time magazine’s Person of the Year announcement at the New York Stock Exchange. Credit: AP This year, no one else was on so many people’s minds as Trump. In Time’s judgment , Trump was “the person who had the greatest influence, for better or worse, on the events of the year”. Time might have conferred the accolade jointly on Trump and Elon Musk, given Musk’s astonishing fusion of more than $US250 million in campaign contributions with his dominance over his X platform to help make Trump president. If influence is power, Musk has it. With ceaseless hours at Trump’s side to help shape his presidency, and his establishment and funding of a Musk think tank that will generate edicts for Trump to impose to re-sculpt the government, Musk has effectively supplanted JD Vance to become Trump’s vice president. Musk’s power is second only to Trump’s. For the next two years, Trump will be at his zenith. He will never have to face the voters again, which means he can act with impunity as he makes decisions to advance Trumpism and all that he wants to accomplish. Trump’s Republican Party, which he now owns, controls both houses of Congress, so there will be no more impeachments. His attorney-general and chief of the FBI will go after his political enemies . His secretary of defence will ensure that his generals follow his orders – overseas and in the streets of America’s cities. Loading Public servants will take loyalty oaths or be purged. Trump will take money appropriated by the Congress away from programs he does not like and divert it to his priorities. On the world stage, Trump will present more like Putin, Xi and Orban than Starmer, Macron and Albanese. Trump has already broken the norm of the US having “one president at a time” with his pre-inaugural threats to Mexico, Canada and China on trade and his forays into concluding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East on his terms. His first inaugural address eight years ago featured the dystopian theme of “American carnage”. We will see how deep he wallows in that dark pool on January 20, 2025. Immediately after his address, when he arrives in the Oval Office, Trump’s march through the first 100 days will formally begin.Record numbers of basketball fans filled arenas to watch the rookie seasons of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese unfold. Simone Biles captivated the world at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Coco Gauff made women’s tennis history. It was all part of a pivotal year for women in sports, financially and culturally, and after a steady rise in popularity and reach in recent years, the women’s game is more valuable than ever. “(Clark) just moved the needle of the global movement of women in sports,” said softball great and Olympic gold medalist Jennie Finch, “and what a thrill it’s been to be able to see her rise.” The consulting firm Deloitte estimated in November 2023 that women’s sports would generate more than $1 billion in global revenue this year for the first time ever, which the company said is up about 300% from its last estimate in 2021. Skyrocketing viewership and corporate sponsorships were major factors. The WNBA in July signed a historic 11-year media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime and NBC valued at about $200 million — a jump from about $60 million currently. Players hope higher salaries and a greater share of revenue could be on the horizon as parity, star power and competition in the WNBA continue to grow. The WNBA had its most-watched regular season in 24 years and best attendance in 22 seasons, and commissioner Cathy Engelbert said in a recent state-of-the-league address that players are getting a lot more marketing deals, turning them into household names. That includes Las Vegas star A’ja Wilson, who had one of the most dominant seasons in WNBA history, and Clark, who set numerous rookie records. The decisive Game 5 of the WNBA finals between the New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx drew an average of 2.2 million viewers, peaking at 3.3 million, which made it the most-watched WNBA game in 25 years. “We’ve been growing in popularity, endorsements, media rights, all of those things,” said Amira Rose Davis, a sports historian and assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin. “This period is one of rapid acceleration,” Davis continued, “where all that growth seems to switch into overdrive, where the deals are getting bigger, where the visibility is stretching out.” Clark, the sharp-shooting Indiana guard became a phenomenon when she played at Iowa, capitalized on a foundation laid by hoops stars such as Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker and Wilson, and turbocharged the visibility of women’s basketball. Ticket sales to Indiana Fever games were up 182% in 2024 from the previous season. The Fever also shattered the attendance record of 13,398 set by the Liberty in 1998 with around 16,084 tickets sold per game. And games featuring Clark and her on-court rival Reese of the Chicago Sky prompted social media debates about basketball, race and culture. “Something that I always tried to do with me was rise and elevate the game,” said Finch, now an adviser for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. “And that’s what (Clark)’s doing and her teammates. And just to be able to watch her do it and how humbly she does it, and the impact of not only domestic women’s basketball, but women’s athletics globally. It’s a dream.” While many point to the WNBA as a blueprint for success in women’s sports, accomplishments in 2024 went far beyond one league or athlete. Gauff, the 20-year-old tennis superstar, was the world’s highest-paid female athlete this year with $30.4 million in earnings, according to Sportico rankings. Gauff could not defend her 2023 U.S. Open title, but ended her 2024 season with a WTA finals title and a $4.8 million check — the biggest payout ever for a women’s tennis event, per Sportico. The Olympics neared complete gender parity for the first time among the more than 11,000 men and women who competed in Paris this summer. More than 34 million people across all NBC platforms in the U.S. watched Biles exorcise the demons of her surprising exit from the Tokyo games three years earlier. The 27-year-old shared a message of resilience and redemption as she added four gold medals to her resume. Nearly everything she did in Paris made headlines — a clap back at social media trolls, a revelation about her mental health, a moment of triumph. Her TikTok showing Team USA’s gold medals from team competition has more than 139 million views. “She became a symbol,” Davis said. “Whether you wanted to symbolize her as persevering, or talking about mental health or refusal, the politics of refusal. Or (whether) you wanted to symbolize her as being a quitter — being everything that you’re bemoaning about the country. Either way, both projections elevated her even more.” And as Gauff and Biles soared, other women’s leagues leveraged that visibility. The Pro Women’s Hockey League brought in 392,259 fans during its inaugural regular season, highlighted by a women’s hockey record crowd of 21,105 at the home arena of the NHL’s Canadiens for a Montreal-Toronto matchup. The league also reached sponsorship deals with Scotiabank, Air Canada and Hyundai. The PWHL’s strong first season showed its organizers and players that there’s an appetite for women’s sports, so much so that there are hopes to expand from six to eight teams in 2025. “For many of us that have been in the game for so long, it’s emotional to think about where the game’s come from, where we’ve come to,” said Jayna Hefford, the league’s senior vice president of hockey operations. “We spend a lot of time reading research and all these things that suggest the time is now and that the fandom is there. And to be able to live that and feel it in real time was pretty special.” Keith Stein and Justine Siegal want to capitalize on the women’s sports landscape too. Siegal, a former baseball player and coach, partnered with Stein, a lawyer and businessman, to create the Women’s Pro Baseball League, which last month announced plans to launch in 2026 as a six-team circuit for female players. It will be the first pro league for women since the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League dissolved in 1954. “Leagues like the WNBA and (National) Women’s Soccer League have done a lot of the heavy lifting,” Stein said, “and they’re part responsible for the moment we’re having right now where women’s sport is a phenomenon. “I think there’s, in some ways, a lot more momentum behind the development of professional women’s sports leagues than for men’s.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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From an electric ice cream scooper to a dipstick cleaner, the newest gadgets on holiday shopping lists in 1983 looked a lot different from what's available today. KCRA's John Gibson traveled to San Francisco, exploring toys and tools for what he called "the first Yuppie Christmas." Look back at more holiday highlights from past decades in our NorCal Holiday Memories special, airing Saturday, Dec. 14, at 8 p.m. on KCRA 3. Young urban professionals, or yuppies, might have shopped at the store InGear, where you could buy a fancy, cast-iron egg timer or stainless steel garden shovel. The items were touted as "fashionably practical." For kids, the store at the Exploratorium held innovative marvels, including a mess-free bubble blower or plasma globe. As technology continued to evolve, holiday shopping has changed and progressed throughout the decades. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletterKendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”
Rising Trends Launches Website to Help Entrepreneurs and Business Owners Track Emerging Market Trends 12-27-2024 11:10 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfEV2YS4Btq0N5PI2IKcfOc2o-EQzE9qduUIIbCt4W38NhzU8ep5Y1bOxy2ygdbjXTosgGcit2zkc2axQuasBmSNGiGQpvEntBtK3GclJSrY7KUIj0kQH-4eZKUfPN1OCMTQdjNkw?key=9Q-PL9puWoNfsPVulBjCmQGQ United States - December 27, 2024 - Rising Trends, a cutting-edge platform designed to identify and track the latest market trends, is excited to announce the official launch of its website, risingtrends.co [ https://www.risingtrends.co/ ]. This innovative tool is designed to assist entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors by providing them with the most current, data-driven insights into emerging trends, helping them make informed decisions in an ever-evolving market landscape. As the business world continues to adapt and shift, staying ahead of market trends is critical for success. Recognizing this need, Rising Trends offers a comprehensive, user-friendly database that allows users to discover and track thousands of rising trends, from innovative products and services to changing consumer preferences and emerging technologies. Whether you're looking to start a new business, diversify your investment portfolio, or simply stay informed, Rising Trends has the tools to help you succeed. "At Rising Trends, we understand how difficult it can be for business owners and entrepreneurs to keep up with constantly shifting trends," said Abdessami ElGholf, founder of Rising Trends. "Our platform is designed to provide a one-stop solution for discovering the next big thing in business. Whether you are looking for your next big idea, seeking investment opportunities, or aiming to stay ahead of the competition, Rising Trends can provide you with the insights you need." The Rising Trends [ https://www.risingtrends.co/ ] database is powered by advanced algorithms that analyze a variety of factors, including social media activity, market data, consumer behavior, and more, to provide users with a curated list of trends that are gaining traction. The platform is updated regularly to ensure that users have access to the most up-to-date and relevant trends across a wide range of industries. With thousands of bankable trends available for exploration, Rising Trends offers valuable insights into potential business opportunities that are poised for growth. Users can find their next business idea, inform their investment decisions, and make data-backed choices that maximize their chances of success. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a first-time business owner, Rising Trends equips you with the tools you need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Key Features of Rising Trends Include: * Thousands of Curated Trends: Discover the latest and most promising trends across multiple industries, from technology and e-commerce to health and sustainability. * Business Idea Database: Search through a rich collection of marketable business ideas that can help entrepreneurs start their next venture. * Investment Insights: Make informed investment decisions by identifying emerging trends with high growth potential. * Up-to-date Information: The platform regularly updates its database to ensure that users are always ahead of the curve with fresh, relevant data. Rising Trends is the perfect tool for anyone who wants to tap into the future of business and investment. With its user-friendly interface and cutting-edge trend detection capabilities, the platform is set to become an essential resource for entrepreneurs, business owners, and investors alike. For more information, visit https://www.risingtrends.co/ . About Rising Trends: Rising Trends is a United States-based platform designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners identify and track the latest market trends. With its innovative database of thousands of bankable trends, Rising Trends empowers users to find their next business idea, inform their investment decisions, and stay ahead of the competition. The platform is committed to providing actionable insights to drive success in today's fast-paced business environment. Media Contact Company Name: Rising Trends Contact Person: Abdessami ElGholf Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=rising-trends-launches-website-to-help-entrepreneurs-and-business-owners-track-emerging-market-trends ] Country: United States Website: https://www.risingtrends.co/ This release was published on openPR.We're back to where we were last season with the Steelers backfield with no clear-cut Fantasy starter between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. And that stinks heading into Week 13 at Cincinnati. Harris has been solid for most of the season, scoring at least 13.3 PPR points in five of his past nine games, including three games over that span with at least 102 yards rushing. But Warren is getting hot, and he might be ready to take over. Warren has two games in his past three outings with at least 11 carries, and he scored a season-high 15.4 PPR points in Week 12 at Cleveland. He has seven catches on nine targets in his past two games, and hopefully, his role in the passing game will continue to grow. He also played a season-high 57 percent of the snaps against the Browns, while Harris played a season-low 39 percent, which is something to monitor. I don't expect that to be the norm, but we'll see what happens in Week 13 at Cincinnati. This isn't a great matchup against the Bengals, who are No. 8 in fewest Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Harris will likely need to score a touchdown to help his Fantasy value, and he's only done that three times this season. And the Bengals are No. 4 in fewest receptions allowed to running backs and No. 1 in fewest receiving yards. They also haven't allowed a receiving touchdown to a running back, so Warren isn't safe in the passing game in Week 13. For now, consider Harris and Warren just flex options at best. We'll see what happens moving forward, but it's frustrating that we can't get a must-start running back in Pittsburgh with the Fantasy playoffs on the horizon.MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") is pleased to announce the naming of Tyler Craft as Head of Investor Relations, effective January 1, 2025 . Craft will succeed Natalie Flanders as Head of Investor Relations, reporting to Chief Financial Officer Hope Dmuchowski . In this role, he will manage relationships with investors and articulate First Horizon's financial vision and strategy. Currently serving as Director of Transformation - Fintech and Emerging Technology, Craft has been instrumental in advancing the company's fintech initiatives, leading ventures in robotic process automation, artificial intelligence and fraud prevention enhancements. Throughout his 14-year tenure with the organization, he has held numerous positions, played a lead role in the company's 2023 Investor Day and has made key contributions to major integrations. Prior to First Horizon, he was the Director of Product at Capital Bank, leading finance-related functions and overseeing the bank's ALLL and loan valuation modeling, in addition to his involvement in multiple mergers. "Tyler will do an exceptional job leading our investor relations efforts," said Hope Dmuchowski , Chief Financial Officer for First Horizon. "His experience in the financial services industry and tenure with our organization make him an invaluable resource to our investors, executive leadership team and our board of directors as we remain focused on delivering long-term shareholder value." Flanders will join the Risk Organization as Director of Credit & Financial Risk. Dmuchowski commented, "Natalie took on this role at a very critical time and has done an exceptional job over the last 18 months re-engaging with investors and strengthening our investor relations strategy. As she has in each role she has served, Natalie will continue to be a tremendous asset to the organization and in her leadership role within our risk management organization." About First Horizon First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $82.6 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024 , is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN , the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-horizon-names-new-head-of-investor-relations-302317921.html SOURCE First Horizon Corporation
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