Cover Five: Nebraska's next defensive coordinator will inherit grand expectationsEveryone knows the holidays can be a lot for some people. Especially if they can't afford food or presents. But one organization has been working to fix that for 19 years. Faith Based Church of God is having its annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 1130 W. Lee on the west side of Burger King. They will give away a variety of food items drive-thru style, with walk-ups welcome. Jerry Dillard, Senior Pastor of the church, said kids from Great Plains Technology Center pack the bags with many different items to be picked up and handed out Saturday. Items to be given out include turkeys, 10 lb. leg quarters, canned food and dressing. "We have different donors that donate the money (and food)," Dillard said. Donors include Walmart, the Key Club and GPTC, Dillard said. The church expects around 1,500 to 2,000 people to collect their goods. "It's a drive thru," Dillard said. "They drive through and get food. Some people walk up and we don't deny them, so we give them food. We have vans that would take them home once they get their food, Cameron Baptist and Central Baptist do that." When it comes to the giveaway, for Dillard, it's personal. "Someone did it for me and basically I'm going to give back," Dillard said. "This time of year, people don't have the provision to buy what they need for Thanksgiving. We want to make sure that everyone has a nice Thanksgiving. That's why we do this." In order to get your fixin's, just hand them your ID and say how many people are in your family.Binghamton 75, LIU 70, OTNone
NoneMariah Carey has performed 14 Christmas tours to celebrate her mega-hit "All I Want For Christmas." A fight occurring at her show has been unheard of until now. TMZ said the singer's Baltimore stop included multiple brawls on Saturday night (Dec. 7). At the CFG Bank Arena, Carey's performance was shared with brawls erupting throughout the show on social media. Witnesses say a fight involving four to five individuals broke out after someone threw a drink, escalating into a full-blown altercation. Onlookers report that security swiftly intervened, separating those involved and escorting them out of the venue. Mariah Carey began her holiday tour after the loss of her mother and sister. Baltimore police confirmed they received no reports of an assault, suggesting the arena’s private security managed the situation internally. The cause of the clash remains unclear. Despite the commotion, Carey carried on with her performance, maintaining her trademark poise and charm. Fans seemed unfazed by the disruption, immersing themselves in the singer’s festive setlist. Read more: Mariah Carey Apparently Knew About Sister's Condition For A Month But Never Reached Out This marks the second recent brawl during Carey’s holiday tour. At her St. Louis show, tensions flared when one woman shoved another from behind, prompting a retaliatory drink toss. The altercation intensified when a male companion joined in, shouting and lunging at one of the women involved. Security also stepped in to defuse that situation. While such incidents have momentarily marred the cheerful atmosphere of her concerts, Carey’s ability to rise above the drama and deliver a captivating performance underscores her enduring professionalism. As the self-proclaimed Queen of Christmas continues her tour, fans hope the holiday spirit prevails over such disruptions. Mariah Carey's Christmas Time tour ends on December 17 in Brooklyn. While majority of her social media promotes the holiday, the singer took a moment to acknowledge the loss of legendary musician Quincy Jones when he passed in November. In a post, she wrote, "A legend, a titan, a mentor. You've given the world, and me, so many life-defining moments that will be forever cherished. Rest in Power, sir Quincy Jones." Read more: Mariah Carey Getting Ready To Perform Again After "Couple Of Rough Weeks" [ Via ]
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying they are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened additional tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as his pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better health care for less money.” Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
None
None
Preferred Bank Announces Additional Q4 ExpenseAtlassian CEO Michael Cannon-Brookes sells $2 million in stock
The world’s largest oil and gas producers have made little progress toward the goal of having net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, according to an updated study of corporate emissions-reduction efforts. The study by Carbon Tracker Initiative, a London think tank that focuses on the financial impact of the transition away from fossil fuels, examined 30 oil and natural gas companies. None was found to even be potentially aligned with the Paris Agreement on climate change, Carbon Tracker analysts said during a Dec. 17 webinar. Among Carbon Tracker’s criteria in its “Absolute Impact 2024” report is whether a company aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 across scopes 1, 2, and 3. The 2050 target is considered essential to achieving the Paris Agreement’s most ambitious goal of limiting global temperatures from increasing by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels. Many of the 30 companies rely on “strategies of questionable credibility” — such as carbon capture use and storage systems — to reduce emissions in the long term, or they count on nature-based offsets to get to net-zero, Carbon Tracker said. European majors topped the Carbon Tracker rankings of emission reduction efforts. American oil and gas producers filled out the middle of the list, and national oil companies such as Saudi Arabian Oil Co. and Algeria’s Sonatrach SpA ranked at the bottom. Carbon Tracker was not able to evaluate Canadian oil and gas producers because these companies have removed all climate data from public view. Occidental Petroleum Corp. was the highest-ranked American company because it has plans to reduce Scope 3 emissions. Emissions in this category are created when a customer uses a product. The position of most American oil and gas producers is that such emissions are the responsibility of the consumers, not the well operators. The signs of slowing progress in the net-zero movement have increased in the past year. Several European majors backed away from ambitious plans to transition to renewables, and the head of American supermajor ExxonMobil predicted the world will miss the net-zero goal. Shell, as an example, distanced itself from its more ambitious renewable investments because the returns were less than those from oil and gas. In contrast, Spain’s Repsol has invested aggressively in wind and solar in anticipation of a drop in fossil fuel demand. Fossil fuel companies can thrive in the energy transition if they pick their battles and play to their strengths, Luis Cabra said during the webinar. Cabra is Repsol’s deputy CEO and the executive managing director of energy transition, technology and institutional affairs. Repsol built its transition on a base of the oil reserves it owns and got out of exploring for more resources, Cabra said. “We decided that if we want to move sufficiently fast into net-zero, and because electricity is the growth vector in the energy transition, we were going to enter the renewable electricity generation,” he said. Cabra said Repsol solved the problems of low returns from renewable power by taking on partners, which diluted the financial risk and doubled the returns on an equity basis. Carbon Tracker analysts see two major risks for oil and gas investors in a future energy transition: substitution risk — a scenario in which renewable energy sources take over from oil and gas — and regulatory risk, when policymakers limit greenhouse gas emissions. Oil and gas companies tend to think of emissions as just an environmental problem, said Mike Coffin, head of oil, gas and mining analysis at Carbon Tracker. Those companies’ attitude is, “We shouldn’t worry about that, because that is somebody else’s problem. That’s a sustainability problem,” Coffin said. “No, it’s a fundamental business risk,” Coffin added. The forces of substitution and regulation will mean less demand for oil and gas, Carbon Tracker said. Companies that are investing capital outside fossil fuels, such as Repsol and Norway’s Equinor, did well in Carbon Tracker’s survey, as did companies that publicly disclose more data on emissions and targets. Source:Samsung wants to build its first AI data center as it seeks to crack $1 billion dollar annual sales in cloud services
Biden says U.S. will assess actions on Syria as ousted president Assad flees to RussiaSo ends one of the wildest weeks in recent memory for the Nebraska football program. The one-week overlap of high school recruiting, transfer portal entries, coaching changes and bowl game decisions meant there were highs and lows for Nebraska fans to go through — but the program’s leader wasn’t bothered by the departures and changes that hit the Huskers. “If we have good players and we have good coaches, then people are gonna come try to get them,” Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule said on Wednesday. “If no one’s trying to take our players, it means we’re in trouble.” With news to break down in each of those areas, let’s drop into coverage: Nebraska’s defensive coaching staff will look much different in 2025 compared to 2024, but Rhule is hopeful that the defense itself won’t change much. Defensive coordinator Tony White is off to Florida State and has taken defensive line coach Terrance Knighton with him, a major blow to a Nebraska defense that ranked inside the top 20 nationally each of the last two seasons. Knighton was one of Rhule’s best hires for his initial Nebraska coaching staff. The defensive line, presumed to be a question mark in 2023, instead became a strength of the team. Players like Ty Robinson and Nash Hutmacher reached new heights under Knighton’s coaching, while several young Huskers also made an impact up front. There’s plenty of returning talent in the defensive line room even after some roster turnover, but NU’s next defensive line coach will have big expectations to continue Knighton’s good work at the position. As for White, he implemented his 3-3-5 scheme to great success a year ago, but Nebraska lined up slightly differently this fall with a four-man rush utilized far more often than in 2023. He’ll be a good fit at Florida State, while Nebraska has turned to John Butler in the interim to lead its defense. There’s no doubting Butler’s pedigree as a former NFL defensive mind, and his influence showed up in the way the Nebraska defense operated this season. Whether it’s Butler or an external hire who leads the Nebraska defense next season, continuity on that side of the ball is the expectation. “The defense isn’t going to change, but the offense is going to be better,” Rhule said. That optimism is underscored by the return of Dana Holgorsen as Nebraska’s offensive coordinator. Having brought in his own wide receivers coach, Daikiel Shorts Jr., Holgorsen will begin transforming the Nebraska offense this spring after the team’s bowl game. Nebraska signed a 20-player recruiting class on Wednesday that is loaded with talent across the board. While recruits can still sign with teams in February, expect Nebraska to be finished along the recruiting trail — and that means it’s time to take stock of the players in its 2025 recruiting class. Here are five of those signees who should impact the long-term future of the Husker football team. First up is linebacker Dawson Merritt. The highest-ranked signee in NU’s 2025 class was an Alabama commit for a reason, and it’s because the pass-rushing potential he shows. Set to be an off-ball linebacker and hybrid edge rusher at Nebraska, Merritt is the type of player who can make an impact early in his collegiate career. If he reaches his long-term potential, Merritt should be an NFL prospect when he leaves Nebraska. Nebraska also landed a top playmaking prospect in wide receiver Cortez Mills. Another wide receiver recruit, Isaiah Mozee, will provide an impact — but Mills is the all-around prospect who could dominate targets in a year or two’s time. The fast, athletic pass-catcher knows how to run himself open against coverage and excels at winning in one-on-one situations. Quarterback Dylan Raiola will like playing with Mills. In the secondary, cornerback Bryson Webber should be a starter down the road. His status as a former wide receiver gives him the ball skills Nebraska is after the spot, and Webber’s long, athletic frame will help him against opposing wide receivers. He may not be a day-one starter at cornerback, but Webber will make the position his own in the years which follow. Another explosive playmaker on offense is running back Jamarion Parker. Having signed alongside Bishop Neumann’s Conor Booth, Parker could be the lightning to Booth’s thunder as a one-two running back punch in the years which follow. A big-play threat and tough runner, Parker is an all-around talent who Nebraska and Holgorsen will find a way to utilize. The final pick is linebacker Christian Jones. Hard-nosed, athletic inside linebackers are hard to come by, but Jones is one of the rare few who could have a future at the position. He’s a top athlete who could push for playing time early in his career. For those interested, here are the five players I identified from NU’s 2024 class one year ago: Dylan Raiola, Carter Nelson, Willis McGahee IV, Mario Buford and Grant Brix. While Jacory Barney Jr. is a notable miss from that list, all but Brix played in at least 10 games and had an impact as freshmen. Nebraska’s transfer portal entrants have begun trickling out, and there will be many more which follow as a result of the 105-player roster limit teams must abide with next season. Many of the toughest departures to stomach have come on defense, where a veteran-heavy group will look much different in terms of its personnel next season. Defensive lineman Jimari Butler, a two-year starter at the position, has decided to move on. So have linebackers Mikai Gbayor and Stefon Thompson — who might’ve been starters next season — and rising young defenders Princewill Umanmielen, James Williams and Kai Wallin. Williams, Wallin and Umanmielen were all impactful defenders for Nebraska this fall, but their status as pass-rushing specialists still left room for improvement as all-around defenders. Butler and Gbayor, however, would’ve been pegged as no-doubt veteran starters, so their choice to move on will impact NU’s defensive strength. No entry was more surprising than that of running back Emmett Johnson, a player who emerged as NU’s top rusher late in the 2024 season. The up-and-down nature of Johnson’s Nebraska career — he showed flashes down the stretch in 2023 and was hardly utilized this fall prior to Holgorsen taking over — may have impacted his decision to seek out a new opportunity. Nebraska’s transfer portal targets will become clearer in the coming days, but one player has already stated his interest in the Huskers. Fresno State linebacker Phoenix Jackson, a multi-year starter at the position, announced on social media that Auburn, Indiana, Nebraska and SMU are the four teams he’s considering transferring to. Prior to learning its bowl opponent, Nebraska had a light week of practice before things get intense later this month. The Huskers practiced on Tuesday and Thursday last week with its veterans sitting out as younger players got reps in front of their coaches instead. Rhule said he expects Nebraska to practice from Tuesday to Thursday this week, with another day on Saturday during which the Huskers could bring transfer portal visitors to campus. “Being in bowl practice right now is exactly what this team needs, exactly what we need moving forward,” Rhule said. “I saw guys practice (Tuesday) and look like I haven’t seen them look all year.” After his firing at Nebraska, former head coach Scott Frost didn’t need to rush into his next coaching job, instead waiting for a situation and school that made sense for him. While it didn’t work out in Lincoln, there’s no denying the success Frost had at UCF. The in-state talent around the school and Frost’s offense made for a great fit, even if he only had two seasons to show it. The Knights are no longer in the AAC, though, instead having moved to a new-look Big 12 which has the makings of a difficult conference. It’s a good fit for Frost, but there’ll still be an element of pressure for him to deliver results and show that he can rebuild the program once again. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Nepal should take maximum benefits from PM's China visit, Dr Wagle saysMeta shares hit record high after US appeals court upholds TikTok banMusk's millions for Trump make him biggest US political donor
Trump Threatens 100% Tariff On BRICS Countries If They Undercut US DollarHIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Anderson set for return, trying to help CBA win first State title
NEW YORK , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of iLearningEngines, Inc. (NASDAQ: AILE) between April 22, 2024 and August 28, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of t the important December 6, 2024 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased iLearningEngines securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the iLearningEngines class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28305 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 6, 2024 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) iLearningEngines' "Technology Partner" was an undisclosed related party; (2) iLearningEngines used its undisclosed related party Technology Partner to report "largely fake" revenue and expenses; (3) as a result of the foregoing, iLearningEngines significantly overstated its revenue; and (4) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about iLearningEngines' business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the iLearningEngines class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=28305 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aile-deadline-aile-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-ilearningengines-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302318967.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler birdied every hole but the par 3s on the front nine at Albany Golf Club on Friday and finished his bogey-free round with an 8-under 64 that gave him a two-shot lead in the Hero World Challenge. Two months off did nothing to slow the world's No. 1 player. Scheffler already has eight victories this year and is in position to get another before the end of the year. Scheffler was at 13-under 131, two ahead of Akshay Bhatia (66) and Justin Thomas (67), both of whom had to save par on the 18th hole to stay in range going into the weekend. Scheffler started with a lob wedge to 2 feet for birdie and never slowed until after he went out in 29 to seize control of the holiday tournament against a 20-man field. Scheffler cooled slightly on the back nine, except it didn't feel that way to him. "Front nine, just things were going my way. Back nine, maybe not as much," Scheffler said. "A couple shots could end up closer to the hole, a couple putts go in, just little things." Asked if he felt any frustration he didn't take it lower — he once shot 59 at the TPC Boston during the FedEx Cup playoffs — Scheffler sounded bemused. "I think in this game I think a lot of all y'all are looking for perfection out of us," he said. "Today I shot 8 under on the golf course, not something I hang my head about. A lot of good things out there — clean card, bogey-free, eight birdies. Overall, I think I'm pretty pleased." Thomas felt his 67 was stress-free, particularly the way he was driving the ball. The wind laid down again, rare for the Bahamas, though it is expected to pick up on the weekend. Thomas wasn't concerned to see Scheffler get off to a hot start, especially with three par 5s on the front nine and a short par 4 that at worst leaves a flip wedge to the green. "You literally can birdie every hole as soft as the greens are," Thomas said. "He's a great player, a great wedge player, and you have a lot of birdie holes to start. I'm honestly surprised he only shot 8 under. It's a sneaky course because if you fall asleep on some shots, you can get out of position. But if you're on and focused and really in control of everything — like these last two days with no wind — you can just make so many birdies." Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley had a 67 and was four shots behind. No matter how benign the conditions, it wasn't always easy. Cameron Young, who opened with a 64 for a two-shot lead, followed with a 75 despite making five birdies. That included a double bogey on the final hole when his approach tumbled down the bank into the rocks framing the lake that goes all the way down the 18th hole. Patrick Cantlay was trying to keep pace playing alongside Scheffler, but he had three bogeys over the final seven holes and fell seven shots behind with a 71. The tournament, hosted by Tiger Woods, is unofficial but offers world ranking points to all but the bottom three players because of the small field. It's the weakest field in 25 years, but Scheffler at No. 1 gives it enough cachet. He is the first player since Woods in 2009 to start and finish a year at No. 1 in the world. And even after a layoff — giving him time to tinker with a new putting stroke — it looks like it might be a while before anyone changes that. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
After months of speculation, David Jiříček has been traded by the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jiříček hadn’t been able to establish himself on the current Blue Jackets roster after playing 43 NHL games last season. His and the team’s mutual frustration, plus the league standings, eventually led to this. Trade details, per sources: To #mnwild : David Jiricek, 5th Rd Pick To #CBJ : Damon Hunt, 2025 1st Rd Pick, 2027 2nd Rd Pick, 4th Rd Pick — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 30, 2024 David Jiříček Finally Moved The highly-touted Jiříček was drafted sixth overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. There are few players ahead of him for games played in that same class, but expectations were high. For good reason, the already 6’3′′ Jiříček was playing against men since he was 17 and showing well. Whether they were too high is going to be difficult to say until he’s in another system, but he was recalled from the AHL eight times in the 2022-23 season. Clearly, his coaches saw something there that they liked beyond his size. While he only scored one goal and ten points in the NHL, his AHL scoring numbers have been excellent. It’s very rare to see a prospect moved when he’s still on his entry-level contract, especially one drafted in the top ten. Even more so when that prospect is such a rare commodity. Every team in the league is scouring the trade lists for a big, smooth-skating right-shot defenceman. The Wild happened to come up with the best package. Who Got What In David Jiříček, the Wild get a right-side defenceman who can handle the puck well, produce points, and isn’t afraid to use his size. They also have him under team control, as he will negotiate his next contract as a restricted free agent. There is some risk involved in getting such a young player, but it’s not hard to see the upside here. For Columbus, they are still a team trying to find their identity. A player like Jiříček is expendable at this time in their team’s progress into contention. General manager Don Waddell has shown he’s not afraid to make a trade, if he thinks it benefits his club in one way or another. They will move into contention, but it is a process and this is a move that shows that to be true. The draft picks were definitely an influence in closing the deal. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.A new neutrino detector in China aims to spot mysterious ghost particles lurking around us