Lifeline above: PTR canopy bridge to save wildlife from road fatalitiesHow Nigerians celebrate Christmas
Marcus, Iowa, tree farmers enjoy well-deserved break after busy seasonN.H. wins first significant win in suit vs. MetaWASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning re-election despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In asking for the election case to be dismissed, prosecutors requested that Chutkan do it “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump again after he leaves office. But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.
'Enshittification' has been named the word of the year. What does it mean?
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones credits head coach Mike McCarthy for the team's performance on Sunday night, beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a fourth win in the past five games to push their record to 7-8. "All I can say is what a good job, how good a job he's doing," Jones said of McCarthy, whose contract expires when the regular season ends Jan. 5. "Don't have thoughts that I would share as to anything about what we do after we're through playing this year." Jones said last month it wouldn't be "crazy at all" to ponder a contract extension for McCarthy despite Dallas missing the playoffs and a steep decline from a 12-5 regular season in 2023. The Cowboys won the NFC East last season but will finish third in 2024. The final two games of the regular season are against NFC East-leading Philadelphia and current wild-card holder Washington. How the Cowboys perform in those games might ultimately determine the direction the Cowboys go with McCarthy and the coaching position. The Cowboys beat the Commanders at Washington last month to end a five-game losing streak that started the current run of success. Dallas was eliminated from the playoff picture Sunday by virtue of the Commanders' win over the Eagles earlier in the day. But they got another win on Sunday night, sinking the Buccaneers 26-24 by forcing a fumble by Rachaad White in the final minute of the game. The Cowboys also had an interception and four sacks in the game. "They wouldn't give it up out there. So I'm real, real proud of them," Jones said. "Mike McCarthy, he just won't let them not think they're playing for the Super Bowl out there. He won't let them do it. So proud of that." --Field Level Media
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Awards season has arrived in the form of the Golden Globes nominations. The awards, which honor both movies and television programs, is often viewed as a preview of the upcoming Oscars. In this week's episode, co-hosts Bruce Miller and Terry Lipshetz go over the list, focusing largely on the movies, which tend to shine brightest at the ceremony. But they also take time to review a few of the TV shows, including the great, but rarely funny "The Bear," which is again in the comedy or musical category. We also have an interview with "Nickel Boys" director RaMell Ross, who spoke with Miller prior to the film receiving a nomination for best drama. Miller also talked with Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who starred in the film. “Wicked”; “Anora”; “Emilia Perez”; “Challengers”; “A Real Pain”; “The Substance” “The Brutalist”; “A Complete Unknown,”; “Conclave”; “Dune: Part Two”; “Nickel Boys;” “September 5” Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Hugh Grant, “Heretic”; Gabriel LaBelle, “Saturday Night; Jesse Plemons, “Kinds of Kindness”’ Glen Powell, “Hitman”; Sebastian Stan, “A Different Man” Amy Adams, “Nightbitch”; Cynthia Erivo, “Wicked”; Karla Sofia Gascón, “Emilia Pérez”; Mikey Madison “Anora”; Demi Moore, “The Substance”; Zendaya, “Challengers” Pamela Anderson, “The Last Showgirl′′; Angelina Jolie, ”Maria”; Nicole Kidman, “Babygirl”; Tilda Swinton, “The Room Next Door”; Fernanda Torres, “I’m Still Here”; Kate Winslet, “Lee” Adrien Brody, “The Brutalist”; Timothée Chalamet, “A Complete Unknown’; Colman Domingo, “Sing Sing”; Ralph Fiennes, “Conclave”; Sebastian Stan, “The Apprentice’’ “Alien: Romulus”; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice”; Deadpool & Wolverine”; “Gladiator II”; “Inside Out 2”; “Twisters”; “Wicked”; “The Wild Robot” “All We Imagine As Light′′; ”Emilia Pérez”; “The Girl With the Needle”; “I’m Still Here”; “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; “Vermiglio” “Flow”; “Inside Out 2”; “Memoir of a Snail”; “Moana 2”; “Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl”; “The Wild Robot” Selena Gomez, ”Emilia Pérez”; Ariana Grande, “Wicked”; Felicity Jones, “The Brutalist”; Margaret Qualley, “The Substance”; Isabella Rossellini, “Conclave”; Zoe Saldaña, ”Emilia Pérez” Yura Borisov, “Anora”; Kieran Culkin, “A Real Pain”; Edward Norton, “A Complete Unknown”; Guy Pearce, “The Brutalist”; Jeremy Strong, ”The Apprentice”; Denzel Washington, “Gladiator II” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Edward Berger, “Conclave”; Brady Corbet, “The Brutalist”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Payal Kapadia, “All We Imagine As Light” Jacques Audiard, “Emilia Pérez”; Sean Baker, ”Anora”; Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold, “The Brutalist”; Jesse Eisenberg, “A Real Pain”; Coralie Fargeat, “The Substance”; Peter Straughan, “Conclave” Volker Bertelmann, “Conclave”; Daniel Blumberg, “The Brutalist”; Kris Bowers, “The Wild Robot”; Clement Ducol, Camille “Emilia Pérez”; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, “Challengers”; Hans Zimmer, “Dune: Part Two” “Beautiful That Way” from “The Last Showgirl” (music/lyrics by Andrew Wyatt, Miley Cyrus, Lykke Zachrisson); “Compress/Repress” from “Challengers’ (music/lyrics by Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Luca Guadagnino; “El Mal” from EL MAL” from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille, Jacques Audiard; “Forbidden Road” from ”Better Man′′ (music/lyrics by Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler, Sacha Skarbek); “Kiss the Sky” from “The Wild Robot′′ (music/lyrics by Delacey, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson, Maren Morris, Michael Pollack, Ali Tamposi); ”Mi Camino′′ from “Emilia Pérez” (music/lyrics by Clément Ducol, Camille) “Shogun”; “The Diplomat”; “Slow Horses”; “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; “The Day of the Jackal”; “Squid Game” “Abbott Elementary”; “The Bear; “Hacks”; “Nobody Wants This”; “Only Murders in the Building”; “The Gentlemen” Donald Glover, “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”; Jake Gyllenhaal, “Presumed Innocent”; Gary Oldman, “Slow Horses”; Eddie Redmayne, “The Day of the Jackal”; Hiroyuki Sanada, “Shogun”; Billy Bob Thornton, “Landman” Kathy Bates, “Matlock”; Emma D’Arcy, “House of the Dragon”; Maya Erskine, “Mr. & Mrs. Smith”; Keira Knightley, “Black Doves”; Keri Russell, “The Diplomat”; Anna Sawai, “Shogun” Kristen Bell, “Nobody Wants This”; Quinta Brunson, “Abbott Elementary”; Ayo Edebiri, “The Bear”; Selena Gomez, “Only Murders in the Building”; Kathryn Hahn, “Agatha All Along”; Jean Smart, “Hacks” Adam Brody, “Nobody Wants This”; Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside”; Steve Martin, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jason Segel, “Shrinking”; Martin Short, “Only Murders in the Building”; Jeremy All White, “The Bear” “Baby Reindeer”; Disclaimer"; “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; “The Penguin”; “Ripley”; “True Detective: Night Country” Cate Blanchett, “Disclaimer''; Jodie Foster, ”True Detective: Night Country"; Cristin Milioti, “The Penguin''; Sofia Vergara, ”Griselda"; Naomi Watts, “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”; Kate Winslet, “The Regime” Colin Farrell, “The Penguin”; Richard Gadd, “Baby Reindeer”; Kevin Kline, “Disclaimer”; Cooper Koch, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Ewan McGregor, “A Gentleman in Moscow”; Andrew Scott, “Ripley” Liza Colón-Zayas, “The Bear”; Hannah Einbinder, “Hacks”; Dakota Fanning, “Ripley”; Jessica Gunning, “Baby Reindeer”; Allison Janney, “The Diplomat”; Kali Reis, “True Detective: Night Country” Tadanobu Asano, “Shogun''; Javier Bardem, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”; Harrison Ford, “Shrinking”; Jack Lowden “Slow Horses”; Diego Luna, “La Maquina”; Ebon Moss-Bachrach, “The Bear” Jamie Foxx, “Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was”; Nikki Glaser, “Nikki Glaser: Someday You'll Die”; Seth Meyers, “Seth Meyers: Dad Man Walking”; Adam Sandler, "Adam Sandler: Love You"; Ali Wong, “Ali Wong: Single Lady”; Ramy Youssef, “Ramy Youssef: More Feelings” —List compiled by The Associated Press Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!UMKC 88, Gallitos 55
PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 16, 2024-- University of Phoenix is proud to announce the launch of its Degrees of SuccessTM podcast which showcases the inspiring journeys of its extraordinary alumni. Hosted by Freda Richards, the podcast delves into the personal and professional lives of graduates who have overcome challenges and achieved remarkable success. With her genuine enthusiasm for human connection and transparency, Richards brings a unique and engaging perspective to each conversation. The University, which has more than one million alumni, aims to share these incredible stories with a wider audience through the captivating series. "What makes Degrees of SuccessTM truly special is the depth of personal experiences our alumni share,” stated Provost and Chief Academic Officer of University of Phoenix John Woods, Ph.D. “These stories go beyond professional achievements; they reveal the heart and determination behind each hard-won success. Listeners will find not only inspiration but also practical insights and advice that can be considered for their own journeys." Dr. Mautra Jones, featured in the inaugural episode, shared her story of overcoming challenges on her path to leadership as president of Oklahoma City Community College. Despite the obstacles she faced, she says she is grateful for the experiences that shaped her both personally and professionally. "It taught me to not take things for granted, but to appreciate things," she shares in the interview. "I have a victor, not a victim, mentality because I’ve been able to overcome so much. The things I’ve gone through have made me stronger. Now I’m able to take all the things I’ve gone through and hopefully inspire others when I say, if I can make it, you can make it." The podcast is launching with four episodes – with new episodes released every other week – each featuring a unique and compelling story: Episode 1: Overcoming Adversity to Lead - Dr. Mautra Jones In the first episode, Richards interviews Dr. Mautra Jones, a distinguished University of Phoenix alumna and the president of Oklahoma City Community College. Jones made history as the first woman and first person of color to lead the college. Her accolades include being named Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEO for public companies in 2023 by The Journal Record, receiving the 100 Women to Know Across North America Award, and being inducted into the Oklahoma African American Educators Hall of Fame in 2022. Jones's impactful and dynamic leadership has made her one of the nation’s most sought-after thought leaders. Episode 2: Mentorship and the Violet Movement - Dr. Scott Andrews Richards talks with Dr. Scott Andrews, the county manager for Doña Ana County in New Mexico. With 21 years of experience in public sector administration, Andrews has provided progressive vision and decisive leadership to local government organizations across Florida, Georgia, and California. A first-generation U.S.-born citizen and college graduate, Andrews honors the memory of his late daughter through The Violet Movement, a non-profit fostering love, kindness, and positive community change. Episode 3: Marine Corps to Corporate Leader - John Kirch In this episode, Richards interviews John Kirch, who has been living and working in Lima, Peru, for nearly 30 years. As the Corporate Health, Safety, and Security Manager for Grupo Gloria, Kirch oversees security operations for over 20 companies across seven countries. His career includes pivotal roles in aviation security post-9/11 and service as a United States Marine. Kirch holds two degrees from the University of Phoenix: a bachelor's in organizational security and an MBA. Episode 4: From Culinary School to Corporate Success - Gary Batara Richards talks with Gary Batara, a former French chef who transitioned into the marketing world. Growing up in a family of healthcare professionals, Batara pursued his passion for culinary arts, which led him to France. His career evolved from corporate food service to becoming the vice president of marketing at Garten. Batara is also an accomplished author of "Lessons to Inspire: Practical Advice from Successful People." Watch Degrees of SuccessTM on YouTube or listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and Podbean. About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu/blog.html . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216031813/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT:Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu KEYWORD: ARIZONA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY PODCAST CONTINUING INTERNET UNIVERSITY SOURCE: University of Phoenix Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/16/2024 03:23 PM/DISC: 12/16/2024 03:23 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216031813/enTrump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?New York, New York–(Newsfile Corp. – December 24, 2024) – Building Homes for Heroes marked a transformative milestone on December 7 th , 2024, with the gifting of its 400th home to U.S. Army Specialist Joshua Sager and his family in Argyle, Texas, a suburb north of Dallas. This achievement represents nearly two decades of providing veterans and first responders with the foundation they need to build their next chapter. Social media post celebrating the gifting of Building Homes for Heroes 400th home to U.S. Army Specialist Joshua Sager and his family in Argyle, Texas. Building Homes for Heroes emerged from the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when founder Andy Pujol volunteered in the search-and-rescue efforts at ground zero alongside first responders. The organization has since grown into one of the nation’s fastest-growing veteran-focused organizations, evolving from gifting a single home to now averaging more than one home constructed, gifted or modified every 10 days. The 400 th gifted home milestone, made possible through collaboration with Hillwood Properties and Highland Homes , goes to Army Specialist Joshua Sager, who served with the Scout Surveillance and Reconnaissance platoon for 3/509th Infantry. Despite suffering catastrophic injuries from a parachute training accident that doctors said might prevent him from ever walking again, Specialist Sager demonstrated remarkable resilience through 18 months of rehabilitation. Josh and Melanie Sager beaming with joy as they step into their new home. “Our 400th home marks a milestone that seemed almost unimaginable when we started this journey,” said Andy Pujol, founder and CEO of Building Homes for Heroes. “Each home represents a new beginning for these heroic servicemen and women and their families, and we’re just getting started. We encourage all to join us as we set our sights on our milestone 500 th home. “It seems like such a small thing for us to do, but we know supporting organizations like Building Homes for Heroes has an outsized and real impact for Veterans like Josh and his family,” said Fred Balda, President, Hillwood Communities. “We are thrilled to help Building Homes for Heroes make this dream come true for someone who sacrificed so much to protect the freedom we often take for granted.” The stability of a mortgage-free home creates a vital foundation for veterans and first responders transitioning to civilian life. This secure environment enables physical recovery, strengthens mental health, and provides the bedrock for family stability. Building Homes for Heroes expands on this foundation with emergency funding, financial guidance, wellness programs, and community integration support. Josh and Melanie Sager share an embrace in front of their new residence. Large F500s, investment groups, and other corporate partners have joined forces with Building Homes for Heroes to expand this mission, creating a nationwide network of support for those who have served our nation. In 2024 alone, Building Homes for Heroes is gifting more than 40 homes-nearly one per week-while expanding its support services to help more than 2,500 veterans and first responders. The organization is now setting its sights on an even more ambitious goal: gifting its 500th home by 2026. Army veteran Josh Sager delivers a heartfelt speech from the porch of his new residence, celebrating the significant 400th home milestone with Building Homes for Heroes. The celebration in Argyle featured hundreds of community members, local veterans, first responders, and supporters with a Christmas theme, plus a procession with school marching bands, cheerleaders, motorcycle groups and local officials, honoring both the Sager family and marking a milestone in the organization’s mission to support America’s heroes. Josh and Melanie Sager step over the threshold of their new home, their faces alight with excitement, as they open the door to this new chapter of their lives. ### About Building Homes for Heroes Building Homes for Heroes builds and gifts mortgage-free homes, and completes home modifications, for veterans, emergency first responders and their families, and provides further services along their road to recovery to help them live a promising and fulfilling life ahead. Learn more at buildinghomesforheroes.org . About Hillwood Properties Hillwood Properties, based in Fort Worth, is a premier real estate developer specializing in industrial-logistics, corporate office, and retail mixed-use development, as well as airport and property management. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Hillwood has established a reputation for quality development that drives economic growth for communities throughout North Texas. Learn more at alliancetexas.com . About Highland Homes Founded in 1985, Highland Homes is an employee-owned company that builds nearly 4,000 homes across Texas each year and is among the largest and most trusted single-family new home builders in the country. A commitment to excellence has earned the company many industry awards, including consistent high rankings by J.D. Power and Associates, nine People’s Choice Builder of the Year and multiple home of the Year awards, as well as the Dallas Morning News People’s Choice winner for Best Builder and Best Luxury Builder. Highland was ranked among the Best Small Workplaces in Texas by Fortune Magazine in 2023 and has ranked sixth by Texas Monthly’s 50 Best Companies to work for in Texas. Learn more at highlandhomes.com . About Brothers Golnick Brothers Golnick is a veteran owned full-service production, marketing and advertising agency. Co-founders Eric Golnick, a former Naval officer and veterans’ behavioral health leader, and BJ Golnick, an award-winning filmmaker, offer a comprehensive suite of services that authentically connect with veterans, first responders, and hardworking Americans, inspiring action and driving meaningful results. Their unwavering commitment to uplifting the American spirit is highlighted by their work for clients such as the US Department of Veterans Affairs and Building Homes for Heroes. Learn more at brothersgolnick.com . To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/234980 #distro