
Stanford and California meet for the first time as Atlantic Coast Conference rivals when each tries to prove its impressive non-league record is no fluke on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Stanford (7-2) took last year's season series 2-1, but the clubs were so evenly matched -- the Cardinal won 14 games, the Golden Bears 13 -- it took overtime at the final Pacific-12 Conference tournament to determine the rivalry winner. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.ROCHESTER — Thirteen Rochester individuals were honored Friday during the 41st year of awarding the Mayor’s Medal of Honor. “There are people you may know; you may be aware of what they’ve done,” Mayor Kim Norton told a gathering of approximately 125 people during the noon ceremony at Mayo Civic Center. “There will be others that you don’t know, and we hope this is informational and educational, and you can learn to appreciate the wonderful people .. that are in the community.” ADVERTISEMENT The honorees were nominated by area residents for achievements in a variety of efforts, and Norton said the award is a recognition of people who go “above and beyond” as Rochester residents. “They do things that are extraordinary often without recognition at all,” she said of the honorees, many of whom were surprised as recipients. “We want to pull out a few people every year for the work they do.” This year’s ceremony honored: Nfonoyim-Hara has been working to uplift and celebrate local underrepresented voices. Since opting to call Rochester home, she has: worked with the late Danny Solis to create the Day of the Dead programming, supported the Somalia Rebuild organization, represented Rochester through KSMQ’s “R-Town” program and supported BIPOC students and artists as they reimagined Peace Plaza. Most recently, she personally invested in the creation of Griot Arts, Rochester's first bookstore and gallery featuring the work and stories of BIPOC individuals. It’s an effort to provide a physical space contributing to downtown vitality and has become a space for Black artists, poets and community members. Said has dedicated his life to promoting inclusivity, equity and opportunities for marginalized communities in Rochester. A first-generation Bosnian refugee, his family fled the Bosnian genocide, enduring the trials of refugee life before eventually resettling in Rochester. Currently, he serves as the program director of Mayo Clinic’s diversity, equity and inclusion program with a primary focus on recruiting diverse candidates into medical school. His efforts are breaking down barriers that often prevent individuals from underrepresented backgrounds from entering the healthcare field. ADVERTISEMENT Schmitt has significantly impacted Rochester’s culture and well-being as a steadfast supporter of the Rochester running community. He has dedicated countless hours to volunteering at races, where he not only helps with logistics but works to inspire and mentor runners of all ages and abilities Additionally, his role as the founder and president of the Friends of the Rochester Farmer's Market has revitalized the local economy and fostered connections between farmers and consumers while promoting healthy eating and sustainability. He has also served on the city’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee as an influential voice for safer, more accessible transportation options. Las has been teaching for 33 years, focused on eighth-grade science at John Adams Middle School. She teaches the highly gifted and physical science classes and co-teaches multilingual learner science classes. She has been the backbone of the STEM Mentoring Labs at John Adams, an after-school STEM research program for middle school students underrepresented in STEM run by local non-profit Oraculi. Due to her efforts, Las was recently awarded a STEM Research Grant from the Society for Science as one of 41 educators throughout the United States. A 2001 graduate of John Marshall, Stageberg moved away from Rochester for about 15 years and has been back for eight years, building Black Swan Real Estate, a property management company that impacts about 5% of Rochester residents. Beyond his business, he has been engaged with Rochester Police Department events, served as grand marshall of the 2023 Rochesterfest parade for 2023 and continues serving as Santa's First Helper for Rescue Santa ADVERTISEMENT Wedul’s actions during a violent burglary and disturbance at his apartment building on Oct. 13, 2024, helped contain potential danger and prevented further escalation. Upon hearing the ruckus, he exited his apartment and calmly told the intruder to sit down and stay back as he helped others exit the building. The Lowertown Neighborhood resident’s presence with neighbors the following days reassured them and helped restore calm to the area. As CEO of Divine Immigration and Educational Consultancy in the United States and Dominion and Shalom International in Nigeria, Adepoju has affected communities throughout two continents while addressing pressing issues faced by immigrants and underserved populations. Her commitment to community development and social upliftment has been seen through her work providing legal, educational and social support to immigrants navigating complex integration processes in the United States. In Nigeria, she has led programs addressing key challenges such as poverty and education, empowering communities with resources and sustainable opportunities that enable self-sufficiency. Kiscaden, who will be retiring this year as Olmsted County commissioner, has worked in the nonprofit and public sector serving as a consultant, facilitator, coordinator, and project manager early in her career in Rochester. She has spent many years focusing on policy, public health, corrections, advocacy and political leadership, and community involvement. In addition to professional and academic roles, she has volunteered to train and mentor others, expand economic opportunities regionally and serve on a variety of nonprofit and state boards, while also supporting women in their growth in leadership. Stenehjem has dedicated himself to the community of Rochester through his professional career, personal life and faith to do good deeds for the citizens of Rochester. ADVERTISEMENT He worked at the YMCA for 33 years and served as its director with the mission to empower youth and communities. He was the foundation and development director at the Rochester Senior Center Foundation for seven years and spent the last nine years of his professional career as the foundation and development leader at Samaritan Bethany. In addition to all his career accomplishments, he devoted his time and efforts to other organizations including Rochester Rotary, Gloria Dei Church, Channel One Food Bank, Rochester Choral Arts and United Way. Whitehorn moved to Rochester after being sentenced as a felon and worked to turn his life around by serving his community in many ways. In addition to running a business, he has worked with others to create a number of organizations and services to assist other community members and prevent others from going down the path he had been down. His efforts paid off this year when he sat before the clemency board and won clemency, removing his label as a felon. Fitterer is known for her volunteer work for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, for acting as Olmsted County election judge, and serving as a Republican delegate to the state. At 84, she does not believe that retirement from work means retirement from serving her community and was instrumental in combining the six separate parishes of St. Vincent de Paul’s relief work into a single unit that serves all of Rochester more effectively with fewer people. ADVERTISEMENT As the founder of Rochester Electrified and Rochester Electric Vehicles, Yucuis is an advocate for sustainable practices in Rochester, particularly in promoting the benefits and feasibility of electric vehicles and home electrification solutions. His commitment to educating the community about clean, renewable options is shaping a more resilient and environmentally conscious city. Through the Rochester Electric Vehicles group, his work fosters connections among EV owners and newcomers, building a culture of sustainability that encourages residents to make more eco-conscious decisions. A Rochester fifth-grader, Teske has dedicated many hours to improving her neighborhood and the environment through her participation in the Adopt-a-Drain program. Known for her drive and dedication, she has made an impact in the community through her service efforts, including participation in the Ben Franklin & Montessori at Franklin School student council community schoolyard project. Her efforts have helped encourage other community residents to get involved with efforts to keep local waterways free of pollution.Mark Lewis wrote what appears to be his last regular column in the Sunday, Oct. 27 print edition of the Vail Daily. The question is why. Lewis in his column stated that the management of the newspaper had decided to “ stop publishing columns relating to national issues and politics and focus on local and state issues.” Over the last few years, I have read most of Lewis’s Sunday columns and I have found them to be fair, and well-balanced with facts on both sides of the issues discussed with the conclusions left to the reader to decide. To me, these columns were timely discussions on issues that affect our daily lives, whether the subject was local, state, national, or just items we are dealing with on a daily basis. As Lewis stated in his column, the newspaper has every right to determine what it decides to publish but the Vail Daily, as the leading newspaper voice in the Vail Valley, needs to accept the fact that most of its readers are intelligent and appreciate people like Lewis who take the time to express their views, which include items other than state and local. The readers deserve more than a “Vail Information Bubble.” Now back to the question of why. I understand that this was a decision made by the editor and the publisher of the Vail Daily, which they have every right to do. However, I think that decision was short-sighted in light of today’s need to be able to discuss issues to help in overcoming four years of tribalism. Ed Padilla Eagle
Donegal Group Inc executive sells $3,188 in stockPhoto credit: HSFTOOLS T.BINH DUONG, Vietnam, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HSFTOOLS , a thermal imaging solutions provider, is expanding its presence in the U.S. market with products designed for home inspections, HVAC maintenance, and DIY applications. The company has introduced a range of thermal imaging devices that incorporate neural network-based image enhancement technology, addressing various professional and practical applications. The company's HF96 thermal imager, which recently became a bestseller in its category on Amazon, utilizes Super Resolution technology that processes images in real-time at 25 Hz, increasing native resolution while enhancing edge details. This technology employs an algorithm specifically trained for common inspection scenarios, processing thermal imaging data to enhance resolution and reduce noise levels during active use. "Our focus is on making thermal imaging technology accessible and practical for everyday professional use, " says Jule Yue, marketing manager at HSFTOOLS. "We've developed our products specifically for applications in home inspection, predictive maintenance, and water leakage detection, where precise thermal imaging can improve efficiency and accuracy." The current product portfolio includes several specialized devices. The HF96V thermal camera incorporates visual capability for enhanced inspection documentation. The portable HP96 thermal camera is designed for mobility in field operations, while the FinderS1 provides thermal imaging capabilities for Android phones. Each device serves specific inspection tasks across industrial and residential settings. In the industrial sector, HSFTOOLS devices are utilized for preventive maintenance, helping identify potential equipment issues before they lead to failures. The technology enables maintenance teams to detect temperature anomalies in electrical systems and mechanical equipment. In residential applications, the devices assist in identifying insulation deficiencies, moisture intrusion, and HVAC system performance issues. "The thermal imaging sector continues to evolve beyond traditional industrial applications," Yue notes. "We're seeing increased demand from HVAC technicians, home inspectors, and maintenance professionals who require reliable thermal imaging tools for their daily work. These professionals need devices that can withstand regular use while providing accurate, easily interpretable data." For the upcoming Black Friday from November 21 through December 2, HSFTOOLS will offer their products at reduced prices. The HF96 thermal imager will be available at $139.99, while the FinderS1 Android phone thermal imager will be priced at $99.99. Other products in the lineup, including the HF96V and HP96 , will also see temporary price reductions during this period. HSFTOOLS's products are available through Amazon. About HSFTOOLS HSFTOOLS develops and manufactures thermal imaging products for professional and commercial applications. The company integrates thermal and visible light imaging technologies in its product development process, focusing on home inspection, HVAC maintenance, predictive maintenance, and water leakage detection applications. HSFTOOLS provides thermal imaging solutions for both professional contractors and DIY users. The company's product line includes thermal cameras, portable inspection devices, and smartphone-compatible thermal imaging systems. For more information, visit www.hsftools.com . Contact Information: Name:Jule Yue Company:HSFTOOLS Email:marketing@hsftools.com Website: www.hsftools.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6764383d-6644-44fd-9a7d-471ad3f0091a © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez announces bid for top Oversight job as Democrats push for generational changeThe gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson fled New York City by bus, police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. Here's the latest: The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. “We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity. A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he ambushed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack . ▶ Read more about the search for the gunman In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. ▶ Read more about how companies protect their leaders Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. — Mike Balsamo Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations. The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday. “The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution. The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event. “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.” Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage. The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said. But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter. “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX. Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely. Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said. Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled. The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. ▶ Read more about the steps companies take to protect their leadership Police said Thursday they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper from a trash can near the scene of the ambush and think the suspect bought them from a Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The items were being tested by the city’s medical examiner.
Walmart apologizes after shopper was ‘kicked out of line’ for items – and it’s all because of new policyIs Enron back? If it’s a joke, some former employees aren’t laughingLawyers for a voting machine company that’s suing Fox News want to question founder Rupert Murdoch about his contentious efforts to change his family trust, the attorneys told a court Monday. Election-tech company Smartmatic’s $2.7 billion defamation suit regards Fox’s reporting on 2020 voting fraud claims. But Smartmatic’s attorneys suggest the separate succession fight over Murdoch’s media empire might shed light on any Fox Corp. involvement in editorial matters. It’s an important, if technical, question as Smartmatic seeks to hold the deep-pocketed Fox parent company responsible for statements that the news network aired. Fox contends that there’s no such liability and that it was engaging in journalism, not defamation, when it broadcast election-fraud allegations made by then-President Donald Trump ‘s attorneys. Rupert Murdoch may already have given a deposition — out-of-court questioning under oath — in the defamation suit. Such records aren’t public at this stage, but plans for his deposition were briefly mentioned at a 2022 hearing. Smartmatic now is seeking to talk to Murdoch about his efforts to rewrite his plans for his businesses after his death. The matter is playing out behind closed doors and in sealed files in a Nevada probate court. The New York Times has reported that Rupert Murdoch wants to keep his eldest son, Lachlan, in charge of the conglomerate’s newspapers and television networks in order to ensure a continued conservative editorial outlook. Smartmatic wants to get the 93-year-old patriarch on record while the probate matter plays out, company attorney Edward Wipper told a judge Monday. Fox News lawyer K. Winn Allen said the probate case “has nothing at all to do with” Smartmatic’s claims and is “not appropriate” fodder for the suit. Fox Corp. declined to comment after court. Fox News’ lawyers, meanwhile, want Smartmatic to provide records about a U.S. federal criminal case against people, including Smartmatic co-founder Roger Piñate, accused of scheming to bribe a Filipino election official. Piñate has pleaded not guilty. Smartmatic isn’t charged in the criminal case, and Smartmatic attorneys have said the matter was irrelevant to the defamation suit. Fox lost prior bids for a court order to get the information, but a hearing on the network’s renewed request is set next week. It’s unclear how soon Judge David B. Cohen will decide on that request or on Smartmatic’s bid to dig into the Murdoch family trust case. Both requests are part of pretrial information-gathering, and no trial date has been set. Smartmatic says it was a small player, working only with California’s heavily Democratic Los Angeles County, in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. In subsequent Fox News appearances, Trump lawyers Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell portrayed Smartmatic as part of a multi-state scheme to steal the vote from the Republican. Federal and state election officials, exhaustive reviews in battleground states and Trump’s own attorney general found no widespread fraud that could have changed the outcome of the 2020 election. Nor did they uncover any credible evidence that the vote was tainted. Dozens of courts, including by judges whom Trump had appointed, rejected his fraud claims. Fox News ultimately aired an interview with an election technology expert who refuted the allegations against Smartmatic — an interview done after the company demanded a retraction. The network is countersuing Smartmatic, claiming it violated a New York law against baseless suits aimed at squelching reporting or criticism on public issues. The New York defamation suit is one of several stemming from conservative-oriented news outlets’ reports on Trump’s 2020 vote-rigging claims. Smartmatic recently settled with One America News Network and Newsmax. Fox News settled for $787 million last year with Dominion Voting Systems, another election-technology company that sued over conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Trump’s 2020 loss. Lawyers for a voting machine company that’s suing Fox News Egg prices are rising once more as a lingering outbreak Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted The owners of a Colorado funeral home who let nearly
FRISCO, Texas (AP) — A rare win as a double-digit underdog came just in time to let the Dallas Cowboys believe their playoff hopes aren't completely gone in 2024. Cooper Rush probably will need three more victories in a row filling in for the injured Dak Prescott for any postseason talk to be realistic. The thing is, the Cowboys (4-7) could be favored in two of those games, and already are by four points as an annual Thanksgiving Day host against the New York Giants (2-9) on Thursday, according to BetMGM. Not to mention the losing record at the moment for each of the next four opponents for the defending NFC East champions, playoff qualifiers each of the past three seasons. The Cowboys have a chance to make something of the improbable and chaotic 34-26 win at Washington that ended a five-game losing streak. “Behind the eight ball,” Micah Parsons said, the star pass rusher acknowledging the reality that Dallas hadn't done much yet. “Let’s see how we can handle adversity and see if we can make a playoff run. But we got a long way to go.” It was a start, though, powered in part by the best 55 minutes from the Dallas defense since the opener, when the Cowboys dismantled Cleveland and looked the part of a Super Bowl contender. The last five minutes for the Dallas defense against the Commanders looked a lot like most of the nine games after that 33-17 victory over the Browns. Which is to say not very good. Jayden Daniels easily drove Washington 69 yards to a touchdown before throwing an 86-yard scoring pass in the final seconds to Terry McLaurin, who weaved through five defenders when a tackle might have ended the game. The Cowboys kept a 27-26 lead thanks to Austin Seibert's second missed extra point, and withstood another blunder when Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick recovery for a TD rather than slide and leave one kneel-down from Rush to end the game. Dallas will have to remember it did hold a dynamic rookie quarterback's offense to 251 yards before the madness of the ending in the Cowboys' biggest upset victory since 2010 at the New York Giants. That one was too late to save the season. This one might not be. “We needed it,” embattled coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been frustrating, no doubt. We’ve acknowledged that. We’ve got another one right around the corner here, so we have to get some wins and get some momentum.” What's working Rush ended a personal three-game losing streak with his best showing since the previous time he won as the replacement for Prescott, who is out for the season after surgery for a torn hamstring. The 117.6 passer rating was Rush's best as a starter, and the NFL's second-worst rushing attack played a solid complementary role with Rico Dowdle gaining 86 yards on 19 carries. What needs help KaVontae Turpin's electrifying 99-yard kickoff return did more than lift the Cowboys when it appeared an 11-point lead might get away in the final five minutes. It eased the worst day of special teams for Dallas since John Fassel took over that phase four years ago. Suddenly struggling kicker Brandon Aubrey had one field-goal attempt blocked and missed another. Bryan Anger had a punt blocked. For the second time in five games, Aubrey's attempt to bounce a kickoff in front of the return man backfired. The ball bounced outside the landing zone, putting the Commanders at the 40-yard line to start the second half and setting up the drive to the game's first touchdown. Stock up CB Josh Butler, whose NFL debut earlier this season came five years after the end of his college career, had 12 tackles, a sack and three pass breakups. The pass breakups were the most by an undrafted Dallas player since 1994. Stock down Rookie LT Tyler Guyton, who has had an up-and-down season with injuries and performance issues, was benched immediately after getting called for a false start in the fourth quarter. His replacement, Asim Richards, could be sidelined with a high ankle sprain that executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones revealed on his radio show Monday. Veteran Chuma Edoga, who was the projected starter at Guyton's position before a preseason toe injury, was active but didn't play against the Commanders. He's awaiting his season debut. Injuries The status of perennial All-Pro RG Zack Martin (ankle/shoulder) and LG Tyler Smith (ankle/knee) will be a question on the short week after both sat against Washington. Stephen Jones indicated Smith could be available and said the same of WR Brandin Cooks, who hasn't played since Week 4 because of a knee issue. TE Jake Ferguson may miss at least a second week with a concussion. The short week might make it tough for CB Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) to return. Key number 75% — Rush's completion rate, his best with at least 10 passes. He was 24 of 32 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His other game with multiple TDs and no picks was a 25-10 victory over Washington two years ago, when he went 4-1 with Prescott sidelined by a broken thumb. Next steps There's some extra rest after the short week, with Cincinnati making a “Monday Night Football” visit on Dec. 9. The next road game is at Carolina on Dec. 15. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMaryam invites Chinese tech companies to invest in Punjab
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