top online casino sites philippines SANTA CLARA – Practicing behind a patchwork line is not how Brock Purdy dreamed of spending his 25th birthday Friday, never mind that he just gifted 49ers linemen a caravan of trucks and sports-utility vehicles on two-year leases. The 49ers are poised to field their most inexperienced offensive line in at least coach Kyle Shanahan’s eight seasons. Monday night’s chore for whoever blocks: protect Purdy and clear lanes for ball carriers Isaac Guerendo and Deebo Samuel against the NFC-leading Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Injuries have so thoroughly depleted the Niners (6-9) that 3-of-5 spots could feature linemen making their 49ers’ starting debuts. The only healthy starters are center Jake Brendel and right guard Dominick Puni, who might have to shift to other spots to provide for the best five-man look. Left tackle Trent Williams and his backup, Jaylon More, both went this week on injured reserve, which is where left guard Aaron Banks is expected to land before Monday night’s 5:15 p.m. kickoff. Right tackle Colton McKivitz did not practice Thursday, after being limited by a knee issue, and versatile backup Spencer Burford has been out with a calf injury he sustained as the sub at left tackle in Sunday’s loss at Miami. Offensive linemen Ben Bartch and Jon Feliciano are on injured reserve. Nick Zakelj is expected to make the first start of his career, most likely at left guard. “I know it’s just an amazing opportunity to have,” Zakelj said. “I can’t wait to go grasp it and go out there, fly off the ball and let it loose.” Charlie Heck, poached Wednesday off the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad, made 21 career starts for the Houston Texans from 2020-23, and Thursday acquisition Matt Hennessy made 22 starts as the Atlanta Falcons’ 2020-22 center. No other linemen have starting experience, including Zakelj, Austen Pleasants, Sebastian Gutierrez, Isaac Alarcon and undrafted rookie center Drake Nugent. If McKivitz is healthy, he’s an option to move to left tackle, where he made spot starts at left tackle in 2021 and ’22 in place of Williams. Burford, unbeknownst until last game, had practiced as the No. 3 left tackle most of the season. LYNCH’S STATE OF FRANCHISE General manager John Lynch, speaking for the first time since Sunday’s official elimination from the playoffs, is in the investigation process of examining the 49ers’ 2024 woes and potential cures. “I can’t believe we’re here, but we are. We have to accept that. We have to learn from that,” Lynch said on KNBR 680-AM. “We can’t just chalk it up to, ‘There were a lot of injuries.’ The team we’re playing, Detroit, they had a lot of injuries but they found a way. We have to look at the root, and we have been looking at the root causes. We’ll fix it.” One obvious issue is the 49ers’ inability to close out games, something that’s carried over from past playoff defeats to this season’s four NFC West defeats. Lynch noted that the absences of All-Pros Williams and Christian McCaffrey factors into that. “But we can’t chalk it up to just that. We have to go deeper,” Lynch said. “There are ways we could have gotten it done. When you have division opponents (down) multiple scores, you have to put people away, and that’s what we didn’t do this year. We have to own that. We have to get to the bottom of why exactly that happened, with every decision we make.” HEALTH CENTER Fullback Kyle Juszczyk did not practice because of illness. Juszczyk has played every game this season after taking a pay cut in the spring. He is aiming for his ninth straight Pro Bowl invitation. Running back Isaac Guerendo participated in a second straight practice and looks on track to make his third career start; he did not play in Sunday’s loss at Miami because of hamstring and foot injuries. Running back David Montgomery (knee) was the only player on the Lions’ active roster not to practice. Cornerback Terrion Arnold (illness) was limited after missing Thursday’s session. Full participants were guard Graham Glasgow (knee), wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin (neck). GAMEDAY GUIDE Levi’s Stadium parking lots are to open at 1:45 p.m. Stadium gates open 30 minutes later for club- and suite-ticket holders, with entry for all others starting at 3:15 p.m. Halftime entertainment will feature MIMS and Freedom Williams (from the C+C Music Factory). Tony Lindsay will perform the national anthem.

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New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 and launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam here on Monday. The ICA Global Cooperative Conference and the ICA General Assembly are being organised in India for the first time in the 130-year-long history of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the premier body for the global cooperative movement. Also Read | Winter Session 2024: INDIA Bloc To Hold Parliamentary Floor Leaders Meeting To Decide Strategy on November 25. The global conference, hosted by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), in collaboration with the ICA, the Government of India and Indian cooperatives AMUL and KRIBHCO, will be held from November 25 to November 30. Modi will inaugurate the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 and launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam at around 3 pm on Monday. Also Read | Shiv Sena MLAs Feel Eknath Shinde Should Continue As Maharashtra CM, Says State Minister Deepak Kesarkar. The theme of the conference -- "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All" -- aligns with the government's vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (prosperity through cooperation), according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The event will feature discussions, panel sessions and workshops, addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by cooperatives worldwide in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as poverty alleviation, gender equality and sustainable economic growth. The prime minister will also launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025, which will focus on the theme, "Cooperatives Build a Better World", underscoring the transformative role cooperatives play in promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment and sustainable development. The UN SDGs recognise cooperatives as crucial drivers of sustainable development, particularly in reducing inequality, promoting decent work and alleviating poverty, the statement said. The year 2025 will be a global initiative aimed at showcasing the power of cooperative enterprises in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, it said. Modi will also launch a commemorative postal stamp, symbolising India's commitment to the cooperative movement. The stamp showcases a lotus, symbolising peace, strength, resilience and growth, reflecting the cooperative values of sustainability and community development. The five petals of the lotus represent the five elements of nature ("Panchatatva"), highlighting cooperatives' commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The design also incorporates sectors like agriculture, dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives and housing, with a drone symbolising the role of modern technology in agriculture. Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Kamikamica and around 3,000 delegates from more than 100 countries will also be present, the statement said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 and launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam here on Monday. The ICA Global Cooperative Conference and the ICA General Assembly are being organised in India for the first time in the 130-year-long history of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the premier body for the global cooperative movement. Also Read | Winter Session 2024: INDIA Bloc To Hold Parliamentary Floor Leaders Meeting To Decide Strategy on November 25. The global conference, hosted by the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO), in collaboration with the ICA, the Government of India and Indian cooperatives AMUL and KRIBHCO, will be held from November 25 to November 30. Modi will inaugurate the ICA Global Cooperative Conference 2024 and launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the Bharat Mandapam at around 3 pm on Monday. Also Read | Shiv Sena MLAs Feel Eknath Shinde Should Continue As Maharashtra CM, Says State Minister Deepak Kesarkar. The theme of the conference -- "Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All" -- aligns with the government's vision of "Sahkar Se Samriddhi" (prosperity through cooperation), according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). The event will feature discussions, panel sessions and workshops, addressing the challenges and opportunities faced by cooperatives worldwide in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as poverty alleviation, gender equality and sustainable economic growth. The prime minister will also launch the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025, which will focus on the theme, "Cooperatives Build a Better World", underscoring the transformative role cooperatives play in promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment and sustainable development. The UN SDGs recognise cooperatives as crucial drivers of sustainable development, particularly in reducing inequality, promoting decent work and alleviating poverty, the statement said. The year 2025 will be a global initiative aimed at showcasing the power of cooperative enterprises in addressing the world's most pressing challenges, it said. Modi will also launch a commemorative postal stamp, symbolising India's commitment to the cooperative movement. The stamp showcases a lotus, symbolising peace, strength, resilience and growth, reflecting the cooperative values of sustainability and community development. The five petals of the lotus represent the five elements of nature ("Panchatatva"), highlighting cooperatives' commitment to environmental, social and economic sustainability. The design also incorporates sectors like agriculture, dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives and housing, with a drone symbolising the role of modern technology in agriculture. Prime Minister of Bhutan Dasho Tshering Tobgay, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji Manoa Kamikamica and around 3,000 delegates from more than 100 countries will also be present, the statement said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)

Doctor shares how to treat sinus infection 'everyone seems to have at moment'AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:32 a.m. ESTFour members of Maine’s deaf community died in Lewiston in October 2023 in what is believed to be the deadliest mass shooting of deaf people in the U.S. The pain of that loss was magnified by the barriers to communication and information deaf survivors and loved ones faced in the immediate aftermath. Maine Public Radio , in partnership with the Portland Press Herald and Frontline PBS, presents “Breakdown:” a limited-series podcast about the deadliest mass shooting in Maine history. Episode 5 examines the outsize impact of the Lewiston shooting on those who are deaf and hard of hearing, how the community often feels forgotten and why the tragedy has become a catalyst for equity. BOBBI NICHOLS: All of a sudden I heard this noise. And it was so loud. It felt like this big glass chandelier had broke. [ambient music fades up] PATTY WIGHT, HOST: Some people who survived the deadliest mass shooting in Maine’s history recall the moment they knew something was wrong by what they heard. BEN DYER: All we heard was pop pop to start. And everyone kinda looked, kinda like, ‘Oh, did balloons pop? Was there a birthday party in the back room?’ ... And and then we heard the pop, pop and scream. HOST: But others that night also remember a different sensation. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: “I felt the vibrations in the bar. The glasses at the bar shattered. And I was confused.” HOST: Kyle Curtis is deaf. He’s telling his story to an independent commission investigating the shooting. Like nearly all of the deaf people in this episode, his words are voiced by a female interpreter. Curtis was one of nine deaf men who were playing in a weekly cornhole league at Schemengees Bar & Grille in Lewiston on Oct. 25, 2023. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: “I saw the bullets coming out of the gun. I could see the flashes in the muzzle. And I could see people falling.” HOST: Another deaf player in the group, Steve Richards Kretlow, says that it felt like something in the kitchen exploded. STEVE RICHARDS KRETLOW, COMMISSION: “I stood up at my table and looked to see what was happening and saw a gunman. I told my friends, ‘Run! Run! Hide. Be safe.’ And everybody scattered. I could feel the vibrations of the gun going off everywhere.” HOST: Kretlow runs, and he’s shot in the leg. He dives under a table and pretends he’s dead. Meanwhile, Kyle Curtis drops to the floor to try to escape the barrage. He crawls toward a door and makes it outside. It’s only then that he realizes he’s injured. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: “And I felt kind of funny because I felt all warm and wet on my side, so I looked and a fragment had hit me ... and I was just kind of in shock. I couldn’t see any of my deaf friends anywhere. No one was coming out. And that scared me. I could only see hearing people.” HOST: Others try to help Curtis. They take off his shirt and use it to tie up his arm. When police arrive, a friend who can hear tries to help Curtis communicate. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: “Because he knew and understood I was deaf, and so he was gesturing with me and sharing with the cop what had happened.” Kyle Curtis reacts during public comment at Lewiston City Hall during a public hearing before the state panel investigating the Lewiston mass shootings in March 2024. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal HOST: Eighteen people died that night after the shooting at Schemengees and at a bowling alley across town. The state of Maine was reeling. And it was an especially difficult time for the deaf community. [piano theme music fades up] HOST: Four of the people killed were deaf. It’s believed to be the deadliest mass shooting of deaf people in the U.S. The pain of that loss would be compounded in the hours and days that followed, as deaf family members tried to find out what happened and locate loved ones. Some who were injured struggled to communicate with first responders and health care workers. And the wider deaf public had to fight for access to televised public safety information while a two-day manhunt was underway. It was a familiar experience for a community that often feels forgotten. But it’s further evidence, they say, that our systems are unprepared to meet their needs — in emergencies, health care, and the media. And they want that to change. From Maine Public Radio, The Portland Press Herald and Frontline PBS, this is Breakdown. I’m Patty Wight. Episode 5: ‘We’re still here.’ [theme music fades down] NIRAV SHAH, PRESS CONFERENCE: “... the Maine CDC is now reporting 2,913 cases of COVID-19 across the state ...” [guitar plucking music] HOST: It’s June 2020 and Nirav Shah, the director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is holding his regular televised briefing on COVID-19. NIRAV SHAH, PRESS CONFERENCE: “Right now, 26 individuals are currently in the hospital ... ” HOST: In the upper right-hand corner of the screen, there’s a guy with a trim beard — wearing a blazer — who’s interpreting the CDC’s presentation into American Sign Language. His name is Josh Seal. He’s deaf, and is one of just a few Certified Deaf Interpreters in Maine. Josh works with a hearing teammate who listens and signs to him, then he interprets for viewers. Dr. Nirav Shah (from left), director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, Gov. Janet Mills and American Sign Language interpreter Josh Seal during the last regularly scheduled coronavirus news conference Wednesday June 30, 2021, in the cabinet room of Maine State House in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal For many deaf people in the U.S., English is not their primary language. It’s American Sign Language, or ASL. The two are not the same. ASL has its own vocabulary, grammar, and word order. Because ASL is Josh’s native language, his interpretation of the CDC briefings is the best way to provide the latest information on the spread of a new and deadly virus we know little about. But it was a much bigger audience than usual for Josh. LIZ SEAL: There he is, I mean, not just a regular private doctor’s office. No, he’s on the news. You know, it was pretty nerve racking for him. HOST: That’s Josh’s wife, Liz Seal, who’s also deaf. Their four kids are, too. She says that Josh had only started working as a Certified Deaf Interpreter shortly before the pandemic. LIZ SEAL: He had just left his job as an ed tech at a school, which he loved supporting young deaf children in elementary school and to give them a can-do attitude. HOST: Being an interpreter fit in with one of his life missions: making sure Maine’s deaf community had quick access to information — especially in an emergency. But information would be hard to come by in the aftermath of the shooting, even for Josh’s own family. Because he was one of the deaf men playing cornhole that night at Schemengees. [ambient music] HOST: Liz found out there had been a shooting through friends. LIZ SEAL: But there was no details. Just in general, there was a shooting. So I didn’t know what to do. HOST: Liz needs to find Josh. She gets in her car and meets up with deaf friends who are also searching for missing loved ones. There isn’t a lot of information in the hours after the shooting. But Liz says for the deaf and hard of hearing community, there’s even less. LIZ SEAL: We knew one was at this hospital. One was at the Armory, where apparently people were getting more information there. We call different hospitals. ‘Do you have my husband?’ Liz Seal, the widow of Josh Seal, in June 2024. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press Herald HOST: She can’t get any information about Josh. Liz drives to hospitals and the Lewiston Armory, where survivors are initially brought. Her in-laws, who are hearing, also join the search. LIZ SEAL: And this went all through the night. ‘Where could he be?’ HOST: Liz is frantic. Everywhere she goes, she’s using text to communicate. Her in-laws know some sign language, and try to help. LIZ SEAL: What was interesting was that all these places, the Armory, the different hospitals, even the reunification center did not think to provide interpreters, did not think to call them when they were set up at the very beginning, even though they knew that there were deaf people involved. HOST: It’s unclear from the commission report exactly when first responders realized that deaf people were among the victims and survivors. But it found that when Lewiston police discovered some of the victims were deaf, they dispatched an officer who knew ASL to the Armory. What Liz remembers is sitting at a table at the reunification center and all at once several people start talking over each other. She doesn’t know what they’re saying. But her mother-in-law does. It’s about Josh. LIZ SEAL: Eventually they directed that to my mother-in-law, that at this point we assume he’s among the deceased. [ambient music fades up] HOST: Josh has most likely been killed. Liz is overcome with grief. LIZ SEAL: That was made much worse by the fact that my mother-in-law, who was the mother of my husband, had to also be the one to break the news to me. That retraumatized me again. HOST: As deaf loved ones in the community face communication barriers, two deaf men wounded at Schemengees also encounter problems at local hospitals. Steve Richards Kretlow is at one hospital, bleeding from a gunshot wound to his leg. To communicate with doctors, he says he needs an American Sign Language interpreter. But, as Kretlow explains to the independent commission investigating the shooting, he instead has to rely on Video Remote Interpreting, or VRI. It’s a device that connects to a virtual interpreter on a screen, such as a tablet. STEVE RICHARDS KRETLOW, COMMISSION: “It was just a screen with a person on it ... And I said, ‘No. I don’t, I don’t understand that well enough. I need an interpreter ... an actual live person.’ ... This system — VRI — it just keeps disconnecting in the middle of signs. And they didn’t know our local signs. Those interpreters are national interpreters so they don’t know our local signs and they didn’t know what I was trying to say, and she couldn’t catch up, and I was so frustrated.” Steve Richards Kretlow reads a prepared statement as his wife Heather holds it at Lewiston City Hall during a public hearing before the state panel investigating the Lewiston mass shootings in March 2024. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal [ambient music fades up] HOST: Like many languages, ASL has regional differences and local dialects and signs. That’s part of why Kretlow struggles to communicate. STEVE RICHARDS KRETLOW, COMMISSION: “And they just kept using VRI, and I was missing most of every conversation. It was like I was missing 80% of what was being said.” HOST: It’s also ideal to have an in-person interpreter because ASL is a visual language. It uses the whole body, especially the hands and face. If you’re a hearing person, and are sick or in pain, think about how hard it can be to talk. Now imagine the same situation, only you’re deaf. And you have to communicate over video. MEGAN VOZZELLA: And you are laying on a bed, let’s say. The way it’s set up, you can’t see faces. If you’re in pain, you can’t access that information. HOST: That’s Megan Vozzella. She’s deaf. She’s advocated for her community since her husband, Steve Vozzella, who was also deaf, was killed in the shooting. MEGAN VOZZELLA: The medical professionals who are there are, you know, trying to move things out of the way. If you have a human, a person who is there who can adjust, like the interpreter can, that gives you access to that communication for all the parties who are there. HOST: There’s another disadvantage to VRI: it’s prone to connectivity issues. It can freeze or cut out if the Wi-Fi isn’t strong enough. That’s something I witnessed firsthand when I asked to see a VRI machine. MALVINA GREGORY: OK. So this is a remote interpreter unit. ... HOST: Malvina Gregory is standing in front of a rolling cart with a tablet mounted on a pole. Gregory is the director of interpreter and cross-cultural services at Portland-based MaineHealth. It’s the largest health care system in the state. MALVINA GREGORY: So I’m just going to tap and open up the call to find a sign language interpreter. HOST: Within moments, a friendly male interpreter appears on the screen. But as he explains VRI, his image freezes and his voice becomes garbled. VRI INTERPRETER: ... and I would be ready to go and I would say tilt the camera towards your patient ... [garbled] HOST: A weak Wi-Fi connection is the problem, says Gregory. MALVINA GREGORY: This is the frustration that some of the patients have — is that his image is freezing a little bit. Right, we’re getting digitization of it, um, it will drop out ... VRI INTERPRETER: Can you see my hands moving smoothly? MALVINA GREGORY: Yeah no, we can’t actually. It’s actually very blurred to us. [ambient music fades up] HOST: That glitchiness is what Kyle Curtis says he experienced the night of the shooting. He also had to rely on VRI while he was treated at a different hospital after he was hit by a fragment. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: ” ... you only see half a sign, you miss half the sentence.” HOST: He’s testifying to the independent commission. KYLE CURTIS, COMMISSION: “They decided it was so bad there in that room, they moved me to a different room ... and it was worse there than it was before. They switched interpreters six different times on the VRI system to find somebody who could understand me. And I was very frustrated trying to explain things over and over with all of the, the um, disconnects. And I said I need an ASL — American Sign Language — interpreter.” HOST: Studies have linked poor communication to worse health outcomes in people who are deaf and hard of hearing. In their testimony to the commission, Curtis and Kretlow don’t say whether the communication gaps affected the care they received. But commission member Debra Baeder offers an observation: DEBRA BAEDER, COMMISSION: “What strikes me is you go through this incredible trauma. And then the gaps and lapses and problems with communication just compounds it. It definitely magnifies the horrible experience that you had.” Dr. Debra Baeder, a member of the Independent Commission to Investigate the Facts of the Tragedy in Lewiston, in the council chamber of Lewiston City Hall in May 2024. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal HOST: “Yes,” Curtis answers. “I agree.” [piano music fades up] HOST: But it turns out, there were interpreters waiting outside Lewiston hospitals on the night of the shooting, trying to get in. They came after word spread rapidly through the deaf community that some of their members were among those killed and injured. But they weren’t let in for hours. NOEL SULLIVAN: We were denied access because they were in lockdown. HOST: Noel Sullivan is the president and CEO of the Pine Tree Society, which offers 24/7 ASL interpreting services. NOEL SULLIVAN: But we were trying to say, ‘But you have someone in there, we know you will not communicate with.’ And they said, ‘Oh, we have this iPad system, we use virtual.’ HOST: One hospital — Central Maine Medical Center — treated more than a dozen people who were injured. As their emergency room filled with patients, chief medical and operating officer John Alexander says the hospital also became overwhelmed with volunteers who wanted to help in whatever way they could — from interpreters, to former staff, to members of the community. JOHN ALEXANDER: And so trying to manage that, you know, in-pouring of assistance, which is great, and you know, certainly, when you reflect back on it is heartwarming. But in the moment, was really a lot to try to figure out, ‘OK, who are you? What are your credentials? What can you do? Where should you go?’ HOST: Even though it was a chaotic night, some say the communication gaps after the Lewiston shooting point to a larger systemic problem. ASL interpreter Amanda Eisenhart told the independent commission investigating the shooting that those gaps highlight an assumption in our culture that deaf people are not present. AMANDA EISENHART, COMMISSION: “This is because deaf people are chronically overlooked in public policy, procedure, and public safety practice. To assume that deaf people are not present in spaces is to continue to practice the social erasure of deaf lives.” [ambient music] HOST: More than 3.5% of the U.S. population is deaf or hard of hearing. That’s roughly 12 million people. In Maine, the estimate is more than 70,000 people. The state is home to some of the nation’s oldest institutions for the deaf. The Maine Association of the Deaf formed in the late 1870s. That’s around the same time that a school for the deaf opened in Portland. It’s still in operation, in a neighboring town and under a different name: the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf. The deaf community in Maine often describes itself as small and tight knit. Liz Seal says that they rely on each other to share information. LIZ SEAL: We’re the type of community that believes in collectivism. And what I know I’m going to tell you, what you know, you’re going to tell me. HOST: But Liz says the deaf community didn’t have the same access to public information after the shooting, even though state officials provided regular televised updates. MIKE SAUSCHUCK, PRESS CONFERENCE: “Thank you for joining us here this evening. My name’s Mike Sauschuck, I’m the commissioner from the Department of Public Safety here in Maine.“ HOST: At the first briefing, the night of the shooting, when the suspect was still at large — there was no ASL interpreter. MIKE SAUSCHUCK, PRESS CONFERENCE: “And this is a general caution to the public that at approximately 6:56 this evening, a couple of shooting incidents occurred here with multiple casualties in the city of Lewiston.” HOST: To the deaf community, it was a stinging reminder that they were an afterthought. And because English is not the first language for many deaf people, TV captions aren’t a substitute that work for everyone. Maine State Police Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck addresses the media on Oct. 27, 2023. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal By the next day, there was an ASL interpreter at the briefings. But she wasn’t always visible to viewers. During a news conference Friday morning — a day and half after the shooting — police were still trying to find the suspect and rolled in large maps of the search area behind the lectern. That meant there was no place for the interpreter, Regan Thibodeau, to stand in view of video cameras. [ambient music fades up] HOST: I was at that news conference. I remember Thibodeau, visibly frustrated, hoisting herself on top of a hard wooden desk behind the maps, kneeling to try to get in the cameras’ view. But most of the time, you couldn’t see her. Afterwards, Thibodeau, who is deaf herself, said the shooting hit both the local and national deaf community hard — and they were trying to tune in. REGAN THIBODEAU: There are many people calling to tell me, the interpreter, ‘I can’t see you. What do I do to see you? ... Some channels are full coverage, sometimes they pan out and then I can’t see you. I don’t know what’s going on, I missed that information.’ HOST: All that members of the deaf community want, Thibodeau said, is to get the same information at the same time as everyone else — especially during a public emergency. REGAN THIBODEAU: These people live in our community. They live in our towns. This is a critical time and access is important. HOST: By that afternoon’s briefing, the message began to sink in. Public Safety Commissioner Sauschuck opened with this announcement: MIKE SAUSCHUCK, PRESS CONFERENCE: “For starters, let me just say, for the consideration of the four deaf victims and their family, we are requesting that the ASL interpreter is in all frames for language access here in Maine and the U.S. They are grieving and have a right to know the latest info in ASL.” HOST: That reminder was repeated at other news conferences about the shooting — including one held by President Joe Biden during his visit to Lewiston a week later. As Biden invited Maine Sen. Susan Collins to speak, Maine’s governor whispered in her ear just before she stepped to the microphone. SUSAN COLLINS, PRESS CONFERENCE: “Thank you very much, Mr. President. I’ve been asked to remind the cameras to include our interpreter in your shots ...” Maine State Police Public Safety Commissioner Michael Sauschuck speaks at a press conference in Lewiston on Oct. 28, 2023. ASL interpreter Regan Thibodeau is at right. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal LISA ROSE: I was very blown away by that. [ambient music fades up] HOST: Lisa Rose is the president of the National Association of the Deaf. She’s deaf herself and says that moment served as a powerful example. LISA ROSE: I had never seen someone at that level of government make sure that the screen is going to be accessible. HOST: In the months that followed, news stories and events drew positive attention to the deaf community and also recognized its losses. Maine’s popular minor league baseball team, the Portland Sea Dogs, held a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Awareness Night the following summer. Baseball has historic ties to deaf culture. In the late 1800s, several major league players who were deaf helped pioneer some of the hand signals that umpires still use to this day. And baseball was Josh Seal’s favorite sport. He was honored before the game started. ANNOUNCER, SEA DOGS GAME: “At this time, we’d like to take a moment to remember Josh Seal. Josh was a beloved leader in the state’s deaf community ...” HOST: Students from the Baxter School for the Deaf signed the national anthem while it was sung. Sea Dogs vice president Chris Cameron shows off a American Sign Language-designed Sea Dogs jersey Thursday, June 13, 2024. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer ANNOUNCER, SEA DOGS GAME: “They are thrilled to showcase the beauty and authenticity of American Sign Language through this performance ...” HOST: The baseball team wore shirts emblazoned with Sea Dogs in ASL fingerspelling, and they were later auctioned off to support a camp for deaf and hard of hearing children that Josh started. [piano music] HOST: Liz Seal was at the game with their four children. She said this kind of awareness of the deaf community is what Josh worked for. LIZ SEAL: It’s been wonderful to raise awareness since the shooting ... you know, people thought that deaf and hard of hearing people already had full access, but then they learned in a crisis we do not. HOST: But along with the increased attention given to the deaf community, there were missteps. Roughly six weeks after the shooting, a task force to improve communication in health care settings for the deaf and hard of hearing met for the first time. The task force was established shortly before the shooting. Now, its work took on even greater importance. But the first time they meet, they run into a communication blunder. Liz Seal, the widow of Josh Seal, with her children (from left) Jayson, 13; Jaxton, 4; Sephine, 10; and Jarrod, 6, at their home Friday, June 14, 2024. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Staff Photographer EMILY BLACHLY, TASK FORCE: “May I make one more comment before we move on about deaf community members not being able to see?” HOST: Task force member Emily Blachly, who’s deaf, points out that the livestream video of the meeting lacks an extra camera to focus on the interpreters. EMILY BLACHLY: “This forum is happening in, um, in spoken English for the most part, but the interpreters who are here for us in the room are not accessible to those who are joining online on Zoom because there’s no camera on them ... So this is an example of where those barriers happen just by public entities, so ...” [guitar strumming, piano fades up] HOST: After a brief discussion, the co-chair of the task force, Sen. Henry Ingwerson pauses the meeting. Roughly 30 minutes later, he resumes it with the interpreters now visible in one of the video frames. HENRY INGWERSON, TASK FORCE: “This demonstrates the work we have to do, in this, in this committee, this group.” HOST: In its report issued three months after the shooting, the task force recommended that health care providers at least attempt to get an ASL interpreter when requested. It also urged that health care providers take steps to prevent the overreliance on Video Remote Interpreting — VRI. But some advocates for the deaf say so far, little has changed. THOMAS MINCH: Any improvement? I have to say, honestly, not much. HOST: That’s Thomas Minch of Disability Rights Maine. He says he continues to get a steady stream of complaints from deaf patients who don’t have access to in-person interpreters at health care appointments. Instead, they have to use VRI. Thomas Minch speaks to the Sun Journal on Oct. 10, 2024, at the Maine Resiliency Center in Lewiston. Andree Kehn/Sun Journal THOMAS MINCH: And Oct. 25 was absolutely horrendous, of course, but it didn’t even drive the message home. And it’s like, why is this continuing? [xylophone music fades up] HOST: Others say there is progress being made on improving communication in health care. The state is undertaking an assessment of how many ASL interpreters are needed. One reason health care providers rely on VRI is that there’s a shortage of interpreters, both in Maine and across the country. State police released an internal review that says ASL interpreters should be considered necessary in, quote, “significant incidents.” And the Maine Association of the Deaf is meeting regularly with state officials to initiate changes, including training for first responders to better communicate with people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Director Matt Webster is deaf. He says that the Association wants to see improvements become policy. MATT WEBSTER: And now that things are in talks ... yes, I feel like it’s moving. It’s slow, but it’s moving. I see a commitment from people that I hadn’t seen before. HOST: The deaf community nationwide is watching Maine to see if there are any changes — and if the state could be a model. [keyboard music fades up] The motivation to make changes is real. But so is the concern that it won’t last. More than 25 years ago, the state of Maine issued a report assessing the needs of the deaf and hard of hearing population. Among the priorities? Better interpreter services and emergency communications — problems that still need to be solved. THOMAS MINCH: We don’t have high expectations. Because it’s a pattern. HOST: Again, Thomas Minch of Disability Rights Maine. THOMAS MINCH: It’s a pattern, a lifetime of patterns that we’ve all experienced, you know, something comes up, and then it’s great, and then it goes away. There’s been no stability in any of this improvement. It just quiets down again. HOST: This summer, I visited a camp in central Maine called the Pine Tree Camp’s Dirigo Experience. It’s a place where around two dozen kids get to come for a week to splash and swim and form lasting friendships. That’s important for any child — and especially for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This camp is just for them. KEVIN BOHLIN: That was Josh’s vision. HOST: That’s Kevin Bohlin. Kevin is deaf and was friends with Josh. He helped him start the camp in 2022. KEVIN BOHLIN: Because he grew up in Maine. And he was essentially alone in his public school system, and he had very few opportunities year-round to meet other deaf and hard of hearing peers. HOST: Kevin says the camp is both a response and a solution to the communication barriers the deaf community faces. Here, no one feels left out. And sprinkled in with typical camp activities, like archery and nature walks, kids meet adult mentors and learn about potential careers — guidance that Kevin says deaf kids don’t always get. IZZY: I’m like, this place is so great. I love this. HOST: This is 13-year-old Izzy’s first summer at the Dirigo Experience camp. She’s speaking with her own voice and says she likes being with other kids who are deaf. IZZY: It kind of makes you feel like that — you’re not alone. Or you’re not different. HOST: That’s why it’s so important that things improve, says Kevin. Because it will have consequences for this generation of deaf kids. KEVIN BOHLIN: The changes I want to see, you know, is for them to never have to worry for a single day about getting access to communication. HOST: Josh Seal dreamed of that too. And for all deaf and hard of hearing kids to connect with one another and have the confidence to be themselves. Those dreams are now his legacy. [piano theme fades up] HOST: In our sixth and final episode: ARTHUR BARNARD, RALLY: “This is not about taking guns, OK? This is about doing the right thing and finding the right politicians who are willing to do the right thing more than they are afraid of losing their jobs!” CYNTHIA YOUNG, PRESS CONFERENCE: “There needs to be accountability for those actions not taken that led up to the 18 souls being lost, and also the loss of feeling safe and secure for the survivors of this tragic event. NICOLE HERLING, COMMISSION: “And my question is, what the hell are we going to do for the people who have traumatic brain injuries today? What are we going to do for their families who are experiencing it today?” HOST: Turning anguish into action. That’s next time on Breakdown. Breakdown is a collaboration between Maine Public Radio, the Portland Press Herald and FRONTLINE PBS, with support from Rock Creek Sound. Our reporters are Susan Sharon, Kevin Miller, and Steve Mistler. The producer is Emily Pisacreta. The show is edited by Ellen Weiss and Keith Shortall. Our executive producers are Mark Simpson and Erin Texeira. Sound design and mixing by Benjamin Frisch. Fact checking by Nicole Reinert. Legal support from Dale Cohen. Jane Hecker-Cain was the ASL interpreter for Liz Seal. Cid Pollard was the ASL interpreter for Megan Vozzella. Rebecca Stuckless was the ASL interpreter for Lisa Rose. Stacey Bsullak was the ASL interpreter for Regan Thibodeau. Julia Schafer was the ASL interpreter for Thomas Minch. Grace Cooney was the ASL interpreter for Kevin Bohlin and Matt Webster. Rick Schneider is the President and CEO of Maine Public Radio. Lisa Desisto is the CEO and Publisher of the Portland Press Herald. Raney Aronson-Rath is the executive producer and editor-in-chief of FRONTLINE. Breakdown is produced through FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative, which is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. For an upcoming video translation of the podcast in American Sign Language, go to frontline.org. For additional reporting about Lewiston, visit mainepublic.org/breakdown, pressherald.com and frontline.org, where you can also stream the documentary Breakdown in Maine. If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. We’re a new podcast and the best way to help us get discovered is to leave a five-star review wherever you get our show, and tell your friends. I’m Patty Wight. Thanks for listening. This story is part of an ongoing collaboration with FRONTLINE (PBS) and Maine Public that includes an upcoming documentary. It is supported through FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative , which is funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundatio Comments are not available on this story. Send questions/comments to the editors. « Previous

SHOPPERS are racing to Aldi to snap up their huge Grinch teddies for Christmas. The supermarket is selling large £12.99 plushies, and they are flying off shelves ahead of December 25. 6 Aldi is selling a large Grinch teddy ahead of Christmas Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander 6 Shoppers have been sharing the teddies they have picked up for £12.99 Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander Many bargain hunters have shared how they got up at the crack of dawn to make sure they managed to get one for their families. One shopper uploaded a photo to Facebook saying: “Got our giant Grinch teddy from Aldi today. £12.99. “Managed to get it before the household woke up. My 2yo is happy.” Another wrote: “Got to Aldi this morning to get the grinch my kids so happy with him More on the Grinch BAH HUMBUG Savers warned about 'Grinch' cuts to 200 savings accounts - are you affected? CHRISTMAS STEAL B&M is selling Grinch Squishmallows & shoppers ‘need’ them for stockings “£12.99 don't miss out.” And a third commented: “Literally queued up this morning before it opened to get mine.” The “soft and cuddly” Grinch is approximately 90cm tall and you can choose from two designs, with one Grinch wearing a Christmas hat. The Aldi website states: “An excellent gift choice for a loved one who loves Grinch! Cuddle up this Christmas with this Grinch Soft Toy.” Most read in Fabulous BUDGET BRIDE I tried out Shein wedding dresses - the cheapest was £40, but a £116 gown won CHEERS! I tried UK's first trending drink delivery service - it's perfect for Xmas nights SNAP IT UP I make five figures a month & splash cash on surgery & business class flights FOOD FOR THOUGHT People are only just realising they’ve been making beans on toast wrong The furry green icon - played by Jim Carrey in the 2000 hit movie - has become a staple beloved character over the years, for both kids and adults alike. And it seems he has taken over the high street this year too. Shoppers race to Primark as brand new Christmas Grinch collection has launched in stores with matching items for the whole family B&M is selling Grinch Squishmallows and shoppers say they ‘need’ them for stocking fillers. Primark has also launched some new festive cafes themed on the beloved character. The retailer has partnered with Dr Seuss to create a Grinch’s green lair with a limited-edition menu at six Primark cafe locations across the UK. 6 Many people have snapped up the Aldi Grinch teddies for their kids Credit: Facebook/Cheryl Louise Alexander 6 B&M is selling Squishmallows themed on The Grinch for £18.99 Credit: Facebook 6 Primark has launched Grinch cafes in a number of its stores Credit: Primark 6 Primark is selling Grinch-themed Christmas pjs for the whole family Credit: Instagram/Primark Primark’s Grinch Cafes are sure to be a hit with fans of the furry character, with everything from green waffles and shakes to get in the anti-Christmas spirit. The Grinch cafe is open in Primark’s stores in Birmingham , Manchester Trafford, Manchester Market Street, Cardiff , Braehead and Edinburgh until the end of December. After tucking into themed drinks and food, shoppers can then check out Primark’s new Grinch-inspired range. This follows McDonald's bringing out Grinch Happy Meals . A history of The Grinch THE Grinch is a character created by Dr. Seuss and first appeared in the 1957 children's book, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The story features the Grinch, a solitary, grumpy creature who lives in a cave atop Mount Crumpit. Disliking the Christmas cheer of the nearby Whos in Whoville, the Grinch decides to "steal" Christmas by taking their decorations, gifts, and feasts. He u ltimately learns the true meaning of Christmas when the Whos celebrate despite their losses, prompting his heart to grow three sizes. The live-action adaptation starring Jim Carrey was released on November 17, 2000 and is a Christmas classic today.

Indiana aims to limit turnovers vs. Minnesota

Ohio State's loss to Michigan on Saturday has brought on more criticism for head coach Ryan Day, who has struggled against the Wolverines over the last few seasons. Day has lost four consecutive games to the Wolverines, losses that have spanned multiple head coaches and several different iterations of each team. Despite Ohio State likely having a chance to compete for a national title in the 12-team playoff, many fans are calling for his firing after the team's latest loss against their bitter rival. One former player added his opinion, voicing his frustration with his former head coach. "Y’all can say I’m hating or whatever y’all want but I knew coach Day was not the answer when we played in the national championship against Bama and at half time he didn’t say a word to the team just went in the office and started to blame other coaches," said Tyreke Johnson, who played defensive back at Ohio State for two seasons. Y’all can say I’m hating or whatever y’all want but. I knew coach Day was not the answer when we played in the national championship against Bama and at half time he didn’t say a word to the team just went in the office and started to blame other coaches. As Johnson mentioned, he was on the roster when the Buckeyes made their way to the national title game after the 2020 season, where they were blown out by an Alabama team that featured Heisman trophy winner DeVante Smith and other first round picks in Mac Jones and Henry Ruggs. Since that national title game, Day hasn't won a game in the College Football Playoff. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Johnson, who transferred to Nebraska and played two seasons with the Cornhuskers, advocated for the Buckeyes to hire current Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. "Who’s a better recruiter and offensive minded coach than Lane Kiffin," Johnson asked on social media after the game on Saturday. "He will bring multiple championships to the great state of Ohio." We'll see if Kiffin eventually finds his way to Columbus, but it seems that Day's time at Ohio State is expected to come to an end unless they're able to secure a national title this year. With a trip to the Big Ten title game no longer in the cards, the Buckeyes will need to wait until the College Football Playoff Selection Show to find out where and when they'll be playing. Related: Ryan Day Had 6-Word Message After Losing To Michigan Again

Ninja has kicked off its Boxing Day sales for 2024, offering discounts on everything from air fryers to knife blocks. Many of the deals are even better than Black Friday , like this offer on the Ninja kettle which is now at its lowest ever price, or come with freebies and bonus items. However, shoppers eager to get their hands on one of Ninja's latest bestsellers have discovered a way to stack deals and get it for a fraction of the sale price. The Ninja Sip Perfect Travel Mug , which only launched in the UK this month, already has a loyal following among coffee and tea drinkers, with many calling it the 'perfect' insulated cup. The mug is available in three stylish colours: black, white and green. It was originally priced at £29.99, but the Boxing Day sale has reduced it by a third to £19.99, a significant saving for anyone wanting to grab this game-changing gadget. READ MORE: The 18 best Boxing Day sales to shop including Dyson, Apple, Adidas and PlayStation READ MORE: The best Boxing Day travel deals to save you money on your 2025 holiday However, savvy shoppers have found a way to get it for even less thanks to a money-saving site. Bargain hunters who sign up with TopCashback in time for the Boxing Day sales can get the mug for £3.66 by signing up as a new member, claiming a free £15 signup bonus and cashback, and then clicking through to buy the travel mug . The innovative brand, known for revolutionising UK homes with its tech-savvy gadgets ranging from air fryers to barbecues, has launched a travel mug that's far from ordinary. The Sip Perfect, as it's called, features a lockable lid making it completely leak-proof and is equipped with a unique HeatStore technology that cools drinks down to the ideal sipping temperature in minutes and maintains it for hours. Despite being on the market for just a few weeks, the Sip Perfect boasts an impressive average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars on Ninja's website, with customers lauding its quality and value for money. One satisfied customer labelled it as 'top class', albeit a tad heavy, adding: "I had high expectations of this product as Ninja has a reputation for quality and I'm pleased to say it didn't disappoint. As an outreach worker a good thermal cup is an important part of my "kit" I decided to use this mug for a few days before writing the review to make sure I had put it through its paces. "It looks great and has the quality finish you expect from Ninja. It didn't leak even when in the bottom of my bag. I followed the instructions about preheating the cup and I think my filter coffee was hotter than when I poured it from the pot. It stayed hot for several hours which is brilliant when you are away from access to drink making facilities. I used the cup while working from home and again it kept my drink hot for hours . "It's easy to clean, looks great and has a tough external shell. It fitted nicely into the cup holder on my car. The only slightly negative thing I would have to say about this cup is, it's a bit heavy but worth dealing with that as the product is a good one. I'm very impressed." Another customer described it as 'great for mums on the go,' writing: "This is perfect. As a new mum with a newborn baby I use this to keep my tea, hot chocolate and cappuccino nice and hot. I take this out with me whilst travelling and I love it! The only thing I would suggest is that they could add handles to the cup as well." Another praised it for being dishwasher safe: "The cup is stylish and keeps drinks hot for quite a number of hours. It washes well both in the dishwasher and by hand and it is easy to separate the different parts. The cup doesn't fit in my car's central cup holders but fits in the door. The cup doesn't leak but I would have preferred a lid that closes automatically once you stop pressing on it because I have forgotten to close it a few times, this is user error." However, not everyone is converted despite the most negative review on the site still being three stars. The critic compared the mug unfavourably to another Ninja product, saying: "Doesnt keep drinks hot for long. I have the flask and that keeps hot drinks hot all day so I thought the travel mug would be the same. I should have just stuck to the flask. Not worth buying." For those who love their coffee, finding the perfect travel mug is akin to a Holy Grail. If this deal - which reduces the price of the Ninja mug to less than many takeaway lattes - doesn't tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other fantastic options also discounted in various winter sales. Coffee enthusiasts looking for an alternative premium mug can grab 26% off the Contigo Luxe on Amazon at the moment. Usually priced at £39, it's now down to £28.99. Also on Amazon, Dualit offers a stunning brushed stainless steel option currently reduced to £19.99. Stanley's iconic Aerolight , the hot drink version of the Quencher, comes in slightly cheaper than the celeb-favoured cold drink cup. It's available in eleven colours with prices starting from £33 on the Stanley website , but if you're not fussy about colour, you can get one from £30 on Amazon , reports Wales Online .New Hampshire courts hear two cases on transgender girls playing girls sports

ITV I'm A Celebrity fans 'gutted' for runner-up as they brand win 'inevitable'Kings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source says

Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. Verstappen needed only to finish higher than Norris to win the title, which he did with two races remaining on the season. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick 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.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.Tesla ‘gamifying’ driving with ‘X-box-style controller’ that plugs into car replacing steering wheel in new Cybercab