yono slots Bolton Hospice has teamed up with a borough alpaca farm for a creative Christmas tree recycling scheme - turning discarded trees into nutritious feed for the animals. The hospice and Poppywood Alpacas in Horwich have joined forces as part of the hospice’s annual Christmas tree collection scheme. (Image: Poppywood Alpacas) Bolton residents can book for a collection starting Monday (January 6) for their unwanted Christmas trees. The eco-friendly scheme not only helps the environment but also directly supports the hospice's vital work in the community. A minimum donation of £5 is suggested to book a tree collection. Trees must be completely free from decorations, nails and anything which would affect its ability to be safely transported and chipped. (Image: Bolton Hospice) Hospice fundraiser Jack Savage said: “This is our second year of collecting trees across Bolton. "We offer it as a service for the people of Bolton, as it can be a hassle to get rid of your tree come the new year. READ MORE > Poppywood Alpaca Centre celebrates planning permission READ MORE > Ex-Bolton Wanderers John McGinlay in his own Love Actually scene “To save people having to dirty their cars , overbear themselves, or even burn their trees, we thought we’d help people out, and if they feel our service has been worth it, why not make a suggested donation to the hospice. We cover all Bolton postcodes! “I reached out to Poppywood Alpacas a few months back to see if they were interested in some trees after hearing that they can make up part of an alpaca’s diet – and who doesn’t love an alpaca! (Image: Leah Collins) “We thought it would make a great social media post as well as further helping the local community while we are at it!” “It’s a great project for us to run, as it helps to raise awareness of Bolton Hospice around the local area, to people who might never have encountered us before. “It’s also nice to provide a sustainable way to dispose of the trees, whilst getting local businesses involved in the collection, donating their vans and time to help around Bolton and hopefully raise some money for the hospice!” Poppywood Alpacas, which has been operating since 2021, is run by co-owners Pippa and Mark and currently homes 51 of the fluffy friends. Poppywood Alpacas (Image: Poppywood Alpacas) The five-star rated alpaca farm currently offers walking sessions, meet and greet experiences for families, children and alpaca lovers alike. Aside from the on-site group sessions, Poppywood Alpacas visits some of the most vulnerable people in the community, including those with disabilities, elderly residents and those with suffering with their mental health . Pippa said: “We are delighted to be teaming up with Bolton Hospice this year and their Christmas tree collection service. (Image: Poppywood Alpacas) “Alpacas love Christmas trees and this time of year they look forward to receiving everyone’s donated trees. “They eat all the needles and then love scratching on the bare branches. "Bolton Hospice is a charity close to my heart as it is where my lovely dad spent his final days some years ago, the work they do is amazing and we are always happy to support them in any way we can.” Got a story? Email me at Leah.Collins@newsquest.co.uk

Luigi Mangione copycat's stunning employment history revealed as she's arrested over insurance threats By SAMANTHA RUTT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:35, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 23:14, 13 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments The Florida woman who was arrested for allegedly threatening a health insurer using the same words found on the bullets used to kill the CEO of UnitedHealthcare is a veteran of the healthcare industry. Briana Boston, 42, who was charged with making a threatening call to BlueCross BlueShield about a rejected medical claim, works as nuclear medicine technologist and has spent a decade in the field, according to her LinkedIn profile. She currently holds the position at Bond Clinic, P.A., in Winter Haven, Florida, not far from her home in Lakeland, where police officers responded Tuesday after getting a tip from the FBI . Toward the end of her call with BlueCross BlueShield, she told the operator: 'Delay, deny, depose. You people are next,' her arrest report stated. The words were found on bullet casings at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder, for which Luigi Mangione , 26, is the prime suspect. Boston admitted to police that she used the words ‘because it’s what’s in the news right now,’ the arrest report said. She told investigators that 'healthcare companies played games and deserved karma from the world because they are evil.' She stated that was not a gun owner or 'a danger to anyone', the report added. Briana Boston, 42, was arrested for allegedly threatening a health insurer using the same words found on the bullets used to kill the CEO of UnitedHealthcare is a veteran of the healthcare industry Boston, 42, who was charged with making a threatening call to BlueCross BlueShield about a rejected medical claim, works as nuclear medicine technologist and has spent a decade in the field, according to her LinkedIn profile. Pictured: Briana Boston learns the terms of her bond The mother-of-three was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. Her bond was set at $100,000 with a judge reportedly remarking that it was, 'appropriate considering the status of our country at this point' She was charged with threats to conduct a mass shooting or an act of terrorism. Her bond was set at $100,000 with a judge reportedly remarking that it was, 'appropriate considering the status of our country at this point.' A fundraiser was launched seeking to raise $100,000 to pay Boston’s bond. The words were found on bullet casings at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder, for which Luigi Mangione (pictured), 26, is the prime suspect ‘[I]n no way did Briana threaten anyone,’ the fundraising page states. ‘She is a mom of 3 and has a clean record. She has no weapons in her possession. Her jailing is a violation of the 1st amendment and we want to help her find freedom.’ DailyMail.com contacted Bond Clinic, P.A., which would neither confirm nor deny her employment with the company. Her lawyer did not respond to a request for comment. Boston is a registered radiologic technologist and a certified nuclear medicine technologist, according to her LinkedIn profile, which also lists the American Heart Association under her licenses and certifications. She has earned numerous endorsements from fellow LinkedIn users for her skills in the healthcare space. Nuclear medicine is a specialty ‘that uses radioactive tracers (radiopharmaceuticals) to assess bodily functions and to diagnose and treat disease,’ according to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Florida Brian Thompson FBI Luigi Mangione Share or comment on this article: Luigi Mangione copycat's stunning employment history revealed as she's arrested over insurance threats e-mail Add comment

The other evening a good friend and I were sitting around, enjoying each other’s company as seniors will do, when the topic of what hunting will be like 30 years in the future came up. We have both been around enough years to witness many changes in hunting in Pennsylvania. We remember when safety orange wasn’t mandatory. A hunter could only tag one deer per year. Antlerless permits were hard to come by. Crossbows were illegal. Small game was abundant, and fur prices were high. In some ways, it was the good old days. In other ways, today is better. Our biggest concern was the ever-increasing age of the average hunter here in Pennsylvania, now over 50 years of age and getting higher. As these older hunters drop out, and fewer young hunters taking up the pastime, what changes will be necessary? Let’s start with funding. While it’s true the Pa. Game Commission makes money from timber sales and mineral rights, both of which are a product of the state gamelands system, with fewer and fewer hunters buying licenses how long will it be before the taxpayer, not the hunter, will be saddled with the expense incurred by the commission? The only answer will be extra and increased taxes, just like most other states, so get ready to open your wallet. As trapper numbers go down, who is going to control muskrat and beaver populations? My guess is the government will need to somehow pay either to manage these species or at least to repair the damage to roadways caused by an over-abundance of rodent erosion. Will the remaining hunters be asked to control the deer population, or will paid sharpshooters be needed? Pennsylvania already holds top honors for most deer/auto collisions in the nation. Who will farmers go to for help if crop damage is out of control? Will the loss of license money cause the state to sell off state game lands? These properties are now paid for by the hunter, but are open to all to enjoy. It would be a shame for them to disappear. Will there be an overpopulation of bears, leading to more bear/human conflicts? Will diseases such as rabies, distemper, and mange run rampant as nature replaces the hunter? Will fewer people be interested in protecting our woods and waterways if they no longer have a personal interest in protecting them? Or will we simply turn them into more shopping centers? Will organizations such as the National Wild Turkey Federation and Ducks Unlimited, which spend thousands on land improvement and preservation, cease to exist? Then again, maybe life will be like a Disney movie and somehow suddenly everything will be great and mankind and nature will go skipping away hand in hand. What will the next 30, 50 or 100 years bring? Only time will tell, my friend, but until then we can only guess.DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 30, 2024-- Primerica, Inc. (NYSE: PRI), a leading provider of financial services and products in the United States and Canada, announced today the release of the Primerica Household Budget IndexTM (HBITM), a monthly index illustrating the purchasing power of middle-income households with income between $30,000 and $130,000. In November 2024, the average purchasing power for middle-income families was 103.6%, up from 103.1% in October 2024. This marks the seventh consecutive month purchasing power rose for middle-income families. Spending power is at its highest level since January 2021 and is up 2.8% from a year ago. The recent recovery is driven primarily by gas prices continuing to fall in November while the cost of other necessity goods remained steady. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241229899335/en/ Primerica Household Budget IndexTM - In November 2024, the average purchasing power for middle-income families was 103.6%, up from 103.1% in October 2024. This marks the seventh consecutive month purchasing power rose for middle-income families. Spending power is at its highest level since January 2021 and is up 2.8% from a year ago. For more information on the Primerica Household Budget IndexTM, visit www.householdbudgetindex.com . About the Primerica Household Budget IndexTM (HBITM) The Primerica Household Budget IndexTM (HBITM) is constructed monthly on behalf of Primerica by its chief economic consultant Amy Crews Cutts, PhD, CBE®. The index measures the purchasing power of middle-income families with household incomes from $30,000 to $130,000 and is developed using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Bureau of the Census, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The index looks at the cost of necessities including food, gas, utilities, and health care and earned income to track differences in inflation and wage growth. The HBITM is presented as a percentage. If the index is above 100%, the purchasing power of middle-income families is stronger than in the baseline period and they may have extra money left over at the end of the month that can be applied to things like entertainment, extra savings, or debt reduction. If it is under 100%, households may have to reduce overall spending to levels below budget, reduce their savings or increase debt to cover expenses. The HBITM uses January 2019 as its baseline. This point in time reflects a recent “normal” economic time prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Periodically, prior HBITM values may be revised due to revisions in the CPI series and Consumer Expenditure Survey releases by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Beginning with the October 2023 release of the HBITM data, health insurance costs will no longer be included in the calculation of the HBITM data as part of the healthcare component because of some newly acknowledged methodology that has been used by the BLS to calculate the health insurance CPI. The health insurance CPI, as calculated by BLS, does not measure consumer costs of health insurance such as the cost of premiums paid or a combination of premiums and deductibles, but rather premium values retained by health insurers. We do not believe it accurately reflects consumer experiences. The healthcare component will continue to include medical services, prescription drugs and equipment. Prior published values have been adjusted to reflect this change. For more information visit householdbudgetindex.com . About Primerica, Inc. Primerica, Inc., headquartered in Duluth, GA, is a leading provider of financial products and services to middle-income households in North America. Independent licensed representatives educate Primerica clients about how to better prepare for a more secure financial future by assessing their needs and providing appropriate solutions through term life insurance, which we underwrite, and mutual funds, annuities and other financial products, which we distribute primarily on behalf of third parties. We insured approximately 5.7 million lives and had approximately 2.9 million client investment accounts on December 31, 2023. Primerica, through its insurance company subsidiaries, was the #2 issuer of Term Life insurance coverage in the United States and Canada in 2023. Primerica stock is included in the S&P MidCap 400 and the Russell 1000 stock indices and is traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PRI”. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241229899335/en/ CONTACT: Public Relations Gana Ahn, 678-431-9266 gana.ahn@primerica.comInvestor Relations Nicole Russell, 470-564-6663 nicole.russell@primerica.com KEYWORD: GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FAMILY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSUMER WOMEN INSURANCE FINANCE MEN SOURCE: Primerica, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/30/2024 12:00 AM/DISC: 12/30/2024 12:01 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241229899335/en

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.HICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG ) ( the "Company"), today announced the appointment of Lee Smith as Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective December 27, 2024 . The appointment follows the decision of current CFO Craig Gifford to step down to reengage in personal endeavors outside of the banking industry. Gifford will remain with the Bank through March 31, 2025 , and work closely with Smith during the transition period, ensuring a seamless hand-over and continued support for the Bank's ongoing initiatives. "For more than a decade, Lee has been an instrumental member of Flagstar's executive team. He is a proven leader with a strong track record, has the requisite experience and expertise, and possesses deep knowledge of the Company. The Board of Directors and I have full faith and confidence in Lee to continue to help guide the Company in this financial leadership position," said Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO. Smith joined legacy Flagstar Bancorp, Inc. in 2013 as Chief Operating Officer and his transition to CFO comes after serving on Flagstar's executive management team for more than a decade, most recently as President of Mortgage. He has an extensive background in accounting, finance, mortgage, private equity, and operations, spanning more than 25 years. His experience in managing large-scale transactions, optimizing financials and operations, and working with regulators demonstrates a strong ability to drive financial performance, ensure compliance, and lead financial operations. Additionally, his leadership in M&A deals, capital markets, and financial management positions him well to oversee financial strategies, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency at a senior financial level. His prior roles include Partner at Matlin Patterson Global Advisers LLC, a private investment firm. He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) since 1998 and has a BSc in Economics and Accountancy from Loughborough University in England . Otting added, "I want to express our sincere appreciation to Craig for his impactful contributions over the past year. His leadership during this time has been invaluable, and we wish him all the best. As all of our stakeholders know, we have been working relentlessly to elevate Flagstar to new heights. I also recognize the personal sacrifices and time commitment required away from our personal lives for this journey. Given the substantial progress we've made as a Company, I am comfortable that this is a good time for this transition, and I am confident the momentum we've gained will only strengthen as we move forward." About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10 ‐ K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward ‐ looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Steven Bodakowski (248) 312-5872 SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.

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This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . > 24/7 San Diego news stream: Watch NBC 7 free wherever you are U.S. government shutdown suspended The U.S. government narrowly avoided a shutdown after President Joe Biden signed a stopgap government funding bill on Saturday. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk thwarted an initial, negotiated funding plan Wednesday by harshly criticizing its provisions, and specifically insisted on suspending the U.S. debt limit for two years. Slight chill in price increases U.S. headline inflation in November rose just 0.1% from October , according to the personal consumption expenditures price index. On an annual basis, prices increased 2.4%. Both readings were 10 basis points lower than expected. Core inflation also came in 10 basis points below forecast. The PCE is the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred gauge of inflation. Markets in the U.S. bounced On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1.09%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.18% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.03%. But all indexes fell on the week . The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.88% to end the week 1.9% lower . Novo Nordisk shares plunged 17.8% after the Danish pharmaceutical company reported disappointing trial results for a new weight loss drug. CEOs see the door Blue-chip companies, such as Boeing , Intel and Starbucks , announced changes in their chief executive officers this year. They're not alone. There were 327 CEO departures in U.S. public companies this year through November, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That's the highest level since the firm started tracking data in 2010. [PRO] Will Rudolph's red nose outshine Santa? After a few rocky weeks of trading, stocks are poised to end December in the red. But the Santa Claus rally , traditionally occurring on the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the next, could reignite seasonal cheer. In data going back to 1969, the S&P has added 1.3% on average, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. Money Report Asia markets begin Christmas week higher; Nissan-Honda merger deal in focus How Gen X and millennials are changing the face of the traditional family office as they inherit over $80 trillion Stocks sold off on Wednesday after the Fed indicated it sees two quarter-point rate cuts in the year ahead, fewer than the four previously projected. "We have been moving sideways on 12-month inflation," said Fed Chair Jerome Powell at his news conference. But November's PCE came in cooler than expected. "Sticky inflation appeared to be a little less stuck this morning," said Chris Larkin, managing director of trading and investing at E-Trade Morgan Stanley. The Fed has emphasized again and again that it's "data-dependent." Would the Fed, then, have presented the world with a slightly different dot plot, if they'd had the chance to review the PCE data first? Giving slight credence to that train of thought, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee told CNBC's Steve Liesman he's hopeful November's inflation reading "suggests that the couple of months of firming were more of a bump than a change in path." In other words, the economy is "still on path to get to 2%," said Goolsbee. Then again, Powell said in July that the central bank would be "data dependent, but not data-point dependent" in determining when to cut rates. Even if November's PCE index did signal inflation returning to its downward trajectory, one month's data wouldn't have shifted the dots around. Perhaps two consecutive months of cooler reading might have? Those questions are rhetorical. Conditional questions are unanswerable, especially in markets. But in their indeterminacy and circuitous nature, they highlight the fact that trying to time or game the market, especially in volatile times like these, might not be the best idea. Instead, dig deep into the fundamentals — earnings, cash flow, future income — which sway stocks even as inflation and interest rates rise and fall. Remember the days when inflation reports and Fed meetings were just another day in markets? (Not a rhetorical question.) — CNBC's Jesse Pound, Brian Evans and Sean Conlon contributed to this report. Also on CNBC In search of certainty, markets find volatility instead More certainty of increased volatility Thwarted expectations of more Fed cuts hammered marketsCam Carter scored LSU's first eight points and finished with a game-high 23 and LSU raced to a 37-8 lead on its way to a 110-45 victory against outmanned Mississippi Valley State on Sunday in Baton Rouge, La. Vyctorius Miller added 20 points and Jordan Sears and Daimion Collins scored 15 each for the Tigers (11-2), who led 55-13 at halftime. It was their final game before opening Southeastern Conference play against visiting Vanderbilt on Saturday. LSU, which defeated Mississippi Valley 106-60 last season, shot 65.7 percent (46 of 70) from the floor. The Delta Devils (2-11) had no player score in double figures. The closest was Alvin Stredic with eight points. Mississippi Valley State remained winless against Division I opponents and have an average margin of defeat of 44.2 points heading into their Southwestern Athletic Conference opener at Alabama State on Jan. 4. Stredic's field goal tied the score at two before Carter made a tie-breaking 3-pointer to give LSU the lead for good. Carter made another 3-pointer during a 7-0 run that increased the lead to 12-4. Another field goal by Stredic ended that run before Carter and Sears each made a 3-pointer and the Tigers pushed the lead to 20-6. Stredic made another field goal, giving him six of his team's first eight points, before Carter made a 3-pointer and another basket to help fuel a 17-0 run that enabled LSU to build the 37-8 bulge. Johnathan Pace made a field goal to stop the run, but Sears and Curtis Givens III each made a 3-pointer to complete a 10-0 run that expanded the lead to 47-10. Jair Horton answered with the Delta Devils' only 3-pointer of the half before Miller and Sears each scored four points and the Tigers led by 42 at the break. Carter (16 points) and Sears (10) combined to score twice as many points as Mississippi Valley State in the half. Carter made 6-of-10 3-pointers and Sears made 4 of 8. --Field Level Media

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza City (AP) — For Gaza’s women, the hardships of life in the territory’s sprawling tent camps are compounded by the daily humiliation of never having privacy. Women struggle to dress modestly while crowded into tents with extended family members, including men, and with strangers only steps away in neighboring tents. Access to menstrual products is limited, so they cut up sheets or old clothes to use as pads. Makeshift toilets usually consist of only a hole in the sand surrounded by sheets dangling from a line, and these must be shared with dozens of other people. Alaa Hamami has dealt with the modesty issue by constantly wearing her prayer shawl, a black cloth that covers her head and upper body. “Our whole lives have become prayer clothes, even to the market we wear it,” said the young mother of three. “Dignity is gone.” Normally, she would wear the shawl only when performing her daily Muslim prayers. But with so many men around, she keeps it on all the time, even when sleeping — just in case an Israeli strike hits nearby in the night and she has to flee quickly, she said. Israel’s 14-month-old campaign in Gaza has driven more than 90% of its 2.3 million Palestinians from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of them are now living in squalid camps of tents packed close together over large areas. , and food and water are hard to obtain. Families often wear the same clothes for weeks because they left clothing and many other belongings behind as they fled. Everyone in the camps searches daily for food, clean water and firewood. Women feel constantly exposed. Gaza has always been a conservative society. Most women wear the hijab, or head scarf, in the presence of men who are not immediate family. Matters of women’s health — pregnancy, menstruation and contraception — tend not to be discussed publicly. “Before we had a roof. Here it does not exist,” said Hamami, whose prayer shawl is torn and smudged with ash from cooking fires. “Here our entire lives have become exposed to the public. There is no privacy for women.” Even simple needs are hard to meet Wafaa Nasrallah, a displaced mother of two, says life in the camps makes even the simplest needs difficult, like getting period pads, which she cannot afford. She tried using pieces of cloth and even diapers, which have also increased in price. For a bathroom, she has a hole in the ground, surrounded by blankets propped up by sticks. The U.N. says more than 690,000 women and girls in Gaza require menstrual hygiene products, as well as clean water and toilets. Aid workers have been unable to meet demand, with supplies piling up at crossings from Israel. Stocks of hygiene kits have run out, and prices are exorbitant. Many women have to choose between buying pads and buying food and water. Doaa Hellis, a mother of three living in a camp, said she has torn up her old clothes to use for menstrual pads. “Wherever we find fabric, we tear it up and use it.” A packet of pads costs 45 shekels ($12), “and there is not even five shekels in the whole tent,” she said. Anera, a rights group active in Gaza, says some women use birth control pills to halt their periods. Others have experienced disruptions in their cycles because of the stress and trauma of repeated displacement. The terrible conditions pose real risks to women’s health, said Amal Seyam, the director of the Women’s Affairs Center in Gaza, which provides supplies for women and surveys them about their experiences. She said some women have not changed clothes for 40 days. That and improvised cloth pads “will certainly create” skin diseases, diseases related to reproductive health and psychological conditions, she said. “Imagine what a woman in Gaza feels like, if she’s unable to control conditions related to hygiene and menstrual cycles,” Seyam said. ‘Everything is destroyed’ Hellis remembered a time not so long ago, when being a woman felt more like a joy and less like a burden. “Women are now deprived of everything, no clothes, no bathroom. Their psychology is completely destroyed,” she said. Seyam said the center has tracked cases where girls have been married younger, before the age of 18, to escape the suffocating environment of their family’s tents. The war will “continue to cause a humanitarian disaster in every sense of the word. And women always pay the biggest price,” she said. Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 45,000 Palestinians, over half of them women and children, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. Its count does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Israel launched its assault in retaliation for the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others. With large swaths of Gaza’s cities and towns leveled, women wrestle with reduced lives in their tents. Hamami can walk the length of her small tent in a few strides. She shares it with 13 other people from her extended family. During the war, she gave birth to a son, Ahmed, who is now 8 months old. Between caring for him and her two other children, washing her family’s laundry, cooking and waiting in line for water, she says there’s no time to care for herself. She has a few objects that remind her of what her life once was, including a powder compact she brought with her when she fled her home in the Shati camp of Gaza City. The makeup is now caked and crumbling. She managed to keep hold of a small mirror through four different displacements over the past year. It’s broken into two shards that she holds together every so often to catch a glimpse of her reflection. “Previously, I had a wardrobe that contained everything I could wish for,” she said. “We used to go out for a walk every day, go to wedding parties, go to parks, to malls, to buy everything we wanted.” Women “lost their being and everything in this war,” she said. “Women used to take care of themselves before the war. Now everything is destroyed.” ___ Associated Press writer Fatma Khaled in Cairo contributed to this report. Wafaa Shurafa And Julia Frankel, The Associated PressThe widow of murder victim Chaimet Sitsanitphong, who had been eyed by Pheu Thai to run in Prachin Buri's Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) election, now wants to pull out of the race following her husband's death, according to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Chaimet, 48, a former provincial council member widely known as "Sor Jor Tong", was found dead with several gunshot wounds on Wednesday at the house of Soonthorn Vilawan, the 85-year-old president of the Prachin Buri PAO. Mr Soonthorn was arrested along with six aides in connection with the shooting, which was believed to be linked to a political dispute. A 9mm pistol and a shotgun were seized at the scene. According to Thaksin, the victim had wanted his wife, Napapat Anchasanichamon, to run in the PAO chief election under the Pheu Thai Party's banner and the party had agreed to support her. Thaksin said the party would now have to find a new candidate after Ms Napapat expressed her desire to withdraw, likely out of fear of further violence. He called on police to curb violence linked to influential figures in the province, adding that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was considering setting up a task force to stamp out such influence. "She is thinking about forming one and will oversee it herself," Thaksin said. According to local political sources, Chaimet, a Thai boxing promoter, was considered the right-hand man of Mr Soonthorn, whose family has dominated Prachin Buri politics for decades. Assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Akkaradech Pimolsri, who was assigned to oversee the case, said police have gathered forensic evidence. He said that initial questioning revealed the victim, who was unarmed, entered the house alone while his aides waited outside. Although no security camera footage was available, other pieces of evidence could be used to substantiate the charges, he added. The seven suspects were initially charged with colluding in murder and violating the weapons law. The police have asked the court to issue a detention order and oppose bail because the suspects could interfere with the investigation. The sources said that two of the suspects admitted to shooting Chaimet following a heated argument.

X owner Elon Musk has delivered a brutal takedown of an Australian newspaper, predicting they will lose their readership over “relentless lying”. The hit targeted Nine Entertainment’s Sydney Morning Herald after it published an opinion piece on Sunday featuring a prediction that irked the billionaire. The outlet published an article by technology editor David Swan in which he shared his predictions for the industry in 2025. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today One prediction was that Mr Musk would leave electric car manufacturer Tesla to focus on Government work with US President-elect Donald Trump. Mr Swan suggested that the world’s richest man would have too much on his plate. “To be juggling leadership roles at X (formerly Twitter), Tesla, SpaceX, xAI, the Boring Company and Neuralink was already unsustainable,” the SMH article read. “Musk now has wormed his way into Trump’s inner circle, and will jointly lead the president-elect’s DOGE – Department of Government Efficiency – in a bid to slash billions in government expenditure. “After constant controversies and distractions, it will all come to a head in 2025, and Musk will be forced to hand over the reins at Tesla, a company many mistakenly think he founded.” The prediction over Mr Musk’s resignation was not appreciated by the world’s richest man. Replying to a screenshot of the opinion piece, Mr Musk delivered his own prediction for 2025, aimed directly at the publisher of the article. “I predict that the Sydney Morning Herald will continue to lose readership in 2025 for relentlessly lying to their audience and boring them to death Mr Musk’s smackdown was shared with his 209 million followers on the X social media platform. “Easy prediction to make, any legacy media continuing to lie to their readers will face significant decline,” one user added to Mr Musk’s prediction. “Australia, Ireland and the UK are stuck in the woke nightmare, and I feel for them,” said another. “They are becoming more and more irrelevant,” a third added. One user shared a screenshot of Nine Entertainment’s share price, which has been in decline since 2022. Back on the Sydney Morning Herald website, Mr Swan appeared to strike a chord with some readers. “I’d love to see Musk on a one-way trip to Mars and stop teaching me how to live my life,” one person commented. “Musk quits Tesla and becomes de facto President of the USA!” wrote another. Mr Musk agreed with one user commenting on his post who said that “legacy media is in a doom spiral”. Mr Swan appeared to brush off the attack on his own X profile, writing, “Damn, roasted” in a post accompanied by a retweet of Mr Musk’s clap back. However, the reaction to Mr Swan’s was split on his profile. “You need to frame this,” one wrote. “How about so-called journalists try and get their dignity back by not reporting lies and gearing the audience towards clickbait,” said another. The controversy ended a week that the Sydney Morning Herald may want to put behind them. On Friday, the newspaper issued an apology after incorrectly identifying Adelaide barrister Ian Roberts as the South Australian fatality in the Sydney to Hobart race. Mr Roberts was not killed in the tragic accident, instead, South Australian Nick Smith lost his life when he was struck by a boom during dangerous weather. “The Sydney Morning Herald incorrectly named Adelaide barrister Ian Roberts as one of the victims in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race,” the Sydney Morning Herald wrote. “This was incorrect. We apologise to Mr Roberts and his family.”Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time

In December 1978, Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100, emphasized that human rights are central to America's foreign policy. He successfully demonstrated this belief through the 1978 Camp David Accords, fostering peace between Egypt and Israel. Carter's legacy continued as he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, honoring his efforts in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and social welfare. The Carter Center, founded in 1982, has been pivotal in monitoring elections globally and advocating for human rights. A devout Christian, Carter utilized personal diplomacy to address issues like disease eradication and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His work, often contentious with successors, highlighted the importance of upholding international agreements, notably critiquing Trump's withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.When the Aggies take the court at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Saturday afternoon, the goal will be the same as it has been in the previous nine games to start the 2024-25 season — win. However, should Utah State prevail this time out, it will make program history. Never before has USU begun a season with 10 straight victories. Focusing on a record is not what the Aggies plan to do. They want to approach this contest the same they have the previous nine. “I have been part of a couple of 30-win teams, and it’s something that you certainly don’t want to take for granted,” USU head coach Jerrod Calhoun said Friday before a practice began. “I told the guys we don’t take winning for granted. If we sit around and just thing about that (being unbeaten), we are not going to have good future success. We worry about the process around here. I haven’t heard one guy talk about it (being unbeaten). We’ve been locked in on the Bulls. ... Certainly for our fans, for recruiting, four our conference, for our university, it’s a really big deal. It’s hard to do. We need to continue to try and play really good basketball.” The Aggies (9-0) welcome South Florida (5-4) to Stew Morrill Court Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip off. The game will be televised on KMYU. “We are playing a very talented team, I think a top three team in the American Conference,” Calhoun said. Both teams have had a week between games. USU beat Utah Tech at home last Saturday, 92-62. South Florida lost at Loyola Chicago — one of the seven undefeated teams in Division I — last Saturday, 74-72. Following the win, the Aggies took a day off, practiced on Monday and then took Tuesday off before using the last three days to focus in on the Bulls. “I wanted to make sure they got two days off, this week is really important to finish up finals,” Calhoun said. “I think we have a had a really good week. We’ve got to be ready to play.” The coach is also excited about the early start time. He likes how things are mixed up a bit during the season in preparation for the conference tournament and beyond. The Bulls come to Logan having had to deal with losing their head coach just before the season began. Amir Abdur-Rahim died in late October, suffering complication during a medical procedure. He was 43. “Their team has had to deal with so much adversity, losing their coach,” Calhoun said. “Their interim coach has done a masterful job keeping this team together. They almost beat Loyola Chicago. They have played Florida, Charleston, a really tough schedule for sure. They are battle tested.” Ben Fletcher stepped in after the passing of Abdur-Rahim and is the interim head coach of the Bulls. Abdur-Rahim was hired by USF ahead of the 2023–24 season and led the Bulls to a 25-8 record, an American Athletic Conference regular season title and a berth in the NIT. Prior to coaching for USF, he spent four seasons as the head coach at Kennesaw State, turning a team that went 1-28 in his first season to a 26-9 team in his final year, which included a berth in the NCAA tournament. Before his arrival, South Florida had just one winning season (2018-19) in the previous 11 years. Calhoun didn’t know Abdur-Rahim, but “admired” him for “winning in tough places” and the relationships he built with his athletes. “He was such a good, young coach,” Calhoun said. “My heart goes out to his family. My wife donated online when it happened. This team is playing for their coach and you have to admire that.” The Bulls have five seniors, with three of them starting and being key reserves. Only four players have seen action in all nine contests to this point. “They have a lot of returning guys that have won a ton of games,” Calhoun said. “Last year they had an incredible season.” Guard Jayden Reid, who is 5-foot-10, leads four South Florida players that are averaging double figures in the scoring department. The sophomore is netting 13.8 points a game, while dishing out 4.3 assists. “Reid is a really good point guard,” Calhoun said. “... This guy can shoot off the bounce, he can shoot floaters. He is going to put pressure on you the entire game. We have to have a since of urgency when he has the ball. ... We have got to know where he is at all times. He is a really, really good player.” Reid is joined in double-digit scoring by 6-11 forward Jamille Reynolds (11.3), guard Kasen Jennings (10.6) and guard Kobe Knox (10.4). Reynolds leads the team in rebounding with 8.6 boards an outing. “The big kid (Reynolds) is going to give us some challenges,” Calhoun said. “He is the biggest kid we will face all year, not only height but weight wise (275 pounds). They have great wings and play a lot of people, so you’ve got to know their personnel.” Fans could see a lot of points scored Saturday afternoon. USU comes in averaging 87.6 points a game, while South Florida averages 77.1. The Bulls are similar to the Aggies in wanting to push the ball and score fast. “They want to play really, really fast, one of the fastest pace teams in the country,” Calhoun said. “We need to have a good hand on our ball security. The last three games we have been sloppy early in games, so we need to pass the ball and get inside the key. “... Hopefully the home team scores high and the visiting team scores low. Certainly both teams want to dictate tempo and play fast. They do a really good job of getting into early ball screens. It’s going to start and end with our rebounding and our ability to guard the basketball.” USU is averaging 36.8 rebounds a game and have outrebounded every opponent but one. South Florida averages 33.4 rebounds a game. “I’ve been really pleased with how we have gone and rebounded it,” Calhoun said. When asked to evaluate the first month of the season, the first-year Aggie head coach said rebounding has stuck out to him, as well as the attitudes of the athletes on a daily basis. “I don’t have to motivate with this group,” Calhoun said. “They are self motivators. They really put the team over themselves. ... This biggest surprise is that we have been able to win ugly. That speaks volumes on our toughness level.” The Aggies have three athletes averaging double digits in scoring. Guard Ian Martinez, who leads the Mountain West Conference in scoring, is averaging 18.4 points a game. Guard Mason Falslev is right behind at 16.2 ppg. Guard Dexter Akanno is coming off the bench to average 10.1 ppg. Falslev edges forward Karson Templin, who comes off the bench, in rebounding, 6.1 to 6.0, respectively. Guard Drake Allen is tops in assists with 3.8 an outing. Martinez also leads the league in free throw percentage (90.6) and free throws made (58), while ranking third in 3-pointers made (2.44) and fourth in assist/turnover ratio (2.50). Falslev ranks second in the MW in field goal percentage (.558) and ninth in scoring. “We need to keep it going, but we also need to keep getting better,” USU reserve guard Jordy Barnes said. “... We all have good chemistry. We all get along and enjoy playing together. Since day one, we have all been on the same page. We really have a special group.” Starting on Saturday, the next five opponents the Aggies play are teams with winning records. “I told our guys, let’s run toward it, let’s not away from it, let’s not hide from it,” Calhoun said. “... Let’s try and elevate our connectivity and execution.”