TEMPLEGATE tackles Thursday's racing looking to build the bank ahead of a big weekend of action. Back a horse by clicking their odds. THE SUN RACING MEMBERS ENCLOSURE The only place to get Templegate's tips first - and at the best prices - is by joining Sun Racing's brilliant Members Enclosure. Sign up now for just £1* to be part of racing's best winning team and get... Four free racing tickets, four times a year - worth £300 Templegate’s daily tips at the BEST prices before anyone else Exclusive access to Templegate's daily NAP Tomorrow’s copy of The Favourite at 9pm today Exclusive insights from top trainer Ben Pauling VIP competitions from Racing Breaks each month New customer offer with Coral Become a member today for just £1* *For the first month then £3 per month thereafter. SIGN UP NOW 18+ Ts and Cs apply. First month membership £1, then £3 per month unless you cancel at least 7 days before your next billing date. For more information contact help@thesun.co.uk LAW OF SUPPLY (2.05 Taunton, nap) Kim Bailey’s chaser has won both his starts over fences including an impressive display at Ascot last time. He sees out this three-mile trip strongly and has more to come. CIRCUS OF ROME (6.00 Chelmsford, nb) Went down in a head-bobber at Lingfield nine days ago. That was just his second run and there was a good distance back to the third. He has plenty of pace so dropping in trip isn’t a major concern. CHOCCABLOC (2.40 Taunton, treble) He was prolific at novice level last season for Nicky Henderson and makes his handicap debut from a fair mark of 128. He has plenty of staying power and should be capable of better under James Bowen. SKYCUTTER (1.25 Warwick) Has finished a close-up second on both his spins over fences. This looks a good chance to get off the mark for the Skeltons over his favourite distance. Most read in Horse Racing ARMED TAUNTS Boozed-up yobs wielding axes & machetes bringing terror to Scots council area WARMING UP Scots set for 21C swing as temperature rise to bring an end to sub zero freeze SEARCH ENDS Missing traveler is found after month-long search that led to dad's suicide GET OUT I'm an ex-Gers star who was sacked after one game - I was surprised I got that long Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk Gamble Aware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.Reo Hatate produced a brilliant finish to earn Celtic victory over nearest rivals Aberdeen and a seven-point lead in the William Hill Premiership . The Japan midfielder beat the offside trap, chested down Greg Taylor’s lofted pass and dispatched a left-footed half-volley into the corner of the net in the 78th minute at Pittodrie. The 1-0 victory saw the champions strengthen their grip on the title race – they have a game in hand over the Dons and stay 11 points ahead of Rangers. The game was played in heavy rain and wind speeds of close to 50 miles per hour and the quality of football suffered in the first half but both teams had decent chances as the second half progressed. Read more: Brendan Rodgers shuts down Celtic 'title race over' poser Carter-Vickers on 'massive' block and another side to Celtic The Dons had matched Celtic for the first 11 games of the league campaign with both teams’ only slip-up coming in a 2-2 draw at Parkhead. But Jimmy Thelin’s side had picked up just two points from three consecutive away games before now losing their 14-match winning run at Pittodrie. The Dons had also lost goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to a hamstring injury and suffered an early scare when his deputy, Ross Doohan, took one of Kyogo Furuhashi’s knees to the face as the pair collided when going for Callum McGregor’s through ball. The former Celtic keeper was able to continue after treatment. The visitors started with Alex Valle and Paulo Bernardo in their team after Brendan Rodgers reversed four of the six changes he made ahead of Saturday’s win over Ross County. Valle was given some difficult moments by Duk early on and the wide player forced a save off Kasper Schmeichel’s legs before Kevin Nisbet dragged the rebound wide. Duk also had a free-kick saved in a first half of few clear-cut chances. Celtic struggled to get Nicolas Kuhn on the ball and only seriously threatened in the closing stage of the half, through a series of Bernardo corners. One flew straight into the net but Daizen Maeda was penalised for impeding Doohan on the line with referee Don Robertson deciding the Japan international had backed into the goalkeeper. Valle had been struggling with a knock and Taylor replaced the on-loan Barcelona left-back at half-time. Kuhn nearly lit up a scrappy start to the second period but curled just over the top corner following another Bernardo corner. Duk and Sivert Heltne Nilsen threatened for the home side before the introduction of Luke McCowan and Adam Idah gave Celtic an added edge. The pair were involved in a move which led to Doohan’s first save, an impressive diving stop from Hatate after the Dons defence had made a series of blocks. McCowan then set up Idah with a curling cross but Doohan made a superb stop from the Irishman’s header. Three of Aberdeen’s substitutes were then involved in a move which ended with Leighton Clarkson squandering a good chance from 18 yards. Taylor drifted inside moments later before picking out Hatate with an exquisite pass and right-back Nicky Devlin played the midfielder onside before watching him slot home. Ester Sokler had a good chance to level soon after but Auston Trusty managed to divert the substitute’s shot over the bar from 10 yards.

Decisive votes against extending President Joe Biden’s nominee to the National Labor Relations Board by two outgoing independent senators provoked an immediate stream of reaction Wednesday from political observers across social media. The internet began to chime in after it became clear that Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) effectively cost Democrats control of the labor board through 2026 with their “no” votes. “Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema just delivered a crushing blow to the labor agenda,” Democratic strategist Chris Jackson wrote in a social media post . “Their votes effectively hand Donald Trump the keys to the board the moment he takes office again. This is a betrayal of working families — and a gift to corporate interests, which is par for the course for these two.” X user Alex Guiden, a Media Matters analyst, shared a similar opinion. ALSO READ: Agenda 47: Alarm sounded about Trump’s dystopian plans for his second term “Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema just voted against Biden’s #NLRB nominee, blocking Democrats from securing control of the labor board through 2026," he wrote . "Their betrayal hands Trump control of the NLRB at the expense of working people. They should be ashamed." “If you want to know why Democrats have lost ground with unions and lost the working class look no further than Democrats like Manchin and Sinema,” Jared Schablein added to his followers . But while many Democrats seethed over the latest uproar stirred up by the two Democratic-turned-independent senators who have remained a thorn in the side of their former party, Republicans weren’t nearly as distraught. “Great news!! Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocked Democrat activist Lauren McFerran’s re-nomination to the National Labor Relations Board,” far-right activist Charlie Kirk wrote to his followers on X . “Trump and the Republican controlled Senate will now be able to confirm two nominees to the board, giving them a one-seat advantage.” Kirk added that the NLRB “is massively important as it settles disputes between big business and labor unions.” Greg Price, a Trump 2024 deputy rapid response director, also noted that Democrats would have controlled the NLRB if the two senators had voted for Biden's nominee. He added to his social media followers : “Now Donald Trump will appoint her replacement.” “Good,” said X user Jennifer Grady, who while critical of both Manchin and Sinema, also criticized the Democratic Party in her post. “People need to feel it. Talking is not working.”

Brian Odom has made an impact in a short time at UNT, which is turning to him to save year as DC

Highlights Revenues of $749.3 million for the quarter ended October 27, 2024; operating earnings of $79.3 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $47.9 million ($0.57 per share). Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization (1) of $142.2 million for the quarter ended October 27, 2024; adjusted operating earnings (1) of $105.1 million; and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (1) of $67.3 million ($0.79 per share). Revenues of $2,812.9 million for the fiscal year 2024; operating earnings of $209.5 million; and net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation of $121.3 million ($1.41 per share). Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization (1) of $469.4 million for the fiscal year 2024; adjusted operating earnings (1) of $320.6 million; and adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation (1) of $201.4 million ($2.34 per share). Growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization (1) of 5.1% for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024, with an increase of 14.2% in the Packaging Sector and an increase of 2.1% in the Retail Services and Printing Sector. Repurchase of 2.1 million shares during the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024, for a total consideration of $32.3 million. Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2024, sale of the industrial packaging operations to Hood Packaging Corporation for an amount of $132.0 million (US$95.0 million). (1) Please refer to the section entitled "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in this press release for a definition of these measures. MONTREAL, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B) announces its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024, which ended October 27, 2024. "Once again, we posted solid quarterly results and therefore ended the fiscal year on a strong note," said Thomas Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TC Transcontinental. "I am very pleased with the excellent results for fiscal 2024 and would like to thank our teams for their disciplined work in reducing costs and improving profitability. "In our Packaging Sector, despite the ongoing pressure on our medical market activities, we reported a 6.5% increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for the quarter, mainly as a result of our cost reduction initiatives. For the fiscal year 2024, our adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization amounted to $262.2 million, up 14.2% compared to the prior year. "In our Retail Services and Printing Sector, we recorded an increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for a second consecutive quarter. The actions taken to improve our cost structure, a more favourable product mix, including the roll-out of raddar TM , as well as growth in our in-store marketing activities, continue to show results. For fiscal 2024, our adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization stood at $201.0 million, an increase of 2.1% compared to the prior year. "Mainly as a result of the implementation of the program aimed at improving our profitability and our financial position, we posted a solid performance for fiscal 2024," added Donald LeCavalier, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TC Transcontinental. "In addition, we generated significant cash flows in fiscal 2024 which, combined with the monetization of some real estate assets, enabled us to improve our balance sheet by reducing our net indebtedness ratio to 1.71 times the adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization while allocating $32.3 million to our share repurchase program." Financial Highlights Results for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2024 Revenues decreased by $30.4 million, or 3.9%, from $779.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $749.3 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to lower volume in the Retail Services and Printing Sector and the Packaging Sector, partially mitigated by the favourable effect of exchange rate fluctuations. Operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $8.6 million, or 7.0%, from $123.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $131.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives and the decrease in asset impairment charges, partially offset by lower volume and the rise in restructuring and other costs. Despite an increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization in the two main operating sectors, consolidated adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization decreased by $3.3 million, or 2.3%, from $145.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $142.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to the unfavourable effect of the change in the incentive compensation expense, including the stock-based compensation expense. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $6.2 million, or 14.9%, from $41.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $47.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.48 to $0.57, respectively. Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation decreased by $4.5 million, or 6.3%, from $71.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 to $67.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to the previously explained decrease in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization and higher income taxes, partially mitigated by the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses. On a per share basis, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.83 to $0.79, respectively. Results for Fiscal Year 2024 Revenues decreased by $127.7 million, or 4.3%, from $2,940.6 million in fiscal year 2023 to $2,812.9 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This decrease is mainly due to lower volume in the Retail Services and Printing Sector as well as in the Packaging Sector. Operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $25.1 million, or 6.3%, from $399.6 million in fiscal year 2023 to $424.7 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives and the decrease in asset impairment charges, partially offset by lower volume and the rise in restructuring and other costs. Adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization increased by $22.9 million, or 5.1%, from $446.5 million in fiscal year 2023 to $469.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to our cost reduction initiatives, partially offset by lower volume. Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $35.5 million, or 41.4%, from $85.8 million in fiscal year 2023 to $121.3 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $0.99 to $1.41, respectively. Adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation increased by $25.4 million, or 14.4%, from $176.0 million in fiscal year 2023 to $201.4 million in the corresponding period of 2024. This increase is mainly attributable to the previously explained increase in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, the decrease in depreciation and amortization, and lower financial expenses, partially offset by higher income taxes. On a per share basis, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation went from $2.03 to $2.34, respectively. For more detailed financial information, please see the Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the year ended October 27, 2024, as well as the financial statements in the “Investors” section of our website at www.tc.tc . Outlook In the Packaging Sector, our investments, including those related to sustainable packaging solutions, position us well for the future and should be a key driver of our long-term growth. In terms of profitability, we expect to generate organic growth in adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024. In the Retail Services and Printing Sector, we are encouraged by the roll-out of raddar TM and growth opportunities in our in-store marketing activities. Despite a decrease in revenues resulting from lower volume in our traditional activities and the roll-out of raddar TM , we expect adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization for fiscal 2025 to be stable compared to fiscal 2024, excluding the impact of the labour conflict at Canada Post. Lastly, in addition to the amount received for the sale of our industrial packaging operations, we expect to continue generating significant cash flows from operating activities, which will enable us to reduce our net indebtedness while continuing to make strategic investments and return capital to our shareholders. Labour Conflict at Canada Post On November 15, 2024, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers initiated a national strike. As of December 11, 2024, this labour conflict at Canada Post, which remain unresolved, is disrupting the distribution services of flyers, including the raddar TM leaflet. As a result, the Corporation is incurring revenue losses in regions where raddar TM is not distributed through alternative networks, as well as additional costs, including the printing costs of undistributed flyers and the establishment of alternative distribution networks in certain regions of Quebec. As of December 11, 2024, the revenue losses, and consequently the profit losses, along with the additional costs, are estimated at approximately $7.0 million. Non-IFRS Financial Measures In this document, unless otherwise indicated, all financial data are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and the term "dollar", as well as the symbol "$" designate Canadian dollars. In addition, in this press release, we also use certain non-IFRS financial measures for which a complete definition is presented below and for which a reconciliation to financial information in accordance with IFRS is presented in the section entitled "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and in Note 3, "Segmented Information", to the audited annual consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024. Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures The financial information has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. However, financial measures used, namely adjusted operating earnings before depreciation and amortization, adjusted operating earnings, adjusted income taxes, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation, adjusted net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Corporation per share, net indebtedness and net indebtedness ratio, for which a reconciliation is presented in the following table, do not have any standardized meaning under IFRS and could be calculated differently by other companies. We believe that many of our readers analyze the financial performance of the Corporation’s activities based on these non-IFRS financial measures as such measures may allow for easier comparisons between periods. These measures should be considered as a complement to financial performance measures in accordance with IFRS. They do not substitute and are not superior to them. The Corporation also believes that these measures are useful indicators of the performance of its operations and its ability to meet its financial obligations. Furthermore, management also uses some of these non-IFRS financial measures to assess the performance of its activities and managers. Dividend The Corporation's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.225 per share on Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and Class B Shares. This dividend is payable on January 20, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on January 6, 2025. Normal Course Issuer Bid On June 12, 2024, the Corporation has been authorized to repurchase, for cancellation on the open market, or subject to the approval of any securities authority by private agreements, between June 17, 2024 and June 16, 2025, or at an earlier date if the Corporation concludes or cancels the offer, up to 3,662,967 of its Class A Subordinate Voting Shares and up to 668,241 of its Class B Shares. The repurchases are made in the normal course of business at market prices through the Toronto Stock Exchange. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Corporation repurchased and cancelled 900,459 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares at a weighted average price of $16.20 and 2,000 Class B Shares at a weighted average price of $16.39, for a total cash consideration of $14.6 million. During fiscal 2024, the Corporation repurchased and cancelled 2,060,217 Class A Subordinate Voting Shares at a weighted average price of $15.65 and 7,000 Class B Shares at a weighted average price of $15.66, for a total cash consideration of $32.3 million. On October 16, 2024, the Corporation authorized its broker to repurchase shares between October 28, 2024, and December 13, 2024, inclusively, in accordance with parameters set by the Corporation. Subsequent to the year ended October 27, 2024, the Corporation repurchased 413,278 Class A Subordinated Voting Shares and 2,400 Class B Shares for a total cash consideration of $7.0 million. Additional information Conference Call Upon releasing its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2024, the Corporation will hold a conference call for the financial community on December 12, 2024, at 8:00 a.m. The dial-in numbers are 1-289-514-5100 or 1-800-717-1738. Media may hear the call in listen-only mode or tune in to the simultaneous audio broadcast on TC Transcontinental’s website, which will then be archived for 30 days. For media requests or interviews, please contact Nathalie St-Jean, Senior Advisor, Corporate Communications of TC Transcontinental, at 514-954-3581. Profile TC Transcontinental is a leader in flexible packaging in North America and in retail services in Canada, and is Canada’s largest printer. The Corporation is also the leading Canadian French-language educational publishing group. Since 1976, TC Transcontinental's mission has been to create quality products and services that allow businesses to attract, reach and retain their target customers. Respect, teamwork, performance and innovation are the strong values held by the Corporation and its employees. TC Transcontinental's commitment to its stakeholders is to pursue its business activities in a responsible manner. Transcontinental Inc. (TSX: TCL.A TCL.B), known as TC Transcontinental, has approximately 7,500 employees, the majority of which are based in Canada, the United States and Latin America. TC Transcontinental generated revenues of $2.8 billion during the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024. For more information, visit TC Transcontinental's website at www.tc.tc . Forward-looking Statements Our public communications often contain oral or written forward-looking statements which are based on the expectations of management and inherently subject to a certain number of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are derived from both general and specific assumptions. The Corporation cautions against undue reliance on such statements since actual results or events may differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in them. Forward-looking statements may include observations concerning the Corporation's objectives, strategy, anticipated financial results and business outlook. The Corporation's future performance may also be affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Corporation's will or control. These factors include, but are not limited to the impact of digital product development and adoption, the impact of changes in the participants in the distribution of newspapers and printed advertising materials and the disruption in their activities resulting mainly from labour disputes, including at Canada Post, the impact of regulations or legislation regarding door-to-door distribution on the printing of paper flyers or printed advertising materials, inflation and recession risks, economic conditions and geopolitical uncertainty, environmental risks as well as adoption of new regulations or amendments and changes to consumption habits, risk of an operational disruption that could be harmful to its ability to meet deadlines, the worldwide outbreak of a disease, a virus or any other contagious disease could have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s operations, the ability to generate organic long-term growth and face competition, a significant increase in the cost of raw materials, the availability of those materials and energy consumption could have an adverse impact on the Corporation’s activities, the ability to complete acquisitions and properly integrate them, cybersecurity, data protection, warehousing and usage, the impact of digital product development and adoption on the demand for printed products other than flyers, the failure of patents, trademarks and confidentiality agreements to protect intellectual property, a difficulty to attract and retain employees in the main operating sectors, the safety and quality of packaging products used in the food industry, bad debts from certain customers, import and export controls, duties, tariffs or taxes, exchange rate fluctuations, increase in market interest rates with respect to our financial instruments as well as availability of capital at a reasonable cost, the legal risks related to its activities and the compliance of its activities with applicable regulations, the impact of major market fluctuations on the solvency of defined benefit pension plans, changes in tax legislation and disputes with tax authorities or amendments to statutory tax rates in force, the impact of impairment tests on the value of assets and a conflict of interest between the controlling shareholder and other shareholders. The main risks, uncertainties and factors that could influence actual results are described in the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the fiscal year ended October 27, 2024 and in the latest Annual Information Form . Unless otherwise indicated by the Corporation, forward-looking statements do not take into account the potential impact of non-recurring or other unusual items, nor of disposals, business combinations, mergers or acquisitions which may be announced or entered into after the date of December 11, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the “safe harbour” provisions of applicable Canadian securities legislation. The forward-looking statements in this release are based on current expectations and information available as at December 11, 2024. Such forward-looking information may also be found in other documents filed with Canadian securities regulators or in other communications. The Corporation's management disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these statements unless otherwise required by the securities authorities. For information:Harvey paid $3,750 to settle a lawsuit alleging the city violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying a Harvey man’s request for body-worn camera footage related to his arrest, according to the settlement agreement. City Council members approved the payment to Brandon Collymore at a council meeting Sept. 9, which was set to be paid within 45 days. Part of the agreement also called for the city to give Collymore a copy of the body-worn camera footage. The Daily Southtown requested a copy of the settlement through FOIA after the meeting but did not receive it for more than two months. In Illinois, government agencies must respond to a FOIA request within five business days of filing. Agencies can extend the response time by up to five additional business days, but must notify the requester in writing if more time is needed. “Every person in Illinois has a right to know what the government is doing in their name, and the Freedom of Information Act is the tool to do that, the tool that helps hold police accountable,” said Daniel Massoglia, director of the Civil Rights Clinic at First Defense Legal Aid, which provides free legal representation for victims of police abuse and represented Collymore in the case. “We filed a lawsuit alleging that the city had violated the law and we’re pleased with the results.” Collymore filed a FOIA request with the city in May 2023 seeking police reports, narratives, body-worn and in-car camera footage, tactical response reports and other records related to his arrest in July 2022, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that within five business days of the city’s acknowledgment of Collymore’s request, the city did not seek an extension, prompting Collymore to contact the clerk’s office for an update. The lawsuit states both parties agreed to an extension deadline of June 15. During a conversation with the city’s FOIA officer, Liliana Gonzalez, the lawsuit states that she expressed uncertainty about whether the city had purchased or could afford the technology required to blur faces. Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark is the FOIA officer for Calumet City. On June 16, Collymore followed up with Gonzalez, but both his emails and phone calls went unanswered, according to the lawsuit. Almost two weeks after the agreed upon deadline, the city partially denied the request for the in-car and body-worn camera footage, claiming they lacked the means to blur faces and protect the identities of third parties and individuals providing information to law enforcement, the lawsuit states. “Defendant’s (Harvey) actions, whether the product of individual subjective malfeasance or structural bad faith through underfunding and mismanagement, constitute willful and intentional violations of the Act,” according to the lawsuit. The city’s spokesperson, Glenn Harston, did not provide comment on the lawsuit or whether the city obtained the necessary technology to blur faces in police footage. The lawsuit says other municipalities, such as Chicago, routinely blur faces when third parties are present on in-car or body-worn camera footage requested under FOIA. The lawsuit states several body-worn camera providers and technology companies offer video redaction software at affordable rates, listing Axon’s “redaction studio” in the Pro Tier license package for $26 more per month than the basic plan, Redaction by Reduct’s manual redaction software for $24 annually and Caseguard’s comprehensive redaction services ranging from $99 to $329 per month. “Technology is not that expensive to blur somebody’s face,” Massoglia said. Massoglia, who took on Collymore’s case after the initial lawyer left the legal aid firm, said he is unsure whether attempts were made to appeal the city’s decision before filing the lawsuit, which is often a last resort to compel municipalities to turn over public records. “I suspect there was because we typically don’t just jump to sue municipalities when there’s a way to work it out informally, because it’s just easier for everybody if there can just be an agreement,” he said. Filers can appeal by submitting a request for review to the attorney general’s office public access counselor if a request is denied, or if no reply is received within the mandatory five-day response time. The process is free and requires sending a letter, a copy of the original FOIA request and any communication with the public body. Although, filers have said it often takes a long time to hear back on these requests for help. smoilanen@chicagotribune.com

Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets dealWHAT a week in the future jewel of the Asia-Pacific. The city gained international headlines around the Rising Tide protestival set up at Foreshore Park. It sure was hard to get a park at the dog beach on Horseshoe Road, now that it's permanently a #vanlife joint. That lack of parking may partly explain a red kelpie doing a number two on the top deck of the Newcastle Ocean Baths last Thursday morning. I remain scarred. Login or signup to continue reading Dogs in and around both ocean baths remain an irritation that gets up my goat. Or maybe it's on my goat. Anyhow, it does something to my goat and it's not good. Although my goat never did mind dogs inside Carro's wonderfully unique Cafe Inu. Another thing that upsets my various goats is "Newy". Last Saturday, Peter Mullins of Rankin Park wrote to this masthead about Newcastle being called Newy ("It's Newcastle, never 'Newy'", Letters, 23/11). Not that old chestnut. Again. Mullins pointed out that an "advertisement promoting the Newcastle Airport ends with the words "that's the Newy way". He wrote that was "offensive and embarrassing to all the people that have grown up in this town and proud to call Newcastle home", and that he "was sure the majority of all Novocastrians have had enough of this woke mentality and demanded that our town not be disrespected in such a way, and would always remain and be referred to as Newcastle". I wasn't sure if Mullins was having a lend. But if he wasn't, I doubt he would be appreciative of the rhyming slang some locals use for Rankin Park. A few things come to mind from Mr Mullins' letter. Newy is not a town. It's a city. Keep calling it a town and we'll continue to get treated by Sydney as a place where yokels tie their horse and buggy up outside the Newy post office and queue to use a fax machine. And I thought Newcastle Airport might be broke rather than woke. "Woke" has become the go-to word to indicate "everything I don't like", such as unisex toilets and library books. Clearly, calling Newy "Newy" still irritates some people. For a place whose residents often like to view their city as a relaxed Shangri-La, there are some uptight shenanigans doing the rounds. There's something liberating about calling this fine city "Newy". It certainly isn't elegant or sophisticated. It's more the linguistic equivalent of kicking off your heels after a tough day and then swigging down a cold one. It is a tradition, a reflex, a state of being. And if that offends the purists, the pearl-clutching custodians of proper nouns, or those with stiff upper lips (be they enhanced by moustache, filler or both), I say this: good. And that's because Newy is not just a name. It's a vibe, a rallying cry for a city that knows exactly what it is and, more importantly, what it isn't. We're not yet a bloated and preening Sydney, draped in gaudy harbourside bling. We're not Melbourne, sipping $12 cold brew coffees while debating whether Collingwood really exists. Newy doesn't need to pretend. It knows its worth. It's where surfboards lean against utes and the only dress code is whatever was once clean and goes with double pluggers. Gatekeepers of high culture sneer at "Newy". To them it's an affront to Newcastle's proud heritage. These are the same people who can't visit a pub without noting the absence of a truffle aioli option on the $20 schnitty board. "Newy" is not a slight. It's a badge of honour. It rolls off the tongue like an old joke you've heard a thousand times but still makes you laugh. It mightn't impress, but it creates a shared belonging. That's the point. And on the subject of authenticity, let's get one thing straight: Newy doesn't deserve its gorgeous moniker. It earned it. You can't just slap a casual epithet on any old municipality and expect it to stick. No one's calling Canberra "Canny" or Perth "Perthy", because they don't have the grit, soul, and sheer charm of our gorgeous city. Newy is as unpretentious as the city itself. It's a name that invites you to come as you are, but best you leave your airs and graces elsewhere. And btw, it's always Newy, never Newie. Newy. It's scrappy. It's cheeky. It's imperfect. It's annoying to some. It's home. And if you still don't like it, well, you can bugger off to Melby. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Fresh daily!Chelsea confirm squad for Conference League trip to Astana as rotation policy continuesOnline predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, says an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Data shows the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended. In B.C., they soared, more than tripling from 2021 to 2023. Australia is banning social media for those under 16. Is it a solution for Canada? Const. Solana Pare is now warning that child exploitation is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum. "Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them," Pare said in an interview. WATCH | Police urge parents to discuss online safety with their kids: Parents should talk to their kids early and often about online safety, RCMP say 6 months ago Duration 3:18 Police have seen a dramatic increase in online sextortion reports. Younger men and teens are being targeted, prompting the RCMP to raise the alarm. Numbers jumping nationally Police say child exploitation cases in B.C. went from about 4,600 in 2021 to 9,600 in 2022 to 15,920 reports last year. The upwards trend was seen nationally, too. Statistics Canada says the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022, and police data shows cases have continued to go up. 2 Canadian families join American parents in lawsuit against social media giants The RCMP's National Child Exploitation Crime Centre reported that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, it received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences — a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Online child sexual exploitation, Pare explained, includes offences such as sextortion, child luring and the creation or distribution of sexually explicit images of a minor. "We don't see these types of reports going away," Pare said. "We only see them increasing because the use of electronic devices and social media, and kids being online earlier and earlier is becoming more common. There's going to be more opportunity for predators to target children online." Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said the most common type of child luring is communicating with a youth online in order get them to produce sexual abuse material. She said "the pandemic accelerated those types of cases, and it hasn't slowed down." "The tools (Canadian authorities) have to deal with this type of behaviour are inadequate for the scope and the scale of what's going on," she said. Rise of 'sextortion' Online exploitation gained international attention in 2015 in the case of Port Coquitlam, B.C., teenager, Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being blackmailed and harassed online by a man for years, starting when she was 12. The month before the 15-year-old died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced by the stranger and how it had affected her life. It's been viewed millions of times. Carol Todd holds a photograph of her late daughter Amanda Todd signed by U.S. singer Demi Lovato with the words 'Stay Strong' in Port Coquitlam, B.C., on Oct. 5, 2013. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) Dutch national Aydin Coban was extradited to Canada for trial and, in October 2022, he was convicted of charges including the extortion and harassment of Todd. Since then, the term "sextortion" has made its way into the vernacular as more cases come to light. Data Online child sexual exploitation is now at epidemic levels and that has police concerned Among them was Carson Cleland, a 12-year-old Prince George, B.C., boy who died by suicide in October 2023 after falling victim to the crime. In New Brunswick that same month, 16-year-old William Doiron took his own life after falling victim to a global sextortion scheme. WATCH | New Brunswick teen's death part of growing sextortion problem: How a tragic N.B. sextortion case is part of a global trend 11 months ago Duration 3:12 William Doiron took his own life in 2022 after facing threats that his explicit images would be shared online if he didn't pay a ransom. His mother is speaking out to try to bring awareness to the growing issue of sextortion. Mounties across Canada have issued news releases warning of increased cases in their communities, noting that the consequences for the victims can include self-harm and suicide. St. Germain said technology, such as artificial intelligence, is also becoming more user-friendly. "The existence of that technology and its ease of use and ready accessibility is a problem, and it is going to be an increasingly large problem as we move forward," she said. Liberals split online harms bill to postpone debate over policing hate speech Pare said police are also adapting to technological advancements in order to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape. "Police are constantly obtaining training on digital technologies to increase our knowledge and understanding of all the intricacies involving their use and how to capture any digital evidence," she said. Pare said the true rates of the crime are impossible to determine, but pointed to increased social awareness and legislation across North America around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies as a potential reason for the increase. It's not going undetected any longer, she said. "Additionally, there's been a lot of use in artificial intelligence to detect child exploitation materials within those platforms." Pare said "it's up to each individual platform" to ensure there is no child sexual abuse material on their sites or apps. "With mandatory reporting, it's putting the onus back on the electronic service providers to ensure they have measures in place to prevent this from happening, and if it is happening that it is being reported," she said. "That being said, there are times when things don't get located." Dutch man who sexually extorted B.C. teen Amanda Todd given 6-year sentence in Netherlands That is why the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill that the federal government introduced in February, St. Germain said. "It's shocking that up until now, we've relied on companies to self regulate, meaning we've just relied on them to do the right thing," she said. "What we are seeing in terms of the number of offences and in terms of all the harm that is happening in society as a result of online platforms is completely tied to the decision not to regulate. We need to have rules in any sector, and this sector is no different." Canada 'really behind' The Online Harms Bill covers seven types of harms, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the Liberal government will split the bill into two parts: dealing with keeping children safe online, and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. "We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill," Virani told reporters on Dec. 5. Social media companies can't be let 'off the hook' over deadly sextortion of kids, B.C. premier says Such measures would include a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies' digital safety plans. St. Germain said such a split "makes sense," noting that most objections to the bill are related to changes to the Criminal Code and not measures around curbing harms to children. "There obviously are differences of opinion in terms of what is the best way forward, and what kind of regulatory approach makes sense, and who should the regulator be, but there does seem to be consensus on the idea that we need to do more in terms of protecting children online," she said, adding that the organization is still in support of the second half of the bill. She said the United Kingdom previously passed its own Online Safety Act that will come into effect in 2025, which includes requiring social media firms to protect children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content. Failure to do so will result in fines. "Canada is really behind," she said. "The amount of information that has come out of the U.K., the amount of time and care and attention that their legislatures have paid to this issue is really quite remarkable, and we really hope that Canada steps up and does something for Canadian children soon." Provinces putting in their own measures In the absence of national legislation, provinces have filled the void. In January, B.C. enacted the Intimate Images Protection Act, providing a path for victims to have online photos, videos or deep fakes expeditiously removed. Individuals are fined up to $500 per day and websites up to $5,000 a day if they don't comply with orders to stop distributing images that are posted without consent. First orders issued under B.C.'s new intimate images act B.C.'s Ministry of Attorney General said that as of Dec. 11, the Civil Resolution Tribunal had received a total of 199 disputes under the Intimate Images Protection Act. It said the Intimate Images Protection Service had served more than 240 clients impacted by the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, adding that four awards of $5,000 each and one for $3,000 had been supplied as of mid-December. B.C. attorney general advises social media, adult-content sites to comply with intimate images act Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also enacted legislation targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. St. Germain said the use of provincial powers is also necessary, but it's not enough. "A piece of provincial legislation is going to be very difficult to be effective against multiple actors in multiple countries," she said, noting that online crime is borderless. "We need something bigger — more comprehensive. We need to use all tools in the tool box."

To The New York Times, it was a standard journalistic practice done in the name of fairness — asking someone involved in a story for comment. To the mother of the nominee for secretary of defense, it constituted a threat. On Wednesday, Pete Hegseth’s mother accused the Times of making “threats” by calling about its story on an email she had sent to her son six years earlier that criticized his treatment of women. Penelope Hegseth sought and received an interview on Fox News Channel to support her son, whose confirmation chances are threatened by a series of damaging stories about his personal conduct. At one point, she said she wanted to directly tell President-elect Trump that her son “is not that man he was seven years ago.” She also called the Times “despicable” and attacked a basic tenet of journalism: giving someone the chance to speak for a story about actions that could be seen in a negative light. The Times’ story, published Saturday, quoted from a private email that Penelope Hegseth sent to her son in 2018 while he was in the midst of divorcing his second wife. She criticized his character and treatment of women, suggesting that he get some help. “I have no respect for any man that belittles, lies, cheats, sleeps around and uses women for his own power and ego,” she wrote to her offspring. “You are that man (and have been for many years).” She told the Times for its story that she had sent the email in a moment of anger and followed it up two hours later with an apology. She disavows its content now. When the Times called her for comment on the story, Hegseth told Fox News that, at first, she did not respond. She said she perceived the calls as a threat — “they say unless you make a statement we will publish it as is and I think that’s a despicable way to treat anyone,” she said. “I don’t think a lot of people know that’s the way they operate,” she said, speaking about the story. She accused the newspaper of being in it “for the money. And they don’t care who they hurt, families, children. I don’t believe that’s the right way to do things.” Charles Stadtlander, a spokesman for the Times, said Hegseth’s claim “is flatly untrue,” and she was in no way threatened. “The Times did what it always does in reporting out a story, simply reaching out and asking for a comment, which we included,” he said. Such a call is the opposite of a threat — it’s an attempt to be fair, said Tom Rosenstiel, a University of Maryland professor and co-author of “Elements of Journalism: What News People Should Know and What the Public Should Expect.” “She’s basically saying that brake lights are a threat because they alert you that the car ahead of you is about to stop,” he said. But many Americans would perceive that call as a threat, or certainly as rude and a violation of privacy, said Tim Graham, director of media analysis at the conservative Media Research Center. “She didn’t write that email to be on the front page of The New York Times,” he said. A secondary question is the newsworthiness of publishing the content of the private email, one that Hegseth said she almost immediately regretted sending and doesn’t reflect how she perceives her son. Graham suggested that the newspaper wouldn’t do the same for the nominee of Democratic president-elect. “The New York Times is out to destroy these nominees,” he said. In its initial story, the Times wrote that it had obtained a copy of the email “from another person with ties to the Hegseth family.” “This was a piece of independently reported journalism published in the name of public awareness of the nominee to lead the largest department in the federal government,” Stadtlander said. “We stand behind it completely.” In many circumstances, an email from a mother to her son would be considered a private matter and out of bounds to a news organization, Rosenstiel said. But in this case, Hegseth, a former Fox News weekend host chosen by Trump to lead the Pentagon, has built himself into a public figure and is up for a very important job — and one that leads the military, which involves waging war and in which character is considered a fundamental trait. “It makes this news, honestly,” Stadtlander said. The Times wrote about Penelope Hegseth’s Fox interview on Wednesday, leading with her saying her son “was not the same man he was in 2018 when she fired off an email accusing him of routinely abusing women and lacking decency and character.” There was some question about whether Hegseth would appear for an interview at his former network on Wednesday, after CNN’s Kaitlan Collins posted on X the night before that “multiple people” said that was expected. A Fox News representative said that no such interview had been scheduled, and the nominee was on Capitol Hill meeting with senators. He has faced a flurry of other damaging reports, including stories about a sexual assault allegation reported to police in 2017. No charges were filed then, and Hegseth said the relationship was consensual. The New Yorker magazine wrote about reports of financial mismanagement , sexist behavior and excessive drinking when Hegseth ran a veterans’ organization, and NBC News wrote about people at Fox News concerned about his alcohol use.

Metro Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win

Kevin Kisner named NBC's lead golf analystLive Nation Entertainment Inc. stock rises Wednesday, still underperforms market

NoneFirefighters were called out in the early hours to tackle a car fire. Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent three fire engines to Dartford shortly after midnight after receiving reports of a vehicle on fire in Hawley Road. Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hose reel jets to extinguish the flames, which spread to two other vehicles. A spokesman for the fire service said: “There were no reported injuries and the cause is believed to be accidental and linked to a fault in the vehicle.” Firefighters were able to leave the scene shortly after 3am.

The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Movie Review: ‘September 5’ goes inside a newsroom during the Munich Olympics hostage crisisTWR Supercat inspired by Jaguar XJS is a muscle car + Super GT hybrid powered by supercharged V12 engineHow Rosalynn Carter shaped Jimmy Carter's presidency, volunteerism

Two top officials from Taiwan's government have embarked on a visit to the United States, as news of their meeting with individuals close to President-elect Donald Trump's team surfaces. Sources, opting for anonymity, disclosed the trips by Lin Fei-fan and Hsu Szu-chien, deputy secretaries-general of Taiwan's National Security Council. Their presence in the Washington area aims to cultivate connections with the incoming administration, despite the lack of formal ties between the U.S. and Taiwan. Neither the Chinese embassy nor Trump's transition team provided comments on these developments and the nature of the agenda remains undisclosed. These strategic talks occur as China's military maneuvers increase near the Taiwan Strait, signaling Beijing's hardening stance towards both the U.S. and Taiwan. The visits simultaneously stir hope and anxiety in Taipei, given Trump's prior comments about the defense costs Taiwan should bear. (With inputs from agencies.)NoneNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Heat's Butler: 'Actually like it' as rumor mill spins

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark , initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. The reversal on fixing Tropicana Field came after the council voted to delay consideration of revenue bonds for a proposed new $1.3 billion Rays ballpark. Just two days before, the Pinellas County Commission postponed a vote on its share of the new stadium bonds, leaving that project in limbo. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Amazon has just dropped prices across the board on various Apple iPad models for Black Friday , including the best deal we've ever seen on the new 2024 Apple iPad Pro. Right now the 11" model costs $849 (normally $999) and the 13" model costs $1099 (normally $1299). The new iPad Pro boasts a couple of significant upgrades over its predecessor, including a powerful M4 chip and, for the first time ever, a tandem OLED display. Black Friday iPad Pro Deals In our 2024 iPad Pro 11" M4 review , Jacqueline Thomas wrote, "For creative professionals, the 2024 iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet on the market and is going to shine if your work revolves around a touchscreen. For the rest of us, though, the iPad Pro is simply the most beautiful display you'll find in a tablet, with hardware that's powerful enough to be a top-end device for years to come." The 2024 iPad Pro is the best tablet on the market, iOS or otherwise, thanks to the new M4 processor which is both powerful and power efficient. Compared to the previous generation iPad M2, it performs about 20% better. However, the biggest update of the iPad Pro is not the M4 chip, but instead the tandem OLED panel which hadn't previously been seen on an Apple product. Tandem OLED is better than traditional OLED in two ways: (1) it's far brighter and (2) it's less prone to burn-in. If you're wondering why this technology hasn't found its way into TVs, the answer is simply because it's not cost effective at larger sizes. The iPad can get away with it because the 11" screen is much smaller, but that's also a major reason why the iPad Pro is priced considerably higher than the other iPads in Apple's 2024 lineup. More Apple iPad Deals for Black Friday If you're looking for other Apple devices, check out our Apple Black Friday hub with deals on AirPods, Watches, and more. Should You Wait Until Black Friday? Black Friday is the best opportunity to score some great deals on electronics, and Apple products are no exception. You might be wondering just how low these prices can go. Although we have no direct feedback from Apple themselves, we have years of our own historical price trends to back up our predictions. At this point, Black Friday is close enough that there's certainly no harm waiting. We might see as much as a $50 or even $100 price drop on the more expensive models like the iPad Air or iPad Pro. The iPad and iPad Mini might drop another $20 at most if retailers are feeling generous. If Amazon isn't your preferred vendor (or if it runs out of stock), I expect these deals to be available at Best Buy and Walmart as well. The Apple Store will also host its own Black Friday Sale, although these deals usually aren't nearly as good. Looking for more iPad resources? If you're not sure which iPad is best for you, we have an iPad guide which details which iPad is ideal for which use case. If you intend want to get an iPad for schoolwork, we have an iPad guide for students as well. If you're looking for options outside of iOS, check out the best Android tablets of 2024. Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.