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WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case “as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn’t a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes . U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesn’t toss out the conviction.Michigan finally has some good news in 2024. Bryce Underwood – the No. 1 high-school recruit in the class of 2025 – flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. Underwood is the top quarterback in the class, and the landing the in-state recruit will help take away the sting from what has been a rough first season under coach Sherrone Moore. Breaking: Bryce Underwood, ESPN’s No. 1 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, is flipping his commitment to the Michigan Wolverines, he told school officials today. It’s a big day for @umichfootball , HC Sherrone Moore and @champcircleuofm as they land the highest-rated recruit... pic.twitter.com/4afP0z2Tny Moore offered clues with a tweet Thursday morning, a week after four-star quarterback Carter Smith from Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.) High School decommitted from Michigan. 👀 #GoBlue 🔵 This is a huge flip for Moore, whose honeymoon is over after a turbulent first season where the Wolverines have struggled at quarterback. The Wolverines are 5-4 heading into Saturday’s game against Indiana, and the quarterback play has been a constant shuffle between Davis Warren, Alex Orji and Jack Tuttle – who retired after suffering a concussion. Underwood could be the answer in 2025. A closer look at what his commitment means for Michigan and LSU. Who is Bryce Underwood? Underwood – a Belleville (Mich.) High School star – has a 0.9999 recruiting ranking according to 247Sports.com. He totaled 5,203 passing yards, 68 TDs and four interceptions at Belleville the last three seasons, and the Tigers are 36-2 in that stretch. He is the No. 1 quarterback in the class of 2025, one spot ahead of Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair, who is committed to Ohio State. That could be an outstanding quarterback rivalry down the line in Big Ten play. How much NIL value does Bryce Underwood have at Michigan? NIL figures have not been disclosed, but Michigan reportedly is offering Underwood a multi-million package to flip to the Wolverines. According to CBSSports.com : "The website On3 initially reported a figure for Underwood may be near $5 million, but multiple conversations CBS Sports and 247Sports have had with sources across the industry paint the real number to be something closer to double that (over the course of several seasons)." That number could be a potential game-changer for future five-star quarterbacks in the future in the very expensive new world college football environment Is Bryce Underwood Michigan's best QB recruit ever? Underwood is Michigan’s highest-ranked quarterback according to 247Sports.com rankings. He is the fifth five-star quarterback the Wolverines have recruited since 2005. The Wolverines had a pair of five-star quarterbacks under Lloyd Carr in Chad Henne (2005) and Ryan Mallett (2007). Henne and Mallett had recruiting rankings of 0.9924 and 0.9978, respectively. Jim Harbaugh recruited five-star quarterback J.J. McCarthy (2021) who finished with a four-star rating before leading the Wolverines to a national championship run in 2023. He was 27-1 as a starter. Jadyn Davis (2024) is a four-star recruit from Charlotte and a freshman on this year’s team. Here is a closer look at every Michigan QB recruit since 2015 and how Underwood compares: YEAR NAME STAR RATINGS 2025 Bryce Underwood 5 0.9999 2021 J.J. McCarthy 4 0.9886 2024 Jadyn Davis 4 0.9848 2016 Brandon Peters 4 0.9684 2026 Brady Hart 4 0.9593 2017 Dylan McCaffrey 4 0.9435 2015 Zach Gentry 4 0.9248 2018 Joe Milton III 4 0.9202 2019 Cade McNamara 4 0.9052 2015 Alex Malzone 4 0.8984 LSU's QB depth chart without Bryce Underwood Garrett Nussmeier, who has 2,627 passing yards, 20 TDs and nine interceptions this season, has another year of eligibility remaining. Nussmeier could return if he does not receive a favorable grade for the 2025 NFL Draft. Redshirt freshman Rickie Collins is in his second year with the program, and LSU could seek options in the portal if Nussmeier decides to go pro. It is a recruiting loss for third-year coach Brian Kelly, especially coming after a two-year run with 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels – who has emerged as a strong NFL Rookie of the Year – and perhaps MVP – candidate with the Washington Commanders.

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Cruz County Bank (OTCQX: SCZC ), a top-rated community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz County , is pleased to announce that Alison Voorhees has joined as Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing. Ms. Voorhees is responsible for all aspects of marketing and maintains her office at the Bank's 75 River St., Santa Cruz, Ca. location. Ms. Voorhees has a more than 20-year marketing background with extensive experience in branding, rebranding and creative direction, business and creative writing, corporate and executive communications, strategic business and marketing campaigns, media partnerships and community relations. She is a Certified Financial Marketing Professional (CFMP), Certified Digital Marketing Professional and Professional Certified Marketer (PCM ® ) in Digital Marketing. Her attention to creative excellence includes internal and external communications, data storytelling, marketing technology and automation tools and overall brand and integrated marketing strategy with a multi-channel approach. Krista Snelling , Santa Cruz County Bank President and CEO, commented, "Alison brings a wealth of bank marketing experience and fresh perspectives to help us continue our mission of serving the community with excellence. We are confident that under her leadership our brand, built over the past two decades, will continue to flourish and evolve in exciting ways that remain true to our roots." Early in her career, Ms. Voorhees established herself as an effective campaign and event coordinator, a strategic business and marketing planner, a dedicated team leader and a committed community partner. Ms. Voorhees most recently ascended to the role of Vice President, Marketing Strategy Manager for Capital City Bank where she also previously served as Assistant Vice President, Advertising Manager and Public Relations Specialist. Prior to a career in banking, she worked in fundraising and special events for Orlando Ballet and Opening Nights Performing Arts as well as in sales and marketing support for Ben Nye Company. Of this new opportunity, Ms. Voorhees said, "Joining a talented team of leaders at such a beloved community banking institution is a dream move for my career. I am honored to be entrusted with taking up the marketing mantle to shape the future of the Santa Cruz County Bank brand and beyond." Ms. Voorhees holds a Master of Arts in Global Communications from the University of Southern California , a Master of Science in Global Media and Communications from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and English from Florida State University . She also obtained a graduate certificate in Publishing and Editing from Florida State University and a certificate in Principles and Practices for Advertising Ethics from the Institute for Advertising Ethics. An avid community volunteer in the arts, elder care, literacy, placemaking, workforce development and youth sports, Ms. Voorhees has relocated to Santa Cruz from Tallahassee, Fla. ABOUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BANK AND WEST COAST COMMUNITY BANCORP Founded in 2004, Santa Cruz County Bank is the wholly owned subsidiary of West Coast Community Bancorp, a bank holding company. The Bank is a top-rated, locally operated and full-service community bank headquartered in Santa Cruz, Ca. with branches located in Aptos , Capitola , Cupertino , King City , Monterey , Salinas , San Luis Obispo , Santa Cruz , Scotts Valley and Watsonville . Santa Cruz County Bank is distinguished from "big banks" by its relationship-based service, problem-solving focus and direct access to decision makers. The Bank is a leading SBA lender in Santa Cruz County and Silicon Valley. As a full-service bank, Santa Cruz County Bank offers competitive deposit and lending solutions for businesses and individuals; including business loans, lines of credit, commercial real estate financing, construction lending, asset-based lending, agricultural loans, SBA and USDA government guaranteed loans, credit cards, merchant services, remote deposit capture, mobile and online banking, bill payment and treasury management. True to its community roots, Santa Cruz County Bank has supported regional well-being by actively participating in and donating to local nonprofit organizations. Visit sccountybank.com for more information. Forward-Looking Statements This release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties may include but are not necessarily limited to the successful integration with 1st Capital Bancorp post-merger, achieving the targeted cost savings and synergies within expected time-frames or at all, retaining employees and customers, fluctuations in interest rates (including but not limited to changes in depositor behavior in relation thereto), inflation, government regulations and general economic conditions, and competition within the business areas in which the Bank is conducting its operations, health of the real estate market in California, Bancorp's ability to effectively execute its business plans, and other factors beyond Bancorp and the Bank's control. Such risks and uncertainties could cause results for subsequent interim periods or for the entire year to differ materially from those indicated. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, which reflect management's view only as of the date hereof. Bancorp undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. SOURCE Santa Cruz County Bank

Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA saysWithin hours of Syrian rebels seizing Damascus last weekend, Israeli soldiers crossed into a demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries. Israel described the move as defensive and temporary, necessary to keep at bay the potential chaos and attendant threats inside Syria. From a strategic perspective, the crumbling of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” – including a weakened Hezbollah and the fall of the Tehran-backed Assad regime in Damascus – is a victory for Israel. But it also creates a host of security problems. In a powerful indication it is taking no chances, Israel launched hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syrian military equipment and installations this week. In the meantime, not everyone is convinced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu isn’t already overreaching in Syria to win domestic political points. Others say there are opportunities for even greater achievements. Jeremy Issacharoff, a former Foreign Ministry official, suggests Israel could strengthen its anti-Iranian alliance if it addresses Palestinian aspirations. “It could start talking about a pathway towards a two-state solution with the Saudis that could also include the Syrians as well,” he says. “I don’t want to be overly optimistic – these are not simple things – but it would be irresponsible to exclude it.” For 50 years, the Israel-Syria border on the Golan Heights was the quietest in the Middle East. But within hours of Syrian rebel forces seizing Damascus without a fight last weekend, Israeli soldiers crossed into a demilitarized zone in Syria designed as a buffer between the two countries. Israel described the seizure of some key positions on the Golan’s rocky plateau and near the peak of snowcapped Mount Hermon as a defensive and temporary move, necessary to keep at bay the potential chaos and attendant threats inside Syria. The action also has the proactive markings of a government and army still reeling from the colossal failure to protect its people from the Hamas massacre and mass hostage taking 14 months ago. Yet in an even more powerful indication it is taking no chances, Israel launched hundreds of air and missile strikes on Syrian military equipment and installations this week. The goal: to minimize any threat from the replacement in Damascus of the “devil it knew,” Bashar al-Assad, with an untested coalition of rebels led by a faction with jihadist roots. Among the targets not just hit, but entirely destroyed, according to Israel: the Syrian navy and sea-to-sea missiles with a range as far as 120 miles. Of most immediate concern, however, have been stockpiles of and production facilities for chemical weapons, which Mr. Assad had used against his own people and which Israel fears could fall into “the wrong hands.” Following the dramatic weakening of the Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah in a punishing Israeli offensive this fall, what does the sudden collapse of the Iran-allied Assad regime mean for Israel? From a strategic and historical perspective, the crumbling of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” – its collection of proxy armies – is a victory. But it also creates a host of Israeli security problems, not least of which is Syria’s likely instability for the foreseeable future. “The worst-case scenario in Syria is that it could become the Somalia of the Middle East,” Nitzan Nuriel, a retired brigadier general and counterterrorism expert, told journalists in a briefing. “From the Israeli perspective, based on what happened in countries from Libya to Afghanistan, we know when regimes collapse, terror groups can take over and take advantage of weapons systems and platforms and use them against neighboring states and others,” he said. “So as a preemptive step, we decided to destroy everything those unexpected rivals might use in the future.” With Iran considerably weakened, the biggest question for Israel now surrounds the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, argues Danny Citrinowicz, a research fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, a Tel Aviv think tank. “Tehran could theoretically enrich uranium to a military-grade level of 90 percent ‘as early as tomorrow’ and attempt to build a nuclear facility within a few months,” he wrote in the Maariv daily newspaper. Yet, he cautioned, “Such a move without Hezbollah’s protective umbrella, combined with Israel’s demonstrated capability to strike in Iran, and the presence of President Trump in the White House, could pose a direct threat to the regime in Tehran.” This new reality “changes the rules of the game,” he added, and “significantly weakens Iran’s influence in the Middle East for at least the coming years.” Still, analysts say, it will be important for Israel to thwart any Iranian attempts to regain a foothold in Syria, which for years served as Tehran’s main corridor for transporting weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Also recommended: to build bridges with the country’s moderate Sunni rebels and Druze communities. In the meantime, not everyone in Israel is convinced that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government isn’t already making mistakes by engaging in tactical overreach in a bid to win domestic political points. “When it comes to sending troops to the Syrian side of the Golan Heights, what military purpose does it serve apart from showing everyone we are there and we are strong?” says Eyal Zisser, a professor of Middle East history at Tel Aviv University and an expert on Syria. “Are we protected better if we are about a mile or two deeper into Syria? I doubt that very much.” Aluf Benn, editor-in-chief of Haaretz, a left-wing Israeli newspaper, noted Wednesday that on a tour of the Golan Heights the previous day, Mr. Netanyahu had declared the collapse of the 1974 postwar agreement that set up the Syrian buffer zone and had been honored ever since. “If the agreement has collapsed, Israel is no longer bound by the map that accompanies it; it can change the border according to its security needs,” Mr. Benn wrote. “For most of his years in power, Netanyahu was considered risk-averse, someone who avoided wars and embraced the status quo. The current war [with Hamas and Iran’s proxies] has changed him.” Jeremy Issacharoff, former vice director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, argues that while Israel has a duty to protect its border, it also has one to respect such a valuable agreement, one that has served as a critically stabilizing force and kept the border peaceful. “To take over the Syrian side of the Golan Heights is an important cautionary step,” he says, “but it’s important to say it is a temporary measure, not meant to disrupt but rather preserve the agreement.” This, he argues, would be a central achievement for Israel, as it waits to see how things play out inside Syria – specifically, whether the leadership that emerges is moderate or extreme. Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, whose Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham faction is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States and others, has presented himself as pragmatist who wants to focus on rehabilitating Syria, not on seeking out new wars to fight. In 2013, during the Syrian civil war, the Israeli army launched “Operation Good Neighbor” – its answer to concerns that Islamist militants among the Syrian rebels might use the border area to launch attacks. To encourage villages and towns to keep such forces away, and to help civilians fleeing toward the border, Israel provided humanitarian assistance in the form of food, gasoline, and medical supplies, and then began treating wounded Syrians in Israeli hospitals. The hope was also long-term, that this kind of personal outreach would one day pay dividends. “This is how Syrians found out that Israel is not Satan. Ties were made between people,” says Yehuda Blanga, a Syria expert who lectures in Bar Ilan University’s Middle East studies department. “I’d suggest the government try to connect now to the same people who once needed our help.” In 13 years of civil war, which Mr. Assad sought to brutally crush – bombing civilians in opposition-held cities and torturing detainees – more than half a million people were killed and millions displaced. Syria “could go the way of becoming an ISIS meshuggeneh state,” says Ambassador Issacharoff, using the Yiddish word for crazy, “but I have a feeling it’s too much of an opportunity for the Syrian people” to miss out on rebuilding and rehabilitating themselves. Israel could in turn strengthen and expand its regional anti-Iranian alliance, he suggests, if it addresses Palestinian aspirations. “It could start talking about a pathway towards a two-state solution with the Saudis that could also include the Syrians as well, and maybe Lebanon, too,” he says. “I don’t want to be overly optimistic – these are not simple things – but it would be irresponsible to exclude it. “American involvement can help fashion a much broader opportunity if you have a Saudi or Syrian opportunity on the table,” he says. “If you want to make the deal of the century, this could be it.”

Declan Rice backs Arsenal's title bid and sets deadline for Liverpool challengeEditor’s Note: CNN’s 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. 👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Fun fact: The human nose creates 1 to 2 liters of mucus daily — and viruses can get trapped in there and make you sick. So does blowing your nose make cold symptoms better or worse? This is what the experts say . Here’s what else you might have missed during your busy day: 5 things 1️⃣ Pushed out: Most employers know their companies can’t succeed unless they attract and retain good people. Sometimes, though, companies would like employees to quit — and not just the underperformers. They might even create conditions that make you want to leave . 2️⃣ Trump’s tariffs: The incoming president’s plan to tax imported goods could change what products customers find on the shelves at Dollar Tree and other stores. The discount chain said it might need to raise prices again from their current level of $1.25. 3️⃣ Plastic promises: Coca-Cola, one of the world’s top producers of plastic pollutants, is scaling back its packaging sustainability goals. Environmental activists are outraged at the beverage giant, which also reduced its recycling benchmark. 4️⃣ Tiny tools: Ancient artifacts unearthed at a Wyoming archaeological site helped shed light on how early Americans survived the last ice age. They found needles made from the bones of foxes, cats and rabbits. 5️⃣ Lifelong friends: Four women posed for a photo when they took a vacation together in 1972. More than 50 years later, they recreated it. Take a look at them then and now. Watch this 🛒 Smart cart: Instacart says it can save customers time and money with Caper, a shopping cart that scans products as they go in. The carts have been rolled out to chains such as Kroger and ShopRite, and CNN technology writer Clare Duffy took one for a spin. Top headlines • Police hunt for gunman after UnitedHealthcare CEO killed in New York City • Trump’s defense secretary pick says he’s not dropping out amid doubts over confirmation • Supreme Court’s conservative majority appears ready to endorse Tennessee law banning gender-affirming care for minors What’s buzzing ✈️ Top destinations: Paris enjoyed a big year, hosting the Summer Olympics and reopening Notre Dame, so it’s no surprise the French capital was named the most attractive city in the world. But one regular contender didn’t even crack the top 10. Check this out 🛞 Pretty in pink? British luxury automaker Jaguar just unveiled its Type 00 concept car during Miami Art Week. Social media users are divided, with many criticizing the new aesthetic. Quotable 🧳 Security breach: Authorities are scrambling to figure out how a stowaway avoided identity and boarding pass checks on a flight from New York to Paris. Quiz time 🌮 Which popular Mexican chain is making a comeback 20 years after its last restaurant closed? A. Rubio’s Coastal Grill B. Chevy’s Fresh Mex C. Don Pablo’s D. Chi-Chi’s ⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. Good vibes 🎄 Chill out: If the conversations with family over the holidays get a little too intense, you can always try to steer things in a more lighthearted direction by playing holiday movie bingo. Grab some eggnog and queue up your favorite cheesy Christmas flick. Thanks for reading 👋 We’ll see you tomorrow. 🧠 Quiz answer: D. Chi-Chi’s, known for its eclectic interiors, plans to open restaurants again in 2025. 📧 Check out all of CNN’s newsletters . 5 Things PM is produced by CNN’s Tricia Escobedo, Chris Good, Meghan Pryce and Kimberly Richardson.LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Louisville has approved a five-year contract extension through June 2030 for athletic director Josh Heird, whose 2 1/2-year tenure has included the hirings of two men’s basketball coaches and football coach Jeff Brohm. The university’s Board of Trustees on Thursday authorized President Kim Schatzel to execute the deal, three days after the University of Louisville Athletic Association board approved the agreement. Heird was named interim AD in December 2021 before being elevated to the full-time job the following June. Schatzel said in a release that the extension signals the school’s faith in Heird and added, “He is the right person and right leader” to take the athletic program forward to a bright future. Several significant personnel moves marked Heird’s initial tenure. He fired basketball coach Chris Mack in January 2022 and subsequently hired former Cardinals player Kenny Payne two months later. Heird fired Payne last March after two historically bad seasons and replaced him with Pat Kelsey on March 28. Heird also hired ex-Louisville quarterback and assistant Brohm in December 2022. The Cardinals won 10 games to reach the ACC championship game for the first time last season and are headed for a second consecutive postseason under the Louisville native with a berth in the Sun Bowl on Dec. 31 in El Paso, Texas. Heird has also extended contracts for women’s basketball coach Jeff Walz, volleyball coach Dani Busboom-Kelly and baseball coach Dan McDonnell. The AD’s other achievements include a $41 million naming rights deal for the Cardinal Stadium football field along with a $4 million club renovation. He also secured a $1 million donation to enhance Louisville's Jim Patterson Stadium baseball field. Heird also serves on the NCAA women’s basketball selection committee. AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports5 top tech gifts for the holidays

NoneWill Utah State or Boise State forfeit vs. San Jose State in the Mountain West semifinals?NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes reached more records after tech companies talked up how much artificial intelligence is boosting their results. The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% Wednesday to add to what looks to be one of its best years of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite added 1.3% to its own record. Salesforce pulled the market higher after highlighting its artificial-intelligence offering for customers. Marvell Technology jumped even more after saying it’s seeing strong demand from AI. Treasury yields eased, while bitcoin climbed after President-elect Donald Trump nominated a crypto advocate to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The holidays are underway, and while parents are planning to be more discerning with their budgets this year, toys remain a top priority. According to new research from The Toy AssociationTM, 69% of parents plan to cut costs elsewhere to ensure their kids have the top toys for the holidays. Recently, Toy Trends Specialist at The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch, teamed with D S Simon Media on a nationwide satellite media tour to share some of the top toys for the holiday season. While toys based on kids’ favorite characters will certainly be driving kids’ ask, parents will also be seeking out toys that spark kids’ imaginations and provide learning benefits as they play. Here are some of the top toy picks for the 2024 holiday season: Spidey & His Amazing Friends Mega Jump HQ Trackset (Jazwares) Kids can launch their favorite Spidey characters down this 39-inch race track, which features Spidey’s Web-Quarters, an elevator, web tunnels, and ramps. With two exclusive vehicles and a mega jump, this action-packed set recreates scenes from the Spidey & His Amazing Friends TV show, offering hours of imaginative play. Transformers One Power Flip Optimus Prime (Orion Pax) (Hasbro) Inspired by the new Transformers One movie, this action figure transforms between four modes: Orion Pax, Cybertronian Truck, Optimus Prime, and Ultimate Optimus Prime. Lights, sounds, and action features bring the toy to life as kids flip between modes, celebrating 40 years of the Transformers franchise. LEGO Gravity Drop (Klutz) This STEM kit lets kids build and customize marble mazes with LEGO elements and papercraft components. With 168 LEGO pieces, kids can create various maze configurations and learn about physics and engineering through play. The set also includes an instruction book packed with engaging STEM content. Booksy Dome Figures (PMI Kids) Each collectible figure comes with a tiny book hidden inside featuring life lessons and colorful illustrations. Characters from PAW Patrol, Tales of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and PMI’s Monster Tales make reading fun while encouraging interactive play. Play-Doh Pizza Delivery Scooter Playset (Hasbro) This scooter is a ride-on toy and a Play-Doh pizza-making playset all in one. Kids can create pretend pizzas using the included Play-Doh, then "deliver" them using the scooter’s built-in pizza box slot. The set comes with 10 Play-Doh colors and 16 accessories, encouraging active, creative play. For more information, visit TheGeniusofPlay.org About Jennifer Lynch As an official spokesperson and toy trends specialist for The Toy Association, Jennifer Lynch chats with toymakers throughout the year to track trends and developments impacting the toy aisles and kids’ entertainment. She is interviewed frequently by national and local consumer and business media on toy trends and related topics. She has appeared on ABC News, Good Morning America, Fox & Friends, KTLA-TV, WGN Chicago, WNBC New York, Bloomberg Radio, and CNET, among others, as well as in print publications including Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, Inc. Magazine, The Spruce, and others. She also served as the narrator for The Genius of Play’s "Once Upon a Playtime" podcast, which invited listeners to rediscover the value of play through real-life, personal stories of actors, artists, entrepreneurs, and more. Jennifer has over a decade of experience covering the toy and kids’ entertainment industries. Prior, she served as the editorial & creative manager for aNb Media and its b2c review site TTPM.com, where she oversaw all digital and print communications, reviewed product, and co-hosted a web series conducting in-depth interviews with toy industry executives. She began her career in her home state of Pennsylvania, handling marketing communications for Penn State’s art galleries (her alma mater). She resides in New Jersey with her husband and energetic three-year-old. * YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of The Toy Association About D S Simon Media The firm is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2da041fb-9a20-40be-b98a-cf143ed4e399

BIAO Partners with Wintermute: $BIAO - The Biggest Meme in the East Goes Global!The injury report for the Boston Celtics (22-8) ahead of their matchup with the Indiana Pacers (15-15) currently features two players. The Pacers have four injured players listed on the report. The matchup is slated for 7:30 PM ET on Friday, December 27. Watch the NBA, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up. In their most recent matchup on Wednesday, the Celtics suffered a 118-114 loss to the 76ers. Jayson Tatum put up 32 points, 15 rebounds and four assists for the Celtics. The Pacers’ last outing on Monday ended in a 111-105 win against the Warriors. Myles Turner recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds and one assist for the Pacers. Sign up for NBA League Pass to get live and on-demand access to NBA games. Get tickets for any NBA game this season at StubHub. Catch NBA action all season long on Fubo. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .

Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA says

Stocks Buoyed by Tech Rally With Powell in Focus: Markets WrapOlivia Lloyd | (TNS) The Charlotte Observer CHARLOTTE, N.C.— A pet food company based in North Carolina is recalling puppy mix sold in seven states after a batch tested positive for salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said. The contamination came to light when a litter of puppies got sick after consuming Blue Ridge Beef’s Puppy Mix, and the customer reported it to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, according to the FDA. The FDA said it notified the company that the food tested positive for salmonella on Nov. 27, and Blue Ridge Beef issued a voluntary recall on its 2-pound plastic-wrapped logs sold in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York. The recall affects puppy mix sold from Aug. 6 to Aug. 23 with logs labeled with lot numbers 08/06/N25 and 08/16/N25, with UPC 854298001696. It’s not the company’s only recall in the past year. In January, Blue Ridge Beef expanded a December 2023 recall of its puppy mix, as well as some of its kitten food, due to possible salmonella and listeria contamination, FDA records show. “Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting,” according to the FDA. “Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.” Related Articles National News | White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign National News | Powell: Fed’s independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions National News | United Healthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York National News | Lehigh Valley billionaire-astronaut Jared Isaacman is Trump’s pick to lead NASA National News | US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags Pet owners who notice these symptoms should notify their veterinarian. Humans are also at risk of contracting the food-borne illness if they don’t wash their hands or sanitize surfaces the product has touched. The FDA said customers who believe they purchased the recalled mix should return the product to the place they bought it or destroy the food in a way that ensures no humans or animals will be contaminated. The company declined to comment on the recall to McClatchy News on Dec. 3. Blue Ridge Beef is located in Statesville in Iredell County, about a 40-mile drive north from Charlotte. ©2024 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

KENORA — When Jillian Puls spotted a little animal in the ditch, she at first thought it might be a baby deer. But when she pulled over to check, she found it was a chihuahua in distress. Although the Kenora-area woman didn't know it at the time, the dog had fled the scene of a tragic collision Monday morning that claimed the life of its owner perhaps 20 minutes earlier. OPP reported later that three transport trucks were involved in the collision on Highway 17A, and that two of the drivers were fatally injured. Puls had been on her way to work around the same time. "I could hear sirens before I left my house. Then I saw a fire truck and thought that somebody's house must be on fire or something. I didn't piece it all together because I didn't know,." Later, she came upon the dog perhaps two kilometres from the accident site. "I pulled over and got out of my truck and noticed this little chihuahua distraught, and I thought 'Oh my goodness. I've gotta get you.' " Puls took off her jacket and got nipped trying to wrap it around the dog so she could pick it up, but eventually got it into her vehicle. "He was freezing," she said. "I brought it to the vet, and after that I found out it was from the accident." The dog's only apparent injury was an abrasion on its head. Wanting to ensure the dog was returned to the family of the deceased trucker, Puls took a photo of it and posted it to social media, where it was reposted by the Skilled Truckers Canada Facebook group. Word that the driver's travelling companion had survived the collision eventually got through, and Puls said Tuesday morning that she had already had a conversation with a family member. She said the dog and its owner had had an extremely close bond. "I'm emotional right now. It's so sad...He's an older dog, and he doesn't like anybody else. That's what breaks my heart. That was his dog." Puls said she was told arrangements are in the works for the family to retrieve it from the veterinary clinic in Kenora. OPP continue to investigate Monday's collision.

NoneNEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises mass deportations. The mayor's meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect's hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers," he said. “That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city.” The meeting marked Adams' latest and most definitive step toward collaborating with the Trump administration, a development that has startled critics in one of the country's most liberal cities. In the weeks since Trump’s election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn’t have due process rights under the Constitution, though he eventually walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats when he sidestepped questions last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city's progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden Administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained that his positions have not changed and argues he is trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and during his successful campaign for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump's mass deportation plans, according to local media. Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among the planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates have warned could be a prime target for Trump's mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.

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