The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Freshwater Fisheries Section has started the process of stocking thousands of catchable-sized (8 to 11-inch) trout into the lower Saluda River near Columbia. The rainbow and brown trout that are raised in and transported from the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery in Oconee County will be delivered by truck to multiple locations in the Lower Saluda River. The cold waters released from the bottom of Lake Murray provide suitable habitat for the trout, creating a unique and popular fishery in the Midlands of South Carolina. SCDNR stocks nearly 30,000 trout each year in the lower Saluda from December through February in what's called a "put, grow and take" fishery that relies on stocking to maintain populations. Trout grow rapidly after stocking and can exceed 20 inches in one to two years, which is considered trophy size for this type of fishery. Anglers should keep in mind that the lower reach of the Saluda River, from the eastbound Interstate 20 bridge downstream to Stacey's Ledge, is year-round catch and release fishing for all species of coldwater trout. It is unlawful to take and retain trout at any time in this section of the river. Get local news delivered to your inbox!A prominent digital rights activist, who is transgender, confronted Rep. Nancy Mace at a public event Thursday, days after the congresswoman from South Carolina introduced a resolution to ban transgender women from using women’s bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol. Evan Greer, the director of Fight for the Future, stood up during the kickoff panel at “The Summit of the Future of the Internet” at Georgetown University, in Washington, D.C., and displayed an LGBTQ pride flag. Mace was speaking alongside Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and radio host Charlamagne tha God on the topic “Bipartisan Tech Solutions to Unite a Nation.” “We have had dozens of trans people die this year because of the hate and lies that you are spreading,” Greer said, to applause from the audience, as she was escorted out of the room. “Are we building an internet with free speech for everyone or just the privileged few?” Mace responded by misgendering Greer and making a comment about her genitals, which the crowd booed at. A representative for Mace and Project Liberty, the organization that hosted the summit and invited Greer, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Greer’s organization is known for its viral protest efforts against internet censorship and surveillance and in support of net neutrality. Videos of Greer at the event have been viewed more than 1 million times on X, where conservative influencers and Mace have continued to misgender and insult Greer. In an interview with NBC News, Greer said that Project Liberty has yet to reach out to her or make any statements about the panel, her protest or Mace’s remarks. While Greer said she had hoped that other people, including cisgender people (who identify with their gender assigned at birth), would have joined her in opposing Mace’s presence in the panel, she said, “In the end, I was there in the room and I just could not sit silently.” “My goal is to call to the progressive tech policy community and ask ourselves, what is our strategy going into these next four years?” Greer said. “Are we going to try and curry favor with people whose goals are diametrically opposed to human rights, or are we going to draw some lines in the sand and build a meaningful strategy for collective resistance to the role that technology will play in carrying out human rights violations?” Greer said, “I’m not trying to convince her of anything, but really my goal was to spark a conversation within the tech policy space, to ask ourselves, ‘What are we actually fighting for?’” After taking office in 2021, Mace initially said she was pro-LGBTQ rights. But in recent days, she has made headlines and racked up engagement on social media by leading an anti-transgender campaign against the only trans member of Congress, Sarah McBride, one that has received the support of House Speaker Mike Johnson. McBride, whom Mace has repeatedly misgendered, said in a statement that she would follow the new bathroom rules as outlined by Johnson, even if she disagrees with them. In her congressional office, McBride will have a private bathroom, while all other public bathrooms in the Capitol will be banned for transgender people.Ehsan launches 8th Scientific Research and Innovation CompetitionRelaxed mode
Imagine standing on the edge of a diving board, looking down at the water below. Your heart races, your palms sweat, and every part of you screams, What if I fail? What if I belly flop in front of everyone? Now, imagine a world where you embrace that fear, dive in, and realize that the splash wasn’t a failure—it was a lesson. Every dive, whether graceful or messy, brings you one step closer to mastering the art of swimming. This is the essence of how we should approach failure. Fear of failure is something everyone experiences—it’s a natural part of life. But it’s also something we can learn to manage and even welcome. What if, instead of avoiding failure, we learned to lean into it and view it as a stepping stone to success? This is the essence of how we should approach failure. Fear of failure is something everyone experiences—it’s a natural part of life. But it’s also something we can learn to manage and even welcome. What if, instead of avoiding failure, we learned to lean into it and view it as a stepping stone to success? I still remember the first time I was made to feel that failure was something bad. It was in school, and I had just bombed a test I studied hard for. I could feel the weight of disappointment settle in my chest as I walked to the teacher’s desk. The look of concern on my teacher’s face only deepened the sense of shame. It wasn’t just the low grade—it was the way it made me feel about myself. It was as though that single test result was a reflection of my worth, as if failure was a stain I couldn’t wash away. I felt as if I had failed not just the test, but my own potential. It took years to unlearn that deeply ingrained belief. The idea that failure was something to be feared, something to hide from, was so deeply rooted in my mindset. But what if I told you that failure, in its purest form, is not the enemy? What if I told you that it is, in fact, one of the most powerful tools for personal growth? The fear of failure is something everyone experiences at some point. It stems from the . We learn to avoid failure at all costs, but this fear of making mistakes can hold us back from fully living. We become paralyzed by the thought of falling short. But here’s the truth: failure is not a reflection of who you are. It’s simply a part of the process, an inevitable part of the journey toward growth and success. Winston Churchill rightly said that “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, and it is the courage to continue that counts. The first step to overcoming the fear of failure is reframing it. Instead of seeing failure as something to be avoided at all costs, we must learn to view it as an essential part of success. Failure isn’t an obstacle—it’s an opportunity. Here’s how you can begin to shift your mindset: I used to think that anything less than perfect was a failure. The pressure to be flawless can be overwhelming. But perfection is not only impossible—it’s counterproductive. The constant pursuit of perfection often keeps us stuck, afraid to make mistakes. The truth is, we don’t need to be perfect; we just need to make progress. Every small step forward, even with missteps along the way, gets us closer to where we want to be. For example think of Thomas Edison. His famous quote, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work,” illustrates the idea that failure isn’t about being wrong—it’s about learning. Each failure brought him closer to discovering what would work. Failure is a lesson, not a defeat. One of the most transformative shifts I made was learning to view mistakes as lessons rather than defeats. Each mistake provides feedback, helping us adjust our approach and make better decisions. It’s this mindset that turns failures into opportunities for growth. Every time you fail, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? Imagine you’re trying to learn a new language. At first, you might struggle with pronunciation or grammar. It can feel like failure, but with each mistake, you learn something new. You refine your approach and get closer to fluency. Mistakes are simply milestones along the journey. When I think of failure and success, I’m reminded of the story of J.K. Rowling, the famous author of the Harry Potter series. Before she became one of the world’s most celebrated authors, Rowling faced rejection after rejection. In fact, her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was rejected by 12 different publishers. One even told her to get a “day job” because she would never make it as a writer. Imagine that—a book that would eventually become a global phenomenon was dismissed as unworthy. Most people would have quit, thrown the manuscript away, and believed that failure was a sign to stop. But Rowling didn’t give up. She believed in her story, in her characters, and in her craft. She learned from each rejection and, eventually, found a publisher who believed in her too. Today, Rowling’s success is a testament to the idea that failure isn’t the end of the road—it’s often the beginning of something greater. Her story is a powerful reminder that every “no” brings you closer to a “yes.” What would have happened if she had listened to the critics and stopped writing? She would have never discovered her true potential. Failure doesn’t diminish you—it refines you Indeed there is wisdom in even seemingly negative experiences, it reminds me of Khalil jibran’s quote I have learnt kindness from unkind, tolerance from angry which reflects that negative experiences are our teachers and can teach us valuable lessons. Another critical piece in overcoming failure is practicing self-compassion. It’s easy to beat yourself up when things go wrong, but self-criticism only keeps you stuck in a cycle of fear and shame. Instead, treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer to a friend. Failure doesn’t make you unworthy—it makes you human. The fear of failure will always be there—it’s natural. But it doesn’t have to control you. The key is learning how to embrace failure as a necessary part of growth. Every time you fail, you gain valuable insights that propel you forward. When you stop fearing failure and start seeing it as a stepping stone, you unlock new levels of potential. So the next time you face a setback, remember: failure is not the end—it’s a beginning. Just like the diving board, it might be scary at first, but with each dive, you get closer to mastering the art of swimming through life’s challenges. Embrace your mistakes, learn from them, and allow them to guide you toward the success you deserve. ” — Benjamin Franklin Remember, failure is not the opposite of success, it’s a part of it. Embrace it, learn from it, and let it guide you toward your next big win.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save With the holidays taking up much of your time, you may not be concentrating on retirement moves to make before 2025. But if you’re the type of person who does everything to the max, investing in your future retirement now could be a game changer. In 2024, you can invest up to $23,000 into your 401(k) retirement plan as per IRS contribution limits. If you’re over 50 and need to play catch-up, you can invest an extra $7,500. That means your total possible contribution for 2024 is $30,500. If that seems like a lot, it is. But you don’t have to max out your contributions if you can’t afford it. Employer matching can help. In 2025, you can invest $23,500, bringing your possible contribution up to $31,500. If you’re over 50, the catch-up contribution remains at $7,500 for 2025. But a huge change was made in SECURE 2.0 for employees aged 60 to 63 who participate in workplace retirement plans. Starting in 2025, this super catch-up contribution limit is $11,250 instead of $7,500. People are also reading... 17-year-old driver killed in Buffalo County crash on Christmas 'Way different numbers': Nebraska's Matt Rhule talks rising costs of players from a year ago York County commissioners resolve issue of courthouse camera bids Suzanna “Suzie” Jackson Rankings: Nebraska high school boys basketball, Dec. 23 The secret Christmas Eve tragedy that killed 4 Nebraskans: The 1944 sinking of the SS Léopoldville Gov. Jim Pillen has 7 broken ribs and other injuries after fall from horse Nebraska man who lost his home over $588 debt is getting it back Most York restaurants closing early on Christmas Eve 2024 York News-Times All-Area Football Team Business Beat: Christmas wishes for 2025 Rankings: Nebraska high school girls basketball, Dec. 24 Lincoln native purchases Michael Jordan's iconic Chicago mansion for $9.5 million Amazon building last-mile facility in Columbus Is John Dutton real? Meet the powerful rancher seemingly inspiring the 'Yellowstone' legend 1. Figure out how much you contributed. If you’ve contributed as much as possible for the year, you’re in good shape going into 2025. If you’re not sure, you changed jobs or haven’t contributed consistently in 2024, you still have time to make adjustments to max out your 401(k) contributions for the year. 2. Check your employer’s match. Employer matching is a job benefit not to be overlooked. After all, for every dollar you save in your 401(k), your employer matches your contributions dollar-for-dollar or offers a partial match up to a certain percentage of your wages. Knowing where you stand can help you make the most of this opportunity. For example, let’s say you earn $50,000 per year and contribute $3,000 to your 401(k), or 6% of your salary. If your employer offers to match 50 cents of each dollar you contribute up to 6% of your pay, they would add $1,500 each year to your 401(k) account, boosting your total annual contributions to $4,500. 3. Look at your budget. Maxing out your 401(k) is always a good move. However, retirement planning can be a balancing act; sometimes, your budget is downright against it. If you have high debt or no money set aside for emergencies, you may want to hold off a bit. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t contribute to your retirement plan at all. Maintaining contributions is important, even if it means not maxing it out. Still, if you wait too long to save, you’ll have to play catch-up. If you save too much, you may have to tap into your account early, which can mean early withdrawal penalties if you are under age 591⁄2. 4. Boost your contributions. If you have enough cash stashed away to cover a large lump sum contribution to your 401(k), you could max out your 401(k) contributions before the end of the year. You can do this by increasing the percentage you contribute monthly from your paycheck. You’ll want to speak with your employer or HR department to see if this is possible and fill out the necessary paperwork. Keep in mind that how often you increase it or even if you can will depend on your plan rules. You may also want to check to be sure your contributions are still automatic. Since it’s usually easier to save money if it’s automatically deducted from your paycheck, it may be worth reviewing your budget to see if you can boost your contribution amount to max out your 401(k). If you haven’t set up automatic payroll contributions, now is a good time to do so. 1 in 4 people say they’ll go into debt for the holidays. Is social media to blame? Katie Kelton, Bankrate.com Maxing out your 401(k) has some clear benefits. This is especially true if you’ve fallen behind on your savings goals or you simply want to grow your retirement nest egg faster. The main advantage is that you’ll have more money saved for retirement. According to Northwestern Mutual’s 2024 Planning & Progress Study, most retired Americans believe they will need nearly $1.5 million in the bank to retire comfortably. That’s a 15% increase — which far outpaces the 3% to 5% inflation rate — over 2023 and is up 53% from 2020. The money you put into your 401(k) lowers how much you’ll pay in taxes for the year, which may put you in a lower tax bracket. Also, 401(k) investments grow tax-deferred, so you won't pay taxes on the money until you withdraw the funds in retirement. If you have a Roth 401(k), you don't get a tax break on contributions because you fund your account with after-tax dollars. But the money you contribute grows tax-free and you won’t pay any taxes on your withdrawals in retirement. Maxing out your 410(k) each year may not be enough to retire comfortably, but it is a great start. That’s why enlisting the help of a financial adviser in 2024 can help you get a head start on 2025 and a happy retirement down the road. 4 tips to help you experience exceptional cruise dining | PennyWise podcast Nat CardonaLee Media Studio You need to make $108,000 to afford a home in America Samantha DelouyaCNN Americans who bought homes in 2024 were older and richer than ever Samantha DelouyaCNN Why you shouldn't store your money in payment apps By CORA LEWISAssociated Press Kathryn Pomroy is a contributing writer at Kiplinger.com . For more on money topics, visit Kiplinger.com . Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Global Firms for Data Science Jobs in 2025AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:05 p.m. EST
Questions linger on fire and flood at Crozer-Chester Medical Center
AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:45 p.m. EST
