king slot game
Lucky lottery player wins life-changing prize from $20 scratch-off game in FloridaTariffs, tax cuts core to Trump’s economic agenda
Duke rallies from 14 down, beats Wake Forest 23-17 on final-play passMCNEESE 76, ILLINOIS STATE 68
An exhibit at the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library shows visitors how Christmas was celebrated in the new old-fashioned way. The “A Very Victorian Christmas” exhibit provides a window into how Nacogdoches residents might have celebrated the holidays as Texas transitioned from a frontier community into a fully-fledged member of the United States. The exhibit will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday until Jan. 4, excluding Christmas Day. The Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library is the oldest house in Nacogdoches that stands on its original foundations. It was built by Texas Revolution leader Adolphus Sterne and occupied by his family until 1869, when it was sold to the Hoya family. The Victorian era, which occurred during the time that the Hoya family owned the home, was a time of transition for Texas, said Veronica Amoe, manager for Nacogdoches Historic Sites. “The Victorian Era in Texas looked a bit different than it did in the Northeast and Europe,” Amoe said. “You had some of the wealth coming into Nacogdoches in the late 1800s, but you lacked a lot of the established wealth and luxury one might expect in older communities. There was a lot more of the frontier life.” The Sterne family, who lived in the house first, would likely have celebrated Christmas in very different ways. “We do two Christmas events that alternate every other year,” Amoe said. “Next year, we’ll do ’Tis the Season,’ which is a bit more focused on the kind of Christmas the Sterne family would have celebrated in the 1830s.” On Friday, visitors dressed in period-appropriate clothes took part in traditional Victorian-era Christmas activities and food. Although the details of history inevitably fade with time, “historic foodways” can provide visitors with a unique insight into the day-to-day lives of their ancestors, Amoe said. “We’re not going to get every tradition exactly right, but food is such a big part of culture and it’s a good way to explore history and culture,” Amoe said. Texas was a melting pot of different cultures during the 1800s. The Sterne and Hoya families would likely have incorporated their own German and Prussian Christmas traditions along with Mexican, British and Native American traditions, Amoe said. Traditions still practiced today, such as Christmas cards, became common during the Victorian era, said Alex Schutz, a historic sites volunteer. “Christmas cards were popular in England and Germany, and it was likely something that the Sternes would have practiced,” Schutz said. “But they were less common in America until the Victorian era.” Other traditions, such as roach-shaped chocolate and snap-dragon, a game in which kids attempt to grab flaming raisins, are no longer popular. Families typically expected visitors, and homes were decorated with whatever was available for large gatherings during the holidays. “If you have a piano in your home, it was common to gather around it for singing and dancing,” Schutz said. Coming together for the holidays is a tradition Amoe hopes to incorporate into her own Christmas celebrations. “For me, it made me think that maybe I should incorporate those kinds of gatherings into my own holiday traditions,” Amoe said. “Connecting with people, visiting with family and friends and being intentional with decorating one’s home like they did back then are all things that people can implement today.”Back for its fourth year, the McDonald’s x Pokemon TCG promotional crossover will feature fan-favorite Dragon-types. However, early concerns have started to arise about how the Kanto starter’s inclusion could impact availability. Few Pokemon TCG fans have likely forgotten the Happy Meal frenzy that followed the 2021 debut of the McDonald’s and Pokemon TCG collaboration. Amidst an ongoing card shortage during the Sword and Shield era of expansions, the special card packs in kid’s meals led to a flood of adults purchasing dozens of meals, driving the cards out of stock before the intended audience could get them. While the packs have returned with new card lists in subsequent years, they haven’t inspired quite the same frenzy until now, as PokeBeach has confirmed that the 2024 list will be themed for the Year of the Dragon, and spotlight a handful of extremely popular Pokemon, including Charizard . McDonald's 2024 Happy Meal Pokemon TCG Promotion Themed After Year of Dragon, Will Include Charizard and Umbreon! Check out this article on PokeBeach for all the details: ➡️ https://t.co/gRDEKSKpRA pic.twitter.com/SOssU8VI51 2024 McDonald’s x Pokemon TCG promotion card list According to the article written by PokeBeach exclusively revealing the information, the card list will include the following Pokemon: Charizard Quagsire Pikachu Miraidon Hatenna Koraidon Umbreon Dragapult Hydreigon Roaring Moon Jigglypuff Dragonite Eevee Rayquaza Drampa Of these particularly exciting inclusions, Charizard, Umbreon, Miraidon, Dragapult, Roaring Moon, Dragonite, and Rayquaza in particular are drawing attention from eager Pokemon TCG enthusiasts. Many have commented below the post, sharing their plans for rushing their local McDonald’s locations, with one stating, “THIS IS SO EXCITING I’M GOING TO LIVE AT MCDONALDS” and another adding, “Time to waste money on Happy Meals again lol”. Others have expressed their concern about the impact this will have both on the kids hoping for a pack in their lunch, and for those who have to deal with the rush at the restaurants. One reader commented, “Oh lord this will not end well...” and another speculated, “A lot of kids not gonna get their cards cuz some guys gonna come up and buy up the case a week before they come out.” Related: The cards included in the McDonald’s x Pokemon TCG promotion are typically reprints with new numbering. Of the list, six will feature the confetti holofoil specifically used for the print run. Charizard is expected to have this holofoil background. At this time, there has not yet been a release date confirmed for the US or UK locations, but France can expect to see these card packs in Happy Meals from December 4, 2024, through January 21, 2025, while supplies last. It is speculated that the US/UK release will be in a similar window.
I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! star Oti Mabuse , 34, opened up about being smeared by trolls over her appearance in a fireside chat on Thursday. The Strictly Come Dancing legend was talking to her jungle campmates about fame, when she asked Love Island star Maura Higgins , 34, if she ever had rumours spread about her that weren’t true. Maura revealed that she often heard rumours that she was promiscuous, and Oti responded by sharing hurtful comments she saw about herself. “I get so many comments about my body,” Oti said, with Maura agreeing, “I get that I’m fat! And then I get that I’m underweight. It’s just either underweight or fat. It’s never, ‘Oh she looks good.’” Oti continued: “I always get she’s loud, she’s screeching, why is she always on my TV screen?” The star then opened up about her relationship with Maura, and how they bonded over sharing difficult conversations. “We have so many open and uncensored conversations about what we think about ourselves and our bodies,” Oti said, adding, “She understands me and she understand how hard it is, to get up and wake up in a world where you feel like people don’t love you and still fight, and I know I fight everyday because I know my daughter is watching and I do it for, I don’t want her to be fighting generational traumas the way I am.” The pro dancer then admitted that she used to be underweight, and that her “weight gain” was actually the result of taking on a healthier lifestyle. She added that she “struggled” with the callous comments, but was living a more sustainable life. “I used to find it difficult because my weight gain wasn’t actually my fault, it was me getting over a weight problem,” she explained. “It was me actually not starving myself, not being on laxatives, not smoking, being a vegan. It was actually me being healthy for the first time and I really struggled being like why are people calling me fat? Actually, this is the healthiest I’ve ever been. “I was underweight, I didn’t get my period for months. I didn’t eat, we would dance all day, we would drink but we wouldn’t eat. My ribs were sticking out. And back in those days it was like, ‘Oh, she's amazing, she’s got a nice body’ but I was like, ‘No, but this is me being healthy.’” Maura was quick to back her friend up, and gushed: “And you’re beautiful! And you’re sexy, you’ve got the best *ss I’ve ever seen. Let me tell you!” Alongside gaining love and friendship from Maura, Oti also has plenty of support from outside the jungle. The star is a fan favourite, with many fans saying that they’d like her to win the gruelling competition. "Can't believe people send abuse to Oti Mabuse over social media. She comes across as such a lovely woman on TV, & doesn't deserve to have awful comments directed towards her. I hope when she comes out, she sees all of the nice things we are all saying about her on here. #ImACeleb,” one viewer wrote on Twitter after seeing Oti open up in one of her famous fireside talks. * Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .Darrell Kelley, a globally acclaimed music artist, entrepreneur, pastor, and prolific songwriter, has been a vocal advocate for victims of police brutality, systemic racism, and hatred. Despite his unwavering dedication to creating positive change, Kelley has been overlooked for recognition as a CNN Hero, but to us, Darrell Kelley is definitely our hero. The Book of UWGEAM The Book of UWGEAM by Darrell R. Kelley Kelley's impressive music career boasts an array of hit records, with over 100 songs written since 2018. His discography showcases his unique blend of style, substance, and socially conscious lyrics. As a respected figure in the entertainment industry, Kelley's commitment to social justice has inspired countless fans and fellow artists. Through his music, public speaking engagements, and community outreach initiatives, Kelley has provided a voice for the voiceless and shed light on the injustices faced by marginalized groups. His selfless work has made a profound impact on the lives of countless individuals and communities. It is imperative that Kelley's remarkable contributions to the music industry and his tireless advocacy efforts be acknowledged and celebrated. We urge CNN and other organizations to recognize Kelley's selfless work and dedication to creating a more just and equitable society. Let us come together to celebrate this true hero and inspire others to follow in his footsteps. It's time to show Darrell Kelley some love and recognition for his outstanding contributions to the music industry and his community. Join the conversation and show your support for Darrell Kelley using the hashtag #DarrellKelleyDeservesLove . Note to editor: For more information or to schedule an interview with Darrell Kelley, please contact Kevin Furtado at [email protected] or 888-557-8883. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saGMRcZrw60 https://youtu.be/AU_41O_syV8?si=-j7Y2SEgpc2TryZO https://youtu.be/wh2vP_7rsl4?si=ABAmAgbPAfbfYLVx https://youtu.be/dhMZe3rrff0?si=XnqW4zjgK9L1hIat https://youtu.be/XIHXLF0xEIA?si=JracJ61mR2hxlFIT https://youtu.be/wUlZeeDArMs?si=VPRBnib1gOsB5ztm https://youtu.be/7ttLnxnvwjs?si=-sywaXBFn3sth16o Attachment The Book of UWGEAM CONTACT: UWGEAM LLC https://templeofuwgeam.com/ [email protected] 888-557-8883
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — It wasn’t how Duke drew up the final play, but it worked out perfect for the Blue Devils in Saturday’s 23-17 victory over Wake Forest. Maalik Murphy threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Moore as time expired, allowing Duke to end the regular season with three consecutive victories. Murphy said he realized he took too long to make a decision after the last snap. “I knew at that point I had to make a play,” he said. “The damage was already done, time was ticking.” With the score tied at 17, the Blue Devils (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) moved 76 yards in 1:22 after forcing a Wake Forest punt. It appeared that Duke might run out of time in the slow-developing play, but Moore improvised and broke free along the right side, caught the ball at the 10-yard line and spun into the end zone to complete a comeback from 14 points down in the second half. “The play that Maalik and Jordan put together was magical,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “Nobody thought a 5-yard route would turn into a (long) touchdown.” So instead of a long field-goal attempt, Duke had something better. “I just decided to take it down the field,” Moore said. “I think that’s a testament to our chemistry. ... Maalik had the confidence in himself to make that kind of play.” It resulted in Duke’s sixth victory by seven points or less. “It’s like a perfect exclamation point to our season,” Diaz said. “An unbelievable way to finish our season.” Murphy racked up with 235 yards on 26-for-34 passing. Moore, who was down with an injury after a reception earlier in the second half, made five catches for 98 yards. Hank Bachmeier threw for 207 yards and a touchdown as Wake Forest (4-8, 2-6) ended its second straight four-win season with a four-game losing streak. “A heartbreaking loss,” Demon Deacons coach Dave Clawson said. “It’s a tough way to lose a game and a tough way to end the season.” Tate Carey’s 8-yard run, Matthew Dennis’ 37-yard field goal and Horatio Fields’ 9-yard reception across 11 minutes of game time gave Wake Forest a 17-3 lead with nine minutes left in the third quarter. Duke took advantage of a short field following a punt, moving 42 yards in four plays to score on Star Thomas’ 3-yard run. The Blue Devils recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and converted on Murphy’s 2-yard run with 12:57 left to pull even. “What has been proven is that we’re mentally tough,” Diaz said. “We’re not going to do everything perfect.” Taylor Morin became Wake Forest’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 2,974. He picked up 47 yards on eight catches on Saturday. Morin, in his fifth season, passed former NFL player Ricky Proehl, who had 2,929 yards in the late 1980s. Duke: The Blue Devils have secured at least a nine-win season for the second time in three seasons, this one coming in Diaz’s first season. They racked up a 4-0 record against in-state opponents, including comebacks to top North Carolina and Wake Forest. “Every quest that we have for championships starts in our own state,” Diaz said. Wake Forest: The Demon Deacons punted on their final three possessions of the season. They finished with a 1-6 record in home games. “It’s been a tough year, a long year, and I’m proud of our team and how hard they fought,” Clawson said. Duke: Awaits a bowl invitation Wake Forest: Enters the offseason with a losing record for the third time in five seasons. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Chargers by 1 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 8-4. Against the spread: Chargers 7-3-1, Falcons 5-6. Last meeting: Chargers beat Falcons 20-17 on Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. Last week: Ravens beat Chargers, 30-23; Falcons had bye week following 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17. Chargers offense: overall (21), rush (13), pass (20), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (13), rush (10), pass (10), scoring (13). Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (14), pass (5), scoring (16). Falcons defense: overall (25), rush (19), pass (26), scoring (26). Turnover differential: Chargers plus-8, Falcons minus-3. RB Gus Edwards will move up as the lead back for Los Angeles after J.K Dobbins (knee) was placed on injured reserve on Saturday. Edwards was activated from IR earlier this month following an ankle injury and had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown in Monday night's 30-23 loss to Baltimore. WR Drake London has 61 catches, leaving him four away from becoming the first player in team history to have at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. London has 710 receiving yards, leaving him 140 away from becoming the first player in team history with at least 850 in each of his first three seasons. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Chargers' run defense. Robinson was shut down by Denver, gaining only 35 yards on 12 carries, and the Atlanta offense couldn't recover. The Chargers rank 10th in the league against the run, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to find a way to establish a ground game with Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A solid running attack would create an opportunity for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to establish the play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Besides Dobbins, the Chargers also placed S Alohi Gilman (hamstring) on injured reserve. CB Cam Hart (ankle) and LB Denzel Perryman (groin) also have been ruled out. ... The Falcons needed the bye to give a long list of injured players an opportunity to heal. WR WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. WR Darnell Mooney (Achilles), CB Kevin King (concussion), DL Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) were hurt in the 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17 and were limited on Wednesday. CB Mike Hughes (neck), nickel back Dee Alford (hamstring), ILB Troy Andersen (knee), TE Charlie Woerner (concussion) and ILB JD Bertrand (concussion) also were limited on Wednesday after not playing against Denver. C Drew Dalman (ankle) could return. The Chargers have won the past three games in the series following six consecutive wins by the Falcons from 1991-2012. Los Angeles took a 33-30 overtime win in Atlanta in 2016 before the Chargers added 20-17 wins at home in 2020 and in Atlanta in 2022. The Falcons won the first meeting between the teams, 41-0 in San Diego in 1973. Each team has built its record on success against the soft NFC South. Atlanta is 4-1 against division rivals. Los Angeles is 2-0 against the NFC South this season. The Chargers have a four-game winning streak against the division. ... Atlanta is 0-2 against AFC West teams, following a 22-17 loss to Kansas City and the lopsided loss at Denver. The Falcons will complete their tour of the AFC West with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 16. ... The Falcons are the league's only first-place team with a negative points differential. Atlanta has been outscored 274-244. The loss of Dobbins, who has rushed for eight touchdowns, could put more pressure on QB Justin Hebert and the passing game. Herbert's favorite option has been WR Ladd McConkey, who has four TD receptions among his 49 catches for 698 yards. McConkey, the former University of Georgia standout who was drafted in the second round, could enjoy a productive return to the state against a Falcons defense that ranks only 26th against the pass. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
It was a Netflix documentary Michael Nantais watched during the early months of the pandemic that cemented his love of sustainable farming. Nantais, who grew up just outside of Montreal in Pointe-Claire, started experimenting in his mother's backyard — growing kale, cucumbers, and zucchinis for the first time more than four years ago. "I didn't really know much at that time," the now 26-year-old said. "I was buying seedlings and planting them." Then came the rush of changes to his life and career plans. Nantais switched from an economics degree at university to a biology program to learn more about plants. He focused on learning everything about farming — first from a plant soil lab and later at a vertical farm in Montreal. Vertical farming stacks crops vertically in layers, typically in an indoor setup, which allows farmers to control lighting, humidity, and temperature. It's gaining popularity, especially in urban areas. "Was my mind set on vertical farming when I switched to biology? The answer is no," Nantais recalled. "I was open-minded ... I just wanted to learn," he said. Younger Canadians may not own the farmland or heavy machinery needed to launch traditional agriculture careers, but they are equipped with technology. That's changing how they get their foot in the door — even when they don't come from farm families. Traditionally, many agriculture students came from rural areas and planned to take over a farm eventually, said Jay Steeves, dean of Werklund School of Agriculture & Technology at Olds College in Alberta. Now, more students from urban areas are joining agricultural programs at schools, and graduates are finding niche areas of the field. "It's not just that broad acre farming with large operations," said Steeves. "We're starting to see indoor agriculture, the idea of produce and food creation for a growing population." Steeves recalled a school project a year ago when a student grew lettuce in their dorm room and was able to control different environments, moisture and light intensity remotely. "That idea of a student or an individual in a small, little dorm room with a growing operation the size of a mini-fridge is part of agriculture at this point in time," Steeves said, "and is now producing food that can be used and consumed by anyone on the planet." Innovation is key for aspiring farmers, said Craig Klemmer, principal economist at Farm Credit Canada. Starting small could be the first step. "With the changing face of the Canadian population, it's creating new opportunities for markets," he said. For instance, there's been a growing demand for sheep and goat meat, which can be started small and scaled up. Others are looking into more niche areas of the sector, he said — growing herbs or working in sustainable farming — which need fewer capital investments and resources to get operations going. "When you look at the opportunities, it's more on the smaller niche," Klemmer said. "Finding a new and creative solution, making some partnerships would be good ways to start." Nantais moved to Toronto last year to set up his own vertical farm business with an investment from his uncle but ran into a logistical issue: finding an appropriate rental space for the operation. He decided instead to partner with an existing vertical farm, Living Earth Farm, which grows sunflowers, peas, radishes, basil, cilantro and arugula, among other microgreens. He operates the farm as a partner and plans to be there for a while. "Hopefully, we can expand, increase our supply and start selling more of it." Exploring niche areas of farming comes at a time when the costs of farmland and farm machines have gone up exponentially over the years. The price of farmland in southern Ontario has gone up from an average of $2,616 per hectare in 1996 to approximately $23,100 per hectare in 2023, according to Farm Credit Canada's historical farmland values report. Other provinces have seen similar price jumps. "The reality, if we look at traditional crop production in Canada at large scale, they are very high barriers to entry," Klemmer said. "It would require quite a bit of capital to make those investments." That means not everyone is in a position to own a facility or run farmland, no matter the size. Steeves said many young graduates from the agricultural college are pivoting to areas such as crop science and working with larger producers to help them become more efficient. "A farmer isn't your classic picture, (a) person standing in the field, getting their hands dirty working with animals," Steeves said. Field work including drone assessments, pest management and soil testing are jobs increasingly finding a place among modern agriculture workers who want to be a part of the food system but can't own their own operations. "It's not so much operating and owning but doing more of the consulting for production," Steeves said. Resiliency can go a long way for a young farmer. Just like any other job, Steeves said, aspiring farmers need soft skills such as networking and the ability to move around for jobs. Despite rising interest in farming and a growing culture of grow-your-own-food, there remains a shortage in labour supply in the farming sector. As a large number of Canadian farmers head into retirement, fewer young people are stepping up to take on those roles. About 61 per cent of Canadian farm operators were 55 and older, according to a 2021 Statistics Canada report. Meanwhile, the number of farmers under 35 fell to 8.6 per cent as of 2021, compared with 11.5 per cent in 2001. "I think we still need more people," Steeves said. He said there's a place for everyone to be a part of agriculture — if not at the farmer or producer level — and still feel connected to the industry. "We're still trying to get rid of that myth that you have to come from this background in order to be involved," Steeves said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 21, 2024. Ritika Dubey, The Canadian PressMatt Gaetz withdraws as attorney general nominee
