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WSP Holdings Stock Soars to All-Time High of $98.75Mission will be the first RCMP detachment in B.C. to roll out the use of body-worn cameras, beginning the week of Nov. 25. It's the first of the six initial rollouts and will be followed by Ucluelet, Tofino (including Ahousaht), Prince George, Cranbrook and Kamloops, B.C. RCMP said during a news conference in Surrey Thursday (Nov. 21). In total in B.C., 3,000 officers in 144 detachments serving 150 municipalities will be using body-worn cameras. RCMP did not provide specific dates yet for the first six rollouts, but said a release would go out from each detachment to inform the public. B.C. RCMP commanding officer Dwayne McDonald said this represents the "largest and most ambitious rollout of body-worn cameras in the province." He said the body-worn cameras is "expected to promote transparency, to strengthen accountability and to enhance officer and public safety." "Basically how this works is that when one of our members responds to a call for service and begins to engage with a person, the camera is activated and you will see frontline officers wearing the cameras in front of their vests on a regular basis." RCMP is not the first to rollout body-worn cameras in B.C. The Delta Police Department, in the Lower Mainland, has been using the technology for more than two years. At a news conference in January 2024, the department anticipated it would have about 37 body-worn cameras in operation. More to come.

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Emma McKeon is determined to “have an impact” on people striving for success in the next phase of her life after Australia’s most successful Olympian confirmed her retirement from all swimming. With an unsurpassed haul of 14 Olympic medals, McKeon’s record outstrips every other Olympian in Australian history – more than 4300 athletes across 120 years. The 30-year-old was also an eight-time record holder and declared herself satisfied with her achievements and now ready to pass on everything she has learnt about overcoming hardships and working hard to achieve success. Watch SailGP FREE & LIVE on Kayo Freebies. Register free now, no credit card required. “If I look back at that young person – I think I was 17 when I missed London – you couldn’t have told her that I was going to go on to do this,” she said. “It’s just persisting, you have ups and you have downs. You just keep going along and you keep ticking the boxes. I can’t believe where I’m at right now and how I got here. “Leading in to Paris was definitely the hardest preparation I have had. I lost a lot of confidence in my swimming and felt a lot of pressure to back up what I had done in Tokyo. But I’m proud of how I handled it and proud I could still step up for my team while feeling the self-doubt. “Great things take time, and the long road there is where all the necessary things are learnt to take us to the next level. I will definitely miss it ... It’s brought me a lot of great relationships and shaped me into the person I am. “But I’m definitely ready for the next part of my life, which I’m excited for. I don’t think I’ve had the time to reflect on everything yet. “I want young kids to know that I was once in the same position they are – dreaming of one day doing something big. “And I want to have an impact on people’s lives by encouraging them to push hard and go after their dreams and what they are passionate about. Don’t be afraid to take on hard things and set aspirational goals that may at time be scary. This is how we push ourselves to achieve our dreams.” Swimming Australia head coach Rohan Taylor said there couldn’t be a better role model for younger athletes. “She always carried herself with dignity, and while we all saw her grace, the public cannot truly appreciate how tough she is,” he said. “Emma is a fierce competitor and she pushed herself through so many challenges during her career – the 100m freestyle gold in Tokyo was one of her best performances, but for me what stands out is her commitment to the team. “In Tokyo, she swam 50m free semi and then eight minutes later lined up for the 4x100m mixed medley relay. “Emma chose to do that ... she said ‘I’ve got this’, she wanted to help the relay team and they won bronze. It was a clutch performance and there was no question of her wanting to save herself for the 50m free final the next day ... which of course she won. “She always put her hand up to do the difficult things. And in Paris, to see her jump in the pool with her good mates and training partners was a special moment ... Emma has a high level of care towards her teammates that will be missed.” McKeon finished her Olympic career with three medals in Paris – gold in the women’s 4x100m relay, silver in the women’s 4x100m medley relay and a bronze as a heat swimmer in the mixed 4x100m medley. He longtime coach Michael Bohl said she was a “quiet achiever” despite her stunning success. “Hated any fuss, didn’t want any notoriety but she took great pride in representing her country and supporting her teammates,” he said. “Winning that 100m free in Tokyo was a standout for me ... her first gold medal in Rio, how do I pick one outstanding moment? “What Emma has done is unsurpassed, she set the standard for the world for so long and along the way never turned anyone away from an autograph or thought she was bigger than the team. “And while I coached her for 9-10 years, I must acknowledge the superb work her father did in crafting her technique early in her career ... he didn’t work her too hard or too long and this meant she could keep swimming until she was 30 years of age. “What she has achieved is our sport is unsurpassed.”BRAINERD — Alleged conflicts of interest and continued heated discussions about funding of the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport played into budget talks at the city of Brainerd on Monday, Dec. 2. Council members voted 6-1 to review a proposed 2% levy increase at the next meeting on Dec. 16, when they are expected to approve the final 2025 budget and property tax levy. Kara Terry was the sole vote against that proposal, saying she could not support a budget with only $1,000 dedicated to the airport’s levy and describing current discussion between the county and the city as a “pissing” contest. The decision for that levy came on Sept. 16, when the City Council set the preliminary 2025 property levy at an 8% increase over this year, with the goal of decreasing the final number before the December approval. Terry was absent during the meeting, leading to a split 3-3 vote to set the airport levy at $150,000. That tie was broken by Mayor Dave Badeaux, who was opposed. A subsequent motion to approve a $1,000 levy for the airport passed 5-1, with Tiffany Stenglein as the sole no vote. ADVERTISEMENT Further discussion on the airport levy took place in November, when the city’s Personnel and Finance Committee recommended setting the airport levy at $125,000, but that motion failed 5-2, with Terry and Stenglein opposed. The proposed levy, then, stayed at $1,000. The airport levy issue is ongoing and one council member, Jeff Czeczok, has spoken about it several times, stating the residents of Brainerd are double taxed for the airport because they pay into both city and county airport levies. The airport is jointly owned by Brainerd and Crow Wing County, and both entities levy funds for its operations. In November 2023, the Crow Wing County Board agreed to increase its airport levy by 6%, which represents Brainerd’s share of the county’s tax base, while the city decreased its airport levy by the same amount to offset the cost. That 6% amounted to $9,420, leaving the city’s 2024 airport levy at $146,080. In May 2024, the council voted to establish a work group to discuss the future of airport funding and operations with county staff and officials. One of the ideas from the council was the county assuming sole ownership, which would get rid of the need for the city to levy for the airport. According to City Attorney Joe Langel, the joint powers agreement between the city and county stating both entities should levy for the airport is unclear on how the levy needs to be split up. An email from County Administrator Deborah Erickson in August stated the county was not interested in any ownership changes at the airport and would not entertain any such requests from the city. County Commissioner Steve Barrows told the Dispatch in November the county was willing to talk about ownership, but it was too late in the game for the 2025 budget. After Monday’s budget discussion, Terry said she had several points she wanted to make, starting with the idea of double taxation on Brainerd residents for the airport. That, she said, is not happening, as double taxation would mean the county and city are each taking $1 of taxes from residents for the airport. “While the city is taxing its residents, let’s say, $1 for example, the county is taking approximately 6% of that dollar,” Terry said. “... So technically, it’s not double taxation. Is it right? No. Is it double taxation? No. Is it something that should be remedied? Yes.” While last year’s scenario of the county increasing its airport levy by 6% might not have been the perfect solution, Terry said it showed a good faith effort by the county to help with the issue. As the community services director for Crow Wing County, Terry said she is aware of the county’s budgeting process, which begins in March and lasts throughout the year. The council’s discussion about the airport levy, she said, came in the last minutes of the budget session and was not fair to the County Board, nor is the low levy fair to airport employees. ADVERTISEMENT “With the pissing contest — and yes I did use that word — we’re in now with the County Board and the $1,000 allocation to the airport, what message do you think that that sends to our airport staff who are now questioning the funding of their employment?” Terry said. “How much confidence does that give to those staff who work hard to ensure we have a fully functioning airport? Let me tell you, it doesn’t make them feel secure or like their work matters, especially this late in the budget season.”The last issue Terry brought up was the idea that she has a conflict of interest on certain council matters because she works for the county. She went back to Mayor Badeaux’s accusation of a conflict of interest on her part when the council discussed homelessness and a camping ban in July. At that time, Terry spoke about her experience at the county being valuable in dealing with certain city issues and insisted there was no issue with her correspondence with city staff through her county email, as Badeaux alleged, as her city email is all routed to her county address. Now, Terry said it was brought to her attention there are worries of her being influenced by the county in her vote on the airport levy. “God forbid that I would have my own mind, my thoughts, my beliefs, the data, the community input to make my own decisions on this issue,” she said. “But also, I have integrity, and I would not be influenced to vote for something I don’t agree with.”She went on to say County Administrator Erickson and County Board members also have integrity and would not ask her to do that. “I find this conflict of interest thing to be quite entertaining and interesting, as I have been the only one questioned on my conflicts of interest when we have sitting council members who own small businesses within the city, and no one has questioned their ability to make recommendations or to vote on anything having to do with small businesses,” Terry said. She wrapped up her comments by saying she was not in favor of a $1,000 levy for the airport and, while the issue needs to be solved, urged the council to take a more planful approach and have a more thoughtful discussion on the matter next year. Since setting the preliminary levy, several changes have impacted the budget. During a meeting Nov. 18, the council agreed to reduce the capital levy by $100,000 for future park capital items. Finance Director Connie Hillman told council members at their Monday, Dec. 2, meeting of decreases to the city’s estimated insurance rates. The city budgeted a projected increase of 5% for workers’ compensation insurance renewal rates, but that rate ended up being much lower, decreasing the working funds budget by $135,200. The League also suggested an increase in rates for property, liability, auto and equipment insurance, though the actual rates lowered the budget by about $27,000. The most recent budget projections show an increase of $513,884 in personnel services, largely due to contracts that were settled and employees moving through the city’s wage scale. Decreases to the debt levy, capital levy and airport levy, however, come close to offsetting much of the needed levy increase, Hillman said, meaning the city would only need to set its levy at $6,984,745 — or a 0.37% increase over 2024 — for a perfectly balanced budget. Included in that budget, though, is the use of $113,188 in the city’s fund balance to offset the levy. That money was levied for the 2024 budget, as the council was unsure of the cost of a rate study, but it was not used. Hillman said the council could elect to keep that money in the fund balance, knowing the city was not in compliance with its fund balance policy at the end of 2023, and then raise the levy by 2%. A final option to set the levy at an increase of up to 4%, Hillman said, could result in increases in the capital levy, permanent improvement levy and the fund balance. The last option would also result in a more steady levy increase instead of peaks and valleys from year to year. The same reductions are not promised next year to offset the increasing costs of personnel services, Hillman said. ADVERTISEMENT No one spoke during the council’s public hearing on the budget and levy Monday. With the council’s direction, Hillman will prepare a budget presentation with a 2% levy increase for the next meeting on Dec. 16, when the council is expected to approve the final budget and levy. The final levy must be approved by the end of the year and can be lower but not higher than the preliminary levy. THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .ITV I'm A Celeb fans say 'true colours' exposed with star 'set to walk'

COMMERCE, Texas (AP) — Scooter Williams Jr. had 19 points in East Texas A&M's 68-67 victory over Abilene Christian on Wednesday. Williams added six rebounds and three steals for the Lions (2-10). Khaliq Abdul-Mateen added 17 points while going 3 of 8 and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line while he also had five assists and three steals. The Lions snapped a seven-game slide. Quion Williams led the Wildcats (7-5) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and seven assists. Leonardo Bettiol added 16 points and seven rebounds for Abilene Christian. Hunter Jack Madden had 13 points. Story continues below video The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Sending parents home with their healthy infants sooner, LHSC establishes permanent early discharge programHouse rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics reportBy Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter The closer a Prince Rupert woman looked at the deer in her yard, the stranger things became for her. “It was the first time I’ve seen anything like that; it was pretty bizarre,” said Joan Dudoward. Dudoward is a senior residing on 11th Avenue East in Prince Rupert. A flash of movement caught her eye as she scrubbed her breakfast plates on a typical Wednesday morning. Peeking out the window above her sink, she gasped— a majestic buck with massive antlers stood gracefully in her yard. “As soon as I noticed the huge buck, I ran and grabbed my camera to photograph it. I’ve been taking photos since I was a teenager...I photograph everything,” she said. She says he cozied up to lie on the grass and stayed for about half an hour. “He was wiggling his ears so I zoomed in and noticed a tag clipped on him,” she said. “I thought, why is this dear clipped? I got very concerned.” Dudoward, driven by her curiosity, noted that one side of the clip was labelled “BC WILDLIFE 06-529,” while the other read “CALL RAP: 877-952-7227.” It was suspicious because the number displayed is very similar but different from the official number of B.C.’s Conservation Officer Service, which is 1-877-952-7277. Also, the legitimate acronym for their hotline, Report All Poachers and Polluters, is “RAPP,” not “RAP,” as indicated on the tag. She called the number on the neon green tag to inquire about the buck, but reached a woman who spoke to her very hurriedly, she said. The buck had a number of an agency clipped to his ear. Photo: Submitted, Joan Dudoward The woman, who identified herself as Jessica, wanted to send Dudoward a “free medical alert device” that she could wear around her neck. “We’re very excited to tell you about a special promotion for select callers,” Dudoward recalls the woman saying. She was then asked questions such as her age to check eligibility. Jessica then explained that as a senior, the device would help her in emergencies, such as falls, by alerting her immediate contacts. To proceed with delivery, she said she needed some personal information from Dudoward, such as her address. Then, Dudoward was abruptly transferred to another agent who continued the call. But when she tried to ask her about the buck and why the agency had clipped its number on his ear, they wouldn’t respond but instead continued to promote their products “That’s just cruelty to animals. They are targeting seniors for sure, and hurting the deer in the process,” said Dudoward. She wondered how they must have handled the wild animal to dart him. She questioned, “Did they sedate him? What exactly happened there?” She was absolutely shocked. Dudoward couldn’t comprehend why B.C. Wildlife, a legitimate organization, would have put this company’s number on the buck’s ear. The incident reminded her of this continued pattern of companies attempting to target elderly and vulnerable individuals. “I also have my mother’s old number, and it gets scam calls all the time,” she said. “How can they do that? Especially to seniors. They are trying to decide if they should pay the rent or get medication,” said Dudoward in frustration. She proceeded to contact the legitimate conservation officer’s number, who, like the local RCMP, didn’t pay much heed to her situation, she said. The next day, Dudoward called the agency’s number on the tag again, and the conversation took a completely different turn. Now, the agent asked if she was 18 and was promoting products aimed at youth. They informed her that she needed to pay $3 through a call paywall to proceed to the next step, during which she would be directed to the free products for which she was eligible. “The message keeps changing; this is so strange,” said Dudoward. The Northern View investigated the call and found that it was an intricately designed AI automated voice call. The system guides the caller through different phases by detecting both their spoken responses and the number keys they press. Contrary to Dudoward’s initial belief, it wasn’t a live human speaking to her, but a pre-recorded one. In fact, similar cases of fraud involving medical alert devices have happened in the U.S. before, prompting the New York State Department of State and the Minnesota Attorney General to issue cautionary alerts for consumers regarding these “robocalls.” The authorities advised seniors to immediately hang up, not press any keys when prompted, and avoid sharing personal information. “Fraud is the number one crime against older Canadians. Though people of all ages can be victims of fraud, older people get targeted more than others,” states the Canadian Government on its website. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) says that there have been 40,623 reports of fraud this year up to Oct. 31, resulting in a loss of $503 million. Vishing is a social engineering technique that uses voice communication technology. It involves fraudulent phone calls to trick the victim into revealing personal data. The CAFC advises caution during phone calls. They urge people not to hesitate to say no if something feels off and not to feel pressured by urgency or time limits. They also encourage taking enough time to research before sharing personal information. The Northern View contacted the B.C. Wildlife Federation for a comment regarding the tag on the buck. “The Conservation Officer Service darted this deer Nov. 5 to remove wires wrapped around its antlers. The tag is legitimate, but unfortunately has the wrong number on it for RAPP. The new versions of the tag have the correct number and COS will stop using these older tags,” said Jesse Zeman, executive director at B.C. Wildlife Federation. Although the exact cause of this mistake is unclear, anyone who suspects fraud should contact CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or their local police. This article first appeared in The Northern View.

(Bloomberg) — Chilean authorities are expected to grant Enami a lithium operating license by year-end, paving the way for the state company to secure partners to develop the project. All six local indigenous communities have given their consent for the Altoandinos project to proceed in salt flats in the northern desert, allowing for permits to be granted, according to Enami chief executive officer Ivan Mlynarz. “The commitment of the Mining Ministry is for that to happen by the end of December,” he said in an interview Wednesday. Altoandinos would be the first project to go through community consultation and permitting under President Gabriel Boric’s public-private approach to opening up new extraction areas in a bid to double output. While the state will control projects in Chile’s two biggest salt flats, Enami has been cleared to hand over control of Altoandinos to a private group. Prospective partners are betting lithium will recover from near three-year lows as a glut works its way through battery supply chains after electric-vehicle demand slowed just as new supply came on stream. The state company has shortlisted four would-be developers — Rio Tinto Group, China’s BYD Co., France’s Eramet SA and Posco Holdings Inc. of South Korea. Two other firms — China’s CNGR Advanced Material Co. and LG Energy Solution Ltd. — are in the running to put up financing in exchange for a share of production. A final decision on Altoandinos partners is scheduled for April or May, Mlynarz said. In a parallel process, companies are vying to provide direct lithium extraction technology for the project. Chile is pushing the use of DLE as a greener alternative to the conventional evaporation technique. Altoandinos, comprised of three salt flats in the Atacama region, is forecast to churn out 20,000 metric tons a year by 2032 and triple that by 2037. That would require investment of $800 million to $1 billion.Take $150 Off the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 Gaming LaptopLITTLETON, Colo. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- CONX CORP. (OTC: CNXX) ("CONX") today announced the acquisition of a controlling interest in Red Technologies SAS ("RED Technologies"), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, RED Tech US, LLC, for a maximum purchase price of approximately EUR 18.6 million in cash, subject to certain adjustments. CONX acquired approximately 68% of RED Technologies' outstanding share capital at closing, with the remainder of the shares to be acquired in future installments based on the achievement of certain milestones. The executive team of RED Technologies, Pierre-Jean Muller (Co-Founder and CEO) and Michael Abitbol (Co-Founder and COO), will continue to manage the operations of RED Technologies, aimed at establishing the company as a viable alternative in the CBRS market. "The acquisition of RED Technologies by CONX is a pivotal milestone on our path to serve as a viable alternative to the current duopoly in the SAS space," said RED Technologies CEO P.J. Muller . "This partnership strengthens our ability to innovate and enhance the CBRS ecosystem for the benefit of all operators and stakeholders. With support and investment from CONX, we are poised to accelerate the development of cutting-edge features, such as GAA coexistence, Network Planner, and AI-based CBRS analytics, that align with our mission to support the FCC's vision and empower rural broadband and the nascent Private Network industry." "CONX was formed to invest in next generation connectivity opportunities and their supporting infrastructure assets," said CONX CEO Jason Kiser . "Through RED's unique opportunity as a technology enabler for spectrum allocation, we have positioned CONX to create long term value across multiple sectors. We look forward to RED becoming a best-in-class Spectrum Access System (SAS) operator with potential to grow throughout the United States and internationally." CONX also announced Marc Rouanne will join the RED Technologies board. Marc is the Co-Founder, Chairman and CTO of Edgescale AI, a SaaS developer focused on connecting cutting-edge AI with data and devices in physical systems. Most recently, he was the Chief Network Officer for DISH Wireless responsible for designing DISH's 5G Network. In addition, Marc has more than 20 years of international management experience in the telecommunications industry, having held executive positions in R&D, customer operations and product management in the U.S., France and Finland , including as President of Mobile Networks at Nokia and Chairman of the Board of Alcatel-Lucent. About CONX Corporation (OTC: CNXX) CONX is a diversified operating entity seeking opportunities to power the next generation of innovators in communications and connectivity. CONX's mission is to partner with emerging companies with quality management and strong and differentiated business models with the ability to scale quickly. About RED Technologies Established in 2012 and headquartered in Paris, France , RED Technologies SAS ("RED Technologies") specializes in spectrum-sharing technologies and services. The company offers scalable, cloud-based solutions for Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) and Television White Space (TVWS), catering to operators across various sectors, and provides operated 5G connectivity solutions that democratize access to 5G technology for companies aiming to modernize their communications infrastructure in both the U.S. and European markets. RED Technologies has been a pioneer in spectrum sharing technologies and actively contributed to the CBRS regulatory and standard developments. RED Technologies' team is constituted of first-class engineers coming from top tier telecom vendors and operators. Important Notice The description contained herein is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities of CONX. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements which may constitute "forward-looking statements." Actual results could differ materially from those projected or forecast in the forward-looking statements. The factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following: the possibility that the parties may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies pursuant to the transaction within the expected timeframes or at all and to successfully integrate Red Technologies' operations into those of CONX ; such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected; revenues following the transaction may be lower than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, clients or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the transaction; the retention of certain key employees at Red Technologies; the parties' ability to meet expectations regarding the accounting and tax treatments of the transaction; CONX and Red Technologies are subject to intense competition; Red Technologies' products must remain compatible with, and its product development is dependent upon access to, changing operating environments; we may become dependent upon large transactions; customer decisions are influenced by general economic conditions; third parties may claim that RED Technologies' products infringe their intellectual property rights; fluctuations in non-U.S. currencies could result in transaction losses; acts of war and terrorism may adversely affect CONX's and RED Technologies' business; the volatility of the international marketplace; and the other factors discussed in "Risk Factors" in CONX's Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 29, 2024 (as amended), and in other reports we file with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov . CONX expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in CONX's expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/conx-corp-announces-acquisition-of-red-technologies-sas-302324446.html SOURCE CONX Corp.

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WASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Matt Gaetz talks before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate Nov. 14 in Palm Beach, Fla. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. People are also reading... Nebraska transportation director: Expressway system won't be done until 2042 Blue Springs family to host 2025 Cattleman's Ball At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance 27-year-old Beatrice man sentenced for May assault They fell in love with Beatrice. So they opened a store in downtown. Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs Hospice foundation helps with extra support Gage County Sheriff's Office helps catch Fairbury suspect Mother to Mother supporting families 'The Message' religious sect sprouts destructive groups across globe Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals At the courthouse, Nov. 23, 2024 Shatel: Emotions are still simmering, but Nebraska delivered the bottom line for 2024 — a bowl game Black Friday starts a busy weekend of serving customers Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. Here are the people Trump picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Pam Bondi, Attorney General Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Paul Atkins, Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Billy Long, Internal Revenue Service commissioner Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Kelly Loeffler, Small Business Administration administrator Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Flag football scours nation with talent camps to uncover next wave of stars

The Sambhal administration in Uttar Pradesh has issued a directive prohibiting the entry of outsiders into the district in response to the recent unrest Sambhal: At least 15 people have been detained in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district following violent clashes and alleged stone-pelting during a mosque survey on Sunday morning. The unrest resulted in three fatalities and injuries to around thirty people. The Sambhal administration has issued a directive prohibiting the entry of outsiders into the district in response to the recent unrest in the region after a mosque survey. According to the order issued by the Sambhal administration, all outsiders, including social organisations and public representatives have been barred from the area until December 1. This move comes as part of precautionary measures to maintain law and order following the disturbances that rocked the area on Sunday. The decision was made after a thorough assessment of the situation, with the local authorities citing security concerns and the need to prevent any escalation of tension. The prohibition applies to individuals and groups not residing within the district, including members of various social and political parties, as well as any public figures intending to visit the area during this period. 3 Killed, Over 30 Injured Including 20 Police Personnel Earlier, the Sambhal district administration on Sunday ordered a 24-hour internet suspension in the district following violence over a mosque survey that left three people dead and around 30 people injured including 20 policemen. The unrest began when a team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a fresh survey on Sunday, prompting locals to allegedly attack security personnel and pelt stones at the police. In response, the police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Sambhal has been witnessing a heightened sense of tension following these recent incidents that led to widespread protests and clashes. The district administration, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, has been actively monitoring the situation. Authorities are on high alert and have deployed additional police forces in sensitive areas to prevent any further outbreaks of violence. Officials said that the survey, conducted from 7 am to 11 am, began peacefully under police presence. However, tension escalated when a mob gathered and pelted stones at the survey team and security personnel. Divisional Commissioner Singh told ANI, “Some people started stone-pelting, and the police dispersed them. Then, a larger mob of 2000-3000 people gathered and started stone-pelting again.” Protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at police officers. Security forces responded with tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Over 15 individuals, including two women, were arrested for stone-pelting, officials said. The administration has also ordered the closure of schools in the Sambhal district on 25 November. The closure order will affect all educational institutions in the region, including primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools. The district administration has stated that this decision is a precautionary measure, and further orders will be given after assessing the situation tomorrow. As per the announcement, schools will remain closed for tomorrow, and the authorities will monitor the situation closely. They have assured parents and the public that a decision about the continuation or extension of the closure will be made based on the developments on the ground. Meanwhile, the decision to limit access to the district comes in the wake of attempts by outside groups to influence the situation, which authorities believe could inflame existing tensions. By curbing outside intervention, the administration aims to allow local law enforcement and administrative officials to focus on resolving the issues at hand without external pressures. Officials have urged residents to remain calm and avoid participating in any activities that could disrupt public peace. They have also reassured the public that the situation is being closely monitored and that the necessary steps are being taken to ensure safety and stability. The entry restrictions will remain in place until December 1, after which the situation will be reassessed based on the prevailing conditions. Get Current Updates on India News , Entertainment News along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world. Published 08:31 IST, November 25th 2024SHELTON, Conn. , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- William Raveis , the Inman -awarded Top Brokerage in the U.S. (2023), and the number one privately held real estate company in the Northeast, Florida , and South Carolina is proud to announce the strategic partnership with Town & Country Real Estate (T&C), a luxury brokerage serving the East End of Long Island , New York since 2005. Growing throughout the luxury Triangle—New York City, The Hamptons, The North Fork, Palm Beach , and Westchester marketplace. The T&C offices will be joining forces with William Raveis' growing network of over 140 offices, and 4,500 agents from Maine to Florida . Likewise, the award-winning brokerage, William Raveis , gains a foothold within the Hamptons and The North Fork luxury real estate. T&C's founder, Judi Desiderio (CEO) and Janet Hummel (Managing Partner) will stay on as partners along with more than 150 T&C sales agents. "We're delighted to welcome Town & Country to our family company," said William, "Bill" Raveis, Jr. adding, "I've gotten to know Judi and Janet over these many months and found our business model, family culture, and entrepreneurial approach to helping the agents aligns beautifully." This year, William Raveis celebrates 50 years in business, with Bill Raveis at the helm, sons Chris and Ryan Raveis as co-presidents, and strong management support, they are on a trajectory for growth, making company acquisitions in top luxury markets along the East Coast. Chris Raveis comments, "T&C's stellar reputation for luxury service resonates with clients in the Hamptons and will elsewhere in our footprint." Judi Desiderio agrees, "Our trademark has always been our ability to pivot to the needs of buyers, sellers, and renters. This expansion through the Raveis footprint gives our associates the single best opportunity to grow their businesses and service their clients in a unique way bolstered by superior technology and support. Which is why we're excited to grow our business throughout the luxury Triangle—New York City, The Hamptons, Palm Beach , and Westchester County. Stronger together, the possibilities are endless with William Raveis ." Bill Raveis is confident in their mission. "Our expertise in luxury marketing and providing full-service offerings through William Raveis Mortgage and Insurance helps navigate the complexities of buying, selling, and renting properties. In addition, every agent and client benefits from our robust referral network spanning the East Coast". The company is aggressively pursuing growth opportunities with future acquisitions in the pipeline across the Florida and Southern regions as well as in the Northeast marketplace over the coming months. Learn more at raveis.com or visit the team at their new William Raveis Long Island offices in Bridgehampton, Greenport, East Hampton , Mattituck, Montauk, Southampton, and Westhampton Beach. About William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage, and Insurance ... William Raveis is the number one privately held real estate brokerage in the Northeast, Florida , and South Carolina providing integrated real estate services to customers and clients for over 50 years. Selected as the Top Brokerage 2023 by Inman, the voice of REALTORS® and industry news, the company ranks among the nation's top independent and publicly traded brokerages for sales volume and units sold. In addition to its specialized Residential, Relocation, and Luxury Properties divisions, William Raveis has full-service, top-tier Mortgage and Insurance Companies. About Town & Country Real Estate ... Hamptons and North Fork real estate markets are the main topics of conversation across the East End of Long Island with global interest. With decades of experience, Town & Country Real Estate is renowned for its local expertise and market insights delivered by a professional team of over 150 sales agents. Under the leadership of its founder & CEO, Judi Desiderio and T&C Managing Partner Janet Hummel, the firm is prominently featured in New York and national media outlets showcasing their magnificent portfolio of properties throughout the Eastern End of Long Island and expansive regional knowledge and insight. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/william-raveis-expands-to-the-hamptons-and-north-fork-long-island-in-strategic-partnership-with-town--country-real-estate-302335444.html SOURCE William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.CONX Corp. Announces Acquisition of Red Technologies SASRico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. No further details on Carty’s death were provided. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favourite,” the players’ association said . The Braves said Carty left on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise’s first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season.

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