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Jodey Arrington has 2 days to save the House budget Jodey Arrington has 2 days to save the House budget This is the moment Jodey Arrington has been waiting for: The Texas Republican and longtime fiscal hawk has a GOP trifecta, the House Budget Committee gavel and an opportunity to make the enormous cuts to federal spending he’s always wanted. But Arrington’s now at risk of being outmaneuvered by fellow chairs, senior leaders and the Senate as frustration gives way to full-blown anger among House Republicans over how he has struggled to advance President Donald Trump’s vast policy agenda. A plan blessed by Arrington’s close personal friend, Speaker Mike Johnson, has stalled for weeks in the Budget Committee. Arrington and fellow Texas hard-liner Chip Roy have battled Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) and other senior Republicans over the fiscal parameters for the sweeping border, energy and tax bill. Arrington on Tuesday called a Thursday meeting of his committee to settle those vast differences and advance a budget blueprint, and he now has less than 48 hours to figure out how to make it all work. “We’ll soon find out if Jodey is in over his head,” one GOP lawmaker, granted anonymity to speak candidly, texted shortly after Arrington announced the Thursday markup. It is, to be sure, a staggeringly difficult task to bridge the deficit-minded politics of the hard right with the more pragmatic concerns of swing-district Republicans who are wary of political blowback, and top House leaders are ratcheting up the pressure as they try to swiftly deliver Trump’s legislative agenda. His own struggles reflect just how difficult it will be for Republicans to deliver on Trump’s promises with their narrow majorities in both chambers. Still, Arrington has struggled to get even the 20 other Republicans on his committee on the same page. He has made clear that his heart lies with the panel’s most conservative members, who see the present moment as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get the nation’s fiscal trajectory on track. He’s long agitated for Republicans to get control of skyrocketing spending on the mandatory programs — including Medicare and Medicaid — that largely drive federal budget deficits. But as a committee chair, Arrington is a de facto member of GOP leadership who is expected to fall in line behind more senior Republicans who have to balance ideology and agenda with protecting their majority — and protecting the jurisdiction of other chairs with different priorities. Budget hawk Arrington has allies and defenders among the small cadre of Capitol Hill budget hawks who have frequently battled Republican leaders as they push for deeper cuts than many in the GOP find politically palatable. “I appreciate what Jodey’s trying to do over there. You know, he’s serious about bringing us back to some pre-pandemic level spending,” said Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, a member of the Senate Budget Committee and a longtime advocate for spending austerity. “Unfortunately, others in his conference aren’t.” “He’s listened,” added Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of both the Budget Committee and the hard-right Freedom Caucus. “He is doing a good job.” But Arrington has openly warred at times with fellow chairs and other senior Republicans who believe he isn’t a reliable team player. For instance, in a private meeting Tuesday, he rebuffed Smith’s efforts to expand the scale of the tax cuts that could be embedded in the package. Smith afterward took a public shot at him, telling reporters that the figures Arrington put forward could not accommodate both a permanent extension of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts plus other campaign priorities the president ran on last year. “Anything less would be saying that President Trump is wrong on tax policy,” Smith said. A senior Republican aide made a similar point, saying Arrington’s priorities do not necessarily align with those of the country’s most powerful Republican: “Everyone wants to cut spending. The problem is President Trump didn’t run on cutting spending. … Jodey just isn’t playing ball.” The irony is that Arrington hardly cuts the profile of a hardcore conservative ideologue. Rather than emerge from the tea party politics of the late 2000s like many House members on the hard right, he’s a veteran of the Texas GOP establishment — an alumnus of George W. Bush’s gubernatorial administration and White House who later served as an executive for his alma mater Texas Tech. His brand of fiscal conservatism has soft edges, much like Arrington himself — a dimpled, eager and jovial politician who has sought to rally fellow Republicans behind his “Reverse the Curse” fiscal plan. That has been a struggle at times — one that has prompted some unusually personal clashes with fellow Republican leaders. In early 2023, after he first assumed the gavel, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy blocked Arrington from releasing a budget that included spending cuts so drastic that some centrists worried it would hurt them politically. With Democrats in control of the Senate and White House and no chance of any budget getting adopted, McCarthy saw no point in exposing his vulnerable members to blowback over the document. “These budget resolutions are not easy,” Arrington said in an interview that year, not long after The New York Times reported that McCarthy considered Arrington “incompetent.” (Notably, Arrington was and remains close to Majority Leader Steve Scalise, McCarthy’s chief internal rival.) Opportunity of a lifetime Now Arrington’s job has suddenly gone from nuisance to necessary for House Republicans. The GOP wants to use budget reconciliation procedures to overcome a Democratic filibuster in the Senate, and that requires both chambers first adopting a budget resolution — a fiscal outline for the legislation to follow. It’s Arrington who is supposed to play the leading role in drafting that outline, and people close with him say he’s reluctant to pass up the opportunity to institute serious spending reductions while also keeping tax cuts in check to finally wrangle out-of-control deficits. But as the plan has taken shape in recent months, senior Republicans have privately complained that Arrington has dragged his feet on making difficult decisions and have questioned whether he is more loyal to the conference’s elected leadership or the Freedom Caucus hard-liners they’re trying to corral. The tensions have been inflamed by Arrington’s internal campaign to get fellow committee chairs to cough up increasing levels of spending cuts — or, in Smith’s case, curbing his tax-cut plans — in order to keep the overall package’s deficit impact in line. Things came to a head Monday night on the House floor, where Arrington held a tense conversation with Johnson and several other senior Republicans. The upshot was that Johnson would be shopping around a budget plan of his own — one that guarantees more modest spending cuts than what Arrington and the hard-liners have been pushing for while also reining in potential tax cuts. After a POLITICO story Monday described it as Johnson “snatching the pen” from the Budget chair, Arrington rose inside a closed-door GOP conference meeting Tuesday morning to deny any such thing. And then, after weeks of waiting, he announced to his colleagues that his panel would finally schedule a markup later in the coming days. Senior Republicans are still concerned that a deal won’t come together in time for the Thursday meeting, especially with the Senate Budget Committee set to move Wednesday on its own competing blueprint — one that some House hard-liners continue to prefer. “I like Jodey quite a bit, personally — I don’t envy the position he’s in,” observed Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania, the top Budget Committee Democrat. “It’s very interesting to me that there’s suddenly a markup on Thursday, because I did not realize that somehow, suddenly there is agreement on the House Republican side.” Mia McCarthy and Jennifer Scholtes contributed to this report. Source link #Jodey #Arrington #days #save #House #budget Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

U.S. bishops ask Pope Francis for prayers to build better immigration system – Catholic News Agency U.S. bishops ask Pope Francis for prayers to build better immigration system – Catholic News Agency U.S. bishops ask Pope Francis for prayers to build better immigration system Catholic News AgencyTrump’s “border czar” tells Pope Francis to “stick to the Catholic Church” as pope slams mass deportations CBS NewsPope Criticizes Trump’s Deportation of Migrants, Calling It a Violation of Dignity The New York TimesPope Francis Is Ready to Take On MAGA Foreign Policy Source link #U.S #bishops #Pope #Francis #prayers #build #immigration #system #Catholic #News #Agency Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Vinicius Jr says Rodri banner motivated him more to beat Man City Vinicius Jr says Rodri banner motivated him more to beat Man City Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr said the display of a banner highlighting Rodri’s Ballon d’Or win before kick-off at Manchester City motivated him even more to win the Champions League play-off first leg. Spain midfielder Rodri claimed the prestigious honour ahead of the Brazil winger last October, with Real boycotting the ceremony in Paris because they felt their player had deserved the award. The large banner unfurled by City fans on Tuesday night at Etihad Stadium showed Rodri kissing the Ballon d’Or alongside the words “Stop crying your heart out”. However, a last-minute Jude Bellingham goal ensured it was Real who were celebrating at full-time as they won 3-2. “I saw the banner,” Vinicius Jr told Movistar. “Whenever the opposing fans do things like that they give me more strength to have a great game and here I have done it.” This was the fourth successive season – and the fifth in six – that the two teams have met in the knockout stages of the tournament. Real won on penalties when the pair faced off in the quarter-finals last year and Carlo Ancelotti’s side went on to win their 15th title. “They know our history, everything we do in this competition,” Vinicius Jr “It is the fifth time we come here, it is always very cold, but this time we have won and we have to continue this.” The two sides meet in Madrid in the second leg next Wednesday. Source link #Vinicius #Rodri #banner #motivated #beat #Man #City Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Exporters and US companies condemn Trump tariff hike Exporters and US companies condemn Trump tariff hike There’s dismay at the Trump administration’s new tariffs among exporting countries and US companies relying on steel and aluminium. Source link #Exporters #companies #condemn #Trump #tariff #hike Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Archer Aviation doubles down on defense aircraft with $300M raise Archer Aviation doubles down on defense aircraft with $300M raise Escalating geopolitical tensions and a new administration with a hawkish defense agenda have led many startups to embrace dual-use strategies to secure revenue through military applications. It’s a trend that is already heating up in aerospace. Take Archer Aviation, a California-based startup building eVTOLs (electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles). Until very recently, Archer’s go-to-market strategy was an air taxi network across several cities in the U.S. and abroad. Archer’s focus is now more acutely on defense, and it has attracted fresh capital to further that mission. The company, which went public in September 2021 via a special purpose acquisition merger (SPAC), on Tuesday announced a $300 million equity raise from institutional investors like BlackRock and Wellington. The raise brings Archer’s total funding to around $3.36 billion. This fresh capital comes off the back of a $430 million round in December to fund its new Archer Defense program. As part of that program, Archer signed an exclusive deal with weapons manufacturer Anduril to jointly develop a hybrid gas-and-electric-powered VTOL aircraft for critical defense applications. Together, the two are targeting a program of record from the Department of Defense, which is a budgeted acquisition program with guaranteed funding over a set *******. “As we dug into the work we were doing on the defense front, we realized that the market was a lot larger than we initially expected, both in terms of scope as well as timing,” Nikhil Goel, Archer’s chief commercial officer, told TechCrunch. “We’re the only company in the space that I think is targeting a sizable defense program of record,” Goel continued. “So we really want to be strategic with the investments we’re making and go full steam ahead on this.” Rivals in the space like Joby Aviation and Beta Technologies also have military contracts to test their aircraft for surveillance, logistics, and reconnaissance missions. Archer has such contracts with the military, but what it’s chasing now via the program of record is guaranteed funding, a path to scale, and a serious competitive moat. Goel confirmed that the $300 million from investors will mainly be used to accelerate the work Archer is doing with Anduril to build a hybrid craft (VTOL), though he didn’t share any updates on the company’s bid with the DOD. Archer’s decision comes at a moment of industry momentum. The Trump administration has vowed to “rapidly field emerging technologies” like AI, drones, and counter-drone systems to modernize the military. The very qualities that make eVTOLs perfect for urban and regional flight are also attractive for defense use cases. Story Continues Cruising at 300 feet, Archer Aviation’s electric aircraft, Midnight, makes less noise than a passing car on the highway. In an urban environment, it blends into other transportation sounds in a way that helicopters cannot. “The sound profile is why we are so well positioned to [build aircraft] for defense,” Goel said. “If you look at the traditional helicopters that the defense industry uses, they’re very loud and have very noticeable heat signatures. And so that makes helicopters not a great fit for more discreet missions.” Archer’s Midnight is built with 12 sets of engines and propellers – six in the front, six in the back. That distributed propulsion among smaller rotors that spin slightly slower — rather than a single large main rotor and tail rotor that operate at high speeds — creates much less noise. VTOLs are also designed to transition from a vertical lift to a winged horizontal flight like an airplane. When in forward flight, the Midnight generates all the lift from the wing, rather than from downward thrust, which also reduces overall rotor noise, Archer’s CEO and founder Adam Goldstein told TechCrunch during a recent flight demonstration. Archer Aviation’s Covington, Georgia, eVTOL facility.Image Credits:Archer Aviation While Archer is gunning to supply the defense industry with aircraft, the company still intends to launch its first limited commercial air taxi network in late 2025 in the United Arab Emirates. In 2026, Archer says it will expand air taxi services to several other cities and countries, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, South Korea, and India. The company has partnered with major airlines to facilitate air taxi networks like United, Southwest, and IndiGo. In November 2024, a joint venture from Japan Airlines and Sumitomo conditionally agreed to purchase up to $500 million worth of electric aircraft from Archer. But 2026 isn’t that far away, and Archer has pushed out its timelines before. That’s partly because Archer is still working toward validating the safety of its eVTOLs and securing the necessary certification from the Federal Aviation Administration. In the U.S., eVTOL companies need to secure type certification to approve the design of an aircraft, production certification to prove they can mass-produce a vehicle that meets its approved design, and airworthiness certification to ensure an aircraft is safe for flying. Goel says Archer is far along in the process for those certifications but has yet to receive any of them. Nor has Archer flown with a pilot in its aircraft yet, which is a necessary step toward testing the aircraft with passengers. He adds that Archer will put a pilot in one of its Midnights “imminently.” The process of certifying aircraft and scaling production is an expensive one. Construction on Archer’s Georgia factory, built with its strategic investor, Stellantis, is nearly complete, with production expected to begin this quarter. Archer hopes to build 650 aircraft annually by 2030. For this year, though, Archer’s goal is to produce eight to 10 aircraft between the Georgia facility and its prototype facility in California. Goldstein told TechCrunch back in October that most of the capital expenditures to get the factory up and running have already been spent, so the focus is on scaling Midnight eVTOLs while also developing the hybrid defense aircraft. Today’s raise brings Archer’s total liquidity to well over $1 billion, extending its runway for “multiple years” through commercialization and the initial phases of defense work, according to Goel. Archer has yet to share its 2024 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, but the company’s total operating expenses hit $385 million in the first three quarters of the year, or $281 million on an adjusted basis. Archer anticipated adjusted operating expenses for Q4 to be between $95 million and $110 million. It’s not yet clear how much Archer’s development of a hybrid aircraft for warfare will increase the company’s expenses. Source link #Archer #Aviation #doubles #defense #aircraft #300M #raise Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

State of Play Confirmed for Wednesday, 40+ Minutes of PS5 News and Updates – Push Square State of Play Confirmed for Wednesday, 40+ Minutes of PS5 News and Updates – Push Square State of Play Confirmed for Wednesday, 40+ Minutes of PS5 News and Updates Push SquareState of Play returns tomorrow, February 12 PlayStationPlayStation State of Play Announced for Tomorrow, February 12 IGNPlayStation State Of Play Returns This Week, Might Include Rumored God Of War Remasters KotakuOur predictions for February’s State of Play: long-awaited release dates, more Ghost of Yotei, and… Bloodborne? Gamesradar Source link #State #Play #Confirmed #Wednesday #Minutes #PS5 #News #Updates #Push #Square Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Elon Musk defends US government involvement Elon Musk defends US government involvement Elon Musk spoke from the Oval Office in the White House about the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) and its role in President Donald Trump’s administration. His son X was by his side as he spoke. Musk was asked about criticism from his detractors that he was “orchestrating a hostile takeover of government”, to which he responded that he is delivering the reform America voted for by electing Trump. Source link #Elon #Musk #defends #government #involvement Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Antoinette Lattouf trial to hear from key witness Antoinette Lattouf trial to hear from key witness The Antoinette Lattouf trial will hear from its final witnesses on Wednesday, with her manager Elizabeth Green to give evidence about a key meeting. Source link #Antoinette #Lattouf #trial #hear #key #witness Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Mark Zuckerberg warned employees to prepare for an ‘intense year.’ He just laid off 3,600 workers—including some who claim they got glowing reviews Mark Zuckerberg warned employees to prepare for an ‘intense year.’ He just laid off 3,600 workers—including some who claim they got glowing reviews In mid-January, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told staff he had “decided to raise the bar on performance management and move out low performers faster,” and planned to cut about 5% of his workforce. At the time, Zuckerberg made it sound as if it would just be low performers who would be affected by the layoffs. “We typically manage out people who aren’t meeting expectations over the course of a year,” he said in an internal memo obtained by Bloomberg. “But now we’re going to do more extensive performance-based cuts during this cycle.” But now, some workers who claim they received favorable performance reviews and were otherwise not the lowest performers have gotten caught up in the cuts, which began Monday and impacted about 3,600 workers. One Meta employee posted on LinkedIn on Monday she was laid off after receiving an “exceeds expectations” rating on her midyear review. “I frequently asked for feedback and was always told I was doing a good job,” Kaila Curry, an ex-content manager at Meta, wrote in the LinkedIn post. “I was never placed on a PIP [performance improvement plan], never given corrective feedback, and never properly mentored or provided clear expectations. I simply put in the work… I am not a low performer.” Another ex-Meta employee who was laid off said the company’s assertion it’s cutting the dead wood is “flat-out wrong.” “I was let go today—but not because I was a ‘low performer,’” wrote LinkedIn user Steven S., a former product designer for Instagram. “Let’s be clear: that label is misleading, and for many of us, it’s flat-out wrong.” This user didn’t mention or show what rating he received on the performance review. However, it’s unclear what Meta qualifies as a “low performer.” The company didn’t immediately respond to Fortune’s request for comment. Business Insider also spoke with several Meta employees who had been affected by the layoffs and spoke on the condition of anonymity. They said they had received an “at or above expectations” rating on their 2024 assessments, which would rank them as mid-tier employees at Meta, not low performers. “The hardest part is Meta publicly stating they’re cutting low performers, so it feels like we have the scarlet letter on our backs,” one employee told Business Insider. “People need to know we’re not underperformers.” Diane Brady, executive director of Fortune Live Media, also called out Zuckerberg’s labeling of Meta’s most recently laid-off employees as low-performing. Story Continues “There’s something to be said for letting people leave with their dignity intact rather than branding them as subpar performers,” Brady wrote in her CEO Daily newsletter on Tuesday. “Companies that celebrate and support former employees tend to create more fans than foes.” These layoffs come on the heels of Zuckerberg’s declared “year of efficiency” in 2023 when he announced plans to eliminate 10,000 jobs. He insisted, though, that the latest round of layoffs was different and would only impact the lowest-performing employees in an effort to keep Meta’s “strongest talent” and ability to “bring new people in.” Meanwhile, Meta has expedited hiring for machine-learning engineers, Reuters reported, as the company continues to build out AI features. “From a hiring standpoint, our focus continues to be on adding technical talent to support our strategic priorities,” Susan Li, Meta’s chief financial officer, said during a Jan. 29 call with investors. For now, affected Meta employees will continue to question why they were let go. “Maybe I ‘lacked masculine energy‘ (to quote Mark Zuckerberg himself),” Curry wrote. “Who knows?” This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Source link #Mark #Zuckerberg #warned #employees #prepare #intense #year #laid #workersincluding #claim #glowing #reviews Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

American teacher Marc Fogel freed from Russia, White House says – ABC News American teacher Marc Fogel freed from Russia, White House says – ABC News American teacher Marc Fogel freed from Russia, White House says ABC NewsWhite House announces wrongfully detained American teacher Marc Fogel released from Russia in an ‘exchange’ CNNFamily of Marc Fogel reacts to his release from Russian prison, “It’s extraordinary.” CBS PittsburghRussia Releases U.S. Prisoner After Talks With Trump Envoy The New York Times’Very excited’: Oakmont residents and visitors react to Marc Fogel’s release TribLIVE Source link #American #teacher #Marc #Fogel #freed #Russia #White #House #ABC #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

FA Cup highlights: Nottingham Forest beat Exeter City on penalties after 2-2 draw FA Cup highlights: Nottingham Forest beat Exeter City on penalties after 2-2 draw Nottingham Forest beat 10-man Exeter City in a penalty shootout to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, after the Premier League side were unable to find a winner in extra-time against their League One opponents. MATCH REPORT: Exeter City 2-2 Nottingham Forest (2-4 on pens) Available to *** users only. Source link #Cup #highlights #Nottingham #Forest #beat #Exeter #City #penalties #draw Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

‘I’ll kill them’: Pair wearing NSW Health uniforms go on vile anti-Semitic rant ‘I’ll kill them’: Pair wearing NSW Health uniforms go on vile anti-Semitic rant NSW Health has responded to a video of two people wearing NSW Health uniforms vowing to “kill” Israeli patients seeking care. Source link #Ill #kill #Pair #wearing #NSW #Health #uniforms #vile #antiSemitic #rant Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Massachusetts top court rules Karen Read can be retried in her boyfriend’s death Massachusetts top court rules Karen Read can be retried in her boyfriend’s death BOSTON (AP) — The state’s top court ruled Tuesday that Karen Read can be retried on all the same charges in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, the latest twist in the long-running case that transfixed true crime fans nationwide. Prosecutors have sought to retry Read this year on charges of second-degree *******, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crime. They accused her of ramming into John O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in January 2022. Read’s attorneys argue she was framed to protect other law enforcement officers involved in O’Keefe’s death. A judge declared a mistrial in June after finding jurors couldn’t reach an agreement, without polling the jurors to confirm their conclusions. Read’s attorney Martin Weinberg argued that five jurors later said they were deadlocked only on the manslaughter count, and had unanimously agreed in the jury room that she wasn’t guilty on the charges of second-degree ******* and leaving the scene. But they hadn’t told the judge. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. The ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court clears the way for a new trial on all three charges. “The jury clearly stated during deliberations that they had not reached a unanimous verdict on any of the charges and could not do so. Only after being discharged did some individual jurors communicate a different supposed outcome, contradicting their prior notes,” the judges wrote. “Such posttrial disclosures cannot retroactively alter the trial’s outcome — either to acquit or to convict.” The judges also found “no abuse of discretion” in Judge Beverly Cannone’s decision to declare a mistrial. “After extensive, multiday deliberations, the jury submitted several increasingly emphatic notes about their inability to reach a unanimous verdict,” they wrote, adding that the record before the judge “suggested complete deadlock.” Read’s lawyer said they’re considering their legal options. “While we have great respect for the Commonwealth’s highest court, Double Jeopardy is a federal constitutional right,” Weinberg said in a statement. “We are strongly considering whether to seek federal habeas relief from what we continue to contend are violations of Ms. Read’s federally guaranteed constitutional rights.” A spokesman for the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said it would have no comment on the ruling. As for Read, she told Boston 25 News in an interview which ran Monday that she’s ready for a second trial and isn’t worried about who’s on the prosecution team. “I don’t care who I face,” she told the station. “I have the truth. I have the best attorneys. Do your worst.” Read could end up in prison — a fate she said she “thinks about that every day,” but she said “it doesn’t frighten me the way it did three years ago.” Weinberg had urged the court to allow an a evidentiary hearing where jurors could be asked whether they had reached final not guilty verdicts on any of the charges. Prosecutors maintained there’s no basis for dismissing the charges of second-degree ******* and leaving the scene. They argued that her lawyers should have sensed a mistrial was “inevitable or unavoidable” and that they had every opportunity to be heard in the trial courtroom. The judges questioned Weinberg over the the merits for holding an inquiry. Associate Justice Frank Gaziano noted that such inquiries are usually reserved for “extraneous information” such as “racisms in the jury room.” Chief Justice Kimberly Budd wondered about the limits of allowing an inquiry, which she suggested could open the door for other defendants to argue a juror came to them to say “that’s not really what happened.” Cannone ruled in August that Read could be retried on all three charges. “Where there was no verdict announced in open court here, retrial of the defendant does not violate the principle of double jeopardy,” Cannone said. Prosecutors said Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, and O’Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police, had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow Boston officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away. An autopsy found O’Keefe had died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma. The defense portrayed Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually killed inside Albert’s home and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects. Source link #Massachusetts #top #court #rules #Karen #Read #retried #boyfriends #death Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Stock Market Takes Powell Testimony In Stride; Growth Stocks Pressured But Little Damage Done – Investor's Business Daily Stock Market Takes Powell Testimony In Stride; Growth Stocks Pressured But Little Damage Done – Investor's Business Daily Stock Market Takes Powell Testimony In Stride; Growth Stocks Pressured But Little Damage Done Investor’s Business DailyFederal Reserve Chair Testifies on Monetary Policy Report C-SPAN Key takeaways from Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s congressional hearing CNN Source link #Stock #Market #Takes #Powell #Testimony #Stride #Growth #Stocks #Pressured #Damage #Investor039s #Business #Daily Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ken Hinkley will step aside at season’s end and hand over Port Adelaide coaching role to Josh Carr Ken Hinkley will step aside at season’s end and hand over Port Adelaide coaching role to Josh Carr After battling all manner of pressure to keep his job in 2024 Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has confirmed his and the club’s plans for the future. Source link #Ken #Hinkley #step #seasons #hand #Port #Adelaide #coaching #role #Josh #Carr Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Is school closed tomorrow? Here’s the list of OKC schools closed or going virtual Wednesday Is school closed tomorrow? Here’s the list of OKC schools closed or going virtual Wednesday Several Oklahoma schools are canceling school or shifting to virtual or remote learning on Wednesday, Feb. 12 due to the threat of severe weather. Check below for any changes or cancelations for local schools organized by district. ➤ Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location OKC road conditions When severe weather comes to Oklahoma, make sure to check road conditions using this live map before you drive. OKC school closures, or virtual-remote learning: Here are the schools closing at this time in the Oklahoma City metro area. This story will be updated as closures are announced. Bethany Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Choctaw-Nicoma Park Public School: No cancellations at this time Deer Creek Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Edmond Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Epic Charter School: Virtual-Remote Learning Wednesday Midwest City-Del City Public Schools: Virtual-Remote Learning Wednesday Moore Public Schools: Virtual-Remote Learning Wednesday Mustang Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Norman Public Schools: Schools closed Oklahoma City Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Piedmont Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Putnam City Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Santa Fe South Charter Schools: No cancellations at this time Western Heights Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Yukon Public Schools: No cancellations at this time Activity, event cancelations in Oklahoma due to weather Keep up with school, church and event closings using the link below. Oklahoma City Severe Weather Closings: Schools, churches, other services This story will be updated. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Schools closures: See list of OKC schools closed, virtual on Wednesday Source link #school #closed #tomorrow #Heres #list #OKC #schools #closed #virtual #Wednesday Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Flu deaths surpass COVID deaths in California for the first time since the start of the pandemic – The Mercury News Flu deaths surpass COVID deaths in California for the first time since the start of the pandemic – The Mercury News Flu deaths surpass COVID deaths in California for the first time since the start of the pandemic The Mercury NewsVideo: Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why this flu season is so bad CNNUS in midst of worse flu season in 15 years CBS NewsWeekly US Influenza Surveillance Report: Key Updates for Week 5, ending February 1, 2025 | FluView CDCFlu has officially hit a second high in the US: Know the symptoms USA TODAY Source link #Flu #deaths #surpass #COVID #deaths #California #time #start #pandemic #Mercury #News Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Tennis aces peeved about US Open’s mixed doubles change Tennis aces peeved about US Open’s mixed doubles change Tennis stars have lashed US Open officials for scheduling the mixed doubles during fan week at Flushing Meadows, slamming the move as “terrible” and “disrespectful”. While the USTA is trumpeting the decision to play the revamped $US1 million mixed event before the Open proper this year, a raft of doubles specialists, including *********** Ellen Perez, have taken to social media to express their dismay and disgust. The plan announced on Wednesday (Tuesday US time) calls for mixed doubles to be contested on August 19 and 20, during the week of the men’s and women’s singles qualifying event before the Open main draws start on August 24. The early-round matches will be best-of-three sets played to just four games, with a deciding point played at deuce. Tiebreakers would be at 4-4 instead of 6-6 in a regular match, while a first-to-10-points match tiebreaker would be played if the teams split sets, rather than a deciding set. Only the final will closely resemble a grand slam match, a best-of-three-sets affair played to six games with no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at 6-6 and a 10-point match tiebreaker. Only 16 teams – including eight wildcard pairings – will feature, with the eight other duos determined by the top player in each team’s singles ranking. The changes have not gone down well with doubles specialists. “Tell us that you think doubles players are trash, that tradition is overrated and job opportunity is a thing of the past without actually saying it,” Perez, a players’ council representative, posted on X, formerly Twitter. Perez, who featured on Australia’s United Cup mixed team this summer with Alex de Minaur, is far from the only disgruntled player. Decorated French doubles exponent Kristina Mladenovic, a former world No.1 and nine-times grand slam champion, declared the decision “terribly shocking”. “Doing that just to sell more money during first week of the event,” she posted on Instagram. “Making it look like an exhibition for whoever wants to play! “What about players playing singles Q that want/could with their doubles ranking play mixed?” Among others, the winner of the *********** Open and Wimbledon mixed doubles titles last year also chimed in. “No communication with the players, no thought behind what it means to some people’s careers,” Czech Jan Zielinski said on X while reposting the US Open Tennis announcement. “No respect to the history and traditions. Sad to see.” But the new shortened, big-money format may appeal to the likes of Australia’s former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, who is being urged to play more doubles after injuries have curtailed his singles career in recent years. “What I would say is the reason behind this is to appeal to more fans and grow the fan base around the world,” said Lew Sherr, executive director and CEO of the US Tennis Association. “But the way to do that is to have the biggest names in the sport participating in doubles, and to showcase them teaming up and playing in a different format, we think is exciting. “In fact, we know it’s exciting.” Source link #Tennis #aces #peeved #Opens #mixed #doubles #change Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

How does inflation typically move in January? How does inflation typically move in January? The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release January’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) data on Wednesday, its monthly release of inflation data. How does inflation typically behave in the month of January? Yahoo Finance host Julie Hyman reviews the Wall Street Journal’s latest analysis of US Labor Department data, which illustrates inflation reaching a peak in January before typically leveling off throughout the rest of the calendar years. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Asking for a Trend here. This post was written by Luke Carberry Mogan. Related Videos Source link #inflation #typically #move #January Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Bank stocks set to do ‘pretty well’ under Trump 2.0, investor says, naming his favorites Bank stocks set to do ‘pretty well’ under Trump 2.0, investor says, naming his favorites Investment bank stocks are set to benefit from the Trump presidency, according to investor Kingsley Jones, who said it was time for financials to “step up.” Speaking to CNBC’s Martin Soong, the *********** investor struck a bullish tone on the outlook for stocks as U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term gets underway. “Wall Street, in general, will do quite well out of the Trump presidency,” Jones, founder and chief investment officer at advisory firm Jevons Global, said. He added that banks were particularly well placed, given Trump’s promise to loosen deal-making regulations and imposition of trade tariffs which could see businesses re-focus on the U.S. “When you have a time of great change like this, which is very pro-business in the United States — a lot of talk about building new factories, plus shifting trade patterns — I think the financials will do pretty well,” Jones said. “There’s a big need for investment banks to step up and finance whatever activity changes are going to happen,” he added, naming JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs as two stocks he particularly likes. It comes after a record-breaking quarter for the banks, following bumper trading activity around the presidential election and more investment banking deals. Trump’s return to the White House is expected to boost investment bank income to $316 billion in 2025, according to data and analytics group Coalition Greenwich, Reuters reported. The same data suggests that M&A bankers could earn around $27.6 billion in fees. If so, it would be the second-highest-grossing year in two decades. Following Trump’s election victory in November, dealmakers and leaders on Wall Street said they expect the floodgates to open on merger and acquisition activity. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon echoed this sentiment in January, claiming that Trump had brought back “a meaningful shift in CEO confidence” and “increased appetite for dealmaking supported by an improving regulatory backdrop.” Two-horse AI race Elsewhere, Jones said the emergence of China’s Open AI model DeepSeek is set to spark a “*****” in artificial intelligence competition. However, he said it’s firmly a two-horse race between the U.S and China. “There’s going to be a ***** in China of applications of these models, and also in the United States and elsewhere,” he said. “[But] it’s those two nations that lead,” Jones said, adding that Europe is “starting from behind.” Source link #Bank #stocks #set #pretty #Trump #investor #naming #favorites Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Luka Dončić sees familiar face in L.A. in former Mavericks teammate Dirk Nowitzki – The Athletic – The Athletic Luka Dončić sees familiar face in L.A. in former Mavericks teammate Dirk Nowitzki – The Athletic – The Athletic Luka Dončić sees familiar face in L.A. in former Mavericks teammate Dirk Nowitzki – The Athletic The AthleticIt’s official: The Luka Dončić trade could not have gone worse for the Mavs in the first week Yahoo Sports5 Takeaways: Luka Dončić’s Lakers debut lights up Los Angeles NBA.ComLuka Debuts for the Lakers! Plus, Checking in on Other Trade Deadline Acquisitions. The RingerLuka Dončić appreciative of support from Lakers fans, Dirk Nowitzki in debut Silver Screen and Roll Source link #Luka #Dončić #sees #familiar #face #L.A #Mavericks #teammate #Dirk #Nowitzki #Athletic #Athletic Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Ronald Rowe, who led U.S. Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt, is retiring Ronald Rowe, who led U.S. Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt, is retiring US Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe speaks during a press conference in Washington, DC, on September 20, 2024. BEN CURTIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe, who formerly served as acting director of the agency, announced Tuesday he’s retiring. Rowe was named to the top position in an acting capacity after Kimberly Cheatle resigned in July, under pressure from lawmakers who called for her to step down in the wake of the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Rowe led the agency until Sean Curran was appointed director last month. “Deputy Director Ronald Rowe, a valued executive and leader of the United States Secret Service, has announced his decision to retire after 26 years of dedicated service,” U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi told CBS News in a statement. “He is currently enjoying a well-deserved break before his retirement.” As acting director, Rowe testified multiple times before lawmakers, addressing questions about the security failures that allowed the gunman in Butler, Thomas Matthew Crooks, to gain access to a rooftop so close to where President Trump was speaking. His most recent appearance before the bipartisan task force investigating the assassination attempt, last December, devolved into a shouting match when Republican Rep. Pat Fallon accused him of “playing politics” when he attended a 9/11 memorial event with the nation’s top leaders. Rowe first joined the agency in 1999, serving in Secret Service field offices in West Palm Beach and Miami before joining the Presidential Protective Division, and later, the agency’s Congressional Affairs Program. He has also served as chief of staff and assistant director for the Office of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs. Last week, in a message to the workforce obtained by CBS News, Curran acknowledged Rowe’s service and expressed his gratitude for his “exceptional leadership stepping into the role of Acting Director during a pivotal time in our agency.” “Mr. Rowe navigated the past six months with grace, resilience, and a profound sense of responsibility,” Curran wrote, adding, “Through every role, Mr. Rowe focused on the success of our mission and our people.” The current intergovernmental and legislative affairs assistant director, Darryl Volpicelli, has been assigned to be acting deputy director in the interim, according to the message to the workforce. Richard Giuditta, Jr., a political appointee and former partner at a New York based boutique law practice, will serve as a senior adviser for the agency. Giuditta is the first “Schedule C” political appointee to serve as senior adviser to the Secret Service. During Mr. Trump’s last administration, former USSS assistant director Tony Ornato, was the first Secret Service agent to join White House staff as a temporary political appointee, deputy chief of staff. “Throughout his career, Giuditta, Jr. has provided strategic counsel to organizations across various sectors, including government entities, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofits,” Curran wrote in his email. Curran also revealed that the agency will onboard a senior official from the Intelligence Community to help shape the agency’s protective mission with “both technical and covert expertise to strengthen our strategic intelligence posture,” though that intelligence official has not yet been named. Nicole Sganga Nicole Sganga is a CBS News reporter covering homeland security and justice. Source link #Ronald #Rowe #led #U.S #Secret #Service #Trump #assassination #attempt #retiring Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Hinkley to stand down as Power coach at season’s end Hinkley to stand down as Power coach at season’s end Long-standing Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley will step down at the end of the 2025 AFL season and hand over to senior assistant Josh Carr. The Power confirmed the succession plan on Wednesday, with Carr to take the reins from Hinkley, who is out of contract at season’s end, on a three-year deal from 2026. “Ken has had open communications with the club over the pre-season and confirmed that 2025 would be his last season as senior coach of Port Adelaide,” chairman David Koch said. “As is his way, Ken has put the club first in acknowledging we have a coach in waiting in Josh Carr who will be primed to lead the club in 2026. “Without question, Ken is the senior coach for this season.” Hinkley has been Port coach since 2013, leading the club to seven finals series across 12 seasons and playing a crucial role in their emergence from the AFL doldrums. But a premiership has proven elusive, with Port failing to go further than a preliminary final under his watch, though the club has consistently backed him when under pressure. “I still have a burning desire to lead this club in 2025,” Hinkley said. “I’m fresh and recharged and have the privilege of leading a very driven playing and coaching group. “But come the end of the season, it will be time to hand the baton to Josh, who would have experienced a further 12 months’ growth as a senior assistant. Without question, Josh will be ready to coach in his own right.” Carr will continue as midfield coach this season before stepping up. “Whilst it’s an honour to have been appointed Port Adelaide’s next senior coach, my focus right now is to support Ken, the other coaches and players as best I can as we strive for success this season,” he said. Port Adelaide open their season away to Collingwood at the MCG on March 15. Source link #Hinkley #stand #Power #coach #seasons Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Snowstorm to hit Kansas later than expected. Bitter cold to follow in Topeka Snowstorm to hit Kansas later than expected. Bitter cold to follow in Topeka Very cold air is expected to enter north-central, northeast and east-central Kansas early Thursday in the wake of a winter storm expected to bring the area 4 to 7 inches of dry, fluffy snow between late Tuesday and late Wednesday, forecasters cautioned. Forecasters predicted Topeka would see 4 to 6 inches. Wind chill indices Thursday morning are expected to range from minus 5 to minus 15 degrees in the area involved, the National Weather Service’s Topeka office said Tuesday morning in a graphic posted on its website. “Cover exposed skin if outside as frostbite can set in within 30 minutes,” that graphic said. While forecasters had predicted the storm would be preceded late Monday and Tuesday morning by snowfall totaling as much as an inch in the same area, the weather service said Topeka hadn’t seen any snow as of Thursday afternoon. [Hidden Content] Storm now expected to arrive later than initially thought The weather service on Monday issued a winter storm warning lasting until 6 p.m. Wednesday for most of north-central, northeast and east-central Kansas, then expanded that early Wednesday to also include some counties southeast of Interstate 35. In addition, forecasters adjusted their predictions regarding the timing of the storm, which they had initially anticipated would reach most of the area involved by 6 p.m. Tuesday. Snow is now expected to reach Concordia and Manhattan by 9 p.m. Tuesday and Topeka, Lawrence, Hiawatha and Emporia by Midnight, said a graphic posted on the website of the weather service’s Topeka office. Kansas Judicial Center, state office buildings in Topeka to be closed Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Tuesday that state office buildings in Topeka would be closed Wednesday dur to the weather. The Kansas Judicial Center announced it would be closed, though employees would work remotely. Kelly issued an oral, pre-emptive state of disaster declaration Sunday in preparation for the anticipated storm. “The declaration allows resources to be used to provide state assistance, specifically the waiver of hours of service for propane providers,” the governor’s office said in a news release. Kelly encouraged Kansans to prepare for the storm by creating an emergency plan and home emergency kit. The National Weather Service’s Topeka office early Tuesday posted on its website this graphic showing, in pink, the areas covered by a winter storm warning lasting until 6 p.m. Wednesday. When will the storm peak? Forecasters on Tuesday evening adjusted their prediction for how much snow will fall, lowering the anticipated amount from 5 to 9 inches to 4 to 8 inches. Snowfall is expected to peak between Midnight Tuesday and 9 a.m. Wednesday, then continue through late Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said. “Roads, and especially bridges and overpasses, will likely become slick and hazardous,” it said. “Travel could be very difficult.” Falling snow could also bring reduced visibility, forecasters said. How much snow is expected? The weather service predicted snowfall totals would be as follow: 6 to 8 inches at Concordia, Marysville, Manhattan, Holton and Hiawatha. 6 inches at Salina and at St. Joseph, Missouri. 4 to 6 inches at Topeka, Emporia, Ottawa, and Kansas City, Missouri. “Winds are not expected to be overly strong with gusts of 20 to 25 mph as snow is falling,” the weather service said. “This could still lead to blowing and drifting snow given the dry and fluffy nature of the snow.” Topeka city government prepares for snow-covered streets A meeting scheduled to take place Wednesday evening of the board of directors of the Joint Economic Development Organization, a body of city of Topeka and Shawnee County elected officials, was rescheduled to be held Feb. 26. The public works department for Topeka’s city government had been pretreating streets in preparation for the storm, said Daniel Garrett, the city’s director of communications. “As weather conditions change, crews will adapt treatment as necessary,” he said. Once snow starts falling in Topeka, road crews will make it a priority to clear off arterial and collector streets, Garrett said. “The decision as to whether crews will work to treat residential streets will be made based on the total amount of snowfall that we receive,” he said. “In anticipation of the possibility of significant snowfall, the city asks residents to park off the street where possible.” Storm prompts opening of warming centers, shortening of meeting Topeka Rescue Mission Ministries announced Monday afternoon it would team up with Fellowship Hi-Crest beginning at 9 a.m. Tuesday to offer warming centers for the public at 601 N.W. Harrison and 455 S.E. Golf Park Blvd. The Kansas State Board of Education, which had planned to hold a two-day meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, announced Monday that the anticipated winter storm had prompted it to decide to meet for one day only, on Tuesday. “The agenda item regarding action on the removal of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from graduation requirements, scheduled for Wednesday, will be moved to the board’s March agenda,” the announcement said. “Members are expected to take up the rest of Wednesday’s agenda items on Tuesday.” Contact Tim Hrenchir at *****@*****.tld or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Bitter wind chills to follow arrival in NE Kansas of dry, fluffy snow Source link #Snowstorm #hit #Kansas #expected #Bitter #cold #follow #Topeka Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Stock market today: Live updates Stock market today: Live updates Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Stock futures were near the flatline Tuesday evening as investors awaited January’s consumer inflation report. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 11 points, or 0.04%. S&P 500 futures inched up 0.04%, while Nasdaq 100 futures added 0.1%. Traders were on guard Tuesday after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told the Senate Banking Committee that policymakers were in no hurry to make further interest rate cuts. It was the first of two appearances for Powell on Capitol Hill this week, and it occurs at a time when President Donald Trump has been willing to issue tariffs against U.S. trading partners. These trade tensions have kept the market in check, with the S&P 500 ending Tuesday near the flatline, while the Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 0.4%. The Dow outperformed, adding about 0.3%. Traders get another piece of data — and another market catalyst — on Wednesday morning with January’s consumer price index reading. Headline inflation is expected to have grown 0.3% from the prior month and 2.9% from 12 months earlier, according to Dow Jones. Some economists on Wall Street have raised concerns that even as some categories may see disinflation going forward, Trump’s tariffs could offset that. Even with these concerns, the economy remains resilient and investors should bear that in mind, said Ed Yardeni, president of Yardeni Research. “We tend to focus on the macroeconomic policies … but the reality is that the rest of us working stiffs are doing an amazing job of keeping the economy going despite Washington,” he said Tuesday on CNBC’s “Power Lunch.” “My conclusion is first of all, when it comes to investing, don’t let your politics get in the way.” In addition to Wednesday’s CPI report, investors will watch Powell’s testimony before the House Committee on Financial Services. They will also watch for fresh quarterly results from CVS Health, Robinhood, Cisco Systems and MGM Resorts on Wednesday. Source link #Stock #market #today #Live #updates Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]