Democrat Jerry Nadler steps aside from top Judiciary role, avoiding party fight49ers QB Brock Purdy resumes throwing but status for this week remains unknown

Health care disparities are tied to worse outcomes for kids with multiple sclerosis, study suggestsSecurities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler, who was aggressive in his oversight of cryptocurrencies and other financial markets, will step down from his post on Jan. 20. Gensler pushed changes that he said protected investors, but the industry and many Republicans bristled at what they saw as overreach. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. It hit new highs Thursday and was nearing $100,000. Bitcoin moved notably higher still after Gensler's resignation was announced. Gensler's stance on the rise of cryptocurrencies was captured during a speech he gave during the first year of his chairmanship in 2021 where he described the market as “the Wild West.” “This asset class is rife with fraud, scams, and abuse in certain applications,” he said in a speech at the Aspen Security Forum. “There’s a great deal of hype and spin about how crypto assets work. In many cases, investors aren’t able to get rigorous, balanced, and complete information.” Under Gensler, the SEC brought actions against players in the crypto industry for fraud , wash trading and other violations, including as recently as last month when the commission brought fraud charges against three companies purporting to be market makers, along with nine individuals for trying to manipulate various crypto markets. Yet access to cryptocurrencies became more widespread under Gensler. In January, the SEC approved exchange-traded funds that track the spot price of bitcoin. With such ETFs, investors could get easier access to bitcoin without the huge overlays required to buy it directly. Gensler, however, acknowledged the SEC had denied earlier, similar applications for such ETFs, including Grayscale Bitcoin Trust, among the first to eventually be approved by the SEC. “Circumstances, however, have changed,” Gensler said, pointing to a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia that said the SEC failed to adequately explain its reasoning in rejecting Grayscale’s proposal. Even there, Gensler made sure not to endorse the merits of bitcoin. He pointed to how ETFs that hold precious metals are tracking prices of things that have “consumer and industrial users, while in contrast bitcoin is primarily a speculative, volatile asset that’s also used for illicit activity including ransomware, money laundering, sanction evasion, and terrorist financing.” Gensler was tested early in his tenure with the rise of the meme stock phenomenon that shocked the financial system in early 2021. Earlier this year, the SEC under Gensler pushed Wall Street to speed up how long it takes for trades of stocks to settle, one of the areas where the commission’s staff recommended changes following the reckoning created by GameStop , one of the first meme stocks. In the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, hordes of smaller-pocketed and novice investors suddenly piled into the stock of the struggling video-game retailer. During the height of the frenzy, several brokerages barred customers from buying GameStop after the clearinghouse that settles their trades demanded more cash to cover the increased risk created by its highly volatile price. In May 2024, new rules meant broker-dealers have to fully settle their trades within one business day of the trade date, down from the previous two. Critics of the SEC under Gensler have called many of the agency's proposals overly burdensome. The investment industry, for example, is pushing against a proposal to force some advisers and companies disclose more about their environmental, social and governance practices, otherwise known as ESG. Critics say the proposal is overly complex and increases the risk of investor confusion, while imposing unnecessary burdens and costs on funds. On Thursday, Gensler stood by the SEC's track record under his direction. “The staff and the Commission are deeply mission-driven, focused on protecting investors, facilitating capital formation, and ensuring that the markets work for investors and issuers alike," Gensler said in prepared remarks. “The staff comprises true public servants." Gensler previously served as Chair of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, leading the Obama Administration’s reform of the $400 trillion swaps market. He also was senior advisor to U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes in writing the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) and was undersecretary of the Treasury for Domestic Finance and assistant secretary of the Treasury from 1997-2001.

Trump seeks to have Georgia election case dismissed, citing presidential immunityHHS OIG: Organ Transplant IT System Needs Tighter Cybersecurity

How to win election in red states? The Democrats can learn from this fiery American evangelical pastor

On the heels of , which wrapped last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, the future of the planet is anything but certain. The talks ended with a deal to provide US per year to developing nations to decarbonize their economies and cope with the effects of climate change. That’s a marked increase from the $100 billion currently distributed; however, critics raised concerns that the sum is insufficient for the task at hand, calling it “ .” Action on climate goals is still very much a work in progress. Next spring, countries are being asked to publish updated over the next 10 years. Meanwhile, methane, which in the atmosphere, is flooding the atmosphere, and climate change is wreaking havoc . Although global investment in — twice that of fossil fuels, according to the International Energy Agency — there are questions about the repercussions of the recent U.S. election on the future of climate technology. Cleantech initiatives, such as the , 2022 legislation that accounts for $500 billion US to boost clean energy and curb greenhouse gases, are likely to be diluted or struck down, and sweeping changes to climate policy could adversely affect , . So how worried should we be about humanity’s prospects? We asked three experts for their perspectives on the important gains we’re making in the race against a warming climate, the hazards undermining cleantech’s progress and the reasons to hold on to hope for the future. “There are two primary greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane. Methane has a much greater impact on the environment in the short term. If we look at a 20-year scale, every tonne of methane mitigated is like of carbon dioxide. If we look at a five-year scale, it’s actually over 100 times greater impact than carbon dioxide. If we want to have a shot at keeping global temperatures within 1.5 degrees [above pre-industrial average] to avert the worst effects of climate change, we need to address methane emissions now, and I think more and more people understand that. “On Nov. 12, there was a U.S.-China and they announced that 159 countries are now in the . That’s amazing. The vast majority of the emissions coming from oil and gas and also from waste and coal are covered by the Global Methane Pledge. We need to translate the pledge into action, and that’s a lot of what we saw at COP28 and at COP29, although we still have a lot of work to do. “The climate negotiation process put in place by the UN is absolutely critical. It’s the only mechanism we have globally for all the countries to get together. The part I see is the international community — from NGOs to corporations — that is also involved in addressing those climate goals. The energy and the enthusiasm around that group, and all the ideas and solutions they’re bringing to bear, is an important part of the COP process, even if we’re not directly involved in negotiations. “There continue to be new and exciting ways to deal with emissions, from pure hardware solutions to digital solutions and AI. I fundamentally believe that innovation has a huge role to play in tackling the climate crisis, and we need to keep it going. “I’m optimistic that with the increased attention on methane and the understanding that it really is a quick win, levels will plateau soon. Fixing methane now buys us time to fix CO2 later. It’s a complicated picture, but I think pressure is leading toward greater world action.” “What keeps me up at night is: We’re a decade behind on the energy transition and that means we need to supercharge both innovation and deployment. The (IEA) says we need to , and . Those are all big marks to hit. “In Canada, we’re really good at the innovation side. We are less good at commercialization, so that’s something that we’re very much focused on at CICE. We support the early-stage innovators. There are 13 Canadian companies on the , and seven of them are based in B.C. We need to see more of those companies grow and stay in Canada. “I would say that global fragmentation and uncertainty are the biggest threats to meeting climate targets. Whether it’s trade issues or supply chain challenges or government zigging and zagging on policy at the global level — all those things create inefficiencies that slow progress. “If you’re running a business today, you likely have supply chain risks — it doesn’t matter whether you’re in the concert business or building products. Companies need to be building out those net-zero adaptation plans while not forgetting that clean growth is a $4-trillion opportunity by 2030. For corporate leaders, there’s a big opportunity and a risk management piece that go hand-in-hand. “We saw under Trump’s last presidency that global investment in clean energy and climate tech continued to go up. Is it a headwind? Yes. I think the biggest risk is uncertainty. If you’re growing a Canadian business and you’ve got customers in the States, is that department of energy grant or loan still there to expand your business? “Right now only two per cent of capital flows to women-led ventures. It’s about six per cent in climate and cleantech. That means 50 per cent of the population is not fully deployed to come up with those innovative solutions. This is about economic opportunity, and we’re leaving half the team in the dressing room. “There’s a lot of risk aversion in Canada’s corporate sector in terms of trying new things. We need to stop thinking of climate as a crisis and think of it as the biggest economic opportunity. Think about what China has done with batteries and critical mineral supply chains. We’re putting in tariffs because while we debated whether climate change was real, they got on with building a giant business that is now very competitive. We need to recognize that the countries building the economy of the future are the ones delivering the solutions the world needs.” “There’s a tremendous amount of momentum driving solutions that provide a clean transition for industries that have historically been really challenging to decarbonize. Genuine ways of doing clean cement or other commodities are super exciting because we need these things to be produced in ways that are fully electrified. “There are also a lot of interesting innovations happening at the intersection of biology and climate that could change things relating to food security and nutrition. Those are real challenges, especially as we think about the needs of the global population. “Typically, it takes eight years to get something new to market because of field trials and seasonality. That can be a roadblock. Some companies are doing amazing genetic modification work and figuring out ways to hack biology — plant innovations, plant augmentation, plant modifications — to create more resilient crops with larger harvests. “I’m optimistic about the number of people diving into this space. Given Engine Ventures’s close ties with academia and industry, we have the opportunity to work with amazing researchers who become entrepreneurs. And if we have enough talented and smart people giving their all, the diversity of solutions is going to be so strong and robust that we will be able to push forward some amazing things.”None

By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.Harris 4-8 0-0 8, Pooler 2-6 1-2 5, Franklin 0-4 0-0 0, Smith 1-5 0-0 2, Tucker 0-0 0-0 0, Bryant 1-5 0-0 3, Graham 1-3 1-2 3, Tavares 0-2 0-0 0, Gray 0-2 0-0 0, Jackson 3-8 0-0 7, Wofford 2-8 0-0 5, Totals 14-51 2-4 33 Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

TORONTO - Canada’s main stock index edged higher in trading on Wednesday, helped by strength in the technology sector, while U.S. stock markets also rose. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 5.45 points at 25,641.18. The index took a “breather” Wednesday ahead of key labour market indicators set to be released both in Canada and the U.S. this week, said Angelo Kourkafas, senior investment strategist at Edward Jones. Statistics Canada will report the latest data from the national labour force survey on Friday, the same day the November jobs report is due in the U.S. “That’s the last important data point for the Bank of Canada before they meet next week,” said Kourkafas. November was a strong month for equities, he said, so it isn’t surprising that investors are digesting the gains while they await new data. He said it’s expected that Statistics Canada will report an acceleration of job gains after last month brought a “relatively weak reading,” with job gains at about half of what analysts were expecting. While Canada’s central bank is expected to cut its key interest rate a fifth straight time on Dec. 11, the size of the cut could depend on that jobs data, he said. “We’re now looking at a rebound, but as the Bank of Canada deliberates between a quarter point cut versus half a percentage point cut, I think what we are going to see in terms of unemployment rate and the base of job gains is going to have a say into that,” said Kourkafas, adding that wage growth is another important metric to watch. “If we see steady job growth and slowing wages, that can potentially tilt the Bank of Canada towards a larger cut.” In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 308.51 points at 45,014.04. The S&P 500 index was up 36.61 points at 6,086.49, while the Nasdaq composite was up 254.21 points at 19,735.12. U.S. markets were propelled by strength in the technology sector, said Kourkafas, highlighting strong results in quarterly earnings released this week by Salesforce Inc. and Marvell Technology Inc. “I think today’s results highlight that there is still a long runway and still enthusiasm, excitement about artificial intelligence and kind of that multi-year adoption cycle,” he said. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.09 cents US compared with 71.14 cents US on Tuesday. The January crude oil contract was down US$1.40 at US$68.54 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up less than a penny at US$3.04 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was up US$8.30 at US$2,676.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down less than a penny at US$4.20 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD)Gunmen Abduct Former Imo Commissioner, Fabian IhekwemeNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.GeeMee achieved major partnerships at Mobidictum Conference 2024-Boosting Growth with Ad Tech solutions 11-27-2024 07:52 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Queqi Culture Media GeeMee took part in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 in Istanbul, showcasing its innovative solutions and the latest advancements in mobile advertising. The company shared its expertise in monetization strategies and provided valuable industry insights, offering publishers and developers practical guidance for achieving sustainable growth at this major gaming industry conference. Building a Strong Presence: Existing Partnerships and New Opportunities GeeMee is empowering app developers across more than 20 countries, forging strong partnerships with exceptional publishers spanning entertainment, tools, video, etc, like Zee in Entertainment and other publishers. Building on this success, GeeMee is actively extending its proven expertise and innovative solutions to the gaming industry. Participation in the Mobidictum Conference 2024 further solidified GeeMee's role as a transformative force in mobile advertising, providing an opportunity to connect with pioneers in the global gaming sector and showcase the advanced potential of its technology in delivering immersive and impactful ad experiences. GeeMee also established strong relationships with new potential partners, including Yamy Studio, Leke Games, Udo Games, Joinco Games, and Unico Studio. These conversations underscored mutual respect and collaboration, with both sides showing alignment with the vision for the future of mobile advertising and opportunities to work together. The Mobidictum Conference in Istanbul served as a vital platform for industry interaction, allowing GeeMee to connect with publishers, developers, and leaders to share insights on evolving trends in mobile advertising. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/3d378c8dd0c8e09c757d319c6834e229.jpg The Industry Landscape: Challenges and New Developments The mobile game industry is navigating a pivotal moment, as developers around the world tackle both challenges and emerging opportunities. In-app advertising has become a cornerstone of monetization, particularly in casual games, where it creates new avenues for engaging both paying and non-paying players. As mobile advertising evolves, developers are placing greater emphasis on improving user engagement. Advancements in AI and machine learning are transforming ad delivery, enabling personalized and meaningful experiences for users. Within this dynamic environment, GeeMee's participation as a gold sponsor at the Mobidictum Conference 2024 highlighted its innovative contributions to the industry. Max Martinez, GeeMee's Head of Strategic Partnerships, shared how its AI-driven technology enhances in-app ad engagement, creating ad experiences that resonate deeply with individual users. GeeMee's solutions are designed to bridge the needs of advertisers, publishers, developers, and users, ensuring that in-app advertising integrates seamlessly into the app experience without compromising quality. By harnessing AI-driven technology, GeeMee enables resource-constrained developers to access advanced tools that empower them to compete effectively in a market often dominated by larger players. These innovations ensure that developers can deliver personalized, impactful ad experiences while maintaining a strong focus on user satisfaction. The Significance and Future Outlook GeeMee's presence at the Mobidictum Conference marked a milestone in its journey within the global gaming industry. As the company broadens its global partnerships and introduces its solutions to new markets, its commitment to advancing mobile in-app advertising remains steadfast. Looking ahead, GeeMee is focused on continuously refining its offerings to align with the evolving needs of developers and users, driving innovation in mobile advertising while enhancing the overall quality of app engagements. Media Contact Company Name: GeeMee Contact Person: Renie Whitney Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=geemee-achieved-major-partnerships-at-mobidictum-conference-2024boosting-growth-with-ad-tech-solutions ] Country: United States Website: http://www.geemee.ai This release was published on openPR.

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PPA Asia and MLP Asia Set to Launch, Bringing World-Class Pro Pickleball to the World’s Most Populous ContinentThe connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals. The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team. "It's an NFC South battle," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. ... They're playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they're playing very good football. It's going to be a tough battle." Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales' prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign. "There's some familiarity," Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. "Knowing coach Bowles, he's got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There's some principles that carry over. I know that he's going to have some things up his sleeve." The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season. Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. "For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling," Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. "We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it." Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season. However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday. The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young's two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick. "It's not all Bryce, it's the whole unit," Canales said. "It's a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that." Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited. Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full. Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17. --Field Level Media

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WASHINGTON – Rep. Jerry Nadler announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee next year, avoiding an intra-party fight over a prominent position as the party prepares to confront a second Trump presidency. Nadler's decision to relinquish control of the powerful committee came a day after fellow Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin announced his bid for the job and quickly amassed support from colleagues. Recommended Videos “I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus’s most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler wrote in the letter to Democrats that was obtained by The Associated Press. “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.” The 77-year-old chose to step aside as the Democratic party undergoes an internal reckoning over their losses in the election, which swept Republicans into a trifecta of power in Washington. Many Democrats are eager for generational change and a new approach as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The decision by Nadler, who is serving his 17th term in Congress, reflects that generational shift. Before he made his decision Wednesday morning, Nadler spent time speaking with staff about what his next step should be. He also made a call to Raskin, which was described as cordial by a person familiar with the conversation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. “Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant,” Raskin posted on X. “His dogged defense of civil rights and civil liberties is a great inspiration to our people.” He added, “I am honored and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead.”The are making it clear they are very serious about retaining . Just a couple of days after making their initial bid to the superstar outfielder, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Bronx Bombers have upgraded their offer. The Mets, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Blue Jays are the other four teams with offers on the table. Exact terms haven't been revealed just yet, but Soto is said to be seeking something in the 15-year range rather than a high-AAV short-term pact, and he's expected to set a new record for contract value with team willing to exceed $600 million. According to Heyman, the Yankees and others have told Soto that they'd be willing to include opt-outs in the package. New York has also been in contract with top of the market starting pitchers and , but their main focus at the moment is trying to retain the 26-year-old slugger who helped carry them to an AL Pennant last season. Soto put together as good of a contract-year as you can get, as he took home his third career Silver Slugger after hitting a career-high 41 homers and driving in 109 runs across 157 games.