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The masked gunman who stalked and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday. The gunman is still at large and a manhunt is underway. Here's the latest: Just minutes before the shooting, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage purchasing the two items from a nearby Starbucks. Both the water bottle and protein bar wrapper were later recovered from a trash can in the vicinity of the killing, according to a police spokesperson. They’ve been sent to the city’s medical examiner for expedited fingerprint testing. As the suspect remained at large Thursday afternoon, New York police were sorting through a growing number of leads coming in through a public hotline. Many have been unfounded, including a tip from a commuter who claimed to have spotted the shooter on a Long Island Rail Road train Wednesday evening. Police searched the train, but found no sign of the gunman. Members of the public have also provided police with several different names of people who bear a resemblance to the gunman — though they have yet to confirm the shooter’s identity. NYPD spokesperson Carlos Nieves urged anyone with information to contact the department “even if it seems trivial.” “We ask you to call the tip line because that little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together,” he said. Users’ reactions — and in many cases jokes — populated comment sections teeming with frustration toward health insurers broadly and UnitedHealthcare in particular. “I would be happy to help look for the shooter but vision isn’t covered under my healthcare plan,” one comment read on Instagram. “Thoughts and prior authorizations!” wrote another user. Images released by police of a person they say is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting match the lobby of the HI New York City hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Both feature a black-and-white checkered floor and a distinctive bench in the shape of a semicircle. Matheus Taranto, a guest at the hostel who’s visiting from Brazil, says he saw police at the lodging Wednesday evening. He said an officer wouldn’t let him access a bathroom where he wanted to brush his teeth. “I asked why, he was like, no, nothing happened,” said Taranto, 24. He didn’t connect the dots with the shooting until later. In Minnesota, police in the Minneapolis suburb of Maple Grove, where Thompson lived, said Thursday they believe a bomb threat on Wednesday night was a hoax. Maple Grove police put out a statement Thursday saying a “suspected swatting investigation” was underway. The department said it received a report of a bomb threat directed at two addresses around 7 p.m. CT Wednesday. The Minneapolis Bomb Squad and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office assisted, but investigators found no suspicions devices or other items. “The case is considered an active investigation, while the incident appears to be a hoax. No further comments will be made at this time,” the police statement said. Police reports provided to The Associated Press by the department show that officers made contact with family members at one of the homes and were told they had seen nothing suspicious and had received no direct threats. Back in Thompson’s home state of Minnesota, authorities were investigating a bomb threat that reportedly was made against his home Wednesday night, after his death. It was first reported by TMZ. City Prosecutor Andrew Draper confirmed to The Associated Press via email Thursday that he received an email Wednesday night “regarding a bomb threat. I reported it to the Maple Grove Police Department and do not have any additional information.” Maple Grove police officials did not immediately respond to requests for details Thursday. Local ATF spokesperson Ashlee Sherrill said: “ATF was made aware of the incident in Maple Grove last night, but no ATF resources were deployed. We are unable to confirm any further details.” A local FBI spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for information on the FBI’s involvement in the investigation. The words emblazoned on the ammunition used in the shooting – “deny,” “defend” and “depose” – were written in permanent marker, according to a law enforcement official. The official wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. — Jake Offenhartz As of Thursday morning, police were still searching for the shooter. They released new photos of a person they said is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting. The images match the lobby of the HI New York City hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, including its black-and-white checkered floor and a distinctive bench in the shape of a semi-circle. An employee at the hostel said police had visited but declined to provide further information. Danielle Brumfitt, a spokesperson for the lodging, said in an emailed statement that they are cooperating with the NYPD but can’t comment due to the active investigation. According to the official who spoke to AP about the ammunition messaging, investigators are running DNA and fingerprint analysis on items found near the shooting, including a water bottle, that they believe the suspect may have discarded. Additionally, they’re looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan. Doctors and patients have become particularly frustrated with prior authorizations, which are requirements that an insurer approve surgery or care before it happens. UnitedHealthcare was named in an October report detailing how the insurer’s prior authorization denial rate for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years. The report from the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations also named rivals Humana and CVS. Insurers say tactics like prior authorization are needed to limit unnecessary care and help control spiraling medical costs. Frustrations extend beyond the coverage of care. Expensive breakthrough medications to slow Alzheimer’s disease or help with obesity are frequently not covered or have coverage limits. In the U.S. health care system, patients get coverage through a mix of private insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and government-funded programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. That can prove particularly frustrating for doctors and patients because coverage often varies by insurer. Polls reflect those frustrations with the U.S. health care system in general and insurance companies in particular. About two-thirds of Americans said health insurance companies deserve “a lot of blame” for high health care costs, according to a KFF poll conducted in February . Thompson’s wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. Eric Werner, the police chief in the Minneapolis suburb where Thompson lived, said his department had not received any reports of threats against the executive. A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting — “deny,” “defend” and “depose” — echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The three words were emblazoned on the ammunition a masked gunman used to kill UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , a law enforcement official told The Associated Press on Thursday. They’re similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend” — the way some attorneys describe how insurers deny services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book that was highly critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the wording or any connection between them and the common phrase. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting a deepening frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. ▶ Read more about the messaging left behind by the shooter The New York Police Department released photos Thursday morning, asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual pictured. Police say the person is wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO. A Senate panel has been investigating how frequently three major insurers, including UnitedHealthcare, deny care to patients who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. It has also investigated the use of artificial intelligence in deny those claims. Medicare Advantage is the private version of Medicare, which provides health insurance to millions of older Americans. The Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee’s report released earlier this year found that as UnitedHealthcare relied more on its automated system to review claims denials increased for post-acute treatment, which includes nursing home or rehabilitation care. The insurer denied nearly a quarter of claims, a rate that doubled over just a two-year period from 2020 to 2022. Joseph Kenny, the NYPD chief of detectives, says the shooter wore a black face mask, black-and-white sneakers and a distinctive gray backpack. He arrived outside the hotel about five minutes before UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson did, then waited and ignored other pedestrians before he approached Thompson from behind. After the assailant began to fire, his 9 mm pistol jammed but he quickly fixed it and kept firing, Kenny said, another sign of the shooter’s professionalism. “From watching the video, it does seem that he’s proficient in the use of firearms as he was able to clear the malfunctions pretty quickly,” Kenny said. The hostels were on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and police were following a tip that the suspect may have stayed at one of the residences, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The official requested anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the ongoing search. According to an employee of Kama Central Park, two detectives arrived at the hostel at 7 a.m. Thursday with a photo of the shooter and asked staff if they recognized the man. They did not, the employee said, and the detectives left soon after. An employee at the nearby HI New York City hostel also confirmed that police had visited the location Thursday, but declined to provide further information. — Jake Offenhartz New York Mayor Eric Adams said Thursday the shooter used a silencer — something he’d never encountered in his 22 years as a police officer. “In all of my years in law enforcement I have never seen a silencer before,” Adams, a retired NYPD captain, said in an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “And so that was really something that was shocking to us all.” The masked gunman used ammunition emblazoned with the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” a law enforcement official said Thursday. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. The words on the ammunition may have been a reference to strategies insurance companies use to try to avoid paying claims. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny had said earlier. — Mike Balsamo, Jake Offenhartz and Michael R. Sisak The chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nation’s largest insurers, was killed Wednesday in midtown Manhattan in what police described as a targeted attack by a shooter outside a hotel where the company was holding a conference. ▶ Read more about the key things to know about the fatal attackA big change in the ration system is coming in the new year. You will no longer need to show your ration card to collect various items from the ration dealer. A new system is being introduced. The ration card is one of the most important identity documents or government documents for Indian citizens. But now the importance of ration cards is going to decrease. Most people have smartphones these days. With a special mobile app on this smartphone, various items can be obtained from the ration dealer. A mobile app called Mera Ration 2.0 is being launched for the convenience of ration consumers. Various items can be collected from the ration dealer through this app. You don't have to carry a ration card with you. Download the Mera Ration 2.0 app on your smartphone and verify your Aadhaar. Then this app will become active. If you have the ration card information in the Mera Ration 2.0 app, just take your smartphone to the ration dealer. With the help of this app, the ration dealer can check the customer's information and give various items.France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'The great reset: Starmer pins hopes on six new policy ‘milestones’

Shopping for sisters, nieces, girlfriends, wives, besties, and daughters this season? There are, quite literally, millions of options when it comes to gift-giving, and it can feel pretty overwhelming (especially if you’re not exactly sure what she’s into these days. Skincare? TikTok trends?). Because the holidays are all about rest, relaxation, and spending quality time with loved ones, we thought we’d make the whole process easier by sharing our top gift ideas for women. Now, you’ll get to spend less time wandering aimlessly through stores or scrolling through websites and more time doing the things that matter — like eating your weight in holiday cookies. We all need a little pick-me-up sometimes, but when you’re not around to give her the boost she needs, this handy little deck will be just the ticket. Each card features an illustration by a Canadian artist paired with a cheeky affirmation that never feels hokey or patronizing. Elevate her handbag game by gifting her this crescent number that’s perfectly sized for every occasion. Call it the Goldilocks of purses: small enough not to weigh her down but big enough to fit essentials when she’s out on the town. Loaded with cool features (like a special spout she can swing or sip from), this TikTok-fave bottle will keep her drinks icy-cold for up to 24 hours while being leakproof to boot. The cap even has a built-in straw, a locking mechanism, and a carrying loop. The Tasman slippers have been all the rage for the last few years, but these will get her ahead of the trend curve. They have a platform sole with a cute ‘n’ curly upper she’ll love when the temperatures drop. And though they’re great for wearing around the house, there are no rules that say she can’t style them with her favourite off-duty looks, too. She may not be much of a baker, but lighting one of these candles will fill her space with the smell of oven-baked treats (think Pistachio Croissants, Café, and Apricot Jam). Each one is limited-edition and comes packaged in a pretty box, so you won’t even have to wrap it — though you’ll score extra points if you do. Once she’s burned them all down, the fluted glass jars can be repurposed as storage or decoration. She may already have a pile of beloved lippies, but she’ll love adding these to her collection. The formula is specially designed to add volume while delivering serious gloss with stickiness, too, saving her from having to dislodge her hair the second she steps outdoors. In addition to the classic untinted option, she’ll get a pair of universally flattering shades. Zero-proof cocktails have been her new obsession this year, and these non-alcoholic spirits are just the ticket for cranking them up a notch. Seriously — each one is award-winning and can be mixed into all her favourite recipes, like espresso martinis, margaritas, and anything else she’s got a taste for. Give her a place to stash her most precious bling! It can hold up to eight rings (more or less, depending on their size) and features a weighted base to keep things upright. Real flowers will wither and fade, but these never will. say the process of putting it together is easier and more enjoyable than they thought (and it’s a great activity to help her disconnect during her time off). Each stem is assembled individually, so she can arrange and rearrange them whenever she wants. Personalized gifts just got an upgrade, thanks to this iced-out charm. She can slip it over her favourite chain, onto a charm bracelet, or even hook it onto hoop earrings if she’s feeling adventurous. Her dry and chapped lips won’t know what hit ’em when she slicks on one of these cushiony balms. Since she’ll get a trio, she’ll be able to choose between the classic untinted option or add a subtle wash of colour when she feels like getting fancy — all while taking advantage of their seriously hydrating and conditioning powers. It doesn’t get more iconic than this chunky cable knit sweater jacket. The textural knit, paired with the brand’s classic stripe detailing, makes this a piece she’ll treasure forever (and wear all year long). She’s always snapping pics, and now she’ll get to print hard copies of all her favourite memories. It’ll pair directly with her phone (easy breezy!) and print crystal-clear images with sticky backings so she can pop it onto her laptop, phone, or other accessories. Thankfully, there’s no ink to refill, either — just make sure she’s stocked up on photo paper! Plus, it’s small enough to bring along on trips and nights out. This bergamot and black tea-scented candle will only deepen the obsession of any gal who can’t get enough of Montreal-based Mandy’s iconic salads. The fragrance is meant to evoke deep feelings of relaxation (which we’re pretty sure she could use right about now) and promises to fill her space with spa-like vibes in the process. There’s a reason all the it girls on their social media feeds are wearing these frames. love that they don’t need to fork over designer dollars to get the designer look (translation: no need to blow your gift budget to treat your pal to stylish eyewear). They’re sturdy and solid, so your jet-setting pal will be able to safely bring them along on all their travels. Give her an excuse for self-care, starting with this set. It comes with a decadent hand wash, body cleanser, and a tube of aromatic hand balm that’ll treat her to aromatherapy (and protect her hands during harsh weather). Unless she’s been offline for the last year, she’s probably seen this funny-looking phone mount all over social media. For good reason, too: it’s not just adorable but also fantastically practical. say it sticks to mirrors, tables, and other smooth surfaces, which translates to hands-free filming and video-watching. The bottle may be eye-catching, but it’s what’s inside that’s causing major commotion. It’s the brand’s first fragrance, with notes of bergamot, jasmine, and musk that reviewers call the perfect blend of light, fresh, and cozy. Obviously, every scent dries down differently on different people (thank you, body chemistry), but if you’re looking for a sophisticated fragrance gift, this is a great one to start with. Stars like Jessica Alba (not to mention tons of #beautytok influencers) are obsessed with these hydrogel masks that promise to tackle things like puffiness, dark circles, fine lines, and dryness — and tackle them they do. Unlike other brands’ eye masks, these are extra juicy, delivering of hydration in just a few minutes. find them soothing and say they make their peepers look more awake in a flash. Sure, they’re softer than a cloud and will keep her hands warm this winter — but what makes these a standout is their texting-friendly tips that’ll save her from exposing her digits when she wants to respond to a message, answer a phone call, or call an Uber. It doesn’t hurt that they come in mocha mousse, Pantone’s colour of the year😎. Aromatherapy is nice and all, but when she needs a hard-hitting hydration hero, this is the formula to try. This rich cream is full of conditioning ingredients, like shea butter, glycerin, and squalane that are clinically proven to moisturize, protect, and even soothe irritation. Since this one’s fragrance-free, she can even slather it onto irritated skin when she’s looking for extra repairing action. A touch of romance and whimsy is never out of place around the holidays, and this decorative vase delivers it in spades. She can use it for kitchen utensils, makeup brushes, flowers, or just about any other knickknacks she wants to organize. It has everything she loves about the brand’s iconic bag, now in a smaller package that’s ready to be filled with all her favourite products. Thanks to its petite size, she won’t have any trouble tucking it into her everyday dote, but it’s so darn cute (not to mention it comes in an on-trend hue) that we wouldn’t blame her for using it as a clutch, too. Popping one of these pods into the shower while she’s lathering up will fill her space with soothing scents and set the mood for the rest of the day. were surprised by their potency and added that the smell lasted for after they stepped out of the shower. Her wrists deserve to be free of clunky wearables, but if she’s reluctant to forgo the fancy (and helpful!) aspects of wearable tech and fitness trackers, she’ll probably love that this sleek ring option can actually keep tabs on all the same metrics, like stress and heart rate. One of its coolest features is its dynamic approach to activity levels. Goals are set according to her day, which means it takes into account times when she’s feeling low energy or extra stressed — and doesn’t hold it against her. The fashionista on your list wouldn’t dare be caught in a basic chapeau — and this fluffy number is anything but. The bucket style may be majorly on-trend, but it’s the faux fur she’ll be extra thankful for when temperatures hit sub-zero. In addition to an ultra-quiet diffuser, she’ll get a wild mint and eucalyptus diffuser oil to help her find peace during a chaotic holiday season (reviewers say it smells like a spa🧖‍♀️). The diffuser can be set to different time intervals and even has an auto shut-off function so she can set it and forget it.An ex-detective accused of abusing women died in an apparent suicide as his trial was starting

On Wednesday, Patient Square Capital , a healthcare investment firm, agreed to acquire Patterson Companies, Inc. PDCO , a dental and animal health product distributor, for approximately $4.1 billion . During its second-quarter earnings release, the company announced it is exploring strategic options, including a sale or merger, to boost shareholder value . William Blair notes that based on Patient Square Capital’s portfolio, which doesn’t include dental or animal health companies, regulatory hurdles for this deal are unlikely. Additionally, the analyst’s dental valuation analysis suggests the offer for Patterson is strong, making it unlikely that higher bids will emerge during the 40-day window for competing offers. The valuation analysis includes Align Technology Inc ALGN , Dentsply Sirona Inc XRAY , Henry Schein Inc HSIC , Envista Holdings Corporation NVST and Europe-listed Straumann Holding . William Blair writes that most dental companies they cover are trading at or near their lowest valuations in 15 years, as investor interest has declined due to ongoing macroeconomic challenges. Most recently, Dentsply Sirona revised its 2024 outlook due to market pressures impacting U.S. equipment, legislative changes affecting the direct-to-consumer aligner business model, and the voluntary suspension of sales, marketing, and shipments of Byte Aligners and Impression Kits . Henry Schein’s third-quarter global dental segment sales were $1.9 billion, down 1.6%, and medical segment sales increased by 2.9% (down 4.8% internally) to $1.1 billion . While it’s still early to gauge investor reactions, the analyst is considering whether Patterson’s acquisition might stabilize valuations and boost demand in the dental sector. The analyst writes the move could support valuations and signal a potential recovery in the market, making many dental stocks appealing from a risk/reward perspective. Among these, William Blair sees Align as having the greatest potential for stock growth, driven by improving market conditions and gains in both earnings and valuation. Read Next: Gevo And LG Chem Double Down On Ethanol-To-Olefins Tech: Details Photo via Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Already buried under snow, Great Lakes region expected to see more stormy weather this week

Leinster Rugby strength and conditioning coach Dave Fagan dies after short illness as tributes flood inBy MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina Khan National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.

Punjab Bandh on Dec 30: From govt offices, banks to bus and train services, here's what is open and what's closed

Jimmy Carter, A Transformative Diplomat Despite IranKANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pick your adjective to describe the Kansas City Chiefs this season — charmed, serendipitous, fortunate or just plain lucky — and it probably fits, and not just because they keep winning games that come down to the wire. Every time they need help at a position, they've found someone sitting on the couch, seemingly waiting for their call. First it was wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who returned to the Chiefs just before the season after Marquise Brown was lost to shoulder surgery. Then it was running back Kareem Hunt, who likewise returned to his former team when Isiah Pacheco broke his fibula. Left tackle D.J. Humphries came next when other options at the position were struggling, and this week it was Steven Nelson, who came out of retirement to help a secondary that has struggled for weeks. "Just got an opportunity, got a call. Was very excited about it," said Nelson, who spent his first four seasons in Kansas City before stints in Pittsburgh and Houston, and ultimately calling it quits in June so he could spend more time with his family. "I've got two daughters and been spending a lot of time with him," Nelson said, "but still trying to work out. It was kind of the perfect scenario, getting the call, especially where this team has been and this point in the season. Great opportunity." It's been a perfect opportunity for all of them. Perfect fits for the Chiefs, too. Each could have signed just about anywhere else and been able to contribute, yet they were still sitting around when Chiefs general manager Brett Veach reached out. In the case of Smith-Schuster, Hunt and Humphries, there were some concerns about injuries that had kept some teams away, but the Chiefs were willing to take a risk on them. Smith-Schuster, who has dealt with knee trouble for years, missed some time with a hamstring injury this season. But he still has 202 yards and a touchdown receiving, and has provided some veteran leadership in the locker room. Hunt was coming off a sports hernia surgery, a big reason why the Browns — whom the Chiefs visit Sunday — declined to bring him back after five years spent in a one-two punch with Nick Chubb. But when Pacheco went down, Hunt stepped in and their offense barely missed a beat; he has run for a team-leading 608 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. Humphries was still rehabbing a torn ACL at the start of the season, but the former Pro Bowl tackle was cleared just before the Chiefs called him. Kingsley Suamataia and Wanya Morris had struggled to protect Patrick Mahomes' blind side, so they brought in Humphries to help out. And while he hurt his hamstring late in his debut last week against the Chargers, the Chiefs still hope he'll be recovered and fully up to speed in time for the stretch run and the playoffs. "I'm in Kansas City, bro. I'm pretty ecstatic. It don't get much better than this," Humphries said. "Everybody is excited for me to be here and that's a really good feeling. You're getting All-Pro guys' arms outstretched, like, 'We're so glad you're here.'" The providential signings don't stop at those four players, either. When the Chiefs lost kicker Harrison Butker to knee surgery, they signed Spencer Shrader off the Jets practice squad, and he promptly kicked a game-winner against Carolina. But then Shrader hurt his hamstring and landed on injured reserve. The 49ers had just waived Matthew Wright, and the Chiefs signed him up. He's gone 8 for 9 on field-goal tries, has been perfect on PATs, and banged the game-winner off the upright and through last week against Los Angeles. Just like Smith-Schuster, Hunt and Nelson, Wright had been with Kansas City a couple of years ago. "It definitely helps, him knowing how we do things, how we practice and what we expect," Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub said. "That all helped, for sure. And he's a veteran. He's been a lot of places. It wasn't like he was a rookie off the street." Or off the couch, for that matter. NOTES: Butker planned to kick again Thursday and could come off IR to face the Browns on Sunday. "He looked good," Toub said. "We have to see how he responds." ... Humphries (hamstring) did not practice Thursday. RT Jawaan Taylor (knee) was limited. ... SS Justin Reid will likely handle kickoffs against Cleveland. He has a stronger leg than Wright and also puts another athletic and adept tackler on the field on special teams. Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Jason Kelce’s Wife Kylie Keeps It Real About the “Not-So-Pretty” Side of Pregnancy