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A curious moment during the Edmonton Oilers ’ recent game against the New York Rangers has fans buzzing, with Sportsnet analysts questioning what appeared to be a heated exchange between defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forward Kasperi Kapanen . It seemed clear there was an issue, but no one seemed to understand why. The incident occurred after Kapanen registered his first assist as an Oiler, contributing to a Connor McDavid goal alongside Evan Bouchard . Instead of joining in on the celebration, Ekholm seemed to pull Kapanen aside and deliver some stern words. EDM NYR G22. November 23, 2024. Connor McDavid goal. 5-1 EDM. ?: Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/UtSXJQHmpq The Sportsnet panel speculated that Ekholm might have been critiquing Kapanen for a risky play leading up to the goal. Specifically, they suggested the veteran defenseman might have seen Kapanen’s pass as a high-danger move that could have backfired. While Ekholm’s body language suggested frustration, others pointed out that the moment could easily have been misinterpreted. Was Ekholm upset, or was he offering a mix of constructive criticism and encouragement? What was clear is that Ekholm didn’t look happy. At the same time, Kapanen didn’t react with a shocked look on his face or one that suggested he was returning the sternness of the exchange. What Was The Ekholm and Kapanen Talk About? Fans on social media were split. Some believed Sportsnet was reading too much into a moment that means nothing on an otherwise great play. “It’s just as likely Ekholm was congratulating Kapanen in his own intense way,” one fan noted, adding that Ekholm’s leadership style often blends tough love with genuine support. The timing of Ekholm’s actions raised eyebrows, as it seemed odd to critique a player immediately following a successful goal. The pass itself was a beauty, one that McDavid acknowledged when he pointed to both Bouchard and Kapanen after the goal. If there was an issue, it’s logical to assume it was not on that particular offensive play. Ekholm does have a reputation as a trash-talker and a vocal leader. It’s possible he was simply ensuring that Kapanen understood that a great play doesn’t negate a questionable one from a different play or earlier in the series. If he was treating it as a coachable moment, that’s not a bad thing. Regardless of the context, the incident underscores the passion and high standards Ekholm brings to the team. We may never know what that interaction with Kapanen was really about, but the idea that these two might have a beef now feels like a stretch. Knoblauch told the media on Monday that he has been happy with Kapanen and this was a player the Oilers had an interest in before they claimed him on waivers. This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent more than a year in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . Markets rally U.S. stocks saw a broad rally on Monday with major indexes hitting record highs. The pan-European Stoxx 600 closed near the flatline . UniCredit , an Italian bank, offered to buy its domestic rival Banco BPM for roughly 10 billion euros ($10.5 billion). UniCredit has also been eyeing German lender Commerzbank . Wall Street likes Bessent Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for U.S. Treasury secretary, has got a big thumbs up from the stock as well as bond markets . Wall Street strategists heaped praise on Bessent; global analysts also think Trump's pick is favorable for markets . Intel's close to clinching deals The U.S. CHIPS and Science Act office is nearing a deal with Intel , which would award the chipmaker with a grant worth around $8.5 billion , according to a source close to the matter. The Department of Defense is also poised to award Intel a $3 billion contract to manufacture chips . Those are some bright spots in Intel's difficult year . Bitcoin struggles to break barrier After hovering near the $100,000 mark, bitcoin lost some momentum and has dropped to $94,228.47, according to Coin Metrics. Investors are likely taking profit, said Andre Dragosch, head of research for Europe at Bitwise. There's also "a ton of leverage in the system," Mark Novogratz, CEO of digital asset management firm Galaxy Digital, told CNBC. [PRO] How to invest $500,000 in 2025 In 2025, Trump, with his policies that promise to shake up the economy, will be in the White House; the U.S. Federal Reserve will continue tweaking rates; and Nvidia will be delivering its next-generation Blackwell chips. CNBC Pro spoke with wealth managers to find out how investors should invest $500,000 in the rocky year ahead . The Trump rally appears to be shifting into high gear. This time, it's revved up by Trump's Treasury secretary pick — Scott Bessent. Investors like Bessent because, as the founder of hedge fund Key Square Group, he brings to the job an understanding of Wall Street and is presumably supportive of markets. Moreover, Bessent has expressed that he prioritizes controlling inflation even amid policies designed to support domestic growth. "I would recommend that tariffs be layered in gradually," Bessent told CNBC earlier this month before his nomination. Unlike earlier Trump rallies, in which particular assets linked to Trump's policies — bank stocks, small-cap stocks and bitcoin — reaped disproportionate gains, yesterday's rise in markets was broad. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%, in a move that saw more than 3 of 4 stocks in the index trading higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.99%, extending its string of record highs, and the Nasdaq Composite added 0.27%. It wasn't just large-caps that were lifted by Bessent's nomination. Small-cap stocks performed even better, probably because Bessent has expressed support for Trump's economic agenda, which would benefit smaller, domestically oriented companies. The Russell 2000 index of small- and mid-caps gained 1.47%, its sixth positive session in a row. It closed at a new high, exceeding its record set in 2021. The bond market also reacted positively to the news. Yield on the 10-year Treasury fell more than 14 basis points. "You can't ask for a better reception from the market," said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist at LPL Financial. "This is the market applauding." U.S. markets will be closed on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Bessent might be one of the things for which investors will be grateful. — CNBC's Alex Harring and Hakyung Kim contributed to this report.

AP News Summary at 6:15 p.m. ESTJohnson's 22 help Winthrop take down Mercer 102-97

The country deserves maximum international support as it confronts the mammoth tasks of establishing a new political and legal order, stabilising its regions, organising humanitarian aid and beginning reconstruction. Regional powers have a special responsibility here. Although the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham movement leading the revolt has roots in radical Islamism and is classified as terrorist by major powers, its leadership has ruled the region it dominates pragmatically and says it wants an inclusive Syria for the country’s minorities. Those commitments will be severely tested as it confronts the old regime’s remnants, and realises just how fragmented are the regions and how impoverished its economy and state coffers. Turkey has emerged as the principal regional power-broker and supporter of the new regime, but has its own distinct interests in the Kurdish area where it has established a buffer zone. Israel too acted swiftly and pre-emptively to create a security zone beyond the Golan Heights and to destroy Syrian arms dumps and military facilities. Its interest is to push back Hizbollah and its state sponsor Iran further after the campaign against them in Lebanon. Iran and Russia proved unable to support the Assad regime militarily and have suffered a major loss of regional leverage as a result, as has the Shia regime in neighbouring Iraq. Arab states such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and in the Gulf are assessing how to fill that vacuum and avoid any popular spillover from the Syrian rebellion to their own regimes. The horrors being perpetrated on Palestinians in Gaza shape the backdrop to all of these regional shifts. The United States is also assessing its strategic interest in the transformed Syria, including whether to lift its terrorist classification of the new leaders and if the incoming Trump administration will keep the 900 troops based in the Kurdish area to counter Islamist extremism, which cuts across Turkey’s role. The US, like China, has been relatively passive so far, as Middle Eastern powers take prominence. That opens up room for multilateralism, from the United Nations and also from the European Union. The EU and its members have a real diplomatic responsibility here. Collectively, they are potentially major beneficiaries of the stability flowing from a peaceful, thriving and reconstructed Syria, or losers if it reverts to a chaotic domestic disorder stoked by regional powers.The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Mr Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him. The move, announced in court papers, marks the end of the Justice Department’s landmark effort to hold Mr Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021. In court papers, prosecutors said the Justice Department’s position “is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated”. Mr Smith’s team emphasised that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Mr Smith’s team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Mr Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Mr Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated and has vowed to fire Mr Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. However, it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Mr Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The US Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Mr Smith’s team filed a lengthy brief in October laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will over voters after he lost to President Joe Biden.The S&P 500 has been on fire, consistently reaching record highs and showcasing strong performance over the last two years. But when it comes to standout stocks, SoFi Technologies ( SOFI 2.13% ) has rocketed up by 261% since the beginning of 2023. SoFi's ability to expand its customer base and grow revenue has set it apart. After achieving its first quarterly net income a year ago, the fintech has maintained a streak of profitability, delivering several consecutive quarters of solid earnings. SoFi is reaping the rewards of higher interest rates, which have played a pivotal role in accelerating its customer growth. With multiple avenues for further expansion, the company is well positioned for continued success. However, with the stock soaring significantly this year, potential investors might hesitate due to its elevated valuation. Let's examine SoFi more closely to determine whether it's a buy, hold, or sell at the current price point. Reason to buy or hold In recent years, SoFi has transformed from a student loan refinancing company into a financial services powerhouse. This pivotal shift began during the pandemic when student loan forbearance made its original bread-and-butter business significantly less appealing. SoFi significantly expanded into personal loans, catering to the growing demand. But the real game-changer came in 2022 when SoFi acquired Golden Pacific Bancorp. This acquisition provided SoFi with a foundation for deposits and loans while giving it the advantages of a traditional bank. With a banking charter, SoFi has attracted countless customers by offering annual yields of up to 4.5% on their deposits. As a result, SoFi customer growth exploded, and deposits now stand at $24.4 billion. The acquisition also means SoFi can retain more of its loans, a considerable advantage in the recent high-interest-rate environment. This move has allowed the company's net interest income to skyrocket to $431 million in its most recent quarterly results. SOFI Total Deposits (Quarterly) data by YCharts Moreover, the banking charter has enabled SoFi to build out its technology infrastructure for non-banking entities. The fintech has made substantial investments in platforms like Galileo and Technisys, transforming the fintech landscape. Through Galileo, SoFi provides the essential back-end services that other fintech companies rely on. At the same time, Technisys helps support multiple products simultaneously, runs on the cloud, and allows banks to process and analyze data in real-time. With this technology stack, SoFi aims to be the Amazon Web Services (AWS) of finance. SoFi has expanded rapidly and is executing extremely well, which is why the stock has run up so much. Investors optimistic about this could find the stock a buy today even after its significant run-up. Reasons to sell Investors' concerns coming into this year primarily focused on SoFi's lending business. As noted above, the fintech has dramatically expanded its personal lending operations. Earlier this year, CEO Anthony Noto recently hinted at a more cautious outlook amid ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. SoFi boasts a $16.7 billion personal loan portfolio, making credit quality an important aspect of its business. In the third quarter, the company reported $147 million in charged-off personal loans, resulting in a net charge-off (NCO) rate of 3.52%. While this marks a slight increase from last year's NCO rate of 3.44%, it shows improvement from the previous quarter's 3.84%. In addition, SoFi stock has experienced a significant surge and trades at a lofty valuation. The stock is currently priced at 163 times earnings and 4.3 times its tangible book value , an exorbitant number compared to traditional bank stocks. Even when you factor in forecast results for next year, the stock is priced at 68 times those expected earnings. SOFI PE Ratio data by YCharts While SoFi's loan portfolio continues to show resilience, the swift rise of its stock price could signal that it's time to take some chips off the table. Buy, sell, or hold SoFi? SoFi has posted several profitable quarters and continues to grow its customer base and earnings. Its execution has yielded impressive results for investors. However, the stock has experienced a significant surge and trades at a premium valuation. While I'm optimistic about SoFi's long-term growth potential, this elevated valuation brings with it increased volatility -- both upward and downward. Following the recent run-up, investors may consider this a good time to trim their position and take some profit off the table. That said, I still like the long-term outlook for SoFi over the next decade, so I give it a hold rating today.

Cooper, Batcho lead Louisiana Tech past Richmond 65-62These companies innovate and collaborate without office mandates

NEW YORK — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time Thursday after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. “They showed me a lot of love. ... How they're going to make it comfortable for me,” he said. "That's one of the things I was looking for." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. “They always talk about family. They always talk about stick(ing) together,” Soto said. “That's one of the things that opened my eyes.” Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. Soto walked in led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, black turtle neck shirt and gold chain with his No. 22. “I’m excited by the Mets future,” Cohen said. “I think this accelerates our goal of winning championships.” Soto chose the Mets' offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. SAN FRANCISCO — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, was postponed on Thursday and scheduled to resume June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Only three out of 31 witnesses arrived to the hearing on Thursday. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. “There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” Franco's lead lawyer Teodosio Jáquez told The Associated Press after the hearing. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Accuray Incorporated Reports Inducement Award Under NASDAQ Listing Rules

Sukhbir’s ‘tankhah’: Akal Takht key meet on December 2None

Jonah Goldberg Among elites across the ideological spectrum, there's one point of unifying agreement: Americans are bitterly divided. What if that's wrong? What if elites are the ones who are bitterly divided while most Americans are fairly unified? History rarely lines up perfectly with the calendar (the "sixties" didn't really start until the decade was almost over). But politically, the 21st century neatly began in 2000, when the election ended in a tie and the color coding of electoral maps became enshrined as a kind of permanent tribal color war of "red vs. blue." Elite understanding of politics has been stuck in this framework ever since. Politicians and voters have leaned into this alleged political reality, making it seem all the more real in the process. I loathe the phrase "perception is reality," but in politics it has the reifying power of self-fulfilling prophecy. People are also reading... Like rival noble families in medieval Europe, elites have been vying for power and dominance on the arrogant assumption that their subjects share their concern for who rules rather than what the rulers can deliver. Gobble up these 14 political cartoons about Thanksgiving Political cartoonists from across country draw up something special for the holiday In 2018, the group More in Common published a massive report on the "hidden tribes" of American politics. The wealthiest and whitest groups were "devoted conservatives" (6%) and "progressive activists" (8%). These tribes dominate the media, the parties and higher education, and they dictate the competing narratives of red vs. blue, particularly on cable news and social media. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Americans resided in, or were adjacent to, the "exhausted majority." These people, however, "have no narrative," as David Brooks wrote at the time. "They have no coherent philosophic worldview to organize their thinking and compel action." Lacking a narrative might seem like a very postmodern problem, but in a postmodern elite culture, postmodern problems are real problems. It's worth noting that red vs. blue America didn't emerge ex nihilo. The 1990s were a time when the economy and government seemed to be working, at home and abroad. As a result, elites leaned into the narcissism of small differences to gain political and cultural advantage. They remain obsessed with competing, often apocalyptic, narratives. That leaves out most Americans. The gladiatorial combatants of cable news, editorial pages and academia, and their superfan spectators, can afford these fights. Members of the exhausted majority are more interested in mere competence. I think that's the hidden unity elites are missing. This is why we keep throwing incumbent parties out of power: They get elected promising competence but get derailed -- or seduced -- by fan service to, or trolling of, the elites who dominate the national conversation. There's a difference between competence and expertise. One of the most profound political changes in recent years has been the separation of notions of credentialed expertise from real-world competence. This isn't a new theme in American life, but the pandemic and the lurch toward identity politics amplified distrust of experts in unprecedented ways. This is a particular problem for the left because it is far more invested in credentialism than the right. Indeed, some progressives are suddenly realizing they invested too much in the authority of experts and too little in the ability of experts to provide what people want from government, such as affordable housing, decent education and low crime. The New York Times' Ezra Klein says he's tired of defending the authority of government institutions. Rather, "I want them to work." One of the reasons progressives find Trump so offensive is his absolute inability to speak the language of expertise -- which is full of coded elite shibboleths. But Trump veritably shouts the language of competence. I don't mean he is actually competent at governing. But he is effectively blunt about calling leaders, experts and elites -- of both parties -- stupid, ineffective, weak and incompetent. He lost in 2020 because voters didn't believe he was actually good at governing. He won in 2024 because the exhausted majority concluded the Biden administration was bad at it. Nostalgia for the low-inflation pre-pandemic economy was enough to convince voters that Trumpian drama is the tolerable price to pay for a good economy. About 3 out of 4 Americans who experienced "severe hardship" because of inflation voted for Trump. The genius of Trump's most effective ad -- "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you" -- was that it was simultaneously culture-war red meat and an argument that Harris was more concerned about boutique elite concerns than everyday ones. If Trump can actually deliver competent government, he could make the Republican Party the majority party for a generation. For myriad reasons, that's an if so big it's visible from space. But the opportunity is there -- and has been there all along. Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: thedispatch.com . Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!Blockchain Gaming Market: Exploring Leading Global Companies, Strategic Business Insights, Growth Opportunities, Regional Trends, and Size Forecast for the Period Up to 2031

RJ Godfrey and Tyrin Lawrence each scored 14 points to help lead Georgia to a 79-72 win over visiting South Carolina State on Sunday in Athens, Ga. Asa Newell and Dakota Leffew added 12 apiece for Georgia (12-1) which rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit. Silas Demary Jr. had 11 points followed by De'Shayne Montgomery's 10, as the Bulldogs won their seventh straight game, marking their best start to a season since 1930-31 (13-0). Reserve Jayden Johnson led South Carolina State (6-9) with 16 points, followed by Michael Teal's 13 and Wilson Dubinsky's 12. South Carolina State dropped its third game in four tries entering Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Jan. 4. Trailing 41-24 at halftime, Demary's triple and Montgomery's dunk began a 12-5 scoring run to open the second half, pulling Georgia within 10 at the 16:18 mark. After Teal's layup extended South Carolina State's lead to 50-39, Demary's basket stamped a 7-0 Georgia run, pulling the Bulldogs within four at the 11:17 mark of the second half. Dubinsky answered with a triple on the other end, but Leffew and Demary's layups began a 14-2 Georgia run -- which was capped with Lawrence's personal 8-0 spurt. Trailing 60-55, South Carolina State cut its deficit to one after Drayton Jones' four straight points. From there, Newell's three-point play jump started an 8-0 Georgia run, stamped with Montgomery's free throw with 3:42 left. After Davion Everett split a pair of free throws to pull South Carolina State within four with 1:44 left, Georgia made seven of its eight free-throw attempts to ice the victory. Georgia connected on just one field goal early in the game until Dylan James' layup trimmed its deficit to 7-5 at the 14:44 mark. After Johnson's basket put South Carolina State ahead 13-10, Leffew's 3-pointer followed by Montgomery's free throw gave Georgia its first lead with 10:27 left in the opening half. Godfrey's pair of free throws flipped the lead to Georgia with 5:30 remaining, before Dubinsky's triple gave South Carolina State a 24-22 advantage on the ensuing possession. Georgia was held scoreless until Somto Cyril's free throws snapped a 14-0 South Carolina State run with 50 seconds left. Johnson then capped the first half with consecutive 3-pointers, giving South Carolina State a 41-24 halftime lead. --Field Level Media

As Kansas citizens, we have a civic duty to engage our government by communicating with our elected officials regularly so they know how best to represent us. This is critical now that President-elect Trump plans to fill his cabinet with people with no other qualifications than loyalty. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, both Republicans, serve Kansans in the U.S. Senate where Trump’s cabinet members will be confirmed. This gives us the opportunity to voice any concerns we might have by contacting their offices directly at 202-224-6521 (Moran) and 202-224-4774 (Marshall). These lines will be answered by a staff member who will ask if we are Kansas residents. Elected officials should be representing all of us, though with our diverse views, that can be tough. So they tend to focus on the voices they hear most. Often, thanks to the Citizens United ruling by the Supreme Court, mega-donors and corporations garner the lion’s share of their time. But they do pay attention to constituents who take the time to contact their offices. With so few large donors, our elected officials must be sure to keep the average voter who pays attention happy. That’s where we come in. Let’s look at the decisions these men will be making as the next Congress begins. First, we need to look at Trump’s pick for the Justice Department. He will nominate Pam Bondi, Florida’s former Attorney General for U.S. Attorney General, following the disastrous try for Matt Gaetz. She does have experience, but she also has baggage. Her current employer, Ballard Partners, lobbies Congress on behalf of many corporate clients fighting regulations that, among others, involve antitrust issues, federal prison contracts, and technology privacy issues (politico.com 7 Dec 24). Christopher Wray, the current Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will resign at the end of the Biden administration. Trump has put forward Kash Patel to lead the nation’s preeminent law enforcement agency. Like Bondi, Patel is a loyalist who has limited legal experience. He does manage the Kash Foundation, which provides support for January 6th defendants (among others), and operates K$H selling Trump merchandise. He has been outspoken in his disdain for the FBI, authoring the “Nunes Memo,” which falsely claimed the FBI investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 campaign was politically motivated (nytimes.com 30 Nov 24). Critical to our position as the leader of the free world is our military dominance. The U.S. spends more than the next eight countries combined (worldpopulationreview.com 13 Dec 24). Trump has picked Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense despite his complete lack of qualifications other than loyalty. Though Hegseth served in Iraq and Afghanistan, achieving the rank of major, he has no experience running an organization of significant size. Like other picks for Cabinet posts, Hegseth comes from Fox News where he has railed against “woke” senior officers, including current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Charles Q. Brown. He is equally blunt about women serving in combat roles, basing most of his policy positions on his extreme religious views (npr.org 14 Nov 24). Trump selected Robert F. Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, though he has no practical experience in medicine. His advocacy for removing fluoride from the nation’s water systems, combined with his antagonistic views on vaccines, again show that loyalty is his only qualification. This nomination, if confirmed, could wreak havoc across our culture, but clearly children would suffer the most. His promoting of raw milk, petitioning for the reversal of vaccine approvals (including the polio vaccine), and challenges to providing safe water overshadow the few good ideas he has about processed foods (washingtonpost.com 15 Nov 24). Finally, there is the selection of Kristi Noem to lead the Department of Homeland Security, the guardians of our borders and our government's secrets. Not only will she be in lock step with whatever program Steven Miller comes up with to degrade and humiliate immigrant families, she will be responsible for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which responds to natural disasters such as floods, wildfires, and tornadoes. Noem, as governor of South Dakota, not only denies the human impact on our climate, but has refused to allow federal programs worth billions of dollars to fund clean energy technologies into her state (scientificamerican.com 13 Nov 24). It has been reported that Trump feels he has a mandate to upend the conventions of the federal government, and has chosen his cabinet accordingly. He also dismisses the idea that he is not in control of the nomination process, arguing that all moves made are his alone (latimes.com 8 Dec 24). As the title of this article suggests, our voices matter. These unqualified nominations should not be viewed as inevitable. We have the power to demand change through Senators Moran and Marshall. But they will not reach out to us. It is up to us to speak up about the risks these nominees pose for our democracy, and for our position of dominance on the world stage. It is up to us to reach out to Senators Moran and Marshall to make sure they understand that confirming such incompetent people to positions of power within the administration would be folly. Our voice matters. Jim Calvert is a retired English Teacher who grew up in Emporia.

CANCUN, Mexico (AP) — Darryl Simmons II scored 19 points to help Gardner-Webb defeat SE Louisiana 73-69 on Tuesday. Simmons shot 7 for 13 (2 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Runnin' Bulldogs (3-3). Pharell Boyogueno scored 15 points while going 6 of 13 (3 for 7 from 3-point range) and added seven rebounds and four steals. Anthony Selden shot 6 of 10 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Jeremy Elyzee led the Lions (2-4) in scoring, finishing with 22 points, three steals and two blocks. Sam Hines Jr. added 12 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals. Jakevion Buckley finished with 11 points, four assists and three steals. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) — Don McHenry scored 29 points as Western Kentucky beat Kentucky Wesleyan 91-71 on Saturday. McHenry also contributed four steals for the Hilltoppers (9-3). Braxton Bayless added 18 points while going 7 of 10 (3 for 3 from 3-point range) while they also had five rebounds. Julius Thedford went 6 of 13 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 17 points. It was the sixth straight win for the Hilltoppers. The Panthers were led in scoring by Quentin Toles, who finished with 15 points and six assists. Kentucky Wesleyan also got 14 points and six rebounds from Fatih Huyuk. Kennedy Miles also had 14 points and five assists. Western Kentucky took the lead with 5:32 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 46-41 at halftime, with Bayless racking up 13 points. Western Kentucky pulled away with an 8-0 run in the second half to extend a four-point lead to 12 points. They outscored Kentucky Wesleyan by 15 points in the final half, as McHenry led the way with a team-high 19 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .