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The Vancouver Canucks return to a home schedule Friday on a high. Despite missing key players in Thatcher Demko , J.T. Miller and Filip Hronek , the team went 4-1-1 in six road games over the past two weeks. That’s an impressive run. But was it all just lucky? NEXT GAME Tuesday Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Vancouver Canucks 7 p.m., Rogers Arena , TV: ESP N Pacific, Radio: Sportsnet 650 If you look at some basic shot metrics, there’s a case for, yes, definitely. For instance, MoneyPuck.com has the Canucks being not just outshot over a 10-game average, but the quality of those shots tilt heavily toward their opposition. If you look purely at the public numbers, the Canucks have been, at best, playing coin-flip hockey. Sometimes you just get lucky — and you wouldn’t be wrong to claim that is all the Canucks have been of late. But there are caveats. The picture is not as clear as you might think. Let’s take a look at all the numbers and try to understand where the Canucks stand 24 games into the season. According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks’ defence has been the league’s stingiest so far, if you believe their expected goals model — they’ve yielded just 39.8 total this season. The Canucks are just incredibly tough to break down defensively because they command the slot very well. The numbers reflect this. Rick Tocchet ’s teams are known for being hard-edged defensively. Sure, there are moments of madness from the likes of Tyler Myers or Vincent Desharnais, for example, but zooming out to the big picture tells the truth: they’re just not giving up many good chances, night in, night out. Quinn Hughes is eating tons and tons of minutes. He’s playing great in those minutes, racking up point totals rarely seen from a blueliner. And that offensive production isn’t empty, either — it’s leading to utter two-way dominance. When Hughes in on the ice at five-on-five, the Canucks are giving up just 0.75 shot attempts per minute. That’s one of the best rates in the league. He’s 19:30 playing time at five-on-five per game. In other words, for a full third of the game every night, the ice tilted heavily toward the offensive end of the ice for the Canucks. That is a big factor in why they still look to be playing well overall, because they’re so rarely defending. As is well-documented by now, the Canucks have given up the first goal of the game a disturbing number of times. Out of the 24 games played so far by the Canucks, 14 times they have fallen behind first. They’ve ended the first period trailing 10 times. Five of those games they went on to win. That they have won half of the games where they were trailing after 20 stands out. Most teams lose most of their games if they are trailing after just one period. It’s just very difficult to do night after night. The Canucks need to start scoring first. What they’ve been doing so far is just not sustainable. The Canucks newly assembled first line is producing, and they are dominating play. The success that Jake DeBrusk, Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser are having is not a mirage. The Canucks are taking 63.6 per cent, nearly two-thirds, of the total shot attempts when this trio is on the ice. When your first line is dominating like this, that’s a winning formula. And playing at home, where you can control the matchups, means the Pettersson line stands an even better chance of dominating. Pettersson said Thursday it’s still a bit of a mystery to him why his team has struggled to play better at home — but it is difficult to fathom his line as they are playing right now, suddenly struggling because they’re now playing at home. If the Canucks’ performance at home is going to match the play on the road, it’s really going to come down to how he and Hughes play, above all else. pjohnston@postmedia.com

Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts

Share this Story : GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators version of 'Twas the Night before Christmas Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Ottawa Senators Sports Hockey NHL Senators Extra GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators version of 'Twas the Night before Christmas Author of the article: Bruce Garrioch Published Dec 23, 2024 • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Jake Sanderson of the Ottawa Senators celebrates with teammates Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle after scoring the game-winning goal against the Vancouver Canucks. Photo by Rich Lam / GETTY IMAGES Article content With my annual apologies to Clement Clarke Moore: ‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the rink, not a creature was stirring, not even representatives of the National Capital Commission with moving vans for a trip downtown to LeBreton Flats faster than anyone could think. The stockings were hung by the Canadian Tire Centre chimney with care in hopes that Santa Claus would deliver a gold medal for Team Canada at the world junior championship and a Stanley Cup for the Ottawa Senators there, too. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Michael Andlauer was nestled, all snug in his bed. With visions of a second six-game winning streak and making the post-season dancing in his head. And, Steve Staios in his pyjamas and Travis Green in his cap, had just gotten in the wrapper to see if they could get in a little pre-game nap. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter. Good ol’ Claude Giroux sprung from his bed to see if he might have to drop the gloves to deal with this matter. Away from the book stand Giroux flew like he was in a mad dash, he tore open the shutters and prepared to make a hit on the intruder with a hard smash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of mid-day to hockey equipment below when, what to Giroux’s wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight hard-working players. “Now Tkachuk! Now Chabot! Now Stutzle and Pinto! “On Sanderson! On Norris! On Batherson and On Zuuuuub!” So up to the house top the club’s core players they flew, With the sleigh full of toys, some new hockey gloves and a good old Santa Claus, too. And then, in a twinkling, Giroux heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content As Giroux drew in his head and was turning around, down the chimney Santa came with a bound. His eyes — how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard of his chin was as white as snow. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and Giroux laughed when he saw him, in spite of himself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon let Giroux to know he had nothing to dread. Santa spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, to hand out some Christmas cheer to some of the Senators’ good sports: Recommended from Editorial Bah Humbug! Senators lose goaltender Linus Ullmark and two points against Oilers Senators rolling since owner stood up in their defence over Brady Tkachuk trade talk Michael Andlauer : A trip to the post-season for this franchise and its faithful, who have waited patiently since 2017. More sellouts and more support with the paperwork in place to formally begin the building of a downtown rink in 2025. Steve Staios: First and foremost, health and happiness for his family after his wife Susannah’s battle with cancer. And, secondly, being a buyer at the deadline to add a piece or two for a long playoff run. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Brady Tkachuk : Leading this group to the National Hockey League’s big dance in the spring. The 10th captain in the franchise’s history has the skills to pay the bills, isn’t afraid to get his nose dirty and is trying desperately to bring playoff hockey to Ottawa. Claude Giroux: The success he wanted to have when he signed with the Senators. He has made his impact, he has worked with the young players and has helped dramatically. Giroux came back because this is his hometown and a one-year extension also makes sense. Thomas Chabot: More offence from the club’s longtime defenceman with an eye towards suiting up for more games in the spring. It’s now or never for this group and Chabot has to be part of the push for the Senators to get to the next level. Jake Sanderson : A letter in the mail from Four Nations Face-off general manager Bill Guerin inviting him to play for Team USA in February if there’s an injury on the blueliner. Next September it might be time to give the club’s top blueliner a letter ‘A’ for an alternate captain. Linus Ullmark: Santa already delivered the snow for his son, so that’s a good start to the holiday season. Time to rest his back after he departed from the game in Edmonton on Sunday and a return to the net against the Winnipeg Jets on Hockey Night in Canada on Saturday. Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Josh Norris: The best gift Santa could deliver is continued good health in 2025. Back after the third shoulder surgery of his career, Norris has looked like the contributor who has made an impact on this franchise. He’s a top-two centre with a great shot that can hit the mark. Dave Cameron: The Ottawa 67’s head coach deserves a gold medal as he leads Canada into this junior tourney in his second hometown. To the readers: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with a chance for everybody to be together. Be safe and healthy. Best wishes for the holiday season. Thanks for reading and choosing this newspaper. bgarrioch@postmedia.com Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : GARRIOCH: The Ottawa Senators version of 'Twas the Night before Christmas Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Deachman: Is there Christmas if you're homeless in Ottawa? Local News Ottawa weather forecast calls for white Christmas snow storm News Bah Humbug! Senators lose goaltender Linus Ullmark and two points against Oilers Ottawa Senators Here's how it feels to be homeless at Christmas Local News OPP worried about condition of driver who left Highway 417 crash scene Local News Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local Savings

A video that went viral on social media showing a mother squirting dish soap into her infant’s mouth has led to the woman’s arrest, Ohio police and local news outlets reported. The 20-year-old woman was charged with domestic violence and endangering children on Dec. 17, according to court records. Her attorney information was not listed. McClatchy News is not naming the mother to protect the identity of the child. Court documents said the video showed the Loveland mother spitting in the child’s face and pushing the child’s head, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported. The mother also squirted “ dish detergent ” in the child’s mouth, according to documents reported by the Enquirer. The mother reportedly sent the videos to the child’s father, court documents said according to WKRC. The video led to an investigation involving Child Protective Services , police told WXIX. The woman was released following her Dec. 20 court appearance and is on house arrest, according to the Enquirer. The mother is scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 6, according to WXIX. Loveland is about a 25-mile drive northeast from Cincinnati.Benguet Corp pushes expansion, diversificationMali issues arrest warrant for Barrick CEOSynthetic Data in Face Recognition: A Game Changer or Just Hype?

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The House of Representatives voted to block the immediate release of the ethics report involving former Rep. Matt Gaetz. The vote was 206 to 198 — with all but one Republican, Rep. Tom McClintock, voting to refer the report back to the Ethics Committee. The House Ethics Committee investigated allegations of sexual misconduct involving Gaetz, along with accusations of illicit drug use and the alleged acceptance of improper gifts. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and the Department of Justice announced last year it would not bring charges against him. “Today, the majority of the House of Representatives took the easy way out,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “They could have ensured a vote on whether or not former Members should be held accountable when they face serious and credible allegations of sexual misconduct, including having sex with minors. Instead, the House voted to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent that, if you are ever facing scrutiny, resigning from Congress can make your problems go away. Gaetz resigned from Congress in November, days before the potential release of the report. His resignation set off a debate in Washington about whether the report should still be released since he was no longer a sitting member of Congress. RELATED STORY | Johnson against release of House Ethics Committee report involving Gaetz House Speaker Mike Johnson said the report shouldn't be released, claiming it set a bad precedent. "The rules of the House have always been that a former member is beyond the jurisdiction of the Ethics Committee," he said in November. However, there was mounting pressure to release the report from Democrats and some Republicans as Gaetz was the nominee to be the next attorney general. The former congressman ultimately decided to withdraw his name from consideration, saying the nomination had become a distraction. RELATED STORY | Matt Gaetz says he's removing his name for consideration for attorney general

IOWA CITY — Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara made a post to social media on Friday to reaffirm his commitment to the Hawkeyes. In a post to his personal Instagram account, McNamara described himself as "proud member" of the Iowa football program. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara throws against Michigan State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in East Lansing, Mich. "It has come to my attention that there are individuals in the media circulating rumors about my current status on the Iowa Football Team," McNamara wrote. "These are ridiculous accusations and 100% false. My status on the same as it's always been — a proud member of this football team." The a picture of McNamara participating in Iowa's pregame swarm, hand-in-hand with his Hawkeyes teammates, accompanied the statement. Rumors questioning McNamara's status started to swirl on social media earlier this week. The rumors claimed McNamara departed the football program or refused to play for the remainder of the season after back-to-back starts for Brendan Sullivan. The "clearly cloudy" description of Iowa's quarterback situation from head coach Kirk Ferentz further added fuel to the rumors. On Tuesday, Ferentz indicated fourth-string walk-on Jackson Stratton would start against Maryland despite McNamara occupying the top spot on the quarterback depth chart on Monday. In his post, McNamara clarified the injury he sustained against Northwestern and which forced him out for Iowa's win over Wisconsin and loss to UCLA. "I suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and have been doign everything in my power to get back on the field," McNamara wrote. "I have NOT been cleared to play yet. I was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday but had an adverse reaction which is common for someone coming out of protocol. "I have been lifting and attending meetings as much as possible but have not physically participated in practice Monday through Thursday of this week." The injury and his adverse reaction prevented McNamara from making the trip to Maryland this weekend. The graduate senior added he remains intent on returning to the field for Iowa's season finale against Nebraska next Friday. "I am working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequent as possible," McNamara said. "...I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win." A post shared by Cade McNamara (@cademac.12) McNamara appeared in the first eight games of the season and completed 60.5% of his passes for 1,017 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions before exiting in the second half of a win over Northwestern. With McNamara and Sullivan out, Stratton is expected to start his first career game at Iowa. The former Colorado State transfer went 3-of-6 for 28 yards in relief of an injured Sullivan against UCLA. With the Rams, Stratton went 4-of-17 for 78 yards and one touchdown to two interceptions in four appearances as a freshman in 2022. The Hawkeyes face Maryland at 11 a.m. on Saturday with broadcast coverage provided by Big Ten Network. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz offered the oxymoronic and ambiguous phrase 'clearly cloudy' when discusses who his quarterback would be against Maryland on Saturday. Despite Maryland's losing record and three-game losing streak, the Iowa Hawkeyes head into Saturday's matchup with the Terrapins focused on being "ready to go" and starting fast. In the wake of Mark Farley's midseason retirement announcement, Iowa coaches sent their congratulations to the 24-year head coach of Northern Iowa football and weighed in on Farley's final message. Get local news delivered to your inbox! University of Iowa Athletics Beat Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.MILAN, Dec 7 (Reuters) - UniCredit (CRDI.MI) , opens new tab is ready to sit down with Credit Agricole (CAGR.PA) , opens new tab , a spokesperson for the Italian bank said in a LinkedIn post after the French lender increased its potential stake in Unicredit's takeover target Banco BPM (BAMI.MI) , opens new tab . UniCredit's bid for its smaller peer prompted Credit Agricole to say on Friday it had entered derivatives that would raise its stake in BPM to 15% from 9.9% once the European Central Bank gives its green light. "Yesterday's news about Credit Agricole's increased stake in BPM changes nothing for UniCredit," the spokesperson for UniCredit said on social media network LinkedIn. "We were always prepared to negotiate with CA, as this would have been necessary whatever the scale of their shareholding." Sign up here. Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gavin Jones Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

LONDON (AP) — West Ham forward Michail Antonio was taken to hospital after being involved in a road traffic incident on Saturday. West Ham added the 34-year-old player was in a stable condition. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital," the Premier League club said in a statement. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari in the Essex area were shared on social media on Saturday. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident. Antonio signed for West Ham in 2015 and has made more than 300 appearances. West Ham doesn't have a league game until Monday. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerSyrian insurgents reach the capital’s suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies

NEW YORK — The masked gunman who stalked and killed the leader of one of the largest U.S. health insurance companies outside a Manhattan hotel used ammunition emblazoned with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," two law enforcement officials said Thursday. The words were written in permanent marker, according to one of the officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. With the gunman still at large, police also released photos of a person they said was wanted for questioning in connection with the shooting. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the company's annual investor conference at a Hilton hotel in Midtown. The reason behind the killing remained unknown, but investigators believe it was a targeted attack. This image shows a man wanted for questioning in connection to the investigation of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. The message left on the ammunition echoes the phrase "delay, deny, defend," which is commonly used by attorneys and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for complicating access to care. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the hotel and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. Inside a nearby trash can, they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that they say the gunman purchased from a nearby Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The city's medical examiner was looking for fingerprints. The killing and the shooter's movements in the minutes before and after were captured on some of the multitudes of security cameras present in that part of the city. The shooter fled on a bike and was last seen riding into Central Park. Bullets lie on the sidewalk Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was shot and killed in New York. The hunt for the shooter brought New York City police to at least two hostels on Manhattan's Upper West Side on Thursday morning, based on a tip that the suspected shooter might have stayed at one of the residences, according to one of the law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The photos police released Thursday of a man wanted for questioning were taken in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel. "We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time," said Danielle Brumfitt, a spokesperson for the hostel. Police received a flood of tips from members of the public, many of them unfounded. On Wednesday evening, police searched a Long Island Rail Road train after a commuter claimed to have spotted the shooter, but found no sign of the gunman. "We're following up on every single tip that comes in," said Carlos Nieves, a police spokesperson. "That little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together." Investigators believe, judging from surveillance video and evidence collected from the scene, that the shooter had at least some prior firearms training and experience with guns and the weapon was equipped with a silencer, said one of the law enforcement officials who spoke with the AP. This still image from surveillance video shows the suspect, left, sought in the the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, center, Wednesday outside a Manhattan hotel. Security camera video showed the killer approach Thompson from behind, level his pistol and fire several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the health executive tumbled to the pavement. Cameras showed him fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza before getting on the bicycle. Police issued several surveillance images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face, which wouldn't have attracted attention on a frigid day. Authorities also used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intensive search, but the killer's whereabouts remained unknown. Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in suburban Minneapolis, was with UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. The insurer's Minnetonka, Minnesota-based parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting with investors in New York to update Wall Street on the company's direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson's death. UnitedHealthcare is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. In the U.S. healthcare system, even the simplest act, like booking an appointment with your primary care physician, may feel intimidating. As you wade through intake forms and insurance statements, and research out-of-network coverage , you might wonder, "When did U.S. health care get so confusing?" Short answer? It's complicated. The history of modern U.S. health care spans nearly a century, with social movements, legislation, and politics driving change. Take a trip back in time as Thatch highlights some of the most impactful legislation and policies that gave us the existing healthcare system, particularly how and when things got complicated. In the beginning, a common perception of American doctors was that they were kindly old men stepping right out of a Saturday Evening Post cover illustration to make house calls. If their patients couldn't afford their fee, they'd accept payment in chicken or goats. Health care was relatively affordable and accessible. Then it all fell apart during the Great Depression of the 1930s. That's when hospital administrators started looking for ways to guarantee payment. According to the American College of Healthcare Executives, this is when the earliest form of health insurance was born. Interestingly, doctors would have none of it at first. The earliest health plans covered hospitalization only. A new set of challenges from the Second World War required a new set of responses. During the Depression, there were far too many people and too few jobs. The war economy had the opposite effect. Suddenly, all able-bodied men were in the military, but somebody still had to build the weapons and provision the troops. Even with women entering the workforce in unprecedented numbers, there was simply too much to get done. The competition for skilled labor was brutal. A wage freeze starting in 1942 forced employers to find other means of recruiting and retaining workers. Building on the recently mandated workers' compensation plans, employers or their union counterparts started offering insurance to cover hospital and doctor visits. Of course, the wage freeze ended soon after the war. However, the tax code and the courts soon clarified that employer-sponsored health insurance was non-taxable. Medicare, a government-sponsored health plan for retirees 65 and older, debuted in 1965. Nowadays, Medicare is offered in Parts A, B, C, and D; each offering a different layer of coverage for older Americans. As of 2023, over a quarter of all U.S. adults are enrolled in Medicare. The structure of Medicare is not dissimilar to universal health care offered in other countries, although the policy covers everyone, not just people over a certain age. Medicaid was also signed into law with Medicare. Medicaid provides health care coverage for Americans with low incomes. Over 74 million Americans are enrolled in Medicaid today. The Obama administration was neither the first nor the last to champion new ways to provide health care coverage to a wider swath of Americans. The first attempts to harmonize U.S. healthcare delivery systems with those of other developed economies came just five years after Medicare and Medicaid. Two separate bills were introduced in 1970 alone. Both bills aimed to widen affordable health benefits for Americans, either by making people Medicare-eligible or providing free health benefits for all Americans. As is the case with many bills, both these died, even though there was bipartisan support. But the chairman of the relevant Senate panel had his own bill in mind, which got through the committee. It effectively said that all Americans were entitled to the kind of health benefits enjoyed by the United Auto Workers Union or AFL-CIO—for free. But shortly after Sen. Edward Kennedy began hearings on his bill in early 1971 , a competing proposal came from an unexpected source: Richard Nixon's White House. President Nixon's approach , in retrospect, had some commonalities with what Obamacare turned out to be. There was the employer mandate, for example, and an expansion of Medicaid. It favored healthcare delivery via health maintenance organizations, or HMOs, which was a novel idea at the time. HMOs, which offer managed care within a tight network of health care providers, descended from the prepaid health plans that flourished briefly in the 1910s and 1920s. They were first conceived in their current form around 1970 by Dr. Paul M. Ellwood, Jr. In 1973, a law was passed to require large companies to give their employees an HMO option as well as a traditional health insurance option. But that was always intended to be ancillary to Nixon's more ambitious proposal, which got even closer to what exists now after it wallowed in the swamp for a while. When Nixon reintroduced the proposal in 1974, it featured state-run health insurance plans as a substitute for Medicaid—not a far cry from the tax credit-fueled state-run exchanges of today. Of course, Nixon had other things to worry about in 1974: inflation, recession, a nation just beginning to heal from its first lost war—and his looming impeachment. His successor, Gerald Ford, tried to keep the proposal moving forward, but to no avail. But this raises a good question: If the Republican president and the Democratic Senate majority both see the same problem and have competing but not irreconcilable proposals to address it, why wasn't there some kind of compromise? What major issue divided the two parties? It was a matter of funding. The Democrats wanted to pay for universal health coverage through the U.S. Treasury's general fund, acknowledging that Congress would have to raise taxes to pay for it. The Republicans wanted it to pay for itself by charging participants insurance premiums, which would be, in effect, a new tax. The next significant legislation came from President Reagan, who signed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, or COBRA, in 1985. COBRA enabled laid-off workers to hold onto their health insurance—providing that they pay 100% of the premium, which had been wholly or at least in part subsidized by their erstwhile employer. While COBRA offers continued coverage, its high expense doesn't offer much relief for the unemployed. A 2006 Commonwealth Fund survey found that only 9% of people eligible for COBRA coverage actually signed up for it. The COBRA law had a section, though, that was only tangentially related. The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, or EMTALA, which was incorporated into COBRA, required all emergency medical facilities that take Medicare—that is, all of them—to treat patients irrespective of their insurance status or ability to pay. As Forbes staff writer Avik Roy wrote during the Obamacare debate, EMTALA has come to overshadow the rest of the COBRA law in its influence on American health care policy. More on that soon. It wasn't until the 1990s that Washington saw another serious attempt at healthcare reform. Bill Clinton's first order of business as president was to establish a new health care plan. For the first time, the First Lady took on the role of heavy-lifting policy advisor to the president and became the White House point person on universal health care. Hillary Clinton's proposal mandated : The Clintons' plan centralized decision-making in Washington, with a "National Health Board" overseeing quality assurance, training physicians, guaranteeing abortion coverage, and running both long-term care facilities and rural health systems. The insurance lobbyists had a field day with that. The famous "Harry and Louise" ads portrayed a generic American couple having tense conversations in their breakfast nook about how the federal government would come between them and their doctor. By the 1994 midterms, any chance of universal health care in America had died. In this case, it wasn't funding but the debate between big and small governments that killed the Clinton reform. It would be another generation before the U.S. saw universal health care take the stage. Fast-forward to 2010. It was clear that employer-sponsored plans were vestiges of another time. They made sense when people stayed with the same company for their entire careers, but as job-hopping and layoffs became more prevalent, plans tied to the job became obsolete. Thus the Affordable Care Act, or ACA, was proposed by Barack Obama's White House and squeaked by Congress and the Supreme Court with the narrowest of margins. The ACA introduced an individual mandate requiring everyone to have health insurance regardless of job status. It set up an array of government-sponsored online exchanges where individuals could buy coverage . It also provided advance premium tax credits to defray the cost to consumers. But it didn't ignore hat most people were already getting health insurance through work, and a significant proportion didn't want to change . So the ACA also required employers with 50 or more full-time equivalent employees to provide health coverage to at least 95% of them. The law, nicknamed Obamacare by supporters and detractors, set a minimum baseline of coverage and affordability. The penalty for an employer that offers inadequate or unaffordable coverage can never be greater than the penalty for not offering coverage at all. The model for Obamacare was the health care reform package that went into effect in Massachusetts in 2006. The initial proposal was made by then-Governor Mitt Romney, a Republican who now serves as a senator from Utah. Despite an onslaught of court challenges, Obamacare remains the law of the land. For a while, Republican congressional candidates ran on a "repeal-and-replace" platform plank, but even when they were in the majority, there was little legislative action to do either. Still, Obamacare is not the last word in American health care reform. Since then, there have been two important improvements to Health Reimbursement Arrangements, through which companies pay employees back for out-of-pocket medical-related expenses. HRAs had been evolving informally since at least the 1960s but were first addressed by the Internal Revenue Service in 2002. Not much more happened on that front until Obama's lame-duck period. In December 2016, he signed the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which was mainly a funding bill supporting the National Institutes of Health as it addressed the opioid crisis. But, just like the right to free emergency room treatment was nested in the larger COBRA law, the legal framework of Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangements was tucked away in a corner of the Cures Act. QSEHRAs, offered only by companies with fewer than 50 full-time employees, allow firms to let their employees pick their insurance coverage off the Obamacare exchanges. The firms pay the employees back for some or all of the cost of those premiums. The employees then become ineligible for the premium tax credit provided by the ACA, but a well-constructed QSEHRA will meet or exceed the value of that subsidy. That brings this timeline to one last innovation, which expands QSEHRA-like treatment to companies with more than 50 employees or aspiring to have them. Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements , or ICHRAs, were established by a 2019 IRS rule . ICHRAs allow firms of any size to offer employees tax-free contributions to cover up to 100% of their individual health insurance premiums as well as other eligible medical expenses. Instead of offering insurance policies directly, companies advise employees to shop on a government-sponsored exchange and select the best plan that suits their needs. Employer reimbursement rather than an advance premium tax credit reduces premiums. And because these plans are already ACA-compliant, there's no risk to the employer that they won't meet coverage or affordability standards. The U.S. is never going back to the mid-20th century model of lifetime employment at one company. Now, with remote employees and gig workers characterizing the workforce, the portability of an ICHRA provides some consistency for those who expect to be independent contractors for their entire careers. Simultaneously, allows bootstrap-phase startups to offer the dignity of health coverage to their Day One associates. The U.S. health care system can feel clunky and confusing to navigate. It is also regressive and penalizes startups and small businesses. For a country founded by entrepreneurs, it's sad that corporations like Google pay less for health care per employee than a small coffee shop in Florida. In many ways, ICHRA democratizes procuring health care coverage. In the same way that large employers enjoy the benefits of better rates, ICHRA plan quality and prices improve as the ICHRA risk pool grows. Moving away from the traditional employer model will change the incentive structure of the healthcare industry. Insurers will be able to compete and differentiate on the merits of their product. They will be incentivized to build products for people, not one-size-fits-all solutions for employers. This story was produced by Thatch and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Fed chair Powell dropped a big lump of coal in the market’s stocking last week as he reigned in the Fed’s rate cut projections for 2025. While the Fed cut its key benchmark rate by the expected 25 basis points, Powell tempered expectations on future rate cuts based on sticky inflation data and the continued robust spending from American consumers. The Fed's so-called ‘dot plot,' which anticipates the frequency and strength of future rate activity, now indicates only two rate cuts in 2025, with a Fed funds rate at 3.75% – 4.00% by the end of next December. Markets did not take kindly to the news, and major indices closed starkly lower after being flat for most of the day. Nasdaq led the losers, with the tech-heavy index dropping more than 3.5%. After hours, AI-darling Micron Technology added to the pain with a significant earnings miss, and the stock had its worst performance since March 2020 the following day. Add in a close-call government shutdown and low holiday trading volume, and it was the perfect storm for some year-end volatility. And it won’t stop there. A cautious Fed means cautious investors and a change in strategy is necessary for 2025. How We Chose These Stocks Is this the end of the AI-infused tech rally? The prospects of rate reductions slashing capital costs and juicing stock prices have diminished, and AI stocks are beginning to see some cracks form. Even the stalwart NVIDIA is in correction territory after touching the $152 mark earlier this month. While AI isn't exiting the investment landscape anytime soon, the big winners over the last two years look to be finally taking a breather. In their place, we've identified five tech stocks not dependent on AI that could lead the way in 2025. Alphabet Inc. GOOG Google-parent Alphabet Inc. seems to battle antitrust action every few years, causing a drawdown that eventually rebounds once investors realize the company still makes boatloads of cash every quarter. GOOG revenue and earnings have increased every quarter since March 2023, and profit margins are finally back above 27% for the first time since March 2022. The stock slumped in the summer following a poor earnings report and again in November on (you guessed it) antitrust concerns , but it’s currently back near all-time highs. Google's recent quantum computing breakthrough unveiled a chip capable of speeds beyond any in the known universe , which could become an investment theme in 2025 (more on that later). Additionally, Waymo is one of the most significant success stories related to autonomous driving to date. The company recently announced a new service in Tokyo, its first international city, and recent testing data continues to show impressive safety statistics . Alphabet is also the parent of YouTube, which is the dominant way people consume podcasts and short-length videos and its YouTubeTV streaming service has an impressive sports package (and little pushback to price increases). Uber Technologies Inc. UBER It's been a tumultuous year for Uber. The company finally posted a positive annual net income figure in 2023, and the stock rallied from $25 to $80 between December 2022 and February 2024. But the rally stalled there, and the stock bounced between $60 and $80 for most of the last nine months. We think this recent drawdown is overdone, and the stock could be poised for a rally in 2025. Despite the proliferation of Waymo, Uber is still the dominant force in rideshare, and its ride-hailing market share is actually expanding compared to its biggest rival, Lyft. From a technical standpoint, the stock is oversold according to the Relative Strength Index (RSI) and the 50-day moving average is still hovering above the 200-day MA. As long as the 50-day stays above the 200-day, UBER shares might be an interesting buy at this level. [ End-of-Year Sale: Unlock Benzinga Pro for 60% Off] Rigetti Computing Inc. RGTI As mentioned above, if AI takes a breather over the next few months, one investment theme that could emerge is quantum computing. Quantum computing stocks have rallied hard in the last month, led by the aptly named Quantum Computing Inc. QUBT . However, Quantum Computing Inc. used to be known as Innovative Beverage Group, which raises some questions about its dedication to the industry. There may be better choices to take advantage of this trend, like Rigetti Computing Inc. RGTI shares also experienced a meteoric rise over the last month, but not at the level of QUBT despite a much longer history in the quantum computing space. That could be a good development for investors, as Rigetti is better positioned to thrive if quantum computing takes off thanks to its innovative product line and decade-plus history in the industry. CACI International Inc. CACI CACI provides technology solutions as a defense contractor, and it could see tailwinds in the coming months due to an increased focus on defense spending in the incoming Trump administration and its sterling business reputation. CACI International provides cybersecurity, cyberspace and digital solutions for domestic and international clients. CACI shares may have been unfairly unloaded as the price plunged down to $400 after approaching $580 in early November. The RSI reading of 27 indicates an oversold stock, and the company has good fundamentals with a 19.9 P/E ratio and a consensus Buy rating from analysts. Apple Inc. AAPL Sometimes, you don't need to overthink it. Apple has been one of the biggest winners in the tech sector since Trump's election, and the company's cash pile is the envy of the business world. Despite already being one of the largest companies in the world by market cap, investors may have an opportunity here as the AI rally spins down. AAPL is a staple in any long-term investment portfolio, but the time is ripe to add more shares. The stock has been roaring upward since May 2024 and made another new all-time high as the third week of December came to a close. AAPL is now approaching a $4 trillion market cap, and its rally could continue in 2025 if the company is granted tariff exemptions similar to the ones it received during the first Trump administration. Don't let profit opportunities slip away in 2025. Get Benzinga Pro today and receive exclusive market news alerts 30 minutes ahead of the competition. Trade smarter with powerful tools at 60% off. Act now— this deal ends December 31! Inage via Midjourney © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, there are a number of gift ideas that any outdoorsman will enjoy ranging from extravagant to a lower priced item for the Christmas stocking. Mike Hitt of Mike’s Outdoors in Muskogee said the new Jason Christie fishing reel is extremely popular right now. “Big swimbaits and glide baits are another item we’ve been selling a lot of lately,” said Hitt. “If you’re unsure what to buy that special person, you can never go wrong with a gift certificate.” For the avid hunter and fisherman, an Oklahoma lifetime hunting and fishing license is an option that any sportsman would enjoy. I bought one in my early 30’s and have used it every year. Now, the Oklahoma lifetime combo and fishing license is $1,024. Are you a senior citizen? If you will turn age 65 soon, it is just $60. The lifetime fishing only license is $375. The senior citizen version is $30. The lifetime hunting only license has been discontinued as of last July. The Thanksgiving holiday offered a perfect blend of reflection and outdoor pursuits here in Oklahoma. Between cozy family time and brisk mornings in the deer blind, the season reminds us of the importance of gratitude and the simple joys of life in the outdoors. Even as the air turns colder, the thrill of a hunt remains irresistible. Rolling out of bed early, bundling up in gear that fits a little tighter after holiday feasts, and stepping into the frosty air is a ritual many of us hold dear. Meanwhile, the Black Friday buzz has evolved, with holiday shopping just a click away, though the pursuit for the perfect gift can feel as elusive as a record buck. If there’s an outdoor enthusiast on your Christmas list, thoughtful gear gifts can elevate their next adventure. Practical, durable, and user-friendly items make for gifts that keep on giving. Here are a few ideas for the hunters and anglers in your life. Jace Bauserman shared a few of these in his ‘What’s New’ column for North American Whitetail Magazine this month: — Light or Medium Weight Wool Socks- These are a stocking essential and light to medium weight socks are the way to go for the hunter or angler. Redhead, North Face, or Carhartt are always trustworthy brands, and you can always find a pair in your price range. — Kenetreck, Lacrosse or Crispi Boots: Kenetrek, Lacrosse and Crispi are quickly becoming go-to boots in winter. Perfect for long hours outdoors. — Heater Body Suit: A hunter’s best friend in winter, a full body camo suit is renowned for warmth, waterproofing, and comfort. They’re worth the investment at $389 for late-season success. Remember, beyond the gifts, this season is about savoring time with family and friends, making memories that outlast the hunt or holiday rush. It’s a reminder to pause, count blessings, and embrace the spirit of giving. Whether you’re braving the cold for one last hunt or hunkering down with loved ones, remember the true meaning of this season. Cherish your time outdoors and the connections that make this season special. Reach Kilgore at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com .Wow! This is the cheapest OLED monitor deal we've ever seen

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