roulette of names
roulette of names
WASHINGTON — When Elon Musk first suggested a new effort to cut the size of government, Donald Trump didn’t seem to take it seriously. His eventual name for the idea sounded like a joke too. It would be called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a reference to an online meme featuring a surprised-looking dog from Japan. But now that Trump has won the election, Musk’s fantasy is becoming reality, with the potential to spark a constitutional clash over the balance of power in Washington. Trump put Musk, the world’s richest man, and Vivek Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur and former Republican presidential candidate, in charge of the new department, which is really an outside advisory committee that will work with people inside the government to reduce spending and regulations. Musk and Ramaswamy said they would encourage Trump to make cuts by refusing to spend money allocated by Congress, a process known as impounding. The proposal goes against a 1974 law intended to prevent future presidents from following in the footsteps of Richard Nixon, who held back funding that he didn’t like. “We are prepared for the onslaught from entrenched interests in Washington,” Musk and Ramaswamy wrote in an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal. ”We expect to prevail. Now is the moment for decisive action.” Trump has already suggested taking such a big step, saying last year that he would “use the president’s long-recognized impoundment power to squeeze the bloated federal bureaucracy for massive savings.” It would be a dramatic attempt to expand his powers, when he already will have the benefit of a sympathetic Republican-controlled Congress and a conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court, and it could swiftly become one of the most closely watched legal fights of his second administration. “He might get away with it,” said William Galston, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution, a Washington-based think tank. “Congress’ power of the purse will turn into an advisory opinion.” Musk and Ramaswamy have started laying out their plans Right now, plans for the Department of Government Efficiency are still coming into focus. The nascent organization has put out a call for “super high-IQ small-government revolutionaries willing to work 80+ hours per week on unglamorous cost-cutting.” Applicants are encouraged to submit their resumes through X, the social media company that Musk owns. In the Wall Street Journal, Musk and Ramaswamy provided the most detailed look yet at how they would operate and where they could cut. Some are longtime Republican targets, such as $535 million for the Corp. for Public Broadcasting. Other plans are more ambitious and could reshape the federal government. The two wrote that they would “identify the minimum number of employees required at an agency for it to perform its constitutionally permissible and statutorily mandated functions,” leading to “mass head-count reductions across the federal bureaucracy.” Civil service protections wouldn’t apply, they argue, because they wouldn’t be targeting specific people for political purposes. Some employees could choose “voluntary severance payments to facilitate a graceful exit.” But others would be encouraged to quit by mandating that they show up at the office five days a week, ending pandemic-era flexibility about remote work. The requirement “would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome.” Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said such cutbacks would harm services for Americans who rely on the federal government, and he suggested that Musk and Ramaswamy were in over their heads. “I don’t think they’re even remotely qualified to perform those duties,” he said. “That’s my main concern.” Kelley said his union, which represents 750,000 employees for the federal government and the city of Washington, D.C., was ready to fight attempts to slash the workforce. “We’ve been here, we’ve heard this kind of rhetoric before,” he said. “And we are prepared.” Federal regulations would be targeted for elimination There was no mention in the Wall Street Journal of Musk’s previously stated goal of cutting $2 trillion from the budget, which is nearly a third of total annual spending. Nor did they write about “Schedule F,” a potential plan to reclassify federal employees to make them easier to fire. Ramaswamy once described the idea as the “mass deportation of federal bureaucrats out of Washington, D.C.” However, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would reduce regulations that they describe as excessive. They wrote that their department “will work with legal experts embedded in government agencies, aided by advanced technology,” to review regulations that run counter to two recent Supreme Court decisions that were intended to limit federal rule-making authority. Musk and Ramaswamy said Trump could “immediately pause the enforcement of those regulations and initiate the process for review and rescission.” Chris Edwards, an expert on budget issues at the Cato Institute, said many Republicans have promised to reduce the size and role of government over the years, often to little effect. Sometimes it feels like every budget item and tax provision, no matter how obscure, has people dedicated to its preservation, turning attempts at cuts into political battles of attrition. “Presidents always seem to have higher priorities,” he said. “A lot of it falls to the wayside.” Although DOGE is scheduled to finish its work by July 4, 2026, Edwards said Musk and Ramaswamy should move faster to capitalize on momentum from Trump’s election victory. “Will it just collect dust on a shelf, or will it be put into effect?” Edwards said. “That all depends on Trump and where he is at that point in time.” Ramaswamy said in an online video that they’re planning regular “Dogecasts” to keep the public updated on their work, which he described as “a once-in-a-generation project” to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse.” “However bad you think it is, it’s probably worse,” he said. Musk and Ramaswamy will have allies in Congress House Republicans are expected to put Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Trump ally from Georgia, in charge of a subcommittee to work with DOGE, according to two people with knowledge of the plans who were not authorized to discuss them publicly. Greene and Rep. James Comer, the Kentucky Republican who chairs the House Oversight Committee, have already met with Ramaswamy, the two people said. Musk brought up the idea for DOGE while broadcasting a conversation with Trump on X during the campaign. “I think we need a government efficiency commission to say, like, ‘Hey, where are we spending money that’s sensible. Where is it not sensible?’ ” Musk said. Musk returned to the topic twice, volunteering his services by saying “I’d be happy to help out on such a commission.” “I’d love it,” Trump replied, describing Musk as “the greatest cutter.” Musk has his own incentives to push this initiative forward. His companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, have billions of dollars in government contracts and face oversight from government regulators. After spending an estimated $200 million to support Trump’s candidacy, he’s poised to have expansive influence over the next administration. Trump even went to Texas earlier this week to watch SpaceX test its largest rocket. DOGE will have an ally in Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican who has railed against federal spending for years. He recently told Fox News that he sent “2,000 pages of waste that can be cut” to Musk and Ramaswamy. “I’m all in and will do anything I can to help them,” Paul said. Megerian writes for the Associated Press.Shares of HomeStreet Inc (HMST) rose over 2% on Friday after the parent company of HomeStreet Bank announced that the lender has entered into an agreement to sell $990 million worth of multi-family real estate loans to Bank of America (BAC). HomeStreet said the sale happened at a price, including the value of the retained servicing, of 92% of the principal balance of the loans. This loan sale is expected to close before the end of 2024. CEO Mark Mason said this is the first step in implementing a new strategic plan expected to bring in a return to profitability for the bank on a consolidated basis early next year. “The pricing of the loan sale reflects the current interest rate environment and that the loans being sold are primarily lower yielding loans with longer duration than the overall portfolio. The proceeds from the loan sale will be used to pay down FHLB advances and brokered deposits which carry substantially higher interest rates than our core deposits,” he added. On Friday, retail sentiment surrounding Bank of America stock was trending in the ‘bullish’ territory (55/100) from ‘bearish’ a day ago. Recently, Wedbush raised the firm's price target on HomeStreet to $15 from $12, while keeping an ‘Outperform’ rating on the shares, according to TheFly. The brokerage noted that HomeStreet's planned sale of its multifamily loans could be executed at a better pricing than assumed. Interestingly, HomeStreet shares have gained over 10% since the beginning of the year, while Bank of America shares have risen over 30% in the period. For updates and corrections, email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com. JJ Smith, based in Knowsley, was given the accolade for its contributions to 'innovation and excellence in international trade'. The award, presented on November 22, is one of the UK's most esteemed business accolades. It highlights JJ Smith's exceptional contributions to innovation and excellence in international trade. The King's Award for Enterprise, formerly known as the Queen's Award, serves as a hallmark of business excellence. Out of 252 organisations celebrated across the UK this year, JJ Smith is one of just four businesses in Merseyside to receive this honour. This distinction reflects the company's commitment to innovation and business leadership over its 101-year legacy. (Image: Supplied) The award was presented by His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside, Mr Mark Blundell, on behalf of His Majesty King Charles III, joined by the High Sheriff of Merseyside and the Mayor of Knowsley. This achievement entitles JJ Smith to display the King's Award Emblem for the next five years. Founded in 1923 and proudly family-owned for four generations, JJ Smith has cemented its position as a leader in the woodworking machinery industry. The company serves a diverse range of sectors, including offsite construction, garden building manufacturing, door, staircase, and window production, educational institutions, and even the UK's prison system. Rachael Baker, managing director of JJ Smith, said: "This is an incredible honour for JJ Smith and our community in Knowsley. "Being one in only four businesses in Merseyside to receive the King’s Award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. (Image: Supplied) "It reflects our commitment to excellence and innovation in the woodworking machinery industry and our ongoing efforts to give back to the local community. "We take pride in providing opportunities for young people in Knowsley and supporting businesses across the Liverpool City Region to engage with their communities." JJ Smith's strength lies in its close collaboration with global suppliers, enabling the development of technology and tailored solutions. With a team of skilled professionals, the company ensures customers receive technically advanced and cost-effective machinery, maximising productivity and meeting complex production requirements. This achievement underscores JJ Smith's position as a forward-thinking leader in international trade. WhatsApp has announced that some Andriod smartphone users will no longer get support from January The decision has already been concluded and will affect users of the selected phones across the world The phones affected are 10-year-old devices running Android Kit Kat, and users will no longer be able to access Meta's WhatsApp. Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! Legit.ng journalist Dave Ibemere has over a decade of business journalism experience with in-depth knowledge of the Nigerian economy , stocks, and general market trends. WhatsApp, the world's most popular messaging app, has announced it will cease working on some older devices from Wednesday, January 1, 2025 In a note on its FAQ page, as seen by Legit.ng , the Meta-owned app stated that it would stop supporting smartphones running Android KitKat, released in 2013. Also, iPhones still running iOS 12 will lose support from May 2025. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! WhatsApp message reads: "Our goal is to provide a private and reliable service for as many people as possible. Read also Elon Musk’s X raises monthly subscription prices, Nigerians affected To do so, we regularly review how WhatsApp is being used including our growing set of features that advance global private calling and messaging. Going forward, WhatsApp support on devices that run KaiOS will end. Before we stop support for these devices, all impacted users will be directly notified ahead of time. Users of KaiOS devices should copy their important information outside the device as there is no backup support or ability to restore from these devices." Whatsapp explains why devices will be cut off The messaging app also noted that users affected will be notified of plans to cut them off. It added: "WhatsApp works on many Android devices, including those with Android 5.0 or newer. WhatsApp stops supporting older devices and operating systems on an ongoing basis to focus on supporting newer ones and keeping up with the latest technological advancements. "If we stop supporting your device or operating system, you will be notified in WhatsApp and reminded several times to upgrade. We’ll also remind you to update your device to continue using WhatsApp and keep this article updated with relevant information." Read also Nigerian bank lists 7 ways to protect account from scam during holiday season Android devices to stop working from January 1 The decision affected several devices, including models from leading brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony, released over a decade ago. Users are advised to upgrade to devices running newer Android versions to continue using WhatsApp services. Below is the full list of Android phones that will lose WhatsApp access soon: Samsung: Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Ace 3, Galaxy S4 Mini Motorola: Moto G (1st Gen), Razr HD, Moto E 2014 HTC: One X, One X+, Desire 500, Desire 601 LG: Optimus G, Nexus 4, G2 Mini, L90 WhatsApp new channel feature for broadcast messages Earlier, Legit.ng reported that WhatsApp and Instagram introduced a broadcast-based messaging feature called Channels, designed to encourage more user conversations. The company is also exploring the potential to monetize the feature . Additionally, admin phone numbers will remain hidden in the channels. Read also Google renews push into mixed reality headgear Channels will be accessible through a new " Updates " tab in the WhatsApp app. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng African nation, Tanzania will be the partner country for the International Gita Mahotsav to held from November 28 to December 15 at Kurukshetra. This was stated by Haryana chief minister Nayab Saini at a briefing on Friday. Saini said the state of Odisha will be the partner state. The chief minister said the festival will showcase a divine confluence of spirituality, culture, and art. The grand event from November 28 to December 15 will run continuously for 18 days, during which the timeless message of the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita will be shared with people. The chief minister said that from November 28 to December 15, a grand Gita Maha-aarti will be held daily on the sacred banks of Brahma Sarovar. Cultural programmes will take place at various pilgrimage sites throughout the 48 Kos of Kurukshetra from November 28 to December 11. The festival will officially kick off with a Gita Yajna and Pujan at Brahma Sarovar on December 5. On the same day, a three-day ‘International Gita Seminar’ will begin at Kurukshetra University. On December 9, a saint sammelan will be held at Purushottampura Bagh, followed by an All-India Devasthanam Conference at the same location on December 10. Saini said that on Gita Jayanti, December 11, a Gita Yajna and Bhagwat Katha will be organised at Jyotisar Tirtha, with a global recitation of the Gita by 18,000 students. On December 11, there will be an 8 Kos Tirtha Sammelan, Gita Shobha Yatra, Deepotsav, and cultural programmes at 182 pilgrimage sites within Kurukshetra University. As in previous years, Gita book fairs and exhibitions will also take place at Brahma Sarovar from December 5 to 11. Saini said that this year’s partner nation, Tanzania also participated as a partner country in the International Surajkund Crafts Fair held in February. He said that Indian diaspora in Tanzania actively organised recitations of the Shri Ramayana and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. The presence of numerous Hindu temples in Tanzania fostered a connection between Indian culture and the country. Saini said that Odisha boasts significant pilgrimage sites such as Jagannath Puri, the Konark Sun Temple, and the Lingaraj and Mukteshwar Temples in Bhubaneswar, all of which are sources of pride for Sanatan culture. People can see a glimpse of this rich heritage at the Mahotsav. The chief minister said that Haryana has a long-standing relationship with Tanzania, with delegations from Haryana visiting the country twice, comprising industrialists, farmers, and representatives from various trades. He said that Tanzania serves as a gateway to Africa and that the two regions share deep economic and social ties. He said that the International Gita Mahotsav will enhance the partnership between the two countries, with Tanzanian ministers also expected to participate in the mahotsav. This event will provide the people of Tanzania with a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Haryana. The similarities between Haryana and Tanzania will make the event particularly engaging and will further strengthen their relationship.NoneIs It Too Late To Buy This Outstanding AI Stock? East Carolina wins 71-64 over StetsonAFTER their bitter 15-year feud, you might expect Noel and Liam Gallagher's mum to be delighted that her sons are on speaking terms again. But Noel has revealed that 81-year-old Peggy “couldn’t give a s**t” that he and his brother have reconciled for their Oasis reunion tour next year. The Don’t Look Back In Anger singer says his mum, who was born in County Mayo in Ireland, was indifferent to her boys finally burying the hatchet. Noel added: “My mum couldn’t give a s**t. My mum never gave a s**t, never. You know what Irish mums are like? "When we told her we were getting back together, she said, ‘Sure, that will be nice’. That was it.” Even so, Noel said he and Liam are determined to get her to one of their gigs next year, and added: “We’ll try and get her to Dublin .” Although her sons have a net worth of £58million, Peggy still lives in the modest Manchester council house where she brought up her three children. Speaking at the National Portrait Gallery for the Zoe Law Legends exhibition, he said: “People get f***ing shot up the road and she still leaves the door open.” Now that the brothers are both in their fifties, Noel said neither of them plans to go wild on their tour, after their infamous Wembley gig in 2000 was labelled a “low point” — with Liam drinking on stage and singing the wrong lyrics. Noel said: “No, it won’t be as raucous as back in the day, because we’re on the wrong side of 50 now, so we’re too old. “We’re too old to give a s**t now, so there won’t be any fallouts, there won’t be any fighting. It’s a lap of honour for the band.” Asked if they have been getting in shape for the tour — which is expected to bank them £400million — he added: “Well, I still drink, and I think Liam still drinks.” He did not rule out adding extra dates to the sold-out tour after fans slammed the band for dynamic pricing , which sees the cost of tickets rise in relation to demand, with some being quoted more than £350. So is he happy to have healed his long-running feud? “Of course, yes,” he said. Seems the brothers are back in business. NOEL GALLAGHER has registered a new song in recent weeks, which is bound to set tongues wagging. The rocker logged Leave This City on music database ASCAP, which comes amid repeated insistence from Oasis’s team they have “no plans” to release new music. An insider said: “We know Noel has been in the studio for the last few months making his own music, so it’s possible he and Liam could put out a single.” Come on, lads, give the fans what they want. TAYLOR SWIFT is one red-hot cheerleader as she steps out to watch boyfriend Travis Kelce in American football gridiron action. She looked festive in a Louis Vuitton zipped jumper and platform boots, cheering and celebrating in the stands as Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs narrowly defeated the Las Vegas Raiders. Taylor’s dad Scott and Travis’s mum Donna were also with the hitmaker at the Black Friday game and joined in the whooping and hollering. But Taylor will be quickly back to work as she wraps up her Eras Tour next week in Vancouver, Canada. I am sure Travis will return the favour and be right there cheering her on along with her army of fans. ELSA HOSK is the latest celebrity to sign with online fashion retailer Pretty Little Thing in a six-figure deal. The Swedish Victoria’s Secret Angel follows in the footsteps of model Naomi Campbell , who released a range with the brand last year. A pal of Elsa’s tells me: “PLT is going more high end, focusing on quality and raising the game in the style world. “Her shoot will drop in the next few weeks in time for Christmas, with vintage vibes and faux fur.” Sounds festive . . . SHE sang about buying her own flowers after her split with actor Liam Hemsworth, but now Miley Cyrus is getting romance and more from boyfriend Maxx Morando. Her musician lover, who she was first linked to in 2022, has been helping her with new album Something Beautiful, set for release next year. Miley said: “I am so honest and open in this album. It made it easier working with somebody who I love.” FATBOY SLIM has revealed he was robbed at London’s Euston station. The DJ told on social media how the drama unfolded as he was on his way to the Drumsheds venue in Tottenham, North London, to play a gig. A source said: “Fatboy managed to make it to the event and reported the incident to police. “He was undeniably shaken by the incident but was more concerned that he would let down fans that had turned up to see him.” Fatboy, whose real name is Norman Cook, replied to the event’s creative producer Hannah Ford on Instagram after she posted a collection of pictures of artwork that had transformed the venue for the sold-out event. He replied: “Thank you so much for your hard work and creativity. “So gutted I didn’t get a chance to check out your work (we got robbed at Euston station on our way there . . . )” Fatboy, who was married to Radio 2 star Zoe Ball until 2020, is set to play at the Faena Theater in Miami, Florida, on Tuesday as part of his new tour. It follows the release of his single Bus Stop Please with Daniel Steinberg on his own label, Southern Fried Records. WITH a missing handbag and a mischievously camp sub-plot, The Importance Of Being Earnest at the National Theatre felt like a drop of sunshine under the grey skies of London on Thursday night. Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa takes one of the lead roles in this joyful version of Oscar Wilde’s 1895 farce, which centres on two friends, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing. As young, eligible bachelors, they both adopt different personas to escape the confines of society and impress the ladies. Jack, played by Mamma Mia! star Hugh Skinner , goes by Earnest when he’s out in the city, while cross-dressing Algernon, played by Ncuti, also uses the same fake name for his alter-ego. The opening scene sees Ncuti dancing in a pink gown and playing the piano at a raucous party – a world away from Algernon’s usual life as an upper-class gentleman in London. But his and Jack’s double lives come undone when they both fall in love under their pretend names. The climax comes as Jack, who was found as a baby in a handbag at London’s Victoria station, appears on top of the stage’s curtain with the very same bag to prove his real identity. I only wish I had lost my own bag so I can return to watch this brilliant adaptation again. CLEAN BANDIT have revealed they are set to play Glastonbury next year. The electronic music trio have performed at Worthy Farm three times previously, but are now eyeing a triumphant return to the festival. Cellist Grace Chatto said: “We are hoping to be on that line-up, it’s looking likely. “We’re ready to go back, as we last played seven years ago in 2017. “It’s time – we love the vibe there and it’s so fun getting to meet so many of our fans.” Grace also teased that the band have an exciting collaboration with a huge American artist possibly lined up to happen next year. She added: “It’s an amazing singer from across the Pond – but it’s too soon to say just in case we don’t pull it off.” THE RCA Sony Music Christmas Showcase at Stereo, Covent Garden, central London, Tuesday. WHO WAS THERE: Cat Burns, Sasha Keable, Louis Dunford and Ossi Grace. WHAT WE ATE: Mini hash browns, smoked salmon canapes and mini fish fingers. WHAT WE DRANK: Margarita and Paloma cocktails along with champagne.Asia markets set to open mixed after Wall Street rally stalls; Bank of Korea rate decision in focus ’s lawyer has spoken out again after accusing the director and star of against the actress. Speaking to , lawyer said in a statement: “TAG PR operated as any other crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources.” “The standard scenario planning TAG PR drafted proved unnecessary as audiences found Lively’s own actions, interviews and marketing during the promotional tour distasteful, and responded organically to that which the media themselves picked up on,” the lawyer continued. He went on to claim that the leaked text messages between Baldoni and his PR team in the lawsuit have been misrepresented and taken out of context. “It’s ironic that the , through their effort to ‘uncover’ an insidious PR effort, played directly into the hands of Lively’s own dubious PR tactics by publishing leaked personal text exchanges that lack critical context — the very same tactics she’s accusing the firm of implementing,” Freedman concluded. The lengthy court documents, which were filed on Friday, December 20 (US time), were first published by . In the docs, they reference “thousands of pages of text messages and emails” that Blake Lively reportedly obtained through a subpoena. “The subpoena disclosed and referenced in the Complaint was served on Jonesworks LLC. The internal documents referred to in the Complaint were produced subject to that subpoena. We expect that further details regarding the subpoena process will be disclosed during discovery,” Lively’s legal team told the publication. In the alleged text messages, the film studio’s publicist wrote to a crisis management expert, “He wants to feel like she can be buried.” The paperwork also alleges “this plan went well beyond standard crisis PR,” claiming Baldoni’s team devised a plan called ‘astroturfing’, which basically means: ‘the practice of publishing opinions or comments on the internet, in the media, etc. that appear to come from ordinary members of the public but actually come from a particular company or political group.’ The docs read: Baldoni “set the narrative for the social media campaign,” for example, by using a social media post about “that had accused another female celebrity of bullying women.” Baldoni wrote in the text, “This is what we would need.” Baldoni also name-dropped in messages to his crisis management team: “Our team can also explore planting stories about the weaponisation of feminism and how people like Taylor Swift, have been accused of utilising these tactics to ‘bully’ into getting what they want.” It also mentioned the infamous red carpet pics that featured the whole cast including Blake Lively, except Baldoni. “[When] nearly all cast members chose to appear in public separately from Mr. Baldoni given his on-set behaviour,” Baldoni allegedly “became concerned that the public would discover that “something is much bigger under the surface,” per the docs. This prompted him to change his PR strategy: “After the Film’s premiere, Mr. Baldoni changed his Instagram profile, cancelled lighthearted social media posts, and instructed his team to look for survivors reactions and support — all in an effort to quickly shift his own public narrative to focus solely on survivors and domestic violence organisations.” When was first announced, Freedman slammed Lively’s accusations as “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious” in a statement to . He claimed Blake Lively filed the lawsuit to and “rehash a narrative” about the behind-the-scenes happenings of the controversial movie. KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is heading to the NFL draft after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing and setting a handful of school records. The SEC Offensive Player of the Year announced on social media his intention Friday to leave after his junior season. He helped the seventh-ranked Vols go 10-3 with a first-round loss in the College Football Playoff where Sampson was limited by an injured hamstring. Sampson thanked his family, Tennessee coaches and fans, saying he learned so much and had the chance to be part of something special. Tennessee went 3-7 in 2020, and he leaves with the Vols having won 30 games over his three seasons. "I poured my heart and soul into this program and this community," Sampson wrote. "With that being said, I will be declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft." Sampson set a school record running for 1,491 yards. He also set a program record with a league-best 22 rushing touchdowns, breaking a mark that had stood for 95 years. He was part of coach Josh Heupel's first full signing class in December 2021 out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He also set school records for total touchdowns scored (22), points scored (132) and consecutive games with a rushing touchdown (11). He led the SEC in nine different categories, including rushing attempts (258), rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games with 10, averaging 114.7 yards rushing per game, points scored, points per game (10.2), all-purpose yards (1,638) and all-purpose yards per game (126.0). He finished this season tied for fifth all-time in the SEC ranks for rushing TDs in a single season with Leonard Fournette of LSU.The party isn’t over just yet at Party City . The New Jersey-based party supplies retailer is holding a going out of business sale with up to 50% off products storewide before closing its over 850 stores, according to a Facebook post the company shared on Saturday, Dec. 21 . In a letter published on the store’s homepage , the company encourages shoppers to visit its stores in the coming weeks to purchase last-minute items during the sale. “We invite you to hurry in right away to stock up on everything — from holiday and New Year’s Eve decorations to birthday party supplies and beyond — while the selection is best!” Party City team says in the letter . Party City announced its plans to go out of business and close its stores on Dec. 20, and laid off its corporate staff as of Friday. Twenty-five of the stores that are closing are located in New Jersey. The company was not able to resolve its financial struggles despite exiting Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023 , paying off $1 billion in debt and closing over 60 locations. “Like many retailers, we’ve been operating in an immensely challenging environment with inflationary pressures on both costs and consumer spending, and while we did everything we could to navigate these headwinds, our very best efforts were ultimately not enough to overcome these challenges,” the company’s letter explains . Party City, which was founded in East Hanover in 1986, quickly became a popular one-stop shop for party necessities, especially Halloween costumes, in more than 70 countries. Now based in Woodcliff Lake, it became the largest party supplies retailer in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. If you want to visit a Party City store before the company goes out of business, here are the remaining New Jersey locations you can shop at now: Bridgewater Clark Clifton Delran East Hanover Eatontown Edgewater Hazlet Howell Jersey City Kenilworth Mays Landing Millville Mt. Laurel North Bergen Paramus Princeton Rockaway Sicklerville South Plainfield Trenton Voorhees Watchung Wayne You can find all the Party City locations before they close here . More Major Retailer Closings Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Victoria Rosenthal can be reached at vrosenthal@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .
