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Man arrested for spray-painting graffiti on abandoned gas station twice in one dayA judge ruled on Monday that Tesla CEO Elon Musk is still not entitled to receive a $56bn compensation package even though shareholders of the electric vehicle company had voted to reinstate it six months ago. The ruling by the Delaware judge, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the court of chancery, follows her January decision that called the pay package excessive and rescinded it, surprising investors. The decision cast uncertainty over Musk’s future at the world’s most valuable carmaker. Tesla’s board argued the enormous payment scheme was necessary to keep Musk involved in the company, an argument that the billionaire, already the world’s richest man, echoed. McCormick also ordered Tesla to pay the attorneys who brought the case $345m, well short of the billions they initially requested. Tesla has said in court filings that the judge should recognize a subsequent June vote by its shareholders in favor of the pay package for Musk, the company’s driving force who is responsible for many of its advances, and reinstate his compensation. Tesla and its shareholders argued that Musk had reached the milestones originally stipulated when the pay package was drawn up. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion Tesla originally devised Musk’s payment package in 2017, setting conditions for Musk to receive 12 different tranches of stock options depending on whether the company hit certain revenue and market targets. Shareholders approved that package by a wide margin in 2018, but one investor filed a suit claiming that the board had been misleading and the package was unfair. Some prominent shareholders such as Norway’s sovereign wealth fund and the California state teachers’ retirement system voted against the pay package to no avail. When the pay package was approved in June, Musk said in response on stage at a Tesla event: “I just want to start off by saying, hot damn, I love you guys!” He did not immediately respond to McCormick’s most recent decision, but he has lambasted her in the past and urged other business owners to stay away from Delaware, where most US companies file their incorporation paperwork due to friendly tax policies. Musk moved Tesla’s physical headquarters from California to Texas, though the pay package case continued before the Delaware judge. McCormick previously ruled that Tesla’s board conducted a “deeply flawed” process to determine Musk’s payment. McCormick found that the board was rife with personal conflicts and stacked with Musk’s close allies, such as his former divorce attorney.Hurricanes visit the Panthers in Eastern Conference action
The Washington Commanders released 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes on Saturday, cutting ties with another high draft pick from the previous regime. All of previous coach Ron Rivera's first-rounders — including edge rusher Chase Young in 2020, linebacker Jamin Davis in ‘21 and wide receiver Jahan Dotson in '22 — are now gone. Forbes never showed progress to the new staff led by coach Dan Quinn and was a healthy scratch twice this season and did not play in two other games during which the 23-year-old was in uniform. It's unclear if Forbes' release means anything about the status of cornerback Marshon Lattimore , the Commanders' trade deadline pickup in early November who still has not played for them because of a hamstring injury. Lattimore was listed as doubtful for Washington's home game Sunday against Tennessee. The Commanders (7-5) also put running back Austin Ekeler on injured reserve because of a concussion . They elevated kicker Zane Gonzalez and defensive tackle Carl Davis from the practice squad in preparation for facing the Titans (3-8). Washington has lost three in a row to fall from first place in the NFC East to the conference’s final wild-card spot. The most recent loss, last weekend against division rival Dallas, came when Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game, which would have tied it with 21 seconds left. Seibert went on IR earlier in the week with a groin injury that Quinn said the kicker reported Monday. While injuries have piled up as the Commanders await their late bye week, the choice of Forbes has been second-guessed since the moment Rivera's front office chose the 166-pound Mississippi State defensive back with the 16th pick over Christian Gonzalez and others. Gonzalez was selected next, by New England, and has started 16 games for the Patriots. Forbes was benched last season by Rivera, who was in charge when Washington selected Davis ahead of offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw in '21 and traded down to take Dotson the following year instead of safety Kyle Hamilton or receiver Chris Olave. Forbes has two interceptions and 12 passes defensed in 20 games. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflThe brother of the late Princess Diana, Charles Spencer, has shared a solemn post visiting his sister's grave over the Christmas period. The 9th Earl Spencer, 60, took to social media on December 24 to share a 'quiet moment' at his younger sister's resting place at Althorp House - the home where the two grew up together. Charles shared a picture of a grand black bench perched under her memorial, writing that it was the perfect spot to remember his younger sister, who died in 1997 aged 36. 'My favourite bench - good place to sit on Christmas Eve during a quiet moment,' he captioned the photo, revealing the black bench beneath a portrait of Diana. Adding a second picture to his Instagram story, Charles shared a pensive snap of Oval Lake, showing the shadows of the leaf barren trees bearing down over the water. Princess Diana is buried on a island in the middle of the lake, which is accessible only by boat to close friends and family. She had initially been planned to be buried at a vault in Great Brington where generations of Spencers have historically been laid to rest. But fearing for her privacy, even in death, Charles elected to change her final resting spot to Althorp House, where the pair spent many happy years growing up. The brother of the late Princess Diana , Charles Spencer, (pictured) has shared a solemn post visiting his sister's grave over the Christmas period Charles posted a picture of a grand black bench perched under her memorial, writing that it was the perfect... Alice Wade
Black Friday is upon us—it's basically a whole season now, not just a day—and the deals are rolling in. I'll keep updating this post with the best bargains on fitness equipment, but I've already found a ton of deep discounts on spin bikes, adjustable dumbbells, and more. (It's also worth checking out the deals on Garmin watches if you're looking for something to track your workouts.) Deals on Powerblock and Bowflex adjustable dumbbells Several of my picks for the best adjustable dumbbells are on sale today. The Powerblock Elite EXP Stage 1 , which goes from 5 to 50 pounds, is on sale for $299/pair at Amazon, normally $449—or $199 for a single, at Walmart. Its Stage 2 and Stage 3 expansion kits are also on sale, both $142.90, down from $169. Each kit adds 20 pounds, so with both you can have a pair of 90 pound dumbbells. The Bowflex SelectTech 552 are on sale for $379/pair, from a list price of $549. They sometimes go for a bit less than list price, but the sale price here is lower than I've seen it all year. Deals on Peloton and NordicTrack spin bikes Peloton has gotten into the habit of offering sweet deals on its bikes on all the major shopping holidays, so of course there's a nice Black Friday sale going. The basic model Bike is $1,295 (down from $1,445) and the fancier Bike+ is $1,995 (normally $2,495). Of the two, the Bike+ is the better sale compared to historical price data, but ultimately you should choose based on which fits your needs better. I have a guide here to help you decide between the Bike and the Bike+ . Peloton isn't the only game in town when it comes to higher-end spin bikes, though. NordicTrack's Commercial Studio Cycle is $1,274.98 (down from $1,499.99) for the S22i model. It has the same size screen as the Peloton Bike, a swiveling mount for the screen like the Bike+, and automatic resistance like the Bike+. (Like Peloton's offerings, it also requires a monthly subscription to access its digital features—but in this case, you'll pay $39/month rather than $44.) Deals on Theragun and Hyperice massage guns A massage gun is a great tool for whenever you feel like you'd enjoy being punched repeatedly, but therapeutically. (As I discovered when I tried one out, I do not enjoy this —but many people do.) Some of the big brands have models on sale right now. The Hypervolt Go is $99 right now (normally $129) and it's available in both white and black. And the triangular Theragun Mini , normally $199, is now $149 or $159 depending on your color preference. Desert rose and black are the more inexpensive ones at the moment. Deals on barbells, dumbbells, and other useful heavy things Rogue Fitness is running a "Matte Black November" sale with discounts on a variety of items, some for limited times or with limited stock. One great deal that caught my eye (and which should be available through Cyber Monday) is the 15 kg Bella bar for $205 (normally $235). This is a 15 kilogram Olympic barbell, great for anyone who does Crossfit or olympic weightlifting, especially if you compete in the women's or youth divisions. (And if you're not clear on why there's a separate bar for women in these sports, I have a whole explainer here .) There are also bumper plates on sale from various retailers, and I'd like to highlight these basic 45-pound bumpers from GIKPAL. Bumpers are great for Olympic lifts, but also for deadlifts or anything else where you'd like to protect your floor and your ears a bit. These are now $116 for a pair , normally $179.
Giants star WR Malik Nabers (toe) says he's a game-time decisionCharles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of GXO Logistics, Inc. ( NYSE:GXO – Free Report ) by 1.5% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,197,898 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 17,953 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 1.00% of GXO Logistics worth $62,375,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Tidal Investments LLC boosted its stake in GXO Logistics by 84.1% during the 1st quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 13,769 shares of the company’s stock valued at $740,000 after purchasing an additional 6,291 shares during the period. LRI Investments LLC bought a new position in GXO Logistics in the first quarter valued at approximately $80,000. DNB Asset Management AS grew its stake in shares of GXO Logistics by 18.9% during the second quarter. DNB Asset Management AS now owns 11,231 shares of the company’s stock worth $567,000 after purchasing an additional 1,782 shares during the period. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC raised its position in shares of GXO Logistics by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter. Douglas Lane & Associates LLC now owns 468,943 shares of the company’s stock valued at $23,682,000 after acquiring an additional 5,601 shares during the period. Finally, Mather Group LLC. grew its holdings in shares of GXO Logistics by 170.7% in the 2nd quarter. Mather Group LLC. now owns 1,110 shares of the company’s stock valued at $60,000 after buying an additional 700 shares during the period. 90.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. GXO Logistics Trading Up 0.9 % NYSE:GXO opened at $60.88 on Friday. GXO Logistics, Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.07 and a 12 month high of $63.33. The company has a current ratio of 0.86, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The stock has a market capitalization of $7.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 67.59, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.55. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $57.77 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $52.93. Analyst Ratings Changes GXO has been the subject of a number of research reports. TD Cowen increased their target price on GXO Logistics from $82.00 to $83.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group upped their price objective on GXO Logistics from $66.00 to $72.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Citigroup started coverage on shares of GXO Logistics in a report on Wednesday, October 9th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $60.00 price target on the stock. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of GXO Logistics from $63.00 to $67.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Barclays upped their target price on GXO Logistics from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 13th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, GXO Logistics has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $67.00. View Our Latest Analysis on GXO Logistics About GXO Logistics ( Free Report ) GXO Logistics, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides logistics services worldwide. The company provides warehousing and distribution, order fulfilment, e-commerce, reverse logistics, and other supply chain services. As of December 31, 2023, it operated in approximately 974 facilities. The company serves various customers in the e-commerce, omnichannel retail, technology and consumer electronics, food and beverage, industrial and manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, and others. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than GXO Logistics NYSE Stocks Give Investors a Variety of Quality Options The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing The Role Economic Reports Play in a Successful Investment Strategy 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 How to invest in marijuana stocks in 7 steps FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for GXO Logistics Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GXO Logistics and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.Italy shares higher at close of trade; Investing.com Italy 40 up 0.61%
US President-elect Donald Trump's proposals to impose sweeping tariffs on imports could counter earlier efforts to cool inflation, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Tuesday, warning that consumer prices could rise. Her comments at the Wall Street Journal's CEO Council Summit come as Trump has vowed broad tariffs of at least 10 percent on all imports, and higher rates on goods from China, Canada and Mexico. Imposing broad-based tariffs could "raise prices significantly for American consumers and create cost pressures on firms" which rely on imported goods, Yellen said when asked about Trump's plans. She cautioned that this could weigh on the competitiveness of certain sectors and increase costs to households. "This is a strategy I worry could derail the progress that we've made on inflation, and have adverse consequences on growth," she said. But she defended efforts by President Joe Biden's administration to impose targeted tariffs on Chinese goods to counter unfair trade practices by Beijing. She has previously raised concern over China's industrial overcapacity -- which risks a flood of underpriced goods into global markets and could undermine the development of key US industries. On Tuesday, Yellen also expressed regret that the United States has not made more progress on the country's deficit, saying she believes it "needs to be brought down, especially now that we're in an environment of higher interest rates." She stressed the importance of an independent Federal Reserve too, saying that countries perform better economically when central banks are allowed to exercise their best judgment without political influence. Trump has said that he would like "at least" a say over setting the Fed's interest rate. "I think it's a mistake to become involved in commenting on the Fed and certainly taking steps to compromise its independence," said Yellen. "I believe it tends to undermine the confidence of financial markets and, ultimately, of Americans in an important institution," she added. Yellen noted that she has spoken with Trump's Treasury chief nominee, billionaire hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, congratulating him on his nomination. bys/bjt
Advisors Asset Management Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Brunswick Co. ( NYSE:BC – Free Report ) by 28.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,854 shares of the company’s stock after selling 728 shares during the quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc.’s holdings in Brunswick were worth $155,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Baillie Gifford & Co. boosted its holdings in Brunswick by 88.0% during the 2nd quarter. Baillie Gifford & Co. now owns 2,430,983 shares of the company’s stock valued at $176,903,000 after acquiring an additional 1,137,568 shares during the period. New York State Common Retirement Fund boosted its position in Brunswick by 447.5% in the 3rd quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund now owns 271,681 shares of the company’s stock valued at $22,772,000 after buying an additional 222,062 shares during the period. Swedbank AB bought a new position in Brunswick in the 1st quarter worth about $19,304,000. Deroy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Brunswick during the third quarter worth approximately $15,907,000. Finally, Victory Capital Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Brunswick by 13.5% during the third quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,414,490 shares of the company’s stock valued at $118,563,000 after acquiring an additional 168,384 shares in the last quarter. 99.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Brunswick Stock Performance Shares of Brunswick stock opened at $80.51 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $5.31 billion, a PE ratio of 20.05 and a beta of 1.51. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $81.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $78.79. Brunswick Co. has a one year low of $69.05 and a one year high of $99.68. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.97. Brunswick Announces Dividend Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several brokerages recently issued reports on BC. Benchmark reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $100.00 price objective on shares of Brunswick in a research note on Friday, October 25th. B. Riley lowered Brunswick from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and cut their price target for the company from $95.00 to $88.00 in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on Brunswick from $92.00 to $101.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, September 27th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $88.54. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Brunswick Insider Activity at Brunswick In other Brunswick news, CEO David M. Foulkes sold 23,829 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $80.22, for a total transaction of $1,911,562.38. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 251,094 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,142,760.68. The trade was a 8.67 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, Director Nancy E. Cooper sold 366 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $80.19, for a total transaction of $29,349.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 24,557 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,969,225.83. This represents a 1.47 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold 28,940 shares of company stock valued at $2,321,176 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.81% of the company’s stock. About Brunswick ( Free Report ) Brunswick Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets recreation products in the United States, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Propulsion, Engine P&A, Navico Group, and Boat. The Propulsion segment provides outboard, sterndrive, inboard engines, propulsion-related controls, rigging, and propellers for boat builders through marine retail dealers under the Mercury, Mercury MerCruiser, Mariner, Mercury Racing, Mercury Diesel, Avator, and Fliteboard brands. Read More Five stocks we like better than Brunswick Procter & Gamble (NYSE:PG) Pulls Back After Shaky Guidance The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing How to Invest in Tech Stocks and Top Tech Stocks to Consider 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 Insider Buying Explained: What Investors Need to Know FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for Brunswick Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brunswick and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Vancouver Canucks (12-7-3, in the Pacific Division) vs. Detroit Red Wings (10-11-2, in the Atlantic Division) Detroit; Sunday, 12:30 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Vancouver Canucks visit the Detroit Red Wings after the Canucks took down the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 in overtime. Detroit has gone 5-6-1 at home and 10-11-2 overall. The Red Wings have gone 3-3-2 in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. Vancouver has a 12-7-3 record overall and a 9-2-0 record on the road. The Canucks have a +two scoring differential, with 71 total goals scored and 69 given up. Sunday's game is the first time these teams square off this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Dylan Larkin has 12 goals and six assists for the Red Wings. Lucas Raymond has six goals and four assists over the past 10 games. Quinn Hughes has five goals and 20 assists for the Canucks. Elias Pettersson has scored five goals with eight assists over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Red Wings: 4-5-1, averaging 2.5 goals, 4.3 assists, 2.9 penalties and 6.3 penalty minutes while giving up 2.9 goals per game. Canucks: 5-5-0, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.7 penalties and 9.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Red Wings: None listed. Canucks: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressClippers’ Kawhi Leonard practices for first time this season
Becoming a creator to make money on the webThe hits keep coming for the Philadelphia 76ers. Center Andre Drummond will be out at least for three games with a right ankle sprain, the team announced Monday. He will miss at least a week and be reevaluated this weekend. The 13-year veteran left Saturday’s win in Detroit after just 3:33 on the court. Drummond’s absence starts Tuesday night when the 76ers travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets. Drummond has, like the rest of the 76ers, struggled significantly this season around the in-and-out of star players, in particular fellow center Joel Embiid. In 17 games (11 starts), Drummond is averaging 8.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage has dropped to 52.4 after hitting 60.6 two years ago in Chicago. The 76ers are 29th in the league in rebounding. It’s the second game he’s missed this season, the other for an illness. Joining Drummond on the 76ers’ must-read injury report remains Embiid, out with left knee injury management/personal reasons. He’s stuck on four games played this year. But Kyle Lowry is listed as probable after missing the last five games with a right hip strain. Caleb Martin, who missed the last two games with a back strain, is also probable. It’s likely that the 76ers will have to go small against the Hornets. Guerschon Yabusele will likely start at center, with rookie Adem Bona getting an extended run off the bench. Expect some significant minutes as the de facto four for both Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr.
Pushed through: On mega projectsAmericans still dreaming of a really big Christmas present can keep that dream alive during Friday's Mega Millions drawing for a jackpot worth an estimated $1.15 billion. Friday’s jackpot will potentially be the fifth largest in the game's history. Mega Millions tickets are $2 a piece. But the odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350, and the odds of winning any Mega Millions prize are 1 in 24, according to lottery officials. Tickets for the game are sold in 45 states, along with Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Here is a look at the largest U.S. jackpots won and the states where the winning tickets were sold: 1. $2.04 billion, Powerball , Nov. 7, 2022 (one ticket, from California) 2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023 (one ticket, from California) 3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023 (one ticket, from Florida) 4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016 (three tickets, from California , Florida , Tennessee) 5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018 (one ticket, from South Carolina) 6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023 (one ticket, from Maine) 7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022 (one ticket, from Illinois) 8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024 (one ticket, Oregon) 9. $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024 (one ticket, from New Jersey) 10. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023 (one ticket, from California)
Reports: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologizes to Commanders TE Zach ErtzThey’re scattered across Tampa Bay — dispensary-like stores lined by glass shelves containing a colorful assortment of intoxicating products. Gummies, joints and vape cartridges promise consumers an unforgettable high. These shops aren’t marijuana dispensaries. But they sure look like them. After Amendment 3′s failure, small hemp retailers, which thrive in a legal gray area, may profit from a continued ban on recreational marijuana. Local vendors St. Pete 420, The Hemp Spot and Chillum Mushroom & Hemp Dispensary all expanded in the last year. More than 9,500 Florida shops , from gas station convenience stores to smoke shops, are licensed to sell marijuana-like products derived from hemp plants. Some hemp products, which consumers 21 and older can buy, meet the state’s definition of marijuana, but escape detection by regulators, a Tampa Bay Times/Miami Herald investigation found. Others purchased by reporters were revealed to contain harmful levels of mold and pesticides. Since June 2023, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Safety has uncovered more than a million hemp products on store shelves that violated state law. Had Amendment 3 passed, hemp shops would have faced overwhelming corporate competition. Florida’s massive medical marijuana companies, which abide by strict product safety regulations, would have been able to sell pot to consumers without requiring a medical card. The amendment “gave all the control to huge companies,” said Micky Morrison, co-owner of St. Pete 420, a hemp dispensary. “There’d be no mom-and-pop pot shops, period.” The hemp industry lobbied fiercely against Amendment 3, alleging that it would create a corporate monopoly among the 28 companies already licensed to sell medical marijuana in the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis helped them win that fight, a partnership between “strange bedfellows,” cannabis attorney Zack Kobrin said. “It was less to do with hemp and more how to kill Amendment 3,” he said. But business owners wonder how long the freewheeling industry will escape federal or state regulations that could threaten their livelihoods. And health experts wonder about consequences for consumers, who can easily purchase marijuana-like products — without the same safety regulations imposed on medical marijuana companies. Related Articles Consumers looking for a marijuana-like “high” in Florida have two options. They can, with a licensed physician’s help, seek a medical card if they have a qualifying condition — think cancer, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder or comparable ailments. The process can cost hundreds of dollars. These cards allow consumers to shop at licensed marijuana dispensaries like Trulieve and Surterra. Without a card, consumers can walk into a smoke shop and find joints and edibles that, while not technically marijuana, contain similar intoxicating chemicals derived from hemp plants. Places like St. Pete 420 have capitalized on that easy access, declaring “no medical card needed” on storefronts. So what’s the distinction between hemp and marijuana? Per federal law, a hemp plant, and products thereof, must contain less than 0.3% of the specific intoxicating substance rich in marijuana plants — delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol, commonly referred to as THC. Any higher percentage makes it a marijuana plant. Both hemp and marijuana are cannabis plants. They look virtually identical. Delta-9 THC isn’t the only chemical hemp producers can harvest and replicate to create intoxicating products. Popular variants like delta-8 and delta-10 THC — considered less potent, but still psychoactive — are legal in larger concentrations. A state bill would have banned the sale of delta-8 THC, which helps make hemp stores profitable. But DeSantis vetoed that bill earlier this year, arguing it would devastate the thousands of small businesses that sell those products — and cementing his alliance with the hemp industry. Hemp businesses fear that a repeat of this year’s legislation could reemerge next year. But Kobrin said it’s not likely to go far. The hemp industry has aggressively organized, hiring influential lobbyists like Republican Party of Florida Executive Director Bill Helmich. If DeSantis stays in office, his advisers are partial to hemp’s interests, Kobrin said. “The hemp industry realized if they don’t organize, they’re dead,” Kobrin said. Republican state legislators will also likely wait for the White House and Congress to weigh in on hemp’s legality nationwide, Kobrin said. Congress is poised next year to update the farm bill, which legalized hemp-derived THC products, for the first time since 2018. The possibility of federal regulations has owners like Morrison and Jordan Meservey of Tampa Bay Hemp Co. holding their breath. “A (restrictive) federal law would effectively shut down anything,” Morrison said. Florida’s medical marijuana laws exclude all but the largest operators. That’s because medical marijuana companies must grow, process, distribute, market and sell their products in-house, without middlemen or contractors. An application to obtain a license already costs $146,000. And the state has so far distributed only 28 licenses — soon to be 50 — to companies with the cash to operate. Had recreational marijuana become legal, Florida’s rules favoring large operations likely would have remained, said Jeff Sharkey, founder of the Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida. But the Legislature could have changed the laws to allow small businesses to enter the marketplace. The Trulieve-sponsored amendment that failed on this year’s ballot had to be narrow to pass state Supreme Court review, Kobrin said. It couldn’t have added opportunities for small businesses even if its authors wanted to. But the message that Amendment 3 was a cash grab by the state’s largest medical marijuana vendor at the expense of small businesses resonated with voters, Kobrin said. Some hemp shops, like Carlos Hermida’s Chillum Mushroom & Hemp Dispensary, with stores in Ybor City and St. Petersburg, are already shifting from exclusively selling knockoff pot. He thinks he could have remained afloat with the sales of other products, like legal mushrooms and kratom. Morrison thinks Amendment 3 could have been fatal for her business. “We’d be lucky to still be in business a year from now, if not two years from now,” she said. Medical marijuana companies abide by strict product safety regulations that help protect consumers and limit improper access, said Amie Goodin, a marijuana researcher at the University of Florida. Product labels must include detailed testing information and a recommended dosage. A separate regulator, the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, enforces those rules. By contrast, hemp products are required to display a certificate of analysis which includes independent lab test results and confirmation that the product does not contain contaminants like mold or pesticides. The Times/Herald investigation found that the labels provided for hemp products were inaccurate in shops across the state. The proliferation of hemp shops across the state, plus the little-known intoxicating chemicals that products could contain, means inspectors with Florida’s agriculture department are playing a game of regulatory “whack-a-mole,” even if more restrictions go into effect, Goodin said. Few large-scale studies have explored how chemicals that act as alternatives to marijuana, like delta-8 THC, affect the body, Goodin said. “It’s hard to provide guidance to the general public if we just don’t know,” she said. ©2024 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Calgary Flames (12-8-4, in the Pacific Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (9-12-4, in the Metropolitan Division) Pittsburgh; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Penguins -122, Flames +101; over/under is 6 BOTTOM LINE: The Calgary Flames enter the matchup against the Pittsburgh Penguins after losing three in a row. Pittsburgh is 9-12-4 overall and 5-6-2 at home. The Penguins have conceded 96 goals while scoring 65 for a -31 scoring differential. Calgary is 12-8-4 overall and 3-5-4 in road games. The Flames have a 4-7-1 record in games they serve more penalty minutes than their opponents. The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams meet this season. The Flames won 4-3 in a shootout in the previous meeting. TOP PERFORMERS: Sidney Crosby has eight goals and 16 assists for the Penguins. Bryan Rust has four goals and three assists over the last 10 games. Rasmus Andersson has five goals and nine assists for the Flames. Mikael Backlund has scored three goals and added one assist over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 4-4-2, averaging 2.3 goals, four assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.1 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game. Flames: 5-3-2, averaging 2.1 goals, 3.4 assists, 3.9 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game. INJURIES: Penguins: None listed. Flames: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
