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ALL-REMOTE COMPANY/WILMINGTON, Del.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Phreesia, Inc. (NYSE: PHR) (“Phreesia” or the "Company") announced financial results today for the fiscal third quarter ended October 31, 2024. "We are excited about the future here at Phreesia,” said CEO and Co-Founder Chaim Indig. “Our network continues to grow, adoption of our current offerings is increasing, and we are beginning to see the promise of new solutions we are investing in.” Please visit the Phreesia investor relations website at ir.phreesia.com to view the Company's Q3 Fiscal Year 2025 Stakeholder Letter. Fiscal Third Quarter Ended October 31, 2024 Highlights Fiscal Year 2025 Outlook We are narrowing our revenue outlook for fiscal 2025 to a range of $418 million to $420 million from a previous range of $416 million to $426 million, implying year-over-year growth of 17% to 18%. We are updating our Adjusted EBITDA outlook for fiscal 2025 to a range of $34 million to $36 million from a previous range of $26 million to $31 million. Our outlook reflects our strong performance in the fiscal third quarter and our continued focus on margin improvement. We are maintaining our expectation for AHSCs to reach approximately 4,200 for fiscal 2025, compared to 3,601 in fiscal 2024. We are maintaining our expectation for Total revenue per AHSC to increase in fiscal 2025 compared to the $98,944 we achieved in fiscal 2024. Fiscal Year 2026 Outlook We are introducing our revenue outlook for fiscal 2026. We expect revenue to be in the range of $472 million to $482 million. The revenue range provided for fiscal 2026 assumes no additional revenue from potential future acquisitions completed between now and January 31, 2026. We are introducing our Adjusted EBITDA outlook for fiscal 2026. We expect Adjusted EBITDA to be in the range of $78 million to $88 million. The Adjusted EBITDA range provided for fiscal 2026 assumes continued improvement in operating leverage across the Company through focusing on efficiency. We expect AHSCs to reach approximately 4,500 in fiscal 2026. Additionally, we expect Total revenue per AHSC in fiscal 2026 to increase from fiscal 2025. We believe our $81.7 million in cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2024, along with cash generated in our normal operations, gives us sufficient flexibility to reach our fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 outlook. Additionally, our available borrowing capacity under our credit facility with Capital One provides us with an additional source of capital to pursue future growth opportunities not incorporated into our fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 outlook. As of October 31, 2024 we have no borrowings outstanding under our credit facility. Non-GAAP Financial Measures We have not reconciled our Adjusted EBITDA outlook to GAAP Net income (loss) because we do not provide an outlook for GAAP Net income (loss) due to the uncertainty and potential variability of Other (income) expense, net and (Benefit from) provision for income taxes, which are reconciling items between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP Net income (loss). Because we cannot reasonably predict such items, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure outlook to the corresponding GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable effort. We caution, however, that such items could have a significant impact on the calculation of GAAP Net income (loss). For further information regarding the non-GAAP financial measures included in this press release, including a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures and an explanation of these measures, please see “Non-GAAP financial measures” below. Available Information We intend to use our Company website (including our Investor Relations website) as well as our Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Forward Looking Statements This press release includes express or implied statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance and may contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial information or state other forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our future financial and operating performance, including our revenue, operating leverage, margins, Adjusted EBITDA, cash flows and profitability 3; our ability to finance our plans to achieve our fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026 outlook with our current cash balance and cash generated in the normal course of business; and our outlook for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2026, including our expectations regarding revenue, Adjusted EBITDA, AHSCs and Total revenue per AHSC. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the following words: “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements relate to future events or our future operational or financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond our control, including, without limitation, risks associated with: our ability to effectively manage our growth and meet our growth objectives; our focus on the long-term and our investments in growth; the competitive environment in which we operate; our ability to comply with the covenants in our credit agreement with Capital One; changes in market conditions and receptivity to our products and services; our ability to develop and release new products and services and successful enhancements, features and modifications to our existing products and services; our ability to maintain the security and availability of our platform; the impact of cyberattacks, security incidents or breaches impacting our business; changes in laws and regulations applicable to our business model; our ability to make accurate predictions about our industry and addressable market; our ability to attract, retain and cross-sell to healthcare services clients; our ability to continue to operate effectively with a primarily remote workforce and attract and retain key talent; our ability to realize the intended benefits of our acquisitions and partnerships; and difficulties in integrating our acquisitions and investments; and other general, market, political, economic and business conditions (including from the results of the 2024 U.S. presidential and congressional elections and the warfare and/or political and economic instability in Ukraine, the Middle East or elsewhere). The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those listed or described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024 that will be filed with the SEC following this press release. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update, and expressly disclaim the obligation to update, any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. This press release includes certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC rules. We have provided a reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, with the exception of our Adjusted EBITDA outlook for the reasons described above. Conference Call Information We will hold a conference call on Monday December 9, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to review our fiscal 2025 third quarter financial results. To participate in our live conference call and webcast, please dial (800) 715-9871 (or (646) 307-1963 for international participants) using conference code number 7404611 or visit the “Events & Presentations” section of our Investor Relations website at ir.phreesia.com . A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call, at the same web link, and will remain available for approximately 90 days. About Phreesia Phreesia is a trusted leader in patient activation, giving providers, life sciences companies and other organizations tools to help patients take a more active role in their care. Founded in 2005, Phreesia enabled approximately 150 million patient visits in 2023—more than 1 in 10 visits across the U.S.—scale that we believe allows us to make meaningful impact. Offering patient-driven digital solutions for intake, outreach, education and more, Phreesia enhances the patient experience, drives efficiency and improves healthcare outcomes. Phreesia, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data) October 31, 2024 January 31, 2024 (Unaudited) Assets Current: Cash and cash equivalents $ 81,740 $ 87,520 Settlement assets 25,046 28,072 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,468 and $1,392 as of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 71,408 64,863 Deferred contract acquisition costs 362 768 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 11,017 14,461 Total current assets 189,573 195,684 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $87,861 and $76,859 as of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 25,973 16,902 Capitalized internal-use software, net of accumulated amortization of $53,210 and $45,769 as of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 51,322 46,139 Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,656 266 Deferred contract acquisition costs 450 986 Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $7,536 and $4,925 as of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 29,014 31,625 Goodwill 75,845 75,845 Other assets 1,870 2,879 Total Assets $ 375,703 $ 370,326 Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Current: Settlement obligations $ 25,046 $ 28,072 Current portion of finance lease liabilities and other debt 8,866 6,056 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,021 393 Accounts payable 15,870 8,480 Accrued expenses 29,080 37,130 Deferred revenue 22,188 24,113 Other current liabilities 7,130 5,875 Total current liabilities 109,201 110,119 Long-term finance lease liabilities and other debt 10,292 5,400 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 840 134 Long-term deferred revenue 199 97 Long-term deferred tax liabilities 446 270 Other long-term liabilities 133 2,857 Total Liabilities 121,111 118,877 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders’ Equity: Preferred stock, undesignated, $0.01 par value - 20,000,000 shares authorized as of both October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024; no shares issued or outstanding as of both October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024 — — Common stock, $0.01 par value - 500,000,000 shares authorized as of both October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024; 59,439,197 and 57,709,762 shares issued as of October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024, respectively 594 577 Additional paid-in capital 1,094,629 1,039,361 Accumulated deficit (795,106 ) (742,969 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (5 ) — Treasury stock, at cost, 1,355,169 shares as of both October 31, 2024 and January 31, 2024 (45,520 ) (45,520 ) Total Stockholders’ Equity 254,592 251,449 Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity $ 375,703 $ 370,326 Phreesia, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (in thousands, except share and per share data) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Revenue: Subscription and related services $ 49,363 $ 42,595 $ 144,717 $ 119,783 Payment processing fees 24,704 23,218 77,064 71,102 Network solutions 32,733 25,806 88,351 70,409 Total revenues 106,800 91,619 310,132 261,294 Expenses: Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 17,854 15,529 49,720 44,885 Payment processing expense 16,683 15,410 51,648 47,352 Sales and marketing 30,071 36,478 92,266 111,135 Research and development 29,315 28,544 87,738 82,484 General and administrative 19,633 20,240 58,182 61,105 Depreciation 3,566 4,483 11,011 13,231 Amortization 3,521 2,980 10,052 8,003 Total expenses 120,643 123,664 360,617 368,195 Operating loss (13,843 ) (32,045 ) (50,485 ) (106,901 ) Other expense, net (144 ) (47 ) (261 ) (39 ) Interest income, net 26 523 311 2,027 Total other (expense) income, net (118 ) 476 50 1,988 Loss before provision for income taxes (13,961 ) (31,569 ) (50,435 ) (104,913 ) Provision for income taxes (442 ) (372 ) (1,702 ) (1,326 ) Net loss $ (14,403 ) $ (31,941 ) $ (52,137 ) $ (106,239 ) Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted $ (0.25 ) $ (0.58 ) $ (0.91 ) $ (1.96 ) Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted 57,891,591 55,251,074 57,358,637 54,139,555 (1) Our potential dilutive securities have been excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share as the effect would be to reduce the net loss per share. Therefore, the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate both basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is the same. Phreesia, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited) (in thousands) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss $ (14,403 ) $ (31,941 ) $ (52,137 ) $ (106,239 ) Other comprehensive loss, net of tax: Change in foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (3 ) — (5 ) — Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (3 ) — (5 ) — Comprehensive loss $ (14,406 ) $ (31,941 ) $ (52,142 ) $ (106,239 ) Phreesia, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (in thousands) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Operating activities: Net loss $ (14,403 ) $ (31,941 ) $ (52,137 ) $ (106,239 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 7,087 7,463 21,063 21,234 Stock-based compensation expense 16,525 17,963 49,813 53,749 Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt discount 62 84 174 253 Cost of Phreesia hardware purchased by customers 571 582 1,248 1,232 Deferred contract acquisition costs amortization 1,322 235 1,706 855 Non-cash operating lease expense 207 142 568 484 Deferred taxes 57 39 176 181 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable (10,141 ) (991 ) (6,558 ) (3,361 ) Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,005 (1,530 ) 4,286 (761 ) Deferred contract acquisition costs (552 ) — (765 ) — Accounts payable 6,948 1,189 5,198 (1,226 ) Accrued expenses and other liabilities (3,655 ) 469 (6,202 ) 6,530 Lease liabilities (202 ) (232 ) (622 ) (884 ) Deferred revenue 954 218 (1,823 ) (1,347 ) Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 5,785 (6,310 ) 16,125 (29,300 ) Investing activities: Acquisitions, net of cash acquired — (10,406 ) — (14,279 ) Capitalized internal-use software (3,566 ) (4,069 ) (11,112 ) (13,889 ) Purchases of property and equipment (616 ) (1,242 ) (5,919 ) (3,344 ) Net cash used in investing activities (4,182 ) (15,717 ) (17,031 ) (31,512 ) Financing activities: Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options 17 250 583 925 Treasury stock to satisfy tax withholdings on stock compensation awards — (1,451 ) — (12,176 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 840 919 2,443 2,782 Finance lease payments (1,895 ) (1,729 ) (5,170 ) (5,156 ) Constructive financing — — — 1,688 Principal payments on financing agreements (304 ) (273 ) (888 ) (318 ) Debt issuance costs and loan facility fee payments — — (152 ) (250 ) Financing payments of acquisition-related liabilities (309 ) — (1,673 ) — Net cash used in financing activities (1,651 ) (2,284 ) (4,857 ) (12,505 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (10 ) — (17 ) — Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (58 ) (24,311 ) (5,780 ) (73,317 ) Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period 81,798 127,677 87,520 176,683 Cash and cash equivalents – end of period $ 81,740 $ 103,366 $ 81,740 $ 103,366 Supplemental information of non-cash investing and financing information: Right of use assets acquired in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ — $ 346 $ 1,958 $ 346 Property and equipment acquisitions through finance leases $ 6,847 $ 371 $ 13,709 $ 7,438 Purchase of property and equipment and capitalized software included in current liabilities $ 3,508 $ 2,911 $ 3,508 $ 2,911 Capitalized stock-based compensation $ 343 $ 309 $ 1,006 $ 1,023 Issuance of stock to settle liabilities for stock-based compensation $ 2,853 $ 3,420 $ 10,679 $ 10,641 Issuance of stock as consideration in business combinations $ — $ 30,645 $ — $ 35,321 Deferred consideration liabilities payable in business combinations $ — $ 10,294 $ — $ 10,294 Capitalized software acquired through vendor financing $ — $ — $ — $ 2,047 Cash paid for: Interest $ 595 $ 295 $ 1,459 $ 649 Income taxes $ 549 $ — $ 2,559 $ 48 Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release and statements made during the above-referenced webcast may include certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC rules. Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or loss or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss before interest income, net, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and before stock-based compensation expense and other expense, net. We have provided below a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. We have presented Adjusted EBITDA in this press release and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed after this press release because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to understand and evaluate our core operating performance and trends, to prepare and approve our annual budget, and to develop short and long-term operational plans. In particular, we believe that the exclusion of the amounts eliminated in calculating Adjusted EBITDA can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors. We have not reconciled our Adjusted EBITDA outlook to GAAP Net income (loss) because we do not provide an outlook for GAAP Net income (loss) due to the uncertainty and potential variability of Other (income) expense, net and (Benefit from) provision for income taxes, which are reconciling items between Adjusted EBITDA and GAAP Net income (loss). Because we cannot reasonably predict such items, a reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measure outlook to the corresponding GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable effort. We caution, however, that such items could have a significant impact on the calculation of GAAP Net income (loss). Our use of Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are as follows: Because of these and other limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA along with other GAAP-based financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net loss, and our GAAP financial results. The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net loss for each of the periods indicated: Phreesia, Inc. Adjusted EBITDA ( Unaudited) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net loss $ (14,403 ) $ (31,941 ) $ (52,137 ) $ (106,239 ) Interest income, net (26 ) (523 ) (311 ) (2,027 ) Provision for income taxes 442 372 1,702 1,326 Depreciation and amortization 7,087 7,463 21,063 21,234 Stock-based compensation expense 16,525 17,963 49,813 53,749 Other expense, net 144 47 261 39 Adjusted EBITDA $ 9,769 $ (6,619 ) $ 20,391 $ (31,918 ) We calculate Free cash flow as Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capitalized internal-use software development costs and purchases of property and equipment. Additionally, Free cash flow is a supplemental measure of our performance that is not required by, or presented in accordance with, GAAP. We consider Free cash flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by our business that can be used for strategic opportunities, including investing in our business, making strategic investments, partnerships and acquisitions and strengthening our financial position. The following table presents a reconciliation of Free cash flow from Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for each of the periods indicated: Phreesia, Inc. Free cash flow ( Unaudited) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, (in thousands, unaudited) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 5,785 $ (6,310 ) $ 16,125 $ (29,300 ) Less: Capitalized internal-use software (3,566 ) (4,069 ) (11,112 ) (13,889 ) Purchases of property and equipment (616 ) (1,242 ) (5,919 ) (3,344 ) Free cash flow $ 1,603 $ (11,621 ) $ (906 ) $ (46,533 ) Phreesia, Inc. Reconciliation of GAAP and Adjusted Operating Expenses (Unaudited) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, (in thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 GAAP operating expenses General and administrative $ 19,633 $ 20,240 $ 58,182 $ 61,105 Sales and marketing 30,071 36,478 92,266 111,135 Research and development 29,315 28,544 87,738 82,484 Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 17,854 15,529 49,720 44,885 $ 96,873 $ 100,791 $ 287,906 $ 299,609 Stock compensation included in GAAP operating expenses General and administrative $ 6,049 $ 5,798 $ 18,534 $ 17,423 Sales and marketing 5,431 6,322 16,500 19,850 Research and development 3,793 4,561 11,049 13,002 Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 1,252 1,282 3,730 3,474 $ 16,525 $ 17,963 $ 49,813 $ 53,749 Adjusted operating expenses General and administrative $ 13,584 $ 14,442 $ 39,648 $ 43,682 Sales and marketing 24,640 30,156 75,766 91,285 Research and development 25,522 23,983 76,689 69,482 Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation and amortization) 16,602 14,247 45,990 41,411 $ 80,348 $ 82,828 $ 238,093 $ 245,860 Phreesia, Inc. Key Metrics (Unaudited) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Key Metrics: Average number of healthcare services clients ("AHSCs") 4,237 3,688 4,157 3,481 Healthcare services revenue per AHSC $ 17,481 $ 17,845 $ 53,351 $ 54,836 Total revenue per AHSC $ 25,207 $ 24,842 $ 74,605 $ 75,063 The definitions of our key metrics are presented below. Additional Information (Unaudited) Three months ended October 31, Nine months ended October 31, 2024 2023 2024 2023 Patient payment volume (in millions) $ 1,081 $ 965 $ 3,340 $ 2,970 Payment facilitator volume percentage 81 % 82 % 81 % 82 % ______________________________ 1 Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss before interest income, net, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and before stock-based compensation expense and other expense, net. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the closest GAAP measure. 2 Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure. We define Free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capitalized internal-use software development costs and purchases of property and equipment. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of Free cash flow to the closest GAAP measure. 3 We define “profitability,” discussed herein, in terms of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure. See ‘Non-GAAP Financial Measures’ for a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss, the closest GAAP measure. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209683231/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations Contact:Balaji Gandhi Phreesia, Inc. investors@phreesia.com (929) 506-4950Media Contact:Nicole Gist Phreesia, Inc. nicole.gist@phreesia.com (407) 760-6274 KEYWORD: DELAWARE UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SCIENCE SOFTWARE PRACTICE MANAGEMENT RESEARCH HEALTH HOSPITALS HEALTH TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Phreesia, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 04:05 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209683231/enWASHINGTON (AP) — In the history of American politics, there's no shortage of presidents who promised to shake up Washington once they got to the White House. But Donald Trump may prove to be in a class of his own, and he appears more interested in beating the federal government into submission than recalibrating it. In staffing his administration, Trump has shown an inclination to select people who distrust or even disdain the agencies that they've been chosen to lead, setting up a potential war of attrition between the incoming Republican president and American institutions. “There’s been nothing like what Trump is suggesting to do," said Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian. "We’re talking about dismantling the federal government.” Trump's approach will become even clearer this week as Kash Patel, his choice for FBI director , heads to Capitol Hill for an initial round of meetings with senators who will decide whether to confirm him to the post. A former national security official who has branded himself as an eager acolyte of Trump, Patel has talked about shutting down the agency's headquarters, splitting up its responsibilities and targeting Trump's perceived enemies. Greg Brower, a former U.S. attorney who served as the FBI’s top congressional affairs official, said Trump seems to want to make the nation’s law enforcement institutions “part of his political operation run out of the White House.” “That’s a major course change that I’m just not sure a majority of senators are willing to endorse," Brower said. Republican senators are already considering whether to support Pete Hegseth, whom Trump wants to lead the Pentagon , despite allegations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking and financial mismanagement. Hegseth is an Army veteran and former Fox News commentator who has described the military as flooded with “woke” liberal ideology. He also wants to remove women from combat roles. Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for Trump’s transition team and the incoming White House press secretary, said the next administration wants to “shatter the Deep State," a term for entrenched civil servants who have frustrated Trump and his allies. “President Trump was re-elected by a resounding mandate from the American people to change the status quo in Washington,” she said in a statement. “That’s why he has chosen brilliant and highly-respected outsiders to serve in his Administration, and he will continue to stand behind them as they fight against all those who seek to derail the MAGA Agenda.” Margaret Spelling, who served as education secretary under President George W. Bush, said it is “probably not a good management style" to treat government employees as adversaries. “If you’re going to turn the tide or redirect the ship of state, you’ve got to have help doing it," she said. "And that’s people who work there already.” Spelling's former department could be outright eliminated if Trump has his way. His choice of education secretary , Linda McMahon, has never worked in the field. She served for one year on the Connecticut Board of Education and is a member of the board of trustees at a private university. McMahon lead the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term, and she made a name for herself by running World Wrestling Entertainment, a cultural juggernaut that features musclebound men beating each other up in elaborately scripted fights. Trump's plans for the federal government blend conservative ideology, which has long viewed Washington as too intrusive in Americans' daily lives, with his personal vendettas. After being plagued by investigations and contradicted by career officials during his first term, the returning president has no interest in a replay and he's more skeptical of insider views that clash with his own instincts. Some of his personnel choices have alarmed political opponents, but Trump's approach could prove appealing to voters whose faith in government has sunk to record lows in recent years. Only about 2 in 10 Americans trust the government to do the right thing always or most of the time, according to the Pew Research Center , down from around 4 in 10 who said this in 2000 — before the upheaval of a global financial crisis, an inconclusive war on terrorism and a worldwide pandemic. Story continues below video Kay Schlozman, a Boston College political science professor, said Trump's nominees could be viewed as "an extension of his capacity to question the received wisdom and question the supposed elites who always run everything.” Some of the largest gaps between expertise and personnel have been evident in public health. Trump chose Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services despite his reputation as one of the most prolific spreaders of unfounded theories about the supposed danger of vaccines. Trump also picked Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of public health measures like lockdowns and vaccine mandates that were used during the coronavirus outbreak, to run the National Institutes of Health , the country's top medical research agency. In other areas of government, loyalty has often been prized over expertise. Lee Zeldin, a former New York congressman, never served on any committees dealing with the environment during nearly a decade on Capitol Hill. Now he’s on deck to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Brinkley said it's not uncommon to have presidents attempt to change how Washington works. Richard Nixon tried to circumvent government agencies by centralizing decision-making in the White House, and Warren Harding stocked his Cabinet with business leaders. But Brinkley said Trump's approach is more venomous, and he seems to be setting up his staff to compete to be the most zealous. “It’s got a gladiator feel," he said. "They each want to show that they’ve got a scalp to punish the so-called deep state, the legacy media or the Democratic Party.” Another way that Trump is taking on Washington is the Department of Government Efficiency , an independent advisory organization that will be run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Musk, the world's richest man, and Ramaswamy, an entrepreneur, plan to provide ideas on dramatically reducing federal spending and cutting the government workforce. They also said Trump should sidestep Congress whenever possible, setting up a potential constitutional clash. Theda Skocpol, a Harvard University professor of government and sociology, agreed that Americans are often doubtful about Washington's effectiveness. “But it doesn’t mean there’s going to be an easy path to eliminating entire departments or functions of government because people will realize they have the stakes in those things,” she said. However, Skocpol said, chaos might be the actual goal. “Parts of American conservatism have been trying to make government a mess when they control it, and then use it as an argument for less government," she said. ____ Associated Press writer Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.” Shohei Ohtani wins third MVP award, first in NL. Aaron Judge earns second AL honor in 3 seasons NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player Award and first in the National League, and Aaron Judge earned his second American League honor on Thursday. Ohtani was a unanimous MVP for the third time, receiving all 30 first-place votes and 420 points in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor was second with 263 points and Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte third with 229. Judge was a unanimous pick for the first time. Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points.
Republicans pick Mast to lead House Foreign Affairs panel
Pure Storage and Kioxia Collaborate to Drive Scalability, Efficiency, and Performance in Hyperscale Data CentersJammu, Dec 29: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today attended the Annual Day function of Jammu Sanskriti School “Karmanya-The Power of Good Deeds”, at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, Jammu University. In his address, the Lieutenant Governor extended his felicitations to the school management, teachers and students on its annual day. Over the years, many eminent teachers and educationists have contributed to high reputation the Jammu Sanskriti School enjoys today. It is an occasion to remember all of them with gratitude, he said. The Lieutenant Governor highlighted that the prime objective of school education is to ignite the intellectual capacity of children. “The future of a nation is decided in school campus. The overall goal of our education system is to provide unique opportunity to every unique personality so that they can create something new and contribute to nation building with their unique talent,” he said. The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the role of teachers and educational institutions in developing a conducive environment to boost the confidence of the students and motivate them to continue their quest to learn new skills. “In today’s era of rapid change, when new technological advancements are taking place every day, only one skill will be relevant in the future and that is – Lifelong Learning Skill,” the Lieutenant Governor said. He observed that the primary and secondary education is an interesting phase of positive change in a student’s life. He said, this is the time when knowledge and influence around affects his mind and body. Whatever a child learns in this impressionable age stays for long years. It is during this period when a child develops instincts to make decisions and the sense of understanding between good and bad, right and wrong. Our focus should be to develop primary and secondary education as per the needs of the modern world, he added. On the occasion, the Lieutenant Governor gave seven resolutions to the educational institutions across the UT of J&K to adopt new technologies in education, focus on both knowledge and values and to stimulate students’ intellectual capacity. “The first resolution is to make the digital learning system interactive and encourage children to actively participate in the learning process. We must focus on one-to-one mentoring instead of information delivery, and offer field experience to students outside the classroom. Teachers must share their life experiences with the students, encourage them for data interpretation and problem solving, and provide them with the freedom to explore new ideas. Our focus should also be on project-based learning so that children develop the ability to use their skills in different situations. The seventh resolution is to ensure regular training and capacity building of teachers and provide them the opportunity to learn new things continuously,” the Lieutenant Governor said. The Lieutenant Governor further impressed upon the youth to imbibe the ideals of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. National Education Policy 2020 is a great opportunity for you. Kindle the curiosity within you and discover new frontiers in real life through independent thinking, creativity and problem solving, he said. The Lieutenant Governor felicitated the students who excelled in academics and diverse fields. He also released the latest edition of school magazine. Prof Manoj Singh Gaur, Director, IIT Jammu; Sh Harpreet Singh, Chairman, Jammu Sanskriti School; Ms. Rohini Aima, Principal of the school, teachers, students and parents were present. Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sachin Kumar Vaishya, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, heads of various institutions and senior officials of Civil and Police Administration were also present on the occasion.
Steven I. Sarowitz Sells 3,083 Shares of Paylocity Holding Co. (NASDAQ:PCTY) Stock
Nebraska Farm Bureau has selected Steve Nelson of Axtell as the 2024 recipient of its highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award. The award will be presented to Nelson on Dec. 10 at the 2024 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting and Convention in Kearney. “Nelson has devoted his entire life to agriculture, showcasing unwavering commitment and service to the agricultural community in Nebraska. He has served as a passionate advocate and a representative striving to enhance the well-being of all farm and ranch families across the state,” said Mark McHargue, NEFB president. Nelson started his farming career in the early 1970s while still a high school student. Today, he and his wife, Elma, cultivate corn, hybrid seed corn, and soybeans on their family farm near Axtell, which has been passed down through six generations. Nelson began his Farm Bureau career after graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, serving in many roles on the Kearney/Franklin County Farm Bureau Board. Steve was elected to the state Board of Directors in 1997, representing the South Central District. He was elected to the position of first vice president in 2002 before being elected as Nebraska Farm Bureau president in 2011. Nelson was elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation board of directors in 2014. He has served on the AFBF Trade Advisory and Governance committees and served as chairman of the Feed Grains Committee, the Water Quality Task Force, the Information and Technology Committee and the Making American Agriculture Productive and Profitable Committee. He has accompanied governors and AFBF on trade missions to China, Costa Rica, Cuba, England, France, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Taiwan. “During his service to Nebraska Farm Bureau, Steve moved the organization forward by prioritizing the expansion of agricultural trade and the exploration of new markets for agricultural commodities. Additionally, he emphasized a key focus on halting high-profile initiatives that could negatively impact the state. Steve also played a pivotal role in positioning Farm Bureau to be a leading voice in elevating awareness of Nebraska’s outrageously high property taxes to headline status and pushing for legislative action to address the problem,” McHargue said. In addition to advocacy work, Nelson helped advance and modernize the Nebraska Farm Bureau organization. Among those efforts was the establishment of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation to initiate programming to bridge a growing disconnect between agriculture and urban Nebraska. Nelson also supported expanded resources to help Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 86 County Farm Bureaus that make up the organization’s membership, including investment in programs geared toward leadership development and youth programs to grow agriculture’s base of leaders and influencers. When Nelson retired as Nebraska Farm Bureau’s president in 2020, the organization honored him by sponsoring the Steve Nelson Yeutter Institute International Trade Internship Award, which provides students at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln the opportunity to work in the heart of the trade policy community in Washington, D.C., at the Washington International Trade Association. “Students who participate in the Washington, D.C., program work under the mentorship of WITA’s executive director and managing director and gain valuable exposure to and experience with trade policy issues. Following completion of the internship, the intern uses skills gained to plan a Yeutter Institute educational event for students and the public on an agricultural trade policy issue important to Nebraska,” McHargue said. Nelson is a member of numerous state and national agricultural organizations. He is a lifelong member of Bethany Lutheran Church near Axtell. Steve and Elma became members of the Hastings-area chapter of Compassionate Friends after their daughter, Sarah, passed away unexpectedly following a 2006 surgery. Steve and Elma have two other children; Scott (Amy) and Stacy (Bobby), and five grandchildren; Sam, Luke, Britta, Bo and Natalie. “Nebraska Farm Bureau is stronger because of Steve’s vision for agriculture’s future,” McHargue said. “We congratulate Steve. He is extremely worthy of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the Silver Eagle Award.” For more information about Nebraska Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit nefb.org . Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!
Sports on TV for Friday, Nov. 22Barclays PLC Purchases 312,440 Shares of Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE:ACHR)
The 1 Single Stock That I’d Hold Forever in a TFSAAbout half of consumers would switch banks if offered better perks at other banks. (Stock) Consumers tend to stick with their banks, but some can’t turn down incentives that certain online-only banks offer. More than one in three consumers in a Vericast study said they’ve had the same bank longer than they’ve had their current romantic partner. Customers appear to stick with the same bank out of convenience more than anything. About 46% of those surveyed said they would be open to switching to other financial institutions if those institutions could address their specific financial needs. When seeking new banks, customers are mainly interested in money-earning incentives. Two major motivators customers stated for potentially switching banks included seeking better rates and earning cash back for opening a new account. Consumers also appreciate the idea of checking account offers. "Consumers want to feel the love directly from their FI [financial institution]," said Lisa Nicholas, Vericast senior vice president of FI marketing products and strategy. "Perpetual changes in consumer behavior and mindset mean FIs need to be more tuned in than ever to the relationship they have with them. From understanding their financial goals to providing offers that support their needs, FIs must be focused on authentic and personalized connections with customers to bring them new and increased value." ATM locations were also important when considering customer satisfaction with banks. Nearly one in three survey respondents said having convenient ATM locations and a large network was important to them when considering a bank. To compare your lender options for personal loans, consider heading to Credible. With Credible, you can compare personal loan rates from multiple lenders without affecting your credit score. CONSUMERS SPEND MORE THAN $1 TRILLION ON INTEREST PAYMENTS, LARGELY DUE TO INCREASING CREDIT CARD DEBT Online-only banks have been a beacon of earnings for many customers. They often have low fees and sign-up incentives, making them attractive options. However, over the last year, customer satisfaction with online-only banks has fallen, a J.D. Power report found. Although satisfaction with online-only banks is still higher than traditional banks, online-only checking account satisfaction dropped by 27 points from 2023. Online-only savings accounts also dropped, but by just eight points. "Despite significant increases in deposit interest rates for both checking and savings accounts — but decreases in the proportion of customers who had to pay a fee or experienced a problem — overall satisfaction still declined," said Paul McAdam, J.D. Power senior director of banking and payments intelligence. "That’s because customers who experienced problems had a very tough time resolving them in a timely manner, causing satisfaction with the ease of problem resolution to decline sharply." Online banks also lacked in visual appeal and design upkeep in the last year, causing some consumers to consider switching. Plus, many customers don’t appreciate the small range of services offered by some online-only banks. The three banks ranked the highest in satisfaction for their checking accounts include Charles Schwab, Ally Bank and Capital One, respectively, J.D. Power reported. Savings account providers with the highest rankings include Goldman Sachs, Ally Bank and Capital One. Credible can help you find reputable personal loan lenders that provide timely funding. Visit Credible to explore rates and loan terms and find lenders fast . CREDIT CARD USAGE IS UP AS INFLATION CONTINUES TO RISE AI is a divisive topic in many industries, banking included. How and when it could make the lives of banking customers easier remains up for debate. Customers are torn, with 28% believing AI can help their banking experience, according to a J.D. Power report . An additional 17% think AI will make their lives worse, followed by a close 24% that haven’t fully formed an opinion on AI in the fintech world. Using AI on a regular basis, or at least being familiar with it, seems to help customers value the technology. Almost half of those with AI experience said it would likely help make their lives better compared to just 6% of those not familiar with AI. Customers on both sides reported that they could set aside any negative feelings toward AI if the tools it created helped make an immediate impact on their finances. When it comes to personal loan shopping, Credible can do the heavy lifting for you . With the click of a button, you can view multiple lenders, rates and terms in one spot. MANY PERSONAL LOAN BORROWERS RELY ON LOANS FOR EVERYDAY EXPENSES AS COST OF LIVING GROWS Have a finance-related question, but don't know who to ask? Email The Credible Money Expert at moneyexpert@credible.com and your question might be answered by Credible in our Money Expert column.Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson kept the overall lead in fan voting numbers revealed Monday for the NFL Pro Bowl Games with Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley a close second. Jackson topped vote-getters with 82,402 and Barkley was next, only 320 votes behind. Barkley was 4,079 votes back of Jackson in last week's first voting results. Eagles star Barkley, who set a team one-season rushing record on Sunday in a victory over Carolina, leaped ahead of Ravens rusher Derrick Henry, who fell to third on 76,582. Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was fourth on 73,627 with Detroit Lions rusher Jahmyr Gibbs fifth on 73,617. The Lions garnered the most votes from NFL fans overall followed by Baltimore, two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City, Philadelphia and Minnesota. The NFL's all-star event will be staged February 2 in Orlando, Florida, for the second consecutive year as 88 players take part in skills competitions, including a flag football showdown with former NFL star quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning serving as coaches. Fan voting concludes on December 23. No other voting totals were revealed but top vote-getters at their position in the AFC and NFC also were revealed, including NFC rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels of Washington and wide receivers Justin Jefferson of Minnesota in the NFC and Ja'Marr Chase of Cincinnati in the AFC. js/bb
ATLANTA (AP) — Even when grappling with a four-game losing streak and the uncertainty generated by quarterback Kirk Cousins’ eight interceptions and no touchdown passes in that span, there is some solace for the Atlanta Falcons. They play in the NFC South. There is more good news: The Falcons’ next two opponents, the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants, are tied for the NFL’s worst record at 2-11. Coach Raheem Morris says he is sticking with Cousins for next Monday night’s game at Las Vegas. Sunday’s 42-21 loss at Minnesota dropped Atlanta to 6-7, one game behind Tampa Bay in the NFC South. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Buccaneers, so if they can take advantage of their cushy closing stretch of games that also includes Washington and Carolina, they could salvage their season. “We’re right in this thing,” right guard Chris Lindstrom said Monday before acknowledging he is “obviously not happy or satisfied with where we’re at.” Lindstrom said he maintains “the ultimate belief in what we’re doing and everything that we have going on and everything is still in front of us.” RELATED COVERAGE Cowboys set to host Bengals under open roof after falling debris thwarted that plan against Texans Cardinals’ sudden 3-game tailspin has turned their once solid playoff hopes into a long shot The 49ers’ playoff hopes are still teetering even after get-right game against the Bears Cousins and the Falcons must solve their red-zone woes to maintain hopes of the team’s first playoff appearance since 2017. The Falcons rank eighth in the NFL with 371 yards per game but only 19th with their average of 21.4 points thanks to their persistent problems inside the 20. Even the forgiving NFC South can’t make up for the scoring problems caused by penalties, turnovers and other persistent breakdowns. “You can’t live with it at all,” Morris said Monday when asked about Cousins’ recent streak of interceptions. The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . Even so, Cousins remains the starter as first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. awaits his opportunity. “It’s for sure Kirk is our quarterback but I have no hesitations about what our young man has been doing and how he has been preparing and the things he is ready to do,” Morris said. “So if that time ever came I would have a lot of confidence in what Mike is able to do, but Kirk is our quarterback. Kirk is the guy who is going to lead us.” What’s working With four sacks against the Vikings, the Falcons may have finally solved their longtime pass-rush woes. Atlanta had five sacks in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 1, giving the team back-to-back games with at least four sacks for the first time since 2019. Outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie had one of Sunday’s sacks, giving him four for the season. With nine sacks in the last two games, the Falcons have almost doubled their NFL-low total of 10 through their first 11 games. What needs help Even as the pass rush was productive, the Falcons’ defense showed a sudden inability to prevent big plays through the air. Atlanta allowed four completions of more than 40 yards as Vikings receivers Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson combined to catch five scoring passes from Sam Darnold, who did not throw an interception. Morris said the Vikings’ strategy was to avoid cornerback A.J. Terrell, “making other people make plays, and we didn’t go out there and make them.” Stock up Running back Tyler Allgeier had nine carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Even while Bijan Robinson continued to produce with 22 carries for 92 yards and a score, Allgeier re-emerged as a strong complement with his second-highest rushing total of the season. Stock down Cousins has an unhealthy ratio of 17 touchdown passes to 15 interceptions. “Kirk was the guy who led us to the 6-3 record,” Morris said. “We’ve got to find a way to get out of the funk. ... For us, it’s going to be his opportunity to go out and right the ship and he has earned it.” Key number 142: Wide receiver Darnell Mooney set a career high with 142 yards on six catches. It was the third game this season Mooney has led the Falcons in receiving yards. Next steps Former Atlanta quarterback Desmond Ridder is expected to start for the Raiders on Monday night after Aidan O’Connell’s knee injury in Sunday’s 28-13 loss at Tampa Bay. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflNone
SAP SE ( NYSE:SAP – Get Free Report ) has received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold recommendation and eight have issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1 year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $252.33. SAP has been the topic of a number of research reports. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on SAP from $248.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Barclays boosted their price target on shares of SAP from $252.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. JMP Securities raised their price objective on shares of SAP from $245.00 to $300.00 and gave the company a “market outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Finally, TD Cowen boosted their target price on shares of SAP from $234.00 to $240.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 22nd. Get Our Latest Stock Report on SAP SAP Stock Down 1.3 % SAP ( NYSE:SAP – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 21st. The software maker reported $1.23 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.31 by ($0.08). The company had revenue of $8.47 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.25 billion. SAP had a net margin of 8.15% and a return on equity of 11.44%. SAP’s revenue was up 9.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.20 EPS. On average, analysts expect that SAP will post 4.8 EPS for the current fiscal year. Institutional Investors Weigh In On SAP Several hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Godsey & Gibb Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of SAP in the third quarter valued at $25,000. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new stake in SAP in the 3rd quarter worth about $42,000. Prospera Private Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in SAP during the 3rd quarter worth about $47,000. Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. purchased a new position in SAP during the 3rd quarter valued at about $59,000. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of SAP by 448.0% in the 3rd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 274 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 224 shares during the period. About SAP ( Get Free Report SAP SE, together with its subsidiaries, provides applications, technology, and services worldwide. It offers SAP S/4HANA that provides software capabilities for finance, risk and project management, procurement, manufacturing, supply chain and asset management, and research and development; SAP SuccessFactors solutions for human resources, including HR and payroll, talent and employee experience management, and people and workforce analytics; and spend management solutions that covers direct and indirect spend, travel and expense, and external workforce management. See Also Receive News & Ratings for SAP Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for SAP and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Pure Storage and Kioxia Collaborate to Drive Scalability, Efficiency, and Performance in Hyperscale Data Centers
Milanovic wins nationwide, Primorac only wins abroadA drone photo shows the Rulong Bridge, a wooden arch bridge, in Qingyuan County of Lishui City. — Xinhua photo BEIJING (Dec 10): Hu Junfeng takes pride in using his civil engineering skills to document the wealth of knowledge his father has amassed over four decades on building Chinese wooden arch bridges. Traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges were added Thursday to its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). This stitched aerial drone photo shows the Wan’an Bridge, a wooden arch bridge, in Changqiao Township of Pingnan County, southeast China’s Fujian Province. — Xinhua photo The wooden arch bridges, found mostly in eastern China’s Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, are built without a single metal nail or rivet. Instead, they rely solely on intricately fitted wooden structures. A traditional Chinese-style timber superstructure tops the bridge, featuring a grand roof that adds weight and bolsters the structure’s stability. According to Unesco, the traditional design and practices for building these bridges involve the use of wood and traditional architectural tools, and they combine craftsmanship, the core technologies of “beam-weaving” and mortise and tenon joints, as well as an experienced woodworker’s understanding of different environments and the necessary structural mechanics. “This signifies that the protection, inheritance and promotion of China’s traditional wooden arch bridge craftsmanship have gained global recognition,” said Hu Junfeng’s father Hu Miao, who has dedicated over 40 years to preserving the traditional skill. Hu Miao, a national-level representative inheritor of the traditional wooden arch bridge construction skills, was born into a family of carpenters. Hu Miao said that they constructed and renovated 25 such bridges. His craftsmanship attracted his son, who had previously worked in Shanghai for three years, to return to Qingyuan County, Lishui City of Zhejiang Province in 2022 to inherit the skills. This photo shows the Luanfeng Bridge, a wooden arch bridge, in Xiadang Township of Shouning County, southeast China’s Fujian Province. — Xinhua photo Wooden arch bridges serve as hubs for gatherings, entertainment, trade and other social activities. Locals often hold events like weddings, funerals and birthdays on these bridges. “During the Dragon Boat Festival, locals believe that the more times one crosses the bridge, the more prosperous their life will become, expressing hope for the future,” said Lu Zeqi, an intangible cultural heritage expert in Pingnan County, Ningde City of Fujian Province. Hu’s family is part of a thriving bridge conservation community in Zhejiang. The province now hosts 11 teams dedicated to wood arch bridge craftsmanship, comprising over 170 members. They have constructed and restored more than 80 such bridges. First inscribed in 2009 on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, the tradition had declined over the years due to rapid urbanization, scarcity of lumber and lack of available construction space, all of which could threaten its transmission and survival, according to Unesco. In 2016, Typhoon Meranti ruined three wooden arch bridges in Zhejiang. It served as a reminder to the public of the importance of protecting and restoring these treasures, and the need to pass down the craftsmanship of bridge building. An aerial drone photo taken on Jan. 23, 2024 shows the Yonggui Bridge, a wooden arch bridge, after snowfall in Qingyuan County of Lishui City. — Xinhua photo Zhejiang has established a themed museum, included information on the bridges in primary school curricula, organized academic seminars, and produced TV documentaries to showcase the history, craftsmanship and culture of the bridges. “Unesco’s recognition marks a transition from ‘endangered’ to ‘revival’ for the craft, signifying an endorsement of our conservation efforts,” said Chen Huawen, a professor at Zhejiang Normal University. Gabriella Bonino, an Italian sinologist, said she once visited craftsmen behind wooden arch bridges, feeling the depth of their traditional skills and admiring the way these arts are inherited through generations. The reflection of local customs is valuable and should be recognized globally. Suman Prasai, a Nepali student at Lishui University, once learned about the building of wood arcade bridges from the Hu family in October. He told Xinhua that “knowing that these skills are now safe and will continue for future generations makes me feel proud and hopeful. It’s a big success for preserving culture in today’s fast-changing world. Walking across it, I could feel the connection between art and nature.” “Unesco’s recognition shows how much effort has been made to protect and pass down the traditional skills of building Chinese wooden arch bridges. These bridges are not just for crossing. They carry stories, history, and amazing craftsmanship,” said Prasai. Apart from being a source of livelihood for woodworkers, the bridges, along with the traditional techniques and knowledge used to build them, have boosted the development of relevant cultural and creative industries. “I’ve enjoyed making ‘wooden arch bridges’ with chopsticks since childhood. Amazingly, with just 15 chopsticks, I could build a ‘bridge’ capable of supporting more than 1 kg,” said Hu Junfeng. A drone photo taken on Oct. 18, 2023 shows workers working on the restoration of the Wan’an Bridge, a wooden arch bridge, in Changqiao Township of Pingnan County. — Xinhua photo Now the chopsticks have been transformed into 3D puzzles and models, as well as other cultural and creative products, showing customers the structure and techniques of bridge building. “Wooden arch bridges, iconic symbols of China’s architectural arts, reflect the essence of master craftsmanship and have turned into popular tourist destinations. With the AI technology, we can create featured products and immersive experiences that go beyond the bridges themselves,” said Chen Shaofeng, a Peking University professor and vice head of the China Culture Promotion Association. — Xinhua
Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) Given Consensus Rating of “Hold” by BrokeragesRepublicans pick Mast to lead House Foreign Affairs panel
