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777bet casino AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The University of Texas investigation into the bottle-throwing incident that disrupted the Texas-Georgia game in October — and drew a harsh rebuke and fine from the Southeastern Conference — resulted in no one being caught or punished. In a report to the league sent last month, Texas officials said a video review did not identify any of the culprits. Texas and Georgia meet again Saturday in the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Their first meeting in Austin, a 30-15 Georgia win , produced one of the most chaotic and controversial scenes of the college football season. Longhorns fans upset about a pass interference penalty pelted the field with debris and briefly stopped the game, giving the officials time to huddle and reverse the call. The incident drew a $250,000 fine from the SEC , which also threatened to ban alcohol sales at future games. The SEC ordered the school to find those responsible and ban them from all athletic events the rest of the school year. In a Nov. 7 report to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, Texas athletic director Chris Del Conte said the school “reviewed all available video and other sources of information” to try to find the disruptive fans. “Despite our best effort, we have not been able to identify the individuals at issue. We will take action if new identifying information comes to light,” Del Conte wrote. The school's report was provided to The Associated Press this week. A university spokesman said he was unaware of any new information or punishments since it was sent to the SEC. Del Conte declined further comment Thursday. Del Conte told the SEC that Texas has added additional security cameras and personnel to watch the student section, updated its sportsmanship and fan code of conduct policies, and created digital messaging to encourage good behavior. “Respect, sportsmanship and fairness are values that drive us," Del Conte wrote. “We expect fans to uphold these standards as well.” Sankey declined comment on the investigation report and his conversations with Texas officials. But he praised Del Conte, school President Jay Hartzell and Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife “for being very clear immediately that that conduct failed to meet their own expectations.” Then-No. 1 Texas trailed No. 5 Georgia 23-7 when a pass interference call negated a Longhorns interception. Angry fans in or near the student section lobbed bottles and debris on the field and the game was halted for several minutes. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, who at first was angry about the penalty, crossed the field to plead with the fans to stop throwing things while stadium crews cleaned up the mess. The break gave the game officials time to reconsider and reverse the penalty, a decision that infuriated Georgia coach Kirby Smart. Texas then cut the Georgia lead to 23-15, before the Bulldogs later put together the game-clinching drive. “I will say that now we’ve set a precedent that if you throw a bunch of stuff on the field and endanger athletes that you’ve got a chance to get your call reversed,” Smart said after the game “That’s unfortunate because to me that’s dangerous." Story continues below video Texas officials were embarrassed and the SEC was angry. The league issued a statement that reversing the penalty was the correct decision , but condemned the bottle throwing. Critics wondered if similar scenes could happen again in the SEC or elsewhere, sarcastically noting the Texas slogan, "What starts here changes the world.” The SEC ordered Texas to investigate using "all available resources, including security, stadium and television video, to identify individuals who threw objects onto the playing field or at the opposing team.” It told the school to report its findings to the league. Hartzell warned students the probe was coming. He said the incident had “embarrassed Longhorn Nation," and agreed with the SEC's demands to find those responsible. “Those involved will have ramifications for their actions,” Del Conte wrote in an Oct. 22 message to students. The Texas football stadium has long had an emergency operations room where staff monitor live feeds from security cameras. In 2009, Texas invited the AP into the room where a reporter observed staff watching feeds from 43 cameras. They could see if fans were drinking alcohol (which was prohibited at the time) or disruptive, or take note of unattended bags. Fifteen years later, the report to the SEC said Texas could not identify anyone responsible for throwing debris. The 10-page report includes a review of stadium policies and the administration's statements to students. It includes only a single paragraph about the investigation efforts, which were led by Derek Trabon, director of the campus Office of Emergency Management. The probe included help from game operations staff and campus police. The report offers no investigation details, such as how much video was reviewed, whether cameras actually caught fans throwing things, or if the school considered using facial recognition technology. The brief mention of the investigation does not explain why it was inconclusive. Sankey said Thursday that the SEC will have offseason talks with schools about fan behavior, from bottle throwing to multiple instances of fans rushing the field. “One of the learning experiences we’ve had, and this isn’t the only bottle throwing experience, we don’t always have cameras where there needs to be cameras," Sankey said. "We will work to see how our stadiums may adjust.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

In a message to the American people, the King expressed “great sadness” at the news of Mr Carter’s death, describing him as “a committed public servant” who “devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights”. He added: “His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977. “My thoughts and prayers are with President Carter’s family and the American people at this time.” Mr Carter, a former peanut farmer, served one term in the White House between 1977 and 1981 and spent his post-presidency years as a global humanitarian, winning the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Sir Keir Starmer said Mr Carter had “lived his values in the service of others to the very end” through “decades of selfless public service”. Praising a “lifelong dedication to peace” that saw him win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, Sir Keir added: “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad.” Tributes to Mr Carter followed the announcement of his death by his family on Sunday, more than a year after he decided to enter hospice care. His son, Chip Carter, said: “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love.” Very sorry to hear of President Carter’s passing. I pay tribute to his decades of selfless public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time. pic.twitter.com/IaKmZcteb1 — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 29, 2024 US President Joe Biden, one of the first elected politicians to endorse Mr Carter’s bid for the presidency in 1976, said the world had “lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian”. He said: “Over six decades, we had the honour of calling Jimmy Carter a dear friend. But, what’s extraordinary about Jimmy Carter, though, is that millions of people throughout America and the world who never met him thought of him as a dear friend as well. “With his compassion and moral clarity, he worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among us.” Vice President Kamala Harris said Mr Carter “reminded our nation and the world that there is strength in decency and compassion”. “His life and legacy continue to inspire me — and will inspire generations to come,” she said. “Our world is a better place because of President Carter.” Other UK politicians also paid tribute to Mr Carter. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said he was “an inspiration” who “led a truly remarkable life dedicated to public service with a genuine care for people”. Scottish First Minister John Swinney described the former president as “a good, decent, honest man who strove for peace in all that he did”, while Welsh First Minister said he was “a remarkable man” and “a humanitarian and scholar”. Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Mr Carter’s “life was a testament to public service”. He added: “I always had the greatest respect for him, his spirit and his dedication. He fundamentally cared and consistently toiled to help those in need.” Gordon Brown, another former prime minister, said it was a “privilege” to have known Mr Carter, who “will be mourned, not just in America, but in every continent where human rights are valued”. Mr Carter is expected to receive a state funeral featuring public observances in Atlanta, Georgia, and Washington DC before being buried in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. A moderate democrat born in Plains in October 1924, Mr Carter’s political career took him from the Georgia state senate to the state governorship and, finally, the White House, where he took office as 39th president in the wake of the Watergate scandal and the Vietnam War. His presidency saw economic disruption amid volatile oil prices, along with social tensions at home and challenges abroad including the Iranian revolution that sparked a 444-day hostage crisis at the US embassy in Tehran. But he also brokered the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel, which led to a peace treaty between the two countries in 1979. After his defeat in the 1980 presidential election, he worked more than four decades leading The Carter Centre, which he and his late wife Rosalynn co-founded in 1982 to “wage peace, fight disease, and build hope”. Under his leadership, the Carter Center virtually eliminated Guinea Worm disease, which has gone from affecting 3.5 million people in Africa and Asia in 1986 to just 14 in 2023. Mrs Carter, who died last year aged 96, had played a more active role in her husband’s presidency than previous first ladies, with Mr Carter saying she had been “my equal partner in everything I ever accomplished”. Earlier this year, on his 100th birthday, Mr Carter received a private congratulatory message from the King, expressing admiration for his life of public serviceWhat drives a cryptocurrency to stand out in today’s competitive market? Is it the technology, community support, or the promise of incredible returns for early investors? The digital currency space continues to evolve with intriguing updates, keeping enthusiasts and investors on their toes. From Binance Coin's steady climb to Algorand’s remarkable Q4 rally, the crypto world is abuzz with possibilities. However, Qubetics ($TICS) is making a name for itself with its game-changing approach to blockchain interoperability and a thrilling presale that’s gaining momentum. This article will explore the latest updates for Qubetics, Binance Coin, and Algorand—three of the best coins to invest in for long-term growth. Qubetics: The Blockchain Game-Changer Solving Interoperability Like Never Before Imagine a blockchain network where multiple systems work seamlessly together without barriers—this is the vision Qubetics is bringing to life. In today’s fragmented blockchain environment, interoperability challenges hinder the full potential of decentralised technologies. Qubetics aims to unify disparate networks into a cohesive Web3 ecosystem , enabling effortless asset transfers, secure data exchange, and smooth cross-chain transactions. This revolutionary feature positions Qubetics as one of the best coins to invest in for long-term success. 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Chandigarh, Dec 26 (PTI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday recalled the close personal relationship and constructive political equation former prime minister Manmohan Singh shared with Akali stalwart Parkash Singh Badal. Singh, the architect of India’s economic reforms and a consensus builder in the rough world of politics, died at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi, on Thursday night. He was 92. Sukhbir Badal, a former deputy chief minister of Punjab, said that Singh, a democrat to the core, transcended the political party to which he belonged and ensured that the office of the prime minister remained above and beyond partisan politics. “With the passing away of Dr Manmohan Singh, an era of statesmanship and civilised values in public life sadly comes to a close. Dr Sahib combined simplicity in personal life with decency, civility and uprightness in politics,” Sukhbir Badal said. “I recall the close personal relationship and constructive political equation which Dr Singh shared with my father and Akali stalwart, Sardar Parkash Singh Badal,” he posted on X. “It was a tribute to Dr Singh’s approach to the problems facing our country that he remained committed as Prime Minister to India’s religious, cultural, linguistic and regional diversity and regarded the federal structure as the core and defining feature of our constitution and our national polity,” Badal wrote. He added that Singh regarded the safeguarding of the sentiments and interests of the minorities as crucial to strengthening the unity and integrity of the country. “He firmly opposed any governmental interference in their religious affairs,” Badal said. “He respected the autonomy in the functioning of the religious institutions of the minorities and firmly opposed governmental interference in the SGPC as he considered such interference as dangerous for the future of the country’s strong federal structure and democratic values,” he said. Former Union minister and SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the passing away of Singh is an irreparable loss to the value-based politics in the country. “Till his very last breath, Dr Sahib remained completely untouched by the falling standards in India’s public life. He remained quietly but firmly committed to the democratic values and the federal structure of our country, with an uncompromising stand against any govt interference in the religious affairs of the minorities,” Harsimrat, who is also Sukhbir Badal’s wife, posted on X. She said the ex-PM’s life was an ode to unimpeachable personal honesty and uprightness. PTI SUN IJT IJT This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );LAS VEGAS (AP) — Brett Howden scored his 15th goal of the season and Ilya Samsonov stopped 31 shots as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Calgary Flames 3-0 on Sunday night. Howden redirected defenseman Alex Pietrangelo’s shot from the top of the slot late in the second period and is now tied with Ivan Barbashev for the team lead in goals. Howden has scored a goal in four of the last five games. Victor Olofsson and Tanner Pearson also scored for the Golden Knights, who have shut out Calgary twice this season, beating them 5-0 on Oct. 28 . Dan Vladar made 34 saves for Calgary. The Golden Knights have now won six straight, the longest active win streak in the NHL, while improving to 25-8-3 on the year. They own a 13-2-1 record against Pacific Division opponents. Calgary (17-12-7) dropped to 4-4-1 against Pacific Division teams. Takeaways Calgary: The Flames played in their fourth back-to-back set following Saturday’s 3-1 win in San Jose. Calgary is 3-1-0 in game one of a back-to-back scenario and dropped to 1-3-0 in game two of back-to-backs. Vegas: The Golden Knights scored twice in the third period and now boast a league-best plus-30 goal differential in the third period. Key Moment Spanning the end of the first period and into the second period, the Golden Knights were successful in staving off a Calgary power play, which included a 5-on-3 for roughly a minute after Howden was given a double-minor for a high stick to Jonathan Huberdeau’s head. Samsonov stopped five shots during the entire sequence. Key stat 200 — Jack Eichel played in his 200th game as a Golden Knight, while Bruce Cassidy coached his 200th game with Vegas. Up next The Flames host Vancouver on Tuesday. Vegas will host Montreal on Tuesday. AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhlThe goals behind an application modernization project are generally very clear – better technology, a more efficient process, more security and better outcomes. But there are multiple round blocks to meeting those goals. There are disconnects between what agencies say they want and what and how they buy. First is the question of what is application modernization. The term is too often used synonymously with digital transformation, according to executives we gathered for a discussion around the challenges and opportunities of application modernization. Our conversation was on-the-record, but not for attribution. See the sidebar at the end of this article for a list of attendees. Digital transformation takes a much broader view of the technology lifecycle. App modernization is usually a significant portion of a digital transformation project. But not understanding the nuances between the two can lead to problems and is a barrier to success, the group largely agreed. The disconnects and misunderstandings result in a success rate of just 30% for application modernization projects, one exec said. One risk is that the approach to an application modernization project can be too narrow. The customer often doesn’t articulate the goals it wants to achieve. “If you have a path forward, you have a higher chance of success,” one participant said. A critical need is a technology roadmap that ties into mission objectives. “If that’s not there, you are just throwing your money away,” another said. Industry also can be to blame because they view an application modernization project as a transaction. “The customer sees it very differently,” an executive said. A thorny question is how you modernize a system that must continue delivering on a mission, they said, likening the challenge to changing the engine in a car while it is driving. Many agencies are relying on 20-year-old technologies that have become harder and more expensive to maintain, but the end users are saying: “Don’t touch it. It’s working. Don’t break it.” Several executives focused their remarks on the importance of a technology roadmap. While acknowledging its importance, many agencies are challenged to create that plan. “How do you build a roadmap when you don’t understand the technology and, in some cases, you don’t understand the problem,” one said. Agency leaders often come in with plans for upgrades and replacements, but there isn’t a discussion about the why, executives said. There also are concerns that this issue will be exacerbated at least in the short term with the new administration coming in with new leaders across the agencies. “Strategies are going to change, and everybody will have to figure out what that means, so no one is going to have that road map we are looking for,” an exec said. Putting the administration change aside, industry needs to understand that different agency officials look at application modernization through a different lens. Chief information officers look at app modernization in terms of security, cost and the platform. From the operational side, the agency thinks about whether the application does what is needed for the mission. Contractors often need to be the conduit that communications between those two sides and those conversations come back to what the agency is trying to accomplish. “The outcome can get misunderstood,” one said. No matter what the outcome the customer is looking for, many said a critical element is being able to measure that outcome. One participant said the government needs to stop buying software and services and labor all as separate items. The person added agencies should shift toward buying measured, service-based outcomes. But that shift is hard and expensive because it moves away from the traditional labor-based model and toward a cloud-based, as-a-service model. The funding mechanism will change as well. One example given was a financial system that moved from labor hours and software licenses to an as-a-service model. Under the traditional model the government has some discretion on how much it spends. But one said that in a consumption model, “you don’t have a choice, it's a must fund." Agencies face a technical debt that drives the need for application modernization and also have a workforce debt at the same time. “When the government doesn’t have the ability to discern the value of the next technology, they rely on the contractors they have in place,” one executive said. Many of those contractors rely on a business model the is labor-based, which many said makes moving to the model challenging because the contractor doesn’t have an incentive to change themselves, While the executives were quick to describe the many challenges and roadblocks, they also cited some examples of successes. The key here is also taking a wholistic approach. One agency has been using a service model for a decade and they are meticulous about documenting their process, what has worked, what hasn’t, etc. A second element is the cooperation across the agency. “The director, the platform owner, the business analyst all worked together,” an exec said. Leadership and relationships are critical. “There has to be courage and trust,” another executive said. “We must have government people with the courage to try something new and the trusted relationship with their contractors to go ahead and do it. And when they run into problems, they lean on that relationship.” PARTICIPANTS Seth Abrams, Leidos Alex Adamcyk, LMI Jeff Bateman, Veeam George Batsakis, Groundswell Robert Carey, Cloudera Government Solutions Chris Copeland, ManTech Angel Davis, Presidio Federal Brian Drake, Accrete AI Chrystal Hair, A-Tek Mia Jordan, Salesforce Dennis Lucey, Akima Jay Olsen, General Dynamics IT Mike Raker, Maximus Nic Skirpan, Bravium Consulting Barry Snyder, ATi Don Styer, Serco Conrad Symber, CGI Federal NOTE: Washington Technology Editor-in-Chief Nick Wakeman led the roundtable discussion. The November gathering was underwritten by Veeam, but both the substance of the discussion and the published article are strictly editorial products. Neither Veeam nor any of the participants had input beyond their comments.

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New Hampshire's U.S. senators, U.S. House reps react to death of Jimmy CarterRussian central bank intervenes as ruble tumbles past 110 to the U.S. dollar

Federal court dismisses defamation lawsuit against Fox News for Jan. 6 conspiracy theory

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died. He was 100 years old and had spent roughly 22 months in hospice care. The Georgia peanut farmer served one turbulent term in the White House before building a reputation as a global humanitarian and champion of democracy. He defeated President Gerald Ford in 1976 promising to restore trust in government but lost to Ronald Reagan four years later amid soaring inflation, gas station lines and the Iran hostage crisis. He and his wife Rosalynn then formed The Carter Center, and he earned a Nobel Peace Prize while making himself the most internationally engaged of former presidents. The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Jimmy Carter: Many evolutions for a centenarian ‘citizen of the world’ PLAINS, Ga. (AP) — The 39th and longest-lived U.S. president, James Earl Carter Jr., died Sunday at the age of 100. His life ended where it began, in Plains, Georgia. He left and returned to the tiny town many times as he climbed to the nation’s highest office and lost it after four tumultuous years. Carter spent the next 40 years setting new standards for what a former president can do. Carter wrote nearly a decade ago that he found all the phases of his life challenging but also successful and enjoyable. The Democrat's principled but pragmatic approach defied American political labels, especially the idea that one-term presidents are failures. The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is dead at age 100 Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. He left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Jimmy Carter: A brief bio Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Jetliner skids off runway and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. Officials said all but two of the 181 people on board were killed Sunday in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters. The 737-800 operated by Jeju Air plane arrived from Bangkok and crashed while attempting to land in the town of Muan, about 290 kilometers (180 miles) south of Seoul. Footage of the crash aired by South Korean television channels showed the plane skidding across the airstrip at high speed, evidently with its landing gear still closed. Tornadoes in Texas and Mississippi kill 2 and injure 6 as severe weather system moves east HOUSTON (AP) — A strong storm system is threatening to whip up tornadoes in parts of the U.S. Southeast, a day after severe weather claimed at least two lives as twisters touched down in Texas and Mississippi. Strong storms moving eastward Sunday are expected to continue producing gusty, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes through Sunday. That is according to National Weather Service meteorologist Frank Pereira. So far, the line of severe weather has led to about 40 tornado reports from southeastern Texas to Alabama, Pereira said, but those reports remain unconfirmed until surveys of damage are completed. Israeli hospital says Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — An Israeli hospital says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has undergone successful prostate surgery. Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center said his prostate was removed late Sunday and that he was recovering. Netanyahu’s office had said Justice Minister Yariv Levin, a close ally, would serve as acting prime minister during the procedure. Doctors ordered the operation after detecting an infection last week. Netanyahu is expected to remain hospitalized for several days. With so much at stake, Netanyahu’s health in wartime is a concern for both Israelis and the wider world. Syria's de facto leader says it could take up to 4 years to hold elections BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s de facto leader has said it could take up to four years to hold elections in Syria, and that he plans on dissolving his Islamist group that led the country’s insurgency at an anticipated national dialogue summit for the country. Ahmad al-Sharaa, who leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group leading the new authority in Syria, made the remarks in an interview Sunday. That's according to the Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya. It comes almost a month after a lightning insurgency led by HTS overthrew President Bashar Assad’s decades-long rule, ending the country’s uprising-turned civil war that started back in 2011. A fourth infant dies of the winter cold in Gaza as families share blankets in seaside tents DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A fourth infant has died of hypothermia in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced by nearly 15 months of war are huddled in tents along the rainy, windswept coast as winter arrives. The baby's father says the 20-day-old child was found with his head as “cold as ice” Sunday morning in their tent. The baby’s twin brother was moved to the intensive care unit of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Their father says the twins were born one month premature and spent just a day in hospital, which like other Gaza health centers has been overwhelmed and only partially functions. Musk causes uproar for backing Germany's far-right party ahead of key elections BERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in an early election on Feb. 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD.

Ohio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffleMaverick Marler made the game fun... he was no ordinary Joe, writes CHRIS FOY as the England and Harlequins star calls time on his rugby career

Denton is a city like no other. As 2024 heads out the door to usher in 2025, let’s take a look back at what this past year had in store for the city — month-by-month. The Denton Black Film Festival brought the comedy experience with a standup show at the Patterson Appleton Arts Center. The year kicked off with good news. The rocky, pothole-pocked portion of Eagle Drive between Elm Street and Dallas Drive was finally slated for repairs . If you drive over there today, you’ll find a smoothly paved road and newly timed stoplight at the intersection of Eagle and Elm. The Denton Black Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a festival theme of “Share Joy.” The festival featured four days of live film showings, director talks, digital screenings, workshops and more , all over town. Reminisce with the photos here . Additionally, the Denton Ambassador program was set to begin , but with mixed reception. A few were skeptical about the program’s price tag of $708,000 and if it was an appropriate allocation of city funds. Others were hopeful about possible tourism increases and help for the homeless population. Ambassador responsibilities included picking up trash, offering advice, accompanying people who don’t want to walk to their cars alone and recommending outreach services to those in need, including people experiencing homelessness. February was a tumultuous month for all, but especially for Denton’s universities. The passage of Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) saw the closure of many school clubs, classes and events at Denton’s universities, including the halting of pride celebrations normally hosted by UNT’s libraries . This would be the first of many higher education changes made this year. In early February, The Associated Press reported that, since Oct. 7, about 1,200 Israelis and more than 27,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, had been killed and more than 66,000 wounded. Protests and vigils sprung up around the world in solidarity with Palestinians, including in Denton. Several U.S. cities, including Chicago, passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire from President Joe Biden. A group called Free Palestine Denton began taking steps to encourage Denton leaders to do the same , amid reminders from online skeptics claiming, “Hmmm ... I didn’t know the city of Denton was bombing Gaza.” More protests and rallies would spring up in Denton as the year progressed. Demonstrators protest diversity, equity and inclusion-related staff firings at the University of Texas at Austin on April 29. March saw local elections creeping up steadily, and early voting was underway . More than 72,000 Denton County residents cast their ballots early in preparation for Tuesday’s primaries, and votes in the Republican primary outnumbered those in the Democratic races during the Feb. 20-March 1 early voting period. Book banning, public fund allocation, education and more were some of many topics on the table. Council members approved and directed animal services staff to move forward with updates to the animal code. These legally binding updates included requiring pet owners to microchip their animals and prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Despite Mayor Gerard Hudspeth’s request, several public meetings were held to gauge public perception and opinion. Students at UNT continued to grapple with the statewide diversity, equity and inclusion ban brought about by SB 17 as resources like the Multicultural Center were stripped away. One of these resources included UNT’s Eagle Dreamers, a group that supports UNT students who are in the U.S. without legal permission, or DACA students, while also working to educate the campus community on the issues such students face. Eagle Dreamers members saw their DACA resources disappear from their website, spurring concerns. Athletes at Denton’s colleges were thriving. The UNT women’s basketball team was heading into the American Athletic Conference playoffs , and coach Jason Burton was named AAC’s Coach of the Year . At TWU, the all-woman team was soaring above the rest as they began the month as the No. 1 seed in the LSC Tournament, won to take home the LSC title , made it to the Elite Eight in the DII tournament and all the way up to the DII National Championship. Although they lost the championship to Minnesota State Mankato, the team made Denton proud and proved their tenacity. Sanger ISD approved a four-day school week , citing improving teacher retention and recruitment. Meanwhile, Denton ISD rejected hiring chaplains to serve on campus in response to a law passed last year stating that Texas schools can use safety funds to hire them as counselors. The state was also gearing up for the eclipse , which would take place on April 8. From the jump, it seemed Denton residents would have to travel a bit to get a good view of the eclipse as the city was not in the path of totality. On April 3, a new map of the eclipse’s path was published , and Denton was even further from totality. Even Forbes listed Denton as one of the 15 “edge location” cities to avoid for the eclipse. Unexpectedly, the historic Fry Street Fair was announced as happening this year , to the confusion of longtime residents who knew the festival in its first days with the Delta Lodge. Across the city, more things were taking shape. The mysterious business set to take over the McNeill’s building was revealed to be Rose Costumes , a large costume shop previously relegated to Presidio Plaza off of north I-35W near the Explorium Denton Children’s Museum. The shop has flourished since its relocation. Additionally, the City Council approved $1.6 million in funding to renovate the historic Fine Arts Theater on the Square. The building has since seen a repaint and update on the neon lighting. The lineup for the resurrected Fry Street Fair was released , with some still confused or skeptical about the festival’s revival and organization . Still, the fair raged on at the end of April to a decent crowd and with plans to bring the event back for 2025. The May 4 municipal election was just around the corner, and representatives were preparing for the fight. Mayor Hudspeth was one of them, announcing his final run for reelection to serve his third and last term. On the ballot were spots on the DISD school board , City Council Places 5 and 6 and places on the Denton Central Appraisal District board of directors , to name a few. Despite concern over how much of the eclipse would be visible, many locals traveled just a few minutes away and got the experience of a lifetime. It went off without a hitch , with lots of watch parties taking place around town so everyone could catch the phenomenon. Demonstrations concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict were taking place at universities across the country, and UNT was no exception . Many protesters took issue with the invitation of Israeli Army members for a virtual Q&A by UNT Hillel, the campus’ Jewish student organization. The sun sets on the Shell station on Lone Oak Road at Interstate 35 in Valley View on Wednesday, days after it was hit by an EF2 tornado. Winds of 135 mph twisted the steel structure that supported the walls. Cooke County officials said seven people were killed, including two children, when severe storms swept through Cooke County and northern Denton County on Saturday night, May 25. The Denton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Small Business Awards took place , recognizing Soma Massage Therapy, LashUp BrowDown, Boka Feliz and more for their tenacity and service to the community. Not long after the return of Fry Street Fair, Fry Street legend “Big Mike” Sutton passed away at age 70 . He was known for his big personality, parties and ability to bring community to Fry Street businesses. After a tornado and severe storms tore through North Texas , damages were almost insurmountable , many lost power for extended periods of time, runoff voting was impacted and seven lives were lost. Kicking off a series of back-and-forth communication with the city, Clara’s Kitchen, a Southeast Denton restaurant, began a fight concerning regulations as the city claimed that the restaurant’s large gatherings had become a public safety issue . While DISD made foreboding decisions to cut costs by leaving faculty positions vacant , some of the district’s middle school students took it upon themselves to transform the former Chairy Orchard into a butterfly garden . The experience was educational for students as they studied math and nature to construct the garden and provided some much-needed beauty to the former attraction space. A Salvation Army sign advertises a cooling station open during another hot summer. The Denton City Council moved to make air conditioning a requirement for all rental properties in the city for the first time. Juneteenth celebrations in Denton were slated for a whole week , including free events at Fred Moore Park, sporting competitions, concerts and more. It goes without saying that this summer was hot. Like, really hot. Triple-digit heat indexes had the county under frequent heat advisories , and cooling centers were placed around town . To the dismay of Denton cinephiles, Alamo Drafthouse declared bankruptcy and abruptly closed its doors , leaving employees bewildered. A GoFundMe for now unemployed Alamo staff was launched and raised more than $5,000. Within a few days, Sony acquired the theater chain , but Denton residents were still unsure if their beloved theater would reopen. Then, merely weeks later, Denton’s Alamo announced it would be reopening in August . The theater is back up and operating today. Finally, to the delight of longtime Denton locals, The Tomato Pizza re-re-re-opened its beloved food truck . Sky Elements’ drones form the word “Denton” near City Hall West during the Independence Day drone show, presented by the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club. First thing in July, UNT regents unanimously voted to appoint Harrison Keller to the presidential position to start the fall semester. Hopes were high for a second go at the July Fourth drone show, with the drone company even being featured on America’s Got Talent . While the drone show avoided being rained out and went ahead as planned , many residents were dissatisfied, citing a lack of visibility across downtown and inability to get a decent view. The drone company later apologized for the poor showing , stating that they would conduct more thorough testing to find the best location for the drones. Local favorites Milpa Kitchen & Cantina and Pepitas Vegan Taqueria made the decision to close their brick-and-mortar restaurants to merge into one large ghost kitchen that would handle deliveries of their food. Boca 31 was set to join the merger. After much anticipation, the new Union Bear opened its doors in the building on Bell Avenue formerly occupied by Armadillo Ale Works, and with a new mural painted by a local. The city and Denton Municipal Electric approved another price hike on electricity rates. The increase came at 5% this time around, following an increase of about 20% in April. After local elections wrap up and America began to look toward the national election, the challenging of voter rolls and eligibility became a pastime for some in Denton. The city was even featured in an episode of Last Week Tonight on the subject of election subversion, as well as a clip of Denton County Elections Administrator Frank Phillips giving an interview with CNN. Bull riding was a main attraction during the North Texas Fair and Rodeo. Scandal rocked North Texas as several pastors had stepped down or been fired since May , three of whom had been arrested on charges related to sex offenses and another under an internal church investigation for similar allegations. The pastors included Josiah Anthony of Cross Timbers Church , who had been accused of inappropriate conduct with women of the church. Not long after, Cross Timbers executive pastor Byron Copeland also resigned . To no one’s surprise, it was still sweltering in August. Denton residents were asked to reduce water usage to combat drought conditions, more heat advisories were issued , and North Texas Fair and Rodeo officials considered closing several attractions due to the excessive heat. On Aug. 13, Denton County reported its first West Nile virus death of 2024 , and concerns surrounding mosquitoes and West Nile continued to rise. In mid-August, the city released its Design Downtown Denton plan , a massive and comprehensive plan spanning the next decade to transform the area. The plan is set to improve things like walkability, urban heat reduction, build new gathering spaces and support nightlife. The Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center was involved in a controversy over the euthanasia of a lost dog. At the beginning of September, the murder of a 20-year-old woman, Dylan Gurley, sparked discussions around homelessness and the transgender community in Denton . While police determined that her slaying was not hate-fueled, the chair of the Denton County Homeless Coalition urged residents to consider how her identity and marginalization made her vulnerable to the crime . Officers from the Denton County Sheriff’s office conducted a raid of local dispensary Green Goddess Revival, seizing $10,000 in products . Manager Jack Howell said he had paperwork to prove that the stores products are in compliance with the law, as only products with less than 0.3% of THC are legal in Texas. However, Howell said the officers didn’t seem interested in reviewing the paperwork. The raid sparked discussion about the legality of marijuana in Denton and Texas as a whole. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, a Denton County resident’s pet Labrador, Gunner, went missing. It was later found that Gunner was picked up and at the Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center. Upon arrival to pick up Gunner and take him home, Gilcrease was told that Gunner had been euthanized without knowledge or consent well before the 72-hour stray hold period. Shelter staff cited Gunner’s old age and accompanying arthritis as reason for the euthanasia. The incident sparked an investigation of the shelter, revealing that staff did not consult a vet before euthanizing Gunner. The shelter’s lack of oversight and proper procedure prompted the city to have a consultant conduct a thorough review of the shelter and suggest improvements. Locals were incensed at Gunner’s death and protested on social media and at council meetings , repeating their chant, “Justice for Gunner.” Denton animal services manager Mindy Henry was “relieved from duty” after the incident. After five months as interim police chief, Jessica Robledo was officially sworn in as Denton Police Department chief on Sept. 12 . Denton residents and visitors alike found themselves inconvenienced by major road construction on the Square. To their delight, the project was completed two weeks early , and everyone could enjoy their evenings on the Square again. Almost immediately after, it was announced that the new roadwork had failed an asphalt test, and the work would have to resume and end on the originally scheduled date. People go in and out of Discover Denton, enjoying an evening of Halloween and interaction on the Square on Oct. 18. The North Texas city, renamed Halloween for the month of October, has been hosting 31 days of Halloween, including multiple activities per day and a town full of Halloween decorations. Denton’s first 31 Days of Halloween kicked off with a bang. Halloweentown Star Kimberly J. Brown wished the whole city a happy Halloween and praised the city’s efforts in a personalized video. The schedule of spooky events seemed endless , with something for every Denton resident and visitor every day of the month in as many locations around town as possible. Plus, the photo ops were impeccable. Denton’s 31 Days of Halloween proved to be a lucrative time for the city , bringing 145,000 more visitors and a $43,000 merchandise sale boost. A Denton-themed Monopoly game was released in early October, chock-full of inside jokes, historic locations like the Old Alton Bridge/Goatman’s Bridge, iconic events and more. The city announced a new initiative in which you can pay your neighbor’s utility bills . The idea is that residents will send donations or gifts to lift each other up and foster community. Residents can also make tax-deductible donations to families in need. Now nine months from its beginnings, the Downtown Ambassador program still has mostly mixed reviews , with Square employees and regulars calling the ambassadors themselves “harmless,” but still unsure if the hefty $700,000 annual cost was being put to good use. Many residents still have questions about how ambassadors handle interactions with the unhoused. Still, 77% of business owners reported positive opinions on the program. As fall elections rolled around, residents were urged to get registered and vote early, setting an early voting record of over 94,000 voters in two days . Locally, the election saw victories for Representative-elect Brandon Gill, Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Brent Hagenbuch, Rep. Andy Hopper, Sheriff Tracy Murphree and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth . After much back and forth between the City Council and local real estate agents and landlords, short-term rental regulations were finally put into place. The Denton Community Shelter, operated by Our Daily Bread, Together with Monsignor King Outreach Center, is a day center and overnight shelter at 909 N. Loop 288. The nonprofit serves people experiencing homelessness in Denton. As TWU also grappled with a tight budget, the decision was made to increase tuition by 3.78% . Days later, Gov. Greg Abbott announced an extension of a current tuition freeze , halting TWU’s planned hike. For two more years, TWU students will not see an increase in tuition. A sidewalk alongside northern Loop 288 is set to be constructed where only a dirt path was available before. This area is home to the Denton Community Shelter, which needs the gap in pedestrian infrastructure filled to protect visitors. The homeless population in Denton is only increasing as nearby cities close shelters and even give out bus tickets so the unhoused can travel to utilize Denton’s resources. The city is looking to find ways to share the cost of assisting the homeless in the area , such as formally requesting funding from neighboring towns. To round out 2024, the city looks ahead to what's to come in the new year. From what will take over the space longtime Square resident Barley & Board is soon vacating to what will happen in the city's protest against a sewage treatment plant that would halt a lagoon community development in nearby Sanger . Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! 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