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Many people are wondering: how is it that, in 2024, voters in the United States elected a twice-impeached convicted felon with multiple indictments in other cases — who led an insurrection to overthrow the U.S. government on Jan. 6, 2021 — to lead us again? The answer is multi-layered, but there’s no doubt that “low-information voters” — those who pay little attention to politics — were courted by Trump even more aggressively this time, and to great effect. Gaslighting, lies and disinformation have been a tactic of the Republican Party for years, but Trump and his team took this to new levels. Certainly the case can be made that, if low-information voters had truly been voting for a better economy and their own self-interests, they would have cast their ballots for Kamala Harris, not Donald Trump. Instead, it was Trump’s messaging that prevailed. During his first term, Trump presided over the “deconstruction of the administrative state.” This included, in 2018, disbanding the pandemic response unit established by President Barack Obama in the aftermath of the Ebola epidemic. Housed within the National Security Council, its purpose was to help prevent and mitigate global outbreaks of disease. Two years later we experienced the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to more than 400,000 deaths during Trump’s administration. Trump’s deregulation agenda, underplaying of the pandemic, unwillingness to implement federal mask and vaccine mandates, and stream of misinformation about the virus further spiraled the economy. That decline prolonged the pandemic and exacerbated an economic downturn that resulted in high inflation and supply chain issues across the globe. While the Republicans blame President Joe Biden for inflation, supply shortages imposed by the pandemic and exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine war are ultimately to blame, as is corporate greed. Moreover, 16 Nobel Prize-winning economists have warned that Trump’s promised tariff policies will increase inflation. The American economy under Biden is, by all economic indicators, actually thriving, with low unemployment, rising wages and steep stock market gains. Low-information voters were played. The modern Republican Party is the party of the wealthy and big business. It aims to reduce corporate income tax and income tax on the highest earning individuals, passing these costs on to the middle class and downsizing much-needed programs including Medicare and Social Security. The national debt increased significantly during Trump’s term in office, as it has under previous Republican presidents. That’s because Republican administrations continue to spend, while lowering revenues by cutting taxes for high-earners and corporations. The national debt under Ronald Reagan rose by more than $1.6 trillion, or 160.8 percent; Trump added $6.7 trillion or 33.1 percent in his four years. Maybe that’s why Republicans no longer talk about the national debt. While it will take many years and a massive effort to inform and educate the low-information voter, the Democratic Party must begin now if it is to have any chance of success. The forces of dark money in politics, misinformation and disinformation, conspiracy theories, tribalism, vast ignorance and anti-intellectualism are stacked against us. One thing is certain: if the Democratic Party doesn’t revamp its messaging strategy, it will continue to suffer at the polls, and the country will continue its downward slide toward authoritarianism and dysfunction. The Democratic establishment must give way to new ideas on how to educate working-class and low-information voters.Undercover FBI agents were not present during the 2021 attack on the US Capitol by Donald Trump supporters, a Justice Department watchdog said Thursday in a report debunking a popular right-wing conspiracy theory. "We found no evidence in the materials we reviewed or the testimony we received showing or suggesting that the FBI had undercover employees in the various protest crowds, or at the Capitol, on January 6," Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz said in an 88-page report. Thousands of Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6 in a bid to prevent congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election victory. Right-wing media and even some Republican lawmakers have spuriously claimed that undercover FBI agents provoked the attack on Congress, which followed a fiery speech by Trump in which he falsely claimed the election had been stolen. The inspector general said that while no undercover FBI agents were present at the Trump rally or the Capitol, 26 FBI informants known as confidential human sources (CHS) were in Washington at the time. Three of the informants had been tasked with reporting on domestic terrorist suspects while the others were there on their own. "None of these FBI CHSs were authorized to enter the Capitol or a restricted area, or to otherwise break the law on January 6, nor was any CHS directed by the FBI to encourage others to commit illegal acts on January 6," the report said. The inspector general also said there had been an intelligence-gathering failure by the FBI ahead of the January 6 attack. "While the FBI undertook significant efforts to identify domestic terrorism subjects who planned to travel to the Capital region on January 6," the report said, "the FBI did not take a step that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations. "Specifically, the FBI did not canvass its field offices in advance of January 6, 2021, to identify any intelligence, including CHS reporting, about potential threats to the January 6 Electoral Certification," it said. FBI deputy director Paul Abbate was quoted as saying this was a "basic step that was missed" in "understanding the threat picture prior to January 6." Trump was impeached by the Democratic-majority House of Representatives following the attack on the Capitol, but acquitted by the Senate. He is to return to the White House on January 20 after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the November presidential election. More than 1,500 people have been charged in connection with the assault on Congress. Trump has lauded them as "patriots" and "political prisoners" and pledged to pardon many of them when he returns to the White House. cl/st
'Time to give something back' Shildon restaurant to offer free soup to over 65sHims & Hers Health, Inc. ( NYSE:HIMS – Get Free Report )’s share price was up 3.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $29.47 and last traded at $29.16. Approximately 1,420,068 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 86% from the average daily volume of 10,024,792 shares. The stock had previously closed at $28.15. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have commented on HIMS shares. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their target price on Hims & Hers Health from $28.00 to $38.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, December 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price objective on Hims & Hers Health from $23.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. TD Cowen reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $28.00 target price on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Wednesday, November 20th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and set a $21.00 price target (up from $18.00) on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research note on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on shares of Hims & Hers Health in a research report on Tuesday, December 17th. They issued an “overweight” rating and a $42.00 price objective for the company. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $22.80. Get Our Latest Research Report on Hims & Hers Health Hims & Hers Health Stock Down 6.8 % Hims & Hers Health ( NYSE:HIMS – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 4th. The company reported $0.32 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.06 by $0.26. The business had revenue of $401.56 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $382.20 million. Hims & Hers Health had a return on equity of 10.97% and a net margin of 8.19%. The company’s revenue was up 77.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted ($0.04) EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Hims & Hers Health, Inc. will post 0.29 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, COO Melissa Baird sold 58,750 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 7th. The stock was sold at an average price of $19.57, for a total transaction of $1,149,737.50. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 630,166 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $12,332,348.62. The trade was a 8.53 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, CFO Oluyemi Okupe sold 269,739 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $20.31, for a total value of $5,478,399.09. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 145,763 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $2,960,446.53. This represents a 64.92 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 1,133,132 shares of company stock worth $28,059,037 over the last ninety days. 17.71% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Inflows and Outflows A number of institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Quest Partners LLC grew its holdings in Hims & Hers Health by 5,944.1% during the 2nd quarter. Quest Partners LLC now owns 3,566 shares of the company’s stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 3,507 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in Hims & Hers Health by 21.4% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,982 shares of the company’s stock valued at $110,000 after buying an additional 1,054 shares during the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new stake in shares of Hims & Hers Health during the second quarter valued at about $111,000. Quarry LP increased its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 91.0% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 6,113 shares of the company’s stock worth $113,000 after acquiring an additional 2,913 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Amalgamated Bank increased its position in shares of Hims & Hers Health by 55.9% during the second quarter. Amalgamated Bank now owns 6,566 shares of the company’s stock worth $133,000 after acquiring an additional 2,354 shares during the last quarter. 63.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. About Hims & Hers Health ( Get Free Report ) Hims & Hers Health, Inc operates a telehealth platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals in the United States, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company offers a range of curated prescription and non-prescription health and wellness products and services available to purchase on its websites and mobile application directly by customers. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Hims & Hers Health Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hims & Hers Health and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .There was no shortage of drama in another action-packed year of rugby league as a pulsating State of Origin series dominated the headlines. But it wouldn’t be an NRL season without some off-field controversy and several high-profile spats have made this list. Here are the 10 most read rugby league stories on foxsports.com.au in 2024. 10. Slater reveals classy Fifita text after axing Queensland coach Billy Slater swung the axe for the State of Origin series opener, with incumbent backrower David Fifita left out of the 20-man squad. Jaydn Su’A replaced Fifita who Slater said sent him a classy text in response, as Tom Dearden won the battle for the vacant No.6 jersey. The Maroons bench was made up of debutant J’maine Hopgood, Harry Grant, Mo Fotuaika and Selwyn Cobbo. 9. Grand Final no-try controversy NRL head of football Graham Annesley said the decision to deny Storm centre Jack Howarth a second-half try in the grand final was absolutely correct despite social media erupting that the Bunker had made a huge error. The NRL released footage from the Bunker that was not seen on the broadcast which clearly showed an arm under the ball at the crucial point in the decider. Footage from another angle appeared to show the ball touching the turf, which caused major outrage and scepticism online before the Panthers ran out 14-6 victors. 8. Blues make five changes for Game II NSW coach Michael Maguire swung the axe after losing the series opener, with Sharks pair Cameron McInnes and Nicho Hynes dropped. Cameron Murray returned at lock for McInness and Mitchell Moses was named at halfback in place of Hynes in two of several changes. Latrell Mitchell came in for the suspended Joseph Suaalii and Mitch Barnett replaced Matt Burton as 18th Man. 7. Walters responds to Reynolds-Carrigan scuffle Broncos coach Kevin Walters denied the club had an alcohol problem after footage emerged of captain Adam Reynolds and star lock Pat Carrigan locked in a push-and-shove during a night out. The altercation took place in Brisbane’s nightlife precinct just hours after the club’s annual fan day, with players going out for drinks following the event. The vision showed Reynolds pushing Carrigan backwards while teammates Corey Oates and Reece Walsh tried to pull the pair apart. 6. Hetherington v Mahoney tunnel vision Knights forward Jack Hetherington accepted a one-match ban for his role in an altercation in the tunnel with Bulldogs hooker Reed Mahoney after the pair were sent to the sin bin. Both players were binned in the second half of the Bulldogs’ 36-12 win over the Knights for igniting a melee and things briefly continued off the pitch. Hetherington was charged with contrary conduct while Mahoney was charged with the same offence at a lower grade for his actions on the field and received a $1000 fine. 5. Leniu v Mam in Las Vegas Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was involved in a second verbal altercation with Broncos No. 6 Ezra Mam back at the team hotel in Las Vegas following their heated exchange on the field. Brisbane players were confronted by Leniu only hours after the incident, with Kotoni Staggs and Pat Carrigan sticking up for their teammate following a second tirade aimed at Mam. Leniu was referred straight to the judiciary and copped an eight-game ban for calling Mam a “monkey” during the historic season opener at Allegiant Stadium. 4. Blues win Origin Game II NSW sent the Origin series to a decider at Suncorp Stadium after a record-breaking first half set up a 38-18 victory in front of more than 90,000 fans at the MCG. The Blues were in complete control in the first half as they charged to a 34-0 lead - the largest in Origin history - while the Maroons had just one tackle inside the opposition 20. NSW legend Andrew Johns declared “I’ve never seen anything like this at this level” while Phil Gould described it as “men against boys”. 3. Madge’s big selection calls for Origin Game I NSW coach Michael Maguire made some huge selection calls for his first game in charge but none bigger than axing incumbent fullback and captain James Tedesco for Dylan Edwards. Maguire named six debutants, including Edwards, Joseph Suaalii, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Haumole Olakau’atu and Spencer Leniu. Nicho Hynes was picked at halfback, but for the second straight series he was axed after NSW lost game one and he didn’t return in the series. 2. Madge’s Blues win Origin decider for the ages History was against them and the majority of the 50,000-plus fans at Suncorp Stadium were against them, but the Blues did it. NSW lifted the Origin shield for the first time since 2021 after a stunning three-minute blitz sealed a hard-fought 14-4 win over Queensland. The Blues were made to work for every metre they got in the decider, which made the way Jarome Luai and Mitchell Moses broke the game open late all the more incredible. 1. Suaalii Origin sent off on debut NSW centre Joseph Suaalii was sensationally sent off just seven minutes into his Origin debut for an ugly late shot on Queensland fullback Reece Walsh in the series opener. Suaalii’s shoulder made direct contact with Walsh’s head, after the Maroons star had passed the ball, which floored onto the Accor Stadium turf. Suaalii entered an early guilty plea for a grade-two reckless high tackle charge and accepted a four-game suspension.
December 12, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Jodi Heckel, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign The Midwest played a central role in the growth of Black freedom movements in the 20th century. It was a key site for incubating and expanding the ideas of political activist Marcus Garvey, not only in the U.S., but globally, said University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign professor of African American studies and history Erik S. McDuffie. McDuffie examined the influence of Garvey and the importance of the Midwest in the growth of Black internationalism and radicalism in his new book, " The Second Battle for Africa: Garveyism, the U.S. Heartland and Global Black Freedom ." McDuffie said the book is deeply personal and tied to his family history and Midwestern roots. He grew up in suburban Cleveland in a family that was interested in history, politics and global events and that hailed from St. Kitts, Canada and the U.S. His great-grandfather was a Garveyite who once introduced Garvey at a 1923 Detroit rally. Garvey, who grew up in Jamaica around the turn of the 20th century, campaigned for the self-determination and autonomy of Black people, the end of colonial rule in Africa, race pride and connections between Africa and the African diaspora. His ideas emerged at a time of global upheaval following World War I. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which claimed 6 million members worldwide in the 1920s and was the largest Black protest movement in history at that time. "Garveyism is the most potent social, political, cultural and spiritual force in the Black world from the early 20th century forward. So many movements, formations and institutions across the African world—not just the Midwest and the U.S., but in the Caribbean, Africa and beyond—directly or indirectly were inspired by Garveyism," McDuffie said. "You can't talk about Black people in the 20th century without talking about Garvey." The Midwest was particularly suited for its role as a hub of Black political activism, McDuffie said. He described the region as "the dialectic of opportunity and oppression." Black people viewed the North as a promised land where they could be free from slavery. They could vote. Midwest cities were manufacturing centers, with automobile plants, steel mills and rubber plants bringing millions of people from around the world to work in those industries. Black men could earn higher wages than they could find elsewhere, McDuffie said. "What makes it distinct is the way Black people found unique political and economic opportunities that they couldn't find anywhere else in the world," he said. Their political and economic power helped make the UNIA branches in Midwestern cities some of the largest and most influential in the world, with Chicago, Detroit and Cleveland particularly important, McDuffie wrote. Chicago became the site of Johnson Publishing Company and Third World Press Foundation, important publishers of Black literature, magazines and news, and Malcolm X College. At the same time, the Midwest was the site of virulent racial oppression and violence, with lynchings, Ku Klux Klan activity, laws restricting the freedoms of Black citizens and a white settler colonialism perspective, McDuffie said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . "These forces came together, and then Garvey was talking about race pride, self-determination and a free Africa. It helped radicalize Black people in unique and important ways," he said. The politics of some Black nationalists embraced Black settler colonialism in Africa, anticommunism, capitalism and heteropatriarchy. They at times collaborated with white supremacists on their common ground of separation of the races and colonization of Liberia for Black people who wanted to live freely in Africa, McDuffie said. While some of Garvey's ideas leaned toward the right wing, they transcend the ideological spectrum of Black thinking, McDuffie said. Many activists inspired by Garvey rejected those ideas for more leftist views. "Most people appreciated how he inspired pride, encouraged them to build institutions and advance autonomy, and his anticolonial message," McDuffie said. Women played a critical role in grassroots community work and in leadership roles in the UNIA, and they promoted the empowerment of Black women. McDuffie wrote about the influence of Louise Little, the mother of Malcolm X who was born in Grenada and later lived in Nebraska and Michigan. She was instrumental in cultivating a Black radical perspective in her children and laid the foundation for the work of Malcolm X, who maintained a lifelong connection to the Midwest, particularly Detroit, McDuffie said. He also wrote about James Stewart, who succeeded Garvey as UNIA president-general and moved its headquarters to Cleveland, then later to Liberia. Garveyism inspired independence campaigns in Africa and the Caribbean. It inspired new movements, including Rastafarianism and the Nation of Islam, which was founded in Detroit. Garveyism also was critical to shaping the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, McDuffie said. The continuing impact of Garveyism is seen today in the field of African American studies, which was established as the result of activism in the 1960s and '70s, and in the Black Lives Matter movement, he said. "It's not accidental that Ferguson, Missouri, and Minneapolis were the sites where Black Lives Matter truly went global, given the unique intersections between opportunity and structural violence against Black people," McDuffie said. "There's a tendency among scholars to erase the Midwest when talking about the global African diaspora. I really want to emphasize the importance of the Midwest in shaping 20th-century Black life." Provided by University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignLos Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Atlanta (6-5) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Chargers by 1 1/2 Series record: Falcons lead 8-4. Against the spread: Chargers 7-3-1, Falcons 5-6. Last meeting: Chargers beat Falcons 20-17 on Nov. 6, 2022, in Atlanta. Last week: Ravens beat Chargers, 30-23; Falcons had bye week following 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17. Chargers offense: overall (21), rush (13), pass (20), scoring (18). Chargers defense: overall (13), rush (10), pass (10), scoring (13). Falcons offense: overall (8), rush (14), pass (5), scoring (16). Falcons defense: overall (25), rush (19), pass (26), scoring (26). Turnover differential: Chargers plus-8, Falcons minus-3. RB Gus Edwards could move up as the lead back for Los Angeles as J.K Dobbins (knee) is expected to miss the game . Edwards was activated from injured reserve earlier this month following an ankle injury and had nine carries for 11 yards with a touchdown in Monday night's 30-23 loss to Baltimore. WR Drake London has 61 catches, leaving him four away from becoming the first player in team history to have at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. London has 710 receiving yards, leaving him 140 away from becoming the first player in team history with at least 850 in each of his first three seasons. Falcons RB Bijan Robinson vs. Chargers run defense. Robinson was shut down by Denver, gaining only 35 yards on 12 carries, and the Atlanta offense couldn't recover. The Chargers rank 10th in the league against the run, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to find a way to establish a ground game with Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. A solid running attack would create an opportunity for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to establish the play-action passes for quarterback Kirk Cousins. Dobbins appeared to injure his right knee in the first half of the loss to the Ravens, though coach Jim Harbaugh did not provide details. ... The Falcons needed the bye to give a long list of injured players an opportunity to heal. WR WR KhaDarel Hodge (neck) did not practice on Wednesday. WR Darnell Mooney (Achilles), CB Kevin King (concussion), DL Zach Harrison (knee, Achilles) and WR Casey Washington (concussion) were hurt in the 38-6 loss at Denver on Nov. 17 and were limited on Wednesday. CB Mike Hughes (neck), nickel back Dee Alford (hamstring), ILB Troy Andersen (knee), TE Charlie Woerner (concussion) and ILB JD Bertrand (concussion) also were limited on Wednesday after not playing against Denver. C Drew Dalman (ankle) could return. The Chargers have won the past three games in the series following six consecutive wins by the Falcons from 1991-2012. Los Angeles took a 33-30 overtime win in Atlanta in 2016 before the Chargers added 20-17 wins at home in 2020 and in Atlanta in 2022. The Falcons won the first meeting between the teams, 41-0 in San Diego in 1973. Each team has built its record on success against the soft NFC South. Atlanta is 4-1 against division rivals. Los Angeles is 2-0 against the NFC South this season. The Chargers have a four-game winning streak against the division. ... Atlanta is 0-2 against AFC West teams, following a 22-17 loss to Kansas City and the lopsided loss at Denver. They will complete their tour of the AFC West with a game at the Las Vegas Raiders on Dec. 16. ... The Falcons are the league's only first-place team with a negative points differential. Atlanta has been outscored 274-244. The loss of Dobbins, who has rushed for eight touchdowns, could put more pressure on QB Justin Hebert and the passing game. Herbert's favorite option has been WR Ladd McConkey, who has four TD receptions among his 49 catches for 698 yards. McConkey, the former University of Georgia standout who was drafted in the second round, could enjoy a productive return to the state against a Falcons defense that ranks only 26th against the pass. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflMcClain's 14 lead Texas Southern over Texas A&M-Kingsville 80-72
Islanders Owe It To Their Fans To Have A Bounce Back Effort At UBS Arena Against Pittsburgh
From the season’s outset, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said Minnesota would leave itself the flexibility to close games with whatever lineup the coaching staff felt was needed to secure a victory. Sometimes, he noted, he’d get the choice right. Surely, there would be other times when he wouldn’t. “Hopefully, I do way more than I don’t,” Finch said this week. Sunday evening, however, was a checkmark in the “not right” column, at least based off the result. The Timberwolves didn’t score in the final 4:47 of their loss to Golden State. Finch said this week that Mike Conley’s inclusion in the closing lineup would’ve added organization to the equation. But he was quick to add that, with the ill-advised shots Anthony Edwards was taking, may not have mattered. Finch also reiterated what he said after the game, that Nickeil Alexander-Walker was playing “so well,” so he was hesitant to take him off the floor. “Maybe the other thing I could’ve done was go small,” Finch said, “but we’ve not really done that a ton.” That was the cry of many Wolves’ followers on social media on Sunday. Minnesota has proven rather inept at late-game offense when Conley isn’t on the floor. But all recognized Alexander-Walker had also earned the opportunity to close. You certainly won’t take Edwards off the floor in those situations, and the Wolves wanted Jaden McDaniels on the floor to guard Steph Curry. That left Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert as the only options to take off the court in favor of Conley, and that would’ve left Minnesota small. And, as Finch noted, the Wolves simply haven’t gone small this season. Like, at all. None of Naz Reid, Randle or Gobert have played more than 17 minutes this season without another big man next to him. It’s not something the Wolves practice, either. McDaniels said he’s only repped minutes at the four in practice when one of the bigs have been unavailable. Still, Finch said it wasn’t that he was “uncomfortable” rolling out a small-ball look Sunday. “But I worry a lot about rebounding. We struggle to rebound with our bigger lineups, at times. So, I know our smaller lineups have really struggled,” Finch said. “That’s some of the reason not to go small is really rebounding issues. But I think our guys are comfortable playing in all different combinations. But I haven’t really thought about going small, necessarily.” Indeed, Minnesota is just 12th in the NBA this season in defensive rebounding rate, grabbing 71.3% of opposing missed shots. The glass was especially an issue Sunday, as Golden State grabbed 14 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points. But it’s worth noting many of those came by guards in situations in which size was no factor on the play. McDaniels said he’s comfortable playing any position, including the power forward slot. And Minnesota certainly has the wing depth to roll out more small ball lineups if the situation ever called for it. There could be a playoff matchup that does just that, though Finch noted it could also go the other direction where the Wolves’ advantage would be to lean bigger. Versatility rules come April and May. But the Wolves don’t seem overly urgent to trot out any small-ball looks just to see how they perform at this juncture in the campaign. “Usually, it’s better with Naz at the four (than me),” McDaniels said. There is, however, at least one proponent of doing a little experimenting: Conley. “I think (small ball) kind of promotes a different level of spacing and speed to the game. You’re going to have to rely on guard-guard situations, guard pick and rolls,” Conley said. “Maybe me setting the screen and roll, Just creating different advantages for ourselves, as opposed to our typical offense or typical flow of things. I would love to see it, maybe — see how it works.”
Police investigate theft of boat and homemade trailer | live updatesThe People’s National Movement (PNM), a cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s political fabric, faces a defining moment as the country approaches the 2025 general election. With a legacy spanning decades, the party has demonstrated resilience in overcoming challenges. However, as the electorate becomes more discerning and diverse, the PNM must address a new reality: the growing influence of the youth vote. To succeed, the party must reaffirm its core values while reimagining its strategies to connect with younger generations. Trinidad and Tobago’s youth represent a powerful electoral force, defined by digital fluency, awareness of global and local issues, and impatience with traditional political norms. They seek leaders and policies that reflect their aspirations and the complexities of the modern world. For the PNM, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. To remain competitive, the party must engage this demographic authentically, innovatively and inclusively. Historically, the PNM has relied on its achievements and strongholds to secure victories. While these remain important, they no longer suffice. Young voters prioritise immediate, tangible results over historical narratives. They demand leaders who not only promise change but demonstrate the ability to deliver it. The PNM must shift its messaging to focus on its vision for the future rather than its storied past. Addressing youth concerns is critical to this transformation. High unemployment, limited access to education, mental health challenges, and climate change are just a few pressing issues. Young people want comprehensive policies backed by actionable plans. The PNM must articulate a clear agenda to tackle these challenges and actively involve youth in policy-making. Initiatives such as town halls, digital consultations and youth advisory boards can foster collaboration and a sense of ownership. Digital engagement will also play a pivotal role in the 2025 election. Youth increasingly turn to social media for information, discussion and mobilisation. The PNM must enhance its digital strategy by creating engaging, informative and interactive content on platforms like Instagram, X and TikTok. Effective use of these tools will help the party connect with young voters and present itself as a forward-thinking organisation. The PNM must also embrace the symbolic power of representation. Young voters want to see themselves reflected in the country’s leadership. Elevating dynamic, younger candidates signals a commitment to generational renewal. This approach does not require sidelining experienced leaders but balancing continuity with progress. A leadership team that reflects diversity and innovation will show that the PNM values the contributions of all age groups. Engaging youth is about more than securing votes; it is about shaping a sustainable political future. The PNM should invest in long-term initiatives that empower young people beyond the election cycle. Programmes supporting entrepreneurship, skills training, and meaningful employment will resonate deeply. Reforms in education and digital infrastructure can also solidify the party’s image as a progressive force. While the youth vote is crucial, the PNM cannot alienate its traditional base. Bridging generational divides requires crafting a platform that meets the needs of all citizens while emphasising interconnections between age groups. Policies improving education and employment for youth, for example, benefit entire communities. Framing its agenda holistically will help the PNM foster unity across a diverse electorate. The 2025 election is not just a test of the PNM’s ability to win; it is a test of its capacity to adapt. The political landscape is evolving, and the party must evolve with it. This involves embracing new ideas, engaging in difficult conversations, and demonstrating the courage to innovate. The electorate, especially the youth, is watching closely. They want a party that hears their voices and values their contributions. For the PNM, this is a moment to lead by example and prove it is a party of both the present and the future. As the campaign intensifies, the PNM’s actions must speak louder than its words. It must show a genuine commitment to inclusivity, transparency and progress. Doing so will inspire confidence among young voters while reaffirming its relevance to older generations. Paul Sarran political science student, The UWI