For Craig Counsell, the chance to manage the Cubs was one he couldn’t pass up

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

For Craig Counsell, the chance to manage the Cubs was one he couldn’t pass up CHICAGO (AP) — Craig Counsell was ready for a new challenge and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to manage the Chicago Cubs.The Cubs hired the 53-year-old Counsell away from Milwaukee last week, landing the former big leaguer with a record contract and firing David Ross in a pair of surprising moves. He became the majors’ highest paid manager with a five-year contract worth more than $40 million.“I just thought that a new challenge was where I had to push myself,” Counsell said Monday at his introductory press conference.Counsell led the budget-conscious Brewers to five playoff appearances in six years, including three NL Central titles. His contract expired at the end of the season, making him one of the biggest managerial free agents in recent years. His 707-625 record gives him the franchise record for wins and games managed. The one blemish on Counsell’s resume was the Brewers’ inability to perform as well in the playoffs as they had in the regular season. The Brewers have...

Poland’s new parliament choses a speaker, but the transition of power is delayed by president’s move

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Poland’s new parliament choses a speaker, but the transition of power is delayed by president’s move WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki offered his conservative government’s resignation on Monday as required as the newly elected parliament met for the first time in a protracted transition of power following last month’s election.The lower chamber, or Sejm, in its first vote overwhelmingly chose center-right Szymon Holownia, an opponent of Morawiecki, as its speaker.An alliance of pro-European Union parties vowing to restore democratic standards won a strong parliamentary majority in the Oct. 15 election and is expected to take power. Its candidate for prime minister is Donald Tusk, the centrist and pro-EU former prime minister.But the alliance will have to wait, perhaps for weeks. Conservative President Andrzej Duda, who is allied with Morawiecki’s right-wing Law and Justice party, is asking Morawiecki to try to build another government and will reappoint him as a prime minister candidate on Monday evening.Morawiecki in an address to parliame...

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts ahead of reports on inflation and big retailers’ profits

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Stock market today: Wall Street drifts ahead of reports on inflation and big retailers’ profits NEW YORK (AP) — Wall Street is drifting Monday to start a week that could bring more action to financial markets, with several big reports on the calendar.The S&P 500 was 0.2% lower in midday trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was virtually unchanged, as of 11 a.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.3% lower.The market is coming off a week with relatively few data reports to give hints on Wall Street’s central questions: When will the Federal Reserve halt its hikes to interest rates and begin cutting them, and can the economy stay as resilient as it has? But this upcoming week will offer more, including the latest monthly update on inflation and earnings reports from some of the nation’s biggest retailers.The profit reporting season for the summer is winding down, and the majority of companies have again topped analysts’ expectations. Henry Schein became the latest to beat Wall Street’s forecasts, and the provider of health care products rose 7.6%.Tyson Foods’ r...

Survey: This is the most common time for holiday shopping

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Survey: This is the most common time for holiday shopping DENVER (KDVR) -- Deloitte's holiday retail survey asked Denverites about the upcoming holidays. According to the results, shoppers in the Mile High City can expect it to start getting crowded in stores.Money spent on the holidays is expected to go up this year, as many Denverties plan to spend more than usual this holiday season. Do you need to cook a turkey longer in Colorado? Holiday spending is expected to increase in Denver to $1,902, which is 15% higher than the national average spend. This isn't necessarily because Denverites are planning for more gifts, but because they're expecting higher prices due to inflation, according to the survey.While Denver is ready to spend this season, getting started early on holiday shopping may be harder.According to Denver consumers, most of the holiday shopping is expected to be done in November. Denver shoppers will spend about 28% of their holiday money in the last two weeks of November to start shopping for gifts. This time frame include...

Woman found after going missing for 3 weeks

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Woman found after going missing for 3 weeks DENVER (KDVR) -- The Westminster Police Department confirmed on Monday that a woman who had been missing for three weeks was contacted by police and is safe. Cases of chickenpox reported among children in Denver migrant shelters According to police, the woman suffered from medical issues and needed medication. Three weeks ago, she told her friends she had been released from a medical facility in Aurora and was heading towards Westminster.

Protesters set to build memorial in Fort Lauderdale, call on Congress to halt funding for Israel-Hamas war

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Protesters set to build memorial in Fort Lauderdale, call on Congress to halt funding for Israel-Hamas war Protesters will construct a memorial outside Congressman Jared Moskowitz’s office, demanding an end to Congress funding what they allege as war crimes in Gaza. Monday’s event, organized by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and the Florida Student Power network, drew attention to the human cost of the conflict and advocated for an immediate ceasefire. “We’re here demanding a ceasefire because there’s a genocide happening in Gaza, in Palestine,” said Mishka Ahmad., a protester at Monday’s gathering. “We’re here united with AFSC, which is a Latino-led organization, and we’re here in solidarity with them, calling for a ceasefire.” “People are dying and getting murdered in Israel,” said another protester, Itamar Friedman. “And they’re for that. They don’t — they’re not for peace or anything.” With thousands of lives lost in Gaza, the demonstration seeks to memoria...

Toxic ammonia leak contained in Opa-locka warehouse

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Toxic ammonia leak contained in Opa-locka warehouse There was a tense situation in Opa-locka after emergency crews responded to a strange scent in the area.Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) responded to reports of a strong chemical smell emanating from a warehouse near Northwest 38th Court and Northwest 135th Street, Monday.Arriving at 5:24 a.m., MDFR units, including Hazmat, discovered an ammonia leak within the commercial building. Immediate actions were taken to cap the leak and efforts are underway to decontaminate the affected area.As of now, there are no reported injuries. MDFR units remain on-site, finalizing a ventilation plan to ensure the safety of the neighborhood.

Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle: Every big move

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Rishi Sunak’s Cabinet reshuffle: Every big move LONDON — It’s government reshuffle day in Westminster … again.Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest ministerial rejig Monday came after he sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman amid a bitter row over the policing of a pro-Palestinian march on the streets of London. And he’s grabbed headlines around the world for bringing back former Prime Minister David Cameron from the political wilderness. But who the heck are these people? POLITICO runs through the key changes in Sunak’s Cabinet so far — and how controversial they’re likely to be.Foreign Secretary David Cameron You may remember this guy. There was shock in Westminster Monday as the former prime minister — who resigned over the Brexit referendum in 2016 — marched through the door of No. 10 Downing Street to get his new job.Having not been an MP since his resignation, Sunak has given Cameron a place-for-life in the House of Lords to do the job.Controversy rating: 8/10. It’s a big move fr...

Dozens gather for pro-Palestinian protest on Brandeis University campus

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Dozens gather for pro-Palestinian protest on Brandeis University campus A large pro-Palestinian protest unfolded at Brandeis University Monday as dozens of students walked out of class and gathered on a lawn on campus. SKY7-HD was over the scene around 11:30 a.m.A heightened police presence remained as of around 12 p.m. as authorities said they hope to avoid a repeat of an incident last Friday where seven people were arrested during a demonstration at Brandeis. Waltham police in a statement said Brandeis University Police asked for their help around 3:30 p.m. Friday “after a demonstration on their campus became unruly.”Police said they ultimately made arrests after university police issued dispersal orders and after several participants refused to cooperate.Waltham police said initial charges included disorderly conduct, unlawful assembly and assault and battery on a police officer. The seven people arrested on Friday appeared in court on Monday where they pleaded not guilty to charges against them. The individuals were subsequently relea...

Tibbits-Nutt named new state transportation secretary

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:39:57 GMT

Tibbits-Nutt named new state transportation secretary Gov. Maura Healey removed the acting prefix and made Monica Tibbits-Nutt its full-fledged transportation secretary Monday, putting her fully in charge of trying to stabilize the MBTA and make inroads in the efforts to ease traffic congestion.One year ago, many on Beacon Hill thought Tibbits-Nutt would be considered for the transportation secretary role in Gov. Maura Healey’s new administration. Instead, Healey appointed Gina Fiandaca as secretary and named Tibbits-Nutt as transportation undersecretary. When Fiandaca resigned in mid-September, Tibbits-Nutt took over as acting secretary.“Monica Tibbits-Nutt is a proven leader who has done important work at MassDOT over the past year as we’ve worked to make Massachusetts’ transportation system more reliable, safe and accessible,” Healey said in a statement Monday. “As Acting Secretary, she hit the ground running by working with the MBTA to prepare a first-of-its kind plan to fix the tracks by the end of next year, tak...