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Companies tighten security after a health care CEO’s killing leads to a surge of threatsSANTA ANA, Calif., Dec. 13, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — In a groundbreaking move for the property management and inspection industry, DrBalcony ( drbalcony.com ) introduces its cutting-edge app, a pioneering digital platform designed to revolutionize the balcony inspection process. This innovative tool empowers homeowners, property managers, and Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with a streamlined, intuitive experience, eliminating inefficiencies and redefining how inspections are managed. With a user-friendly interface and advanced features, the DrBalcony App transforms what was once a complex, time-consuming process into one that is seamless and efficient. Users can now obtain instant quotes, create and manage projects, and schedule inspections—all with just a few taps on their devices. “At DrBalcony, we are passionate about reimagining property management through technology,” said Greg, VP of Sales of DrBalcony. “The app reflects our dedication to simplifying inspections while upholding safety and compliance standards. With over 2,500 inspections completed, we’re proud to offer a solution that sets a new benchmark for convenience and reliability.” FEATURES THAT SET THE DRBALCONY APP APART The DrBalcony App is tailored to meet the specific needs of California property owners, offering features designed to ensure the integrity of balcony structures while making compliance with state laws like SB 721 and SB 326 more accessible than ever. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/services/ A SOLUTION BACKED BY REAL RESULTS “For years, the balcony inspection process has been frustrating and inefficient,” shared Omid, CEO of DrBalcony. “This app eliminates unnecessary complications. From instant quotes to straightforward scheduling, it’s a game-changer.” DOWNLOAD THE DRBALCONY APP TODAY The DrBalcony App is now available for download and marks a significant leap forward in property management. By addressing common pain points in the inspection process, DrBalcony ensures peace of mind for property owners, engineers, and HOAs, all while maintaining safety and compliance with California’s strict balcony safety regulations . About DrBalcony: DrBalcony leverages innovative technology to enhance balcony inspection, focusing on efficiency, safety, and customer-centric solutions. With a mission to simplify the complex, DrBalcony has become a trusted name in the balcony inspection industry, ensuring compliance and safety standards are met with ease. Learn more: https://drbalcony.com/ . Your property’s safety has never been simpler—download the DrBalcony App today! NEWS SOURCE: DrBalcony Keywords: Real Estate, DrBalcony, Balcony Inspections, home inspection, safety, app, solution, service, SB 326, SB 721, SANTA ANA, Calif. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (DrBalcony) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P122836 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/drbalcony-app-redefines-balcony-inspections-with-unparalleled-efficiency/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.A historic shift in Parliament but challenges remain

On Friday, December 6, Netflix debuted , a holiday special hosted by the “Espresso” singer with other beloved musical stars as her guests. “The holidays have always been so special to me,” Carpenter in a statement when the show was announced. “I am excited to bring my take to a classic holiday variety show—infusing my love of music and comedy to make something that is uniquely me.” Throughout the special, Carpenter performed songs from her 2023 holiday EP “Fruitcake,” including “A Nonsense Christmas.” Guests included Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis. Tyla and Carpenter dueted on “This Christmas,” while Twain and Carpenter sang “Santa Baby,” before she and Uchis took on “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.” Roan and Carpenter also sang “Last Christmas” on the Short N’ Sweet Tour singer’s disheveled set. Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter’s full performance of ‘Last Christmas’! 🤍 — “A Nonsense Christmas” is available now only on Netflix. — best of chappell roan (@bestofchappell) The show included a number of comedic bits as well, with guests like star Quinta Brunson, actor Nico Hiraga, and model Cara Delevingne. “There are comedy specials, and there are musical specials, and there are holiday specials. But who does musical comedy holiday specials? A lot of people,” Carpenter joked as she sang “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” adding, “But do those specials have celebrity guests? Yes, they do! Everyone with a musical comedy holiday special does them with celebrity guests, and this is one of those.” Fans reacted with excitement on social media, pointing out their favorite moments from the special, especially in regards to Carpenter’s old-fashioned glamour. Many of her outfits seemed to pay tribute to classic performers and traditional light-hearted Christmas specials of the past—with a modern twist, of course. actually so proud of sabrina it’s not even funny anymore like i remember back when her music videos would play during ad breaks on disney channel and now she’s one of the most famous pop stars with her own netflix special and sold out global arena tour — ale (@sw1ftianity) finished a nonsense christmas and i think sabrina should be allowed to have a christmas special every year — alex7 🎄 wesliz enthusiast (@percyseas) not letting y’all sleep on that kali x sabrina duet, i’m sorry it’s just too good! — ri ☽ 💋 (@dearrdecode) a nonsense christmas was excellent. outfits ate, sabrina's vocals ate, sabrina just hot and hot, love! — ً (@VEGASPOETRY) just finished watching a nonsense christmas and it was amazing. sabrina the multi-talented bright and shining star that you are!! — ً (@decodeemails) sabrina carpenter has been talking nonsense since forever — 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) omg tyla's look for sabrina carpenter's nonsense christmas??? — ★ (@tylasgirl) Me taking photos of Sabrina’s ‘Nonsense Christmas’ like i’m actually at a concert 😭 — tortured cay department📚🖋️ (@caysmanuscript) a nonsense christmas was everything it needed to be it was so authentically sabrina,, i didn’t want it to end — steph (@yourlivslike) sabrina carpenter accusing me of scrolling on my phone in a nonsense christmas as i was scrolling on phone felt very personal...... — aude!!🇵🇸 (@vdeodream) just finished the nonsense christmas special, sabrina u are so loved😭 — 💋 (@viciouslovess) On Thursday, Carpenter attended a screening of the special in New York City wearing a cozy vintage Chanel black-and-white faux fur coat over a cashmere mini dress. She paired the look with white open-toed furry heels, leaving her golden blonde hair down in dramatic waves.It’s officially dipped below 80 degrees in South Florida, signaling the return of Art Basel Miami Beach to that vibrant coastal city for its 22nd iteration. Yet under the leadership of director Bridget Finn, a former gallerist and art market savant, this year marks a new chapter for the fair, as Finn sets out to strengthen Art Basel’s role as a connector for art across the Americas. With 286 galleries from 38 countries and territories featuring a vast array of artists, not to mention official merch shops, restaurants, and brand activations, navigating the fair’s bustling halls can feel overwhelming. To help get you started—or, in the event that you can’t make it down to Miami Beach to see all the goings-on for yourself—here is a selection of the must-see presentations. From debut participants to thought-provoking installations by established names, we present the buzziest booths at Art Basel Miami Beach 2024. Wentrup Gallery At the heart of Berlin-based Wentrup Gallery’s booth is a dazzling work by Iranian-German artist Desire Moheb-Zandi: Sun shines in, you have awoken. The truth is out, the lies are old (2024) radiates both texture and depth, meticulously woven from an eclectic mix of materials, including linen, lurex, rope, cotton, nylon, and wool. Alongside Moheb-Zandi’s work is a group of captivating pieces by Turkish artist Nevin Aladağ, notably two creations from her latest series, Vibrating Images. These works merge the forms of musical instruments with dynamic, vividly hued compositions, blurring the line between visual art and sound. Instituto de Visión Tucked to the side of Instituto de Visión’s already outstanding booth—which features a selection of Latin American artists, including a stunning wall installation by Guatemalan-born artist Sandra Monterroso made with conches and magenta-colored braids—is a remarkable Kabinett presentation of Bogotá-based artist Jim Amaral. (The Kabinett sector at the fair is best described as a series of mini-booths within booths, showcasing carefully curated or thematic presentations.) Amaral, who is in his 90s and, notably, the husband of renowned Colombian artist Olga de Amaral , is celebrated for his poetic explorations of themes such as mysticism, music, and love. At this booth, viewers will encounter works created between the 1960s and early 2000s, including a series of striking drawings and small sculptures that ably illustrate the expanse of Amaral’s artistic vision. Spruth Magers In one corner of the Spruth Magers booth—featuring the likes of Kara Walker and John Baldessari—a steady stream of visitors gathers to view Barbara Kruger’s three-channel video installation Pledge, Will, Vow (1988/2020) , which feels more timely than ever. Exploring the language of marriage vows, wills and testaments, and the Pledge of Allegiance, Kruger presents these texts in her signature style of white letters against vibrant red backdrops. Over the course of five minutes, the words appear to be typed and revised in real time, considering alternative and suggestive phrases before settling on the official versions. In conversation with Kruger’s work is another noteworthy piece in Spruth Magers’s presentation: Selection from Truisms: Words tend to..., (2020) , a footstool, by American conceptual artist Jenny Holzer, made from iridescent labradorite stone, with the phrase “words tend to be inadequate” etched into its surface. PPOW Alongside an impressive series of works by artists such as Guadalupe Maravilla and Carlos Motta, a sprawling series of miniature drawings by multimedia artist Adam Putnam steals the spotlight at P·P·O·W’s booth. Displayed on a labyrinth of minimalist wooden tables, these images, evocative of tarot cards, delve into themes related to the subconscious mind. Meanwhile, at Meridians, the fair’s section dedicated to monumental installations, the New York-based gallery presents Bound Angel (2021) , a breathtaking work by American artist Portia Munson that draws urgent connections between mass production, gender equality, and ecological devastation. Carmo Johnson Projects A newcomer to Art Basel Miami Beach, Brazilian gallery Carmo Johnson Projects presents an exceptional selection of paintings by MAHKU, a collective of artists from the Huni Kuin, an Indigenous group based in the Brazilian Amazon. The collective made waves earlier this year with an outstanding 2,460-foot mural showcased at the 60th Venice Biennale. At the fair’s booth, intricate, kaleidoscopic paintings beautifully capture ayahuasca chants and the myths that surround these sacred practices. Operating under the guiding principle “sell painting to buy land,” the proceeds from MAHKU’s artworks are reinvested into local communities to advance their goal of achieving autonomy within their territories. To date, the collective has acquired nearly 26 acres of land through this initiative. Night Gallery Los Angeles-based Night Gallery presents a compelling selection of artists exploring themes of evolution, experimentation, and discovery. Front and center at the booth is Valentine Path Full Moon, Morning (2024), a lush painting by American artist Hayley Barker that, as its title suggests, depicts a romantic garden scene bathed in the soft glow of a full moon. In contrast, Taste (2024), a mesmerizing mechanized sculpture by Rachel Youn, also commands attention. Made using a modified circulation massager, steel, hardware, artificial plants, and mica powder, it features two plants that seem to kiss and separate in an endless loop. Making her Art Basel Miami Beach debut, Youn is known for incorporating floral forms into her innovative machines in order to explore ideas such as pain, pleasure, and control. Rolf Art In Positions , the section of the fair dedicated to emerging galleries showcasing solo presentations by up-and-coming artists, Buenos Aires-based gallery Rolf Art has a remarkable booth featuring works by Argentinian Peruvian artist Julieta Tarraubella. Entitled La vida secreta de las flores (The Secret Life of Flowers) (2018-2024), the series is described by the gallery as a “cyborg-garden” that captures the metamorphoses of numerous flowers using time-lapse playback technology. By blurring the boundaries between technology and nature, Tarraubella zooms into the life cycles of these plants to reflect on the rhythms of beauty and decay. Spinello Projects Miami-based gallery Spinello Projects has attracted significant attention at this year’s fair with a solo booth dedicated to local artist Nina Surel. The presentation features an extraordinary collection of ceramic vessels, sculptures, and wall-mounted works rendered in rich earthy tones and deep blue, exploring themes of mysticism, botany, and humanity’s connection to nature. A highlight piece from the booth, Surel’s ceramic wall installation Allegory of Florida (2023) , was selected for the City of Miami Beach’s Legacy Purchase Program, an initiative that acquires artworks from Art Basel Miami Beach for the city’s Art in Public Places collection. Composed of 100 milky stoneware ceramic pieces, the work reimagines the Sunshine State as a goddess of feminine fertility. Lehmann Maupin Showcasing an impressive roster of works by renowned artists such as MacArthur Binion, Marilyn Minter, and Cecilia Vicuña, Lehmann Maupin’s booth is undoubtedly a fair favorite. Among the unmissable highlights are Still-Life 4 (2020) and From, the Future 2 (2023), two captivating video installations by pioneering American artist Jennifer Steinkamp that explore the intersections of nature, technology, and motion; and I’ll see you on your way (2024), a captivating acrylic-on-canvas painting by American artist Calida Rawles. (Rawles’s first solo museum exhibition, “Away With the Tides,” is currently on view at the Pérez Art Museum Miami through February 2, 2025, before traveling to the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art from March 19 to September 7, 2025.) Beyond Basel Beyond the buzz of Basel, there is no shortage of additional fairs and art shows to visit all over Miami. Right across the street is Design Miami , curated this year by Glenn Adamson under the theme Blue Sky , where the works on display celebrate the most audacious innovations in design. And further south, Untitled Art Fair features a compelling selection of international galleries, making it another must-visit destination during Miami Art Week. If the fairs are not enough, elsewhere in the city other must-see shows include: “Marguerite Humeau: \*sk\*/ey-” at ICA Miami , the first major US exhibition of the French artist, which explores alternate worlds through the lens of climate change (on view until March 20, 2025); “You Guide Me Through,” a solo show of new works by Patrick Dean Hubbel at Nina Johnson Gallery (on view until January 11, 2025); and “Andrea Chung: Between Too Late and Too Early” at the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami, the largest solo museum survey to date of the American artist (on show until April 6, 2025).

Digital B2B Marketplaces Are Cutting Out Middlemen While Reshaping ProcurementTrump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.

Will Riley scored a game-high 19 points off the bench as No. 25 Illinois shrugged off a slow start to earn an 87-40 nonconference victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday afternoon in Champaign, Ill. Morez Johnson Jr. recorded his first double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, Kylan Boswell posted 13 points and Tomislav Ivisic contributed 11 for Illinois (4-1). Coming off a 100-87 loss to No. 8 Alabama on Wednesday, the Illini led by as much as 52 despite hitting just 10-of-40 3-point attempts. Jalen Ware paced Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6) with 10 points before fouling out. Ketron "KC" Shaw, who entered Saturday in the top 20 of Division I scorers at 22.3 points per game, went scoreless in the first half and finished with seven points on 2-of-11 shooting. The Hawks canned just 22.1 percent of their shots from the floor. Illinois broke out to a 6-0 lead in the first 2:06, then missed its next six shots. That gave the Hawks time to pull into an 8-8 tie on Evan Johnson's 17-foot pullup at the 12:21 mark. That marked Maryland Eastern Shore's last points for more than seven minutes as the Illini reeled off 17 straight points to remove any suspense. Johnson opened the spree with a basket and two free throws, Ben Humrichous swished a 3-pointer and Tre White sank a layup before Kasparas Jakucionis fed Ivisic for a 3-pointer and an alley-oop layup. Jakucionis set up Johnson for a free throw, then drove for an unchallenged layup to make it 25-8 with 5:15 left in the first. Evan Johnson snapped the visitors' dry spell with a driving layup at the 4:56 mark, but Illinois went on to establish a 35-15 halftime lead on the stretch of 11 offensive rebounds that turned into 12 second-chance points and 13 points off UMES' 10 turnovers. Maryland Eastern Shore needed nearly four minutes to get its first points in the second half as Illinois pushed its lead to 42-15. The Illini margin ballooned all the way to 70-24 on Boswell's driving layup with 8:11 to go. --Field Level MediaSyrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund. The donation comes just weeks after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg met with Trump privately at Mar-a-Lago. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the offering Thursday. The news was first reported by The Wall Street Journal. Stephen Miller, who has been appointed deputy chief of staff for Trump's second term, has said that Zuckerberg, like other business leaders, wants to support Trump's economic plans. The tech CEO has been seeking to change his company's perception on the right following a rocky relationship with Trump. Trump was kicked off Facebook following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The company restored his account in early 2023. RELATED STORY | Meta's Mark Zuckerberg is the second richest person in the world. Here's who he just outranked During the 2024 campaign, Zuckerberg did not endorse a candidate for president but has voiced a more positive stance toward Trump. Earlier this year, he praised Trump's response to his first assassination attempt. Still, Trump had continued to attack Zuckerberg publicly during the campaign. In July, he posted a message on his own social network Truth Social threatening to send election fraudsters to prison in part by citing a nickname he used for the Meta CEO. "ZUCKERBUCKS, be careful!" Trump wrote. Corporations have traditionally made up a large share of donors to presidential inaugurals, with an exception in 2009, when then-President-elect Barack Obama refused to accept corporate donations. He reversed course for his second inaugural in 2013. Facebook did not donate to either Biden's 2021 inaugural or Trump's 2017 inaugural. Google donated $285,000 each to Trump first inaugural and Biden's inaugural, according to Federal Election Commission records. Inaugural committees are required to disclose the source of their fundraising, but not how they spend the money. Microsoft gave $1 million to Obama's second inaugural, but only $500,000 to Trump in 2017 and Biden in 2021. RELATED STORY | Celebrity private jet-tracking accounts suspended by Meta without reason, college student claims

None49ers’ Kyle Shanahan isn’t ready to talk about 2025 season yetAli Asgari’s Poetic Documentary Showing at IFFI GoaIs Walmart Making a Play to Win Market Share From Amazon? Here's What Investors Need to Know

Fox News' Steve Harrigan reports the latest on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. When we focus on survival, life becomes pretty straightforward. Food, water, shelter, health, and hopefully the warm embrace of a loved one. That's what we truly need. If we are blessed to have all those, then I know you agree we have a lot to be grateful for this Christmas. But what if a less evident, less material, and largely unrecognized factor is equally important to human survival? Based on my experience as a faith-based leader who's traveled to more than 50 countries, mobilizing churches to respond to wars and natural disasters, I believe there is. That less evident factor is hope. If we truly understood its power, we'd package it up and stuff it into every survival kit the world over. NORTH CAROLINA OFFICIAL REVEALS SHOCKING DAMAGE TO TOURIST TOWN: 'ALL OF IT WAS WASHED INTO THE LAKE' Hope was actually the focus of this past Sunday of Advent, on December 1, for Christians around the world, and it was a pivotal part of the Angel's announcement to the shepherds of the birth of Christ. In Luke 2:9-12 we read, "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’" In their day, shepherds were outcasts, poor, and downtrodden. Their lives were hard, and they had little to look forward to. But the fact that God chose to reveal the birth of Christ to them gave them hope. And this news spurred the shepherds to action. IN ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS, OUR 'FAITH REALLY COMES INTO FOCUS,' SAYS FOX NEWS' RACHEL CAMPOS-DUFFY I've personally witnessed how hope empowers the human spirit to prevail. People can weather just about anything. As long as they have hope. Hope gives human beings the confident expectation that a better day is coming. It enables us to live victorious through life's tsunamis with our heads above the water, rather than under it. For one very recent example, just consider Chimney Rock, North Carolina. In September, Hurricane Helene's intense rains triggered catastrophic flooding in Chimney Rock and all throughout parts of Appalachia. Roads were washed out; homes and businesses were flooded. Residents in remote regions were literally cut off from civilization, and a staggering 126,000 homes sustained damage. Flash forward to today, and when you make your way down Main street in Chimney Rock you'll still see that most of the businesses that are fortunate to be standing are still boarded up. Peek inside, however, and you'll see a flurry of activity. The town's alive with a glorious orchestra of pounding nails. Fresh two-by-four framing has gone up, and pristine drywall has already replaced the damaged interiors. As Chimney Rock Mayor Pete O'Leary recently said, "It's been constant construction, constant cleaning, constant traffic on the road with dump trucks and big vehicles. We were hit hard and we need a lot of assistance to get back on our feet, and we're very hopeful that assistance will be forthcoming." Did you notice that he said "hopeful"? It's what all of us desperately need in times of adversity. Our team at CityServe has been active in a five-state region hit by the storm, with a special focus on western North Carolina and Chimney Rock. We've mobilized chainsaw crews to clear out debris and set up aid stations to distribute food and water. We also helped coordinate the delivery of special cargo that Ivanka Trump brought to North Carolina: 300 StarLink devices requested by President-elect Trump and provided by Elon Musk . They were distributed to first responders who used them to reconnect with residents who'd lost communications. But I'd submit that Ivanka's arrival, and the arrival of many other philanthropists and charitable organizations, brought something that -- while less tangible -- may have been even more important. They brought hope. Residents of North Carolina's wild and beautiful hill country knew they'd not been forgotten; that helped sustain their hope. To be clear, much work remains and countless repairs are still needed. Mayor O'Leary estimates Chimney Rock's Main Street will not reopen until sometime this spring. CLICK HERE FOR MORE FOX NEWS OPINION But here's what I can tell you: In the face of heartbreak and devastation, Chimney Rock will ultimately emerge bigger and better than ever. How can I be so sure? Because while it's true many there have lost loved ones, their homes and businesses, their hope is alive and well. If you think Helene can keep them from celebrating the Holidays this year, think again. Want to take stock this Christmas of all our blessed nation has to be grateful for? I'd say start with the resilient residents of Chimney Rock. Their hopeful spirit in the wake of a devastating flood stands as a shining example for all of us. With the help of friends and neighbors, they're piecing their community back together one nail, one dry-wall section, one plywood slab at a time. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP For the shepherds at the very first Christmas, the Lord made it a point to reveal himself to those who needed good news the most. So, as Americans help those who need it most right now, we're learning an important lesson about hope this Christmas. We're learning that no matter the hurdles, hope is always possible. May the people of Chimney Rock be a lesson to us all. Their endurance shows us that as long as the beacon of hope shines bright, nothing can stop a people blessed by Providence with a spirit to endure. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM DAVE DONALDSON Dave Donaldson is the co-founder and CEO of CityServe International , a nonprofit relief organization headquartered in Bakersfield, California.

Former B.C. New Democrat member of the legislature Dan Coulter dead at 49

The 49ers will do everything they can to finish the 2024 season with a 9-8 record but coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t thinking beyond that. A 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams all but ended their playoff aspirations with games at Miami, at home against Detroit and the regular-season finale in Arizona still to play. For a team that had played in the NFC Championship Game four out of the last five years and played in two Super Bowls, it’s a huge letdown. “I’ll talk about 2025 when we get to 2025,” Shanahan said in a conference call with local media Friday. “But you have hope every year. You put together the best team possible, you go and practice and you go out there and you battle. So that’s what we do every single offseason. “You figure out how to get the best players possible through free agency and the Draft, you try to keep your best players as possible, you go to work and you show up for Week One.” The 49ers are coming to grips with being an also-ran. The reasons for the 49ers’ slide go much further than making a bad choice last offseason to bring in linebacker De’Vondre Campbell as a temporary replacement for Dre Greenlaw, who was rehabbing a torn Achilles. The 49ers are working through the process of removing Campbell from the roster either through suspension or release after he declined to play against the Rams. One thing Shanahan has no intention of doing is questioning his team’s want-to and preparation, even of those qualities have resulted in something foreign for the 49ers in terms of playing clean football. “I thought our guys showed up ready to play,” Shanahan said. “I thought we battled and a few key plays were the difference in the game. But I thought our guys sold out and I expect them to sell out the next three games.” While the 49ers’ commitment wasn’t an issue other than Campbell, their execution and playmaking was a huge problem on offense. The 49ers gained 191 yards of total offense, the second-lowest number since Shanahan arrived in 2017 and took control of the offense. It’s only the second time the 49ers failed to gain 200 yards of offense in 141 games with Shanahan as head coach. The only time they gained fewer yards was a 31-7 loss to Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game played for more than three quarters without a viable quarterback since Brock Purdy (elbow) and Josh Johnson (concussion) were injured and Purdy had to re-enter the game unable to pass. The 49ers were so anemic against the Rams they failed to reach the red zone just one week after going 5-for-6 in a 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears. Asked if he could ever remember that happening as a play-caller, Shanahan said, “I’m not sure. I’ve been doing this a long time.” On the 49ers’ second series, Purdy found tight end George Kittle for a 33-yard gain — the play set up a 53-yard field goal by Jake Moody for a 3-0 lead — and the 49ers didn’t have a snap that gained more than 18 yards the rest of the night. They averaged 3.6 yards per snap and were 3-for-12 on third-down conversions. “I know that we were averaging like three yards a play at halftime. I don’t know what it was after that,” Kittle said. “They came out with some funky looks once in a while, but I just thought as skill positions, whether it was tight end, quarterback, running back, fullback, wide receiver, I just thought we could have stepped up our game and played better and we didn’t. “ Purdy insisted there were plays there for the taking — rain or no rain. “The weather was the weather in the first half, but even with that, I think there were still some ops for us to convert on third down and move the chains,” Purdy said. “In the second half there were drives where we could’ve stayed on the field. I had to be better for this team and didn’t play my best.” GREENLAW’S RETURN Linebacker Dre Greenlaw’s return was an inspiration to Shanahan and his teammates, with the 49ers’ linebacker registering eight first half tackles and ranging sideline to sideline as if he’d never had a ruptured Achilles. He departed when his leg tightened up, with Monday bringing the news that it had more to do with fatigue than another injury. With the 49ers getting a mini-bye this weekend before visiting Miami in Week 16, Greenlaw could be good to go for another start. “He’s got some soreness. He’s day to day,” Shanahan said. It reminded Shanahan of Greenlaw in Year 3, when he had a groin injury in the opener that needed surgery, and other than 13 snaps in Week 11 against Minnesota, didn’t play again until the regular-season finale against the Rams when he had 12 tackles. “We needed to win that to go to the playoffs,” Shanahan said. “And that game, I thought he had one of the best games I’ve ever seen from linebacker play and it was looking a lot like that last night too. Exactly the same, it was just only a half a football, but it was amazing.” THE INJURY FRONT — Left tackle Trent Williams continues to heal slowly from an ankle injury but Shanahan hopes to get him in the lineup before the season is over. “He’s trying to get back, but it’s just been a frustrating injury for him,” Shanahan said. ” t hasn’t healed like he or we would like. Having these 10 more days before our next game, hopefully that gives a better chance” — Defensive end Nick Bosa emerged from the Rams game without any setbacks to his oblique/hip injuries. “It was awesome to get Nick back and he really helped us,” Shanahan said. “It was a good sign that they didn’t tell me about anything today.” — Linebacker Dee Winters is day to day with a neck injury. SNAP JUDGEMENTS 64: Linebacker Fred Warner, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir and cornerback Renardo Green each played all but one snap on defense. 60: One game after playing a career low 15 snaps, safety Ji’Ayir Brown played 60 snaps with Malik Mustapha missing the game with a chest injury. Brown came out of the game with a groin injury and is day to day. 54: Guards Aaron Banks and Dominick Puni, tackles Jaylon Moore and Colton McKivitz, center Jake Brendel and Purdy played every offensive snap. 51: Starting split end Jauan Jennings was targeted nine times from Purdy while missing just three snaps but had just two receptions for 31 yards. 41: The 75.9 percent figure of snap counts was the most for Isaac Guerendo in his rookie season after coming in questionable with a foot sprain. Backup Patrick Taylor Jr. played just three snaps. 30: Greenlaw made a remarkable return in his first game back from rupturing an Achilles tendon last Feb. 11. 26: Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, playing with a sore knee, played 26 snaps mostly after Greenlaw’s departure with Campbell refusing to enter the game. 10: Tashaun Gipson got his first work on defense since rejoining the 49ers on Nov. 7. 5: Edge rusher Ronald Beal Jr., who has had trouble getting traction as a pass rusher all season, played sparingly with Nick Bosa (47), Leonard Floyd (39) and Yetur Gross-Matos (31) getting the bulk of the work.