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The sparring during question period in the legislature is largely driven by Opposition MLAs grilling government ministers, and with the B.C. Conservative party's rapid rise to Official Opposition, its MLAs will now get to set the tone. But even before his first legislative session begins, some of the heat is instead on Leader John Rustad for some of his choices appointing critics to their Opposition portfolios. Rustad is also on the defensive as the governing party reacts to the news that two of Rustad's MLAs will keep their seats on local councils, essentially doing two jobs. Anna Kindy, a Campbell River-based physician and addictions specialist, has been tapped to be the party's health critic. The NDP pounced on the appointment, pointing out Kindy has opposed COVID-19 vaccine mandates. "She's somebody who is a vaccine-skeptic who has previously spread misinformation about vaccines. She's donated to the Freedom convoy," said Amna Shah, the NDP MLA for Surrey City Centre. Kindy argues she's not anti-vaxx but believes people should not lose their jobs if they choose not to get a medical procedure. "I believe in bodily autonomy," she said. "I think the Freedom Convoy came as a pushback to mandates that were actually in some sense unreasonable. Do I regret doing this? No, I don't." Kindy objects to the NDP characterizing her as far right, saying the governing party is using the term to divide people. "In terms of my association with the far right, it's ridiculous," she said. "I'm not right-wing. I'm not left-wing. I'm just who I am. I look at every issue for itself. I think labels are dangerous." "Voters are tired of the rhetoric," Kindy says, adding it distracts from the real issues like persistent emergency room closures and unacceptable cancer wait times. "When you look at someone who is on the wait list for cancer surgery for months, they don't want to hear rhetoric; they want solutions," she said. UBC political scientist Stewart Prest says Rustad is sending a statement with his critics' picks. "So essentially, Mr. Rustad, with these appointments, is saying that the party is going to welcome a broad array of people on the right side of the political spectrum," Prest said. Rustad has also created a new portfolio called parental rights and sports, to be led by Mandeep Dhaliwal. The parental rights movement has opposed sexual orientation and gender identity policies, or SOGI, in schools. SOGI 123 is not a curriculum to help teachers address discrimination and bullying, create supportive and inclusive environments for 2SLGBTQ+ students and acknowledge varying genders and sexual orientations. The B.C. Conservatives campaigned on ending SOGI in schools, saying parents should have more of a say in what's taught to their children. "It's one of the issues why the [former] education minister [Rachna Singh] was defeated by Mandeep Dhaliwal in Surrey [North]," Rustad says. In April, Rustad proposed a private members bill that would force publicly funded sports teams to use "biological sex" to classify participants, effectively banning transgender athletes. The bill was quickly voted down. Meanwhile, Rustad is also facing criticism this week for allowing two B.C. Conservative MLAs to keep their local government positions The new MLA for Langley Walnut Grove, Misty Van Popta, will stay on as a councillor in Langley Township. Misty Van Popta, a Township of Langley councillor, appears with B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad in October 2024. Van Popta won the provincial riding of Langley-Walnut Grove but says she will remain on Langley council. (Misty Van Popta/Instagram) Korky Neufeld was elected for the BC Conservatives in Abbotsford West and will stay on as a school board trustee in Abbotsford. The NDP and the Canadian Taxpayers Association's B.C. branch say taxpayers should not be paying the same politicians twice. Darlene Ratchford is an NDP MLA who resigned from her council position in Esquimalt. "Being an MLA is a full-time job. It's double dipping. It's not right," Ratchford says. Rustad says he would have preferred that the MLAs resign from their local roles. "If they do want to stay on local government, ultimately it's their decision to do that." Rustad says he's recommended that the two MLAs donate the salaries from their local government positions. CBC News asked Neufeld and Van Poptka if they intend to do that but has not yet heard back.

Boise State’s legacy includes winning coaches and championship moments

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Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen still gets asked about the Fiesta Bowl victory over Oklahoma on the first day of 2007. That game had everything. Underdog Boise State took a 28-10 lead over one of college football's blue bloods that was followed by a 25-point Sooners run capped by what could have been a back-breaking interception return for a touchdown with 1:02 left. Then the Broncos used three trick plays that remain sensations to not only force overtime but win 43-42. And then there was the marriage proposal by Boise State running back Ian Johnson — shortly after scoring the winning two-point play — to cheerleader Chrissy Popadics that was accepted on national TV. That game put Broncos football on the national map for most fans, but looking back 18 years later, Petersen sees it differently. "Everybody wants to talk about that Oklahoma Fiesta Bowl game, which is great how it all worked out and all those things," Petersen said. "But we go back to play TCU (three years later) again on the big stage. It's not as flashy a game, but to me, that was an even better win." Going back to the Fiesta Bowl and winning, Petersen reasoned, showed the Broncos weren't a splash soon to fade away, that there was something longer lasting and more substantive happening on the famed blue turf. The winning has continued with few interruptions. No. 8 and third-seeded Boise State is preparing for another trip to the Fiesta Bowl, this time in a playoff quarterfinal against No. 5 and sixth-seeded Penn State on New Year's Eve. That success has continued through a series of coaches, though with a lot more of a common thread than readily apparent. Dirk Koetter was hired from Oregon, where Petersen was the wide receivers coach. Not only did Koetter bring Petersen with him to Oregon, Petersen introduced him to Dan Hawkins, who also was hired for the staff. So the transition from Koetter to Hawkins to Petersen ensured at least some level of consistency. Koetter and Hawkins engineered double-digit victory seasons five times over a six-year span that led to power-conference jobs. Koetter went to Arizona State after three seasons and Hawkins to Colorado after five. Then when Petersen became the coach after the 2005 season, he led Boise State to double-digit wins his first seven seasons and made bowls all eight years. He resisted the temptation to leave for a power-conference program until Washington lured him away toward the end of the 2013 season. Then former Boise State quarterback and offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin took over and posted five double-digit victory seasons over his first six years. After going 5-2 during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, he left for Auburn. "They just needed consistency of leadership," said Koetter, who is back as Boise State's offensive coordinator. "This program had always won at the junior-college level, the Division II level, the I-AA (now FCS) level." But Koetter referred to "an unfortunate chain of events" that made Boise State a reclamation project when he took over in 1998. Coach Pokey Allen led Boise State to the Division I-AA national championship game in 1994, but was diagnosed with cancer two days later. He died on Dec. 30, 1996, at 53. Allen coached the final two games that season, Boise State's first in Division I-A (now FBS). Houston Nutt became the coach in 1997, went 4-7 and headed to Arkansas. Then Koetter took over. "One coach dies and the other wasn't the right fit for this program," Koetter said. "Was a really good coach, did a lot of good things, but just wasn't a good fit for here." But because of Boise State's success at the lower levels, Koetter said the program was set up for success. "As Boise State has risen up the conference food chain, they've pretty much always been at the top from a player talent standpoint," Koetter said. "So it was fairly clear if we got things headed in the right direction and did a good job recruiting, we would be able to win within our conference for sure." Success didn't take long. He went 6-5 in 1998 and then won 10 games each of the following two seasons. Hawkins built on that winning and Petersen took it to another level. But there is one season, really one game, no really one half that still bugs Petersen. He thought his best team was in 2010, one that entered that late-November game at Nevada ranked No. 3 and had a legitimate chance to play for the national championship. The Colin Kaepernick-led Wolf Pack won 34-31. "I think the best team that I might've been a part of as the head coach was the team that lost one game to Nevada," Petersen said. "That team, to me, played one poor half of football on offense the entire season. We were winning by a bunch at half (24-7) and we came out and did nothing on offense in the second half and still had a chance to win. "That team would've done some damage." There aren't any what-ifs with this season's Boise State team. The Broncos are in the field of the first 12-team playoff, representing the Group of Five as its highest-ranked conference champion. That got Boise State a bye into the quarterfinals. Spencer Danielson has restored the championship-level play after taking over as the interim coach late last season during a rare downturn that led to Andy Avalos' dismissal. Danielson received the job full time after leading Boise State to the Mountain West championship. Now the Broncos are 12-1 with their only defeat to top-ranked and No. 1 seed Oregon on a last-second field goal. Running back Ashton Jeanty also was the runner-up to the Heisman Trophy. "Boise State has been built on the backs of years and years of success way before I got here," Danielson said. "So even this season is not because of me. It's because the group of young men wanted to leave a legacy, be different. We haven't been to the Fiesta Bowl in a decade. They said in January, 'We're going to get that done.' They went to work." As was the case with Danielson, Petersen and Koetter said attracting top talent is the primary reason Boise State has succeeded all these years. Winning, obviously, is the driving force, and with more entry points to the playoffs, the Broncos could make opportunities to keep returning to the postseason a selling point. But there's also something about the blue carpet. Petersen said he didn't get what it was about when he arrived as an assistant coach, and there was some talk about replacing it with more conventional green grass. A poll in the Idaho Statesman was completely against that idea, and Petersen has come to appreciate what that field means to the program. "It's a cumulative period of time where young kids see big-time games when they're in seventh and eighth and ninth and 10th grade and go, 'Oh, I know that blue turf. I want to go there,'" Petersen said. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

55th GST Council Meeting Ends: Decision On ATF, Insurance, Food Delivery Deferred; 18% Tax On Caramel Popcorn

DANVILLE — Danville Fire Chief John Buckenberger will finish his term leading the department at the end of the year, but that doesn't mean he's leaving. Buckenberger said he plans to continue volunteering with the department. "Danville has a great department," Buckenberger said. "I think I made it better, and hopefully Joe Miller will continue to build on that. I'm sure he will." Miller, Continental Fire Company chief, will take over for Buckenberger in January. Buckenberger has 56 years of volunteer firefighting under his belt, eight of which were spent as assistant chief of the Danville department and the most recent five as chief, he said. "When I took over, there was a lot that needed done in the department," Buckenberger said. Arguably, the chief's most noteworthy accomplishment was the purchase of a $1.5 million ladder truck. "I put together a committee and spearheaded the drive to purchase a ladder truck," Buckenberger said. Danville Borough Council approved Buckenberger's request to purchase the truck in April 2021. Additionally, Buckenberger helped secure a new rescue truck for Washies Fire Company, rehab tent and trailer for Continental Fire Company and more. "With our budget, most of the equipment is bought from the borough budget instead of tapping from firemans' relief," Buckenberger said. Montour County Commissioner and volunteer firefighter Trevor Finn said he enjoyed working with Buckenberger throughout his years of leadership. "It was a pleasure to serve with Danville Borough Chief John Buckenberger. His decades of experience as a line officer, firefighter, State Fire Academy instructor and mentor was invaluable to our community," Finn said. "I wish him well and look forward to going to the scene with him as a fellow engineer." Buckenberger obtained his state fire certification in 1982 from the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown. He went on to receive an associate's degree in fire science technology. The chief's pro board accredited certifications include firefighter one, firefighter 2, fire company officer four, hazmat technician, pump operator, aerial operator, fire inspector 2, incident safety officer, confined space rescue technician and high angle rope rescue.

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — Deep Six Kava Bar is broadening its presence in the Philadelphia area, offering a unique blend of relaxation, wellness, and social engagement. With more people searching for healthier ways to unwind, the bar has become a go-to destination for those seeking alternatives to alcohol. Featuring a curated lineup of kava, kratom, THC, CBD, and adaptogenic beverages, Deep Six is pioneering a new approach to socializing focused on balance and mindfulness. Kava, the star of the menu, is a root from the South Pacific known for its calming properties. Long used in traditional ceremonies, kava promotes relaxation and eases anxiety without affecting mental clarity. For many, it provides the soothing effects of alcohol without hangovers or risks of dependency. “More people are recognizing the need for healthier ways to relax and unwind,” said Nick Kruczaj, founder of Deep Six Kava Bar. “Alcohol is no longer the go-to option for many social gatherings, and we’re excited to offer an environment where people can connect and enjoy themselves while supporting their overall well-being.” Complementing kava is an array of adaptogenic elixirs shaped by the growing demand for holistic health solutions. Adaptogens like ashwagandha, lion’s mane, and guarana help reduce stress, boost energy, and restore balance. Together with kratom and hemp-derived options, these beverages provide patrons with a well-rounded alternative to traditional social drinks. Deep Six Kava Bar serves as more than a wellness-focused beverage destination. It has carved out a niche as a social space where guests can unwind and connect in an alcohol-free environment. Whether stopping by after work or gathering on the weekend, visitors experience a relaxed atmosphere prioritizing well-being and community. “The shift towards alcohol alternatives reflects broader societal changes,” added Kruczaj. “People are becoming more conscious of their health and are looking for ways to connect without overindulging. Kava, kratom, hemp, and adaptogens offer real benefits, and we’re proud to lead this movement in the region.” With its unique menu and commitment to wellness, Deep Six Kava Bar exemplifies the growing trend of socializing in healthier, more intentional ways. Its expansion signals a bright future for this alcohol-free approach to connection and relaxation. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .

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By BARBARA ORTUTAY, AP Technology Writer Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health, 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. Nearly three-quarters said they visit YouTube every day. 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%. This small decline could be due to pandemic-era restrictions easing up and kids having more time to see friends in person, but it’s not enough to be truly meaningful . X saw the biggest decline among teenage users. Only 17% of teenagers said they use X, down from 23% in 2022, the year Elon Musk bought the platform. Reddit held steady at 14%. About 6% of teenagers said they use Threads, Meta’s answer to X that launched in 2023. The report comes as countries around the world are grappling with how to handle the effects of social media on young people’s well-being. Australia recently passed a law banning kids under 16 from social networks, though it’s unclear how it will be able to enforce the age limit — and whether it will come with unintended consequences such as isolating vulnerable kids from their peers. Related Articles National News | American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says National News | How to protect your communications through encryption National News | Companies tighten security after a health care CEO’s killing leads to a surge of threats National News | Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge National News | Unidentified drones spotted flying at locations across NYC, including LaGuardia Airport Meta’s messaging service WhatsApp was a rare exception in that it saw the number of teenage users increase, to 23% from 17% in 2022. Pew also asked kids how often they use various online platforms. Small but significant numbers said they are on them “almost constantly.” For YouTube, 15% reported constant use, for TikTok, 16% and for Snapchat, 13%. As in previous surveys, girls were more likely to use TikTok almost constantly while boys gravitated to YouTube. There was no meaningful gender difference in the use of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Roughly a quarter of Black and Hispanic teens said they visit TikTok almost constantly, compared with just 8% of white teenagers. The report was based on a survey of 1,391 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 conducted from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2024.

As the AI market prepares for a surge in 2025, IBM is emerging as an unexpected standout. Despite a recent stock price increase of 37% this year, or 44% when dividends are factored in, IBM remains an undervalued gem in the tech space. At first glance, IBM’s recent performance may seem underwhelming. Their sales grew by a modest 2% year-over-year in the third quarter, with earnings per share getting a slight uplift due to a lower tax burden. But a deeper look reveals a compelling narrative masked by cyclical market factors and strategic long-term planning. The infrastructure segment showed a 7% decline, primarily driven by a lull in IBM Z mainframe sales. This cycle, however, is expected to turn with the 2025 launch of AI-augmented System Z mainframes, which will feature IBM-developed AI chips. IBM’s strength lies in its strategic focus on long-term AI contracts rather than immediate sales spikes. Launched in 2023, IBM’s generative AI platform, watsonx, has already secured over $3 billion in multi-year contracts. This steady accumulation indicates a tipping point, as IBM is set to transform these agreements into significant revenue streams. Looking forward to 2025, CEO Arvind Krishna anticipates a notable growth in IBM’s portfolio, hinting subtly at a record-breaking performance. With IBM’s stock priced relatively low compared to other AI giants, the company offers a lucrative investment opportunity. As IBM continues to secure long-term contracts and gears up for a new mainframe cycle, savvy investors might find a golden opportunity in Big Blue. Why IBM Could Be the Next Big Player in AI by 2025 In the burgeoning landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), IBM is positioned as a frontrunner to watch closely, especially as the market is poised for a substantial boom in 2025. Amidst its evolving strategies, IBM presents intriguing developments that may place it ahead of its competitors in the AI domain. Capitalizing on Long-Term AI Contracts One of IBM’s most promising strategies is its focus on securing long-term AI contracts rather than prioritizing short-term gains. The introduction of the generative AI platform, watsonx, in 2023 is a cornerstone of this approach. This platform has already garnered over $3 billion in multi-year agreements, reflecting trust and anticipation from clients in IBM’s capabilities. These contracts are not merely symbolic but are poised to mature into robust revenue streams as they are fulfilled over time. Innovative AI Augmentation in Infrastructure The anticipated launch of AI-augmented System Z mainframes in 2025 is another strategic move by IBM that merits attention. These new mainframes will incorporate IBM-developed AI chips, promising enhancements in performance and capabilities that are aligned with cutting-edge AI technologies. This innovation is expected to invigorate IBM’s infrastructure sales, which saw a dip partly due to the existing mainframe sales cycle slowdown. Strategic Market Positioning and Future Insights While IBM’s current market performance shows modest sales growth, its underlying strategic positioning reveals a future of potential. CEO Arvind Krishna’s vision for 2025 suggests the possibility of record-breaking achievements for IBM’s portfolio. With the company’s shares currently undervalued in comparison to other AI titans, IBM presents a unique investment opportunity that could yield high returns as its strategic plans come to fruition. Market Analysis and Predictions Industry analysts predict that IBM’s foresight and calculated initiatives in AI might serve as key differentiators in the tech market. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, IBM’s integration of AI within its products and services is predicted to drive substantial growth, making it a firm to watch closely in the coming years. Conclusion In conclusion, amid the accelerating AI market, IBM’s strategic initiatives, including its focus on long-term contracts and innovation in AI-augmented infrastructure, solidify its potential as a leading force. Investors seeking a promising opportunity in the tech sector should closely monitor IBM as it strides towards what could be a breakthrough period in 2025. As the AI wave progresses, IBM stands out as a company combining visionary leadership with actionable strategies.Asda has issued a warning to shoppers with an item limit per customer before Christmas. The supermarket has waded into the Christmas dinner price wars after it slashed the cost of several festive food essentials down to just 8p each. In the run up to Christmas , several retailers had launched 15p Christmas veg offers, but by the weekend had cut their prices to just 8p. Asda was one of the supermarkets which had put the offer in place, announcing 8p carrots, brussels sprouts, parsnips, broccoli and potatoes. Such deals are known as ‘loss leaders’, whereby supermarkets sell some products at a loss in order to tempt shoppers into stores, where they would probably spend money on various other higher margin items just before Christmas, making the money back for the retailer. Though there’s nothing stopping you buying just 8p veg and then leaving, Asda has put in place an item limit per customer. Seen in its Leeds Adel store, a sign was put up on the bargain bin vegetables which read: “5 Products Max Per Customer’. The deal is available to everyone, not just shoppers who have an Asda Reward card, which is Asda's own loyalty scheme. Asda said: “The news means that Asda is the only supermarket to have an 8p offer on five Christmas veg lines (which includes 2kg potatoes) accessible to all shoppers – no member pricing or need for a loyalty card. “Available in-store and online while stocks last, customers will be able get 1kg carrots, 500g sprouts, 360g broccoli, 500g parsnips and for the first time 2kg potatoes for just 8p each until Tuesday 24th December. Customers can bag all the key Christmas dinner sides for amazing value - that's Asda Price!”

Stock market today: Wall Street wavers at the start of a holiday-shortened week