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By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: Hollywood stars and child influencers California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. Social media limits New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . School rules on gender In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Abortion coverage Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. Gun control A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Medical marijuana Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wages Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Safer traveling In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tax breaks Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. Voting rights An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday she's suing a Saudi Arabian agribusiness for allegedly violating a public nuisance law, contending that its groundwater pumping threatens the public health, safety and infrastructure of local communities in a rural western county. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday she's suing a Saudi Arabian agribusiness for allegedly violating a public nuisance law, contending that its groundwater pumping threatens the public health, safety and infrastructure of local communities in a rural western county. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes announced Wednesday she’s suing a Saudi Arabian agribusiness for allegedly violating a public nuisance law, contending that its groundwater pumping threatens the public health, safety and infrastructure of local communities in a rural western county. The complaint filed in Maricopa County Superior Court alleges that the pumping at a Fondomonte Arizona, LLC. alfalfa farm has had widespread effects in the Ranegras Plain Basin of La Paz County, harming everyone who depends on basin water by drawing down supplies, drying up wells and causing the ground to crack and sink in some areas. The lawsuit is the latest action by Arizona against foreign companies that use huge amounts of groundwater to grow thirsty forage crops for export because of climate challenges in other countries. Rural Arizona is especially attractive to international businesses because it has no groundwater pumping regulations. The lawsuit alleges that since 2014, Fondomonte has extracted huge amounts of water that accelerated depletion of the basin’s aquifer. The company is a subsidiary of Saudi dairy giant Almarai Co. “We find the allegations of the Attorney General totally unfounded, and we will defend any potential action against Fondomonte and our rights vigorously before the competent authorities,” Fondomonte said in a statement Wednesday. “The company has invested significantly to bring the latest conservation technology and applies environmentally sustainable practices on these long-established farms,” it said. “Fondomonte has continued to develop responsibly during its time farming in the state and the company complies with all state regulations. ” Years of drought have increased pressure on water users across the West, particularly in states like Arizona, which relies heavily on the dwindling Colorado River. The drought has also made groundwater — long used by farmers and rural residents without restriction — even more important for users across the state. Mayes told reporters Wednesday that the Arizona Legislature has done nothing to fix the groundwater problem despite knowing about the problem for years. “While laws regulating groundwater pumping could have prevented this situation, the legislature’s inaction has allowed the crisis to grow,” Mayes said. “When the legislature fails to protect our most basic resources, the attorney general must step in.” La Paz County Supervisor Holly Irwin, a Republican, commended Mayes, a Democrat, for attempting to address what she described as her community’s “most challenging” concern. “I know that my constituents will be thrilled over this, that somebody is actually paying attention to the real problems here,” Irwin said during Wednesday’s news briefing via a video conference call. Mayes’ lawsuit alleges that Fondomonte’s actions are a public nuisance under a state statute that prohibits activity that injures health, obstructs property use, or interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by a community. Mayes called the company’s groundwater pumping “unsustainable” and said it caused “devastating consequences” for people in the area. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. “Arizona law is clear: no company has the right to endanger an entire community’s health and safety for its own gain,” she said. The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the company from further groundwater pumping it says is “excessive” and require that an abatement fund be established. Arizona officials have been targeting Fondomonte for more than a year over its use of groundwater to grow forage crops, by not renewing or canceling the company’s leases in Butler Valley in western Arizona. Some residents there had complained that the company’s pumping was threatening their wells. ___ Gabriel Sandoval is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Advertisement AdvertisementThe Sacramento Kings have fired coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his third season with the team mired in a five-game losing streak, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday because the firing hadn't been announced by the team. ESPN first reported the firing. Brown won NBA Coach of the Year in his first season in 2022-23, when he helped Sacramento end the longest playoff drought in NBA history at 16 seasons. But Sacramento lost in the play-in tournament last year and was off to a 13-18 start this season, leading to the move to fire Brown about six months after he agreed to a contract extension through the 2026-27 season. The Kings have lost an NBA-worst nine games this season after leading in the fourth quarter with the worst one coming in Brown's final game as coach Thursday night against Detroit. Sacramento led by 10 points with less than three minutes to play only to collapse down the stretch. Jaden Ivey converted a four-point play with 3 seconds left when he made a 3-pointer in the right corner and was fouled by De’Aaron Fox. That gave the Pistons a 114-113 win, leaving the Kings in 12th place in the Western Conference. Brown has a 107-88 record in two-plus seasons in Sacramento with a winning record in both of his full seasons. Rick Adelman is the only other coach to post a winning record in a full season since the Kings moved to Sacramento Brown previously had two stints as coach in Cleveland and spent one-plus season as Lakers coach. He has a 455-304 record and has made the playoffs in seven of his nine full seasons. He won Coach of the Year twice, also getting the award in Cleveland in 2008-09. AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAPhoto by Liam Richards /Saskatoon StarPhoenix Saskatchewan Rush defender Matt Hossack moves the ball against the Vancouver Warriors in NLL action at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK on Saturday, March 7, 2020. Darren Zary Saskatoon StarPhoenix It’s a second go-round for Matt Hossack on the Saskatchewan Rush. Both parties couldn’t be more excited about this reunion after they won a National Lacrosse League championship together back in 2018. The Rush claimed Hossack in the Panther City Lacrosse Club dispersal draft during the off-season. Now they’re back together again as Saskatchewan (1-0) plays its National Lacrosse League home-opener Saturday night against the Halifax Thunderbirds. “That’s the guy we wanted and that’s the guy we got,” says Rush co-coach Jimmy Quinlan, whose team welcomed back Hossack with open arms. “He was very good when he left us and having to watch him grow on another team was tough, but to get him back is unbelievable. He’s a true professional on and off the floor. And he’s smart. “For me, it’s his IQ. You never have to question his effort or his attitude. He’s always moving in the right direction for the group and we’re lucky to have him. We were happy he was there (available in dispersal draft).” Hossack arrived back in Saskatchewan with nervous excitement. Indeed, green and black butterflies floated around in his stomach. “Talking to Keener (Rush general manager Derek Keenan) at the beginning of camp, I had butterflies again – it’s been probably been a few years,” admits Hossack, who was originally taken by the Rush in the second round, 14th overall, of the 2016 NLL Draft out of the Rochester Institute of Technology. Taken by Panther City in the 2021 NLL expansion draft as the No. 1 pick, Hossack would be re-claimed by Saskatchewan, sixth overall, in this year’s Panther City dispersal draft. “When I first went to Panther City, I had a lot of butterflies doing that because there are so many unknowns,” explains Hossack, a native of Port Perry, Ont.. “What I liked about coming back here is I know a lot of people and faces in the front office and all the lacrosse staff. “That gives me a good feeling, having that sense of home and something I know, something already that I’m coming back to, but the butterflies came because there are so many new guys on the team and it’s a completely different group than what I’m used to. It’s certainly exciting for me.” It’s a new-look defensive corps for Hossack with the likes of Bobby Kidd III, Isaac Ngyou, Connor McClelland, Matt Acchione, Jake Boudreau, Adam Jay, Jake Naso, Holden Garlent, Ryan Barnable and Jerrett Smith joining him and veteran Mike Messenger. “I’m really excited about the group,” says Hossack, who captained Panther City. “I think it’s a lot better than what maybe I expected or what I saw from the outside and to see how much the guys care and what they’re working on at times, guys take feedback really well and they’re talking all the time. To see that each weekend, I feel we’ve gotten a little better towards achieving certain things and we’ve got to continue to do that.” Through 114 pro games, the right-handed defenceman has scooped up 617 loose balls, caused 142 turnovers, scored 22 goals and added 55 assists. “I certainly take pride in being the leader out there when it’s necessarily my turn to do that,” says Hossack. “As a veteran, what you always go back to is you try to claim and capture some of that new energy that Acchione, Levi Anderson and those guys bring to the team because they’re so new, so fresh, and it reminds you of what it was like when you were a rookie in the league or new in the league. You try to continue to capture that and I think that’s really important.” Hossack says he was able to come out of his shell in Panther City. “I’m super grateful for that opportunity because I grew so much as a vocal leader, as someone who’s typically more quiet and a leader by example. That hasn’t changed. I’m still a little more of a leader by example but I’ve learned how to find my voice more and speak up when times are necessary and I think that’s the biggest part of my game and showing a little bit more emotion when it’s necessary to give guys a bit of a jump. “As much as it stings a little to put so much effort into building the (Panther City) program down in Fort Worth there, there was definitely a sense of excitement to be able to come back around full circle and be back here in Sask.” dzary@postmedia.com -Advertisement-50 jiliasia 。

(The Center Square) – National Governors Association (NGA) Chair and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, D-Colorado, joined Governors Joe Lombardo, R-Nev., Spencer Cox, R-Utah, and Mark Gordon, R-Wyo., alongside education experts to support an NGA initiative this week, according to a press release from the organization. The initiative is called Let’s Get Ready: Educating All Americans for Success . It aims to improve public education in the following areas, according to the initiative’s website: early literacy, numeracy, and high-quality curriculum; after-school, summer, and expanded learning; work-based learning and apprenticeships; dual and concurrent enrollment; skills-based learning and non-degree credentials; technology and artificial intelligence in the classroom; educator development and support; and data systems and roles of state agencies. “Launched in July 2024, Let’s Get Ready is a yearlong initiative designed to support the nation’s Governors drive innovative education policies,” the release said. “Let’s Get Ready aims to help Governors form policies that better evaluate outcomes for state investments in education and improve outcomes for learners at all stages of their education journey. The initiative also focuses on the ways states can meet the future needs of the workforce by preparing students for success in and outside of the classroom. Last month, Governor Polis held the first Let’s Get Ready convening in Denver.” On Wednesday, Polis and Lombardo plan to tour Southeast Career Technical Academy where they will “highlight the innovative work the school is leading to empower students with the tools needed to succeed with professional career paths,” the release said. Southeast Career Technical Academy is the first career and technical education high school in Las Vegas. More from this section “I started the Let’s Get Ready initiative because I’m committed to advancing the American principle that all students should have access to education that prepares them for success in life,” Polis said in the release. “We know that education is the key to prosperity and success for individuals, our communities, and our economy. That’s why we’re encouraged that Governors from both sides of the aisles are working with our country’s top education experts to find innovative solutions to improve education policies and outcomes. We can ensure all learners have access to quality education by implementing policies that look to the current and future needs of students and our workforce.” Lombardo said the academy meshes well with his educational goals as governor. “Better preparing students for college and career paths is one of my top priorities,” Lombardo said in the release. “Nevada is taking action on a variety of fronts – expanding early childhood education, hiring more teachers, increasing per-pupil funding, supporting innovative charter schools, and increasing accountability to ensure schools deliver results for students. Establishing better education to workforce pathways takes coordination with teachers, students, and business leaders. I appreciate the opportunity to host Governors and education leaders in Nevada to spur a national conversation on education.” The Las Vegas-based event will feature panel discussions with education experts on both sides of the political aisle. Some education experts participating include : David Coleman, CEO of College Board; Dr. Shanika Hope, Education for Social Impact Director at Google; Dr. Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy; and Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code, the release said. Additional information about the Let’s Get Ready initiative and upcoming bipartisan events are available on the NGA website .You've finished watching Black Doves and are contemplating that ending, wondering what will become of Sam, Helen -- and the nanny -- in season 2. While you wait, there's another new-ish thriller that transports you across the pond and into several countries where there's so many close calls you may feel conflicted about whose side you're on. But probably not. While Black Doves has spy hijinks, double lives and hand-to-hand combat sequences and a mystery at its core, it's not a 100% assassin's tale. For that, I urge you to watch the clever, suspense-filled Peacock series, The Day of the Jackal . There are moments that are teeth-clenching. I don't know if you've seen Eddie Redmayne play a killer before, but his Jackal -- who goes by Charlie and many other names -- has swagger, excellent marksmanship and extreme work-life balance issues like Keira Knightley's Helen in Black Doves. However, these shows are not the same. The Jackal is a hitman-for-hire who's been making millions from his illegal profession, taking advantage of technology and sophisticated prosthetics to do his job. Based on the 1971 novel by Frederick Forsyth, the 10-episode series pulls some bits from the 1973 film adaptation but builds out the narrative to give the protagonist an origin story and affluent life with his unaware wife and baby. He speaks multiple languages, can blend in and is willing to hole up for three days and pee in water bottle to fulfill his end of a deal. That's dedication. While he exhibits a certain amount of aloofness, the Jackal isn't completely unflinching or unfeeling. At home, he's Charlie, a loving husband, father and in-law. Season 1 isn't just about following him on missions. The show also stars Lashana Lynch as Bianca Pullman, an MI-6 agent on his tail after he assassinates a politician. As you watch, you learn that she is smart as an agent but creates messes on the job and at home, some of which cannot be fixed. Bianca's obsession with capturing the Jackal comes with a high price. In the midst of her kicking off her investigation, our assassin is chasing after someone who chooses not to pay a debt and simultaneously lands a high-paying gig that comes with a hard deadline and conditions. If he succeeds, he can leave this profession, but if he fails, he'll have to run from MI-6 and the people who hired him. To make matters more complicated, his wife, Nuria (played by Money Heist star Úrsula Corberó) grows suspicious about him and starts digging. While the Jackal is very meticulous and maps out almost every move, he can't always account for last-minute logistical changes, law enforcement sweeps and checkpoints or nosey family members. There seemingly aren't enough passports in the world to help him recover from a sloppy escape. And at one point in the show, he cracks emotionally. Have you ever seen a contract killer cry? With British intelligence inching closer to discovering his true identity and whereabouts, there are tense scenes where the Jackal comes dangerously close to being found, caught or killed. He has a little bit of help, but that doesn't always pan out the way you expect it to. The season finale made me gasp. Stream all 10 episodes of season 1 of The Day of the Jackal, and patiently wait -- like him -- for season 2 to come to Peacock.Kings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source saysChicago Bulls icon Michael Jordan threw up all night before Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals after eating pizza in his Utah hotel room. Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals is called “The Flu Game,” but Jordan was dealing with food poisoning. “Before Game 5 in Utah, I’m at the Marriott,” Jordan said in The Last Dance . “So it was George, myself, Tim and I think a couple of security guys. But it’s like 10:00, 10:30 at night, I’m hungry. I ate the pizza. All by myself. Nobody else ate the pizza. I wake up about 2:30 throwing up left and right. So really it wasn’t the flu game, it was food poisoning. I stayed in bed all day. Couldn’t eat anything, couldn’t hold nothing down.” Not only did Jordan play 44 minutes in “The Flu Game,” but he also scored 38 points and hit the game-winning 3-pointer off an excellent pass from Scottie Pippen . Jordan shot 13-of-27 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line in “The Flu Game.” He finished with 38 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. With the game tied at 85, Jordan hit a 3-pointer with 25.0 seconds left in regulation to give the Bulls an 88-85 lead. Chicago won by a final score of 90-88 to take a 3-2 lead in the series. The Bulls and Utah Jazz only had one day off before playing Game 6 at the United Center. Fortunately for Chicago, Jordan got over his food poisoning and was close to 100% on June 13, 1997. The 10-time scoring champion had another stellar performance in Game 6. However, he wasn’t the hero. The Bulls and Jazz were tied at 86 with 28.0 seconds left in regulation in Game 6. Phil Jackson took a timeout to draw up a play for Jordan, who told Steve Kerr to be ready to shoot since he knew he would get doubled. John Stockton left Kerr to double Jordan, who found the sharpshooter right behind the free-throw line. Kerr hit a jumper with 5.0 seconds remaining to give the Bulls a two-point lead. However, Chicago still needed one more stop to win championship No. 5. One of the best defenders in NBA history, Pippen stole the inbounds pass from Bryon Russell and passed it ahead to Toni Kukoc , who dunked the ball at the buzzer for the Bulls’ final exclamation point. Jordan won his fifth Finals MVP after finishing the series with averages of 32.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists. Chicago might have lost the 1997 NBA Finals if Jordan hadn’t played in Game 5. “The Flu Game” is undoubtedly one of the most iconic contests in sports history and showcased Jordan’s mental and physical toughness. With the Bulls, Jordan won six championships, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, 10 scoring titles, three steals titles and one Defensive Player of the Year Award. He’s arguably the best player in NBA history. Jordan has career averages of 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 2.3 steals and 0.8 blocks with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. He’s first in NBA history in points per game, fourth in steals, fifth in field goals and second in player efficiency rating. This article first appeared on Hoops Wire and was syndicated with permission.

Ishiba eyes visiting Malaysia, Indonesia in early January

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is calling on Washington to do more about the mysterious drones spotted in recent weeks above the Northeast. The governor said in a statement on Saturday on X that drone activity prompted officials to shut down Stewart Airfield in New Windsor for about an hour last night. “This has gone too far,” Hochul said in the statement, calling on Congress to pass the Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act, a bill that would reform drone policy and hand more authority over to states. “Until those powers are granted to state and local officials, the Biden Administration must step in by directing additional federal law enforcement to New York and the surrounding region to ensure the safety of our criitcal infrastructure and our people,” Hochul added. The Orange County airport is adjacent to the New York Air National Guard base that houses the 105th Airlift Wing, according to The New York Post . Runways were closed between 9:40pm and 10:45pm, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey told the paper, saying there were “no impacts to flight operations during the closure.” Hochul isn’t the first New York official to sound the alarm. "The people of Staten Island deserve answers, and the people of this city and state and region deserve answers of what the heck is going on," Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella said of recent citings about New York City. Residents and elected officials have been reporting sightings of the drones since last month, particularly in New Jersey. Hochul’s plea for more authorities follows a request on Thursday from New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy for further efforts to probe the drone phenomenon. He similarly complained that existing drone policies left local authorities “hamstrung.” “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy wrote. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy has said there’s no evidence the aircraft are a national security or public safety risk. The Pentagon has said they are not U.S. military drones. Defense officials have also shot down theories that the drones are coming from an offshore Iranian ship. Homeland Security Secretary Alejando Mayorkas told CNN on Friday many of the sightings were “a case of mistaken identity,” with residents mistaking regular aircraft for drones, and multiple sightings of the same aircraft from different people making reports seem more common than they are. Homeland Security is in regular contact with New Jersey officials and has deployed experts and monitoring equipment to the state. “We have not seen any unusual activity. We know of no threat. We know of no nefarious activity,” Mayorkas said, adding “technology has not confirmed any drone sighting.” President-elect Donald Trump weighed in on Friday, calling on the airborne objects to be shot down. “Mystery Drone sightings all over the Country,” he wrote on Truth Social. “Can this really be happening without our government’s knowledge. I don’t think so! Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!”Councillor at the centre of Doug Beattie’s resignation removes UUP from social media accounts

( MENAFN - GetNews) StockTune exemplifies innovation in the world of creative arts through its AI-driven platform, which is continually evolving to provide an expansive library of royalty-free music. Celebrated for its commitment to growth, StockTune offers an extensive variety of styles, genres, and moods, making it a go-to resource for creators across different mediums. With its user-friendly search features, StockTune meets and anticipates the diverse needs of its users. In a bold step forward, StockTune has broadened its collection of AI-generated royalty-free music. With an array of new tracks spanning countless genres, the platform continues to redefine what's possible for creators seeking authentic, accessible soundtracks. This announcement reinforces StockTune's mission to provide accessible, high-quality music that supports creative endeavors without financial or legal barriers. The new additions are part of the platform's continuous efforts to harness artificial intelligence to revolutionize music accessibility. StockTune's library now includes thousands of tracks free for download. From upbeat pop melodies for social media content to evocative scores for films and immersive soundscapes for video games. Breaking Barriers for Creators StockTune was established to address a challenge in the creative community: the difficulty of finding affordable and high-quality music. While visual content has seen a surge in accessibility, music resources often remain costly and complicated due to licensing restrictions. StockTune leverages cutting-edge AI technology to break down barriers. "Creativity shouldn't be hindered by complex licensing or high costs," said a StockTune representative. "Our goal is to empower creators by making music accessible, versatile, and free of charge." Improved User Experience In addition to expanding its collection, StockTune has upgraded its search functionality to simplify music search and download. Users can now filter tracks by genre, mood, tempo, and instrument, ensuring a seamless discovery experience. "Our smart search engine is designed to save time and enhance creativity," the representative added. "Whether you're a student, a YouTuber, or a professional filmmaker, StockTune offers tools that let you focus on what you do best – creating." Creativity Across Industries StockTune's diverse audience includes content creators, educators, game developers, and marketers. The platform has become an essential resource for those who require royalty-free music for presentations, advertisements, and digital projects. StockTune is not stopping here. With advancements in AI technology, the platform will continuously broaden offerings and expand its influence in the creative community. Plans include regular updates to the music library and the introduction of advanced customization tools to generate personalized tracks. "We see StockTune as more than a music library," the representative emphasized. "We're building a network where innovators feel supported and inspired." How to Access StockTune Access StockTune's growing library directly through the platform's website. No login or subscription is required. Users can preview, download, and integrate tracks into their projects within minutes. For more information or to explore the new music collection, visit . MENAFN27122024003238003268ID1109036028 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Kings fire coach Mike Brown less than halfway through his 3rd season, AP source says

Packers getting healthier as season winds down