For years, patients in the U.S. health care system have grown frustrated with a bureaucracy they don’t understand. Doctors are included in an insurer’s network one year but not the next. Getting someone on the phone to help can be next to impossible. Coverage of care and prescriptions is often unceremoniously denied. This week’s fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has unleashed a wave of public feeling — exasperation, anger, resentment, helplessness — from Americans sharing personal stories of interactions with insurance companies, often seen as faceless corporate giants. In particular, the words written on ammunition found at the shooting scene — “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” echoing a phrase used to describe how insurers dodge claim payouts — amplified voices that have long been critical of the industry. “All of a sudden, I am fired up again,” said Tim Anderson, describing how his wife, Mary, had to deal with UnitedHealthcare coverage denials before she died from Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, in 2022. Anderson said they couldn’t get coverage for machines to help his wife breathe or talk — toward the end, she communicated by blinking when he showed her pictures. The family had to rely on donations from a local ALS group, he said. “The business model for insurance is don’t pay,” said Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio. “When Mary could still talk, she said to me to keep fighting this,” he added. “It needs to be exposed.” For Anderson and others, Thompson’s death and the message left at the scene have created an opportunity to vent their frustrations. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic, as police efforts to find the gunman keep the case in the news. Hans Maristela said he understands why the chatter is bubbling up. The 54-year-old caregiver in California was moved to comment on Facebook about UnitedHealthcare’s reputation of denying coverage. As a Catholic, he said, he grieves Thompson’s death and feels for his family, especially with the holidays around the corner. But he sees frustration with insurers even among his clients, most of them wealthy older people who’ve not been shielded from high out-of-pocket costs. “And then you know the CEO of this company you pay a lot of money to gets $10 million dollars a year, you won’t have a lot of sympathy for the guy,” Maristela said, citing Thompson’s compensation package that included base pay and stock options. “Health care is a business, I understand, but the obsession with share price, with profit, has to be reevaluated.” University of Pennsylvania researcher Michael Anne Kyle said she’s not surprised by the growth of conversation around insurers. “People are often struggling with this by themselves, and when you see someone else talk about it, that may prompt you to join the conversation,” she said. Kyle studies how patients access care and said she’s seen frustration with the system build for years. Costs are rising, and insurers are using more controls such as prior authorizations and doctor networks to manage them. Patients are often stuck in the middle of disputes between doctors and insurers. “Patients are already spending a lot of money on health care, and then they’re still facing problems with the service,” she said. Insurers often note that most of the money they bring in goes back out the door to pay claims, and that they try to corral soaring costs and the overuse of some care. In Ohio, Anderson said his initial reaction to the CEO shooting was to question whether it was connected to a coverage denial, like the ones he’d experienced with his wife. “I definitely do not condone killing people,” he said. “But I read it and said, ‘I wonder if somebody had a spouse whose coverage was denied.'” It’s something Will Flanary, a Portland-based ophthalmologist and comedian with a large social media following, saw online a lot in the shooting’s immediate aftermath and found very telling. “It’s zero sympathy,” he said. “And the lesson to take away from that is not, ‘Let’s shame people for celebrating a murder.’ No, it’s: ‘Look at the amount of anger that people have toward this system that’s taken advantage of people and do something to try to fix that.'” Flanary’s content, published under the name Dr. Glaucomflecken, started out as niche eye doctor jokes and a way to cope with his own experiences with two cancer diagnoses and a sudden cardiac arrest. But it has evolved, featuring character skits that call attention to and satirize the decisions of large health insurers, including UnitedHealthcare. He said he’s never seen conversations around health insurance policy take off the way they did this week — and he hopes these new voices can help bring about change. “I’m always talking about how powerful social media can be with advocacy,” he said, “because it really is the only way to put a significant amount of pressure on these corporations who are doing bad things for patients.” Story by Tom Murphy and Devi Shastri, Associated Press More articles from the BDNThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . KINGSTON, R.I. (AP) — Sebastian Thomas’ 19 points helped Rhode Island defeat Providence 69-63 on Saturday. Thomas shot 7 for 14 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line for the Rams (9-0). Jaden House scored 18 points and added five rebounds. David Green shot 4 for 11 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds and three blocks. The Friars (6-4) were led in scoring by Bryce Hopkins, who finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals. Bensley Joseph added 16 points and two steals for Providence. Jayden Pierre also had 12 points and three steals. House scored 14 points in the first half and Rhode Island went into halftime trailing 35-28. Thomas scored 17 points down the stretch in the second half to help lead Rhode Island to a six-point victory. NEXT UP Both teams next play Tuesday. Rhode Island visits Brown and Providence squares off against DePaul on the road. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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Hyderabad: Agriculture minister Thummala Nageswara Rao has said that there was no need for the farmers in Telangana to beg for Rythu Bandhu, Rythu Bhima and for their farm loans to be waived-off. Speaking at an event in Kodad on Saturday, December 7, he said that despite financial difficulties, the state government has waived off farm loans amounting to more than Rs 21,000 crore for the farmers, and has disbursed Rs 7,625 crore of Rythu Bandhu (now Rythu Bharosa) amount for Kharif 2023, which was not released by the previous government. He also said that Rs 3,000 crore was also deposited for Rythu Bhima crop insurance and other schemes for the benefit of the farmers. It needs to be mentioned here, that chief minister A Revanth Reddy has already announced that the Rythu Bharosa crop input financial assistance will be disbursed to the farmers’ accounts after Sankranthi festival (January 14 and 15). Addressing the public meeting held in Nalgonda as part of “Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu,” the chief minister has once again reiterated the same. He said that once the funds start getting deposited, it would certainly increase the heart-rate of BRS leaders who have been misleading the farmers on Rythu Bharosa.The NBA coaching carousel has started spinning a little earlier than usual in 2024. On Friday, ESPN's Shams Charania first reported that the Kings were moving on from head coach Mike Brown less than 24 hours after the Kings' 114-113 home loss to the Detroit Pistons . Sacramento has had a tough start to the season as they're in the middle of a 5-game losing streak and sit at 13-16 overall, including a 6-12 record at home. But Brown is coming off two straight winning season including a Coach of the Year performance (his second) in the 2022-23 season, his first with the Kings. That year also marked the end of a 16-season NBA Playoffs drought. Here's everything you need to know about the Kings' decision to fire Brown. Why did the Kings fire Brown? Although it's early in the season, the Kings' disastrous start to the 2024-25 season left ownership searching for answers, especially of late. Sacramento started out the season consistently staying above -.500 until mid-November. The Kings fell to 9-12 on Dec. 1, and lost six out of their last 10 games. Currently, Sacramento is 13-18 and 12th in the Western Conference. According to various reports, Sacramento's home record may be a big reason. Say what you want about Vivek, he just ate 30 plus million to try and right the ship. Mike Brown may in fact be the unnecessary scapegoat, but you don’t lose games like that at home with these expectations and survive. You knew it was coming, and you pretty much knew if they... Sacramento lost 114-113 to the Pistons the night before Brown was fired. As Detriot trailed by three, Jaden Ivey hit a three-pointer and was fouled by Kings guard De'Aaron Fox. Ivey hit the free throw to give Detroit the win, capping off a 19-point rally in the second half. After the game, Brown appeared to call out Fox postgame, albeit not by name: Mike Brown got himself fired after he threw De'Aaron Fox under the bus after the loss last night. pic.twitter.com/FJOZPko6DL On Friday, this video of Brown and Fox made the rounds on social media and had many speculating this was the two saying goodbye, which was apparently taken shortly before Brown's firing: This moment between Kings head coach Mike Brown and De'Aaron Fox at today's practice will certainly be dissected and analyzed. pic.twitter.com/x6dYwZ1zf8 The Kings opened the season with +3500 odds to win the NBA Championship. But with stars like Fox, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings seemingly had a shot to at least make it to the playoffs. Brown led the Kings to the first-round of the playoffs for the first time since 2006 in the 2022-23 season. Sacramento surprisingly went up 2-0 in the series against Golden State , but ultimately lost in seven games. Sacramento is no stranger to cycling through coaches. Since Rick Adelman was the head coach from 1998-2006, there have been zero Kings coaches who have lasted longer than three seasons. Sacramento has hired 10 coaches since 2006. Mike Brown contract The timing of Brown's firing is particularly interesting, given that the head coach signed a multiyear extension with the Kings in June. Brown's contract extension paid him $8.5 million annually through the 2026-27 season, making it a 3-year, $25.5 million deal that can be worth up to $30 million if incentives are hit. Brown's original 4-year contract with the Kings was slated to expire after the 2024-25 season. It sounds like the Kings fired Brown on Friday after he led the team through a full practice, and as it was set to board a plane to Los Angeles. The Sacramento Kings just fired Mike Brown right before the team boarded a flight to LA. He just ran a full practice and spent 15 minutes talking to the media. Just bad man. Bad bad bad. Brown even went through media availability shortly before his firing: Again, just minutes ago we spoke with Mike Brown for 15 minutes. Part of what he talked about was handling the pressure as the head coach of an underperforming team. Here was his answer minutes before being fired: pic.twitter.com/LvcZmUmeIN Per Charania, current Kings assistant Doug Christie and former Sacramento guard will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the season. This is a breaking news story that will be updated.California voters – with their interstate activism and cash donations, probably did influence some races far beyond this state’s borders.

Mizuho Securities USA LLC Sells 72,980 Shares of Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. Executive of Tyler Perry Studios dies when plane he was piloting crashes in Florida ATLANTA (AP) — The president of Atlanta-based Tyler Perry Studios has died when the small plane he was piloting crashed on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The studio confirmed on Saturday that Steve Mensch, its 62-year-old president and general manager, had died Friday. The crash happened in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa. Photos from the scene show the plane having come to rest upside down on a road. Mensch helped advocate for Georgia’s film tax credit of more than $1 billion a year. Perry hired Mensch to run his namesake studio in 2016. Mensch died as Perry released his war drama, “The Six Triple Eight." The film was shot at the Atlanta studio. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel.When death was whispered into the ears of the Bali Nine, Mick Tsikas pulled the trigger. or signup to continue reading The veteran Australian Associated Press photographer has spent years documenting the saga of the smuggling ring. He still remembers the moment Andrew Chan received his sentence. "As soon as the judge said 'mati', his translator leaned over and whispered in his ear 'death'," Tsikas recalls. Almost 20 years later, he could return to the work that won him a coveted Walkley Award, as the federal government advances talks to bring the five remaining imprisoned Australians home. Chan, Myuran Sukumaran, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, Matthew Norman, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Renae Lawrence were arrested on April 17, 2005 after attempting to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin out of Indonesia. Their story exploded into the headlines and Tsikas arrived in Denpasar the next day, welcomed by signs at the airport proclaiming drug trafficking was punishable by death. At the time, sympathy was in short supply for the young Australians. Pointing to the consequences of drug addiction, many said they had to take responsibility for their actions while letters published in newspapers claimed they deserved to die. Tsikas caught his first glimpse of the nine at police headquarters. "I was blown away, they were just kids," he says. "They obviously did something stupid but they were in way over their heads. They did not have a clue what was going to happen to them." Rush, 19, had run the emotional gauntlet between shock, disbelief and devastation, and didn't know what to say when the grizzled photographer showed up. Tsikas put his camera down and shared a cigarette through the prison bars. Unlike Australia, where photographers are banished from courtrooms and holding cells, Indonesian authorities allowed them to shoot within an inch of the smugglers, with one judge even offering to move from their line of sight so a clean frame could be taken. Distraught families kissing loved ones through bars, nervous eyes staring down media scrums, faces contorting as fates were sealed, Tsikas caught it all. As photos trickled out of Denpasar, public opinion began to turn, reaching an inflection point when it was revealed Australian Federal Police had tipped off Indonesian officials instead of trying to arrest the group themselves after they arrived back in Australia. On February 14, 2006, convicted ringleaders Chan and Sukumaran were sentenced to death and led away in cuffs. It was the last time Tsikas saw them alive. Over the following years, they forged new identities as every appeal and plea fell on deaf ears. Sukumaran helped organise courses in philosophy, computers and graphic design for detainees and became an artist, painting multiple self-portraits during his time in Kerobokan Prison. Chan converted to Christianity and became a pastor who helped lead the prison's English language church service. Family, lawyers and even then-prime minister Tony Abbott all believed they had been rehabilitated. But almost a decade after their arrests, Indonesia's president Joko Widodo turned down their bids for clemency and on April 29, 2015, Chan and Sukumaran were executed by firing squad on Nusakambangan island. The next morning, Tsikas captured a forklift carrying one of the men's coffins at Jakarta airport. "I felt empty," he says. "When you've invested so much of yourself into this story, so much emotion, and then it ends like this ... it's state-sanctioned murder. "That's vengeance, it's not justice." Lawrence had her sentence commuted in 2018 and was deported to Australia. Nguyen died in custody of stomach cancer in May that year. The rest have been living out life sentences at various Indonesian prisons, hoping to one day go home. Potentially, that time has come, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke on Tuesday revealing he'd discussed a deal to repatriate the five men with Indonesia's minister for law Yusril Ihza Mahendra that could be finalised this month. "They'll be happy they're home but they've been calling Bali their home for 20 years," Tsikas says. "Michael Czugaj was 19, he's almost 40 now ... he's spent longer in Indonesia than he has in Australia. "It'll be bitter sweet." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? 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Welcome to the Week 14 fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic ’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates on Thursday and Friday to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions. We’ll come back with a special Sunday cheat sheet that morning as well. Advertisement Player rankings referenced in this article are current as of Dec. 6. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section. The latest NFL news and headlines Last updated: 9:40 a.m. ET, Dec. 7 Injury news | Weather report Featured games | Best bets Survivor Pools | Fantasy football player rankings Injury news Updated through 9:40 a.m., Dec. 7 Trevor Lawrence , QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (concussion) — Injured reserve Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after taking a massive blow to the head in Week 13, clearing the way for Mac Jones . WR Brian Thomas Jr. and TE Evan Engram take big hits with Lawrence out. Jones’ highest passer rating (100.0) came in Week 3. In Week 10, his next game, he achieved only a 38.2 passer rating. On the season, he has a 62 percent completion rate, lower than Daniel Jones , Aidan O’Connell , Will Levis and Aaron Rodgers . Tyreek Hill , WR, Miami Dolphins (wrist) — Expected to play Hill didn’t practice Wednesday due to his lingering wrist issue but also for rest. He’s played through his injury before and will likely again, as he’s expected to play. Breece Hall , RB, New York Jets (knee) — Doubtful Hall is doubtful for Week 14. If he sits, Braelon Allen is a flex consideration on a heavy bye week. Hall only had 60 yards rushing in Week 13 but averaged five yards per carry and had 31.1 PPR points in Week 11. Allen is averaging 5.31 PPR points per game but should see increased usage with Hall out. With Aaron Rodgers’ struggles, the Jets may lean on Allen against the Dolphins in Week 14. Bucky Irving , RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hip/back) — Questionable Irving was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice, and if he can’t make it back for Week 14, Rachaad White ’s fantasy value elevates. Irving has been getting the bulk of the carries for the Bucs since Week 10 and has been efficient. He’s had just over 27 PPR points the past two weeks and had 152 yards rushing in Week 13. White is down to 13.2 PPR points per game on the season but put up 6.9 yards per carry in Week 13, though half of his 76 rushing yards came off a 38-yard run. Advertisement Mike Evans , WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hamstring/calf) — Expected to play Evans didn’t practice on Thursday but is expected to play. Evans scored 25.8 PPR points in Week 13 and is an automatic start. Taysom Hill , TE, New Orleans Saints (knee) — Injured reserve Foster Moreau , TE, New Orleans Saints (shoulder) — Expected to play Juwan Johnson , TE, New Orleans Saints (foot) — Expected to play Hill is out for the season due to a torn ACL . Hill’s skillset is unique, and he’s utilized like no one else in the league, but Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see more work with Hill out. Cedric Tillman , WR, Cleveland Browns (concussion) — Out Tillman hasn’t played since Week 12, but the real Cleveland WR to start in fantasy is Jerry Jeudy , who had 40.5 PPR points in Week 13. I suggested flexing Jeudy last week, and this week, he may even deserve a WR slot on your roster with six teams on bye. Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings (quadriceps) — Questionable / injured reserve Reichard was designated to return to practice on Tuesday. In Reichard’s absence, John Parker Romo has gone 11-for-12 on field goals and 7-for-8 on extra points this season; his longest kick was a 55-yarder. While Romo played well, Reichard will start for the Vikings when healthy. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (knee) — Out Goedert injured his knee in the win over the Ravens and is out for Week 14. It’s Grant Calcaterra time again ... but probably not for your fantasy team. Calcaterra scored zero PPR points in five games this season, and his high of 10.7 points came in Week 6. Even with six teams on bye, starting the Eagles backup tight end is for the desperate. Theo Johnson , TE, New York Giants (foot) — Injured reserve Johnson was placed on injured reserve and underwent season-ending foot surgery, according to SI.com’s Patricia Traina. Chris Manhertz is now atop the depth chart at TE for the Giants. Advertisement Malik Nabers , WR, New York Giants (groin) — Questionable Nabers did not practice Friday and is questionable for Week 14. Nabers is the No. 1 receiver in New York, and with him out, many targets are up for grabs. Look for Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton to see more usage in Nabers’ absence. Ja’Tavion Sanders , TE, Carolina Panthers (neck) — Questionable Sanders missed last week and has had only two games with over 10 PPR points this season. Backup TE Tommy Tremble , who had 12.7 PPR points in Week 13, would get another start if Sanders sits again. Jakobi Meyers , WR, Las Vegas Raiders (ankle) — Questionable Meyers didn’t practice Thursday and is questionable for Week 14. Meyers has been a bright spot, along with Brock Bowers on an otherwise hard-to-watch team. Tre Tucker could have some flex relevance without Meyers. Tucker was targeted eight times in Week 12 and had seven receptions for 82 yards. Zamir White , RB, Las Vegas Raiders (quadriceps) — Out Alexander Mattison , RB, Las Vegas Raiders (ankle) — Questionable With both White and Mattison out last week, Sincere McCormick led the backfield with 12 carries and 64 yards, while Ameer Abdullah had 10 rushes for 39 yards. George Pickens , WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (hamstring) — Questionable Pickens was a limited participant in practice Friday and is now questionable. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III could be interesting flex options this week with six teams on bye. In Week 13, Jefferson saw more targets, but Austin scored a touchdown, had more fantasy points and has more targets per game this season than Jefferson. Christian McCaffrey , RB, San Francisco 49ers (knee) — Injured reserve Jordan Mason , RB, San Francisco 49ers (ankle) — Out The Niners placed McCaffrey on injured reserve early this week, and Mason is expected to join him, so I subsequently placed a waiver claim for Isaac Guerendo in every one of my leagues (seven) and was successful in one. Guerendo is now San Francisco’s No. 1 back, and he’s been good when given the chance. He has averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and among RBs with over 40 carries — Guerendo has 42 — he’s ranked first in yards before contact per rush. Kenneth Walker III , RB, Seattle Seahawks (ankle/calf) — Questionable Walker is truly questionable heading into Week 14. Keep an eye on Walker’s status because if he can’t play, Zach Charbonnet could be a great flex option with so many teams on bye. Advertisement Dalton Kincaid , TE, Buffalo Bills (knee) — Questionable Kincaid was listed as a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, according to the Bills’ Maddy Glab. Kincaid hasn’t played since Week 10, and if he sits again, Dawson Knox is a streaming option during a week with six teams on bye. Keon Coleman , WR, Buffalo Bills (wrist) — Questionable Curtis Samuel , WR, Buffalo Bills (foot) — Expected to play Coleman remains questionable while Samuel is expected to play. Coleman and Samuel are targeted more than Amari Cooper on a per-game basis but bring in fewer receptions; Khalil Shakir gets the most usage for Buffalo. If Coleman sits, Shakir’s and Cooper’s stock rise a little when the Bills head to Los Angeles to face the Rams . D’Andre Swift , RB, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable Roschon Johnson , RB, Chicago Bears (concussion) — Out Swift and Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice, and Johnson was subsequently ruled out. Behind them on the depth chart is Travis Homer , who has three carries on the year. Swift (3.9 yards per carry) is the No. 1 back in Chicago, but Johnson (2.9 YPC) did see 10 carries in Week 11. Swift is averaging 13.89 PPR points per game, with a 29.5-point season high in Week 4. Keenan Allen , WR, Chicago Bears (ankle) — Expected to play DJ Moore , WR, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable Neither Allen nor Moore practiced Wednesday, but Allen came off the injury report Thursday while Moore missed another practice. If Moore doesn’t play, high-ceiling, low-floor WR Rome Odunze could be a viable flex option. Matthew Stafford , QB, Los Angeles Rams (ankle) — Expected to play Stafford suffered a lateral ankle sprain in Week 13 but is expected to practice and play this week, according to The Athletic’ s Jourdan Rodrigue. Ladd McConkey , WR, Los Angeles Chargers (knee) — Questionable Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects McConkey to practice this week, according to The Athletic ’s Daniel Popper. But if he can’t play in Week 14, Quentin Johnston will benefit the most, and Joshua Palmer could also see additional targets. On the season, McConkey’s seen 24.9 percent of team targets; TE Will Dissly’s had 16.3 percent, Johnston’s absorbed 14.2 percent and Palmer gets only 12.6 percent. McConkey’s absence leaves a lot behind, and Johnston’s ceiling is around the 22 PPR points he scored in Week 9, while he’s averaged 9.72 points this year. Spencer Shrader , K, Kansas City Chiefs (hamstring) — Injured reserve After Harrison Butker was placed on IR, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad. Shrader was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts (including a game-winner in Week 12) and made all six extra-point attempts. But a hamstring injury sent Shrader to IR, and the Chiefs signed Matthew Wright to their active roster. In Week 13, Wright made 4-of-5 field goal attempts (missing only a 59-yarder) and hit his only extra-point attempt. Advertisement Evan McPherson , K, Cincinnati Bengals (groin) — Injured reserve McPherson has been placed on injured reserve. In his absence, the Bengals are signing Cade York to the practice squad, and he’ll likely be next in line to kick for Cincinnati. York kicked for the Commanders in Week 1 and went 0-for-2 on field goals but made both of his extra-point attempts. Ja’Marr Chase , WR, Cincinnati Bengals (ankle) — Expected to play Chase was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice but is expected to play. He and Tee Higgins could do well in Week 14. CeeDee Lamb , WR, Dallas Cowboys (shoulder) — Questionable Jake Ferguson , TE, Dallas Cowboys (concussion) — Questionable Lamb is the only reliable Cowboys receiver and Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he will benefit from rest and should be ready for Week 14, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic . With all the Cowboys’ struggles and Cooper Rush taking over QB duties, Lamb is still averaging 16.49 PPR points on the season. Ferguson hasn’t played since Week 11 and is only averaging 8.66 PPR points per game, but he has averaged 6.44 targets and 4.78 receptions per game and could make it back for Week 14. If Ferguson remains out, Luke Schoonmaker is once again a TE streaming option with two 10-plus PPR performances in the past three weeks. Weather report Outdoor games only According to Rotowire ’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, no games on the schedule will be impacted by weather. None have expected temperatures below 35 degrees, which would impact the passing game as per Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather and as illustrated in the table below. Featured games Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game. Buffalo Bills (10-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6-6) The Buffalo Bills, having clinched the AFC East, go on the road as favorites to face the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-6 Rams still have a shot at the NFC West title and have plenty to play for, but motivation does not equal victory. LA’s defense ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed per game, which bodes well for James Cook who averages 4.7 yards per rush and has 11 rushing TDs on the year. Josh Allen has the odds to win MVP this year with 2,691 passing yards, 334 rushing yards, 26 total TDs and only five interceptions. His primary targets are Khalil Shakir (6.64 targets per game) and Dalton Kincaid (5.9), while Amari Cooper has averaged only 3.25 and only 3.3 yards after catch per reception, compared to Shakir’s 8.0. Advertisement The Rams suffered from wide receiver injuries early in the season, but Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are now healthy. Matthew Stafford ranks in the top 10 in passing TDs and passing yards but ranks last in passer rating under pressure. Fortunately for him, the Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in sack percentage and opponents time to pressure and time to throw. Kyren Williams has 926 rushing yards (5th in the NFL ) and 10 rushing TDs (T-7th) on the year. Blake Corum had eight carries in Week 13, tying his season-high in Week 2 but remains a handcuff with limited fantasy viability. Read the full preview (coming Sunday). Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) The Kansas City Chiefs are home favorites in their second matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. In the teams’ first meeting, the Chiefs won 17-10, typical of a skin-of-their-teeth season in which they’ve won by three points or fewer in three of their last four games — the fourth game was their only loss, to Buffalo. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have renewed their chemistry since Week 4, and Kelce has had three 20-plus PPR performances since then. During the past three weeks, DeAndre Hopkins has run the most routes (87) and been the most targeted (19) receiver (outside of Kelce). Xavier Worthy is right behind him with 19 targets and 83 routes. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his first game back last week, and he’ll likely see more touches going forward. The Chargers’ 8-4 record is their best at this point in the season since 2018, but much of their success has come against weaker opponents. They’ve lost to the Steelers, Cardinals , Ravens (and Chiefs). Head coach Jim Harbaugh has made massive improvements to the defense, and Justin Herbert and the offense are coming along. But J.K. Dobbins is out for the season, Gus Edwards is an inadequate fill-in, and Ladd McConkey is battling a knee injury. If McConkey plays, he’s shaping into an every-week starter with 17.8 PPR points per game over the past three weeks, fantasy’s WR13 during that time. Read the full preview (coming Sunday). Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-7) The 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals are favored on the road against the 5-7 Dallas Cowboys. While the Cowboys defeated the Giants on Thanksgiving, they face a tougher QB in Joe Burrow , who is having a career year with a 108.4 passer rating to go with a league-leading 3,337 passing yards and 30 passing TDs. Chase Brown is averaging 14.78 PPR points per game, and Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142). Tee Higgins ranks fourth overall in PPR points per game (18.4) for receivers who have played in five or more games, putting up WR1 numbers as the team’s No. 2 receiver. The Cowboys may struggle to stop Burrow, but even with Cooper Rush under center, they may be able to score on the Bengals, who allow the second-most points and are ranked 27th in yards per game allowed. CeeDee Lamb, tied for fourth in total receiving yards, tweaked his shoulder on Thanksgiving but should be ready for MNF, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic . Rico Dowdle is a boom-or-bust RB3/flex (in 12-team leagues) with under 10 PPR points in five games this season and over 19 in three but should find opportunities against Cincinnati’s defense. Read the full preview (coming Monday). Statistics in this section come from TruMedia . Week 14 best bets Austin Mock scours his weekly projections to spot the top values on the board. Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers under 44.5 (-110) Both of these teams have been much better on offense since making changes at quarterback, and I’m going to bet against that. The Steelers should have their full pass-rushing package healthy for the first time since September, and I think the market is overlooking that. No, I won’t say I’m in love with betting an under involving Jameis Winston . The guy is a gunslinger, and short fields and interception returns for touchdowns are always on the table. So are red zone interceptions, as we saw at the end of the Broncos game. It’s not fun, but points may be at a premium here. — Mock See all of Mock’s best bets for Week 14 . Survivor pool picks and mailbag A weekly guide to staying alive from Renee Miller and Adam Gretz. Odds from BetMGM as of Thursday. Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Las Vegas Raiders The Buccaneers were the popular pick a week ago, but if you saved them and still have them at your disposal, they will be one of the most popular picks again. I know they got a scare against Carolina, but the Panthers have been a problem in recent weeks, especially now that Bryce Young is slowly but surely adapting to the NFL. They might not be good, but they are putting up a fight. Advertisement Tampa Bay is favored by a touchdown over the Raiders, and this game shouldn’t be as close as when the Bucs played Carolina. Not only are the Raiders possibly worse than the Panthers, but also, as I pointed out above, the Raiders have to go from the Pacific time zone to the Eastern time zone for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff. That is a challenge for good teams and adds another layer for an already bad team playing against a team fighting for a division championship. The Philadelphia Eagles, Steelers, Saints, Vikings and maybe even the Titans (against Jacksonville) should be good bets, but Tampa Bay should win and win big. — Gretz Get this week’s top survivor pool tips . Jake Ciely’s Week 14 fantasy football player rankings Find out Jake’s top QB, RB, WR and TE for the week! Get Ciely’s full Week 14 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections . (Photo of Breece Hall: Luke Hales/Getty Images)World leaders discuss evolving political landscape in the Middle East

CHICAGO (AP) — In the days after the presidential election, Sadie Perez began carrying pepper spray with her around campus. Her mom also ordered her and her sister a self-defense kit that included keychain spikes, a hidden knife key and a personal alarm. It’s a response to an emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers who have seized on Republican Donald Trump ’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice” at women online and on college campuses. For many women, the words represent a worrying harbinger of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. “The fact that I feel like I have to carry around pepper spray like this is sad,” said Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin. “Women want and deserve to feel safe.” Isabelle Frances-Wright, director of technology and society at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank focusing on polarization and extremism, said she had seen a “very large uptick in a number of types of misogynistic rhetoric immediately after the election,” including some “extremely violent misogyny.” “I think many progressive women have been shocked by how quickly and aggressively this rhetoric has gained traction,” she said. The phrase “Your body, my choice” has been largely attributed to a post on the social platform X from Nick Fuentes, a Holocaust-denying white nationalist and far-right internet personality who dined at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida two years ago. In statements responding to criticism of that event, Trump said he had “never met and knew nothing about” Fuentes before he arrived. Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law, said the phrase transforms the iconic abortion rights slogan into an attack on women’s right to autonomy and a personal threat. “The implication is that men should have control over or access to sex with women,” said Ziegler, a reproductive rights expert. Fuentes' post had 35 million views on X within 24 hours, according to a report by Frances-Wright's think tank, and the phrase spread rapidly to other social media platforms. Women on TikTok have reported seeing it inundate their comment sections. The slogan also has made its way offline with boys chanting it in middle schools or men directing it at women on college campuses, according to the Institute for Strategic Dialogue report and social media reports. One mother said her daughter heard the phrase on her college campus three times, the report said . School districts in Wisconsin and Minnesota have sent notices about the language to parents. T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase were pulled off Amazon. Perez said she has seen men respond to shared Snapchat stories for their college class with “Your body, my choice.” “It makes me feel disgusted and infringed upon,” she said. “... It feels like going backwards.” Misogynistic attacks have been part of the social media landscape for years. But Frances-Wright and others who track online extremism and disinformation said language glorifying violence against women or celebrating the possibility of their rights being stripped away has spiked since the election. Online declarations for women to “Get back in the kitchen” or to “Repeal the 19th,” a reference to the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote, have spread rapidly. In the days surrounding the election, the extremism think tank found that the top 10 posts on X calling for repeal of the 19th Amendment received more than 4 million views collectively. A man holding a sign with the words “Women Are Property” sparked an outcry at Texas State University . The man was not a student, faculty or staff, and was escorted off campus, according to the university’s president . The university is “exploring potential legal responses,” he said. Anonymous rape threats have been left on the TikTok videos of women denouncing the election results. And on the far-flung reaches of the web, 4chan forums have called for “rape squads” and the adoption of policies in “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian book and TV series depicting the dehumanization and brutalization of women. “What was scary here was how quickly this also manifested in offline threats,” Frances-Wright said, emphasizing that online discourse can have real-world impacts. Previous violent rhetoric on 4chan has been connected to racially motivated and antisemitic attacks, including a 2022 shooting by a white supremacist in Buffalo that killed 10 people . Anti-Asian hate incidents also rose as politicians, including Trump , used words such as “Chinese virus” to describe the COVID-19 pandemic. And Trump’s language targeting Muslims and immigrants in his first campaign correlated with spikes in hate speech and attacks on these groups, Frances-Wright said. The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism reported similar rhetoric, with “numerous violent misogynistic trends” gaining traction on right-wing platforms such 4chan and spreading to more mainstream ones such as X since the election. Throughout the presidential race, Trump’s campaign leaned on conservative podcasts and tailored messaging toward disaffected young men . As Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention over the summer, the song “It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown blared from the speakers. One of several factors to his success this election was modestly boosting his support among men , a shift concentrated among younger voters, according to AP VoteCast, survey of more than 120,000 voters nationwide. But Trump also won support from 44% of women age 18 to 44, according to AP VoteCast. To some men, Trump's return to the White House is seen as a vindication, gender and politics experts said. For many young women, the election felt like a referendum on women’s rights and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris ’ loss felt like a rejection of their own rights and autonomy. “For some of these men, Trump’s victory represents a chance to reclaim a place in society that they think they are losing around these traditional gender roles,” Frances-Wright said. None of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump or anyone in his immediate orbit. But Trump has a long history of insulting women , and the spike in such language comes after he ran a campaign that was centered on masculinity and repeatedly attacked Harris over her race and gender . His allies and surrogates also used misogynistic language about Harris throughout the campaign. “With Trump’s victory, many of these men felt like they were heard, they were victorious. They feel that they have potentially a supporter in the White House,” said Dana Brown, executive director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics. Brown said some young men feel they’re victims of discrimination and have expressed mounting resentment for successes of the women’s rights movement, including #MeToo . The tension also has been influenced by socioeconomic struggles. As women become the majority on college campuses and many professional industries see increasing gender diversity, it has “led to young men scapegoating women and girls, falsely claiming it’s their fault they’re not getting into college anymore as opposed to looking inward,” Brown said. Perez, the political science student, said she and her sister have been leaning on each other, their mother and other women in their lives to feel safer amid the online vitriol. They text each other to make sure they got home safely. They have girls' nights to celebrate wins, including a female majority in student government at their campus in the University of Wisconsin system. “I want to encourage my friends and the women in my life to use their voices to call out this rhetoric and to not let fear take over,” she said. The Associated Press receives support from several private foundations to enhance its explanatory coverage of elections and democracy. See more about AP’s democracy initiative here . The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!DENVER — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family's home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note was left behind. The gravesite of JonBenet Ramsey is covered with flowers Jan. 8, 1997, at St. James Episcopal Cemetery in Marietta, Ga. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet's killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey." In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. "What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come in to detectives," he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the "media circus" surrounding the case. A police officer sits in her cruiser Jan. 3, 1997, outside the home in which 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found murdered Dec. 26, 1996, in Boulder, Colo. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet's clothing that pointed to the involvement of an "unexplained third party" in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys "victims of this crime." John Ramsey continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado's governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he advocated for several items that were not prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn't been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be "consumed" if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review ended but police continue to work through and evaluate a "lengthy list of recommendations" from the panel. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Semester 2 registration is open at Saskatchewan’s Distance Learning Centre. Sask DLC is a fully accredited online school that offers Kindergarten to Grade 12 education to Saskatchewan students of all ages and backgrounds. The straightforward school supply list includes a computer with internet access and, as part of the computer or as an add-on, a mouse, microphone, and webcam. Students also need headphones/earbuds, a scanner/cell phone camera for submitting work, a printer and paper, along with standard supplies such as pens/pencils, an eraser, ruler, scissors, markers, geometry set, binders, and paper or notebooks. New courses in practical and applied arts and elective courses will give students greater opportunities to explore their interests or try something new and see if it sparks their curiosity. Tourism 10 and 20 courses will introduce students to food and beverage, accommodation, recreation and entertainment, transportation and travel services. Tourism 10 provides the theoretical component necessary for Tourism 20. Tourism 20, newly available in Semester 2, provides more theory and is coupled with a work placement. Other new courses available in Semester 2 include Energy and Mines – Oil & Gas 20 and Football Skills 10. Students enrolling in Energy and Mines 20 will learn about energy exploration, production and environmental stewardship practices, as well as industry trends, safety, economic impacts and technological advancements. This course, available in Semester 2 only, provides 50 hours of online theory and a 50-hour work placement. Football Skills 10, one of the courses offered as part of a grouping of unique electives, will introduce students to the basic concepts of football. They will explore the elements and rules of tackle, touch and flag football while developing fitness levels, mental training and leadership skills. Students will examine the importance of basic training, conditioning, nutrition and mental wellness in developing an athlete. They will learn about game strategy and tactics, individual and team goal setting, leadership, communication and team building, sportsmanship and fair play and have the opportunity to explore pathways in football beyond high school. Football 20 and 30 are expected to be available in the 2025-26 school year. Also, Baseball 10, 20, and 30 are part of the unique electives grouping. Whether new to baseball or having some experience, students will find that these courses cater to all skill levels. Starting with the basics and rules, students progress to intermediate topics like statistics and metrics for athlete development and can explore non-playing careers such as coaching, umpiring, recruiting, and broadcasting. Baseball 30 will be available in Semester 2. Sask Polytech provided high school students taking online automotive courses, with the opportunity to get practical, hands-on learning in the automotive mechanical field, through a one-day learning camp at the Sask Polytech Saskatoon Campus. Sask DLC and Sask Polytech learning camps provide students from across the province with opportunities to learn about potential career paths and make informed choices for their future beyond high school. The camps allow students to either confirm their current career aspirations or discover new ones. Students got a preview of the Automotive Service Technician certificate program and apprenticeship training options available at Sask Polytech. “Sask Polytech is excited to support students interested in pursuing a career in the automotive industry,” Sask Polytech President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said in a News Release. “High school students can gain numerous benefits from exploring the trades and participating in the camp. It is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the automotive industry and to learn about the Automotive Service Technician program.” Interest among students in Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive courses continues to increase. More than 300 students registered for Mechanical and Automotive courses, including 168 with work placements so far this school year. Last year, 124 students registered in Mechanical and Automotive 10, 20 or 30-level courses, completing more than 4,500 work placement hours. An additional 98 students took the introductory theory-only course. Sask DLC offers five Mechanical and Automotive courses for students across the province, including a 10-level introductory course where students can choose to do full-online theory or participate in 75 hours of online theory with a 25-hour work placement. At the 20-and-30- level each course is a combination of 50 hours of online theory and 50 hours of an in-person work placement at a local business. Students participating in the optional learning camp at Sask Polytech will earn six credit hours toward their work placement requirement. Student work placements are possible due to a partnership between Sask DLC and the Saskatchewan Automobile Dealers Association (SADA). Through this partnership, students are provided with opportunities to complete their work placement at a SADA member dealership. This partnership provides students with work placement opportunities near their home community and supports the automotive sector’s recruitment of future qualified employees to serve the industry. These courses complement several other 35 Sask DLC trades courses with work placements or hands-on learning opportunities available to students including Agriculture Equipment Technician, Autobody, Construction and Carpentry, Electrical, Energy and Mines - Oil and Gas, Parts Technician, Power Engineering, Precision Agriculture, Tourism, and Welding. Sask DLC’s Mechanical and Automotive, and other courses are open for semester 2 registration. Courses are available to full-time Sask DLC students and high school students attending local schools throughout the province to supplement their in-person learning. High school students can contact their local school administrator or guidance counsellor for help registering. Learn more about all online courses with work placements available through Sask DLC at .