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has died today, December 29, after receiving more than a year of hospice care at his home in Plains, Ga. President Carter will be remembered for living out his devout Baptist faith through his pursuit of peace and support for human rights as well as acts of service, such as building homes for Habitat for Humanity. When it came to following Jesus, Carter walked the walk. Lesser known, and particularly relevant for American politics today, is our 39th president’s commitment to the Baptist value of religious liberty. The United States’ most religious president in recent memory was also the most committed to the separation of church and state. “I think that prayer should be a private matter between a person and God,” then-President Carter concerning Supreme Court rulings against mandatory government-sponsored prayers in public schools in 1962 and 1963. “I think the Government ought to stay out of the prayer business and let it be between a person and God and not let it be part of a school program under any tangible constraints, either a direct order to a child to pray or an embarrassing situation where the child would feel constrained to pray.” He told the editors that he agreed with the Supreme Court’s rulings “as a Baptist.” Here’s how Carter described his commitment in his 2010 autobiography : “My religious faith had become a minor issue during the [1976] campaign, when I responded ‘yes’ to a reporter’s question ‘are you a born-again Christian?’ Some reporters implied that I was having visions or thought I received daily instructions from Heaven. My traditional Baptist belief was that there should be strict separation between church and state. I ended the longstanding practice of inviting Billy Graham and other prominent pastors to have services in the White House and our family assumed the role of normal worshippers in a church of our choice.” Before I moved back to my home state of Texas, I was a member of the church the Carters chose, The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C., and I currently lead the organization – – that continues to advocate for religious freedom for all in the same spirit as Carter did. BJC awarded Carter our J.M. Dawson Religious Liberty Award in 1996. We continue to strive to see a country where Americans like Carter, who have deep theological convictions, can bring their full selves to their public lives, while never imposing their religious beliefs on others or using the government to promote religion. “I just look at death as not a threat,” Carter said during an in 1976. “It's inevitable, and I have an assurance of eternal life.” As we remember his life and mourn with his family, we are also concerned about the threats to the separation of church and state—an American ideal that Carter championed throughout his life. Sadly, people who seem inclined toward a theocracy instead—like many who were part of the attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021—continue to organize and gain political power. The ultra-conservative majority of the U.S. Supreme Court is eroding the line between government and religion in case after case. Carter was also concerned about the growing alliance of right-wing politics and conservative Christianity. “There's no doubt that the Christian right has gone to bed with the more conservative elements of the Republican Party,” he said in with the in 1997. “And there's been a melding in their goals when it comes to the separation of church and state.” In addition to his work at the Carter Center, Carter continued to play an active role in Baptist life. While he from the Southern Baptist Convention following the fundamentalist takeover of the denomination, Carter remained a deacon and taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, well into his 90s. In 2007, he brought Baptist leaders from across racial and theological divisions in Baptist life together, culminating in the . In a time of growing reinforced and manipulated by officeholders and candidates, more government entanglement with religion as a result of misguided decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, and the rapid decline in church attendance, I hope we can pause for a moment as we remember the life of Jimmy Carter to consider how different the relationship between religion and government would look in the United States if our political leaders would follow Carter’s example. Not only would our nation’s commitment to religious freedom for all—including those who want to be free religion—be strengthened, but I also believe Christianity would flourish. Baptists believe that faith should be freely chosen, not imposed on people by the government. “We believe in separation of church and state, that there should be no unwarranted influence on the church or religion by the state, and vice versa,” Carter as president in 1977. We don’t need theocracy to revive American Christianity; we need people to act like Jesus. Thank you, my dear brother in Christ, for being the epitome of a faithful Christian in American public life. May we remember and be inspired by your life during these challenging days for our country and our faith.BERWYN, Illinois, EE.UU. (AP) — El influencer ultraderechista Nick Fuentes tiene programada una comparecencia ante el tribunal a finales de este mes, luego de que una mujer lo acusó de rociarle gas lacrimógeno cuando se presentó en su residencia de los suburbios de Chicago luego de que Fuentes publicó en la red social X “Tu cuerpo, mi decisión”. Según documentos judiciales, la mujer de 57 años se acercó a la casa de Fuentes en Berwyn el 10 de noviembre, poco después de que se filtró su dirección luego de su publicación, informó el diario Chicago Tribune. Berwyn es un suburbio de Chicago de unos 54.000 habitantes. En una entrevista concedida al diario el pasado 15 de noviembre, la mujer declaró que sus amigos la animaron a presentarse en la casa de Fuentes para ver si eran ciertos los rumores de que había estado recibiendo entregas de bromas después de su publicación en X. Ella dijo que se grabó frente a la casa de Fuentes. Otra mujer llegó en su coche y le dijo que tocara el timbre. Aseguró que Fuentes abrió la puerta antes de que pudiera tocar el timbre, la roció con gas lacrimógeno, le gritó una grosería y le quitó el celular. Fuentes, de 26 años, enfrenta un cargo de agresión relacionado con el incidente, informó el periódico. Está previsto que comparezca ante el tribunal el 19 de diciembre. El influencer ha publicado fotos de su ficha policial en su cuenta de X junto con el mensaje: “Liberenme”, acompañado de un insulto racial. Fuentes no respondió de inmediato a un mensaje que The Associated Press le envió el sábado a través de X. Tampoco fue posible ponerse en contacto con su abogado, Eduardo Cervantes. Fuentes, un supremacista blanco que niega el Holocausto, es parte de un grupo de influencers ultraderechistas que han aprovechado la victoria presidencial del republicano Donald Trump para amplificar la misoginia y las amenazas en línea. Muchos de ellos se han apropiado del eslogan del derecho al aborto “mi cuerpo, mi decisión”, cambiándolo a “tu cuerpo, mi decisión”. El cambio en la frase se le ha atribuido, en gran medida, a la publicación de Fuentes del 5 de noviembre en X: “Tu cuerpo, mi decisión. Para siempre.” Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de la AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.

The Seattle Seahawks’ defense, which has been vastly improved over the past two weeks, will get some help for the stretch run of the season. Edge rusher Uchenna Nwosu is expected to return to practice on Wednesday to begin ramping up to game shape. “I think the plan is we’ll have him out there (Wednesday) in some capacity,” Macdonald told reporters on Monday. “Return to play, in terms of how long, I can’t tell you. The window will open then we’ll go from there.” Macdonald’s announcement occurred just hours after Nwosu posted a hint about his potential return on social media. The post simply said “Perfect Timing.” The team’s highest-paid edge rusher has missed the past five games after he was placed on injured reserve following a thigh injury he suffered during the Seahawks’ Week 5 game against the Giants. Nwosu was making his 2024 season debut in the game after sitting out the first four games of the regular season while rehabilitating from a MCL sprain he sustained during the Seahawks’ preseason finale game against Cleveland If the Seahawks designate Nwosu to return to practice on Wednesday, they will have 21 days to activate him or place him back on injured reserve, which would end his season. Even if Nwosu returns to practice, he will need some time to get himself into game shape, and he’s not expected to play against the New York Jets on Sunday. “This week is going to be pretty limited, so we won’t be seeing him this week, then we’ll take it from there,” Macdonald told reporters on Monday. Nwosu set a career-high with 9.5 sacks during his debut Seattle campaign in 2022, but he’s been plagued by injuries since that time. He missed the final 11 games of last season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle and has played in one game in 2024 after dealing with those injuries.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday that would end nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the war in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Hours before the ceasefire with Hezbollah was to take effect, Israel carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to pummel Hezbollah before the ceasefire takes hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Another huge airstrike shook Beirut shortly after the ceasefire was announced. There appeared to be some lingering disagreement over whether Israel would have the right to strike Hezbollah if it believed the militants had violated the agreement, something Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted was part of the deal but which Lebanese and Hezbollah officials have rejected. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement after it was presented by Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East without saying how. The Biden administration spent much of this year trying to broker a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza but the talks repeatedly sputtered to a halt . Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Israel says it will ‘attack with might’ if Hezbollah breaks truce Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” The ceasefire deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Netanyahu’s office said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but “reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati welcomed the ceasefire and described it as a crucial step toward stability and the return of displaced people. Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state," he said, referring to Israel's demand for freedom of action. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Warplanes bombard Beirut and its southern suburbs Even as ceasefire efforts gained momentum in recent days, Israel continued to strike what it says are Hezbollah targets across Lebanon as the militants fired rockets, missiles and drones across the border. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in central Beirut — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. Israeli forces reach Litani River in southern Lebanon The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. ___ Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, and Aamer Madhani in Washington, contributed. ___ Find more of AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Josef Federman, Kareem Chehayeb And Bassem Mroue, The Associated PressWhy Are Walgreens (WBA) Shares Soaring Today

Q: What is the Impact of Alzheimer’s on Nevada? (Wint) Did you know that Nevada is the third fastest aging state in the country? With age being the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, Nevada is poised to be hit hard by the Alzheimer’s crisis. Nevada was declared a “Neurology Desert” by the Alzheimer’s Association, and, by 2025, our state will have fewer than 10 neurologists per 10,000 dementia patients. We estimate that there are currently more than 55,000 Nevadans living with Alzheimer's or another type of dementia and 84,000 serving as their unpaid family caregivers. These dedicated caregivers provide more than 142 million hours of support and assistance to their loved ones. Q: Who is most at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease? (Caldwell) Alzheimer’s disease may not be the first thing you think of when it comes to women’s health, but women make up two-thirds of those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and are also more likely to be caregivers to someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Research also suggests that gender-diverse people have added burden when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease. That’s why the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement (WAM) Prevention and Research Center at Cleveland Clinic, located at Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, focuses on Alzheimer’s disease prevention and research for women and gender-diverse people. Founded by leading Alzheimer’s advocate and journalist Maria Shriver, the WAM Prevention and Research Center is the first-of-its-kind in the U.S. While we don’t yet fully understand why women may be at an increased risk, we do know that they have some unique risk factors or can be more affected by: • Conditions such as menopause, diabetes, or depression • Being less physically active • Having a copy of the APOE-4 allele (genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease) • Life stressors including finances, grief, substance dependence or discrimination Although Alzheimer’s disease affects all races and ethnicities, people who are Black or Hispanic have an increased risk. Black Americans aged 65 and older are roughly twice as likely as Caucasians in that same age group to develop Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia; and Hispanic women have a 1.5 times bigger risk factor than Caucasian women. Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Dylan Wint Q: How can I take preventative action with my own brain health? (Caldwell) While there currently is no cure for the disease, there are proactive steps a person can take to reduce their risk or delay its onset. Four recommendations for Alzheimer’s prevention, risk reduction and keeping a healthy brain as you age include: • Exercise. Aim for 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic exercise. Think swimming, biking, dancing, or hiking. • Sleep. Strive to get a full and complete seven to eight to hours of quality sleep each night • Eat right. A Mediterranean style diet that includes whole grains, leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, and healthy fats like extra virgin olive oil and salmon. Following this diet is also good for heart health. • Remain active. Not only physically, but socially and mentally. Join a book club or monthly cooking class, learn new skills and maintain healthy relationships. Q: What’s the latest in Alzheimer’s prevention, treatment and research? (Wint) The Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care estimates that up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or significantly delayed through healthy lifestyle modifications, including managing comorbidities such as vision and hearing loss, high blood pressure, depression, and diabetes. Complementing advancements in Alzheimer’s prevention is treatment. Last year marked a historic moment in Alzheimer’s drug development when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted traditional approval for the anti-amyloid drug, lecanemab for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease. A turning point for patients and researchers alike, lecanemab and another drug donanemab slow progression of a component of the underlying disease, not just treat its symptoms. These medications work by enabling the immune system to identify and remove the toxic buildup of amyloid beta protein in the brain, which is linked to the plaques in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s and may cause the disease. Lecanemab and donanemab are only effective and approved for those in the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s, which is a small subset of the more than 6.5 million Americans living dementia. More research is needed to develop additional treatments that are even more effective and can be used for those living with later stages of Alzheimer’s, as well as other dementias. Courtesy of Cleveland Clinic Jessica Caldwell The WAM Prevention and Research Center, is the nation’s first women-specific center for Alzheimer’s prevention, research and caregiving support. We work with patients to determine individualized risk factors and map out a plan to start preventive measures through tailored lifestyle recommendations. We also have optional diet and exercise resources that are designed to help you keep up with important lifestyle changes in the real world. The center located in Las Vegas is not only a clinic, but also a site of several cutting-edge research studies open to patients. Our website, ClevelandClinic.Org/WAMPrevention, has an abundance of information from risk reduction to reading the latest research, even FAQs and appointments. Plus, you can explore virtual “Lunch and Learn” programs and educational opportunities to connect with fellow Nevadans who may be navigating similar experiences. Q: What are helpful tips for those living or caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or related dementias? (Wint) According to a recent study by Parade Magazine and Cleveland Clinic, at least a third of caregivers suffer from depression and anxiety, twice as many as non-caregivers. These caregivers bear the burden of a 24/7/365 role and often do not know how to ask for help. Nevada-based caregivers of patients at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health brainstormed the best ways to support the caregiver and help reduce burn out, based on their own personal journeys. They created a custom guide focused on three areas: • Self-care for the caregiver and care recipient • Respite • Helping out at home Each category has tangible ideas on how to use the gift of time, skills or purchasing power to support these important components to mental and emotional health and well-being and is a great resource that can be used year-round to care for a caregiver in your life. To download the Caregiver Gift Guide, visit ClevelandClinic.org/caregiverguide

Moment of silence for former President Jimmy Carter held before the Falcons-Commanders game

BY MIKE PETRO Nov. 26, 2024 Plans scrapped for four-story academic building on university’s West Avenue campus After halting construction this spring on a $175 million project to construct an osteopathic medical school on Buffalo’s West Side, D’Youville University is scrapping those plans and looking elsewhere for a program site. D’Youville will still open a College of Osteopathic Medicine, but instead will do so inside rented space in downtown Buffalo, according to the university. D'Youville College is implementing a four-day work week for employees. (News file photo) A lease agreement was signed in October, but D’Youville officials would not reveal any further details about the site. It will be D’Youville’s second expansion downtown, following the opening of the Medical Extension offices at 712 Main St. “We are working with a new development partner and plan to disclose additional details in the new year,” the university said in a statement. A rendering of D’Youville University’s proposed new four-story academic building, next to its completed Health Professions Hub, that ultimately would be the home of a proposed medical school. Site work for the four-story, 104,000-square-foot academic building on the university’s campus at 443 West Ave. started earlier this year, but paused in May due to soaring construction costs and financing problems due to higher interest rates. Contractors had dug a giant hole in the ground on the site of the former parking lot, which remains to this day. But after weeks of work on-site, all the workers and equipment were suddenly removed. A rendering of D'Youville University's proposed new four-story academic building, next to its completed Health Professions Hub. Following the completion of environmental remediation and utilities relocation on the site, D’Youville is considering the development of housing at the location. Even after the transition of Madonna Hall back to a residential facility, the university’s recent NCAA Division II athletics transition has created the demand for additional housing, D’Youville said. A rendering of D'Youville University's proposed $175 million osteopathic medical school. Construction on the project has been paused due to financial considerations, a university official said. D’Youville confirmed in February it would open a College of Osteopathic Medicine on its campus that would educate 720 students at a time. The plan had originally been unveiled in late 2022 as an expansion of its health care programs. The university had intended to invest $100 million in the new building and set aside $50 million in reserve funds as insurance in case the program failed, and another $25 million just to cover startup costs for the first three years until it could break even at 400 students. Anastasiia Horova leads Saint toward the Koessler Administration Building after taking him out for a walk. To pay for it, D’Youville planned to invest $35 million of its own cash, while obtaining $48 million in taxable bonds through the Industrial Land Development Corp., an affiliate of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency. The bulk of the project cost would have been financed through bank loans or other means. UB climbs in entrepreneurship ranking The University at Buffalo is again ranked as one of the top and climbing worldwide undergraduate schools for entrepreneurship studies. For the third consecutive year, Entrepreneur magazine and The Princeton Review have named UB to the list, at No. 41 overall, up three spots from last year. UB also ranked No. 22 among public universities and No. 7 in the Northeast. Based on a 2024 survey of nearly 300 schools in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe offering entrepreneurship studies, the ranking factors in more than 40 data points about school programs, faculty, students and alumni. The growth has been fueled by collaborative efforts among several UB entities, including the School of Management, the UB Startup and Innovation Collaboratory powered by Blackstone LaunchPad, Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, according to UB officials. UB offers a wide range of entrepreneurial experiences, including courses, competitions, hackathons, boot camps, innovation sprints, design challenges, venture support, early funding, investment programs and e-labs. Also happening at UB: • The School of Management is ranked fifth among business schools in the nation based on the return on investment it provides MBA graduates, according to Bloomberg Businessweek’s ROI calculator. Of the 73 schools in the ROI calculator, UB's management school is the only business school from the Buffalo Niagara region to make the list and even finished ahead of top business schools at Harvard (No. 42), Penn (No. 51) and Cornell (No. 45). • Lillvis, which is led by researchers from UB, received a $100,000 grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences for a two-year project studying why hospital complications may occur for children with special health care needs following physical trauma. These special needs include chronic conditions such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, depression, spina bifida or Down syndrome. • A team from the School of Social Work has received a $3.6 million Department of Education grant to develop and implement the Buffalo Mental Health Service Professional fellowship program for graduate students designed to increase the number of highly trained, school-based social workers in rural communities. The program will provide training and coursework meant to address the unique mental health issues facing students and families living in these areas. Forty-six fellows will participate during the five-year grant period. Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News brings you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy – from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com . THE LATEST Two of Buffalo's top development officials have been ousted . New solar project starts construction in Great Valley. Scanlon, Poloncarz criticize land bank for delays and cost of homes on projects in Buffalo and Cheektowaga. How do the Bills believe they will ever get to the more than 5,000 potential season ticket holder accounts on their waitlist for the new stadium and why advertise for more of them? Developers battle over Tonawanda Island site but sewer capacity may hinder projects. What went wrong at Tonawanda's Sumitomo tire plant ? And why did Sumitomo's Japan-based parent decide to pull the plug now? Work has begun on venture studio built to fill void in Buffalo's entrepreneurial space . Artisans report as much as 50% of their annual revenue comes from the holiday shopping season. Now valued at $5 billion, Odoo welcomes Google parent company venture fund as co-lead investor. An incentive package containing $11.6 million in sales and property tax breaks could help Wells Enterprises bring 270 jobs to Dunkirk. Local startup Rookery Labs will move into a space at the Northland Center. Family Promise of Western New York wants to build a second emergency shelter for homeless . StoreCash , one of five $1 million winners in last year’s 43North competition, has completed a $3.7 million seed funding round. The Buffalo Niagara region's jobless rate has risen to 3.6%. A report says the Buffalo Bills are ready to sell an about 20% minority stake in team. The cost of the new Buffalo Bills stadium is going up by almost 25% . A downtown golf project is getting a boost from a new investor . ICYMI Five reads from Buffalo Next: 1. Locally owned stores are pulling out all the stops to attract customers who may otherwise be lured in by the convenience of major retailers and online shopping. 2. Get the story behind Evans Bank's hunt for a merger , which ended with the Amherst-based bank's acquisition by NBT Bank. 3. A lot goes into getting local grocery stores ready for the Thanksgiving shopping rush . 4. Buffalo officials are considering whether to impose more restrictions on short-term rentals. 5. How retailers try to entice shoppers to do their holiday buying early . The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the region’s economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435. Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week . Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!The raising of opposition flags at the Syrian Embassy in Russia raises important questions about the role of diplomacy in conflict resolution and the power of symbolic gestures in shaping public opinion and international perceptions. It highlights the complexities of navigating political allegiances and interests in a conflict as multifaceted as the Syrian civil war.Sam Darnold completed 33 of 43 passes for a career-best 377 yards to go with three touchdowns and one interception, and the Minnesota Vikings escaped with a 27-25 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. Justin Jefferson had eight catches for 92 yards for Minnesota (14-2), which won its ninth game in a row. Jalen Nailor, Jordan Addison and Cam Akers had one touchdown reception apiece for the Vikings. Jordan Love completed 19 of 30 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown for Green Bay (11-5). Josh Jacobs and Emanuel Wilson each rushed for a touchdown and Malik Heath had a touchdown catch for the Packers, who lost to the Vikings for the second time this season. Minnesota's nine-game winning streak matches its third longest in franchise history. The Vikings are enjoying their longest stretch of success since 1975, when they won 10 straight. Green Bay rallied with back-to-back touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull within two. Wilson scored on a 5-yard run to cut the Packers' deficit to 27-18 with 6:12 to go. Love brought Green Bay within 27-25 with 2:18 to play. He fired a 3-yard touchdown pass to Heath, who scored on a quick slant. The Vikings got the ball on the following kickoff and never gave it back to Green Bay. Darnold secured the win when he lobbed a pass to Akers for a first down to set up the victory formation. The Packers opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a 22-yard field goal by Brandon McManus. Minnesota responded to grab a 13-3 lead at the half. Darnold found Nailor for a 31-yard touchdown with 11:52 remaining in the first half. Nailor was wide open and made a basket catch near the back of the end zone. Reichard rounded out the first-half scoring with field goals from 25 yards and 50 yards. The Vikings increased their lead to 20-3 on the opening drive of the second half. Addison made a diving grab for an 18-yard touchdown. Green Bay pulled within 20-10 with 5:07 left in the third quarter. Jacobs scored on a 2-yard run. Darnold's third touchdown pass, this time to Akers, made it 27-10 in favor of the Vikings with 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter. --Field Level Media