Day: December 24, 2024

Hong Kong offers bounties for six more democrats in security squeeze  Reuters
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Bitcoin ‘Santa Claus rally’ hopes dwindle as price hits December low  Cointelegraph
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🤔 Way-too-early 2025 Heisman contenders
👀 Auburn new No. 1 in men's basketball power rankings
🏀 Ohio State enters women's power rankings
The College Football Playoff bracket is here. The 12-team bracket was announced on Sunday, Dec. 8. The official 12-team College Football Playoff field and final top 25 rankings were announced Dec. 8. The quarterfinals begin Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Oregon is the No. 1 seed, with Georgia, Boise State and Arizona State also getting byes. Below is the bracket, final seeding and complete playoff schedule. 
This bracket uses the committee’s final top 25 rankings on Sunday, Dec. 8. It’s important to note that the top 25 ranking does not always match the seed in the playoff, as the four highest-ranked conference champions receive the top four seeds and byes, no matter where those four teams rank in the top 25. The fifth-highest-ranked conference champion is also in automatically, though that team will not get a bye.
All times Eastern
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Wednesday, Jan. 1
Thursday, Jan. 9
Friday, Jan. 10
Monday, Jan. 20
Friday, Dec. 20
Saturday, Dec. 21
You can see how these numbers — the seed and the CFP ranking — differ below. The four teams with byes are in bold.
Here are the final CFP top 25 rankings, with teams in the CFP also getting their seeds included at the end.
Boise State, which won the Mountain West Conference championship and has lost to only top-ranked Oregon, is the third-highest-ranked conference champion and thus received a bye into the quarterfinals despite ranking No. 9. Though Arizona State is ranked only No. 12, the Sun Devils are the fourth-highest ranked conference champion — over ACC champ Clemson (No. 16) — and earned the No. 4 seed and the final first-round bye.
There is no re-seeding once the official bracket is revealed on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The four quarterfinal games are not played at the campus sites. Instead, these four games — scheduled on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 — will be played at the Fiesta Bowl, Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl and Sugar Bowl. The four highest-ranked conference champions will be assigned one of these bowls in consideration of historic bowl relationships as well as seeding.
The four quarterfinal winners will then meet in the semifinals at either the Orange Bowl or the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 9 and Jan. 10. If the seeds hold, that means (1) would meet (4) and (2) would play (3). The two semifinal winners will then play on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the national championship.

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LONDON — Eating fruits and vegetables, exercise and going to church. What do all these things have in common?
They are all good for your health. That’s according to a recent report by the U.K.-based National Churches Trust.
In fact, the report said that church attendance — and the many services these houses of worship provide — saves the National Health Service approximately £8.4 billion ($1.1 billion) each year due to their provision of food banks, drug/alcohol addiction support, mental-health counseling and youth support.  
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According to “The House of Good: Health” report, U.K. churches act as “wellbeing workhorses” that are “multiplying health and happiness” across Britain and “enriching lives and preventing illness and suffering before it has a chance to take root.”
While church attendance is down across Britain, it goes on to state that churches are “the U.K.’s most underappreciated preventative care providers” — giving people access to services for “the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in society.”
Throughout the U.K., churches are providing valuable extra services in aid of the National Health Service, Britain’s government-funded program. These houses of worship promote positive physical and mental health, encouraging people to thrive, thus preventing medical conditions that might otherwise result in the need for medical treatment, as well as providing a location for people to seek help. 
Over the past four years, The National Churches Trust has been actively researching exactly what role church buildings play within society. As research progressed, the group said, it became evident that the role of churches was wider than expected due to its effect on well being, community and youth groups. Churches frequently now act as bases for food banks because the locations are easily accessible and central to local communities in need.
Eddie Tulasiewicz, head of Policy and Public Affairs at the National Churches Trust, said of the findings: “In deprived communities, churches are crucial because people struggle to keep them open. They have less money but need the help churches can provide.”
Unsplash photo
Recognizing this, the National Churches Trust commissioned a group of economists to quantify financially the exact nature of the churches’ impact on society.  To do this, they drew on a number of government and university surveys. They also used the National Churches Trust survey of 2020 indicating that 29% of church buildings were either providing or hosting mental-health counseling, 10.4% were involved in drug or alcohol support services, 42% organizing youth groups or similar activities and 58% hosting food banks.
The resultant calculations were based on the same methodology used by the U.K. Treasury and Office of National Statistics. These are known as “WELLBYs” — or “Wellbeing-adjusted Life Year — and are based on observable changes in people’s responses. Each WELLBY represents a one-point improvement on the scale for a period of a single year.
Focusing on the four key areas of mental health, drug/alcohol support, youth and community services, food banks, the researchers converted WELLBYs (four million every year by churches) to the standard Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) metric used in health economics. 
The results were staggering. The Treasury and Office of National Statistics recommended a value of £13,000 ($16,300) per increased state aid for “workhouses” that relieve pressure on the NHS, while the Department of Health estimates it costs the service £15,000 ($19,000) to deliver one QALY.
The conversion puts the total cost relief achieved by churches at £8.7 billion (rounded down to £8.4 billion given the closure of some churches since 2021). This is the equivalent of 3.7% of the £225 billion ($283 billion) spent on U.K. health care during 2022 — a conservative valuation given that churches provide such a wide range of other support, including warm spaces & lunch clubs alleviating loneliness and cultural activities.
Unsplash photo
Tulasiewicz said this “can be described as ‘The God Sector,’”
“It is worth billions not in terms of donations, but in terms of the impact religious buildings can provide not just Christian churches but other faiths too.  Our research provides a footprint which can be followed elsewhere,” he added.  
Tulasiewicz said the reaction to the research “has been very positive” and that lawmakers “refer to our figures … in parliamentary proceedings.”
Without churches, the NHS would undoubtedly be facing much higher costs. Simply taking into account the cost of the essential support services that would be required to fund the activities provided by churches would require an additional 4% of UK health spending — the same cost of employing 230,000 nurses.    
“It is not a matter of evangelism, but a matter of helping others,” Tulasiewicz said. “It reflects the way in which churches are present everywhere and are an essential part of communities and should be valued for that presence. This should be taken into account when helping churches re funding since the U.K. church buildings are dangerously underfunded with many falling into disrepair and facing closure. Without urgent support, we risk losing this vital shock absorber for the NHS, and a vital safety net for the most vulnerable people in society.”
Angela Youngman is a freelance journalist who has written for a wide range of national and international publications.
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Updated: December 23, 2024 @ 11:58 pm
Woodland Church is located on North McDonough Road in Griffin. They are requesting a special exception to build a religious campground on the 132 acres they own.

LSTANFORD@GRIFFINDAILYNEWS.COM
Woodland Church is located on North McDonough Road in Griffin. They are requesting a special exception to build a religious campground on the 132 acres they own.
GRIFFIN — The Spalding County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a special exception to develop a religious campground but tabled adding campground amendments to the county Code of Ordinances until 2025.
The actions came at the commission’s meeting on Dec. 5.
The commission heard an application from Woodland Church, located on North McDonough Road, for a special exception to develop a religious campground.
Stuart Boice, pastor of the church, said they have 132 acres of land and want to create a religious campground for religious events for adults, youth, and children. There will be cabins, a splash pad, ropes course, and other activities for the campers, and the camps will be staffed by certified workers.
Community Development Director David Allen asked the planned maximum number of cabins.
Boice stated he was asking for a total of 20 cabins, with a mixture of single bedroom cabins for adults and longhouse bunk halls for youth and children.
Commissioner Frank Harris asked if each cabin would have its own bathroom facilities, or if there would be a bathroom facility separate from the cabins.
Boice said the bathroom facility would be separate from the cabins. He said they would put in a septic system, and Allen noted that due to the clustered nature of the cabins and only one bathroom facility, that only one large septic system would be needed. They will also have access to public water.
Commissioner Bruce Ballard asked Boice if there would be a problem with only have 10 cabins rather than 20.
Boice said the future plan is to have 20 cabins, but that they could start with 10 cabins and have an option to come back to the commission for permission to add the other 10 cabins at a later date.
The commission specified that each of the cabins will have a concrete slab foundation.
Harris asked for clarification about who owns the property.
Boice explained that he and his wife have been the pastors of Parkway Baptist Church in Forest Park since 1996. He said the church purchased the 132 acres of property on North McDonough Road in 2009 and after moving changed the name to Harvest Worship Center, which is still listed as the owner of the property. He said in 2015 they changed the name of the organization to Woodland Church to clarify its identity as a non-denominational church.
A motion was made and seconded to recommend approval the special exception with conditions to develop a religious campground. It was approved by a 4-0 vote. Commission member Marylouise Upshaw was absent.
Campground Amendments
Proposed text amendments to add resort campground ordinances and standards to the Spalding County Code of Ordinances were tabled until next year. Commissioners decided to table the three agenda items in order to give citizens time to comment on all three items.
Allen requested an opportunity to speak to commissioners concerning the three agenda items related to campground ordinances and standards.
The amendments came up following a nearly 90-minute long citizens comments period on the North Towaliga Village Node project. Each of the amendments would require citizen comments, and the Planning Commission discussed combining the comments portion.
But citizens waiting to speak on the amendments protested, stating they could not adequately make their remarks on all three items in the three-minute period given to comments. The citizens suggested tabling the amendments until a time when they would be allow to speak on each one separately.
The issue came up after an application for a campground resort had been received, Allen said, but noted that the applicant has since withdrawn the request.
Chair John Youmans decide to allow Allen to finish his statements about the amendments before the board decided on tabling the comments on the items.
Director Allen discussed some of the definitions covered by the standards, identifying high liability issues such as the resorts having swimming pools, and areas of possible difficulty such as the length of maximum stays, noting the need not have campers taking up residence and staying year-round at campground resorts.
He added other considerations are the amount of acreage needed for campgrounds, road standards, utilities, and waste collection facilities.
Youmans stated that there is no mention of event insurance in the standards.
Director Allen agreed that event insurance should also be considered.
The director noted that placement of campground will require significant deliberation in reference to zonings. Campgrounds are currently allowed as special exception under AR-1, and Allen suggested they could also be considered under the Agricultural-Tourism zoning.
Youmans requested Director Allen investigate surrounding counties to find out how they handle campground zoning.
Commissioner Nick Allen asked why a campground would not be classified under commercial zoning.
Director Allen stated that was a possibility if the campground was located near a major highway.
Zoning Attorney Newton Galloway added that rezoning rural lands not near highways to commercial for campgrounds could create unwanted spot commercial zoning. But he noted that farming is also a commercial enterprise that is allowed in AR-1 zoning.
Ballard stated that based on his research, other counties are having trouble enforcing the maximum length of stay at campgrounds, and proposed the amendments restrict the maximum number of camping spots as well as the minimum percentage of open land available for a campground.
Following the discussion with Director Allen, motions were made and approved to table the three amendments. They were all approved by 4-0 votes.
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Every investor would be thrilled if Bitcoin’s (BTC) potential to reach $150,000 during a bull market materialized, especially with its current price at $102,904.
Altcoins usually outperform BTC during bullish cycles, and Bitcoin’s ascent has historically stimulated the larger crypto market. Among the many altcoins, Rexas Finance (RXS), Uniswap (UNI), and Toncoin (TON) stand out as high-potential enterprises that might provide life-changing rewards in such a situation. These initiatives satisfy expanding industries, including DeFi, real-world asset tokenization, and scalable blockchain applications, and shine because of their strong foundations. If Bitcoin sets off another market-wide surge, these three altcoins might make you a millionaire.

Whales Have Accumulated RXS
Although Ripple rules payments, Rexas Finance (RXS) is transforming the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA), establishing its place in an industry with strong future development. Using blockchain, artificial intelligence, and DeFi, the platform allows fractional ownership of real estate, commodities, and collectibles, granting access to markets usually reserved for high-net-worth individuals. Rexas Finance’s ecosystem revolves around its QuickMint Bot, a user-friendly tool linked to Telegram and Discord. This tool lets non-technical users tokenize assets and easily create tokens, distributing access to blockchain-based investments.
Rexas Treasury is another remarkable tool that guarantees sustained tokenomics and liquidity for the RXS token. By allowing creators to develop AI-generated NFTs, the Rexas GenAI platform also enables minimal effort-based access to the rapidly expanding NFT industry. In Stage 10 of their presale, Rexas Finance uses RXS tokens valued at $0.15. The initiative has so far raised around $29.3 million; the fee for the next stage is planned to be $0.175. Further supporting CertiK’s legitimacy are its audit results and Coin Market Cap and Coin Gecko listings. Particularly with its creative approach to real-world asset tokenization, if Bitcoin’s surge drives the crypto market, RXS could witness explosive expansion. As the market for tokenized assets expands along with crypto acceptance, early investors might quadruple their holdings.

Uniswap (UNI) stays ahead in this trend as decentralized finance grows. Leading decentralized exchange (DEX), Uniswap provides a trustless and quick substitute for conventional exchanges by letting users trade a large spectrum of tokens without middlemen. Given the platform’s role in driving the DeFi ecosystem, Uniswap’s present price of $16.04 makes it an interesting buy. With a market capitalization of around $5 billion, this enterprise is among the most important DeFi creations.
Uniswap V3’s recent release has brought concentrated liquidity and enhanced slippage management, improving the platform’s usability and efficiency. The possible ascent of Bitcoin above $150,000 would bring fresh liquidity and investors into DeFi, therefore increasing the profile of Uniswap. Being the preferred DEX for trading Ethereum-based tokens, UNI’s value might soar as more people swarm decentralized exchanges. Uniswap is a great addition to any crypto portfolio during a bull market as it has great potential rewards with its solid foundations and well-known reputation.
Another altcoin that can see a dramatic increase during a Bitcoin-driven bull run is toncoin (TON), which right now costs $6.05. Originally created by Telegram and currently run by the TON Foundation, Toncoin emphasizes scalability, speed, and cost—three essential factors for the broad use of blockchain technology. From decentralized storage and services to quick, cheap payments, Toncoin’s infrastructure supports a great variety of uses. Its focus on scalability fits DeFi projects and decentralized apps (dApps), especially when hosting them.
Recent advancements underline Toncoin’s dedication to innovation and usability: integrations with zkLogin and customizable transaction blocks. Toncoin has a special advantage because it links to Telegram, one of the biggest chat apps worldwide. Though not formally teamed, its relationship with Telegram gives it access to a large audience, increasing its chances of acceptance. With Bitcoin driving a bull market, Toncoin’s scalable and user-friendly architecture could draw a lot of attention and cause notable price increases.

Diverse altcoins such as Rexas Finance (RXS), Uniswap (UNI), and Toncoin (TON) should be taken into account by investors wishing to profit on Bitcoin’s possible ascent above $150,000. These projects are positioned to skyrocket in percentage gains since they provide creative ideas in fast-expanding industries. Early investments in these altcoins could make little amounts into life-changing riches, particularly in a bull market that enhances the whole crypto scene.
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For many of us, the NFL Christmas games are a highlight of the festive season and the sporting calendar. Come December 25th, The Chiefs will take on the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens will face off against the Houston Texans.
If you want to join in on the action by making a social bet, you’re in luck because we’ve put together a full list of five all-round excellent social sportsbooks covering the NFL Christmas games. From Sportzino to Legendz, I’ve put together key information on each site so you can take your pick.
Here’s a look at the full schedule for the NFL Christmas Day games:
These top five social sportsbooks are a mix of new and more established sites that all have lots to offer. They all give members an easy sign up, ongoing promotions and the chance to redeem real money prizes. Check out my reviews to find the best one for you this Christmas.
If you’re looking for a social sportsbook to back your Christmas Day winners then Sportzino is an excellent choice. As you’ll know if you read my Sportzino review, football is one of the most popular markets on the site, with many different social betting options. You can opt for a straightforward moneyline bet or explore more complex social wagers such as totals, spreads and player and team props.
The simple to use site has an easy sign up, which can be completed using your social media account. This opens the door to 20, 000 Gold Coins and 1 Sweeps Coin for free as soon as you join, with a further 30, 000 free GC and another 1 SC available once you’ve verified your account. You’ll receive more free Coins if you log in to Sportzino every day and refer your friends.
As well as the social sportsbook, Sportzino has a casino section which features more than 1000 games made by Pragmatic, Playson, 3 Oaks and more. This is a great complement to social sports betting and there are even a few exclusive titles that you won’t find elsewhere.

SportsMillions is a social sports betting site with a twist. The Blitz’em contests are free to play and operate on a sweepstakes model, as does the casino portion of the site, but the Pick’em section involves real money gaming and isn’t available to players in all regions.
Blitz’em contests use a DFS model that allows you to make a lineup across a range of sports, including the NFL. Once you have your lineup, you’ll spin a wheel to determine your potential prize amounts of Gold Coins or Sweepstakes Coins. It’s important to note that you can’t pick the players in your lineup but you can choose a flexible style of play that means you can win if just a portion of your dream team scores.
Getting started at SportsMillions is very quick and easy. You can download the iOS app or use the excellent mobile site to create an account. Either way, you’ll get 1000 Gold Coins and 3 Sweepstakes Coins to make your Christmas Day picks. You can also activate a first purchase bonus if you choose to buy a Gold Coin bundle.

Legendz is another top choice of social sportsbook for NFL games this Christmas. It’s open to players in 43 states and offers a wide choice of betting markets and types, from moneylines and spreads to totals and props.
Alongside their social sportsbook, Legendz is also a top choice among new social casinos. You can spin slots and check out a range of live dealer and classic casino games using Gold Coins for fun play or Sweeps Coins for the chance to build up to real prizes.
As soon as you join Legendz you’ll receive 500 GC, 3 SC and access to 10% off your first purchase bonus of Gold Coins, but this is completely voluntary. There are lots of ongoing promotions including a daily bonus and social media freebies.

Whether you’re backing the Steelers or the Chiefs, you’ll find a home at Thrillz, one of the best social sportsbooks and a super base for the NFL Christmas games. You can’t make social bets on the desktop Thrillz site but it does have a lot of good information and pointers to the app.
Download the Thrillz app for your system and sign up to receive 3000 Gold Coins and 3 Sweepstakes Coins as a welcome deal. You can grab more free Sweeps Coins by logging in every day and by taking part in special offers.
Thrillz has an emphasis on the social part of social sportsbooks and encourages players to share their picks with friends and celebrate together when you win using the ‘Squads’ feature. This is ideal if you’re spending Christmas Day watching the games with pals.

Like Thrillzz, Fliff is a mobile only social sportsbook whose desktop site is purely for information. Download the app though and you’ll discover a massive choice of social betting markets. Like many of the top social sportsbooks here, the NFL is a popular option and you’ll find that there are a wide range of picks available for both Christmas Day games.
When you join Fliff you’ll receive free Coins every two hours while you’re logged in. You can also check out frequent social media giveaways for more free SC Coins. Fliff also has regular promotions including boosted odds on the NFL Christmas games. These odds could mean your potential win is increased.

Whether you’re a dedicated football fan looking to make a social wager based on stats and detailed research, or you’re placing a social bet to complement watching the game with friends and family, these social sportsbooks are a great choice. You can access a massive range of betting markets, generous promotions and enjoy sharing picks with your pals for free using Gold and Sweepstakes Coins.
Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:
© 2024 SportsGrid INC.
DISCLAIMER: This site is 100% for entertainment purposes only and does not involve real money betting or prizes.

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HARARE. Zimbabwe — Mountains form part of the breathtaking scenery and wildlife sanctuaries of Zimbabwe. They are also historically connected to the lives in nearby communities that call this place home. Pre-independence, most locals used hills and mountains to worship ancestors, believing that the spirit of the departed lives in the cool places of the mountains.
A change in religion and use of places has increased over the past four decades. In fact, mountains have been used by different religions to connect with God.
Located 30 kilometers (18 miles) outside Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, is a peri-urban sprawling area known as Domboshava. The settlement is known because of its rocky mountains, a range of granite rocks. Mawanga Mountain in the area is the most popular spot, with its large cave. It serves as a sacred site for worship and pilgrimage, emphasizing the historical and spiritual significance of mountains in various religious practices.
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With mountains in Zimbabwe associated with traditional African beliefs and the Apostolic Christian sects who form the majority. Apostolic sects — Christian denominations that originated from Pentecostalism in the early 19th century — have roots in the African tradition, at least the majority of them. In search of spiritual connection with God, Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian churches are scaling these mountains, too.
A local theology scholar, Charles Pembe, said some independent African churches are no longer denouncing the use of heritage sites for religious beliefs and practices.
“Instead, several Christians now come either individually or in small groups to perform their prayers at the mountains,” he said. “We have heard a lot of pilgrims saying they have met God on a personal level in these mountains compared to church buildings where they congregate every Sunday and other weekdays. It is subjective though.”
Churches across Zimbabwe of various denominations climb mountains to seek God and find spiritual uplifting. Most pilgrims frequently pray for the mountains all night long, or they climb early in the morning and remain until the evening. The Domboshava Mountains see a flurry of activity, mostly from Friday through Sunday. Religious communities travel to these mountains from throughout the African country.
“Domboshava’s vast rocky mountains have enough room to hold hundreds of pilgrims. Of late each church has informally selected their pace, making it possible for churches to pray separately,” Pembe added.
Various pilgrims use the mountains for prayers and for conducting healing sessions. This reflects a broader trend of associating mountains with miracles and spiritual encounters across many cultures and faiths.
Zimbabwe today is shared by a diverse populace exposed to different religions and religious ways during their upbringings such as African Traditional Religion, Christianity and Islam, among several others. Conflicts between Christian religious groups and African traditionalists who claim total authority over the site are not always visible, but they do exist.
“In Zimbabwean society, the two most common religions are Christianity and African traditional religion. It’s interesting to see that the management of many Zimbabwean cultural sites has prioritized the resources’ monumentality over their spiritual significance,” said Ratidzo Matarure, a local traditional leader.
Domboshava is a heritage site that both locals and tourists can visit. Those sites are controlled by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. Despite that, the organization does not easily grant permission for prayers and other religious activities. In Domboshava, for example, Christians have been left to oversee and organize vigils and other activities.
Conservative and traditional churches, like the United Methodist Church, have a rich history of mountain prayer dating back decades.
Although mountain climbing is a demanding and painful experience, pilgrims claim that it produces fruitful results. One of the pilgrims who has visited the mountains several times said the visits were not in vain and that her life has been changed since she started the praying in the mountains.
“I come here to pray for different issues,” Tanaka Chiendambuya said. “The visits have greatly changed my life and impacted my faith in God. I have seen a change in my family and obtained many blessings.”
As thousands climb these mountains each year, those with resources have always been known to travel to Egypt, climbing Mount Sinai in Israel and various sites from the Bible located in Turkey.
“Most churches base the idea of connecting with God in mountains on the Bible, where Jesus looked for a place to serve and connect with God,” Pembe said. “From that vantage point, many people pray on mountains.”
 Calvin Manika is an award-winning international journalist based in Zimbabwe. 
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Today at 10:03 p.m.
by Keturah Smith

‘Jayo Productions’ hosted a comedy show called ‘Laughing my Bells’ Sunday at the Municipal Auditorium, which included several comedians such as DC Young Fly, Big JJ, JJ Williamson, and Jessie Mcdonald, who brought holiday laughter to the city ahead of the upcoming holidays.
JJ Williamson, originally from Jackson, Mississippi, began his career in comedy as a stand-up comedian in 1995 at the infamous Uptown Comedy Corner in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the website. He has worked with some of the most notable names in comedy, including Chris Tucker, D.L. Hughley and Rickey Smiley.
The website stated that for 15 years, he served as an opening act for one of the Original Kings of Comedy, Cedric “The Entertainer.” He was also featured in the movie Johnson Family Vacation alongside Bow Wow, Steve Harvey, Cedric “The Entertainer,” and Vanessa Williams.
“It always been a dream of mine to be in the entertainment business,” Williamson said. “I never truly knew that comedy was going to be my route, but I enjoy making people laugh.
“People use to tell me I was so funny, and I thought to myself — if I’m going to act a fool in school, get sent to the principal office all the time, I might as well go get paid for it.”
He said when first starting off in the industry, it was difficult due to networks such as BET (Black Entertainment Television) and Def Comedy Jam not receiving many views.
“I caught the tail end of it,” he said. “I’ve been on these networks, but I caught it when it was kind of fading out. But luckily, I was blessed to make people laugh, and some of the ‘vets’ that been in the game always spread my name when they traveled, and I also travel with some.
“But, sometimes you don’t get paid, shows get canceled, but you have to believe in your craft and keep going.”
John Whitfield, known as “DC Young Fly,” is originally from Atlanta, Georgia, and has been doing comedy for 10 years, according to the website. He is a cast member of the show Wild ‘N Out, created by Nick Cannon, and has also appeared in movies such as Almost Christmas, The Trap, How High 2, and more.
The website stated that Whitfield, alongside Karlous Miller and Anthony “Chico” Bean, started their own podcast called The 85 South Show, where they discuss various topics, interact with the audience, and freestyle songs.
“It’s about having fun and turning up with the people,” Whitfield said. “It’s the holidays, lets laugh and just have a good time.”

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The Green Bay Packers made it five wins in the last six games with a dominant 34-0 victory over the visiting New Orleans Saints on a freezing “Monday Night Football” showdown. The Packers notched the first shutout of the season with one of their most complete performances of the year.
The Packers offense was methodical to open the game, scoring touchdowns on each of its first three drives. Quarterback Jordan Love pitched it to wideout Dontayvion Wicks for the first score of the game. Running back Josh Jacobs scored from 2 yards out on the next drive to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter.
Green Bay running back Chris Brooks made it three touchdowns in three drives with his first career score from 1 yard out to make it 21-0. Brooks was one of eight different players to record at least one carry in the first half for Green Bay.
The Packers defense held New Orleans to just 75 yards in the first half and forced a Spencer Rattler fumble on the Saints‘ second drive of the game. New Orleans’ defense had no answer as the Packers averaged more than six yards per play in the first two quarters and went 2-for-2 on fourth-down attempts.
Green Bay’s offense cruised in the second half with two field goals to push it to 27-0, including a season-long 55-yarder from Brandon McManus, with just over seven minutes left in the game. The defense forced another turnover and kept the Saints out of scoring range.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Emanuel Wilson made it three Packers running backs to score a touchdown in the game with a 1-yard touchdown run to make it 34-0.
Love finished the night 16 of 28 for 182 yards and a touchdown before ceding the final few minutes to backup Malik Willis. Jayden Reed ended the night with a team-high 76 yards receiving and Jacobs had 107 total yards (69 rushing, 38 receiving) and a team-high four receptions.
Green Bay’s defense had a season-best 196 total yards allowed in the win and the offense averaged nearly 6 yards per play.
With the victory, Green Bay (11-4) clinched a playoff berth and kept pace with NFC North foes Detroit (13-2) and Minnesota (13-2), who both won this week. The Packers have a road game against the Vikings next week.
New Orleans (5-10) have lost consecutive games for the first time since their seven-game losing streak ended in early November. The Saints head home next week to take on the Las Vegas Raiders (3-12) in a game that could have major implications for the 2025 NFL draft order.
NFL PLAYOFF PICTURE: Packers clinch wild card, leaving one more in NFC
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Quarterback Malik Willis and running back Emanuel Wilson engineered a seven-play, 48-yard drive to put the game even farther out of reach. Wilson punched it in from one yard out to make it three different Packers with a rushing touchdown and Brandon McManus made his fourth extra point of the game to make it 34-0 with 2:41 to go.
With a 27-0 lead, the Packers have pulled starting quarterback Jordan Love and put in backup Malik Willis with 5:44 to go in the game.
Spencer Rattler’s pass to Dante Pettis fell incomplete onfourth-and-7 from the Saints’ 33-yard line. An unnecessary roughness penalty on Green Bay’s Colby Wooden will push the Packers offense back another 15 yards.
The Packers offense worked 56 yards down the field and nearly made it inside the red zone again, but Jordan Love’s pass to Dontayvion Wicks fell incomplete on third-and-4. Green Bay settled for a 46-yard field goal from Brandon McManus to make it a four-score game with 7:13 to go in this one.
Spencer Rattler found Dante Pettis for an 11-yard gain on the first play of the drive, but the Saints could only manage two more yards over the next three plays. New Orleans punts it back to Green Bay with 11:50 to go in the game. The Packers offense will start their next drive from their own 16-yard line.
Green Bay managed to get just past midfield but couldn’t convert a third-and-7 from the Saints’ 49-yard line. Two penalties backed the Packers up 20 yards before Daniel Whelan finally punted the ball away. New Orleans takes over on its own 34 with 13:07 to go in the game.
Green Bay’s offense took four plays to wind 2 minutes and 11 seconds off the clock and close out the third quarter at Lambeau Field. The offense is driving with the Packers up 24-0 with one quarter of “Monday Night Football” left to go.
The Saints’ offense had its best drive of the night with 48 yards, including a 20-yard shot from Spencer Rattler to Dante Pettis. But the next play saw Rattler throw his first interception of the game to safety Zayne Anderson. Green Bay takes over on its own 20-yard line.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had 23 yards in the first half of “Monday Night Football” — all via rushing — against the New Orleans Saints. Watson was one of eight players to have a rushing attempt in the first half for the Packers.
But one of his carries, a 14-yard gain to bring the Packers deep inside the red zone, was his final play of the half and saw him hit the ground hard out of bounds.
Watson was later seen on the sidelines receiving getting attention on his knee. Ahead of the second half, Green Bay announced the wide receiver was questionable to return.
The Packers offense marched 47 yards in 10 plays but couldn’t reach the red zone in their opening drive of the second half. Kicker Brandon McManus hit a 55-yard field goal, his longest of the season, to push the Green Bay advantage to 24 points with 7:03 left in the third quarter.
New Orleans managed just 19 yards but took nearly three minutes off the game clock with their opening drive of the second half. Spencer Rattler couldn’t connect with Dante Pettis on third-and-2 and, after a delay of game penalty, the Saints punted the ball back to Green Bay. The Packers take over at their own 15-yard line with 12:14 to go in the third quarter.
New Orleans’ offense went as far as the Green Bay 34-yard line before a 12-yard sack by Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt pushed them well out of field goal range. The Packers take a 21-0 lead into halftime, and the Saints will get the ball to start the second half.
After three consecutive touchdown drives, Green Bay’s offense stalled and the Packers were forced to punt. The Saints offense will get another shot before halftime starting at their own 20 with 1:49 to go in the half.
Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon got to Spencer Rattler for a sack and forced the ball loose for defensive lineman Rashan Gary to recover. The Packers get the first turnover of the game and will take over at their own 34-yard line with 2:45 to go in the first half.
Green Bay marched 67 yards for their third consecutive touchdown drive to open “Monday Night Football.” This time it was running back Chris Brooks running it in from one yard out for his first NFL score. Brandon McManus’ extra point is good and the Packers hold a three-score lead with 6:22 left in the first half.
Green Bay never faced a third down on the drive in the 2 minutes and 57 seconds they had the ball.
New Orleans’ offense went nowhere on its second drive of the game. The Packers’ defense held strong after a false start penalty on New Orleans and forced a three-and-out. Green Bay will take over at their own 33-yard line with 9:25 to go in the first half.
The Packers offense continued to churn up yards at key moments with a 96-yard drive finished off with a 2-yard touchdown run by Josh Jacobs. Green Bay converted two fourth downs on the 17-play drive that took 8:55 off the game clock. Brandon McManus’ extra point is good and Green Bay has a two-score lead with 11:43 to go in the first half.
The Green Bay offense has churned out 51 yards in 10 plays to cross midfield into Saints territory. Running back Emanuel Wilson was held to just one yard on 3rd-and-2 from the Saints’ 46. Green Bay lined up for a play on 4th-and-1 but let the clock run out on the first quarter.
New Orleans managed two first downs on its opening drive, but couldn’t get further than the Packers’ 40-yard line. After a penalty, the Saints punted and Green Bay will take over on its own 4-yard line with 5:38 to go in the first quarter.
Green Bay marched 63 yards on 10 plays and opened the game with a touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Dontayvion Wicks. Brandon McManus’ extra point is good and Green Bay takes an early lead with 8:41 to go in the first quarter.
The Packers faced just two third downs on the drive, one of which was helped by a 5-yard penalty on Saints defensive lineman Cameron Jordan. Running back Josh Jacobs had 40 all-purpose yards on the drive, including a 20-yard run that set the Packers up with a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
New Orleans won the coin toss and opted to defer to the second half. The Packers will start the game on offense.
The Saints-Packers “MNF” matchup is scheduled to begin at its customary time of 8:15 p.m. ET.
ESPN again is the broadcast home of “Monday Night Football.” The longtime team of Joe Buck (play-by-play) and Troy Aikman (color) will be on the call, with Lisa Salters adding reports from the sideline.
There will be no “ManningCast” for tonight’s broadcast.
For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season. 
ESPN+, the proprietary streaming service of ESPN, will also carry the game. 
Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels about the Saints-Packers tilt
The Packers are favorites to defeat the Saints, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week. 
The Saints travel up to the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field for the “MNF” tilt. 
Lambeau Field has been the home of the Packers since 1957. During the Super Bowl era, it has hosted four NFL/NFC championship games (1967, 1996, 2007 and 2020 seasons). Prior to the AFL-NFL merger, Lambeau Field (called City Stadium from 1957-1964 before being renamed for Earl “Curly” Lambeau) hosted NFL championship games in 1961 and 1965.
Arguably the most famous game ever played at Lambeau Field was the “Ice Bowl,” the iconic championship game won by the Packers against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 31, 1967. During Week 17 of the 1993 season, Pro Football Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler did the first “Lambeau Leap” during a game against the Los Angeles Raiders.
➤ Ranking NFL’s stadiums from 1 to 30: Where does Packers’ Lambeau Field rate?
Green Bay Packers fans entering the team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the New Orleans Saints dreaming of two things: a playoff berth and a white Christmas.
They might get both on the same night.
The Packers can clinch a spot in postseason with a win over the Saints. They can achieve that at Lambeau Field, which could end up snow-covered because of some flurries falling in Wisconsin on Monday.
The snow isn’t going to be like what NFL fans saw during the Cleveland Browns vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game earlier in the season. It might not even fall at all during the game. — Jacob Camenker
The Packers are sitting at 10-4, but are third place in the NFC North. Here’s how the division lines up:  
The Saints are trying to stay out of the basement of the NFC South on “MNF.” Here’s how the division stacks up. 
Green Bay can clinch its second straight playoff berth — and fifth in six years — with a win on “Monday Night Football.” 
With that being the case, the Packers already had excellent odds to make the postseason. Prior to any games kicking off in Week 16, BetMGM had the team at -10000 (99% implied) odds to be a playoff team. 
It’s win-and-in for the Packers on “MNF.” With a victory over the Saints, the Packers will clinch a wild-card spot in the NFC bracket of the playoffs.  
Derek Carr fractured his left (non-throwing) hand earlier this season. As of Dec. 17, Carr was still a few weeks away from being ready for contact, which makes a return this season very unlikely, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 
The Saints quarterback is dealing with multiple fractures in his left hand and was still in the league’s concussion protocol as of Monday, Dec. 17.  While being cleared for contact would be a necessary step in any return, getting through the five-step concussion protocol has to happen first. 
Derek Carr suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of Week 14 against the New York Giants on a scramble. The quarterback collided with his receiver, Kevin Austin Jr., after jumping in an attempt to get a first down. Instead, Carr landed awkwardly on his head and hand, suffering a pair of injuries on the play. 
Spencer Rattler began his college career already as a well-known and hyped prospect. He was the consensus No. 1 quarterback in college football‘s 2019 recruiting class and stared in Netflix’s documentary series “QB1: Beyond The Lights” during his final year at Pinnacle High School (Arizona). 
Rattler drew the attention of many major programs but ultimately committed Oklahoma after watching Lincoln Riley develop Baker Mayfield into a top college quarterback. While Mayfield didn’t win the Heisman or become the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft until after Rattler had committed, Riley’s status as one of college football’s top quarterback gurus made the Sooners an attractive destination for Rattler. 
Alvin Kamara will be out vs. the Packers. 
Saints coach Darren Rizzi provided an update last Thursday during media availability. 
“It’s more significant than we initially thought,” Rizzi said. He added that Kamara was unlikely to play in the Saints’ upcoming game on “Monday Night Football.” 
Following the Week 15 game, Rizzi declined to elaborate on whether the injury was minor and told reporters more testing would be done on the running back. 
Unfortunately, testing has revealed that Kamara could miss an extended time. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that, while the situation is still being evaluated, it could be a season-ending injury for the veteran running back. 
The New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers are tied for the most Super Bowl wins with six. 
The Packers have won four Super Bowls in five appearances, including the first two Super Bowls (then called the AFL–NFL World Championship Game) under legendary coach Vince Lombardi, for whom the Super Bowl championship trophy is named after. The Packers’ most recent Super Bowl win came during the 2010 season in Super Bowl XLV. In all, the Packers boast 13 NFL championships, the most of any franchise.
The Saints prevailed in their one Super Bowl appearance, during the 2009 season in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts.
NFL franchises with most Super Bowl wins:
➤ Super Bowl winners: All-time scores, results for NFL title game
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➤ Best (and worst) from NFL Week 16: Second-guessing ‘expert’ narratives
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