Year: 2024

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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – Millions of people have the Mega Millions jackpot on their Christmas wish list. The current grand prize is $825 million — one of the largest jackpots in U.S. history.
They’re selling dreams at AB’s 66 convenience store in Omaha’s Dundee Neighborhood. Everyone who buys a Mega Millions ticket gets one.
For most, playing the lottery when the prizes swell is not a big deal. Just a fleeting moment of “what if?”
“If I won all that money I would definitely go on a really long vacation, all around the world” one customer said with a laugh.
“I’d find an investment lawyer and hide,” another said.
But for some people, the dream never ends, especially when there’s a chance to win so much money and the lines between fantasy and reality become fuzzy.
“I’ve actually worked with people who are just lottery gamblers,” said Gina Fricke.
Fricke works at Peace and Power Counseling, treating people addicted to gambling. She says betting a couple of dollars when the lotto jackpots jump up is okay, but only use disposable income.
“If it’s supposed to be money for their electric bill or their rent or their groceries, that’s not disposable income,” Fricke said.
After the lotto drawing is over, there are still other things to gamble on all around us. Casinos, sports, even keno.
“Statewide numbers of people with an addiction to gambling are increasing,” Fricke said. “More people are seeking services. So id I risk some money that I can’t afford and then I win, I am more likely to risk more in order to try to win that again.”
The Nebraska Gambler’s Assistance Program offers help for Nebraskans and their families who want to stop the wheels of addiction. Gina says the goal of the program is not to put the brakes on making a bet forever.
“That can be their goal, but it can also be that they want to reduce their gambling to what they believe would be a more manageable level financially for them.”
Like betting a couple of bucks when the lotto jackpot starts closing in on $1 billion.
The NGAP is free to all Nebraskans. Anyone who needs help should call the helpline at 1-833-238-6837. The program is funded by the state and includes proceeds form teh Nebraska Lottery.
Copyright 2024 WOWT. All rights reserved.

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Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world.
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By Titus Wu
The California Privacy Protection Agency’s board on Thursday voted to sponsor state legislation again next year that would make it easier for Californians using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and similar browsers to block the use or sharing of their data by every website they visit.
The board rejected a proposal by staff to narrow the measure to only internet desktop browsers. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) vetoed in September essentially the same proposal (AB 3048) that would cover browsers for all digital products, citing concerns that it could impede innovation for mobile devices.
“No major mobile operating system incorporates …
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Live updates: Trump backs new GOP plan to avoid a government shutdown and lift the debt limit  The Associated Press
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SEC football games against Big Ten teams are rare. Tennessee games against Ohio State are even rarer.
The Vols haven’t played Ohio State but once. They were underdogs then, too.
UT upset the Buckeyes 20-14 in the Citrus Bowl to finish the 1995 season 11-1 and third in the AP Top 25 poll.
The Vols also have played only one game against Michigan, another Big Ten heavyweight. They beat the Wolverines 45-17 in the Citrus Bowl to cap an 11-2 season that left them with a No. 5 national ranking.
The stakes will be much higher Saturday in a first-round College Football Playoff game.
Ohio State is favored for a reason. It’s probably a more complete team and will be playing on its home field in Columbus. The Buckeyes also have fared better against higher-ranked teams.
They have beaten two playoff teams, Indiana and Penn State, and lost a road game to No. 1 Oregon by one point. Tennessee’s biggest win came against Alabama, but it faltered in the second half of a 31-17 loss to No. 2 Georgia.
UT’s defensive front versus Ohio State’s offensive line might be its only advantageous matchup. But the pressure will be on the Buckeyes, who haven’t won a national championship since 2014 despite all the NFL stars who have worn their uniform.
The pressure is exacerbated by the Buckeyes’ last game, a loss to 19.5-point underdog Michigan in Columbus. And the pressure will mount if they get off to a slow start.
Tennessee 20, Ohio State 17: Michigan showed how to beat the Buckeyes. It ran the ball effectively, stopped Ohio State’s running game and pressured quarterback Will Howard into turnovers.
If the Vols can do what they do best – run the ball and control the line of scrimmage with their defensive front – they can pull off an upset.
Indiana 27, Notre Dame 24: A stout defense had much to do with the Irish making the playoffs. But did you know the Hoosiers rank second only to Ohio State in total defense?
The Hoosiers also have a more versatile offense. And Southern California proved even in a 49-35 defeat that Notre Dame’s defense might not be as good as its regular-season stats. The Trojans totaled 552 yards against it.
Texas 37, Clemson 24: When the Longhorns are rolling, they look like the best team in the country. But there was no rolling in their two losses to Georgia, which beat them in the SEC championship game with a backup quarterback.
A Texas-sized question: How long will it take coach Steve Sarkisian to replace Quinn Ewers with Arch Manning if the offense doesn’t click quickly?
The longer he waits, the greater the chance for a Clemson upset.
Penn State 41, SMU 31: This could be the most entertaining game of the first round.
The Nittany Lions often have come up short in their biggest games because their offense struggled. However, it didn’t struggle in a 45-37 loss to Oregon.
And it shouldn’t hit any speed bumps against SMU.
ADAMS:Tennessee football has a three-letter advantage vs Ohio State. Can you spell S-E-C
Florida 34, Tulane 21: The Gators didn’t make the playoffs. But they at least will get to play on the first playoff weekend.
They also will strengthen their schedule – for whatever that’s worth – by playing in the Gasparilla Bowl. Tulane will be Florida’s eighth opponent with eight or more wins.
Record: 101-29 (.774), 66-48 (.586) against the spread.  
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Tennessee Department of Education has released the state’s report card. The results show that there’s some growth while some improvement is needed.
“The 2023-24 State Report Card provides valuable insights into the performance of public schools and districts across Tennessee, giving families and communities the tools they need to advocate for their students,” said Lizzette Reynolds, Commissioner of Education. “We are especially proud of the schools that performed highly on the School Letter Grades and are moving the needle for kids, and we encourage all Tennesseans to actively engage and contribute to the ongoing success of all our schools.”
Data shows that 290 schools in the state received an overall “A” letter grade, and 486 received a “B” letter grade. There were a high number of schools that received the highest level in achievement, growth and growth for the highest need students.
Looking at the overall state achievement rate, Tennessee is currently at 39.6 percent which takes into account the percentage of students whose test scores met or exceeded expectations in English, math, science, and social studies.
Parents at home can use the state’s report card page to get a snapshot of how their school is performing on the TNDOE’s website.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.

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Senators urge Biden to grant ByteDance 90-day reprieve from law requiring sale  Reuters
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Hi! I'm Dominique Leh, your Neighborhood Reporter for Waco and Baylor University.
MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — The Pet Circle Regional Animal Center is over capacity, meaning its 103% full as 2024 comes to a close.
“I did make a visit here— it was more of the medical end, on the back end, but I was very satisfied, I was happy with what I saw,” Animal welfare board member Sylvia Campos said.
“Great handling excellent communication skills with the pet owner she spoke with,” Animal welfare board member Carrie Spivey said.
Members of the animal welfare board made a couple of visits to the Pet Circle Regional Animal Center in the last few weeks and walked away with a positive response.
One member said improvements have been made since the city took over the shelter.
“The interaction that I saw has stepped up since the last time I was here, before the switchover, but I know a lot was going on in the back,” Campos said.
 In the past year, Pet Circle has adopted out close to 2,000 animals, although this number is lower than in 2023 by about 400 animals.
Looking at animals euthanized, Pet Circle is currently sitting at its highest euthanasia numbers since 2019. With 343 this year so far. Euthanized animals include injured, sick, aggressive court-ordered, and owner-requested euthanasia. The city said this in a statement,
The number of volunteers has also increased, with 120 people going through orientation since the program started in October.
The City of Waco tells me for the Pet Circle to achieve its no-kill mission, they rely on the community’s support to find homes for the animals in their care.

McLennan County
In Your Neighborhood

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2: City Tour Developer Walkthrough – IGN First  IGN
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