Month: January 2025

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In the collectively move into the new year we face one of the better known holy days observed by Christians, that being Epiphany. This falls on Jan. 6, the 12th day of Christmas, although many denominations shift observance to the nearest Sunday.
In the Western world, Epiphany calls to mind the arrival of the Magi to kneel at the crib of Jesus in Bethlehem, where they famously offered him gold, frankincense and myrrh. The three gifts have been taken to mean that there were three Magi in the event, but Matthew’s gospel does not give a number. This event is called “Epiphany,” which means “showing forth” in the sense that the newly born savior is shown forth to the entire world, reaching far beyond Judah and Israel.
Traditionally, this day has been a day of great merriment, where parties and banquets conclude the celebration of Christmas. Readers familiar with Shakespeare know that the comedy “Twelfth Night” describes a number of raucous events celebrating the day in distant Illyria.
But while Western believers have many customs to commemorate the day, Russians and many Eastern European Christians have their own unique observance, in the threefold dipping of the faithful into the icy waters in the frozen lakes and rivers of Eastern Europe. Some background is perhaps important.
Note that Orthodox and Eastern Christians still use the Julian calendar, as they did not accept the authority of Pope Gregory XIII when he reformed the calendar in 1582 A.D. As a result, for Eastern Christians, Julian Jan. 6 will not occur until the Gregorian Jan. 19.
For Eastern Christians Epiphany celebrates three distinct events in the life of Jesus. There is of course the visitation of the Magi, but the day also honors the first miracle of Christ at the wedding of Cana, where Jesus changed water into wine. It also celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John, when the Holy Spirit came upon him.
These three public events all show the revelation of Jesus to the whole world. On Epiphany, in honor of the baptism in particular the priest will preside at a special ritual where he will bless the Epiphany water, which the faithful will then collect and take to their homes and places of work to bless these locations. This holy water is held in great respect. In some places, the priest will throw a cross into a pool of water, and young people will leap into the waters to catch it. The winner will, of course, have good luck for the next year.
The Russian custom is for the faithful to immerse themselves three times, making the sign of the cross thrice as well. This threefold dipping into the icy January waters is said to cleanse the soul. Various advocates of this admittedly ascetic practice have asserted that it is good also for bodily health, which is perhaps why it survived the anti-Christian persecutions by the Soviet-era Communists.
The faithful who enter the waters do not wear a great deal of clothing for the dip. Men will wear only swimming trunks and women are often seen in bikinis. Orthodox priests wear their more modest black cassock. Wet suits are not allowed. Ideally, the priests will have taken the opportunity to carve large Russian crosses into the ice for people to make use of.
One Orthodox priest, Father Daniil Ryabinin, said of the practice, “From a spiritual point of view, immersion in a font does not make people better or worse … a person is cleansed by a sincere desire to change, repent, return to God’s channel and do good deeds. This will change you.”
Last year an estimated 2 million Russians made the dip. Doctors tell people not to stay more than 30 seconds in the water, and not to dip their heads at all. Emergency workers with blankets, heated tents, and towels are normally present to assist people. In the area around Celyabinsk, 102 sites were designated for public use and over 40,000 people went through the ritual. In Moscow, 150,000 made the dip.
The Orthodox Church has directed that those with medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart troubles or pregnancy should not follow the custom, nor should those under the age of 12. People who keep the custom normally prepare for it by taking cold showers for a week beforehand and eating fatty foods, such as meat and cabbage pies. Drinking alcohol is forbidden and one can look forward to only a cup of strong hot tea after the ordeal. One Russian newspaper last year published a list of the top 10 best places to go for the ritual in St. Petersburg and in Moscow. Devotions are a good thing and ascetic practices as well.
But your author believes that the prospect of a Russian ice bath would make him too terrified to sin again for another year.
Copyright © 2025 MediaNews Group

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Set For Life results LIVE: Winning National Lottery numbers for Thursday, January 2  Chronicle Live
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by United Football League
Arlington, TX – January 2, 2025 – The United Football League today announced its complete 2025 game schedule with the league’s media partners – FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, and FS1 – combining to televise all 43 games during the UFL’s second season.  Select games in Spanish will also air on FOX Deportes and across ESPN Deportes and ESPN+.
The 2025 season will kick off on Friday, March 28, at 8 p.m. ET when FOX Sports debuts FOXUFL Friday – a new night dedicated to UFL action taking place each Friday during the 10-week regular season – with a matchup featuring the St. Louis Battlehawks against the Houston Roughnecks. The league’s second season will conclude on Saturday, June 14, when ABC presents the 2025 UFL Championship Game.
2025 UFL Schedule 
“We are thrilled to have exceptional partners like FOX and ESPN, who share our passion for celebrating the game and telling our story to a wide audience,” said UFL President and CEO Russ Brandon. “With the launch of FOX UFL Friday, we are excited to invite new fans to experience the incredible talent and heart that our players bring to the field. This season promises to be an exciting journey in football, where our athletes elevate the game to new heights.”
In addition to games televised on FOX, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, FOX Deportes, and ESPN Deportes this season, FOX games will stream on the FOX Sports App.  Games on ABC and ESPN platforms also will be streamed on ESPN+. 
During the opening weekend, FOX will also present a matchup between the San Antonio Brahmas and the Arlington Renegades on Saturday, March 29, at 4:00 p.m. ET in Arlington, Texas. ESPN will kick off its 2025 coverage with a Sunday, March 30, doubleheader featuring the Michigan Panthers at the Memphis Showboats starting at 12 p.m. ET, followed by the defending UFL Champion Birmingham Stallions traveling to Washington, D.C. to take on the D.C. Defenders at 3 p.m. ET.
Here are details about the upcoming 2025 season By-The-Numbers:
To experience 2025 UFL action, season tickets, as well as Group and Suite packages, are now on sale. For more information about tickets, click here.
© 2025 UFL Enterprises LLC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Show ‘With Love, Meghan’ Drops First Trailer  Extra
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The U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., is pictured amid fog on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024.  (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement agencies in the nation’s capital were closely monitoring security Thursday following a terrorist attack in New Orleans and a vehicle explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The violent incidents took place just ahead of several high-profile events in Washington, D.C., including the swearing-in of the new Congress on Friday, the certification of the Electoral College vote on Monday, former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral next week and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Matthew Young, assistant special agent in charge at the U.S. Secret Service, said in a statement the agency would “adjust our security plans as needed.” 
“While we cannot comment on protective means or methods, what we can say is that we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in assessing the ever-changing threat landscape and will adjust our security plans as needed,” Young said. “Our mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for our protectees, and all individuals involved in these events.”
The Secret Service has already designated Congress’ certification of the Electoral College, Carter’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9 and the inauguration as National Special Security Events, which puts the agency in charge of planning and security logistics.
Those special security events are somewhat common for major political events, like the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer and for presidential inaugurations.
This is, however, the first year the certification of the Electoral College on Monday will hold that designation after a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol during the last certification.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., posted on social media that while “there is no known threat to the District of Columbia, out of an abundance of caution, MPD has heightened its security posture across the city in light of recent events.”
“Whenever an incident occurs in the country, MPD closely monitors the situation, evaluates intelligence and assesses our security posture,” MPD wrote in the statement. “As the nation’s capital, we maintain a heightened level of security at all times to ensure the safety of our residents, businesses and visitors.”
The U.S. Capitol Police did not respond to a request for comment, but closed off several streets near the building on Thursday after someone drove on a sidewalk a few blocks away.
“Before 10 a.m., our officers spotted a car that had been driving along the sidewalk, near Peace Circle, and into the grassy area near Third Street, NW, & Constitution Avenue,” USCP wrote on social media. “Officers took the man into custody. Please continue to avoid the area while we investigate the car.”
The person was later charged with reckless driving after the USCP bomb squad determined there was no explosive device inside the car.
At least 15 people died and 35 were injured in New Orleans early Wednesday after a man drove a truck onto Bourbon Street in what law enforcement has declared a terrorist attack.
Local and federal law enforcement agencies are also investigating the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is a close Trump associate.
Officials say they have not found any link between the two attacks, though they are investigating further. 
Last updated 11:08 a.m., Jan. 2, 2025
by Jennifer Shutt, Missouri Independent
January 2, 2025
by Jennifer Shutt, Missouri Independent
January 2, 2025
WASHINGTON — Law enforcement agencies in the nation’s capital were closely monitoring security Thursday following a terrorist attack in New Orleans and a vehicle explosion outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas.
The violent incidents took place just ahead of several high-profile events in Washington, D.C., including the swearing-in of the new Congress on Friday, the certification of the Electoral College vote on Monday, former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral next week and the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Matthew Young, assistant special agent in charge at the U.S. Secret Service, said in a statement the agency would “adjust our security plans as needed.” 
“While we cannot comment on protective means or methods, what we can say is that we will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in assessing the ever-changing threat landscape and will adjust our security plans as needed,” Young said. “Our mission is to provide a safe and secure environment for our protectees, and all individuals involved in these events.”
The Secret Service has already designated Congress’ certification of the Electoral College, Carter’s funeral at Washington National Cathedral on Jan. 9 and the inauguration as National Special Security Events, which puts the agency in charge of planning and security logistics.
Those special security events are somewhat common for major political events, like the Republican and Democratic national conventions this summer and for presidential inaugurations.
This is, however, the first year the certification of the Electoral College on Monday will hold that designation after a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol during the last certification.
The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., posted on social media that while “there is no known threat to the District of Columbia, out of an abundance of caution, MPD has heightened its security posture across the city in light of recent events.”
“Whenever an incident occurs in the country, MPD closely monitors the situation, evaluates intelligence and assesses our security posture,” MPD wrote in the statement. “As the nation’s capital, we maintain a heightened level of security at all times to ensure the safety of our residents, businesses and visitors.”
The U.S. Capitol Police did not respond to a request for comment, but closed off several streets near the building on Thursday after someone drove on a sidewalk a few blocks away.
“Before 10 a.m., our officers spotted a car that had been driving along the sidewalk, near Peace Circle, and into the grassy area near Third Street, NW, & Constitution Avenue,” USCP wrote on social media. “Officers took the man into custody. Please continue to avoid the area while we investigate the car.”
The person was later charged with reckless driving after the USCP bomb squad determined there was no explosive device inside the car.
At least 15 people died and 35 were injured in New Orleans early Wednesday after a man drove a truck onto Bourbon Street in what law enforcement has declared a terrorist attack.
Local and federal law enforcement agencies are also investigating the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on Wednesday. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, is a close Trump associate.
Officials say they have not found any link between the two attacks, though they are investigating further. 
Last updated 11:08 a.m., Jan. 2, 2025
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Missouri Independent maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jason Hancock for questions: info@missouriindependent.com.
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Jennifer covers the nation’s capital as a senior reporter for States Newsroom. Her coverage areas include congressional policy, politics and legal challenges with a focus on health care, unemployment, housing and aid to families.
Missouri Independent is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
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By Jennifer Bennett
Walmart Inc. is free for now of the religious and national origin bias portion of a Jewish manager with epilepsy’s employment discrimination lawsuit, but a federal judge gave the plaintiff permission to try again.
The former manager didn’t provide enough detail about how his Jewish heritage played a role in the superstore’s decision to fire him when he was on medical leave for an epilepsy flare-up, the US District Court for the District of Alaska said. But there’s a chance adding more allegations could fix his Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 claim, the opinion said. …
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Abigail O’Keeffe moved to Belize this summer, leaving behind dozens of pigs, goats and sheep suffering from infections, parasites and other medical conditions, police say.
An Upper Bucks County farmer who investigators said presided over squalid, horrible conditions from which 127 animals were rescued now faces criminal charges in a case humane officers described as one of the worst examples of animal abuse in county history.
Abigail Tuttle O’Keeffe, 53, was charged on New Year’s Eve with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals as well as 148 counts of neglect to animals for the livestock she’s accused of abandoning on Narrow Way Farm, her 36-acre property in Wrightstown.
O’Keeffe had not been arrested as of Thursday. Investigators aren’t sure if she’s even in the country — O’Keeffe announced on social media in July that she was moving to Belize. Investigators wrote in court filings this week that she has “no plans to return.”
However, she wracked up two traffic tickets in Warrington Township in September, months after publicly claiming she was moving to the tropical country. O’Keeffe was pulled over Sept. 20 for driving without a license and operating a vehicle without an inspection, court records show.
On Aug. 7, the Bucks County SPCA served a search warrant on O’Keeffe’s property after a farm manager there notified them that a sheep had been found dead, according to the affidavit of probable cause for her arrest.
Officers rescued more than 100 pigs, goats and sheep, many of whom were suffering from infections, parasites and other chronic medical conditions. One severely emaciated goat died as investigators were searching the property. Another one was so malnourished and riddled with parasites, she had to be euthanized after weeks of intensive care, the affidavit said.
Volunteers who spoke with The Inquirer in August after the animals were rescued said O’Keeffe had no experience operating a farm and ran it in an absentee, chaotic manner. She often recruited community members to perform even the most basic tasks for her.
One nearby farm owner said O’Keeffe, who has a degree in developmental psychology, is “not a real active farmer.”
In one 2022 incident, corroborated by multiple former Narrow Way staffers, workers “botched” the dehorning of an 8-month-old Jersey calf, Kiwi, cutting the horn too far down and leaving lasting nerve damage around the animal’s eye. The calf was later butchered.
Farm staff told investigators they had previously expressed their concerns to O’Keeffe after other animals had died. In response, she had instructed them to give the animals over-the-counter deworming medication, rather than bring in proper veterinary care, according to the affidavit.
The animals had also been fed a cheap milling by-product that had virtually no nutritional value, making their underlying health conditions even worse.
Cindy Kelly, the director of communication and development for the county SPCA, said Thursday that 36 of the Narrow Way animals remain in the agency’s care, being treated at its facility in Quakertown. The remainder have been adopted into new homes, from which Kelly often receives pictures and videos of them eating pumpkins, roaming freely, and living significantly healthier lives.
“I think the thing about this case is the scale,” Kelly said. “We see animals living in some pretty horrendous conditions; that in itself is not unique. But it’s the large number of animals involved, and also the chronic nature of this, that sets it apart.
“These were animals living in filthy conditions for a long time, eating poor quality food for a long time, and receiving very minimal vet care, if any, for a long time,” she added.
Days after the SPCA removed the animals, Newtown Township Police Department seized 73 pounds of marijuana and eight firearms, more criminal offenses that O’Keeffe may need to answer for.

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Tiger Woods joined the chorus of commemoration on New Year’s Day after it was revealed that longtime PGA Tour writer Steve DiMeglio had succumbed to his battle with cancer at the age of 63.
“Unfortunately the golf world lost part of our family today, beloved golf writer Steve DiMeglio,” Woods wrote Wednesday in a post to X. “I was always very close to Steve and we texted and talked about how he needed to keep fighting to get better so we could see each other in the Bahamas last month. And we did. I am so grateful for that. 
“This is a very sad day for all of golf,” the 15-time major winner concluded. “We have truly lost a friend.”
DiMeglio died peacefully in his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., according to reports.
He had undergone dozens of chemotherapy treatments since his diagnosis in 2022, and his appearance last month at the Hero World Challenge was nothing short of miraculous.
Cameras captured the moment Woods, 49, greeted his longtime friend at the tournament in the Bahamas.
Tiger Woods has arrived 🐅

The tournament host greets longtime friend and golf writer @Steve_DiMeglio, who has been battling cancer. pic.twitter.com/BSoYdNGQyB
“I came all the way down here to hold the door open for you, big man,” DiMeglio can be heard saying in a video shared by the PGA Tour’s X account as Woods embraced him.
DiMeglio began experiencing pain in his right side shortly after the Open Championship in 2022.
Doctors took blood samples and performed an examination, which revealed a mass: Stage 4 rectal cancer. 
By the time it was discovered, DiMeglio said the cancer had already spread to his liver, colon and stomach. 
The veteran USA Today journalist documented his battle throughout the ensuing two years. He was active on X up until his final days, regularly interacting with fans and followers alike.
“Steve, we don’t know each other at all but I wanted to let you know your attitude and outlook are such an inspiration to so many people,” one admirer wrote on Dec. 19. “Wishing you all the best in 2025 and far beyond!”
“Crying and feeling sorry for myself were not options,” DiMeglio responded later that day.

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