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This Timberwolves roster is different than the one from a year ago. That much is obvious in games, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistent scoring and general size is missed, as is the playmaking and ball security of guys like Kyle Anderson and Jordan McLaughlin. ADVERTISEMENT But their absences have been felt in the locker room, as well. Towns was a consistent source of positivity for the team. Anderson was one of the loudest vocal leaders. The latter can be especially difficult to replace, especially because it can be uncomfortable to speak up when things are going poorly and something needs to change. That was the position Anthony Edwards has found himself in early this season. Edwards has been praised for his leadership through his first four years on Minnesota’s roster. Mostly, that all came via positivity and example. Edwards can be coached hard, which gave the greenlight for the coaches to treat everyone else the same way. Edwards was also quick to credit his teammates around him for their contributions to the cause, and was eager and willing to spend time with and talk to anyone on the roster, players No. 1-15. He’ll also stand up for any of his teammates if the occasion ever arises. That’s why he has been so beloved in the locker room and why he was viewed as such a leader, even at his young age. ADVERTISEMENT But with Anderson’s departure, Edwards was now tasked with leading even through choppy waters. And the waves have been rather large through the first quarter of the season. Minnesota’s defense has fallen off a cliff in comparison to where it was a year ago. After never even as many as three consecutive games during the 2023-24 regular season, the Wolves endured a four-game losing skid earlier this week. At that point, words were exchanged, both publicly and privately. A halftime hash out during Minnesota’s loss Wednesday to Sacramento got the conversation rolling. Mike Conley got the dialogue started, but all indications are that Edwards was a healthy participant. Edwards noted it’s difficult to know what to say in those times. “Because you look at everybody, and everybody got a different agenda. It’s like, ‘What the (heck) am I supposed to say?’ You know what I mean?” Edwards said. “I’m trying to get better in that aspect, figure out what the hell to say to get everybody on the same agenda, because everybody right now is on different agendas. I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing, because everybody out there got their own agenda. I guess their imagination of what’s supposed to be going on, and what’s really happening.” Nickeil Alexander-Walker told reporters at Friday’s shootaround that this is the most vocal Edwards has ever been. And while the intention of everyone’s messages are pure, “sometimes it’s not always worded the right way.” ADVERTISEMENT “I think we’ve crossed that line of, ‘Man, I feel like you’re not hearing the message.’ It’s tough to be called out, because you start to feel like, ‘OK, are you saying I’m the reason?’ No one wants to be at fault,” Alexander-Walker said. “But at the end of the day, I definitely think that guys are open to hearing it better. And I think it just came from a stand point of, at a point and time in the conversation, there was a comeback. It was going back and forth now, as opposed to receiving it (and saying), ‘OK, I got you.’ That’s how it’s going to be. It’s very rare that someone is just going to be able to be called out and not have anything to say. “It’s human nature to be defensive, at the end of the day. But kind of remembering what we’re here for, and if I’m being called out, chances are I’ve got to look in the mirror and be better.” It’s a delicate dance. There has to be an environment rooted in accountability, but you also have to be sure not to lose teammates, as Jimmy Butler was criticized for doing during his short stint in Minnesota a few years ago. ADVERTISEMENT And while it’s never ideal for a team to be living through a stretch of basketball the quality of which falls significantly short of the expectation, these stretches will likely lead to growth for Edwards, if not on the court, then in the locker room. You can’t steer a ship to a title if you don’t know how to navigate turbulent tides. Day by day, loss by loss, Edwards is learning how to spin the wheel. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .

NEW YORK (AP) — In a string of visits, dinners, calls, monetary pledges and social media overtures, big tech chiefs — including Apple's Tim Cook , OpenAI’s Sam Altman , Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg , SoftBank's Masayoshi Son and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos — have joined a parade of business and world leaders in trying to improve their standing with President-elect Donald Trump before he takes office in January. “The first term, everybody was fighting me,” Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago . “In this term, everybody wants to be my friend.” Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) on Dec. 17 announced new winter road condition categories to better reflect current conditions on roads across the state. The categories are now: Normal, Partially Covered, Completely Covered, Travel Not Advised, and No Report. The information streamlines the categories and makes it easier for motorists. Drivers are encouraged to “know before you go” with 511 Wisconsin, online at 511wi.gov or via the mobile app. “We continually look for ways to enhance our 511 Wisconsin traveler information service,” WisDOT Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “As we prepare for another winter season, we’re excited to announce these new road condition categories. We know that road conditions during Wisconsin’s winters can change in the blink of an eye and drivers must expect the unexpected. We’re confident the updated winter road condition categories will help drivers make informed travel decisions this winter and beyond.” 511 Wisconsin first launched 15 years ago in 2009, and the free travel information system has evolved over the years with its web and smartphone capabilities. Drivers have direct access to up-to-date traffic information throughout the state. On 511 Wisconsin, users can access live streaming video through hundreds of traffic cameras across the state and winter road conditions for more than 14,000 miles of roadway. The WisDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) oversees 511 Wisconsin to update the website and mobile app with current information based on notifications from law enforcement and other first responders. “The Wisconsin State Patrol and other law enforcement agencies coordinate with TMC staff and dispatchers working around the clock to keep all travelers in the know,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “Our winter weather in Wisconsin can make driving dangerous at times, so we encourage drivers to plan ahead, watch your speed during inclement weather and avoid distractions behind the wheel.” Users can still dial 511 to access travel information; however, for the most up-to-date technology, the traveling public is encouraged to use the 511 Wisconsin app or online at 511wi.gov . Motorists should always expect the unexpected when driving in the winter in Wisconsin. When possible, avoid traveling during storms to give winter maintenance crews room to work. Visit wisconsindot.gov/staysafe to learn about safe driving tips and best practices for winter road safety.In a country where monkeys are revered as symbols of Hanuman Ji , a beautiful occurrence has captured hearts worldwide. A heartwarming video, which has gone viral on social media not just in India but around the globe, shows an elderly man calmly sharing his food with a monkey. This simple act of kindness has stirred powerful emotions, leaving viewers reflecting on the beauty of compassion and the unexpected connections we can make with the natural world. The video, which was recorded in what looks like a temple, showcases a man sitting on the floor, enjoying a traditional pooja meal served to him and other people. While he was peacefully eating, a monkey came by and approached the man’s plate. Instead of reacting with fear, astonishment, or trying to shoo away the animal, the man watches calmly and lets the monkey reach into his plate. What more surprising was that the monkey, without any hesitation, began to pick at the food in the man’s meal. The animal gently picks up Kheer from the plate and starts eating. What makes this interaction stand out is not just the fact that the monkey is eating from the man’s plate, but the man’s beautiful and welcoming response. Rather than shooing the animal away or showing signs of discomfort, the man remains calm and seems almost amused by the situation, allowing the monkey to continue eating. View this post on Instagram A post shared by shalu Sharma (@shalu_weightlifter) The video has been widely shared and praised for the man's gentle behaviour towards the monkey. His polite attitude toward the monkey’s presence and his willingness to share his meal have touched the hearts of uncountable people. In the comment sections across social media platforms, many users have expressed admiration for the man's behaviour, calling it a beautiful example of humility and kindness . Some have even suggested that the monkey might represent Hanuman Ji himself, symbolizing the man’s immense devotion. This connection has added spiritual significance for some viewers, enhancing the emotional impact of the video. The video went viral in a matter of seconds, and it is truly easy to see why. People from different cultures and backgrounds have commented on the man's rare demonstration of patience and compassion. Adorable comments like ‘Respect for the uncle’ and ‘This is so pure’ are flooding the post, with viewers expressing how deeply they were moved by the situation. The video has sparked ultimate positivity, with many saying that witnessing such an act of kindness brought them a sense of peace and joy. Image credit: Instagram/@shalu_weightlifterNo one is talking much about the Raiders, which means rookie tight end Brock Bowers has flown under the radar. (Except for fantasy owners who have him on their roster.) Bowers also doesn’t hype himself, and his stoic demeanor prompted Davante Adams to nickname Bowers the “Business Man.” Bowers’ numbers, though, are speaking loudly for him. His 70 catches are second in the NFL and his 706 yards are 10th. His three touchdowns are tied for fifth among all tight ends. It puts Bowers on pace to break the single-season rookie record for catches regardless of position, and he could set the rookie mark for receiving yards by a tight end. Lions tight end Sam LaPorta has the rookie record for catches at the position with 86 last season, and Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua set the overall rookie record for receptions with 105 last season. Bears tight end Mike Ditka set the rookie record for receiving yards at the position with 1,076 in 1961, and Nacua has the record for most receiving yards by a rookie regardless of position at 1,486. Nacua finished second to Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud in offensive rookie of the year voting last season, and LaPorta was third. Ditka is the only tight end to win offensive rookie of the year. “At the end of the season, you get to relax and reflect a little bit,” Bowers said of appreciating his accomplishments, via Tashan Reed of TheAthletic.com, “but we’re not there yet .” In betting odds, Bowers is fourth at +3000 behind Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels (-400), Denver quarterback Bo Nix (+300) and New England quarterback Drake Maye (+2500). “He’s really good,” quarterback Gardner Minshew said. “I don’t know if anyone’s said that yet. There’s not much he can’t do, man. I’m super glad we have him, and super excited for everything he’s going to be in his career.” Bowers said the game is slowing down for him, and that’s the way it appeared Sunday when he had 13 catches (the most ever in a game for a rookie tight end) for a career-high 126 yards and a touchdown. “There’s always another week coming,” Bowers said. “I’ve always got something to prove.”

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UoH Professor Highlights Advantages of Digital PaymentsJalen Hurts enters Week 12 with a 42-19 career record as the starting quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles . For some unknown reason, NFL analysts — especially those who used to be journeymen quarterbacks in the league — continue to shade Philly’s QB1 despite the team’s 8-2 start to the season. The latest negative commentary came this week from ex-NFL quarterback Colt McCoy, who dropped this take on Hurts and the Eagles on his Clean Pocket podcast : “I really like Philly. Their offensive line is tremendous. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert ... don’t forget Saquon Barkley. I mean, how can you forget him? He rushes for over 100 yards a game, catches like seven or eight balls a game, jumps over people backwards. I mean, this dude’s ridiculous. “My holdup is Jalen Hurts. You watch the game, and you go back and see the highlights, and it’s like, he doesn’t do anything crazy or special. He’s 18 of 30 for 200 yards and two touchdowns. It’s like, how does this happen? He rushes for two touchdowns a game with the ‘tush-push.’ ... I don’t see these big-time throws, or great reads, or awesome third-down conversions. Jalen just kind of figures it out and relies on everyone around him.” Wow. There’s a lot to unpack there. McCoy definitely sounds like someone who watches the highlights and checks the box scores. He doesn’t sound like someone who actually watches the Eagles play week to week. First of all, Hurts isn’t checking the ball down to Barkley “seven or eight” times per game. Barkley’s only been targeted five times in a game once through the first 11 weeks. His high for the season is four receptions. Despite all the claims to the contrary — and McCoy’s hardly the first — the Eagles actually do pass the football down the field. They enter Week 12 ranked top-10 in the NFL in average yards per completion (10.9). Hurts has plenty of “big-time” throws this season. He tossed an absolute dime to Brown to seal the win over Cleveland that kicked off this current six-game win streak. The win over the Packers featured a gutsy third-down conversion from Hurts to Smith right around the 2-minute warning. Hurts had a near perfect passer rating in outdueling Joe Burrow in Week 8. He continues to catch shade for his play against the Commanders, even though he led three consecutive touchdown drives in the fourth quarter and rushed for the go-ahead score. This whole line of commentary has become old hat. Philly’s offense runs through the offensive line, and that typically leads to run-heavy game scripts. Hurts currently ranks 23rd in the NFL in total pass attempts entering Week 12. The Eagles aren’t as dependent on the passing game as the average NFL team, which fuels the perception that their QB must not be that good. McCoy’s commentary on Hurts is certainly out there, and so was Ryan Fitzpatrick’s head-scratching take during last week’s Thursday Night Football postgame show. But as long as the Eagles continue to win games behind a dominant run game and smothering defense, the Hurts slander is sure to continue. Related Philadelphia Eagles stories: Why Eagles could be perfect short-term solution for exiled QB Daniel Jones Greenberg: Detroit Lions only have 1 legitimate threat in NFC Eagles executive named candidate to take over as GM for dumpster fire team in AFC

Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks, an injury that pauses the Washington Capitals superstar captain’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. The Capitals updated Ovechkin’s status Thursday after he was evaluated by team doctors upon returning from a three-game trip. The 39-year-old broke the leg in a shin-on-shin collision Monday night with Utah’s Jack McBain, and some of his closest teammates knew it was not good news even before Ovechkin was listed as week to week and placed on injured reserve. “Everyone’s bummed out,” said winger Tom Wilson, who has played with Ovechkin since 2013. “We were sitting there saying: ‘This is weird. Like, it’s unbelievable that he’s actually hurt.’ It’s one of those things where like, he’s going to miss games? I’ve been around a long time, and it’s new to me.” Ovechkin in his first 19 seasons missed 59 games — and just 35 because of injury. Durability even while throwing his body around with his physical style is a big reason he is on track to pass Gretzky’s mark of 894 goals that once looked unapproachable. “He doesn’t go out there and just coast around,” Wilson said. “He’s played 20 years every shift running over guys and skating. He’s a power forward, the best goal-scorer ever maybe, and he’s a power forward that plays the game really hard.” Ovechkin surged to the top of the league with 15 goals in his first 18 games this season. He was on pace to break the record and score No. 895 sometime in February. “You know when goal-scorers start scoring, it’s dangerous,” said defenseman John Carlson, who has been teammates with Ovechkin since 2009-10. “There was a bit of that in the downs that everyone was feeling about it too, of course. We see him coming to the rink every day, we know what’s at stake. You never want anyone to get injured, but there’s a lot to it and certainly he was playing his best hockey in years.” ___ AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press

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Amanda Serrano is open to completing the trilogy with Katie Taylor after a controversial ending to their rematch but insists they must fight under men's rules. Taylor was ruled the winner by unanimous decision when facing Serrano on Nov. 15 , with all three judges scoring the contest 95-94. Many fans believed that Serrano won the fight as she landed 324 punches from the 734 thrown, while Taylor connected with just 217 out of her 529. Taylor was also criticized by Serrano for leaning forward during the fight, leading to several headbutts which forced the referee to issue a warning and later deduct a point. Both fights between Serrano and Taylor have been blockbusters, but Amanda has demanded that they fight 12 three-minute rounds if they agree to another bout. "I’m 100% interested (in a third fight)," Serrano said on CBS Mornings . Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano suspended from boxing after controversy Jon Jones clarifies retirement plan at UFC 309 with Tom Aspinall watching on "She said she is. The only way I feel like it will be fair is if we go under the men’s rules, which are three minutes and 12 rounds, and she agreed to it. So let’s see if she’ll take the fight." Serrano was devastated after losing to Taylor on the undercard of Mike Tyson vs, Jake Paul , with the majority of fans on social media claiming that the fight result was incorrect. Serrano was frustrated with Taylor's fighting style after missing out on the undisputed super lightweight title, and said: "She kept headbutting me. "It's what she does. It's not just my fight, it's all her fights." Taylor rejected any claims that she was playing dirty, and said following her win: "I definitely didn't agree with the point deduction. I certainly wasn't fighting dirty. "Sometimes it gets rough in there. This is an amazing moment for women's boxing. We put on another amazing show." After the defeat had sunk in for Serrano, she later apologized to Taylor for saying things in 'the heat of the moment' and congratulated her opponent. "Congratulations to @KatieTaylor in her decision win. Tempers are flared when you’re in the heat of battle and you say things you shouldn’t say," Serrano wrote on X. "I’m not one to ever disrespect an opponent and these were never my intentions to Katie. "She and I are cool outside the ring and the best dance partners in the ring. In no way should I ever had said she did it purposely, it’s her style that makes for them. I’m not perfect and though I try my hardest to be the nicest person I can be I’m human and being emotionally hurt can sometimes misguide you in what you say. "I’m ok, I’m heathy a bit bruised and cut but still blessed beyond belief. We both came out with our health intact & that’s what I prayed for. Whenever our teams can agree on a Trilogy I’ll be ready. I hope you guys all enjoyed women’s boxing at its highest level."