S&P/TSX composite down Monday, U.S. markets also move lower TORONTO — Canada's main stock index moved lower Monday, led by losses in technology and utilities stocks, while U.S. stock markets were also down. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 66.38 points at 25,625.42. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press Dec 9, 2024 1:56 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Listen to this article 00:01:35 TORONTO — Canada's main stock index moved lower Monday, led by losses in technology and utilities stocks, while U.S. stock markets were also down. The S&P/TSX composite index closed down 66.38 points at 25,625.42. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 240.59 points at 44,401.93. The S&P 500 index was down 37.42 points at 6,052.85, while the Nasdaq composite was down 123.08 points at 19,736.69. “It started pretty positive in the morning. It's just been slowly, slowly grinding down ever since,” said Michael Currie, senior investment adviser at TD Wealth. Some of the market direction Monday was driven by two separate news stories out of China, he said. “The (Chinese) central bank says they're starting to buy gold again, and they're looking to loosen their monetary policy a bit. So that helped oil a lot, helped gold a lot,” said Currie. China also said it’s investigating semiconductor giant Nvidia over suspected violations of anti-monopoly laws, which sent the company’s stock lower. Nvidia’s share price was down 2.6 per cent Monday at US$138.81. Otherwise, “it’s all about interest rates today,” said Currie. In the U.S., investors are awaiting the latest update on inflation later in the week. However, given that the slowing job market is more of a concern for the U.S. Federal Reserve at this point, the data is unlikely to change what investors currently expect from the Fed next week, said Currie: a quarter-percentage-point cut. “Unless there's something really crazy out of the inflation numbers, there’s no reason to expect anything different is going to happen next week,” he said. In Canada, where the central bank is gearing up for a rate decision Wednesday, a larger half-point cut is more likely, he said. Expectations for a bigger cut rose after last week’s jobs report, which saw the unemployment rate jump to 6.8 per cent in November. “The more we're cutting rates, especially the accelerated rate compared to the States, the more that just keeps beating up our dollar,” said Currie. He expects more buzz in the coming months about the divergence between interest rates in Canada and the U.S. as the loonie continues to weaken. “We're seeing it already, and as the gap gets bigger, it'll become more of a story.” However, Currie noted the TSX briefly touched an all-time high earlier in the day. “Basically since the US election, it's just been a non-stop rally,” he said. The Canadian dollar traded for 70.77 cents US compared with 70.74 cents US on Friday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.17 at US$68.37 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up 11 cents at US$3.18 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was up US$26.20 at US$2,685.80 an ounce and the March copper contract was up eight cents at US$4.28 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 9, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Man in custody had a gun, mask and writings tying him to killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say Dec 9, 2024 2:00 PM 'Infuriating': Wait times grow amid Canada Post strike as backlogs, frustration mount Dec 9, 2024 1:55 PM Stock market today: Nvidia drags Wall Street lower as oil and gold rise Dec 9, 2024 1:05 PM Featured FlyerTAMPA, Fla. — A federal judge said Monday that he is not inclined to give prison time in the case against members of the St. Petersburg-based Uhuru Movement, who were convicted in September of conspiring to act as Russian agents. In a sentencing hearing Monday for Augustus C. Romain Jr., a former member of the Black activist group and one of the four convicted defendants, U.S. District Judge William Jung said their conduct ultimately amounted to the exercise of free speech. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest news, sports, weather and more delivered right to your inbox.jili hack 。

Twenty-six Republican Governors offered only partial support Wednesday for President-elect Donald Trump’s deportation plans despite his national mandate on the issue. In a letter signed by 26 of the 27 GOP governors and published on December 11, the Republican Governors Association (RGA) claimed to be standing “united in their support of President Trump’s commitment to make America safe again.” Despite their general support for deportation, the governors hastened to note that they only support deporting “criminals” and “dangerous” illegals, not the lower-wage migrants who quietly fill low paying jobs in their states. “Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are in this country illegally,” they wrote. “We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.” The group put heavy blame on the disastrous Biden administration: When the Biden Administration refused to secure our borders and uphold the rule of law, it was Republican governors who took action. We mobilized state resources, including law enforcement and National Guard units, to protect Americans from disastrous open border policies and prevent illegal immigration from overwhelming our country. We are proud to welcome President Trump back to the White House, a leader who has consistently put America first. His leadership is exactly what our nation needs to restore law and order at the border, and we are eager to work alongside his Administration to tackle the critical challenges facing our nation. Their guarded support for deportation aside, it is notable that the letter did lend support for the idea of using national guard forces in the deportation effort. They wrote: Together, we will continue to defend the American people, uphold the rule of law, and ensure our nation remains safe and secure for future generations. We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal—whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard—to support President Trump in this vital mission. “The time for action is now. Together, we will make America safe again,” the letter concluded. Still, the Republican governors seem to be out of step with most Americans on deportation. Polls show that a solid majority of Americans support Donald Trump’s deportation plans, and to date few polls have made any distinction between deporting only “criminals” and deporting any illegal alien, even those who have not be arrested for a crime. Indeed, just this week a Sienna poll taken of registered voters in New York — most of whom were Democrats — found that clear majorities support Donald Trump’s promise to “deport migrants living illegally in New York” with 54 percent saying the state should assist the federal government in efforts to deport illegals and only 35 percent opposing the idea. In other polling, an Ipsos poll from September found that 66 percent support deportation. The above two polls mirror findings in many other polls, including those conducted by Marist , YouGov , and Harvard-Harris . For his part, Trump has pledged to go as far as he can to deport illegals of all sorts, telling TIME magazine, “I’ll only do what the law allows, but I will go up to the maximum level of what the law allows” to reverse Joe Biden’s migrant invasion. The RGA letter was signed by RGA Policy Chair Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Eric Holcomb (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Mike Parson (MO), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Joe Lombardo (NV), Governor Chris Sununu (NH), Governor Doug Burgum (ND), Governor Kevin Stitt (OK), Governor Mike DeWine (OH), Governor Kristi Noem (SD), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Jim Justice (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY). The only Republican governor not to sign onto the statement is Phil Scott, governor of Vermont since 2017. Follow Warner Todd Huston on Facebook at: facebook.com/Warner.Todd.Huston , or Truth Social @WarnerToddHuston

Scottie Scheffler named PGA Tour player of the yearJonBenet Ramsey’s father, John Ramsey, says he plans to meet with the Boulder Police Department chief in Colorado next month, alongside a representative from an independent genetic genealogy research lab, as he pushes local authorities to allow an outside lab to test crime-scene evidence from his daughter’s unsolved 1996 murder case. Thursday marks 28 years since 6-year-old JonBenet was found strangled and bludgeoned to death in the basement of her family’s Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996, and her killer remains unknown. “We have requested a meeting with [Boulder Police Department] Chief [Stephen] Redfearn in January. He said yup, absolutely, let’s get together,” John Ramsey, 80, told Fox News Digital. “We haven’t scheduled the day yet, but we’ll get that figured out. That’s an important meeting. We’re going to have a representative with us for one of these cutting-edge labs to explain what they can and can’t do. Hopefully, he will accept their help.” Ramsey added that if the BPD chief agrees to allow an independent lab to conduct testing on the nearly three-decades-old crime scene items — something he’s been pushing to do for years — he will feel “comfortable we’ve got things moving.” “The reason I’ve done these media interviews — Netflix, that documentary — is to keep pressure on the police. We’re not going to go away, folks,” Ramsey said. Ramsey wants police to retest certain evidence for traces of DNA, including external male DNA that federal officials disclosed in 1997, and test other items for the first time. Private genetic genealogy databases have grown significantly over the last decade, and the technology used to identify and link DNA to specific individuals is more advanced than it has ever been, making the possibility of identifying a suspect in JonBenet’s murder using genetic evidence more promising than ever before. There are more than 20 items in the case that have never been tested, including, but not limited to, a garrote found around JonBenet’s neck, a ransom note found in the Ramsey house on the morning of the murder, a suitcase found in the basement that authorities believe the killer used to escape out a window, an unknown flashlight found on the Ramsey family’s kitchen counter the morning of the murder and unknown rope found in brother Burke Ramsey’s room that day, according to public records initially obtained by journalist Paula Woodward, who has published two books about the Ramsey case. While it is unclear if officials will be able to find or identify any suspects in the case by partnering with an independent lab with access to private databases, Ramsey is hopeful that it is the next step for him in his pursuit for justice for his daughter, whether it yields results or not. “DNA is pretty complicated stuff. I have learned that,” Ramsey said, “but that’s the reason that needs to be retested. That’s the one step that we’re asking the police to do is engage one of these one or two cutting-edge labs in the world and see what we come up with ... and we come up empty-handed, then I’ll say, ‘Thank you. You tried. That’s the best we can do right now with today’s technology. Thank you.’ But until we do that, we haven’t done everything that could be done.” Ramsey said he finally feels hopeful that he and BPD are making “progress” in the case 28 years after his daughter’s murder. BPD told Fox News Digital that the department has “regularly met with the family and plans to do so in 2025.” Chief Redfearn is the fifth police chief to take on the case since 1996, and he was officially appointed in September after serving as the interim chief for the Boulder Police Department starting in January. BPD detectives have followed up on more than 21,000 tips, emails and letters and traveled to 19 states to interview or speak with more than a thousand people in connection with the case. “The killing of JonBenet was an unspeakable crime and this tragedy has never left our hearts,” Redfearn said in a November statement reflecting on 28 years since JonBenet’s murder. “We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved. This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department.” Local authorities have partnered with federal officials — including the FBI — and DNA experts from across the country, according to BPD. “The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories. Our office has successfully prosecuted other cold case homicides and many murder cases,” District Attorney Michael Dougherty said. “In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder. I appreciate the collaboration with CBI, the FBI, and the Boulder Police Department.” Officials have sorted through 2,500 pieces of evidence and approximately 40,000 reports with more than a million pages documenting the investigation. The Colorado Cold Case Review team has also provided BPD with a list of tips for the department to pursue, according to Redfearn.

Oragenics director Fred Telling sells $1,294 in common stockLOS ANGELES/WASHINGTON, Dec 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday appeared to back the anti-automation stance of some 45,000 union dockworkers on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts, whose labor talks are at an impasse over that polarizing issue. The ILA and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) employer group are facing a Jan. 15 deadline to finalize talks, which stalled over cargo-handling automation. That deadline comes just five days before Trump's inauguration. The ILA says automation kills jobs while employers say it is necessary to keep U.S. ports competitive in a rapidly changing global economy. "The amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers, in this case, our Longshoremen," Trump said of automation projects in a post on Truth Social. That message followed a meeting with Harold Daggett, who leads the International Longshoremen's Association union that represents the port workers, Trump said. The two sides agreed to end a three-day strike on Oct. 3 after the union won a 62% wage hike over six years with significant involvement by the White House and other officials from President Joe Biden's administration. Employers, which include the U.S. operations of Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Company, Denmark's Maersk (MAERSKb.CO) , opens new tab and China's COSCO Shipping (2603.TW) , opens new tab , have been booking record profits in part due to access to U.S. markets, Trump said on Thursday. "I'd rather these foreign companies spend it on the great men and women on our docks, than machinery, which is expensive, and which will constantly have to be replaced," Trump said of the industry's profit. "It's clear President-elect Trump, USMX, and the ILA all share the goal of protecting and adding good-paying American jobs at our ports," USMX said in a statement. "We need modern technology that is proven to improve worker safety, boost port efficiency, increase port capacity, and strengthen our supply chains," the employers said, adding that dockworkers make more money when seaports move more goods. Sign up here. Reporting by Eric Beech in Washington and Lisa Baertlein in Los Angeles; Editing by Jasper Ward and Bill Berkrot Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab Thomson Reuters Lisa Baertlein covers the movement of goods around the world, with emphasis on ocean transport and last-mile delivery. In her free time, you'll find her sailing, painting or exploring state and national parks.

NoneIn the rapidly evolving world of gaming, vocabulary games are getting an avant-garde makeover with the power of artificial intelligence. While they’ve long served as an engaging tool for learning, these games are set to transcend traditional boundaries, offering players unprecedented interactive experiences. AI-driven personal tutors: Imagine a game that not only teaches you new words but also learns from your interactions to adapt its challenges. Advanced AI algorithms can now personalize vocabulary games based on a player’s skill level and learning speed, offering customized word challenges that maximize vocabulary retention. Augmented Reality (AR) immersion: The integration of AR technology into vocabulary games promises a more engaging experience. Picture a scenario where players, wearing AR glasses, explore a virtual world overlaid on their physical surroundings. Interactive word puzzles pop up as they navigate, turning everyday environments into educational adventures. Social and multiplayer dimensions: The rise of real-time collaboration in gaming is also influencing vocabulary games. New platforms enable players to challenge friends or engage in cooperative word-building tasks. These features not only enhance word knowledge but also foster a sense of community and competition. Gamification of learning: Future iterations will emphasize rewarding progress through virtual rewards, leaderboards, and achievements, making learning something to eagerly anticipate. By leveraging these technological advancements, vocabulary games are poised to play a significant role in educational entertainment. With AI, AR, and social gaming reshaping the landscape, these innovative vocabulary games pave the way for more dynamic, personalized, and interactive learning experiences. The Future of Vocabulary Games: AI Innovations and Immersive Learning Experiences In the dynamic realm of digital gaming, vocabulary games are experiencing a transformative era, courtesy of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging tech trends. These innovations promise to elevate learning from traditional word exercises to something profoundly interactive and personalized. AI-Driven Personal Tutors One of the most exciting developments in vocabulary gaming is the use of AI to create personal tutors that enhance the learning process. These AI-powered tutors assess a player’s interactions, skill level, and learning speed to tailor challenges specifically for them. The AI’s adaptability ensures that each session remains both engaging and educational, boosting vocabulary retention and mastery. Augmented Reality (AR) Immersion The integration of AR technology into vocabulary games is redefining the way players engage with language learning. Imagine donning a pair of AR glasses and being transported to a world where your immediate environment transforms into a canvas for interactive word puzzles. This not only makes the learning process captivating but also turns everyday settings into interactive educational displays, offering a rich blend of the virtual and the real. Social and Multiplayer Dimensions The evolution of vocabulary games is also marked by their growing social aspects. Modern platforms now support real-time collaboration, enabling players to challenge peers or partake in cooperative word-building tasks. This social layer enhances language acquisition while nurturing a community oriented around learning and competition. Gamification of Learning The gamification trend in education is adding layers of motivation and engagement to vocabulary games. By employing virtual rewards, leaderboards, and achievements, these games make learning a compelling adventure. Players are motivated to return and progress, making vocabulary acquisition a rewarding journey rather than a mundane task. Security Aspects and Privacy With these advancements, security and privacy become paramount. Developers are prioritizing secure platforms where players’ data, such as learning habits and personal progress, is safeguarded. Ensuring that AI and AR technologies are implemented with robust privacy measures will be key to maintaining user trust and integrity. Sustainability and Future Trends The increasing focus on sustainable practices is influencing the gaming industry as well. Developers are exploring energy-efficient software and eco-friendly materials for AR gadgets to lessen their environmental impact. As these innovations continue to evolve, vocabulary games of the future are predicted to be more sustainable, efficient, and accessible to a broader audience. These elements highlight a promising future for vocabulary games, where AI, AR, and social gaming converge to create dynamic, personalized, and interactive learning experiences. As technologies advance and gaming platforms enhance their offerings, language learning will increasingly become an engaging, day-to-day adventure.LUFKIN, Texas (AP) — Tonya Jackson left an Angelina County nursing home on a recent December day, happy with the successful resolution she brokered between the staff and a resident. The elderly woman faced eviction after communication broke down between her family and the facility. That’s when Jackson stepped in. Jackson is the Deep East Texas managing local ombudsman for long-term care facilities. Each day she serves Texans living at these facilities as a state-assigned independent advocate. “We do not enter a nursing facility to wreak havoc,” Jackson said. “We enter the nursing facility to assist and advocate for the residents who do not feel they have a voice. We are there to help mend the broken bridge.” There are not enough people like Jackson in Texas, which has a dismal track record for long-term care. The state ranked 42nd for safety and quality, on a 2018 scorecard from AARP, the last time the survey was taken. The lack of ombudsmen — which include both paid staff and volunteers — is a statewide issue, and is acute in Deep East Texas, which includes Angelina, Nacogdoches and Newton counties. Just five people, two paid staff and three volunteers, bounce between 48 long-term care facilities — 34 nursing facilities and 14 assisted living facilities. “We would be lost in the long-term care community without them, but they definitely need more support across the board,” said Andrea Earl , the associate state director of advocacy and research for the AARP. In early December, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments, a group made up of representatives from local governments, called for more volunteers to bolster this program. Jackson prays the extra hands will better support her small team. She believes one volunteer for each facility would go a long way toward improving the lives of residents. “Volunteers can usually catch things that we can’t, being that our time is so limited going to each of the facilities,” Jackson said. At the same time, state officials hope the Legislature will step in to provide extra support when they reconvene in January. Patty Ducayet , the state’s lead ombudsman, wants lawmakers to fund more full-time and part-time positions, regulate the use of Medicaid and create a portal to handle involuntary discharge, the eviction of residents. Texas legislators have signaled they intend to prioritize dementia care and research this session. Earl hopes this means they’ll see the value in prioritizing the ombudsman program as well. The program has faced an uphill battle in past sessions. “This session, we have to continue to lay the groundwork to ensure that legislators over in the big pink building understand that this is a critical office to long-term care residents and families,” Earl said. The role of an ombudsman The state ombudsman works independently from the Health and Human Services Department, which oversees the state’s long-term care facilities. This independence provides ombudsmen the chance to work on behalf of residents without fearing retribution. Texas utilizes full-time employed ombudsmen to investigate complaints related to the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents in care facilities and help resolve any issues. Their work is ideally supplemented by a large force of volunteers who do similar work but for only a few hours a week. Jackson tries to see 15 to 20 people at each facility during her monthly visits. If she’s successful, she’ll meet with every resident at least once a year. The job requires patience and empathy, Jackson said. In many places, ombudsmen are the only visitors residents get from the outside world and the conversations provide them a level of peace. Her visits serve not only to connect with residents but also to establish a rapport with staff at each facility so she can more effectively address complaints. Facilities without that rapport may see ombudsmen as people just trying to stir up problems, Earl said. Ombudsmen and facilities have clashed before. In 2023, the Texas Assisted Living Association worked with Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches on legislation that Earl said would have made the job of ombudsman harder. The legislation would have limited what files ombudsmen could review, even when it is requested by the patient, Earl said. “Accessing those documents and looking at history, especially when we’re talking about dementia patients and those facing severe medical issues, is a key part of what they do,” Earl said. Carmen Tilton, the vice president of public policy for the Texas Assisted Living Association, said the organization supported House Bill 4220 , which would have impacted ombudsman access to patient records. Their goal wasn’t to curb access, however, but to bring Texas regulation in line with federal regulations. Prior to this, even volunteer ombudsmen – without consent from residents – could access any resident information. This meant they could access Social Security numbers, bank account information, doctors information, prescriptions, and more, Tilton said. The bill also sought changes to training to clarify the differences between facilities and to establish guidelines for what is an ombudsman’s job and what is that of law enforcement. “It was perceived as an attack on the program, which was not our intent,” Tilton said. Clardy dropped the bill before it went for a vote. Since then, the ombudsman office has worked with the Texas Assisted Living Association directly to institute many of the changes Tilton hoped to see within the organization’s framework without requiring legislative intervention. Making changes actually happen within the facility can be difficult, slow and may result in backsliding instead of progress, Ducayet said. An ombudsman may fix a problem for one resident only to be back in the same facility facing the same problem with another resident. This can be extremely frustrating and requires volunteers and staff to have patience. When done right, the issues are resolved within the facility — between the administration, residents and their families — and don’t require state intervention. Jackson does a good job of this, said Lynne’ Nix , the business office manager for Shady Acres Health & Rehabilitation in Newton County. Nix’s relationship with Jackson has been built on the belief that Jackson’s interventions help both the facility and the resident. Sometimes a resident isn’t comfortable speaking their mind and the situation deteriorates quickly. The ombudsman is the logical answer. “They’re the true advocates for the residents,” Nix said. A shortage of ombudsman In 2024 , the state ombudsman program had a 25% turnover rate of paid staff, the highest it has ever been. Those who have stayed are overworked, Ducayet said. Ideally, Texas would have one staff member for every 2,000 licensed care facility beds. Right now, Texas has one person for every 2,514 beds, she said. If the program was fully staffed, then paid personnel could focus their work on recruiting and supporting more volunteers, Ducayet said. An additional 22 full-time employees would further improve advocacy statewide. Local volunteers, who are often people whose family members are in long-term care facilities, or are eyeing a facility for themselves, serve as the “boots on the ground,” Earl said. They can accomplish a lot if they can focus on one or two facilities at a time, Ducayet said. But that’s not a reality for Texas right now. Since 2019, the number of active volunteers has decreased by more than 100 people, leaving only 300 people to serve as volunteers across the state. The work, whether as a volunteer or a full-time staff member, takes its toll. Residents, who are often elderly or ailing, die. The sudden loss of a person who you have been meeting with for months, or even years, can be extremely difficult, Ducayet said. After serving in the field for 18 years, she learned that any meeting with a person could be her last. “Those are hard things,” Ducayet said. “It takes resilience and grit, like most hard things do.” Fewer staff and volunteers means longer times between visits to care facilities. Having more eyes and ears on the ground helps address problems at a facility more quickly, Ducayet said. This could go a long way toward improving elderly care and preventing problems from escalating to the point where state intervention feels necessary. What can be done Ducayet has several goals this legislative session to improve the ombudsman program and care for residents of long-term care facilities overall. First is increasing state funding for the ombudsman program by about $3 million. This would cover the cost of 22 additional full-time ombudsmen statewide, including a quality assurance officer and discharge rights officer at the state level. She also wants to resolve noncompliance with state and federal discharge rules by nursing facilities. Involuntary discharge, like what Jackson’s client was facing in early December, is the No. 1 complaint received by the program. Ducayet believes creating an online portal for nursing homes to file discharge notices, hiring for a position that is over discharges statewide and making it increasing fines if a nursing home violates discharge laws will help. Increasing staff at long-term care facilities should also be a priority, Ducayet said. She and the AARP are advocating for the state to require nursing homes to use 85% of Medicaid reimbursements for payroll. This would put the money in the hands of caregivers, instead of corporations, Ducayet said. A similar bill was proposed in 2023. The Texas Senate approved it, as did a House committee. But it never received a full vote by the state House. . Earl believes it can go all the way this year. These goals may not necessarily resolve the major issues within the long-term care industry in Texas, but they would go a long way toward increasing accountability in the industry, Earl said. The AARP shares many of Ducayet’s goals, and Earl believes the work completed during the 88th Legislative Session to educate lawmakers about the ombudsman program and how it’s funded could help them progress. She is optimistic, but also weary of what is gearing up to be a potentially complicated session. While Ducayet is working at the state level to improve upon the program, Jackson has other goals – mainly: to find more local volunteers. If she could find one volunteer for each of the 48 facilities in Deep East Texas, an 11 county region, then she could feel more confident that her program is truly meeting the needs of this vulnerable population. This story was originally published by The Texas Tribune and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester walks off stage after conceding the Montana senate race in front of family and staff in Great Falls, Mont. on Nov. 6. U.S. Jon Tester warned the chamber he may shed a fear tears on Monday during his farewell speech in the U.S. Senate, but it wouldn't be for sorrow; someone had just convinced the 68-year-old Montana farmer closing out his third term to play a little basketball a day earlier. Such silliness set the tone as Tester bid so long to the nation's capital, particularly in the send-off speeches from Democratic Senate buddy Cory Booker and the stately Republican Sen. Mitt Romney from Utah. Tester's re-election effort fell short last month in a high-stakes contest against Republican newcomer Tim Sheehy. Tester's races for the U.S. Senate have always been won on a tight margin. On Nov. 5, Sheehy beat Montana's senior senator by 8 percentage points, completing a GOP sweep of statewide offices here. Early on in his speech, Tester said with some conviction that it was time to move forward. That was the case when he moved on from his meat-cutting operation to become a state legislator, and again when he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006. In the time since, Tester has become one of the most consequential policymakers in the Senate on veterans’ issues, chairing the Veterans' Affairs Committee and the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. He raised mileage reimbursements approved for veterans traveling for health care services, bills working to better veterans health care and women’s health care with the Department of Veterans Affairs. He held especially high the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (PACT Act), which provided treatment for health issues from exposure to toxic burn pits and other substances like Agent Orange. "Veterans, veterans, veterans, they all got together and made this the highest priority," he said. "Some of you could remember the veterans being on the swamp in July, hotter than ... hot, and we got it passed because of their influence." Tester is credited for pulling lawmakers together to get the bill over the finish line in the Senate. Sen. Angus King, an Independent from Maine, made sure to not let the moment pass without the record reflecting it. "The PACT Act would not have happened without Jon Tester," he said. "That's just a fact." Tester spoke about his upbringing, his memories of immigrant grandparents and the influence of his parents on his fashion of public service. "So what did these ancestors instill in me? They instilled Montana values, like telling the truth, like your word is your bond, like your handshake means something and that you respect people and absolutely never, never sass your elders," he said. "But most importantly they taught me that hard work creates luck, and hard work is essential for success." Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, right, snaps a selfie with fellow Montana Sen. Jon Tester and a supporter on Saturday, March 18, 2017, in Helena, Montana, for the state party's annual dinner. (AP Photo/Bobby Caina Calvan) He thanked his wife, Sharla, who has been a familiar face with him in Washington, D.C., and on the recent campaign circuit. He was 21 and she was 19 when they took over his family's farm. "That meant every other day of the year, our workplace was across form one another with knives, very sharp knives in our hands. That taught us to choose our arguments carefully," he said. "In the end she always supported my public service endeavors even when she really didn't think it was a good idea." Tester said the Big Sandy School Board was the hardest job he ever had, and the Montana Legislature was the most fun. He spoke of many accomplishments, from infrastructure funding and community banking to supporting tech job growth in the U.S. and in Montana. But Tester said his greatest accomplishment was serving in the U.S. Senate "as a citizen legislator, having a real full-time job outside his body, in my case, as a farmer." "This is what our forefathers had in mind," he said. He urged the body to take up efforts to bolster the nation's military defense, climate change, consolidation of the agriculture industry, public education and more. Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., left, and Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, leave the Senate chamber as the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump adjourns until Saturday, in Washington, Friday, Feb. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) He also compelled the Senate to take up campaign finance reform, calling it the source of division among the country and paralysis inside of Congress. Montana's Senate contest this year drew a record-setting flood of outside money, more than $315 million. Tester meanwhile raised and spent more than $87 million over the cycle, compared to Sheehy's campaign, which won out with almost $22 million raised. Booker, a Democratic senator from urban New Jersey, wrapped up a farcical "I don't like Jon Tester" speech by driving home some commonalities the two found while serving in Washington. And he praised Tester for running for a fourth term while well aware that Montana was trending further to the right, steadily shedding its purple status and cementing itself as a Trump state. "Jon didn't go quietly into the night," Booker said. "He chose, because of the love of his state, to run an election. ... It was a testimony to his character." Republicans chipped in their respects Monday, as well. Sen. Steve Daines, Montana's soon-to-be senior senator, thanked Tester in a statement for his 25 years of public service to the state, from school board to the U.S. Capitol. "I'm sure Jon has lost count of the number of very early cold and dark Montana mornings he left Big Sandy to get to Great Falls to catch his plane to D.C., but this is just one of the sacrifices folks don’t often see. Jon did that commute for 18 years," Daines said in the statement. "There was never any doubt that Jon worked hard every day to represent the people of the state we both love to call home. And while it’s no secret Jon and I didn’t see eye to eye on many issues, we worked together on a number of important Montana priorities and agree that the people we represent make coming to work here every day worth it. Jon, thank you for your decades of dedicated service to the Treasure State." Romney likewise applauded Tester Monday. When he believed President Joe Biden would falter on his own re-election bid, Romney said he approached Tester (and a small number of other Democrats) about running for president, despite disagreeing with him "on almost every issue." "I wanted Jon Tester to be the next president of the United States because he's a man of such extraordinary character," he said, then grinning: "He is as honest as his hair is short. And as strong as his physique is imposing." There were several fits of laughter on the Senate chamber floor over the hour spent on the goodbye, but Tester finished his own speech with some stern assessment. "This democracy has resulted in the greatest country that has ever existed. It is because of our forefathers' ability to compromise and think clearly about the challenges ahead," he said. "To say that I'm worried about this country's ability to maintain the strongest economy and the most powerful military in the world would be an understatement. However, I know a majority of people that serve in this U.S. Senate today are real legislators who want to do real legislating. To those senators, you need to make sure your voices are a majority of this body. If not, this country will change in a way that our children will not thank us for. God bless you all, and tally-ho." Supporters of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy cheer in anticipation of his taking the stage during his watch party early Wednesday at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester concedes the Montana senate race in front of family and staff in Great Falls, Mont., on Nov. 6. Republican U.S. senate candidate Tim Sheehy addresses supporters early Nov. 6 at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester walks off stage after conceding the Montana senate race in front of family and staff in Great Falls, Mont. on Nov. 6. Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy addresses supporters early Wednesday morning at the Kimpton Armory Hotel in Bozeman. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester addresses supporters during his election night party in Great Falls on Tuesday. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy speaks at a campaign event in East Helena on Oct. 27. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester concedes the Montana senate race in front of family and staff in Great Falls, Mont. on Nov. 6. Tim Sheehy prepares to debate U.S. Sen. Jon Tester on campus at the University of Montana in Missoula on Sept. 30. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester addresses supporters during his election night party in Great Falls on Tuesday. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy addresses supporters at a primary election night party in Gallatin Gateway on June 4. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester addresses supporters during his election night party in Great Falls on Tuesday. Former president Donald Trump shakes hands with senatorial candidate Tim Sheehy during a rally at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman on Aug. 9. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester answers questions from members of the community related to Social Security and Medicare during an event at the Garden City Harvest Barn in Missoula on Tuesday. U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks at a rally in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman on Friday. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester works on his speech before addressing his election night party in Great Falls on Tuesday. Campaign staffers and volunteers for U.S. Sen. Jon Tester walk in the Montana Pride parade in downtown Helena on Aug. 3. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy, talks with supporters outside the Donald Trump rally at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Mont. on August 9, 2024. A demonstrator with Montanans for Palestine is forcibly removed after interrupting Sen. Jon Tester speaking at the Montana Democrats' annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner on March 2. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester greets supporters in the crowd during the Montana Democratic Big Sky Victory Get Out the Vote Rally at the Pub Station Taproom in downtown Billings on Nov. 1. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy, talks with supporters outside the Donald Trump rally at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, Mont. on August 9, 2024. Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Tim Sheehy talks with a supporter at a primary election night party in Gallatin Gateway on Tuesday. Tim Sheehy, a Republican running against Democratic incumbent Jon Tester for U.S. Senate, speaks at the “Protecting Freedom” event at the University Center Ballroom at the University of Montana on Sunday. Sen. Jon Tester laughs at questions from the audience during an event with Tester, Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament and Hank Green at the Wilma on Wednesday. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester answers questions from members of the community related to Social Security and Medicare during an event at the Garden City Harvest Barn in Missoula on Tuesday. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy speaks to the audience at the Montana GOP 2024 Winter Kickoff event in Helena on Friday night. U.S. Senator Jon Tester at a campaign event in Helena on Oct. 25, 2024. Veteran Mike Lawson holds a "Veterans for Tester" sign while addressing the crowd prior to U.S. Sen. Jon Tester taking the stage during a campaign rally on Oct. 4 at the Carpenter's Union Hall in Butte. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester gestures while addressing the crowd during a campaign rally on Oct. 4 at the Carpenter's Union Hall in Butte. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester prepares to debate Tim Sheehy in the PAR/TV Building on campus at the University of Montana on Monday. U.S. Sen. Jon Tester speaks at the Montana Democrats' annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Helena on March 2. Supporters of U.S. Sen. Jon Tester wave campaign signs as he takes the stage at the Montana Democrats' annual Mansfield Metcalf Dinner on March 2 in Helena. Senate candidate Republican Tim Sheehy appears with South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, right, and Jodee Etchart of the Montana House of Representatives in the Beacon Air hangar at the Billings airport on Sunday. Seaborn Larson has worked for the Montana State News Bureau since 2020. His past work includes local crime and courts reporting at the Missoulian and Great Falls Tribune, and daily news reporting at the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. State Bureau Reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.Replacing Riqui Puig isn’t an easy job. “He’s unique in what he does,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney. The Galaxy kicked off preparation for its MLS Cup pursuit Tuesday and the big question facing Vanney and his staff is how will they replace Puig in Saturday’s final. Puig, who was selected Tuesday to the MLS Best XI, suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Saturday’s Western Conference final win against the Seattle Sounders . “He’s the ultimate competitor,” Vanney said of Puig. “He wants to win, he wants to compete, he wants to play, he wants to impact the game and he wants responsibility out on the field. He drives the team in many ways. “When you look at the stat sheet at the end of any given day, he’s probably touched the ball 120 times, 140 times and he leads the team in touches by a wide margin. We’ll miss that on the attacking side for sure. Somebody who can change the tempo of a game, any play in any given moment, can be the one that changes the game when you have a guy like Riqui because of his capacity to pull plays off. We’re going to miss him.” The Galaxy have a little experience playing without Puig during the regular season, posting a 3-1-1 record. During the playoff run, Puig had recorded four goals and three assists in four victories. “In a season that is 34 games long plus, we had to go through three, four games without him during the course of the season and we were able to be successful to find the right formula with this group in those moments ... it was never something that we wanted, but at least we have something to look back on and say we were successful in this stretch when we didn’t have him,” Vanney said. “We have to redefine who we’re going to be and how we are going to win this game without him.” The Galaxy is also uncertain as to the availability of midfielder Marco Reus. Reus was subbed off in each of the past two games, with what Vanney said was a groin issue. “We’ll see how his health is as the week progresses,” Vanney said of Reus. “Have some optimism that he can get himself turned around and be ready for us. “Diego (Fagundez) gives us a little bit of the option that we saw (during the regular season filling in for Puig), so we want to see who’s ready, who’s going. And I also look at the Red Bulls and see them as a little bit of a unique competitor because of their pressing and they want to get man-to-man and they want to be disruptors as much as they want to be creators in many ways. How we want to manage that situation, both early and late, are things we’re working through and talking through to figure out the right personnel.” Related Articles Mark Delgado replaced Reus at halftime Saturday. Fagundez is another option at starting midfielder, leaving Gaston Brugman as a potential second-half sub and Reus, if he’s available. No matter the connections, Puig will be on the Galaxy’s hearts and minds Saturday. “Our heart is with Riqui and it definitely gives us just another reason to go out there and give it our all,” Delgado said. Who: New York Red Bulls at Galaxy When: 1 p.m. Saturday Where: Dignity Health Sports Park TV: FOX (Ch. 11), Apple TV (free)

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