RFK Jr. meets with senators as questions swirl about Trump’s pick to lead health agency

By LISA MASCARO and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press (AP) — Robert F. Kennedy Jr. swept onto Capitol Hill late Monday,, as the anti-vaccine health guru from the famous political family reintroduced himself to senators, this time as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the nation’s Health and Human Services Department. Related Articles National Politics | Jill Biden says she is closing the book on teaching at Northern Virginia Community College National Politics | Judge rejects Trump’s bid to dismiss hush money conviction because of Supreme Court immunity ruling National Politics | Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies National Politics | The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge National Politics | Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago It was a soft-opening debut for Kennedy, whose wide-ranging views — yes to raw milk, no to fluoride, Ozempic and America’s favorite processed foods — are raising alarms in the scientific community and beyond. In the Senate he’s facing a mix of support, curiosity, skepticism and downright rejection

Negotiators say Israel and Hamas are inching toward a ceasefire deal. This is what it may look like

By SAMY MAGDY After months of deadlock, Israel and Hamas appear to be moving closer toward a ceasefire to end their 14-month war. Top officials from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt have resumed their mediation efforts in recent weeks and reported greater willingness by the warring sides to wrap up a deal. In a key concession, Hamas officials say they are prepared to show more “flexibility” on the timing of an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said Monday that a deal is closer than ever. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States, Canada, and European Union. Officials on all sides have cautioned that key details must still be worked out. But there is a general sense of optimism that has been lacking for many months. The changing sentiment appears to be the result of several factors. Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hamas over the course of the war. The group is more isolated after Hezbollah’s ceasefire with Israel, and Iran, a key backer of both groups, has suffered a number of setbacks, highlighted by

Sharks look to improve portfolio in NHL ‘stock market’ as league-leading Jets visit San Jose

SAN JOSE — It’s not every day you hear a hockey player wax poetic about the securities industry. But that’s the metaphor Sharks centerman Nico Sturm used to describe the course of San Jose’s growth. The Sharks currently sit seventh in the Pacific Division, just one point ahead of the Anaheim Ducks for the last place. Yet Sturm, who has been with San Jose since 2022, sees a positive differential with this year’s Sharks team. “It’s kind of like the stock market,” Sturm said. “You look over the last year, two years, has it gone up or gone down? And not just in the last week, the last two weeks. That’s just life in the NHL, both as an individual player and as a team. Some games, you feel like you’re fighting the puck or the puck’s not coming to you at all. “Other games, there’s like three, four games in a row, you feel like the game loves you back, and the puck’s ending up on your stick. You get the rebounds, you get the bounces. Overall, as a team, you’ve got to continue

Gretchen’s table: Stir-fried cashew chicken is almost as easy as takeout

Gretchen McKay | (TNS) Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Is there anything that hits the spot better on a busy school night or over-scheduled weekend than takeout Chinese food? Related Articles Restaurants Food and Drink | Quick Fix: Crusty Chicken with Florentin Rice Restaurants Food and Drink | Surprising ways to throw a holiday feast without cooking a thing Restaurants Food and Drink | How to make a nourishing (and filling) soup dinner for two Restaurants Food and Drink | Recipe: Homemade manicotti with vodka sauce brings a spicy kick Restaurants Food and Drink | In season: Respect the radish It’s fun to eat, and usually it’s quick from counter to table, with minimal cleanup because it comes with the requisite rice. And who doesn’t love learning their fortune — good or bad — after breaking open the crisp and sugary wafer cookie that’s always included with an order. Yet with a little planning and some modest knife skills, it can be almost as easy to make your favorite Chinese takeout dishes at home. This saucy cashew chicken stir-fry is but one example. Both the marinade for the

SF Giants: Willy Adames says his pitch to Corbin Burnes was “really positive”

Newly signed Giant Willy ​​Adames is already out on the recruiting trail in hopes of luring one of his former teammates to join him in San Francisco.  The 29-year-old shortstop, who just signed a seven-year, $182 million contract last week, said in his introductory press conference that he would do his part in trying to recruit his former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes to the Giants and it sounds like he has followed through. On KNBR 680’s “Murph & Markus” show Monday, Adames said he has contacted the free-agent pitcher in an effort to persuade him to join the team. “I hope we can make that happen because that would be an incredible addition to the team. I think when you have a guy like Corbin on this team, that’s like a 99% (chance) that you’re winning that day,” Adames said.  “That’s a guy that I love to play for, I love to play defense for him and he’s one of the most competitive guys that I ever played with. If we could add him to the team, obviously it would be an insane move

Wisconsin school shooting: Teen student and teacher killed; suspect dead, 6 students hurt | LIVE

A teacher and teenage student were killed and six students were hurt in a shooting at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, police said. Police had briefly mentioned a higher death toll but later revised the information. The suspect, a teenage student at the school, is also dead, police said. The suspect used a handgun, police said. A motive is not clear, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes said at a news conference. Emergency vehicles are parked outside the Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wis., following a shooting, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. AP Photo/Morry Gash Of the six injured students, two are in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, Barnes said. Four other students suffered non-life-threatening injuries, he said. Officers responded to the active shooter report around 10:57 a.m. The suspect was dead upon police arrival and no officers fired their weapons, Barnes said. The shooting was “confined to one space,” but it’s not clear if it was a classroom or hallway, the chief said. “I never saw so many police cars in my life — just blue and red lights lining the

Hannah Kobayashi update: Hawaii woman reported missing in LA safely returns to US, family says

Monday, December 16, 2024 8:45PM Hannah Kobayashi, the missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search in Los Angeles, has returned safely to the U.S., her family said Monday. LOS ANGELES — Hannah Kobayashi, the missing Hawaii woman whose disappearance prompted a massive search in Los Angeles, has safely returned to the U.S., her family said Monday. The family confirmed to ABC News through a representative that Kobayashi returned to the U.S. over the weekend and is safely back in states. She returned on her own, the family said. Kobayashi mysteriously vanished last month after traveling from Hawaii to L.A., sparking a weeks-long search that culminated last week when her family reported she was found safe. The family has since been offering GoFundMe refunds to the hundreds of people who helped raise nearly $50,000 during their search effort. The Los Angeles Police Department said Kobayashi entered Mexico on her own Nov. 12, four days after she landed at LAX. She was alone, and there was no indication she was under duress or the victim of a crime, police said. Kobayashi’s father, Ryan Kobayashi, died

17 best gifts for men, from PlayStation 5 to Ray-Ban sunglasses

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below* Shopping for your male counterpart can be a tough task. That said, there are always unique gifts to be found, and we’ve rounded up the best gifts for men they never knew they needed below. Our favorites include some amazing tech, items under $50 and even gaming essentials. Best gifts for men PlayStation 5 There is only one thing a man needs: quality alone time. And also a PlayStation 5. Get the item all men want, and get it now in the new, sleek and compact slim version. It comes with a wireless controller too, so all they have to do is set their new console up and start gaming. Xbox Series X – Diablo IV Bundle If they’re Xbox lovers instead, snag the powerful Series X now. The bundle gets you the “Diablo IV” game included. Coway Air Purifier Say goodbye to odors and smells with this air purifier. It features air quality monitoring and an eco mode for sustainability. It’s also on sale

The 20 best Christmas gifts of 2024 for everyone on your list

As a participant in multiple affiliate marketing programs, Localish will earn a commission for certain purchases. See full disclaimer below* The holiday season is almost upon us, and if you’re scrambling to shop for the best gifts for her, gifts for him or gifts for the teen in your life, you’re in the right place. Whether you’re looking for an affordable gift or a unique gift, we’ve rounded up the best Christmas gifts of the year right below. Here are the best Christmas Gifts to shop right now. Just make sure to get your orders in soon so they arrive in time for Christmas. Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) They’ll love these noise-canceling earbuds, which provide clear, immersive sound and have a comfortable fit, thanks to their four included ear tips. Bedsure Wearable Blanket Hoodie This wearable hoodie will keep them feeling warm when the temperatures drop. It is available in multiple sizes and colors. Nintendo Switch – OLED Model For the gamer in your life, the Nintendo Switch is arguably the best portable gaming device ever. This gift is one that will be used

Lionel Messi scores a goal with Disney! “Messi and the Giants” is coming soon to Disney Channel!

Lionel Messi scores a major goal with Disney! The Soccer sensation is headed to Disney Channel with “Messi and the Giants”. By Kevin Zelman Monday, December 16, 2024 7:45PM LOS ANGELES — Lionel Messi just scored a major goal with Disney! The international soccer sensation is headed to Disney with his very own sci-fi animated series, “Messi and the Giants”. This series follows 12-year-old Leo, a boy from Argentina who is transported into a fantastical alternate universe. Each 22-minute episode will take children on an action packed coming-of-age journey following Leo who is taken from his hometown to Iko, a world left to the mercy of the Giants who rule the 10 realms. Leo, a leader from another world, is ready to lead the fight against the villains who are keeping the 10 realms under their control. “I always dreamed of being involved in a project that would share the values of sports, the very same values that have been so important to my career, with younger generations. Nothing truly is impossible with teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and hard work,” said Lionel Messi. “I look forward

Warriors GM Dunleavy open to more moves to maximize Curry’s title window

SAN FRANCISCO — As soon as most of the NBA became trade-eligible on Sunday, the Warriors put their names on top of the transaction log by trading De’Anthony Melton, Reece Beekman and three second-round picks to the Nets for guard Dennis Schroder. The deal came as the Warriors had lost seven of their last nine games and their offense, particularly late in games, tanked. They couldn’t afford to wait. “It’s huge,” Dunleavy said on the timing of the trade. “It’s hard to get deals done in this league, period. But this early in the season is tough. You need two motivated parties. I think we had that with us and Brooklyn. Just evaluating the team, and this loss of De’Anthony was huge. To be able to shore that up and remedy that to some degree is really important. It felt like something that couldn’t wait until February.” The Warriors view Schroder as a player who can play both with and without the ball, alongside Steph Curry or running bench-unit offenses. A pick-and-roll player, Schroder represents the team’s willingness to adapt their long-held offensive approach. Head

Trump weighs in on NY mayor, vaccines and drones in freewheeling press conference at Mar-a-Lago

By COLLEEN LONG and JILL COLVIN PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — In a freewheeling press conference at his Mar-a-Lago club, President-elect Donald Trump said Monday he would consider pardoning embattled New York Mayor Eric Adams, declared the country was “not going to lose” the polio vaccine and weighed in on the flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey. Holding court with reporters for the first time since he won the election and secured a second term, Trump also called on the Biden administration to stop selling off unused portions of the southern border wall, threatening legal action. “We’re going to spend hundreds of millions of dollars more on building the same wall we already have,” he railed. “It’s almost a criminal act.” Trump’s performance Monday underscored how he has already forced his return to the center of the national political conversation, weeks before he is to be sworn-in for another term. He used the session, which was notably less combative than many of his exchanges with the press during the campaign, to test-drive policy ideas, attack his enemies and issue warnings of what is to come. That

Survivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sect

By REBECCA BOONE BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Nearly every detail about the religious group Lisa Webb’s family belonged to was hidden from the outside world. Its followers met in homes rather than churches. Its leadership structure was hard to discern, its finances opaque. It didn’t even have an official name. But for decades, no secret was as closely guarded as the identities of the sexual predators inside the group known as the “Two by Twos.” Now a growing number of public allegations from around the world have prompted a broad investigation by the FBI and placed an uncomfortable spotlight on the long-quiet Christian sect. Survivors say the group’s leaders protected child-abusing ministers by pressuring victims to forgive, ignoring legal reporting requirements and by transferring abusers to new locations to live with unsuspecting families. Ministry leaders have publicly condemned the abuse but several declined to answer questions from The Associated Press. For Webb, who was sexually abused by one of the group’s ministers as a child, the attention has brought an unexpected sense of “strength in numbers.” “There are so many who are frustrated and disheartened,”

Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies

Nada Hassanein | (TNS) Stateline.org If President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his pledge to deport millions of immigrants, it could upend the economies of states where farming and other food-related industries are crucial — and where labor shortages abound. Related Articles National Politics | The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge National Politics | Trump says he will ‘look at’ pardon for embattled New York mayor Eric Adams National Politics | Japan’s Softbank plans to invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years National Politics | 2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks National Politics | Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump Immigrants make up about two-thirds of the nation’s crop farmworkers, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, and roughly 2 in 5 of them are not legally authorized to work in the United States. Agricultural industries such as meatpacking, dairy farms and poultry and livestock farms also

The GOP stoked fears of noncitizens voting. Cases in Ohio show how rhetoric and reality diverge

By JULIE CARR SMYTH AKRON, Ohio (AP) — Before the November presidential election, Ohio’s secretary of state and attorney general announced investigations into potential voter fraud that included people suspected of casting ballots even though they were not U.S. citizens. Related Articles National Politics | Trump says he will ‘look at’ pardon for embattled New York mayor Eric Adams National Politics | Japan’s Softbank plans to invest $100 billion in US projects over the next four years National Politics | 2024 was big for bitcoin. States could see a crypto policy blitz in 2025 in spite of the risks National Politics | Biden, Harris thank major Democratic donors and urge them to stay engaged after tough loss to Trump National Politics | Unique among ‘Person of the Year’ designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine It coincided with a national Republican messaging strategy warning that potentially thousands of ineligible voters would be voting. “The right to vote is sacred,” Attorney General Dave Yost, a Republican, said in a statement at the time. “If you’re not a U.S. citizen, it’s illegal to vote -–

King Arthur Baking Company’s ‘The Most Chocolatey Babka’ Recipe

It might be time to restart the 1994 debate from the hit TV show, “Seinfeld.” “They got the last (chocolate) babka!” Jerry Seinfeld famously proclaimed on “The Dinner Party” episode. And when Jerry suggested to Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) that they settle for the cinnamon babka, Elaine insisted she wouldn’t show up to a dinner party with a “lesser babka.” “Cinnamon takes a back seat to no babka!” Seinfeld said. “A lesser babka? I think not!” Seinfeld will have to try King Arthur Baking Company’s newest babka recipe, “The Most Chocolatey Babka.” Featuring a half-cup of chocolate chips, a third-cup of cocoa powder and a tablespoon of chocolate liqueur, this babka aims to give a mouthful of chocolate in every bite. Related Articles Restaurants Food and Drink | A risotto recipe that’s easy and main-dish-worthy Restaurants Food and Drink | Sweet, hot & healthy: Even kids can’t resist the caramelization of roasted vegetables Restaurants Food and Drink | Italian Sirloin Stew, from Beef | Cattlewoman’s Corner. Restaurants Food and Drink | Gretchen’s table: Simple carne guisada fills your kitchen with lovely aromas Restaurants Food and Drink