jilipeso 1. Facilitate Capital Formation In Alternative Investments and Private Funds For over 20 years, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Staff has limited closed-end funds from investing in private funds unless the closed-end funds are available only to accredited investors (or qualified purchasers). Also, for over 20 years, the SEC Staff has imposed a flat 15 percent-of-assets ceiling for investments by a closed-end fund in hedge funds and other private funds (for example, hedge funds or private equity funds) that are excluded from investment company regulation by virtue of section 3(c)(1) and/or section 3(c)(7) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act). It is unclear what the legal basis is for these limitations under the Investment Company Act or the rules thereunder. The new SEC leadership should consider changing these SEC Staff positions to provide retail investors access to private funds with all of the protections imposed under the Investment Company Act and Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Advisers Act). 2. Revisit the Accredited Investor (AI) Standard One of the most common gateways to accessing alternative investments, including private funds, is for an investor to meet the AI Standard. The AI standard is the cornerstone of the private placement exemption in Regulation D, which is usually relied upon when marketing interests in private funds. The AI Standard was last updated and expanded in August 2020 (AI 2020 Final Rule) (e.g., to include, among others, natural persons holding in good standing certain professional certifications or designations, irrespective of income/net worth). However, the AI 2020 Final Rule stopped short of adopting other possible ways of revising (and expanding) the AI Standard that were discussed by the SEC in the proposing release. This includes a change that would permit investors whose assets are managed by registered investment advisers or broker-dealers to be treated as accredited investors and lower the asset and income thresholds in the definition of an accredited investor. As a result, the current AI Standard financial thresholds remain a significant component of the AI Standard and may no longer be an accurate proxy for an investor’s financial sophistication. The new SEC leadership should consider the following: revisiting the proposed changes to the AI Standard (never adopted in the AI 2020 Final Rule); and revising the AI Standard to incorporate further alternative means of establishing investor sophistication appropriate to allow investors to participate in private offerings of securities – this could be done via SEC rulemaking, including as a result of legislation authorizing and/or directing the SEC to take such action. 3. Address Unresolved Issues In the Custody Rule In February 2023, the SEC proposed significant amendments to the Custody Rule under the Advisers Act (Rule 206(4)-2)) (“Custody Rule Proposals”). To date, the SEC has not adopted the Custody Rule Proposals and, due to significant industry pushback, it is not anticipated that the Custody Rule Proposals will ever be adopted in their current form. Nonetheless, there are at least two significant unresolved matters with respect to the Custody Rule that could use clarification from the SEC under the new administration either in new proposed rule revisions or in other guidance. First, under the Custody Rule, an investment adviser with custody over client funds or securities generally needs to hold those assets at a “Qualified Custodian,” which typically means a bank or broker-dealer. However, there are many asset classes such as cryptoassets, certain privately offered securities, derivatives and loans that cannot easily and efficiently be custodied at a Qualified Custodian. It would be helpful to the investment management industry if the new SEC leadership considered providing additional exceptions to the Qualified Custodian requirements with respect to such assets. For example, one possible alternative would be for the SEC to allow registered investment advisers to adopt prescribed policies and procedures designed to protect client assets in cases where it is impracticable to custody such assets at a Qualified Custodian. Second, under the Custody Rule, an investment adviser is deemed to have “custody” of client assets if it has the authority to withdraw funds or securities from a client’s account. The SEC has provided a limited exception to this definition of custody for investment advisers that trade client securities on a delivery versus payment basis (DVP). DVP is a settlement procedure that requires a buyer’s cash payment for securities to be received at or before the seller’s delivery of securities. Most publicly traded securities settle on a DVP basis. However, many other securities do not settle on a delivery versus payment basis and where the investment management industry would benefit from clarity as to when and whether trading authority over such assets would cause an investment adviser to have custody (e.g., certain loan investments). 4. Rethink/Reform “Pay-to-Play” Rule The “Pay-to-Play” Rule under the Advisers Act (Rule 206(4)-5) has been widely criticized as being unduly punitive and inflexible. Under the rule, donations made by certain personnel of an investment adviser to candidates for, or incumbents in, state or local office who have the ability to hire, or influence the hiring of, the adviser by a government entity (e.g., a government pension plans) can trigger a two-year bar against the adviser receiving compensation from such government entities. Among other critiques levied against the rule: Its de minimis donation thresholds (which max out at a $350 donation per official, per election – lower in some cases) are so low as to impair legitimate political expression and far below the levels that raise reasonable concerns of undue influence. Although there is a limited exception for contributions that the donor claws back within 60 days of discovery, that exception cannot “cure” contributions in excess of $350, making it too circumscribed to be meaningful. Under the rule’s look-back provisions, donations made by newly hired personnel more than six months before joining an advisory firm are excepted from the rule, but not if that person will be involved in soliciting any clients for their new firm – even if the firm screens the new employee from soliciting or personally profiting from business connected with those prior donations. New SEC leadership should take a fresh look at the rule, which could include raising the associated de minimis thresholds and providing more practical “self-help” remedies for firms to cure inadvertent breaches without having to petition for SEC exemptive relief. More broadly, the SEC could reassess whether the “Pay-to-Play” rule is a necessary or appropriate tool for the agency to retain, or whether existing campaign finance and anticorruption regulations already effectively regulate the underlying issues that the rule was meant to address. 5. Offer Interpretive Guidance Rather Than Regulating by Enforcement The SEC, under the direction of Chairman Gary Gensler, has certainly been busy. There has been little surprise anymore when it comes to the extraordinary volume and pace of actual and potentially industry-shifting and complex matters arising from both SEC rulemakings and enforcement actions – many of which impact investment advisers. Considering the administration change, new SEC leadership and likely shifting regulatory priorities, the markets and industry participants would benefit from continued willingness at the SEC to consider requests for exemptive orders and interpretive guidance (where appropriate). For example, in late 2020, the SEC finalized rules governing marketing under the Advisers Act (Marketing Rule), as well as good faith determinations of fair value under the Investment Company Act (Fair Value). The SEC has brought enforcement actions under both rules, which at the same time have presented implementation and interpretive challenges and would benefit from additional Staff FAQ guidance (currently, the Staff has published four and two FAQs on the Marketing Rule and Fair Value rule, respectively). For example, the SEC Staff should: Consider, among other things, (i) harmonizing the FINRA advertising rule with the SEC’s Marketing Rule; (ii) providing guidance as to what the SEC Staff expects an adviser to do to establish that it reasonably believes hypothetical performance is useful and relevant to its clients; and (iii) clarifying when attribution analysis is considered investment performance that must be presented net of fees. Evaluate providing guidance/examples related to investments valued using level 2 inputs.

For decades Ace Hardware has been the place to go when you need power tools, grills or paint. But with high-quality brands across a wide range of categories, Ace also makes a great destination for holiday shopping. Ace has the perfect gift for everyone on your list, whether they enjoy tinkering in the garage, taking hikes in the mountains or sprucing up their patio. Here are 10 great gifts that are available both in store and online from Ace Hardware, from drink carriers to mini-bikes, many of which are already on sale for Black Friday. Craftsman's Versastack storage units are a handy solution for storing and transporting your tools. Pick up a single bin, or collect several in different sizes and stack them. Their heavy-duty wheels and handles make them easy to move, and their inner storage compartments will help you stay organized. Whether you're throwing a barbecue for the whole neighborhood or just grilling vegetables for dinner, the Blackstone Iron Forged Griddle can take your outdoor cooking to the next level. With its four burners and 36-inch surface, you'll be able to cook several meals at once. Thanks to itsOmnivore Griddle Plate Technology, this griddle heats up and cools down rapidly, and Blackstone's tests claim it is 35% more energy-efficient than other models. The griddle's extendable side shelf and accessory rail system give you more flexibility to set up your cooking station just how you want it. Its sturdy construction ensures it will stand the test of time. Loud Mouth BBQ rubs and sauces add zest to chicken, pork chops, hamburgers, veggies and anything else you throw on the grill. The Uhh Huh! – Hot n' Sweet Rub is made of brown sugar, paprika, garlic and other spices for a slightly sweet flavor that will please the whole table. Looking for a little more zing? Try Loud Mouth's Zowie! – Hot n' Spicy Rub, or pass around a bottle of the Kaa-Blamo! – Hot n' Spicy BBQ Sauce. The Hopper Soft Cooler from YETI, one of the most trusted brands in coolers and drinkware, makes it super convenient to take your food and beverages on the go. Instead of lugging around a boxy chest-style cooler, strap this one to your back before you head to the beach or go on a picnic. The padded straps and ergonomic design are easy on your back and shoulders. Meanwhile, their closed-cell foam technology to keeps the temperature inside cold. A good heated jacket is versatile: comfortable to wear in mild weather, but warm enough to keep you toasty when the air outside goes from cool to freezing, thanks to battery-powered heating technology that's sewn into the lining. The Milwaukee Large Black M12 Toughshell Heated Jacket Kit fits the bill in every way. It's powered by M12 Redlithium Battery Technology and uses an advanced heat technology system. It features carbon fiber heating elements that are both lightweight and durable, Quick-Heat functionality, high-quality fabric and optimized insulation to help keep the heat in. If you're looking for a light, motorcycle-bike for off-roading, the EGO Power+ Mini Bike is the bike for you. It uses twin EGO Power+ 56V ARC Lithium batteries, which can carry you as far as 20 miles on a single charge and get up to speeds as high as 28 mph. But it accelerates quietly, sparing you the roar of a dirtbike. There are three driving modes (ECO, Normal and Sport), allowing you to dial in to the right amount of power. It's made for use by riders 16 years old and above, and has parental controls to set limits on the speed. Milwaukee's M12 system is a lineup of rugged, high-powered tools, batteries and jackets. The Milwaukee M12 Redlithium high-output XC5.0 battery pack goes above and beyond, providing 25% more power and running 25 percent cooler. The result is an upgrade to any tools you use it for. Every M12 battery pack performs in climates as cold as 0°F/-18°C. The M12 Redlithium XC5.0 also has a tough exterior, protecting it against common oils, greases and solvents found in transportation maintenance and manufacturing environments. The Living Accents 28-Inch Gas Fire Pit would make the perfect addition to your deck, patio or any other outdoor space. It provides the warmth and comfort of a fireplace without the smoke or the need to burn wood. Its propane system is easy to ignite and can be adjusted for more or less heat. When you're not using it, transform it into a coffee table by replacing the steel cover lid. The Quencher is a stainless-steel tumbler from Stanley, one of the most trendy brands in drinkware. The double-wall vacuum insulation will keep your beverages hot, or chill them for up to nine hours (or, on ice, for 40 hours). With a 30-ounce capacity, it's generously sized, but still conveniently fits into most cup holders. And its advanced flow state lid gives you several options: Drink your water with the reusable straw, open it up to sip or keep it fully covered for the moments when you're on the go. DeWalt's ToughSystem 2.0 toolboxes are rock-solid products for storing, organizing and transporting your tools. The Rolling Tool Box comes with a removable inner tray, 8-inch wheels and 2-piece metal latches on the front to keep your tools secure. Use it on its own, or stack it with DeWalt's line of storage products for extra storage capacity. It's also backward-compatible with all other ToughSystem products. Take advantage of these Black Friday discounts and find the perfect gift for your outdoorsy loved one today, either in store or online at Ace Hardware . For more holiday gift guides and great deals, don't miss CNET's 100 Days of Holiday .

NEW YORK — Juan Soto put on a New York Mets jersey and cap for the first time Thursday after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized and talked about what made the difference in his decision. “They showed me a lot of love. ... How they're going to make it comfortable for me,” he said. "That's one of the things I was looking for." Soto was introduced at Citi Field a day after his deal was finalized. Speaking in the Piazza 31 Club, he was flanked by Mets owner Steve Cohen, president of baseball operations David Stearns and his agent, Scott Boras. “They always talk about family. They always talk about stick(ing) together,” Soto said. “That's one of the things that opened my eyes.” Security men in gray suits wearing earpieces were off to the side. Soto walked in led by Boras, wearing a dark suit, black turtle neck shirt and gold chain with his No. 22. “I’m excited by the Mets future,” Cohen said. “I think this accelerates our goal of winning championships.” Soto chose the Mets' offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx. SAN FRANCISCO — Willy Adames wasted little time making one thing clear: He wants to play all 162 games for the San Francisco Giants. So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin's right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.” Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper. Adames didn't hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here. Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September. “There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. "... This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.” PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, was postponed on Thursday and scheduled to resume June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Only three out of 31 witnesses arrived to the hearing on Thursday. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. “There is no case against Wander, for as many witnesses as they present, there is no case now,” Franco's lead lawyer Teodosio Jáquez told The Associated Press after the hearing. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Kendrick Lamar said on his new album “GNX” that Nas congratulated him for being selected to perform at halftime of Super Bowl LIX in February. Perhaps Nas will make a guest appearance on stage in New Orleans? It’s hard to predict what Lamar will do with his upcoming performance — or with his music in general. He caught the music world by surprise in releasing his latest album on Friday, then releasing a video for the song “squabble up” on Monday. Advertisement The release of “GNX” gives fans a glimpse into additional songs that might be performed at Caesars Superdome in February. The Athletic in September rolled out early predictions and odds of the songs the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper would perform during the Super Bowl halftime show. Here are updated predictions, which include some of the tracks from the new album: A post shared by Kendrick Lamar (@kendricklamar) ‘Not Like Us’ When this song, considered by many as the knockout punch in the Kendrick Lamar-Drake rap beef, was released in May, rapper-turned-podcaster Joe Budden said Drake should be thankful it wasn’t the HBCU band season because it would be played at games repeatedly. Well, college football season is here, and marching bands are performing their renditions of the song. Pro teams are playing the song. Youth bands are picking up the song. It even became a theme for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their run to the World Series. It’s the new sports theme for this decade: “They not like us. They not like us. They not like us.” Chance it’s played: 100 percent ‘squabble up’ When the “Not Like Us” video was released on July 4, there was a snippet of a song at the start of the video. The snippet had no title. That song turned out to be “squabble up” from the new album. The up-tempo start and the sample of Debbie Deb’s “When I Hear Music” is an ideal choice. Chance it’s played: 99 percent ‘Like That’ This song, featuring Future and Metro Boomin, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lamar said in his verse there’s no “big three” in rap, declaring himself above Drake and J. Cole. Chance it’s played: 95 percent ‘Humble’ The NBA used this track as its theme for the 2017 NBA Finals. It’s one of Lamar’s most recognizable songs. It’s hard to imagine it doesn’t make it into the show. If it doesn’t make the cut, “GNX” tracks might be the reason. Advertisement Chance it’s played: 90 percent ‘tv off’ Lefty Gunplay joins Lamar in this high-energy song off the “GNX” album. Lamar screaming “Mustarrrrrrd!” in reference to producer DJ Mustard quickly has become a meme-worthy expression . At the very least, Lamar has to yell “Mustarrrrrrd!” at least once during his performance. Chance it’s played: 85 percent ‘Money Trees’ This song includes Jay Rock, as the two once were labelmates at Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Listen to “heart pt. 6” from “GNX” and be reminded how much Jay Rock means to Lamar’s career. It would be a great moment on stage for a reunion. Chance it’s played: 75 percent ‘DNA’ This is one of Lamar’s biggest songs. It’ll be hard to imagine it’s not part of the show. Chance it’s played: 75 percent ‘All the Stars’ Lamar teamed up with SZA for this song on the “Black Panther” soundtrack. Lamar is no longer on TDE, but he remains close with those on the label. SZA would add soul as a guest performer. Chance it’s played: 65 percent ‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’ It’s a slower tempo, but it’s a great song in a concert setting. It also was the song that introduced many fans to Lamar’s “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” album in 2012. Chance it’s played: 60 percent ‘King Kunta’ This is one of Lamar’s more danceable tracks from his “To Pimp a Butterfly” album from 2015. It’s a perfect concert song ... but will it fit in his Super Bowl rotation? Chance it’s played: 60 percent ‘Family Ties’ Lamar joined his cousin, Baby Keem, on this song off Keem’s “The Melodic Blue” album. Keem has toured with Lamar, so it wouldn’t be surprising for them to be on stage together in New Orleans. Chance it’s played: 60 percent ‘Alright’ Lamar performed this at Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium when he was part of Dr. Dre’s halftime show. That’s the only thing that makes it dicey as to whether it’ll be part of the upcoming show. Advertisement Chance it’s played: 50 percent ‘Collard Greens’ This was a highlight of ScHoolboy Q’s “Oxymoron” album. It’s an up-tempo song and would be another opportunity for Lamar to bring one of his former TDE labelmates onto the biggest of stages with him. Chance it’s played: 45 percent ‘Rich Spirit’ I’ve heard this song live, and it hits hard in front of a live audience. That doesn’t mean it translates to the Super Bowl. It’s not a dance song, but it’s also not a slow jam. Nice, mid-tempo game that could lighten the mood a little, if needed. Chance it’s played: 40 percent ‘B—-, Don’t Kill My Vibe’ A popular song, but the NSFW first word of the title means Lamar would have to work around it. It’s not impossible, as any song on this stage will have to be cleaned of profanity. There are parts of the song that would work. Chance it’s played: 40 percent ‘Euphoria’ This was the first solo diss track from Lamar at Drake. It’s unlikely Lamar will want to turn the halftime show into 14 minutes of clowning Drake ... but you never know. Chance it’s played: 30 percent ‘6:16 in LA’ This Drake diss was never released on streaming services. It was only made available on Lamar’s Instagram. The song was a hit with fans during Lamar’s concert on Juneteenth, but again, how much time is he likely to dedicate to diss songs? Chance it’s played: 25 percent ‘Meet the Grahams’ The darkest song of the Lamar-Drake feud. It doesn’t fit in this setting. Chance it’s played: 5 percent ‘Bad Blood’ Taylor Swift is too big of a star to be a featured performer, but this surprise would send social media into a frenzy. There’s a better chance of Swift sitting in a suite cheering for Travis Kelce than joining Lamar on stage. The more the Kansas City Chiefs win, the chances of this collaboration happening shrink. Chance it’s played: 0 percent Advertisement ‘Mona Lisa’ This collaboration with Lil Wayne would have been an awkward fit during the show, but it might have been a hit with hometown fans of Wayne. Given Wayne’s public disappointment over not being selected to perform at halftime, in addition to his ties to Drake, it’s hard to imagine him taking the stage at halftime. Chance it’s played: 0 percent ‘Poetic Justice,’ feat. Drake Remember when Lamar and Drake made music together? This track was released in 2013. A lot has changed since then. Drake plans to be on tour in Australia on Super Bowl Sunday. No one expected to see him in New Orleans in the first place. Chance it’s played: minus-1,000 percent (Top photo: Santiago Bluguermann / Getty Images)Lance Terry scored a game-high 22 points, helping lead Georgia Tech to a 92-49 rout of visiting Alabama A&M on Saturday in Atlanta. Javian McCollum added 18 points, while Jaeden Mustaf chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds, as Georgia Tech (6-7) won its second game in three outings. Baye Ndongo had 10 points for the Yellow Jackets, who shot 54.1 percent (33 of 61) from the field and made 10 of 21 (47.6 percent) on 3-pointers. AC Bryant and Bilal Abdur-Rahman each led the Bulldogs (4-9) with 11 points. Alabama A&M managed to shoot just 20.8 percent (15 of 72) from the field en route to its sixth straight loss. After London Riley's 3-pointer cut the Bulldogs' deficit to 16-15, McCollum's triple began a 12-0 scoring run, extending Georgia Tech's lead to 28-15 with 5:30 remaining in the opening half. Bryant's layup stopped the Yellow Jackets' run, but McCollum scored five straight points to push Georgia Tech's advantage to 15 at the 4:13 mark. The lead expanded to 18 points before Quincy McGriff's layup trimmed the Bulldogs' deficit to 16. Terry's back-to-back triples jump-started a 12-3 run to close the first half with Georgia Tech ahead 50-25. McCollum led all scorers with 18 first-half points, while McGriff led Alabama A&M with seven. Ndongo's dunk to open the second half started a 10-1 Georgia Tech run, stamped with Duncan Powell's triple with 17 minutes left to push the Yellow Jackets' lead to 60-26. After Angok Anyang knocked down a pair of free throws for the Bulldogs, Terry's fourth triple was followed by Naithan George's layup, extending Georgia Tech's lead to 68-35 with 11:49 left. Jaylen Colon and Terry then traded triples, before Georgia Tech's 13-6 spurt was stamped with Ndongo's layup at the 3:33 mark, giving the Yellow Jackets an 84-44 edge. Georgia Tech's dominant day was stamped with baskets from a pair of Yellow Jacket walk-ons, as Emmers Nichols and Marcos San Miguel each tallied their first career points in the closing minutes. --Field Level Media

Kate Martin, Kayla Thornton Headline Valkyries Roster After 2024 WNBA Expansion DraftBy LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78

(The Center Square) – Homeowners in the market for washers and dryers may have better-performing options to choose from in the near future due to a bill limiting the extent of energy efficiency mandates on laundry appliances passing the U.S. House. The Republican-led House Resolution 1612 , or Liberty in Laundry Act, would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes washers or dryers that “are not cost-effective or technologically feasible.” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., who introduced the legislation, said the move is a response to the “slew of woke, ‘environmental’ nonsense rulemaking attempts” by the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Energy. “I have spent much of my time in Congress fighting back the federal government’s vast overreach into the lives of hardworking Americans,” Ogles announced after the bill’s passage Tuesday. “Americans should be able to do their laundry in peace without the input of Big Brother.” Earlier this year, the DOE finalized new updated standards for residential clothes washers and dryers which aim to cut costs and pollution. It estimates the regulations will reduce nearly 71 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions–equivalent to the combined annual emissions of nearly 9 million homes–and up to $39 billion on Americans’ energy and water bills over the next 30 years. House Democrats opposed the legislation's passage, saying "absolutely no one" stands to benefit from the law and accused Republicans of trying to curry favor with special interest groups. "H.R. 7673 guts popular energy efficiency standards for laundry machines – standards that save Americans money on their utility bills and reduce dangerous greenhouse gas pollution at the same time," said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J. "These efficiency standards create certainty for manufacturers and they protect consumers from rising costs. And, in the case of these laundry machine standards, they also reduce water use – a benefit that could greatly aid drought-prone regions around the nation." But the less electricity and water laundry appliances use, the less effectively they tend to perform, according to an Oct. 2024 report by the Institute for Energy Research. “Historically, appliances meeting Energy Department standards have often underperformed and have higher costs,” the report stated. “The Biden-Harris administration is imposing a series of regulations that are raising appliance prices and compromising quality for homeowners.” Unless the bill is signed into law, laundry appliance makers have until March 2028 to comply with the new rules.Instead of waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to build an air traffic control tower, Coeur d’Alene Airport decided to build its own. The semipermanent structure built atop a stack of shipping containers will be staffed next summer. “It is really a safety issue,” said Bruce Mattare, Kootenai County commissioner and airport liaison. The general aviation airport in Hayden mostly serves small bush planes, private jets, express cargo and emergency aircraft. Despite having no commercial passenger service, it is the second-busiest airport in Idaho in terms of total flights. Some days during peak season, it has even more flights than Boise or Spokane International Airport. From a traffic standpoint, “a Cessna flight is no different than a Southwest flight,” Mattare said. Most of the time the airfield is “uncontrolled,” meaning pilots coordinate with each other over radio to take off and land. That’s manageable in the winter months, when daily flights drop to about 150. But in the summer, that number rises to 600. “Having a tower to sequence that traffic properly and put them on the right runway – that’s definitely a safer situation,” Airport Director Gaston Patterson said. But it can take a decade to get FAA approval for a permanent tower. So, Patterson thought about interim solutions to deal with the immediate safety risk. For a few weeks during fire season, the U.S. Forest Service contracts air traffic control services at the airport using a mobile trailer. But that setup is less than ideal. From only a few feet off the ground, controllers do not have a clear view of each runway and taxiway. Patterson looked into installing a prefabricated fire lookout tower, but quotes ranged over half a million dollars. Then he thought about popular social media posts he had seen of houses built creatively out of shipping containers. He crunched the numbers and realized he could build a tower for $300,000. The smallest FAA towers cost $20 million, Patterson said. Although Kootenai County oversees the airport, the airport is self-sufficient and no longer takes any local tax money because it earns enough from user fees. At first, the tower will be used from June through October. Eventually, it could be open year-round. While residents have complained of increasing noise, Mattare said the tower will help by routing air traffic over less populated neighborhoods. “People associate a tower with more traffic,” Mattare said, “but it doesn’t create traffic.” Population growth is what really drives more traffic, he said. The purpose of the tower is purely for safety. Not having a tower is like not having a traffic light at an already busy intersection. Mattare stressed the importance of the airport to the community’s local economy and emergency services. Besides Forest Service air tankers, the airport is also a base for Life Flight Network’s medical air transport. Patterson said it is possible for regular passenger flights to come to the airport in the future, but it wouldn’t be anything like major airlines seen in Spokane. Rather, it would likely be small turboprops with commuter service to close destinations like Missoula, Boise or Seattle. “While something larger could operate here under the right conditions, it would be highly unlikely,” Patterson said. Meanwhile, the airport is still on the FAA’s waiting list for a permanent control tower. If approved, the FAA would pay for the tower and staffing. The shipping container tower is easy to dismantle and could feasibly be sold to another airport, Patterson said. The tower could be a model for other small airports, and Patterson suggested the FAA consider providing something like it to high-traffic airports while they wait for an official tower. Mattare and Patterson are hosting a townhall meeting about the future of the airport and its relationship with the community at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Kootenai County Administration Building. Seating is limited.

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