The New York Times

Real or Fake? There’s a War Over Christmas … Trees.

Tree farmers and the marketing group that supports them want more Americans to buy live-cut trees. A new Home Depot ad gave them holiday hope. By Kevin Draper Milk had “Got Milk?” Beef had “Beef: It’s ...
USA Today

Why are Byrum Brown, Colton Joseph not playing in Cure Bowl?

While South Florida facing Old Dominion doesn't seem like a top-tier bowl matchup by any measure, the two college football teams were once set to have a battle between two of the best non-Power Four ...
The Courier-Journal

Which Louisville football players opted out of Boca Raton Bowl game?

Louisville football will be without wide receiver Chris Bell, who reportedly tore his ACL against SMU. Louisville Cardinals DBs Daeh McCullough and Destin Cheirs and QB Brady Allen won't be available ...
Commercial Appeal

What Memphis players said about being 'dealt a bad hand' with bowl opt-outs

TAMPA, FL — Memphis football was never competitive against NC State on Dec. 19. That was partly because of a rough first half by the defense, but it was also because Memphis' offense was playing ...
Sports Illustrated

These 5 Longhorns Could Step Up on Defense After Bowl Game Opt-Outs

The Texas Longhorns missed out on a College Football Playoff berth this season, the first time in the past two years, after finishing 9-3. This means the team will be participating in a bowl game, ...
The Washington Post

VA plans to abruptly eliminate tens of thousands of unfilled health care jobs

Government reporters Meryl Kornfield, Hannah Natanson and Lisa Rein can be reached securely on Signal at (301) 821-2013, (202) 580-5477 and (202) 821-3120, respectively. The Department of Veterans ...
KXAN

Texas leaders at odds over property tax relief plan

AUSTIN (Nexstar) – Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick are each touting plans to further cut property taxes in Texas. But they’re taking distinctly different approaches toward the goal of ...
Columbus Dispatch

Gov. Mike DeWine approves plan to slash property taxes by $3 billion

Ohioans could see lower property taxes starting next year. Gov. Mike DeWine signed several bills on Dec. 19 that will slash property taxes by roughly $3 billion and contain future tax hikes. Some of ...
Mission Local

S.F. needs to cut spending by $400M. Here’s the mayor’s austerity plan.

Mayor Daniel Lurie said Friday that his office will pare back city functions during next year’s budget cuts and focus on “core” services like public safety, clean streets and transit in a bid to shave ...
Commercial Appeal

Memphis football opt outs, who's in, who's out vs NC State, bowl game

Memphis will face NC State in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 19 in Tampa, Florida. Interim coach Reggie Howard is leading Memphis after Ryan Silverfield's departure for Arkansas. New coach Charles Huff ...
Tennessean

What Vanderbilt football's lack of bowl opt-outs says about team culture

Vanderbilt football is seeing few player opt-outs for its upcoming ReliaQuest Bowl game against Iowa. Most players intending to transfer will remain with the team through the bowl game. Quarterback ...
KING5

‘Lucky to be alive’: Witness recounts moments he found driver that hit washed-out tree

PLAIN, Wash. — A driver in Chelan County narrowly survived a terrifying crash Monday after a tree washed across Highway 207 and pierced through his truck’s cab — missing his face by inches. The ...