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Patriots mailbag: Another free-agent spending splurge should be coming in 2024

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

The Patriots’ 2023 season has been a slog, but this upcoming offseason should be one of the most exciting in franchise history.Even dismissing potential changes the Patriots could be making on their coaching staff, they have a ton of salary-cap space, needs across their roster and a requirement to spend cold hard cash.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Four under-the-radar Patriots players to watch Week 15 vs. Chiefs New England Patriots | Patriots-Chiefs preview: Can the Pats upset Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid? New England Patriots | NFL notes: Inside the Dirty Show, one of the last hallmarks of New England’s dynasty New England Patriots | Patriots-Chiefs injury report: Bill Belichick adds 2 starters to 7 questionable for Sunday New England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots veteran running back’s lack of playing time For more on what the Patriots need to spend this offse...

Stephen L. Carter: Activist nuns aren’t likely to outduel Smith & Wesson

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

The internet is buzzing with the news that four orders of Roman Catholic nuns have filed a shareholder derivative suit against Smith & Wesson Brands, seeking to force the company to impose stricter standards for manufacturing and marketing the M&P15 rifle, which is similar in style to the AR-15. What seems to be getting less attention is the question of whether the lawsuit will succeed.(Spoiler alert: almost certainly not.)The shareholder derivative suit has long been the bête noire of boards of directors. But plaintiffs in such cases face a tough slog. Although details vary from state to state, as a general proposition the board will prevail as long as its actions, even if mistaken, were business judgments made in good faith. True, the rule has exceptions, but even plaintiffs asserting more traditional governance claims rarely prevail.For social activists, the slog is tougher still.Consider: Over the past three years, at least 40 shareholder suits have been filed challengin...

Word Game: Dec. 17, 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

TODAY’S WORD — INTERNED (INTERNED: IN-ternd: Worked in a professional setting to gain supervised practical experience.)Average mark 42 wordsTime limit 60 minutesCan you find 55 or more words in INTERNED?TODAY’S WORD — INTERNED indent inert inner intend inter intern need nene nerd nine teed teen tend tender tern tide tied tier tiered tinder tine tinned tinner tire tree trend tried trine edit eider enter entire erne reed rein rend rent retie ride rind rite deer deet denier dent dentin deter diet dieter dine diner dinner dint dire dirtTo purchase the Word Game book, visit WordGameBooks.com. Order it now for just $5 while supplies last!RULES OF THE GAME:1. Words must be of four or more letters.2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” are not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissibl...

Horoscopes Dec. 17, 2023: Eugene Levy, control your destiny

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Milla Jovovich, 48; Bill Pullman, 70; Eugene Levy, 77; Ernie Hudson, 78.Happy Birthday: Trust your intuition to point you in the best direction. Opportunity is apparent, but it’s up to you to make the changes conducive to taking advantage of what comes your way. Be wary of anyone trying to scam you. When in doubt, research, ask questions, get the facts and speak up. It’s up to you to control your destiny by blocking outside interference. Your numbers are 5, 16, 22, 25, 33, 37, 46.ARIES (March 21-April 19): Choose to do something energizing and mentally challenging. Traveling or attending a reunion will offer insight into the changes that are taking place in your circles. You may disagree with what you hear or see, but refrain from commenting. 3 starsTAURUS (April 20-May 20): Research will change how you view a global situation. Don’t ignore the truth when dealing with matters that influence loved ones. Be a good listener, but refrain f...

Home design trends spurred by pandemic still booming, architects say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

Home design trends that started during the pandemic are still booming, according to a survey released by the American Institute of Architects this week.D.C.-area homebuyers continue to ask architects for massive windows, multifunctional backyards and grand kitchens that double as workspaces and entertainment places, said David Shove-Brown, AIA member and founding partner at 3877 Design in Washington, D.C.Large windows and cross-functional kitchens are among the “must haves” in home design among buyers and owners, according to the American Institute of Architects survey. (Courtesy 3877 Design)“The home became school, office, recreation center, restaurant and bar all at once,” Shove-Brown said. “Then it became, how do you maximize the use of spaces while maintaining some sense of sanity?”The AIA surveyed more than 300 residential architect firms to gather the data.It discovered that trends like cross-functional outdoor spaces are among key features owners and buyers want and purchase,...

DC area anticipates heavy rain, fog ahead of windy, chilly workweek

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

After a cloudy, dry Saturday with temperatures right around 50 degrees, D.C., Maryland and Virginia are bracing for a foggy and stormy Sunday, a windy Monday and a chilly Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know.Sunday’s wet weather is expected to enter the region mainly after 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service report Saturday.“Moderate to locally heavy rain, tidal flooding and gusty winds are likely on Sunday,” the agency said.The 7News First Alert team is already on Flood Alert in advance of Sunday rains, which are expected to become moderate by this afternoon.A high impact coastal low will move into the area by this afternoon. Moderate to heavy rain is likely this evening into the overnight. Winds become increasingly gusty tonight into Mon. Out west, the Alleghenies can expect snow, heavy at times, Mon afternoon through Tue morning. pic.twitter.com/QZFZiz5u8Z— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) December 17, 2023“Rain will become he...

Automaker Nissan expands research ties in China as part of bid to regain market share

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Nissan Motor Co. is expanding its research ties with a leading Chinese university as it and other foreign car companies try to claw back market share in the important Chinese market.The Japanese automaker announced Sunday that it would launch joint research next year with Tsinghua University on reaching Generation Z — defined for this project as those born between 1995 and 2009 — and on the social responsibility of automakers in battery recycling, charging stations and other electric vehicle-related issues.The major auto companies were caught flat-footed by a boom in electric vehicles in China that has given rise to new Chinese competitors that have gobbled up market share at home and are now moving into Southeast Asia, Europe and other overseas markets. Nissan’s sales in China plunged 34% in the six months from April to September compared with a year earlier.“Market conditions in China have become extremely tough,” Masashi Matsuyama, the head of Nissan’s Chines...

Sunday Storms to Sunday Sunshine

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

We are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel following a wet and windy stretch of weather. That light will be seen by this afternoon following a cold front trekking across South Florida this morning.Ahead of this front will be a line of showers and thunderstorms progressing to the east before moving offshore by 10AM.Then beyond this time frame, it will turn dry with rain chances down to a 10% chance paired with a mix of sun and clouds, high temperatures seasonable into the upper 70s and a gusty breeze.The breeze will gradually decrease over the next few days. Until then, a Wind Advisory remains in effect through midday today for much of the area for wind gusts up to 40-50 mph, especially near the coast.Now for the new week, our attention shifts to a quiet, sunny and cool weather stretch. It’s looking fantastic with low rain chances and quiet weather leading up to the holidays.Temperatures will turn rather cold by Tuesday with widespread lows in the 50s and...

WMVP-AM weekday afternoon co-host and former Chicago Bears player Tom Waddle buys Long Grove mansion for $1.5M

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

WMVP-AM weekday afternoon co-host and former Chicago Bears wide receiver Tom Waddle and his wife, Cara, on Nov. 1 paid $1.5 million for a five-bedroom, 6,818-square-foot mansion in Long Grove.The purchase came more than five months after Cara Waddle and her husband, who played for the Bears from 1989 until 1994 before going into broadcasting, sold their five-bedroom, 8,000-square-foot mansion in Lake Forest for $3.1 million.Built in 2006, the couple’s new home in Long Grove has been renovated and has 5-1/2 bathrooms, two fireplaces, high ceilings, hardwood floors, intricate moldings and millwork, designer lighting, arches and columns and a renovated kitchen with custom cabinetry, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, marble countertops and an island with seating. Other features include a great room with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace, a sunroom, a private office with built-ins and a turret area, and a primary bedroom suite with heated floors, a sitting area with an antechamber and...

MLB Notes: How is Red Sox pitching staff coming together?

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:50:05 GMT

On paper, the Red Sox pitching staff has loads of potential. It has young talent, proven bullpen arms, tons of depth and enough versatility to adapt to all kinds of unforeseen circumstances.The one thing missing is a sturdy foundation to hold it all together, and without that the staff is doomed to fall apart just like last year.More than two months into the offseason we still don’t have any clarity on what the Red Sox starting rotation could ultimately look like. The club has yet to make a meaningful addition, and while many starters have already signed, most of Boston’s top targets are still on the market.Will the Red Sox land Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Jordan Montgomery? Will they wind up with Shota Imanaga or Lucas Giolito, or swing a trade for Dylan Cease or some other young arm? Could we see a combination of the above, or will they come up empty-handed?The answer to those questions could make or break Boston’s 2024 season.While we await a resolution to the startin...