Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Here's the latest: As incoming White House chief of staff, one of Susie Wiles ’ vexing challenges will be policing the buffet line of powerful interests who want something from Donald Trump. It’s a world she knows well. During Trump’s first presidency, she lobbied for many of them. Trump was first elected on a pledge to “drain the swamp” in Washington. But his transactional approach to the presidency instead ushered in a lobbying boom that showered allies, including Wiles, with lucrative contracts, empowered wealthy business associates and stymied his agenda after his administration was ensnared in a series of influence-peddling scandals. Now, as Trump prepares to return to power , his victory is likely to embolden those who think they can get his ear, raising the prospect that his second administration could face many of the same perils as his first. That will test the ability of Wiles to manage a growing number of high-powered figures — including Trump’s children, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and billionaires like Elon Musk — who will not be dependent on her for access to the president. ▶ Read more about Susie Wiles and her new role Vance accompanied Matt Gaetz in meetings with GOP senators on Wednesday. “I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process,” the Ohio senator posted on X. “Matt is a patriot, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.” President Joe Biden still believes President-elect Donald Trump is a dangerous figure in U.S. democracy, his top spokesperson said Thursday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “his thinking on that has not changed” even as the Biden White House emphasizes its commitment to the “peaceful transfer of power.” Jean-Pierre told reporters there is no double-speak in Biden’s approach. Biden framed Donald Trump as a “fundamental threat” to the nation’s identity as a democracy and its stability as a global superpower when he defeated Trump in 2020. He did it as a candidate for reelection. He did it again when he dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. But Jean-Pierre said Biden recognizes the legitimacy of Trump’s election to another term, even if it’s not the result he wanted. “The American people spoke,” she said, adding that Biden wants to be an example of how to respect U.S. elections. That was an opaque reference to Trump’s refusal to accept Biden’s victory in 2020 and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters as Congress met to affirm the results. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says she hasn’t spoken to her designated successor, Karoline Leavitt. Jean-Pierre told reporters gathered Thursday at the White House that she hopes the second Trump administration will be forthright with the public by talking to reporters. Trump’s first White House dramatically curtailed its initial interactions with the White House press corps, and Jean-Pierre said Biden and his staff “worked really hard to bring back the norms” with press briefings and interactions. “We’ve tried to do this in a very respectful way,” she said. Jean-Pierre declined to “speak to what any administration is going to do” in the future, but added that the back-and-forth with the press is part of “what democracy is all about.” In other presidential transition news, Trump is urging federal lawmakers to kill a bill that would protect journalists from having to disclose information about anonymous sources or other records obtained during reporting. The proposal that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, but is pending in the Senate, also bars the government from requesting data from phone or email providers. The bill includes exceptions such as when there’s a reasonable threat of imminent violence or an act of terrorism. As of now, only some states grant absolute protection from disclosing sources or other records. “Republicans must kill this bill!” Trump posted on Truth Social and shared a video from PBS News Hour interviewing the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalist, Jodie Ginsburg, talking about the proposal. Last month, The Associated Press, along with more than 100 news outlets and organizations, signed a letter authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press asking senators to support the bill. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre isn’t commenting on Matt Gaetz withdrawing his nomination as president-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general in the new administration. “We really, truly want to respect the transfer of power,” Jean-Pierre said Thursday during a White House press briefing, explaining her steadfast refusal to comment on Trump personnel moves. But Jean-Pierre nonetheless used the matter to take a subtle jab at how Trump, who was twice indicted by the federal government, has reacted to federal law enforcement. “Look, the president has said when it comes to investigation, that department should be independent. there should be no partisanship. There should be no loyalty to one party or the other,” she said. “The loyalty should be to the Constitution, and the loyalty should be to the rule of law.” Trump has insisted that it was Biden and his lieutenants who weaponized the Justice Department by indicting him for his role in trying to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory and for hoarding national security documents after Trump left the White House in January 2021. That latter case has been thrown out by a Trump-appointed judge. The former case is still pending. Taken together, there are a striking number of incidents in which potential high-ranking government officials in Trump’s second administration face allegations of sexual abuse. Here’s a look at some of the cases: President-elect Donald Trump: He was found liable by a New York City jury for sexual abuse and defamation and eventually ordered to pay the woman, E. Jean Carroll , $83 million in damages. Pete Hegseth, nominee for secretary of defense: A woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police the encounter had been consensual and denies wrongdoing. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for secretary of health and human services: A woman who babysat for Kennedy and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine he groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation, telling a podcast: “I had a very, very rambunctious youth.” He texted the woman an apology after the story was published. Linda McMahon, nominee for secretary of education: A lawsuit filed last month alleges McMahon knowingly enabled sexual exploitation of children by a World Wrestling Entertainment employee as early as the 1980s. She denies the allegations. Elon Musk, Trump’s choice to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency: The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX was accused of sexual misconduct by a flight attendant contracted by SpaceX who worked on his private jet in 2016. He denied the claim. ▶ Read more about the allegations of sexual misconduct Among those who were seen as contenders before Gaetz was picked is former acting attorney general Matt Whitaker , who Trump chose earlier this week to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Other names that were floated as potential attorney general nominees include Jeff Jensen, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Trump last week chose Todd Blanche , an attorney who led the legal team that defended the Republican at his hush money criminal trial , to serve as the second-highest ranking Justice Department official. Emil Bove, a former federal prosecutor, was chosen to be the principal associate deputy attorney general. An attorney who represents two women who say they were paid by Gaetz for sex says his clients are “relieved to have this chapter behind them.” “They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” said Joel Leppard, whose clients testified before the House Ethics Committee. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Leppard revealed earlier this week details about his clients’ testimony to House Ethics Committee to release its report on the Gaetz investigation. Leppard said his clients were paid a total of $10,000 by the congressman. One of his clients testified that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in 2017, while he was in Congress. Though Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for attorney general, he isn’t Trump’s only appointee in hot water. A woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. Earlier today, Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” ▶ Read more about the allegations against Hegseth In his Nov. 13 resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gaetz said, “I hereby resign, as United States Representatives for Florida’s First Congressional District, effective immediately, and I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress, to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration.” He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state began a special election process to fill the vacancy. Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were notified this week that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard. Leppard said that two women he represents told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017 when Gaetz was in Congress. The files the person was able to access were part of a defamation case filed by a Gaetz associate against the former representative’s onetime political ally Joel Greenberg , who pleaded guilty in 2021 to sex trafficking of a minor, and admitted that he had paid at least one underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The apparent breach was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times. Gaetz has denied all the allegations. ▶ Read more about the apparent file breach Trump had announced last week that he’d chosen Todd Blanche, an attorney who’s defended him in some of his criminal cases, to serve as deputy attorney general. That’s the second highest ranking position at the Justice Department. A former federal prosecutor, Blanche has been a key figure defended him both in the New York hush money criminal trial that ended in a conviction in May, and the federal cases brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Thursday in a post on X that he believes the now-former congressman “will continue to contribute to our nation’s wellbeing for years to come.” Graham, a member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, also said he looks forward to working with Trump “regarding future nominees to get this important job up and running.” The caption of the Instagram photo reads “The end of an era. No one loves America more than this guy.” The Florida representative was once embroiled in a sex trafficking investigation involving underage girls by the Justice Department, the very department President-elect Trump had tapped him to lead. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and in February 2023 said the investigation ended with no federal charges against him.He was also being investigated by the House Ethics panel, but Republicans declined yesterday to release the committee’s findings over objections from Democrats in a split vote. ▶ Read more about the Justice Department’s investigation into Gaetz He had abruptly resigned from his congressional seat upon being nominated as attorney general amid a long-running House Ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, which was seen as a way to halt the probe. The House Ethics panel’s Republicans declined this week to release the committee’s findings into Gaetz over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. However, Gaetz did win re-election earlier this month for the new Congress which convenes Jan. 3. But it’s unclear if he would take office. There’s also been plans for a special election in Florida for his seat. “President Trump remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system,” said Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team. In a message on his Truth Social network, Trump also said he was looking forward to seeing what Gaetz will do next after withdrawing as his pick. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump posted. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Matt Gaetz has just withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on the former congressman’s ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The Florida Republican’s announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party.1. A genius drying rack for preventing any sweater-shrinking mishaps in the dryer. These three mesh racks will help speed up the drying process while taking up minimal space. Plus, air-drying is gentler on the fabric than a tumble in the dryer, which can help extend the life of your sweaters. Promising review: "Big enough for size large sweaters. I love that it is instant to set up, holds multiple items, the mesh lets most clothes dry overnight, and it doesn't have any loose parts to lose. The layers collapse on each other, then fold up like a car shade, but with three wires to contend with, it takes a bit more force. If car shades are your nemesis, this is probably not for you, but if you've conquered car shade folding, the drying rack is quick and small to store. The storage bag appeared to be flimsy, but it has lasted for over a year of use with no problem." — Costume Shop Get it on Amazon for $13.99 . 2. A programmable AC booster fan that'll help warm those rooms that are significantly cooler than the rest of the house. It's meant to be mounted on existing floor or wall registers and will help increase airflow from your HVAC. Promising review: "My bedroom sits above the garage and has three exterior walls. It's an older home, so I question the insulation. The room has been unbearable in the extreme winter and the extreme summer. These vents have been such a huge game changer now that the temperature is cold. The room used to be unbearable to wake up in or just to go into because it would be so cold. I bought two of these for the room and it has made a difference in this room. I can get out of bed without dreading how cold it's going to be. I highly recommend these if you have a room that the HVAC system just doesn't seem to do its part in." — Cat Get it from Amazon for $59.99 (available in two colors and sizes). 3. Some restorative wipes because snow and cold winds have left your front door and shutters looking cloudy and grimy. These wipes are saturated with a solution that revives oxidized, faded, and sun-damaged surfaces bumpers, siding, mailboxes, grills, garden tools, painted surfaces, and more. Promising review: "My metal barstools were left on the balcony all winter because of a surprise three-day blizzard. After being buried in snow all winter, I thought for sure I would have to throw them out when I saw them in the spring. Looking at them now after using the product, no one would suspect that they weren’t new ones! " — Mom@home Get five wipes from Amazon for $12.97 . 4. A WD-40 pen (A pen! Genius!) to enjoy the squeak-quieting, hinge-lubricating, rust-preventing powers that you know and love from traditional WD-40 but in an easy-to-maneuver precise pen tip. Promising review: "I bought some years ago and I’ve used them in my work, keeping my rotary tools nice and easy to use. I gave my husband one (he worked for a utility company), and he was really impressed with what the pen could do with such a nice applicator. Nice and precise without an overspray. I also have a large dumpster for my business, and sometimes, in the winter, the lock freezes up, so I always have one in my pocket when I take the trash out in the winter . One day I caught the garbage trucks d the driver having problems with it. I said hold on, ran back inside, and came out with one of the pens. Presto! No problem at all. He was so impressed that I gave him mine to make his life easier. The. My last one ran out, and I didn’t find the one for years. Needless to say, I’m so grateful I found these on Amazon. I also gave one to my contractor friend who was grateful for the gift too. You need to get these!" — Char Behrens Get a three-pack from Amazon for $14.99 . 5. A KitchenAid attachment organizer if you plan to do a lot of baking this season but your shallow cabinets don't have room to hold all the add-ons you've purchased for your stand mixer. Take advantage of vertical space and store them under your cabinets and within reach! 3D Home Solution is a small biz based in Frisco, Texas that makes really genius home organizers. Promising review: "Just what I didn’t know I needed! My attachments didn’t have a good home. The whisk is too fat for my drawers, but I wanted to keep them together and near the mixer, so they just sat on a shelf. Now they have a home, and they’re not blocking the canisters on the shelf!" — Noora Get it from 3D Home Solution on Etsy for $11 (available in three colors). 6. A plush, self-warming pet bed so your pets can stay nice and toasty all season, thanks to the mylar insulation. (Reviewers with hairless cats say it's great for keeping their naked bbs cozy and warm.) Promising review: " My room gets incredibly cold during the day in the winter, so I've been looking for some form of self-heating cat bed to make sure my cat doesn't get too cold when I'm not home. I never liked the ones that needed to be turned on or plugged in since I needed them to be working when I was not home, and that felt like both a burn risk for my cat and a fire risk for my house. I landed on this bed as a compromise. I was worried my cat wouldn't go anywhere near it since she'd always loved a single ratty box from my storage closet more than anything I had gotten her before, but I decided to take the risk. Let me tell you, while she wouldn't go anywhere near it last night, I woke up this morning to find her curled up in it, and she has not budged all day. The only time she got up was to get a drink of water before crawling straight back in, but I felt the cushion and it's definitely radiating more heat than just a normal blanket. I'm pretty sure her smile says it all. Definitely worth the price for peace of mind that my cat's comfy and my house isn't going to burn down. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $23.88 . Check out BuzzFeed editor Jenae Sitzes ’s Aspen self-warming pet bed review for more deets! 7. A window insulator kit for keeping you warm *and* saving you money on your heating bills. The clear film shrinks to create an airtight lining to prevent drafts and heat loss. Promising review: "I buy this every winter, and it makes a BIG difference ! We have super-thin windows, and this works like a charm to stop 80% of the cold drafts. I find I can sit right next to the window without a problem after installing them. It's easy to install and looks invisible after you apply heat with a hair dryer. No one will be able to tell there's a film, and it'll look completely transparent after you apply heat. It was so satisfying to see the wrinkles disappear! It looks great, works great, and will save you energy! Win-win-win! " — Raymond Get a 10-window kit from Amazon for $23.80 (also available in a 5-window kit). 8. And a self-adhesive seal strip that'll soundproof a room while adding much-need insulation from drafts. You'll get two seals (totaling 16 feet) that are 9 millimeters thick. Promising review : "As a queer household we usually embrace anything not straight; we are highly open-minded and accepting. HOWEVER our crooked doorframes are the exception. Seeing our house is older than the concept of building codes and built by someone who apparently didn't believe in 'measure twice cut once' we were happy to find a cheap solution to the straight-up breezes in our kitchen! Severely cut down on the amount of wind coming through and improved the temperature in the mudroom in a matter of minutes! " — bitandbridle Get it from Amazon for $6.97+ (available in four colors). 9. A pack of stain-removing pads because I can't blame your pup for not wanting to go potty when it's negative degrees outside. These can handle your pet's occasional accidents (and yours, too!). Just lay them over the spot, give 'em a stomp to activate their cleaning powders, and watch the stain disappear — no bulky carpet steamer necessary! Promising review: "My dog hasn't had carpeting before and since we moved and she has access to two carpeted bedrooms, she has apparently decided those are way better than her potty pad in the kitchen. Keeping her on a schedule and using gates helps, but our currently never-ending Minnesota winter does not. These were great for a mix of cleaning up old spots I hadn't noticed in the second bedroom and picking up fresh accidents like this morning when she hopped out of bed while I was still sleeping. I love how easy they are, don't have to get down on my knees to clean up. It's amazing to stomp and see the yellow soak up immediately. The stomping is kind of fun, too." — K. Affeldt Get a pack of 20 from Amazon for $23.43 . 10. A miniature portable space heater to warm your frozen fingers and toes. It stands 10 inches tall and pumps out enough heat to warm a 300-square-foot room. It has three quiet fan settings, a bunch of different heat settings, a carrying handle, a cool-touch exterior, and overheat protection (for safety reasons!) Promising review: "Perfect quiet little heater. Exactly as described. My husband uses it daily and says this may be his favorite gift — ever. LOL. It's portable, gives off a good amount of heat, and it's nice and quiet. He uses it in the bathroom after a shower, under the desk while working from home , and anywhere else he needs warmth. He's been using it daily for about three months and loves it." — Amazon Customer Get it on Amazon for $31.44+ (available in two styles). 11. Or a 3-in-1 air purifier, heater, and fan if you're trying to heat a larger room. It silently filters the air, grabbing allergens, smoke, cooking odors, and more! And it looks so sleek and stylish that you won't mind it sitting out in the open. Promising review: "Everything you need in one product. I don’t have space in my apartment for multiple types of devices, so this was a great option for me. I’ve been very happy with it so far!" — Nancy Get it from Amazon for $299.99+ (available in two sizes). 12. Some outdoor faucet covers so you can help prevent a potentially costly situation involving frozen or burst pipes. Ouch! Promising review: "We bought these to cover our outdoor faucets in lieu of the styrofoam option. Not only are they super easy to install, but they worked perfectly and withstood anything the winter weather threw at us." — Carissa Eaton Get a four-pack for $17.99 . 13. A desk-friendly HappyLight sunlamp for the upcoming months of what feels like approximately five hours of sunlight — all of which are spent in an office at a desk 😩 This light may help boost your mood and improve your sleep, which could lead to an increase in energy levels. Read more about sunlamps and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) at Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic . Promising review: "I work from home at night. I never see the light of day during the winter. This light has been a joy to have and gives great light at my desk to work with with the benefit of mimicking sun exposure. It’s very easy to use and to replace bulbs." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $49.99 (clip the $10 off coupon on the product page for this price). 14. A Levoit humidifier that'll add much-needed moisture to the dry winter air. Your hair, skin, and nasal passages will thank you! When I moved to NYC, the winters absolutely destroyed me, and I dealt with dry, flaky skin and constant nose bleeds. I knew I needed to get a humidifier, so I bought the first one I found on Amazon, and it was...fine...but I hated how hard it was to clean. So, I bought another humidifier. And then another humidifier. But every humidifier I bought was just soooo hard to clean. They all had nooks and crannies — or even unreachable surfaces — that got moldy fast and required a lot of contorting of my wrist to wipe down with a sponge. I also hated having to refill the water tank every day. So, I went searching for a humidifier that was easy to clean and had a big water tank. This bad boy ticks all the boxes for me, and the app features are fantastic. You can set the target humidity in a space, and the humidifier will run until it reaches the threshold, which it will then maintain. It also has schedule and timer features, but I don't use those since I work from home and have the humidifier running basically 24/7. There's even a plant identifier feature that will set the humidity at the optimal level for whatever plants you have. Get it from Amazon for $67.89+ (available in two colors). 15. And a genius humidifier tank cleaner because this fish-shaped cartridge swims around the water tank, inhibiting the growth of buildup for up to 30 days. Promising review: "Just drop this in your humidifier and it keeps the water pretty darn mildew and mold free. Super easy to use, no smell, and safe. I have already repurchased and given a few to other people as well." — Kristine Get it from Amazon for $5.98 . 16. A cleverly designed rechargeable electric candle lighter with a genius bendable neck to light just about anything without a struggle or stress about burning your fingers trying to light a slumped-over wick that's half buried in wax. (Just me??) This is especially great if you have mobility issues or arthritis, as it turns on with a simple switch. Promising reviews : "I absolutely love this product. Now I’m able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down, and it’s hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable, and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I’ve only had to charge it once since I purchased it. I Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this. " — Cassandra S. "Another product I got from TikTok. It’s a necessity. No more struggling and almost burning yourself. Stays charged for days. A week at most if you use it frequently." — Nijada Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven colors and two packs). 17. Or a flameless candle diffuser if you want the yummy, festive winter scents without the open flame. This cordless and waterless diffuser looks just like a real candle with a "flickering flame" that you blow out to extinguish. According to Johns Hopkins , you may want to avoid diffusing oils around larger groups and young children because of the side effects of different oils. You may also want to avoid using an oil diffuser around pets with breathing problems, according to the ASPCA . Promising review: "Rarely do I usually write reviews on Amazon, but I absolutely love this product. It is so awesome. It looks like a real candle, but you don’t have to worry about any fires. The smells that it comes with are great, and I even bought more because I plan on using it all the time. I got the light gree,n and I’m very happy with it." — Tracy A. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 . 18. A magnetic insulated door curtain so you can winterize your home and keep warm air where you want it. Reviewers have used this with great success in front of drafty doors — front doors, basement doors, garage doors, etc. Promising review: "I needed something to help with the amount of cold air that would come into the house every time our front door was opened. Winters in Alaska can be brutal, and our arctic entryway is not heated. Since I hung the thermal curtain, I have noticed a huge difference ! Perfect length, great material, super strong magnets...almost too strong. They close on their own every time. Would recommend." — Laroberts907 Get it from Amazon for $39.98+ (available in a variety of sizes and three colors). 19. And a door draft stopper for literally stopping the warm air from leaving the room. Bonus: It can help block noises and creepy-crawlies from slipping under the door. Promising review: "This is perfect for my apartment. It keeps the draft out and it seals up my apartment so I don't lose the heat in the winter and the AC doesn't go right under my doors in the summer. I would highly recommend this for anyone who wants to save money on their electric bill." — Sammie Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six sizes and four colors). 20. A pack of solar-powered waterproof deck lights that'll illuminate all the dark areas outside your home now that the sun sets earlier. Attach them to deck railings, on the side of your stairs, to your fence, and wherever else it's a little spooky at night. Promising review: "These lights were easy to install and look great on our deck. We just had a pool built and needed some light on the steps of the deck so we could see walking up the steps at night. They're beautiful without too much light." — BJ Get 16 from Amazon for $33.99 (available in two colors and a pack of 20). 21. A jetted tub cleaner because snowy wintery nights are the perfect excuse for an evening soak. This cleans the inside of your tub — y'know, the part you can't reach — flushing out soap scum, body oils, and those black flakes that gunk up your tub's jets so you can relax in a clean tub. Promising review: "They don't call this Oh Yuk for no reason. I previously used Jacuzzi's two-part system, and this worked sooo much better. I was totally embarrassed not to mention grossed out at how much funk came out. It was NASTY! It definitely cleans your tub. You will probably have to clean the sides of your tub after it's finished because of how much stuff might come out. I swear I clean my tub on a regular basis, but I was amazed at how much better this worked. Highly recommend!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $17.84 . 22. Plus a bath overflow drain cover to enjoy a few extra inches of toasty water instead of sitting in water only up to your belly button and feeling scammed. Promising review: "I have a high-stress job, and I've started taking baths as a way to unwind. However, it never seemed like I could keep enough water in the tub to really enjoy it. This little thing makes a HUGE difference!! I get at least an extra three inches of water and it is great. " — Hyacinthe Snyder Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in nine colors). 23. A fireplace cleaner if soot, smoke, creosote, and ash are discoloring your brick. Having a fireplace is a huge perk come fall — Ummm, is there anything cozier than curling up in front of a fire with a hot apple and a book? Methinks not! — and this'll keep it looking its best. Promising review: "Unbelievable! My daughter just moved into her first home. She thought she would have to paint her brick fireplace because of the heavy soot stains that had been there for years. We applied the product twice and put in a whole lot of elbow grease, but what a difference! It’s a messy process, but well worth the time and energy." — MM Get it from Amazon for $16.95 . 24. A Souper Cube — this silicone freezing tray stores perfectly portioned soups, stews, sauces, and more so you can whip up your fave soups, freeze 'em, and enjoy them the entire season instead of committing to the same soup for a week straight. Each tray has four fill lines — 1/2 cup, 1 cup, 125 mL, and 250 mL — which is ideal for people who like to portion their food. You may remember Souper Cube from Shark Tank (Lori invested in the company!). This small business was started by four friends who loved soup but hated food waste. Promising review: "So happy that I found these. I’m the only one in my household who enjoys soup year-round. Have you ever tried to make homemade soup for one? I say it’s impossible! But no longer. I can brew up the stock pot with bone broth or my favorite home soup. Fill up my Souper Cubes, freeze, pop out, store my goodies in a freezer bag, and I’m ready for the next batch!" — Debbie R. Texas Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in three colors and in a two-pack). Check out my colleague's Souper Cubes review ! 25. A snuggly and hypoallergenic comforter for anyone who's ready to experience previously unknown levels of coziness. If your thin summer duvet isn't doing it, this ~thicc~ boi will keep you warm and toasty. If hypoallergenic microfiber fill that won't make you sweat through your pajamas like traditional down sounds good to you, we highly recommend adding this duvet to your cart. Promising review: "This comforter is awesome. The quality is great, especially for the price! It is warm, so I probably wouldn't use it in the summer months, but definitely perfect for fall and winter. It is so comfortable, cozy, and warm, yet breathable and lightweight at the same time. Perfect duvet insert." — Meghan O'Keefe Get a queen-size from Amazon for $29.99+ (available in sizes Twin–Oversized King and six styles). 26. Or a dual zone comforter that'll keep the peace in the literal and figurative marital bed if you prefer a chilly 68 degrees while your partner wants to crank the heat all the way up. Promising review: "This comforter is what we’ve always needed . My husband and I are always tangled in blankets because I need more but yet they always end up on his side. This comforter provides an all-in-one solution that keeps me warm and him cool and our bedroom looking calm and zen. " — Hannah Get it from Amazon for $134.99+ (available in two sizes and four colors). 27. A boot storage rack because, duh! Bulky boots take up a ton of space, and I'd hate to see the $$$ thigh-high leather boots you just bought get scratched, scuffed, and prematurely slouchy because you're just tossing them in a pile with your other shoes. Promising review: "I love my boot rack. It is perfect for tall boots! They go on upside down, which keeps the shape of the boot perfectly. It fits easily in my closet as well. I recommend it if you have a lot of boots." — Elizabeth Get it from Wayfair for $29.99+ (available in a black or silver color). 28. A window AC unit cover to prevent heat loss if you've got a window AC that you can't or don't want to bother removing in the winter. Just be sure to check the size of the cover against the size of your AC unit! Promising review: "I love it. I put it on, and then in probably a half hour, I could notice the change in the room. That breeze was gone." — DA-BIGGUY Get it from Amazon for $14.87+ (available in two colors and four sizes). 29. Plus, an attic stairway insulation cover if the creepy attic, which is only used to hold holiday decorations, is sucking up heat, making your furnace work harder and driving up your energy bill. Promising review : "Beautifully made!! Came in a small box, and I was dubious. Unfolded it and realized how wonderfully it fit. The trickiest part was the stapler. It took less than five minutes to staple and make secure. Immediately noticed less cold and less noise!! Wish I had done this simple task years ago." — CC BBQer Get it from Amazon for $30.99+ (available with or without a staple gun). 30. A portable mug warmer , so your hundredth sip is just as roasty toasty as your first sip. Promising review: "LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! Love the look. Love the temperature settings, although I don't believe I will use the lower ones since the 170 seems to be just right for me. Very simple to operate. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer for my daughter-in-law." — rkd Get it from Amazon for $25.99 . 31. A luxurious towel warmer for making the decision to leave the shower a little bit easier. Promising review: "Works as advertised. I wasn't sure how it was going to work, but I am very satisfied. It's easy to use, and it's really great to have a warm towel on a cold morning." — Dennis Pullaro Get it from Amazon for $139.99 . 32. A light therapy alarm clock that'll gradually lighten your room and gently wake you with the "sun" now that it's darker in the morning. Just as it gets brighter minute by minute to wake you, it also darkens your room over time at night so your body prepares itself for sleep. Promising review: "This thing seemed pretty expensive at first, but it has totally transformed my morning routine . I wake up with a smile on my face instead of a desire to murder my annoying alarm clock. Instead of being jerked awake by a horrible sound, I'm slowly drawn from my dreams with the soft light and the eventual sound of birds chirping — even when it is still pitch dark outside. A total game changer for me! " — Anna Lyman Get it from Amazon for $108.95 . Read our in-depth Philips Wake-Up Light review to learn more. The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
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JAMES CITY — Grove Christian Outreach Center on Wednesday opened the first free grocery market in the Williamsburg area for families facing food insecurity. Christened The Gathering Place, the new marketplace inside the center at 8880 Pocahontas Trail provides a free shopping experience to families who need a little extra help. Replacing the center’s original food pantry program, the market provides families with fresh produce options while also helping prevent food waste by having them pick according to their own preferences. During a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Terry Banez, CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce, congratulated Grove Christian Outreach Center Executive Director Katie Patrick and her team for their efforts in creating the market. “What an amazing and beautiful place, and we wish you much success,” Banez said. “It’s really phenomenal what you’ve all done.” The Gathering Place saw much support in its fruition. Along with donations from community and business partners, the center was selected for Food Lion Feeds’ annual event, The Great Pantry Makeover. This saw Food Lion associates volunteer in completing the center’s buildout while also stocking shelves with over 3,000 pounds of shelf-stable food. Likewise, the Williamsburg Health Foundation provided funding for the market’s installation of new refrigeration systems for fresh produce storage. The approximately 2,000-square-foot space that makes up the market was previously the service room for the original Grove Community Church. “The pastor and his wife were founders of Grove Christian Outreach Center. The church was still meeting here and just over the years, the last several years, we recognized the need for the space,” Patrick said. The Gathering Place joins the nonprofit center’s 20-plus years of feeding families in the Williamsburg area, as well as providing clothing, school supplies, financial assistance, holiday programs, transportation and more. Last year, the center served nearly 32,000 people through various programs. It provided over 1,000 food pantry visits to area families last month alone. Patrick expressed the importance of providing a meaningful shopping experience for those who are struggling to put food on the table. Families qualify to receive services based on need. “If I have to stand in line for food, I really want to get food that my kids are going to eat, that’s meaningful to me and the culture that my family celebrates ... and that I am not going to throw away,” Patrick said. “I love making sure people are well fed. If you guys have never heard me say it, food is love. It’s how we show up in the world, and it means a lot.” Stephanie Kalantarians, chair of the center’s board of directors, said there is a real need to help those with food insecurity that goes beyond the Grove community. Someone is generally considered to have food insecurity when they lack access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. “We’re serving the Grove community, but I think it’s so important for people to have an awareness that this need exists in your community,” Kalantarians said. “And the need is increasing, doubling, in years time.” For more information, call 757-887-1100 or visit groveoutreach.com . Donations and volunteers are continuously welcomed. James W. Robinson, 757-799-0621, james.robinson@virginiamedia.com Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Meet the Fort Monroe Authority’s new CEO Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Court documents: 3-year-old grabbed dad’s gun off kitchen counter and accidentally shot himself Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Army-Navy 2024: Navy specialty uniforms to honor Jolly Rogers aviation squadron Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like Here’s what development around the Virginia Beach Convention Center could look like 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say 2 injured after vehicle failed to stop at Suffolk railroad crossing, police say Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Newport News’ first Saladworks combines former doctor’s passions for health and business Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Bike shop in Midtown Row rebrands, coffee shops celebrate and more business news from the Historic Triangle Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Entertainment venue Uptown Alley no longer coming to Williamsburg Trending Nationally Castle Rock school bus driver who left 40 kids at busy intersection “didn’t know what to do” A ‘horrific accident’: 2 deputies who died, 1 injured in Palm Beach County crash identified Illinois high court overturns Jussie Smollett’s convictions in allegedly staged hate crime San Diego toddler’s backyard snake bite bills totaled more than a quarter-million dollars Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws
Morning Bid: China inflation eyed, global political uncertainty bubbling up - Yahoo FinanceCINCINNATI (AP) — Simas Lukosius scored 18 points, Aziz Bandaogo added 17 and Dillon Mitchell 14 to lead No. 14 Cincinnati to an 84-67 victory over Howard on Sunday. Cincinnati (7-1) led by four points after one half and came out firing in the second, hitting three straight baskets to extend its lead to 10 points. The Bearcats outscored Howard Bison (3-6) 48-35 in the second half to seal the win and rebound from Tuesday's eight-point loss to Villanova. Blake Harper had 23 points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Dockery added 14 points for Howard. Howard: The Bison lost for the sixth time in nine games. Howard's dynamic scoring guard tandem of Dockery and Harper accounted for more than half of the team's scoring. Cincinnati: Lukosius led the Bearcats in scoring with 7-for-10 shooting overall and 3-for-6 sniping from long distance. Cincinnati third-year guard Dan Skillings Jr. returned to the court for the first time since the Bearcats season-opener on Nov. 4. Skillings missed the previous six games with a knee injury sustained in the opener. He played 14 minutes and had two points, three rebounds and three assists. The Bearcats outrebounded Howard 37-23 overall and 14-5 on the offensive glass. Howard hosts Virginia-Lynchburg on Wednesday, while Cincinnati hosts Xavier on Saturday.
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SentinelOne misses quarterly profit estimates, shares fallLOS ANGELES -- Democrats and Republicans agreed on at least one thing before November’s election: California would play a central role in determining control of the U.S. House. Indeed it did. Democrat Adam Gray's come-from-behind victory over Republican Rep. John Duarte in a Central Valley farm-belt district Tuesday — the final House contest decided this year — gave Democrats their third pick-up of a GOP-held seat in the state, a small victory in a tough year for Democrats nationally. While Democratic wins narrowed the gap in the House, Republicans held their ground in two other toss-up contests that helped the GOP defend its fragile majority in Washington. Republicans won 220 House seats this election cycle , with Democrats holding 215 seats. Despite falling short of a majority, Democrats stressed that the party will gain seats next year, leaving the chamber even more closely divided. “Netting three seats was a very big deal,” Rep. Pete Aguilar, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber, who lives in Redlands, east of Los Angeles, said in Washington. Democratic enthusiasm was tempered, however, by turnout figures that lagged the 2020 presidential election in the heavily Democratic state, even with Kamala Harris leading the Democratic ticket in her home state. Also, Republicans made incremental gains in the state Legislature. Voters overwhelmingly endorsed a ballot proposal that makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders again and increases penalties for some drug charges amid frustration over retail crimes, a proposal opposed by some Democrats. The election showed Democrats will need to pay closer attention to issues like crime and the cost of living, even in a state where the party holds every statewide office and dominates the Legislature and congressional delegation, Claremont McKenna College political scientist Jack Pitney said. In the House, Democrats “were hoping that California would push them over the top to gain a majority. But their gains elsewhere were not strong enough,” Pitney added, pointing to GOP wins in North Carolina. Gray won by a margin of less than 200 votes, with election officials reporting Tuesday all ballots had been counted. Duarte captured the seat in 2022 when he defeated Gray by one of the closest margins in the country, 564 votes. He was often listed among the most vulnerable House Republicans given that narrow margin of victory in a district with a Democratic tilt — about 11 points over registered Republicans. Gray said in a statement: “We always knew that this race would be as close as they come, and we’re expecting a photo finish this year, too.” In other Democratic House gains, first-time candidate Derek Tran ousted Republican Rep. Michelle Steel in a Southern California district anchored in Orange County, while Democrat George Whitesides toppled Republican Rep. Mike Garcia is a district north of Los Angeles. In a district east of Los Angeles, Republican Rep. Ken Calvert again held off Democrat Will Rollins in a repeat of their 2022 contest. And Republican Rep. David Valadao kept his grip on a farm-belt seat, despite its heavy Democratic registration edge. The outcome will leave Republicans with nine of the state's 52 U.S. House seats next year. Although California is often seen as a liberal monolith, a string of House districts has proved volatile in recent elections, spotlighting their importance to both parties. Democrats snatched seven seats from Republicans in 2018, then Republicans seized four from Democrats in 2020. In the 2022 elections, Republicans gained one seat, from 11 to 12, while Democrats dropped to 40 seats from 42, after California lost a House seat in reapportionment after the 2020 census. Overall, the state dropped to 52 districts from 53. The state played a pivotal role in securing the gavel for Republicans in 2022 and installing Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield as speaker .After 36 years reporting the news, 12 of them as ABC foreign correspondent in London and Washington, DC, Lisa Millar never would have dreamt a show about farm dogs would become a career highlight. But for the “little kid from country Queensland who dreamt of becoming a journalist”, Muster Dogs is a joyous homecoming. After narrating two seasons of the reality contest, which crowns the best of five dogs-in-training around Australia, Millar takes an on-screen role in the four-part follow-up, Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now? Lisa Millar with Zoe and her dog Buddy on Muster Dogs: Where are They Now? “Being in regional Australia feels familiar to me ... When I go out on a Back Roads trip or Muster Dogs , and you can see the stars, you hear the roosters in the morning, I love it,” says Millar, from Bali, where she is “fixing the work-life balance” after exiting ABC News Breakfast in August. It’s the first time she has visited Indonesia without reporting on “terrorist attacks or Australians doing the wrong thing”. Grateful that she accepted what she initially thought was an unusual offer to narrate Muster Dogs in 2022, Millar is blown away by its success. By the second season, which aired in January, more than 1 million Australians were tuning in. Overseas audiences have – pun warning – lapped it up, with fan mail streaming in from the US and the UK. Israeli viewer Shai Lieberman was so inspired he contacted trainer Frank Finger, who owns season one winner Princess Annie the kelpie. Lieberman appears in the special, learning the trade at Finger’s Clermont property in Queensland, with the aim of operating a therapy farm back home. “None of us expected Muster Dogs to take off as much as it has,” says Millar. “We must all desire a bit of kindness. We need people not backstabbing each other. It’s something kids can watch with their families. Whether you’re in the city or the country, people love dogs, and also, their dogs love dogs. The number of videos that I got from people wanting to share their dogs getting excited when it was Muster Dogs time and barking at the television. That happened on the first night it went to air.” Millar travels the length and breadth of the country to check in with the series’ stars, including season two winner, Buddy the border collie, trained by Zoe Miller on a Northern Territory cattle station. Season two contestant Lily with her dog Snow and some new pups. “Of course, people want to know, did the dogs end up working well?” says Millar. “Is Lucifer still a bad boy? What happened to Lucky, the deaf dog? Have the dogs had pups? We’ve also spent time with the trainers to reveal a bit more about what it meant for them to be thrust into the spotlight. “I think the reason Muster Dogs worked is that it’s so authentic. They’re not signing up to boost their Instagram followers. They have some funny stories about how they’ll be in the middle of nowhere and people will stop to get selfies with the dogs.” Living in an apartment in Melbourne, and juggling a hectic filming schedule, Millar doesn’t own a dog. She grew up with a family dog, but not a working one. Back then, she was more interested in honing her interviewing skills on her father, the late National Party MP Clarrie Millar. Loading She treasures a cassette of one such “grilling”, recorded when she was 10 years old. “I’d asked him about the Olympics and politics and boycotts, and he was doing such a lovely job of answering me seriously and trying to help me learn, and I’m cutting him off, like, ‘Well, thanks very much Clarrie!’” Miller will soon head off to shoot another episode of Back Roads , a program she treasured watching with her late mother after returning from overseas postings. With that, season three of Muster Dogs under way, and its second companion book out on December 4, Millar is content doing, “the best job at the ABC”. “I’m happier than I’ve ever been, and it’s a wonderful feeling.” Muster Dogs: Where Are They Now? premieres on Sunday, December 1, at 7.30pm on the ABC. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Australian TV What to watch What's on TV For subscribers Lisa Millar ABC Film & TV production Bridget McManus is a television writer and critic for Green Guide. She was deputy editor of Green Guide from 2006 to 2010 and now also writes features and interviews for Life & Style in The Saturday Age and M magazine in The Sunday Age. Most Viewed in Culture Loading
Many Black Friday deals are already live at retailers, and we've rounded up the best deals you can find today. These include PlayStation 5 Consoles, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless, Elden Ring, Astro Bot, iPad (10th Generation), and more. PlayStation Console Deals Are Now Live There are many PlayStation 5 console bundles on sale today, with the start of early Black Friday deals, making this the best time of 2024 to pick up a new console. You can purchase a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for $374.99, saving $25 and scoring a free game at no extra cost. Or, you can opt for the PlayStation 5 Disc Console, which is priced at $424.99. Sony also has the PlayStation VR 2 on sale today, with the Horizon Call of the Mountain Bundle priced at $349.99 at Best Buy. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth for $39.99 Final Fantasy VII Rebirth was one of 2024's biggest games, continuing the story from 2020's Final Fantasy VII Remake. Cloud, Tifa, Aerith, Barret, and Red XIII begin their journey outside Midgar, meeting characters like Yuffie, Vincent, and Cid alongside the way. This experience offers well over 100 hours of content, with 36 sidequests and a main story over 40 hours long. Plus, there are dozens of minigames to discover. Metaphor: ReFantazio for $49.99 Metaphor: ReFantazio is the latest game from Persona 3, 4, and 5 Director Katsura Hashino and the team at Atlus' Studio Zero. For the first time since launch, you can score the game at a discount, saving $20 this Black Friday. In our 9/10 review , we stated, "Refining the Atlus RPG formula of weaving tough turn-based combat into compelling social sim mechanics, Metaphor: ReFantazio doesn’t just send a powerful message across its political drama, it becomes a beautiful expression of the real impact storytelling can have on all of us." 50% Off SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless The SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless Headset is perfect for any PC or PlayStation gamer. This model includes a wireless base station, which allows you to connect two devices at once and simultaneously switch between them. Additionally, the Arctis Pro Wireless supports hot-swappable batteries, so you can swap and continue playing with no downtime needed for charging. Elden Ring for $19.99 Elden Ring is on sale for an all-time low price today at Amazon, with PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox copies available for $19.99. Additionally, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Edition is $30 off. This package includes the base game and the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion. In our 10/10 review , we said "Elden Ring is a massive iteration on what FromSoftware began with the Souls series, bringing its relentlessly challenging combat to an incredible open world that gives us the freedom to choose our own path." Astro Bot for $49.99 Astro Bot is on sale for the first time since launch, and there has never been a better time to pick up one of the PlayStation 5's best games . Building off Astro's Playroom, Astro Bot features many new abilities and bosses to fight, with over 300 bots to rescue across the galaxy. You'll find planets modeled after beloved PlayStation games like Ape Escape and Uncharted, and even surprise third-party bots like Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil 2 . Ghost Cipher Special Edition Xbox Controller for $49.99 Best Buy has the Ghost Cipher Special Edition Xbox Controller for just $49.99 today. This is one of the best Xbox controllers you can buy, as it offers a unique design and maximum comfort. Not only can you use this controller with Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, but you can also pair it with a PC or mobile device. With its transparent design, this is sure to be a talking point for any Xbox fan. JBL Quantum 360 Headset for $59.95 Right now, you can save over 50% off the JBL Quantum 360 Wireless Gaming Headset. This headset features a detachable boom mic, memory foam ear cushions, and a 22 hour battery life. Plus, there is a game audio / voice chat control on the side, allowing you to get a perfect balance between the two. Both the Xbox and PlayStation editions of the headset are available on sale, so you can pick accordingly depending on your console of choice. iPad (10th Generation) for $249.99 The Apple iPad can be an incredibly useful device if you're needing something bigger than a phone. Powered by the A14 Bionic, you can sketch, create presentations, and watch content all day long, with up to 10 hours of battery life supported. The 10th Generation iPad includes support for Touch ID, Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard Folio, and more.
Getting whipped by a downtrodden Oklahoma squad came back to haunt Alabama. So did a historic loss to Vanderbilt. That's because the Crimson Tide (9-3) were passed over for the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff when the selections were announced on Sunday. Alabama appeared in good shape to make the playoffs until visiting the Sooners and losing 24-3 on Nov. 23. Oklahoma finished the regular season with a 6-6 mark. SMU (11-2) earned the final at-large spot despite losing to Clemson 34-31 in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on Saturday night. "I think it's the right decision," Mustangs coach Rhett Lashlee told CBS Sports said. "... We didn't ever have a bad loss." Selection committee chairman Warde Manuel said it was a tough choice to take the Mustangs over the Crimson Tide. "We looked at the number of wins Alabama had against ranked opponents," Manuel, the Michigan athletic director, told ESPN. "We looked at SMU's schedule and they were undefeated in conference. Their losses were to ranked teams. "We also looked at Alabama's losses to unranked teams. It was quite a debate. We value strength of schedule and that's why Alabama as a three-loss team is ranked ahead of teams that have two losses." SMU's loss to then-No. 17 Clemson came on a last-second field goal in Saturday night's Atlantic Coast Conference title game. The Mustangs also lost 18-15 at BYU on Sept. 6. SMU beat then-No. 22 Louisville on the road and then-No. 18 Pitt in Dallas. "Losing on a last-second field goal ... we felt SMU still had the nod over Alabama," Manuel said of the Mustangs' loss to Clemson. "... It's just looking at the entire body of work over both teams." Alabama's other two losses included the shocking 40-35 stumble at Vanderbilt on Oct. 5 that marked the Commodores' first-ever win over a No. 1-ranked team. The Crimson Tide also lost 24-17 to then-No. 11 Tennessee on Oct. 19. The Crimson Tide posted three ranked victories, beating then-No. 2 Georgia, then-No. 21 Missouri and then-No. 15 LSU. Alabama will face Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa on Dec. 31. It is a rematch from last season when the Wolverines defeated the Crimson Tide 27-20 in the College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Rose Bowl. The second team out was No. 13 Miami (10-2), which saw its chances plummet by losing two of its last three regular-season games. The Hurricanes, who started 9-0, lost 28-23 to host Georgia Tech on Nov. 9 and completed the regular season with a 42-38 road loss against Syracuse. Miami didn't play a Top 25 team this season. Instead of navigating the playoff field, Miami will face No. 18 Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Dec. 28. "Everyone that doesn't get in feels disappointment," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of being passed over. "We will have the onus of just doing better. Go forward and have the opportunity to get better. ... "We have a ton to play for and we'll thankful for the opportunity." SMU plays No. 6 Penn State in its first-round playoff game on Nov. 21. "We're excited about the challenge and the opportunity to prove that the committee made the right decision," Lashlee said. --Field Level MediaARABELLA Chi has given fans a look at her little baby bump while modelling a new set of lingerie. The Love Island All Stars alumni, 33, is expecting her first baby with her boyfriend Billy Henty and is welcoming the changes to her body. Arabella has gently cradled her growing tummy while posing in her plush lounge in a black bra and knickers set. In several other snaps, the mum-to-be is also wearing matching black lace-topped stockings and satin robe. Arabella has now shared the photos with fans on Instagram alongside a short video of herself in the lingerie. She told her followers: "Life's got a whole new meaning now I'm growing you 👶." READ MORE ON ARABELLA CHI Replying to her post, one fan said: "Congratulations on your baby news." Another added: "Wow, so happy 4 you." And a third chimed in: "Pretty girl growing a baby!!" Meanwhile, Boux Avenue, the underwear brand Arabella is modelling, added: "The most gorgeous mum to be!" Most read in Love Island Arabella, who starred on Love Island All Stars at the beginning of the year, confirmed her pregnancy this week . She made her announcement with a video of herself clutching a strip of ultrasound photos while on the beach. The model and reality star said: "Dreams do come true... Baby Henty due May 2025. "You already make our hearts full and we can't wait to meet you little one." Arabella has enjoyed a whirlwind relationship with wealthy businessman Billy Henty over the past few months. Billy is co-founder of a company specialising in biohacking and regenerative medicine, with clinics in London , Canada and Greece . The Sun first told how Billy and Arabella were spotted on a date in August and sources said things between the pair were getting very serious, very quickly. An insider said at the time: “Arabella has made no secret of wanting to find the one and it looks like Billy could be that man. “He clever, handsome and has a jet setting lifestyle, which she loves. “It was a big step putting him on her socials – she didn’t tag him but she’s happy for people to see her happy and in love.” Love Island All Stars will be back for its second series in 2025 - and rumours are already rife as to who will be making a comeback this time around. After the second All Stars series was announced in May, show boss Mike Spender said: "Lots of people have been in contact about it, lots of fun people, from series one onwards. "We cast it because we knew what was going on behind the scenes of who was getting with who and now even more stories have come out. "I think we will now save ex-islanders for All Stars." One rumoured name for the next series is data engineer Harry Baker . Harry, 25, arrived in the villa as a bombshell in Series 11. He soon 'stole' Grace Jackson after making his debut. Arriving late in the run, he only lasted for a few days before being dumped alongside Lola Deloca . Despite the hunk's brief stint, viewers have called for Harry's return. One upset fan wrote: "Get you in All Stars next", to which Harry cryptically replied by posting 'shrugging' emojis. Arabella first found fame in Love Island in 2019. This year, she returned to the villa and formed a connection with Adam Maxted on Love Island All Stars. They lasted five weeks on the outside world. Adam later said on fellow Islander Anton Danyluk 's podcast: "I can't even call it a break up because we weren't officially together. "The public put a lot of pressure on your situation, your couple - we never announced that we were boyfriend and girlfriend. "I knew Arabella like nine days, 10 days, nothing in there is fake, I vibed with her and I can't fake that stuff." He added: "I think we were just at different stages in life. She'd just come out of a high-profile relationship and I remember saying to her, 'I think you need to go and figure out what it is you want to do and heal from that as well'." READ MORE SUN STORIES Prior to her time on Love Island All Stars Arabella dated Manchester City footballer Rueben Dias .
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