711 greenbelt
Trump names Andrew Ferguson as head of Federal Trade Commission to replace Lina KhanMicrosoft announces quarterly dividend
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States should proceed cautiously as officials consider new natural gas export terminals, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday, warning that “unfettered exports” of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, could raise wholesale domestic prices by more than 30% and increase planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Granholm’s statement came as the Energy Department released a long-awaited study on the environmental and economic impacts of natural gas exports , which have grown exponentially in the past decade. The analysis found that U.S. LNG shipments drive up domestic prices and frequently displace renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power. Increased LNG exports also would lead to higher global greenhouse gas emissions, even with use of technology such as equipment to capture and store carbon emissions, the report said. “Today’s publication reinforces that a business-as-usual approach (to LNG exports) is neither sustainable nor advisable,’' Granholm said. The Energy Department report comes after the Biden administration paused approvals of new LNG projects in January to study the effects LNG exports have on the planet. Natural gas emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas, when burned, leaked or released. RELATED COVERAGE What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump? Archivist says Equal Rights Amendment can’t be certified as Democrats push Biden to recognize it Pharrell Williams is named a UNESCO goodwill ambassador LNG is especially energy intensive, since the gas must be retrieved through underground drilling, then piped to export terminals along the East and Gulf coasts. The gas is then “superchilled” into a liquid that is taken by tanker ships to import terminals in Europe and Asia, where it is then reheated into gas and distributed for business and family use. The oil and gas industry, along with Republican allies in Congress, have decried the LNG pause as unnecessary and counter-productive, and President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the pause on his first day in office . The pause is on hold under a federal court order , but few new terminals have been approved in the past year. The Energy Department said last week it will not decide on two major LNG export projects in Louisiana until the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission completes environmental reviews of each project. The American Gas Association called the Biden administration’s pause a mistake that has resulted in uncertainty for the global market, investors and America’s allies around the world. “This report is a clear and inexplicable attempt to justify their grave policy error,” said AGA president and CEO Karen Harbert. “America’s allies are suffering from the weaponization of natural gas and energy deprivation, and any limitations on supplying life essential energy is absolutely wrong-headed.” Harbert said the industry group looks forward to working with the Trump administration “to rectify the glaring issues with this study during the public comment period,” which lasts until mid-February. Charlie Riedl, executive director of the Center for LNG, a pro-industry group, said Republican and Democratic administrations, as well as independent researchers, “have continually found that U.S. LNG exports provide economic, national security and climate benefits and serve the public interest.” U.S. LNG “remains a vital tool for countries looking to displace dirtier fuels” such as coal and reduce their emissions, Riedl said, adding that U.S. LNG exports play a key role in meeting growing global demand for natural gas. U.S. gas shipments to Europe and Asia have soared since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The LNG pause, announced by President Joe Biden as the 2024 election year began, aligned the Democratic administration with environmentalists who fear the huge increase in LNG exports in recent years is locking in potentially catastrophic planet-warming emissions at a time when Biden has pledged to cut U.S. climate pollution in half by 2030 . “While MAGA Republicans willfully deny the urgency of the climate crisis, condemning the American people to a dangerous future, my administration will not be complacent,′′ Biden said in announcing the pause. His actions “heed the calls of young people and frontline communities who are using their voices to demand” climate action, Biden added. The White House declined to comment on the Energy Department study, referring questions to the agency.Milestone deal for DAZN's position as the global home of sport. This acquisition establishes DAZN's sports platform in Australia , one of the world's most attractive sports markets. Foxtel Group will leverage DAZN's global reach, industry-leading technology and extensive content portfolio to further enhance the viewing experience for Australian sports fans. LONDON , NEW YORK , and SYDNEY , Dec. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DAZN , a world-leading sports entertainment platform, has today announced an agreement to acquire Foxtel Group (' Foxtel ') from its majority shareholder News Corp and minority shareholder Telstra at an enterprise value of US$2.2 billion , subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition establishes DAZN as a leader in sports entertainment in Australia – a highly attractive sports market – while also expanding DAZN's global footprint and enhancing the group's standing as the global home of sport. The addition of Foxtel to DAZN brings the Group's pro-forma revenues towards US$6 billion and provides the additional content, expertise, and expansion opportunities to accelerate DAZN's growth trajectory. Foxtel is one of Australia's leading media companies, with 4.7 million subscribers, who will benefit from DAZN's extensive portfolio of sports content, platform technology, and global reach. From its beginnings as Australia's original pay-TV innovator, Foxtel has evolved to become a digital and streaming leader in sports and entertainment and the proposed transaction positions Foxtel for continued expansion as a digital-first, streaming-focused business. Foxtel will maintain its local character, led by the CEO, Patrick Delany , and his world-class management team. DAZN, a sports streaming platform with a truly global reach, is committed to growing the global audience for domestic Australian sports across the 200 territories in which it is available. Under the terms of the transaction, News Corp and Telstra will become minority shareholders in DAZN, enabling them to retain an interest in Foxtel. Shay Segev , Chief Executive Officer of DAZN, said: "Australians watch more sport than any other country in the world, which makes this deal an incredibly exciting opportunity for DAZN to enter a key market, marking another step in our long-term strategy to become the global home of sport. Foxtel is a successful business that has undergone a remarkable digital transformation in recent years, and we are confident that our global reach and relentless pursuit of innovation will continue to drive the business forward and ensure long-term success. "We are committed to supporting and investing in Foxtel's television and streaming services, across both sports and entertainment, using our world-leading technology to further enhance the viewing experience for customers. We are also committed to using our global reach to export Australia's most popular sports to new markets around the world, and we will continue to promote women's and under-represented sports. "We're looking forward to working closely with Patrick Delany and his team, as well as News Corp and Telstra as shareholders in DAZN, to realise our ambitious vision for the future of sport entertainment." Siobhan McKenna , the Chairman of Foxtel , said the agreement with DAZN was international recognition of the transformation of Foxtel from an incumbent pay TV operator to a sports and entertainment digital and streaming leader. "Over the last seven years the Foxtel team, with the strong support of News, have achieved an extraordinary turnaround in an intensely competitive environment." Foxtel Group CEO, Patrick Delany , said: "Today's announcement is a natural evolution for the Foxtel Group, having reinvented the company over the past five years as Australia's most dynamic technology-led streaming company. "Kayo and Foxtel provide Australian sports fans with access to the best Australian and international sport and shows, including AFL, NRL and Cricket with 4.7 million subscribers. "We are excited by DAZN's commitment to the Australian market. They are experts in the sports media business and can play a significant role in supporting Foxtel as the business grows its streaming capabilities, bringing a bigger and better service to customers across entertainment, news and sport. They are a perfect match for us as we look toward this next era of growth. "We have been grateful for the support of News Corp while we reimagined the future of Foxtel. In 2019, when we merged Foxtel and Fox Sports we had many people questioning our future. "After launching Kayo later in 2019 and BINGE in 2020, today we are the largest Australian-based streamer of sport and entertainment, we have stabilised our Foxtel base and launched Hubbl to help consumers find all the streamed content they love all in one place. This wouldn't have been possible without the support and encouragement of News Corp." NOTES TO EDITORS About DAZN As a world-leading sports entertainment platform, DAZN streams over 90,000 live events annually and is available in more than 200 markets worldwide. DAZN is the home of European football, women's football, boxing and MMA, and the NFL internationally. The platform features the biggest sports and leagues from around the world – Bundesliga, Serie A, LALIGA, Ligue 1, Formula 1, NBA, Moto GP, and many more including the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. DAZN is transforming the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, play, buy, and connect. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on DAZN. DAZN partners with leading pay-TV operators, ISPs and Telcos worldwide to maximise sports exposure to a broad audience. Its partners include Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Sky, Movistar, Telenet, Vodafone, and many more. DAZN is a global, privately-owned company, founded in 2016, with more than 3,000 employees. The Group generated $3.2bn in revenue in 2023, having grown its annual revenues by over 50% on average from 2020 to 2023, through diverse revenue streams comprising subscriptions, advertising, sponsorship, and transactional. For more information on DAZN, our products, people, and performance, visit www.dazngroup.com . About Foxtel The Foxtel Group is one of Australia's leading media companies with 4.7 million subscribers. Its businesses include subscription television, streaming, sports production and advertising. The Foxtel Group is owned 65% by News Corp and 35% by Telstra. The Foxtel Group's diversified business includes Fox Sports, Australia's leading sports production company, famous for live sports and shows with the best commentators and personalities. It is also the home of local and global entertainment content and continues to be the partner of choice for the widest range of sports and international content providers based on established, long-term relationships, growing streaming audiences, and position as the largest Australian-based subscription television company. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dazn-advances-global-expansion-with-acquisition-of-foxtel-a-leading-australian-sports-and-entertainment-media-group-302337994.html SOURCE DAZNCardi B and Megan Thee Stallion stun fans by revealing their natural hair
November 22 - Two teams headed in opposite directions square off Saturday afternoon in Salt Lake City when the Utah Jazz host the New York Knicks. The Jazz come in on a four-game losing streak, having most recently blown a huge lead at San Antonio on Thursday. They entered the weekend last in the Western Conference with just three wins on the season. Conversely, the Knicks bring a four-game winning streak to Utah after kicking off a five-game road trip Wednesday night with a victory at Phoenix. Coach Tom Thibodeau was pleased with how well the Knicks performed together in their 138-122 win over the short-handed Suns, who were missing injured stars Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. "The guys are starting to get used to playing off of each other," Thibodeau said. "Each game you can see they're seeing things. They're reading the game extremely well. I think they're creating good spacing. They're cutting extremely well and what that's doing is it's opening up the floor and we're playing into space. And everyone's unselfish. We had 30 assists. I think that's huge." In the win at Phoenix, Jalen Brunson scored 23 points in the first half and Karl-Anthony Towns poured in 23 in the second half. Brunson finished with 36 points and 10 assists. He hit 12 of 21 field goals overall and drained 7 of 11 3-point attempts. Towns totaled 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting from the floor, adding 10 rebounds to help the Knicks continue their winning ways after two victories over Brooklyn and one against Washington. The Jazz came unraveled Thursday night after taking a 20-point first-half lead at San Antonio. Lauri Markkanen scored 27 and Keyonte George chipped in with 19 against the Spurs, who were playing without injured star center Victor Wembanyama. "I thought the first half, the energy, the tempo, the ball movement, the competitive spirit of the team was as good as we've seen in a while," Jazz coach Will Hardy said. That wasn't the case in the second half, however, as Utah gave up 75 points and was outscored by 12 points in both the third and fourth quarters. Reserve Brice Sensabaugh, who's seen inconsistent playing time, was a highlight for Utah in the first half, when he totaled 13 of his 18 points. "He has not complained. He's not had, like, a 'woe-is-me' mentality. He's just come to work every day and he's taken some hard coaching," Hardy said. "He understands what's expected of him, but to his credit, he was ready, and he deserves all of the credit for that." Off to a tough start, the Jazz are hoping to find more consistency. The uneven play was evident against the Spurs, and it's been an issue at home, too. Utah returns to the Delta Center, usually a difficult venue for opponents, with just a 1-5 home record. "At the end of the day, you've got to play two halves," Collin Sexton said after scoring 18 for Utah. "We've got to play 48 minutes. You can't allow the first half to get you too high or get you too low, you've got to always stay consistent and just continue to build off of that." --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabIt’s the Circle of Life at Disney — another boring sequel has been born. Actually, the lackluster “Mufasa: The Lion King” is both a sequel and a prequel to the 1994 classic that was already needlessly remade in 2019. The existence of this follow-up, somehow directed by Barry Jenkins of “Moonlight,” is similarly puzzling. Its origin story about how Simba’s pop came of age and ascended the throne is as thin as a reed but elephantine in pace. With so many look-alike lions who are hard to tell apart and repetitive action sequences that numb the noggin, you think, “Oh, I just can’t wait to be home!” Despite the nonstop peril, the cash grab remains a musical. The generically upbeat songs are by Lin-Manuel Miranda rather than the original’s Elton John and Tim Rice. That duo upended the House of Mouse’s 1980s and ’90s formula by composing pop hits rather than show tunes and got a smash in return. Miranda’s gentler tracks bop along in a manner more akin to children’s TV — albeit without earworms — for fear of being too frightening or funny. The numbers “I Always Wanted a Brother” and “Bye Bye” are cutesy, watered-down copycats of “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Be Prepared.” And since “Mufasa” is once again animated in that awful photorealistic style, we watch what appear to be actual, expressionless lions awkwardly sing these little ditties. The facial movements are a bit better than they were in 2019, yes, but still weird. The design is a technological feat, which makes it no less wrong for cartoon material. Shouldn’t these “Planet Earth” creatures be off killing gazelles? Legacies, more like. “Mufasa” begins in the future with a grown-up Simba (Donald Glover) and Nala (Beyoncé Knowles-Carter), who have a daughter of their own, Kiara (Blue Ivy Carter) . When Simba heads off in search of his wife, he leaves Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa (John Kani, Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, respectively) to babysit scared Kiara and tell her the tale of her late grandpa. The framing device — Timon and Pumbaa sing a parody called “Hakana Mufasa” and crack dumb jokes about the Broadway show — is twee as the rest. Its misguided inclusion is why this movie is a bloated two hours. Little Mufasa’s journey starts in earnest when a flood washes him far away from his non-royal parents to the clan of a king and queen, Obasi (Lennie James) and Eshe (Thandiwe Newton). Obasi hates him — “When we come upon an outsider, what do we do? Eat it!” — but Eshe and her son, Taka, want the tyke to stay. Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) gets older and becomes skilled at reading nature from the wind — a k a, there’s a herd of whatevers over yonder. Eventually, he ventures off with his adoptive brother, Taka (Kelvin Harrison Jr.), in search of the fabled land of Milele, a paradise where his new clan can be safe from the Outsiders, a fearsome group of white lions led by Kiros (Mads Mikkelsen). A bonus: maybe his parents are there, too. A pretty lioness Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) also joins the trek and puts a wedge between Taka and Mufasa, who she gets cozy with. Frankly, I couldn’t feel the love tonight. Jenkins does provide a few visual thrills, especially his fishbowl close-ups on Mufasa during chases. But they never feel like they belong in “The Lion King.” On this overstuffed ride, we also learn where wise Rafiki, royal aide Zazu, evil Scar and even Pride Rock come from. Who cares? The backstories only make us crave the peerless 2D original. In 1994, “The Lion King” was a big and bold risk for Disney. The film was a “Hamlet” riff that had no princesses or even humans; it wasn’t composed by hitmakers Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. The so-called “B-team” was on it. Obviously, the move paid off. In that film, the fallen Mufasa has some words for Simba that Disney should heed: “You are more than what you have become.”
US auto giant General Motors announced Tuesday it will abandon its robotaxi development efforts after a highly publicized incident last year stymied its progress in the autonomous vehicle field. The Detroit-based manufacturer plans to merge the Cruise robotaxi vehicle unit with GM's technical teams to concentrate on developing advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles, a statement said. The company said it abandoned the Cruise project "given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market." It marks a major turnaround for GM, which bought the Cruise startup in 2016 and has since spent billions of dollars to make the operation viable. "A robotaxi business is not General Motors’ core business," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a call with analysts. But Barra said GM's commitment to autonomous technology "is unwavering." The halt of operations comes a year after Cruise was forced to suspend all operations in San Francisco after one of its self-driving cars dragged a woman who had first been hit by a hit-and-run driver in the city. Cruise lost its operating permits from regulators, paused expansions into other states and laid off 900 employees -- a quarter of its workforce. Shortly before the incident, California authorities had allowed for expanded driverless taxi services in San Francisco, giving the go-ahead for Alphabet-owned Waymo and Cruise. Cruise's exit confirms Waymo as the dominant player in the business, which was valued at $45 billion after a fundraising round in October, according to Bloomberg. The company has been expanding its reach and currently runs robotaxi fleets in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. And in a team-up with Uber, the company is planning to offer Waymo robotaxi rides in Atlanta and Austin. Amazon's Zoox meanwhile is conducting robotaxi testing in California and Las Vegas, while Elon Musk recently unveiled what he said was a robotaxi capable of self-driving, predicting it would be available by 2027. GM's strategic pivot comes as embattled automakers worldwide face mounting pressure to balance investments in emerging technologies with near-term profitability. The auto giant said that the restructuring is expected to generate annual savings exceeding $1 billion once completed in the first half of 2025. GM's share price was up by more than three percent in after hours trading on Wall Street. arp/dw
Arkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowlNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — With Christmas dinner top of mind, grocery stores like Piggly Wiggly are preparing for this week's big holiday rush. Customers like Theresa Gordon stopped by Sunday to get some essential ingredients. "I've got to have my turnip greens. I've got to have my greens," she laughed. "I cook a family dinner...I don't have a whole lot to give, so my Christmas dinner is part of my gift!" Theresa is one of many who will rush to the store this week. "This is probably the busiest week," said Bobby Hill, the manager at the Piggly Wiggly on Dickerson Pike. Not only do Piggly Wiggly staff work longer hours this time of year, but Bobby says they stocked up 40% more on popular foods, like hams, turkeys, eggs and produce. The staff expects the next couple of days, especially Monday and Tuesday, to be some of the busiest days of the year. Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at nikki.hauser@newschannel5.com. Rebecca: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/a2/d9/fb69982545c59e9836fbe80fe431/rebecca-recommends.png Bree: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/74/78/507118fa415f9ad794a927fe43ca/screenshot-2024-12-09-at-5-09-02-am.png Carrie: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/2e/72/be0f23854c54a228c9d6138c9847/carrie-recommends-header.png Ben: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/df/c4/19fa7c504480938f39a431e3b276/ben-recommends-header.png Amy: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/b9/b6/1408516a4a91b97639b178fc1ba9/amy-recommends-header.png Rhori: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/5b/25/a224d13d47739165c92b94e643db/rhori-recommends-header.png Lelan: https://ewscripps.brightspotcdn.com/af/54/833bf879454097a398bd44f723de/lelan-recommends.png Another example of how one person can truly make a difference. And the best part - we all can help! As a nurse, Laura handles emergencies every day. But nothing could prepare her for the emergency that brought her hometown to its knees. From her current home in Tennessee, she's mobilizing aid and supplies for Helene survivors and is helping make their recovery easier and their holidays brighter. I hope you take a moment to watch her story - you might even feel inspired to lend a helping hand. -Rebecca Schleicher
NEW YORK , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Celsius Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: CELH) between February 29, 2024 and September 4, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 21, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased Celsius common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 21 , 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Celsius materially oversold inventory to PepsiCo, Inc. ("Pepsi") far in excess of demand, and faced a looming sales cliff during which Pepsi would significantly reduce its purchases of Celsius products; (2) as Pepsi drew down significant amounts of inventory overstock, Celsius' sales would materially decline in future periods, hurting Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (3) Celsius' sales rate to Pepsi was unsustainable and created a misleading impression of Celsius' financial performance and outlook; (4) as a result, Celsius' business metrics and financial prospects were not as strong as indicated in defendants' Class Period statements; and (5) consequently, defendants' statements regarding Celsius' outlook and expected financial performance were false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Celsius class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31677 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/celh-investors-have-opportunity-to-lead-celsius-holdings-inc-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302327947.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A. Stay Informed: Subscribe to Our Newsletter Today
NoneNone
Eastman Chemical CEO Mark Costa sells $1.9 million in stockBland ISD names basketball tournament for Bryan Clark
BOZEMAN — Myles Sansted’s excitement only grew as Montana was stopped on a fourth-and-3 with 25 seconds left in the first half. The turnover around midfield meant a field goal attempt was in play. Montana State quarterback Tommy Mellott orchestrated a quick drive to the UM 32-yard line with four seconds remaining. As Sansted set up on the right hash, the Grizzlies called a timeout. MSU reserve QB and holder Patrick Duchien cracked jokes to ease the tension. Sansted — who took UM’s aggressiveness as a lack of belief in MSU’s placekicking operation — was fired up. He trusted his process, relying on the personal affirmations he repeats on the sideline. He trusted Tommy Sullivan on the snap, Duchien on the hold and his blockers up front. Sansted didn’t go for “a bigger swing” on the 49-yard attempt, he said, instead making contact as he had all season. Not only was it a new personal best for Sansted, but the make put the Bobcats up three scores at the break en route to . Myles Sansted connects from 4⃣9⃣! 🎯 | Sansted remembered being on the sideline for the 2023 edition of the Brawl of the Wild, a 37-7 MSU loss in Missoula. All the Alexandria, Minnesota, native could do at the time was watch. In 2024, Sansted made his own impact. “To do it for all the Montana guys on the team (was great), but also we’re all Montanans now. We’re all Bobcats,” Sansted said. “It was really just a dream come true.” Just a week before, Sansted had come up inches short on a 47-yard FG attempt at UC Davis, with the ball bouncing off the crossbar. A week later, Sansted nailed a 49-yarder with room to spare. Maybe it was the elevation, the wind or extra “juice,” said MSU special teams quality control coach Marcus Monaco. Regardless of external factors, Sansted didn’t change his approach. “Being able to execute at halftime, two-minute drill, that was really impressive in a really big moment,” Monaco said. Consistency was an issue for MSU’s placekicking unit throughout the 2023 season, with the Bobcats missing a combined nine FGs and six point-after attempts between Brendan Hall and Casey Kautzman. The season ended on a blocked PAT in to North Dakota State. After , along with an injury to Kautzman, MSU turned to Sansted. The Bobcats found that stability they were looking for in Sansted, a walk-on in his second stint with the team. He's made 62 of 64 PATs and 12 of 16 FGs, good for the second-most points of any player in the Big Sky Conference (98), only behind UC Davis running back Lan Larison (122). “He’s filled a void from a consistency perspective that we didn’t have last year and we’ll continue to need as these games get bigger and bigger,” said MSU head coach Brent Vigen. “So I’m very pleased with what he’s been able to do and I don’t know if I would have seen this coming when he chose to come to Montana State a few years back.” Montana State kicker Myles Sansted kicks an extra point attempt during a game against Sacramento State on Nov. 9 at Bobcat Stadium in Bozeman. Sansted, who is also Vigen’s nephew, was a four-sport athlete at Alexandria High School, competing in basketball, soccer, track and field and as a kicker on the football team. He got a taste of playing in big games, such as the boys basketball Class 3A state championship game as a junior in 2021. Alexandria lost 80-29 to Minnehaha Academy, which was led by future Gonzaga and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren. Sansted noted how tight-knit his team was, something he didn’t think he’d find again until he joined the Bobcats. Sansted didn’t make much of an effort to play sports at the next level. A few offers from Division III schools in Minnesota came in, but he narrowed it down to MSU and Kansas. He ultimately chose MSU after receiving some scholarship money and the chance to be close to family. Sansted — whose mother is the twin sister of Brent Vigen’s wife, Molly — said his family has been “super supportive” since day one in Bozeman. “(My cousins) Jake and Grant and Luke (Vigen), they’re also Bobcat fans and so they’re cheering for me,” Sansted added. “So it’s been super cool to kind of get to go through all that together.” Sansted also knew wherever he went to college he would try to walk on as a kicker. He first joined the Bobcats in spring 2023, shortly after then-starting kicker Blake Glessner transferred to UCLA. He worked through the summer and got two weeks in fall camp before being told he wouldn’t make that year’s roster. The Bobcats had added Hall through the transfer portal along with Kautzman as a walk-on. Sansted returned for one last shot in spring 2024. He injured his quad on the second day of spring ball, but got in three practices and appeared in the Sonny Holland Classic, making three PATs. He continued to compete for playing time alongside Kautzman, Hall and two kickers the Bobcats brought in during fall camp. Sansted said each kicker supported each other because “we all want what’s best for Montana State.” Monaco added that it was important to replicate game scenarios as much as possible and keep everyone healthy. Montana State’s Myles Sansted practices kicks on the sidelines during a game against Mercyhurst on Sept. 21 at Bobcat Stadium. “We needed to understand how we were going to be able to operate in stressful situations, knowing that we had a good shot to be pretty good this year and knowing that he’s going to be in some (high-pressure) situations,” Monaco said. Sansted got the starting job and Hall focused on punting and kickoffs. Duchien — who was also battling for reps at QB — was named the first-string holder. Sansted said Duchien has been “so money” all season and added that Sullivan, who has started 50-plus games at long snapper, has been a rock. “Tommy makes my job pretty easy,” Duchien added. “He gets to me every time, laces are usually already out by the time I’m catching the ball. It’s a pretty cool job and I enjoy working with those guys.” There was still a level of uncertainty heading into the season opener at New Mexico. Duchien remembered talking with Sansted on the sideline about a potential game-tying field goal and noticed how Sansted was “really nervous” about kicking in high winds. That didn’t come to pass, with MSU . In his first game, Sansted went 5 for 5 on PATs. That consistency carried throughout the regular season, with Sansted missing two PATs and four FGs. Monaco said those misses can partly be chalked up to Sansted being hyped up after a big play. One example was a blocked PAT after wide receiver Taco Dowler’s 79-yard punt return TD against Davis. “It could be a one-play drive,” Monaco said. “We’ve had multiple of those this year where it’s been a really big explosive, and we've got to be ready to go out there and (execute).” Sansted said he’s worked with counselor John Shirkey, as well as utilizing prayer and his personal affirmations to bounce back from a missed or blocked kick. He’s implemented a one kick-at-a-time mindset. “Also the guys are super supportive,” Sansted said, adding, “You know they got your back, and that’s a huge motivator to (be like), ‘Hey, I got the next one.’” Montana State kicker Myles Sansted lines up a field goal attempt in the second half against Idaho on Oct. 12 at Bobcat Stadium. Vigen said Sansted has only mis-hit a few balls this season and has otherwise been consistent in all 12 games. That’s been achieved through Sansted’s mentality and how the Bobcats approach practices. MSU hasn’t over-extended reps, Monaco said, because fatigue can play a role. The additions of the new scoreboard and the indoor practice facility have changed the direction of the wind in Bobcat Stadium. The group has also focused on executing in inclement weather and high-pressure situations. The most important thing, Monaco said, is sticking to the same process each time out. “That kick’s got no chance if we don’t give it a chance,” Monaco added. “So we got to be able to go out and give it the best opportunity to go that we can.” Sansted, who approaches each kick the same, has connected on long-range kicks several times. That includes a 44-yarder at Idaho State, a 45-yarder at Portland State and the 49-yarder at Cat-Griz. Since the season opener, Duchien has noticed Sansted growing in confidence. “Now I can kind of see on the sideline he’s ready to go,” Duchien said, adding, “He wants to go out there and kick these big kicks.” Montana State's Myles Sansted makes a 44-yard field goal in the first quarter against Idaho State on Sept. 28 at the ICCU Dome in Pocatello, Idaho. Around the time of the Eastern Washington game on Nov. 2, Sansted felt a shift in how much his coaches relied on him. He said the faith of Vigen, Monaco and special teams coordinator/WRs coach Justin Udy has propelled him in his first season. “That can’t just be built at one point,” Sansted added. “It’s built time over time again, rep over rep in practice and in games.” Monaco has seen Sansted mature all season, now “knowing that he belongs” on a national title contender. Vigen pointed to how MSU’s offense wants to be aggressive around midfield, but can rely on Sansted to come through in key situations as well. While it hasn’t been a linear journey, Sansted said he “wouldn’t trade it for the world.” “Not being on the team for two seasons and being able to do this with this group, I wouldn’t change anything,” Sansted said. “I think it made me stronger mentally, especially, and just going through it each and every day. It’s been super rewarding.” Braden Shaw can be reached at or 406-582-2690. Follow him on Twitter @ByBradenShaw Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sparks scores 20 off the bench, Ball State knocks off Evansville 80-43
MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sun Country Airlines ( NASDAQ: SNCY ) debuted its first custom-designed aircraft livery in celebration of Minnesota Golden Gopher Athletics. Sun Country was named the Official Airline of Gopher Athletics in 2023. In addition, Sun Country has provided charter service for the university’s sports teams since 2012 and has flown nearly 500 charters during the past 12 years. "Sun Country is proud to debut this aircraft design that illustrates our hometown pride and longstanding partnership between two iconic Minnesota organizations,” said Grant Whitney, Senior Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. "We look forward to continuing our multi-year partnership with Gopher Athletics and will root for them for years to come." “This is a tremendous extension between two proud Minnesota brands,” said Minnesota Senior Associate Athletic Director Mike Wierzbicki. “We take great pride in our relationship with Sun Country. They have been a tremendous partner, and we are excited for Minnesota fans and college sports fans to see the Minnesota Block M and Maroon and Gold flying all over the country.” This livery is the first custom aircraft design in Sun Country’s fleet of 43 passenger planes. Among one of the first flights with the Maroon and Gold paint, the aircraft is scheduled to take the Gopher football team to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, December 30. “Customers and Gopher fans will see this aircraft, which is tail number 809, on many routes throughout our network,” Whitney added. “Our history with Gopher Athletics presented a great opportunity for us to finally create a custom livery that our hometown will be excited about.” Gopher Sports Properties, the locally based team of Learfield – the media and technology company powering college athletics – is the exclusive multimedia rights holder for Gopher Athletics and oversees all sponsorship agreements on behalf of the athletic department. Read more about our partnership with Minnesota Gopher Athletics here . About Sun Country Sun Country Airlines is a new breed of hybrid low-cost air carrier, whose mission is to connect guests to their favorite people and places, to create lifelong memories and transformative experiences. Sun Country dynamically deploys shared resources across our synergistic scheduled service, charter, and cargo businesses. Based in Minnesota, we focus on serving leisure and visiting friends and relatives (“VFR”) passengers and charter customers and providing cargo service to Amazon, with flights throughout the United States and to destinations in Mexico, Central America, Canada, and the Caribbean. For photos, b-roll and additional company information, visit https://www.stories.suncountry.com/multimedia About Gopher Athletics The University of Minnesota sponsors 22 varsity intercollegiate athletic teams and is represented by more than 625 student-athletes who compete in the Big Ten and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. Minnesota has claimed 29 national championships in eight different sports and has won 216 regular-season conference titles and 42 conference tournament championships. Minnesota has also produced 213 Academic All-Americans, which ranks as the tenth most all-time among college and universities. Media Contact: MediaRelations@suncountry.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0798544c-facb-42aa-8a31-00018bc3f781