The Pittsburgh Steelers made a couple of big changes in the 2024 offseason to try and fix their awful offense. It started with bringing in Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith . Then, the Steelers signed Russell Wilson to a veteran one-year minimum deal. After that, they traded for another quarterback, acquiring Justin Fields . Both quarterbacks have helped the offense improve, but Wilson was riding high with four straight wins before losing 24-19 to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football . Before the Browns game, NFL insider Albert Breer revealed that Smith and Wilson had to have some difficult conversations to get the veteran quarterback to buy into the new system. From TNF Tonight—What’s worked for the @Steelers and Russell Wilson, and what’s next. pic.twitter.com/h367En6cEF According to Breer, Smith laid out a vision for the Steelers' offense that focused on discipline and efficiency, elements Wilson struggled with during his time with the Denver Broncos. The uncomfortable conversations reportedly revolved around Smith demanding that Wilson adapt his playing style to fit the team’s system, including quicker decision-making and greater reliance on the run game. While Wilson initially resisted, Smith’s no-nonsense approach eventually won him over, leading to a revitalized offense and the Steelers' surprising early success. "A huge part of this has been getting buy-in from Russell Wilson himself and that has happened from Smith and Wilson having a series of very hard, honest one on one conversations away from the other players and away from the other coaches," Breer said. Despite the recent loss to Cleveland, Wilson’s play has been noticeably more controlled, and the Steelers’ offense has shown flashes of the consistency fans have been waiting for. Smith’s ability to get Wilson on the same page has been pivotal, and his leadership has created a sense of accountability throughout the team. With Fields also in the mix , the Steelers now have multiple options under center, giving the offense a chance to continue evolving as the season progresses. Here was the infamous Russell Wilson miss to a wide open Pat Freiermuth that was talked about last night... Actually a great call by Arthur Smith with a play action Flood look, which gets both safeties to bite down Can see Freiermuth's exasperation pic.twitter.com/w3OxmGqQUb A viral clip from the Browns game highlighted one of those missed chances, showing Wilson not looking at a wide-open Pat Freiermuth on what could have been a likely touchdown. The humbling loss to Cleveland served as a reality check for the Steelers and Wilson. However, at 8-3, the team remains in control of its playoff destiny, and Wilson is expected to rebound with his usual poise. Steelers' Russell Wilson Facing Some Adversity In Pittsburgh The progress that Steeler Nation had been celebrating came to a screeching halt when the offense failed to score any touchdowns in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. That lack of production carried into the game against the Browns, where touchdowns were hard to come by for most of the night. Though the Steelers scored twice late to take the lead, the missed opportunities left plenty to be desired. Despite the offense's struggles for most of the night, Wilson made some incredible throws to help the Steelers take the lead. Russell Wilson to Calvin Austin Touchdown Follow @HighlightVault pic.twitter.com/VRIF96EUVG The Steelers will need that resilience from their quarterback because the schedule ahead is unforgiving. Dropping a winnable game to the Browns adds pressure to an already brutal stretch, making every remaining matchup even more critical as Pittsburgh fights to stay on top. This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Metairie, La., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magnolia Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), a newly formed Louisiana corporation which will be the holding company for Mutual Savings and Loan Association (the “Association”), announced today that the Association’s members approved the plan of conversion pursuant to which the Association will convert from a federally chartered mutual savings and loan association to a federally chartered stock savings association and the transactions provided for in such plan of conversion, including the adoption of a new federal stock Charter and new Bylaws for Mutual Savings and loan association. The Company also announced that the subscription and community offering closed on December 17, 2024 at 1:00 p.m., Central Time. The Company is currently processing the orders and will provide additional information as soon as it is available. The number of shares to be sold in connection with the conversion and stock offering will be based on a final appraisal and receipt of final regulatory approvals. The stock offering and the simultaneous mutual-to-stock conversion of the Association are expected to close in early to mid-January 2025, subject to final regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Company will provide more information as soon as it is available. The Company’s common stock is expected to be quoted on the OTCQB Market. The Stock Information Center will be confirming order fulfillment information after all final approvals are received. Other information regarding the subscription and community offerings may be obtained by contacting the Stock Information Center at 1-877-643-8217. Generally, the Stock Information Center is open Monday through Friday, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Central Time; however, with the upcoming holidays the Stock Information Center hours will vary. Normal hours of operation will resume on January 2, 2025. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, acted as selling agent in the subscription and community offerings, and served as financial advisor to the Company and the Association in connection with the conversion. Silver, Freedman, Taff & Tiernan LLP acted as legal counsel to the Company and the Association. About Mutual Savings and Loan Association The Association was founded in 1885 and serves the banking needs of customers in its market area, which primarily consists of Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes in Louisiana. The Association operates from its headquarters and main banking office in Metairie, Louisiana, as well as one additional full service branch office located in St. Tammany Parish on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville, Louisiana. Its primary business activity is attracting deposits from the general public and using those funds primarily to originate one- to four-family residential loans, residential construction loans and home equity lines of credit. At September 30, 2024, the Association had total assets of $35.1 million, total deposits of $20.4 million and equity of $14.0 million. Magnolia Bancorp, Inc. will become the holding company for the Association upon completion of the conversion and stock offering. Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the Company’s prospectus for the offering contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “seek,” “expect,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could” or “may,” and words of similar meaning. These forward-looking statements include statements of the Company’s goals, intentions and expectations; statements regarding the Company’s business plans, prospects, growth and operating strategies; statements regarding the quality of the Company’s loan portfolio; and estimates of the Company’s risks and future costs and benefits. These forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. In addition, these forward-looking statements are subject to assumptions with respect to future business strategies and decisions that are subject to change. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements as a result of numerous factors. Factors that could cause such differences to exist include, but are not limited to: the failure to obtain the final approval of the OCC for the proposed conversion and related stock offering, delays in obtaining such approval, or adverse conditions imposed in connection with such approval; those related to the real estate and economic environment, particularly in the market areas in which the Association operates; fiscal and monetary policies of the U.S. Government; changes in government regulations affecting financial institutions, including regulatory compliance costs and capital requirements; fluctuations in the adequacy of loan loss reserves; decreases in deposit levels necessitating increased borrowing to fund loans; operational risks including, but not limited to, cybersecurity, fraud and natural disasters; the risk that the Company and the Association may not be successful in the implementation of their business strategy; changes in prevailing interest rates; credit risk management; asset-liability management; and other risks described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov . The Company cautions undue reliance on any such forward looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly release any revision made to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events. This press release is neither an offer to sell nor an offer to buy shares of common stock of the Company. The Company has filed with the SEC a registration statement for the offering to which this press release relates as well as the final prospectus, dated November 8, 2024, for the subscription and community offerings. Before you invest, you should read that prospectus and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the stock offering. You may obtain these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov . The shares of common stock of the Company are not deposits or savings accounts and are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Michael L. Hurley President and Chief Executive Officer (504) 455-2444Georgia QB Carson Beck declares for 2025 NFL DraftAP News Summary at 4:36 p.m. EST
With Christmas almost here, and shoppers dashing for their last minute gifts, new research has revealed the UK areas most at risk of cybercrime. This review finds Bedfordshire coming out on top. Bedfordshire is a county located in the East of England. The study coes from Web3 platform Freename , who analysed the latest data from the National Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting Centre to see which UK police forces reported the highest levels of cybercrime as a percentage of all cybercrime and fraud reporting in the past 12 months. The UK areas most at risk of cybercrime the review found that the Bedfordshire area is most at risk of cybercrime. Of the total 6,901 cases reported to Bedfordshire Police, an impressive 2,918 were cybercrimes, or 42.28 percent. Cleveland takes second place on the list, with Cleveland Police reporting 2,527 fraud and cybercrimes in the past 12 months, with 456, or 18.05 percent, being cybercrimes. Coming in third place is Staffordshire . Staffordshire Police data shows that of the 6,332 total fraud and cyber-crimes reported in the past 12 months, 1,025, or 16.19 percent, were cybercrimes. Taking fourth place in the top ten is Greater Manchester . The study found that 2,675, or 15.81 percent, of the 2,675 total fraud and cybercrime cases reported by Greater Manchester Police in the past 12 months were exclusively from cybercrimes. Rounding out the top five is Warwickshire . Warwickshire Police reported 3,197 fraud and cybercrimes in the past 12 months, and of this total, 501, or 15.67 percent, were just from cybercrimes. Commenting on the findings, Davide Vicini, CEO at Freename, tells Digital Journal: “Scams in general are getting a lot more sophisticated these days, with many attempting to manipulate victims by disguising themselves as platforms we use every day. This, alongside some scammers even beginning to use AI to trick people, is an important reason to stay vigilant online, and this can be done by doing things like double-checking links you click, keeping strong passwords, and always attempting to find as much information as possible about who is using your data.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.James Harden and Norman Powell Deserve All-Star Appearance More Than Stephen Curry: Chandler Parsons
A hundred years ago | Soviet to take in non-CommunistsStocks gain with bond yields, dollar up; economy, rates in focus
ATLANTA , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- KORE Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: KORE) ("KORE" or the "Company"), the global pure-play Internet of Things ("IoT") hyperscaler and provider of IoT Connectivity, Solutions, and Analytics, today announced it has received notification (the "Acceptance Letter") from the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") that the NYSE has accepted the Company's previously-submitted plan (the "Plan") to regain compliance with the NYSE's continued listing standards set forth in Section 802.01B of the NYSE Listed Company Manual relating to minimum market capitalization and stockholders' equity. In the Acceptance Letter, the NYSE granted the Company an 18-month period from September 12, 2024 (the "Plan Period") to regain compliance with the continued listing standards. As part of the Plan, the Company is required to provide the NYSE quarterly updates regarding its progress towards the goals and initiatives in the Plan. In the Plan, Kore included details regarding previously reported operational restructuring activities, as well as an outlook on the Company's business. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.