A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories 
and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were 
shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. 
Here are the facts:

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-excess-deaths-covid-died-suddenly-793316776380">Article misrepresents CDC data, falsely links deaths to COVID vaccines</a>

CLAIM:
 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly confirmed that 
at least 118,000 children and young adults have “died suddenly” in the 
U.S. since the COVID-19 vaccines rolled out.

THE FACTS: The CDC 
has confirmed no such thing. The claim misrepresents CDC data around 
excess deaths — the difference between the observed number of deaths and
 the expected number in a specific period. A misleading article 
spreading widely online attempts to link recent child and young adult 
deaths in the U.S. to COVID-19 vaccines. “CDC quietly confirms at least 
118k Children &amp; Young Adults have ‘Died Suddenly’ in the USA since 
the roll-out of the COVID Vaccines,” reads its headline. The article 
originally appeared in November on The Exposé, a website that has 
repeatedly <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-818000433358">spread COVID-19 misinformation</a>.
 A screenshot of the article’s headline was shared in multiple Facebook 
and Instagram posts. As evidence, the article cites CDC data as 
published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development,
 an <a href="https://www.oecd.org/about/members-and-partners/">intergovernmental organization</a>
 that promotes sustainable growth. As presented by The Exposé, the data 
shows that there were about 118,000 excess U.S. deaths in the 0-to-44 
age group between December 2020 and October 2022, compared to the 
2015-2019 average. The article suggests that these deaths are the result
 of the COVID-19 vaccines, saying that the “‘mysterious’ sudden rise 
which has contributed to half a million American children and young 
adults dying since late 2020, is most likely due to the Covid-19 
injections.” But Brian Tsai, a spokesperson for the CDC’s National 
Center for Health Statistics, told The Associated Press that the claim 
distorts CDC data. Tsai said that from the start of 2021 to the 43rd 
week of 2022, there have been about 124,000 excess deaths in the U.S. 
among 0- to 44-year-olds compared to the 2015-2019 average. Tsai said 
his number is higher than those published by OECD because the CDC’s data
 is now more complete. There’s no indication COVID-19 vaccines caused 
these excess deaths, he said. Confirmed reports of deaths caused by 
vaccination are <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html">extremely rare</a>,
 even with millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses having been administered 
in the U.S. Scott Pauley, a spokesperson for the CDC, told the AP that 
outside of nine deaths confirmed to be associated with rare blood clots 
following the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, the agency has “not 
detected any unusual or unexpected patterns for deaths following 
immunization that would indicate that COVID vaccines are causing or 
contributing to deaths.” Tsai said likely reasons for excess deaths in 
this age group since 2020 include suicides, homicides, heart diseases, 
liver disease, diabetes and accidental deaths including drug overdoses. 
He added that a substantial number of the excess deaths are the result 
of COVID-19 itself. A surge in excess deaths among children and young 
adults in the summer of 2021, for example, corresponded with the delta 
variant of the coronavirus hitting the U.S., which affected younger 
people more than previous variants of the virus, Tsai said. CDC data 
from December 2021 indicated that COVID-19 was the third leading cause 
of death in the U.S., behind heart disease and cancer. Experts have said
 drug overdoses also contributed to higher-than-expected death rates in 
2021, <a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-pandemics-covid-19-pandemic-8117abd8e4367eaa6cb9b7ae78875734">the AP reported.</a>
 Tsai also refuted the headline’s claim that the CDC has “quietly” 
confirmed data about children and young adults dying “suddenly.” The 
CDC’s excess death data has long been public, he said, and “there is no 
way to really determine from the data whether people died suddenly or 
not.” Experts told the AP that there is no evidence to support the claim
 that the vaccines caused the excess deaths. "Excess deaths so obviously
 increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic that we’re able to,
 with some level of confidence, say that COVID was causing those excess 
deaths,” said Spencer Fox, an assistant professor in epidemiology and 
biostatistics at the University of Georgia. OECD and The Exposé did not 
respond to requests for comment.

— Associated Press writers Karena Phan in Los Angeles and Ali Swenson in New York contributed this report.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-health-covid-pandemic-flu-465037589830">COVID-19 and flu cases both rising, despite claims online</a>

CLAIM:
 In a normal year, there is a lot of flu but no COVID-19, while during 
the pandemic there has been a lot of COVID-19 and no flu.

THE 
FACTS: While flu cases plummeted as COVID-19 cases soared early in the 
pandemic, coronavirus and flu cases are both on the rise globally, 
according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S., the Centers for
 Disease Control and Prevention reports thousands of hospitalizations 
and deaths from the flu and a significant rise in COVID cases and deaths
 through the fall and early winter. The flu and the coronavirus are 
distinct viruses, contrary to claims that they are the same. As the 
winter cold and flu season takes hold, social media users are 
misrepresenting the prevalence of flu and COVID cases compared to prior 
years. One popular Instagram post features a meme containing two 
screenshots of actor John Krasinski in his role on the television sitcom
 “The Office.” In the first image, he points to a board with text that 
says: “Normal Year Flu 2.9 million COVID 0. The second image shows 
Krasinski next to the same board with text that says “Plandemic Flu 0 
COVID 2.9 million.” The term “plandemic” refers to the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-us-news-ap-top-news-social-media-technology-732e69c3c22010eeda3114ee68504652">baseless conspiracy theory</a>
 that the coronavirus was intentionally developed and set upon the 
global population. In another popular post, a woman claims in an 
Instagram reel that the U.S. is dealing with “record high cases of the 
flu” even though there were no cases of the illness “on the whole 
planet” last year. The post had been liked more than 16,600 times as of 
Friday. But the flu never vanished. "Whatever point they’re trying to 
make is silly,” said William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist
 at Vanderbilt University’s medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. “It 
doesn’t comport with reality.” Thomas Russo, chief of the infectious 
diseases division at the University at Buffalo medical school in New 
York, agreed, noting that early in the pandemic, flu cases dropped 
dramatically as countries imposed strict measures to limit transmission 
of COVID-19. But as nations lifted lockdowns, mask mandates and social 
distancing rules last year, flu cases reemerged and <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-seniors-covid-nursing-homes-government-and-politics-1d8182dbc11706018739331cdbe310ab">COVID cases surged</a>,
 he said. Compared with prior flu seasons, last year was a relatively 
mild wave of the illness, with an estimated 9 million cases, 10,000 
hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, according to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm#:~:text=During%20the%202021%2D2022%20influenza,during%20the%202011%2D2012%20season.">the CDC.</a>
 “It seemed that COVID was stopping the flu, really in the first year 
and mostly the second year,” Russo said, referring to 2020 and 2021. 
“But the flu has come back with a vengeance this year.” A <a href="https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/influenza/influenza-updates/2022/2022_12_12_surveillance_update_434.pdf?sfvrsn=b7677a7d_1&amp;download=true">WHO report</a>
 released Monday looking at this year’s flu season confirms that cases 
of influenza and COVID-19 are increasing worldwide. In late October, WHO
 Director-General Tedros Adhanom <a href="https://www.who.int/director-general/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-opening-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-27-october-2022">Ghebreyesus said</a>
 the world is “turning a corner on the COVID-19 pandemic,” but warned it
 is far from over as he also emphasized the potential for a more 
widespread flu outbreak. In the U.S., health officials have reported the
 flu season <a href="https://apnews.com/article/science-health-pandemics-covid-flu-7c784678637e51d4a8508f5dde70cded">kicked off earlier</a>
 than usual this year. The season typically ramps up in December or 
January but by early November, the CDC estimated there were already 
roughly 1.6 million flu cases. The agency <a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-covid-flu-6b5b3a2e04f2c63683e44013e7814177">reported earlier this month</a>
 that 44 states were experiencing high flu activity and that the illness
 had resulted in at least 78,000 hospitalizations and 4,500 deaths so 
far. New cases of COVID-19, meanwhile, have risen from an average of 
roughly 39,300 a day on Nov. 28 to about 62,300 as of Dec. 12, according
 to data from Johns Hopkins University. Deaths from the virus also rose 
over the same two-week period, from an average of 309 a day to nearly 
404 daily. The meme “might have been representative of 2020-2021 and 
(less so) 2021-2022,” Kate Grusich, a CDC spokesperson wrote in an email
 Wednesday. “But it is not an accurate representation of current COVID 
and flu activity levels.”

— Associated Press writer Philip Marcelo in New York contributed this report.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-katie-porter-lgbtq-737253122123">Posts mischaracterize congresswoman’s comments on anti-LGBTQ rhetoric</a>

CLAIM:
 Rep. Katie Porter said in a hearing before the House Oversight and 
Reform Committee that pedophilia is an identity, not a crime.

THE 
FACTS: Porter’s comments from the committee’s Wednesday hearing on the 
rise of anti-LGBTQ violence were taken out of context. The California 
Democrat was agreeing with Human Rights Watch President Kelley Robinson,
 who spoke about online rhetoric painting LGBTQ people as “groomers” and
 “pedophiles.” Porter said that such rhetoric amounts to falsely 
“alleging that a person is criminal somehow and engaged in criminal acts
 merely because of their identity — their sexual orientation, their 
gender identity.” Misleading posts about Porter’s appearance at the 
hearing spread widely on social media, distorting comments she made on 
anti-LGBTQ rhetoric. “Rep Katie Porter (D) says pedophilia isn’t a 
crime- it’s an identity,” one tweet that shared a truncated version of 
Porter’s comments claimed. It had received nearly 21,000 likes and 
nearly 10,000 shares as of Thursday. But a <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?524793-1/survivors-club-shooting-activists-testify-anti-lgbtq-violence">full recording of the hearing</a>, held in response to the recent <a href="https://apnews.com/article/shootings-colorado-gun-politics-springs-7f079c7feebc32cc8ad46f2724844c18">Club Q shooting</a> in Colorado, shows a <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?c5046774/user-clip-katie-porter-comments-re-grooming">longer exchange</a> between Porter and Robinson. Porter first refers to a <a href="https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/CCDH-HRC-Digital-Hate-Report-2022-single-pages.pdf">Human Rights Watch report</a>
 published in August that analyzed tweets containing “grooming content.”
 Such content refers to the false narrative that members of the LGBTQ 
community are pedophiles who <a href="https://apnews.com/article/education-gender-identity-adf10ff5f169fae9c9af4d08a7b0c2bc">groom children</a> in order to abuse them. Other posts advancing this narrative — including <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-drag-queen-story-hour-photo-965766299271">images</a> and video taken <a href="https://apnews.com/article/government-and-politics-a26e7eee15df0bbc2bb98071b683b1f4">out of context</a>
 — have also spread online. “The groomer narrative is an age-old lie to 
position LGBTQ+ people as a threat to kids,” Porter begins. “And what it
 does is deny them access to public spaces, it stokes fear and can even 
stoke violence. In response, Robinson, who describes herself as queer in
 her <a href="https://www.hrc.org/about/staff/kelley-robinson">professional biography</a>,
 explains that “when we use phrases and words like groomers and 
pedophiles to describe people — individuals in our communities that are 
mothers, that are fathers, that are teachers, that are doctors — it is 
dangerous.” She added that the purpose of such rhetoric is “to 
dehumanize us and make us feel like we are not a part of this American 
society” and that “it has real-life consequences.” Porter then agreed 
with Robinson’s assessment, stating: “I think you’re absolutely right 
and it’s not — this allegation of groomer and pedophile — it is alleging
 that a person is criminal somehow and engaged in criminal acts merely 
because of their identity — their sexual orientation, their gender 
identity.” In reference to the posts mischaracterizing Porter’s 
comments, Jordan Wong, a spokesperson for Porter, told The Associated 
Press that “it’s clear it’s not true.”

— Associated Press writer Melissa Goldin in New York contributed this report.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-grant-wahl-vaccine-false-550141070405">World Cup reporter’s fatal heart condition unrelated to COVID vaccine</a>

CLAIM: Longtime sports journalist Grant Wahl, who died in Qatar last week, was killed by the COVID-19 vaccine.

THE
 FACTS: Wahl died of a ruptured blood vessel in his heart — an injury 
unrelated to any vaccine, his wife, Dr. Céline Gounder, confirmed to The
 Associated Press. The COVID-19 vaccines have not been associated with 
the heart condition that killed Wahl, experts told the AP. Wahl, 49, was
 in Doha to cover the World Cup when he fell ill. He tested negative for
 COVID-19 and sought treatment for what he described at the time as <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/world-cup-daily-day-22">“pressure and discomfort</a>
 ” in his chest. But on Dec. 9, he collapsed during a soccer match 
between Argentina and the Netherlands, and died the following day. 
Wahl’s sudden decline caught the attention of vaccine skeptics on social
 media, who shared posts falsely tying his death to COVID-19 
vaccination. “Let’s be frank,” wrote one Twitter user, in a post that 
had gained more than 2,000 likes by Wednesday night. “The Covid 19 
vaccine killed Grant Wahl.” Qatari authorities <a href="https://apnews.com/article/journalist-grant-wahl-dies-in-qatar-covering-world-cup-82829df66ec0635bdbba3e8edccea96d">did not immediately announce</a>
 his cause of death. On Wednesday, Gounder, a physician and infectious 
disease expert, said an autopsy by the New York City medical examiner’s 
office found Wahl had died from a slow-growing aneurysm within his 
aorta, the body’s largest artery. “His death was unrelated to COVID,” 
Gounder wrote in a <a href="https://grantwahl.substack.com/p/a-note-from-grants-wife-celine-gounder">newsletter entry</a>
 on her husband’s site. “His death was unrelated to vaccination status. 
There was nothing nefarious about his death.” She confirmed that 
information to the AP. Julie Bolcer, a spokesperson for the New York 
City medical examiner’s office, referred comment to the Wahl family. Dr.
 Roland Assi, a professor of cardiac surgery at Yale School of Medicine,
 told the AP that there is “no evidence or suggestion” of a link with 
COVID-19 vaccines. “If anything, COVID infection is known to be linked 
to an increased risk of cardiovascular events, and possibly acute aortic
 events,” Assi wrote in an email. Similarly, Dr. Shinichi Fukuhara, an 
aortic surgeon at the University of Michigan’s medical school, wrote in 
an email that he didn’t know of any data tying the vaccines to the kind 
of aneurysm that killed Wahl. Pfizer’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines 
have caused some cardiac side effects — namely myocarditis, an 
inflammation of the heart. But cases of vaccine-induced myocarditis are <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-943798356497">exceedingly rare</a> and the condition is <a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-checking-552859079506">often mild</a>.

— Associated Press writer Graph Massara in San Francisco contributed this report.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/fact-check-maricopa-county-map-447390498107">Maricopa County displays voter maps for both parties, contrary to claim</a>

CLAIM:
 Election officials in Arizona’s Maricopa County displayed a map of 
Republican voters in the county at its central tabulation facility in 
Phoenix, but did not have a comparable Democrat voter map.

THE 
FACTS: Heat maps showing past Republican and Democrat voter turnout are 
both displayed in the Maricopa County Elections Department’s central 
tabulation facility, according to a spokesperson for the department and a
 photograph she provided to The Associated Press. A Monday blog post 
asserted that Maricopa County displayed a heat map of “expected” GOP 
voters and that the elections department “did not have a similar 
Democrat heat map hanging on their wall.” Mark Finchem, a Republican <a href="https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-biden-government-and-politics-mark-finchem-0fddc6553fd0edb627105c202ce03606">who lost</a>
 his bid for Arizona secretary of state in the midterm election, shared 
the false information on Twitter stating, “Maricopa’s Heat Map of GOP 
voters. No Heat Map of Independents. No Heat Map of Democrats. Just 
Republicans.” But that’s not correct. Maps showing both past Republican 
and Democrat voter turnout are displayed in a hallway at the county's 
central tabulation facility in downtown Phoenix, Megan Gilbertson, a 
spokesperson for the Maricopa County Elections Department, wrote in an 
email to the AP. They show in-person voter turnout in the 2020 general 
election. A photo taken Monday that Gilbertson provided to the AP shows 
three maps in the hallway at the facility: a Republican in-person voter 
turnout map, a Democrat in-person voter map, and a total in-person voter
 turnout version. The blue Democrat map is right next to the red 
Republican one. The maps are used to make “data-driven decisions on the 
best places to have voting locations in future elections,” she 
explained. “The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office has a Geographic 
Information System (GIS) team that makes all of the maps in-house,” 
Gilbertson added. “We use the turnout data by party for elections such 
as the Presidential Preference Election, which is a party-only election.
 We use the all-voter maps for future planning for Primary and General 
elections.” The maps were made in late 2020 and were hung in the 
facility hallway in January 2021, according to Gilbertson. One of the 
blogs that shared the false claim about the county only having a 
Republican map has since published an additional post acknowledging that
 a Democrat map was also installed. Finchem did not respond to the AP’s 
request for comment.

— Associated Press writer Josh Kelety in Phoenix contributed this report.

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

By LETICIA FANUCCHI <a href="https://theconversation.com/holiday-foods-can-be-toxic-to-pets-a-veterinarian-explains-which-and-what-to-do-if-rover-or-kitty-eats-them-196453">The Conversation</a>

During the holidays, it’s typical for people to indulge in special 
foods. Being a pet owner myself, I know that many pet parents want to 
give their fur babies special treats as well.  

As <a href="https://experts.okstate.edu/le.fanucchi">a veterinarian and clinical veterinary researcher</a>, however, I also know that some very common foods – including many popular holiday staples – <a href="https://vethospital.okstate.edu/services/behavior.html">are dangerous to pets</a>.

Here are some of the most common food-related crises we veterinarians
 encounter in the animal ER during the holidays, and what to do if they 
happen.

Turkey with gravy is probably among the most popular holiday meals. 
And most dogs or cats would certainly agree with their humans that roast
 turkey is delicious. 

However, the fat contained in turkey skin – and the excess of fatty, 
greasy foods that can accompany it, such as gravy, butter and bacon – 
don’t go down well with cats and dogs. Pets that ingest an overload of 
fats <a href="https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.233.9.1425">may develop pancreatitis</a>, an inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that helps break down fat, protein and carbs.

Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to leak digestive enzymes and 
ultimately “digest” itself. If untreated, pancreatitis can affect other 
organ systems such as the kidneys and the liver and even cause blood 
clotting.

The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting and 
diarrhea. Pets that may have pancreatitis should be rushed to the 
closest veterinary hospital or ER. The vet will perform diagnostic blood
 tests, including a specific test for pancreatic enzymes called 
pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity or cPLI/fPLI.

Treatment for pancreatitis mostly involves dealing with its symptoms.
 The pet receives IV fluids to help establish electrolytes balance, with
 added anti-nausea and pain medications to stop the vomiting. 
Antibiotics may be necessary, as well as liver protectants and 
probiotics, and a special diet.

If only turkey were the sole problem! Many other common holiday ingredients can also harm pets.

Several allium species common to holiday cooking, such as leeks, 
garlic, onions, chives and shallots, can be healthy for people. For dogs
 and cats, though, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002">alliums are toxic</a>. If ingested, they can cause hemolytic anemia – a decreased number of red blood cells.

The signs of hemolytic anemia, which normally appear a few days after
 ingestion, include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and jaundice. 

To treat hemolytic anemia in pets, veterinarians do blood tests to determine whether a transfusion is necessary. They <a href="https://www.petcarerx.com/article/how-to-treat-hypoglycemia-in-cats-and-dogs/2744">address the symptoms of allium intoxication</a> with IV fluids, antioxidants and anti-nausea drugs.

Yeast-risen foods like rolls and breads are also holiday dinner staples that people should <a href="https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1435-6935.2003.00068.x">keep away from their pets</a>.
 The yeast in these foods can ferment in a pet’s warm stomach and 
produce toxic levels of ethanol. In pets, ethanol toxicity may lead to 
metabolic acidosis, which can cause sudden drop in blood glucose, 
respiratory depression, seizures and cardiac arrest.

Normally, pet owners do not suspect metabolic acidosis until it is 
almost too late, because it has few outward symptoms. So if there’s a 
possibility that a pet has swallowed any type of cooked or raw yeast 
dough, get it to a veterinary ER right away.

By the way, pets can also experience ethanol toxicity <a href="https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/drunk-and-disorderly-ethanol-and-yeast-dough-intoxications">by lapping up cocktails or beer</a>, so keep alcoholic drinks out of their reach as well.

Now, what about a favorite holiday treat – chocolate? 

Substances that may actually attract humans to chocolate – methylxanthines like theobromine and caffeine – <a href="https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/can-cats-eat-chocolate">are toxic to both dogs and cats</a>.
 When vets provide emergency treatment for chocolate ingestion, we 
typically hear that children shared their candy with their beloved pet.

Pets that ingest chocolate <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13329">can develop “chocolate intoxication</a>,”
 a condition in which methylxanthines accumulate in the body and make 
them sick. Signs of chocolate intoxication in pets include tremors, 
increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and even 
seizures.

Chocolate intoxication in pets is a medical emergency. The pet needs 
to have its stomach emptied and receive support therapy with IV fluids 
and activated charcoal. The vet will probably want to know the type and 
how much chocolate the pet ate, because some kinds of chocolate, such as
 baking chocolate, <a href="https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&amp;id=4952115">can have worse toxic effects</a>.

Chocolate also has a lot of fat, so the cat or dog’s pancreas will not enjoy it either. 

How about fruits? Well, there is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13234">a fruit very toxic to dogs</a> that often shows up at holiday gatherings: grapes, both fresh and dehydrated into raisins.

If eaten, the tartaric acid in grapes or raisins <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15884">may cause acute kidney disease</a>. Common signs of acute kidney disease in dogs are vomiting, intermittent diarrhea and increased intake of water.

Acute kidney disease in dogs is a medical emergency. If it is 
suspected, the pet should be rushed to a veterinary hospital or ER right
 away. Treatment is typically limited to stabilizing the pet with IV 
fluids.

While <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473849/">xylitol toxicity</a> is one of the more common emergencies we veterinarians see these days, it’s still largely unknown among pet owners.

Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often used in sugar-free products.
 While safe for humans, for cats and dogs it’s a fast-acting and 
potentially deadly poison. 

Ingesting even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/xylitol-toxicosis-in-dogs?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1Z7BjSSHysndnM5GgbCwm20-2C83Xf-qTr-dkboS_7P_sgPzpQVp9AaAsADEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">a pet’s liver to rapidly release insulin</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080212/">causing hypoglycemia</a>
 – unusually low blood glucose levels. Within 30 minutes, the pet will 
experience symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and seizures and lose 
coordination of its limbs – called ataxia.

Emergency treatment for a pet with xylitol toxicity involves giving 
the animal IV fluids containing dextrose to raise its blood glucose 
level and carefully monitoring its progress.

The bottom line? Several delicious foods that are safe for humans can
 be very dangerous for pets in general – not just cats and dogs, but 
also birds, reptiles and pocket pets like mice, hamsters and gerbils. So
 make the holidays special for furry or feathery babies by giving them 
treats from the pet food store or veterinarian’s office, and keep them 
away from the kitchen counter and trash can.

Leticia Fanucchi is Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Oklahoma State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1671225212703.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By LETICIA FANUCCHI <a href="https://theconversation.com/holiday-foods-can-be-toxic-to-pets-a-veterinarian-explains-which-and-what-to-do-if-rover-or-kitty-eats-them-196453">The Conversation</a>During the holidays, it’s typical for people to indulge in special 
foods. Being a pet owner myself, I know that many pet parents want to 
give their fur babies special treats as well. As <a href="https://experts.okstate.edu/le.fanucchi">a veterinarian and clinical veterinary researcher</a>, however, I also know that some very common foods – including many popular holiday staples – <a href="https://vethospital.okstate.edu/services/behavior.html">are dangerous to pets</a>. Here are some of the most common food-related crises we veterinarians
 encounter in the animal ER during the holidays, and what to do if they 
happen.<h2>Fatty food risks</h2>Turkey with gravy is probably among the most popular holiday meals. 
And most dogs or cats would certainly agree with their humans that roast
 turkey is delicious. However, the fat contained in turkey skin – and the excess of fatty, 
greasy foods that can accompany it, such as gravy, butter and bacon – 
don’t go down well with cats and dogs. Pets that ingest an overload of 
fats <a href="https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.233.9.1425">may develop pancreatitis</a>, an inflammation of the pancreas, the organ that helps break down fat, protein and carbs.Pancreatitis causes the pancreas to leak digestive enzymes and 
ultimately “digest” itself. If untreated, pancreatitis can affect other 
organ systems such as the kidneys and the liver and even cause blood 
clotting.The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include vomiting and 
diarrhea. Pets that may have pancreatitis should be rushed to the 
closest veterinary hospital or ER. The vet will perform diagnostic blood
 tests, including a specific test for pancreatic enzymes called 
pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity or cPLI/fPLI.Treatment for pancreatitis mostly involves dealing with its symptoms.
 The pet receives IV fluids to help establish electrolytes balance, with
 added anti-nausea and pain medications to stop the vomiting. 
Antibiotics may be necessary, as well as liver protectants and 
probiotics, and a special diet.<h2>Onion offenses and bread badness</h2>If only turkey were the sole problem! Many other common holiday ingredients can also harm pets.Several allium species common to holiday cooking, such as leeks, 
garlic, onions, chives and shallots, can be healthy for people. For dogs
 and cats, though, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-91992011000100002">alliums are toxic</a>. If ingested, they can cause hemolytic anemia – a decreased number of red blood cells. The signs of hemolytic anemia, which normally appear a few days after
 ingestion, include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and jaundice. To treat hemolytic anemia in pets, veterinarians do blood tests to determine whether a transfusion is necessary. They <a href="https://www.petcarerx.com/article/how-to-treat-hypoglycemia-in-cats-and-dogs/2744">address the symptoms of allium intoxication</a> with IV fluids, antioxidants and anti-nausea drugs. Yeast-risen foods like rolls and breads are also holiday dinner staples that people should <a href="https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1435-6935.2003.00068.x">keep away from their pets</a>.
 The yeast in these foods can ferment in a pet’s warm stomach and 
produce toxic levels of ethanol. In pets, ethanol toxicity may lead to 
metabolic acidosis, which can cause sudden drop in blood glucose, 
respiratory depression, seizures and cardiac arrest. Normally, pet owners do not suspect metabolic acidosis until it is 
almost too late, because it has few outward symptoms. So if there’s a 
possibility that a pet has swallowed any type of cooked or raw yeast 
dough, get it to a veterinary ER right away.By the way, pets can also experience ethanol toxicity <a href="https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/drunk-and-disorderly-ethanol-and-yeast-dough-intoxications">by lapping up cocktails or beer</a>, so keep alcoholic drinks out of their reach as well. <h2>No chocolate for pets</h2>Now, what about a favorite holiday treat – chocolate? Substances that may actually attract humans to chocolate – methylxanthines like theobromine and caffeine – <a href="https://www.petmd.com/cat/nutrition/can-cats-eat-chocolate">are toxic to both dogs and cats</a>.
 When vets provide emergency treatment for chocolate ingestion, we 
typically hear that children shared their candy with their beloved pet.Pets that ingest chocolate <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.13329">can develop “chocolate intoxication</a>,”
 a condition in which methylxanthines accumulate in the body and make 
them sick. Signs of chocolate intoxication in pets include tremors, 
increased heart rate, vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness and even 
seizures. Chocolate intoxication in pets is a medical emergency. The pet needs 
to have its stomach emptied and receive support therapy with IV fluids 
and activated charcoal. The vet will probably want to know the type and 
how much chocolate the pet ate, because some kinds of chocolate, such as
 baking chocolate, <a href="https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&amp;id=4952115">can have worse toxic effects</a>. Chocolate also has a lot of fat, so the cat or dog’s pancreas will not enjoy it either. <h2>Grapes and dogs don’t mix</h2>How about fruits? Well, there is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/vec.13234">a fruit very toxic to dogs</a> that often shows up at holiday gatherings: grapes, both fresh and dehydrated into raisins. If eaten, the tartaric acid in grapes or raisins <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15884">may cause acute kidney disease</a>. Common signs of acute kidney disease in dogs are vomiting, intermittent diarrhea and increased intake of water. Acute kidney disease in dogs is a medical emergency. If it is 
suspected, the pet should be rushed to a veterinary hospital or ER right
 away. Treatment is typically limited to stabilizing the pet with IV 
fluids.<h2>Sweet for people, poison to pets</h2>While <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20473849/">xylitol toxicity</a> is one of the more common emergencies we veterinarians see these days, it’s still largely unknown among pet owners. Xylitol is an artificial sweetener often used in sugar-free products.
 While safe for humans, for cats and dogs it’s a fast-acting and 
potentially deadly poison. Ingesting even the smallest amount of xylitol can cause <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/food-hazards/xylitol-toxicosis-in-dogs?gclid=Cj0KCQiAqOucBhDrARIsAPCQL1Z7BjSSHysndnM5GgbCwm20-2C83Xf-qTr-dkboS_7P_sgPzpQVp9AaAsADEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">a pet’s liver to rapidly release insulin</a>, <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15080212/">causing hypoglycemia</a>
 – unusually low blood glucose levels. Within 30 minutes, the pet will 
experience symptoms such as vomiting, lethargy and seizures and lose 
coordination of its limbs – called ataxia.Emergency treatment for a pet with xylitol toxicity involves giving 
the animal IV fluids containing dextrose to raise its blood glucose 
level and carefully monitoring its progress.The bottom line? Several delicious foods that are safe for humans can
 be very dangerous for pets in general – not just cats and dogs, but 
also birds, reptiles and pocket pets like mice, hamsters and gerbils. So
 make the holidays special for furry or feathery babies by giving them 
treats from the pet food store or veterinarian’s office, and keep them 
away from the kitchen counter and trash can.Leticia Fanucchi is Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Oklahoma State University.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/196453/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

Veterinarian: Some holiday foods can be toxic to pets

By LINDSEY BAHR Associated Press

It is impossible to talk about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MyW72ELq0">“Avatar: The Way of Water”</a>
 without sounding hyperbolic. But James Cameron’s sequel is a truly 
dazzling cinematic experience that will have you floating on a 
blockbuster high.

No matter if you’ve spent a second of your life 
in the past 13 years thinking about what’s happening on Pandora or how 
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are getting on, 
assuming you remember their characters’ names. “The Way of Water” will 
make awe-struck believers out of even “Avatar” agnostics like me, at 
least for three hours and 12 minutes. The film isn’t just visually 
compelling, either, it’s spiritually rich as well — a simple but 
penetrating story about family and the natural world that is galaxies 
better than the first.

About that run time: Three hours and 12 
minutes sounds excessive, but there is something decidedly decadent 
about really committing that much time to a movie in a theater. When the
 filmmaker is purposeful with that time, as Cameron is and many others 
have been before him, it’s a uniquely rewarding experience. In other 
words, it’s not a big ask. And you’ll forget all about checking the time
 from the first shot of Pandora and Jake’s earnest exposition about 
what’s been going on in the past decade.

He and Neytiri have three
 kids now, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk 
(Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and an adopted teenage daughter, Kiri (Sigourney 
Weaver), and they’re happy living in the forest. “Happiness is simple,” 
he says. “Who ever thought that a jughead like me could crack the code?”
 So, of course, it can’t last. The humans are on the hunt for Jake, with
 a familiar antagonist leading the charge. And soon his family is on the
 run, taking up home in another part of Pandora, on the water with a new
 tribe led by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) who 
reluctantly grant them refuge and try to teach them how to live on the 
water.

It’s worth noting that Cameron has not stuffed the film 
with mind-numbing, wall-to-wall action and needlessly complicated plot. 
There are long stretches of movie where we’re simply exploring the 
environment with the characters, delighting in the intricacies of a reef
 or basking in the beauty of giant sea creatures. Sometimes we’re just 
sitting in the water with Kiri who is also sitting in the water. It is 
not advancing the action in any obvious way. It is not even really 
developing characters. It just is, and it’s serene. You imagine that 
anyone without his clout would have a hard time justifying something 
similar.

The action is there, too, of course, and it’s exciting 
because you’ve become invested in the family and worried about the kids 
who are never where they’re supposed to be and are often in danger 
because of it. And though we know there are more sequels coming, and one
 already wrapped, this is not the kind of franchise where anyone is 
guaranteed to get a fake superhero death. Sure there is some “Avatar” 
silliness, including the fact that the word “bro” is uttered about 8,000
 times, but there is something admirable about the straightforward 
dialogue and emotions at play, too. No one is snarking their way through
 this ordeal.

“Never doubt James Cameron” has become a bit of a 
rallying cry lately, at least among those left on Twitter. It’s all the 
more extraordinary as the once-mythical sequels had become a kind of 
joke in the years since the first movie. Even as “The Way of Water” 
release date actually approached the “who cares?” chorus intensified. 
Had anyone really thought twice about “Avatar”? But Cameron knows his 
way around a thrilling sequel, and the water for that matter (and 
references his own greatest hits in this film, too).

But then 
people saw it and the tune changed. There is something comforting about 
the fact that we are capable of intense, collective cultural whiplash. 
That “who cares?” can turn to uncynical amazement in an instant. Is that
 the magic of the movies? Of continuing to push the bounds of the big 
screen experience? Of betting big on weird-sounding stories about giant 
blue environmentalists instead of superheroes every so often? Maybe it’s
 just the magic of James Cameron.

“Avatar: The Way of Water,” a 
20th Century Studios release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the
 Motion Picture Association for “partial nudity, intense action, 
sequences of strong violence, some strong language.” Running time: 192 
minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

MPA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d9MyW72ELq0"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LINDSEY BAHR Associated PressIt is impossible to talk about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MyW72ELq0">“Avatar: The Way of Water”</a>
 without sounding hyperbolic. But James Cameron’s sequel is a truly 
dazzling cinematic experience that will have you floating on a 
blockbuster high.No matter if you’ve spent a second of your life 
in the past 13 years thinking about what’s happening on Pandora or how 
Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are getting on, 
assuming you remember their characters’ names. “The Way of Water” will 
make awe-struck believers out of even “Avatar” agnostics like me, at 
least for three hours and 12 minutes. The film isn’t just visually 
compelling, either, it’s spiritually rich as well — a simple but 
penetrating story about family and the natural world that is galaxies 
better than the first.About that run time: Three hours and 12 
minutes sounds excessive, but there is something decidedly decadent 
about really committing that much time to a movie in a theater. When the
 filmmaker is purposeful with that time, as Cameron is and many others 
have been before him, it’s a uniquely rewarding experience. In other 
words, it’s not a big ask. And you’ll forget all about checking the time
 from the first shot of Pandora and Jake’s earnest exposition about 
what’s been going on in the past decade.He and Neytiri have three
 kids now, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk 
(Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and an adopted teenage daughter, Kiri (Sigourney 
Weaver), and they’re happy living in the forest. “Happiness is simple,” 
he says. “Who ever thought that a jughead like me could crack the code?”
 So, of course, it can’t last. The humans are on the hunt for Jake, with
 a familiar antagonist leading the charge. And soon his family is on the
 run, taking up home in another part of Pandora, on the water with a new
 tribe led by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) who 
reluctantly grant them refuge and try to teach them how to live on the 
water.It’s worth noting that Cameron has not stuffed the film 
with mind-numbing, wall-to-wall action and needlessly complicated plot. 
There are long stretches of movie where we’re simply exploring the 
environment with the characters, delighting in the intricacies of a reef
 or basking in the beauty of giant sea creatures. Sometimes we’re just 
sitting in the water with Kiri who is also sitting in the water. It is 
not advancing the action in any obvious way. It is not even really 
developing characters. It just is, and it’s serene. You imagine that 
anyone without his clout would have a hard time justifying something 
similar.The action is there, too, of course, and it’s exciting 
because you’ve become invested in the family and worried about the kids 
who are never where they’re supposed to be and are often in danger 
because of it. And though we know there are more sequels coming, and one
 already wrapped, this is not the kind of franchise where anyone is 
guaranteed to get a fake superhero death. Sure there is some “Avatar” 
silliness, including the fact that the word “bro” is uttered about 8,000
 times, but there is something admirable about the straightforward 
dialogue and emotions at play, too. No one is snarking their way through
 this ordeal.“Never doubt James Cameron” has become a bit of a 
rallying cry lately, at least among those left on Twitter. It’s all the 
more extraordinary as the once-mythical sequels had become a kind of 
joke in the years since the first movie. Even as “The Way of Water” 
release date actually approached the “who cares?” chorus intensified. 
Had anyone really thought twice about “Avatar”? But Cameron knows his 
way around a thrilling sequel, and the water for that matter (and 
references his own greatest hits in this film, too).But then 
people saw it and the tune changed. There is something comforting about 
the fact that we are capable of intense, collective cultural whiplash. 
That “who cares?” can turn to uncynical amazement in an instant. Is that
 the magic of the movies? Of continuing to push the bounds of the big 
screen experience? Of betting big on weird-sounding stories about giant 
blue environmentalists instead of superheroes every so often? Maybe it’s
 just the magic of James Cameron.“Avatar: The Way of Water,” a 
20th Century Studios release in theaters Thursday, is rated PG-13 by the
 Motion Picture Association for “partial nudity, intense action, 
sequences of strong violence, some strong language.” Running time: 192 
minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.MPA Definition of PG-13: Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.Cover image courtesy Pixabay

🎥 Review: ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is a big screen blast

They worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then 
something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an
 album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering 
where-did-you-come-from vibes.

That describes most of this year's nine <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers">Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022.</a>
 They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, 
Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle 
Deadwyler.

Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars 
such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the 
fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater 
girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games
 and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.

Hsu also was a Broadway 
veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen 
teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-sports-movies-martial-arts-a0c2c7bfb0a06c2f2f8156c835a84b93">“Everything Everywhere All at Once.”</a> That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.

Like
 many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of 
Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway 
musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role 
Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It 
Burn.”

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-film-reviews-entertainment-ryan-coogler-chadwick-boseman-424bcbf6ee3c730e80e25d153328eb8e">“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”</a>
 isn’t one of Huerta's biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly 
launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on 
Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, 
known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie 
“The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.

Nwigwe,
 just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up 
with noted appearances on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a 
spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This 
year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: 
Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.

McCormack
 has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into 
something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the 
buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making 
performance as the title character in the film <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-meryl-streep-nancy-meyers-movies-725fa9a8036b49b6797242361f2f962c">“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”</a> opposite Emma Thompson.

Ashley,
 a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found 
herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.”
 She had a role the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely 
independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character 
in a major production.

Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/till-film-reviews-entertainment-crime-movies-90edc3fb53a9618fb7cdff74684337e7">“Till”</a>
 as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was 
lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” 
“Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”

Vellani,
 another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the 
exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. 
Marvel” plays a high school student <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-iman-d1d0ba22f7de7f6bbe5e5723f6e26c72">enamored with all things superheroes</a>
 only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, 
in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the 
entertainers nominated here.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/11/1572956883313.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Associated PressThey worked hard, with the rewards coming slowly but surely. Then 
something came along — often a key role or sometimes a cluster, maybe an
 album — and it all became next-level, a shift triggering 
where-did-you-come-from vibes.That describes most of this year's nine <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/ap-breakthrough-entertainers">Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year, a class of talent that flowered in 2022.</a>
 They are Sadie Sink, Stephanie Hsu, Tenoch Huerta, Joaquina Kalukango, 
Iman Vellani, Daryl McCormack, Tobe Nwigwe, Simone Ashley and Danielle 
Deadwyler.Sink had been on Broadway and worked alongside stars 
such as Naomi Watts and Helen Mirren. But playing Max Mayfield in the 
fourth season of “Stranger Things,” she broke through as a brave skater 
girl who never lets go of her Walkman, who hates pink, plays video games
 and is a “Dragon’s Lair” champion.Hsu also was a Broadway 
veteran with a few TV credits when she was asked to play both a sullen 
teen and an intergalactic supervillain in the movie <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-sports-movies-martial-arts-a0c2c7bfb0a06c2f2f8156c835a84b93">“Everything Everywhere All at Once.”</a> That led to an unforgettable performance that included dressing as Elvis and walking a pig on a leash.Like
 many of the others on the list, Kalukango had racked up plenty of 
Broadway credits when she took a risk and played the lead in a Broadway 
musical, “Paradise Square.” It led to a best actress in a leading role 
Tony Award and a stunning moment in the telecast when she sang “Let It 
Burn.”<a href="https://apnews.com/article/black-panther-wakanda-forever-film-reviews-entertainment-ryan-coogler-chadwick-boseman-424bcbf6ee3c730e80e25d153328eb8e">“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”</a>
 isn’t one of Huerta's biggest roles but the Mexican actor suddenly 
launched a hundred memes as the mutant leader of a kingdom based on 
Mayan and Aztec influences beneath the ocean for centuries. Huerta, 
known for roles in the Netflix series “Narcos: Mexico” and the movie 
“The Forever Purge,” has taken a big step for movie diversity.Nwigwe,
 just nominated for a Grammy as best new artist, has been bubbling up 
with noted appearances on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert series and earning a 
spot on Michelle Obama’s 2020 workout playlist with “I’m Dope.” This 
year, the Houston-based artist was featured on the “Black Panther: 
Wakanda Forever” soundtrack and dropped the EP “moMINTs” to acclaim.McCormack
 has worked consistently since 2018 but 2022 seems to have turned into 
something special with a constellation of roles — “Peaky Blinders,” the 
buzzy, dark comedy thriller “Bad Sisters,” plus a star-making 
performance as the title character in the film <a href="https://apnews.com/article/film-reviews-entertainment-meryl-streep-nancy-meyers-movies-725fa9a8036b49b6797242361f2f962c">“Good Luck to You, Leo Grande”</a> opposite Emma Thompson.Ashley,
 a British actress of Indian heritage with a Tamil background, found 
herself leading season two of the Regency-era period drama “Bridgerton.”
 She had a role the series “Sex Education,” but playing the fiercely 
independent Kate Sharma for Shonda Rhimes was her first lead character 
in a major production.Deadwyler burst into the awards race this year with her performance in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/till-film-reviews-entertainment-crime-movies-90edc3fb53a9618fb7cdff74684337e7">“Till”</a>
 as Mamie Till-Mobley, the mother of teenager Emmett Till, who was 
lynched in 1955. She has also appeared in “The Harder They Come,” 
“Watchmen” and the Netflix series “From Scratch” and “Station Eleven.”Vellani,
 another member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe on this list, is the 
exception, having had no such slow burn. The 19-year-old actor in “Ms. 
Marvel” plays a high school student <a href="https://apnews.com/article/entertainment-iman-d1d0ba22f7de7f6bbe5e5723f6e26c72">enamored with all things superheroes</a>
 only to find herself suddenly wielding powers of her own. And Vellani, 
in real life, is just starting to find her powers, like all the 
entertainers nominated here.

AP names its nine Breakthrough Entertainers of 2022

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers 
and self-employed individuals that chose to defer paying part of their 
2020 Social Security tax liability that their second annual installment 
of the deferred amount is due on December 31, 2022.

As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could 
choose to put off paying the employer's share of their Social Security 
tax liability, which is 6.2% of wages. Self-employed individuals could 
also choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. 
Generally, half of that deferral was due on December 31, 2021. The other
 half is due on December 31, 2022.

Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected 
employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that
 those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if 
they did not receive a notice.

Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>, by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">debit card, credit card or digital wallet</a>, or with a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>.
 No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately 
from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is 
credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.

Employers and individuals can make the deferral payments through enrollment in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System</a>, a free service available from the Treasury Department. On the Tax Type Selection screen, choose Deferred Social Security Tax and then change the date to the applicable tax period (the calendar quarter in 2020 for which tax was deferred). Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">EFTPS.gov</a>&nbsp;or call <a href="tel:800-555-4477">800-555-4477</a> or <a href="tel:800-733-4829">800-733-4829</a> for details.

Alternatively, self-employed individual taxpayers can choose Direct 
Pay to pay directly from a checking or savings account. This service is 
available free only on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay With Bank Account</a>.
 Select the "Balance Due" reason for payment and apply the payment to 
the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Direct Pay is not 
available to pay employment taxes.

Debit card, credit card or digital wallet

If paying with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet, select 
"installment agreement." Apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where 
the payment was deferred. Note that the IRS does not charge a fee for 
this service, but the authorized third-party payment processors do. 
Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a> for details.

Make any check or money order payable to United States Treasury, not IRS. For more information on where to mail payments see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i941#en_US_202206_publink100065907">Instructions for Form 941</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers 
and self-employed individuals that chose to defer paying part of their 
2020 Social Security tax liability that their second annual installment 
of the deferred amount is due on December 31, 2022.As part of the COVID relief provided during 2020, employers could 
choose to put off paying the employer's share of their Social Security 
tax liability, which is 6.2% of wages. Self-employed individuals could 
also choose to defer a similar amount of their self-employment tax. 
Generally, half of that deferral was due on December 31, 2021. The other
 half is due on December 31, 2022.Earlier this fall, the IRS sent reminder notices to affected 
employers and self-employed individuals. The agency noted, however, that
 those affected are still required to make the payment on time, even if 
they did not receive a notice.<h2>How to repay the deferred taxes</h2>Employers and individuals have several options for making this payment. Deferral payments can made through the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS)</a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay</a>, by <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-your-taxes-by-debit-or-credit-card">debit card, credit card or digital wallet</a>, or with a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/pay-by-check-or-money-order">check or money order</a>.
 No matter which payment option is chosen, it must be made separately 
from other tax payments and deposits. This will ensure that it is 
credited properly and will help avoid follow-up bills or notices.<h2>EFTPS</h2>Employers and individuals can make the deferral payments through enrollment in the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">Electronic Federal Tax Payment System</a>, a free service available from the Treasury Department. On the Tax Type Selection screen, choose Deferred Social Security Tax and then change the date to the applicable tax period (the calendar quarter in 2020 for which tax was deferred). Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/eftps-the-electronic-federal-tax-payment-system">EFTPS.gov</a>&nbsp;or call <a href="tel:800-555-4477">800-555-4477</a> or <a href="tel:800-733-4829">800-733-4829</a> for details.<h2>Direct Pay</h2>Alternatively, self-employed individual taxpayers can choose Direct 
Pay to pay directly from a checking or savings account. This service is 
available free only on <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments/direct-pay">Direct Pay With Bank Account</a>.
 Select the "Balance Due" reason for payment and apply the payment to 
the 2020 tax year where the payment was deferred. Direct Pay is not 
available to pay employment taxes.<h2>Debit card, credit card or digital wallet</h2>If paying with a credit card, debit card or digital wallet, select 
"installment agreement." Apply the payment to the 2020 tax year where 
the payment was deferred. Note that the IRS does not charge a fee for 
this service, but the authorized third-party payment processors do. 
Visit <a href="https://www.irs.gov/payments">IRS.gov/payments</a> for details.<h2>Check or money order</h2>Make any check or money order payable to United States Treasury, not IRS. For more information on where to mail payments see <a href="https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i941#en_US_202206_publink100065907">Instructions for Form 941</a>.

IRS deadline looms for many employers, self-employed people

By JOCELYN NOVECK&nbsp; Associated Press

The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/">National Film Registry,</a>
 a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to an 1898 silent
 documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in New 
Orleans.

Also chosen this year for preservation: Marvel’s “Iron 
Man,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” and the 1950 
“Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jose Ferrer, whose performance made him 
the first Hispanic actor to win a best actor Oscar.

The registry 
is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected 
movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance.
 This year’s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 
850 — many of which are among the 1.7 million films in the library’s 
collections.

The oldest film selected this year is the 1898 “Mardi
 Gras Carnival,” a silent-era documentary with the earliest known 
footage of the carnival in New Orleans. A copy was recently found at the
 Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands. Showing floats, spectators and 
marchers at a parade, the film is one of nine documentaries chosen, 
covering topics like the Attica prison rebellion, female union workers, 
mental health treatment, LGBTQ history and others.

And the most 
recent film on this year’s list is the 2011 “Pariah,” by Dee Rees, a 
coming-out story about a lesbian teen in Brooklyn that's considered a 
prominent film in modern queer cinema.

Among a number of other 
LGBTQ-themed films chosen this year is the 1967 student short film 
“Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin, a look at Black gender 
fluidity in Los Angeles. Another: the 1977 “Word is Out: Stories of Some
 of Our Lives," which interviewed over two dozen gay people about their 
lives, becoming a landmark of the early gay rights movement.

“We 
are proud to add 25 more films by a group of vibrant and diverse 
filmmakers to the National Film Registry as we preserve our cinematic 
heritage,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.

—
 "When Harry Met Sally” (1989), Rob Reiner’s much-loved rom-com starring
 Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan with a script by Nora Ephron, and one of the
 best scenes ever filmed in a deli.

— "Iron Man” (2008), the Marvel superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Jon Favreau.

— "Carrie” (1976), the Brian de Palma horror classic about a teen outcast (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.

—
 "Hairspray” (1988), the John Waters version of the story about 
teenagers in Baltimore, starring Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry 
Stiller, Sonny Bono and Divine. The film would go on to become a 
successful Broadway musical.

— "Charade” (1963) by Stanley Donen, the only movie to pair Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

—
 "Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950) directed by Michael Gordon, the first U.S. 
film version of Rostand’s 1897 French play. Ferrer won the best actor 
Oscar.

— "The Little Mermaid (1989), the classic Disney production
 with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs (“Part of Your World” and 
“Under the Sea,” for example) about Ariel, who lives under the sea but 
wishes she were human.

The library said that Turner Classic Movies
 would host a TV special on Dec. 27, screening a selection of this 
year’s movies entering the registry.

Also being preserved: “Cab 
Calloway Home Movies” (1948-1951), Scorpio Rising (1963), “Titicut 
Follies” (1967), “Mingus” (1968), “Manzanar” (1971), “Betty Tells Her 
Story” (1972), “Super Fly” (1972), “Attica” (1974), “Union Maids” 
(1076), “Bush Mama” (1999), “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982), 
“Itam Hakim, Hoplit” (1984), “Tongues Untied” (1989), and “House Party” 
(1990).

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vmSpCLefjnw"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VjUGH3dGESg"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By JOCELYN NOVECK&nbsp; Associated PressThey’ll have what she’s having.The 1989 rom-com “When Harry Met Sally” is one of 25 films chosen this year to enter the <a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/">National Film Registry,</a>
 a list that ranges from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” to an 1898 silent
 documentary, long thought lost, about the Mardi Gras parade in New 
Orleans.Also chosen this year for preservation: Marvel’s “Iron 
Man,” John Waters’ “Hairspray,” Brian de Palma’s “Carrie” and the 1950 
“Cyrano de Bergerac” starring Jose Ferrer, whose performance made him 
the first Hispanic actor to win a best actor Oscar.The registry 
is housed at the Library of Congress, which since 1988 has selected 
movies for preservation based on their cultural and historic importance.
 This year’s picks bring the total number of films in the registry to 
850 — many of which are among the 1.7 million films in the library’s 
collections.The oldest film selected this year is the 1898 “Mardi
 Gras Carnival,” a silent-era documentary with the earliest known 
footage of the carnival in New Orleans. A copy was recently found at the
 Eye Filmmuseum in the Netherlands. Showing floats, spectators and 
marchers at a parade, the film is one of nine documentaries chosen, 
covering topics like the Attica prison rebellion, female union workers, 
mental health treatment, LGBTQ history and others.And the most 
recent film on this year’s list is the 2011 “Pariah,” by Dee Rees, a 
coming-out story about a lesbian teen in Brooklyn that's considered a 
prominent film in modern queer cinema.Among a number of other 
LGBTQ-themed films chosen this year is the 1967 student short film 
“Behind Every Good Man” by Nikolai Ursin, a look at Black gender 
fluidity in Los Angeles. Another: the 1977 “Word is Out: Stories of Some
 of Our Lives," which interviewed over two dozen gay people about their 
lives, becoming a landmark of the early gay rights movement.“We 
are proud to add 25 more films by a group of vibrant and diverse 
filmmakers to the National Film Registry as we preserve our cinematic 
heritage,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden.Among the films entering the registry:—
 "When Harry Met Sally” (1989), Rob Reiner’s much-loved rom-com starring
 Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan with a script by Nora Ephron, and one of the
 best scenes ever filmed in a deli.— "Iron Man” (2008), the Marvel superhero film starring Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow, directed by Jon Favreau.— "Carrie” (1976), the Brian de Palma horror classic about a teen outcast (Sissy Spacek) with telekinetic powers.—
 "Hairspray” (1988), the John Waters version of the story about 
teenagers in Baltimore, starring Ricki Lake, Debbie Harry, Jerry 
Stiller, Sonny Bono and Divine. The film would go on to become a 
successful Broadway musical.— "Charade” (1963) by Stanley Donen, the only movie to pair Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.—
 "Cyrano de Bergerac” (1950) directed by Michael Gordon, the first U.S. 
film version of Rostand’s 1897 French play. Ferrer won the best actor 
Oscar.— "The Little Mermaid (1989), the classic Disney production
 with Alan Menken and Howard Ashman songs (“Part of Your World” and 
“Under the Sea,” for example) about Ariel, who lives under the sea but 
wishes she were human.The library said that Turner Classic Movies
 would host a TV special on Dec. 27, screening a selection of this 
year’s movies entering the registry.Also being preserved: “Cab 
Calloway Home Movies” (1948-1951), Scorpio Rising (1963), “Titicut 
Follies” (1967), “Mingus” (1968), “Manzanar” (1971), “Betty Tells Her 
Story” (1972), “Super Fly” (1972), “Attica” (1974), “Union Maids” 
(1076), “Bush Mama” (1999), “The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez” (1982), 
“Itam Hakim, Hoplit” (1984), “Tongues Untied” (1989), and “House Party” 
(1990).Cover image courtesy Pixabay

🎥 'When Harry Met Sally,' 'Iron Man' added to film registry

The Federal Reserve <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-could-pencil-in-higher-interest-rates-next-year-while-slowing-hikes-in-december-11670208857">is expected to raise interest rates</a> by half a percentage point on Dec. 14, 2022, to a range of 4.25 to 4.5%, which would be the <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/openmarket.htm">seventh increase this year</a>.
 So far in 2022, the Fed has lifted its benchmark short-term rate, which
 influences most other borrowing costs in the economy, by 3.75 
percentage points from a low of about zero as recently as March.

But even as the U.S. central bank continues to lift rates – and 
plans to keep doing so in 2023 – homebuyers are beginning to notice a 
pleasant surprise: <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US">Mortgage rates have been falling</a>.

We asked <a href="https://scholar.google.ch/citations?hl=en&amp;view_op=list_works&amp;gmla=AJsN-F4fuP-jZCTY0dss1jyFm2bODATjgGmtalW1ZCYWx6Sw-w7-2gMSs_-5u0HsxzA0_0AxX69RwCOCKv-y6oSwPfRDnRwa5C62z81iNnOd7OLu7HZKegI&amp;user=VxWst50AAAAJ">Brian Blank</a>, a finance professor who has <a href="https://doi.org//10.1080/10527001.2021.2008094">researched mortgage rates and bank loans</a>, to explain the paradox of falling mortgage costs at a time of rising base interest rates.

By D. BRIAN BLANK <a href="https://theconversation.com/federal-reserve-is-about-to-hike-interest-rates-once-again-so-why-are-mortgage-rates-coming-down-195779">The Conversation</a>

After soaring for much of 2022, mortgage rates and other long-term rates are starting to come down.

The average rate on a 30-year mortgage <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US">has fallen 0.75 percentage points</a>
 in the past month or so, after hitting a 20-year high of 7.08% in early
 November. Rates reached 6.33% on Dec. 8, the lowest level since 
September. This occurred over the same period as the Fed lifted its 
benchmark interest rate 1.5 percentage points.

Another key rate that fell is the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds, which <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US10Y">has declined by a similar amount</a>, to 3.5%.

Why are mortgage rates falling if the Fed is still hiking?

The short and rather boring technical answer is that bond markets 
anticipated this rate hike many months ago. And as market factors 
largely dictate the costs of borrowing, the increase was already 
absorbed into home loan rates.

Mortgage rates, while rising due to the Federal Reserve’s rapid hiking pace, are actually more closely linked to the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?graph_id=281291">interest rate on Treasury securities</a>,
 specifically the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond. That security 
began to anticipate the Fed’s interest rate increases a year ago and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/bond/BX/TMUBMUSD10Y">rose from less than 1.5% in December 2021</a> to more than 3.25% by June.

And now, with signs that inflation has already peaked and amid 
growing concerns of a slowing economy, these longer-term rates are 
coming down in anticipation of fewer future Fed rate hikes than expected
 only a short time ago. In fact, mortgage and other long-term rates may 
keep falling over the coming months – assuming the Fed manages to get 
inflation under control so it is able to lower its benchmark rate again.

Why do mortgage rates follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond?

Even though 30-year mortgages can be held for three decades, <a href="https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/average-mortgage-length">most people sell their house or refinance within a decade</a>, which means the investor who is receiving the mortgage payments is effectively investing in a 10-year bond.

As a result, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rate is normally <a href="https://www.blackknightinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BKI_MM_Feb2020_Chart11.pdf">1 to 2 percentage points higher</a> than the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond.

However, when the economy has more uncertainty than usual, like earlier this year, <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4545035-mortgage-demand-plunges-spread-between-mortgage-rate-and-10-year-treasury-yield-blows-out">this spread can get as large as 3 percentage points</a>. This uncertainty can be the result of a potential economic <a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2018/404">downturn</a>, the possibility of the Fed raising rates more than expected, inflation, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-22/mortgage-investors-jump-in-after-fed-says-mbs-sales-aren-t-near#xj4y7vzkg">Fed balance sheet changes</a> or all of the above – as happened in 2022.

Why are mortgage rates higher than Treasury yields?

Since the United States Treasury is more likely to pay investors back than almost any individual homeowner, <a href="https://www.investright.org/understand-investing/high-risk-investments/#nvkForm6529d2c3b5fdc05a987634da4327a5eb">investors charge a higher interest rate</a> due to the additional risk they are taking.

Even though individuals go to banks to borrow, <a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/housing-finance-policy-center/projects/mortgage-servicing-collaborative/help-me-understand-mortgage-servicing/how-does-securitization-affect-mortgage-servicing">banks often sell</a> <a href="https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2008/09/pdf/basics.pdf">those loans to investors</a>, who then receive the money individuals pay back on the loan.

Since individuals default on mortgages more often than the U.S. government defaults on Treasury bonds, investors <a href="https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/equities/required-rate-of-return/">require</a> a <a href="https://www.morganstanley.com/im/en-us/individual-investor/insights/articles/market-expected-return-on-investment.html">higher return</a> to purchase the rights to receive the payments from those mortgages.

If mortgage rates fall, will the Fed have to raise rates even higher to control inflation?

Falling mortgage rates preceded an increase in the home purchase index, which is a measure of current market <a href="https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/11302022-mortgage-application-volume">conditions</a> to purchase homes. This suggests the <a href="https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2022/11/mba-mortgage-applications-decrease-in_0650395375.html">housing market may finally start to pick up steam</a> after slowing down all year.

Since the Fed is trying to slow economic <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">activity</a> to bring down inflation, this <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/macroeconomics/income-and-expenditure-topic/macroeconomics-is-lm/v/investment-and-real-interest-rates">could cause housing prices</a> to increase again, thus forcing the Fed to raise its target rate more than planned.

However, I believe the effective federal funds rate, which is the 
market rate directly influenced by the Fed’s target range, is already <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20221130a.htm">sufficiently restrictive</a>
 to slow the housing market and restore more normal economic conditions 
in 2023. Moreover, the decline in mortgage rates is still quite small – 
they remain over double what they were a year ago – so the drop isn’t 
likely to have much of an impact alone.

What the Fed itself thinks about this challenge – and where it <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/fomcprojtabl20220921.pdf">projects</a> to take interest <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-26/the-treasury-market-s-big-recession-trade-is-gathering-momentum">rates</a> next year – is what I and many other <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-could-pencil-in-higher-interest-rates-next-year-while-slowing-hikes-in-december-11670208857">economists</a> and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-05/study-of-5-trillion-funds-show-pros-positioned-for-soft-economic-landing">investors</a> will be monitoring closely as it meets for the last time of 2022. It should tell us what to expect in 2023 – so stay tuned.

D. Brian Blank is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Mississippi State University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670968577081.jpg" alt="Homebuyers are receiving something of a holiday gift in falling mortgage costs. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Homebuyers are receiving something of a holiday gift in falling mortgage costs. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>The Federal Reserve <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-could-pencil-in-higher-interest-rates-next-year-while-slowing-hikes-in-december-11670208857">is expected to raise interest rates</a> by half a percentage point on Dec. 14, 2022, to a range of 4.25 to 4.5%, which would be the <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/openmarket.htm">seventh increase this year</a>.
 So far in 2022, the Fed has lifted its benchmark short-term rate, which
 influences most other borrowing costs in the economy, by 3.75 
percentage points from a low of about zero as recently as March.But even as the U.S. central bank continues to lift rates – and 
plans to keep doing so in 2023 – homebuyers are beginning to notice a 
pleasant surprise: <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US">Mortgage rates have been falling</a>.What’s going on?We asked <a href="https://scholar.google.ch/citations?hl=en&amp;view_op=list_works&amp;gmla=AJsN-F4fuP-jZCTY0dss1jyFm2bODATjgGmtalW1ZCYWx6Sw-w7-2gMSs_-5u0HsxzA0_0AxX69RwCOCKv-y6oSwPfRDnRwa5C62z81iNnOd7OLu7HZKegI&amp;user=VxWst50AAAAJ">Brian Blank</a>, a finance professor who has <a href="https://doi.org//10.1080/10527001.2021.2008094">researched mortgage rates and bank loans</a>, to explain the paradox of falling mortgage costs at a time of rising base interest rates.By D. BRIAN BLANK <a href="https://theconversation.com/federal-reserve-is-about-to-hike-interest-rates-once-again-so-why-are-mortgage-rates-coming-down-195779">The Conversation</a><h2>What’s happening with mortgage rates?</h2>After soaring for much of 2022, mortgage rates and other long-term rates are starting to come down.The average rate on a 30-year mortgage <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/MORTGAGE30US">has fallen 0.75 percentage points</a>
 in the past month or so, after hitting a 20-year high of 7.08% in early
 November. Rates reached 6.33% on Dec. 8, the lowest level since 
September. This occurred over the same period as the Fed lifted its 
benchmark interest rate 1.5 percentage points. Another key rate that fell is the yield on 10-year Treasury bonds, which <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/quotes/US10Y">has declined by a similar amount</a>, to 3.5%.<h2>Why are mortgage rates falling if the Fed is still hiking?</h2>The short and rather boring technical answer is that bond markets 
anticipated this rate hike many months ago. And as market factors 
largely dictate the costs of borrowing, the increase was already 
absorbed into home loan rates.Mortgage rates, while rising due to the Federal Reserve’s rapid hiking pace, are actually more closely linked to the <a href="https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?graph_id=281291">interest rate on Treasury securities</a>,
 specifically the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond. That security 
began to anticipate the Fed’s interest rate increases a year ago and <a href="https://www.wsj.com/market-data/quotes/bond/BX/TMUBMUSD10Y">rose from less than 1.5% in December 2021</a> to more than 3.25% by June. And now, with signs that inflation has already peaked and amid 
growing concerns of a slowing economy, these longer-term rates are 
coming down in anticipation of fewer future Fed rate hikes than expected
 only a short time ago. In fact, mortgage and other long-term rates may 
keep falling over the coming months – assuming the Fed manages to get 
inflation under control so it is able to lower its benchmark rate again.<h2>Why do mortgage rates follow the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond?</h2>Even though 30-year mortgages can be held for three decades, <a href="https://www.rocketmortgage.com/learn/average-mortgage-length">most people sell their house or refinance within a decade</a>, which means the investor who is receiving the mortgage payments is effectively investing in a 10-year bond. As a result, the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage interest rate is normally <a href="https://www.blackknightinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BKI_MM_Feb2020_Chart11.pdf">1 to 2 percentage points higher</a> than the yield on the 10-year Treasury bond.However, when the economy has more uncertainty than usual, like earlier this year, <a href="https://seekingalpha.com/article/4545035-mortgage-demand-plunges-spread-between-mortgage-rate-and-10-year-treasury-yield-blows-out">this spread can get as large as 3 percentage points</a>. This uncertainty can be the result of a potential economic <a href="https://www.chicagofed.org/publications/chicago-fed-letter/2018/404">downturn</a>, the possibility of the Fed raising rates more than expected, inflation, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-22/mortgage-investors-jump-in-after-fed-says-mbs-sales-aren-t-near#xj4y7vzkg">Fed balance sheet changes</a> or all of the above – as happened in 2022.<h2>Why are mortgage rates higher than Treasury yields?</h2>Since the United States Treasury is more likely to pay investors back than almost any individual homeowner, <a href="https://www.investright.org/understand-investing/high-risk-investments/#nvkForm6529d2c3b5fdc05a987634da4327a5eb">investors charge a higher interest rate</a> due to the additional risk they are taking. Even though individuals go to banks to borrow, <a href="https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/housing-finance-policy-center/projects/mortgage-servicing-collaborative/help-me-understand-mortgage-servicing/how-does-securitization-affect-mortgage-servicing">banks often sell</a> <a href="https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2008/09/pdf/basics.pdf">those loans to investors</a>, who then receive the money individuals pay back on the loan. Since individuals default on mortgages more often than the U.S. government defaults on Treasury bonds, investors <a href="https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/equities/required-rate-of-return/">require</a> a <a href="https://www.morganstanley.com/im/en-us/individual-investor/insights/articles/market-expected-return-on-investment.html">higher return</a> to purchase the rights to receive the payments from those mortgages.<h2>If mortgage rates fall, will the Fed have to raise rates even higher to control inflation?</h2>Falling mortgage rates preceded an increase in the home purchase index, which is a measure of current market <a href="https://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/news/11302022-mortgage-application-volume">conditions</a> to purchase homes. This suggests the <a href="https://www.calculatedriskblog.com/2022/11/mba-mortgage-applications-decrease-in_0650395375.html">housing market may finally start to pick up steam</a> after slowing down all year. Since the Fed is trying to slow economic <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf">activity</a> to bring down inflation, this <a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/economics-finance-domain/macroeconomics/income-and-expenditure-topic/macroeconomics-is-lm/v/investment-and-real-interest-rates">could cause housing prices</a> to increase again, thus forcing the Fed to raise its target rate more than planned. However, I believe the effective federal funds rate, which is the 
market rate directly influenced by the Fed’s target range, is already <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/speech/powell20221130a.htm">sufficiently restrictive</a>
 to slow the housing market and restore more normal economic conditions 
in 2023. Moreover, the decline in mortgage rates is still quite small – 
they remain over double what they were a year ago – so the drop isn’t 
likely to have much of an impact alone.What the Fed itself thinks about this challenge – and where it <a href="https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/files/fomcprojtabl20220921.pdf">projects</a> to take interest <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-26/the-treasury-market-s-big-recession-trade-is-gathering-momentum">rates</a> next year – is what I and many other <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-could-pencil-in-higher-interest-rates-next-year-while-slowing-hikes-in-december-11670208857">economists</a> and <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-05/study-of-5-trillion-funds-show-pros-positioned-for-soft-economic-landing">investors</a> will be monitoring closely as it meets for the last time of 2022. It should tell us what to expect in 2023 – so stay tuned.D. Brian Blank is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Mississippi State University.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/195779/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

Interest rates way up – so why are mortgage rates coming down?

The rise of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/online-shopping">online marketplaces</a> and expedited delivery services is a convenient service for many consumers across the nation, allowing <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe">holiday purchasers</a>
 to search for the perfect gift for friends and family. Unfortunately, 
purchasing and having the item delivered to the proper address does not 
guarantee you will receive it. According to market research firm <a href="https://www.crresearch.com/blog/2022-package-theft-statistics-report" target="_blank">C+R Research</a>,
 package theft continues to be an issue for many Americans, with 
approximately 14% of consumers experiencing package theft in 2022.

Package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” often take advantage 
of an opportunity and may frequent a neighborhood or community multiple 
times before moving on to another. They will often target houses that 
provide a quick in-and-out route, especially if the porch or area where <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14276-bbb-safe-delivery-tips-for-holiday-shipping">packages are delivered</a>
 is within 25 feet of the street and are easily visible. Over the past 
five years, internet searches using the keywords “package stolen” nearly
 doubled <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&amp;geo=US&amp;q=package%20stolen" target="_blank">during December</a>, demonstrating the impact of this crime on households across the nation.

As a crime of opportunity, preventing or discouraging package theft 
can be accomplished in several ways, depending on the location of your 
residence, type, and community. For instance, preventing package theft 
at an apartment complex in the middle of the city differs from a 
suburban residential community. However, consumers can use specific 
strategies to discourage the act no matter where they live.

BBB provides the following tips to prevent package thieves from affecting your holiday plans (and the rest of the year):

If you fear that your package has been stolen, file a report with 
your local police department and the delivery company. Depending on 
which delivery service you use, they may offer insurance or other 
policies to reimburse you for your losses.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBThe rise of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/all/online-shopping">online marketplaces</a> and expedited delivery services is a convenient service for many consumers across the nation, allowing <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/23348-shop-safe">holiday purchasers</a>
 to search for the perfect gift for friends and family. Unfortunately, 
purchasing and having the item delivered to the proper address does not 
guarantee you will receive it. According to market research firm <a href="https://www.crresearch.com/blog/2022-package-theft-statistics-report" target="_blank">C+R Research</a>,
 package theft continues to be an issue for many Americans, with 
approximately 14% of consumers experiencing package theft in 2022.Package thieves, also known as “porch pirates,” often take advantage 
of an opportunity and may frequent a neighborhood or community multiple 
times before moving on to another. They will often target houses that 
provide a quick in-and-out route, especially if the porch or area where <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/14276-bbb-safe-delivery-tips-for-holiday-shipping">packages are delivered</a>
 is within 25 feet of the street and are easily visible. Over the past 
five years, internet searches using the keywords “package stolen” nearly
 doubled <a href="https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=today%205-y&amp;geo=US&amp;q=package%20stolen" target="_blank">during December</a>, demonstrating the impact of this crime on households across the nation.As a crime of opportunity, preventing or discouraging package theft 
can be accomplished in several ways, depending on the location of your 
residence, type, and community. For instance, preventing package theft 
at an apartment complex in the middle of the city differs from a 
suburban residential community. However, consumers can use specific 
strategies to discourage the act no matter where they live.BBB provides the following tips to prevent package thieves from affecting your holiday plans (and the rest of the year):<ul>
 <li>Check with neighbors.&nbsp;Sometimes, your package may 
not be stolen, just simply at the wrong address. Before filing a report 
or contacting the sender, check with your neighbors and see if the 
delivery service may have dropped off your package at the wrong address.
 Many delivery companies will take pictures of your package in the 
designated location – be sure to check for the photo and verify it is at
 the right spot.</li><li>Don’t leave unattended packages.&nbsp;When possible, do 
not leave delivered packages unattended for long periods. If you are 
expecting a package, attempt to schedule its delivery when you know you 
will be home. Ask your neighbors if they would mind holding on to 
packages delivered if you plan to be gone for an extended time during 
the holidays.</li><li>Ship to store.&nbsp;If purchasing an item from a 
retailer that has a physical location near your home, consider shipping 
it there instead. Retailers will require proof of purchase or 
identification before releasing packages they have received, and this is
 a sure way to avoid porch pirates.</li><li>Use a security camera.&nbsp;Installing a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/2270-bbb-tip-buying-a-home-security-system">home security system</a> with cameras or simply a <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/26369-bbb-tip-your-guide-to-purchasing-a-smart-doorbell">camera-enabled doorbell</a>
 is a great way to deter package theft, especially when highly visible. 
Consider including a sign that specifically states that the residence is
 under surveillance. Even if a package is stolen from your porch, the 
video evidence will help law enforcement track down the thieves (but be 
wary of the risk of <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20827-dont-let-these-scary-cyber-safety-risks-creep-up-on-you">internet-connected devices</a> and research before you purchase).</li><li>Require a signature.&nbsp;Many delivery companies 
include the option to require a signature before leaving a package, 
letting you take physical possession of the item as soon as it is 
delivered. While this option works well for those who are often at home,
 especially for expensive items, it may create difficulties in receiving
 packages if your schedule and the delivery service are different. Be 
sure to check with the delivery company on their policy for packages 
that are not signed for; they may return it to the sender after a 
certain number of attempts.</li><li>Consider a package receiving service.&nbsp;Some major 
retailers, such as Amazon, offer secure package receiving locations away
 from your home that you can access with a key or code. Some independent
 businesses also specialize in this service, allowing you to designate a
 different delivery location for your packages and the ability to pick 
them up on your way home.</li>
 </ul>If you fear that your package has been stolen, file a report with 
your local police department and the delivery company. Depending on 
which delivery service you use, they may offer insurance or other 
policies to reimburse you for your losses.

6 steps to stop porch pirates this holiday season

WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission ahs announced it is committing nearly $54 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country.  The funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting approximately 150,000 students across the country, including students in Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington, and West Virginia.

“We need to make sure all our kids have the digital tools they need to connect with teachers and online homework,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel.  “This latest round of funding brings us closer to our goal of closing the Homework Gap.”

To date, the Commission has committed over $6.4 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year.  The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows” for schools and libraries to apply for support.  Today’s announcement will support approximately 100 schools, 10 libraries, and 2 consortia.

The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensure

students across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education.  To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100  consortia, and providing approximately 12 million connected devices and 8 million broadband connections.  Of the over $6.4 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.14 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $833 million from Window 2; and $1.43 billion from Window 3.  

More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund">HERE</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1584977952684.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission ahs announced it is committing nearly $54 million in a new funding round through the Emergency Connectivity Program, which provides digital services for students in communities across the country. The funding commitments support applications from all three application windows, benefiting approximately 150,000 students across the country, including students in Florida, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Washington, and West Virginia.“We need to make sure all our kids have the digital tools they need to connect with teachers and online homework,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “This latest round of funding brings us closer to our goal of closing the Homework Gap.”To date, the Commission has committed over $6.4 billion to schools and libraries across the country as part of the Emergency Connectivity Program, which launched last year. The program has provided schools and libraries three different “application windows” for schools and libraries to apply for support. Today’s announcement will support approximately 100 schools, 10 libraries, and 2 consortia.The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework, to ensurestudents across the country have the necessary support to keep up with their education. To date, the program has provided support to approximately 10,000 schools, 900 libraries, and 100 consortia, and providing approximately 12 million connected devices and 8 million broadband connections. Of the over $6.4 billion in funding commitments approved to date, approximately $4.14 billion is supporting applications from Window 1; $833 million from Window 2; and $1.43 billion from Window 3. More details about which schools and libraries have received funding commitments can be found <a href="https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund">HERE</a>.

FCC: Another $54M for emergency broadband connectivity

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded those who 
were born in 1950 or earlier that funds in their retirement plans and 
individual retirement arrangements face important upcoming deadlines for
 required minimum distributions to avoid penalties.

<a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds">Required minimum distributions</a>,
 or RMDs, are minimum amounts that many retirement plan and IRA account 
owners must generally withdraw annually after they reach age 72. Account
 owners can delay taking their first RMD until April 1 following the 
later of the calendar year they reach age 72 or, in a workplace 
retirement plan, retire. RMDs are taxable income and may be subject to 
penalities if not timely taken.

IRAs: The RMD rules require <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/individual-retirement-arrangements-iras">traditional IRA</a>,
 and SEP, SARSEP, and SIMPLE IRA account holders to begin taking 
distributions at age 72, even if they're still working. Account holders 
reaching age 72 in 2022 must take their first RMD by April 1, 2023, and 
the second RMD by December 31, 2023, and each year thereafter.

Retirement Plans: In 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) 
plans; profit-sharing and other defined contribution plans; and defined 
benefit plans, the first RMD is due by April 1 of the later of the year 
they reach age 72, or the participant is no longer employed (if allowed 
by the plan). A 5% owner of the employer must begin taking RMDs at age 
72.

RMDs may not be rolled over to another IRA or retirement plan. See the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/rmd-comparison-chart-iras-vs-defined-contribution-plans">RMD Comparison Chart</a> that highlights some of the basic RMD rules that apply to IRAs and defined contribution plans. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras">Roth IRAs</a> do not require distributions while the original owner is alive.

RMD Calculations and 50% tax on missed distributions

An IRA trustee, or plan administrator, must either report the amount 
of the RMD to the IRA owner or offer to calculate it. An IRA owner, or 
trustee, must calculate the RMD separately for each IRA owned. They may 
be able to withdraw the total amount from one or more of the IRAs. 
However, RMDs from workplace retirement plans must be taken separately 
from each plan.

Not taking a required distribution, or not withdrawing enough, could 
mean a 50% excise tax on the amount not distributed. The IRS has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/required-minimum-distribution-worksheets">worksheets</a> to calculate the RMD and payout periods.

An RMD may be required for an IRA, retirement plan account or Roth IRA inherited from the original owner. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-beneficiary">Retirement Topics - Beneficiary</a>
 has information on taking RMDs from an inherited IRA or retirement 
account and reporting taxable distributions as part of gross income. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559">Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators</a>,
 can help those in charge of the estate complete and file federal income
 tax returns, and explains their responsibility to pay any taxes due on 
behalf of the decedent or person who has died.

Since 2020 RMDs were waived, an account owner or beneficiary who 
received an RMD in 2020 had the option of returning it to their IRA or 
other qualified plan to avoid paying taxes on that distribution. A 2020 
RMD that qualified as a coronavirus-related distribution may be repaid 
over a 3-year period or have the taxes due on the distribution spread 
over three years.

A 2020 withdrawal from an inherited IRA could not be repaid to the 
inherited IRA but may be spread over three years for income inclusion. 
For more information see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras">Coronavirus Relief for Retirement Plans and IRAs</a> page.

Taxpayers can find forms, instructions, publications, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">Frequently Asked Questions regarding Required Minimum Distributions</a> and other easy-to-use tools at IRS.gov.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="IRS" />
 <figcaption>IRS</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded those who 
were born in 1950 or earlier that funds in their retirement plans and 
individual retirement arrangements face important upcoming deadlines for
 required minimum distributions to avoid penalties.<a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-required-minimum-distributions-rmds">Required minimum distributions</a>,
 or RMDs, are minimum amounts that many retirement plan and IRA account 
owners must generally withdraw annually after they reach age 72. Account
 owners can delay taking their first RMD until April 1 following the 
later of the calendar year they reach age 72 or, in a workplace 
retirement plan, retire. RMDs are taxable income and may be subject to 
penalities if not timely taken.IRAs: The RMD rules require <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/individual-retirement-arrangements-iras">traditional IRA</a>,
 and SEP, SARSEP, and SIMPLE IRA account holders to begin taking 
distributions at age 72, even if they're still working. Account holders 
reaching age 72 in 2022 must take their first RMD by April 1, 2023, and 
the second RMD by December 31, 2023, and each year thereafter.Retirement Plans: In 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) 
plans; profit-sharing and other defined contribution plans; and defined 
benefit plans, the first RMD is due by April 1 of the later of the year 
they reach age 72, or the participant is no longer employed (if allowed 
by the plan). A 5% owner of the employer must begin taking RMDs at age 
72.RMDs may not be rolled over to another IRA or retirement plan. See the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/rmd-comparison-chart-iras-vs-defined-contribution-plans">RMD Comparison Chart</a> that highlights some of the basic RMD rules that apply to IRAs and defined contribution plans. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/roth-iras">Roth IRAs</a> do not require distributions while the original owner is alive.<h2>RMD Calculations and 50% tax on missed distributions</h2>An IRA trustee, or plan administrator, must either report the amount 
of the RMD to the IRA owner or offer to calculate it. An IRA owner, or 
trustee, must calculate the RMD separately for each IRA owned. They may 
be able to withdraw the total amount from one or more of the IRAs. 
However, RMDs from workplace retirement plans must be taken separately 
from each plan.Not taking a required distribution, or not withdrawing enough, could 
mean a 50% excise tax on the amount not distributed. The IRS has <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/required-minimum-distribution-worksheets">worksheets</a> to calculate the RMD and payout periods.<h2>Inherited IRAs</h2>An RMD may be required for an IRA, retirement plan account or Roth IRA inherited from the original owner. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-beneficiary">Retirement Topics - Beneficiary</a>
 has information on taking RMDs from an inherited IRA or retirement 
account and reporting taxable distributions as part of gross income. <a href="https://www.irs.gov/publications/p559">Publication 559, Survivors, Executors and Administrators</a>,
 can help those in charge of the estate complete and file federal income
 tax returns, and explains their responsibility to pay any taxes due on 
behalf of the decedent or person who has died.<h2>2020 coronavirus-related distribution</h2>Since 2020 RMDs were waived, an account owner or beneficiary who 
received an RMD in 2020 had the option of returning it to their IRA or 
other qualified plan to avoid paying taxes on that distribution. A 2020 
RMD that qualified as a coronavirus-related distribution may be repaid 
over a 3-year period or have the taxes due on the distribution spread 
over three years.A 2020 withdrawal from an inherited IRA could not be repaid to the 
inherited IRA but may be spread over three years for income inclusion. 
For more information see the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/coronavirus-relief-for-retirement-plans-and-iras">Coronavirus Relief for Retirement Plans and IRAs</a> page.Taxpayers can find forms, instructions, publications, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/retirement-plans-faqs-regarding-required-minimum-distributions">Frequently Asked Questions regarding Required Minimum Distributions</a> and other easy-to-use tools at IRS.gov.

Over age 72? Tips on avoiding IRA, retirement plan penalties

By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;

It’s the Festival of Lights. Twinkly lights adorn five acres of trees, barns and buildings as excited families enjoy hot chocolate and homemade, spiced wine.&nbsp;

It’s an annual Christmas celebration hosted by a family-owned winery on the high plains of rural Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Kirk and Treva Johnston are the owners and founders of Shiloh Vineyard and Winery near WaKeeney. The vineyard hosts special events throughout the year, including the weeklong Festival of Lights during the week before Christmas.&nbsp;

Kirk Johnston grew up in Goodland. His wife Treva is originally from Damar. Kirk was always interested in farming. He grew up helping his uncle on the farm and earned a degree in agronomy from Kansas State University.&nbsp;

“I took lots of chemistry classes,” Kirk said. The two married and eventually ended up on his grandfather’s place near WaKeeney.&nbsp;

“My grandfather bought this place in 1921 because it had a horse barn on it,” Kirk said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They built a chicken house and by 1925, had 300 layers in it.”&nbsp;

In 1929, they added the family home: “It was a house ordered out of the Montgomery Ward catalog,” Kirk said.&nbsp;

When Kirk and Treva got the property decades later, they considered their options. “We wanted to farm, but diversification seemed like a good idea, compared to spending millions of dollars for new farm equipment,” Kirk said.&nbsp;

Instead of big farm equipment, they put in a vineyard, installing a drip irrigation system. “We planted our first grapes in 2008,” Kirk said. Ultimately, this became a commercial winery.&nbsp;

“I read everything I could and went to a lot of conferences,” Kirk said. He learned from other commercial operators as well.&nbsp;

“We were assistant pastors at a local church in Hays and felt called to make an overseas trip,” Kirk said. Kirk and Treva went to a vineyard in Shiloh, Israel to help trim the vineyard and prune their vines. It was a powerful experience for them.&nbsp;

“If you let God direct your paths, his peace will come in,” Kirk said. “We want to provide top quality service so that people can experience that peace here in western Kansas.”&nbsp;

Today, Shiloh Vineyard and Winery offers a variety of premium wines made from the farm’s own fruit. This includes&nbsp;dry whites, dry reds, semi-sweet white, fruit and dessert wines.&nbsp;

“We started with 350 gallons in our first year,” Kirk said. “In 2021, we produced 1,000 cases at 2.5 gallons per case.”&nbsp;

They have upgraded their facilities and renovated the chicken house, barn, and a 100-year-old granary. In 2020, Treva’s niece, Kym, and her husband, Chris Heitke, relocated from California to WaKeeney to help with the business.&nbsp;

Shiloh Vineyard and Winery also hosts special events, lots of weddings, and visitors throughout the year. In addition to the nightly Festival of Lights during the week before Christmas, they offer a Sip of Summer Patio Party, Fall Festival dinner, and much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Three times a year, they host five course meals paired with their wines.&nbsp;

The Johnstons also offer recreational vehicle dry camping sites at the vineyard. They connected with a national website called Harvest Hosts which promotes RV camping at farms, breweries, wineries and more across the country. The website has brought in lots of visitors.&nbsp;

“It’s been so wonderful,” Kirk said. “People say this is an oasis.”&nbsp;

They have had guests from every state in the U.S. plus Brazil, China, Peru, Germany, Australia and more.&nbsp;

Shiloh wines are available at a variety of retail outlets in western Kansas as well as at the vineyard itself. The vineyard is located in the country between WaKeeney and the rural community of Collyer, population 97 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;

For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.shilohvineyard.com/">www.shilohvineyard.com</a>.&nbsp;

It’s time to leave the Festival of Lights, one of several events that bring guests to the Shiloh Vineyard and Winery. We commend Kirk and Treva Johnston for making a difference with grape and wine production and lots of great hospitality on the high plains.&nbsp;

They are helping to bring happiness to light.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670423416710.png" alt="Treva and Kirk Johnston / Courtesy K-State Extension" />
 <figcaption>Treva and Kirk Johnston / Courtesy K-State Extension</figcaption>
 </figure>By RON WILSON Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development&nbsp;It’s the Festival of Lights. Twinkly lights adorn five acres of trees, barns and buildings as excited families enjoy hot chocolate and homemade, spiced wine.&nbsp;It’s an annual Christmas celebration hosted by a family-owned winery on the high plains of rural Kansas.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Kirk and Treva Johnston are the owners and founders of Shiloh Vineyard and Winery near WaKeeney. The vineyard hosts special events throughout the year, including the weeklong Festival of Lights during the week before Christmas.&nbsp;Kirk Johnston grew up in Goodland. His wife Treva is originally from Damar. Kirk was always interested in farming. He grew up helping his uncle on the farm and earned a degree in agronomy from Kansas State University.&nbsp;“I took lots of chemistry classes,” Kirk said. The two married and eventually ended up on his grandfather’s place near WaKeeney.&nbsp;“My grandfather bought this place in 1921 because it had a horse barn on it,” Kirk said.&nbsp;&nbsp;“They built a chicken house and by 1925, had 300 layers in it.”&nbsp;In 1929, they added the family home: “It was a house ordered out of the Montgomery Ward catalog,” Kirk said.&nbsp;When Kirk and Treva got the property decades later, they considered their options. “We wanted to farm, but diversification seemed like a good idea, compared to spending millions of dollars for new farm equipment,” Kirk said.&nbsp;Instead of big farm equipment, they put in a vineyard, installing a drip irrigation system. “We planted our first grapes in 2008,” Kirk said. Ultimately, this became a commercial winery.&nbsp;“I read everything I could and went to a lot of conferences,” Kirk said. He learned from other commercial operators as well.&nbsp;“We were assistant pastors at a local church in Hays and felt called to make an overseas trip,” Kirk said. Kirk and Treva went to a vineyard in Shiloh, Israel to help trim the vineyard and prune their vines. It was a powerful experience for them.&nbsp;“If you let God direct your paths, his peace will come in,” Kirk said. “We want to provide top quality service so that people can experience that peace here in western Kansas.”&nbsp;Today, Shiloh Vineyard and Winery offers a variety of premium wines made from the farm’s own fruit. This includes&nbsp;dry whites, dry reds, semi-sweet white, fruit and dessert wines.&nbsp;“We started with 350 gallons in our first year,” Kirk said. “In 2021, we produced 1,000 cases at 2.5 gallons per case.”&nbsp;They have upgraded their facilities and renovated the chicken house, barn, and a 100-year-old granary. In 2020, Treva’s niece, Kym, and her husband, Chris Heitke, relocated from California to WaKeeney to help with the business.&nbsp;Shiloh Vineyard and Winery also hosts special events, lots of weddings, and visitors throughout the year. In addition to the nightly Festival of Lights during the week before Christmas, they offer a Sip of Summer Patio Party, Fall Festival dinner, and much more.&nbsp;&nbsp;Three times a year, they host five course meals paired with their wines.&nbsp;The Johnstons also offer recreational vehicle dry camping sites at the vineyard. They connected with a national website called Harvest Hosts which promotes RV camping at farms, breweries, wineries and more across the country. The website has brought in lots of visitors.&nbsp;“It’s been so wonderful,” Kirk said. “People say this is an oasis.”&nbsp;They have had guests from every state in the U.S. plus Brazil, China, Peru, Germany, Australia and more.&nbsp;Shiloh wines are available at a variety of retail outlets in western Kansas as well as at the vineyard itself. The vineyard is located in the country between WaKeeney and the rural community of Collyer, population 97 people. Now, that’s rural.&nbsp;For more information, go to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.shilohvineyard.com/">www.shilohvineyard.com</a>.&nbsp;It’s time to leave the Festival of Lights, one of several events that bring guests to the Shiloh Vineyard and Winery. We commend Kirk and Treva Johnston for making a difference with grape and wine production and lots of great hospitality on the high plains.&nbsp;They are helping to bring happiness to light.&nbsp;

Now That’s Rural: Trego County's Shiloh Vineyard 

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> was dropped from Portugal's starting lineup for the second straight match at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a>.

The
 37-year-old Ronaldo won't play from the outset in the quarterfinal 
match against Morocco on Saturday, after starting on the bench and then 
coming on as a substitute for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-switzerland-qatar-7a9c02a043f225cbd440c2b32244542d">Gonçalo Ramos</a>, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-33b3bb4766719b3d22f589cc3be1fb62">Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland</a> on his first start for Portugal, was again selected ahead of Ronaldo.

Ronaldo is playing in his fifth and likely final World Cup.

He
 was left out of the lineup against the Swiss after coach Fernando 
Santos expressed frustration about his team captain’s attitude in the 
previous game.

Santos later said Ronaldo was “not happy” to be 
told he was being benched, but never threatened to leave the World Cup 
because of the decision.

Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in 
men's international soccer with 118 goals, eventually came in as a 
replacement in the 74th minute. He had looked somewhat disconnected from
 the rest of the squad after the match, and had already shown a poor 
attitude after being substituted in the last group game against South 
Korea.

Ronaldo was coming off lackluster performances in the group stage, though <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-03eada6b729b1f68ae27041829ac5cb6">he scored in the 3-2 win against Ghana</a> to become the first player to score in five World Cups. He has played in every edition of the tournament since 2006.

Portugal's other starters against Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium included João Félix, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Otávio.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> was dropped from Portugal's starting lineup for the second straight match at the <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a>.The
 37-year-old Ronaldo won't play from the outset in the quarterfinal 
match against Morocco on Saturday, after starting on the bench and then 
coming on as a substitute for the round-of-16 match against Switzerland.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-switzerland-qatar-7a9c02a043f225cbd440c2b32244542d">Gonçalo Ramos</a>, who scored a hat trick on Tuesday in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-33b3bb4766719b3d22f589cc3be1fb62">Portugal's 6-1 win over Switzerland</a> on his first start for Portugal, was again selected ahead of Ronaldo.Ronaldo is playing in his fifth and likely final World Cup.He
 was left out of the lineup against the Swiss after coach Fernando 
Santos expressed frustration about his team captain’s attitude in the 
previous game.Santos later said Ronaldo was “not happy” to be 
told he was being benched, but never threatened to leave the World Cup 
because of the decision.Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer in 
men's international soccer with 118 goals, eventually came in as a 
replacement in the 74th minute. He had looked somewhat disconnected from
 the rest of the squad after the match, and had already shown a poor 
attitude after being substituted in the last group game against South 
Korea.Ronaldo was coming off lackluster performances in the group stage, though <a href="https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-europe-middle-east-03eada6b729b1f68ae27041829ac5cb6">he scored in the 3-2 win against Ghana</a> to become the first player to score in five World Cups. He has played in every edition of the tournament since 2006.Portugal's other starters against Morocco at Al Thumama Stadium included João Félix, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes and Otávio.Portugal
 is trying to make it to the last four for the third time, having 
finished third in 1966 and fourth in 2006. It hadn't gotten past the 
round of 16 since that tournament in Germany 16 years ago.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1670686795287.jpg" alt="Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure>

Misc