In Florida, preliminary state statistics show more than 133,840 loggerhead turtle nests, breaking a record set in 2016. Same for green turtles, where the estimate of at least 76,500 nests is well above the previous mark set in 2017.

High sea turtle nest numbers also have been reported in South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia, although not all set records like Florida, where Justin Perrault, vice president of research at Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, said the number of nests is remarkable this year.

“We had more nests than we had ever seen before on our local beaches,” said Perrault, whose organization monitors Palm Beach County and broke a local record by 4,000 nests. “That's quite a bit of nesting.”

There are seven species of sea turtles: loggerhead, green, leatherback, hawksbill, Kemp's ridley, olive ridley and flatback. All are considered either endangered or threatened. They come ashore on summer nights, digging pits in the sand and depositing dozens of eggs before covering them up and returning to the sea. Florida beaches are one of the most important hatcheries for loggerheads in the world.

Only about one in 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings live to adulthood. They face myriad natural threats, including predators on land and in the ocean, disruptions to nests and failure to make it to the water after hatching. This year along one stretch of Florida's Gulf Coast where 75 nests had been counted, most were wiped out by the surge from Hurricane Idalia in August.

“Unfortunately, the nests pre-Idalia were almost all lost due to the high tides and flooding on our barrier islands,” said Carly Oakley, senior turtle conservation biologist at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Female turtles generally lay eggs in a three-year cycle, leading to up-and-down years of nests, she said. “The nesting process is very exhausting and, in this break, females regain the energy to do the process again,” Oakley said.

Climate change has added to those challenges, reducing beaches as sea levels rise and causing more powerful tropical storms. Hotter air, water and sand and changes in the ocean currents turtles use to migrate also lower the odds of surviving, according to Oceana, an international conservation group.

Sand temperatures play a major role in determining sea turtle sex. In general, warmer temperatures produce more female turtles, and sand temperatures are projected to increase dramatically around the world by 2100, according to researchers at Florida State University.

“So the warmer the nest is, the more likely that nest is to produce females,” Perrault said. “Additionally, hatchlings that come out of warmer nests are much smaller and often slower.”

A study led by FSU professor Mariana Fuentes that was published recently in the Global Change Biology journal found sea turtles will have to nest much later or much earlier than they currently do to cope with changing environmental conditions.

Even that may not be enough for every species, said Fuentes, who works in FSU's Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science. Turtles have adapted to altered climates over millions of years, but today's rapid changes could happen too quickly for them to evolve, she said.

“We have found that even if they do change the timing of their nesting, that's not going to be sufficient to maintain the temperatures of current nesting grounds,” Fuentes said.

Sea turtle mothers already have to lumber out of the water to find a good spot to nest, which can be difficult in areas where humans have built seawalls. Some female turtles make several attempts, known as false crawls, before finding a suitable location.

Racoons, coyotes and other predators raid the nests and hatchlings, once they dig their way out, have to crawl to the sea before being snatched up by birds and other animals. Electric lights can disorient them, causing turtles to head the wrong way on the beach instead of following light from the moon and stars. And when the lucky ones finally start swimming, hungry fish await.

Michelle Pate, biologist at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, said tens of thousands of hatchlings don’t make it to the water, even as nest numbers trend higher across much of the Southeast.

“If we can't get hatchlings to emerge and make it to the ocean, then an increase in nest numbers doesn't help,” she said.

The increase in turtle nests this year conceals an ominous future for the animals, Perrault said.

“Yes, we’re seeing record numbers, but our hatchling production may not be that great,” he said. “And so in the future, 20 to 30 years from now, and these things come back to nest, we may not be seeing these record numbers that we’re seeing now.”

AP video journalist Cody Jackson contributed from Juno Beach, Florida.

Tons of shoppers gathered at Haywood Mall for Black Friday to get their early Christmas shopping done.

According to the Brandi Crowe, area business director for Simon Property Group, the mall's parking lot has been 90 to 95 percent full since the mall opened Friday morning. 

“Stores will have offers throughout the entire weekend but obviously to get the best selection you have to get here early,” said Crowe. 

Crowe said the mall has new retailers such as Lucky Brand and Trade Home Shoes. The mall is expected to open a store called “Garage” later this season. 

Shoppers can expect to see deals ranging from 30 to 60 percent off all weekend and into Cyber Monday. 

Due to inflation, the mall has created a holiday gift guide for shoppers. 

“I think a lot of our shoppers, are very budget concise this holiday season so what we’re doing to combat that is we have a holiday gift guide that had just launched on our website and will let you know all the offers and all the discounts that you could get throughout the entire holiday season,” said Crowe. 

Shoppers can utilize the mall’s website to view stores products and deals without ever having to leave their home. 

While some shoppers enjoy online shopping, others prefer the traditional in person option. 

“If you ask my husband, he would 100 percent say online because he hates going into stores, but my mother and I enjoy the chaos in our lives and just the hustle and bustle and the energy. I absolutely feed off that and my kids enjoy it too,” said Stephanie Scherdt. 

The mall will extend their store hours Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

South Carolina championship schedule:

All games will be played at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg.

November 30

• 2A Championship - 7 p.m.

December 1

• 1A Championship - 2 p.m.
• 5A Championship - 8 p.m.

December 2

• 4A Championship - 12 p.m.
• 3A Championship - 7 p.m.

The procession of freed prisoners, some accused of minor offenses and others convicted in attacks, at a checkpoint outside of Jerusalem stoked massive crowds of Palestinians into a chanting, clapping, hand-waving, screaming frenzy.

Fifteen dazed young men, all in stained grey prison sweatsuits and looking gaunt with exhaustion, glided through the streets on the shoulders of their teary-eyed fathers as fireworks turned the night sky to blazing color and patriotic Palestinian pop music blared.

Some of those released were draped in Palestinian flags, others in the green flags of Hamas. They flashed victory signs as they crowd-surfed.

“I have no words, I have no words,” said newly released 17-year-old Jamal Brahma, searching for something to say to the hordes of jostling journalists and thousands of chanting Palestinians, many in national dress. “Thank God.”

Tears fell down his father Khalil Brahma's cheeks as he brought his son down from his shoulders and looked him in the eye for the first time in seven months. Israeli forces had arrested Jamal at his home in the Palestinian city of Jericho last spring and detained him without charge or trial.

“I just want to be his father again,” he said.

The release of the Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails came just hours after two dozen hostages, including 13 Israelis, were released from captivity in Gaza in the initial exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners during the four-day cease-fire that started Friday.

Under the deal, Hamas is to release at least 50 hostages, and Israel 150 Palestinian prisoners, over the four days. Israel said the truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed.

Although the atmosphere was festive in the town of Beitunia near Israel's hulking Ofer Prison in the West Bank, people were on edge.

The Israeli government has ordered police to shut down celebrations over the release. Israeli security forces at one point unleashed tear gas canisters on the crowds, sending young men, old women and small children sprinting away as they wept and screamed in pain.

“The army is trying to take this moment away from us but they can’t,” Mays Foqaha said as she tumbled into the arms of her newly released 18-year-old friend, Nour al-Taher from Nablus, who was arrested during a protest in September at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. ”This is our day of victory."

The Palestinian detainees freed Friday included 24 women, some of whom had been sentenced to years-long prison terms over attempted stabbings and other attacks on Israeli security forces. Others had been accused of incitement on social media.

There were also the 15 male teenagers, most of them charged with stone-throwing and “supporting terrorism,” a broadly defined accusation that underscores Israel’s long-running crackdown on young Palestinian men as violence surges in the occupied territory.

For families on both sides of the conflict, news of the exchange — perhaps the first hopeful moment in 49 days of war — stirred a bittersweet jumble of joy and anguish.

“As a Palestinian, my heart is broken for my brothers in Gaza, so I can't really celebrate,” said Abdulqader Khatib, a U.N. worker whose 17-year-old son, Iyas, was placed last year in "administrative detention," without charges or trial and based on secret evidence. "But I am a father. And deep inside, I am very happy.”

Israel is now holding an all-time high of 2,200 Palestinians in administrative detention, according to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, in a controversial policy that Israel defends as a counter-terrorism measure.

Since Oct. 7, when Hamas took roughly 240 Israeli and foreign citizens hostage and killed 1,200 Israelis in its unprecedented rampage through southern Israel, Palestinians have wondered about the fate of their own prisoners.

Israel has a history of agreeing to lopsided exchanges. In 2011, Hamas got Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to release more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for a single captive Israeli soldier, Gilad Schalit.

A prisoner release touches Palestinian society to its core. Almost every Palestinian has a relative in jail – or has been there himself. Human rights groups estimate that over 750,000 Palestinians have passed through Israeli prisons since Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in 1967.

Whereas Israel views them as terrorists, Palestinians refer to them by the Arabic word for prisoners of war, and devote a good chunk of public funds to supporting them and their families. Israel and the U.S. have condemned the grants to prisoner families as an incentive for violence.

“These kinds of prisoner exchanges are often the only hope families have to see their sons or fathers released before many years go by,” said Amira Khader, international advocacy officer at Addameer, a group supporting Palestinian prisoners. “It’s what they live for, it’s like a miracle from God.”

Since the Hamas attack, Israel has escalated a months-long West Bank crackdown on Palestinians suspected of ties to Hamas and other militant groups. Many prisoners are convicted by military courts, which prosecute Palestinians with a conviction rate of more than 99%. Rights groups say Palestinians are often denied due process and forced into confessions.

There are now 7,200 Palestinians in Israeli prison, said Qadura Fares, the director of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, with over 2,000 arrested since Oct. 7 alone.

On Friday in Beitunia, a lanky and pimpled 16-year-old, Aban Hammad, stood unmoving, looking shaken by the tumult of tears, hugs and pro-Hamas chants around him. It was his first glimpse of the world after a year in prison for throwing stones in the northern town of Qalqilya. He was freed even though he had eight months of his sentence left to serve.

He turned toward his father, wrapping him into a hug. “Look, I'm almost bigger than you now," he said.

Nearly 100 people in 32 states have gotten sick from the contaminated fruits. Arizona, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have the highest number of cases. Two people have died of the infections in Minnesota, and 45 people are hospitalized nationwide.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's original recall included Malichita brand whole cantaloupe, Vinyard brand pre-cut cantaloupe and ALDI whole cantaloupe and pre-cut fruit products. Rudy brand whole cantaloupes and Freshness Guaranteed brand and RaceTrac brand pre-cut cantaloupes joined the list Friday.

Health officials say anyone who bought the recalled fruits should throw them away and wash surfaces that touched them with hot, soapy water or in a dishwasher.

Most people infected with salmonella develop diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps within six hour to six days after consuming food contaminated with the bacteria. Illnesses typically last four to seven days. Vulnerable people, including children, people older than 65 and those with weakened immune systems may develop severe illnesses that require medical care or hospitalization.

AP Health Writer JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report.

In June, the company offered its Ultimate Endless Shrimp — typically a limited offer — on their regular menu for $20. The attempt to get more people into the store worked, but it came at a cost.

Red Lobster posted an operating loss of more than $11 million in Q3, according to Restaurant Business. It's a loss that owner Thai Union Group said the Ultimate Endless Shrimp was a "key factor" in creating.

“We knew the price was cheap, but the idea was to bring more traffic in the restaurants,” said Thai Union CFO Ludovic Regis Henri Garnier, according to a transcript.

Garnier said that more people were choosing the endless shrimp than the company thought would.

According to Men's Journal, the shrimp fiasco is set to leave the company with a $20 million loss for the year. Seafood news site SeafoodSource said that the company attributed most of the losses to industry challenges, including inflation and labor costs.

To continue Ultimate Endless Shrimp as a regular menu item, the company said they'll bump the price up to $25.

The actor and comedian was detained after Beverly Hills police received a call about 5:45 a.m. Police said she appeared to be found slumped over the wheel of the vehicle while the car engine was still running.

Haddish, an Emmy and Grammy winner, performed at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles on Thursday night. It was the comedy club’s 43rd annual free Thanksgiving feast for the community.

A representative for Haddish did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Last year, Haddish was arrested on suspicion of DUI in suburban Atlanta.

Haddish has starred in the films including the comedy “Girls Trip,” “Night School,” “Like a Boss” and “The Kitchen.” She wrote the New York Times best seller “The Last Black Unicorn,” which earned a Grammy nomination.

In 2018, Haddish won an Emmy for her appearance on “Saturday Night Live” and a Grammy in 2021 for her special "Black Mitzvah.”

The order came Friday after President Biden proclaimed the flag of the United States be lowered from November 25 until sunset on the day of interment.

Carter died Sunday afternoon at the age of 96, about two days after she entered hospice care. She will be buried on Wednesday, Nov. 29 in Plains, Georgia, the hometown she shared with former President Jimmy Carter.

"Throughout her life as First Lady of Georgia and First Lady of the United States, Rosalynn Carter exemplified hope, warmth, and a steadfast commitment to doing all she could to address many of our society’s greatest needs," Biden's proclamation reads. "She was a champion for equal rights and opportunities for women and girls; an advocate for mental health and wellness for all; and a supporter of the often unseen and uncompensated caregivers of our children, aging loved ones, and people with disabilities."

Gov. McMaster directed that flags atop the state Capitol be flown at half-staff and requested that the flags over state buildings and buildings of the political subdivisions of the state be adjusted in accordance as well.

According to Goldman Sachs, the current pace of job growth is around 175,000 per month, but they expect it to slow to 100,000 in the second half of 2024. JP Morgan is on the same page – it predicts that job growth is expected to soften in 2024.

And the most official source, the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, tells us that job growth slowed in October after the economy added fewer jobs in August and September than expected.

All of it promises a slowdown in labor market momentum, news that is considered to be “Fed-friendly”: good for the economy. But what does it mean for workers?

The cards are not as stacked in your favor as they were 12 months ago, and wage growth is also slowing, so the springboard from your current role into a better one may not be quite as visible nor as bouncy. There is, however, reason for optimism. A slowing in the jobs market presents an opportunity to take stock to safeguard your career progression.

If you have been on the fence about staying in your current role, safe in the knowledge that the market is awash with new opportunities, this is your nudge to be more cautious and more curious. It could be a good time to make your move.

An employer’s market

The Great Resignation that pockmarked the jobs market since the pandemic is officially over say observers, which is good news for organizations on the hunt for the best talent. Quits have fallen to pre-pandemic levels, and consequently so have new hires, so employers are less desperate to fill openings. This means you’ll have to search harder to find great opportunities but when you inevitably do, be ready to step up.

Do your research

With a focus on your skills, rather than your current job title, research the hottest sectors where your knowledge and expertise are turning heads these days. If you are on the hunt for something new, note that government, health, nonprofit and professional services roles have been ripest for picking this year, with more active openings and hirings. Expand your network online and aim to follow key players and join associations related to your targeted sector.

Be open to a change

These days, a huge amount of job seekers are still searching for full-time remote work. Don’t put yourself directly in line with the masses; Stand out from the competition by including hybrid and on-site roles in your search and application process. Furthermore, be open to contract and shorter-term positions that could help you find your feet on a new career path.

Speed matters

All the experts agree that now might not be the time to take your time. In a softer jobs market, your leverage as a skilled worker is softening, too. When you see an interesting role, have your résumé and references dusted off and ready to go. The right applicants are getting appointed quickly, and competition can be fierce. Be on your game and move fast.

Are you ready to make your move? All of the best opportunities can be found at The Hill Jobs  – start your search today.

Director of Election Protection, Issue One, Washington

Fortifying US elections is the main goal of the Director of Election Protection at Issue One, who will lead strategic initiatives in this area. Reporting to the Chief of Strategy, the Director will oversee the National Council on Election Integrity and spearhead the Faces of Democracy campaign, in a role that drives communications, wider policy and grassroots mobilization. A minimum of five years in campaign leadership is preferred as well as a familiarity with legislative advocacy, plus exceptional communication and management skills. Read more about this important role at The Hill Jobs, where you can apply directly.

Director, Treasury FX Trading & Funding, Remitly, Seattle

Remitly is currently seeking a Treasury Director to oversee its FX operations, managing $40B in transactions across more than 170 countries annually. You’ll lead a global team of 10, and head up FX inventory purchases, funding strategies, and trade execution, with a focus on optimizing liquidity and minimizing cost. At least a decade in global treasury FX management, with deep knowledge of emerging markets currencies or remittances, and strong leadership skills is ideal. Your educational background would ideally be in finance, accounting, or a related field, while professional certifications such as CFA, CTP, or CPA are an advantage. In return, you’ll enjoy flexible time off, great health benefits, 401k-matching, and educational support. Discover more about working for Remitly at The Hill Jobs today.

Manager, Digital Communications, American Gas Association, Washington

The American Gas Association, which represents more than 200 natural gas companies, has an exciting opening for a Manager of Digital Communications to join its team. The successful candidate will oversee online content, social media, and graphic design projects, so the role ideally calls for a degree in communications or a related field. Occasional travel will be involved. If you are energetic, collaborative and at your best under pressure, this role could be for you. Read more about it at The Hill Jobs.

The Hill Jobs is the place to find your next opportunity, even as the market softens: make it part of your daily career path plan

The freed hostages included 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and one from the Philippines, according to Qatar.

The agreement opened the way for sorely needed aid to flow into Gaza for beleaguered residents. It was also a moment of hope for families in Israel and elsewhere worried about loved ones taken captive during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, which triggered the war.

With the truce’s start Friday morning, Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians saw quiet for the first time after seven weeks of relentless Israeli bombardment, which has killed thousands, driven three-quarters of the population from their homes and flattened vast swaths of residential areas. Rocket fire from Gaza militants into Israel went silent as well.

The freed Israeli hostages included eight women — six of them in their 70s and 80s — and three children. Their release was followed in the evening by the freeing of the Palestinian prisoners — 24 women, including some convicted of attempted murder for attacks on Israeli forces, and 15 teenagers jailed for offenses like throwing stones.

But joy at the deal has been tempered — among Israelis by the fact that not all hostages will be freed and among Palestinians by the briefness of the pause. The short truce will leave Gaza mired in humanitarian crisis and under the threat that fighting could soon resume.

Israel says the cease-fire could be extended if more hostages are released, but it has vowed to resume its massive offensive once the truce ends. That has clouded hopes that the deal could eventually help wind down the conflict, which has fueled a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank and stirred fears of a wider conflagration across the Middle East.FIRST HOSTAGES FREED

After nightfall Friday, a line of ambulances emerged from Gaza through the Rafah Crossing in Egypt, carrying the freed hostages, according to live footage on Egypt’s state-run Al-Qahera TV. Israel’s Channel 13 showed an older woman exiting an ambulance alongside young girl, then walking slowly into a building. An Egyptian medical team held another older woman’s arms as she walked.

At a plaza dubbed “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv, a crowd of Israelis cheered as news of the release was announced. The Israeli military later confirmed that the hostages had returned to Israel and were undergoing medical checks before being moved to hospitals to be reunited with their families.

The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which played a key role mediating with Hamas in the long negotiations over the deal, said 13 Israelis, 10 Thai and one Filipino were freed. The Thai prime minister earlier said in a tweet that 12 Thai nationals were freed. There was no immediate explanation for the discrepancy.

The plight of around 240 people taken captive during Hamas’ attack has been wrenching in Israel, raising anger among some families that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not doing enough to bring them home.

Under the deal, at least 50 are to be released, though it is not clear if the Thai and Filipino captives would be included in that count. Israeli is to free 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel said the four-day truce can be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed.

“I’m excited for the families that are going to hug their loved ones,” Shelli Shem Tov, the mother of 21-year-old Omer Shem Tov, told Israeli’s Channel 12 at the square. “I’m jealous, and I’m sad, mostly sad that Omer is not coming home yet.”

In the West Bank, thousands gathered near the Israeli military’s Ofer Prison, awaiting the release of Palestinian prisoners, some waving Palestinian flags in celebration. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club, an advocacy group, Israel is currently holding 7,200 Palestinians, including about 2,000 arrested since the start of the war. Israel holds many for months without charge in administrative detention. Most of those who are tried are put before military courts that almost never acquit defendants and often don’t follow due process, human rights groups say.CEASE-FIRE

Palestinians say a longer cease-fire is needed to recover from the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. But Friday’s halt in fighting brought the uprooted population a moment to catch their breath after weeks of fleeing bombardment across the tiny coastal enclave and trying to find increasingly scarce food, water and other basic supplies.

After the truce began Friday morning, an increased flow of aid promised under the deal began. Four trucks of fuel and four trucks of cooking gas entered from Egypt, as well as 200 trucks of relief supplies, Israel said.

Since the war began, Israel barred all imports into Gaza, except for a trickle of supplies from Egypt.

Its ban on fuel, which it said could be diverted to Hamas, caused a territory-wide blackout. Hospitals, water systems, bakeries and shelters have struggled to keep generators running. Amid food shortages, U.N. officials had warned in recent weeks of potential starvation.

During the truce, Israel agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 liters (34,340 gallons) of fuel per day — still only a small portion of Gaza’s estimated daily needs of more than 1 million liters.

Most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people are crowded into the southern portion of the territory, with more than 1 million living in U.N. schools-turned-shelters.

For those originally from the south, the calm brought a chance to visit homes they had fled and retrieve some belongings.

To the hundreds of thousands who evacuated from northern Gaza to the south, Israel issued a warning not to return. Northern Gaza has been the focus on Israel’s ground assault.

In leaflets dropped around the south, the Israeli military said it would block such attempts, saying the “the war has not ended yet.”

Still, hundreds of Palestinians could be seen walking north Friday.

Two were shot and killed by Israeli troops and another 11 were wounded. An Associated Press journalist saw the two bodies and the wounded as they arrived at a hospital.

Sofian Abu Amer, who had fled Gaza City, said he decided to risk heading north to check on his home.

“We don’t have enough clothes, food and drinks,” he said. “The situation is disastrous. It’s better for a person to die.”

Israel’s northern border with Lebanon was also quiet on Friday, a day after the militant Hezbollah group, an ally of Hamas, carried out the highest number of attacks in one day since fighting there began Oct. 8.

Hezbollah is not a party to the cease-fire agreement but was widely expected to halt its attacks.A LONGER PEACE?

The war erupted when several thousand Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel, killing at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking scores of hostages, including babies, women and older adults, as well as soldiers.

The hope is that “momentum” from the deal will lead to an “end to this violence,” said Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which served as a mediator along with the United States and Egypt.

But hours before it came into effect, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told troops that their respite would be short and that the war would resume with intensity for at least two more months.

Netanyahu has also vowed to continue the war to destroy Hamas’ military capabilities, end its 16-year rule in Gaza and return all the hostages.

The Israeli offensive has killed more than 13,300 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Women and minors have consistently made up around two-thirds of the dead, though the latest number was not broken down. The figure does not include updated numbers from hospitals in the north, where communications have broken down.

The ministry says some 6,000 people have been reported missing, feared buried under rubble.

The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and militants in its death tolls.

Israel says it has killed thousands of Hamas fighters, without presenting evidence for its count.

The Christmas House started 50 years ago with the parents of Sandra Montgomery, James and Doris Blackwell.

James Blackwell was over maintenance at his job where they asked him to put Christmas decorations out.

After two years, he started decorating his own house. He started with a nativity scene.

"It snowballed in the community," Montgomery said about her parents' Christmas display located at 350 Foster Road in Inman.

When her father died in 2005, Montgomery and her husband, Bill Montgomery moved into the house.

One of the last things James Blackwell wanted to know before he died was if they would continue the Christmas spirit and put up Christmas lights.

Bill Montgomery promised "to do it as long as we can."

The first Christmas with the Montgomerys in charge they had 40,000 lights. Most of them were flourcents.

Now in 2023, they have more than 130,000 lights. Most of them being LED lights.

The Montgomerys have also pulled out old decorations from the Blackwells including a blow mold nativity, and an old Santa that they have restored.

They have added an animated gold tree in front of the house to celebrate the 50 anniversary of The Christmas House.

When it comes to preparation, the Montgomerys begin the second week in October with the help of family and friends for the grand reveal on Thanksgiving evening

The lights are on rain or shine between Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The Montgomerys said there is no charge to see the lights. However, there is a donation box in front of the manger scene for anyone who wishes to help with expenses.

They said the donations help cover the triple power bill they receive when the lights are on. The donations also pay for law enforcement who directs traffic on the weekend.

The rest of the donations go to non-profits that the Montgomerys support.

The strike is organized by the UNI Global Union, which represents workers around the world and said it has mobilized workers from more than 30 countries, including Italy, Germany and the U.S., to speak out against Amazon's treatment of employees.

Hundreds of workers were striking on Friday at warehouses in Coventry, U.K., and in multiple German cities, Reuters reported. Additional walkouts were expected later in the day in other countries.

Officials with the GMB Union, a large trade union in the U.K. that organized protesters there, wrote on the platform X that the strike on Friday was the "the biggest industrial action in Amazon's history."

The effort is part of the "Make Amazon Pay" campaign, which has organized strikes for the past four years. Christy Hoffman, general secretary of UNI Global Union, said workers around the world are "standing up to Make Amazon Pay."

"This day of action grows every year because the movement to hold Amazon accountable keeps getting bigger and stronger," Hoffman said in a statement. "Workers know that it doesn’t matter what country you’re in or what your job title is, we are all united in the fight for higher wages, an end to unreasonable quotas, and a voice on the job."

Strikers argue that Amazon pays warehouse workers lower wages compared to employees in other sectors of the company and for better health and safety policies. Some also raise concerns about the e-commerce corporation's environmental footprint.

Jessie Moreno, an Amazon Teamsters member from Local 396 in California, said she and other works "are on strike against Amazon’s unfair labor practices."

"We have taken our picket line across the country and now we’re joining our colleagues from around the world to demand respect, fair wages, and a workplace where our health and safety are a priority," Moreno said in a statement. "Amazon is no match for the power of its workers united."

Amazon spokesperson Mary Kate Paradis said the "vast majority of these allegations are false or misinformed."

"The fact is Amazon has created millions of good jobs, while helping create and support hundreds of thousands of small businesses around the world. We offer great pay and benefits for our employees," Paradis said in a statement to The Hill, "with great career opportunities, and provide a modern and safe working environment for all.

"We continue to invest in the countries and communities where we operate, and we’re proud to be the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy," Paradis added. "That’s part of our drive to be net zero carbon by 2040, with billions already invested in packaging reduction, clean energy and electric vehicles."

Updated: 10:51 a.m.

According to the sheriff's office, 18-year-old Hendrix Alan McCormick was last seen on Thanksgiving around Darby Lane.

He was last seen wearing a black hoodie and camo pants.

Anyone with information regarding McCormick's whereabouts is asked to contact ACSO at (864) 260-4444 and reference case number 2023-15740.

Nineteen year-old Brandon Garrett grew up playing several sports and was a serious runner. At one point, he ran 10 miles every morning. A few months after becoming a personal trainer at Club Fitness in O’Fallon, Illinois, Garrett set a new goal.

Garrett wanted to break the world record for the most pull-ups in 24 hours: 8,600. To break it down, Garrett would do 10 pull-ups a minute to get to 5,000 before switching his rep pace.

"Once I'm committed to something, I'm going to get it," Garrett said.

Nexstar's KTVI reports he spent eight months training while juggling clients at the gym. During that time he committed 25 hours per week doing pull-ups, completing 70,000 every seven days.

Last Friday, it was time for Garrett to test his limits.

At 4 p.m. at Club Fitness, Garrett began his quest for a new world record. Going straight for 24 hours meant going through the darkness.

"I kept looking outside, looking for the sun to rise,” Garrett said. "That midnight to 6 a.m., I felt like, a perpetual darkness."

Describing the pain he endured, Garrett explained the forearms were the first thing to "go."

"It literally felt like rubber bands snapping through my forearms."

When Garrett hit 9,000 pull-ups — well past the world record — he didn't stop.

In the next couple of hours, Garrett began to feel and push his limits.

"I told everybody I was going to go to 23 hours, 59 minutes, and 59 seconds. So that's what I did," he said. "A man of my word."

In the end, Garrett said he completed 9,229 pull-ups — 629 more than the previous record. He's sent the video of his pull-ups to the Guinness Book of World Records for confirmation, which could come at the perfect time this holiday season.

"That would be really nice to get that gift going into the new year,” Garrett said. “[I’d be a] world record holder, so I'd be excited."

Inside a Zipplicity bag, Waldeier said she's ready for a five-day vacation. She said it can hold about five pounds worth of clothing.

"I've got three pairs of leggings, five shirts and six socks," Waldeier said, holding up one bag.

Waldeier designed the fabric sleeve suitcase with a zipper specifically to cut costs on luggage at the airport. Instead of checking a bag, she and her family now carry on "neck pillows."

"I didn't want to spend the money on the baggage fees," Waldeier said. "I wanted to spend the money on memory making, like all the money on fun."

The idea came to her in 2019 during a family trip where they were celebrating good health. Qaldeier had battled a bladder disease and hip issues for the three years prior. When she finally got cleared to walk on the beach, they made the most of it.

She said overcoming those challenges helped lead her to becoming a successful entrepreneur.

"It's a dream come true," Waldeier said.

She started Zipplicity roughly four years ago and officially got the patent for her invention in 2022. Her company has since done about $90,000 in sales. The neck pillow, or rather unique piece of luggage, costs approximately $50 each and has even been a hit internationally.

"I'm shipping these to Australia and Germany," Waldeier said.

Waldeier wants her company to help others grow. She said all of her products are sewn in micro-factories across the Kansas City area.

"I just thought it was ingenious," Laura Treas said.

Treas is the founder of Fashion Tech Kansas City. She is not only Waldeier's manufacturer but also her mentor. Her message to small business owners is simple and packs a punch.

"You have to be passionate because you have to be in it night and day," Treas said. "You have to be in it for the long haul."

As a mother of two, Waldeier is proud of her hard work as an entrepreneur and believes it has taught her kids to think outside the box.

"Just looking for solutions to everyday problems," Waldeier said.

Waldeier is not stopping at one Zipplicity bag and style. She designed a trinket bag and is coming out with a camo bag and more prints next year.

You may think of the 140-foot tall tree in Enid, Oklahoma, or the 284-foot tall tree in Indianapolis, but DeSoto Parish, Louisiana is about to take the title.

The plan is to make Christmas history Friday when the DeSoto Parish Sheriff's Office lights up a towering 300-foot structure. That's the equivalent of a 28-story building. At 6:30 p.m. local time, officials are set to flip the switch on The Spirit of DeSoto Tree and its 10,250 LED holiday lights. The event will include hot cocoa and a visit with Santa Claus.

The "tree" is actually the parish's new Stonewall Government Plaza communications tower, but plans have been in the works since last December to give it a once-a-year holiday façade. Sheriff Jayson Richardson thought it would be possible to put DeSoto at the top of the list and began contacting the FAA, FCC, Kay Radio & Electronics out of Alexandria, and various other sponsors and donors that would be willing to approve and cover the time and costs associated with the project.

Richardson credits local businessman Perry Thompson with taking the reins to turn the dream into reality. In addition to transforming the communications tower, Thompson is creating a Christmas-themed business in Stonewall.

While officials don't plan to have an independent organization verify the tree structure is in fact the world's largest, they note there are none larger found through an online search. They hope the tree brings in tourists to visit and shop throughout the holiday season.

The crash, which took place just before 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, shut down the four-vehicle bridges which cross the U.S. and Canada border in western New York and also left one border patrol officer with minor injuries. Three of the bridges re-opened Wednesday evening, while the Rainbow Bridge re-opened Thursday night around 6:30 p.m.

Video shows the car going at a high rate of speed before appearing to hit something, going airborne, and landing on a structure near the border inspection booths. The car then exploded, bursting into flames and killing both occupants.

Nexstar's WIVB reports the incident remains under investigation and no further details, including a cause, have been released by police. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said Wednesday there was no indication the crash was an act of terrorism.

"The City of Niagara Falls would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families as they deal with this tragedy," Niagara Falls police said in a statement.

The Villani family said in a statement obtained by WIVB’s Tara Lynch that they wished to “extend our sincere gratitude to all that extended prayers, condolences and well wishes. We are all deeply touched. At this point, we would request privacy so we may begin the process of healing.” The statement was also on behalf of the Ceccato, Maniccia and Gui’s Lumber families.

Niagara Falls Police Department Superintendent John Faso told WIVB the vehicle was a 2022 Bentley and believed to be the Flying Spur model. Faso added that 2018-21 Bentley GT and Flying Spur models were recalled in 2021 due to the risk of the accelerator getting stuck. While the car in the crash was a 2022, he said this is still part of the investigation.

Additionally, police have stated they are investigating the possibility of a medical emergency.

Corporal Lucas Watts was shot during a chase after Oconee County deputies attempted to stop a vehicle along Highway 11 near Mt. Pleasant Road on Nov. 16.

Investigators said the vehicle stopped near Black Bass Road and Shelor Ferry Road and shots were fired, striking Corporal Watts.

He was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery.

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw said, " I'm, not talking about a grazing wound to the head. I'm talking about ta bullet to his brain."

An update on Watts' condition was provided by the family on his CaringBridge website.

"Your prayers continue to make a difference! Lucas’s swelling and bruising is decreasing and he looks so good today!" the family said. "Not all days can be good days, so we celebrate in all the victories."

 The update went on to say, " In addition to your prayers, thank you for the many donations and offers of help you have made. These have taken such a weight off many shoulders and allowed us to focus on Lucas and his recovery. Your love and support make a huge difference. It truly takes a village and we belong to a very special one at that."

According to the Greer Fire Department, crews responded to the 100 block of Pinewood Drive around 7:34 p.m.

Firefighters arrived to find a single-story house fire with smoke and fire showing from the front and rear of the residence.

Officials said crews worked in an offensive strategy and the fire was contained at 8:26 p.m.

The building was occupied at the time. No injuries were reported.

Pelham Batesville Fire Department, Tyger River Fire Department, and Taylors Fire Department also responded to assist.

According to the Hendersonville Police Department, officers responded to the Orchard Bar & Grill around 2:40 a.m. in reference to a disturbance involving gunshots in the parking lot.

Upon arrival, officers located a man lying on the ground in the parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Officials identified the man as 30-year-old Elijah Edward Timmons III, of Asheville. Timmons was pronounced dead at the scene.

The preliminary investigation revealed that Timmons was engaged in an altercation with a suspect before he was shot.

According to the police department, the suspect remains at large. This incident is believed to be isolated with no ongoing threat to public safety.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lt. Bonanno with the Hendersonville Police Department at (828) 697-3025.

But one food that many humans love is particularly dangerous for dogs and cats: chocolate.

Chocolate is toxic for both dogs and cats because it contains a chemical called theobromine, which is used medicinally as a blood vessel dilator and heart stimulant as well as for other purposes.

Dogs and cats cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can, so they are more sensitive to the chemical. According to VCA Animals Hospitals, theobromine varies with the type of chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more dangerous it can be.

Baking chocolate and dark chocolate are highly concentrated with up to 140 milligrams of theobromine per ounce, while common milk chocolate has a lower concentration of the chemical with around 44 to 58 milligrams per ounce.

White chocolate does not pose as much of a threat since it only has 0.25 milligrams per ounce.

VGA Animal Hospitals say a medium-sized dog weighing 50 pounds would only need to eat 1 ounce of baker's chocolate, or 9 ounces of milk chocolate, to show possible signs of poisoning.

Signs of chocolate poisoning depend on the amount and type of chocolate ingested. For many dogs and cats, the most common signs are: 

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Excessive urination
• Racing heart rate

In severe cases, symptoms can include muscle tremors, seizures and heart failure.

If you suspect that your cat or dog has eaten chocolate, immediately call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661

The drug, made by Eli Lilly, is marketed as Zepbound. Also known as tirzepatide, it has helped dieters lose as much as 40 to 60 pounds in testing.

The weekly injection of Zepbound works by mimicking the hormones that kick in after you eat, which regulate appetite and give you a feeling of fullness. In addition to suppressing appetite, it also slows down the rate your stomach empties, making you feel full longer, explained Dr. Cecilia Low Wang, with UCHealth's Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic.

The drug's ingredients work much like semaglutide, which can be found in Wegovy and Ozempic.

“This would be the most highly efficacious drug ever approved for the treatment of obesity," said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity medicine expert at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

Dr. Veronica Johnson, an obesity medicine specialist at the Northwestern Medicine Center for Lifestyle Medicine, said the drug was just about as effective as metabolic and bariatric surgery. It gives patients an alternative to going under the knife to treat obesity and all the medical conditions that come with excess weight.

Dr. Johnson encouraged people to think of Zepbound as a potential solution to the complex condition of obesity.

"Obesity is far more complicated than just eating less, moving more," she said. "We have clear hormones in our body and other determinants and contributors that make it harder for us to manage our weight with just lifestyle modifications."

The drug, while FDA-approved, may not be easier to access. A month's supply costs about $1,000 a month out of pocket. Tirzepatide is also still in short supply, according to FDA tracking.

Another challenge is that patients may need to be paying that price for a long time, if not forever.

"At the moment, the understanding is that tirzepatide and semaglutide need to be taken for a lifetime," Dr. Leana Wen, a professor of health policy and management at George Washington University, told CNN. "If they are stopped, much of the weight loss is reversed."

Hear more about Zepbound from Dr. Johnson in an interview with WGN Radio below:

Zepbound is the latest diabetes drug approved for chronic weight management, joining Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, a high-dose version of its diabetes treatment Ozempic. Both are weekly injections.

Side effects of the new weight-loss drug include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation and other gastrointestinal problems. In the most recent published trial, about 10% of people taking tirzepatide dropped out of the study because of such problems, compared to about 2% of people taking dummy shots.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

That help can come on two legs or four.

Foothills Search and Rescue was established in Greenville County around 15 years ago. Jamie Cox's family was part of starting the team and she now serves as its search manager.

The team, with seven certified search dogs, was called out 80 times in 2022.

"Sometimes we're in the mountains. We go all the way down to the beach," Cox explained. "Sometimes we're in an urban city environment. It just depends on where the call is."

Lots of breeds can be trained to become search and rescue dogs. Size doesn't matter because dogs share one common trait.

"Dogs can smell 44 times greater than the human nose," according to Cox. "So, these dogs are trained on one task typically, and that is to find their target odor. And to them, it's just a game."

About half of the calls for Foothills Search and Rescue come from the Upstate. The team is also called for searches in the Midlands, North Carolina and Georgia.

"These dogs go in any environment, whether it's on top of a mountain," K9 handler Jeff Fowler told 7NEWS. "We've had searches, we're actually in a bear sanctuary. We've searched in landfills."

"We search in water. Our dogs are able to locate the odor that comes from underneath the water," Fowler said.

Too many searches like these end with tragedy, but the happy outcomes make it worthwhile for the team.

"When you find that person and you help that family find their loved one," Cox said. "There's just there's no other feeling like that."

“We’ll have more officers out and about on the busier roads," Sgt. Johnathan Bragg said. "Haywood Road and Woodruff Road are the two with the most shoppers."

Officers will be monitoring roads and directing traffic to stop drivers from blocking intersections.

Electronic message boards are set up along Roper Mountain Road, Woodruff Road, and Verdae Boulevard to assist in directing traffic.

If drivers are trying to avoid Woodruff Road, officers encourage them to take Parallel Parkway instead.

"It's a good route to take if you're trying to get to the major stores on Woodruff Road and want to bypass some of the traffic," Bragg said.

As people begin their holiday shopping, Bragg reminded them to be cautious.

"Unfortunately, this is also a time for people to commit crimes," he said. "Any crime of opportunity, a criminal will take it. Make sure you do the other safety precautions that we always try to hit on with locking your vehicles and not leaving your bags in the back seat where people can see it to prevent auto break ins." 

Prevatte coached at Gaffney from 1956 to 1969. In that time he compiled a record of 119-29-11, a win record that stood until 2022. He also won five state championships with the Indians as one of their winningest coaches.

The Bob Prevatte Athletic Complex at Limestone University is named in his honor.

Also among the offerings worth your time as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists is a collection of 55 Tina Turner singles from 1975-2023, Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” is finally available to watch in your living room and Adam Sandler voices a 74-year-old lizard in Netflix's animated “Leo.”

NEW MOVIES TO STREAM

— Are you and your home entertainment system prepared? After making nearly $950 million at the box office, Christopher Nolan’s three-hour “Oppenheimer” is finally be available to watch in your living room. There’s a UHD streaming version available to purchase for $19.99, as well as 4K Ultra HD and Blu-Ray options with over 3 hours of extras, with everything overseen by Nolan. AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review that, “There are times in Nolan’s latest opus that flames fill the frame and visions of subatomic particles flitter across the screen — montages of Oppenheimer’s own churning visions. But for all the immensity of 'Oppenheimer,' this is Nolan’s most human-scaled film — and one of his greatest achievements.”

— Adam Sandler plays a 74-year-old class lizard named “Leo” in the latest Netflix animation offering. Worried he’s wasted his life in a cage, Leo tries to plot his escape when a kid in the school is assigned to take him home. But some mishaps ensue and he ends up befriending some of the elementary school kids when they learn he can talk. Sandler is joined by a strong comedic voice cast including Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Jo Koy and, of course, Rob Schneider.

— Good golly, Miss Molly, is Little Richard the uncrowned king of rock ‘n’ roll? The documentary “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” directed by Lisa Cortés and streaming on Max, makes a solid case. His flamboyant and boundary pushing lyrics, style and music had a direct influence on famous acts to follow, including the Beatles, David Bowie, Elton John, Mick Jagger and even filmmaker John Waters, who calls his own mustache a “twisted tribute” to Little Richard. In his review, AP critic Mark Kennedy wrote “Cortés’ film is also the story of American rock itself, the way transistor radios allowed teens in the ‘50s to rebel against their parents’ staid music and how Black music was appropriated by white bands.”

NEW MUSIC TO STREAM

— The music world lost a giant when Tina Turner, the undisputed “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” died in May 2023. She left behind an incredible body of work, songs that only become more deeply felt with the passage of time. To celebrate the prolific artist, Rhino Records releases “Turner, Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll (A Collection of All Her Singles From 1975-2023)” on Black Friday – a massive collection of 55 tracks across five vinyl records and three CDs. But if physical media isn’t your thing – and this series is called “What to Stream,” after all — the set will be available on streaming platforms, too.

— Take That, the gargantuan British boy band turned man-pop group that gave the world Robbie Williams, are releasing their ninth studio album. Titled “This Life," it is their first full-length album in seven years, a rare reunion for a band not on a break. It's also an exciting listen: there’s a plucky warmth to these songs, like on the acoustic single “Windows” — no doubt the influence of Savannah, Georgia, where the band made most of the record. It’s a lovely album from one of the most successful bands in British chart history – the result of getting the guys back together and finding a new sound with some old friends.

NEW SERIES TO STREAM

— Since “Fargo” began airing on FX as an anthology series, each season has featured an impressive roster of talent including Billy Bob Thornton, Chris Rock and Kirsten Dunst stepping into its quirky world of folksy Midwesterners mixed up in the law. “Fargo: Year 5,″ is no different. Juno Temple stars as a woman whose strange behavior catches the attention of local authorities. Jon Hamm, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Richa Moorjani, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris and Dave Foley also appear.

— Celebrities competing on season 32 of “Dancing with the Stars” have had to jive, waltz and foxtrot their way through a number of themed episodes including Disney music, music video night and a Whitney Houston tribute, but we’ll find out whether they’re “… Ready for It” on the Tuesday episode, dedicated to Taylor Swift. The show aired a video message from the superstar where she said she couldn’t wait to watch the celebration of her “Eras.” Who will be the “Fearless” performer of the night and swift-ly rise to the top of the leaderboard? Famed choreographer Mandy Moore helps decide when she sits in as a guest judge.

— When “Squid Game” premiered on Netflix in 2021, viewers were both captivated and terrified by the deadly child-like games featured in the story. On Wednesday, the streamer debuted a new 10-episode competition called “Squid Game: The Challenge.” In this version, real people get the chance to take part in challenges inspired by the show — without the life-threatening consequences. Over 450 contestants from across the globe kick off the competition where the winner leaves with $4.56 million.

— Margery Williams’ classic children’s book ”The Velveteen Rabbit” comes to Apple TV+ in a new special featuring the voices of Helena Bonham Carter and Nicola Coughlan of “Bridgerton.” With a mix of live-action and animation, it tells the tale of a young boy who receives a new toy for Christmas that introduces him to a magical world with lessons of friendship.

— Besides her Emmy-winning role on “Ted Lasso,” Hannah Waddingham has an extensive musical theater background. She showcases those talents in a Christmas special for Apple TV+ called “Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas.” Available now, the concert was taped in front of a live audience at the London Coliseum and features special guests.

NEW VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

— The big game publishers are taking the holiday week off, but there are some intriguing indie adventures worth checking out while you’re recovering from your turkey coma. Worldless, a collaboration among three European studios, is a blend of turn-based fighting and running-and-jumping exploration in a striking-looking “newborn universe.” It’s out now on Xbox X/S/One, PlayStation 5/4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

In Stars and Time, from California’s Armor Games, is more earthbound, with black-and-white graphics that evoke both anime and 1980s Mac games. But once the protagonists discover they’re trapped in a time loop, it zips off into a metaphysical mystery. The journey unfolds on PlayStation 5/4, Nintendo Switch and PC.

"During active search periods we have searchers in the field meticulously looking for missing persons," Austin McDaniel, a spokesperson with the Alaska Department of Public Safety, told the Associated Press. “During reactive searches, search teams are not actively in the field but will react to new information and then actively search that area supported by the new information.”

Since Monday night's slide, officials have inspected the site by air with drones, helicopters and planes while teams using detection dogs and sonar covered the ground and water, but the three people — one adult and two juveniles — remain missing, McDaniel said.

The slide churned up the earth from near the top of the mountain down to the ocean, tearing down a wide swath of evergreen trees and burying a highway in the island community of Wrangell, about 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Juneau. Rescue crews found the body of a girl in an initial search Monday night and the bodies of two adults late Tuesday.

Around 54 homes are cut off from town by the landslide, and roughly 35 to 45 people have chosen to stay in that area, interim borough manager Mason Villarma said. Boats are being used to provide supplies, including food, fuel and water, and prescription medications to those residents. Given the geography of the island — with the town at the northern point and houses along a 13-mile (20.9-kilometer) stretch of paved road — currently “the ocean is our only access to those residences,” he said.

Wrangell usually celebrates Thanksgiving with a tree lighting and downtown shopping events but could replace that with a vigil, he said.

In that way, the town “can come together physically and recognize the tragedy and the loss of life … but also the triumph of a small community that’s really come together and been able to pull off some remarkable successes, even in the face of all this adversity,” Villarma said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.

The state transportation department said on social media Wednesday that the process of clearing the highway would only begin once search and rescue efforts were complete. There was no immediate timeline for when that portion of the highway would reopen.

A woman who had been on the upper floor of a home was rescued Tuesday. She was in good condition and undergoing medical care. One of the three homes that was struck was unoccupied, McDaniel said Tuesday.

Because of the hazards of searching an unstable area, a geologist from the state transportation department was brought in to conduct a preliminary assessment, clearing some areas of the slide for ground searches. But authorities warned of a threat of additional landslides.

The slide — estimated to be 450 feet (137 meters) wide — occurred during rain and a windstorm. Wrangell received about 2 inches (5 centimeters) of rain from early Monday until late evening, with wind gusts up to 60 mph (96 kph) at higher elevations, said Aaron Jacobs, a National Weather Service hydrologist and meteorologist in Juneau.

It was part of a strong storm system that moved through southeast Alaska, bringing heavy snow in places and blizzard-like conditions to the state capital Juneau as well as rainfall with minor flooding further south.

Jacobs said the rainfall Wrangell received on Monday wasn’t unusual, but the strong winds could have helped trigger the slide.

Saturated soil can give way when gusts blow trees on a slope, said Barrett Salisbury, a geologist with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources.

Wrangell is one of the oldest non-Alaska Native settlements in the state — founded in 1811 when Russians began trading with Tlingits, according to a state database of Alaska communities. Indigenous people long lived in the area before outside contact. Tlingits, Russians, the British and Americans all accounted for historical influences on Wrangell.

The American Kennel Society consulted with expert veterinarians to determine which Thanksgiving foods are safe for dogs to eat. They also outlined the foods dog parents should avoid giving their fur babies. 

Here are some foods that are safe for your dog, but they all come with some caveats.

Safe Thanksgiving foods for dogs

Sweet Potatoes

These starchy root vegetables are full of vitamins and perfectly safe if they're plain. If the dish has extra toppings, like marshmallows, brown sugar, or maple syrup, don't feed it to your dog.

Potatoes

Dogs can eat baked or boiled potatoes as long as they're plain. Potatoes whipped with butter or milk -- or topped with cream, garlic, or onion -- aren't safe for dogs.

Apples

Slice up apples for your pup, but leave out the seeds and the core. As for apple pie, keep the dessert to yourself.

Green beans and peas

Plain green beans and peas are healthy for a dog's diet. Just make sure there's nothing extra on top. Any sort of casserole is a definite no.

Parts of turkey meat

Dogs can eat turkey meat but only if it's prepared without any seasoning. Only feed your dog the meat and take out the skin and bones.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin helps with a dog's digestive system. You can feed your dog pumpkin or pumpkin puree, as long as it's not the pre-spiced or sugary pie mix.

Avoid these Thanksgiving foods

While there are some delicious foods your pup can eat, many others should be off-limits. According to experts who spoke to the American Kennel Society, you should keep these away from your dog:

• Turkey bones and skin
• Gravy
• Stuffing
• Casseroles
• Mashed potatoes
• Creamed peas
• Raisins and grapes
• Onions, scallions, and garlic
• Ham
• Yeast dough
• Fatty foods
• Foods containing spices
• Chocolate, cookies, pies, and sweets
• Anything labeled as "sugar-free" or containing xylitol

Basically, if the food has toppings or spices on it, it's not safe for your dog. This includes a lot of Thanksgiving dishes. If you want your dog to try out the food, keep some plain ingredients aside for a special pup plate.

The FBI's decision late Wednesday came several hours after the vehicle raced through an intersection, hit a median and was launched through the air before slamming into a line of booths and exploding at the Rainbow Bridge in Niagara Falls. Local police are now handling the case as a traffic investigation.

"A search of the scene revealed no explosive materials, and no terrorism nexus was identified,” the FBI's Buffalo office said in a statement. “The matter has been turned over to the Niagara Falls Police Department as a traffic investigation.”

The investigation has been taken over by the Niagara Falls Police Department’s Crash Management Unit, according to a news release from the city's police department, which added “Due to the complexity of the incident, the investigation will take some time to complete.”

The two people who died were a husband and wife, according to a person briefed on the investigation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release information about the people who were killed. The identities of those in the car have not yet been released.

The crash prompted the closure of the Rainbow Bridge and three other bridges connecting western New York and Ontario, as federal officials swarmed the area and both U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau received briefings. Hours later, officials sought to calm concerns on what is one the busiest travel days of the year.

“Based on what we know at this moment,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at a news conference, “there is no sign of terrorist activity in this crash.”

Hochul, a Democrat, said the car was “basically incinerated” with nothing left but the engine and a scattering of charred debris. Later Wednesday night, New York Sen. Chuck Schumer said investigators had found “no connection to any terrorist or criminal group. He added that there was no evidence of chemicals or substances used in explosives during investigators' swabbing of the scene.

The Rainbow Bridge has about 6,000 vehicles cross it each day, according to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration’s National Bridge Inventory.

Witness Rickie Wilson, a Niagara Falls tour guide, was by his parked car nearby and turned around when he saw something in the air.

“I first thought it was an airplane. It looked like slow motion,” he said. “I said, ‘My God, it’s a car. It’s a vehicle, and it’s flying through the air.’”

Rail operator CSX announced on Thursday that a chemical fire at the derailment site has been completely extinguished. The CSX train derailed around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday near Livingston, a remote town with about 200 people in Rockcastle County.

One crew member on the train was treated at the scene for minor injuries, according to officials.

Two of the 16 cars that derailed carried molten sulfur, which caught fire after the cars were breached, CSX said in a statement.

It’s believed that the fire released the potentially harmful gas sulfur dioxide, but officials have not released results of measurements taken from air monitoring equipment.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency website, sulfur dioxide can cause respiratory problems, depending on the concentration and length of exposure. The gas is commonly produced by burning fossil fuels at power plants and other industrial processes, the EPA says.

The derailment meant some Livingston residents woke up on Thanksgiving in a middle school shelter. Tina Doan, an evacuee, said her family had just sat down for dinner Wednesday night when they found out they had to leave their home.

Doan said she was initially aggravated but thankful the shelter took them in.

"At least they cared enough to come and get us. We've got a lot to be thankful for," Doan told Nexstar's WDKY. "We think about a dinner, but I think our lives mean so much more. So this Thanksgiving, I'm not going to forget this. I'm really not."

CSX promised to pay the costs of anyone asked to evacuate, including a Thanksgiving dinner.

Following the derailment, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency.

"By issuing a state of emergency, we are ensuring that every state resource is available to help keep our families safe," Beshear said. "Please stay clear of this area as state, local and CSX officials respond."

Sen. Brandon Storm (R-London), who represents the 21st Senate District, including Rockcastle County, also released a statement praising the response to the community.

“I want to commend the collective response and how everyone has stepped up to protect and inform residents in these communities," he said. "The response was swift, and Rockcastle County Middle School was quickly made into an overnight shelter, a safe location for those impacted."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A large crowd gathered on Mcbee Avenue, many in costume.

“I am peanut butter toast, toast with peanut butter and my girlfriend is jelly,” Sean McAdams a runner at TreesUpstate Turkey Day Run said.

It's all part of the 15th annual TreesUpstate Turkey Day Run.

“This is a really important fundraiser for TreesUpstate. Our mission is super simple: plant, promote and protect trees, so the funding that we raise here helps us plant trees in parks, schools and neighborhoods and also water care and maintain those trees," Joelle Teachey, the Executive Director for TreesUpstate said.

Today's 8K and 5K race helped fund that mission.

“We had over 6,000 people register so far we had over 5,300 starters so far," Teachey added. "Trees are good so in order for us to plant and maintain them we need the funding from this race.”

This race is also a tradition for a lot of folks in the Upstate like Bob DiBella, "We've probably have been doing it for maybe 10 years or so.”

And nothing is better than getting your sweat on before you start piling the carbs on your plate.

“Well, I like to eat a lot and by doing a race early in the morning I feel better about what I eat later in the day," DiBella said.

TreesUpstate said each year the race has grown by 10%.

At Thursdays Turkey Day Race, TreesUpstate provided a limited number of free trees that runners could take home with them.

According to the Greenville County Coroner's Office, at around 7:30 p.m., first responders were called to the area of North Woods Drive at Fairview Street in Fountain Inn.

At the scene they found a car which had crossed left of center and gone off the road. The driver, Autumn Asheton Calwlile, of Fountain Inn, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The wreck is still under investigation.

While you might feel tempted to toss those turkey bones in the garbage disposal, plumbers have warned against it. 

Just last month, Prime Plumbing in Baltimore, Maryland, posted a viral video on TikTok listing common foods people should never put in that part of the kitchen sink. 

Aside from bones, plumbers who work for the company advised against placing starchy foods like rice and potatoes in the disposal. 

If you're wondering why these foods are big no-nos, Consumer Reports explained that garbage disposals can't handle all types of waste.

Yes, the blades can grind through almost anything -- but you could encounter plumbing issues down the line depending on what you dispose of.

Large quantities of starchy foods and fibrous vegetables (such as celery, corn husks, and asparagus) might cause clogs.

Don't cut corners and pour gravy down the drain, either. David Duest, director of the Deer Island Treatment Plant in Boston, told Consumer Reports that fats, oils, and grease are problematic for the appliance. These liquids tend to congeal and can clog up your water system as well.

Eggs are a staple ingredient for many holiday dishes, but the shells should go in the trash can or compost. While they probably seem harmless, eggshells don't decompose quickly. If you keep placing them in the disposal, over time, those bits can pile up and stop up the drain.

With so many foods off limits, what can you put in the disposal? The Georgia-based company Trinity Plumbing noted on its website that citrus rinds, cooked meat scraps (not large bones) and virtually all fruits are safe. 

So take it easy on your garbage disposal this holiday season. Trinity Plumbing said disposals can last for about 10 years or so with good care.

The company, an online flower subscription service, is also promising to pay the selected candidate $2,000 to rate the films, along with over $500 worth of additional prizes.

"The countdown to Christmas is fast approaching, so we at BloomsyBox want to settle the debate: what’s the greatest piece of Hallmark holiday cinema ever created?" reads a portion of the application page. "To find out, we’re looking for one special Christmas movie maven to watch and rate 12 different Hallmark Christmas favorites in 12 days."

Job responsibilities include watching the 12 movies (listed below) and ranking them by five different criteria: "Festivity Factor," "Predictability Quotient," "Chemistry Check," "Tear-Jerker Test" and "Replay Value."

The movies are:

• "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (2008)
• "Crown for Christmas" (2015)
• "The Nine Lives of Christmas" (2014)
• "Christmas Getaway" (2017)
• "Journey Back to Christmas" (2016)
• "Ghosts of Christmas Always" (2022)
• "Family for Christmas" (2015)
• "Christmas Under Wraps" (2014)
• "Three Wise Men and a Baby" (2022)
• "A Royal Christmas" (2014)
• "Northpole" (2014)
• "The Christmas Train" (2017)

In addition to $2,000 in pay (to be paid upon completion of the reviews), the applicant who wins the role will be provided with hot cocoa, two pairs of socks from UGG, $60 to purchase a one-year subscription to Peacock, and a 12-month flower subscription from BloomsyBox.

Hopeful Hallmark fans can apply through Dec. 3. Additional details, including terms, conditions and requirements of the role, can be found at the BloomsyBox site.

In Canada, the wild pigs roaming Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba pose a new threat. They are often crossbreeds that combine the survival skills of wild Eurasian boar with the size and high fertility of domestic swine to create a “super pig” that's spreading out of control.

Ryan Brook, a professor at the University of Saskatchewan and one of Canada's leading authorities on the problem, calls feral swine, “the most invasive animal on the planet" and “an ecological train wreck.”

Pigs are not native to North America. While they've roamed parts of the continent for centuries, Canada's problem dates back only to the 1980s when it encouraged farmers to raise wild boar, Brook said. The market collapsed after peaking in 2001 and some frustrated farmers simply cut their fences, setting the animals free.

It turned out that the pigs were very good at surviving Canadian winters. Smart, adaptable and furry, they eat anything, including crops and wildlife. They tear up land when they root for bugs and crops. They can spread devastating diseases to hog farms like African swine fever. And they reproduce quickly. A sow can have six piglets in a litter and raise two litters in a year.

That means 65% or more of a wild pig population could be killed every year and it will still increase, Brook said. Hunting just makes the problem worse, he said. The success rate for hunters is only about 2% to 3% and several states have banned hunting because it makes the pigs more wary and nocturnal — tougher to track down and eradicate.

Wild pigs already cause around $2.5 billion in damage to U.S. crops every year, mostly in southern states like Texas. And they can be aggressive toward humans. A woman in Texas was killed by wild pigs in 2019.

Eradication of wild pigs is no longer possible in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Brook said. But the situation isn't hopeless everywhere and a few U.S. states have eliminated them. The key, he said, is having a detection system that finds them early and fast, and then responding quickly.

Brook and his colleagues have documented 62,000 wild pig sightings in Canada. Their aerial surveys have spotted them on both sides of the Canada-North Dakota border. They've also recorded a sighting in Manitoba within 18 miles (28 kilometers) of Minnesota.

“Nobody should be surprised when pigs start walking across that border if they haven't already,” Brook said. “The question is: What will be done about it?”

Brook said Montana has been the most serious about keeping wild pigs out. It banned raising and transporting wild pigs within the state.

“The only path forward is you have to be really aggressive and you have to use all the tools in the toolbox,” Brook said.

That could include big ground traps with names like “BoarBuster" or net guns fired from helicopters. Some states and provinces embrace crowdsourced “Squeal on Pigs” tracking programs. Scientists have also studied poisons such as sodium nitrite, but they risk harming other species.

Minnesota is among states trying to prevent the swine from taking hold. The state’s Department of Natural Resources is expected to release a report in February identifying gaps in its management plan and recommend new prevention steps. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is using aircraft and drones to beef up surveillance along the northern border.

Minnesota was declared an eradicated state after USDA Wildlife Services shot and killed a group of pigs in 2016 that wandered off a farm and turned feral in the far northwest corner of the state — but not before they began to reproduce and root up a wildlife preserve. Gary Nohrenberg, the Minnesota director of Wildlife Services, said as far has he knows, no truly wild pigs have made their way to his state — yet.

Feral swine have been reported in at least 35 states, according to the USDA. The agency estimates the the swine population in those states totals around 6 million.

Since launching the National Feral Swine Management Program in 2014, the USDA has provided funding to 33 states, said Mike Marlow, an assistant program director. He said their goal is to eradicate wild pigs where populations are low or emerging, and to limit the damage where they’re already established such as Texas and southeastern states.

The program has had success in some states that had small populations like Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Washington, he said. The animals are spotted occasionally and quickly killed off in North Dakota.

“I think we’re making great strides toward success,” Marlow said. “But eradication is not in the near future.”

It happened at about 11:45 p.m. at Adelio's Restaurant and Bar at 111 W. 3rd St when Lumberton police said the shooter or shooters fired into the back wall of the bar from 2nd Street.

"The bullets went through the wall striking and injuring people inside," police said in a news release.

When officers arrived, they found a woman with a gunshot wound who was taken to the hospital by EMS. Witnesses then told officers that other injured people had already been taken to the hospital or gone on their own.

Police said the injured included two men and four women, all of whom were reported to be in stable condition.

No additional details were immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to contact Lumberton police detective Blake Harrell or detective David Bullock at 910-671-3845.

Some health experts say that travel can actually have big benefits for your health.

A nurse practitioner explains how in this week's "Ask the Expert" in partnership with Bon Secours Saint Francis.

"Travel is certainly good for your brain"

Karen Cooper, Nurse Practitioner, Bon Secours Saint Francis

Whether you're leaving by train, plane, or automobile, time away from home, nurse practitioner Karen Cooper says has its perks.

"Your brain is actually being pushed out of its comfort zone. And this is how travel is good for your brain. It grows. Also, I just want to mention, that travel has been shown in many studies to increase productivity, creativity, and life satisfaction, overall," said Cooper.

Cooper says you don't have to travel far to reap the benefits.

She says, "Research has shown that short or long, whether it's a vacation or a staycation, the benefits to our mental health are many. So, no matter what, whether it's your three-day weekend, as you said, or an extended three-week international trip, decreased stress levels, increased productivity once we get back to work, and increased life satisfaction overall has shown to happen with any and all."

When planning to get away, Cooper says consider these things to make it a stress-free, enjoyable experience.

She says, "Always, always allow extra time when you're traveling, way more than you think you're going to need". Cooper goes on to say, "Secondly, one thing that is recommended is that you bring something with you on your travels. That brings you some kind of relaxation, happiness, and joy. Maybe it's your favorite book that you've been meaning to read. Maybe it's this podcast that you really want to hear." Finally, she recommends you "Drink plenty of water. Be mindful of too much alcohol and too much caffeine."

If you don't have the time off from work, or the finances to take a trip right now, Cooper recommends trying something new as a way to break out of your day-to-day rut.

"Some people will take a different route to work. Other people will listen to a different kind of music or a different podcast, they will sit somewhere else for lunch, or go somewhere else for lunch. Take up a new hobby on the weekend. They will make a point to do something completely different instead of what they usually did," said Cooper.

Cooper says that if you can unplug from your electronic devices while traveling or trying something new, then do it. She says you'll reap the most benefits when you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without distractions.

To submit a health topic for our ‘Ask the Expert’ series, click here.

While online deals and special offers start earlier each year, brick-and-mortal retailers will open early on Friday for shoppers looking for a more personal shopping experience.

Here is when many popular retailers will open their doors on Friday:

Gaffney Outlet Marketplace: 6 a.m.

Westgate Mall: 7 a.m.

Haywood Mall 6 a.m.

Target: 6 a.m.

Walmart 6 a.m.

Home Depot 6 a.m.

Lowes 6 a.m.

Best Buy 6 a.m.

Kohl's 5 a.m.

TJ Maxx 7 a.m.

Eden Police Department said on Thursday that Gary Alverson and Sarah Newton were taken into custody in Henry County, Virginia, and would be extradited back to Rockingham County.

Alverson and Newton are accused of stealing a van that was parked, running, outside of an Eden child care center. The driver had stepped inside to drop her children off, leaving a 1-year-old inside the van. Witnesses then say they saw two people jump into the van and drive off.

Around 15 minutes later, a person answered their door to find the child on their porch in a carseat.

The van was found later in the day on Wednesday in Stoneville.

Eden Police Department took out warrants for first-degree kidnapping and theft of a motor vehicle against the two.

Sheila Kennedy, 61, filed the lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages for physical injury, pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety and economic harm.

The lawsuit was filed against Rose, 61, of Malibu, California, under a temporary New York law, the Adult Survivors Act, that lets adult victims sue over attacks that occurred even decades ago. The law expires after Thursday.

Attorney Alan S. Gutman said in a statement on behalf of Rose: “Simply put, this incident never happened. Notably, these fictional claims were filed the day before the New York State filing deadline expires.”

He added: "Though he doesn’t deny the possibility of a fan photo taken in passing, Mr. Rose has no recollection of ever meeting or speaking to the Plaintiff, and has never heard about these fictional allegations prior to today. Mr. Rose is confident this case will be resolved in his favor.”

In her lawsuit, Kennedy, of Palm Springs, California, alleges that she met Rose in February 1989 in a Manhattan nightclub, where the singer invited her to join a party in his hotel suite afterward.

According to the lawsuit, Kennedy saw Rose have sex with another model before he became angry with the woman, ordering her out of his suite.

He then turned toward Kennedy, dragging her across a floor by the hair and tying her hands together with pantyhose, before assaulting her from behind, the lawsuit said.

“Rose made no attempt to ask for or check that Kennedy was consenting,” the lawsuit said. “He treated her like property used solely for his sexual pleasure.”

The lawsuit said the attack left Kennedy with lifelong emotional, physical, psychological and financial damage and “symptoms akin to post-traumatic stress disorder whenever she hears Rose’s name or the music of Guns N’ Roses.”

She was diagnosed with anxiety and depression because of the attack and her earnings have suffered because she has avoided nightclubs and social scenarios where she could encounter Rose or hear his music, and those social contacts are important for her career, the lawsuit said.

Kennedy has made the allegations about Rose in the past, including in a 2016 memoir, “No One's Pet,” and in a 2021 documentary, “Look Away,” about women sexually abused in the music industry.

The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly, as Kennedy has done.