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ALEXANDRIA, VA. — The sprawling, windowless warehouses that hold rows of high-speed servers powering almost everything the world does on phones and computers are increasingly becoming fixtures of the American landscape, popping up in towns, cities and suburbs across the United States. Demand for data centers ballooned in recent years because of the rapid growth of cloud computing and artificial intelligence, and urban and rural governments are competing for lucrative deals with big tech companies. But as data centers begin to move into more densely populated areas, abutting homes and schools, parks and recreation centers, some residents are pushing back against the world’s most powerful corporations over concerns about the economic, social and environmental health of their communities. In Northern Virginia, more than 300 data centers dot the rolling hills of the area’s westernmost counties and butt up against wooded bike trails winding through the suburbs. But one of the latest proposals in the area, Plaza 500, would see a 466,000-square-foot facility and adjacent electrical substation built a few hundred feet from townhomes, playgrounds and a community center. The pitch from Starwood Capital Group, the private investment firm founded by billionaire Barry Sternlicht, to Fairfax County officials promised jobs and a significant property tax revenue boost. But data center critics say the incentives aren’t enough to counteract the consequences of building the facilities so close to homes. Tyler Ray, a leader in the fight against the Virginia project, worries that more data centers in the area could compromise the already stressed power grid: More than 25% of all power produced in Virginia in 2023 went to data centers, a figure that could rise as high as 46% by 2030 if data center growth continues at its current pace. Some estimates also show a mid-size data center commands the same water usage every day as 1,000 households, prompting concerns over the cost of water. Ray also frets over air quality, as the massive diesel generators that help power the data centers’ hardware send plumes of pollutants into the atmosphere. He and his neighbors tried to stop the development, but their efforts were largely unsuccessful. In September, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors said all newly proposed data centers must adhere to stricter zoning rules, but the Plaza 500 project was exempt. “I don’t know how a general resident, even someone who has been engaging intently on an issue, has any chance to go up against the data center industry,” Ray said the night the supervisors voted. For local governments, attracting data centers to their municipalities means a financial boon: Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin said Virginia’s data centers brought in $1 billion in tax revenue this year. With average-size facilities, data centers offer a small number of direct jobs — often fewer than 100 positions. Google announced recently that its investment in nearby Loudoun County, which included two data centers, created about 150 direct jobs, a figure data center opponents say isn’t worth the hassle. Data center advocates contend the number of indirect jobs like construction, technology support and electrical work make the projects worthwhile. In that same announcement, Google said its investment created 2,730 indirect jobs. Kathy Smith, the vice chair of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, voted in favor of the Plaza 500 proposal because, in her estimation, data center growth is inevitable in the region and Fairfax County should reap the benefits. “I have a responsibility to step back from what we do and look at the big picture,” Smith said. “Data centers are not going away.” On the other side of the country, in Morrow County, Oregon, Amazon Web Services built at least five data centers surrounding the 4,200-resident town of Boardman, nestled among vast stretches of farmland flecked with mint patches and wind turbines, next to the Columbia River. Last year, AWS paid roughly $34 million in property taxes and fees stipulated in the agreements after receiving a $66 million tax break. Those payments, in addition to $1.7 million in charitable donations from the company in 2023, have been instrumental in updating infrastructure and bolstering services. This funding has gone toward a new ladder fire engine, a school resource officer and $5,000 grants for homebuyers so far totaling at least $2.8 million. “This road right here? Wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t for AWS,” said Boardman Mayor Paul Keefer, riding in the passenger seat of Police Chief Rick Stokoe’s cruiser and pointing out the window at construction workers shifting dirt and laying pavement. AWS cultivated relationships with local officials, including Keefer and Stokoe, who have both been in positions to vote on whether to authorize tax breaks for the company. Some former county commissioners and residents worry that those relationships are too cozy. Kevin Miller, AWS’s vice president of global data centers, said “our interest is in being a model corporate citizen, to really be partners with those communities.” Skepticism of the deals started years ago, when three elected officials allegedly helped approve data center deals while also owning a stake in a company that contracted with AWS to provide fiber optic cables for the data centers. In June, they each paid $2,000 to settle an ethics complaint. Those officials are no longer in office. But the latest data center deal struck between Morrow County officials and AWS, which gives the company an estimated $1 billion in tax breaks spread over the 15 years to build five new data centers, again raised eyebrows. Two former Morrow County commissioners, Jim Doherty and Melissa Lindsay, pushed unsuccessfully in 2022 for AWS to pay more in taxes in new data center negotiations. “We didn’t want to blow it up. We didn’t want to run them off,” Lindsay said. “But there were better deals to be made.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!

When Daniel Robinson, a 24-year-old Black man, went missing in Arizona in June 2021, his father, David Robinson, spent months pleading for police to be more aggressive in their search. Related video above: Parents of Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito reached a legal settlement last year Frustrated with the lack of progress, Robinson temporarily moved to Arizona, hired an independent investigator and assembled a volunteer search team to look for Daniel. Despite local media reporting Daniel's disappearance as early as July 9, 2021, Robinson also felt the case did not receive the necessary media coverage. At the time, America's attention was captured by the disappearance and death of Gabby Petito , a 22-year-old White woman. "You wish you lived in a world where everything was equal, but it's really not equal," Robinson told CNN then. More than three years later, Robinson is still desperately looking for Daniel. He plans to travel to Arizona next spring and assemble a team of volunteers to search new areas and follow up on leads. And he has found a new ally in his efforts — Joseph Petito, Gabby's father. While searching for Gabby, Petito said he was being tagged in social media posts about the term "Missing White Woman Syndrome," which prompted him to look it up. The term, coined by the late TV news anchor Gwen Ifill, is defined by researchers as the heavier spotlight White women and girls receive when they go missing compared to anyone outside of those demographics. While cases of missing White women receive more focus, people of color are disappearing at disproportionate rates. According to 2022 FBI data, Black people make up 31% of missing person reports but only 13% of the US population. In contrast, White people account for 54% of missing person reports and 75% of the US population. "I did a deep dive into it," Petito told CNN. "I looked at popular missing persons cases and the ones that hit the mainstream all looked the same." Petito is on a mission to change that. He has spent the last three years advocating for missing Black and brown people through the Gabby Petito Foundation , a nonprofit that strives to raise awareness of missing people and prevent domestic violence. The foundation partners with families of missing Black and brown people, as well as groups dedicated to raising awareness of these cases, such as the Black & Missing Foundation . Petito has become a strong advocate in the search for Daniel, Robinson said. The fathers communicate regularly and have spoken at Crimecon — a gathering of true crime experts and fans — sharing their stories. Petito has also attended virtual events held in honor of Daniel. "What Mr. Petito has done for my family, it means a lot to me," Robinson said. "Because he had a tragedy and it's amazing when a person can take a tragedy and make something big out of it, become an advocate and help people." Petito is currently working on a television series called "Faces of the Missing," which will highlight dozens of unsolved missing persons cases he says have received little media coverage. "We are going to do all demographics," Petito said. "But we want to keep it consistent with the way people are represented from a proportionate perspective." "There's a lot of work that can be done and a lot of families that can be helped regardless of their color," he added. Petito also wants the series to combat the police classification of "runaway" for people who are reported missing, he said. Black families and advocates have previously told CNN authorities often suggest their missing loved ones ran away from home. "Unless you speak to the person specifically, they cannot be labeled a runaway," Petito said. "Any label other than 'missing' is wrong." Derrica Wilson , co-founder of Black & Missing, said she applauds Petito for using his platform to advocate for more media attention on missing people of color. Petito's foundation, she said, has become an ally of Black & Missing. Wilson and Petito have spoken on panels and podcasts together. In 2023, Wilson said the Gabby Petito Foundation donated $15,000 to her organization. Wilson said joining forces with other foundations only helps increase the chances of all families reuniting with their missing loved ones. "We've always said that missing persons isn't a Black issue, it's not a White issue, it's a human rights issue," Wilson said. "Regardless of race, gender and ZIP code everyone who is missing matters."A woman who spent 40 years behind bars for her husband’s 1984 murder has been released from prison just in time to spend Christmas with her family. Patty Prewitt, the longest-serving female prisoner in Missouri , was among the nine people whose sentences were commuted by Missouri Governor Mike Parson on Friday. “I am so grateful to be home with my family for Christmas,” she said in a statement following her release. “Thank you to Governor Mike Parson and to all the people who have supported me over the years.” Prewitt, who is now a 75-year-old grandmother, had been serving a life sentence for the February 18, 1984 murder of her husband, William “Bill” Edward Prewitt, as he slept in their home in the rural Missouri town of Holden. The murder shocked the small community who knew the pair as an “all-American couple,” according to previous reporting by The Kansas City Star. Prewitt claimed an intruder broke into their home and attacked them while they were sleeping. She said her husband, who was 35, was shot and she was attacked with a knife. But at the time, investigators said there was no sign of forced entry and turned their attention to Prewitt as a suspect. The murder weapon was found in a pond on the couple’s property and investigators believed a boot print found in the pond bed matched boots belonging to Patty Prewitt. At the trial, prosecutors claimed that Prewitt tried to dispose of the gun by throwing it into a pond but when it got stuck, she waded into the water and pushed it down with her boot. Prewitt declined a plea deal that would have given her the chance for parole after five to seven years. Instead she was sentenced to life in prison and became the state’s longest-serving female prisoner. The mother of five has maintained her innocence and for years, while lawyers and advocates have criticized the case, and blamed an inadequate investigation and flawed trial for her imprisonment. Prewitt filed multiple clemency requests over the years, with support from her family, including their five children, who claimed she was wrongfully convicted and fiercely advocated for her release. A website advocating for her clemency claimed investigators ignored credible leads pointing to an intruder and failed to collect key evidence that could have identified a person who Prewitt says assaulted her and murdered her husband. Prewitt was freed on Friday, the Associated Press reported, and is enjoying the holiday with her family, according to posts on social media. The commuted sentence for Prewitt does not pardon her of the murder conviction, but grants her release on parole, it was reported. Her case was among nine commutations and also 16 pardons by the governor Friday, including Eric DeValkenaere, the former Kansas City police detective convicted in 2021 of involuntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb, a Black man, in December 2019.

Secretaries of State are being told that any outgoings which are not contributing towards one of Labour’s “priorities” must be cut as Rachel Reeves vows to wield “an iron fist against waste.” In letters sent by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, departments will be told to brace for “difficult” spending decisions in order to restore trust in the Government’s handling of the public finances. Every pound of departmental spending will be face a “line-by-line review” involving external finance experts from banks and think tanks in order to ensure it represents value for money, the Treasury said. The Chancellor will on Tuesday launch the next round of Government spending, and is expected to warn departments that they “cannot operate in a business-as-usual way when reviewing their budgets for the coming years”. She will insist that areas focused on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “plan for change”, which includes targets to improve living standards across the country and build 1.5 million homes, must be prioritised. Ms Reeves said: “By totally rewiring how the Government spends money we will be able to deliver our plan for change and focus on what matters for working people. “The previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to go to waste on poor value for money projects. We will not tolerate it; I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste. “By reforming our public services, we will ensure they are up to scratch for modern day demands, saving money and delivering better services for people across the country. That’s why we will inspect every pound of Government spend, so that it goes to the right places and we put an end to all waste.” Under the Treasury’s plans, departments will ensure budgets are scrutinised by “challenge panels” of external experts including former senior management of Lloyd’s Banking Group, Barclays Bank and the Co-operative Group. These panels, which will also involve think tanks, academics and the private sector, will advise on which spending “is or isn’t necessary”, the ministry said. The Treasury said work has already begun, with an evaluation of the £6.5 million spent on a scheme that placed social workers in schools finding “no evidence of positive impact on social care outcomes”. “Departments will be advised that where spending is not contributing to a priority, it should be stopped,” it said. “Although some of these decisions will be difficult, the Chancellor is clear that the public must have trust in the Government that it is rooting out waste and that their taxes are being spent on their priorities.” Ms Reeves had already announced efficiency and productivity savings of 2% across departments in her autumn budget as she seeks to put the public finances on a firmer footing. In a speech in east London, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden hinted at a further squeeze. “At the Budget the Chancellor demanded efficiency and productivity savings of 2% across departments – and there will be more to come,” he said. “As we launch the next phase of the spending review at its heart must be reform of the state in order to do a better job for the public.”'Unbelievable' Odegaard transforms Arsenal and gets Saka smiling again

AP News Summary at 2:57 p.m. ESTWalmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory

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Pakistan Launches Air Strikes On Militant Hideouts In AfghanistanOhio State head coach Ryan Day has come under fire for his passive stance on the sidelines during a postgame brawl between his players and Michigan on Saturday. The Buckeyes were handed their fourth consecutive loss by the Wolverines, courtesy of Dominic Zvada's 21-yard field goal in the final quarter, resulting in a tight 13-10 victory for Michigan . Post-match, the Wolverines attempted to stake their flag at the center of Ohio Stadium , prompting a forceful response from Ohio State. Dave Portnoy weighs in on Michigan vs. Ohio State brawl as cops use pepper spray Michigan vs Ohio State ends in chaos as players brawl and police intervene Coaches from both sides rushed to defuse the situation as punches flew and helmets littered the turf, with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office stepping in. Despite Day's apparent reluctance to intervene, his leadership has been called into question for not attempting to usher his players back to the locker room. However, despite the unsightly scenes, Day stood by his players in his postgame press conference, stating: "I don't know all the details, but I know these guys were looking to put a flag on our field, and we're not going to let that happen." Reflecting on the defeat, he added: "Not easy to accept... have to take the ownership. I'm the one who makes the final decisions." The unexpected loss has put a dent in Ohio State's chances at the Big Ten Championship game and receiving a first-round College Football Playoff bye, while also increasing the pressure on Day. Since Day took over as head coach in 2019, the Buckeyes have an impressive 66-10 record, but their performance in crucial games continues to be a concern. DON'T MISS: Georgia sparks debate with escape vs Georgia Tech ahead of College Playoff Colts cult hero Andrew Luck confirms football return after retiring aged 29 Matt Rhule expecting up to 50 Nebraska players to enter transfer portal Ohio State's record stands at 2-4 in bowl games and 1-3 in the College Football Playoffs, but the lack of a victory against Michigan since 2019 is unacceptable to some fans. Another defeat in the rivalry, coupled with Day's reluctance to shield his players on Saturday, has left some fans seething. "Ryan Day, your whole team is in the midst of a brawl, and you're on the sideline asking 'what happened?' Huh!? Get your butt on the field and command your players go to the locker room," one fan wrote on X. "That requires leadership skills. Apparently, you've been absent for the past three years. He doesn't possess any," another fan harshly responded. "Ryan Day being caught on camera observing his team fight after a game while other adults - including armed law enforcement officers - try to intervene is about as fitting as it gets," added another. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who scored the only touchdown on Saturday, criticized Ohio State for not showing fight during the game and only acting up once the match was over. "For such a great game, it's disappointing to see stuff like that post-game. It's just bad for the sport, bad for college football," Mullings commented on FOX. "But at the end of the day, some people, they've got to learn how to lose. You can't be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. All that fighting, we had 60 minutes, we had four quarters to do all that fighting. Now, people want to talk and fight. That's wrong. It's just bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better."

Keen NBL observers might have noticed that the usually boisterous Justin Tatum was quieter than usual, pacing the sidelines during the Illawarra Hawks win over the Perth Wildcats in Wollongong. Subscribe now for unlimited access . Login or signup to continue reading The Hawks head coach joked afterwards he was on his best behaviour as his parents and daughter were courtside watching Sunday's game at WIN Entertainment Centre. They had arrived in the country to spend the Christmas holidays with Tatum. Not that the Hawks coach will have much time off, considering his team plays the Sydney Kings on Christmas Day. Two days later, they head to Brisbane to take on the Bullets before returning to Wollongong for a New Year's Eve showdown against the South East Melbourne Phoenix. Despite the gruelling schedule, Tatum was happy to have his family with him during the festive period. "They got here Saturday. I was very excited for them to be there, and my daughter gave me a high-five. She pays attention to the game as much as she can," he said. "It's good to have family here, go home, and be able to talk to somebody. "I was on my best behaviour. Mom and Dad were in town, so I behaved best. "I might have little pictures of them on the seats, so they remind me to be good when they leave. "It was good to have them there." He was also happy they saw him enjoying success as a coach. Tatum originally joined the Hawks at the start of the NBL24 season as an assistant to then-coach Jacob Jackomas. He became interim head coach after Jackomas was sacked after struggling to a 2-7 win/loss record. Tatum guided Illawarra to one win short of a grand final appearance after the Hawks were beaten by Melbourne United 2-1 in a seesawing semifinal series. The Hawks then locked in Tatum as permanent head coach on a three-year deal. The move has paid immediate dividends, with the ladder-leading Hawks considered NBL25 championship favourites. Tatum said he was happy his family saw how good the Hawks were. "It's cool, mostly for my 10-year-old daughter, to show her that you can achieve anything you want, as long as you put your mind to do it," he said. "Her coming across the world and seeing her dad having some impact on the team, the city, and the country in general means a lot to me. "My mom and dad are just proud of me no matter what, but it's just building confidence in her to let her know, 'Hey, whatever you want to achieve, whatever you want to do, believe in that because dad is doing his best to give you that confidence'." Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure. More from Basketball Newsletters & Alerts DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Find out what's happening in local business. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!GDIN Successfully Supports Establishment of 10 New Joint Ventures in 2024 Alone

ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF coach Gus Malzahn is resigning after four seasons with the school. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the move, which will see Malzahn to leave to take the offensive coordinator job at Florida State. Malzahn previously worked with FSU coach Mike Norvell during their time at Tulsa under then-coach Todd Graham from 2007-08. The Knights ended a disappointing 4-8 season in which they lost eight of their last nine games, the longest losing streak since 2015. Malzahn, 59, was in the fourth year of a contract through 2028. His buyout, it is reported, would have been $13.75 million. He finished 27-25 at UCF but lost 16 of his last 22 games and was a dismal 4-14 in two seasons in the Big 12. After back-to-back nine-win seasons in 2021-22, the Knights went 6-7 in 2023 and 4-8 in 2024. This season started with high expectations as Malzahn made sweeping changes to the program. He retooled the strength and conditioning department and hired Ted Roof and Tim Harris Jr. as defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. He also added nearly 50 new players to the roster, leaning heavily on the transfer market. UCF started by winning its first three games against New Hampshire, Sam Houston and a thrilling comeback at TCU, but offensive struggles saw the Knights tumble through a TBD-game losing streak to finish the season. Terry Mohajir hired Malzahn on Feb. 15, 2021, six days after he was hired to replace Danny White. The move came eight weeks after Malzahn had been fired at Auburn after eight seasons of coaching the Tigers. The two briefly worked together at Arkansas State in 2012 before Malzahn left for the Auburn job. “When he [Mohajir] offered the job, I was like, ‘I’m in.’ There wasn’t thinking about or talking about ...,” Malzahn said during his introductory press conference. “This will be one of the best programs in college football in a short time. This is a job that I plan on being here and building it.” UCF opened the 2021 season with non-conference wins over Boise State and Bethune-Cookman before traveling to Louisville on Sept. 17, where quarterback Dillon Gabriel suffered a fractured collarbone in the final minute of a 42-35 loss. Backup Mikey Keene would finish out the season as Gabriel announced his intention to transfer. The Knights would finish the season on the plus side by accepting a bid to join the Big 12 Conference in September and then by defeating Florida 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl. Malzahn struck transfer portal gold in the offseason when he signed former Ole Miss quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Plumlee, a two-sport star with the Rebels, helped guide UCF to the American Athletic Conference Championship in its final season. However, Plumlee’s injury forced the Knights to go with Keene and freshman Thomas Castellanos. The team finished with losses to Tulane in the conference championship and Duke in the Military Bowl. Plumlee would return in 2023 as UCF transitioned to the Big 12 but would go down with a knee injury in the final minute of the Knights’ 18-16 win at Boise State on Sept. 9. He would miss the next four games as backup Timmy McClain took over the team. Even on his return, Plumlee couldn’t help UCF, on a five-game losing streak to open conference play. The Knights got their first Big 12 win at Cincinnati on Nov. 4 and upset No. 15 Oklahoma State the following week, but the team still needed a win over Houston in the regular-season finale to secure a bowl bid for the eighth straight season. From the moment Malzahn stepped on campus, he prioritized recruiting, particularly in Central Florida. “We’re going to recruit like our hair’s on fire,” Malzahn said at the time. “We’re going to go after the best players in America and we’re not backing down to anybody.” From 2007 to 2020, UCF signed 10 four-star high school and junior college prospects. Eight four-star prospects were in the three recruiting classes signed under Malzahn. The 2024 recruiting class earned a composite ranking of 39 from 247Sports, the highest-ranked class in school history. The 2025 recruiting class is ranked No. 41 and has commitments from three four-star prospects. Malzahn has always leaned on the transfer market, signing 60 players over the past three seasons. Some have paid huge dividends, such as Javon Baker, Lee Hunter, Kobe Hudson, Tylan Grable, Bula Schmidt, Amari Kight, Marcellus Marshall, Trent Whittemore, Gage King, Ethan Barr, Deshawn Pace and Plumlee. Others haven’t been as successful, such as quarterback KJ Jefferson, who started the first five games of this season before being benched for poor performance. Jefferson’s struggles forced the Knights to play musical chairs at quarterback, with true freshman EJ Colson, redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown and redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk all seeing action at one point or another this season. This season’s struggles led to several players utilizing the NCAA’s redshirt rule after four games, including starting slot receiver Xavier Townsend and kicker Colton Boomer, who have also entered the transfer portal. Defensive end Kaven Call posted a letter to Malzahn on Twitter in which he accused the UCF coaching staff of recently kicking him off the team when he requested to be redshirted. Get local news delivered to your inbox!House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of 'regularly' paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl

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WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida's western Panhandle. Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee's work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report said. Before the report came out, Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz, who was first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his selection by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz abruptly resigned from Congress last month. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated interest in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. The committee painted a damning portrait of Gaetz's conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, checks and online payments, to document a party and drug-fueled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses. In addition to soliciting prostitution, the report said Gaetz “accepted gifts, including transportation and lodging in connection with a 2018 trip to the Bahamas, in excess of permissible amounts.” That same year, investigators said Gaetz arranged for a staffer to obtain a passport for a woman with whom he was sexually involved, falsely telling the State Department that she was his constituent. In some of the text exchanges made public, he appeared to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. At one point he asked one woman if she had a “cute black dress” to wear. There were also discussions of shipping goods. One of the exhibits was a text exchange that appeared to be between two of the women concerned about their cash flow and payments. In another, a person asked Gaetz for help to pay an educational expense. Regarding the 17-year-old girl, the report said there was no evidence Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her. The woman told the committee she did not tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But Gaetz stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Florida law says it is a felony for a person 24 or older to have sex with a minor. The law does not allow a claim of ignorance or misrepresentation of a minor's age as a defense. Joel Leppard, who represents two women who told the committee that Gaetz paid them for sex, said the findings “vindicate” the accounts of his clients and “demonstrate their credibility.” “We appreciate the Committee’s commitment to transparency in releasing this comprehensive report so the truth can be known,” Leppard said in a statement. At least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the committee earlier this month in voting to release the report despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. On behalf of the Republicans who voted against making the report public, the committee chairman, Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, wrote that while the members did not challenge the findings, “we take great exception that the majority deviated from the Committee’s well-established standards,” to drop any investigation when a person is not longer a member of the chamber. Guest added that releasing this report sets a precedent that “is a dangerous departure with potentially catastrophic consequences.” But Maryland Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Democratic member of the committee, said that for transparency, it was crucial for the public and Congress as an institution to read the findings. "I think that’s important for my colleagues here in the House to know how the committee reviews certain acts," he told The Associated Press. "Some of these were obviously conduct that crossed the line, but some of them weren’t.” Mounting a last-ditch effort to halt the publication of the report, Gaetz filed a lawsuit Monday asking a federal court to intervene. He cited what he called “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” Gaetz’s complaint argued that he was no longer under the committee’s jurisdiction because he had resigned from Congress. The often secretive, bipartisan committee has investigated claims against Gaetz since 2021. But its work became more urgent last month when Trump picked him shortly after the Nov. 5 election Day to be the nation's top law enforcement officer. Gaetz resigned from Congress that same day, putting him outside the purview of the committee's jurisdiction. But Democrats had pressed to make the report public even after Gaetz was no longer in the House and had withdrawn from consideration for Trump's Cabinet. A vote on the House floor this month to force the report’s release failed; all but one Republican voted against it. The committee detailed its start-and-stop investigation over the past several years, which was halted for a time as the Justice Department conducted its own inquiry of Gaetz. Federal prosecutors never brought a case against him. Lawmakers said they asked the Justice Department for information about its investigation, but the agency refused to hand over information, saying it does not disclose information about investigations that do not result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the department for records. After a back-and-forth between department officials and the committee, the department only handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the committee's report. The report said Gaetz was “uncooperative" throughout the committee's investigation. He provided “minimal documentation” in response to the committee’s requests, it said. “He also did not agree to a voluntary interview.” ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.

In less than one month, TikTok could be banned from app stores throughout the United States. But in a last-minute decision, the Supreme Court agreed to hear out arguments from TikTok and its Chinese parent company about why a ban could be unconstitutional. This spring, President Joe Biden passed legislation that would ban TikTok in January if its Chinese parent company ByteDance does not sell it. The legislation has been in the works for several years, as government officials fear that TikTok is a national security concern. If ByteDance does not sell TikTok by Jan. 19, the app will be illegal for distribution through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Internet service providers will also be required to make the app inaccessible on U.S. internet browsers. Here's what to know about the TikTok ban, including when SCOTUS will review the legislation. When will Supreme Court review the TikTok ban? The Supreme Court is set to review TikTok' arguments on Jan. 10, 2025 , just over a week before the ban could be implemented. Holiday deals: Shop this season’s top products and sales curated by our editors. What is TikTok asking SCOTUS to do? TikTok wants SCOTUS to overturn a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which states that the legislation's infringement of free speech rights is justified because of national security concerns. When could the TikTok ban go into place? The ban will go into place on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, if ByteDance does not sell the platform by then. Could TikTok be bought? Though China has been vocal in the past about its opposition to selling TikTok, billionaire Frank McCourt has expressed his interest in purchasing the U.S. portion of the platform with a group of associates. McCourt, founder of Project Liberty and executive chairman of McCourt Global, said a consortium of associates has verbally pledged up to $20 billion for the purchase. However, if McCourt purchased TikTok, it would only be the U.S. portion and would not include TikTok's algorithm, which China sees as its intellectual property, McCourt told CBS' "Face the Nation" earlier this month. Does Donald Trump want to ban TikTok? President-elect Donald Trump's vision for TikTok when he takes office is unclear. Despite steps he took during his first term to ward off ByteDance, he has expressed different feelings for the app more recently. Last week, Trump said during a press conference that he has a "warm spot" for TikTok in his heart, as he believes the app helped him gain ground with young voters in the 2024 presidential election. “TikTok had an impact, and so we're taking a look at it,” Trump said. “I have a little bit of a warm spot in my heart. I'll be honest." USA TODAY has reached out to Trump's team for comment. Why did the government create the ban? Concerns about national security stem from worries that ByteDance, which is based in Beijing, has access to American data and is sharing it with the Chinese government. In 2020, Trump issued an executive order regarding TikTok. As part of the order, Trump tried to ban TikTok in the U.S. and prohibit any transactions with the company, according to the Trump White House archival website. However, this ban never went into place . In 2021, Biden revoked Trump's proposed ban and issued a new executive order regarding ByteDance, which said that the company "continues to threaten the national security, foreign policy and economy of the United States," a U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit court opinion federal appeals court opinion states. In 2022, Biden signed a bill that prohibited the use of TikTok on government devices. What is TikTok? TikTok is a social media application known for its short-form videos. Users can create, post and interact with videos on the app. TikTok is popular for its scrolling algorithm and allows users to post videos between three seconds and 10 minutes long. Users may add different filters, backgrounds, music and stickers to their videos. Contributing: Maureen Groppe and Karissa Waddick Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com .Secretaries of State are being told that any outgoings which are not contributing towards one of Labour’s “priorities” must be cut as Rachel Reeves vows to wield “an iron fist against waste.” In letters sent by Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones, departments will be told to brace for “difficult” spending decisions in order to restore trust in the Government’s handling of the public finances. Every pound of departmental spending will be face a “line-by-line review” involving external finance experts from banks and think tanks in order to ensure it represents value for money, the Treasury said. The Chancellor will on Tuesday launch the next round of Government spending, and is expected to warn departments that they “cannot operate in a business-as-usual way when reviewing their budgets for the coming years”. She will insist that areas focused on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “plan for change”, which includes targets to improve living standards across the country and build 1.5 million homes, must be prioritised. Ms Reeves said: “By totally rewiring how the Government spends money we will be able to deliver our plan for change and focus on what matters for working people. “The previous government allowed millions of pounds of taxpayers’ money to go to waste on poor value for money projects. We will not tolerate it; I said I would have an iron grip on the public finances and that means taking an iron fist against waste. “By reforming our public services, we will ensure they are up to scratch for modern day demands, saving money and delivering better services for people across the country. That’s why we will inspect every pound of Government spend, so that it goes to the right places and we put an end to all waste.” Under the Treasury’s plans, departments will ensure budgets are scrutinised by “challenge panels” of external experts including former senior management of Lloyd’s Banking Group, Barclays Bank and the Co-operative Group. These panels, which will also involve think tanks, academics and the private sector, will advise on which spending “is or isn’t necessary”, the ministry said. The Treasury said work has already begun, with an evaluation of the £6.5 million spent on a scheme that placed social workers in schools finding “no evidence of positive impact on social care outcomes”. “Departments will be advised that where spending is not contributing to a priority, it should be stopped,” it said. “Although some of these decisions will be difficult, the Chancellor is clear that the public must have trust in the Government that it is rooting out waste and that their taxes are being spent on their priorities.” Ms Reeves had already announced efficiency and productivity savings of 2% across departments in her autumn budget as she seeks to put the public finances on a firmer footing. In a speech in east London, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden hinted at a further squeeze. “At the Budget the Chancellor demanded efficiency and productivity savings of 2% across departments – and there will be more to come,” he said. “As we launch the next phase of the spending review at its heart must be reform of the state in order to do a better job for the public.”