80jili biz What Does the Education Department Do? A Look at the Agency Trump Wants to Cut.Syria latest: Syrians celebrate in the streets as Russian media says Assad has arrived in Moscow

No. 22 Texas A&M beats Texas Tech 72-67 in 1st meeting of former conference rivals since 2012NASA Awards Operations, Services, Maintenance, and Infrastructure ContractThe Detroit Lions will play without two high draft picks in rookie cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. while possibly getting back veteran Emmanuel Moseley against the host Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. Arnold was downgraded Saturday from questionable to out because of a groin injury. He was limited at practice on Thursday and participated in a full practice on Friday. The Lions drafted Arnold with the 24th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Arnold, 21, has started all 10 games and has 38 tackles and six passes defended. Rakestraw (hamstring) was placed on injured reserve after not practicing all week. He already had been ruled out for Sunday's game. Detroit picked Rakestraw in the second round (61st overall) out of Missouri. He has played in eight games and has six tackles. Rakestraw, 22, has played on 46 defensive snaps (8 percent) and 95 special teams snaps (42 percent). Moseley had full practice sessions all week and was activated from injured reserve on Saturday but was listed as questionable for Sunday. The 28-year-old is in his second season with Detroit and appeared in one game last season before going on IR in October 2023. He was placed on IR on Aug. 27 with a designation to return. Moseley played from 2018-22 for the San Francisco 49ers and had 162 tackles, four interceptions -- one returned for a touchdown -- and 33 passes defensed in 46 games (33 starts). Detroit elevated linebacker David Long on Saturday for game day. Long, 28, signed with the practice squad on Tuesday after the Miami Dolphins released him on Nov. 13. He had started six of eight games for the Dolphins this season and had 38 tackles. In other Lions news, the NFL fined wide receiver Jameson Williams $19,697 for unsportsmanlike conduct for making an obscene gesture during a touchdown celebration in last Sunday's 52-6 home win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL Network reported Saturday. Williams, 23, scored on a 65-yard pass from Jared Goff with 12:55 remaining in the third quarter. --Field Level Media

Roads are slushy in Ottawa after a snowstorm brought heavy snow to the capital overnight Saturday. Ottawa has received 19 centimetres of snow since Saturday afternoon, according to Environment Canada. The forecaster calls for a high of 3 C today, which will feel like minus 7 this morning. Mainly cloudy skies and a 40 per cent chance of showers are also in the forecast for today. Tonight, a low of -8 C and few clouds are expected. The weather agency warns on its website about icy and slippery roads with freezing rain in the forecast starting Monday and continuing through Tuesday . “Freezing rain may cause surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots to become icy and slippery. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas,” Environment Canada says on its website. Monday will see a high of -5 C with periods of snow. A low of -1 C and periods of snow are expected for the night. On Tuesday, a high of 5 C and a 60 per cent chance of showers are expected. A low of 0 C and a 30 per cent chance of rain showers or flurries are expected. The weather agency issued a winter travel advisory Saturday, as a local amount of 10-15 cm of snow was expected. The advisory was lifted on Sunday morning. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader of the insurgency in Syria, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing to ties to al-Qaida. Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a U.S. withdrawal from NATO is possible Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as U.S. president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them. Pantone names its colour of the year for 2025 Pantone has named an 'evocative soft brown' its colour of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century. Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say Ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow on Sunday, Russian media reported, hours after a stunning rebel advance took over the capital of Damascus and ended the Assad family's 50 years of iron rule. A man, a bike and a gun: Police search for evidence to solve the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO on the streets of New York As the investigation into the fatal shooting of a health care executive in Manhattan enters its fifth day, police are missing key pieces of evidence and are combing through what they have gathered for more clues, as the suspect remains on the run. Atlantic The 61st Annual Christmas Daddies Telethon raises more than $559,000 for children in need The 61st annual Christmas Daddies Telethon continued its proud Maritime tradition, raising more than $559,000 for children in need on Saturday. Federal Government announces more than $1 billion to meet New Brunswick’s electrical needs Natural Resources Canada announced it will spend more than $1 billion for the province of New Brunswick to meet growing electricity demands in a news release Sunday. Animals find new homes during holiday open house at Dartmouth, N.S., shelter An animal shelter in Dartmouth, N.S., held its holiday open house Sunday to encourage adoption and thank the community for its support. Toronto Ontario saw the highest number of whooping cough cases in the last 17 years: report The number of whooping cough cases in Ontario this year has reached a level that hasn't been seen in 17 years. Car crash sends at least 2 to hospital and leaves debris on Mississauga Road At least two people were taken to the hospital after their vehicle crashed into a pole near Winston Churchill Boulevard at Derry Road overnight. Hwy. 401 westbound shut down in Ajax due to police investigation The westbound lanes of Hwy. 401 have been closed in Ajax due to a police investigation. Montreal Quebec Premier meets with Trump, Zelenskyy and Musk during Paris trip Quebec Premier François Legault met up with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk while visiting Paris this weekend. Just for Laughs founder’s sexual assault retrial starts Monday Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon will be back in court on Monday for accusations of sexual assault and rape. Rosemont family event Shake La Cabane cancelled after pricing policy backlash A community centre in Montreal's Rosemont neighbourhood cancelled a family event that was meant to take place Sunday after its pricing policy sparked a heated debate. Northern Ontario Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Canada's air force took video of object shot down over Yukon, updated image released The Canadian military has released more details and an updated image of the unidentified object shot down over Canada's Yukon territory in February 2023. How the combination of diapers and splash pads led to 10K illnesses New research is raising concerns about the safety of splash pads, which can be ground zero for germs and greatly increase the risk of spreading disease. Windsor Windsor hockey association holds first Teddy Bear Toss Stuffed animals flew over the glass at the rink inside the Adie Knox Herman Recreation Complex Sunday morning. What’s lowering Detroit River water levels? If you’ve noticed the current along the Detroit River sitting lower than usual, you’re not alone. 'They’re going through hell': TLC Foundation treats children with cancer to free shopping spree The TLC Foundation invited over 200 children from southwestern Ontario to Toys R Us in London, Ont. for a free shopping spree. London Roof of historic hotel collapses in Bayfield A week’s worth of heavy snow coupled with rain overnight in Bayfield proved too much for the roof of the historic Albion Hotel. 'They’re going through hell': TLC Foundation treats children with cancer to free shopping spree The TLC Foundation invited over 200 children from southwestern Ontario to Toys R Us in London, Ont. for a free shopping spree. On the Bright Side with Julie Atchison To brighten your week with good news, CTV London Meteorologist Julie Atchison is showing us the sunny side of things. Kitchener Police looking for missing 16-year-old Waterloo Regional Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing 16-year-old. Roof of historic hotel collapses in Bayfield A week’s worth of heavy snow coupled with rain overnight in Bayfield proved too much for the roof of the historic Albion Hotel. Wet week ahead with rain and snow in southern Ontario's forecast You’ll want to bundle up and bring along an umbrella when heading out the door this week. Barrie Pair of sleeping drivers charged in drug bust Two drivers are facing charges after they were allegedly found sleeping in their respective vehicles and possessing a quantity drugs Saturday afternoon in Waubaushene. Driver charged after sliding onto someone’s lawn: OPP Caledon OPP charged a driver after they allegedly slid their vehicle onto someone’s front lawn earlier this week. Small community hosts 27th annual Santa parade Simcoe County saw one of its last Santa Claus parades of the holiday season, as the small community of Anten Mills in Minesing hosted their 27th annual Santa parade Sunday afternoon. Winnipeg Minnedosa residents urged to reduce sewage usage due to winter storm People living in Minnedosa are being asked to reduce their sewage usage or risk a sewage backup in their homes and businesses. Wintery weather warnings in effect for southern Manitoba Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued several snowfall, winter storm and freezing rain warnings for much of southern Manitoba. RCMP investigate suspicious death of 25-year-old man Island Lake RCMP have launched a homicide investigation after the suspicious death of a 25-year-old man from St. Theresa Point First Nation. Calgary Kiwanis Club and Toys ‘R’ Us team up to give hundreds of kids Christmas gifts Northmount Kiwanis Club of Calgary invited 500 kids to Toys "R" Us for its annual Toy Project Sunday. Calgary police stage checkstop on National Impaired Driving Enforcement Day Calgary police launched their first holiday checkstop Saturday night on Stoney Trail. Calgarians flocking to markets with local vendors for Christmas Shopping As Christmas is on the horizon, Calgarians headed to the markets across the city on Saturday to get some shopping done while also supporting local businesses. Edmonton Drivers face slippery road conditions east of Edmonton into Saskatchewan Freezing rain, snow and plummeting temperatures on Sunday in east-central Alberta are making road conditions slippery. Baby found dead in south Edmonton parking lot: police Police are investigating the death of an infant in south Edmonton. McDavid, Skinner help Oilers beat Blues 4-2 Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist and Leon Draisaitl had two helpers as the Edmonton Oilers won their second game in a row, defeating the St. Louis Blues 4-2 on Saturday. Regina Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Trudeau says fall of Assad 'ends decades of brutal oppression' for Syria Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a new chapter for Syria can begin that's free of terrorism and suffering for its people. Regina holiday market booming as vendors encourage local shopping amid postal strike The holidays are the busiest time of year for countless businesses, but many Regina vendors are hoping Christmas shoppers will come to them this year amid ongoing job action at Canada Post. Saskatoon Saskatoon under winter storm warning with freezing rain, heavy snow forecasted A winter storm warning has been issued for the city of Saskatoon and parts of west central Saskatchewan by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). No injuries reported following semi rollover on Sask. highway Battlefords RCMP were on the scene of a single semi rollover on Highway 16 between Delmas and North Battleford Sunday afternoon. Sask. RCMP arrest 1 suspect in White Bear First Nation killing, 1 still at large Saskatchewan RCMP have arrested one suspect in connection to the Dec. 3rd death of Talon Lonethunder on White Bear First Nation. The remaining suspect in the killing remains at large. Vancouver End of the Eras Tour, with Taylor Swift to take final bow in Vancouver After 149 shows, an estimated US$2 billion in revenue and countless outfit changes, Taylor Swift takes to the stage tonight in Vancouver for the final show of her record-smashing Eras Tour. Here’s when parking passes are required for Mount Seymour People visiting Mount Seymour Provincial Park during the peak winter season will need to book a parking spot in advance, starting on Dec. 12. Do you recognize these men? RCMP seek Metro Vancouver grandparent scam suspects Mounties in Metro Vancouver have released photos of two men alleged to have been involved in “numerous” so-called grandparent scams earlier this year, hoping the public can help identify them. Vancouver Island B.C. NDP provincial director hospitalized after 'serious medical emergency' The former B.C. NDP MLA for Chilliwack and newly appointed provincial director, Dan Coulter, is in hospital after suffering a “serious medical emergency,” according to the party. Prince George Taylor Swift fans rent car after flight to Vancouver cancelled A diehard Taylor Swift fan who lives in Prince George, B.C., says a flight cancellation forced her and a group of other Swifties to rent a car and make the near 800-kilometre journey to Vancouver to catch the last dates of the Eras Tour. Canada Post strike: Union 'extremely disappointed' in latest offer, negotiator says A negotiator for the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) says the latest offer from Canada Post to end the ongoing strike shows the carrier is moving in the "opposite direction." Kelowna Study of 2023 Okanagan wildfires recommends limiting development in high-risk areas A study into the devastating wildfires that struck British Columbia's Okanagan region in 2023 has recommended that government and industry limit development in high-fire-risk areas. Kelowna, B.C., to host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026 The Western Hockey League's Kelowna Rockets will host the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026, the Canadian Hockey League said Wednesday. 545 vehicles impounded in 332 days: BC Highway Patrol pleads for drivers to slow down Mounties with the BC Highway Patrol in Kelowna say they've impounded more than 545 vehicles for excessive speed and aggressive driving so far this year. That works out to more than 1.6 per day. Stay ConnectedLions CBs Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out vs. Colts

Meet Casper, Martinella and Kimba, this week’s Pets of the Week in the San Gabriel Valley

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Festive spiced rum and raisin tiramisu and daube of beef make a feast for Paula McIntyre

White House pressing Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds so it has enough troops to battle Russia‘Uniquely mysterious’: Unpacking a development proposal in Paradise Valley

BIG 12 THIS WEEKSyria latest: Syrians celebrate in the streets as Russian media says Assad has arrived in MoscowBest of the West MBB power ratings: Gonzaga on top despite loss while Oregon soars after big wins

Meet Casper, Martinella and Kimba, this week’s Pets of the Week in the San Gabriel ValleyGus Atkinson claimed a superb hat-trick as England took command of the second Test against New Zealand, knocking over the home side’s tail in style. The Surrey seamer took out Nathan Smith, Matt Henry and Tim Southee with three successive deliveries, the 15th time an English bowler has achieved the feat in Test cricket. Atkinson turned the heat on the Black Caps in his ninth over, racking up three different modes of dismissal to end their innings on 125 and hand the tourists a lead of 155. Somewhere in this picture is Gus Atkinson... pic.twitter.com/0tSUbuMANu — England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 6, 2024 The 26-year-old uprooted Smith’s middle stump with the third ball of his over, then had Henry backing away from a short ball that he fended to Ben Duckett at gully. Last man Tim Southee stood between Atkinson and a place in the history books but had no answer as the ball came full and straight, smashing his front pad dead in front of middle stump. Southee reviewed the lbw decision in hope more than expectation but England’s celebrations were already well under way. Rod Tucker raised his finger for a second time to seal the deal, with Atkinson registering the 50th Test hat-trick in world cricket – 47 in the men’s game and three in the women’s. The last player to get one was South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj in 2021, with Moeen Ali the most recent to do so for England, against the Proteas at the Oval in 2017. Stuart Broad took two in his career, making Atkinson the 14th England player on the list. Brydon Carse had earlier dismissed Tom Blundell and Will O’Rourke in the space of three deliveries as New Zealand lost their last five batters for 39.Lions CBs Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out vs. Colts

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Toby Fournier scored a season-high 27 points and collected nine rebounds to lead No. 8 Duke to an 81-59 victory over Virginia Tech on Sunday in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams. Fournier, a freshman forward, shot 12 of 17 from the floor in an off-the-bench effort to power the Blue Devils (9-2, 1-0 ACC). Oluchi Okananwa added 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Delaney Thomas chipped in 14 points. Reigan Richardson finished with just five points but dished out a career-high-tying seven assists. Carleigh Wenzel paced the Hokies (7-3, 0-1) with 19 points, while Carys Baker had 11 points and six rebounds. Takeaways Duke: The Blue Devils bounced back from their loss at No. 3 South Carolina with a decisive victory and improved to 24-4 when opening ACC play at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Virginia Tech: Duke's stingy defense kept the Hokies from getting to their offensive actions consistently, leading them to turn the ball over 18 times while shooting a season-worst 14.3% from 3-point range. Key moment After trailing by three points early, Duke outscored Virginia Tech 32-10 on a run that bled into the second quarter. Fournier kickstarted the spurt for the Blue Devils with a layup in traffic, totaling 10 points and five rebounds over the 12-minute stretch. Key stat Duke entered this game ranking 15th nationally in 3-point shooting with a 38.8% clip and 18th nationally in assists per game with an average of 18.5. The Blue Devils had a positive assist-turnover ratio for the eighth time this season, and they improved to 5-0 when shooting north of 40% from behind the arc. Up next Duke hosts Wofford on Dec. 18. Virginia Tech hosts Radford on Sunday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketballWilson throws for 2 touchdowns as Steelers cruise past mistake-prone Browns 27-14Article content The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) held a rally Saturday while the snow fell and the temperature dropped, with a goal of spurring action to develop more social housing to help more than 4,000 people experiencing homelessness in the city. “We’re all dressed nice and warm, of course, but the people who we’re here for are not, and they don’t have the luxury of going home afterwards,” said ECOHH chairwoman Nadine Chalifoux at the beginning of the event. A crowd of more than 50 people were bundled up in tarps and blankets at the North Plaza of the Legislature Grounds — experiencing a just fraction of what thousands experiencing homelessness endure throughout the winter. ECOHH’s rally was just one among 15 other cities across Canada to recognize of National Housing Day, aiming to raise awareness and to encourage action from municipal, provincial, and federal governments to invest in social housing for vulnerable Canadians. Attendees of the rally were given postcards addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau created by Social Housing & Human Rights Canada , calling on the federal government to create a “minimum of 50,000 net new rent-geared-to-income social housing units each year for 10 years, starting now.” ECOHH’s rally comes on the heels of a deadly two-weeks for Edmonton which saw four people found dead in bus shelters across the city as the weather has gotten colder and the snow began to fall. The four people were believed to be homeless, which president of transit union ATU Local 569, Steve Bradshaw, believed was weather related. “ They are coming out of their encampments and back onto the system, it’s a seasonal shift,” said Bradshaw to Postmedia. Safety response In response to the changing weather, the City of Edmonton activated its winter safety response plan to support Edmonton’s thousands of people experiencing homelessness. The initiative rolls out a variety of resources, including a free nightly shelter shuttle bus (which the city just added one more of for the winter), wound care pop ups, and warm public spaces, among others. Edmonton’s Hope Mission hit a new milestone since the change in the weather, providing shelter for more than 1,000 people for the first time ever. The organization said the demand for shelter was met with similarly increased demand for hot meals. Tim Pasma, director of programs and homelessness with Hope Mission, thanked the Alberta government for its financial support. “ We are so grateful that the province has helped us to open these additional shelter spaces. They have helped enable us to meet this growing need,” said Pasma in a release. For its part, the Alberta government said it increased funding for shelters in Edmonton to more than $42 million, bringing the total provincial budget for homelessness in 2024-25 to nearly $210 million. But funding for shelters wasn’t enough for the chanters at Saturday’s rally, which made clear by their collective voices echoing off of the surrounding provincial buildings in the quiet, cold, afternoon. “Build houses — not shelters,” the crowd shouted during a call-and-response segment of the rally. “I think this is honestly an appropriate day to be doing this and thinking about us being here together in solidarity with over 4000 people that are also outside today and unhoused or homeless,” said University of Alberta researcher Rylan Kamara to the bundled-up crowd in the plaza. “With those kind of numbers, it just shows how market approaches to this housing crisis, they don’t work, and they haven’t for a long time.” The crowd listened to several speakers and performers, including drumming from members the Enoch Cree Nation, and a performance by Martin Kerr of his song “ God Rest Ye Merry Billionaires ,” which was released last year. Juno award-winning songwriter Maria Dunn also performed a song specifically about the unfolding homelessness crisis, calling on Canadians to put the same effort into helping support the homeless as is put into hockey. “I think about how much our society values and seems to assemble lots of resources and money to celebrate hockey, which is wonderful to celebrate with joy, but why can’t we do that for people who are out on the street?” asked Dunn prior to beginning the song. “No matter what’s happened to you, no matter what you’re going through, you deserve a decent place to live. Without housing first, where does healing begin?” sang Dunn, as the crowd joined in for the final chorus. “Bring them home. Bring them home. Leave it all on the ice. We need everyone bring them home.” With files from Lauren Boothby.

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AUSTIN, Texas — As TxDOT's work to expand Interstate 35 through Central Austin is already underway , several entities are planning to build land plazas over the highway. On Wednesday, the University of Texas System Board of Regents approved $106 million for a project near campus. It involves building a series of caps over the highway between 15th Street and Dean Keeton Street to connect the campus with the other side of the interstate. UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife said it is 10 to 12 acres in front of the new medical complex. "We believe this is so important because even though they won't be constructed for eight to 10 years," Eltife said, "real estate in front of the medical complex will be desperately needed in the future." Construction on an MD Anderson Cancer Center and UT Austin Hospital at the UT Media Center is set to start in 2026. "This gives us the opportunity to cap that area to monetize it in terms of creating revenue from future buildings and medical facilities," Eltife said. TxDOT broke ground on the $4.5 billion I-35 Capital Express Central project in late October. Planned updates include the construction of two carpool lanes between U.S. 290 and State Highway 71, lowering the main lanes from Airport Boulevard to Lady Bird Lake to remove the interstate's upper decks, making room for the cap-and-stitch initiative that will add plazas above the interstate. The U-T project is separate from the city project , which could create up to 30 acres of new public space in Central Austin between Holly Street and Airport Boulevard. TxDOT will build the foundation of the decks as it expands I-35, while the city will build what's on top. In design renderings of what the caps could look like, the cap between Fourth and Seventh streets could see an elevated walkway and outdoor dining space. Another design shows a cap between Cesar Chavez and Fourth streets, and the plan includes a "street promenade" and bike path. Brianna Frey, who is managing the project for the city, said it will bring new parks, shops and entertainment to Central Austin. "I think the public is interested in seeing some of those benefits too as it relates to either their business districts or their neighborhoods or where they like to go hang out with their families, or potentially in the future could see themselves hanging out with their families," Frey said. Austin City Council's plans Thursday's city council meeting was supposed to be the deadline for council members to decide whether to spend hundreds of millions on the project. The agenda initially contained two items, one for $19 million in design funding and a second item for $265 million in funding for the roadway elements for the caps. However, in a memo on Dec. 5, City Manager T.C. Broadnax withdrew the items because TxDOT extended the deadline. The memo cited delays in TxDOT's pump station contract award. The deadline has been extended to March 2025, and city staff intend to bring it up at a different city council meeting this spring. While they won't vote on those big ticket items on Thursday, the city council will vote on a $41 million state infrastructure bank loan, which Frey said will help cover TxDOT design fees. Those fees could range from $8 million to $19 million, depending on which caps move forward into design. Part of it will also go to the Neighborhood Access and Equity Grant, which the city has to match. They will also formally accept $105 million from the federal government for the section between Cedar Chavez and Fourth streets. That funding will require a $45 million match from the city. So far, that is the only cap to get funding and is the only cap scheduled for construction. Other caps can be added if the city secures financing. The price tag for the full build of the project has ballooned to nearly $1.4 million. It has increased by 50% to 80% due to building material costs and adjustments as crews have advanced the design and further fleshed out the elements. "A lot of that has to do with the fact that some of these caps are going to create a tunnel-like system that needs to be supported by more voltage in electricity. There will need to be a lot more fire, life and safety components that just weren't in the design at the schematic level," Frey said. "These are new added elements that they've priced out for us that we previously hadn't received yet." With the cost estimates like they are, the city is evaluating plans to move forward with only some of the caps. The proposed eight caps are: Holly Street – 0.96 acres Cesar Chavez Street – 0.27 acres Cesar Chavez to Fourth streets – 5.37 acres Fourth to Seventh streets cap – 3.28 acres 11th to 12th streets cap – 2.17 acres 38 1/2 to 41st streets cap – 5.20 acres 41st Street to Red Line cap – 4.76 acres Red Line to Airport Boulevard cap – 4.24 acres Scenarios under consideration The city is considering several scenarios with different cost options for the amenity decks over the interstate. "The scenarios are endless, but some of the community engagement and cost estimates that we've received, we really narrowed it down to six scenarios," Frey said. "Council could take the scenarios that we propose and run with it once they understand some of the cost implications to the larger look at the city debt as well as the communications they've been having with community members." As the city considers various funding sources, Fry said everything is on the table. For 2025 funding commitments, they are going to have to turn to a certificate of obligations or other public funding sources. They have not ruled out an election to ask the public to support a cap-and-stitch bond program. "That is something that council members are still really exploring because there are some tradeoffs with increasing one program, funding sources from those debt capacities, and taking from other funding sources," Frey said. "It is a matter of determining what the city's priority is spending these large dollars on." In the Dec. 5 memo, city leaders discuss the possibility of an assumed $600 million bond in 2026. According to the memo, a $600 million bond program in 2026 is expected to cost the typical homeowner $82.71 annually in today's dollars. The projected bond issuances over time for the Cap and Stitch Scenario 6 are estimated to be around $1 billion, and the city estimates the cost for the typical homeowner to be $137.86 annually. Since the bonds would be issued over a 10- to 15-year period, the projected monetary impact on taxpayers will be felt over an extended period and not all at once. While city staff said they do project an overall weakening of the city's financial rating metrics over the next 10 years, they believe the overall credit profile will remain favorable. Boomtown is KVUE's series covering the explosive growth in Central Texas. For more Boomtown stories, head to KVUE.com/Boomtown .The AP Top 25 college football poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — Garrett Greene and West Virginia’s other seniors savored one last chance to sing John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” with fans after a home win. There haven’t been many victories at Mountaineer Field this season. But this one was enough to help the Mountaineers become eligible for a bowl game. “I definitely tried to soak it in a little more than than I usually do,” Greene said. “That’s the most special tradition in all of college sports.” Greene threw a touchdown pass in his final home game, CJ Donaldson had two short TD runs and West Virginia beat UCF 31-21 on Saturday. West Virginia (6-5, 5-3 Big 12) avoided losing for the fifth time at home, which hasn’t happened since 1990. Whether the win was enough for embattled coach Neal Brown to keep his job remains to be seen. Brown is 37-34 in six seasons. “I’m just happy for our guys, happy for our seniors, happy to get to six,” Brown said. “We’ve been up and down. Like, I don’t hide from that. We’re going to strive to get to seven.” UCF (4-7, 2-6) is assured of its second straight losing season under coach Gus Malzahn. RELATED COVERAGE Auburn wins 43-41, four-OT thriller over playoff hopeful No. 15 Texas A&M Arnold, Robinson run for more than 100 yards as Oklahoma stuns No. 7 Alabama 24-3 No. 22 Iowa State keeps Big 12 title, CFP hopes alive with 31-28 win over Utah “Obviously, when you don’t go to a bowl, that’s a really tough deal to swallow,” Malzahn said. “And there’s a lot of disappointed guys in the locker room right now.” Donaldson, averaging 53 rushing yards per game, finished with 96 yards. He came out determined with 56 yards on his first four carries, including a 1-yard run on West Virginia’s opening series. West Virginia cornerback Dontez Fagan then recovered a fumble by UCF quarterback Dylan Rizk, and Donaldson ran for 28 more yards on the next series that was capped by Jahiem White’s 3-yard TD run. Early in the game, Donaldson “was kind of like in a different mode,” Greene said. Greene struggled in the passing game for most of the first half, then went 4 of 6 for 65 yards just before halftime, hitting Rodney Gallagher with a 12-yard TD toss for a 21-7 lead. Rizk went 11 of 21 for 172 yards, including a 45-yard scoring strike to Kobe Hudson. RJ Harvey, the Big 12’s leading rusher, ran for 130 yards and two scores, including a 9-yard TD run that brought UCF within 31-21 with 5:20 left. But the ensuing onside kick didn’t go the required 10 yards. Greene then converted a pair of fourth-down passes and West Virginia ran out the clock. Greene finished 13 of 21 for 118 yards and added 49 rushing yards. “The kid’s a winner,” Brown said of Greene. “He competes. I’m really happy for him that he performed and won in his last game here. I think he deserves that. I hope our fans appreciate him. He hasn’t always played clean football, but man, he’s laid it on the line for the Mountaineers every single time he’s suited up. And so, a fitting end for him.” The takeaway UCF: The Knights outgained West Virginia 348 yards to 318 but now have lost seven of eight games following a 3-0 start. West Virginia: The Mountaineers won despite being stuck in many third-and-long situations on offense against a solid effort from UCF’s defensive front. Up next UCF: Hosts Utah on Friday night. West Virginia: Finishes the regular season at Texas Tech next Saturday. ___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico has yet to produce a certified vote tally for a single district almost a month after holding historic general elections. Then on Wednesday, a judge issued a ruling that sparked an outcry and threatened to further delay the certification process as the Jan. 2 swearing-in looms. The judge, in response to a lawsuit, ordered Puerto Rico’s State Elections Commission to count early votes following ID verification even if the postal address used to request those votes is different from the one in the general voter registration. “Contrary to what some actors in our society may have encouraged in public opinion, our legal framework in electoral matters is covered with guarantees of reliability, which leave no room for speculation or doubts about the validity of early votes,” Judge Raúl A. Candelario López wrote. The Nov. 21 lawsuit was filed by a dozen voters affiliated with the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, which won the gubernatorial race, according to preliminary results. The ruling noted that those voters alleged “their rights are being violated since they requested early voting, complied with all the requirements for it, and their votes are being subject to additional requirements without any legal basis.” The judge’s decision angered many including Karla Angleró, electoral commissioner for the opposing Popular Democratic Party, one of Puerto Rico’s two main parties, She said the party would appeal Wednesday’s ruling. In September, Angleró and electoral commissioners from other parties agreed that if they uncovered addresses that didn’t match, officials would call people to confirm that they indeed requested an early vote to prevent any fraud. Angleró and other commissioners had recently requested that the elections commission investigate how more than 40 ballots with different residential addresses were requested from the same P.O. box in the southern coastal town of Santa Isabel. “We’ve been waiting for weeks,” she told reporters on Wednesday of the investigation. Judicial officials already are investigating allegations made before Nov. 2 about electoral crimes including people who said they received confirmations for early voting when they had made no such request. As those investigations continue, workers are certifying ballots with the aim to finish by Dec. 20 or 22, according to Jessika Padilla, alternate president for the elections commission. The aim was to finalize the district of the capital of San Juan on Wednesday, but that was pushed back to Sunday, she told reporters. Numerous obstacles have delayed the certification process, including an increase in write-in votes and a flurry of errors detected in bedside ballots, prompting all electoral commissioners to agree to start counting more than 60,000 such votes from scratch. The delay prompted electoral commissioners last week to temporarily halt the counting of ballots cast in a nonbinding referendum also held Nov. 2 on Puerto Rico’s political status so they could focus on election ballots. Local law dictates the certification process must be completed by Dec. 31.