When senior Meara Wilcox joined the Horticulture club her freshman year, it wasn’t nearly as big as it is now. “It was like six people, and half of them were our friend group,” Wilcox said. The Horticulture club, according to its Instagram, gives members a community where they can “Find joy and happiness through plants.” They go on hikes, maintain the greenhouse, and take trips to arboretums and gardens near WKU. Now, as the president, Wilcox believes the group has “come a long way,” looking back with pride on the past four years and the club’s growth. Wilcox attributed the increased involvement to more consistent leadership and visibility for the club. “(The greenhouse) is kind of hidden, way up at the top of the Hill,” Wilcox said. “Getting the word out that it even exists was important in making it accessible to more people.” Monday’s meeting was a chance for members to make Christmas ornaments out of felt. “Christmas is coming up, and I’ve been feeling very crafty,” Wilcox said, “So I was like, ‘let’s make ornaments.’” Freshman environmental science major Ryan Sublette said the Horticulture club is her favorite club she’s joined at WKU. “It’s great, I’ve met a lot of new people, I’ve met professors, I love it,” Sublette said. Sublette said some of her favorite activities are the crafts and hikes that the club does together. Jaiden Elam, a senior health science major, says the club has provided some of her closest friendships. “I made a lot of friends who I am still friends with, and I will probably still be friends with them after graduation,” Elam said. Wilcox said the club is focused on providing a space for members to hang out and relax. “It’s cool to be in the greenhouse, it’s so fun,” Wilcox said. “It’s a great place to hang out and come together with a shared appreciation for nature.”.
https://wkuherald.com/89225/life/horticulture-club-relaxes-with-christmas-crafts/
Category: general
Bitfinex Integrates XAUT0 with Plasma Network for Enhanced Digital Gold Trading
Bitfinex, a leading digital asset trading platform, has announced its support for deposits and withdrawals of XAUT0 on the Plasma network. This strategic move, effective from November 24, 2025, aims to enhance the accessibility and utility of digital gold through a high-performance blockchain infrastructure, according to Bitfinex. Expanding Digital Gold Accessibility XAUT0 is a tokenized version of gold, designed to facilitate seamless transactions in the digital realm. The integration with the Plasma network allows Bitfinex users to execute faster and more secure cross-chain transactions, offering a cost-efficient solution for digital gold trading. This development comes at a time when the tokenized gold sector has surpassed a market value of $3 billion, highlighting the growing interest and demand for digital gold assets. Plasma Network’s Role and Market Impact Plasma, a Layer-1 blockchain specifically designed for stablecoins, has launched with over $2. 5 billion in total value locked (TVL). Its decentralized and scalable payment infrastructure aligns with Bitfinex’s mission to promote financial freedom globally. By supporting real-world assets, Plasma enhances the stablecoin infrastructure, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of digital finance. Seamless Integration with Other Networks The integration of XAUT0 with the Plasma network follows its successful adoption on The Open Network (TON) and Solana. This expansion reflects Bitfinex’s commitment to providing greater flexibility and utility for tokenized assets. Customers can convert between XAUT0 and XAUT at a 1: 1 ratio using Bitfinex’s Currency Conversion tool, further simplifying the management of digital gold across multiple blockchain networks. Strategic Vision and Future Prospects Anoush Bhasin, Head of Listings at Bitfinex, emphasized the significance of this integration, stating, “Integrating with Plasma advances our goal to continuously provide seamless access to digital assets within the crypto ecosystem.” This collaboration not only sets new standards for tokenized gold but also reflects Bitfinex’s strategic vision to enhance user experience and accessibility in the digital asset space. Deposits and withdrawals for XAUT0 on the Plasma network commenced at noon on November 24, 2025. Interested users can access XAUT0 through Bitfinex’s official website. However, it is important to note that XAUT0 is not directly issued or redeemable by Tether. About Bitfinex Established in 2012, Bitfinex offers state-of-the-art trading services for digital tokens, providing advanced trading features, charting tools, and access to peer-to-peer financing, an OTC market, and margin trading. The platform is dedicated to supporting global liquidity providers and experienced traders with innovative tools and superior support.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/bitfinex-integrates-xaut0-with-plasma-network-for-enhanced-digital-gold-trading/
Warriors instant analysis: Second quarter blitz pushes Golden State past Utah
SAN FRANCISCO The Warriors had every reason to toss Monday night’s home game against the young, tall and spry Jazz into a growing pile of “scheduled losses.” Golden State, losers of three consecutive, were without several key members of their frontcourt. Jonathan Kuminga was out with knee soreness for the sixth game in a row. Al Horford (sciatica) will be re-evaluated at the end of the week. Draymond Green was held out with a foot injury sustained during the Portland game when Donovan Clingan landed on his foot during a fight for a rebound. But after going down big early, an energized lineup rallied for a much-needed 134-117 victory thanks to a relentless 21-0 run to begin the second quarter. Steph Curry scored 29, while Jimmy Butler put in 18 and dished out seven assists. Gary Payton II, starting at power forward, had his best game of the season: Nine points, six rebounds and a career-high eight assists. And that vaunted size advantage? It never materialized. The Warriors outrebounded Utah 48-47. Keyonte George led the Jazz with 28 points, and highly-touted rookie Ace Bailey put in a career-high 21. Golden State used all 11 of their active players by the early second quarter in a matchup that was truly a game of runs. Utah began the game up 11-0, and then the Warriors embarked on a 15-3 jolt to answer. And once Utah went on a flurry to end the first quarter up 35-26, Golden State answered. Keyed by the energetic play of rookie Will Richard, Moses Moody, Pat Spencer, Quinten Post and Butler, the home team outscored the Jazz 21-0 over the first six minutes of the second as Richard’s former Florida teammate Walter Clayton was among the unfortunate Utah bunch caught in the fray. Golden State led 67-55 at halftime. The Warriors maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the second half. The Warriors (10-9) will play host to the Kevin Durant-less Rockets on Wednesday in the teams’ first matchup since Golden State eliminated Houston from the 2025 playoffs in a seven-game first round series. Kuminga update The day after telling reporters he did not know Kuminga’s immediate status, Warriors coach Steve Kerr gave a pregame update on the forward who has missed the past six games with knee soreness. “He got an MRI and it was clear,” Kerr said, later adding. “There’s nothing that’s glaring, but it’s bothering so it’s just day-to-day.” DeMarco meets Ionescu Warriors assistant Chris DeMarco is expected to sign a contract to become the New York Liberty’s next coach, and the team’s biggest star was in the building and seen chatting with him pregame.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/24/warriors-instant-analysis-second-quarter-blitz-pushes-golden-state-past-utah/
Mets allegedly oblige Brandon Nimmo’s trade request made after Zohran Mamdani’s NY mayoral victory
The circumstances around Brandon Nimmo’s trade came to the fore on Monday, when a report from New York Mets beat writer Mark Gooden claimed that the outfielder made a trade request in the first place.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-mets-allegedly-oblige-brandon-nimmo-s-trade-request-made-zohran-mamdani-s-ny-mayoral-victory
AVAX One Drops $110M on Avalanche Tokens, Holdings Hit 13.8M
TLDR: AVAX One deployed $110M to acquire 9. 37M AVAX tokens at an average price of $11. 73 per token Company now holds over 13. 8M AVAX tokens as part of aggressive treasury accumulation strategy AVAX One maintains $35M in cash reserves for additional token purchases and share buybacks ahead Management views current market volatility as opportune timing to build largest public AVAX treasury AVAX One Technology Ltd. has pushed its token holdings past 13. 8 million AVAX after acquiring 9. 37 million additional tokens. The company deployed $110 million between November 5 and November 23 at a weighted average price of $11. 73 per token. The move marks another step in the firm’s plan to build a substantial digital asset treasury focused on the Avalanche network. Treasury Expansion Accelerates After Corporate Rebrand AVAX One launched its treasury accumulation strategy earlier this month alongside a corporate rebrand. The NASDAQ-listed company now positions itself as an institutional infrastructure player building on Avalanche’s blockchain. CEO Jolie Kahn said the rapid accumulation reflects confidence in Avalanche’s capacity to support large-scale financial applications. The company maintains approximately $35 million in cash for additional purchases. Management views both AVAX tokens and the company’s own stock as attractive at current price levels. AVAX One recently authorized a $40 million share repurchase program and expects to begin buying back stock soon. Chairman Matt Zhang pointed to current market conditions as favorable for accumulation. The company plans to deploy yield strategies on existing holdings while continuing open market purchases. Zhang emphasized the focus on increasing AVAX per share as a core metric for shareholders. Avalanche Position Grows Amid Broader Market Volatility AVAX One aims to become the largest public market vehicle for exposure to Avalanche’s ecosystem. The company’s strategy combines direct token purchases with plans for deploying those holdings in yield-generating activities. Management has indicated it will evaluate additional capital formation options to scale its position further. The treasury update follows AVAX One’s shift toward becoming a digital asset holding company. The firm operates out of Vancouver and West Palm Beach. According to the company’s announcement, it considers Avalanche one of the foundational technologies for future financial infrastructure. AVAX One trades under the ticker AVX on NASDAQ. The company has stated its intention to remain opportunistic with timing on both token acquisitions and stock buybacks. Management frames the strategy as building long-term alignment with Avalanche’s network growth and its expanding role in digital finance applications. The $110 million purchase represents a significant commitment to a single blockchain ecosystem. AVAX One’s total holdings now exceed 13. 8 million tokens as it positions itself within the Avalanche network’s institutional tier.
https://blockonomi.com/avax-one-drops-110m-on-avalanche-tokens-holdings-hit-13-8m/
49ers Studs and Duds: The Niners dominate while Brock Purdy implodes
The good news about ugly wins is that they count just the same in the standings. There is no column for style points in the NFL, which is fortunate, because the San Francisco 49ers wouldn’t have earned any in their Monday night victory over the Carolina Panthers. But with the 20-9 win, the Niners are sitting at 8-4. In a muddled NFC, they likely need just two more victories to punch a ticket to the postseason. That’s the math. But here is the bad news about ugly wins: They force you to stare into the abyss. They make you wonder if this team should even bother chasing those two wins, let alone book travel arrangements for January. Monday was a survival test, and I suppose the Niners did what they needed to do. It was messy. It was confusing. It was a win. Here is who kept the ship afloat, and the man who nearly sank it: 💪 STUDS Christian McCaffrey • RB Lost in the interceptfest was the fact that McCaffrey remains the most reliable bailout plan in football. His nine touches on the opening drive were so brutally effective that there wasn’t time to stop and consider that giving him that much volume that early is borderline coaching malpractice. But once Kyle Shanahan finally decided to stop flirting with disaster in the passing game and just run outside zone, the Niners put the game on ice. McCaffrey is currently on pace to become the only player in NFL history to register 1, 000 yards rushing and 1, 000 yards receiving in a single season twice. We are watching greatness mask a whole lot of mediocrity. Jauan Jennings • WR You cannot break what is already broken. On his game-opening touchdown, three Panthers defenders converged on Jennings. They hit him from the left. They hit him from the right. They hit him from behind. Most receivers fold. Jennings? He simply shrugged them off like a man brushing crumbs off jacket and walked into the end zone. It doesn’t matter what else happens on the stat sheet. A play that boss lands you on the Studs list immediately. Bryce Huff • DE Simple analysis here: Huff had the juice. He drew two penalties rushing off the edge simply because the tackles couldn’t handle his get-off. When the offense stalled, Huff made sure the Panthers couldn’t take advantage. Bryce Young will see Huff in his nightmares on Monday. Ji’Ayir Brown • S This was the finest game of Brown’s career. He didn’t just snag two massive interceptions; he was a menace all over the field. He was erasing receivers in the flat. He was stuffing the run in the C-gap like a linebacker. In the modern NFL, safety play is destiny. If Brown has leveled up alongside the equally violent Malik Mustapha, the Niners suddenly have a duo that can wreck game plans. If San Francisco makes a run, it starts with these two. George Kittle • TE Another week, another superlative performance. Catching tough passes? Check. Mauling defenders in the run game? Check. What more is there to say? He is the gold standard. 📉 DUDS Brock Purdy • 3INTQB The three interceptions were inexcusable and the single reason this game wasn’t a blowout by halftime. If you want to be charitable, you could say the third interception was a great play by Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn. But even that was only possible because Purdy lacked the field vision to see the danger before letting it fly. The first two? Those were woeful. Underthrown. Late. It looked like a guy who hadn’t taken a snap in years, not a franchise quarterback. This was Purdy’s worst outing since the Christmas Day debacle in 2023. This is untenable. You can get away with this against Carolina. You cannot make the playoffs with play like this. You cannot get away with this nonsense in the playoffs. If San Francisco wants to be more than a Wild Card exit, Purdy has to find his game. The good news? We just saw it last week.
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/11/24/49ers-studs-and-duds-the-niners-dominate-while-brock-purdy-implodes/
Rob’s Brew-haha: Paul levels up in bout with ex-champ Joshua
I was very surprised to hear the news that professional boxing savant Jake Paul will be squaring off against former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next month. It will be Paul’s biggest test in the ring to date, both literally and figuratively. The match is set to take place Dec. 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. The bout will be broadcasted live on Netflix. It is scheduled for eight, three-minute rounds, and both fighters will be wearing 10-ounce boxing gloves. Joshua, 36, is a muscled up six-foot-six, 250-pound British boxing phenom with a highly decorated resume. As an amateur fighter, Joshua won Olympic gold back in 2012 in the super heavyweight division. As a professional, Joshua won his first heavyweight championship after only his 16th pro fight in 2016. Joshua would go on simultaneously hold four unified heavyweight championship belts before suffering his first professional loss in 2019. With a professional record of 28-4 that includes 25 knockouts, Joshua has appeared in a total of 13 championship bouts during his exceptional career. That said, why on Earth does Joshua want to compete against a guy like Paul, an opponent who most people believe is unworthy and not even a real boxer. After all, Paul has no amateur experience, carries a pro record of only 12 wins in 13 fights, and recently competed against a 39-year-old Julio César Chávez Jr. and a 58-year-old Mike Tyson. Besides a huge gap in experience level, Paul is six-foot-one, weighs roughly 200 pounds, and fights in the cruiserweight division, one weight class lower than heavyweight. Joshua towered over Paul at a Friday press conference in Miami. The only physical advantage that Paul has in the match is his age. He is 28 years old, eight years younger than Joshua. Joshua is reportedly going to earn an estimated $92 million for the match with Paul. Joshua reportedly earned in the neighborhood of $7-33 million in his previous bout that resulted in a fifth-round knockout loss in 2024. In the fight business, money has a way of many very peculiar business partners. Aside from the money, perhaps Paul believes that he is catching Joshua at the perfect time. The enormous British heavyweight is coming off a knockout defeat, and he has not been active in over a year. Three of the five main boxing ranking systems, Ring Magazine, World Boxing Association, and International Boxing Federation, do not have Joshua ranked in the top 10 anymore due to inactivity after his most recent disappointing performance. From Joshua’s perspective, perhaps he actually needs a tune up fight against an easy opponent to regain some confidence before he goes onto more stiff competition. Or could it be that Joshua knows he cannot win against real heavyweight contenders anymore, and simply wants to get paid the most amount of money in exchange for the least amount of work? While many boxing observers scoff at Paul, I choose to congratulate what he has accomplished in the sport. Most fighters compete in obscurity as amateurs for many years before ever turning pro. Even as professionals, many fighters never become household names. Paul has found a way to bypass the traditional route and parlayed his social media brand into notoriety within the sport of boxing. I also think he is pretty good and could probably beat most journeymen fighters his own size. That said, this is quite a difference in the level of competition Paul is used to seeing. Though diminished, Joshua does not need to be at his best to be the heavy favorite in this tussle. I expect to see Paul running for his life most of the match. Joshua will undoubtedly try to end the fight early with his extraordinary punching power and I believe he will succeed. I don’t see this match lasting beyond the first round. I just hope Jake can wake up from the coma Joshua is about to put him in.
https://victoriaadvocate.com/2025/11/24/robs-brew-haha-paul-levels-up-in-bout-with-ex-champ-joshua/
‘I’m Going To Fight Until My Last Breath’: Eric Dane Confronts ALS In Powerful New TV Role
Eric Dane is returning to television in a role that mirrors his real-life battle, bringing the reality of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to the small screen with unprecedented honesty. The 53-year-old actor, known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan, or ‘McSteamy,’ on Grey’s Anatomy, joins the cast of NBC’s medical drama Brilliant Minds as a firefighter facing the same condition he revealed he had been diagnosed with in April. The episode, set to air in late November, marks Dane’s first appearance in the second season of the series. A Role That Reflects Reality Dane portrays Matthew, a firefighter who struggles with an ALS diagnosis while maintaining his role as a protector at home and at the firehouse. According to Johns Hopkins, ALS causes progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, and currently there is no cure. Matthew has not shared the diagnosis with his ex-wife or daughter, fearing it would burden them, and he resists using a BiPAP machine to assist his breathing, stating, ‘Fine, the guys at the station, they got me. But that’s it. I’m not having them deal with strapping me in and out of a machine at night. I got to draw the line.’ When Dr. Oliver Wolf, played by series lead Zachary Quinto, informs Matthew that his disease is progressing faster than expected, the character struggles with accepting help. Dane’s performance brings to life the complex emotions of someone facing a terminal illness while trying to maintain normalcy. ‘What’s it matter?’ Matthew asks his doctor in one scene. ‘Nobody survives this. We both know that, and I know how to take care of my family.’ Collaboration Behind The Scenes Michael Grassi, creator of Brilliant Minds, said he jumped at the opportunity to work with Dane when his team reached out. At the time, Grassi was managing a family health emergency, and he and Dane discussed how families navigate serious diagnoses in real life. ‘And there’s no rule book. There’s no right way or wrong way to do it. And in our conversations, something that he was dealing with very much in real time, and I was dealing with in my life, and a lot of people deal with every day is, how do you navigate, how do you communicate and how do you accept help?’ Grassi told USA TODAY. Dane’s presence on set was described as ‘a joy’ by Grassi. The actor would often arrive and say, ‘Give me a hug.’ Scenes were reportedly full of laughter and camaraderie, providing moments of relief amid the emotionally heavy subject matter. One particular scene, where Matthew records a message about asking for help, moved the cast to their feet. Grassi described it as a ten-minute standing ovation, calling Dane’s performance ‘beautiful and so honest and so real.’ Raising Awareness Through Storytelling.
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/im-going-fight-until-my-last-breath-eric-dane-confronts-als-powerful-new-tv-role-1757738
Fayette jury convicts Terrence Brown of armed robbery; sentenced to life without parole
A Fayette County jury has found Terrence Brown guilty of armed robbery, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors said the verdict came after a three-day trial that detailed Brown’s January 30, 2025, robbery of the Family Dollar store in Fayetteville. According to testimony, Brown entered the store dressed in black with a mask covering most of his face and a jacket commonly worn by security personnel. He racked the slide of a pistol as he demanded cigarettes and cash, and the cashier complied. Two days later, officials said Brown walked into a Family Dollar in Jonesboro wearing the same mask, cap, and security-style jacket. The district manager, who had already reviewed surveillance footage of the Fayetteville robbery, recognized him and contacted police. Brown was arrested at the store with the same pistol used in the earlier crime, prosecutors said. Deputy Chief ADA Warren Sellers presented the case, assisted by Victim-Witness Program Director Michelle Ivey, Investigator Robert Hullett, and Legal Assistant April Woodall. After the guilty verdict, Superior Court Judge W. Fletcher Sams sentenced Brown to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 10 additional years. Chief Assistant District Attorney David Studdard said the outcome underscores the county’s stance on violent crime. “This verdict reflects the hard work and dedication of our prosecutors, support staff, and law enforcement,” Studdard said. “This verdict and the Court’s sentence send a clear message: if you commit violent crimes in our community, you are going to prison.”.
https://thecitizen.com/2025/11/24/fayette-jury-convicts-terrence-brown-of-armed-robbery-sentenced-to-life-without-parole/
Wife of missing football coach Travis Turner breaks silence after husband mysteriously vanishes: ‘Keep praying’
The wife of missing Virginia high school football coach Travis Turner urged people to “keep praying” her husband returns home after he mysteriously vanished late last week in the middle of an undefeated season. “I just wanted to get on here for a second to clear up something, as of right now, 10: 25 PM on Friday night, Travis is missing, & that’s all we know,” Leslie Turner wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post, obtained by News Channel 11. “We love him & need him here with us. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love & support. It means more than you know. Just keep praying that he comes home,” she said, according to the outlet. Travis Turner was officially listed as a missing person on Sunday after last being seen on Thursday, according to Virginia State Police. Turner, the head grid coach at Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Va, was last seen wearing a gray sweatshirt and sweatpants, police said. Officers were reportedly dispatched to the 46-year-old’s home in Appalachia Thursday evening to investigate a complaint, not arrest him. After they arrived, cops discovered Turner was no longer there. The details of the complaint the police were investigating were not disclosed. On the same day, officials at Wise County Public Schools, which oversees Union High, disclosed that an employee within the district had been placed on administrative leave amid an ongoing investigation. Neither cops nor school officials would confirm whether Turner was the employee placed on leave or the subject of the investigation. “A staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to the division,” the district said in a statement without elaborating further. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. This situation also involves an active law-enforcement matter, and the division cannot comment further.” Virginia State Police have since launched a full-out search, utilizing search and rescue teams, drones, and K-9s to locate Turner. The Union High School football team was in the midst of what should have been a celebratory, undefeated season when the head coach suddenly vanished. The school’s assistant coach, Jay Edwards, has since stepped in to handle all coaching responsibilities as the search for Turner continues.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/24/sports/wife-of-missing-football-coach-travis-turner-breaks-silence-after-husband-mysteriously-vanishes/