The Cleveland Cavaliers have terrorized opponents when Craig Porter Jr. has been on the floor in the first month of the season, but when he’s tagging with Lonzo Ball, that pressure ratchets up. In their 100 minutes of combined floor time, the Cavs have turned over 19. 4% of their opponents’ possessions, a figure that ranks in the 98th percentile among two-man lineups, per Cleaning the Glass. “He’s just a super smart player,” Porter said following Monday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “He just figures out ways to just disrupt people and just do different things all over the court. Sometimes you look at it, and you’re like a little confused at first, but it works over and over. It’s interesting, and it’s definitely helped me just to understand different parts of the game.” While Porter is the catalyst with his consistent full-court pressure, Ball’s technique on the ball is precise and bothersome to handlers. Each affects the game in his own way, and both come away with boards better than any guard on the team. “He’s just finding his niches, man,” Ball said on Nov. 3. “He’s super athletic for the size that he is. That’s how he’s getting those rebounds. It fits perfectly, especially when he’s coming over. And offensive rebounds, he’s gotten at least one a game, I think, that he’s skying over. And then obviously on defense, we know how great he is. So CP’s huge for this team.” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to Porter’s rim pressure on Monday, which has stood out for a team that has struggled to get to the cup. On Monday, his stepback three to extend Cleveland’s lead was a big moment, but none was bigger than his fastbreak poster over Bucks guard Ryan Rollins. “I don’t think that happens last year,” Atkinson said. “I’m so happy for the kid because he really has made a lot of sacrifices this offseason, and it’s great to see it paying off. He’s got so much pop out there. He made a commitment to his body and getting in not good shape, great shape elite shape. He’s in elite shape right now.” Add Donovan Mitchell to the Porter-Ball duo, and the results have been even more astounding. Usually paired with Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen, the three guards boast a plus-31. 9 net rating in 94 possessions with a 63. 9% effective field goal percentage and 21. 5% turnover rate. “I think being around Zo is just going to help CP, naturally,” Mitchell said. “Just by watching what he does, by being out there with him, he’s going to put CP in great spots. Defensively, CP is learning how to be in the gaps more, using his athleticism, right? You’re seeing Zo, who’s really talented at doing that. You’re learning just from watching, from being out there. Little techniques, little different things. “And that’s what you want from a guy like Zo. That’s what we need, for him to come in here and be like, ‘Hey, this is what I see, this is what I can do,’ and lead by example.” Porter notes that the lineups he and Ball have played with have made them want to be even more aggressive, and that everybody complements each other. Mitchell agrees, saying that his and the Cavs’ lives are made easier with both out there. “You don’t have to overcoach,” Mitchell said. “You can kind of let Zo go out there and kind of ring lead. I think he’s taken that over on both ends of the floor. I think Dean has always been that security blanket for us defensively, rebounding, cutting, different things. We can switch. We can be in coverage if we need to. “There’s a level of aggression, and you don’t have to think as much. Guys got your back. Guys are thinking the game the right way. And then, you see what happens on the break. Zo’s pushing it, allowing us to run, and making plays and making the game easy for everybody.” Clearly, the Cavs are best off with a point guard running the show in the absence of Garland. Luckily for them, they have two in Porter and Ball that they can send out at the same time to provide a spark on each end of the floor.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-lonzo-ball-craig-porter-jr-cleveland-life-easier
Month: November 2025
Angels GM Perry Minasian: Grayson Rodriguez is ‘a gamble worth taking’
Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez offered too tantalizing of a package for Perry Minasian to turn down, despite the risk. A day after the Angels acquired a pitcher who has been hurt for nearly a season and a half, Minasian said the current reports of his Rodriguez’s and the potential he offers were sufficient to be worth sending the Baltimore Orioles one of their best power hitters, Taylor Ward. “Is there risk? Yes, there’s risk,” the Angels’ general manager said Wednesday. “It’s eyes wide open on the risk. That being said, it’s four years of control. It’s somebody that, when he pitches, can beat anybody on any given night. The weapons he has and the ability to throw strikes, it’s a combination that some of the best in the game have. We’ve got high expectations. He’s somebody we’re really excited to have.” Rodriguez, 26, is a former first-round pick with a 100-mph fastball. He had a 3. 25 ERA over a 31-start stretch from July 2023 to July 2024. He struck out 193 and walked 53 over 182⅔ innings in that span. His walk rate is slightly better than the major-league average. However, he hasn’t thrown a pitch in a regular season game since July 31, 2024. Rodriguez suffered a lat strain that cost him the last two months of the 2024 season, and he missed all of 2025 with a similar strain and then elbow problems. He had surgery to have a bone spur removed in August. “We need him to be healthy,” Minasian said. “We like where he’s at. Obviously, we felt like the medical (report) was in a good enough place to where this was a chance, a gamble worth taking. We expect him to be healthy in spring. He’s throwing bullpens in January. We’ve talked to him. He’s very motivated, very excited. Somebody that can really give us a jolt in the rotation.” Rodriguez is scheduled to talk to the media Wednesday afternoon. For now, any report of his health has to be taken with caution. No team would give up an established starting pitcher with four years of control for a hitter with one year of control under normal circumstances. Mike Elias, the Orioles president of baseball operations, told the Baltimore media recently that Rodriguez was a “wild card.” “There’s nothing going on right now that would hold him back,” Elias said. “He’s not injured right now and he’s preparing for spring training, but the poor guy’s missed a year and two months basically, and we’ve got to be mindful of that, and I think he’s a really nice wild card talent for us, and I’m really optimistic and bullish about it. But the fact that he’s missed so much time recently, we just have to be prudent about that. “We don’t want to plan around him too heavily, but I really like where he’s at.” If Rodriguez is healthy, he would join a rotation that includes right-hander José Soriano and left-handers Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers. Soriano is 27 and Detmers and Rodriguez are 26. The Angels control Detmers and Soriano for the next three years, and Rodriguez for the next four. The Angels still need another starter, and to that end the deal helps by freeing up some money. Ward was set to make around $14 million in arbitration, and Rodriguez will make just over the major-league minimum of $780,000. “The more flexibility, the better,” Minasian said. “That was discussed too. It’s not only acquiring somebody we feel like can impact the rotation, but freeing up some money to maybe get into areas where we wouldn’t have been able to before.” The Angels will need to replace Ward’s production at the plate. Last season, he hit 36 homers and drove in 103 runs with a . 792 OPS. The Angels still have Mike Trout, Jo Adell and Jorge Soler to play the corner outfield spots. Trout and Soler likely can’t handle full-time outfield duty, so the Angels would probably look to have them split time in the outfield and at designated hitter. Adell could also play center, but perhaps now the Angels are more likely to get a true center field and keep Adell in one of the corners. “It’s a long offseason,” Minasian said. “We’ll continue to look.” More to come on this story.
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/11/19/angels-gm-perry-minasian-grayson-rodriguez-is-a-gamble-worth-taking/
Trump nominates new CFPB director, but White House says agency is still closing
By KEN SWEET, AP Business Writer NEW YORK (AP) President Trump nominated Stuart Levenbach as the next director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, using a legal maneuver to keep his budget director Russell Vought as acting director of the bureau while the Trump administration continues on its plan to shut down the consumer financial protection agency. Levenbach is currently an associate director inside the Office of Management and Budget, handling issues related to natural resources, energy, science and water issues. Levenbach’s resume shows significant experience dealing with science and natural resources issues, acting as chief of staff of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during Trump’s first term. Levenbach’s nomination is not meant to go through to confirmation, an administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. Under the Vacancies Act, Vought can only act as acting director for 210 days, but now that Trump has nominated someone to the position, that clock has been suspended until the Senate approves or denies Levenbach’s confirmation as director. Vought is Levenbach’s boss. The CFPB has been nonfunctional much of the year. Many of its employees have been ordered not to work, and the only major work the bureau is doing is unwinding the regulations and rules it put into place during Trump’s first term and during the Biden administration. While in the acting director role, Vought has signaled that he wishes to dismantle, or vastly diminish, the bureau. The latest blow to the bureau came earlier this month, when the White House said it does not plan to withdraw any funds from the Federal Reserve, which is where the bureau gets its funding, to fund the bureau past Dec. 31. The White House and the Justice Department used a legal interpretation of the law that created the bureau, the Dodd-Frank Act, that the Fed must be profitable in order to fund the CFPB’s operations. Several judges have rejected this argument when it was brought up by companies, but it’s never been the position of the government until this year that the CFPB requires the Fed to be profitable to have operating funds. “Donald Trump’s sending the Senate a new nominee to lead the CFPB looks like nothing more than a front for Russ Vought to stay on as Acting Director indefinitely as he tries to illegally close down the agency,” said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, in a statement. The bureau was created after the 2008 financial crisis as part of the Dodd-Frank Act, a law passed to overhaul the financial system and require banks to hold more capital to avoid another financial crisis. The CFPB was created to be a independent advocate for consumers to help them avoid bad actors in the financial system.
https://www.dailybreeze.com/2025/11/19/trump-cfpb-nomination/
Black Friday with Vision: ZEELOOL’s Biggest Eyewear Event of the Year
Black Friday sales are no longer just about snagging the latest electronics and gadgets, it’s a style sport now. This season, ZEELOOL is leading the charge with its biggest eyewear event of the year, where new eyewear designs meet unbeatable discounts. Whether you’re looking for something sleek and minimalist or loud and fashion-forward, the brand’s Black Friday sale is where bold vision truly pays off. The Ultimate Eyewear Celebration Running from November 13 through December 3, ZEELOOL’s Black Friday campaign is basically a masterclass in how to do style-smart shopping. The sale drops in two waves: Nov 13 Nov 27: 80% off frames + 15% off lenses Nov 28 Dec 3: 85% off frames + 20% off lenses Yes, you read that right, up to 85% off plus lens discounts. And that’s just the start. The site’s Flash Sale features items from as low as $0, with rotating daily drops that make every click feel like a style treasure hunt. For anyone who’s ever wanted to upgrade their eyewear game without blowing the budget, this is your moment. See and Be Seen: ZEELOOL’s Style DNA ZEELOOL isn’t your typical online optical brand. It’s where fashion meets function, and design lives right at the intersection of trend and technology. The brand has earned its cult following by making eyewear feel personal, expressive frames that say something about who you are before you even speak. Each pair blends quality craftsmanship with style-first thinking. You’ll find ultra-lightweight metals, glossy acetates, and playful color mixes that look like they just walked off a runway. From bold cat-eyes to geometric minimalism, ZEELOOL is for people who see eyewear as more than a necessity, it’s part of the outfit. What’s Trending: Frames that Define the Moment Let’s talk about the hero lineup that’s making waves this season. For women, ZEELOOL’s bestsellers include the Lamar Glasses, a sleek, sculptural frame with modern curves that effortlessly balance power and polish. Pair it with your favorite blazer or silk slip dress, and you’ve got instant sophistication. Another fan-favorite, the Yomary, which brings subtle retro energy to any look, ideal for those “I woke up stylish” moments. For men, it’s all about confident structure and clean lines. The Hacker glasses channels a minimalist aesthetic that works from office to off-duty, while the Fussel adds a touch of cool sophistication for the modern creative or entrepreneur on the move. And if you’re heading into sunnier days? The Malcolm sunnies are pure vacation energy, oversized, glamorous, and perfect for poolside selfies. For something timeless and classic, the Neveah delivers that effortless chic energy, while fashion-forward types can’t miss the Bernita glasses. A bold, artful frame that practically screams “editor-approved.” More Than Discounts: The ZEELOOL Experience Of course, the brand doesn’t stop at big savings. ZEELOOL makes shopping for glasses actually fun, with virtual try-ons, easy customization, and a 30-day free return policy, you can explore new looks risk-free. Shoppers also get free standard shipping on orders over $79, and if you’re the type who loves a little reward for loyalty, the ZEELOOL Rewards Program turns every purchase into points that can be used for future discounts. There’s even a Refer-a-Friend program, so you can bring your circle along for the style ride (and earn while doing it). The Flash Sale You’ll Want to Set Alarms For The Flash Sale deserves its own spotlight. From November 13 to December 3, limited-time deals will drop daily, including items as low as $0. During the first phase, prices start at $7, and by the second phase, they dip to $3. It’s the kind of sale that turns casual browsers into collectors. If you’ve been eyeing (pun intended) multiple frames, ZEELOOL’s Buy 1, Get 50% Off deal means you can switch up your look depending on your mood. Think of it as building your own eyewear wardrobe, professional on Monday, artsy on Wednesday, glam on Friday. Vision Meets Self-Expression Eyewear has always been one of fashion’s most personal accessories. It’s the frame through which you see the world, and how the world sees you. ZEELOOL gets that. Its mission has always been to empower everyone’s individuality through design, combining all kinds of creativity with comfort, and fashion with function. So this Black Friday, ZEELOOL isn’t just offering discounts. It’s offering an invitation to reimagine how you see yourself, quite literally. With bold colors, expressive silhouettes, and lenses that fit your lifestyle (blue light, polarized, photochromic, you name it), every pair tells a story. The Bottom Line If you’ve been waiting for a sign to update your eyewear collection, this is the one you’ve been waiting for. Between the jaw-dropping discounts, the playful Flash Sale, and the brand’s commitment to delivering both design and comfort, ZEELOOL’s Black Friday sale is more than a shopping event. It’s a celebration of style, vision, and self-expression. Because when your world looks this good, you’ll want to see it clearly and in style.
https://dailycaller.com/2025/11/19/black-friday-with-vision-zeelools-biggest-eyewear-event-of-the-year/
House Democrat suggests he’ll pull retirement after court blocks Texas plan redrawing district
The Texas Democrat said a recent court ruling blocking the political maps that were signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX) over the summer was responsible for his political resurrection. The state is appealing the decision to the Supreme Court. “A U. S. district court order means that I have a renewed opportunity to continue serving the only town I have ever called home, as democracy faces greater challenges than at any point in my lifetime,” Doggett said. “While this decision, led by a [President Donald] Trump-appointed judge, will be appealed, I am hopeful about the final outcome to stop this illegal, racial gerrymander.” Doggett had previously indicated he would retire back in August, when state Republicans won their battle to pass a map that merged Rep. Greg Casar’s (D-TX) and Doggett’s districts. Facing a likely primary challenge from Casar, Doggett said he would step aside, explaining, “I prefer to devote the coming months to fighting Trump tyranny and serving Austin rather than waging a struggle with fellow Democrats.” While Doggett sounded an optimistic note this week, his future remains uncertain. DOJ CHALLENGES CALIFORNIA’S PROP 50 MAP IN ESCALATING FIGHT OVER HOUSE MAJORITY Texas is taking the redistricting case to the Supreme Court, after a federal judge ruled Tuesday that the new political maps were an unlawful racial gerrymander.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/3892193/house-democrat-pull-retirement-court-blocks-texas-plan-redrawing-district/
Quarterly profit slide at Target hints at a challenging holiday season for the retailer
By ANNE D’INNOCENZIO NEW YORK (AP) Target’s third-quarter profit tumbled as the retailer struggles to lure shoppers that are being pressed by stubbornly high inflation. The Minneapolis company said Wednesday that it expects its sales slump to extend through the critical holiday shopping season. The company also announced that it’s planning to invest another billion dollars next year to remodel stores, build new ones, increasing the total cost for the makeover to $5 billion. Investors have punished Target’s stock recently, sending it down 43% over the past year. Shares were essentially flat in early trading Wednesday. Turning around the 19% profit slide in the most recent quarter is the latest challenge for incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, a 20-year company veteran who is replacing CEO Brian Cornell in February. The handover arrives as the retailer tries to reverse a persistent sales malaise and to revive its reputation as the place to go for affordable but stylish products. Comparable sales those from established physical stores and online channels dipped 2. 7% in its latest three-month period. That’s worse then the 1. 9% drop in the previous quarter and the third straight quarterly decline. Target’s troubles stand in stark contrast to rival Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, which is thriving. Walmart reports on its most recent quarterly performance Thursday. Target announced in October that it was eliminating about 1, 800 corporate positions to streamline decision-making and accelerate company initiatives. The cuts represent about 8% of Target’s corporate workforce. To pump up sales, Target is offering more than 20, 000 new items, twice as many as last year, and it has lowered prices on thousands of groceries and other essential items. “The environment around us continues to evolve, whether it’s shifting consumer demand, changing competitor dynamics, or broader macroeconomic pressures,” Fiddelke said on an earnings call Wednesday. ”But let me be clear. We are not waiting for conditions to improve. We are driving the change ourselves right now.” With about 1, 980 U. S. stores, Target has struggled to find its footing since inflation caused Americans to curtail much of their discretionary spending. At the same time, Target customers have complained of messy stores lacking the budget-priced niche that long ago earned the retailer the nickname “Tarzhay.” Consumer boycotts since late January, when Target joined rival Walmart and a number of other prominent American brands in scaling back its corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, have compounded the predicament. Other, more recent macro headwinds, are buffeting the entire retail sector. For almost a year, retailers have struggled to navigate President Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs on imports and his immigration crackdown that threatened to shrink the supply of workers available to U. S. companies. The just ended 43-day federal shutdown is expected to be another drag on an economy. Government contract awards have slowed and many food aid recipients have seen their benefits interrupted, both of which can cut into consumer spending at places like Target. Fiddelke told reporters that the company saw a weaker September but he said it was “tricky for us to isolate” the different factors behind that. The retailer’s profit fell to $689 million in the three-month period ended Nov. 1, or $1. 51 per share. Adjusted per share results added up to $1. 78. That is better than the $1. 71 that Wall Street was expecting, according to a poll by FactSet, but below the $1. 85 per share the company earned in the same period last year. Sales fell 1. 5% to $25. 27 billion, just shy of analyst projections. Sales gains in food and beverages were offset by continued weakness in discretionary goods, with anxious shoppers focused increasingly on buying essentials, even during the holidays. For example, customers this year customers bought candy and costumes for Halloween, but spent less on decorations, said Rick Gomez, chief commercial officer for Target. Gomez thinks they will make similar tradeoffs during the winter holiday season. “We think the consumer will prioritize what goes under the tree versus what goes on the tree,” he said. Target also announced a partnership with OpenAI on Wednesday that will let users browse Target items through the tech company’s app ChatGPT. When customers are ready to buy, they’ll be directed to the Target app. For the fourth quarter, Target expects that comparable sales will decline by low single digits. For the full year, it now expects earnings per share to be in the $7 per share to $8 per share range, down from its earlier forecast of $7 to $9.
https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2025/11/19/target-results/
Demonstration shows how quickly Christmas tree, decorations can turn into fire tragedy
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — As the holidays inch closer, fire officials have an important reminder about decorating. All of the lights on the tree do come with a risk. The Philadelphia Fire Department demonstrated just how quickly a Christmas tree and decorations can turn dangerous. The National Fire Protection Association says fire departments have responded to an average of 160 Christmas tree fires each year, between 2016 and 2020.
https://6abc.com/post/philadelphia-fire-department-shows-how-quickly-christmas-tree-decorations-can-turn-dangerous/18175242/
James Gunn Responds to Complaint After DC Movie Hits Netflix
James Gunn has responded to a streaming-related complaint after a DC movie has now been made available to watch on Netflix. Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU kicked off at DC Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures in December 2024 with the animated Creature Commandos series. That was followed by Superman and Peacemaker Season 2 in 2025, while Lanterns, Supergirl, and Clayface are all scheduled to arrive in 2026. Recently, Netflix made 2023’s Blue Beetle available to watch on the streaming platform. The film was originally intended to be part of the now-defunct DCEU; however, Gunn has stated that Xolo Maridueña’s Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle character will continue in the DCU. An animated DCU Blue Beetle series is now in development. What did James Gunn say about the DCU and streaming? On Threads, Gunn was asked why Blue Beetle is available to watch on Netflix when other DCEU and DCU movies are not. Specifically, the question asks why all DC titles can’t just be kept to one streaming service in order to avoid confusion. Gunn responded, “Creature Commandos and Peacemaker are on the same streaming service, HBOMax. And Blue Beetle is there too. But now people who only have Netflix can watch it as well.” Blue Beetle received generally positive reviews from critics, though it underperformed at the box office, as it only made $130. 8 million globally. The cast of the movie also includes Adriana Barraza as Nana, Damián Alcázar as Alberto Reyes, Elpidia Carrillo as Rocio Reyes, Bruna Marquezine as Jenny Kord, Raoul Max Trujillo as OMAC, Susan Sarandon as Victoria Kord, George Lopez as Rudy Reyes, Belissa Escobedo as Milagro Reyes, and Harvey Guillén as Dr. Sanchez. “Jaime Reyes suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology called the Scarab,” a description of the film reads. “When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he’s bestowed with an incredible suit of armor that’s capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle.”.
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/2064911-james-gunn-responds-complaint-after-dc-movie-hits-netflix
Evogene Q3 2025 Earnings Preview
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https://seekingalpha.com/news/4523990-evogene-q3-2025-earnings-preview?feed_item_type=news
Saudi Arabia Backs Elon Musk’s xAI With Data Center Deal
Mr. Musk’s xAI will work with the Saudi artificial intelligence company Humain on a new data center, part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s effort to diversify his country’s economy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/technology/saudi-arabia-elon-musk-xai.html