Tag Archives: organization

general

One Hope United ramps up gift drive for as many as 10K kids around Tampa

Leave a comment

A beloved tradition is returning to the Tampa area this holiday season, promising to spread joy to thousands of children and families. One Hope United is kicking off its annual Holiday Hope Express, a festive event designed to deliver gifts and holiday cheer across the region.

**Spreading Holiday Cheer Through the Holiday Hope Express**

Led by the nonprofit organization One Hope United, the Holiday Hope Express runs through December 12. Its mission is to provide gifts and holiday tidings to as many as 10,000 children and families in need around Tampa Bay.

One Hope United serves as a foster care and adoption services agency for the region, but during the holiday season, its focus turns to making the holidays brighter for children through its signature gift drive.

**How Local Businesses and Community Members Can Help**

The Holiday Hope Express is primarily a toy drive, with a special emphasis on encouraging employers and organizations throughout Tampa Bay to organize their own drives in their workplaces or communities. Gifts collected are then delivered to central donation points managed by One Hope United.

Local businesses can also contribute by making monetary donations online. “Every toy makes a difference,” says Damon Cates, President and CEO of One Hope United. “The Holiday Hope Express is a way for our community to come together and brighten the holidays for children who need it most.”

**Resources for Organizing a Holiday Drive**

To help businesses and groups get involved, One Hope United offers a variety of resources. Their Holiday Hope Express website features helpful tools like the “Hope Conductor Toolkit,” which provides step-by-step instructions for starting an internal toy drive campaign.

Support materials are available, including social media assets, suggested gift lists, and downloadable flyers to promote drives in the workplace or community.

**Key Dates and Recommendations**

One Hope United recommends that participating companies wrap up their collection drives by December 5, ensuring that all gifts are delivered to the nonprofit by December 12. For donors looking for guidance, the suggested shopping budget for each child ranges between $25 and $50.

**Get Involved Today**

The Holiday Hope Express offers a meaningful way for the Tampa Bay community to unite and make a difference this season. For more information on how to participate or to make a donation, visit the [Holiday Hope Express website](#).

Help One Hope United bring holiday joy to local children and families—every gift truly counts!
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/765811-one-hope-united-ramps-up-gift-drive-for-as-many-as-10k-kids-around-tampa/

general

Insider Reveals Why Giants Didn’t Fire Joe Schoen When Team Fired Brian Daboll

Leave a comment

With the decision to fire head coach Brian Daboll, many have questioned why the New York Giants didn’t move on from a few other faces within the organization. At the top of that list are defensive coordinator Shane Bowen and general manager Joe Schoen.

Schoen hasn’t necessarily done the worst job for the Giants, which has been evident when the team is healthy—primarily due to some of the young talent they’ve landed through the draft. Still, the Giants haven’t won games at the level the organization desires, and general managers often bear the brunt of that blame.

As things currently stand, it’s almost guaranteed that Schoen will have until the end of the season to prove his worth. Beyond that, his future remains uncertain. However, many feel it might have been better to let him go alongside Daboll rather than giving him the entire year—especially if the Giants don’t plan to bring him back next season.

According to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan, when asked about Schoen’s return next year, the prevailing sentiment around the NFL is that he will remain with the Giants for the remainder of the season, mainly because of the talent he has brought in.

“The Giants have already said in their statement announcing the firing that Schoen will remain the general manager and head their coaching search. That indicates that he’s part of their plans moving forward,” Raanan noted.

There is a belief that Schoen has assembled a promising core of young talent, but that group hasn’t been developed or utilized properly. The feeling around the league is that Schoen is likely to survive a third straight difficult season because he still has the trust and attention of ownership.

It’s not unfair to suggest that Schoen hasn’t done a great job overall. However, some of the blame may not rest entirely on him, given the Giants’ ongoing injury issues.

Of course, fans might argue that every NFL team deals with injuries. Yet, the Giants’ top offensive players have truly been derailed by them this season, significantly impacting the team’s performance.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nfl/insider-reveals-why-giants-didnt-fire-joe-schoen-when-team-fired-brian-daboll-11045758

general

Pat McAfee Links Brian Daboll to High-Profile College Coaching Job

Leave a comment

Football fans have quickly begun speculating about what may be next for former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll after he was let go by the organization on Monday. This led former NFL punter Pat McAfee to suggest a potential fit for Daboll at the collegiate level.

Daboll hasn’t coached collegiately since briefly serving as an offensive coordinator under Nick Saban at Alabama in 2017. Notably, this lone season with the Crimson Tide was a wildly successful one, helping the program win a National Championship.

With no prior head coaching experience at the college level, Daboll isn’t exactly the first name that comes to mind for most when it comes to some of the top head coaching vacancies across college football. However, Pat McAfee shared why he believes Daboll could be a “home run” hire for Penn State athletic director Patrick Kraft.

“Daboll getting fired from the Giants seemingly opens the door for Penn State to make a move that everybody will like up there,” McAfee said on Wednesday’s edition of *The Pat McAfee Show*. “I assume Pat Kraft and everybody that’s making the decision is like, ‘Hold the phone, we got a guy who wants to be here very, very bad seemingly and has a big name.’ That could be a home run for them. We would like to say to Daboll, if you go to Penn State college football would be pumped. He would be electrifying.”

McAfee’s comments come after a photo surfaced of Daboll wearing a Penn State hoodie following his firing from the Giants, naturally sparking plenty of speculation that he may at least have an interest in the job.

It’s possible that fans may be reading too much into Daboll wearing Penn State apparel. However, there are notable ties within the Daboll family to the program. His son, Christian Daboll, spent three seasons as a student coach with the Nittany Lions before ultimately joining his father on the Giants coaching staff.

While it remains unclear whether Penn State has any interest in hiring Daboll, it certainly seems that the Nittany Lions would be near the top of his list if he is open to a return to college coaching.

More NFL opportunities could also emerge as we approach the end of the 2025 NFL regular season. At this point, it truly seems like everything may still be on the table for Daboll as he figures out his future in coaching.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/ncaa/pat-mcafee-links-brian-daboll-high-profile-college-coaching-job-11036339

general

Dodgers Front Office Gets Clear Message From Shohei Ohtani

Leave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani made his feelings clear regarding the team’s offseason ambitions.

The Dodgers won the World Series in dramatic fashion, beating the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games. Down 3-2 with two road games left, Los Angeles was on the verge of failing to defend their 2024 title.

Then, manager Dave Roberts got his team refocused and rallied them, pulling off a tough string of back-to-back wins.

In Game 7, the Dodgers were down 4-3 in the top of the ninth inning. With one out on the board, nine-hole hitter Miguel Rojas came up to bat. After battling with Blue Jays closer Trevor Hoffman, Rojas eventually got a hold of one and drove it over the wall, hitting the game-tying home run that kept the Dodgers in the game.

The Dodgers ended up winning the game on the back of Will Smith’s 11th-inning homer, cementing Rojas as a hero in the eyes of fans.

Dodgers supporters were not the only ones grateful for Rojas’ heroics. Shohei Ohtani was also appreciative of Rojas’s efforts and made an effort to send a message about his future.

“I think one of the coolest things that happened in my life, so far. I hit the homer, right? And everybody’s kind of like on top of me, right there in front of the dugout,” Rojas told Chris Rose Sports.

“But then, Shohei, he’s hitting next, right? He popped it up to left, to make it two outs in the inning. Came back to the dugout, and I’m by the back rack, like laying my helmet, and Shohei came to me and he say, ‘Miggy, you can’t retire next year. You’re playing with me for 10 more years.’

“And I got a picture of him kind of like holding me, and telling me that I can’t retire next year, that I have to play 10 more years. And I say, ‘Shohei, I’m old, and I don’t know if I can play for 10 more years, but I’ll play with you next year, for sure.’”

Rojas should end up staying with the Dodgers. The organization tends to reward players who are fan-favorites and locker room leaders. He can also still field at a high level and has positional versatility, both of which will be valuable to the team.
https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/dodgers-front-office-gets-clear-message-from-shohei-ohtani-11016546

general

Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia shares heartbreak of baby daughter’s death: ‘No words to describe the pain’

Leave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia has shared the heartbreaking news of his baby daughter’s death, expressing that there are “no words to describe the pain.”

The MLB player, who was absent from the recent World Series games against the Toronto Blue Jays, revealed that he and his wife, Kayla Vesia, would “cherish every second” they shared with their child.

“Our little angel, we love you forever & you’re with us always,” Alex wrote on Instagram alongside a touching picture of their infant’s hand clasped with theirs. “There are no words to describe the pain we’re going through but we hold her in our hearts and cherish every second we had with her.”

Their daughter passed away on Sunday, October 26, just two days after the World Series began. Earlier, on October 23, the Dodgers announced that Vesia would be away from the team “with a heavy heart” to “navigate a deeply personal family matter.”

At the time, the Dodgers organization shared, “The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family, and we will provide an update at a later date.”

In his heartfelt post, Vesia expressed gratitude for the support he and his family have received. He thanked the Dodgers, fans of both the Dodgers and Blue Jays, and the wider baseball community.

“Our baseball family showed up for us and we wouldn’t be able to do this without them,” he said. “Thank you Dodger Nation, Blue Jays organization and all baseball fans for your love and support. We have seen ALL your messages, comments and posts. It’s brought us so much comfort.”

He also extended thanks to the medical staff, saying, “Lastly, we’d like to thank Cedars Sinai and all the medical staff who helped Kayla and Sterling. Every person we came across was truly so incredible.”

The Independent has reached out to the Dodgers for comment regarding Vesia’s post.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/alex-vesia-dodgers-baby-death-b2861230.html

general

Cowboys remove RB from roster after MNF loss to Cardinals

Leave a comment

The Dallas Cowboys continue to befuddle their already frustrated fan base by making a big trade to acquire All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams, despite holding a discouraging 3-5-1 record. This move, coming just a day after a 27-17 home loss to the Arizona Cardinals, has stirred more feelings of resentment, especially concerning the earlier Micah Parsons trade.

While time will tell if this active deadline strategy yields beneficial long-term results, the organization also made a possibly overlooked roster decision amid all the excitement. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Dallas is waiving running back Malik Davis.

Davis, a 2022 undrafted player out of Florida, logged just one carry for three yards against Arizona and will now look to continue his career elsewhere. Interestingly, Jaydon Blue was a healthy scratch on Monday’s game, so this move might open opportunities for him. Alternatively, the Cowboys could be clearing roster space for another rookie running back.

Former Clemson star Phil Mafah has yet to make his NFL debut due to a shoulder injury but appears to be making progress. This development suggests that the Third-Team All-ACC selection may soon be activated from injured reserve. During his final season with the Tigers, Mafah rushed for 1,115 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Cowboys have not faced the running back dilemma many predicted before the season, with Javonte Williams averaging an impressive 5.2 yards per carry. However, the team clearly needs depth at the position. For now, Malik Davis will not be part of the franchise’s plan to bolster that depth. Across two stints with Dallas, he has totaled 41 carries for 167 yards and one touchdown.

As the Cowboys continue to adjust their roster, fans will be watching closely to see how these moves impact the team’s performance moving forward.
https://clutchpoints.com/nfl/dallas-cowboys/cowboys-news-removes-rb-from-roster-after-mnf-loss-cardinals

entertainment, media, television

Tracker Showrunner on if Spin-off With Jensen Ackles Can Happen

Leave a comment

**Elwood Reid Opens Up on Jensen Ackles’ Fake Death Scene in *Tracker* Season 3 and Potential Spin-Off**

Fans of CBS’ *Tracker* are buzzing with excitement over the possibility of a spin-off centered on Jensen Ackles’ character, Russell Shaw. Showrunner Elwood Reid recently shared insights about the dramatic fake death scene, ongoing mysteries in the series, and the prospects of giving Russell his own show.

—

### Behind the Fake Death Scene

In the two-part premiere of *Tracker* Season 3, brothers Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) and Russell Shaw (Jensen Ackles) orchestrate an elaborate plan to fake Russell’s death. This involved a quick ketchup splatter trick to stay one step ahead of the dangerous organization known as The Process.

While the scene appeared brief on screen, Reid revealed there was much more filmed behind the scenes.

“We shot a whole bit where they argued about how to fake the death,” Reid told *TV Line*. “Russell’s the ‘I’ve done this before’ guy, while Colter’s trying to do everything by the book. It was funny, but we had to cut it for time. The ketchup shot said it all and it’s perfectly on-brand for Russell.”

—

### Unfolding Mysteries and Russell’s Next Move

At the end of the premiere, Russell promises to investigate a mysterious phone number connected to the brothers’ late father. Reid confirmed this storyline will resurface around episodes 6 or 7. However, it remains uncertain whether Ackles will appear again in *Tracker* this season.

—

### Could Russell Shaw Headline His Own Series?

Reid has already imagined what a spin-off starring Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw might look like.

“We’re cautious,” Reid noted. “*Tracker* is Justin’s show, and we never want to do anything that cheapens it. That said, Russell’s military background opens the door to a very different kind of series—one that plays to Jensen’s strengths.”

In fact, Reid hinted at his enthusiasm for the idea: “We didn’t even ask for permission,” he said regarding Russell’s closing line in the second episode. “As the kids say, I’m manifesting it. It could be a lot of fun if the timing ever lines up.”

—

### What’s Next?

While fans eagerly await more news, producer Havins confirmed that there is no official announcement yet about a *Tracker* spin-off featuring Jensen Ackles.

For now, viewers can look forward to more twists in *Tracker* Season 3 and keep their fingers crossed that Russell Shaw’s story continues—perhaps in his very own series.
https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/news/2048071-tracker-showrunner-russell-fake-death-spin-off-prospects

sports

Aaron Rodgers Sends Bold Message on Packers Future Ahead of Week 8 Game

Leave a comment

The great Aaron Rodgers may have to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, but when all is said and done, even he admitted he’ll always be part of the Packers organization.

Now about two-and-a-half years removed from Green Bay, Rodgers reflected on his time there and announced he would retire as a member of the Packers when his playing career comes to a close.

Rodgers, of course, started his Hall of Fame career with the Packers after they selected him 24th overall from California-Berkeley in the 2005 NFL Draft. He played his first 18 seasons with Green Bay, winning four MVP awards and earning the MVP title of Super Bowl XLV—his lone championship to date—which came against his current team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

This Sunday night, Rodgers will face off against the Packers for the first time in his career, as the first-place Steelers (4-2) host Green Bay (4-1-1), who also lead the NFC North.

### Aaron Rodgers’ Football Career ‘Will End One Day In Green Bay’

Rodgers surely didn’t have rosy feelings about his former home when he left after the Packers effectively pushed him out by choosing quarterback Jordan Love as their starter following the 2022 NFL season. However, bygones are bygones, and Rodgers has had time to reflect on the special moments he experienced in Green Bay.

He said this is why he intends to retire with the Packers at some point in 2026, as he has stated that this, his 21st season, will be his last.

“It was such a tight-knit group for so long, and I outlasted most of them,” Rodgers said. “That’s why I feel so good about my time [in Green Bay], because damn near everything great in my life is because of my football career, and my football career start[ed] and will end one day with Green Bay.

“So we got a lot of love for all of those memories and a lot of great friends that I still carry with me to this day.”

### Aaron Rodgers Shares Memories of His Time in Green Bay

Reflecting on his experience, Rodgers shared some of his general memories, including being on the road and pulling pranks with his former teammates during training camp at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin, while playing for then-coach Mike McCarthy.

“We were always messing around [and] having a good time,” Rodgers said. “I mean, some of the shenanigans and pranks that me and Brett Goode pulled on the rookies at St. Norbert’s.

“It got so crazy, some of the pranks that they were pulling, that Mike at one point said, ‘Hey, cut that s–t out,’ because they were doing some wild stuff.”

Rodgers also recalled the plane rides where Packers players would wake each other up with flying pillows and blankets that didn’t always hit the correct target.

“Guys were just flinging the wrapped-up blankets and rolling up the pillows [and throwing them] at people,” Rodgers said. “There were some of the media and [public relations] and community relations—they’d all be on the same plane as us, and they were catching strays on the plane sometimes.”
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/green-bay-packers/aaron-rodgers-retire-as-packer/

celebrity, copyright, entertainment, legal, technology

OpenAI ‘improving Sora 2 guardrails’ again after Bryan Cranston’s likeness used without permission

Leave a comment

OpenAI’s Sora 2 video generation platform continues to face criticism for unlicensed use of copyrighted materials and likenesses of famous individuals. The latest controversy involves media star Bryan Cranston, who has taken issue with representations of himself created on the platform.

After filing a formal complaint with the SAG-AFTRA organization, Bryan Cranston’s concerns prompted OpenAI to respond. The company stated it will continue to “strengthen” Sora 2’s “guardrails” to prevent unlicensed use of famous characters and intellectual property.

This week, SAG-AFTRA released a statement on social media on behalf of Cranston, announcing that it has been in contact with OpenAI to address the issue. Following the discussions, OpenAI has agreed to block depictions of Bryan Cranston on Sora 2 without his explicit consent.

Since its launch a few weeks ago, Sora 2 has garnered significant attention for its impressive ability to generate AI-driven videos based on user prompts. However, the platform’s rushed release has also resulted in numerous issues concerning copyrighted materials.

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) publicly denounced Sora 2 for its unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses. Despite this, the platform has continued to face challenges, including unlicensed depictions of figures such as Martin Luther King Jr.

As OpenAI works to improve Sora 2’s protections against unauthorized content, ongoing discussions about the ethical use of AI-generated media remain at the forefront of the debate surrounding generative technology.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146428/openai-sora-2-likeness-bryan-cranston-statement-sag-aftra

general

Atlanta United fires coach Ronny Deila following 5-16-3 record in his only season

Leave a comment

ATLANTA (AP) — Atlanta United coach Ronny Deila was fired Sunday, just one day after the conclusion of a disappointing 5-16-3 season. Deila’s dismissal came after only one year at the helm.

Atlanta United CEO and president Garth Lagerwey announced that a global search for a new head coach would begin immediately.

“It was evident that our standard of play was not met this season, and together with our senior leadership team, we have decided that it was in Atlanta United’s best interest to move the team in a different direction,” Lagerwey said in a statement released by the team.

“Ultimately, we owe our fans a much better on-field product and it is our unwavering commitment to provide that to this community as soon as possible,” he added.

Lagerwey also expressed his gratitude toward Deila, saying he “thanked him for his time and commitment to the organization and wish him well in his future endeavors.”

The season concluded on Saturday night with a 1-1 draw against D.C. United. It was also the final appearance for longtime goalkeeper Brad Guzan, who announced his retirement earlier this week.

Deila was hired by Atlanta United on December 20, 2024, marking his return to Major League Soccer three years after leading New York City FC to the 2021 MLS Cup championship.

He was given a three-year contract to replace Rob Valentino, who had served as interim head coach following the firing of Gonzalo Pineda in June 2024.

Atlanta United enjoyed immediate success after entering MLS in 2017, making the playoffs in their inaugural season and winning the MLS Cup the following year while setting several league attendance records.

However, the club has not secured a trophy since the 2019 season, when it captured both the U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup and made a run to the MLS Eastern Conference final.

___

AP Soccer
https://wtop.com/dc-united/2025/10/atlanta-united-fires-coach-ronny-deila-following-5-16-3-record-in-his-only-season/