Latest news with #LSC
USA Today
02-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Nebraska wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. named to Paul Hornung Award Watchlist
A rising Husker is now on an award watchlist ahead of the 2025 season. Sophomore wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr. is now on the Paul Hornung Award Watchlist, following his record-setting freshman year. The award is in honor of football Hall of Famer Paul Hornung and is given annually by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) to the most versatile player in college football. Hornung tore up the field both in college and on the professional level, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1956 and becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. He played in almost every position at Notre Dame, including quarterback, running back, punter, kicker, defensive back, and returner. Hornung continued his versatile career with the Green Bay Packers, serving as a multi-threat offensive back and a prolific kicker. He helped the Packers to four NFL championships, led the league in scoring for three years straight, set the single-season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points, and was named league MVP in 1961. Barney played in all 13 games for Nebraska as a true freshman, starting in four of them. He tied a school record for the most receptions by a Nebraska freshman, hauling in 55 passes for 447 yards. Barney also racked up 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns off 10 carries and returned 14 kickoffs for 285 yards. This helped Barney finish second on the team with 842 all-purpose yards. He ranked third nationally among all FBS freshmen in receptions. Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
John Grisham: Trump's cuts to legal aid would hurt veterans, children and families
I write bestselling novels about the legal system. And as a lawyer, I represented low-income clients for free – the same people who will struggle to get justice under the president's proposed cuts. Before I became a writer, when I was a newly minted attorney in rural Mississippi, I saw how helpless people were going to court on their own. When I could, I took cases for no fee to prevent people from getting lost in the complex legal system. But it was obvious pro bono services alone could not meet the vast needs of Americans, especially in rural areas. Those people I sought to help are like the more than 6 million Americans annually who are aided by legal services organizations because they cannot afford an attorney on their own. Access to justice is a core American value, cited in the first line of the Constitution, etched over the entrance to the Supreme Court and invoked daily in the Pledge of Allegiance. Congress established the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in 1974 to better uphold this American ideal and ensure access to quality legal assistance for low-income Americans − including more than a million children, over 200,000 survivors of domestic violence and nearly 45,000 veterans. But the Trump administration has proposed eliminating LSC. This action would abandon the nation's founding principles of liberty and justice and devastate millions. Southerners, rural residents would be hurt most Congress has rejected the White House proposal to zero-out LSC. The Senate advanced a bill to slightly increase funding, and the House proposed a drastic 46% cut. Both bills fall far short of what's needed, but they send a clear message – lawmakers on both sides of the aisle see immense value in legal services for the folks they represent. About 15% of the population − more than 50 million Americans − are eligible for LSC-funded legal services. These are everyday, hardworking families and individuals who are faced with life-changing crises, often through no fault of their own. If LSC sees significant cuts, many more Americans will be left to face issues like domestic violence, natural disaster recovery, medical debt and consumer scams or fraud without legal assistance. Who would feel the loss the most? America's children, seniors, Southerners and those living in rural areas are the most likely to qualify for this type of legal aid. More than 1 in 5 children live in households eligible for LSC-funded services. The number of seniors eligible for legal aid has increased dramatically since 2016, from 6.6 million to 8.9 million in 2023. If this trend continues, more than 10 million seniors will be eligible by 2027. More households in the South are eligible for LSC-funded legal assistance than in any other region, and 1 in 5 rural households are eligible for the aid. The states with the highest proportion of eligible residents include my own home state of Mississippi, along with Louisiana, New Mexico and Oklahoma. John Grisham: Ugly truth of racism, injustice there for all to see | Opinion LSC distributes more than 94% of its federal appropriation in grants to 130 independent nonprofit organizations with offices in every congressional district across the country. Since 1974, more than 75 million Americans have received assistance. They are Americans like Coleen, a widowed senior in Florida, who was scammed out of her life savings while working to recover after Hurricane Ian destroyed her home in 2022. With LSC's help, she got her money back and was able to repair her home. While the fundamental purpose of civil legal aid is to ensure fairness in our legal system, it also provides substantial economic benefits. For every $1 invested in civil legal assistance through LSC, communities see $7 in economic value. Protects Americans' lawfully earned wages Legal services are a crucial part of efficient government. Without LSC, courts would have to serve more people with no access to legal representation, complicating court dockets and slowing down proceedings. The issue of overburdened courts is one reason that a bipartisan majority of state supreme court chief justices and state attorneys general voice their support for LSC each year. Civil legal services are nonpartisan. They benefit working families, uphold American values, lift the economy and improve government efficiency. Opinion: Do you think the Supreme Court is partisan? What recent rulings show. Legal assistance helps veterans access their benefits. It helps survivors of domestic violence leave unsafe situations. It helps displaced hurricane and wildfire victims attain the documents they need to rebuild. These are not political issues − these are problems that can affect anyone. The proposals to eliminate or cut LSC could stop assistance received by millions in every county in every state. By helping people address legal issues before they spiral, fewer taxpayer dollars are needed for costly services like shelters, medical care and law enforcement. Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store. Legal assistance protects the lawfully earned wages and benefits that Americans rely on and allows them to maintain their independence and contribute to their local economies. By helping families stay together and ending cycles of violence, legal assistance enables more children to grow up in safe and stable homes, making them more likely to stay in school, complete their education and pursue steady employment. Without LSC, hope for millions of Americans to access legal support in times of crisis is in jeopardy. Congress must save this legal lifeline to protect the safety and security of everyday Americans and uphold liberty and justice for all. To see how proposed cuts to LSC funding would impact where you live, visit John Grisham is the author of more than 50 consecutive bestselling novels, which have been translated into nearly 50 languages. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system. You can read diverse opinions from our USA TODAY columnists and other writers on the Opinion front page, on X, formerly Twitter, @usatodayopinion and in our Opinion newsletter.
The Hill
20-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
All Americans deserve quality legal support — enter the Legal Services Corporation
In our years representing communities across the country, from rural Michigan to the Florida coast, from Greater Boston to urban Indiana, one truth held steady: government works best when it meets people where they are and helps them solve real problems. Civil legal services do exactly that. Every day, in every congressional district, Americans face civil legal problems they can't handle alone — often through no fault of their own. These aren't partisan issues. They involve life-affecting circumstances: a veteran wrongfully denied benefits, a senior scammed by a contractor, a survivor of domestic violence seeking a protection order, a relative trying to adopt a child who has lost his parents. Without legal help, these problems can spiral, threatening families, livelihoods and community stability. That's where the Legal Services Corporation comes in. The four of us come from different political parties, but we share the belief that basic legal support should not be reserved for those who can afford a lawyer. And we believe strongly that any federal program must be accountable, limited in scope and transparent to taxpayers. That's exactly what the Legal Services Corporation delivers. Nearly 95 percent of the Legal Services Corporation's budget goes straight to local legal assistance providers that operate in every state and territory, including all 435 congressional districts. The rest supports oversight and accountability. Rather than building bureaucracy, the Legal Services Corporation strengthens the work of community-based partners that understand local needs. At a time when Congress is grappling with the responsible use of taxpayer dollars, it stands out as a model of smart, effective investment. What's more, Congress has placed some of the strictest limitations in government on how LSC funds can be used. By law, grantees are prohibited from engaging in political activity or filing class actions, immigration cases or policy litigation. These guardrails ensure that taxpayer dollars are used for one purpose: helping everyday Americans resolve legal problems before they grow more complex and costly. And it works. Studies show that every $1 invested in civil legal aid through LSC returns nearly $7 in economic value, including savings for courts, shelters and emergency services, and increased economic productivity. When people can resolve legal problems early, they're more likely to stay in the workforce, care for their families and contribute to their communities. That means fewer costly emergencies and a stronger local economy. In an era of rising skepticism toward Washington, the Legal Services Corporation is a model of how taxpayer investment should operate: locally delivered, fiscally efficient and laser-focused on real impact. We've seen the difference legal assistance makes for our constituents — and we know the current lawmakers we all once served with have, too. This isn't just another budget line. It's a lifeline for millions of hardworking Americans. Congress would be smart to continue this vital investment for our communities across America. Susan Brooks is a Republican and former U.S. representative from Indiana. Joe Kennedy, a former U.S. special envoy for Northern Ireland, is a Democrat and former U.S. representative from Massachusetts. Patrick Murphy is a Democrat and former U.S. representative from Pennsylvania who also served as the 32nd United States undersecretary of the Army. Fred Upton is a Republican and former U.S. representative from Michigan.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
These Are The Best Bourbons Of 2025 (So Far)
Here are a few of the bourbons taking hope the top prizes this year at the world's biggest spirit competitions. Sophia Lindenberger Let's get one thing straight right off the bat—there are a ton of great bourbons out there right now. From everyday shelf staples to unicorn bottles that drive aficionados into a frenzy, 2025 has been yet another incredible year for bourbon lovers. It seems that everywhere you turn, America's homegrown spirit is making its presence felt in force. Drink menus feature bourbon cocktails, and back bars are brimming with bottles, while liquor store shelves are overflowing. However, with so many choices, finding a truly exceptional pour can feel overwhelming. Luckily, we've got a cheat sheet: the annual spirits competitions. Each year, thousands of bourbons are blind tasted by expert judges from around the globe. If a bottle rises to the top at one of these events, you know it's worth your time—and your glass. Here's a roundup of the bourbons that have wowed the most rigid panels in the business this year, so far. If this is just the first half of the year, I'm eager to see what the next six months have in store. Enjoy. Award: Spirit of the Year, Whiskey of the Year, and Best Spirit by Quality – 2025 London Spirits Competition (LSC) When a single bourbon cleans house across multiple categories like this, you pay attention. Weller Antique 107 isn't new to bourbon fans; it's a wheated powerhouse from the Buffalo Trace team that has earned a cult following due to its sweet flavors, which pair perfectly with its 107-proof bottling. Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 25th Anniversary Edition Bourbon Award: World's Best Bourbon – 2025 World Whiskies Awards (WWA) Old Fitz is no stranger to accolades, but this year's 25th Anniversary release took things to another level. A limited-release bottling that commemorates the year independent bourbon powerhouse Heaven Hill purchased the brand, it's a wheated bourbon that's elegant, complex, and rooted in tradition. Heaven Hill Grain to Glass Traditional Barrel Series Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition (SFWSC) As part of Heaven Hill's push to highlight its grain sourcing and transparency, this wheated bourbon made an impression in San Francisco. It's a thoughtful whiskey that still packs a punch despite its heavy wheat mash bill, and it helped Heaven Hill rack up a jaw-dropping ten Double Golds overall. It's also a finalist for the competition's coveted World's Best Whiskey Award. Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Bourbon Award: Straight Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards This one's another Heaven Hill brand and a personal favorite of mine. The twice-barreled expression is an exceptional Small Batch Bourbon that offers a toasted barrel finish, adding an extra layer of richness and spice that complements Elijah Craig's base profile beautifully. Green River Full Proof Bourbon Award: Small Batch Bourbon of the Year – 2025 Bartender Spirits Awards Relaunched in 2016, Green River Whiskey holds one of Kentucky's oldest distilling licenses and is on the rise. Its first expressions were released in 2022, and this full-proof bottling proves why it should be sought out. It's bold, it's well-balanced, and it's an absolute steal for the quality it delivers. You can expect to hear more about this distillery. 1792 Aged 12 Years Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Launched in 2002, the 1792 brand has steadily built a reputation for quality and craftsmanship, racking up awards along the way. This 12-year expression is a perfect example of what they do best: craft deep, mature bourbons loaded with flavor. It's Double Gold confirms that it's a game changer, and it would be a perfect addition to any collection. 15 STARS First West Extra Aged Straight Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC For the last few years, 15 STARS has been pulling in numerous accolades for their exceptional bourbons, and this bottle shows they aren't resting on their laurels. Made from a blend of bourbons aged 15, 9, and 7 years, it's a beauty that took home a Double Gold at the SFWSC and is in the running to take home the event's top prize. Augusta Distillery Buckner's 15-Year-Old Single Barrel Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC, Double Gold-New York International Spirits Competition Buckner's has been quietly building a reputation for its amazing, limited-release bourbons. This 15-year Single Barrel is bottled at cask strength and stood out to judges at multiple events this year due to its bold, rich, and deep flavors. 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirits Co. Bourbon Award: Double Gold – 2025 SFWSC Colorado bourbon is no joke, I should know, I lived there for two decades. Distilled high in the Rocky Mountains in the legendary ski town of Vail, 10th Mountain brings altitude and attitude to the table. This award for their mainline bourbon demonstrates that they are crafting some truly exceptional liquid that drinkers should seek out. Frank August Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC) Based in Kentucky, Frank August operates more like an independent curator than a traditional distillery. They source top-tier whiskey and finish it with meticulous attention to detail and elegance. Their Small Batch Bourbon reminds you why the category exists. Each bottle is brimming with flavors, earning an almost perfect score of 98 points at the IWSC. W.L. Weller 12 Year Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC One of the most sought-after wheated bourbons out there, the liquid inside spends twelve years aging to maturity before it is deemed worthy of release. A smooth sipper, it was one of five bourbons to earn Gold Outstanding at the IWSC this year and is a finalist for its Whiskey of the Year award. King's Family Tennessee Standard Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC Tennessee is often overlooked in the bourbon world, even though it's home to one of the world's largest whiskey brands, Jack Daniel's. But it would be a mistake to write off the Volunteer State; some great bourbons are made there. This bottle from relative newcomer King's Family is crafted with a 99% corn mash bill that has been aged for six years, resulting in an elegant liquid that makes a compelling case for Tennessee bourbon. Praedictum 15-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC This rare bourbon was created by Bill Foley, the owner of the NHL Las Vegas Golden Knights, to celebrate their Stanley Cup victory. But don't think of it as a gimmick bottling, Foley is a legend in the wine industry and has been crafting superb bourbon under his Charles Goodnight Whiskey brand for almost a decade. Only 600 cases of this 112-proof barrel strength award winner were made. Hudson Bright Lights, Big Bourbon Award: Gold Outstanding – 2025 IWSC For over two decades, Hudson Whiskey has been crafting great bourbons in the most unlikely of places, New York. Bright Lights, Big Bourbon is distilled from New York corn and aged for a minimum of three years in new charred American oak barrels. The resultant liquid is full of grain-forward flavors with a sweet finish. A. Smith Bowman Cask Strength Bourbon Batch #4 Award: Best Bourbon & Best American Whiskey – 2025 International Whisky Competition (IWC) Virginia's oldest distillery hit a home run with this one. At over 97 points, it nearly took Whisky of the Year finishing second at one of the most prestigious events out there, the International Whisky Competition. Bottled at 139.7 proof, it is a cask-strength bomb that quickly sold out in an online lottery the distillery held in early 2025. If you can find a bottle, grab it; it's sure to become a collector's item. King's Family Distillery Wheated Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Another win for King's Family, showing they're not a one-hit wonder. This wheated expression is made from a mash bill of 51% corn, 45% wheat, and 4% malted barley, and was aged for at least four years before bottling. It's a soft, sweet bourbon that's readily available in the market. Jefferson's Bourbon Ocean Aged At Sea Voyage 31 Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC Jefferson's Bourbon founder, Trey Zoeller, has been called the mad scientist of bourbon due to his refusal to follow the rules. His most fantastic idea was to pack up his bourbon and send it across the planet, ageing inside custom containers on ships to create something unheard of before he did it. Well, it worked, and his Ocean's lineup has been turning heads since. Voyage 31 has yet to be released, but it's sure to deliver something special. Garrison Brothers Guadalupe Bourbon Award: Double Gold (96 pts) – 2025 NYISC As one of the leaders in the surging Texas bourbon market, Garrison Brothers is renowned for crafting exceptional releases that showcase the distinct character of the Lone Star State. It's Guadalupe Bourbon spent four years in American oak and then finished for two years in imported port casks. The final liquid is rich, round, and filled with fruit flavors. Joseph Magnus Cigar Blend Bourbon Award: Best of Class Bourbon – 2025 ADI International Spirits Competition This highly regarded finished bourbon from Joseph Magnus is celebrated for its complex layering of flavors. That's due to its marriage of different bourbons aged in Armagnac, Sherry, and Cognac casks separately before being blended into a sumptuous bottling. Being named Best of Class Bourbon only validates that it is something special. Follow here for the most up to date information about the ever changing beer, wine and spirits industry. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes How To Read A Bourbon Label By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Athletic Brewing's Non-Alcoholic Beer Boom: Big Growth Ahead By Hudson Lindenberger Forbes Matthew And Camila McConaughey's Pantalones Tequila Goes Global By Hudson Lindenberger
Pink Villa
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Sitaare Zameen Par Box Office: Aamir Khan starrer tops 250cr worldwide but misfires overseas
Sitaare Zameen Par has nearly wrapped up its international box office run, grossing just over USD 200K in its fourth weekend. The total overseas collection of the film now stands at USD 7.80 million (Rs. 67 crore). The Aamir Khan starrer managed a run in India, but overseas it has been subpar. The worldwide gross for the film stands at Rs. 254 crore, largely driven by its domestic haul. SZP falls short of Laal Singh Chaddha Overseas To put things in perspective, the overseas biz of Sitaare Zameen Par is still short of Laal Singh Chaddha, which was a DISASTER. By the end of its run, it will probably get even with it but that is despite the Middle East business being more than double that of LSC, which implies the rest of the markets have fared significantly worse. The film had a soft start but showed promise with a big growth on Saturday. At that point, it looked like it might cruise past USD 10 million, possibly even stretching to USD 15 million with strong legs. However, it came back of earth soon after on Sunday and the trend since then has been rather ordinary. The film has underperformed across the board, but the United States is the biggest letdown. Traditionally, the strongest market for Aamir and generally friendly to films of this genre, the US turnout was tepid, set to close under USD 2 million. The best performer is ironically the Middle East, ironic because generally films like this underperform here. So, just a weird set of performances. Will China come to the rescue? Sitaare Zameen Par is expected to release in the East Asian markets later this year, including China. Aamir Khan is the biggest name from Indian cinema in China, who has delivered two mega blockbusters in Dangal and Secret Superstar. How SZP performs in China could change the entire narrative of the film; however, that market is struggling lately, so it's unclear how that will go at this moment. The territorial breakdown for Sitaare Zameen Par overseas box office is as follows:
