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Christmas music's effect on the brain spreads beyond joy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- When you begin humming your favorite Christmas tune, its impact on your brain might surprise you. Many of us turn to Christmas music when wrapping gifts, decorating a tree or having a celebration. Ann Mastergeorge in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at Texas Tech University told EverythingLubbock the effect is linked to your memories. Mastergeorge explained that the Hippocampus, a major component of the human brain, is the center of emotion, memory and the autonomic nervous system.How does listening to Christmas music affect our mood and thinking?"There have been studies that have investigated the effects of music on the brain, some that look specifically on Christmas music," Mastergeorge said. "Songs actually do invoke a very deep emotional effect on the brain."Carolers perform at Jetblack Holiday Market on November 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo from KSN, KSN.com and the Nexstar Media Wire; Source: Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images f...

These are the safest small towns and cities in every state: report

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Small towns have a reputation for tight-knit communities, charm and safety. At least one in every state lives up to the last part of the stereotype, an updated analysis finds. MoneyGeek, a personal finance site, had researchers analyze last year's FBI crime data of smaller towns and cities where the population is between 30,000 and 100,000. They used the crime data to calculate the cost of crime in each area.The cost of crime includes impacts to victims, like the loss of stolen property and medical bills, MoneyGeek explained, as well as the cost to the justice system. Violent crimes typically result in a higher cost than nonviolent crimes, MoneyGeek said.Many of the safest small communities, according to last year's crime data, are found in the Northeast. Monroe Township, a New Jersey community about 50 miles from Manhattan, ranked No. 1 thanks to its low property crime and even lower violent crime rate. In the No. 2 spot was another New Jersey community not too far away...

Timberwolves have an excellent 3-point defense. Is that luck? Or length?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

A debate continuously rages on in the basketball realm. Is 3-point defense luck?The argument for it being essentially roulette is the fact that every team shoots similar percentages. As CraftedNBA.com points out, over the past four seasons, 92 percent of NBA teams shot between 34 and 38 percent from distance.So what CraftedNBA does is adjusts a team’s defensive rating — how many points it gives up per 100 possessions — and adjusts it to show what the number would be if the defense allowed opponents to shoot an average of 36 percent from 3-point range.The number, updated a week ago, showed Minnesota’s defensive rating to be 106.9, and its 3-point adjusted rating to be 107.8. The nearly full-point differential was one of the biggest in the NBA. That makes sense, considering Timberwolves opponents have shot just 33.2 percent from beyond the arc this season. (Note, even if opponents shot 36 percent from three against Minnesota, it would still be an elite defense).The questio...

Gophers football getting outspent as coordinators head elsewhere

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

DETROIT — For the second straight year, the Gophers football program must replace a coordinator who left for a bigger payday at a fellow Big Ten program.It’s not all about the Benjamins, but salary has played a significant role in the key departures on both sides of the ball.Last year, offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca went from earning $1 million at Minnesota to $1.4 million at Rutgers.Earlier this month, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi went from a $1.1 million salary at Minnesota to Michigan State for a payday believed to be in the ballpark of $1.5 million to $1.7 million per year, the Pioneer Press understands.Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck said he plans to hire a new DC in early January. He is relying on current defensive assistants to lead the unit against Bowling Green in Tuesday’s Quick Lane Bowl.The Gophers have increased the salary pool for assistant football coaches in recent years — including a total of $1 million in 2021-22 — but more is needed as they have lost staffe...

Llama runs loose on California freeway

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

The California Highway Patrol says its officers are prepared for anything they may encounter on the state's roadways, but this case stood out from the norm.Last Wednesday, officers responded to a call of an animal on Interstate 80 in the Truckee area. It wasn't the usual dog or cow or horse...but rather a llama that had gotten loose, CHP shared on social media.CHP officers apprehended a llama that was loose on Interstate 80 on Dec. 21, 2023. Thankfully, there would be almost no llama drama with the rescue.Officers were able to locate the animal, safely apprehend it, and even gave him the name of "Challenger." After a quick picture on the side of the roadway, the llama was returned to its owners. ‘Killer whale madness’ continues off Southern California coast Commenters praised the officers, saying that the situation could have ended tragically, and several joked that the llama may have been looking to join Santa's herd of reindeer.CHP officers apprehended a llama that was loose on...

These jobs have seen the biggest wage increases in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

Some customer service, skilled trade and freelance job positions saw double-digit wage growth this past year, according to a new Payscale analysis.The compensation data firm released a report ranking the most in-demand jobs where workers secured higher paychecks on average in 2023 compared to the previous year. Payscale examined salary data from more than 774,000 U.S. workers and information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for its analysis.Despite experiencing the highest year-over-year wage growth percentages, the top two positions on the list — customer service assistant manager and hairstylist — also recorded the lowest median salaries, standing at $44,200 and $34,300 respectively. Can you afford a starter home in Los Angeles? See how California’s largest cities compare Bloomberg noted in a September 2023 article that while retail wages are rising fast, retail workers are quitting at higher rates and earning less than the median U.S. worker.Payscale also acknowledged the re...

Elon Musk’s X, accused of withholding bonuses promised to staff, will have to face a court battle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

New York (CNN) — A federal judge has ruled that X, formerly Twitter, must face a lawsuit after staff accused the company of failing to pay bonuses promised to them. The judge on Friday denied X’s motion to dismiss the case.X stands accused of failing to pay out annual bonuses to staff after its October 2022 acquisition by billionaire Elon Musk – despite repeated assurances from executives in the lead-up to and following the deal that the company would do so, according to a lawsuit filed in June 2023 on behalf of employees.The lawsuit was filed in a San Francisco federal court by Mark Schobinger, who was a senior director of compensation at X until he left the company in May. The suit is seeking class action status for former and current X employees who did not receive their 2022 bonus.A federal judge late last week said Schobinger’s case against X was plausible, and he allowed it to go forward.“Twitter’s offer to pay him a bonus in return became a binding contract under California l...

The latest on Draymond Green’s path back from indefinite suspension

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

DENVER — Draymond Green is keeping in contact with the team, but has mostly stayed away from the Warriors facility as he serves an indefinite suspension, coach Steve Kerr said.“He’s mostly stayed away,” Kerr said on Monday. “He’s been in contact with us and with our training staff. As for the team, he hasn’t been around for games or practices.”Green is having virtual meetings with NBA officials, Warriors officials and his agent, Rich Paul, to begin charting a path back to playing again, ESPN reported.Green began his indefinite suspension on Dec. 13 for hitting Phoenix Suns’ center Jusuf Nurkic in the head. Green’s three ejections and two suspensions — he was suspended five games for putting Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert in a chokehold in November — for aggressive acts this year were contributing factors to the league handing down an open-ended punishment.Related ArticlesGolden State Warriors | How Kla...

Missing Brentwood teen located

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

(BCN) -- A missing 15-year-old girl was located safely after being reported missing, the Brentwood Police Department announced Sunday night. The teenager was last seen Wednesday morning after being dropped off at the bus stop for Heritage High School, where she didn't attend that day. She was also reportedly seen in downtown Brentwood that same day as well. Fremont PD seeks assistance finding missing 14-year-old girl Copyright © 2023 Bay City News, Inc.

Brunson scores 38, Knicks snap Bucks’ seven-game winning streak with 129-122 victory

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:59:48 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 38 points and the New York Knicks snapped Milwaukee’s seven-game winning streak, ending their lengthy skid against the Bucks with a 129-122 victory Monday.The Knicks had dropped nine straight meetings, including a 130-111 loss on Saturday in the opener of this two-game series. The Bucks had handled New York easily twice while rolling through their December schedule, but they haven’t solved Brunson all season, and the point guard got plenty of help from his teammates this time.Julius Randle added 24 points and nine rebounds, RJ Barrett bounced back from a poor game Saturday with 21 points and Immanuel Quickley came off the bench for 20.Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard each scored 32 points for the Bucks, who fell to 9-2 this month. Khris Middleton added 24.The Bucks rang up 146 points against the Knicks in the quarterfinals of the In-Season Tournament on Dec. 5 and didn’t cool off much Saturday. But they seemed short on e...