By AAMER MADHANI

WASHINGTON (AP) — Joe Biden’s name wasn’t on the ballot, but history will likely remember Kamala Harris’ resounding defeat as his loss too.

As Democrats pick up the pieces after President-elect Donald Trump’s decisive victory, some of the vice president’s backers are expressing frustration that Biden’s decision to seek reelection until this summer — despite long-standing voter concerns about his age and unease about post-pandemic inflation as well as the U.S.-Mexico border — all but sealed his party’s surrender of the White House.

“The biggest onus of this loss is on President Biden,” said Andrew Yang, who ran against Biden in 2020 for the Democratic nomination and endorsed Harris’ unsuccessful run. “If he had stepped down in January instead of July, we may be in a very different place.”

Biden will leave office after leading the United States out of the worst pandemic in a century, galvanizing international support for Ukraine after Russia’s invasion and passing a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that will affect communities for years to come.

But having run four years ago against Trump to “restore the soul of the country,” Biden will make way after just one term for his immediate predecessor, who overcame two impeachments, a felony conviction and an insurrection launched by his supporters. Trump has pledged to radically reshape the federal government and roll back many of Biden’s priorities.

“Maybe in 20 or 30 years, history will remember Biden for some of these achievements,” said Thom Reilly, co-director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University. “But in the shorter term, I don’t know he escapes the legacy of being the president who beat Donald Trump only to usher in another Donald Trump administration four years later.”

The president on Wednesday stayed out of sight for the second straight day, making congratulatory calls to Democratic lawmakers who won downballot races and to Trump. Biden invited Trump for a White House meeting, and the president-elect accepted.

Biden is set to deliver a Rose Garden address Thursday about the election. He issued a statement shortly after Harris delivered her concession speech Wednesday, praising Harris for running an “historic campaign” under “extraordinary circumstances.”

Some high-ranking Democrats, including three advisers to the Harris campaign, expressed deep frustration with Biden for failing to recognize earlier in the election cycle that he was not up to the challenge. The advisers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Biden, 81, ended his reelection campaign in July, weeks after an abysmal debate performance sent his party into a spiral and raised questions about whether he still had the mental acuity and stamina to serve as a credible nominee.

But polling long beforehand showed that many Americans worried about his age. Some 77% of Americans said in August 2023 that Biden was too old to be effective for four more years, according to a poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs.

The president bowed out on July 21 after getting not-so-subtle nudges from Democratic Party powers, including former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. Biden endorsed Harris and handed over his campaign operation to her.

Yang argued that Democratic Party leaders also deserve blame for taking too long to push out Biden. With few exceptions, most notably Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, Democrats shied away talking publicly about Biden’s age.

“Why was this not coming from any Democratic leaders?” Yang said. “It’s a lack of courage and independence and an excess of careerism, if I just keep my mouth shut, we’ll just keep on trucking along.”

The campaign was also saddled by anger among some Arab American and young voters over its approach to Israel’s conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an ally of Biden and Harris, said in a statement that Democrats lost the thread on working class Americans’ concerns.

“Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign?” the Vermont independent said. “Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing?”

Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison took to social media Thursday to push back on Sanders’ critique, saying that Biden was “the most-pro worker President of my life time.”

Harris managed to spur far greater enthusiasm than Biden was generating from the party’s base. But she struggled to distinguish how her administration would differ from Biden’s.

Appearing on ABC’s “The View” in September, Harris was not able to identify a decision where she would have separated herself from Biden. “There is not a thing that comes to mind,” Harris said, giving the Trump campaign a sound bite it replayed through Election Day.

The strategists advising the Harris campaign said the compressed campaign timetable made it even more difficult for Harris to differentiate herself from the president.

Had Biden stepped aside early in the year, they said, it would have given Democrats enough time to hold a primary. Going through the paces of an intraparty contest would have forced Harris or another eventual nominee to more aggressively stake out differences with Biden.

The strategists acknowledged that overcoming broad dissatisfaction among the American electorate about rising costs in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and broad concerns about the U.S. immigration system weighed heavy on the minds of voters in key states.

Still, they said that Biden had left Democrats in an untenable place.

Harris senior adviser David Plouffe in a posting on X called it a “devastating loss.” Plouffe did not assign blame and said the Harris campaign “dug out of a deep hole but not enough.” The post was later deleted.

At the vice president’s concession speech on Wednesday, some Harris supporters said they wished the vice president had had more time to make her pitch to American voters.

“I think that would have made a huge difference,” said Jerushatalla Pallay, a Howard University student who attended the speech at the center of her campus.

Republicans are poised to control the White House and Senate. Control of the House has yet to be determined.

Matt Bennett, executive vice president at the Democratic-aligned group Third Way, said this moment was the most devastating the party has faced in his lifetime.

“Harris was dealt a really bad hand. Some of it was Biden’s making and some maybe not,” said Bennett, who served as an aide to Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration. “Would Democrats fare better if Biden had stepped back earlier? I don’t know if we can say for certain, but it’s a question we’ll be asking ourselves for some time.”

Associated Press writer Matt Brown contributed to this report.

Scripps News and Decision Desk HQ project Democrat Jacky Rosen will retain her U.S. Senate seat in Nevada, defeating Republican Sam Brown.

Republicans were hoping to gain another seat in the Senate, which they will control in 2025. A Brown victory would have given Republicans more margin to pass legislation promoted by President-elect Donald Trump. It would also make it easier for Trump's cabinet picks to make it through a confirmation vote.

As of Thursday, Republicans had a 52-46 vote margin with votes still being counted in Pennsylvania and Arizona.

In Pennsylvania, Republicans can pick up another seat if David McCormick holds his lead over incumbent Democrat Bob Casey Jr. In Arizona, Democrat Ruben Gallego maintains his lead over Republican Kari Lake. The Arizona seat is currently held by the retiring Kyrsten Sinema, an independent, who caucuses with Democrats.

RELATED STORY | VP Kamala Harris after election loss: 'We must accept the results'

Meanwhile, Republicans are still jockeying for leadership positions. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced earlier this year that he plans to step down from his leadership position when the new Congress is seated in January.

While there will likely be a lot of changes in a Republican-led Senate, McConnell said on Wednesday there was one thing that wouldn't be going away.

One of the most gratifying results of the Senate becoming Republican: the filibuster will stand," he said.

As a thank you to veterans and active duty members of the U.S. armed forces, dozens of restaurants are offering free meals for Veterans Day. Check out our list below of different offers. Beverages and gratuity are not included unless noted. Most offers are good for Monday only.

Many restaurants not listed below may have previously had free meals for veterans. Some of those restaurants are still offering discounts for current and former military.

Offers are at participating locations only for dine-in only, unless otherwise stated, and most require proof of service.

Applebees: Veterans and active duty service members can receive a free dine-in entre from Applebees special menu. Items include the Bacon Cheeseburger and Fiesta Lime Chicken. Since 2008, Applebees has served 11.7 million free meals on Veterans Day.

BIBIBOP Asian Grill: All BIBIBOP Asian Grill outlets will give veterans and active military a free bowl with an ID. The offer is good for dine-in only.

Biggby Coffee: Veterans and active duty with a military ID can get a free 16 oz. latte hot/iced/frozen beverage on Monday.

Bob Evans: With proof of service, veterans and active duty can receive a free dine-in breakfast entre, including the Country Biscuit Breakfast or a stack of hotcakes.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active duty can receive a free order of boneless wings and French fries with proof of military service for dine-in service. Customers at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations can order at the counter with proof of service.

RELATED STORY | Veterans Affairs awards $800 million to help homeless vets

California Pizza Kitchen: With proof of service, veterans and active duty are able to select from a limited menu.

Chilis: With proof of service, veterans and active duty members can enjoy a free meal from a menu of four entres, including a Chicken and Ranch Quesadilla and the Oldtimer With Cheese. The offer is dine-in only.

Dave and Buster's: Active and former military can choose a free entre up to $20 and get a $10 Power Card on Monday.

Dennys: With a valid military ID, customers can receive a free Grand Slam breakfast from Dennys from 5 a.m. to noon Friday.

Dunkin': With a valid military ID, customers can receive a free doughnut for in-person orders.

Golden Corral: The buffet chain is offering current and active duty military and reservists a free meal at the buffet from 4 p.m. to close on Monday.

Hooters: All day Monday, veterans and active duty military can choose from one of five entres, including Hooters Boneless Wings.

IHOP: From 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday, veterans and active duty members can get free a Red, White and Blueberry Pancake combo.

Little Caesars: The pizza joint will offer its Hot-N-Ready lunch of four slices and a 20-ounce beverage for free to veterans and active military from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

RELATED STORY | First on Scripps News: VA awarding $52M in grants to prevent military suicides

Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty can get a free sandwich all day Monday.

Olive Garden: Former and active military can choose from one of several entres off of Olive Garden's Veterans Day menu.

Outback Steakhouse: With a valid military ID, Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Bloomin Onion and beverage on Monday.

Red Robin: This burger joint offers veterans and active duty members a free Reds Tavern Double Burger and bottomless fries all day Monday. It is dine-in only.

Starbucks: Veterans, active duty and military spouses can get a free 12-ounce coffee all day Monday.

What is open, closed on Monday?

Although many government buildings will be closed, plenty of things will remain open.

What is open

Nearly all major retailers Essential government offices

What is closed

Nonessential federal offices, courthouses U.S. post offices Most banks Stock markets

Essential government offices, like the National Weather Service, will remain open. Examples of nonessential offices closed on Monday include the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Service.

Some schools, universities, local and state government offices may close.

Jelly Roll is certainly no stranger to the metro area.

His concert Wednesday night, Nov. 6, at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena was his seventh appearance in these parts in a little over two years. That run includes a pre-NFL Draft show at the Fillmore Detroit in April, as well singing Bob Seger and singing with Eminem during June’s Michigan Central opening concert.

Not surprisingly the country/rap/rock crossover star was full of Motor City love during his hour and 40 minutes on stage in front of more than 15,500 — the largest crowd so far, he said, on his Beautifully Broken Tour supporting his chart-topping new album of the same name. Following opening sets by Allie Coleen, Shaboozey (who shouted out the Detroit Lions and spoke about visiting Ford Field earlier in the day) and Ernest (who sported an Eminem T-shirt), Jelly Roll spoke about his long history of playing in the area, from the Shelter and Saint Andrew’s Hall to “the old historic Harpo’s a thousand times.” Of Little Caesar’s he marveled over “how many times I’ve come here and drove by this arena and never thought I would be big enough to (play) here. It’s a dream come true on so many levels.” The next target, he said, was to play Ford Field.

He also shouted out the Livonia rap/rock duo Twiztid — which made a special one-song appearance on a B-stage at the back of the arena floor between Ernest and Jelly Roll’s set — for being “the first band that ever took me on a nationwide tour.” And he gushed that “the biggest phone call I ever got was when Marshall Mathers (aka Eminem) called me and asked me if I’d be on his new album,” on the track “Somebody Save Me,” which samples Jelly Roll’s hit “Save Me.”

“Now,” he added, “I just need someone here to finalize the dream I have and help me to meet Bob Seger,” who Jelly Roll said was a favorite of his father’s — along with Motown music.

And if that verbiage wasn’t enough, he hammered home his devotion by performing truncated versions of three Seger hits, “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Turn the Page” and “Against the Wind,” the latter as a duet with Ernest — who this time sported a vintage Detroit Pistons Bad Boys T-shirt. “Somebody tell Bob Seger how much I love him,” Jelly Roll said after the latter.

His affection for the city was certainly reciprocated by the crowd, and the Tennessee native (real name Jason DeFord) gave his Detroit fans plenty to love in turn. He’s definitely on a, well, roll with “Beautifully Broken’s” success and “I Am Not Okay” lodged as his fifth consecutive No. 1 single on the country charts. He opened with that song, in fact, walking through the crowd — accompanied by his wife, podcast star Bunny XO — to the B stage, where he sang under a burning, cabin-shaped structure and promised “a night of healing…a night of therapy…a night of love.” “But most important Detroit,” he added, “I hope it’s the best show you’ve ever seen in your…life.”

Jelly Roll and his 11-member band — including Detroit-born keyboardist Snow Boots, sporting a Red Wings Jersey — did their best to make that the case on Wednesday; it was, surely, more than okay, hampered only by a muddy sound mix. He certainly upped the production value, with a pair of long side ramps, plenty of fire, extensive video production, a large set of rosary beads that hung above the stage during “Need a Favor” (which included a church-style a capella closing with his three backing vocalists) and a giant, lighted skull from the cover of “Beautifully Broken” that was part of a couple of numbers. He pulled out six songs from the new album and threw plenty of past triumphs into the set — including a medley of “Creature,” “Same A**hole” and “Fall in the Fall” and the hip-hop banger “Smoking Section.”

Seger wasn’t the only artist Jelly Roll covered, either, as he rolled through Otis Redding’s “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” and Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life),” which led into John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” His “real music for real people who have gone through real s***” focused on those who have been through recovery, celebrating fans who waved signs declaring their own sobriety. And he shouted out Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson, shaking his hand and praising initiatives that include a recording studio in the county jail.

Jelly Roll finished the night where he started, back on the B stage, singing “Save Me” amidst a shower of faux rain that left him sopping wet but beaming as he waved his soaked baseball cap at the crowd. It was another special show for him in the metro area, and given how things have been going we’ll likely see him back here — maybe even at Ford Field — before too long.

A Commerce man who killed a motorcyclist in a traffic crash has been sent to jail.

On Wednesday in 52-1 District Court, Judge Robert Bondy sentenced 60-year-old Khim Lal Ghimire to 90 days in the Oakland County Jail, allowing 20 days of community service in lieu of jail. Also, Ghimire was fined $3,075 and has to pay court costs and other fees.

Ghimire pleaded no contest last month to a misdemeanor charge of moving violation causing death for the June crash that resulted in the death of Joshua Steven Moomaw of Commerce Township.

Moomaw, 40, was on a 2006 Harley-Davidson motorcycle on Wixom Road, waiting to turn left onto Stratford Villa Way at the Stratford Villa mobile home community entrance, when he was hit from behind by a 2019 Toyota Sienna driven by Ghimire, according to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office. Moomaw wasn’t wearing a helmet; he died from his injuries eight days later, the sheriff’s office said.

Moomaw’s 41-year-old wife, a passenger on the motorcycle, was injured but survived. She wasn’t wearing a helmet either, the sheriff’s office said.

Ghimire wasn’t injured, the sheriff’s office said, and neither drugs nor alcohol were found to be factors in the crash as investigated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s crash reconstruction unit.

The Oakland County Jail roster shows Ghimire was booked into the jail shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 6.

Once he completes his jail sentence, Ghimire will be on probation for 11 months.

Moomaw’s obituary states, in part: “A devoted family man, Josh celebrated his 21 years of being with his wife, Monica, shortly before his passing. Together, they shared a love for riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and created a lifetime of cherished memories. His children, Lacee and Logan, were his pride and joy, and he cherished every moment spent with them.”

Great Lakes National Cemetery to host a Veterans Day Ceremony to honor all who have served, at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, at 4200 Belford Road, Holly Township. The ceremony will feature patriotic music and wreath presentations and presentation of the colors, rifle salute and Taps. The public is invited to attend.

Great Lakes National Cemetery is the second national cemetery built in Michigan and the 122nd in the national cemetery system.

The cemetery borders Fagan Lake and is located on a portion of a land grant from the federal government to Terrance Fagan in 1836.

In the 20th century, the property was purchased by Bryson Dexter Horton, a Spanish-American War veteran-turned-industrialist who invented the “Square D” switch. Horton’s invention dramatically improved electrical safety, by encasing the switch in steel and protecting users from the live electrical current. Horton constructed a small house on the property in 1927, and reportedly entertained such preeminent locals as Henry and Edsel Ford, who both hunted and fished there.

Historically, the property served as farmland until it was acquired by the National Cemetery Administration in 2002.

Great Lakes National Cemetery was established in 2005, and the first burial took place on Oct. 17 of that year.

For the Veterans Day ceremony, all parking (except handicapped and volunteers) will be at Ascension Genesys Hospital parking lot, 1 Genesys Parkway, Grand Blanc. The hospital is three miles north of Belford Road just off North Holly Road on Pollack Road.

Shuttle buses will run 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. between the hospital parking lot and the GLNC General Assembly area.

For information, call 866-348-8603 or email greatlakesnationalcemetryac@gmail.com, or visit www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/greatlakes.asp.

Upcoming events

• The City of Birmingham’s annual public Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony, co-hosted by the Piety Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is set for Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. in Shain Park. This is the 13th year the DAR has co-hosted this event. They will be honoring veterans and placing wreaths at the site of the Civil War and WW II monuments in Shain Park across from the Birmingham City Hall. The guest speaker is John Maten, president of the Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial in Royal Oak. The Flag Color Guard is from the Oakland Squadron, Civil Air Patrol Cadets. The bugler is Lynn Popa, a DAR member from the Ezra Parker Chapter, Royal Oak. The bagpiper is Frank Stasa, and the soloist is Samantha Stafford. Bloomfield Community Television is broadcasting the event.  A reception for veterans follows the ceremony in the Baldwin Public Library, Rotary Room downstairs. All veterans of all eras are welcome to attend. For more information, email local Piety Hill Regent Debbie Harrington at deborah.harrington0@gmail.com.

• Holly High School to host a free Veterans Day Salute at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, at 6161 East Holly Road, Holly. The event is open to the public and all veterans are welcome to attend. For more information, call Joe at 810-348-9960.

• Oakland County is participating in Operation Greenlight by displaying green lights on the Oakland County Circuit Court Building, starting at approximately 5 p.m. Nov. 9. It will remain green in the evening and overnight hours until dawn on Nov. 13. The National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers invite the nation’s 3,069 counties, parishes, and boroughs to join Operation Green Light and show support for veterans by lighting buildings green for Veterans Day. By shining a green light, county governments and residents will let veterans know that they are seen, appreciated, and supported, www.naco.org.

• Oakland County Parks and Recreation Appreciation Days offer free park entry on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, with access to natural areas, trails, dog parks and all park amenities. For information, visit www.oakgov.com/community/oakland-county-parks/events/-npage-2.

• Oxford American Legion Post 108 to host Taco Tuesday Mexican Buffet from 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 12 and Broasted Chicken Buffet from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov..13, and Fish dinners from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, at 130 Drahner Road, Oxford. For more information, call 248-628-9081.

• Clarkston American Legion Post 377 to host Bingo from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 4819 Mary Sue Ave. For more information, call 248-673-9301.

• Clarkston American Legion Post 63 to host Euchre from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8047 Ortonville Road. For more information, call 248-625-9912.

• Holly American Legion Post 149 to host Vet to Vet Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at 408 S. Saginaw St., Holly. All vets and their significant others welcome. Food provided. For more information, call 810-348-9960.

• Milford American Legion Post 216 to host Burger Nite from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 at 510 W. Commerce Road, Milford. For more information, call 248-684-9919.

The Oakland Press is interested in all veterans events in Oakland County. Please send info in the body of an email with subject line “Veterans Affairs” to Sharon Longman at sslstart@aol.com. Allow two weeks’ notice for scheduled events.

Joe Biden's name wasn't on the ballot, but history will likely remember Kamala Harris' resounding defeat as his loss too.

As Democrats pick up the pieces after President-elect Donald Trump's decisive victory, some of the vice president's backers are expressing frustration that President Biden's decision to seek reelection until this summer despite long-standing voter concerns about his age and unease about post-pandemic inflation as well as the U.S.-Mexico border all but sealed his party's surrender of the White House.

The biggest onus of this loss is on President Biden, said Andrew Yang, who ran against President Biden in 2020 for the Democratic nomination and endorsed Harris unsuccessful run. If he had stepped down in January instead of July, we may be in a very different place.

President Biden will leave office after leading the United States out of the worst pandemic in a century, galvanizing international support for Ukraine after Russias invasion and passing a $1 trillion infrastructure bill that will affect communities for years to come.

But having run four years ago against Trump to restore the soul of the country, President Biden will make way after just one term for his immediate predecessor, who overcame two impeachments, a felony conviction and an insurrection launched by his supporters. Trump has pledged to radically reshape the federal government and roll back many of President Biden's priorities.

Maybe in 20 or 30 years, history will remember President Biden for some of these achievements, said Thom Reilly, co-director of the Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy at Arizona State University. But in the shorter term, I dont know he escapes the legacy of being the president who beat Donald Trump only to usher in another Donald Trump administration four years later.

The president on Wednesday stayed out of sight for the second straight day, making congratulatory calls to Democratic lawmakers who won downballot races and to Trump. President Biden invited Trump for a White House meeting, and the president-elect accepted.

President Biden is set to deliver a Rose Garden address Thursday about the election. He issued a statement shortly after Harris delivered her concession speech Wednesday, praising Harris for running an historic campaign under extraordinary circumstances.

Some high-ranking Democrats, including three advisers to the Harris campaign, expressed deep frustration with President Biden for failing to recognize earlier in the election cycle that he was not up to the challenge. The advisers spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.

President Biden, 81, ended his reelection campaign in July, weeks after an abysmal debate performance sent his party into a spiral and raised questions about whether he still had the mental acuity and stamina to serve as a credible nominee.

But polling long beforehand showed that many Americans worried about his age. Some 77% of Americans said in August 2023 that President Biden was too old to be effective for four more years, according to a poll by the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs.

The president bowed out on July 21 after getting not-so-subtle nudges from Democratic Party powers, including former President Barack Obama and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. President Biden endorsed Harris and handed over his campaign operation to her.

Yang argued that Democratic Party leaders also deserve blame for taking too long to push out President Biden. With few exceptions, most notably Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, Democrats shied away talking publicly about President Biden's age.

Why was this not coming from any Democratic leaders?" Yang said. Its a lack of courage and independence and an excess of careerism, if I just keep my mouth shut, well just keep on trucking along.

RELATED STORY | Harris concedes and congratulates Trump on winning 2024 presidential election

The campaign was also saddled by anger among some Arab American and young voters over its approach to Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Sen. Bernie Sanders, an ally of President Biden and Harris, said in a statement that Democrats lost the thread on working class Americans' concerns.

Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign? the Vermont independent said. Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing?

Harris managed to spur far greater enthusiasm than President Biden was generating from the party's base. But she struggled to distinguish how her administration would differ from Biden's.

Appearing on ABCs The View in September, Harris was not able to identify a decision where she would have separated herself from President Biden. There is not a thing that comes to mind, Harris said, giving the Trump campaign a sound bite it replayed through Election Day.

The strategists advising the Harris campaign said the compressed campaign timetable made it even more difficult for Harris to differentiate herself from the president.

Had President Biden stepped aside early in the year, they said, it would have given Democrats enough time to hold a primary. Going through the paces of an intraparty contest would have forced Harris or another eventual nominee to more aggressively stake out differences with President Biden.

The strategists acknowledged that overcoming broad dissatisfaction among the American electorate about rising costs in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic and broad concerns about the U.S. immigration system weighed heavy on the minds of voters in key states.

Still, they said that President Biden had left Democrats in an untenable place.

Harris senior adviser David Plouffe in a posting on X called it a devastating loss. Plouffe did not assign blame and said the Harris campaign dug out of a deep hole but not enough.

At the vice president's concession speech on Wednesday, some Harris supporters said they wished the vice president had had more time to make her pitch to American voters.

I think that would have made a huge difference," said Jerushatalla Pallay, a Howard University student who attended the speech at the center of her campus.

Republicans are poised to control the White House and Senate. Control of the House has yet to be determined

Matt Bennett, executive vice president at the Democratic-aligned group Third Way, said this moment was the most devastating the party has faced in his lifetime.

"Harris was dealt a really bad hand. Some of it was Bidens making and some maybe not," said Bennett, who served as an aide to Vice President Al Gore during the Clinton administration. Would Democrats fare better if President Biden had stepped back earlier? I don't know if we can say for certain, but it's a question we'll be asking ourselves for some time.

RELATED STORY | Donald Trump wins 2024 presidential election, beating VP Kamala Harris

One of the nitpicks about the first College Football Playoff rankings was that the committee undervalued Indiana.

The Hoosiers’ No. 8 ranking — they’re in the same spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll — puts them fourth among Big Ten teams behind No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Penn State.

If the season ended today, Indiana would be in the 12-team bracket as the No. 9 seed. The Hoosier faithful would argue they merit a higher seed.

Indiana is unbeaten, and the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions each have a loss. The Hoosiers have won all nine of their games by at least 14 points and they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 419-123.

The knock against them is their schedule, ranked 103rd strongest by ESPN. They’ve played no teams in the AP Top 25. Six of their nine opponents went into this week with losing records, one is 4-4 and two are 5-4.

First-year coach Curt Cignetti, in comments before the CFP rankings were released, seemed OK biding his time.

The Hoosiers host Michigan, another of those 5-4 teams, on Saturday. Then, after a week off, they go to Ohio State for what would be one of the season’s most anticipated games if they get past the Wolverines.

“Every week presents its own new set of circumstances and so there’s a lot of that going on this week,” Cignetti said of the noise around his program. “I’m aware of it. But to get kind of caught up on that and lose your focus would be the kiss of death.”

The picks, with Associated Press poll rankings and lines from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Maryland at No. 1 Oregon (minus 25 1/2)

No one except Ohio State has come within three touchdowns of the Ducks since the first week of September. Maryland is playing a regular-season game on the West Coast for the first time in 15 years.

Pick: Oregon 48-20.

No. 2 Georgia at No. 16 Mississippi (plus 2 1/2)

QB Jaxson Dart has the hot hand, and disruptive LB Suntarine Perkins leads an Ole Miss pass rush that’s racked up an FBS-best 41 sacks. Since Week 5, no FBS quarterback has thrown more interceptions than the Bulldogs’ Carson Beck (8).

Pick: Mississippi 31-28.

Purdue at No. 3 Ohio State (minus 37 1/2)

Buckeyes have scored 20 and 21 points in their last two games and are due to break out. They’ve outscored Purdue 100-38 in two meetings since they were upset in West Lafayette in 2018.

Pick: Ohio State 49-10.

No. 4 Miami (minus 11 1/2) at Georgia Tech

Hurricanes have lost three of their last five against the Yellow Jackets, but those teams didn’t have Cam Ward. The Georgia Tech offense is coming off its worst two games of the season.

Pick: Miami 33-21.

Florida (plus 21 1/2) at No. 5 Texas

Florida freshman QB DJ Lagway left last week’s game against Georgia with a hamstring injury, leaving his status uncertain for his return to his home state. Texas is coming off an open date.

Pick: Texas 35-17.

Washington at No. 6 Penn State (minus 13 1/2)

The Nittany Lions have some pent-up frustration to release after losing another one to Ohio State. This is Washington’s fourth road game, and third in the Eastern time zone, since Sept. 27.

Pick: Penn State 42-24.

Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee (minus 23 1/2)

The Vols’ Nico Iamaleava played his best game in weeks against Kentucky, and the stage is set for him to put up some huge numbers against a defense that’s allowed SEC opponents to complete 78% of their passes for 318 yards per game.

Pick: Tennessee 38-10.

Michigan (plus 14 1/2) at No. 8 Indiana

Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke was sharp in his return from thumb surgery, and the Wolverines just don’t have enough offense. Hoosiers should be 10-0 when they go to Ohio State.

Pick: Indiana 30-20.

No. 9 BYU (minus 4) at Utah

Cougars lost nine in a row in this rivalry before winning 26-17 at home last year. They haven’t won in Salt Lake City since 2006.

Pick: BYU 27-16.

Florida State at No. 10 Notre Dame (minus 25 1/2)

The last time these teams met, in 2021, FSU backup QB McKenzie Milton put a scare into the ninth-ranked Irish, who squandered an 18-point lead before winning 41-38 in overtime. Don’t expect the Seminoles to put up the same fight this time.

Pick: Notre Dame 37-10.

No. 11 Alabama at No. 14 LSU (plus 3)

These are two teams battling for spots on the playoff bracket. Alabama would be in it now; LSU would be close. Both are coming off open dates. Tigers get the edge in a night game in Death Valley.

Pick: LSU 28-27.

Nevada at No. 12 Boise State (minus 24 1/2)

National rushing leader Ashton Jeanty of Boise State averaged 4.3 yards per carry his last two games, about half his season average. This is an opportunity to jump-start his fading Heisman Trophy campaign.

Pick: Boise State 49-21.

No. 17 Iowa State (minus 3) vs. Kansas

The Cyclones have gotten off to slow starts in their past four games, and it caught up to them last week when Texas Tech handed them their first loss. Kansas has won last two meetings. This one’s at Arrowhead Stadium.

Pick: Iowa State 31-24.

No. 18 Army (minus 5 1/2) at North Texas

Army QB Bryson Daily, who missed last week’s win over Air Force because of an undisclosed injury, is trending toward a return. The Mean Green average 41 points per game.

Pick: Army 42-27.

No. 19 Clemson at Virginia Tech (plus 6 1/2)

The Tigers lost control of their destiny in the ACC with last week’s home loss to Louisville. They’ve won six straight against the Hokies since 2007, but Virginia Tech has proved to be a tough out this season.

Pick: Clemson 28-24.

Utah State at No. 20 Washington State (minus 20 1/2)

Cougars have won three straight, and dual-threat John Mateer is the best under-the-radar quarterback in the country. Utah State ranks 133rd out of 134 FBS teams in scoring defense.

Pick: Washington State 45-21.

No. 21 Colorado at Texas Tech (plus 3 1/2)

Buffaloes come out of their open date having won five of six, bowl eligible and in the thick of the Big 12 race. The Red Raiders showed moxie last week, driving for the winning touchdown against Iowa State after losing the lead with just over 2 minutes left.

Pick: Colorado 35-34.

Virginia at No. 23 Pittsburgh (minus 7 1/2)

Pittsburgh got embarrassed at SMU in its first loss and looks to rebound. Virginia is in the meat of its schedule and has lost three in a row.

Pick: Pittsburgh 34-24.

South Carolina (minus 3 1/2) at No. 24 Vanderbilt

Gamecocks are better than their 5-3 record indicates, and they’ve got momentum from a 24-point win over what was a top-10 Texas A&M team. Vanderbilt plays everybody close.

Pick: South Carolina 27-21.

AP predictions scorecard

Last week: Straight-up — 12-3; Against spread — 8-7.

Season: Straight-up — 151-39; Against spread — 98-91.

— By ERIC OLSON, Associated Press

Six teams are road favorites and two more are slight underdogs in Week 10.

The 49ers, Bills, Vikings, Falcons, Eagles and Lions each are favorites on the road. The Jets and Dolphins both are only 1-point underdogs on the road, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.

The Broncos-Chiefs matchup is the only one of four division games featuring both teams with a winning record.

An AFC North matchup kicks off the week with the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Baltimore Ravens.

Pro Picks expects a close one.

Cincinnati (4-5) at Baltimore (6-3)

Line: Ravens minus 6 1/2

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are seeking their second straight season sweep of Joe Burrow and the Bengals in an important AFC North matchup on Thursday night. Baltimore beat Cincinnati 41-38 in overtime on Oct. 6. The Bengals are 4-2 against the spread in their past six games overall, but 0-5 ATS in the past five vs. the Ravens and 2-8 ATS in their past 10 games vs. division opponents.

RAVENS: 31-27

Atlanta (6-3) at New Orleans (2-7)

Line: Falcons minus 3 1/2

Kirk Cousins has helped the Falcons reach first place in the NFC South and Atlanta isn’t looking back. Meanwhile, the Saints have collapsed after a promising 2-0 start. New Orleans fired Dennis Allen and promoted special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi, who makes his coaching debut in this one. The Falcons have lost 13 of the previous 18 games in New Orleans. But these are two teams heading in opposite directions. The Falcons are 4-1 against the spread in their past five games overall while the Saints are 0-5 ATS in that span.

BEST BET: FALCONS: 27-17

Pittsburgh (6-2) at Washington (7-2)

Line: Commanders minus 2 1/2

Russell Wilson has ignited Pittsburgh’s offense and the Steelers are coming off a bye rested and improved following the additions of wide receiver Mike Williams and edge rusher Preston Smith at the trade deadline. The surprising NFC East-leading Commanders, led by Jayden Daniels, made the biggest splash, adding four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore. The Steelers are 9-3 against the spread in their past 12 games overall. Washington is 7-2 ATS this season.

UPSET SPECIAL: STEELERS: 23-20

New York Giants (2-7) vs. Carolina (2-7), in Munich, Germany

Line: Giants minus 6

Fans in Germany are seeing the worst of the NFL. The Giants have difficulty scoring, averaging a league-low 15.4 points per game. Bryce Young led the Panthers to a win last week against the Saints and will get another opportunity for a team that needs to find out if he has a future in Carolina.

GIANTS: 19-17

New England (2-7) at Chicago (4-4)

Line: Bears minus 6

No. 1 pick Caleb Williams lost to No. 2 pick Daniels on a Hail Mary two weeks ago. Now, Williams and the Bears face No. 3 pick Drake Maye and the Patriots. Williams is much better at home than on the road — 105.1 vs. 67.2 passer rating home/away. The Bears have won eight straight games overall at Soldier Field, including three this season. Maye has shown playmaking ability that should give New England fans hope.

BEARS: 24-16

Buffalo (7-2) at Indianapolis (4-5)

Line: Bills minus 4

Josh Allen is playing outstanding, mistake-free ball and the Bills are running away with the AFC East. They’ve beat softer teams on their schedule but have tougher challenges ahead, including this one against Joe Flacco and the Colts on the road. All nine of Indianapolis’ games this season have been decided by one possession. The Colts are 6-1 against the spread in their past seven games overall and 6-0 ATS in their past six games vs. AFC opponents.

BILLS: 26-23

Denver (5-4) at Kansas City (8-0)

Line: Chiefs minus 8 1/2

The unbeaten two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs are starting to hit their stride on offense as Patrick Mahomes and De’Andre Hopkins have made a quick connection. The Chiefs have owned the Broncos, winning 16 of the previous 17 games. But this is a different Denver team. The Broncos are on the rise behind coach Sean Payton and rookie QB Bo Nix. They’re 5-2 against the spread in their past seven games overall and 4-1 ATS in their past five games vs. Kansas City. The Chiefs are 10-3-1 ATS in their past 14 games overall.

CHIEFS: 26-20

San Francisco (4-4) at Tampa Bay (4-5)

Line: 49ers minus 5 1/2

The injury-depleted Bucs have to rebound on a short week after a disappointing finish Monday night when they nearly handed the Chiefs their first loss. Baker Mayfield and the offense keep putting up points even without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. But the defense is allowing 27 points per game. The refreshed 49ers are coming off a bye and could see the return of Christian McCaffrey. San Francisco has used strong second halves to make deep playoff runs each of the past two seasons. With upcoming road games against Green Bay and Buffalo and tough home games against Seattle, Chicago, the Rams, the 49ers can’t afford to slip up in this one.

49ERS: 27-20

Minnesota (6-2) at Jacksonville (2-7)

Line: Vikings minus 4 1/2

The Vikings kick off a stretch of three consecutive road games. They found a way to win last week despite three turnovers by Sam Darnold. The Jaguars had a chance to complete a stunning comeback win after trailing Philadelphia 22-0, but Trevor Lawrence’s interception on a poor throw on first down from the 14 cost Jacksonville. The Jaguars have lost five games by five points or fewer.

VIKINGS: 26-23

Tennessee (2-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (5-3)

Line: Chargers minus 7 1/2

The Chargers have won consecutive games by at least 17 points and start a stretch of three straight home games. The passing game has opened up behind Justin Herbert and J.K. Dobbins is third in the AFC in yards rushing with 620. Maybe Will Levis can return and spark the Titans, who are already looking ahead to next year.

CHARGERS: 24-13

Philadelphia (6-2) at Dallas (3-5)

Line: Eagles minus 7 1/2

No Dak Prescott means no chance for Dallas. The Cowboys were already in trouble before Prescott sustained a hamstring injury that will force him to miss multiple games. Jalen Hurts is back to playing like the 2022 MVP runner-up and the Eagles are rolling with four straight wins. Saquon Barkley has been a major addition for Philadelphia, which has the No. 3 defense in the league.

EAGLES: 30-16

New York Jets (3-6) at Arizona (5-4)

Line: Cardinals minus 1

Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson showed what they can do together last week. Now, the Jets have to stack wins to have any chance of climbing into the playoff race. The Cardinals are surprise leaders in the NFC West and have already surpassed their win total in each of the past two seasons.

JETS: 23-20

Detroit (7-1) at Houston (6-3)

Line: Lions minus 3 1/2

Jared Goff is playing at an MVP level and the high-powered Lions have won six in a row. They added three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Za’Darius Smith to bolster the defense and are primed to push for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. The Texans need to protect C.J. Stroud better or they won’t go anywhere in January. Relying on Joe Mixon running the ball will help.

LIONS: 24-22

Miami (2-6) at Los Angeles Rams (4-4)

Line: Rams minus 1

After an impressive road win, the Rams find themselves slight favorites at home vs. a two-win team. It’s a strange line. Clearly, oddsmakers are giving the Dolphins a ton of respect. Tua Tagovailoa is 0-2 since returning from a concussion but has played superb. He has completed 80.3% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua back from injuries, Matthew Stafford and L.A.’s offense is on track. The Rams have won three in a row.

DOLPHINS: 27-26

Last week: Straight up: 11-4. Against spread: 7-8.

Overall: Straight up: 94-44. Against spread: 72-64-2.

Prime-time: Straight up: 21-10. Against spread: 14-16-1.

Best Bet: Straight up: 7-2. Against spread: 6-3.

Upset Special: Straight up: 6-3. Against spread: 6-3.

——————

— By ROB MAADDI, Associated Press

 

By Morayo Ogunbayo, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS)

ATLANTA — Many Southerners have at one point in their lives taken a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. With its views of the Atlantic, boardwalks and ample seafood restaurants, it’s no wonder the area draws big crowds.

For some people, the area conjures images of spring break craziness, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With these travel tips, you can have a glitzy beach vacation just a few hours away from several major East Coast cities.

Stay at a nice beachfront hotel

The first step to an upscale beach vacation is making sure you’re not far from the whole point of the trip: the beach. The difference between being walking distance and needing a car can make or break your trip.

Island Vista Resort is farther from downtown than the typical accommodations there. The resort is known for its spacious rooms with views of the ocean, as well as three onsite dining options. If restoration and relaxation are the priorities of your trip, there are also an onsite fitness center and spa treatments available.

The Hilton Grand Vacation Club Ocean 22 is also a comfy escape from possibly rowdy beach town habitations. The resort has one-, two- and three-bedroom suites overlooking the ocean. The high-rise hotel is only eight blocks from the boardwalk, meaning you are not too far from the fun of the city. This Hilton hotel also boasts complimentary green fees to nearby golf courses for guests.

Rent a condo

North Myrtle Beach includes all the oceanfront fun of Myrtle Beach, just a few miles away. Vacation condos in this area give visitors the fun of a beachfront high-rise, without much of the hassle expected to come with it.

Airbnb is one place to begin your search, with a website that makes finding the exact accommodations you need easy. Many of the condos also have pools, so you won’t have to give up this hotel perk.

Try these restaurants

The thing that often makes a vacation good is the food, and a trip to Myrtle Beach can be no exception.

Hook & Barrel is a Myrtle Beach mainstay known for cooking local seafood and serving it alongside a large list of wines and spirits.

If you’re willing to drive a bit outside of Myrtle Beach, try Root in Georgetown, a waterfront restaurant with an ambience Eater calls a “coastal speakeasy.”

Clive Blossom in nearby Pawleys Island is perfect for an intimate dinner, with its grilled East Coast halibut or celebrated charred-octopus small plate.

For brunch, check out Winna’s Kitchen, known for its creative comfort food creations and friendly staff.

No vacation is perfect, but with this list you might get close. Stop passing over this beachfront gem the next time you’re planning a getaway, and reacquaint yourself with Myrtle Beach.

©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By Beth Dooley, The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

This time of year, as the light slants and temperatures drop, all I really want for dinner is pasta. It’s the key to a luxuriously easy meal when tossed with the robust vegetables of autumn.

As much as I love winter squash, I have often resisted using it, not wanting to deal with removing the tough peel and the messy seeds. But right now, delicata squash is at its best. The skins are so tender that you can eat the whole thing (after removing the seeds). Delicata is super easy to cook. It’s smaller in size so one easily feeds two. It’s nicknamed “sweet potato squash” for its lush, velvety texture and the way it caramelizes in a hot pan.

To prepare delicata, simply slice it in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and stringy flesh and cut the seeded squash halves into half-moon slices for the prettiest effect. Now it’s ready to roast on a sheet pan (first drizzled with a little oil and salt) in a high-heat oven.

I like delicata best when it’s butter-steamed with a little sage tossed in. Butter steaming cooks the vegetables directly in the butter and is one of the easiest techniques for concentrating flavors. The butter and vegetable juices meld into a wonderful sauce when a little pasta cooking water and wine or stock is added to the pan. It’s best when the butter has begun to brown and the squash starts to caramelize and turn nutty. Toss in cooked pasta, scatter the whole thing with fresh herbs and cheese, and you have a satisfying vegetarian dinner or a hearty side, a taste of our gorgeous fall.

Delicata Squash, Spinach and Sage-Butter Pasta

Serves 4.

This easy pasta dish shows off delicata’s greatest qualities. The slices turn tender, sweet and nutty as they caramelize in butter that becomes the base for a luscious sauce. No need to peel the squash first, as the skin is soft and adds texture to the final dish. A handful of fresh spinach adds color and taste; kale or broccoli would work equally well. Vary the cheese as you please. From Beth Dooley.

• 8 oz. pasta
• Coarse salt
• 4 tbsp. (¼ c.) butter, cut into chunks
• 1 lb. delicata squash, halved and seeded, cut into ¼-inch slices
• ¼ c. peeled, sliced shallot
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage
• Generous pinch red pepper flakes, to taste
• ¼ c. pasta cooking water
• ¼ c. white wine (or more pasta cooking water)
• 6 to 8 oz. fresh spinach leaves, torn
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar, or more to taste
• 2 to 3 oz. chèvre or mozzarella

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Drop in the pasta and cook until al dente, about 10 to 12 minutes. During the last couple of minutes of cooking, remove about 1 cup of the pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta, cover and set aside.

Set a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. When the butter starts to foam, add the squash slices and shallot and cook, tossing, until lightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. Cover the pan and allow the squash to cook a little more until it becomes tender, about 1 minute. Remove the cover, add the sage and red pepper flakes, ¼ cup of the pasta water and wine (or more pasta water). Stir and add the spinach and cook until wilted. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding pepper and more salt. If it seems dry, add a little more wine or pasta water. Toss in the pasta and before serving, drizzle with the balsamic and dot with the cheese.

Beth Dooley is the author of “The Perennial Kitchen.” Find her at bethdooleyskitchen.com.

©2024 The Minnesota Star Tribune. Visit at startribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Which gift baskets are the best?

It’s never easy to find the perfect gift for everyone on your holiday shopping list, especially if you don’t know the recipient’s tastes very well. Gift certificates can feel too impersonal, and assembling a personalized variety pack is often expensive and time-consuming. This is why many people find prepackaged gift baskets to be an ideal gift for special occasions. The curated products are usually popular across the board and can easily be shared with others.

Many specialty stores offer gift baskets filled with various popular niche items. There are also commercial gift baskets based on a theme, such as a get-well basket filled with soups and crackers or a housewarming basket featuring gourmet coffees, mugs, and candies. Gift baskets can also be created from a customized list the giver provides.

While thousands of gift baskets are available, we have created a short list of worthwhile contenders. At the top of our list is Wine Country The Connoisseur Gourmet Gift Basket, an appealing assortment of both savory and sweet snacks (no actual wine products) that varies from order to order.

Considerations when choosing gift baskets

Assortment

Many gift baskets are curated and packaged by manufacturers or store proprietors, so the size and variety of items are not up to the customer. However, it may be possible to create a personalized gift basket through an à la carte ordering process. Gift baskets tend to include sampler-sized products, not the full-sized portions sold on store shelves. However, this is not necessarily a deal-breaker because creating a gift basket at retail prices could become prohibitively expensive.

Some gift baskets are arranged by theme, whether it is a “Get Well” collection of soups and crackers or a holiday assortment of gourmet hot chocolates and decorative mugs. Candies, nuts and dried fruits are popular choices, because of their shelf stability and their nearly universal appeal. Other common ingredients include processed meats, roasted coffees and savory snacks.

Also be aware that gift basket contents are often not commonly recognized brand names, which, on the one hand, lends a unique artisanal or gourmet appearance but can also mean they sometimes lack the quality and/or quantity of better-known counterparts.

Packaging

A gift “basket” does not necessarily incorporate all of its contents in a traditional basket. Some manufacturers pack their wares into segmented boxes to keep individual ingredients from migrating. A compact gift box may also be easier to pack and ship than a full-size woven basket. Stores and gift shops, however, may have pre-made gift baskets on their shelves for consumers to deliver themselves. The packaging should be stylish and attractive since it may or may not arrive in gift wrap. The display element of a gift basket should not be an afterthought. The basket or box is also part of the gift.

Recipients

Another important consideration is the target audience for a gift basket. There may be food allergies to consider, especially when it comes to nuts and small children. Candy and other processed foods may not be appropriate for recipients with diabetic issues. Some gift baskets contain “gag” gifts that some recipients may find offensive or inappropriate. This is why gifters should carefully consider the recipient’s personal tastes and restrictions before investing in a gift basket.

Timing is also an important factor. While gift baskets containing fresh fruit are popular, they should be shipped and stored promptly. Chocolates and other candies may not survive the trip during warmer months, and some gift basket producers will not ship perishable products during certain times of the year.

Gift baskets price

The retail price of a gift basket depends heavily on the number of elements, the quality of the packaging, and the cost of production. Some outlets offer sampler gift baskets for as little as $20, but a gift basket filled with premium goods should cost between $50-$100 on average. Higher-end gift baskets filled with gourmet-quality products and exquisite packaging can easily top $200 or more.

Gift baskets FAQ

Q. I want to thank a service provider I don’t know well. What items should I put in a gift basket?

A. If you create a gift basket for unfamiliar recipients, you should think universally. What items would appeal to most people? The answer is usually shelf-stable snacks, chocolates, familiar candies, nuts or an assortment of teas and coffees. Avoid including alcoholic beverages or “gag gifts” that might be considered offensive or in poor taste.

Q. Will a gift basket of fresh fruits or baked goods survive the shipping process?

A. Most professional gift basket providers understand the nature of their products, so they should take the necessary precautions to keep the contents in good shape. There may be some black-out dates where shipments of fragile goods are not possible, such as hot summer months for chocolate-based gift baskets.

Best gift baskets

Top gift basket

Wine Country The Connoisseur Gourmet Gift Basket

What you need to know: This assortment of gourmet snacks and candies is ideal for a wide range of occasions and recipients. Many artisanal/small-batch items are included.

What you’ll love: There is a generous assortment of savory and sweet snacks. Selected items have a wide appeal. Personalized greetings are available. The presentation is simple but appealing.

What you should consider: Some complaints about the quality and condition of items. Assortment can vary from basket to basket, not as pictured.

Top gift basket for the money

Golden State Pacific Coast Classic Dried Fruit Tray Gift

What you need to know: This inexpensive gift tray’s stylish presentation of dried fruits and nuts is a major selling point.

What you’ll love: It contains 26 ounces of dried fruits and nuts and a sturdy wooden presentation tray. Contents are natural and healthy, not processed candy or snacks. It’s got an appealing price point for multiple orders.

What you should consider: The collection is smaller than expected. Some people have also had concerns about product freshness.

Worth checking out

Oh! Nuts 12 Variety Mixed Nut Gift Basket

What you need to know: This kosher and vegetarian-friendly nut/seed collection provides enough variety for practically every recipient, young or old. Great holiday gift idea.

What you’ll love: It includes 12 nut and seed samples. The wooden serving tray has a rustic appearance. It contains raw, roasted and processed snack items.

What you should consider: Items may need to be rearranged after delivery. Portion sizes are smaller than expected.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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If you’re looking for a new twist for your Thanksgiving pie display, this Hawaiian chocolate haupia pie may be just the thing. This recipe yields a rich chocolate pie with a layer of haupia –a coconut milk pudding — topped with whipped cream.

This recipe is inspired by the haupia pie found at Ted’s Bakery in Oahu. The bakery on the island’s North Shore serves up creative cream pies like this one, plus peach Bavarian cream, strawberry guava and chocolate macadamia nut cream pies. And the how-tos hail from the new “Most Requested Copycat Dishes: 100+ Homemade Versions of Your Favorite Restaurant Recipes” cookbook (Shadow Mountain, $25) by the team — Erica Walker, Emily Walker, Elise Donovon and Echo Blickenstaff — from Favorite Family Recipes.

Chocolate Haupia Pie

Serves 8

INGREDIENTS

9-inch pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

1½ cups whole milk, divided

5 tablespoons cornstarch

14-ounce can unsweetened coconut milk (not fat-free or light)

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Whipped Cream

1½ cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Line a pie tin with pastry crust. Generously pierce crust with a fork. Bake according to  your pie crust recipe or according to package directions, until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow crust to cool.

In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine 1/2 cup whole milk and cornstarch. Mix until cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.

In a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat, whisk together remaining 1 cup whole milk, coconut milk and sugar. Bring to a simmer, whisking often.

Stir cornstarch mixture once more before slowly adding to coconut milk mixture, whisking constantly. Continue whisking until mixture becomes thick, like a thick pudding. (This coconut milk pudding is the haupia.) It is very important that the mixture is thick before moving to the next step.

Place about half of the haupia mixture into a separate bowl and set aside. Add chocolate chips to the remaining mixture in the saucepan and stir until chocolate chips are completely melted and well combined.

Add chocolate haupia mixture immediately to cooled pie crust and smooth with a spatula until even. Add the remaining haupia mixture over the top and carefully smooth over until even.

Cover and refrigerate for 6 hours.

To make the whipped cream, whip heavy cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Add coconut extract and whip for 30 more seconds.

After pie has cooled, cut into slices and top with whipped cream topping. You can use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip to pipe the whipped cream in a design over the top.

— Excerpted from “Favorite Family Recipes: Most Requested Copy Cat Dishes” (Shadow Mountain, 2024) 

Have limited time to exercise? A new study released by researchers at University College London and University of Sydney indicates that adding just five minutes of exercise a day yields benefits.

Participants in the study had a decline in blood pressure by adding five minutes per day of vigorous exercise, such as jogging, stair climbing or cycling. The study suggests that more noticeable impacts occurred when adding up to about 20 minutes of exercise.

RELATED STORY | Exercising 11 minutes a day may save your life, study finds

Researchers said replacing any less active behavior with five minutes of exercise could lower systolic blood pressure by 0.68 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure by 0.54.

University College London said that a 2 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure and a 1 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure equals about a 10% drop in cardiovascular disease risk.

Our findings suggest that, for most people, exercise is key to reducing blood pressure, rather than less strenuous forms of movement such as walking, Jo Blodgett, first author of the study, said. The good news is that whatever your physical ability, it doesnt take long to have a positive effect on blood pressure. Whats unique about our exercise variable is that it includes all exercise-like activities, from climbing the stairs to a short cycling errand, many of which can be integrated into daily routines.

RELATED STORY | Women may gain health benefits of exercise more efficiently than men

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that just 24.2% of U.S. adults meet guidelines for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity.

The CDC advises adults to get at least 150 minutes of moderate, or 75 minutes of vigorous, physical activity a week in addition to two days of strength training.

The finding that doing as little as five extra minutes of exercise or vigorous incidental activities per day could be associated with measurably lower blood pressure readings emphasizes how powerful short bouts of higher intensity movement could be for blood pressure management, Emmanuel Stamatakis, joint senior author of the study, said.

The results of the study were published in the journal Circulation.

Two Jewish students at DePaul University were assaulted by masked attackers on Wednesday while showing support for Israel.

DePaul President Robert L. Manuel said the incident happened in front of the Student Center at the Lincoln Park Campus around 3:20 p.m.

He said the attackers punched the two students during the assault. The students were physically injured, but declined medical treatment.

We are outraged that this occurred on our campus, Manuel said in a letter to the school community. It is completely unacceptable and a violation of DePauls values to uphold and care for the dignity of every individual.

The university is actively working with the Chicago Police Department to investigate this incident so that they can determine whether to classify it as a hate crime that targeted our students because of their Jewish identity. We will do all we can to hold those responsible accountable for this outrageous incident, Manuel said.

The school president said Student Affairs is offering care and resources to the two students following the incident.

DePaul is also offering support and resources to its community here.

The school said it will continue to do all it can to ensure the safety of its community.

Anyone with information on the incident, or who has experienced threats or violence, is asked to contact Public Safety at (773) 325-7777 for the Lincoln Park campus or (312) 362-8400 for the Loop campus.

RELATED STORY | University of Michigan student assaulted after saying he was Jewish

A road worker who was hit by a car along I-75 in Southwest Detroit on Wednesday afternoon has died, Michigan State Police confirmed on Thursday morning.

According to Michigan State Police, it happened around 1:40 p.m., in the area of southbound I-75 near Springwells.

Police say a worker on a moving road crew was setting a flare pattern between construction vehicles in the right lane when he was struck.

A 71-year-old driver from Allen Park entered the right lane and struck the worker, police say.

The worker, a 53-year-old from Lincoln Park, was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries.

We want to remind drivers to move over when they see construction vehicles on the side or in the roadway working. MSP First Lt. Mike Shaw said in a statement. The suspect that struck the worker stopped on scene after the crash. After the investigation is completed, an investigator's report will be submitted to the prosecutor's office.

The Downtown Detroit Markets and Cadillac Lodge will return to Downtown Detroit this winter for the holiday season.

The markets and lodge provide a great place for people to shop at local businesses and hang out in a lodge-like atmosphere right in the heart of Campus Martius Park.

This year, the Downtown Detroit Markets will feature 17 pop-up vendors. They will open on Thursday, Nov. 7 and stay open through Jan. 5, 2025.

WATCH BELOW: TIMELAPSE: Detroit's Christmas tree is raised into place TIMELAPSE: Detroit's Christmas tree is raised into place

They are funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation and managed by the Downtown Detroit Partnership.

"The holiday season in Detroit is magical, said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director, Gilbert Family Foundation. Despite the cold, our community comes together to celebrate the holidays and support local businesses. We are proud to partner with Bedrock and the Downtown Detroit Partnership to once again create the Downtown Detroit Markets, contribute to the holiday spirit in Detroit and support local entrepreneurs.

This is the seventh year the markets will be open in Downtown Detroit, and this year, each vendor will receive $1,500 in business operation support and $1,500 for post-season to access wrap-around services.

The Downtown Detroit Markets not only add a special element to the holiday season in the city, but they are also an important annual initiative for Bedrock, said Ivy Greaner, Bedrocks chief operating officer. The Markets offer a platform for hundreds of local small businesses to kickstart and expand their businesses, and year after year demonstrate Detroiters ingenuity, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. We look forward to another successful season for all participating vendors.

This year's market vendors include:

27th Letter Books Community-oriented bookstore highlighting underrepresented voices. Asher & Arnold Childrens gift store focused on holistic family wellness. Bags to Butterflies Sustainable handbags handcrafted by formerly incarcerated women. Big Mitten Linocuts Award-winning printmaking inspired by Michigans natural beauty. The Brave Wimp Society Handmade pop art wearables celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Conscious Living Brand Unique crystal jewelry and creations. Detroit Streetwear High-end apparel celebrating Detroits history and future. Jettas Gourmet Popcorn Gourmet popcorn and snacks for every occasion. FOLK Corktown caf offering curated gifts and high-quality foods and beverages. For the Love of Cheesecake Specialty cheesecake company known for unique flavors. Kiloh & Co. Detroit sports-themed apparel for female fans. Preva Body Organic skincare products handcrafted with plant-based ingredients. Scentana Candle Co. Clean-burning, non-toxic candles with a minimalist aesthetic. Speedcult Metal art fabrication company creating Detroit-inspired dcor. Waffle Cabin Belgian dessert waffles with delicious toppings. Whimsy & Wine Detroit- and Michigan-themed wood dcor and gifts. Yarn Nerds Hand-dyed yarn and crafting accessories for knitting enthusiasts.

At Cadillac Lodge, people can enjoy festive foods and beverages, hot cocktails and more.

California was lashed by powerful winds Wednesday that fed a fast-moving wildfire, which destroyed dozens of homes and forced thousands of residents to flee as forecasters warned of the potential for extreme and life-threatening blazes.

Northwest of Los Angeles, the Mountain Fire exploded in size and prompted evacuation orders for more than 10,000 people as it threatened 3,500 structures in suburban communities, ranches and agricultural areas around Camarillo, according to a statement from Gov. Gavin Newsom. The area east of the Pacific coast city of Ventura will receive federal assistance after a request from Newsom was granted, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday.

The blaze was burning in a region that has seen some of Californias most destructive fires over the years. A thick plume of smoke rose hundreds of feet into the sky Wednesday, blanketing whole neighborhoods and limiting visibility for firefighters and evacuees. The fire grew from less than half of a square mile to 16 square miles in little more than five hours.

Ventura County Fire Captain Trevor Johnson described crews racing with their engines to homes threatened by the flames to save lives.

This is as intense as it gets. The hair on the back of the firefighters neck Im sure was standing up, he said during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

At one spot, flames licked the burning remains of a home. Its roof was reduced to only a few charred shingles.

Two people suffered apparent smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals, fire officials said. No firefighters reported significant injuries.

The erratic winds and limited visibility grounded fixed-wing aircraft, and gusts topped 61 mph (98 kph), said weather service meteorologist Bryan Lewis. Water-dropping helicopters were still flying.

First responders pleaded with residents to evacuate. Deputies made contact with 14,000 people to urge them to leave as embers spread up to 2.5 miles away and sparked new flames.

This fire is moving dangerously fast, Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said.

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Aerial footage from local television networks showed dozens of homes in flames across several neighborhoods as embers were whipped from home to home. Other footage captured horses trotting alongside evacuating vehicles.

Jade Katz, who said she is disabled and does not drive, waited for a friend to pick her up near her Camarillo Heights home with a suitcase full of medication and Bella, her Great Dane service dog. But the friend couldnt reach her, so first responders sent a squad car to escort her out Wednesday afternoon as a helicopter dropped water on the house across from her home.

On the way out of the neighborhood, there were five or eight houses that had already burnt to the ground, said Katz, 35, who was sitting in a car with housemate Shannon Kelly, 28. They plan to spend the night with a friend in Los Angeles.

Officials said they were using all resources, including water-dropping helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft dropping fire retardant, but it was still burning out of control Wednesday afternoon. Andrew Dowd, a Ventura County fire spokesperson, said he did not have details of how many structures had been damaged.

Gus Garcia, who owns a ranch south of the fire, said he's waiting to see whether conditions will change to decide if he should evacuate his horses and cattle. Around 12:30 p.m., his animals were still safe and he was trying to stay out of the way as others got their livestock out.

His ranch is surrounded by others with horses and alpaca, and Garcia said his neighbors in the canyon did not seem panicked.

"The horse community, they prepare for this because its always a possibility up here, he said.

Meanwhile to the south, Los Angeles County Fire Department crews scrambled to contain a wildfire near Malibus Broad Beach as authorities briefly shut down the Pacific Coast Highway as flames burned near multimillion-dollar properties. Residents were urged to shelter in place while aircraft dropped water on the 50-acre Broad Fire. It was 15% contained around 12:30 p.m. with forward progress stopped. Fire officials said two structures burned.

The National Weather Service office for the Los Angeles area amended its red flag warning for increased fire danger with a rare particularly dangerous situation label, and officials in several counties urged residents to be on watch for fast-spreading blazes, power outages and downed trees amid the latest round of notorious Santa Ana winds.

With predicted gusts between 50 mph and 100 mph and humidity levels as low as 8%, parts of Southern California could experience conditions ripe for extreme and life-threatening fire behavior into Thursday, the weather service said.

Forecasters also issued red flag warnings until Thursday from California's central coast through the San Francisco Bay Area and into counties to the north, where strong winds were also expected.

Utilities in California began powering down equipment during high winds and extreme fire danger after a series of massive and deadly wildfires in recent years were sparked by electrical lines and other infrastructure. On Wednesday, more than 65,000 customers in Southern California were without power preventatively, and upwards of 20,000 in Northern California.

Wednesday's fires were burning in the same areas of other recent destructive fires, including the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which killed three people and destroyed 1,600 homes near Los Angeles, and the the 2017 Thomas Fire, which destroyed more than a thousand homes and other structures in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. Southern California Edison has paid tens of millions of dollars to settle claims after its equipment was blamed for both blazes.

President Joe Biden will address the nation Thursday morning, two days after an Election Day that gave Republicans their largest margin of victory in a presidential race since 1988.

Although President Biden had dropped out of the in July following a disastrous performance in his one and only debate against Donald Trump, the 2024 election could be seen as a rebuke of Biden's performance over the last four years. President-elect Trump garnered a projected 312 Electoral College votes versus 226 for Vice President Kamala Harris.

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Trump is also ahead in the popular vote, which could mark just the second time in three decades that a Republican wins the popular vote.

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On Wednesday, the White House said that President Biden called President-elect Trump to congratulate him on winning the presidency. The White House added that President Biden had invited President-elect Trump to the White House to begin the transfer of power.

President Biden also released a statement on Wednesday, calling Harris a "tremendous partner." The president endorsed Harris minutes after dropping out of the presidential race, all but assuring her the Democratic nomination without any competition.

"Under extraordinary circumstances, she stepped up and led a historic campaign that embodied whats possible when guided by a strong moral compass and a clear vision for a nation that is more free, more just, and full of more opportunities for all Americans," President Biden said. "As Ive said before, selecting Kamala was the very first decision I made when I became the nominee for president in 2020. It was the best decision I made. Her story represents the best of Americas story. And as she made clear today, I have no doubt that shell continue writing that story."

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Given Harris' poor showing in battleground states, it will be long debated whether President Biden should have dropped out of the race.

According to Gallup, President Biden's approval rating has hovered around 40% all year. As of mid-October, it was 41%.