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Lenni Lenape

RFK Jr.’s chronic dishonesty creates major risks for Republicans

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 | 2 a.m.

When voters returned Donald Trump to the White House, they did so believing he would strengthen the economy. Supposedly, workers who form the backbone of this country were to be front and center.

Ironic, then, that arguably this administration’s most visible Cabinet official is Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a man whose career has been defined not by building up working-class Americans but by using them as props on his way to enriching himself and the trial lawyer lobby he represents.

At the “Make America Healthy Again” summit, the administration doubled down on the alliance. Vice President JD Vance praised Kennedy’s “outside-the-box” thinking and even invoked his Appalachian roots to suggest that Kennedy was finally putting “his people first.”

A nice sentiment, except that Kennedy’s record directly contradicts it.

For decades, Kennedy has employed a disturbing playbook: arrive in a struggling community promising justice, extract maximum publicity and legal fees and then disappear once the cameras stop rolling.

In 2007, Kennedy traveled to Boone County, W.Va., declaring he would fight until mountaintop removal mining ended. He participated in a documentary, rallied national environmental groups, and then, after settling a class-action lawsuit for pennies on the dollar, never returned. The mountain he vowed to save was blown apart.

That naked exploitation prompted lifelong Boone County resident Maria Gunnoe to comment: “(Kennedy) took advantage of some of the poorest people in our country. He left a very bad taste in the mouths of many Appalachians.”

The same story played out in New Jersey. Kennedy’s law firm joined a lawsuit on behalf of the Ramapough Lenape Nation against Ford Motor Co. Tribal leaders hoped the Kennedy name would finally deliver justice and real compensation. Instead, they received photo ops and a modest…

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Mohegan

How Unrivaled Could Shape Future for This Connecticut Sun Forward

With three Connecticut Sun players — Saniya Rivers, Marina Mabrey and Aaliyah Edwards — competing in the second annual Unrivaled basketball season this year, there will be plenty of action for Sun fans to follow during the WNBA offseason.

Aaliyah Edwards and Marina Mabrey will be playing together for the Lunar Owls BC, while Saniya Rivers will be competing with one of the new expansion teams, Hive BC. The first matchup of the Unrivaled season will be between the Hive and the Mist on Jan. 5 at 1 p.m. EST in Miami, Fla. The Lunar Owls, however, will not play until Jan. 6, when they face Rose BC at 8 p.m. EST.

Although Unrivaled is an opportunity for WNBA players from across the nation to connect and continue building skills on the court, some athletes have more at stake than others. Out of the three Connecticut players, Edwards could have the most to gain if she performs well.

Two female basketball players in orange uniforms high-fiving each other during a gameTwo female basketball players in orange uniforms high-fiving each other during a game

Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Throughout the Sun’s 2025 campaign, a trio of rookies claimed the spotlight, including Rivers, Aneesah Morrow and Leïla Lacan. While 23-year-old Canadian forward Aaliyah Edwards was productive on the court, she was not the most influential player this year. By the end of the season, she had averaged 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game, shooting 44.8%.

Once Unrivaled kicks off, Edwards could capitalize on opportunities to show her value and what she can offer Connecticut in 2026. She is a quiet talent on the team, but she certainly does not lack in skill.

After being drafted out of UConn 6th overall in the first round of the…

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Nanticoke

Legendary Polka musician John “Stanky” Stankovic dies at 89

NANTICOKE — John “Stanky” Stankovic, the legendary Northeast Pennsylvania Polka king who entertained millions of people from around the world for decades, died on Christmas Day, his family announced Thursday night.

Stankovic, 89, was the longtime lead singer of the Polka band “Stanky and the Coal Miners,” which headlined Northeast Pennsylvania bazaars and toured the world on cruise ships as the headlining act for decades.

“Every night Stanky ended the performance with the song ‘I don’t want to go home, don’t want to go home’ but today Stanky was called safely home. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and fans!!!,” a posting on his band’s website said.

When Stankovic was a boy, his coal miner father — who urged him to learn to play the accordion instead of focusing on baseball — told him if he learned 10 songs he could make a living for himself.

“I told him, ‘I’ll learn 11 and see the world.’ And I did,” Stankovic said.

Stankovic saw the world and then some, thanks to his accordion playing skills and wholesome Polka songs.

He told his life story in an autobiography called “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie: The Story of Stanky and the Coal Miners.”

Back in his polka band’s heyday, Stankovic once had a globe-crossing marathon weekend by playing in England on a Friday, at the Bloomsburg Fair on a Saturday and in Switzerland on a Sunday. One time, he performed in front of one million people at a festival in Tiananmen Square in China. His Polka band would pack cruise ships as the main act on excursions all across the world.

“We saw the entire world playing Polka music from Nanticoke Pennsylvania,” said Stankovic’s daughter Debbie Stankovic Horoschock, who played trumpet in the band.

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Unami

Era of international missions in Iraq is over, caretaker PM declares

2025-12-20T09:06:54+00:00

Shafaq News – Baghdad

Iraq no longer needs international missions on its territory, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani said on Saturday, pointing to the end of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the drawdown of the Global Coalition.

Speaking at an official ceremony marking the Iraqi Martyr Day, Al-Sudani explained that the conclusion of both missions underscored what he described as Iraq’s “regained sovereignty” after years of conflict and foreign intervention.

The winding down of the Coalition’s military role against ISIS and the closure of UNAMI marked a shift in Iraq’s relations with international partners, from security-focused engagement to normal state-to-state cooperation, he added.

The caretaker PM also called on political forces to swiftly form the next government, describing the transition as a critical test for Iraq’s democratic process.

UNAMI, established in 2003 under a United Nations Security Council mandate following the US-led invasion, is set to end its work on December 31, 2025, after a final extension requested by Baghdad.

Meanwhile, the US-led Coalition has begun a phased withdrawal from Iraq, scheduled to run through September 2026. The plan envisages departures from Baghdad, followed by a reduced US presence of fewer than 500 personnel in Erbil before their redeployment to Kuwait.



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Lenni Lenape

Girls Basketball: Results, recaps & links for Friday, Dec. 26, 2025

No. 15 Bayonne vs. No. 18 Immaculate Heart, 3:50

Friday, Dec. 26

Boardwalk Classic

Cumberland (1-3) vs. Cape May Tech (2-1) at Wildwood Convention Center, 1pm

Lower Moreland (PA) vs. Holy Spirit (1-2) at Wildwood Convention Center, 2:45pm

Absegami (1-3) vs. St. Dominic (4-0) at Wildwood Convention Center, 4:15pm

Middle Township (2-0) vs. Bensalem (PA) at Wildwood Convention Center, 5:45pm

Central Bucks South (PA) vs. Wildwood (3-2) at Wildwood Convention Center, 7:30pm

Coaches Choice Holiday Classic

Fort Lee (0-3) vs. Bogota (1-2) at New Milford High School, 12:30pm

Holiday Hoopfest

Union City (1-3) at Paterson Kennedy (0-3), 10:30am

Paramus Catholic (1-2) at Morristown (3-0), 11:50am

Roselle Catholic (1-3) at Immaculata (0-5), 1:10pm

Saddle River Day (3-1) vs. Franklin (0-3) at Paterson Kennedy, 2:30pm

Immaculate Heart (2-1) vs. Bayonne (4-0) at Xmas Tourney, 3:50pm

Gill St. Bernard’s (2-2) vs. West Orange (3-1) at Paterson Kennedy HS, 5:10pm

In-Season Tournament

Mainland (2-1) at Southern (3-1), 10am

Whippany Park (1-3) vs. Boonton (3-0) at Hopatcong High School, 10:30am

Lyndhurst (1-1) at Paramus (5-1), 10:45am

North Star Academy (2-1) vs. Secaucus (3-1) at Pascack Valley High School, 12pm

Veritas Christian (2-2) vs. North Warren (2-2) at Hopatcong, 12pm

Highland Park (2-2) vs. Middlesex (1-3) at Manville HS, 1pm

Lenape (2-0) vs. Our Lady of Mercy (1-2) at Southern Regional, 1:45pm

Dunellen (0-4) vs. Manville (2-1) at Manville High School, 3pm

Kevin Williams Christmas Classic

Middletown North (0-3) vs. Brick Township (2-1) at RWJ Barnabas Arena, Toms River, 9am

Central Regional (2-0) at Howell (3-0), 10:30am

Brick Memorial (1-3) at Toms River South (2-1), 10:30am

Middletown South (1-1) vs. Toms River East (1-1) at RWJ Arena, 12pm

Manchester Township (1-2) vs. Rumson-Fair Haven (3-0) at Toms River North HS Toms River, NJ, 1:30pm

Regular Season

BIG NORTH

Midland Park (2-1) vs. Pascack Hills (1-2) at New…

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Mohegan

Arms wide open: Creed comes to Mohegan Sun

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Unami

‘You carried the flag with honour’: Minister welcomes home Iraq veterans

“You carried the flag of Fiji with honour, discipline, and courage,” acknowledged the Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, as he officially welcomed home 156 soldiers returning from Iraq last night.

The arrival marks a historic milestone for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), signaling the conclusion of Fiji’s deployment under the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), which officially wraps up this year.

the Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua, as he officially welcomed home 156 soldiers returning from Iraq last night.

Minister for Defence and Veterans Affairs, Pio Tikoduadua officially welcomed home 156 soldiers returning from Iraq last night.

Photo: DEPTFO News

Emotional scenes of relief and joy filled Nadi International Airport as families and friends gathered late into the night to embrace their loved ones after months of separation.

Following the reunion at the terminal, the contingent was transported to Black Rock Camp in Votualevu, Nadi for a formal welcoming ceremony.

Mr Tikoduadua, accompanied by the Commander Joint Task Force Command (JTFC), Brigadier Manoa Gadai, praised the personnel for their professionalism in a volatile region.

“I am proud to welcome you home safely,” the Minister told the gathered troops. “Your safe return is something we are deeply thankful for.”

A total of 156 Fiji Military personnel returned home last night after completing their Peacekeeping Assistance mission in Iraq under the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

A total of 156 Fiji Military personnel returned home last night after completing their Peacekeeping Assistance mission in Iraq under the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

Photo: DEPTFO News

Leadership and sacrifice

A significant portion of the Minister’s address was dedicated to the mission’s leadership. He acknowledged the immense pressure placed on senior officers to ensure the safety of those under their command.

“It is never easy to lead on…

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Lenni Lenape

Steve Coombs highlights busy week of local live music

Friday, Jan. 2

Nick Keena kicks things off with a solo performance at Lafayette House, 75 Route 15, at 6 p.m., setting the tone with an intimate, stripped-down sound.

Acoustic vibes continue at 7 p.m. when Steve Coombs takes the stage at McQ’s Pub at Lake Lenape, 165 Andover Sparta Rd., delivering a relaxed set. At 8 p.m., Eric from Flannel Jam brings acoustic ’90s favorites and crowd-pleasing sing-alongs to Sparta Pour House, 43 Center St., while Wry Observations fill Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub, 23 White Deer Plaza, with their sardonic, literary folk rock.

Saturday, Jan. 3

John Murphy brings warm melodies and familiar favorites to Lafayette House at 6 p.m., followed by Rob Brock’s solo acoustic set at McQ’s Pub at 7 p.m.

Americana and folk influences take center stage later in the evening when The Fermenters Trio perform at Milk Street Distillery, 1 Milk St. Known for an eclectic blend of covers and originals rooted in Americana, bluegrass, indie folk, and alt-country, the trio features Chris Lelli on guitar, Seth Mandel on fiddle and mandolin, and Larry Ghiorsi on upright bass, creating a rich, rootsy soundtrack for a Saturday night out.

Thursday, Jan. 8

Felix and the Cats return to Blue Arrow Farm, 86 Glenwood Rd., for a Thursday night performance, bringing their crowd-friendly style to the cozy farm.

Meanwhile, Krogh’s Restaurant & Brew Pub hosts Rich of Rainbow Fresh at 6:30 p.m., featuring Rich Seiner on vocals and guitar in a special solo appearance. Based in Montclair, Rainbow Fresh is known for a sound that’s hard to pin down, blending classic rock sensibilities with unexpected grooves, imagine Led Zeppelin’s little brother playing Steely Dan songs with hints of Latin rhythm and disco.

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Mohegan

Michael Jackson tribute plays Mohegan Sun

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Unami

Iraq, Prime Minister Al Sudani: “We no longer need international missions on the ground”

© Agenzia Nova – Reproduction reserved

Iraq no longer needs international missions on its soil, Iraq’s interim prime minister said today. Mohammed Shia al Sudani, emphasizing the imminent end of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the gradual withdrawal of the International Coalition against the Islamic State. Speaking at an official ceremony marking Iraqi Martyrs’ Day, Al Sudani explained that the conclusion of both missions demonstrates Iraq’s “regained sovereignty” after years of conflict and foreign intervention.

The outgoing prime minister in Baghdad stressed that the reduction in the military role of the international coalition and the closure of UNAMI mark a shift in Iraq’s relations with its partners, moving from a security-focused engagement to normal cooperation between states.

UNAMI, established in 2003 under a mandate from the United Nations Security Council, is scheduled to end its operations on December 31, according to the agreement. At the same time, the US-led Coalition against the Islamic State will continue its gradual withdrawal from the country until September 2026. The plan calls for its withdrawal from Baghdad and a reduced US presence in Erbil to fewer than 500 personnel.

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