As tourists discover Finland's Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
ROVANIEMI, Finland (AP) -- More than 600,000 people annually visit Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park in the small town of Rovaniemi in Finland. They frolic in the snow, take a reindeer sleigh ride or even meet Saint Nick himself. Tourism is booming in the capital of Finnish Lapland -- which has hotel and restaurant owners, as well as city officials, excited as it brings lots of money to the Nordic town. However, not everyone is happy about the onslaught of visitors, 10 times the town's population, especially at Christmas time. Some residents have warned that mass tourism threatens their way of life -- adding Rovaniemi to the long list of popular tourist destinations in Europe where locals are protesting against the onslaught of visitors.
Fewer U.S. grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
Fewer grandparents were taking care of grandchildren, there was a decline in the number of preschoolers and more people were staying put in their homes in the first part of the 2020s compared to the last part of the 2010s. That's according to U.S. Census Bureau data released Thursday, reflecting some of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest figures from the most comprehensive survey of American life compares the periods of 2014-2018 and 2019-2023. Those timeframes were before the pandemic and during the years of the virus' spread. Some of the changes are COVID-19 related, while others are the result of other occurrences like the opioid crisis.
Turning dusty attic treasures into cash can yield millions for some and disappointment for others
THOMASTON, Maine (AP) -- Kaja Veilleux has been hunting New England attic treasures for more than 50 years. He once found a copy of the Declaration of Independence sitting on a trash heap, and he made headlines this year when he stumbled upon a million-dollar portrait that may have been painted by the Dutch master Rembrandt. Many people dream of cashing in on some dusty old heirloom. Veilleux helps people sort the gems from the junk when he appraises furniture, antiques and art by using his knowledge of what similar items have sold for in the past.
Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal
DALLAS (AP) -- Juan Soto gets free use of a luxury suite and up to four premium tickets behind home plate for regular-season and postseason New York Mets home games as part of his record $765 million, 15-year contract. The Mets agreed to provide personal team security for the All-Star outfielder and his family at the team's expense for all spring training and regular-season home and road games, according to details of the agreement obtained by The Associated Press. New York agreed to assist Soto's family for in-season travel arrangements, guaranteed he gets uniform No. 22 and included eight types of award bonuses.
Rape allegation against Jay-Z won't impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z won't impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul. Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL's entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show. A woman who previously sued Sean "Diddy" Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z's Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago.
Ohio politician proposes bill to make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game
An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting. Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players. Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017.
Gastineau confronts Favre in documentary for his 'dive' on Strahan's record-breaking sack
Former New York Jets star Mark Gastineau confronted Brett Favre last year at a memorabilia show and angrily accused the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback of deliberately going down on a record-breaking sack. The tense exchange is shown in the new ESPN 30 for 30 documentary "The New York Sack Exchange." It chronicles the Jets' fearsome foursome defensive line of the 1980s that included Gastineau. Gastineau set an NFL record with 22 sacks in 1984, but Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan broke the mark when he sacked Favre in 2002 in a game between the Giants and Packers. Many have accused Favre of purposely taking the sack so Strahan could set the single-season record with 22 1/2.
What happens next with Alex Jones' Infowars? No certainty yet after sale to The Onion is rejected
Lawyers in the Alex Jones bankruptcy case are now in discussions on what could happen next after a federal judge in Texas rejected the auction sale of Jones' Infowars to The Onion satirical news outlet. The next steps remained unclear Wednesday as the judge ordered the trustee who oversaw the auction to come up with a new plan. Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston rejected the bid late Tuesday, saying there was too much confusion about The Onion's bid. The bankruptcy case was in the wake of the nearly $1.5 billion that courts have ordered Jones to pay for calling the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut a hoax. Sandy Hook families had backed The Onion's bid.
NFL and Nike extend their partnership with a 10-year deal, will focus on growing the sport globally
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- The NFL's desire to become a global powerhouse is no secret. Nike is committed to helping the league continue expanding its worldwide reach. The league and the apparel giant announced Wednesday a 10-year partnership extension. The NFL and Nike will focus on working together to grow the game's global reach, increase participation, develop new talent, and expand the football fan base. Nike, the world's largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, has been the NFL's exclusive provider of uniforms and sideline, practice and base layer apparel for all 32 NFL teams for 12 years.
George Kresge Jr., who wowed talk show audiences as the The Amazing Kreskin, dies at age 89
NEW YORK (AP) -- George Joseph Kresge Jr., otherwise known to TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin, has died at age 89. Kreskin's friend and former road manager, Ryan Galway, says he died Tuesday at his home in Caldwell, New Jersey. Kreskin launched his television career in the 1960s and remained popular for decades, appearing with everyone from Merv Griffin to Johnny Carson to Jimmy Fallon. Fans would welcome, if not entirely figure out, his favorite mind tricks -- whether correctly guessing a playing card chosen at random, or, most famously, divining where his paycheck had been planted among the audience. He also hosted a show in the 1970s, gave live performances and wrote numerous books.