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Essential Trailer Accessories For Every Hauler

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Wondering what accessories you need for your trailer? The right equipment makes all the difference between a stressful towing experience and a smooth, worry-free journey. Quality accessories not only enhance safety but also protect your valuable cargo and extend the life of your hauling setup. Equipping your trailer properly can feel overwhelming with so many options available, but this guide will help you identify the must-have items for your specific hauling needs. Let’s explore the essential accessories that will transform your towing experience and give you peace of mind on every trip. Safety And Security Accessories Wheel Locks And Coupler Locks Protecting your trailer from theft requires physical security measures. Wheel locks attach to your trailer’s wheels, making it impossible to move without removal. Look for models made from hardened steel that resist cutting attempts. Coupler locks secure the hitch mechanism itself, preventing anyone from connecting your trailer to their vehicle. The best designs cover the entire coupler assembly and include pick-resistant lock cylinders. For fifth-wheel and semi-trailer owners, the AMPLock king pin trailer lock offers a powerful layer of protection. Designed to fit directly over the trailer’s kingpin, it prevents unauthorized vehicles from coupling with your trailer. When choosing security devices, consider your storage environment and typical threats. For trailers stored in public areas, layering multiple security products creates the strongest deterrent. Remember that visible security measures often discourage potential thieves before they attempt a theft. Using these locks correctly matters just as much as having them. Always engage wheel locks on both sides of the trailer when possible. For coupler locks, make sure they fit snugly without gaps that could allow tampering. Brake Controllers And Safety Chains Keeping your trailer secure during travel requires proper safety equipment. Brake controllers play a crucial role in your towing setup by connecting your vehicle to the trailer’s braking system. This connection allows you to control how quickly your trailer stops, making your journey safer for everyone on the road. When selecting a brake controller, consider your trailer’s weight and your typical driving conditions. Electric controllers offer precise adjustments, while proportional controllers provide more natural braking by matching your vehicle’s deceleration rate. Safety chains serve as your backup plan if the primary connection fails. These chains prevent complete separation between your vehicle and trailer during transit. Always cross the chains under the tongue of the trailer before attaching them to your vehicle. This creates a cradle effect that can catch the tongue if it disconnects. For installation, mount your brake controller within easy reach of the driver’s position. Make sure all connections are tight and protected from the elements. Test your system thoroughly before any long trip to confirm everything works properly. Reflective Tape And LED Trailer Lights Visibility remains a top priority for trailer safety. Reflective tape creates a simple yet effective way to make your trailer noticeable to other drivers, especially in low-light conditions. Apply this tape along the sides and rear of your trailer, focusing on outlining its shape and dimensions. LED lights have transformed trailer lighting with their brightness and reliability. These lights consume less power than traditional bulbs while producing stronger illumination. The result? Your trailer becomes more visible to others on the road, reducing accident risks significantly. For maximum effectiveness, place reflective tape at varying heights around your trailer. Clean the surface thoroughly before application to ensure proper adhesion. With LED lights, check all connections regularly and keep spare bulbs handy for quick replacements. Maintenance of these visibility features takes minimal effort but yields major safety benefits. Wipe down reflective surfaces periodically to remove dirt that might reduce their effectiveness. Test all lights before each trip to catch any issues before hitting the road. Backup Cameras And Smart Monitoring Systems Maneuvering large trailers presents unique challenges, particularly when reversing. Backup cameras eliminate blind spots by giving you a clear view of what’s behind your trailer. Many modern systems display guidelines on screen to help you navigate tight spaces with confidence. Smart monitoring technology takes trailer safety to new levels by tracking critical factors in real time. These systems can alert you to tire pressure changes, excessive temperature in wheel bearings, or battery issues before they cause problems on the road. Installing a backup camera typically involves mounting the camera at the rear of your trailer and connecting it to a display in your vehicle. Wireless options make this process easier than ever. Position the camera high enough to provide a wide viewing angle but protected from road debris. For smart monitoring, sensors placed throughout your trailer communicate with a central hub or directly to your smartphone. This gives you constant awareness of your trailer’s status without needing to stop and check manually. The Importance Of Reliable Towing Equipment Ensuring Safety On The Road Road safety depends heavily on your towing equipment’s reliability. Faulty or inadequate towing gear creates serious hazards for you and other drivers. Consider what happens with a poorly secured trailer it can detach unexpectedly, causing catastrophic accidents on highways or busy streets. Quality hitches, proper wiring for brake lights, and correctly rated safety chains serve as your primary defense against these dangers. Many accidents occur because someone used the wrong ball mount size or failed to connect electrical systems properly. Your safety equipment needs regular inspection too. Worn coupling mechanisms, damaged wiring, or corroded chains compromise the entire towing system. Regular checks before trips help identify potential problems before they lead to dangerous situations. Proper weight distribution represents another critical safety factor. Overloaded trailers or incorrectly balanced loads cause swaying, reduced braking capability, and potential loss of control. Equipment designed specifically for your vehicle and load ensures you maintain safe handling characteristics throughout your journey. Maintaining Control And Stability Control and stability while towing require specialized equipment that works with your vehicle’s capabilities. Weight distribution hitches transfer load evenly across all axles, preventing your vehicle’s rear end from sagging and front wheels from losing traction. Sway control devices minimize side-to-side movement caused by passing trucks, wind gusts, or sudden steering corrections. These range from friction-based systems to more advanced dual-cam mechanisms that progressively increase resistance as trailer movement intensifies. Brake controllers give you precise stopping power by activating trailer brakes in coordination with your vehicle. This prevents pushing sensations during deceleration and shortens stopping distances significantly. Modern proportional controllers adjust braking force based on how quickly you need to stop. Tire pressure monitoring systems for both your vehicle and trailer help maintain optimal handling. Underinflated tires affect stability dramatically, especially with heavy loads. Keeping proper inflation levels ensures your suspension works as designed and prevents dangerous handling situations. Addressing Various Hauling Needs Different hauling situations demand specialized equipment solutions. Boat trailers benefit from guide-ons and winches that simplify loading and unloading at ramps. These accessories prevent damage during the critical transition from water to land. Heavy equipment transport requires specialized hitches with higher weight capacities. Gooseneck and fifth-wheel connections distribute weight more effectively for large loads, providing better stability than conventional bumper hitches can offer. Recreational vehicles often need supplemental braking systems and extended towing mirrors. These additions compensate for the increased size and weight of travel trailers or campers. Proper visibility around your larger load prevents dangerous lane changes or turns. Cargo carriers and utility trailers work best with load-securing equipment like ratchet straps, cargo nets, and properly rated tie-down points. This prevents shifting during transport that could affect handling or damage your valuable items. Protecting Your Investment Quality towing equipment protects both your vehicle and whatever you’re hauling. Transmission coolers prevent overheating during extended pulls, extending the life of your vehicle’s drivetrain components. This small investment prevents costly repairs down the road. Trailer locks and security devices safeguard against theft, protecting valuable cargo and the trailer itself. Anti-theft hitch pins and coupler locks create multiple layers of security when your trailer must be left unattended. Proper electrical connections prevent damage to your vehicle’s wiring system. Dedicated wiring harnesses with circuit protection isolate trailer electrical issues from affecting your vehicle’s systems. This prevents blown fuses or more serious electrical problems. Weather protection accessories like covers and sealed electrical connections extend equipment lifespan significantly. Exposure to elements accelerates corrosion and deterioration of critical components. Keeping connections clean and protected ensures reliable operation year after year. By investing in high-quality towing equipment now, you avoid expensive repairs, dangerous failures, and premature replacement costs. The initial price difference between basic and premium towing gear pays dividends through improved safety, reliability, and equipment longevity. Frequently Asked Questions About Essential Trailer Accessories For Every Hauler What Are The Most Important Safety Features To Have? Safety should always come first when hauling with your trailer. The most critical features include properly functioning brake systems, which prevent accidents during sudden stops; secure hitch connections that maintain stability; and reliable tire pressure monitoring systems to avoid blowouts on the road. Quality safety chains serve as backup protection if your primary connection fails, while proper weight distribution hitches help maintain control during travel. Consider your specific hauling needs when prioritizing these elements-long-distance travelers might value tire monitoring more highly, whereas those carrying heavy loads should focus on superior braking systems and weight distribution. How Do I Choose The Right Trailer Lock System? Selecting an appropriate lock system for your trailer involves balancing security requirements against practical considerations. Look for hardened steel construction that resists cutting attempts, weather-resistant materials that withstand outdoor exposure, and keying options that integrate with your existing security setup. The best systems often combine coupler locks, wheel locks, and hitch pins for comprehensive protection. Your decision should reflect where you store your trailer-high-crime areas demand more robust solutions-and how frequently you need access. Many owners find that visible deterrents complement physical locks by discouraging potential thieves before they attempt a break-in. Is Installing Backup Cameras Worth The Investment? Backup cameras offer substantial benefits that often justify their cost for trailer owners. These devices eliminate dangerous blind spots, making parking and reversing significantly easier, especially with larger trailers. They reduce accident risk by providing clear visibility of obstacles, people, or pets behind your vehicle. Modern wireless systems have become more affordable and simpler to install than earlier models, requiring minimal technical knowledge. The peace of mind gained from improved visibility typically outweighs the initial expense for most haulers.
https://www.theclintoncourier.net/2025/11/26/trailer-accessories-for-every-hauler/

‘Supreme Court is not the only battleground’: Right-wing lawyer could have chilling effect

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A right-wing lawyer has been expected to be a top candidate for a powerful federal appeals court vacancy that could leave a lasting mark on a generation. President Donald Trump will have to fill the vacancy for Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Duane Benton, who announced he would move to senior status. And Erin Hawley, a senior attorney at the Alliance Defending Freedom, could be the top contender, according to The New Republic, in a report published Wednesday. Hawley has been considered “the public face of some of the most consequential right-wing legal victories of the last decade.” She is seen as a “near-perfect judicial nominee” for conservatives, who aim to roll back federal protections for reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights and the administrative state. “With the ultraconservative Supreme Court at her back, Hawley has been one of the most effective culture-war litigators in the country. She argued Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and erased nearly 50 years of constitutional protection for abortion. She stood before the court again in 303 Creative v. Elenis, helping secure a ruling that carved out a broad First Amendment exemption to state civil rights laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination,” according to The New Republic. She most recently represented Idaho in Moyle v. United States and argued that hospitals should not be required to provide emergency abortions even when a woman’s life or her health is at risk. The appointment could have a “profound” impact for people who live in Arkansas, the Dakotas, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota and Nebraska. “Lower court judicial nominations often receive less scrutiny than Supreme Court fights, but they matter just as much-especially in the appellate courts, where the vast majority of federal appellate cases end. A judge can serve for decades, long after the president who appointed them leaves office. With her age, ideological alignment, and experience engineering high-stakes cultural battles, Hawley would likely serve as a conservative anchor on the Eighth Circuit for a generation,” The New Republic reported. “The conservative legal movement sees this as a feature, not a bug. But for the rest of the country, Hawley’s potential elevation offers a stark reminder that the Supreme Court is not the only battleground. The architects of the post-Roe order are looking for new platforms, and they are focused on courts across the country, especially with the Supreme Court already captured by the right,” according to the outlet.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-judge-2674345345/

LA Mayor Karen Bass Sparks Outrage With Claim of First Palisades Fire Rebuild

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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism after highlighting what she described as the “first Palisades fire rebuild,” a designation residents say is inaccurate, as reported by The Gateway Pundit. Bass visited the Pacific Palisades to promote the completion of a home she presented as an early sign of recovery after last year’s wildfire, which destroyed thousands of structures across the area. Local residents and property records indicate the showcased home was not a fire-loss rebuild but a pre-planned developer project already underway long before the fire. According to reporting from the New York Post, the property on Kagawa Street had been purchased in early November 2024. The owner secured a demolition permit on January 7, hours before the Palisades Fire intensified and destroyed 6, 831 structures, including the original structure on the property. The teardown and construction had been scheduled well before the blaze. After debris removal, inspections, and the city’s routine permitting steps, the new construction cleared final approval in April. The house passed its last inspection on Friday, after which City Hall promoted it as the first official rebuild in the Palisades, despite its unrelated development timeline. This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year The Post described reactions from locals who argue the mayor’s presentation of the home as a symbol of post-fire recovery is misleading. Residents noted that the project was not representative of the families who lost homes during the wildfire and have yet to see meaningful rebuilding progress. The New York Post headline stated: “LA Mayor Karen Bass called out for ‘phony’ Palisades rebuild after devastating wildfire.” The report detailed concerns among residents who felt the city failed to verify whether the project was connected to the fire at all. Property data confirms the reconstruction work had been initiated prior to the disaster and did not result from a fire-loss claim. The original home was already slated for demolition as part of a routine redevelopment project. The Los Angeles Times also circulated a social media post covering the event. Critics argued the coverage left out key details regarding the home’s history, furthering confusion about whether the structure was an authentic representation of fire recovery efforts. It has been more than ten months since the fires, during which thousands of families have awaited rebuilding progress. According to local accounts, the city and state have yet to deliver visible, widespread reconstruction efforts in the affected neighborhoods. The project presented by Mayor Bass as a milestone for recovery demonstrates no link to the wildfire destruction and highlights ongoing frustration among residents who expected a more accurate accounting of reconstruction developments.
https://www.lifezette.com/2025/11/la-mayor-karen-bass-sparks-outrage-with-claim-of-first-palisades-fire-rebuild/

Mike Lupica: Hal Steinbrenner isn’t the reason the Yankees aren’t winning the World Series

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It is absolutely fair to wonder sometimes how much Hal Steinbrenner really loves baseball, or loves being Boss (2. 0) Steinbrenner of the Yankees.
https://www.saratogian.com/2025/11/26/mike-lupica-yankees-hal-steinbrenner-world-series-payroll-dodgers-spending-2/

98% of Vitalik Buterin’s Wealth Still in Ethereum Despite Market Drop

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Ethereum The turbulence in the crypto market over the last week has been costly for many high-profile investors, and Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin is no exception. New on-chain tracking shows that his personal fortune has slipped noticeably during the recent sell-off, bringing renewed attention to how his assets are allocated. Nearly all of Buterin’s wealth moves with ETH Buterin’s net worth is now estimated at about $706. 9 million, and the reason his fortune fluctuates so sharply becomes obvious when reviewing his wallets: almost everything he owns is tied directly to Ethereum’s price. Across ten addresses publicly linked to him, he controls 241, 011 ETH, a stash valued at roughly $696. 1 million at current market levels. The dominance is so extreme that Ethereum represents roughly 98% of his total portfolio, something rarely seen among founders of major crypto projects who often diversify. A smaller share sits in 2, 921 AETHWETH supplied through Aave v3, another position that rises and falls in tandem with ETH rather than providing independent exposure. Memecoins appear but not by choice The remaining balances inside Buterin’s wallets look chaotic at first glance: tokens such as WHITE, MOODENG, and KNC add up to millions of dollars on paper. However, none of these were strategic investments. They were airdropped to his wallet without consent, a tactic meme projects frequently use to imply celebrity backing. These unsolicited coins include: around $1. 28 million in WHITE MOODENG holdings shown at approximately $385. 8 million plus a second allocation nominally labeled at $30 billion (not liquid) roughly $235,400 worth of KNC from the early DeFi era Most of these assets cannot be sold at stated valuations due to liquidity limits meaning they inflate the headline numbers without reflecting real spending power. The market drop explains the sudden shift in his net worth Over the past week, Bitcoin and altcoins both corrected sharply. Since almost all of Buterin’s wealth is tied to ETH not diversified equity or stablecoins his net valuation slid quickly as prices fell. The decline over the last seven days is calculated at approximately $71. 74 million. Despite the volatility, Buterin has repeatedly signaled disinterest in shifting toward a diversified portfolio. His continued commitment to concentrating almost all of his holdings in ETH reinforces his long-standing message: he is betting on Ethereum for the long run, not rotating into safer assets. The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or trading advice. Coindoo. com does not endorse or recommend any specific investment strategy or cryptocurrency. Always conduct your own research and consult with a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Author Alex is an experienced financial journalist and cryptocurrency enthusiast. With over 8 years of experience covering the crypto, blockchain, and fintech industries, he is well-versed in the complex and ever-evolving world of digital assets. His insightful and thought-provoking articles provide readers with a clear picture of the latest developments and trends in the market. His approach allows him to break down complex ideas into accessible and in-depth content. Follow his publications to stay up to date with the most important trends and topics. Related stories.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/ethereum/98-of-vitalik-buterins-wealth-still-in-ethereum-despite-market-drop/

President Trump EXPLODES On Nasty New York Times ‘Reporter’ After Catching Her Spreading Crazy Health Rumors About Him

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President Trump has shown remarkable energy for years despite his age, but that is not stopping fake news hacks from spreading loony health rumors about him after ignoring an actual vegetable for four years. New York Times ‘reporter’ Katie Rogers published a piece Tuesday evening alleging that Trump’s age is catching up with him, claiming “Americans see him a lot less than they used to.” “He starts around noon, his days are shorter, and he’s traveling less than he did in his 1st term,” Rogers claimed. Rogers also alleged that Trump had been ‘dozing off’ during recent public events and being secretive about medical procedures he’s had. At the same time, she also reminded readers that Trump mocked Biden’s actual lack of energy and propensity to sleep on the job while his handlers ran the country. She even implied that Trump may be on Ozempic, noting that the President had lost weight despite supposedly not exercising and eating a lot of fast food. He does not get regular exercise, in part because he has a long-held theory that people are born with a finite amount of energy and that vigorous activity can deplete that reserve, like a battery. He enjoys red meat and is known to eat McDonald’s by the sackful. According to his physician, however, he has lost weight. In 2020, Mr. Trump tipped the scales at 244 pounds, a weight formally deemed obese for his 6-foot-3 frame. This year, Mr. Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean P. Barbabella, said in a summary of the president’s health that he weighed 224 pounds. Mr. Trump frequently muses about the effectiveness of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic he refers to them as the “fat drug” and talks about people he knows who have taken the medications, but his physician has not said if he takes one of the drugs himself. The purpose of the hit piece was to portray Trump as a washed-up old man and a dishonest hypocrite. Of course, we all know how the corporate media covered up the truth about Joe Biden’s health during his four years in power. Trump did not take these ridiculous rumors lying down and absolutely went off on Truth Social. “The Creeps at the Failing New York Times are at it again,” Trump wrote. “I won the 2024 Presidential Election in a Landslide, winning all Seven Swing States, the Popular Vote, and the Electoral College by a lot. I won our Nation’s Districts by 2750 to 550, a complete wipeout.” “I settled 8 Wars, have 48 New Stock Market Highs, our Economy is Great, and our Country is RESPECTED AGAIN all over the World, respected like never before. The last Administration had the Highest Inflation in history I have already brought that down to normal, and prices, including groceries, are coming down,” he added. “To do this requires a lot of Work and Energy, and I have never worked so hard in my life. Yet despite all of this the Radical Left Lunatics in the soon to fold New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my Energy, despite facts that show the exact opposite.” “They know this is wrong, as is almost everything that they write about me, including election results, ALL PURPOSELY NEGATIVE. This cheap “RAG” is truly an “ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE.” Trump then blasted Rogers on a personal level, calling her ‘ugly’ inside and out. “The writer of the story, Katie Rogers, who is assigned to write only bad things about me, is a third-rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out,” Trump said. “Despite all of this, I have my highest Poll Numbers, ever, and with record setting investment being made in America, they should only go up. ” “There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (“That was aced”) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now!” “GOD BLESS AMERICA & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!!”.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/11/president-trump-explodes-nasty-new-york-times-reporter/

BBB: Must-know trends for Black Friday 2025 — small business edition

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Black Friday is quickly approaching, offering a valuable opportunity to connect with customers in meaningful ways. As you begin planning your holiday marketing, taking a look at last year’s trends and performance can spark stronger ideas and help you shape campaigns that truly resonate this season. What you’ll learn: • Key shopping and spending trends shaping Black Friday 2025 • How changing consumer behaviors can guide your sales strategy • Practical ways to use data and technology to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction this holiday season Because Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, it also offers small business owners the chance to generate a good amount of revenue BBB provides the following stats from 2024 to help plan your 2025 Black Friday strategy. Holiday online shopping surpassed $131 billion in 2024. Between November 1 and December 2, 2024, consumers spent $131. 5 billion online, up 9% from 2023. Mobile shopping made up over 50% of those sales. Consumers are spreading out their purchases across the full holiday season. Start advertising early and maintain consistent deals to capture both early planners and last-minute buyers. Remember the males. Seventy-three percent of men say that Black Friday is a great day for deals, compared to 67% of women. When people think of Black Friday shopping, most assume females will be the ones to take full advantage of getting up and heading out to save a few bucks. 73% of men stated that if presented with the right deal, they could be convinced to shop Black Friday deals compared to 67% of women. Shoppers are starting earlier than ever. 92% of consumers begin researching deals before the holiday season, and nearly half track discounts using wish lists or price alerts. Build anticipation with early teasers, email campaigns, and wish list features so potential customers include your products in their research phase. Brick-and-mortar retail is expected to grow to approximately $28. 3 trillion by 2030. Brick-and-mortar retail is expected to increase to over $28. 3 trillion by 2030. Even as online shopping grows, in-person retail remains a dominant force. Strengthening your in-store experience through excellent customer service, local promotions, and seamless integration with online options-can help you capture a larger share of the spending that still happens face-to-face. Gift cards ranked as the most popular planned purchase. Gift card purchases continue to rise, with 46% of baby boomers naming them as their top planned holiday purchase. This marks a shift toward flexible, practical gifting options that allow recipients to choose their own items which reflects consumers’ focus on value and convenience amid economic uncertainty. Offering branded or customizable gift cards can boost end-of-year sales, attract new customers, and encourage repeat visits after the holidays. Consider promoting gift cards as an easy, stress-free option for last-minute shoppers both in-store and online. Cyber Monday is forecasted to outperform Black Friday, with revenues forecasted to exceed 13 billion. While many businesses plan to include online sales as part of their Black Friday marketing strategies, Cyber Monday is, again, expected to outperform Black Friday sales. This is because Cyber Monday has earned its reputation for online holiday deals. However, with more shoppers still choosing to make online purchases this holiday season, the right deal could convince your audience to purchase on Black Friday instead of Cyber Monday, so you must perform the right research to see what your competitors are planning. Instead of focusing all your efforts on a single day, plan promotions that span the entire weekend or even the full week to keep momentum going. AI chatbots save retailers over 5, 000 hours of customer support time during November. Online retailers using AI-powered chatbots save over 5, 000 hours of customer support time during November alone: the equivalent of 213 workdays. These virtual assistants help manage the surge in inquiries during peak shopping periods like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Integrating AI chatbots can significantly reduce staff workload while improving response times and customer satisfaction. Automating routine questions frees your team to focus on complex issues and high-value interactions-helping your business maintain service quality during the holiday rush. Mobile purchases accounted for more than half of all online sales. Smartphones drove 55% of online sales on Black Friday in 2024, underscoring the importance of having a mobile-friendly website and checkout process. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re missing out on the majority of online shoppers. Test your pages, checkout forms, and loading times well before the holiday rush. Get ready for Black Friday with more tips from the BBB Black Friday is considered the most important retail day of the year and is a huge opportunity for small businesses to increase their sales and gain new customers. You can take advantage of the right approach and create a profitable holiday. BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. Most BBB services to consumers are free of charge. BBB provides objective advice, free BBB Business Profiles on more than 5. 3 million companies, 11, 000 charity reviews, dispute resolution services, alerts and educational information on topics affecting marketplace trust. Visit bbb. org for more information. BBB Serving Central East Texas was founded in 1985 and serves 19 counties.
https://tylerpaper.com/2025/11/26/bbb-must-know-trends-for-black-friday-2025-small-business-edition/

Thanksgiving turkey recipe 2025: Cook your bird in under an hour

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By Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times SEATTLE Teriyaki chicken is a quick and cheap lunch that’s synonymous with Seattle. One acclaimed local chef, Taichi Kitamura of Eastlake’s Sushi Kappo Tamura, makes a compelling case for elevating that humble poultry dish into a fancy Thanksgiving feast. Teriyaki chicken is only made with dark meat. That rule also applies to turkey teriyaki, since the breast meat will dry out, the chef said. Kitamura offered us a pan-fried turkey breast recipe, too, with a sake-and-butter sauce. He typically fries the turkey breast while the rest of the meat roasts in the oven. All told, the entire turkey was cooked and ready to be eaten in less than an hour. We asked for both recipes and printed them below. Enjoy! Thanksgiving turkey teriyaki Ingredients 2 turkey thighs, deboned 2 turkey wings 2 cups soy sauce 2 cups sake 1 1/4 cups sugar 2 cups water 2 cups hot water 1/3 cup of whiskey (optional) Steps 1. Break down the turkey by chopping it down the middle, cutting off the hindquarters (thighs and drumsticks) and separating the thighs from the drumsticks. 2. Turn the bird over and cut off the breast from the rib cage and then chop the wings that are attached to the breasts. (A turkey has the same anatomy as a chicken, so if you’re more of a visual learner, head to YouTube for step-by-step instructions on breaking down a bird.) 3. Then comes the deboning. Detach the bone by trimming the edge of the meat where it meets the bone. The rest is less labor-intensive. (No need to debone the wings, since they cook faster.) 4. Score the meat with the tip of the knife. 5. For the marinade: In a large mixing bowl, add the hot water and sugar; whisk until all the sugar is dissolved. 6. Add soy sauce, sake, whiskey and water. Let the teriyaki sauce cool before marinating the meat. 7. Marinate the turkey for 12-16 hours in fridge. 8. On Thanksgiving Day, remove the turkey from the marinade. Towel it dry. 9. Lay the meat on a flat rack/grid over a pan, skin side up. A rack or grid over the pan helps keep the turkey from getting soggy from all the fat drippings. The rack helps crisp up the skin, too. 10. Roast the turkey in an oven (preferably a convection oven) preheated to 475 degrees until the temperature of the thickest part of the meat reaches 165 degrees. If using a conventional oven, heat the oven to 450 degrees. 11. Depending on the size of your turkey and your oven, you may need to use two trays or cook in batches. 12. Cut into 3/4-inch slices and serve. Pan-fried turkey breast Ingredients 2 turkey breasts, deboned 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 stick of butter, cut into 8 pieces 1 1/4 cups sake 1/2 cup soy sauce Salt and black pepper to taste 3 bay leaves 2 tablespoons lemon juice Steps 1. Butterfly the breast meat to an even width of about an inch thick or less. 2. Score the skin with the tip of the knife. 3. Season with salt and pepper. 4. In a large frying pan or skillet, heat vegetable oil. 5. Place the turkey skin side down on medium-high heat, cooking until the skin is golden-brown. 6. The turkey will be too large to cook on one skillet, so cook each breast separately or use two skillets. 7. Turn the turkey and cook the meat until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Remove from the pan. 8. Deglaze the pan with sake. Add the bay leaves, soy sauce, lemon juice and butter. Add the juice from the cooked turkey if there is any. Stir vigorously with a spoon to emulsify. 9. Cut the turkey into 3/4-inch strips. Place on a platter. 10. Pour the sauce over the turkey and serve. ©2025 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes. com.
https://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/2025/11/26/thanksgiving-turkey-under-an-hour/

Witkoff To Moscow. Zelenskyy Is Wary. A Phone Call Leaks. A Peace Plan Coalesces. What Exactly Is Going On With Ukraine?

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The White House’s lead envoy is heading to Russia for a sixth time. Ukraine fears a peace that heavily favors Moscow. A leaked phone call shows the US envoy advising a Kremlin official on how to sweet talk the White House. And Russia’s invasion — now in its 46th month — has pushed Ukraine’s beleaguered armed forces closer to the breaking point. There’s a lot that happened in the six days since a US-drafted peace proposal first leaked not to mention the circumstances under which it was drafted. The 28-point plan jolted what until recently had been sputtering efforts to halt the Russian war, something that Trump had pledged to do within 24 hours of taking office in January. Here’s what you need to know as of November 26, as diplomats and negotiators from Washington, Moscow, Kyiv, and many other European capitals wrangle over details over a concrete, and controversial plan. The Main Sticking Points? After the US plan leaked, and then was given to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader sent his chief of staff and other officials to Geneva for urgent talks with US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zelenskyy reportedly was blindsided by the plan, which echoed most of the hard-line positions that Russia has held before the invasion. The Geneva talks, however, produced an “updated and refined” framework a reworked 19-point plan — that would deliver a “sustainable and just peace,” both the White House and Zelenskyy’s office said. But Zelenskyy’s comments suggested the thorniest issues might still be on the table. That includes the fate of a chunk of the Donetsk region that the Kremlin has been hellbent on seizing. Moscow has repeatedly said it must control all of Donetsk, one of five Ukrainian regions Putin baselessly claims are Russian. Ceding land that Ukraine’s forces have kept out of Russia’s clutches, at great cost, would be a massive concession by Kyiv and could have political repercussions for Zelenskyy. Other pitfalls include the Kremlin’s insistence that Ukraine be forever barred from joining NATO and a potential cap on the size of Kyiv’s military. The US draft would require Ukraine to “enshrine in its constitution that it will not join NATO” and the alliance to formalize a pledge that Ukraine will never be admitted. That approach may be unpalatable for Ukraine, which wants freedom to choose its geopolitical partners and currently has its NATO aspirations codified in its constitution. Ukraine also wants to be able to defend itself from any potential future Russian attack. In previous negotiations, Russia called for Ukraine’s military to be under 100, 000 personnel. The initial US draft would cap it at 600, 000. A European counterproposal would raise that to 800, 000 “in peacetime.” Several top Republican senators have criticized the initial US plan, including former Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. “A deal that rewards aggression wouldn’t be worth the paper it’s written on. America isn’t a neutral arbiter, and we shouldn’t act like one,” he said in a post to X. Sixth Time’s A Charm? A real estate developer with no diplomatic background, Steve Witkoff is the man tapped by Trump to lead efforts to find an end to Russia’s war. He’s met with Putin five times already, traveling to Moscow on his private jet. Some of Witkoff’s prior actions have raised alarm bells to outside observers, who fear he is being manipulated or that he misunderstands the war’s deeply intractable historical contours. Witkoff has relied on translators provided by the Kremlin for his conversations with Putin and other officials, rather than using translators authorized by the US Embassy. After Witkoff’s last meeting with Putin in August, US and European officials said the envoy misunderstood the geography of Ukrainian territory Putin was claiming. Representative Don Bacon, a Republican who has criticized the Trump administration’s engagement with Russia, called for Witkoff to be fired. Sending Witkoff back to Moscow, a visit Kremlin foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov confirmed would happen next week, is a sign that the White House is eager to cement some or all of the points that were set in Geneva and Abu Dhabi. Another wild-card: Trump mentioned his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, might accompany Witkoff, something neither Ushakov nor Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on. Kushner was reportedly present for previously undisclosed US meeting involving Witkoff and Russian who is also not a diplomat but who has played a starring, unconventional role in negotiations with the Americans: Kirill Dmitriev. Wait, A Leaked Phone Call? In late October, Dmitriev, a sharp-tongued, Harvard-trained businessman who heads Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, traveled to Miami, Florida. He met with Republican Representative Anna Luna, giving her what he said were undisclosed Russian files on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. He also gave her a box of chocolates and a book of Putin quotes. Dmitriev had been blacklisted in 2022, along with other Russian officials, in punishment for the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Trump’s Treasury secretary has called him a “Kremlin propagandist.” It later emerged that Dmitriev, who was given an exemption by US authorities to travel, had secret meetings with Witkoff and Kushner while in Miami- reportedly leaving some White House and State Department officials in the dark. After news of the US proposal emerged last week, several US senators said that Rubio told them the draft was Russian in nature, influenced by a Russian, though Dmitriev was not named. Rubio, who was in Geneva, insisted it was a US draft. On November 25, not long before Trump announced Witkoff would travel to Moscow, Bloomberg News published a transcript of what it said was telephone call between Witkoff and Ushakov, held about two weeks before Witkoff met Dmitriev in Miami. According to the transcript, Witkoff advised Ushakov on how to charm Trump on a possible peace deal. “I would make the call and just reiterate that you congratulate the president on this achievement, that you supported it, you supported it, that you respect that he is a man of peace and you’re just, you’re really glad to have seen it happen. So I would say that,” Witkoff was quoted as saying. “I know what it’s going to take to get a peace deal done: Donetsk and maybe a land swap somewhere,” Witkoff reportedly said. Bloomberg did not say how it obtained the recording, which was likely made by US intelligence agencies who routinely monitor and eavesdrop on foreign officials’ conversations. RFE/RL could not independent verify the transcript. Trump partially confirmed the fact of the call, though not its content, saying “He’s got to sell this to Ukraine. He’s going to sell Ukraine to Russia. That’s what a dealmaker does.” Ushakov also appeared to confirm the fact of the call, telling a Russian state TV reporter that the call was leaked to undermine the backchannel negotiations. “It is unlikely that such a leak could have come from the participants in the conversation,” he was quoted as saying. RFE/RL Russia/Ukraine editor Steven Gutterman contributed to this report.
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-witkoff-dmitriev-peace-ushakov/33606177.html