33 jili Tensions between UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov boiled over ahead of the first UFC 311 press conference. After weeks of ducking allegations and online banter, Merab Dvalishvili will make his first bantamweight title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 311 co-main event next month. The card is headlined by a UFC lightweight title rematch between Islam Makhachev and Arman Tsarukyan. Nurmagomedov was immediately named the ‘next man up’ to face Dvalishvili after the latter’s title win at UFC 306. The undefeated Nurmagomedov was briefly linked to another fight in December as Dvalishvili expressed indifference to facing the surging contender. Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov’s relationship was strictly competitive just a few months ago, but things have taken a dark turn in recent weeks. Threats have swirled between the two bantamweight; adding to the immense hype after the UFC 311 fight announcements this week. Ahead of Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov’s first promotional appearance before UFC 311, the two bantamweight nearly got after it just weeks before their scheduled fight, before security personnel intervened. READ MORE: I’ve been training with Shavkat Rakhmonov ahead of UFC 310 – this is why Ian Garry will beat him and take his undefeated record Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov nearly threw hands backstage ahead of UFC 311 presser As you can see in the below clip, Dvalishvili was in the middle of an interview with an MMA media member when Nurmagomedov confronted the bantamweight titleholder. The two fighters exchanged fiery verbal taunts, including Nurmagomedov challenging Dvalishvili to ‘call him’ for a potential face-to-face outside of the venue. Luckily, cooler heads eventually prevailed and UFC security quickly de-escalated the incident. The UFC 311 press conference went on as planned, despite Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov nearly coming to blows backstage. The beef between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov has escalated in recent days after Dvalishvili appeared to offer Petr Yan a title shot following a win at UFC Macau. Nurmagomedov went on a social media tirade in response, further stoking the flames of their adversarial pairing. Dvalishvili also accused Nurmagomedov of lying to fans regarding a rumored fight against Song Yadong. Initially, Nurmagomedov offered to get scheduled for another bout if Dvalishvili anticipated a modest absence from competition. READ MORE: Watch Alex Pereira and Jamahal Hill nearly come to blows at the UFC PI after weeks of online taunts Merab Dvalishvil vs. Umar Nurmagomedov is an early 2025 ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate Dvalishvili’s teammate, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling , has also gotten involved in banter with Nurmagomedov in recent weeks over dodging allegations. Sterling will face Movsar Evloev in a pivotal featherweight bout this Saturday at UFC 310. Things have gotten so personal between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov that Dvalishvili briefly hinted at defending the belt during Ramadan , directly impacting Nurmagomedov’s title chances. But, their UFC 311 booking alleviated any concerns the fight wouldn’t come to fruition anytime soon. Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov pairs two of the top UFC pound-for-pound fighters against each other to kick off 2025. Dvalishvili won the belt by defeating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, while Nurmagomedov cemented himself as the No. 1 contender by defeating Cory Sandhagen earlier this year. It won’t be long until Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov meet in the Octagon. But in the meantime, the two rivals could potentially get the fight started early just weeks before UFC 311. READ MORE: Alexandre Pantoja pinpoints when Kai Asakura earned a quick ascent to title shot ahead of UFC 310

UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The team looking for a missing Pennsylvania woman believed to have fallen into a sinkhole has determined that an abandoned coal mine is too unstable for people to safely search underground, authorities said Wednesday while still expressing hope Elizabeth Pollard will be found alive. Rescue workers continue to search for Elizabeth Pollard, who is believed to have disappeared in a sinkhole while looking for her cat, Wednesday in Marguerite, Pa. Emergency crews and others have been trying to find Pollard, 64, for two days. Her relatives reported her missing early Tuesday and her vehicle with her unharmed 5-year-old granddaughter inside was found about two hours later, near what is thought to be a freshly opened sinkhole above the long closed, crumbling mine. Authorities said in a noon update that the roof of the mine collapsed in several places and is not stable. The sinkhole is in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. “We did get, you know, where we wanted, where we thought that she was at. We’ve been to that spot," said Pleasant Unity Fire Chief John Bacha, the incident's operations officer. “What happened at that point, I don’t know, maybe the slurry of mud pushed her one direction. There were several different seams of that mine, shafts that all came together where this happened at.” People are also reading... Trooper Cliff Greenfield said crews were still actively searching for Pollard. “We are hopeful that she’s found alive,” Greenfield said. Searchers were using electronic devices and cameras as surface digging continued with the use of heavy equipment, Bacha said. Search dogs may also be used. Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, Tuesday in Marguerite, Pa. On Wednesday afternoon, machinery was removing material from the area around the hole while police and other government vehicles blocked a clear view of the scene. Sinkholes occur in the area because of subsidence from coal mining activity. Rescuers had been using water to break down and remove clay and dirt from the mine, which has been closed since the 1950s, but that increased the risk “for potential other mine subsidence to take place," Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole, but it detected nothing. Another camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe about 30 feet below the surface, Limani said. Searchers have also deployed drones and thermal imaging equipment, to no avail. Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander, said access to the immediate area surrounding the hole was being tightly controlled and monitored, with rescuers attached by harness. The top of a sinkhole is seen Tuesday in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers searched for a woman who disappeared. “We cannot judge as to what’s going on underneath us. Again, you had a small hole on top but as soon as you stuck a camera down through to look, you had this big void,” Graham said. “And it was all different depths. The process is long, is tedious. We have to make sure that we are keeping safety in the forefront as well as the rescue effort.” Bacha said they were “hoping that there’s a void that she could still be in.” Pollard's family called police at about 1 a.m. Tuesday to say she had not been seen since going out at about 5 p.m. Monday to search for Pepper, her cat. The temperature dropped well below freezing that night. Her son, Axel Hayes, said Pollard is a happy woman who likes going out to have fun. She and her husband adopted Hayes and his twin brother when they were infants. Hayes called Pollard “a great person overall, a great mother” who “never really did anybody wrong.” He said at one point Pollard had about 10 cats. “Every cat that she’s ever come in contact with, she has a close bond with them,” Hayes said. His mother worked for many years at Walmart but recently was not employed, he said. “I’m just hoping right now that she’s still with us and she’s able to come back to us,” he said. Police said they found Pollard's car parked behind Monday's Union Restaurant in Marguerite, about 20 feet from the sinkhole. Hunters and restaurant workers in the area said they had not noticed the manhole-size opening in the hours before Pollard disappeared, leading rescuers to speculate that the sinkhole was new. “It almost feels like it opened up with her standing on top of it,” Limani said. Searchers accessed the mine late Tuesday afternoon and dug a separate entrance out of concern that the ground around the sinkhole opening was not stable. “Let’s be honest, we need to get a little bit lucky, right?” Limani said Wednesday. “We need a little bit of luck on our side. We need a little bit of God’s good blessing on our side.” Pollard lives in a small neighborhood across the street from where her car and granddaughter were located, Limani said. The young girl “nodded off in the car and woke up. Grandma never came back," Limani said. The child stayed in the car until two troopers rescued her. It's not clear what happened to Pepper. From field to fork: how America's farming revolution affects your plate and wallet From field to fork: how America's farming revolution affects your plate and wallet In an era of rapid technological advancement and environmental change, American agriculture is undergoing a revolution that reaches far beyond the farm gate. From the food on consumer plates to the economic health of rural communities, the transformation of U.S. farming practices is reshaping the nation's landscape in ways both visible and hidden. LandTrust explores how these changes impact everyone, whether they live in the heartland or the heart of the city. The Changing Face of American Farms The image of the small family farm, while still a reality for many, is increasingly giving way to larger, more technologically advanced operations. According to the USDA, the number of farms in the U.S. has fallen from 6.8 million in 1935 to about 2 million today, with the average farm size growing from 155 acres to 444 acres. This shift has profound implications for rural communities and the food system as a whole. Despite these changes, diversity in farming practices is on the rise. A landmark study published in Science , involving data from over 2,000 farms across 11 countries, found that diversifying farmland simultaneously delivers environmental and social benefits. This challenges the longstanding idea that practices boosting biodiversity must come at a cost to yields and food security. Technology Revolution on the Farm The adoption of precision agriculture technologies is transforming how farmers manage their land and resources. GPS-guided tractors, drone surveillance, and AI-powered crop management systems are becoming commonplace on many farms. These technologies allow farmers to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving yields. However, the digital divide remains a challenge. More than 22% of rural communities lack reliable broadband internet access, hindering the widespread implementation of AI and other advanced technologies in agriculture. The Economic Tightrope: Challenges Facing Modern Farmers While technology offers new opportunities, farmers are also facing significant economic challenges. The USDA's 2024 farm income forecast projects a 4.4% decline in net farm income from 2023, following a sharp 19.5% drop from 2022 to 2023. This financial pressure is compounded by rising production costs and market volatility. Climate variability adds another layer of complexity. Extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and shifting growing seasons are forcing farmers to adapt quickly. These factors could reduce agricultural productivity by up to 25% over the coming decades without significant adaptation measures. But adapting requires additional financial resources, further straining farm profitability. Diversification: A Lifeline for American Farms In the face of these challenges, many farmers are turning to diversification as a strategy for resilience and profitability. The Science study mentioned earlier found that farms integrating several diversification methods supported more biodiversity while seeing simultaneous increases in human well-being and food security. Agritourism is one popular diversification strategy. In 2022, 28,600 U.S. farms reported agritourism income, averaging gross revenue of $44,000 from these activities. Activities like farm tours, pick-your-own operations, and seasonal festivals not only provide additional income but also foster a deeper connection between consumers and agriculture. From Farm to Table: The Consumer Connection The changing face of agriculture is directly impacting consumers. The rise of farm-to-table and local food movements reflects a growing interest in where our food comes from and how it's produced. If every U.S. household spent just $10 per week on locally grown food, it would generate billions of dollars for local economies. However, the larger challenges in agriculture can also lead to price fluctuations at the grocery store. The USDA's Economic Research Service projects that food-at-home prices will increase between 1.2% and 2.2% in 2024. The Future of Farming: Opportunities and Innovations Looking ahead, several innovations are poised to reshape agriculture: Conclusion: A Call to Action The transformation of American agriculture affects everyone, from the food we eat to the health of our environment and rural communities. Consumers have the power to support sustainable and diverse farming practices through our purchasing decisions. As citizens, they can advocate for policies that support farmers in adopting innovative and sustainable practices. The challenges facing agriculture are complex, but they also present opportunities for innovation and positive change. By understanding and engaging with these issues, everyone can play a part in shaping a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for the future. This story was produced by LandTrust and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The heart-stopping ordeal came to a close as the convoy made its way to the nearest hospital, where the mother and newborn were admitted for postnatal care. The collective efforts of the traffic police officers, emergency medical services, and the expectant couple had culminated in a successful rescue mission that had a happy ending. The harrowing experience served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life but also highlighted the importance of quick thinking, seamless coordination, and unwavering determination in the face of adversity.

As the aircraft prepared for an emergency landing, the crew radioed ahead to the airport authorities to inform them of the medical emergency on board. Upon touchdown, the airport emergency response teams were already assembled and ready to provide immediate assistance. Skilled paramedics and emergency medical technicians rushed to the aircraft to assess the situation and offer their expertise in handling the crisis.