JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 1132

With the College Football Playoff’s 2026 format undecided ahead of a Dec. 1 deadline, bowls tied to expiring conference contracts are in limbo. The SEC and Big Ten control the choice but disagree—the Big Ten favors broader automatic access, the SEC an extension of the current champions-and-committee model. Executives expect short-term deals and brace for unusual pairings, including potential intra-conference games. Money pressures linger—the Holiday Bowl even explored Saudi Arabia—yet TV audiences stayed strong last season, and organizers say the postseason can remain robust.

The 8-2 Broncos carry a seven-game surge into Sunday against the Chiefs, despite uneven offense the past two weeks. Quarterback Bo Nix has led just 28 points in that span, completing 34 of 65 for 323 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions; for the season he ranks 28th in completion percentage. Nix said he isn’t owed respect, tunes out outside criticism and has deleted social media, noting few say things to his face. Denver is 4-0 when trailing entering the fourth quarter, and a win over the conference’s longtime frontrunners would seal a winning season.

Larry Brooks, the New York Post’s definitive hockey voice, died Thursday after a brief battle with cancer. He was 75. Across 38 years over two stints, he dominated the Rangers beat, earned the Hockey Hall of Fame’s 2018 Elmer Ferguson Award, and even coined “King Henrik” for Henrik Lundqvist. Both relentless and revered, he sparred with John Tortorella, championed Brad Park’s jersey honor, mentored younger writers like Mollie Walker, and once served as Devils communications VP. He is survived by his son Jordan, daughter-in-law Joanna, and grandchildren Scott and Reese.

Jaguars coach Liam Coen signaled the team may end Travis Hunter’s two-way role after an uneven rookie season cut short by right knee surgery. The cornerback receiver underwent LCL repair Tuesday and is expected to return to full football activities within six months. Coen called any role decision premature, saying evaluations come after the season, even as Jacksonville traded up to No. 2 to draft the Colorado standout. Hunter posted modest receiving numbers but ranked 30th in coverage at cornerback. The 5-4 Jaguars remain in playoff position without him.

The Trump administration is exploring portable mortgages that would let homeowners carry their existing rates when moving, FHFA Director Bill Pulte said, as part of a broader push on affordability that also weighs assumable loans and a 50-year option. With over half of mortgage holders below 4% while new loans sit near 6%–7%, officials hope portability could unlock supply. But experts warn it could rattle mortgage backed securities, complicate contracts tied to specific properties, and might require Congress. FHFA offered no details. One lender called the idea a “logistical nightmare,” and take-up of assumable loans remains limited.

Arrived, a 2021 startup letting people buy $100 shares of rental homes, raised $27 million led by Neo to launch a secondary market that trades stakes in individual houses in minutes. Backers describe it as a stock market for real estate; in its first three weeks, users placed 57,000 buy and sell orders. Arrived now counts roughly 500 properties in 65 cities and total funding of $61.7 million, with backers including Bezos Expeditions. More than 850,000 investors have put $330 million into its homes as it shuns long term leverage amid high prices and rates.

In a 124-107 loss to the Magic, the Knicks benched core players Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart for most of the fourth quarter; Hart sat the entire period for a second straight game, and Bridges logged one minute, finishing with a season-low six points. Jalen Brunson turned his right ankle in garbage time, putting coach Mike Brown under scrutiny. The defeat ended a five-game winning streak. Mitchell Robinson collected five offensive rebounds, but the Knicks were outscored by 11 points in his 17 minutes, and New York next begins a home-and-away set against the Heat.

A Bank of America survey of 335 family offices finds most wealth hasn’t yet been handed down — and big changes loom when it is. With 59% planning transfers within a decade, heirs are expected to reshape missions, boost alternatives, lean into AI, and in some cases even shutter offices, said Bank of America's Elizabeth Thiessen. Less-involved principals foresee more disputes and sharper shifts. Despite worries about preserving wealth, respondents are upbeat on U.S. stocks, private equity and mergers and acquisitions, and many anticipate GDP growth, even as sustainable funds see outflows and crypto allocations are expected to rise.

Audi Crooks erupted for a school-record 43 points in just 20 minutes as No. 16 Iowa State crushed Valparaiso 97-50 in their first-ever meeting. Playing through an illness, Crooks broke the Cyclones’ single-game mark on a fourth-quarter free throw, finishing 18-of-23 with seven rebounds and a block and extending her NCAA women’s-leading double-figure streak to 71 games. Addy Brown added 18 and surpassed 1,000 career points, while Jada Williams logged her first double-double with 11 points and 10 assists. Iowa State shot 53.4% and held Valparaiso to 29%, opening 3-0 with a fourth straight 85-plus outing.

Tesla's AI leaders told staff to brace for their hardest year yet, with 2026 cast as a key test. At a nearly two hour all hands for Autopilot and Optimus, VP of AI software Ashok Elluswamy outlined aggressive timelines for Robotaxi rollout and Optimus production. Elon Musk said Tesla aims to operate Robotaxi in eight to 10 metropolitan areas by end of 2025 and have more than a thousand vehicles on the road by year end, while Optimus production is targeted toward late 2026. Shareholders also approved a pay package with milestones of 1 million Robotaxis and 1 million humanoid robots.