By Writer Keith, Salem High Witches Class of 1995

At 10 o’clock Thanksgiving morning, thousands of people on the North Shore will be at Hurd Stadium in Beverly, Massachusetts for a tradition that dates back to the 19th century. For the 110th time, the Witches of Salem High School (my alma mater) will do battle with the Panthers of Beverly High School. As it stands right now, the Panthers hold a slight edge overall in the rivalry at 53-47 (that includes a current string of five wins by Beverly), with seven games ending in a tie.

Yeah our mascot celebrates one of the worst episodes in our country's history…what of it!

I cannot stress to you how big this game is every year. Even if both teams came into Thanksgiving without a win all season, whichever team wins this game gets bragging rights for the next 364 days. For the people in the towns, the winner of the game also determined how we’d name an old bridge (the Salem-Beverly Bridge or the Beverly-Salem Bridge). My dad, my uncles, and my cousins have all played in, or coached, in many of these games. I was a captain on the cross-country team in high school, but cheered my guts out. It’s tradition like this – spanning generations – that has had people sitting on cold, metal benches on a holiday morning every year for the past century. At this year’s game, meteorologist Bob Van Dillen says it’ll be low 40’s and muddy from storms earlier in the week.

For me, the most memorable game was the showdown in 1994. It was my senior year and Salem had just ended a teachers’ strike that shut down the school for weeks. Our football team made headlines all across the state… not just for their great season, but because the coaching staff defied a rule that kept teachers from coaching while they were on strike. I can still see the coaches running across the field locked arm-in-arm for a big game against the Swampscott Big Blue that year. Somehow, through the controversy, the team kept winning. At the end of the season, it came down to Salem versus Beverly. If Salem beat Beverly, they were headed to the state championship. My classmates and I met in the parking lot to tailgate before the game (which for us meant cereal and juice…as far as you know anyway) rocking the red, white, and black. It was an epic contest. Beverly had a 13-10 lead late in the game, but Salem marched down the field and punched it in for a touchdown with less than a minute left. Final score: 17-13. Super Bowl bound (that’s what they called it back then). A week later, the magic ran out. We lost to Whitman-Hanson in the state championship. I have no idea what the score of that game was, but I will always remember that we beat Beverly.

To this day, anytime I cross over the bridge from Salem into Beverly, I get an icky feeling like I am in enemy territory. I have no idea why…it’s a fine city, I have many friends who grew up in Beverly. I graduated high school in 1995, and I haven’t lived in Salem for nine years. I guess it’s just something that’s in your soul. I never took a snap in football, but when I sprinted past two Beverly runners in the last 200 yards in our final cross-country race my sophomore year, I high-stepped like I was Deion Sanders because it was the first time we beat them in like 15 years. Every Thanksgiving I’ve spent in Atlanta, one of the first questions I ask my parents is “Who won?”

I guess what I truly love about the rivalry is: I am a fan of traditions. The game is pure. About 99.99% of the kids playing are never going to be in the NFL. They are just young men who love the game. The games are always a place where you can see friends you may have lost touch with, spend time with your family, and take pride in your community. No matter what goes wrong in your life, no matter how bleak things may look, it is always good to have something you can count on…and that can never be a bad thing.

Go Witches!

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

In the words of Bob Van Dillen, “Can you freakin’ believe this?”

Citigroup, one of the latest companies to get a multi-billion dollar handout of your taxpayer money, plans to move forward with its 20-year, $400 million deal for the naming rights of the Mets new stadium. That’s $20 million a year for the next 20 years.

This from a company that’s getting a government bailout worth over $300 billion—and announced last week it was laying off more than 50,000 workers.

Meanwhile, AIG is still throwing $125 million at British Soccer team Manchester United to wear its company logo on the players’ jerseys.

AIG’s slogan used to be “We know money.” At least they can say they know soccer.

Citigroup is defending its position, telling Reuters, "We remain committed to our relationship with the Mets. It's an important marketing priority for us."

Maybe $400 million is good PR for a company that really needs it. But $400 million could have kept a few people’s jobs and let’s be honest, the New York Mets and Manchester United will do just fine without either companies’ sponsor money.

What are you thoughts?

Writer Keith

Thanksgiving at Writer Keith's house. I bet you had no idea I was related to Colonel Sanders.

Are you one of those people who are fed up with the red and green blitz that has become Christmas? You know, malls turning into war zones, stores playing “Jingle Bells: The Elevator Remix” starting around Flag Day, neighbors with blinking lights that just catch your eye enough to give you a migraine. Don’t get me wrong though - I love the holiday season. What I don’t like is how overlooked Thanksgiving is during this time of year. It has become almost like a Christmas dress rehearsal. It’s sad too because, in so many ways, Thanksgiving is better than Christmas.

At Christmas: You are forced to wear garish sweaters with snowmen and reindeer that make you look like you just got back from a yard sale at Andy Williams’ place.
At Thanksgiving: You are forced to wear your buffet pants. You know, those pants that have just enough give as you feed yourself to maximum capacity.

At Christmas: If you get a lousy present, you have to pretend you like it, make up a lie about why you need the receipt, then wait in a long return line to maybe get store credit from an employee who looks like dental surgery would be a better alternative than talking to you.
At Thanksgiving: Even if you get some dry turkey, lumpy mashed potatoes, or stuffing that is thicker than mortar, it’s nothing that gravy can’t fix.

At Christmas: If you fall asleep at your family gathering, whispers go around about how you may have had too much eggnog.
At Thanksgiving: Sleeping isn’t just ok, it’s encouraged!

At Christmas: One day off of work.
At Thanksgiving: FOUR DAY WEEKEND!

At Christmas: People bring presents. They’re for certain people.
At Thanksgiving: People bring food. It’s for everyone!

At Christmas: The same movies and specials you have seen on a continuous loop throughout the month of December for the past 50 years.
At Thanksgiving: Football. Lots and lots of football.

At Christmas: Once you open presents, the day is pretty much over.
At Thanksgiving: We use words like “seconds,” “thirds,” and “leftovers.”

At Christmas: You have to untangle your lights.
At Thanksgiving: You have to unbuckle your belt.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Start spreadin’ the news New Yorkers. You can make arrangements to leave after today. You’re all going to be a part of it - the Super Bowl.

I’m not just talking about the defending champion Giants. I’m talking about the Jets as well.

That's right. My prediction: the Big Apple will be the big winner after this year's regular season, when both teams will make the migration to Florida (a natural one for New Yorkers) to square off in Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium on February 1st.

Get ready folks for the first ever Bridge and Tunnel title series.

The Giants beat the Arizona Cardinals, 37-29, on Sunday, even without their starting running back Brandon Jacobs. With the win, the G-Men improve to 10-1 and appear to be a shoe-in for home field advantage in the playoffs. Let's face it, NO ONE is beating these guys to the championship game even with the great giver Tony Romo back for Dallas.

And the Jets? They beat the last undefeated team in the league Sunday - the Tennessee Titan - by a convincing score of 34-13 – on the road - to improve to 8-3 and sit atop the AFC East standings. The Jets dominated for three and half quarters on both sides of the ball... and beat a team that most had picked to reach the championship.

Sure I might be jumping the gun with the Jets. Though, not nearly as much as much as I did when I predicted they would reach the Super Bowl after a week-one win over Miami. (My sports boss thought I was an idiot for that. Actually he thinks I’m an idiot for a number of reasons).

But now, I’m looking kind of smart.

Yeah, I know, there are six weeks left. And I hear the skepticism. The Jets did, after all, finish 4-12 last year.

But thanks to some major off-season moves, this isn’t even the same team anymore. Their biggest move was putting a guy under center who came within one interception of reaching the championship last season.

Of course I’m talking about Brett “the Jet” Favre - the guy I mercilessly chastised for coming back - whose overtime pick put the Packers in some pickled peppers in the NFC championship game against the Giants a year ago.

Now the ageless wonder is on a team with more talent on both sides of the ball including a better offensive line, a better defense, a better running back in Thomas Jones and one of the top special teams’ players in Leon Washington.

The Titans were a great story. But Sunday the Jets exposed them. They have a very good defense but don’t have the talent on offense to make a run in the playoffs. Their receivers are pedestrian and quarterback Kerry Collins - while a great comeback story - is no more than a serviceable quarterback unable to lead his team down the field when a comeback is needed. Unlike Brett Favre.

The Steelers? They have the best defense in the league but Big Ben Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker are hurting so much they could take over for Tom Skerritt as the spokesman for Aleve.

The Patriots? I know that Cassel is looking rather Brady-esque these days but they don’t have a clear-cut no. 1 running back and their defense gives up too many points now that Asante Samuel has gone to the Eagles and Rodney Harrison is gone to injury.

The Ravens? Same thing as the Titans. Great defense, average quarterback. Joe Flacco will be stud for years to come. But his spanking at the hands of the Giants showed he’s not there yet. I know they won once with an average quarterback in Trent Dilfer and a solid defense years ago, but it’s a different league now.

Denver? You can’t win being a one-dimensional team without a defense or a running game.

San Diego? You can’t win with Norv Turner.

The key for “Bretty and the Jets” will be if they can stay healthy down the stretch. And that’s something Favre and Jones have had no trouble with. Those two should look like Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman in “The Bucket List” - two grizzled veterans having the time of their life going the distance in (what should be) their final run.

And while some may say it’s still a bit too early, I say this is one movie where you can already see how it’s going to end.

Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven

This story could make a huge difference for you if you suddenly lose your paycheck.

Congress and the President have recognized the difficulties people face in the current job market.

President Bush just signed into law the bill passed by Congress that says people on unemployment get a little more time to breathe easy.

Typically, you get 26 weeks of unemployment checks; and a good general rule of thumb is that the checks are about half of your last paycheck.

The average check is for about $292 a week.

With the extension, you’ll get an extra seven weeks of benefits (so that’s 33 weeks in all).

If you live in a very hard-hit state where the jobless rate has been above 6% for more than three months, you’ll get another 13 weeks on top of that.

It makes sense, because it’s taking longer and longer to find a job these days.

The rules can really vary depending on what state you live in, so to find out how it affects you, click on your home state on this map from the Labor Department:

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Adam “formerly known as Pacman” Jones has been given 10,000 points and an extra life by the NFL. Cowboy’s owner Jerry Jones confirmed AJ will see the field in about two weeks after he completed a league-mandated alcohol treatment program.

Adam Jones, thankful for another shot.

Remember, he was suspended four games for an “alcohol-related incident” where he allegedly punched his bodyguard at a Dallas hotel.

This was after Jones was allowed back following a full-season suspension in 2007 for numerous off-the-field problems including being allegedly involved in a strip club shooting.

When it comes to trouble, it’s tough to keep up with Jones.

I can’t say I’m surprised he’s been allowed back. Jerry Jones has a lot of clout in the NFL. But, I’m not sure I’m ready to have him back.

When Adam Jones came back this season he said he would swear off strip clubs for “three or four years”. It would seem strip clubs aren’t Jones’ problem. It seems that alcohol is. The problem is, we don’t know.

We haven’t heard Jones publicly admit he has a problem with alcohol. Only Jones’ attorney has spoken saying Jones “knows what he needs to do.” But it would seem the league thinks so otherwise they wouldn’t make him seek treatment. Sure he may have apologized to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He also needs to explain himself to us.

Alcoholism is real and it’s a disease. We all have someone we know who struggles with it. If that is Jones’ problem and Goodell is satisfied Jones understands that, his first order of business: publicly admit it he has a problem. All we see is a guy who’s been given more chances than we can count. I think most of us would probably be fired if we had been arrested or questioned by police as often as Jones has.

Like it or not, Athletes are role models and Jones’ behavior has been anything to look up to.

Time to start now.

Senior Writer Jeff

Every Tuesday on Morning Express, we tell you about the best new CDs hitting stores.

This week, we have a special blog edition of New Music Tuesday.

The Zac Brown Band’s new album, “Foundation” is out this week. The guys are riding high right now. Their single “Chicken Fried” is a top 5 hit, and it’s been on the country music charts for 5 months.

I asked Zac a few questions about the new album, his heroes, and of course, how to cook up some tasty fried chicken.

Writer Jeff: Your new album is called “Foundation”… and you’ve started a non-profit foundation for kids. What inspired you to do that?
Zac Brown: The inspiration came from working at camps for kids, especially Camp Mikell and Camp Glisson.

WJ: You guys sold out a show recently in New York. How does it feel to be a boy from the Georgia mountains playing in front of sold-out crowds in NYC?
ZB: It feels good to know that people like good music wherever you are.

WJ: “Chicken Fried” is climbing the charts. How do you balance enjoying your success vs. worrying about finding another hit?
ZB: I feel that people who like “Chicken Fried” will like our other songs.

WJ: Zac, you used to own a restaurant where you were also the cook. What are your tips for making great fried chicken?
ZB: Getting quality chicken, frying it in peanut oil and having the oil at the right temperature that will crisp up the skin without burning it and of course you need the right seasoning and I like to have a little breading on the chicken.

WJ: If you could pick anything to eat tonight for dinner, what would it be?
ZB: Sushi.

WJ: You’ve opened for some of the biggest names in country music. What’s it been like getting to meet your musical heroes?
ZB: Sharing the stage with them has been the biggest milestone of my career.

WJ: You’ve even opened for ZZ Top. That sounds like a battle of the beards as much as a battle of the bands. Did you guys compare grooming tips?
ZB: No, but Billy Gibbons made a point to come out and let us know he enjoyed our music. They make a lot of music as a 3 piece band. They are legends of Rock and Roll.

WJ: Do you ever think you’ll shave off your beard?
ZB: I don’t have any plans to but later down the road you never know what you’re going to do.

News Correspondent Richard Lui

Got a secret? If you want to work in the Obama White House those doing the hiring want to know about it.

“Tell me about your past live-in lovers, what are their names and phone numbers?”

“Have you hired a house cleaner, what are their names, are they legal US citizens?”

“Who owns a gun in your family, how’s their health, do they have any enemies?”

Those questions just scrape the surface of 63 essay questions each high level candidate is being asked to answer. It’s a far cry from the 11 blank fields like name and address one needs to fill out on change.gov to be considered for the new Obama administration. Not all candidates for the 7000 jobs listed in the new Plum Book will have to answer theses questions, just cabinet and high level advisor positions.

As you have seen in recent times, this data is important to know not only to assess the strength of one’s candidacy but also to determine how one will be perceived by the public and press under scrutiny. Tax returns can expose one’s financial and business dealings. Lovers could reveal salacious details. And family members’ actions could reflect the candidate’s character.

This is no online McDonald’s application which will take you about 30 minutes to fill out (I just looked at it online). But running the U.S. is not even close to running a fast food restaurant (although I hear they serve french fries with the West Wing Burger at the White House Mess—the eatery under the Oval House).

So here’s the list if you want to see all the questions.

Since these leaders will be running the U.S. during a very fragile time of its history, many of you are probably concerned about whether these job candidates have what it takes—the X factor in running the largest economy in the world.

So what do you want to know? What would be your questions for the next Treasury Secretary or White House Press Secretary? Blog below and don’t hold back. As you can see, neither did the Obama Transition Team.

Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven

We're seeing a lot of outrage after news broke of yet another fancy AIG conference. AIG says the somewhat lavish conference is legit, but does it pass your smell test? You make the call!

The Federal Reserve rescued American International Group from collapse by lending the US's largest insurer up to $85 billion. Are they handling that money responsibly?

The insurance giant is asking for billions of dollars of YOUR money ($150 billion dollars' worth of taxpayer money) to survive the financial crisis, and has already been excoriated in the press (even on Oprah!) for its lavish conferences.

After it vowed to mend its ways, the ABC affiliate KNXV reported on a secret AIG conference at a luxury hotel in Phoenix. It reported that hotel employees were told to make sure that AIG's name was not on any signs, or to even say the words "AIG".

Then KNXV caught an exec staying in a 2-story suite, and walking out of the spa while everyone else was in the conference.

This morning Congressman Elijah Eummings of Maryland blasted AIG saying "they" don't get it: "These guys said 'We are on the critical list' ... then they are out partying!"

AIG countered, saying that sponsors and attendees covered 90% of the bill – leaving AIG with just minimal costs. It also said the conference was necessary for doing business - that most of the people attending are independent financial advisers who will then go out and *sell* AIG's products.

AIG says that conference attendees need to know about AIG's products, and who to sell them to, and that's the only way AIG can make money to get back on its feet and pay back the US taxpayer.

What do you think? Here are some pictures of the hotel.

Share your opinion in the comments field below.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Here’s a way to get through these economic times—act like it’s not happening.

That’s what Major League Baseball’s done. Even with the season over, “America’s pastime” shows how it’s out of touch with America and why it’s taken a backseat to NASCAR in popularity among our “Morning Express” viewers.

No Cubs for Cuban.

Baseball has tried to evolve with the times but it hasn’t come naturally—like watching your grandpa try to rap.

They put in rules to speed up the game and added “situational” instant replay to cut down on umpire mistakes. But, the game’s still slow, mistakes still happen and ratings keep going down, down, down.

But this latest strikeout could send even more heading for the stands.

With a global financial crisis underway, baseball owners have denied a billion dollar sale of the Chicago Cubs to a young guy simply because they don’t like him.

The young guy is Mark Cuban who owns the Dallas Mavericks. Apparently to commissioner Bud Selig and baseball owners he’s a bit too much of a maverick.

Current Cubs owner Sam Zell has been trying to sell the storied franchise since opening day in 2007. Cuban reportedly has offered Zell a lucrative and appealing offer of $1.3 billion dollars.

But sources told the Chicago Sun-Times, there is “zero chance” Selig and the owners will approve it. They don’t want Cuban to have a key to the club.

Talk about your free market.

Cuban is not your typical owner. He sits in the stands, drinks beer, yells at the officials and wears t-shirts and jeans. He’s Rodney Dangerfield to Bud Selig’s Ted Knight in “Caddyshack”. You'd think with baseball's declining popularity and in this declining economy, that shouldn't matter.

But Selig and the owners are not offering a Fresca. What the old guys’ are missing is, Cuban is exactly baseball needs.

Cuban’s everyman style is a hit with fans. He’s one of us. Our previous president was voted in because some liked that he was a guy they felt they “could have a beer with.” Cuban you can literally have a beer with.

Cuban’s also a reminder that the American dream is still alive—that any goofball in this country who works hard enough can make it big. It’s the kind of reminder some could use right now.

But where he’d give the most hope is to Cub Fans because Cuban—who has the word “Cub” in his name—is a fan. He’d spare no expense bringing in the best players. He knows he’d be more popular in Chicago than Barack Obama if he brought a winner to the Windy City.

When it comes to baseball, he’s the change we need.

Instead, sources say, no sale will happen until even next year—putting the franchise in limbo as it tries to build on last season. Team General Manger Jim Hendry wants to go after free agents, but doesn’t know what his payroll will be.

Ask the Auto Industry if it could use a billion dollar sale right now. I’m sure one of the banks we just awarded some of that $700 billion dollars to would love to finance the loan for the sale since Cuban might be the last guy who could qualify for it these days.

But apparently someone who’s good for the team, good for the fans, and good for the money isn’t good enough for baseball, which still plays by it’s own rules—regardless of how outdated they may be.

Meanwhile, more of us will just keep flipping that remote.

Too bad NASCAR isn’t on more often.