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“Based upon that, that was the scientific study the Corps of Engineers used to say that we didn’t have the quality personnel here to work at their agency,” Kern said.
A handful of forum participants, including several current NGA employees and contractors, spoke about the problems surrounding the North St. Louis site and the advantages connected to the St. Clair County site. Constructing NGA West in North St. Louis will add many millions of dollars to the project’s final tab, they said.
Some of the most emotional testimony during the forum centered on North St. Louis’ national reputation for high rates of murder and other violent crimes, a fact that could endanger the safety of NGA employees. Other participants noted the high costs of cleaning up environmental challenges related to the North St. Louis site, including the nearly ruins of the vast Pruitt-Igoe housing complex, a 33-acre site that has sat undisturbed since its demolition in 1973.
Gary Hursey of O’Fallon, who works as a telecommunications contractor, criticized the North St. Louis site as a much more expensive alternative for taxpayers because of its lack of infrastructure to support fiber-optic communications.
Foeller underscored how NGA’s primary mission is to support warfighters around the world.
We need an investigation of how this process went on. I know the request has been made. We all have to get behind these gentlemen in their request for that. We all have to get behind our senators, who asked for a ... GAO (Government Accountability) study to look at the cost factors here.
On Monday, Bost authored a letter to the Department of Defense urging a formal investigation by the department’s inspector general into what he describes as the faulty U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report used to justify moving the NGA West campus to North St. Louis.
Bost’s request follows a similar appeal he made earlier this month to the Corps of Engineers’ inspector general, whose investigation has yet to be completed.
The Illinois lawmakers’ argument, which they pressed in a meeting with NGA Director Robert Cardillo earlier this month, centers on their belief that the Corps of Engineers report, which guided Cardillo’s decision-making was deeply flawed.
The Illinois leaders say the document, known as a contained a number of factual errors in the comparison between the two sites and underplayed the security advantages of the St. Clair County site — including proximity to a military installation and a 1,000-foot setback distance from any roads that would protect the site from terrorist attacks.
Cardillo is scheduled to announce his final decision as to NGA’s location on June 2.
OLLIE GABRIEL is spearheading a new soul movement. Having cracked the code for an authentic catchy sound, paired with meaningful and relatable lyricism, Ollie has been compared to the likes of James Brown and Otis Redding.
He creates music that is both fun and of substance, a rarity in music today. “I think that today there isn’t enough music that makes people happy”, Ollie states. “I’m not a preacher nor a saint but my songs come from a place of joy, deep love and a lot of happiness”.
Hailing from a small town in Louisiana, Ollie Gabriel grew up in a family of artists. As a child he listened to soul stars like Bobby Womack and Tyrone Davis. He would hear his parents playing those records in the living room, which entranced him and made him want to try everything. Drums, church organ, guitar, trombone, and singing – he learned to play it all in his school band and at church.
After his move to Los Angeles, Ollie continued to work tirelessly towards his goals. Soon he was securing music placed in ads and on TV networks such as NBC, MTV and TNT. He has had hundreds of synch placements to date.
“My story is one of perseverance, determination and patience. I had a lot of obstacles and made many mistakes along the way, but I’ve been lucky enough to grow stronger through everything” admits Ollie.
Last year he was selected out of thousands by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for its Grammy Next Program, which supports aspiring artists. Following in the footsteps of many international stars, he decided to go to Europe and debut his freshmen EP there.
“Europe has always embraced soulful music and many US artists have started there before they became famous in the states. So, I feel very excited that I got to debut my music in Europe first”.
In February of last year, he released his single “Running Man” to massive success. Distributed by Sony Music via Jive Germany, the single was an instant radio hit. “Running Man” charted at #5 in Austria, top 20 in Switzerland, and in the top 30 in Germany. Despite him not even being in the region very long, he entered the top 40 on the iTunes charts, and generated over 2 million Youtube views. Throughout 2016 Ollie was performing all over GSA on several of the most popular televised shows and events, as well as live performances at radio festivals playing in front of over 40,000 fans. “Running Man” also hit the top 10 on the German Spotify’s top hit’s playlist, and to this day has garnered over 10 million streams. He returned to the states in November of 2016 with his goals set on dominating his home country, the USA.
How has 2017 been treating you? Musically, did you approach this year any differently then you did last year?
Hey! Thanks for having me! 2017 has been awesome. I feel like each year that passes is progressively better, So i feel great about that! Musically I’m Always staying open, but this year, I’m definitely feeling that I wanna really bridge the gap between soul music and the mainstream.
My first time singing at church with the microphone I was probably 8, i fell in love with the energy from the crowd and the excitement in the room. I knew then I had found my calling.
I’m really passionate about educating our youth, I would probably be a teacher.
I always like to ask artists about where they came from and how that city or town has influenced them as an artist now. So how do you think your hometown has affected who you are as a musician and the art that you create? What was it like moving to LA and how did it change you as an artist?
Growing up in southwestern Louisiana is a unique flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. You got a lot of history, tradition, and music. That definitely rubbed off on me and I think the diversity of influences is what makes my music special. I’ve been in LA awhile now, so I think it definitely broadened my perspective!
Let’s talk about your single called “Running Man.” What was the inspiration for this track? How do you think this song prepares listeners for more music by you?
Running man was written at a time when I wasn’t sure what was happening in my career. it was almost like my own encouragement, took about 10 minutes to write. I think it’s a good introduction to my vocal style and also my personality.
What was it like making the video for “Running Man”? How creatively involved were you with the making of it?
I’m actually a very visual artist so I knew exactly what I wanted to video to look like pretty much immediately after writing it. I knew that I wanted to portray A literal sense of someone being told they couldn’t run. Over a few months later, It turned out a friend of mine new Blake Leeper, they love the concept that I created and The rest is history.
When do you hope to release more new music and an EP or full-length of new songs?
The plan is that my next single “Bae” will be released within the next 2 months. I’m really just focusing on releasing singles, I just want my fans to feel like they are always getting consistent quality music.
What was it like being selected by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for its Grammy Next Program last year?
Can you remember the first time you heard one of your songs on TV? What was that feeling like for you?
Yeah I kinda freaked out! It was definitely a milestone moment. I thought of myself as a kid in Louisiana watching TV and really believing that my songs would be playing one day.
I plan on being really busy, just performing and locking down my stage show. I really think 2018 will be a breakout year touring wise. Do you have any plans to play out live at all?
It’s really that feeling that you feel when you’re in the moment, and you really feel guided by the universe. For me I feel that in the studio, and when I’m performing on stage.
That’s always such a hard question for me because so much of what I’ve heard has an influenced me. Of course the soul legends Otis Redding, James brown… etc. That 60s and 70s era of soul and classic rock, that music always inspires me. Now I’m really inspired by Kendrick Lamar, Chance The Rapper and The Chainsmokers. I would love to work with all of them!
I will people to walk away inspired and feeling good. There’s so much negativity and darkness, in the world I want my music to be uplifting for the most part.
I would say the things that I’ve learned is no matter what you do if you have a clear plan and you believe it and you work it, then you will be successful. If I’m asked by musicians, my advice is always speak your truth in the music. We need more Innovation and authenticity.
Stocks were mostly lower on Monday, as Presidents Trump and Putin held their summit meeting in Helsinki.
Bank of America (BAC - Get Report) shares were higher after the bank posted 2Q earnings that beat analysts' estimates. Shares of Netflix (NFLX - Get Report) were up ahead of their earnings release after Monday's close.
Amazon's (AMZN - Get Report) Prime Day, the online giant's fourth-annual sales extravaganza, begins today at 3 pm ET. The event is a day and a half this year, running 36 hours.
"There's an otherworldly contrast between the Farnborough Airshow which is going on right now, and the discussion about Chinese orders for our aircraft. The entire aircraft industry is frantically trying to meet the demand for planes as more and more people become members of the middle class worldwide and begin to travel," says TheStreet's Jim Cramer.
"Boeing (BA - Get Report) and Airbus (EADSY are in a dogfight to get these orders but they are also in a tizzy about meeting demand because they are overwhelmed with business. What's otherworldly?" asks Cramer.
"With all the hysteria in the business media about the incredibly flattening yield curve, one would think that the consequences of a flat curve would be devastating. History has shown than when fixed-income instruments on the long end of the curve are lower than the short end, a recession usually ensues. It isn't a matter of if, but when. OK, we get that, and we must heed history and should be prepared," according to Real Money Pro columnist Robert Lang.
"Yet the stock market so far is not buying it," notes Lang.
Charts: Can Bank of America and Deutsche Bank Keep This Rally Going?
Real Money Pro columnist Ed Ponsi writes that "Bank of America (BAC - Get Report) made headlines Monday morning when the company reported better-than-expected earnings and revenue for its second quarter. The stock is up more than 2% on the news, on a day when the banking sector is outperforming the broader market.
"What does Bank of America need to do to keep this rally going?
"Another financial stock that is having a solid day Deutsche Bank (DB - Get Report) . The German banking behemoth was up 8% Monday morning after reporting strong preliminary results for its second quarter."
PROFITS at Sir Richard Branson's Australian discount carrier Virgin Blue have stalled, falling 22% in the first four months of the financial year as high oil prices and a challenge from Qantas' no frills start-up Jetstar take their toll.
Jetstar, and expansion by Virgin Blue, has added 60% capacity to the Australian domestic market and on routes to New Zealand since this time last year.
Virgin Blue chairman Chris Corrigan chose to focus on international developments at the company's annual meeting in Brisbane.
'Current market conditions continue to be a challenge for the global aviation industry,' he said.
When the company reported full-year results in May, it said it was 'reasonably comfortably' hedged in the first half of the current year but more exposed to fuel price rises in the second half.
Although the airline, in common with other carriers-around the world, imposed a fuel levy on tickets, later rises in the oil price have continued to erode profitability. But Corrigan acknowledged Jetstar was also applying new competitive pressures.
Despite the disappointing profit outlook, revenue from a load factor of 81% continued to rise. It was up 29% compared with last year, but that was unlikely to lead to higher net profit until capacity growth slowed.
Emily Atkins exited the locker room after a 22-point performance last week at the Rip Griffin Center and started slowly making her way through the throng of well wishers. That’s one part of college basketball that might not have been in the recruiting brochures: The post-game hugs.
More than half of Atkins’ Lubbock Christian University teammates come from within a two-hour radius of Lubbock, so friends and families who greet the players after games can make it feel more like high school than college.
Being a freshman and about six hours from home, Atkins takes kindly to the reception.
Even if post-game hugs weren’t the norm, LCU fans were bound to warm up in a hurry to the Lady Chaps’ freshman — one of two who have been quick-impact players. Atkins, who came from Crandall near Dallas, and Haley Burton, from just up the highway in Shallowater, have been key pieces in the program’s return to the NAIA Top 25 this week.
The No. 25 Lady Chaps (12-6, 9-3 in the Sooner Athletic Conference) host No. 2 Oklahoma City (17-0, 12-0) at 6 p.m. today.
Both made the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches all-state teams last season — Atkins in Class 3A, Burton in Class 2A — and are successfully making the jump.
Atkins ranks fifth in the SAC in scoring with a 15.1-point average. Burton, with 56 assists and 25 turnovers, has the best assists-to-turnovers ratio in the league at 2.24 while also scoring 9.1 points per game.
The two help the team in different ways with different styles. Atkins, a 5-foot-9 forward, uses the power and technique that made her a champion shot putter and discus thrower to be a strong scorer from the low block.
She’s short for an inside player, but not deterred. She’s reached double digits in 15 of her first 18 college games.
Burton, a 5-8 point guard, has a big part of the responsibility for running and controlling the offense.
No small assignment for a freshman.
It was less than two years ago that the Lady Chaps confronted the loss of Sierra Lovorn, a transcendant player for the program. The school’s career assists leader was a four-year starter on teams that went 101-36 with eight national tournament wins.
Maybe Burton can turn into that type of catalyst.
LCU coach Steve Gomez didn’t back away from comparing Burton to Lovorn.
“In some ways, she’s probably different and maybe even has some advantages athletically,” Gomez said. “She can jump, and she’s a little more physical. She’ll go into bodies a little more.
WOODLAND, Calif., May 10 (Reuters) - Dan Vincent is in a bind.
The president of Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) plans to use around 700 million tin-coated steel cans this year for tomatoes, peaches and pears from 168 growers here in California.
His cooperative then sells the canned fruits and vegetables to grocers ranging from Walmart Inc to Kroger Co, as well as food services companies such as Sysco Corp and a host of restaurant chains.
Since President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs on steel and aluminum to help the domestic steel industry on March 20, PCP's steel costs have jumped 9 percent as the market prices in the tariffs before they even take effect.
Vincent now expects his steel bill for the year to rise $18 million to $20 million, forcing him to choose between taking a potential 75 percent cut to his company's profits, or pushing the added costs to his retail customers and eventually to consumers - many of whom are lower-income Americans "who can least afford it," Vincent told Reuters.
"Look, we all want to protect U.S. steelworkers," Vincent said while touring a tomato farm in Woodland, California. "But we don't want to be an unintended consequence of this."
Meant to protect U.S. jobs and even out trade imbalances, the Trump administration's tariffs on steel and aluminum are having a ripple effect throughout the U.S. economy, from cars to aircraft to oilfield pipes. Cans have a special significance in the debate over the pros and cons of the policy.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, during a March 2 appearance on CNBC, held up a Campbell Soup Co can and said it only contained 2.6 cents worth of steel in it, equating to less than a one cent added cost per can.
"Who in the world is going to be too bothered by six tenths of a cent?" Ross said.
A Commerce Department spokesman said the figures Ross used were based on the cost of tin plate steel and calculated for a 10.75 ounce (0.3kg) can, adding steel is "only one component of the cost."
Canning industry executives, however, say the cost of America's most common 15 ounce (0.43kg) can is actually around 17 cents, and will rise 4 cents thanks to tariffs.
Even a 10-ounce can costs food processors up to 14 cents, and should cost 3 cents more with tariffs.
Those pennies add up. If the cost of all 24 billion cans Americans use annually went up 3 cents, it would generate an additional $720 million in costs someone in the supply chain must eat, industry executives said.
"Our members have razor-thin margins," said Nickolas George, president of the Midwest Food Products Association, which represents Seneca Food Corp and Del Monte Pacific Ltd , which both can fruit and vegetables, among others. "Lower profits for them mean less innovation, less investment, less expansion into new markets and less hiring."
For consumers, a spike in prices in the grocery aisle puts poorer Americans at risk, U.S. government statistics show, because they spend more of their budget on food than those in higher income brackets.
The canning industry has made economic fairness part of its public argument for canceling the tariffs. According to 2012 research commissioned by the Can Manufacturers Institute, Americans on food stamps and other food assistance programs consumed 7.1 cans of fruit and vegetables every week, compared with the national weekly average of 5.5 cans.
Retailers and companies like PCP work to keep the cost of canned fruit and vegetables under 99 cents, which is what Vincent calls the "magic number," a psychological threshold over which poorer U.S. consumers in particular have historically walked away.
"I'm afraid the tariffs are going to push us over that 99 cent threshold," Vincent said.
A key question is whether Walmart will let producers pass on higher costs, as the retail giant is renowned for pushing back against price hikes, said Edward Jones analyst Brittany Weissman.
Walmart referred Reuters to the Retail Industry Leaders Association trade group. Hun Quach, the group's vice president for international trade, said with tariffs "the bottom line is there is no other place for through costs to go than to consumers."
Rivals for PCP in China and Europe, meanwhile, are seen getting a boost from steel tariffs. Canned fruit and vegetables imported into the United States will not be subject to tariffs because they are classified as finished goods, so foreign competitors are under no pressure to raise prices.
The farmers in PCP's cooperative grow fruits and vegetables in the rich, sandy-loam soil of California's Central Valley, east of San Francisco.
One of those farmers is Frank Muller, chairman of the cooperative's board and a second-generation tomato farmer.
On the thousands of acres he farms, workers carefully drop young tomato plants into perfectly-formed holes, irrigated by underground strips to save water. New seeds and more precise planting techniques have helped Muller more than double the yield of his fields during the past three decades to 55 tons of tomatoes per acre.
But at the same time, his costs have exploded. In just one example, he now pays $2,600 per 100,000 seeds up from $20 three decades ago.
Muller had planned a new steel equipment storage building on his farm, but that investment is on hold, he said, due to uncertainty about the cost.
"The tariffs hit me at both ends," Muller said. "It means higher input costs and it will hurt our end markets."
Richard Elliot is another of PCP's farmers worried by tariffs. A fifth-generation pear grower, he said a broader trade war would hurt his exports to Canada and South America. But Elliot is more concerned steel tariffs will harm PCP, which he relies on to buy and can a significant portion of his crop.