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Tips to financially prepare to buy a home
Expert: Practice paying your expected mortgage before buying your home
InvestigateTV - The average home buyer saves for four years before making a purchase, according to the National Association of Realtors. So, experts recommend if you plan to buy a home the time to start saving for a down payment is now.
Virginia Credit Union financial coach Cherry Dale said there are many different options for down payments.
Dale said your first step should be to contact a loan officer to discuss the best option for you. While there are loans where you can put 0% down, most lenders recommend you put down 20%. So, for a $300,000 house, you would need a $60,000 down payment.
Once you know how much you’ll need for a down payment, Dale recommended setting up a separate savings account just for it. She suggested you make automatic contributions and put any bonus, tax refund, or unexpected income into that account.
Dale also pointed out that while saving for a down payment, you should also prepare for any difference in what you are spending on housing now and your eventual home payment.
For example, if your home will cost $500 more per month than your rent, you should start practicing paying the entire mortgage payment by putting the extra $500 into a savings account.
“So, you’re pretend paying that mortgage before you actually get in there and then you can know if it fits your budget without being overwhelmed with the thought of defaulting on a mortgage,” Dale said.
Lastly, Dale suggested that you put a time frame on your goal. Figure out how much you need to set aside each month, so you can realistically be ready to buy your home.
The Department of Housing and Development (HUD) has a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to purchase a home.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-02T21:44:11+00:00 | wcjb.com | https://www.wcjb.com/2023/03/02/tips-financially-prepare-buy-home/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — The 1990s are making a comeback, with scrunchies acceptable again, “Night Court” back on TV and fanny packs and flannel all the rage. But it’s not the ’90s until two of the most idiotic teenagers return, sniggering along the way.
That’s right, Beavis and Butt-Head — forever un-matured — are on the streaming platform Paramount+ these days, still mocking culture and saying things like, “That cloud looks like a butt.”
“It is almost fun sometimes to just go to that lazy part of your brain where you’re just blurting out whatever stupid thought comes out,” says Mike Judge, who created the duo and voices them.
A second season of “Mike Judge’s Beavis and Butt-Head” kicked off this month with our heroes at school-mandated meditation class, an alternative to detention. “This sucks,” says Butt Head, the dark-haired one in braces and an AC/DC T-shirt. “Now try to empty your mind of all thoughts,” says the teacher. It is surprisingly easy.
There’s also a visit to a polling place — the boys mistake it for a strip club — and later a scheme to buy beer by spray-painting Beavis’ hair with white paint to make him look older. It goes awry, of course, when he gets on a shuttle bus to a retirement community.
The look, feel and snark of the show hasn’t changed even if there are fewer music videos these days. Judge relies on a producer to scour YouTube to find videos that might spark a spontaneous put-down. It’s all very timeless.
“That’s the beauty of ‘Beavis and Butt-Head’ — no matter what decade you were born in, you’re able to find ways to connect to them and even perhaps see bits of yourselves in them,” said Domenic DiMeglio, chief marketing officer for Paramount+.
There are a few bizarre tangents, particularly the return to an alternative universe where Beavis and Butt-Head are middle-aged. Judge devised one episode in which they marry each other without realizing it.
The original “Beavis and Butt-Head” arrived in 1993 on MTV and became an instant hit, running for seven seasons before going on hiatus in 1997. The un-dynamic duo returned with an eighth, stand-alone season in 2011, and the series was revived last year.
This show’s influence was so strong that it spawned a full-length film called “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America” in 1996 and another titled “Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe” in 2022.
Judge says he started to think about returning to his cartoon duo after the band Portugal. The Man asked him if he could introduce them with his iconic title characters at 2018’s Coachella.
“I thought of it as a way of ‘Let me see what it sounds like if my voice still sounds like them.’ And I did it. I played it back and it still felt like Beavis and Butt-Head. And so that’s partly what got me thinking about doing this again.”
The targets have changed, even if some show principles have not. If something is already funny, it’s usually not a good target. And being overexposed is usually a green light. So yesterday’s Axl Rose became today’s Jack Harlow.
This season sees Beavis and Butt-Head dunk on Lil Nas X, Audrey Nuna, Bill Gates, Ronald Reagan and even the Buddha. There’s a bizarre scene in which the boys annoy Jesus and Ganesh on an astral plane so much that the deities take turns punching the boys.
Judge came up with the original concept at a time when TV was filled with yuppies — “The Cosby Show,” “Family Ties,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” and “Mad About You.”
“Maybe some of it was in reaction to that — finding a place in comedy that was different,” he said. “But I wasn’t trying to be shocking or edgy. I was just trying to make it funny.”
There was plenty of blowback. Judge thinks “Beavis and Butt-Head” were badly misunderstood back then by some people who accused it of contributing to all sorts of poor teen behavior. Judge even got death threats.
The cartoon duo have returned to a vastly different media landscape, one they had a part in cracking open. Can two snarky teens with little social consciousness have the ability to cut through the online hype?
Yes, says Paramount+: “Beavis and Butt-Head have been doing clever social commentary long before it was cool in the age of social media and their no-filter, blissfully ignorant POV has always been part of this duo’s DNA,” said DiMeglio.
One thing the show will not do is wade into politics. In a recent episode, Beavis and Butt-Head go hunting — “The outdoors sucks,” says Butt-Head — and accidentally drink deer urine. This was an opportunity to raise the issue of guns, but Judge has no interest.
“I feel like this is comedy and we’re just looking for funny and just trying to give people a break from that kind of stuff. I don’t think Beavis and Butt-Head have anything to add to that conversation,” he said.
“They’re not sophisticated enough to go there. I think that’s what’s comforting about it: Just seeing some guys who don’t know any better. They don’t have much accountability. They don’t know what the word means.” | 2023-04-27T15:16:03+00:00 | kxnet.com | https://www.kxnet.com/news/national-news/beavis-and-butt-head-return-as-wonderfully-moronic-as-ever/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. imposed sanctions on the pro-Russian head of Serbian intelligence on Tuesday, accusing Aleksander Vulin of involvement in illegal arms shipments, drug trafficking and misuse of public office.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Vulin used his public authority to help U.S.-sanctioned Serbian arms dealer Slobodan Tesic move illegal arms shipments across Serbia’s borders. Vulin is also accused of involvement in a drug trafficking ring, Treasury said.
Vulin was appointed spy chief for the Balkan state last year.
He previously served as Serbia’s interior minister. In that role, he visited Moscow last August, a rare visit by a European state official that underscored Belgrade’s refusal to join Western sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.
Vulin then told Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that “Serbia is the only state in Europe that didn’t introduce sanctions and was not part of the anti-Russian hysteria.”
Serbia is a candidate for European Union membership, but its strained relationship with Kosovo has stymied its application and the nation has for years been drifting away from its EU path and toward allyship with Russia.
Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said the U.S. “will continue to hold accountable those who further their political agenda and personal gain at the expense of peace and stability in the Western Balkans and advance Russia’s malign activities in Serbia and the region.” | 2023-07-11T18:27:31+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/ap-politics/ap-us-is-sanctioning-the-pro-russian-head-of-serbian-intelligence-for-alleged-corruption/ |
High school senior killed in crash days before birthday: ‘It still doesn’t seem real’
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT/Gray News) - A high school senior in Mississippi died in a car crash just days before her birthday.
WLBT reports the crash happened last week at an intersection south of downtown Jackson. Shamerria Smith, 18, was killed in the collision after a Ford Explorer hit her Nissan Altima.
The Jackson Police Department said the crash remains under investigation.
Shamerria Smith’s family said the collision happened less than a mile away from their home.
“We were home eating ice cream, and my middle daughter was ready to come home from work,” said Stephanie Smith, Shamerria Smith’s mother. “I told her to pick up her sister, who worked not far from where we live.”
About two hours passed, and Stephanie Smith thought maybe her daughters were just riding around. But the mother’s 16-year-old daughter called asking why Shamerria Smith hadn’t picked her up yet.
“I was trying to figure out where Shamerria was,” Stephanie Smith said. “I told my daughter I would call to find out where her older sister was and pick her up in the meantime.”
But before Stephanie Smith could get to the end of the street near her home, she saw several police cars and crime tape around what appeared to be a crash. Then she recognized her red Nissan Altima.
“I was like, ‘Is that my bumper?’ I pulled over, got out, and started asking people what kind of car it was, but they didn’t know.”
As she walked closer to the scene to speak to the police, an officer stopped her, asking her not to approach the scene.
“I said, ‘Sir, I think that’s my car, and I’m trying to find my baby. Where is my daughter? Please, tell me if that’s my daughter!’” Stephanie Smith said.
The vehicle was almost unrecognizable.
As one officer tried to calm her down, Stephanie Smith said a female officer came over to ask her more questions. Minutes later, she saw the coroner’s marked vehicle pull up.
Stephanie Smith said she almost blacked out.
“My mind just went blank. I just kept thinking this wasn’t real,” she said.
After confirming Shamerria Smith’s identity, her mother said an officer handed over her daughter’s license and cell phone along with news that no parent wants to hear.
“It still doesn’t seem real,” she said. “It’s still a lot of debris out on the street. When I drive past there, I tear up because I know that’s where my daughter took her last breath.”
Stephanie Smith said she would miss her daughter’s smile and calling her name. She wanted to travel after graduation.
“She loved fashion and styling and wanted to travel and see the world. She wanted to visit other countries and places,” she said.
The close-knit family is inviting Provine High School students and the community to a balloon release on Oct. 30, the day Shamerria Smith would have turned 19.
Police did not immediately release the other driver’s name, their condition, or if they would face charges.
Copyright 2022 WLBT via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-27T03:52:00+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/2022/10/27/high-school-senior-killed-crash-days-before-birthday-it-still-doesnt-seem-real/ |
NEW YORK, May 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (NYSE: IIPR).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/innovative-industrial-properties-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=27465&from=4
The lawsuit seeks to recover losses for shareholders who purchased Innovative Industrial Properties between May 7, 2020 and April 13, 2022.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until June 24, 2022 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Innovative Industrial Properties' focus is to be a cannabis company lender rather than a REIT; (2) that the true values of the Company's properties are significantly lower than Innovative Industrial Properties represents; (3) there are existential issues in its top customers; (4) as a result, its top customers may not be able to continue making payments to Innovative Industrial Properties and the Company would face significant issues replacing these customers; and (5) as a result, defendants' statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | 2022-05-20T11:30:02+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/05/20/iipr-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-innovative-industrial-properties-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-june-24-2022/ |
Dog suffering from alcohol withdrawal recovering at animal shelter
(Gray News) - An animal shelter says a dog is recovering from alcohol withdrawal.
The Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, a shelter in the United Kingdom, said it has been nursing a dog named Coco back to health.
The team said this was the first case for them dealing with canine alcohol withdrawal.
Coco has required intensive care for more than a month since arriving at the shelter with his canine pal following the death of his owner.
According to the shelter, a vet was on site at the time and was able to administer emergency care to both animals but, unfortunately, Coco’s pal died despite the team’s best efforts.
Coco required 24-hour care with all his symptoms pointing towards alcohol withdrawal. He spent weeks sedated to help with his symptoms.
Last week, the team shared an update with Coco saying the little guy is off all medication and starting to behave normally.
The shelter team said it doesn’t know how the dogs got alcohol into their systems but without the care Coco received, he would likely have not survived.
Coco is expected to be available for adoption once fully recovered.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-12T23:22:47+00:00 | kwtx.com | https://www.kwtx.com/2023/04/12/dog-suffering-alcohol-withdrawal-continues-recovery-animal-shelter/ |
Olympic gold medalist Tori Bowie died from childbirth complications, autopsy finds
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — U.S. Olympic champion sprinter Tori Bowie died from complications of childbirth, according to an autopsy report.
Bowie, who won three medals at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, was found dead last month. She was 32.
The report from the office of the medical examiner in Orlando, Florida, said Bowie was estimated to be eight months pregnant and showing signs of undergoing labor when she was found dead on May 2. It said she was found in bed in a “secured residence” with possible complications including respiratory distress and eclampsia. The autopsy report said “the manner of death is natural.”
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded in early May to a home in the area “for a well-being check of a woman in her 30s who had not been seen or heard from in several days.” She was later identified as Frentorish “Tori” Bowie.
The toxicology reports were negative and listed bipolar disorder in her medical history.
Bowie grew up in Mississippi after being taken in by her grandmother as an infant. She considered herself a basketball player and only reluctantly showed up for track as a teenager, where she blossomed into an elite sprinter and long jumper. She attended Southern Mississippi, where she swept the long jump NCAA championships at the indoor and outdoor events in 2011.
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Bowie won silver in the 100 and bronze in the 200. She then ran the anchor leg on a 4x100 team with Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix and English Gardner to take gold.
A year later, she won the 100 meters at the 2017 world championships in London. She also helped the 4x100 team to gold.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-13T16:40:05+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/06/13/olympic-gold-medalist-tori-bowie-died-childbirth-complications-autopsy-finds/ |
Coroner IDs man fatally shot by Henderson police officer
The man shot dead by Henderson police on Monday has been identified, and so has the officer who shot him.
Jason Charles Dunkle, 50, of Henderson, died of multiple gunshot wounds, the Clark County coroner’s office said.
The Henderson Police Department identified the officer who shot Dunkle as Glenn Morgon.
Police say Dunkle was fatally shot by the officer after Dunkle fired a replica BB gun at Morgon during a chase in the 10000 block of South Eastern Avenue at about 7 a.m.
In a press release issued Tuesday night, police said that the man later identified as Dunkle allegedly matched the description of a suspect from a domestic incident earlier that morning.
Officers chased Dunkle on foot when they arrived on scene. During the pursuit, Dunkle allegedly tried to break into stopped vehicles in the road. An officer fired a taser at Dunkle, who fired back at the officer, hitting the officer in the face, police said.
The officer then fired his gun at Dunkle, hitting him. Dunkle was taken to the hospital, where he died.
Morgon was taken to the hospital and was in stable condition, according to police.
Contact Brett Clarkson at bclarkson@reviewjournal.com or 561-324-6421. Follow @BrettClarkson_ on Twitter. Contact David Wilson at dwilson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @davidwilson_RJ on Twitter. | 2022-09-29T03:50:10+00:00 | reviewjournal.com | https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/henderson/coroner-ids-man-fatally-shot-by-henderson-police-officer-2648020/ |
Six Ways to Help a Turtle Cross the Road Safely in Maine
Turtle Crossing in the County
We’ve all seen turtles crossing the busy roads in Aroostook County. Many of us have stopped to lend them a hand to help keep them safe.
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said there are a couple of reasons why turtles cross the roadways this time of year. Turtles get on the move to breed and find food. Also, in late Spring and early Summer, the female turtles are looking for a place to nest.
When you stop to help a turtle, there are some good guidelines to follow..
Six Ways You Can Help a Turtle
1 - Be careful of other vehicles when you pull over. Make sure you park in a safe area for your own safety and for the safety of others.
2- Yes, turtles bite and it hurts. Wardens suggest letting the turtle cross on its own with you “standing guard.” Or, use your car mat. Put it under the turtle and slide them across to the other side.
3 - Take the turtle in the direction it was heading. Turtles will try again to get where they are going if you turn them around. that just puts them right back on the street.
4 - Pick the turtle up by the shell to avoid getting bitten. Snapping turtles have reach and can get to your hands if you are not careful. Hold the sides of the shell.
5 - Don’t adopt the turtle and take it home. Think of the future generations of turtles.
6 - Take a picture of the turtle. You play a very important role in documenting the process. Send the information to the Maine Amphibian and Reptile Atlas Project. This helps keep track of the turtles and their movements.
Take the Pledge
The Wardens Service also has a pledge that will help you remember to do the right thing.
More info
For more information about the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, visit their Facebook page.
Thanks for keeping our wildlife happy in the great state of Maine. | 2022-06-08T20:25:11+00:00 | q961.com | https://q961.com/six-ways-to-help-a-turtle-cross-the-road-safely-in-maine/ |
New film created for the Planetarium's 57-foot dome screen examines the interplay between science and religion as both strive to give meaning to humanity's oldest questions.
BOSTON, Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Museum of Science, Boston announced the date for the premiere of its new Planetarium film, God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning, written and narrated by international bestselling author Dan Brown. The 30-minute film, opening November 11 at the Charles Hayden Planetarium, is the result of a unique collaboration between Brown and the Museum over the last four years. The story, however, was inspired long before that by Brown's childhood visits to the Museum.
"As the child of a mathematics professor and a Christian church organist, I've always been fascinated with the interplay between science and religion—two different languages attempting to answer life's most profound questions," said Brown. "These contrasting viewpoints are central to my novels, and I'm thrilled to be collaborating with the Boston Museum of Science on this thought-provoking project, which explores these captivating topics through the uniquely immersive experience of the planetarium."
God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning examines the connections between faith and science as humanity has always looked to the skies in search of meaning. Who are we? Why are we here? How did all of this come to be? Humans have long sought answers to these big questions through the lenses of religion or science – concepts often perceived to be at odds, but for many, can coexist.
"Humanity relies on science to solve physical problems, and on religion, philosophy, and spirituality to address questions of meaning and existence," said Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science. "It has been an uplifting experience to bring this film to the giant screen in collaboration with Dan Brown. My hope is that audiences around the world will walk away from the film appreciating how faith can coexist with science and how both are needed in envisioning a world where science belongs to us all for the good of us all. "
God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning was developed by the Planetarium's in-house production team working alongside Dan Brown and in consultation with a diverse group of advisors throughout its four-year production. Thought leaders in science and religion contributed guidance in ensuring the film took great care covering this intersection.
"Awe, wonder, and curiosity about the universe and our place in it resonates among people of very different cultures, identities and worldviews," said Dr. Katy Hinman, Program Director, AAAS Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) program which served as a consultant during the film's development. "We are excited to see the Museum's new planetarium show recognizing and honoring faith's importance as a core pillar of identity for most people around the world, and bringing that into conversation with the scientific exploration of the universe."
After its release in November, the Museum of Science and Dan Brown plan to license the film for distribution to other planetariums around the world beginning in 2023.
"Producing the film, God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning, has been an exciting and incredibly meaningful experience for many of us on the team at the Charles Hayden Planetarium. It gives audiences an opportunity to reflect on the natural awe and wonder of looking up at the cosmos, just as so many before us have done", said Dani LeBlanc, director of immersive theaters at the Museum of Science. "I'm hopeful that the themes and questions we touch upon on in this film will resonate with audiences the world over."
God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning opens at the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, Boston, with a special showing to Museum members on November 11, and opens to the public on November 12. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased online or at the Museum box office. For more information visit, www.mos.org.
Among the world's largest science centers, the Museum of Science engages millions of people each year to the wonders of science and technology through interactive exhibitions, digital programs, giant screen productions, and preK – 8 EiE® STEM curricula through the William and Charlotte Bloomberg Science Education Center. Established in 1830, the Museum is home to such iconic experiences as the Theater of Electricity, the Charles Hayden Planetarium, and the Mugar Omni Theater. Around the world, the Museum is known for digital experiences such as Mission: Mars launching in 2022 on Roblox, and traveling exhibitions such as the Science Behind Pixar. Learn more at mos.org.
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SOURCE The Museum of Science | 2022-10-13T17:41:48+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2022/10/13/museum-science-boston-presents-new-original-planetarium-film-god-science-our-search-meaning-collaboration-with-acclaimed-author-dan-brown/ |
NEW YORK, Dec. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Rent the Runway, Inc. (NASDAQ: RENT).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/rent-the-runway-inc-loss-submission-form/?id=34210&from=4
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons or entities who purchased Rent the Runway Class A common stock in or traceable to the Company's October 2021 initial public offering.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until January 13, 2023 to petition the court. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
According to a filed complaint, Rent the Runway, Inc. issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Rent the Runway was continuing to face extraordinary business headwinds, such as transportation headwinds and labor wage rate increases, from the COVID-19 pandemic; (ii) Rent the Runway's active subscriber enrollments had sharply decelerated from the growth trajectory represented in the offering documents and, as a result, Rent the Runway was several months away from approaching its pre-pandemic levels of active subscriptions; (iii) Rent the Runway needed to substantially increase marketing and advertising costs from historical figures in order to attempt to grow its active subscriber network; (iv) Rent the Runway was suffering from ballooning fulfillment and transportation costs; and (v) as a result, Rent the Runway was suffering accelerating operational losses at the time of the initial public offering and was far less likely to achieve profitability in the near term, if ever, than represented.
Jakubowitz Law is vigorous in pursuit of justice for shareholders who have been the victim of securities fraud. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
1140 Avenue of the Americas
9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
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SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | 2022-12-02T11:43:38+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/12/02/rent-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-rent-runway-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-january-13-2023/ |
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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Atlantic City's main casino workers union will vote Wednesday on whether to authorize a strike against the city's casinos, with whom they have yet to reach new contract agreements.
Local 54 of the Unite Here union says its members will decide whether union leadership can call a strike against any or all of the nine casinos. Contracts with the casinos expired nearly two weeks ago, and talks have yet to produce a new agreement.
“We’ve been saying for some time now that casino workers need a real raise," union president Bob McDevitt said. "We’re two weeks past our contract expiration, and we’ll continue to try to get there with the companies, but we’re taking a vote this week to put in the hands of the negotiating committee the power to call a strike, if necessary.”
No target date for a potential walkout has been set, but an obvious date would be the July 4 holiday weekend, which is crucial to the casinos' business plans as one of the busiest times of the year.
A “yes” vote will not result in an immediate strike. It simply gives the union's negotiating committee, comprised of workers from all nine casinos, the power to call a strike if and when they see fit.
But it would be likely to increase pressure on the casinos as they negotiate with the union, which says it is seeking “significant” wage increases in the next contract to help workers deal with financial setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic and rapidly rising prices.
The labor dispute comes at an uncertain time in Atlantic City: The casinos and their online partners are collectively making more money now than before the pandemic hit.
But the casinos say those statistics are misleading because they get to keep only about 30% of online and sports betting money, with the rest going to their third-party partners. They say that in-person revenue won from gamblers is the crucial metric, and not all the casinos have surpassed their pre-pandemic levels.
The union went on strike in 2004 for 34 days, and walked out against the former Trump Taj Mahal casino in July 2016, which ended with the casino shutting down in October of that year. It has since reopened under different ownership as the Hard Rock.
So far, the union has secured agreements with the Ocean Casino Resort and Bally's to honor the terms of contracts eventually reached with some of the larger casino companies in town, but no contracts have yet been agreed upon.
___
Follow Wayne Parry on Twitter at www.twitter.com/WayneParryAC | 2022-06-13T16:47:03+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Union-to-vote-on-authorizing-Atlantic-City-casino-17238024.php |
Frozen fruit recall issued after Hepatitis A outbreak
(Gray News) – Scenic Fruit Company has issued a recall for frozen strawberries and an organic tropical blend due to an outbreak of Hepatitis A.
According to the FDA, the strawberries were sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets, while the tropical blend was sold at Trader Joe’s.
The following products are part of the recall:
- Simply Nature organic strawberries with the UPC 4099100256222 and best by date of 6/14/2024
- Vital Choice organic strawberries with the UPC 834297005024 and best by date of 5/20/2024
- Kirkland Signature organic strawberries with the UPC 96619140404 and best by date of 10/8/2024
- Made With organic strawberries with the UPC 814343021390 and best by date of 11/20/2024
- PCC Community Markets organic strawberries with the UPC 22827109469 and best by date of 10/29/2024
- Trader Joe’s organic tropical fruit blend pineapple, bananas, strawberries & mango with the UPC 00511919
While Hepatitis A has not been detected on these products, anyone with these products should return it to their local store for a refund out of an abundance of caution.
Hepatitis A is a contagious liver disease that can range from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious illness lasting several months.
According to the FDA, illness occurs within 15 to 50 days of exposure and includes fatigue, abdominal pain, jaundice, abnormal liver tests, dark urine and pale stool.
Hepatitis A vaccination can prevent illness if given within two weeks of exposure to a contaminated food.
Copyright 2023 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-21T16:56:07+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/2023/03/21/frozen-fruit-recall-issued-after-hepatitis-outbreak/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Fashion company Boohoo has released their results for this year’s most popular Halloween costumes in every state over the past month.
During this study, Boohoo analyzed Google Trend data to establish the most Googled Halloween costumes in every state over the past month. The study examined both the most popular pop culture-inspired costumes and the most popular classic costumes.
Top pop culture-inspired costumes:
1. Harley Quinn
2. Chucky
3. Top Gun
4. Stranger Things and Minions
5. Poison Ivy and Hocus Pocus
6. Jack Skellington and Michael Myers
Top classic costumes:
1. Witch
2. Fairy
3. Pirate
4. Devil and ghost
5. Black cat
6. Dinosaur
“These findings provide an interesting insight into the biggest costume trends of the year, predicting that we can expect to see several witches and Harley Quinns this Halloween,” said a spokesperson for Boohoo.
According to Boohoo’s study, Kansas’ most-searched-for pop culture-inspired Halloween costume is for Hocus Pocus, and its most searched-for classic costume is for a witch.
2022’s most popular Halloween costumes in every state:
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EDISON, N.J., Aug. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SFERRA Fine Linens, LLC ("SFERRA") is notifying individuals of a data incident. To date, we have no evidence of actual or attempted misuse of information as a result of this incident. This notice provides details about the incident, our response, and resources available to help protect information. Please note, this event did not impact any of SFERRA's e-commerce platforms or any information retained in our e-commerce systems.
What Happened? On or about April 24, 2022, SFERRA became aware of suspicious activity on its computer servers. SFERRA immediately took steps to secure our network, and with the assistance of third-party forensic specialists, deployed countermeasures to contain the event. SFERRA immediately began an investigation to determine the nature and scope of the activity, with the assistance of third-party forensic specialist. The investigation found that certain files may have been subject to unauthorized access between April 14, 2022, and April 24, 2022.
Given that certain files were potentially accessed without authorization, SFERRA undertook a comprehensive review of the data to understand the specific information potentially impacted and to whom it related. Once those efforts were completed, SFERRA worked diligently to provide notification to potentially impacted individuals as quickly as possible.
What Information Was Involved? The impacted information varied by individual but may include name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license, financial account information, medical and/or health insurance information, passport information, electronic/digital signature, and account access credentials.
What SFERRA is Doing. SFERRA take this event and the obligation to safeguard the information in its care very seriously. After discovering the suspicious activity, SFERRA promptly took steps to confirm its system security, and engaged third-party forensic specialists to assist in conducting a comprehensive investigation of the event to confirm its nature, scope, and impact. SFERRA also promptly notified federal law enforcement. Further, as part of its ongoing commitment to the privacy and security of personal information in its care, SFERRA is reviewing and enhancing existing policies and procedures relating to data protection and security. SFERRA has instituted additional security measures to better protect against future similar events. SFERRA is also notifying relevant regulatory authorities, as required.
What Affected Individuals Can Do. Individuals are encouraged to remain vigilant against incidents of identity theft by reviewing account statements and credit reports for unusual activity and reporting any suspicious activity immediately to their financial institution. Additional detail can be found below in the Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Your Personal Information.
For More Information. Individuals who have questions about this incident or believe they may be impacted by this incident, please call our dedicated call center at 1-800-939-4170, which is available from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday (excluding major U.S. holidays).
Steps You Can Take to Help Protect Your Personal Information
Monitor Your Accounts
Under U.S. law, a consumer is entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. To order your free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call, toll-free, 1-877-322-8228. You may also directly contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below to request a free copy of your credit report.
Consumers have the right to place an initial or extended "fraud alert" on a credit file at no cost. An initial fraud alert is a 1-year alert that is placed on a consumer's credit file. Upon seeing a fraud alert display on a consumer's credit file, a business is required to take steps to verify the consumer's identity before extending new credit. If you are a victim of identity theft, you are entitled to an extended fraud alert, which is a fraud alert lasting seven years. Should you wish to place a fraud alert, please contact any one of the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below.
As an alternative to a fraud alert, consumers have the right to place a "credit freeze" on a credit report, which will prohibit a credit bureau from releasing information in the credit report without the consumer's express authorization. The credit freeze is designed to prevent credit, loans, and services from being approved in your name without your consent. However, you should be aware that using a credit freeze to take control over who gets access to the personal and financial information in your credit report may delay, interfere with, or prohibit the timely approval of any subsequent request or application you make regarding a new loan, credit, mortgage, or any other account involving the extension of credit. Pursuant to federal law, you cannot be charged to place or lift a credit freeze on your credit report. To request a credit freeze, you will need to provide the following information:
- Full name (including middle initial as well as Jr., Sr., II, III, etc.);
- Social Security number;
- Date of birth;
- Addresses for the prior two to five years;
- Proof of current address, such as a current utility bill or telephone bill;
- A legible photocopy of a government-issued identification card (state driver's license or ID card, etc.); and
- A copy of either the police report, investigative report, or complaint to a law enforcement agency concerning identity theft if you are a victim of identity theft.
Should you wish to place a credit freeze, please contact the three major credit reporting bureaus listed below:
Additional Information
You may further educate yourself regarding identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps you can take to protect your personal information by contacting the consumer reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission, or your state Attorney General. The Federal Trade Commission may be reached at: 600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The Federal Trade Commission also encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. You can obtain further information on how to file such a complaint by way of the contact information listed above. You have the right to file a police report if you ever experience identity theft or fraud. Please note that in order to file a report with law enforcement for identity theft, you will likely need to provide some proof that you have been a victim. Instances of known or suspected identity theft should also be reported to law enforcement and your state Attorney General. This notice has not been delayed by law enforcement.
For California residents: Visit the California Office of Privacy Protection (www.oag.ca.gov/privacy) for additional information on protection against identity theft.
For Maryland residents, the Maryland Attorney General may be contacted at: 200 St. Paul Place, 16th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202; 1-410-528-8662 or 1-888-743-0023; and www.oag.state.md.us.
For New Mexico residents, you have rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, such as the right to be told if information in your credit file has been used against you, the right to know what is in your credit file, the right to ask for your credit score, and the right to dispute incomplete or inaccurate information. Further, pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the consumer reporting bureaus must correct or delete inaccurate, incomplete, or unverifiable information; consumer reporting agencies may not report outdated negative information; access to your file is limited; you must give your consent for credit reports to be provided to employers; you may limit "prescreened" offers of credit and insurance you get based on information in your credit report; and you may seek damages from violator. You may have additional rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act not summarized here. Identity theft victims and active duty military personnel have specific additional rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act. We encourage you to review your rights pursuant to the Fair Credit Reporting Act by visiting https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201504_cfpb_summary_your-rights-under-fcra.pdf, or by writing Consumer Response Center, Room 130-A, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580.
For New York residents, the New York Attorney General may be contacted at: Office of the Attorney General, The Capitol, Albany, NY 12224-0341; 1-800-771-7755; or https://ag.ny.gov/.
For North Carolina residents, the North Carolina Attorney General may be contacted at: 9001 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-9001; 1-877-566-7226 or 1-919-716-6000; and www.ncdoj.gov.
For Oregon residents: Oregon Department of Justice, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, OR 97301-4096, www.doj.state.or.us/, Telephone: 877-877-9392.
For Rhode Island residents, the Rhode Island Attorney General may be reached at: 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903; www.riag.ri.gov; and 1-401-274-4400. Under Rhode Island law, you have the right to obtain any police report filed in regard to this incident.
For all U.S. residents: Identity Theft Clearinghouse, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580, www.consumer.gov/idtheft, 1-877-IDTHEFT (438-4338).
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SOURCE SFERRA Fine Linens, LLC | 2022-08-19T01:59:18+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2022/08/19/notice-data-breach/ |
MINOT, N.D. — The Duluth Huskies laid the groundwork for their fourth straight victory quickly on Sunday night, scoring six times in the first inning of a 9-7 Northwoods League victory over the Minot Hot Tots.
Duluth scored its six runs in the first inning on only one hit, but it was a big one: a Raymond Velazquez grand slam, his fifth homer in his last three games (over which span he has 11 RBIs).
Before the slam, Duluth took advantage of two hit batsmen, a dropped third strike/wild pitch and two walks.
Max Coupe led off the second inning with a solo homer to make Duluth's lead 7-1 and was followed by a Michael Hallquist two-run shot (his league-leading 12th of the season) to make it 9-1.
The lead proved sufficient but didn't discourage the Hot Tots, who scored six runs over the last two innings and brought the tying run to the plate before Duluth came away with the win.
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Hallquist and Coupe led the Duluth offense with two hits apiece.
Devin Dodson started on the mound for Duluth and allowed one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked three.
Duluth (13-7) will continue its North Dakota road trip on Monday night in Bismarck. | 2023-07-24T04:07:01+00:00 | duluthnewstribune.com | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/huskies-tear-up-hot-tots-early-win-fourth-straight |
SALT LAKE CITY , July 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world finds its footing with pandemic-induced adjustments, one global CEO and bestselling author is encouraging people everywhere to find peace and lower stress levels on International Peace and Love Day July 7.
"Research shows that as we seek peace and show kindness, we reduce stress and become more productive," said Kevin Guest, chairman and CEO of USANA Health Sciences (NYSE: USNA). "Doing so on International Peace and Love Day is the perfect time to commit to a calmer personal approach going forward this year."
Author of bestseller All the Right Reasons: 12 Timeless Principles for Living a Life in Harmony, Guest provides seven ways to help leaders and employees alike restore company culture and become stronger individually and as an organization.
Introduced by Beatles' drummer Ringo Starr, born July 7, 1940, International Peace & Love Day was launched on July 7, 2008, when Starr said he wanted peace and love for his birthday and encouraged people worldwide to spread peace and love.
"I was fortunate to meet Ringo Starr backstage before a concert and saw firsthand that he was an exceptionally nice person," Guest writes in his book. "Ringo laughed and joked as if he had plenty of time to spend with us in the waiting room. He seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself.
"When we took a picture, Ringo put his arm around me, chatted for a bit, and showed the peace and love signs he's famous for. He was gracious and genuine to each person in the room because he chooses to treat people with respect and warmth. He chooses the kind of person he wants to be. Everyone there went away feeling good about themselves and loving Ringo even more."
Guest encourages everyone to genuinely share peace and love to reduce stress, which brings more accomplishment and a sense of ease that is contagious.
"Next, choose now to treat others with respect and kindness," Guest said. "Listen and validate others' emotions and experiences. Letting them know their happiness and well-being matter to you is key to cultivating a personality of peace."
Third, Guest urges people to slow down and focus on their own breathing.
"Being mindful of your breathing brings you into the present moment, sharpening clarity and concentration," he said. "I like to breathe in for four counts, hold my breath for four counts, exhale for four and hold that for four counts. Doing that six times brings more oxygen and clear thinking.
"In that state of mind, you're ready to simplify your task list and devote efforts to top priorities."
Constantly traveling internationally, Guest, a Montana native, finds peace in natural settings and encourages others to walk outside and soak up nature.
"My boyhood home was near Flathead Lake, Montana, so growing up surrounded by water, trees and mountains is second nature," he said. "Living that deeply in nature calms you and reminds you of the bigger perspective when facing life's challenges."
Another sense of tranquility can come from regular massages for relaxation and muscle relief. Mayo Clinic findings cite massages reduce pain and muscle tension, improve blood circulation, lower heart rates and blood pressure, and improve immune function.
"Finally, on a regular basis, make a list of things you are grateful for – things that make you feel happier and calmer," Guest said. "Keep that list on your device and at low points during the day, review it and see your life in a more positive, realistic light. As I do that, I have found things are not as bad as I thought, and life is moving along better than I imagined."
All proceeds from All the Right Reasons are directed to feed two million meals to hungry children. Available on Amazon, the book provides 40 meals for each single purchase.
For more information, visit www.kevinguest.com.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tim Brown, Candid Communications
tim@candidcom.com
801-557-1466
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SOURCE USANA | 2022-07-06T11:37:53+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2022/07/06/kevin-guest-shares-7-ways-honor-international-peace-amp-love-day/ |
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)The Chicago Bears were riding high after a surprising victory over San Francisco in a rain-soaked season opener at Soldier Field, only to get taken down by Aaron Rodgers and the rival Green Bay Packers yet again.
They will try to bounce back when Lovie Smith – their former coach – and the winless Houston Texans visit Sunday.
Both teams have experienced their share of frustration. The Bears (1-1) have some big issues in their passing game, and the Texans (0-1-1) are simply searching for ways to win after failing to finish the first two weeks.
Houston settled for a 20-20 tie in the opener against Indianapolis after blowing a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. The Texans also led entering the fourth last week against Denver, only to lose 16-9.
As frustrating as those two games have been, the Texans see encouraging signs coming off a 4-13 season.
”Absolutely,” receiver Brandin Cooks said. ”Like I said, I think early on we do a great job of moving the ball and having those details correctly, so I’m definitely encouraging that aspect. It’s time to kind of take that next step to be able to turn these L’s into W’s really.”
The Bears got their run game going in a 27-10 loss at Green Bay. But when it comes to passing, they’re not getting much.
Justin Fields, in his second season, is 15 of 28 for 191 yards. He has the fewest attempts in the NFL among qualifiers. Only Dallas’ Dak Prescott has fewer completions and yards, and he missed last week’s game following thumb surgery.
Though Fields would obviously like to open up the passing game more, he said his job is to execute the game plan.
”If our offensive coordinator thinks the plays he’s giving me are going to help us win games, that’s all I care about,” he said.
FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
Smith had nothing but good things to say about his time in Chicago.
”Absolutely. I get a chance to have my dream job here based on starting there,” he said. ”A lot of great times, we still have a home there, friends. My wife is from Chicago. All positive, appreciative of everything that happened there during my time there.”
Smith led the Bears to an 81-63 record and a Super Bowl appearance from 2004-12. He was fired following a 10-win season.
The Bears have just one winning record and two playoff appearances since they let him go. They’re also on their fourth coach since, with Matt Eberflus in his first season.
CATCHING ON
Bears receiver Darnell Mooney isn’t ready to panic about his slow start.
”It’s Week 2, so don’t need to worry about it too much,” he said. ”The team believes in me. Players believe in me, so whenever my opportunity will be there, I’ll take advantage of it.”
Mooney has just two receptions for 4 yards and has been targeted five times. It’s not what he or the Bears envisioned after he had 1,055 yards last season – his second.
Chicago also needs to get tight end Cole Kmet more involved. He has zero receptions.
DAMEON’S DRIVE
Though the Texans have had trouble finishing, one player who hasn’t had a problem doing so is rookie running back Dameon Pierce. Both Smith and Cooks raved this week about the fourth-round pick’s ability to finish.
”We as a football team need to finish. I haven’t said that an awful lot to Dameon,” Smith said. ”He finishes plays … that toughness, extra effort, all those things you talk about, that’s exactly what we see from him every time he gets the ball.”
Added Cooks: ”From the moment he stepped into the building, that’s what he’s all about. Even in practice finishing runs, even when he’s not touched, even when it’s hard out there. It’s a mindset.”
Pierce had 15 carries for 69 yards and was solid in pass protection a week after managing just 33 yards on 11 carries in his NFL debut. His yards rushing last week were the most by a Houston rookie since 2017.
GROUND GAINS
Chicago’s ground game took off last week.
The Bears ran for 180 yards and averaged 6.7 yards per attempt against Green Bay. David Montgomery played a big part in that with 122 yards on 15 rushes, after managing just 26 yards on 17 carries in a rain-soaked season-opening win against San Francisco. Khalil Herbert added 38 yards on four attempts.
BRITT OUT
The Texans are without center Justin Britt after he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list this week. Britt started 11 games last season in his first year in Houston and started in the opener before leaving the team for what Smith called personal reasons.
Smith wouldn’t provide any details on why Britt was out this week. Scott Quessenberry, who started against the Broncos, will fill in at center.
—
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL | 2022-09-23T04:41:30+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/sports/bear-blitz/bears-look-to-bounce-back-against-smith-winless-texans/ |
NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Levi & Korsinsky, LLP notifies investors in NeoGenomics, Inc. ("NeoGenomics" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: NEO) of a class action securities lawsuit.
CLASS DEFINITION: The lawsuit seeks to recover losses on behalf of NeoGenomics investors who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between February 27, 2020 and April 26, 2022. Follow the link below to get more information and be contacted by a member of our team:
NEO investors may also contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212) 363-7500.
CASE DETAILS: The filed complaint alleges that defendants made false statements and/or concealed that: (1) defendants represented to investors that it had a "comprehensive menu" of cancer tests with "every kind of testing modality that you can use for cancer, including some of the fast-growing new ones, like next-generation sequencing," which positioned the Company as a "one-stop-shop" for pathologists and gave NeoGenomics "a competitive advantage" as a "go-to reference lab with a comprehensive menu for just about any kind of tests that you want to have done in cancer"; and (2) defendants represented that NeoGenomics could "leverage" the supposedly "fixed cost" structure of its business to improve profitability as revenue increased and touted the Company's "robust Compliance Program . . . to ensure compliance with the myriad of . . . laws, regulations and governmental guidance applicable to our business."
WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in NeoGenomics during the relevant time frame, you have until February 6, 2023 to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as a lead plaintiff.
NO COST TO YOU: If you are a class member, you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out-of-pocket costs or fees. There is no cost or obligation to participate.
WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, the team at Levi & Korsinsky has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. Our firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States.
CONTACT:
Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
Joseph E. Levi, Esq.
Ed Korsinsky, Esq.
55 Broadway, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10006
jlevi@levikorsinsky.com
Tel: (212) 363-7500
Fax: (212) 363-7171
www.zlk.com
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SOURCE Levi & Korsinsky, LLP | 2023-01-26T12:17:34+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2023/01/26/neo-lawsuit-alert-levi-amp-korsinsky-notifies-neogenomics-inc-investors-class-action-lawsuit-upcoming-deadline/ |
MUNICH (AP) — Oktoberfest is back in Germany after two years of pandemic cancellations — the same bicep-challenging beer mugs, fat-dripping pork knuckles, pretzels the size of dinner plates, men in leather shorts and women in cleavage-baring traditional dresses.
But while brewers are more than glad to see the return of the Bavarian capital’s sudsy tourist centerpiece, both they and visitors are under pressure from inflation in a way that could scarcely be imagined the last time it was held in 2019.
For one thing, the 1-liter (2-pint) mug of beer will cost between 12.60 and 13.80 euros ($12.84 and $14.07) this year, which is an increase of about 15% compared with 2019, according to the official Oktoberfest homepage.
The event opens at noon Saturday when Munich’s mayor taps the first keg and announces “O’zapft is,” or “It’s tapped” in Bavarian dialect.
For Germany’s brewers, rising costs go much deeper than simply the price of a round at the festival’s long wooden benches. They are facing higher prices all along their chain of production, from raw ingredients like barley and hops to finishing touches such as beer caps and packing material.
It’s a mirror of the inflation running across the economy: Sky-high natural gas prices caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine are boosting what businesses and consumers have to pay for energy, while recovering demand from the pandemic is making parts and raw materials hard to come by.
Brewing equipment is often fueled by natural gas, and prices for barley malt — or grain that has been allowed to germinate by moistening it — have more than doubled, to over 600 euros a ton. Glass bottles have risen by 80%, as glassmakers pay more for energy. Bottle caps are up 60%, and even glue for labels is in short supply.
“Prices for everything have changed significantly this year,” said Sebastian Utz, head technician at Munich’s historic Hofbraeu Brewery, which traces its roots in the city to 1589. “To brew beer you need a lot of energy … and for refrigeration. And at the same time, we need raw materials — barley malt, hops — where procurement has increased in price.”
The costs of everything — cardboard, stainless steel for barrels, wood pallets, cleaning supplies to keep the brewing tanks spotless — have gone up.
“These are prices that the German brewing industry has never seen before,” said Ulrich Biene, spokesman for the historic family-owned Veltins Brewery in Grevenstein, which is not one of the brands sold at Oktoberfest.
Inflation hit an annual 7.9% in Germany in August, and a record 9.1% in the 19 countries that use the euro currency. Rising consumer prices in Europe have been fueled above all by Russia restricting supplies of natural gas, driving prices through the roof. That feeds through to electricity, because gas is used to generate power, and to the cost of a host of industrial processes that run on gas, such as making fertilizer, glass and steel. Farmers also are seeing higher costs for heating buildings and fertilizing crops.
All that gets built into the prices of things people buy, and those higher prices cut into their purchasing power.
Inflation is “running red hot in Germany” and could approach 10% by year’s end, said Carsten Brzeski, chief eurozone economist at ING bank. The rate should fall next year as consumer demand weakens — but that is small consolation today.
In any case, Oktoberfest is a much-needed boost for Munich’s hotels and food service industry.
“It’s beautiful,” Mayor Dieter Reiter said. “You can see the enthusiasm has returned.” He downplayed concerns about such a big event during the pandemic, saying the spread of COVID-19 is “no longer the decisive factor” and adding, “Let’s see how it goes.”
Some 487 beer breweries, restaurants, fish and meat grills, wine vendors and others will serve revelers at Oktoberfest, and opening hours will be even longer than in the past, with the first beer tents opening at 9 a.m. and closing at 10:30 p.m. The last orders will be taken at 9:30 p.m.
In the years before COVID-19, about 6 million people visited the celebrations annually, many of them dressed in traditional Bavarian garb — the women in Dirndl dresses, the men in Lederhosen, or knee-length leather trousers.
Oktoberfest, first held in 1810 in honor of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese, has been canceled dozens of times during its more than 200-year history due to wars and pandemics.
___
AP Business Writer David McHugh contributed from Frankfurt, Germany. | 2022-09-16T21:27:44+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/news/international/ap-oktoberfest-is-back-but-shadowed-by-red-hot-inflation/ |
The Winner Will Receive a Prize Package Valued at Over $2.7 Million
NEW YORK, Dec. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- HGTV, a member of the Warner Bros. Discovery family of brands, today opened the doors to the HGTV® Dream Home 2023, a newly built, fully furnished home located in Morrison, CO. The winner of the sweepstakes will receive the keys to the home, which includes all of the furnishings, an all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and $100,000 from Ally, a prize package valued at over $2.7 million.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9028153-hgtv-dream-home-2023-sweepstakes/
Morrison, CO, is located just 35 minutes outside of downtown Denver, offering the residents access to the lively city. Sitting in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it is also home to the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Morrison is a historic town at the center of culture, modern city sophistication and outdoor recreation. An adventurer's dream, Morrison provides camping at Bear Creek Lake, world-class hiking through Jackson County, fishing, and scenic drives, making it perfect to enjoy activities year-round.
The home was designed by architecture firm Western Design Group, built by local builder Mountain Plain Homes and includes landscape architecture from Designs by Sundown. The home's interior design is by Brian Patrick Flynn.
"This year's HGTV Dream Home is designed around the natural splendor of Morrison, with outdoor space that truly feels like a secluded, spectacular oasis," said Flynn. "I love to honor the local culture with my design, and this year's home celebrates the adventure that Colorado is known for."
"The HGTV Dream Home serves as a source of inspiration across design, architecture and lifestyle for millions of HGTV fans who enter for a chance to win every year," said Jane Latman, President, Home & Food Content and Streaming, Warner Bros. Discovery. "We love to take that opportunity to highlight unique destinations across the country like Morrison, and we are thrilled to introduce this year's home to our viewers."
The official entry period of the HGTV Dream Home 2023 is 9 a.m. ET on Friday, December 23, 2022 through 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 16, 2023. Eligible fans can enter for a chance to win twice per day at HGTV.com and FoodNetwork.com, where they will also find full details and the official rules, as well as additional home features. Viewers can tune-in to the one-hour special HGTV Dream Home 2023 on Sunday, January 1, 2023 at 10 p.m. ET on HGTV and on discovery+ and HGTV GO on Monday, January 2, 2023.
The three-bedroom, three-bathroom home sits at approximately 4,360 square feet, resting on a secluded road against the backdrop of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Leaning into the outdoor lifestyle of Morrison, the home provides an elevated take on rugged design with sophisticated luxury that greets visitors upon entry. Highlights of the home include the classically modern kitchen featuring sleek appliances, a spacious pantry, a wet bar and a formal dining space. Filled with natural light from expansive windows, the open floor plan leads into the living room. The main bedroom boasts a stunning deck, walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom, and the two spacious guest suites are each designed in a unique color palette with designated seating areas in each. The home's outdoor space pays homage to Colorado's natural beauty with various outdoor seating options, a full outdoor kitchen, as well as a cozy firepit off a waterfall and natural stone bridge, in addition to a private pergola placed right in the middle of nature.
Sponsors of the HGTV Dream Home 2023 include Ally Financial, Belgard®, Cabinets To Go, Delta Faucet, Jeep 4xe, LL Flooring, SimpliSafe Home Security, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Sleep Number®, Trex Company, LLC, VELUX® No Leak Skylights, Viva® and Wayfair®.
ABOUT HGTV
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SOURCE Warner Bros. Discovery/Home Giveaways | 2022-12-01T16:23:44+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2022/12/01/hgtv-unveils-hgtv-dream-home-2023-morrison-colorado/ |
What kind of ghostbuster do you want to be?
Each year, Halloween becomes less of a kids’ holiday and more of an adult holiday. One reason is there are so many ways to celebrate. You can eat candy, engage in cosplay, throw a party or indulge in truly spooky activities, such as ghost hunting. If you want to try tracking spirits, there are a few things you’ll need. We asked BestReviews’ tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to weigh in on the type of gear you require to be a real-life ghostbuster.
Do ghost detectors really work?
Before going too far, we need to answer the big question: Do ghost detectors really work? According to Vasquez, the answer depends on what you’re using them for.
“If you’re using ghost detectors to measure electromagnetic radiation, then absolutely they work,” he said. “But there is no valid scientific proof suggesting that they detect any kind of paranormal activity. However, there is plenty of proof that they provide a ton of fun for folks who like to hunt for ghosts.”
Why do so many people believe ghost detectors work?
The tool most ghost hunters swear by is an EMF meter. This helps people identify electromagnetic fields. It’s a real tool, and it works. It can help quickly identify problems with electrical wiring.
There are several reasons why ghost hunters say a spike in EMF levels indicates paranormal activity. Some believe these spikes are picking up energy from what’s left of the deceased individual’s mind. However, a more common theory is that paranormal researchers claim that ghosts can generate their own electromagnetic fields, which allows them to close doors, flicker lights and more
When paranormal activity occurs, an EMF meter will detect the field created by a ghost and register a spike. One effect that an electromagnetic field can have on people who are sensitive is it stimulates certain areas of the brain to make it feel like something is watching from behind, which can be quite unsettling.
Three types of ghostbusters
If you want to be a ghostbuster, Vasquez noted there are three different categories. Before deciding which equipment to buy, you need to decide which type of ghostbuster you are. Vasquez said you can do this by asking yourself three questions:
- Do you want to search for real ghosts?
- Do you want to keep your home secure from any kind of weird activity?
- Do you want to be a Ghostbuster for Halloween?
Once you know the answers to these three questions, you’ll know which equipment you need.
Equipment for real ghost hunters
“If someone is legitimately interested in seeing if there are ghosts in their house or they want to get into ghost hunting, then they will want a kit,” Vasquez said. “The kits usually come with at least one EMF meter.”
Vasquez pointed out that it’s important to monitor the things in your house that you can’t see. “There is a percentage of people who are sensitive to electromagnetic energy, in general. So those folks might want one if they’re trying to pick a room to sleep in or an office to work in. If you happen to be one of the few people who is sensitive to electromagnetic energy, an EMF meter can be a lifesaver.”
If you want to ease into the whole ghost hunting thing, Vasquez said the most essential piece of equipment is the EMF meter. This model tests magnetic field radiation, electric field and ambient temperature. Sold by Amazon
Gen-El The Original Ghost Hunting Kit
For a mid-priced option, this starter kit includes an EMF meter, a portable motion sensor (so you know when something moves, even if you can’t see it), an EVP recorder, a vibration detector, a pen-style infrared thermometer and more. Sold by Amazon
GhostStop Spirit Box Ghost Hunting Kit
If you already know you’re going to take this hobby seriously, this is a kit that Vasquez suggests considering. It’s well-built and rugged for times when you need to go investigating. It comes with everything you need to verify paranormal activity, including all the expected equipment plus an SBox spirit box and an SBox ghost scanner. Sold by Amazon
If you discover any paranormal activity, you’re going to want to document your findings. This high-quality logbook lets you do exactly that. It features 108 pages designed to record paranormal activity information. Sold by Amazon
Equipment for securing your home
“If you’re really serious about this,” Vasquez said, “get some night vision goggles, a camera and a motion detection device.”
These items aren’t needed for seeing ghosts, they document evidence of paranormal activity. A camera can record when a fireplace lights up by itself or when a door swings open without a breeze. The night vision goggles let you clearly see what that thing is standing at the edge of the woods. Is it an animal or something else?
Kasa Indoor Pan/Tilt Smart Security Camera
Vasquez noted this Kasa camera is perfect for ghost hunting because it has a motion sensor and night vision. “It’s not recording all night. It’s waiting for motion. If something happens, the camera kicks on and you can see everything because it has night vision.” Sold by Amazon
Frienda Ghost Hunting Light-Up Cat Balls
Cats love these balls because if they tap them just once, they light up. This makes the cat freak out and chase the ball all over the place. “You can leave these items out, so if one of the balls shifts at all, it will light up and you’ll immediately know where to look for paranormal activity,” Vasquez said. Sold by Amazon
Vasquez picked two pairs of night vision goggles for use in ghost hunting. This pair is the low-end model that is suitable for most situations. It gives you 1080p HD infrared night vision. Sold by Amazon
These high-end models are for the serious ghost hunter. They offer 4K pictures and video and the unit has an anti-shake function in case your hands are quivering while using. Sold by Amazon
Cosplay gear
Vasquez advised, “If you’re going to do any of this, you should dress the part.”
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” Child Classic Costume
You can’t look any more the part than this. It’s an officially licensed “Ghostbusters” Halloween costume for kids. The costume comes with the jumpsuit, a Spangler nametag and an inflatable proton pack. Sold by Amazon
Kolossus Pro-Utility Cotton Blend Long-Sleeve Coverall
Adults who want the look can buy this long-sleeve coverall. It’s the perfect start to creating an authentic “Ghostbusters” uniform. It features two zippered front pockets and oversized back pockets. Sold by Amazon
Lan Stang Set of Personalized “Ghostbusters” No-Ghost Logo and Name Tag
To make your adult cosplay even better, you’ll want this iron-on No-Ghost logo and personalized name tag. If you want to make the patches permanent, they can be sewn on. Sold by Amazon
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-21T22:36:23+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/audio-video-accessories-br/straight-out-of-ghostbusters-do-ghost-detectors-really-work-our-tech-expert-weighs-in/ |
GAYAN, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan’s deadly earthquake this week struck one of the poorest corners of a country that has been hollowed out by increasing poverty. Even as more aid arrived Saturday, many residents have no idea how they will rebuild the thousands of homes destroyed in villages strung through the mountains.
The quake, which state media says killed at least 1,150 people, hit hardest in a region of high mountains where Paktika and Khost provinces meet by the Pakistani border. There is little fertile land, so residents eke out what they can while largely relying on money sent by relatives who have migrated to Pakistan, Iran or further abroad for jobs.
Every one of the nearly two dozen homes in one village, Miradin, were reduced to rubble by Wednesday’s quake. In the rainy nights since, its several hundred residents have been sleeping in nearby woods and had still not received the aid that was slowly making its way into quake-hit areas.
Miradin residents told the Associated Press they worried whether they’d be able to rebuild before the harsh winter hits, in only a few months. Summer is short in the mountains, nights are already chilly.
It’s a fear felt across the quake-hit region, where nearly 3,000 homes are believed to have been destroyed. The U.N.’s humanitarian coordinating organization OCHA said it had reports of 700-800 families in the area still living out in the open.
“We are facing many problems. We need all kind of support, and we request the international community and Afghans who can help to come forward and help us,” said Dawlat Khan, a resident of Paktika’s Gayan District. Five members of his family were injured when his house collapsed.
Among the dead from Wednesday’s magnitude 6 quake are 121 children and that figure is expected to climb, said the U.N. children’s agency representative in Afghanistan. He said close to 70 children were injured. An aftershock Friday took five more lives.
The total toll of 1,150 dead and at least 1,600 injured was reported by the Afghan state news agency Bakhtar. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has put the death toll at 770 people. Either toll would make the quake Afghanistan’s deadliest in two decades.
More aid was piling in on Saturday.
At Urgan, the main city in Paktika province, U.N. World Health Organization medical supplies were unloaded at the main hospital. In quake-hit villages, UNICEF delivered blankets, basic supplies and tarps for the homeless to use as tents.
In the district of Spera in Khost province on Saturday, UNICEF distributed water purification tablets along with soap and other hygiene materials. Aid groups said they feared cholera could break out after damage to water and hygiene systems.
New cargo flights of aid supplies arrived in Afghanistan from Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, officials said. Pakistan’s government and a Pakistani charity had already sent 13 trucks carrying food, tents, life-saving medicine and other essential items, and Pakistan has opened some border crossings for injured to be brought in for treatment.
Overstretched aid agencies said the disaster underscored the need for the international community to rethink its financial cut-off of Afghanistan since Taliban insurgents seized the country 10 months ago. That policy, halting billions in development aid and freezing vital reserves, has helped push the economy into collapse and plunge Afghanistan deeper into humanitarian crises and near famine.
The effort to help the victims has been slowed both by geography and by Afghanistan’s decimated condition.
Rutted roads through the mountains, already slow to drive on, were made worse by quake damage and rain. The International Red Cross has five health facilities in the region, but damage to the roads made it difficult for those in the worse-hit areas to reach them, said Lucien Christen, ICRC spokesman in Afghanistan.
Aid groups said that while they are rushing to help the quake victims, keeping Afghanistan just above catastrophe through humanitarian programs is not sustainable.
“We are basically letting 25 million Afghan people to starve, to die, not to be able to earn their own living if we keep on with this financial blockade,” said Rossella Miccio, president of the aid organization Emergency that operates a network of healthcare facilities and surgical centers across Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s economy had been reliant on international donor support even before the Taliban takeover last August as the U.S. and its NATO allies were withdrawing their forces, ending a 20-year war.
World governments halted billions in development aid and froze billions more in Afghanistan’s currency reserves, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and demanding they allow a more inclusive rule and respect human rights. The former insurgents have resisted the pressure, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of women and girls that recall their first time in power in the late 1990s.
The cut-off yanked the props out from under the economy. Now nearly half the population of 38 million cannot meet their basic food needs because of poverty. Most civil servants, including doctors, nurses and teachers, have not been paid for months, and salaries remain sporadic.
U.N. agencies and other remaining organizations have kept Afghanistan away from the brink of starvation with a humanitarian program that has fed millions and kept the medical system alive.
But with international donors lagging, U.N. agencies face a $3 billion funding shortfall this year.
___
Associated Press writers Munir Ahmed and Rahim Faiez contributed to this report. | 2022-06-25T19:08:35+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/international/pakistan-plane-carrying-aid-joins-afghan-quake-relief-effort/ |
Elizabeth Forward musical cast, crew nearing opening night weeks after auditorium caught fire
The Elizabeth Forward High School musical cast and crew are in their final rehearsals for “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” performance, despite losing their set and auditorium in a fire in February.
The musical will be performed at Thomas Jefferson High School in Jefferson Hills.
“It’s all becoming very real right now,” Elizabeth Forward student Madelyn McClain said.
Pulling off the performance might have seemed impossible less than seven weeks prior when that four-alarm fire tore through the auditorium.
“We just had no idea how it was going to come together or where it was going to come together,” McClain said.
Their neighboring district, West Jefferson Hills, was looking out.
“As soon as we heard about the fire on that Sunday, I know that our superintendent Dr. Janet Sardon was in touch with the superintendent because there are a lot of ties between the two districts, you know, we’re neighbors. We’re friends,” public relations coordinator for West Jefferson Hills School District, Jeff Nelson, said.
Within a matter of days, Elizabeth Forward’s musical cast was sharing the evening rehearsal hours with Thomas Jefferson’s musical theater department.
“They would practice right after school, and then our kids came in from 6 to 9. When they were done, we got to use their stage. They did ‘Everything Goes,’ so we were on a boat for a while, so we did hunchback on a boat for a good period of time,” Benedek said.
Benedek said the kids didn’t miss a beat.
“We accomplished everything that you’re seeing on stage at the moment in a matter of a couple weeks,” Elizabeth Forward student Tyler Guinto-Brody said. “We’ve spent hours at a time working on this for weeks on end.
With the help of both Elizabeth Forward and Thomas Jefferson students and parents, they were able to build new sets after the originals were lost in the fire.
“Kids are resilient, especially our students, they’re super resilient,” Benedek said. “My goal is to hopefully sell this out for these kids because they’ve worked really hard for it.”
The musical will run four nights, beginning this Thursday night through Sunday.
Students will return to class inside Elizabeth Forward High School on April 11. | 2023-03-29T12:31:19+00:00 | wtae.com | https://www.wtae.com/article/elizabeth-forward-musical-opening-night-auditorium-fire/43446821 |
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Upstate residents need to check their lottery tickets because a $200,000 winning ticket was sold on Thanksgiving Day.
The South Carolina Education Lottery said the Palmetto Cash 5 was bought at the Gaffney store at 1210 S. Granard Street.
Here are the five numbers drawn on Thanksgiving Day:
5 – 7 – 19 – 20 – 22 Power-Up: 2
The winner has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. | 2022-11-30T14:57:22+00:00 | myfox8.com | https://myfox8.com/news/south-carolina/check-those-tickets-200000-lottery-ticket-sold-in-south-carolina/ |
Yellen visits Vietnam to build US ties and push supply chain diversity to offset tensions with China
HANOI (AP) — The U.S. considers building strong economic and security ties with Vietnam a priority, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said Thursday as she met with Vietnamese officials in a visit aimed at fortifying America’s relations across Asia.
Yellen arrived in Vietnam after visits to Beijing and to India, where she attended financial meetings of the Group of 20 major industrial economies.
“The United States considers Vietnam a key partner in advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Yellen told Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to remarks provided by the U.S. Treasury Department.
A “free and open Indo-Pacific” refers to the latest iteration of broad U.S. diplomacy aimed at cultivating stronger ties with other countries in the region to in effect counter China’s growing sway among its neighbors.
“Vietnam is also a close economic partner, with our two-way trade reaching record highs last year and the United States serving as Vietnam’s largest export market,” she said. “It is a priority for our administration to deepen our economic and security ties with Vietnam in the months and years to come.”
Speaking separately to a group of business women and economists, Yellen said she was encouraged by growing investments in Vietnam in industries including computer chips and renewable energy.
Her visit is part of continued U.S. efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. Earlier this year, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Vietnam weeks after the 50th anniversary of the U.S. troop withdrawal that marked the end of America’s direct military involvement in Vietnam and pledged to boost relations to new levels.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were only restored in 1995. Since then, bilateral trade has grown, reaching a high of $138 billion in goods trade last year.
“We have worked closely to address the legacies of the war,” Yellen said.
China’s border is less than 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Hanoi and Vietnam, like many of China’s neighbors, has had maritime and territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea. But China is Vietnam’s biggest trading partner.
Yellen also met with the governor of Vietnam’s central bank, Nguyen Thi Hong, and announced a new economic policy dialogue between the State Bank of Vietnam and the U.S. Treasury Department.
She also thanked her for the “close cooperation” between the U.S. and the State Bank of Vietnam to address American concerns over Vietnam’s currency practices. She added that the U.S. would remain supportive of Vietnam’s growth and that this would be beneficial for both Vietnamese and American people.
Vietnam has quickly become a major export production hub for global manufacturers like South Korea’s LG and Samsung Electronics, suppliers to Apple, Inc. and auto makers like Honda and Toyota.
Companies have been expanding investments beyond China to counter risks due to political friction between Washington and Beijing and also because of disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Yellen has highlighted what she calls “friend-shoring,” or “derisking” to manage such risks.
___
Associated Press video journalist Hau Dinh contributed from Hanoi, Vietnam.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-07-20T08:12:24+00:00 | kaaltv.com | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/business-news/yellen-visits-vietnam-to-build-us-ties-and-push-supply-chain-diversity-to-offset-tensions-with-china/ |
Richmond Jr., James Harding
James passed away on Sunday April 16th after a lengthy illness surrounded by his family. He was born March 8, 1956 in Hinton, WVa. He is survived by his mother Wanda Barrentine, wife of 31 yrs Sue Richmond. Daughters Misti Maverty, Crystal (John) Campbell, Sarah Pierson & step daughter Kelly Nunamaker. Sisters Debbie (Dusty) Friedley, Pam (Danny) Manley, Paula (Darrell) Williams, Kim (Barry) Taylor. Brothers Mark (Becky) Richmond, Phillip (Angie) Richmond. Also nine grandchildren, ten great grandchildren & many nieces, nephews & great nieces & nephews. Special uncles David & Darrel Cox. There will be a memorial service for James on Sunday April 23rd at 4 pm at Quest Church, 6933 Hendrickson Rd Middletown. | 2023-04-23T06:16:01+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/obituaries/richmond-james/HYZVCOL5CRHRJM75GUAFQ7YY64/ |
By PAUL J. WEBER
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Democrat Beto O’Rourke responded to a heckler at a campaign stop with an expletive after the Texas gubernatorial candidate heard a cackled laugh while criticizing the ease with which the Uvalde elementary school gunman legally purchased an AR-15-style rifle.
By Thursday, video of O’Rourke’s exchange at a town hall in rural Mineral Wells had drawn millions of views on social media, becoming the latest instance in which O’Rourke has gotten attention for his calls for stricter gun laws following one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history.
O’Rourke on Wednesday was railing against how the 18-year-old gunman in Uvalde was able to legally purchase a weapon “originally designed for use on the battlefields” and take it into a classroom of fourth-graders. When a person in the crowd laughed, O’Rourke paused and pointed in their direction.
“It may be funny to you, (obscenity), but it’s not funny to me,” O’Rourke said.
Supporters stood up and cheered. Video shows a small number of people in the crowd were holding signs for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, O’Rourke’s opponent in November, though it does not show who O’Rourke was specifically addressing.
Chris Evans, a campaign spokesman, said the town hall continued without any further encounters.
Nineteen children and two teachers were killed in the May massacre. O’Rourke, who has called for raising the age to legally purchase AR-style and other such high-powered guns in the U.S. to 21 years old, interrupted a news conference led by Abbott in Uvalde after the shooting and accused the two-term governor of not taking action.
Gun violence has been one of O’Rourke’s most animated issues as a candidate, including during his run for president in 2019, when he said, “Hell yes, we’re gonna take your AR-15″ on a debate stage. He has sought to give a more moderated message on firearms during his run for governor in gun-friendly Texas.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2022-08-13T01:26:02+00:00 | wtmj.com | https://wtmj.com/national/2022/08/11/beto-orourke-responds-to-heckler-over-uvalde-with-expletive/ |
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - The Sangamon County Public Health Director Gail O'Neill has dismissed animal control director Greg Largent, but WTAX reports it is not because of the years of complaints.
WTAX shared a letter O’Neill sent to county board members Monday that cites Largent’s inability to lead the organization in a union environment.
O’Neill’s letter:
"Tonight, at the Public Health Oversight Committee, I presented a series of operational and policy changes to the Sangamon County Animal Control and Adoption Center. The changes, some of which are already in effect, are the results of the facility’s 6-month evaluation and review. With these new policies and procedures, animal control will provide a better service to residents and the animals in our care.
In late 2021, sensational allegations of criminal animal abuse and neglect at animal control arose on social media. In addition to criminal allegations, disinformation was spread about the condition of the facility, and attempts were made to vilify animal control staff, veterinarians, and County officials. Claims of a structurally unsafe building, black mold, animals not receiving basic care or nutrition, and even claims of animal abuse directly by staff, elected officials, and their family members. All of which would be proven false and, in some instances, intentionally deceitful.
The County immediately requested an independent investigation by the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the department responsible for regulating and certifying euthanasia technicians. Within a month, animal control passed two surprise inspections from the Illinois Department of Agriculture and an inspection by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. The Illinois State Police (ISP) conducted a thorough investigation, interviewing staff members, volunteers, and the individuals that made criminal allegations. Investigators found no evidence to support the claims.
While the dozens of claims were found false and the facility passed all state inspections, including the investigation by ISP, we believed a complete analysis of animal control was still necessary to ensure public confidence. In January, Stratton – Reichert Law Firm, with many years of labor-management experience, was requested to review Animal Control’s policies and procedures. After a 6-month evaluation and consultation with community veterinarians, the following recommendations are in effect to improve animal care and overall service.
As of today, Sangamon County Animal Control is under new leadership. Internal investigations and reviews revealed former Director Largent’s deficiencies, including an inability to lead in a union work environment. Jeanne Keenan is named acting director of the facility. Jeanne spent several weeks at animal control, familiarizing herself with the facility and staff. Also, all staff members will review and sign new department policies and procedures. These packets are available for review by board members and the public. Animal intake, animal transfer, and adoption policies were enhanced to better our services. The changes reflect recommendations from our veterinarian advisors and research into best practices from comparable counties and the Animal Protective League (APL).
As the County continues to search for veterinarians to provide more service hours to the facility, a new employee was hired with a primary focus on animal care. Andrew Lehman accepted the position of Animal Care Manager. Andrew brings over 20 years of veterinarian clinic experience. In his role, Andrew will provide initial medical care in emergencies, perform routine examinations and procedures, and ensure proper vaccination of all animals within the facility. Along with the new position, I also put forward, for County Board approval, a $50,000 Animal Emergency Care Fund to be used at the discretion of our veterinarian advisors for necessary procedures and surgeries. This fund will allow for the extension and betterment of life for many animals that desperately need care when arriving at the facility.
After months of recruitment during the ongoing national employee shortage, the animal control kennel is fully staffed, including the creation of an additional kennel attendant. In addition, an outsourced janitorial crew was brought in to provide regular cleaning and sanitation. As a result, more of the kennel attendants’ time will be focused on animal care and enrichment.
A peer comparison study completed by MGT Consulting recommended steps to enhance community outreach and communication. Additional information will be available on the animal control website to meet these obligations, including inspection reports and animal intake, adoption, and euthanasia statistics. The County will conduct a further fee analysis of comparable counties and remains open to adjusting fees if justified. Animal control staff will increase community visibility and involvement. The study also recommended quarterly public meetings. In conjunction with the Public Health Oversight Committee, the director of Animal Control will now provide quarterly reports to the committee and community and be able to answer questions from board members.
A veterinarian advisors board, consisting of local veterinarians, has been established to provide direction on animal control and review policies and procedures on an as-needed basis.
The final action announced will undoubtedly upset many in the community. Policy reviews and investigations have made it clear that animal control must temporally suspend the volunteer program. This suspension includes volunteer dog walking. Countless violations of the volunteer agreement by individual volunteers and animal advocacy groups have put the public, staff, and animals in danger.
Under the current arrangement, volunteers are selected and trained by animal
advocacy groups, not the County. Recent internal affair investigations revealed that some animal advocacy groups are unable or unwilling to enforce their own agreements and code of conduct. Volunteers were found in areas limited to staff and veterinarians, including restricted areas with dangerous animals not suitable for adoption, causing injuries and worker compensation claims against the County. Investigations also show a minority of volunteers, with no veterinarian experience, verbally harassed animal control staff, the public, and veterinarian advisors in an attempt to interfere with decisions.
These actions are completely unacceptable.
The most severe infraction to date was an instance of serious threats of violence between two volunteers in the public adoption area. Upon further review, the County learned that one of the volunteers involved has a prior felony conviction for a violent assault and battery charge that resulted in a prison sentence, which is a direct violation of the code of conduct.
We are committed to reopening the volunteer program, but at this time, it’s best for a short timeout. With the addition of an animal care manager and fully staffed animal care attendants, our staff will provide care and attention to the animals. This includes dog walking, which volunteers had previously handled.
Over the next ninety days, a new volunteer management structure modeled after comparable counties, including Macon County, will be implemented within the facility. I hope that volunteers and the public will understand the need for change after the dangerous acts documented in the reports. When the program restarts, volunteers will be approved and coordinated by animal control staff, and responsibilities will be limited to animal enrichment and adoptions.
The new policies and procedures in effect and the operational changes will enhance the service we provide at animal control. Community members should be assured that we do our best to deliver quality services and are always willing to review and adjust policies. We will continue to follow the advice and guidance from our community veterinarians to ensure the animal control facility provides the best service we can.
Thank you to the Board Members and Administration; without your patience and dedicated work, the actions to date would not have been possible. All new policy documents, reports, and inspections are available for your review."
Copyright 2022 WAND TV. All rights reserved. | 2022-05-24T19:09:15+00:00 | wandtv.com | https://www.wandtv.com/news/sangamon-county-animal-control-director-dismissed/article_3f4c36ce-db82-11ec-9b82-5b711c550118.html |
BERLIN (AP) — German police raided 15 properties linked to the Last Generation climate activist group Wednesday, seizing assets as part of an investigation into its finances in a sign of growing impatience with disruptive protest tactics also seen in other European countries.
Members of the group have repeatedly blocked roads across Germany in an effort to pressure the government to take more drastic action against climate change. In recent weeks, they have brought traffic to a halt on an almost daily basis in Berlin, gluing themselves to busy intersections and highways. Over the past year, they have also targeted various artworks and exhibits.
The raids, ordered by Munich prosecutors, come days after Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that he thought it was “completely nutty to somehow stick yourself to a painting or on the street.” Leading figures with the environmentalist Green party, part of his governing coalition, have also said the group’s actions are counterproductive.
A spokesperson for Last Generation said that the police searches had hit the group and its supporters hard, but that it wouldn’t let up its activities.
“They make us afraid, but we must not be frozen by fear,” Aimee van Baalen told reporters in Berlin.
“The German government is right now driving us toward climate hell with its eyes wide open. It is even stepping on the gas pedal,” she said. “We must continue to resist now, because we need to loudly demand that lives be protected.”
She called for the public to support upcoming protest marches in Berlin and other German cities.
Last Generation has acknowledged in the past that its protests are provocative, but argues that by stirring friction it can encourage debate within society about climate change and the policies necessary to stop it.
Germany’s top court ruled two years ago that the previous government was placing too much of the burden from global warming on young people, prompting then Chancellor Angela Merkel to sharpen climate targets. Experts say that while Germany now has some of the most ambitious targets for cutting emissions of planet-heating greenhouse gas, the country isn’t on track to meet them.
The investigation by Munich prosecutors is focused on seven people, ranging in age from 22 to 38, who are suspected of forming or supporting a criminal organization. The investigation was launched following numerous criminal complaints from the public over the past year, prosecutors said.
The Bavarian inquiry adds to an investigation launched last year by prosecutors in Neuruppin, outside Berlin, over actions against an oil refinery in eastern Germany. That investigation is also considering suspicions that Last Generation activists formed a criminal organization, a label that some conservative-leaning regional officials have backed.
Munich prosecutors said that the people under investigation are accused of organizing and promoting a campaign to “finance further criminal offenses” by the group, and collecting at least 1.4 million euros ($1.5 million). Two of them also are suspected of trying to sabotage an oil pipeline that connects the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt with the Italian port of Trieste in April 2022.
Wednesday’s searches, accompanied by orders to seize two bank accounts and other assets, aimed to secure evidence on the membership structure of Last Generation and on its financing. There were no arrests.
Another climate activist group, Extinction Rebellion, voiced solidarity with Last Generation. It contended in a tweet that the main aim of conducting raids on suspicion of forming a criminal organization was “to distract attention from the true criminals.”
But Germany’s top security official insisted that the raids were necessary.
“Legitimate protest always ends where crimes are committed and the rights of others are infringed,” Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said, noting that police registered 1,600 criminal complaints in connection with climate protests in 2022, many of them during road blockades conducted by Last Generation.
Climate activists have received support from various corners, including some Christian groups. A Jesuit priest was fined earlier this month for taking part in road blockades, and Wednesday’s news conference by Last Generation was hosted by the Protestant Reformation Church in Berlin.
A representative of the congregation, Steve Rauhut, praised Last Generation for keeping its protests peaceful.
“The climate disaster and environmental destruction not only justify civil disobedience, they make it an imperative,” he said.
Similar nonviolent climate protests elsewhere in Europe have also met with crackdowns recently.
The U.K. government gave police in England and Wales new powers earlier this month to respond to the disruptive tactics used by climate activists. Protesters who lock themselves together or to buildings or objects can face up to six months in prison. Interfering with railways, airports and refineries could lead to a year behind bars.
Punishments of climate protesters in the U.K. have varied widely to date.
Activists from the group Just Stop Oil who stormed the racetrack at last year’s British Grand Prix Formula 1 race were spared jail sentences. But two men who scaled a highway bridge over the River Thames east of London and unfurled a huge banner, which led to the bridge being closed more than 40 hours, were each sentenced to more than two and a half years in prison.
In Italy, three members of the group Ultima Generazione face up to three years’ imprisonment and fines for gluing their hands to the base of a sculpture in the Vatican Museums and ignoring gendarmes’ orders to leave last year. This week the group staged other protests, including in front of the Italian Senate where two topless women poured mud over themselves in reference to the devastating recent floods in the country.
The Italian group is part of the international A22 activist network, which includes Last Generation in Germany and Britain’s Just Stop Oil, and which receives support from the U.S.-based Climate Emergency Fund.
The fund, which counts oil heiress Aileen Getty and ‘Don’t Look Up’ filmmaker Adam McKay on its board, says on its website that it gave more than $5.1 million to 44 organizations last year “that are leading the way, galvanizing progress on climate through disruptive nonviolent activism around the world.”
___
Nicole Winfield in Rome, and Pietro De Cristofaro in Berlin, contributed to this report. | 2023-05-25T11:26:45+00:00 | wearegreenbay.com | https://www.wearegreenbay.com/international/ap-international/ap-germany-cracks-down-on-climate-activists-after-scholz-calls-protest-group-nutty/ |
MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio – Community engagement was the central theme of the Middleburg Heights Police Station dedication ceremony held Oct. 1 in its new outdoor courtyard.
A large, appreciative crowd listened as Mayor Matt Castelli, Police Chief Ed Tomba and other dignitaries expressed their gratitude to all those involved in bringing the defunct former Middleburg Heights branch library building to new life at the corner of Big Creek Parkway and Bagley Road. | 2022-10-03T17:13:16+00:00 | cleveland.com | https://www.cleveland.com/community/2022/10/community-is-key-at-middleburg-heights-police-station-dedication.html |
What happened in Colorado Springs is still on the minds of many in the LGBTQ+ community. People want to feel safe when going out.
Rumors is a popular LGBTQ+ alternative nightclub.
“Everyone is welcome and should feel welcome,” Rumors GM Brett Grinage told FOX 17.
The business says it’s ready to welcome plenty of people on the biggest bar night of the year.
“One thing nice about the Wednesday before Thanksgiving is all the people that used to live here that you got to know through the years come back to visit family, so that's nice as well as our regulars probably go home with to their families,” Grinage added.
Security is and has always been a top priority, even before the latest shooting to happen to the LGTBQ+ club in Colorado Springs.
“Not again, basically, again, not again. But it makes you think of your own place when you're in the business. We're in the heart of a bigger, a big city. And we're very visible to what could happen,” Grinage said.
Rumors in 2021 hired on Richard Schneider and his security team, which does carry firearms. They plan to have a larger presence on Wednesday night.
“One of the largest things that security is useful for is being marked as a visible deterrent. People see a security they don't really want to bother with it,” Field Operations & Logistics Agency Owner Schneider told FOX 17.
“I mean, I think we don't feel safe, generally speaking. That's why places like Out on the Lakeshore exist. We don't feel safe because of the 32 murders that we've seen in this year alone. We don't feel safe because of shootings at nightclubs,” Out on the Lakeshore Executive Director Kate Leighton-Colburn said.
Out on the Lakeshore is a community of parents, family, and friends of the LGTBQ+ community. Their goal is to make sure no one navigates being a LGTBQ member alone.
“So what we're, what we're trying to do is provide a safe space for people just on an individual level, but also advocate for the community as a whole,” Leighton-Colburn SAID.
Rumors has the same goal in mind so that everyone has a safe place.
“When people walk in, they're just like, 'well, this place is serious. And we feel safe here.' And that's what I get from the staff as well as the customers,” Grinage said.
They say they have a plan and team ready in case the worst were to happen.
“Some of us, like myself, our basic life support train. We also have an on-site or an on-staff EMT. Medical training we see is a big conduit for security,” Schneider said. | 2022-11-23T04:27:15+00:00 | fox17online.com | https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/popular-lgbtq-nightclub-adds-on-extra-security-ahead-of-busiest-bar-night-of-the-year |
CEDARHURST, N.Y., Jan. 11, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The securities litigation law firm of Kuznicki Law PLLC issues this alert to shareholders of F45 Training Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: FXLV), if they purchased or acquired the Company's shares pursuant and/or traceable to the Company's July 2021 initial public offering (the "IPO"). Shareholders have until February 6, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in the securities class action lawsuit.
Shareholders are encouraged to contact us at https://kclasslaw.com/cases/securities/nyse-fxlv/, by calling toll-free at 1-833-835-1495 or by email (dk@kclasslaw.com).
Kuznicki Law PLLC is committed to ensuring that companies adhere to responsible business practices and engage in good corporate citizenship. The firm seeks recovery on behalf of investors who incurred losses when false and/or misleading statements or the omission of material information by a Company lead to artificial inflation of the Company's stock. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.
CONTACT:
Kuznicki Law PLLC
Daniel Kuznicki, Esq.
445 Central Avenue, Suite 344
Cedarhurst, NY 11516
Email: dk@kclasslaw.com
Phone: (347) 696-1134
Cell: (347) 690-0692
Fax: (347) 348-0967
https://kclasslaw.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Kuznicki Law PLLC | 2023-01-12T06:04:21+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/01/12/filing-deadline-kuznicki-law-pllc-announces-class-action-behalf-shareholders-f45-training-holdings-inc-fxlv/ |
NRA opens gun convention in Texas after school massacre
The National Rifle Association begins its annual convention in Houston on Friday, and leaders of the powerful gun-rights lobbying group are gearing up to "reflect on" — and deflect any blame for — the deadly shooting earlier this week of 19 children and two teachers at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
Former President Donald Trump and other leading Republicans are scheduled to address the three-day firearms marketing and advocacy event, which is expected to draw protesters fed up with gun violence.
Some scheduled speakers and performers have backed out, including two Texas lawmakers and "American Pie" singer Don McLean, who said "it would be disrespectful" to go ahead with his act in the aftermath of the country's latest mass shooting.
While President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress have renewed calls for stricter gun laws, NRA board member Phil Journey said the focus should be on better mental health care and trying to prevent gun violence. He said he wouldn't support banning or limiting access to firearms.
The NRA said in an online statement that people attending the gun show will "reflect on" the Uvalde school shooting, "pray for the victims, recognize our patriotic members, and pledge to redouble our commitment to making our schools secure."
People planning to attend picked up registration badges Thursday and shopped for NRA souvenirs, such as T-shirts that say "Suns Out Guns Out." Police already had set up metal barriers across the street from the convention center, at a park where protesters are expected to gather Friday.
Gary Francis traveled with his wife and friends from Racine, Wisconsin, to attend the NRA meeting. He said he opposed any gun control regulations in response to the Uvalde shooting.
"What happened there is obviously tragic," he said. "But the NRA had nothing to do with it. The people who come here had nothing to do with it."
Texas has experienced a series of mass shootings in recent years. During that time, the Republican-led Legislature and governor have relaxed gun laws.
There is precedent for the NRA to gather amid local mourning and controversy. The organization went ahead with a shortened version of its 1999 meeting in Denver roughly a week after the deadly shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado. Actor Charlton Heston, the NRA president at that time, told attendees that "horrible acts" shouldn't become opportunities to limit constitutional rights and he denounced critics for casting NRA members as "villains."
Rocky Marshall, a former NRA board member, said that although the tragedy in Uvalde "does put the meeting in a bad light," that's not a reason to cancel it. Marshall said gun-rights advocates and opponents can perhaps reduce gun violence if they focus on factors such as mental illness or school security.
"Throwing rocks at the NRA, that doesn't solve the next mass shooting," he said. "Throwing rocks at the people that hate guns, that doesn't solve the next mass shooting."
But country music singer Larry Gatlin, who pulled out of planned appearance at the event, said he hopes "the NRA will rethink some of its outdated and ill-thought-out positions."
"While I agree with most of the positions held by the NRA, I have come to believe that, while background checks would not stop every madman with a gun, it is at the very least a step in the right direction," Gatlin said.
Country singers Lee Greenwood and Larry Stewart also withdrew, Variety reported.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the NRA's leaders "are contributing to the problem of gun violence and not trying to solve it." She accused them of representing the interests of gun manufacturers, "who are marketing weapons of war to young adults."
Two Republican Texas lawmakers who had been scheduled speak Friday — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw — are no longer attending due to what their staffs said were changes in their schedules.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who was slated to attend, will instead address the convention by prerecorded video, his spokesman told The Dallas Morning News.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was listed as a speaker, and Trump said Wednesday that he still intends to attend. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, also is sticking to her plans to speak Friday at the NRA event.
Though personal firearms are allowed at the convention, the NRA said guns would not be permitted during the session featuring Trump because of Secret Service security protocols.
Several groups have said they planned to stage protests outside of the convention center.
"This is not the time or the place to have this convention," said Cesar Espinosa, executive director of FIEL, a Houston-based civil rights group that plans to participate in protests. "We must not just have thoughts and prayers from legislators, but rather we need action to address this public health crisis that is affecting our communities."
Democrat Beto O'Rourke, who is challenging Abbott in the 2022 Texas governor's race, said he would be attending a protest outside the convention Friday.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, said the city is obligated to host the NRA event, which has been under contract for more than two years. But he urged politicians to skip it.
"You can't pray and send condolences on one day and then be going and championing guns on the next. That's wrong," Turner said.
Shannon Watts, the founder of gun-control group Moms Demand Action, said she was not surprised the NRA is not canceling its meeting.
"The real question now is which elected officials will choose to side with violence and go kiss the ring in Houston this weekend instead of siding with communities crying out for public safety," Watts said.
___
David A. Lieb reported from Jefferson City, Missouri. | 2022-05-27T17:24:39+00:00 | wtae.com | https://www.wtae.com/article/nra-convention-texas-school-massacre/40122760 |
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We've placed cookies on your device to improve your browsing experience. They're safe and don't contain sensitive information. | 2023-05-08T17:39:59+00:00 | tj.news | https://tj.news/daily-gleaner/102107629 |
JACKSON • On the same day that almost all abortions became illegal in Mississippi, the state’s lone abortion clinic is asking the state’s highest court to allow it to resume offering patients access to the procedure.
The clinic, represented by attorneys from the Mississippi Center of Justice and the Center for Reproductive Rights, petitioned the Mississippi Supreme Court on Thursday to suspend the enforcement of Mississippi’s “trigger ban” on abortions.
“We are doing all we can to allow the clinic to keep serving patients,” said Rob McDuff, an MCJ attorney representing the clinic. “We hope the Mississippi Supreme Court will abide by its prior ruling that the Mississippi Constitution protects the rights of women to make their own decisions in matters of childbirth.”
The ban, a 2007 law adopted by the Legislature, prohibits doctors from performing abortions unless the life of the mother is at stake or unless the pregnancy was the result of a rape that's been reported to law enforcement. When it was passed, it held a provision — or trigger — that the law would go into effect if Roe v. Wade was ever overturned.
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, led by Republican Attorney General Lynn Fitch, will be tasked with defending the trigger ban in court. Representatives from the office have largely declined to comment on the legal challenge, but have previously defended the law.
The request to the nine-member state Supreme Court comes two days after a state chancery court judge denied the clinic's request to block the trigger ban from going into effect. The law went into effect Thursday, 10 days after Fitch certified that the U.S. Supreme Court had overturned Roe.
The crux of the Jackson facility's legal argument rests on a 1998 Mississippi Supreme Court opinion that said the state constitution gives its citizens a right to privacy, which includes the right to an abortion.
But Chancellor Debbra Halford rejected that argument and denied the clinic's request to freeze the trigger ban, contending the legal landscape changed when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe.
Still, the Jackson clinic, in a last-ditch effort, is now asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to adhere to its previous 1998 opinion and allow the facility to re-open and provide abortions to patients.
“We are simply asking the Mississippi Supreme Court to uphold its own ruling," said Vangela Wade, the CEO of the MCJ. "It would be a mistake to reverse decades of precedent and allow government and politics to override a woman’s right to make health decisions directly impacting her life.”
The justices who sit on the Court are nonpartisan, but the majority have adopted a conservative judicial philosophy. One justice is a former Republican state lawmaker and another was previously involved in GOP politics.
The nine judges will now decide if the Legislature's abortion restrictions run afoul of the Mississippi Constitution or whether they should overturn the Court's prior precedent.
It's unclear if the justices will invite oral arguments to discuss the clinic's request or simply issue an opinion based on written briefs from the parties involved. | 2022-07-07T21:59:54+00:00 | djournal.com | https://www.djournal.com/news/state-news/mississippi-abortion-clinic-asks-state-supreme-court-to-let-it-re-open/article_5fcf6340-af15-5c36-ac88-746e36cb6ed8.html |
County AG Report: Hay Production
EASTON, Maine (WAGM) - After the rain last weekend, grass has been growing and hay production is underway in parts of the county. This season’s above average rainfall looks to help production after drought conditions in 2020 and 2021 had an impact on those hay crops. Rob Koenig has more in this week’s County Ag Report.
Hay production is a crucial part of the agricultural community here in Aroostook County. Cody Tompkins knows this firsthand having lived in the county his entire life. When the pandemic and drought conditions made it difficult for his neighbors to find hay for their livestock, Tompkins founded The County Hay Company.
“When I moved to our farm 3 years ago, we had some neighbors that were in need of hay. I kind of saw an opportunity with that. We started with 150 acres that first year, and it’s grown to about over 400 now.”
Having started his business during a drought, Tompkins didn’t realize the lack of production in his fields compared to a year with normal rainfall. While this year has brought more rain, Tompkins says he really needs a mixture of both dry stretches and rainfall for the best hay production.
“Some sunshine would really be nice at this point too to help dry out some of the fields. The yields look really great, a lot better than the last two years coming off a drought, so I think that we should have a really good crop this year, and like I said hopefully we just have some good weather to be able to make the hay.”
Tompkins went on to say some of his fields still have some water and mud patches. He says while it’s still a bit early for haying to begin and doesn’t expect it to pick up until early July, getting some drier weather over the next couple weeks will help with the first cut of the season. Tompkins stresses the importance of the hay industry to the community.
“It’s really great to bring awareness to the hay industry. I know that there’s a lot of agricultural sectors up here in the county, but certainly hay serves a big need.”
Tompkins hopes that with the drier weather forecasted this weekend, farmers and the industry overall will see ideal conditions for a great crop.
Copyright 2022 WAGM. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-24T12:57:12+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/2022/06/24/county-ag-report-hay-production/ |
ALBANY, Ore. (AP) — Seven people were killed and multiple others hurt in a crash involving several vehicles Thursday on Interstate 5 in an agricultural area of western Oregon, police said.
Officers responded at about 2:05 p.m. to the crash involving two semi trucks and a passenger vehicle in the northbound lanes about 7 miles (11 kilometers) north of Albany, near the Santiam rest area, Oregon State Police said in a statement.
Seven adults died, police said, but they did not specify how many were injured.
The passenger vehicle involved was a van, the Albany Democrat-Herald reported.
Bodies covered in plastic could be seen in a nearby field and the Marion County medical examiner was at the scene, the newspaper said. A Life Flight helicopter left the scene at about 2:45 p.m.
Police and fire officials put a blue tarp on the wrecked van and placed a barrier near one of the trucks to block the view of the scene, according to the Democrat-Herald.
The van appeared to have been crushed between the trucks, a witness told the Statesman Journal.
“Judging by the damage, it looked like the van was sandwiched,” Adrian Gonzalez said. “It got hit very hard.”
Two Life Flight helicopters landed and took people away while paramedics treated others on the ground, Gonzalez told the paper.
The cause of the crash was under investigation.
The northbound lanes of I-5 were reopened Thursday night after being closed due to the crash, state transportation officials said.
Albany lies between Salem and Eugene and is about 70 miles (113 kilometers) south of Portland. I-5 is the main north-south interstate highway on the West Coast. | 2023-05-19T11:13:17+00:00 | pix11.com | https://pix11.com/news/national-news/ap-national/ap-7-dead-in-vehicle-crash-on-interstate-5-in-oregon/ |
JACKSON, Miss (AP) — While its water crisis continued, students in Mississippi’s capital were able to return to class for the first time in a week Tuesday with assurances that the toilets and sinks in their buildings would finally work.
Jackson remained under a boil water advisory, but the drop in water pressure that had brought the system to near collapse appeared to be resolved, officials said.
Sherwin Johnson, a spokesperson for Jackson Public Schools confirmed in a statement to The Associated Press on Tuesday that schools had re-opened after a drop in water pressure forced a move to virtual instruction.
A line of cars snaked around the block in front of Spann Elementary in northeast Jackson as parents arrived to pick up their children. Syreeta Tatum waited for her fourth grader to emerge from the building and lamented the uncertainty Jackson’s water woes had foisted upon parents and students.
“It was very frustrating,” said Tatum. “As a mother, you want to make sure your child is getting the best education possible, especially knowing that my child functions better in person.”
In a statement posted to Twitter on Monday, the school district said it had “checked water pressure at each school” and found that “nearly all are suitable” for students and staff to return. Air conditioning systems at several schools depend on the water system to run effectively. The district said it anticipated delays in cooling buildings as temperatures reached the mid-80s on Tuesday.
“We are continuing to monitor and have portable fans and air conditioners to reduce temperatures in warm or hot areas,” Johnson said.
Torrential rains and flooding of the Pearl River in late August exacerbated problems at one of Jackson’s two treatment plants, leading to a drop in pressure throughout the city. The school district said Forest Hill High School in south Jackson still didn’t have water pressure. Johnson said students who attend Forest Hill were transported to alternative sites Tuesday.
In a Tuesday news conference, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said the water storage that was built over the weekend has decreased some over the past 24 hours.
“The safety net that has been built up has decreased and has diminished,” Lumumba said. “That is why we’re prayerful that everything remains consistent.”
If a challenge arises with plant operation Tuesday, it will likely impact customers, the mayor said.
In a Monday news conference, Gov. Tates Reeves said water distribution at schools would be scaled down in preparation for students’ return to campuses.
“We are moving those resources to our other water distribution mega-sites,” Reeves said. “Those sites have slowed down in demand a bit, but we have still put out about 5 million bottles of water over the last several days.”
Soon after water stopped flowing through the pipes of many households throughout Jackson, officials rolled a tanker into Forest Hill’s parking lot for water distribution. Santiago Matthews, a maintenance worker for the high school, had a garbage container filled to the brim with water last week to fill toilets for the staff working inside. He hauled the garbage container up a short incline back to the high school with water sloshing over the sides.
Reeves said Monday that the city had “zero water tanks at low levels.” He also said repairs resulting in cleaner water do not eliminate every risk.
“There may be more bad days in the future,” Reeves said.
Liz Oviede, a student at Delta Technical College, picked up her 10 year old brother Tuesday so her mother wouldn’t have to miss work. Her mother missed work at least three days last week to supervise the boy as Spann shifted to virtual learning. Recounting a recent weekend trip to Houston, Texas, she longed for cleaner water.
“My face cleared up, my hair was so much softer and my hair is always so crunchy here and it doesn’t feel clean,” Oviede said. “I just wish they’d get it together and stop bringing politics into it.”
___
Michael Goldberg is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/mikergoldberg. | 2022-09-06T22:52:32+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/green-living/top-story/ap-top-headlines/ap-students-return-to-campus-amid-water-crisis-in-jackson/ |
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The mayor of Idaho’s largest city has launched an investigation to determine if a police officer, whose ties to a white supremacist group became known after he retired, violated the rights of any residents during his 22 years with the agency.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean launched the probe on Monday after The Idaho Statesman reported that former police Capt. Matthew Bryngelson appeared under a fake name on the speaker list for the American Renaissance Conference. The Southern Poverty Law Center says the conference draws Klansmen, neo-Nazis and other white supremacists.
McLean said the investigation will also look into whether Bryngelson or others used agency resources to “advance racist ideology.”
McLean announced the investigation on Monday when she addressed leaders and city officials during a bargaining meeting between the city and the Boise Police Department's union. She said she expects the cooperation of the police and the union.
“For those in the Boise Police Department, if you cannot or will not cooperate fully and honestly, I suggest that now is the time to leave,” she said. “And honestly it’s the time to leave the profession because the people of Boise rely on you to protect and to serve them.”
The newspaper also reported that Bryngelson appeared to have written blog posts, under a pseudonym, about the time in his police career when he “became aware of the violent tendencies of Blacks.”
Bryngelson did not return phone or text messages from the newspaper.
The Boise Police Department on Monday released a statement promising to fully cooperate with the independent investigation.
“In light of recent revelations concerning a former member of BPD Command Staff, the Boise Police Department unequivocally states there is no room for racist ideologies, hatred, bigotry, or behaviors among members of the Boise Police Department, and we publicly condemn such in the strongest possible terms,” it said.
The department said that it has communicated with its members that it will take “swift action with anyone who may harbor similar sentiments.”
Boise Police Cpl. Denny Carter, a union member, said union leaders support the investigation. The union has about 240 officers and sergeants.
“We will wholeheartedly cooperate, and I think that you will find that the citizens of Boise, the trust that they have is earned minus this blemish from a former officer,” Carter said. “We support the mayor in her beliefs and going forward, and we want to denounce his actions — 100%.” | 2022-11-22T22:40:24+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Mayor-of-Idaho-s-largest-city-launches-police-17604788.php |
SEATTLE — There is a limited supply of monkeypox vaccine in Washington state.
Public Health – Seattle & King County says some doses will be available on Saturday at Seattle Central College, but there are restrictions on who can receive the vaccine.
Only those who are at the highest risk of exposure will be eligible to receive the vaccine during Saturday’s free event, according to Public Health.
After Alexandre Manila received the vaccine for monkeypox, an illness known as MPV, he decided to post about it on his Instagram page.
"I did a story… and I just kind of started getting more comments from people,” said Manila.
He kept making videos sharing information from the Department of Health to address the most common questions, like who is eligible for the vaccine.
"Eligibility is if you've had close contact with somebody who's had a confirmed case of monkeypox,” said Manila.
Public Health – Seattle and King County have a list of criteria to ensure the vaccine goes to people with the highest risk of exposure.
"Supply has been limited, we're expecting more doses from the federal government,” said Dr. Umair Shah, the state’s Secretary of Health.
The state’s Department of Health reports a growing number of cases. So far there have been 166 reports of MPV statewide with 144 of those cases in King County.
The virus can spread through contact with an infectious rash, scabs or bodily fluid; prolonged respiratory face-to-face contact; or potentially from objects or clothing used by someone with the illness. The Department says anyone can catch it but acknowledges that it is currently disproportionately impacting the LGBTQ+ community.
“Any sort of minority community oftentimes becomes the punching bag,” said Manila.
Manila says he already sees the stigma around MPV and is sharing videos on social media to “offer more information, but also just provide a sense of common ease for the community."
Eligibility criteria for the monkeypox vaccine:
- People who have had sexual, close intimate contact or other high risk close contact with someone who has tested positive for monkeypox
- People at high risk of exposure to monkeypox, including men who have sex with men who have recently had multiple sexual or intimate close contact partners including:
- Gay, bisexual, or other men or transgender people who have sex with men AND
- At least one of the following:
- More than 10 sex partners in the prior 3 months
- History of early syphilis or gonorrhea in the prior year
- Methamphetamine use in the prior month
- Attendance at a bathhouse, other public sex venue, or group sex (sex including at least 3 people at the same time) in the prior 3 months
- Experiencing homelessness/unstable housing AND currently living in a congregate setting AND had any sexual activity in the prior 3 months. | 2022-08-06T02:53:40+00:00 | king5.com | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/limited-monkeypox-vaccine-doses-available-eligible-seattle-weekend/281-4af17ed0-e432-4df0-b22a-8a6bc8c0686c |
Q: Ira, I am tired of hearing that the Heat have been so inconsistent this year because of injuries and that the team is finally starting to come together. We had just as many injuries or more last year and still won the Eastern Conference during the regular season. The problem this year is that all the teams in the East made trades in the offseason to get better and we did nothing to improve. – Greg, Jacksonville.
A: Look, injuries undeniably have been a factor. You cannot be your best without your best. But you raise a legitimate point when it comes to the base roster. The reality is that the Heat are 6-8 when starting their preferred lineup of Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Kyle Lowry. While that unit has a positive net rating, of 8.7, it also has not produced the accompanying wins. What the injuries have done is taken a team with very little margin for error and now given it no margin for error. What we still haven’t seen is what this team is capable of at its best. And right now it does not look capable of challenging the Celtics, Nets or Bucks in the standings, or perhaps even the 76ers or Cavaliers.
Q: Chemistry and consistency are maybe one and the same on this team. Tyler Herro’s streaky scoring and the number of shots he takes combined with his defensive liability just make it feel like he is not a Heat player. Not sure what his value is to the league, but if he has value might he be the best sweetener in a deal at the deadline? – Jim, Cornelius, N.C.
A: First, because of his extension, Tyler Herro is essentially untradable this season. He would go out at the $25.1 million average of his current deal and future extension, with the Heat only able to take back his $5.7 million 2022-23 salary. But what the balance of this season could show is whether he is viewed as a keeper or a trade chip, and perhaps that was what the extension was about in the first place.
Q: Last season, you said Kyle Lowry deserved slack for the time he missed with family issues. But this season, it’s injuries. Shouldn’t they have seen that coming? – Jesse.
A: But also remember that Kyle Lowry was among the league’s leaders in minutes over the first third of the season, helping keep things afloat when others were sidelined. The only missed time this season has been due to the left knee. So the hope is that once this clears, there are no further issues. But, yes, at 36 there always will be greater injury concerns, something the Heat certainly were aware of when they offered that sizable three-year contract in the 2021 offseason.
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The Barbie movie has smashed box-office records, brought dress-up back and put feminism in the spotlight.
Specifically, it has many asking: Has a doll long criticized for perpetuating outdated gender norms and unrealistic body image become a feminist icon? Has she always been one?
For context: The movie takes place largely in Barbieland, a candy-colored, women-centered utopia where Barbies hold the positions of power (all of the jobs, really, except for "beach") and Kens are essentially peripheral. That's painted in stark contrast to the "real world," of course.
M.G. Lord, the author of Forever Barbie: The Unauthorized Biography of a Real Doll and co-host of the new Barbie podcast LA Made: The Barbie Tapes, describes it as an angry movie made palatable through the lens of childhood products.
"It's almost shocking, in a way, to see such a powerful message in a highly stylized, campy movie with all that pink," she tells Morning Edition's Leila Fadel.
And the film has stoked strong emotions, both from fans who feel seen by its takedown of the patriarchy and critics who have slammed it as overly woke (including conservative commentator Ben Shapiro, who set fire to two dolls in a widely panned protest).
Director Greta Gerwig, who has built a devoted following for such female-forward movies as Lady Bird and Little Women, has labeled Barbie "most certainly a feminist film." Mattel executives, on the other hand, have said the opposite.
Fittingly, the Barbie doll itself has been at the center of such a debate pretty much since its debut in 1959.
Ruth Handler co-founded Mattel and created the doll — which has held over 200 jobs, from astronaut to executive to president — to show girls like her own daughter that they could be anything.
But Handler would not describe herself as a feminist, says Lord, who once asked her that directly.
And Barbie has faced plenty of backlash over the years. Much of it has focused on the dolls' unrealistic body image: Researchers have found that if Barbie were a real person, she would have to walk on all four because of her proportions. Studies have linked playing with ultra-thin dolls to negative body image and increased risk of eating disorders in children.
There have also been protests focused on Barbie's embrace of traditional gender norms. In 1972, feminist groups gathered outside a toy fair to protest dolls that they said "perpetuated sexual stereotypes by encouraging little girls to see themselves solely as manniquins, sex objects or housekeepers." Decades later, in 2013, topless women's rights activists protested the opening of a life-size Barbie Dreamhouse in Berlin, burning a doll on a cross and chanting "pink stinks."
While Lord says the new movie is "incredibly feminist," she hesitates to apply that word to Barbie herself. Instead, she sees the doll as its own sort of Rorschach test.
"People who hate Barbie for one reason or another, one might say that they project their fears and prejudices onto the doll. And people who irrationally adore this hunk of plastic are also puzzling to me," Lord says. "I think that may be the secret to why she's endured so long: That she weathers the projections and the conflicting projections of so many people."
The rise of Barbie — and the feminist movement
The iconic toy has its roots in a similar-looking but differently regarded German doll: Bild Lilli, which Lord describes as a highly sexualized and lurid gag gift for men (that eventually became popular with children), based on an off-color tabloid comic strip.
Handler came across the doll in a toy store window during a vacation to the Swiss Alps in the 1950s, after years of trying to convince her male colleagues of the appeal of a fashionable adult doll. Mattel eventually based Barbie off of Bild Lilli, tweaking some of her features (and ultimately settling a lawsuit with her manufacturers).
Lord says Barbie's message was "proto feminist" from the outset, as she came with the paraphernalia for a self-supporting career — a portfolio of fashion sketches, in the case of the original Barbie.
"So she's got that body, no husband, and the ability to make a living in a real field," Lord says.
She draws a connection to Helen Gurley Brown's 1962 book Sex and the Single Girl, which made the case for women's financial and sexual autonomy.
The Ken doll was introduced in 1961. And Barbie got her first Dreamhouse in 1962 — more than a decade before most single women in the U.S. would be able to own their own home, let alone bank account.
The problem, Lord says, was that second-wave feminists of the 1960s didn't really see all of Barbie's career props and ensembles: "They just saw that thing underneath and protested."
The National Organization for Women accused Mattel of gender stereotyping boys and girls in 1971, a year before its members participated in the toy fair protest.
Over time the feminist movement — and the people who identified with it — changed.
"I think the second-wave protests were probably important, but third-wave feminism, the kind that took hold in the 1990s, was kind of less judgmental than the feminism of the 1970s," Lord says.
This Barbie grew up in the '90s
Lord says the movie's production and costume design directly reference the Barbies of the early 1990s — the ones Gerwig herself would have been exposed to growing up — and mirror the messages of those later iterations of feminism (the third wave in the 1990s and the fourth wave in 2012).
As ideas of feminism and womanhood changed over the years, so did Barbie herself.
For example: The first Black and Latina Barbies debuted in 1980. Barbie first ran for president in 1992. In 2016, Mattel introduced new Barbie body types: petite, curvy and tall.
Today, its online store boasts Barbies modeled after inspirational female figures — from Jane Goodall to Naomi Osaka to Laverne Cox — and people with disabilities, from a doll with Down Syndrome to those that come with props like hearing aids and wheelchairs.
Lord says modern-day feminism's focus on intersectionality paved the way for "big-tent Barbie," adding that the dolls and products "always both reflect and shape the marketplace."
The body positivity movement surfaced around this same time. Lord believes that had an influence on many companies, whether that meant retailers working with a more diverse range of models or Mattel finally tampering "with what had been both the controversial and yet winning formula" of the doll's proportions.
"The idea was you could still be a Barbie, a highly valued commodity or whatever, but you didn't have to look a certain way as much as perhaps one did in the past," Lord says.
More than a doll — or a label
The dolls are more than what the manufacturers make for children, Lord says.
For one, writers and visual artists have been using Barbie as an image and metaphor for years. And they hold special significance to the kids that play with them.
"You can't constrain a child's imagination based on the availability of certain products," she says.
She says the movie reflects how young girls play with Barbies, from the marker-covered, shorn-haired doll played by Kate McKinnon to the all-female makeup of Barbieland's Supreme Court — and the relative unimportance of Kens.
"Then there's the ugly awakening that, in fact, in the world, men are entitled in ways that I think maybe little girls in their imaginative worlds can't anticipate," Lord says.
So what does all this mean for Barbie's contested feminist identity? Lord says the label itself carries a lot of weight.
For example: Barbie launched a female empowerment ad campaign in 1985, featuring an anthem in which girls sing "We can do anything, right Barbie?" It was rousing and uplifting and well-received, she said.
And yet, Lord said, executives at Mattel and at Ogilvy & Mather, Barbie's ad agency, refused to identify as feminists. It was a stigmatized word at the time, Lord explained in a recent newspaper column.
Lord says she's puzzled that executives behind the movie are treating that word as "radioactive" even decades later — though acknowledges it's still not without backlash.
"Maybe you don't want to offend the kind of people who incinerate dolls because the movie involving them is perceived as being anti-male," she says.
The broadcast interview was produced by Kaity Kline and edited by Phil Harrell.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2023-07-27T09:53:26+00:00 | knkx.org | https://www.knkx.org/2023-07-27/is-barbie-a-feminist-icon-its-complicated |
NEW YORK, March 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --
WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of American Depository Shares ("ADSs") of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) between June 20, 2018 and September 28, 2022, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period") of the important April 3, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.
SO WHAT: If you purchased Honda ADSs during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.
WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Honda class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11692 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than April 3, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.
WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.
DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Honda had overstated the safety and effectiveness of the Idle Stop engine feature; (2) Honda maintained deficient disclosure controls and procedures with respect to product quality and safety; (3) as a result of the foregoing deficiencies, Honda failed to prevent American Honda from marketing and selling thousands of vehicles that contained a defective Idle Stop feature; (4) the foregoing conduct subjected the Company and/or its subsidiaries to a heightened risk of litigation, as well as financial and/or reputational harm; and (5) as a result, the Company's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.
To join the Honda class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=11692 mailto:or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.
No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.
Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.
Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Contact Information:
Laurence Rosen, Esq.
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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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New York, NY 10016
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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A. | 2023-03-15T09:40:48+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2023/03/14/rosen-global-investor-counsel-encourages-honda-motor-co-ltd-investors-with-losses-secure-counsel-before-important-deadline-securities-class-action-hmc/ |
Wildlife conversationalists plant tree saplings to improve deer winter habitat
IRON RIVER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WLUC) - Wildlife conservationists are trying to re-establish winter habitats for deer by planting thousands of trees.
“Deer, historically, have used this area for the last 100 years for wintering. The amount of softwood, which is hemlock, white pine, balsam fir and spruce, has declined. It has declined both because it was intentionally removed, or it died from diseases,” said Jim Hammill, Wildlife biologist & retired DNR officer.
The Michigan DNR is currently in the process of planting more than 45,000 saplings across 100 acres of land in Iron River Township. The project is a partnership between the DNR, Safari Club International Foundation and area business partners to restore deer habitats.
“Deer will come down here during the winter period seeking conifer cover so there is less snow on the ground so they can feed better,” Hammill said.
This project in Iron River Township will cost $25,000 and is funded by a DNR grant. Hammill said as long as there is funding, the team wants to restore more forest habitats.
“We are going to focus on what we think is the greatest need,” Hammill said. “The greatest need is overhead thermal winter cover for deer.”
Habitat foresters like Stu Boren said this project not only builds a healthy forest, but a healthy deer herd.
“The heavy snowfall that we often can have in many places in the U.P., a strong thermal cover is crucial to deer survival,” Boren said.
Boren said this part of Iron County sees about 200 inches of snow annually. Deer will travel from as far as Baraga County to seek refuge during the winter.
“We are looking to achieve a modest population that is well distributed across the landscape,” Boren said.
It will take another 10 to 20 years for these saplings to grow tall enough to provide thermal cover, but Boren said starting the planting process is a necessary step.
Copyright 2023 WLUC. All rights reserved. | 2023-05-16T23:31:39+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2023/05/16/wildlife-conversationalists-plant-tree-saplings-improve-deer-winter-habitat/ |
WFO CORPUS CHRISTI Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Tuesday, July 12, 2022
_____
SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Corpus Christi TX
630 PM CDT Tue Jul 12 2022
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northern Victoria
County through 715 PM CDT...
At 629 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Fordtran, or 14 miles north of Victoria, moving southwest at 15 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Victoria, Fordtran, Victoria Colony Creek Country Club, Mission
Valley, Victoria Detar Hospital North, Nursery, Victoria Riverside
Park, Victoria College, Victoria Mall, Brentwood Subdivision, Salem,
Victoria Regional Airport, Telferner, Ball Airport Area and Downtown
Victoria.
This includes the following highways...
US Highway 59 between mile markers 624 and 634.
US Highway 77 between mile markers 558 and 580.
US Highway 87 between mile markers 798 and 812.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
LAT...LON 2909 9696 2906 9694 2902 9683 2899 9682
2892 9679 2880 9681 2879 9705 2891 9724
2910 9699
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 033DEG 15KT 2903 9698
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-07-13T00:40:22+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-CORPUS-CHRISTI-Warnings-Watches-and-17300958.php |
CLEVELAND (AP) _ The winning numbers in Thursday evening's drawing of the Ohio Lottery's "Pick 4 Evening" game were:
4-0-2-8
(four, zero, two, eight)
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Pike County massacre trial: Watch Day 3 testimony live | 2022-09-16T00:33:25+00:00 | daytondailynews.com | https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/ohio/winning-numbers-drawn-in-pick-4-evening-game/DPEICYQUVNFD5F2BU3SRZ5ROVA/ |
The products and services mentioned below were selected independent of sales and advertising. However, Don't Waste Your Money may receive a small commission from the purchase of any products or services through an affiliate link to the retailer's website.
Few things make a better sweet treat than s’mores. The toasted marshmallow and gooey chocolate ensconced in a pair of graham crackers might be one of the best snack creations ever made. S’mores are a camping or cookout staple and can cap off a perfect day.
But sometimes, the weather doesn’t cooperate and it’s too rainy or windy — or just too chilly outside — to build a fire, skewer a marshmallow and hold it over the open flame until it achieves s’mores-ready perfection. Worry not: With the CRUX x Marshmello S’mores Maker, you can make up a batch of your favorite outdoor snack indoors — no fire required.
For a limited time, Best Buy has the CRUX x Marshmello S’mores Maker on sale for only $29.99. That’s a $20 savings (almost 40%) off of the $49.99 regular retail price.
This s’mores maker uses an electric heater, which means no smoke and no flame — the perfect s’mores cooker for those rainy days or times you just don’t want to go through the hassle of building a fire.
The CRUX x Marshmello S’mores Maker features a tabletop cooker with a built-in base, three marshmallow skewers and a divided serving tray to organize your graham crackers, chocolate bars and marshmallows. You can also use the tray to offer other fillings like fruit, nuts and sprinkles.
Best Buy reviewers have given this s’mores maker an overall rating of 4.6 out of five stars. Customers gave it high marks for convenience, the safety factor — it’s designed for indoor use and is safe to use around children — and how easy it is to clean.
Head to the Best Buy website now to order the CRUX x Marshmello S’mores Maker before this deal disappears!
This story originally appeared on Don't Waste Your Money. Checkout Don't Waste Your Money for product reviews and other great ideas to save and make money. | 2023-06-12T18:49:58+00:00 | abc15.com | https://www.abc15.com/crux-x-marshmello-smores-maker-sale-june-12-2023 |
DENVER, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Principal Real Estate Income Fund (NYSE:PGZ) announces the sources of a distribution paid on July 31, 2023 of $0.1050 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on July 18, 2023, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and includes the notice below sent to shareholders regarding the source of the distribution.
Statement Pursuant to Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940
The following table sets forth the estimated amount of the sources of distribution for purposes of Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the related rules adopted thereunder. In accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), the Fund estimates the following percentages, of the total distribution amount per share, attributable to (i) current and prior fiscal year net investment income, (ii) net realized short-term capital gain, (iii) net realized long-term capital gain and (iv) return of capital or other capital source as a percentage of the total distribution amount. These percentages are disclosed for the current distribution as well as the fiscal year-to-date cumulative distribution amount per share for the Fund.
The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income'.
The timing and character of distributions for federal income tax purposes are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. As such, all or a portion of this distribution may be reportable as taxable income on your 2023 federal income tax return. The final tax character of any distribution declared in 2023 will be determined in January 2024 and reported to you on IRS Form 1099-DIV.
The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this 19(a) Notice are only estimates and not for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.
Presented below are return figures, based on the change in the Fund's Net Asset Value per share ("NAV"), compared to the annualized distribution rate for this current distribution as a percentage of the NAV on the last day of the month prior to distribution record date.
While the NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's Managed Distribution Plan.
Furthermore, the Board of Trustees reviews the amount of any potential distribution and the income, capital gain or capital available. The Board of Trustees will continue to monitor the Fund's distribution level, taking into consideration the Fund's net asset value and the financial market environment. The Fund's distribution policy is subject to modification by the Board of Trustees at any time. The distribution rate should not be considered the dividend yield or total return on an investment in the Fund.
Please retain this document for your records.
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund.
Principal Real Estate Investors LLC is the investment sub-adviser to the Fund. Principal Real Estate Investors LLC is not affiliated with ALPS Advisors, Inc. or any of its affiliates.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. is the FINRA Member.
PRE000386 7/31/2024
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SOURCE Principal Real Estate Income Fund | 2023-07-31T21:45:55+00:00 | wafb.com | https://www.wafb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/principal-real-estate-fund-announces-notification-sources-distribution/ |
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Police arrested a man for Attempted Murder after a 43-year-old woman was seriously hurt.
According to Decatur Police, on Sunday at 1:06 a.m. officers responded to the 100 block of S. Calhoun for a reference of a domestic violence situation.
When officers arrived they found a 43-year-old woman with a head wound inside a house. DPD said they rendered aid and the victim was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police arrested Adam D. Rich, 19, for Attempted Murder. He was booked into the Macon County Jail.
Copyright 2022. WANDTV. All rights reserved. | 2022-08-14T20:21:45+00:00 | wandtv.com | https://www.wandtv.com/news/woman-seriously-hurt-police-arrested-19-year-old-in-connection/article_668acc14-1bfb-11ed-a733-1f9da4ca7a5c.html |
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Many investors worry about the future of Berkshire Hathaway after its legendary CEO Warren Buffett is gone, but most of the conglomerate’s companies have already made the transition to reporting to the man who will eventually replace the 92-year-old.
Buffett himself and executives at Berkshire Hathaway companies like See’s Candy and Dairy Queen say they don’t have any qualms about Vice Chairman Greg Abel’s ability to lead the conglomerate. Abel already oversees all of Berkshire’s noninsurance businesses. So the main parts of the CEO job he’s not already doing are overseeing the insurance side of the company and deciding how to invest Berkshire’s nearly $131 billion in cash.
Buffett reassured investors at Saturday’s annual meeting that he believes Abel is the right man for the job and that he does know how to allocate capital following the same model Buffett uses even if he’s not making those spending decisions now. Plus, Abel did help oversee a number of large acquisitions at Berkshire’s utility unit that he led from 2008 until 2018, including the purchases of NV Energy in Nevada for $5.6 billion and Canadian power transmission firm Altalink for nearly $3 billion.
“I don’t have a second choice. I mean it is that tough to find. But I have also seen Greg in action and I feel 100% comfortable,” Buffett said. “Greg is inheriting a good business and I think he’ll make it better.”
Buffett confirmed that Abel will eventually take over for him two years ago after his partner Charlie Munger let it slip at that year’s annual meeting although Buffett has no plans to retire.
Plus, Berkshire does have two other investment managers and another vice chairman who oversees all the insurance business, including Geico and several large reinsurers, in place although Buffett said it will be up to Abel to decide how much to lean on those folks after he becomes CEO.
Gonzaga University business professor Todd Finkle, who just wrote a new book titled “Warren Buffett: Investor and Entrepreneur,” said Berkshire shareholders should trust Buffett’s judgement about his successor because he has been thinking about his successor for years.
To underscore how long Buffett has been thinking about this, Berkshire showed video clips Saturday of Buffett getting questions about his successor for at least the last 29 years. It probably came up before then too, but Berkshire doesn’t have video of the meeting before 1994.
“He’s not going to screw this up,” Finkle said at the Gabelli Funds Value Investing Conference on the eve of the annual meeting in Omaha.
CFRA Research analyst Cathy Seifert agreed: “The succession issue has been put to rest.”
Berkshire managers who have been reporting to Abel instead of Buffett since 2018 said they’re confident and impressed with his ability to oversee dozens of different businesses as varied as Israeli tookmaker Iscar Metalworking, industrial conglomerate Marmon Holdings, jeweler Helzberg Diamonds and the NetJets private jet service.
Dairy Queen CEO Troy Bader said that whenever he has any issues related to the brand, Abel is always available, and he reaches out if he ever has any questions. Bader said he’s not sure where Abel “gets all the time in the day, but his access has been terrific.”
“Greg is a very quick study. He understands the businesses quickly and he’s going to challenge us, as you would expect any really good manager to do,” he said.
Buffett is clearly a tough act to follow after leading Berkshire for 58 years and earning a reputation as one of the best investors ever, but Bader said there is a lot of talent among Berkshire’s other managers.
“Obviously Berkshire has never known anything other than Warren and Charlie very well involved,” Bader said. “But having had the privilege of getting to know so many of the other leaders, Berkshire’s in very capable hands, and that’s a credit again to Warren.”
Buffett and Abel joked during a CNBC interview earlier this spring that Abel might even be able to get more out of Berkshire’s businesses because he doesn’t the history of having acquired them and may ask tougher questions as he gets to know the companies better. But just like Buffett, Abel largely lets the businesses run themselves, talking strategy with them periodically and offering advice whenever they need it. But the CEOs of each Berkshire business make the day-to-day decision except that they’ll run any big spending decisions past headquarters.
Brooks Running CEO Jim Weber said Abel approaches the businesses with the background of an operator who helped build the Berkshire Hathaway Energy utility unit as opposed to Buffett’s background as an investor. Abel may even direct a few more pointed questions about Brooks’ competition to Weber because unlike Buffett, Abel is a runner who wants to try on the shoes not just talk numbers. But he still provides similar oversight.
“We definitely see he’s got he’s got the brain of an operator. And so in that sense, there is a different slate of questions that are, I think, more in tune with business topics and issues,” Weber said. “But at the end of the day, you know, the relationship is, is still kind of working the same for us.”
See’s Candy Pat Egan said shareholders should know that Abel is remarkable in his own right.
“Greg’s singularly talented. He’s an amazing guy,” Egan said. “So in terms of leadership, we have no, no concerns whatsoever.” | 2023-05-08T21:08:16+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/business/maybe-investors-shouldnt-worry-about-buffetts-successor/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — As of March 22, masking will become optional at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur.
With some exceptions, HSHS will not require most stafff, patients and visitors to wear masks.
Copyright 2023. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — As of March 22, masking will become optional at HSHS St. Mary's Hospital in Decatur.
With some exceptions, HSHS will not require most stafff, patients and visitors to wear masks.
Copyright 2023. WAND TV. All rights reserved.
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accounts, the history behind an article. | 2023-03-22T01:02:12+00:00 | wandtv.com | https://www.wandtv.com/news/hshs-st-marys-makes-masks-optional-in-march/article_956138ec-c840-11ed-a421-fb800591acc7.html |
WUHAN, China, July 25, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited ("Dunxin" or the "Company") (NYSE American: DXF), a licensed microfinance lender servicing individuals and small and medium enterprises ("SMEs") in Hubei Province, China, today announced that it entered into a securities purchase agreement with an institutional investors to purchase $1.09 million worth of its American Depositary Shares ("ADS") in a registered direct offering.
Under the terms of the securities purchase agreement, the Company has agreed to sell 1.09 million ADS at a price of $1.00 per ADS.
The gross proceeds to the Company from the registered direct offering are estimated to be $1.09 million, before deducting the placement agent's fees and other estimated offering expenses. The offering is expected to close on or about July 28, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
Spartan Capital Securities LLC, is acting as exclusive placement agent for the offering.
The proposed offering of the ADS described above is being offered by the Company pursuant to a "shelf" registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-264179) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and declared effective by the SEC on August 8, 2022, and the accompanying prospectus contained therein.
The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. A prospectus supplement describing the terms of the public offering will be filed with the SEC and will form a part of the effective registration statement.
Copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to this offering may be obtained, when available, on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov or from Spartan Capital Securities, LLC, 45 Broadway, New York, NY 10006 or telephone at (877) 772-7818.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Dunxin Financial Holdings Limited
Dunxin is a licensed microfinance lender serving individuals and SMEs in Hubei Province, China. Dunxin suspended offering loans to its customers since 2020 and is exploring new business opportunities based on Metaverse related technologies.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. When the Company uses words such as "may, "will, "intend," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate" or similar expressions that do not relate solely to historical matters, it is making forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development; product and service demand and acceptance; changes in technology; economic conditions; the growth of market in China and the other international markets the Company plans to serve; reputation and brand; the impact of competition and pricing; government regulations; fluctuations in general economic and business conditions in China and the international markets the Company plans to serve and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing and other risks contained in reports filed by the Company with the SEC. For these reasons, among others, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements in this press release. Additional factors are discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise these forward–looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof.
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SOURCE Dunxin Financial Holding Limited | 2023-07-26T02:13:27+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/07/26/dunxin-financial-holdings-announces-pricing-109-million-registered-direct-offering/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — An ambitious California proposal aims to reduce plastic production for single-use products like shampoo bottles and food wrappers by 25% starting next decade, part of an effort to rein in pollution from the ubiquitous material.
A bill introduced late Thursday aims to bring environmental and business groups together to avoid a similar ballot measure slated to go before voters in November. But at least two of the ballot measure’s three proponents aren’t yet on board.
Democratic Sen. Ben Allen, the bill’s author, said that if passed the proposal would make California a leader in reducing plastic waste by focusing on eliminating plastic at the source, not just recycling it once produced.
“The truth is we just need less crap out there — less plastic out there in general,” Allen said Friday.
Plastics have long been a target of environmental groups. Most plastic is not recycled and millions of tons are polluting the world’s oceans, hurting wildlife and showing up in drinking water. Various efforts are underway to rein in such pollution, with states attempting to reduce the use of plastic grocery bags, straws and other products. This month the federal government said it will phase out the sale of single-use plastics like water bottles at national parks.
Under the bill, the 25% reduction in plastic from single-use products would start in 2032. It would apply to producers of products like laundry detergent, toothpaste and food wrappings, as well as companies like Amazon that package products for mailing. They would have to replace the plastic with other materials, reduce their packaging or market the products as reusable and make it easy for consumers to do so. It wouldn’t apply to water or other beverage bottles, which are regulated by different recycling laws.
Beyond plastic, producers of all single-use products, even those made of paper or glass, would need to ensure that 65% are recycled by 2032. It’s estimated that less than 10% of plastic in the United States is recycled now.
Makers of single-use products would have to join “producer responsibility organizations” that would implement the rules with state oversight. The organizations would have to collect $500 million annually for a state plastic pollution mitigation fund. Producers that don’t follow the rules could be fined $50,000 a day.
The legislation was the product of long negotiations between Allen’s office, environmental and business groups. Allen said he doesn’t expect the plastics industry to support the bill. But he hopes they won’t lobby against it because it may be more acceptable than the ballot measure and would mean they don’t have to spend money trying to defeat it.
“While California businesses both large and small face a maze of environmental regulations as a result of this bill, we believe that this proposal ensures long term policy certainty around recycling and packaging,” Jennifer Barrera, president of the California Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
Still, there was no immediate commitment from backers of the ballot measure to withdraw it. Ballot measures can be removed until June 30, meaning the bill would need to win quick passage.
“We will pull the initiative if/when the bill that the Governor signs merits the sacrifice. Not a day sooner. We are nowhere close to that,” Linda Escalante of the Natural Resources Defense Council and a proponent of the measure said in a statement.
Caryl Hart, vice chair of the California Coastal Commission, and Michael Sangiacomo, former president of the waste management company Recology, are the other two backers of the ballot measure. Sangiacomo said in a statement the legislation doesn’t do enough for him to support pulling the ballot measure. He didn’t elaborate further.
The ballot measure requires a 25% cut in plastic production, but starting two years earlier. It would ban the use of Styrofoam and similar products by food vendors. The legislation wouldn’t do that; instead it would require 20% of such products to be recycled. Anja Brandon, U.S. Plastics Policy Analyst at the Ocean Conservancy, said that amounts to a “de facto ban” because the material can’t be recycled.
The ballot measure puts more regulatory power in the hands of the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery and puts a 1-cent fee on all single-use plastic products. The measure’s proponents say the legislation gives the industry too much power to regulate itself.
The Ocean Conservancy is one of the environmental groups backing the bill. Brandon called it the strongest plastics legislation in the country. Her organization estimated the bill would reduce plastic in the state by 23 million tons over 10 years.
“Walk down a grocery aisle, anything you see (that’s plastic) is going to be affected by this,” she said. | 2022-06-18T10:18:57+00:00 | pahomepage.com | https://www.pahomepage.com/news/national/california-bill-would-reduce-single-use-plastic-products-25/ |
US inflation eased again to 6.5% over the past 12 months
Rising consumer prices in the United States moderated again last month, bolstering hopes that inflation’s grip on the economy will continue to ease this year and possibly require less drastic action by the Federal Reserve to control it.
Inflation eased to 6.5% in December compared with 12 months earlier, the government said Thursday. It was the sixth straight year-over-year slowdown. On a monthly basis, prices actually slipped 0.1% from November to December, the first such drop since May 2020.
The softer readings add to growing signs that the worst inflation bout in four decades is gradually waning. Still, the Fed doesn’t expect inflation to slow enough to get close to its 2% target until well into 2024. The central bank is expected to raise its benchmark rate by at least a quarter-point when it next meets at the end of this month.
Even as it gradually slows, inflation remains a painful reality for many Americans, especially with such necessities as food, energy and rents having soared over the past 18 months.
For now, inflation is falling, with the national average price of a gallon of gas declining from a $5 a gallon peak in June to $3.27 a gallon as of Wednesday, according to AAA.
Supply chain snarls that previously inflated the cost of goods have largely unraveled. Consumers have also shifted much of their spending away from physical goods and instead toward services, such as travel and entertainment. As a result, the cost of goods, including used cars, furniture and clothing, has dropped for two straight months.
Last week’s jobs report for December bolstered the possibility that a recession could be avoided. Even after the Fed’s seven rate hikes last year and with inflation still high, employers added a solid 223,000 jobs in December, and the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, matching the lowest level in 53 years.
At the same time, average hourly pay growth slowed, which should lessen pressure on companies to raise prices to cover their higher labor costs.
Another positive sign for the Fed’s efforts to quell inflation is that Americans overall expect price increases to decline over the next few years. That is important because so-called “inflation expectations” can be self-fulfilling: If people expect prices to keep rising sharply, they will typically take steps, like demanding higher pay, that can perpetuate high inflation.
On Monday, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said that consumers now anticipate inflation of 5% over the next year. That’s the lowest such expectation in nearly 18 months. Over the next five years, consumers expect inflation to average 2.4%, only barely above the Fed’s 2% target.
Still, in their remarks in recent weeks, Fed officials have underscored their intent to raise their benchmark short-term rate by an additional three-quarters of a point in the coming months to just above 5%. Such increases would come on top of seven hikes last year, which led mortgage rates to nearly double and made auto loans and business borrowing more expensive.
Futures prices show that investors expect the central bank to be less aggressive and implement just two quarter-point hikes by March, leaving the Fed’s rate just below 5%. Investors also project that the Fed will cut rates in November and December, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell has sought to push back against that expectation of fewer hikes this spring and cuts by the end of the year, which can make the Fed’s job harder if investors bid up stock prices and lower bond yields. Both trends can support faster economic growth just when the Fed is trying to cool it down.
The minutes from the Fed’s December meeting noted that none of the 19 policymakers foresee rate cuts this year.
Still, last week James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, expressed some optimism that this year, “actual inflation will likely follow inflation expectations to a lower level,” suggesting 2023 could be a “year of disinflation.” | 2023-01-12T16:55:07+00:00 | wisn.com | https://www.wisn.com/article/us-inflation-eased-again-to-6-5-over-the-past-12-months/42473081 |
VINLAND (NBC 26) — A fundraiser is collecting donations for a Winnebago County family who lost their 8-month-old son when a semi crashed into their house.
Authorities said it happened around 6 p.m. Monday when the semi left Interstate 41 southbound, crashed through a fence line, crossed a nearby frontage road, and smashed into the house in the town of Vinland, just north of Oshkosh. Sheriff officials said the baby died in the crash.
The website hosting the fundraiser for the family, Solutions Recovery Inc., says the family also has three daughters.
People can donate through the website or send donations to:
Solutions Recovery
Attn: Mendoza/Stechner Fund
621 Evans Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Make checks payable to: Mendoza/Stechner Fund
Solutions Recovery says 100% of the money raised will go to the family. | 2022-07-28T18:56:40+00:00 | tmj4.com | https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/fundraiser-set-up-for-family-who-lost-baby-boy-when-semi-hit-house |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Thursday the U.S. would immediately begin turning away Cubans, Haitians and Nicaraguans who cross the border from Mexico illegally, his boldest move yet to confront the arrivals of migrants that have spiraled since he took office two years ago.
The new rules expand on an existing effort to stop Venezuelans attempting to enter the U.S., which began in October and led to a dramatic drop in Venezuelans coming to the southern border. Together, they represent a major change to immigration rules that will stand even if the Supreme Court ends a Trump-era public health law that allows U.S. authorities to turn away asylum-seekers.
“Do not, do not just show up at the border,” Biden said as he announced the changes, even as he acknowledged the hardships that lead many families to make the dangerous journey north.
“Stay where you are and apply legally from there,” he advised.
Biden made the announcement just days before a planned visit to El Paso, Texas, on Sunday for his first trip to the southern border as president. From there, he will travel on to Mexico City to meet with North American leaders on Monday and Tuesday.
Homeland Security officials said they would begin denying asylum to those who circumvent legal pathways and do not first ask for asylum in the country they traveled through en route to the U.S.
Instead, the U.S. will accept 30,000 people per month from the four nations for two years and offer the ability to work legally, as long as they come legally, have eligible sponsors and pass vetting and background checks. Border crossings by migrants from those four nations have risen most sharply, with no easy way to quickly return them to their home countries.
“This new process is orderly,” Biden said. “It’s safe and humane, and it works.”
The move, while not unexpected, drew swift criticism from asylum and immigration advocates, who have had a rocky relationship with the president.
“President Biden correctly recognized today that seeking asylum is a legal right and spoke sympathetically about people fleeing persecution,” said Jonathan Blazer, the American Civil Liberties Union’s director of border strategies. “But the plan he announced further ties his administration to the poisonous anti-immigrant policies of the Trump era instead of restoring fair access to asylum protections.”
Even with the health law restrictions in place, the president has seen the numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border rise dramatically during his two years in office; there were more than 2.38 million stops during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the first time the number topped 2 million. The administration has struggled to clamp down on crossings, reluctant to take hard-line measures that would resemble those of the Trump administration.
That’s resulted in relentless criticism from Republicans who say the Democratic president is ineffective on border security, and the newly minted Republican House majority has promised congressional investigations on the matter.
The new policy could result in 360,000 people from these four nations lawfully entering the U.S. in a year, a huge number. But far more people from those countries have been attempting to cross into the U.S. on foot, by boat or swimming; migrants from those four countries were stopped 82,286 times in November alone.
Enyer Valbuena, a Venezuelan who was living in Tijuana, Mexico, after crossing the border illegally, said Thursday’s announcement came as no surprise but a blow nonetheless.
“This was coming. It’s getting more difficult all the time,” he said by text message.
Some Venezuelans waiting on Mexico’s border with the U.S. have been talking among themselves if Canada is an option, Valbuena said. He had been waiting for the outcome of the pandemic-related asylum ban before trying to enter the U.S. again and is seeking asylum in Mexico, which offers a much better future than Venezuela.
“If it becomes more difficult (to reach the U.S.), the best path is to get papers in Mexico,” said Valbuena, who currently works at a Tijuana factory.
Mexico has agreed to accept up to 30,000 migrants each month from the four countries who attempt to walk or swim across the U.S.-Mexico border and are turned back. Normally, these migrants would be returned to their country of origin, but the U.S. can not easily send back people from those four countries for a variety of reasons that include relations with the governments there.
Anyone coming to the U.S. is allowed to claim asylum, regardless of how they crossed the border, and migrants seeking a better life in the U.S. often pay smugglers the equivalent of thousands of dollars to deliver them across the dangerous Darien Gap.
But the requirements for granting asylum are narrow, and only about 30% of applications are granted. That has created a system in which migrants try to cross between ports of entry and are allowed into the U.S. to wait out their cases. But there is a 2 million-case immigration court backlog, so cases often are not heard for years.
The only lasting way to change the system is through Congress, but a bipartisan congressional effort on new immigration laws failed shortly before Republicans took the House majority.
“The actions we’re announcing will make things better, but will not fix the border problem completely,” Biden said, in pressing lawmakers to act.
Under then-President Donald Trump, the U.S. required asylum seekers to wait across the border in Mexico. But clogs in the immigration system created long delays, leading to fetid, dangerous camps over the border where migrants were forced to wait. That system was ended under Biden, and the migrants who are returned to Mexico under the new rules will not be eligible for asylum.
Biden will also triple the number of refugees accepted to the U.S. from the Western Hemisphere, to 20,000 from Latin America and Caribbean, over the next two years. Refugees and asylum-seekers have to meet the same criteria to be allowed into the country, but they arrive through different means.
Border officials are also creating an online appointment portal to help reduce wait times at U.S. ports of entry for those coming legally. It will allow people to set up an appointment to come and ask to be allowed into the country.
At the U.S.-Mexico border, migrants have been denied a chance to seek asylum 2.5 million times since March 2020 under the Title 42 restrictions, introduced as an emergency health measure by Trump to prevent the spread of COVID-19. But there always has been criticism that the restrictions were used as a pretext by the Republican to seal off the border.
Biden moved to end the Title 42 restrictions, and Republicans sued to keep them. The U.S. Supreme Court has kept the rules in place for now. White House officials say they still believe the restrictions should end, but they maintain they can continue to turn away migrants under immigration law.
The four nationalities that Biden addressed Thursday now make up the majority of those crossing the border illegally. Cubans, who are leaving the island nation in their largest numbers in six decades, were stopped 34,675 times at the U.S. border with Mexico in November, up 21% from October. Nicaraguans, a large reason why El Paso has become the busiest corridor for illegal crossings, were stopped 34,209 times in November, up 65% from October.
But Venezuelans were seen far less at the border after Mexico agreed on Oct. 12 to begin accepting those expelled from the United States. They were stopped 7,931 times, down 64% from October.
Venezuelans have said the changes have been difficult, particularly with finding a sponsor who has the financial resources to demonstrate the ability to support them. And even if they find a sponsor, sometimes they delay their arrival because they don’t have the economic resources to pay for the flight to the U.S. For some, the Venezuelan passport that they need has expired, and they cannot afford to pay for the renewal.
___
Spagat reported from San Diego. Associated Press writers Rebecca Santana in Washington and Gisela Salomon in Miami contributed to this report. | 2023-01-06T16:19:22+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/news/nationalworld-news/ap-international/ap-biden-restricting-nicaraguans-cubans-and-haitians-at-border/ |
Lawton holding public input meeting on how to use extra nearly $6 million
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The City of Lawton is holding a public input meeting to help decide how to spend an estimated nearly $6 million in extra unallocated funds.
Officials have set the meeting for April 25 at 2 p.m. at City Hall.
Based on sales tax projections, the city will have $5,451,207 in additional money.
Citizens can provide input whether to roll the funds into Fiscal Year 2023/2024′s budget or utilize it before the end of the fiscal year on a number of projects listed under the CIP’s resolution of intent.
Options include improvements to infrastructure, information technology systems, City beautification, youth programs, and retail developments.
A complete list of acceptable expenditures can be found here.
Copyright 2023 KSWO. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-12T16:49:52+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/2023/04/12/lawton-holding-public-input-meeting-how-use-extra-6-million/ |
5 people killed after vehicle lands in Florida retention pond
Published: Jun. 26, 2023 at 10:02 PM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — An out-of-control car landed in a southwest Florida retention pond where it went underwater, killing all five occupants in the vehicle, authorities said Monday.
The accident in Fort Myers, Florida, happened either late Sunday or early Monday, killing three women and two men, all ages 18 or 19, according to officials with the Fort Myers Police Department.
The names of the individuals weren’t immediately released. No further details were made public Monday.
The News-Press in Fort Myers reported that four of the individuals worked together at a Texas Roadhouse restaurant.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-27T03:08:37+00:00 | wagmtv.com | https://www.wagmtv.com/2023/06/27/5-people-killed-after-vehicle-lands-florida-retention-pond/ |
What are the best smartwatches?
Are you trying to improve your fitness? Do you want to boost your productivity and stay connected to your smartphone? The latest generation of smartwatches can help you get the most out of every day. They keep you connected to your messages, emails, phone calls and much more and connect to your other devices for everyday use.
If you are thinking about investing in a smartwatch, you may have some questions about what features to look out for and what would fit your lifestyle the best. The top choice is the Apple Watch Series 5, with retina display and health features.
What to know about smartwatches
How smartwatches work
Smartwatches are at the forefront of the wearable technology revolution. They’re exceedingly popular and allow you to take your favorite tech with you on the go. It combines the best of a fitness tracker with the functionality of your smartphone. It allows you to streamline your phone use and receive notifications and updates right on your wrist.
Advantages of smartwatches
Most of the smartwatches on the market today incorporate fitness tracker functions and allow you to receive only the most important notifications. You’ll be able to utilize the device to track daily information like your sleep patterns, water intake or fitness goals.
What to consider when buying a smartwatch
Apps
Before you purchase a smartwatch, ensure it supports the apps you use daily. Most smartwatches have some form of standalone functionality, but most of them rely on being synced to your smartphone. You’ll usually want to choose a smartwatch that is compatible with your smartphone. If you use an iPhone, you’ll want an Apple Watch, while Android users should opt for a smartwatch that runs on the same system.
Notifications
Nearly all smartwatches can send you notifications from your smartphone, even if the app is not directly supported on the smartwatch. Some smartwatches allow you to reply to messages, answer calls and view emails right on its interface.
Battery life
Battery life is crucial to excellent performance. Battery life on smartwatches can be frustrating, and you’ll want to choose an option that will give you at least 12 hours of use on a single charge. If you’re a long-distance runner, you may need to choose a smartwatch with longer battery life to accommodate your lifestyle.
How much can you expect to spend on a smartwatch?
You can expect to pay between $100-$700 for your smartwatch. You’ll get what you pay for, with more expensive options including more features and longer battery life. Even minor upgrades between smartwatches can bump up the price.
Smartwatch FAQs
Can I make phone calls from my smartwatch?
A. Being able to make phone calls from your watch will depend on your smartphone. Indeed, most watches are designed to be linked to smartphones, and watches can often act as both a speaker and a microphone. If you want to use your smartwatch for calls without having your smartphone, you’ll need an independent data plan for your watch.
What are mobile payments for a smartwatch?
A. As the world becomes more contactless and cash-free, smartwatches have evolved to utilize mobile payments, just like your debit or credit card. This feature allows you to store your credit card or banking information on your smartwatch and pay through your device. You can use your smartwatch the same way you would make a mobile payment through your phone.
What is the best smartwatch to buy?
Top smartwatch
What you need to know: As the fifth generation of the iconic Apple Watch, this smartwatch has a retina display and includes updated health features, such as heart sensors.
What you’ll love: It has an improved battery life compared to earlier versions of the Apple Watch and comes with a built-in compass, which is a must-have for anyone who enjoys an outdoor lifestyle. It’s also swim-proof.
What you should consider: The 44-millimeter size may be too large for some wrist shapes. As this smartwatch is by Apple, you can expect to pay a premium for the product.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top smartwatch for the money
What you need to know: You get the best of both worlds with a combination fitness tracker and smartwatch, including contactless payment features.
What you’ll love: One of the most stylish options on the market. Garmin Pay adds extra versatility. You can receive both text and phone notifications, along with the ability to make basic text responses from your smartwatch.
What you should consider: The text response function only works with Android phones.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: Do you want a smartwatch that will stand the test of time and see you through anything? This military-grade smartwatch is the perfect choice for you.
What you’ll love: This smartwatch is one of the most durable on the market and allows you to pair it with your smartphone to receive text alerts. It’s ideal for runners as it allows for global satellite tracking and offers 14-day battery life.
What you should consider: The monochrome screen can take some getting used to and won’t be the first choice for every smartwatch user.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-07-12T03:28:19+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/reviews/br-reviews/electronics-br/wearable-technology-br/best-smartwatches/ |
If you haven’t been able to get your hands on the beloved 12-foot skeleton from Home Depot the past few years, we have some exciting news: Skelly the giant skeleton is officially back in stock for Halloween 2023!
Priced at $299, the larger-than-life Giant Skeleton with LifeEyes LCD Eyes from Home Accents Holiday lights up and has LCD eyes that move and blink, plus a timer, so you don’t need to worry about turning it on every night.
This product sells out quickly every year, despite the fact that it hits Home Depot’s website four months before Halloween. Last year, Home Depot brought it back a second time in August, but the retailer isn’t saying whether we can expect to see it multiple times again until Halloween or if this first stock is all we’ll get.
MORE: Halloween candles you can get on Amazon for setting a spooky mood
While there’s no rule you have to put the skeleton outside, at around the same height as an African elephant, it’s probably best kept outdoors — unless you have tall ceilings and, of course, don’t mind a giant skeleton in your house glowing throughout the evening hours.
There is a limit of one per order, with the skeleton shipping between July 28-Aug. 3, so you’ll have it in plenty of time for Halloween.
Home Depot has a handful of other new over-the-top Halloween decorations from Home Accents Holiday as well, like this 5.5-foot animated Marie the Maid for $149 and this 7.5-foot animated marsh monster that costs $199.
You can also buy a 13-feet-tall animated Jack Skellington from Disney. Taller than Skelly the Skeleton, the “The Nightmare Before Christmas” decoration is priced at $399. Dressed in his classic pinstripe suit and bowtie, Jack’s head and mouth both move while he sings.
Looking for even more giant Halloween decorations? Lowe’s has a few new items already for sale from the brand Haunted Living, including a 12-foot animatronic scarecrow for $398 and a 9-foot “ground-breaking” zombie, an exclusive for $598. You could also choose an 8-foot animatronic witch for $279 or the 12-foot mummy, a past favorite that will set you back $398.
All three new additions light up and are animated. The scarecrow has red glowing eyes and an LED flame effect emanating from his rib cage. The zombie’s eyes and skeletal chest glow and he has a lighted lantern and tombstone. The witch turns left to right at the waist. She also says scary phrases and has a spooky laugh. Her eyes flash white, too.
Are you getting excited for Halloween?
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Check out Simplemost for additional stories. | 2023-07-13T15:51:50+00:00 | koaa.com | https://www.koaa.com/home-depots-12-foot-skeleton-is-back-youre-going-want-now |
Rep. Mark Pocan and Content Creator Speak Out About Opposition To Proposed TikTok Bans
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have been raising concerns about the possibility of TikTok’s parent company Bytebance sharing U.S. user data with the Chinese government and several of those lawmakers have been calling for a ban on the popular social media app. But some have been speaking out against a ban - both content creators and a few members of Congress now.
A small group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill have opposed a ban saying it does not solve the bigger problem with social media privacy issues.
“We do have a job as a members of Congress, and that is to protect our data and to protect disinformation. But we’re not doing that by a simple ban on TikTok,” said Rep. Mark Pocan (D - WI).
Rep. Pocan says the real problem is privacy of user data across all social media platforms and says a singular ban on one app is not the solution.
“We do have a problem and we do need to have better control over the privacy of individuals data, the disinformation that gets pushed to people. But singling out any one platform doesn’t get nearly where you need to get,” said Pocan.
Content creators have also spoke out against a potential ban, saying it could seriously hurt their businesses like Gabby Beckford who posts content on her travel account “Packs Light.”
“A lot of the ways that I make money, maybe that’s my e-book sales or whether that’s brand partnerships. Tik Tok is a large part of those because that’s my largest audience. So it would be an unprecedented change in my business for sure,” said Beckford.
Beckford agrees that there are privacy concerns with the app but doesn’t think an outright ban is right either.
“I find that there are valid security concerns or privacy concerns with Tik Tok for sure, but I don’t think that they’re isolated just to TikTok. I have the same concerns, if not more, with other social platforms,” she said.
Congressman Pocan said he is hoping that lawmakers here can shift their focus to regulating all social media companies more.
“We need to regulate the social media companies more, especially around the privacy of our data and how some of the misinformation gets pushed,” he said. “If we do that, we should be able to do that in a bipartisan way. There’s not like a left or right perspective. There shouldn’t be any way. There’s not among real people. So hopefully members of Congress could find a way to do that.”
Copyright 2023 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-10T16:54:36+00:00 | wnem.com | https://www.wnem.com/2023/04/10/rep-mark-pocan-content-creator-speak-out-about-opposition-proposed-tiktok-bans/ |
(NEXSTAR) – Tens of thousands of Californians remain without power Monday as residents face flooding and mudslides as the latest in a series of powerful storms walloped the state.
Evacuation orders were issued for those living in and around the city of Montecito in Santa Barbara County, Nexstar’s KTLA reports. The area, scarred by recent wildfires, received nearly six inches of rain over 12 hours, according to the National Weather Service.
Parts of El Dorado, Sacramento, and Ventura counties were also placed under mandatory evacuation orders Monday.
In Ventura County, more than a dozen people were rescued from a homeless encampment near the Ventura River after heavy rains soaked the region. None needed to be transported to the hospital, Ventura Fire Department officials told KTLA.
At least 14 deaths have been confirmed in connection to these storms, including a 5-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters in San Luis Obispo County. The search for the boy was called off Monday afternoon because of the current and rising water levels of the nearby Salinas River.
In Sacramento, three people – two of which were in tents – died after trees fell on them, Nexstar’s KTXL reports. A man in the nearby Mendocino County died in a traffic accident while helping with storm cleanup over the weekend.
In addition to widespread rain, Californians face strong winds, mudslides, and even a potential tornado, according to the NWS.
In Northern California, several districts closed schools while the California Highway Patrol shared video of large boulders skidding down hillsides to block state roads.
Photos from across the state show flooded streets and fields, mudslides, washed-out wharves and roads, and, near San Francisco, surfers.
Northbound lanes of U.S. 101, a key coastal route, were closed, along with several other highways and local roads. A large, muddy slide blocked both lanes of southbound Highway 17, a key but windy route into Santa Cruz from the San Francisco Bay Area. Vehicles were turned back at the summit as crews arrived to clean up.
The National Weather Service warned of a “relentless parade of atmospheric rivers” — long plumes of moisture stretching out into the Pacific that can drop staggering amounts of rain and snow. The precipitation expected over the next couple of days comes after storms last week knocked out power to thousands, flooded streets, and battered the coastline.
President Joe Biden issued an emergency declaration Monday to support storm response and relief efforts in more than a dozen counties, including Sacramento, Santa Cruz and Los Angeles.
The first of the newest, heavier storms prompted the weather service to issue a flood watch for a large portion of Northern and Central California, with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimeters) of rain expected through Wednesday in the already saturated Sacramento-area foothills.
The storms won’t be enough to officially end California’s drought, but they have helped.
Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, expects a break in the rain after Jan. 18.
“That is my best guess right now, which is good because it will give the rivers in Northern California, and now in Central California, a chance to come down,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | 2023-01-10T02:11:23+00:00 | cenlanow.com | https://www.cenlanow.com/national/california-faces-floods-mudslides-as-powerful-storms-wallop-the-state/ |
Amarillo firefighters put out early Tuesday morning fire at strip mall at SE 16th Ave
Published: Mar. 28, 2023 at 9:21 AM CDT|Updated: 2 hours ago
AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Amarillo firefighters extinguished a fire early Tuesday morning at a strip mall at Southeast 16th Avenue.
No injuries were reported.
Amarillo Fire Department said at 2:46 a.m. today, crews were called out to a structure fire at Southeast 16th Avenue and South Williams Street.
When firefighters arrived to the strip mall, they found one office area with heavy smoke coming out of an open garage door.
Firefighters went inside and found a car on fire in the work area. About 3:38 a.m., AFD put out the fire and prevented the fire from spreading.
Fire crews set up a fan to ventilate the building and helped to clean some of the water from the work area.
Copyright 2023 KFDA. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-28T16:00:36+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/2023/03/28/amarillo-firefighters-put-out-early-tuesday-morning-fire-strip-mall-se-16th-ave/ |
AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan’s capital turned into an open-air party on Thursday as crowds gathered to celebrate the desert kingdom’s first major royal wedding in years and bask in the event’s unmistakable demonstration of Jordan’s influence and importance.
Jordanians from all walks of life shared an infectious excitement about the union between Crown Prince Hussein and Saudi architect Rajwa Alseif, momentarily forgetting their differences and troubles in a Mideast country regarded as a rare beacon of stability in a turbulent region.
The wedding fever had been building for weeks, peaking as Jordanians decked out in traditional red-and-white scarves and other elaborate get-ups, including T-shirts printed with pictures of the couple and body paint congratulating the prince. Kitted-out crowds gathered around huge screens nationwide to watch the ceremony unfold. Royals and dignitaries from around the world descended on Amman for the occasion.
The traditional Islamic wedding service lasted mere minutes, but Jordanians said the celebrations were sure to continue all night.
“This is a really important day for my country, and those who are not Jordanian wouldn’t understand,” said Najwa Issamad, a 40-year-old nurse watching her teenage sons dance rowdily to pop wedding music blaring from their phones downtown. “It’s a time for all Jordanians to stop whatever we’re doing and say, let’s celebrate, let’s rejoice.”
Massive crowds thronged the main boulevards of the capital to watch the royal couple’s red Land Rover motorcade and horse guards make its way through the city. They clapped, jostled and sang joyously.
The spirit of the occasion even sucked in the normally nonplussed. There was something powerful about the way a royal wedding can lift the veil on a family whose personalities are so often obscured by pomp and propriety, said 19-year-old Deema Abu Sharaf — who is, avowedly, “not that obsessed person.”
“This is my chance to watch them, to see if they look like they’re having fun,” she said.
Many girls were particularly fixated by Alseif’s dress — a deceptively simple white crepe gown by Lebanese designer Elie Saab, with a long fantail train. “I could not have imagined a better dress,” said 32-year-old Reem Halman, smoking a water pipe while watching reruns of the bride’s walk down the aisle. “It was pretty, but not over-the-top.”
For most everyone, the royal wedding had the effect of providing a single national conversation. But there were those with a more tepid response to the festivities.
Fatima Elvin, a 26-year-old Jordanian with Iranian parents, said she skipped Thursday’s parties to study for her university exams. She said she didn’t mind missing out on the festivities.
“There’s nothing crazy about them that we can really gossip about,” said Elvin, referencing the lurid affairs and nasty divorces of British royals over the years that have made for tell-all books and telenovelas. “She (the bride) is perfect and they’re all impossible to criticize.”
Palace officials haven’t disclosed details about the relationship of Jordan’s future king and Alseif, a scion of an influential Saudi family, or how they met.
When asked whether Jordan’s palace feud in 2021 — a crisis pitting King Abdullah II against his half-brother and former crown prince Hamzah — constituted appropriate narrative juice, Elvin stiffened and said curtly, “We can’t talk about that.”
Jordanian law prohibits criticism of the royal family and security services. Freedom House, an American monitoring group that makes an annual report about each country’s rights record, recently downgraded its rating of Jordanian democracy — from “partly free” to “not free.”
But on Thursday, the stream of good news that is Jordanian state-owned media felt representative of the national mood.
Even in the impoverished Palestinian refugee camp of Al Wehdat, crowds gathered in the garbage-strewn main square to watch the occasion live-streamed. Those interviewed dismissed concerns about public spending on the elaborate wedding ceremony while so many Jordanians barely scrape by.
“You see all these important foreigners coming here. … It makes you feel good,” said 55-year-old shuttle driver Kheir Taher, who said he makes no more than four Jordanian dinars ($5.60) on a good day. “We just want to be happy.” | 2023-06-02T13:54:54+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/entertainment-news/ap-entertainment/jordans-capital-turns-into-open-air-party-for-first-major-royal-wedding-in-years/ |
Israel’s high-tech economic engine balks at govt policies
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s tech industry has long been the driving force behind the country’s economy. Now, as Israel’s new government pushes ahead with its far-right agenda, the industry is flexing its muscle and speaking out in unprecedented criticism against policies it fears will drive away investors and decimate the booming sector.
The public outcry presents a pointed challenge to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who champions Israeli technology on the international stage and has long boasted of his own economic prowess. It also highlights how deep and broad opposition to the government’s policies runs, from political rivals, to top members of the justice system and military.
Tech leaders say that since the government took power last month, a cloud has emerged over their industry, with foreign investors spooked at what some say is a country regressing rather than striving for innovation. They fear the government’s plans to overhaul the judiciary and pledges by some top officials to advance discriminatory laws will imperil the industry that has earned the country the nickname Start-Up Nation and in turn, send Israel’s economy into a tailspin.
“Investors are asking ‘where is Israel headed? Will it continue to be a country that leads technologically or is it moving two generations backwards? Are political agendas more important than the ability to be global tech leaders?’” said Omri Kohl, CEO of Pyramid Analytics, a company that makes business intelligence software. If the tech industry suffers, he said, “everyone will lose.”
Over the last three decades, Israel’s tech industry has become the beating heart of its economy. The sector employs more than 10% of the country’s salaried workforce, according to official figures. And while the industry has struggled this past year like its counterparts abroad, it still accounts for about a quarter of the country’s income taxes, thanks to its high salaries, and produces more than half of the country’s exports.
During his time as prime minister for most of the past decade and a half, plus another stint in the 1990s, Netanyahu’s political fortunes have been linked to the rise of the tech industry. For many in the tech sector, that makes his government’s agenda and the speed with which it is advancing all the more confounding.
“Bibi is determined but he also understands that we are a small country that is very dependent on the outside world,” said Eynat Guez, the CEO of human resources software firm Papaya Global, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname. “With all due respect to Bibi, that determination will hit a wall very quickly” when investors start to pull out, she said.
On Thursday, Guez tweeted that the company, which has raised nearly half a billion dollars from investors, would be “removing all of the company’s money from the country” because of the proposed changes.
The tech industry sees the government’s policies as a warning light for critical foreign investors, who they say are already holding off on investments as they wait for the political developments to unfold.
The current government’s plans to accelerate settlement expansion on occupied lands sought by the Palestinians for a state could also impact foreign investment. Norway’s $1.3 trillion sovereign wealth fund several years ago ruled out doing business with certain Israeli companies because of their involvement in the settlement enterprise, considered illegal by most of the international community. Last month, Israeli media reports said that the Norwegian fund was again rethinking its investment, in part because of the new government.
Maxim Rybnikov, an analyst with the credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, told The Associated Press in an email that judicial changes could present “downside risks in the future” that could affect Israel’s debt rating. That sentiment was reportedly echoed by Israel’s central bank chief in a meeting this week with Netanyahu and voiced publicly by numerous other leading economists and business figures.
Many in Israel’s tech sector say the circumstances could prompt young Israeli talent as well as global tech giants who have offices in the country to leave. That would be catastrophic for the homegrown industry, they say.
Typically silent on politics, hundreds of tech workers walked out of their offices on Tuesday near tech hubs around the country to protest the planned changes. Waving signs reading “there’s no high-tech without democracy,” and “democracy is not a bug that needs to be fixed,” they blocked a central Tel Aviv throughway for about an hour.
Last month, hundreds of executives, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists signed a letter calling on Netanyahu to rethink his policies for the sake of the economy, calling them “a real existential threat to the illustrious tech industry.”
“We call on you to stop the growing snowball, steady the ship and preserve the status quo,” the letter said.
Jerusalem Venture Partners, one of the country’s leading venture capital firms, issued a statement against a proposed law allowing discrimination against LGBTQ people, signed by the companies it backs.
And leaders of top firms are speaking out on social media, including Barak Eilam, chief executive of the Nasdaq-traded NICE Ltd., one of Israel’s oldest and largest tech companies and Nir Zohar, chief operating officer of the website builder Wix, who have both slammed the proposed changes.
Netanyahu has pledged to charge ahead with his policies.
At a news conference on Wednesday, he lashed out at his critics, accusing his political opponents and the media of using scare tactics to promote their own agendas.
“In recent days, I have heard concerns about the effect of the legal reforms on our economic resilience,” he said. “The truth is the opposite. Our steps to strengthen democracy will not harm the economy. They will strengthen it.”
Most worrisome to the tech sector is the planned overhaul of Israel’s justice system, which would give parliament power to overturn certain Supreme Court decisions. Critics say the changes would grant the government overwhelming power and upend Israel’s democratic system of checks and balances. Last weekend, an estimated 100,000 Israelis took to the streets against the planned changes.
Tech leaders also have spoken out against pledges by Netanyahu’s ultranationalist partners to craft legislation that would allow discrimination against members of the LGBTQ community, seeing it as contradictory to the pluralistic values of the tech sector.
Netanyahu has given authority over certain educational programs to Avi Maoz, the head of a radical, religious ultranationalist party who is anti-LGBTQ. Netanyahu has also made promises to his ultra-Orthodox coalition partners to strengthen their insular school system that emphasizes religious studies over subjects like math and English. Economists say this will prevent their integration into the modern world, a step seen as necessary to keep the economy afloat.
Moshe Zviran, the chief entrepreneurship and innovation officer at Tel Aviv University, a position that encourages youth to navigate the tech world, said the next generation might not have the same opportunities as their predecessors because of the government’s policies.
“If there won’t be exits and sales and Israeli high-tech it’ll be a real problem. It’s a fatal blow to the Israeli economy,” said Zviran, the former dean of the university’s business school.
“The minute that innovation departs, what are we left with here?”
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-01-26T07:55:16+00:00 | kob.com | https://www.kob.com/news/business-money/israels-high-tech-economic-engine-balks-at-govt-policies/ |
Top-selling Better Homes and Gardens patio furniture
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Better Homes and Gardens River Oaks Sofa Table Set
- Better Homes and Gardens Brookbury Patio Dining Sectional Set
- Better Homes and Gardens Hawthorne Park Sofa Set
Quality patio furniture doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars, and that’s one of the main advantages of the Better Homes and Gardens collection. This affordable outdoor furniture comes in a variety of styles to suit different design preferences, including modern, contemporary, rustic, farmhouse, bohemian and coastal. With the sale going on at Walmart right now, savings are off the charts. The store is offering discounts on outdoor sofas, loveseats, sectionals, armchairs, ottomans, porch swings and more.
All-weather patio furniture to last throughout the years
Better Homes and Gardens produces all-weather patio furniture designed for years of use. Many of the outdoor furniture pieces contain sturdy steel frames that are powder-coated to resist rust. The rattan wicker patio collection is particularly popular; this handwoven, artificial material stands up to the elements much better than natural wicker. It’s typically reinforced with steel for enhanced durability. Most large furniture pieces also come with patio covers that offer even more weather protection.
Consider the outdoor space you’re working with
Measure your outdoor space and determine where you’ll place each piece before making a purchase. Consider how your patio or deck is shaped to figure out which furniture and potential groupings it can accommodate. For instance, a cushioned bench with a side table would fit better on a narrow balcony compared to a sectional and a coffee table. If you’re low on space or want to create a minimalist aesthetic, multifunctional furniture like convertible daybeds and storage ottomans are a great solution.
Outdoor furniture cushions and the weather
Cushions on Better Homes and Gardens sofas, chairs and ottomans typically feature either polyester or olefin covers. Both materials are durable, stain- and fade-resistant but slightly better suited to different environments. Polyester is generally more water-resistant than olefin and useful for wetter climates, while olefin is more fade-resistant and better for sunnier climates.
Top picks from the Better Homes and Garden sale
Better Homes and Gardens River Oaks Sofa Table Set
The River Oaks patio set includes a wicker sofa and two nesting tables. The sofa cushions on this three-seater have covers and fiberfill made of polyester. The round nesting tables feature ceramic tile with an elegant marble finish.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Brookbury Patio Dining Sectional Set
This wicker patio set comes with a two-piece sectional sofa, two outdoor ottomans and a dining table that seats up to seven people. The cushioning features polyester fiberfill and covers. The comfortable cushioned ottomans store conveniently under the table when not in use.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Hawthorne Park Sofa Set
The Hawthorne Park set includes a sofa and two armchairs in wicker, with a steel coffee table that has an etched tabletop for a faux-wood look. The three-seater sofa and chairs all contain olefin covers ideal for sunny weather.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens River Oaks Conversation Set
This three-seater sofa and two swivel chairs are made of wicker and are paired with two round nesting tables. Each table has a ceramic tile top with a marble-look finish. The cushions contain polyester covers and fiberfill.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Aubrey Stationary Chat Set
The steel Aubrey set looks like it belongs on a Parisian balcony. The two chairs and cocktail table, paired with the bold striped polyester cushions, are quite distinctive.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens River Oaks Swivel Glider
This pair of swivel gliders can complement an existing patio sofa or simply add more seating for conversation in the yard. The comfy wicker chairs feature polyester covers and fiberfill.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Ventura Boho Egg Chair
You can bring some bohemian charm to the backyard with this wicker egg chair. This attractive chair works well as a garden accent. It features cushions with polyester covers and fiberfill.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Willow Sage Bistro Set
This wicker bistro set combines rustic with romantic. Two chairs and a table are included in the set. The seat cushions contain polyester covers and fiberfill.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Delahey Outdoor Day Sofa
This convertible sofa transforms into a daybed to kick your relaxation up a notch. The cushions contain polyester covers and fiberfill, and the sofa has a solid wood frame.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Willow Springs Porch Swing
Take in the nice weather, enjoy conversation or simply unwind on this canopy porch swing. Though it has the appearance of wood, the swing is constructed from strong tubular steel. The canopy on this three-seater swing is conveniently adjustable, and the cushions contain polyester.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Lilah Loveseat and Ottoman
The Lilah loveseat and cushioned ottoman is another signature wicker set. It’s less bulky than other options and has an airy, coastal look to it. The cushions have polyester covers and fiberfill.
Sold by Walmart
Better Homes and Gardens Hawthorne Park Ottoman
You can lounge with your feet up and store items on your deck with this sophisticated-looking storage ottoman. Get yourself a tray, and you can also use the wicker deck box and ottoman as a table for holding drinks.
Sold by Walmart
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2023-06-04T03:45:19+00:00 | keloland.com | https://www.keloland.com/reviews/br/office-br/furniture-br/better-homes-and-gardens-patio-furniture-is-super-chic-and-its-on-sale/ |
A poll from Amber Integrated shows Gov. Kevin Stitt has a narrow lead on his Democratic opponent state schools superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
It’s the second poll this month that shows a narrow lead for Stitt.
Overall, he’s up three points on his Democratic opponent, with 47% of those surveyed saying they prefer Stitt compared to Hofmeister’s 44%. Libertarian Natalie Bruno is polling at 2% and Independent Ervin Yen is polling at 1%.
Stitt’s lead is within the margin of error for the poll commissioned by local TV station KOCO 5.
Stitt has a big advantage when it comes to men, white people and voters outside the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro areas. Plus, he’s winning most Republicans.
But Hofmeister is taking away some of those Republican votes, and Stitt is winning over very few Democrats.
The incumbent Republican is missing out on a small chunk of likely GOP voters who say they prefer his Democratic challenger, while practically no surveyed Dems say they’d vote for Stitt.
Hofmeister switched from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party earlier this year in her bid to challenge Stitt.
The results back up a poll from Sooner Poll earlier this month that found Hofmeister within one point of Stitt.
The tight race is similar to another — the election for State Superintendent — which showed a modern Oklahoma rarity: Democrat Jena Nelson has a slight edge on her Republican opponent State Secretary of Education Ryan Walters.
Democrats in a tight statewide race are a rarity in Oklahoma. Fivethirtyeight forecasts Stitt will likely win in a blowout.
StateImpact Oklahoma is a partnership of Oklahoma’s public radio stations which relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online. | 2022-09-26T20:05:58+00:00 | kgou.org | https://www.kgou.org/politics-and-government/2022-09-26/new-poll-finds-kevin-stitt-has-narrow-lead-on-joy-hofmeister-in-race-for-oklahoma-governor |
People who are on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, can now use their benefits to purchase groceries with DoorDash.
The food delivery company announced this week that it has partnered with 900 Safeway and 380 Albertsons stores nationwide.
The partnership allows shoppers to use their EBT card as payment on the app.
Starting in July, SNAP beneficiaries will have even more options for where to shop. DoorDash said it has secured partnerships with Aldi, Meijer and 7-Eleven.
"Through the power of local delivery, enabling SNAP/EBT payments can make a profound impact on reducing food insecurity and connecting people to groceries and the essential items they need," said Fuad Hannon, an executive at DoorDash.
SEE MORE: Lawsuit alleges DoorDash charges iPhone users more than Android users
More than 41 million people in the U.S. receive SNAP benefits, according to figures from the Department of Agriculture.
Eligibility is based on income. For example, a family of four would have to gross less than $3,007 a month to be eligible for benefits.
SNAP also has work requirements. People on the program must be looking for a job, take a job if offered and not voluntarily quit or take reduced hours.
Some groups are exempt from the work requirement, including children, seniors, pregnant women and people with disabilities.
Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com | 2023-06-29T19:30:32+00:00 | news5cleveland.com | https://www.news5cleveland.com/doordash-begins-accepting-snap-ebt-payments |
The percentage of kindergarten students who have not received routine childhood vaccination rose again during the 2021-2022 school year, federal health officials said Thursday, as the lingering COVID-19 pandemic disrupted efforts to get kids vaccinated.
Overall vaccination rates among kindergartners remain high, but coverage has dropped 2 percentage points from 95 percent in the pre-pandemic 2019-2020 school year to 93 percent in 2021-2022, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“While this might not sound significant, it means nearly 250,000 kindergarteners are potentially not protected against measles alone,” said Georgina Peacock, director of the CDC’s Immunization Services Division.
Coverage for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine during both the 2020–21 and 2021– 22 school years was the lowest in a decade. CDC recommends children get two doses of MMR vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months, and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
But there were declines in other routine childhood vaccines as well, such as diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTaP), polio and chickenpox.
“This is alarming and should be a call to action to all of us,” Sean O’Leary, the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’s Committee on Infectious Diseases, told reporters Thursday
All states and the District of Columbia require children to be vaccinated against certain diseases, including measles and rubella, in order to attend public schools, though exemptions are allowed in certain circumstances, including for religious or philosophical purposes.
The CDC survey found that although 2.6 percent of kindergartners had an exemption for at least one vaccine, almost 4 percent of students who did not have an exemption were not up to date with their MMR shots.
The decline in childhood vaccine coverage comes on the heels of heated partisan fights over COVID-19 vaccine mandates and a distrust of public health authorities, continuing a trend that’d disturbed health experts and officials.
Pockets of undervaccinated children within larger areas of high vaccination coverage can lead to outbreaks, CDC said. There have been cases of polio reported in New York, and a measles outbreak primarily among unvaccinated children sickened more than 80 kids in Ohio in December, sending 30 of them to the hospital.
According to the CDC, the trend of declining vaccinations is at least partly due to pandemic-related disruptions. Parents missed or skipped visits to the pediatrician and are still trying to catch up.
There were also disparity issues. According to a second CDC report released Thursday, children who are poor, who live in rural areas, who lack health insurance or who are Black or Hispanic are more likely to be unvaccinated by the time they are 2 years old.
The proportion of unvaccinated children was 8 times higher among uninsured kids than kids with private insurance, CDC found.
O’Leary noted that the vast majority of parents are still vaccinating their children. But the controversy and misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine has also spilled over to routine childhood shots.
For example, a Kaiser Family Foundation survey last month found 35 percent of parents of children under age 18 oppose school vaccine requirements, up from 23 percent in 2019.
“We have seen some hesitancy in vaccines during the pandemic related mostly, I think to the COVID vaccine. This could in some cases have translated over to routine vaccinations and that’s something that we’re watching very closely,” the CDC’s Peacock said.
“What we know though is that the way to impact that is for families to have conversations with their trusted doctors, health care providers, about the importance of vaccination.” | 2023-01-12T19:43:05+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/hill-politics/childhood-vaccination-rates-fall-again-alarming-experts-cdc/ |
Girl attacked by cougar shares near-death experience
SPOKANE, Wash. (KXLY) - A young girl from Washington state who was attacked by a cougar is sharing her story of survival and how she’s moving forward from the terrifying ordeal.
Lily Kryzhanivskyy spent a week at the hospital after she was attacked by a cougar in May while playing with friends. Now, months later, you would never know she was on the brink of death. She’s full of life and living hers to the fullest.
Lily described how she fought back against the cougar that almost killed her. She was 9 at the time.
“I started just fighting and kicking and punching. Then, the cougar came right behind me to my head, and he started chewing it. I was really scared. I had to keep on fighting, and I started praying so that way God might be able to save my life,” she said.
Lily believes God did save her life and is now helping her heal. She still sees doctors and not everything has been easy about her recovery, but now, she’s looking for the positives.
“I couldn’t look at myself in the mirror because I was too scared to see how many scars I got and all of the short hair, but then, I noticed that it was actually me. I didn’t change. I’m the same old me,” Lily said.
She’s a little girl who’s braver than many, with a story of survival she isn’t afraid to tell. She’s also wise beyond her years and isn’t letting the attack or anything else hold her back.
“I’m at least happy that the cougar cannot do any more trouble, but I’m happy that at least I’m alive and get to do everything,” Lily said.
Lily celebrated her 10th birthday Saturday. She wasn’t sure if she’d make it after the attack, so it was definitely a big birthday worth celebrating.
“Whoever is going through something hard, they have to stay confident. You can just overcome it, and you can face your biggest fear,” she said.
Copyright 2022 KXLY via CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | 2022-09-12T04:17:49+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/2022/09/12/girl-attacked-by-cougar-shares-near-death-experience/ |
DALLAS, March 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH) announced today that it will participate at the New Street Research Online Dating Summit on Tuesday, March 14. Fireside chats include:
- Faye Iosotaluno, COO of Tinder and Mark Van Ryswyk, CPO of Tinder, at 10:55 a.m. Eastern Time
- Bernard Kim, CEO of Match Group and Gary Swidler, President and CFO of Match Group, at 2:25 p.m. Eastern Time
Live webcasts and replays of the fireside chats will be available at https://ir.mtch.com/news-and-events/events.
About Match Group
Match Group (NASDAQ: MTCH), through its portfolio companies, is a leading provider of digital technologies designed to help people make meaningful connections. Our global portfolio of brands includes Tinder®, Hinge®, Match®, Meetic®, OkCupid®, Pairs™, PlentyOfFish®, Azar®, Hakuna™, and more, each built to increase our users' likelihood of connecting with others. Through our trusted brands, we provide tailored services to meet the varying preferences of our users. Our services are available in over 40 languages to our users all over the world.
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SOURCE Match Group | 2023-03-01T23:39:18+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/03/01/match-group-present-new-street-research-online-dating-summit/ |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla, July 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based, award-winning general contractor, has broken ground and started construction on Waterleaf at Salt Creek, an upscale multifamily development in Savannah, GA. The project is part of the Berwick master planned community along US Highway 17.
The developer for Waterleaf at Salt Creek is Graycliff Capital. Waterleaf at Salt Creek is scheduled for completion in Spring 2024.
"Savannah is a beautiful area that continues to grow and attract new residents," shared James Pyle, LandSouth President and CEO. "LandSouth is thrilled to work with Graycliff Capital on Waterleaf at Salt Creek to bring high-end, luxury multifamily living to the Savannah area."
Robert Kovacs will serve as the LandSouth project manager for Waterleaf at Salt Creek. Matt Wellman is the superintendent for the project. SGA Narmour Wright Design is the architecture firm for Waterleaf at Salt Creek.
Waterleaf at Salt Creek will be a garden-style development and will have 14 buildings, with a mixture of one, two, three, and four stories. Two buildings will have elevators, and the development will have a total of 252 units. Residents will be able to choose from ten different floor plans, ranging from one to three bedrooms. The units range from 833 square feet to 1,624 square feet. Waterleaf at Salt Creek will also offer several amenities to future residents, including a 5,748 square-foot clubhouse, a pool with a cabana, carwash, and dog wash areas. Waterleaf at Salt Creek is close to downtown Savannah, as well as Forsyth Park, Wormslow historic site, the Savannah Ogeechee Museum, Hunter Army Field, and Old Fort Jackson.
"We're excited to get started on Waterleaf at Salt Creek," stated Robert Kovacs, the LandSouth project manager. "This new development will offer the best that LandSouth and Graycliff Capital provides in luxury, multifamily living to the fast-growing Savannah area."
LandSouth will employ its unique integrated construction approach to build Waterleaf at Salt Creek. Service components work together to provide seamless delivery through proven procedures, systems, and technology.
LandSouth Construction, the Southeast's premier general contractor, specializing in multifamily, senior living, and mixed-use development, was named one of Engineering News Record's Top 400. Since 1998 LandSouth has transformed ideas into best–in–class communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. LandSouth has completed more than 25,000 multifamily units. For more information, call LandSouth's Kaley Robinson, (904) 760-3188, or visit www.landsouth.com.
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SOURCE LandSouth Construction | 2022-07-28T18:51:33+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/07/28/landsouth-breaks-ground-waterleaf-salt-creek/ |
‘The Mandalorian’ season 3 finale now streaming on Disney+
Posted/updated on: April 19, 2023 at 9:50 amOn Wednesday, Lucasfilm dropped the season three finale of The Mandalorian.
The cliffhanger penultimate episode ended with Pedro Pascal's Din Djarin, Katee Sackhoff's Bo-Katan Kryze and their Mando mates ambushed on the home planet Mandalore, after finding a secret Imperial facility led by Giancarlo Esposito's Moff Gideon.
Bo-Katan and most of her allies manage to escape, but Din is captured and brought to face Gideon, who not only has a shiny superpowered Dark Trooper suit, but an army of commandos outfitted in Mandalorian-type gear. He orders an airstrike to wipe out the Mandalorian fleet and the warrior clan once and for all.
Without spoilers, the finale opens with the Mandalorians desperately trying to warn their allies in a last-ditch episode to save their people and regroup to retake their planet.
The final chapter of the season also finally reveals what Gideon has been up to with Grogu's, aka Baby Yoda's, DNA, in a callback to the first season, and also shows just what the little guy can do piloting his new modified IG-11 droid body.
The finale also sees Bo-Katan and Gideon finally facing off for the Darksaber, a weapon tied by legend to the Mandalorians' fate, and a jetpack dogfight sequence reminiscent of some of Star Wars: The Clone Wars' most celebrated battle scenes.
Disney is the parent company of ABC News.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-19T16:56:37+00:00 | ktbb.com | https://ktbb.com/post/?p=1219247 |
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Conference call begins at 2:00 p.m. Pacific time today
PLEASANTON, Calif., Aug. 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Movano Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE), a purpose-driven healthcare solutions company at the intersection of medtech and consumer devices, reported financial results for the three months ending June 30, 2022 and provided a business update.
Highlights from the second quarter and recent weeks include the following:
- Movano plans to conduct beta test programs with several strategic partners utilizing the Movano Ring, the Company's first commercial product designed to blend the best features of medical and wellness devices to help women better understand the correlation between how they feel and various aspects of their health. The Company named its first beta partner as Stanford University's Applied Sports Science department. Stanford is looking to test wearable technology, like the Movano Ring, to drive innovation that facilitates the ethical enhancement of athletic performance and improve the quality of life of the Stanford athlete.
- Further, Movano is kicking off beta programs with several other organizations including a major global pharmaceutical company, a leading global diabetes-focused medical device company, and an integrated regional health network. The beta test programs are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of 2022, and the development of these partnerships across the broader healthcare landscape is an important milestone in building the foundation for an enterprise solution.
- Movano expects the direct-to-consumer launch of the Movano Ring to take place in the first half of 2023. To prepare for the broader launch, the Company has hired a world class go-to-market (GOTM) leadership team. Over the last several months, this team, along with leading app development partners, has continued to build on the foundational elements already in place, aiming to create a unique and valuable user experience. Further, the Company has secured leading marketing, branding, website development and consumer research partners, to ensure the brand is engaging and relevant to the target audience.
- After recently completing an initial hypoxia study with the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) and announcing high accuracy marks for its blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate data, the Company is eyeing its first FDA submission. The recently completed pilot study tested the accuracy of the Movano Ring on seven subjects during mild, moderate and severe hypoxia and followed the same protocol that is expected to be required by the FDA for the submission. In comparing the overall accuracy of the Ring's data with that of the reference devices, the Movano Ring achieved a 2% margin of error, well below the FDA's 4% requirement for SpO2. In addition, the Ring also estimated heart rate with accuracy commensurate with the FDA's standards. This successful study demonstrates the potential for wearables to properly track sleep and heart health and detect potential illnesses, such as sleep apnea, and is a major step toward the Company's goal of providing medically-validated data to consumers and healthcare professionals. Based on the positive results from this study, Movano plans to conduct a larger pivotal study for the FDA submission later this year.
- Movano plans to conduct additional blood pressure and glucose clinical studies beginning in the third quarter of 2022, utilizing its proprietary and patented system-on-a-chip (SoC), which is the smallest ever custom mmWave integrated sensor designed specifically for non-invasive glucose and cuffless blood pressure monitoring. While the majority of current wearables on the market use off-the-shelf optical sensors, Movano spent four years developing, designing and shrinking its multi-chip architecture from four integrated circuits into a single SoC in an effort to deliver a higher level of accuracy, offer form factor flexibility and provide its technology to consumers at a lower price point. Movano is currently integrating the SoC into a new prototype system, which will be closer in size and shape to its final product, and enable the Company to conduct longer, more complex blood pressure and glucose studies.
- Movano was recently granted two new patents centered around Movano's SoC, marking a total of nine U.S. patents currently issued to the Company. The two new patents protect the SoC's agile method of understanding detailed features of waveforms that aid in estimating blood pressure and other analytes.
"It's an exciting time for our emerging company as we're working toward commercialization of the Movano Ring, a smart ring designed for women. Our team has accomplished several significant milestones over a short period of time, including the development of multiple beta test programs in partnership with leaders in the healthcare space and a highly encouraging hypoxia pilot study. In parallel, we successfully completed testing of our proprietary and patented system-on-a-chip, the smallest custom mmWave integrated sensor for cuffless blood pressure and non-invasive glucose monitoring, and are now integrating it into a prototype platform for clinical evaluations," said Dr. John Mastrototaro, CEO of Movano Inc. "We aim to move healthcare technology in a direction that's more accessible, both in price and in experience, arming consumers with medically validated data and key insights they can trust, and packaging it into a solution that looks great and provides real value, so it becomes a seamless part of their everyday routine and helps them achieve a more well balanced and healthier life."
Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results
- Movano reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $6.9 million, or a loss of $(0.21) per basic and diluted share, in the second quarter of 2022, compared with a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $4.7 million, or a loss of $(0.15) per basic and diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021.
- The Company reported an operating loss of $6.8 million in the second quarter of 2022 compared to an operating loss of $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2021.
- Movano is a development stage company and the majority of its business activities to date and planned future activities will be devoted to research and development. As such, the Company did not generate revenue in either the second quarter of 2022 or the second quarter of 2021.
- The Company had $21.3 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2022, compared to $33.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, as of December 31, 2021.
- The total number of shares outstanding was 32,818,060 as of June 30, 2022.
Conference Call and Webcast
Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast to discuss these results and provide a business update today at 2:00 p.m. PDT (5:00 p.m. EDT).
Attendees can access the live webcast here or on the investors section of Movano's website at https://ir.movano.com. The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-0989 (domestic) or 1-201-389-0921 (international). Attendees can also use the Call Me link, in which they will be dialed in to the conference call instantly on the number provided with no hold time. An archived webcast will be available on Movano's website approximately one hour after the completion of the event and for two years thereafter.
To learn more about Movano Inc., please visit www.movano.com
About Movano
Founded in 2018, Movano Inc. (NASDAQ:MOVE) is developing a suite of purpose-driven healthcare solutions to bring medical-grade, high-quality data to the forefront of consumer health devices. Featuring modern form factors, Movano's wearables capture a comprehensive picture of a person's vital health information and uniquely translate the data into personalized and intelligent insights that empower consumers to live healthier and more balanced lives. Movano's end-to-end solutions will soon enable a world where consumers, caretakers and healthcare professionals can utilize daily health data as a tool to proactively monitor and manage their health. For more information, visit www.movano.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning our expectations, anticipations, intentions, beliefs or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that we have made as of the date hereof and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, conditions and events to differ materially from those anticipated. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding expected future operating results; product development efforts and product releases; clinical trial and regulatory initiatives; commercial partner activities; as well as our strategies, positioning and expectations for future events or performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are set forth in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under the caption "Risk Factors." Any forward-looking statement in this release speaks only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
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SOURCE Movano | 2022-08-15T21:20:42+00:00 | waff.com | https://www.waff.com/prnewswire/2022/08/15/movano-inc-provides-business-update-reports-second-quarter-2022-financial-results/ |
BELFAST, LONDON and NEW YORK, 17 June 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Bank of London, the next-generation technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank, today announced its intention to expand its footprint in the United Kingdom (UK) by opening its Centre of Excellence in Belfast, Northern Ireland, creating 232 new jobs by 2026.
The bank has already welcomed 34 new colleagues – a team made up of payments leaders, software engineers, operations and other business functions – with 54 further roles already being advertised. This is expected to generate around £20 million worth of annual salaries for the local economy when all the roles are in place.
The opening of the bank's first UK Centre of Excellence in Belfast brings access to a strong and deep new talent pool, excellent academic institutions, and a growing technology sector. The Belfast office is an exciting opportunity to build on the successful expansion of other strategic locations and technology hubs in London and New York.
Anthony Watson, Founder & Group Chief Executive Officer of The Bank of London, said: "To build the future of finance, we need to be where the future is. Belfast is now the UK's gateway city to the European Union, and this coupled with Belfast's exceptional FinTech talent across multiple disciplines, makes it the logical choice for The Bank of London's Centre of Excellence to power our UK expansion."
The Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson PC, Deputy Group Chairperson & Senior Independent Non-Executive Director of The Bank of London, said: "During my time as Her Majesty's Secretary of State of Northern Ireland I got to work with people from all faiths and backgrounds. The people of Northern Ireland left an indelible impression on me, and I'm delighted that our firm has selected Belfast for its Centre of Excellence".
About The Bank of London
The Bank of London launched 30th November 2021 as the sixth principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom, and only the second clearing bank in 250 years. With a $1.1 billion valuation, it is the first pre-revenue bank in history to attain 'unicorn' status upon debut.
The Bank of London is a leading-edge technology company and the world's first purpose-built global clearing, agency, and transaction bank. We leverage our patented technology innovations and differentiated bank capabilities to lift economies and communities by powering the borderless economic infrastructure of the future.
The bank has been established to assist banks, clearing houses, digital & traditional asset firms, governments, financial services companies from local FinTechs to global institutions, payment networks and non-financial brands seeking to launch fully compliant financial products and services in-country and across-borders.
With headquarters in London and offices in New York, The Bank of London is a principal clearing bank of the United Kingdom authorised by the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England's Prudential Regulation Authority.
For more information visit: thebankoflondon.com, or on Twitter and Instagram at: @thebankoflondon.
Further information on the Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has the highest concentration of FinTech employment in the UK and a strong devolved legislature in the form of the Assembly. Belfast itself is a known FinTech powerhouse, ranked in the top three 'locations of the future' after London and Singapore.
In addition, Northern Ireland is the number one location in the UK and Ireland for full-fibre access and has a rapidly expanding 5G network. Among the four UK nations, Northern Ireland has the highest availability of full fibre services at 71% compared to England, Scotland and Wales at around 27% each.
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SOURCE The Bank of London | 2022-06-17T14:36:31+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/06/17/bank-london-announces-multi-million-pound-investment-belfast-northern-ireland-creation-232-new-jobs/ |
(NEXSTAR) — For many of us, flying is a relatively easy experience. Your flight leaves on time, your seatmates are polite, and you arrive at your destination safely.
But, in some cases, one of those aspects of flying may not go exactly as planned. You may find one of your fellow flyers committing an air travel faux pas: being barefoot.
You’ve seen the photos online of people’s toes peeking out between the seats. Maybe you’ve encountered it yourself. Either way, it’s largely frowned upon. In some cases, barefoot flying can even get you grounded.
Within its contract of carriage, United Airlines considers being barefoot, as well as being “not properly clothed,” an offense that justifies “refusal or removal of a passenger.” The carrier lists it as one of the many infractions that could impact safety for the passenger or others on the plane.
American Airlines says bare feet “aren’t allowed” from passengers, adding that “violent” or “inappropriate actions” could prevent you from boarding, being removed from the terminal, or facing legal prosecution.
Delta Airlines also warns that it can “refuse to transport or may remove passengers from its aircraft” if the passenger is barefoot. A barefoot passenger may be prohibited from boarding the plane, or may be forced to leave the plane, according to Spirit Airlines’ contract of carriage.
Frontier Airlines says it can refuse service to a passenger who is over the age of 3 and barefoot, “unless required to be barefoot for medical reasons.” Southwest Airlines and JetBlue state in their contracts of carriage that they can refuse to let a passenger fly if they are barefoot and older than five years of age, unless required due to a disability.
If these warnings from airlines aren’t enough to sway you from taking off your shoes while flying, maybe consider how many other people have also taken their shoes off on a plane – and what else has touched the floor.
“I would never fly barefoot on a plane,” a veteran flight attendant for a major carrier told Nexstar. “Passengers these days can be quite messy and we see everything from spills to dirty diapers thrown on the floor.”
Planes are tidied between flights, she explains, but the floors won’t be cleaned “unless there is a major mess.” That includes floors in the bathroom, too.
“That is most likely not water on the floor,” she adds. “Think of old men and young boys trying to aim in turbulence. Not good. Also, people love to throw trash anywhere but in the bathroom trash can so it usually ends up on the floor.”
If you still want to take your shoes off, she recommends bringing an old pair of socks to wear, then throwing them away after the flight.
United, American, Delta, Spirit, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest did not respond to Nexstar’s request for comment or its inquiry into whether any passengers have been removed or barred from flying over being barefooted.
Barefoot flyers are likely among the least of many airlines’ concerns. Over the last three years, airlines have reported record-setting incidents of disruptive passengers. That includes passengers accused of assaulting flight crews, opening emergency doors, and refusing to wear masks during the height of the COVID pandemic.
More recently, a Las Vegas-bound flight was forced to divert to Denver after an apparent fight broke out between some passengers. Two women were escorted off the plane, according to a passenger that captured video of the incident.
Causing a disturbance on a plane is a federal crime, and unruly passengers can face criminal prosecution or even fines. | 2023-07-29T15:33:50+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/news/national-world/no-shoes-no-service-what-can-happen-if-you-fly-barefoot/ |
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Panacell Biotech Co., Ltd. said that NK cells, exosomes, and brown adipose-derived stem cells are effective to treat patients with long COVID conditions, or post COVID-19 conditions, as well as those with terminal illness.
Panacell Biotech is South Korea's research institute specializing in advanced regenerative medical cell therapy using adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC).
The company announced on August 10 that it will soon conduct those cells' toxicity tests through clinical trials and laboratory animals.
Currently, in South Korea, there are guidelines for plasma treatment that administers plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to other patients. Although there already exist COVID-19 treatments, such as Paxrovid, a clear therapeutic effect has not been confirmed yet.
There are over 60 long COVID conditions, including decreased libido and hair loss.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center, "A whopping one in four people aged 65 or above suffer from aftereffects of COVID-19"
The Guardian also reported that people with long COVID often experience and an "extremely broad" variety of symptoms, including less well-known side effects such as amnesia, and an inability to perform familiar movements or commands."
According to the TIME magazine said about four million people – or 2.4% of the U.S. employed population – have reduced ability to work because of Long COVID.
Associate Professor Gwenaëlle Douaud at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN), University of Oxford, and her team observed a "greater reduction in grey matter thickness and tissue contract in the orbitofrontal cortex and parahippocampal gyrus" and "greater changes in markers of tissue damage in regions that are functionally connected to primary olfactory cortex." While the long-term effects of COVID-19 on smell remain inconclusive, the study suggests a possible connection between brain changes by COVID-19 and memory.
However, there have been many clinical results in which the coronavirus causes inflammation in various organs, including the respiratory system, and chronic symptoms persist.
While research on a treatment for COVID-19 is underway around the world, Chinese researchers said they are researching ways to treat COVID-19 patients using stem cells.
Sun Yanrong, Deputy Director of China Biotechnology Development Center, asserted, "We are continuing to monitor the treatment using stem cells. In Wuhan, over 200 patients have already been treated with stem cells."
He continued explaining, "The clinical treatment results show that the stem cell therapy has good safety and has also been confirmed to have a therapeutic effect. It was also effective in recovering the lungs."
Seung-Ho Choi, CEO of Panacell Biotech, affirmed, "We expect that this clinical trial will reveal therapeutic effects of stem cell therapy along with these treatments."
Panacell Biotech is a leading bio institute in advanced regenerative medicine and cell therapy, widely recognized for its contributions to the development of biotechnology by researching stem cell culture and cell banking, focusing on the development of treatments for various cancers and incurable diseases.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of South Korea approved Panacell Biotech on April 1 this year as one of the 21 licensed cell treatment facilities.
It received the K-ESG Management Innovation Award in June 2022, and is scheduled to receive the 2022 Global Clean Environment Award in the healthcare category in this upcoming October 18.
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SOURCE Panacell Biotech Co., Ltd. | 2022-08-10T14:40:45+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/08/10/panacell-biotech-conduct-toxicity-tests-nk-cells-exosomes-brown-adipose-derived-stem-cells-treat-patients-with-long-covid/ |
Braves vs. Royals: Odds, spread, over/under - April 14
When the (9-4) square off against the (4-9) at Kauffman Stadium on Friday, April 14 at 8:10 PM ET, Charlie Morton will be looking for his 200th strikeout of the season (he currently has 7).
The Royals are listed as +110 moneyline underdogs in this matchup with the favored Braves (-130). The over/under is 9 runs for the matchup (with -120 odds to hit the over and +100 odds to go under).
Braves vs. Royals Time and TV Channel
- Date: Friday, April 14, 2023
- Time: 8:10 PM ET
- TV: MLB Network
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- Venue: Kauffman Stadium
- Probable Pitchers: Morton - ATL (1-1, 4.35 ERA) vs Brady Singer - KC (1-0, 4.91 ERA)
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Braves vs. Royals Betting Odds, Run Line and Total
Take a look at the odds, run line and over/under for this matchup posted at individual sportsbooks.
Have the urge to put money on the Braves' matchup versus the Royals but aren't sure where to start? We're here to assist you. Wagering on the moneyline, run line, and total are a few of the most common ways to place bets. A moneyline bet means that you think one of the teams -- for instance, the Braves (-130) -- will win the contest. Pretty simple. If you bet $10 on the Braves to take down the Royals with those odds, and the Braves emerge with the victory, you'd get back $17.69.
Plus, there are lots of other ways to bet, like player props (will Matt Olson hit a home run?), parlays (combining picks from multiple games to multiply your winnings), and more. For more details on the many ways you can play, check out the BetMGM website and app.
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Braves vs. Royals Betting Trends and Insights
- The Braves have won seven, or 63.6%, of the 11 games they've played as favorites this season.
- When they have played as moneyline favorites with odds of -130 or shorter, the Braves have a record of 6-2 (75%).
- The oddsmakers' moneyline implies a 56.5% chance of a victory for Atlanta.
- The Braves have a 5-3 record across the eight games they were a moneyline favorite in their last 10 matchups.
- Over its last 10 outings (all had set totals), Atlanta combined with its opponents to hit the over on the total six times.
- The Royals have won in four, or 30.8%, of the 13 contests they have been named as odds-on underdogs this year.
- The Royals have a mark of 4-9 in contests where bookmakers favor them by +110 or worse on the moneyline.
- The Royals have played as underdogs in 10 of their past 10 games and won four of those contests.
- In the last 10 games with a total, Kansas City and its opponents have failed to hit the over four times.
Braves vs. Royals Player Props
Check out all the player prop markets available for this game, including betting on players to get a hit, go deep, or pick up a bunch of strikeouts. Head to BetMGM for the latest odds available for the Braves, and place your bets.
Want a different way to play? Put together your best lineup of players and you could win cash prizes! Sign up for FanDuel Fantasy using our link for the best first-time player offer.
Braves Futures Odds
Think the Braves can win it all? Check out the latest futures odds for Atlanta and place your bets with BetMGM Sportsbook! Be sure to use our link for a great new user offer.
Not all offers available in all states, please visit sportsbook websites for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-14T20:01:03+00:00 | live5news.com | https://www.live5news.com/sports/betting/2023/04/14/braves-vs-royals-mlb-odds-over-under/ |
Updated June 25, 2022 at 3:51 AM ET
OSLO, Norway — An overnight shooting in the Norwegian capital, Oslo, that killed two people and wounded more than a dozen is being investigated as a possible terrorist attack, Norwegian police said Saturday.
In a news conference Saturday, police officials said the man arrested after the shooting was a Norwegian citizen of Iranian origin who was previously known to police but not for major crimes.
They said they had seized two firearms in connection with the attack: a handgun and an automatic weapon.
The events occurred outside the London Pub, a bar popular with the city's LGBTQ community, hours before Oslo's Pride parade was due to take place. Organizers canceled all Pride events planned for Saturday on the advice of police.
"Oslo Pride therefore urges everyone who planned to participate or watch the parade to not show up. All events in connection with Oslo Prides are canceled," organizers said on the official Facebook page of the event.
Police spokesman Tore Barstad said 14 people were receiving medical treatment, eight of whom have been hospitalized.
Olav Roenneberg, a journalist from Norwegian public broadcaster NRK, said he witnessed the shooting.
"I saw a man arrive at the site with a bag. He picked up a weapon and started shooting," Roenneberg told NRK. "First I thought it was an air gun. Then the glass of the bar next door was shattered and I understood I had to run for cover."
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said in a Facebook post that "the shooting outside London Pub in Oslo tonight was a cruel and deeply shocking attack on innocent people."
He said that while the motive was unclear, the shooting had caused fear and grief in the LGBTQ community.
"We all stand by you," Gahr Stoere wrote.
Christian Bredeli, who was at the bar, told Norwegian newspaper VG that he hid on the fourth floor with a group of about 10 people until he was told it was safe to come out.
"Many were fearing for their lives," he said. "On our way out we saw several injured people, so we understood that something serious had happened."
Norwegian broadcaster TV2 showed footage of people running down Oslo streets in panic as shots rang out in the background.
Norway is a relatively safe country but has experienced violent attacks by right-wing extremists, including one of the worst mass shootings in Europe in 2011, when a gunman killed 69 people on the island of Utoya after setting off a bomb in Oslo that left eight dead.
In 2019, another right-wing extremist killed his stepsister and then opened fire in a mosque but was overpowered before anyone there was injured.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-06-25T08:43:41+00:00 | delawarepublic.org | https://www.delawarepublic.org/npr-headlines/npr-headlines/2022-06-25/shooting-in-oslo-that-killed-2-and-wounded-14-investigated-as-possible-terror-attack |
Study: Exxon Mobil accurately predicted warming since 1970s
DENVER (AP) — Exxon Mobil’s scientists were remarkably accurate in their predictions about global warming, even as the company made public statements that contradicted its own scientists’ conclusions, a new study says.
The study in the journal Science Thursday looked at research that Exxon funded that didn’t just confirm what climate scientists were saying, but used more than a dozen different computer models that forecast the coming warming with precision equal to or better than government and academic scientists.
This was during the same time that the oil giant publicly doubted that warming was real and dismissed climate models’ accuracy. Exxon said its understanding of climate change evolved over the years and that critics are misunderstanding its earlier research.
Scientists, governments, activists and news sites, including Inside Climate News and the Los Angeles Times, several years ago reported that “Exxon knew” about the science of climate change since about 1977 all while publicly casting doubt. What the new study does is detail how accurate Exxon funded research was. From 63% to 83% of those projections fit strict standards for accuracy and generally predicted correctly that the globe would warm about .36 degrees (.2 degrees Celsius) a decade.
The Exxon-funded science was “actually astonishing” in its precision and accuracy, said study co-author Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard science history professor. But she added so was the “hypocrisy because so much of the Exxon Mobil disinformation for so many years ... was the claim that climate models weren’t reliable.”
Study lead author Geoffrey Supran, who started the work at Harvard and now is a environmental science professor at the University of Miami, said this is different than what was previously found in documents about the oil company.
“We’ve dug into not just to the language, the rhetoric in these documents, but also the data. And I’d say in that sense, our analysis really seals the deal on ‘Exxon knew’,” Supran said. It “gives us airtight evidence that Exxon Mobil accurately predicted global warming years before, then turned around and attacked the science underlying it.”
The paper quoted then-Exxon CEO Lee Raymond in 1999 as saying future climate “projections are based on completely unproven climate models, or more often, sheer speculation,” while his successor in 2013 called models “not competent.”
Exxon’s understanding of climate science developed along with the broader scientific community, and its four decades of research in climate science resulted in more than 150 papers, including 50 peer-reviewed publications, said company spokesman Todd Spitler.
“This issue has come up several times in recent years and, in each case, our answer is the same: those who talk about how ‘Exxon Knew’ are wrong in their conclusions,” Spitler said in an emailed statement. “Some have sought to misrepresent facts and Exxon Mobil’s position on climate science, and its support for effective policy solutions, by recasting well intended, internal policy debates as an attempted company disinformation campaign.”
Exxon, one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies, has been the target of numerous lawsuits that claim the company knew about the damage its oil and gas would cause to the climate, but misled the public by sowing doubt about climate change. In the latest such lawsuit, New Jersey accused five oil and gas companies including Exxon of deceiving the public for decades while knowing about the harmful toll fossil fuels take on the climate.
Similar lawsuits from New York to California have claimed that Exxon and other oil and gas companies launched public relations campaigns to stir doubts about climate change. In one, then-Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey said Exxon’s public relations efforts were " reminiscent of the tobacco industry’s long denial campaign about the dangerous effects of cigarettes.”
Oil giants including Exxon and Shell were accused in congressional hearings in 2021 of spreading misinformation about climate, but executives from the companies denied the accusations.
University of Illinois atmospheric scientist professor emeritus Donald Wuebbles told The Associated Press that in the 1980s he worked with Exxon-funded scientists and wasn’t surprised by what the company knew or the models. It’s what science and people who examined the issue knew.
“It was clear that Exxon Mobil knew what was going on,’’ Wuebbles said. “The problem is at the same time they were paying people to put out misinformation. That’s the big issue.”
There’s a difference between the “hype and spin” that companies do to get you to buy a product or politicians do to get your vote and an “outright lie ... misrepresenting factual information and that’s what Exxon did,” Oreskes said.
Several outside scientists and activists said what the study showed about Exxon actions is serious.
“The harm caused by Exxon has been huge,” said University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck. “They knew that fossil fuels, including oil and natural gas, would greatly alter the planet’s climate in ways that would be costly in terms of lives, human suffering and economic impacts. And yet, despite this understanding they choose to publicly downplay the problem of climate change and the dangers it poses to people and the planet.”
Cornell University climate scientist Natalie Mahowald asked: “How many thousands (or more) of lives have been lost or adversely impacted by Exxon Mobil’s deliberate campaign to obscure the science?”
Critics say Exxon’s past actions on climate change undermine its claims that it’s committed to reducing emissions.
After tracking Exxon’s and hundreds of other companies’ corporate lobbying on climate change policies, InfluenceMap, a firm that analyzes data on how companies are impacting the climate crisis, concluded that Exxon is lobbying overall in opposition to the goals of the Paris Agreement and that it’s currently among the most negative and influential corporations holding back climate policy.
“All the research we have suggests that effort to thwart climate action continues to this day, prioritizing the oil and gas industry value chain from the “potentially existential” threat of climate change, rather than the other way around,” said Faye Holder, program manager for InfluenceMap.
“The messages of denial and delay may look different, but the intention is the same.”
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Bussewitz reported from New York.
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Follow AP’s climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
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Follow Seth Borenstein on Twitter at @borenbears and Cathy Bussewitz at @cbussewitz
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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-12T20:55:08+00:00 | ksla.com | https://www.ksla.com/2023/01/12/study-exxon-mobil-accurately-predicted-warming-since-1970s/ |
GLENDALE, Ariz. (KDVR) — During Super Bowl week, so much of the attention goes to the players, coaches and their respective teams. Something that isn’t seen is the community work that many players do in the cities where the Super Bowl is held.
For Troy and Tommi Vincent, they have their “Safe Zone Activity Day” and FOX31’s Myck Miller caught up with them about the great cause.
“This is the sixth year of Vincent Country’s ‘Safe Zone Activity Day,’ and we have the opportunity to go into Super Bowl cities and present a safe space where kids can be kids,” said Tommi. “It is a tremendous opportunity to pour love into the community. We know that the Super Bowl goes somewhere every year, and we decided that we wanted to have the opportunity to bring a bit of the Super Bowl to the kids in the community who actually live there.”
For the children that live in the city of each Super Bowl, Troy and Tommi make it their mission to use positive language to uplift and inspire these young kids.
“Everyone is called by their name, everyone is greeted with joy, with love, with empathy. We would say happiness is contagious,” said Troy.
As a former player, Troy uses his connections with players, both former and current, and the National Football League to interact with the kids and give them a front-row seat to what is possible with hard work and dedication.
“Well, I would say we’re influencers and we are role models, and that’s part of the responsibility of being a professional athlete. But these athletes make a choice. We have multiple players come out and spend a wonderful day with us dancing, having fun, smiling and remembering themselves as young children,” said Troy.
During Black History Month, Tommi strives to show and provide representation while educating that history isn’t simply for one month.
“So you mentioned Black History Month, what we’re able to do in this space, as well as the representation in the game, is for young people to recognize it’s not about a month it’s about your life. You are a history-maker,” said Tommi. “So everything you do is creating history that will be on the books and will have the opportunity to inspire future generations.”
And that’s what it’s all about, inspiring the next generation.
They’ll do it again next year at Super Bowl LVIII. So Las Vegas, Nevada, get ready because Troy and Tommi Vincent are coming to your city. | 2023-02-09T20:27:35+00:00 | localsyr.com | https://www.localsyr.com/the-big-game/players-give-back-to-community-hosting-the-super-bowl/ |
New Underground Utilities Prepare the Way for Replacement Hospital
TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Large-scale utility construction is underway at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center campus, part of preparations for the highly anticipated replacement hospital currently in the design phase.
Healthcare builder Abbott Construction is leading the make-ready utility project to support the new 400,000SF outpatient treatment and support building. The intricate work goes deep underground, and includes electrical and telecommunication duct banks, domestic and fire water lines, storm system infrastructure, and other low voltage utilities. With the existing hospital active and serving patients, the construction surrounding it is highly coordinated.
"Protecting Harbor-UCLA's daily operations is our first priority," says Vice President Michael Sloane, who oversees Abbott's construction operations in Southern California. "We're phasing this work so that patients and staff can access the services they need at all times."
The 72-acre campus at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is a Level 1 Trauma Center, and one of three LA County public teaching hospitals. Abbott Construction also recently built the new Restorative Care Village, an 8-building behavioral health campus, at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.
"Building public health facilities is some of the most meaningful work we do," says Abbott Construction President and CEO Troy Stedman. "These are the spaces where our families and neighbors receive lifesaving care. To have even a small role in that development is rewarding."
Founded in 1983, Abbott Construction is a West Coast construction group known for superior management and field team, best-in-class standards and craftsmanship. Abbott's expertise runs deep in pre-construction, project planning, and the professional execution of construction in a variety of market sectors including healthcare, retail, office, non-profit, mixed-use, education, and seismic improvements. Abbott is a member of STO Building Group, and is headquartered in Seattle, with offices in Tacoma and Los Angeles. Learn more at abbottconstruction.com.
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SOURCE Abbott Construction | 2022-09-26T23:21:28+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/09/26/critical-construction-underway-advance-harbor-ucla-expansion/ |
WFO SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, January 14, 2023
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AREAL FLOOD ADVISORY
Flood Advisory
National Weather Service Hanford CA
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509 PM PST Sat Jan 14 2023
...FLOOD ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...
The Flood Advisory is cancelled for a portion of central California,
including the following county, Kern.
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The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southeastern Marin,
northwestern Alameda, west central Contra Costa and northern San
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Francisco Counties through 545 PM PST...
At 509 PM PST, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Sausalito, or near San Francisco, moving northeast at 35 mph.
HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.
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SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
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Locations impacted include...
Oakland, Berkeley, Richmond, San Rafael, San Pablo, El Cerrito,
Hercules, Albany, Pinole, Orinda, Mill Valley, Larkspur, Corte
Madera, Tiburon, Sausalito, Tara Hills, El Sobrante, Kensington,
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Rollingwood and Tamalpais-Homestead.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.
Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
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localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.
LAT...LON 3799 12246 3794 12248 3794 12251 3790 12244
3791 12240 3796 12243 3801 12237 3802 12228
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3788 12217 3785 12230 3790 12232 3792 12236
3788 12244 3785 12242 3790 12250 3789 12252
3783 12242 3782 12253 3788 12262
TIME...MOT...LOC 0109Z 236DEG 30KT 3784 12250
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MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH
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Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-01-15T02:01:19+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/CA-WFO-SAN-JOAQUIN-VALLEY-Warnings-Watches-and-17718698.php |
ATLANTA (AP) — Todd and Julie Chrisley were driven by greed as they engaged in an extensive bank fraud scheme and then hid their wealth from tax authorities while flaunting their lavish lifestyle, federal prosecutors said, arguing the reality television stars should receive lengthy prison sentences.
The Chrisleys gained fame with their show “Chrisley Knows Best,” which follows their tight-knit, boisterous family. They were found guilty on federal charges in June and are set to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Eleanor Ross in a hearing that begins Monday and is likely to extend into Tuesday.
Using a process to calculate a sentencing guideline range based on several factors, federal prosecutors determined the upper end of that range is nearly 22 years for Todd Chrisley and about 12 and a half years for Julie Chrisley. The couple should also be ordered to pay restitution, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
“The Chrisleys have built an empire based on the lie that their wealth came from dedication and hard work,” prosecutors wrote. “The jury’s unanimous verdict sets the record straight: Todd and Julie Chrisley are career swindlers who have made a living by jumping from one fraud scheme to another, lying to banks, stiffing vendors, and evading taxes at every corner.”
The Chrisleys disagree with the government’s guideline calculations. Todd Chrisley’s lawyers wrote in a filing that he should not face more than nine years in prison and that the judge should sentence him below the lower end of the guidelines. Julie Chrisley’s lawyers wrote that a reasonable sentence for her would be probation with special conditions and no prison time.
The Chrisleys were convicted in June on charges of bank fraud, tax evasion and conspiring to defraud the IRS. Julie Chrisley was also convicted of wire fraud and obstruction of justice.
Peter Tarantino, an accountant hired by the couple, was found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the IRS and willfully filing false tax returns. He is set to be sentenced along with the Chrisleys.
Prosecutors have said the couple submitted fake documents to banks and managed to secure more than $30 million in fraudulent loans. Once that scheme fell apart, they walked away from their responsibility to repay the loans when Todd Chrisley declared bankruptcy. While in bankruptcy, they started their reality show and “flaunted their wealth and lifestyle to the American public,” prosecutors wrote. When they began making millions from their show, they hid the money from the IRS to avoid paying taxes.
The Chrisleys submitted a false document to a grand jury that was investigating their crimes and then convinced friends and family members to tell lies while testifying under oath during their trial, prosecutors wrote. Neither of them has shown any remorse and they have, instead, blamed others for their own criminal conduct, prosecutors wrote.
“The Chrisleys are unique given the varied and wide-ranging scope of their fraudulent conduct and the extent to which they engaged in fraud and obstructive behavior for a prolonged period of time,” prosecutors wrote.
Todd Chrisley’s lawyers wrote in a court filing that the government never produced any evidence that he meant to defraud any of the banks and that the loss amount calculated by the government is incorrect. They also noted that the offenses of which he was convicted were committed a long time ago. He has no serious criminal history and has medical conditions that “would make imprisonment disproportionately harsh,” they wrote.
His lawyers submitted letters from friends and business associates that show “a history of good deeds and striving to help others.” People who rely on Chrisley — including his mother and the “scores of people” employed by his television shows — will be harmed while he’s in prison, his lawyers wrote.
They urged the judge to give him a prison sentence below the guideline range followed by supervised release and restitution.
Julie Chrisley’s lawyers wrote in a filing that she had a minimal role in the conspiracy and was not involved when the loans discussed in sentencing documents were obtained. She has no prior convictions, is an asset to her community and has “extraordinary family obligations,” her lawyers wrote, as they asked for a sentence of probation, restitution and community service.
The Chrisleys have three children together, including one who is 16, and also have full custody of the 10-year-old daughter of Todd Chrisley’s son from a prior marriage. Julie Chrisley is the primary caregiver to her ailing mother-in-law, the filing says. Her lawyers submitted letters from family and friends that show she is “hard-working, unfailingly selfless, devoted to her family and friend, highly respected by all who know her, and strong of character.”
If the judge does sentence both Chrisleys to prison, Julie Chrisley’s lawyers asked that their prison terms be staggered so she can remain on supervised release until her husband is done serving his sentence or until their granddaughter turns 18. | 2022-11-21T12:59:19+00:00 | fox59.com | https://fox59.com/news/national-world/chrisley-knows-best-stars-to-be-sentenced/ |
Having announced one of its biggest aid packages yet, U.S. military officials met with allied nations to talk military support for Ukraine. German support for the war remains an unresolved question.
Copyright 2023 NPR
Having announced one of its biggest aid packages yet, U.S. military officials met with allied nations to talk military support for Ukraine. German support for the war remains an unresolved question.
Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-01-20T22:40:32+00:00 | kunm.org | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-01-20/allied-nations-including-the-u-s-met-today-to-talk-military-support-for-ukraine |
Egypt reveals newly discovered chamber inside Great Pyramid
(AP) - Egypt unveiled the discovery of long corridor inside the Great Pyramid of Giza on Thursday, the first to be found on the structure’s north side.
The corridor, which measures 9 meters (nearly 30 feet) by 2 meters (more than 6 feet), is perched above the famous structure’s main entrance and was detected using a scan, authorities said. The function of the chamber is currently unknown, although such corridors often lead to further archaeological discoveries.
Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass and the country’s Minister for Tourism Ahmed Eissa, announced the discovery at the pyramid’s base.
The chamber was discovered by the Scan Pyramids project, an international program that uses scans to look at unexplored sections of the ancient structure.
The pyramid about 11 miles from Cairo’s center is also known as Khufu’s Pyramid for its builder, a 4th Dynasty pharaoh who reigned from 2509 to 2483 B.C.
The ancient structure is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world. It has captivated visitors since it was built as a royal burial chamber some 4,500 years ago. Experts are divided over how it and other pyramids were constructed, so even relatively minor discoveries generate great interest.
Egypt often publicly touts ancient discoveries to attract more tourists, a major source of foreign currency for the cash-strapped North African country. The sector suffered a long downturn after the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-03-02T14:16:55+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/2023/03/02/egypt-reveals-newly-discovered-chamber-inside-great-pyramid/ |
OAKLAND, Calif. — If you're thinking of wiping down your kitchen with that bottle of Pine-Sol all-purpose cleaner under your sink — stop. It may contain bacteria that could cause serious illness in people with compromised immune systems.
The Clorox Company said Tuesday it has recalled its scented multi-surface cleaners and all-purpose cleaners. The recall doesn't include its iconic original pine-scented Pine-Sol, which is its only product registered as a disinfectant.
The products recalled by the Oakland, California-based company also include scented CloroxPro Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaners and Clorox Professional Pine-Sol Lemon Fresh Cleaners, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement.
The products "may contain bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental organism found widely in soil and water," the commission said.
"The bacteria can enter the body if inhaled, through the eyes, or through a break in the skin. People with healthy immune systems are usually not affected by the bacteria," the commission said.
Testing identified bacteria in the recalled products produced between January 2021 and September 2022, the commission said. It said consumers should take pictures of the 12 digit UPC code and the date code, throw the product in its container in the trash, and contact the company for a refund.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-10-26T08:28:29+00:00 | delawarepublic.org | https://www.delawarepublic.org/npr-headlines/2022-10-26/clorox-recalls-cleaning-products-that-a-u-s-consumer-panel-says-may-contain-bacteria |
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to return to Iowa ahead of the Nov. 8 midterms, to headline a rally for Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sen. Chuck Grassley, Trump’s organization announced Wednesday.
The event, set for Nov. 3 in Sioux City, the hub of Iowa’s conservative northwest, comes as Trump has continued to tease interest in a White House comeback campaign as he has campaigned around the country for Republican candidates.
Returning to Iowa, where the 2024 Republican presidential caucuses are scheduled to launch the GOP nominating sequence, would likely further stoke speculation of Trump’s future.
“In order to make our country successful, safe and glorious again, I will probably have to do it again,” Trump said in Robstown, Texas, on Oct. 22.
The Iowa event is part of Trump’s rally tour in the home stretch of the 2022 campaign. It is also expected to include stops in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Republican candidates in Iowa don’t appear to need much of a boost from Trump.
Gov. Kim Reynolds, who has swamped her Democratic challenger in fundraising and leads comfortably in polls, is heavily favored to win her second full term. Though seven-term Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley appears to be facing his most serious challenge for reelection, the 89-year-old still leads in a race where national Democrats have spent no money advertising on behalf of retired Admiral Michael Franken.
It would be Trump’s second trip to Iowa since the 2020 election, coming a year after he drew thousands to the Iowa state fairgrounds in Des Moines. It also comes as other would-be 2024 Republican contenders, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Trump administration appointees Nikki Haley and Mike Pompeo, have visited the state on behalf of Iowa Republicans in recent weeks. | 2022-10-27T05:57:44+00:00 | wric.com | https://www.wric.com/news/politics/ap-trump-to-rally-in-iowa-ahead-of-nov-8-as-he-teases-2024/ |
This year’s most popular Halloween costumes include Spider-Man, the ‘Stranger Things’ kids and dinosaurs
By Scottie Andrew, CNN
If you plan to dress up as a superhero or old-fashioned monster this Halloween, you probably won’t be the only friendly neighborhood Spider-Man or fearsome fanged vampire on the block. They’re two of the most popular costumes this October.
From beloved characters Harley Quinn and the “Stranger Things” gang to tried-and-true favorites like witches and dinosaurs, the most popular costume searches run the gamut from generic spooky to instantly recognizable IP, per Google Trends’ Frightgeist, a tool that analyzes the most-searched costume ideas nationwide.
Americans are sticking to what they know this Halloween, it seems: Witches, pirates, Harley Quinn and Batman all appeared in the top 10 costumes back in 2015, as well. To be fair, Halloween festivities have been muted since 2020, when Covid-19 made even the concept of candy-collecting scary.
The trends also reflect the times, and this year “Stranger Things” dominated streaming (but will fans dress up as Eleven or Vecna?). Batman appeared in a new film in March, and the Sanderson sisters of “Hocus Pocus” made their grand return in a sequel to the original Halloween classic.
The top 100 most popular costumes become more macabre, with infamous horror villains like Michael Myers of “Halloween” and “Nightmare on Elm Street’s” Freddy Krueger making appearances, as well as more lovable, cuddly characters like the Minions and Baby Yoda.
Frightgeist breaks down local trends, too: “Spider-Man” is the top search in both Atlanta and Los Angeles, while in New York, “fairy” is the most popular costume. Chicago is hooked on “Stranger Things,” and Dallas is choosing “dinosaur.”
Here are the top 19 costumes of 2022 (minus the 20th, which Google Trends curiously omitted from its rankings.)
- Witch
- Spider-Man
- Dinosaur
- “Stranger Things”
- Fairy
- Pirate
- Rabbit
- Cheerleader
- Cowboy
- Harley Quinn
- Clown
- Vampire
- 1980s
- “Hocus Pocus”
- Pumpkin
- Chucky
- Doll
- Angel
- Batman
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™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-19T18:32:26+00:00 | keyt.com | https://keyt.com/news/2022/10/19/this-years-most-popular-halloween-costumes-include-spider-man-the-stranger-things-kids-and-dinosaurs/ |
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - mCloud Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: MCLD) (TSXV: MCLD), ("mCloud" or the "Company"), a provider of cloud technology solutions optimizing the performance, reliability, and sustainability of energy-intensive assets today announced that, due to strong demand, it has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered offering of common shares of the Company from US$12.5 million to US$18.0 million at a price per share of US$1.14 per share (the "Offering").
Subject to receipt of all required approvals, including the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the Offering is expected to be completed in mid-to-late November. The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the Offering to accelerate the deployment of the Company's sustainability and decarbonization capabilities on Google Cloud.
Russ McMeekin, mCloud President and CEO, commented:
"I am pleased by the strong interest we are seeing in this Offering. It is a testament to the strength of our strategic alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and key customers such as Aramco. I am currently in Saudi Arabia visiting key customers, policymakers, and partners, and it is evident our AssetCare capabilities on Google Cloud are uniquely relevant as our customers seek digital sustainability solutions at scale."
The securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period in accordance with applicable securities legislation.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.
mCloud is unlocking the untapped potential of energy-intensive assets with cloud-based solutions that curb energy waste, maximize energy production, eliminate harmful emissions, and get the most out of critical energy infrastructure. Through mCloud's portfolio of AssetCare™ solutions, mCloud enables asset owners and operators in energy- and asset-intensive industries such as oil and gas, wind, and commercial facilities to use cloud-based digital twins, AI, and analytics to optimize asset performance, reliability, and sustainability. mCloud has a worldwide presence with offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. mCloud's common shares trade in the United States on Nasdaq and in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol MCLD. Visit mcloudcorp.com to learn more.
This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information contained herein may include information related to the receipt of required approvals from the TSXV and the completion of the Offering.
By identifying such information and statements in this manner, the Company is alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements.
A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's Annual Information Form and other continuous disclosure filings, which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking information and statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE mCloud Technologies Corp. | 2022-11-10T13:25:43+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/prnewswire/2022/11/10/mcloud-announces-upsize-common-share-offering-18-million-with-strategic-investors/ |
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Ingemar Stenmark's unbreakable skiing record just got matched by Mikaela Shiffrin.
The American won a giant slalom on Friday to equal the Swedish great's record of 86 World Cup victories, which he set more than three decades ago.
When Stenmark retired from World Cup racing 34 years ago to the day — on March 10, 1989, a week before his 33rd birthday — his mark was widely considered unbreakable.
Lindsey Vonn, Shiffrin’s former teammate, came close 30 years later but retired after 82 wins. Vonn’s last World Cup race was a super-G in January 2019 — a race won by Shiffrin for her 54th victory.
Four years later, Shiffrin overtook Vonn and has now matched Stenmark, three days before her 28th birthday.
Here is a closer look at the facts and figures behind Shiffrin’s and Stenmark’s shared record.
ROAD TO GLORY
Timewise, Shiffrin was faster to get to 86 victories.
The American needed 11 years, 11 months, 27 days after her first top-level race on March 11, 2011, to get the record. It took Stenmark 15 years, 2 months, 11 days between his World Cup debut in December 1973 and his last win in February 1989.
By the number of races they competed in, Stenmark was faster — at least according to official statistics, which say the Swede had 230 World Cup starts, compared to Shiffrin’s 245.
However, the database of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation is lacking information from some events in Stenmark’s era because skiers who competed in races but failed to score World Cup points have not been not registered.
Therefore, Stenmark’s exact number of World Cup starts is unconfirmed. His exact number of victories is beyond doubt, though.
DIFFERENT ERAS
Ski racing has vastly changed between Stenmark’s era and Shiffrin’s — in quantity and quality.
Stenmark’s debut World Cup season in 1973-74 lasted only three months and included 21 races; Shiffrin’s current season started in October and has 38 races scheduled through next week.
Professionalization and commercialization have changed the sport drastically over the decades. The design of skis is under constant development and courses are prepared differently, making ski racing faster and more competitive.
Safety regulations have been adapted accordingly. Nowadays it seems unthinkable that Stenmark raced for most of his career wearing just a knit hat.
SPECIALIST VS. ALLROUNDER
In Stenmark’s first season, the World Cup circuit consisted of only three disciplines: slalom, giant slalom and downhill. The combined event with a downhill run and a two-leg slalom legs was introduced in the mid-70s, and the super-G in 1982.
Not that it made much difference to Stenmark, a technical specialist who stuck with his strongest events of slalom and giant slalom throughout his career and only had a handful of starts in other disciplines. All his World Cup wins came in giant slalom (46) and slalom (40), helping him rack up three overall titles.
Shiffrin, on the other hand, also started as a tech specialist but ventured into speed racing from her fifth season on the World Cup circuit.
Shiffrin has raced, and won, in six different disciplines: slalom (52), giant slalom (20), super-G (five), parallel (five), downhill (three), and combined (one). She won her fifth overall World Cup title this season.
NEVER CHANGE
For most skiers, it’s common to change their equipment supplier at least once during their careers. For Stenmark and Shiffrin, so far, it’s not.
Stenmark bought his first pair of Elan skis when he was 13. He still raced with the Slovenian brand when he entered the World Cup circuit four years later — and kept doing so until his retirement.
Shiffrin’s story is similar. The American was already using skis from her long-term supplier, Austrian-based manufacturer Atomic, when dominating the field at youth races.
WHAT’S NEXT?
“She’s much better than I was. You cannot compare,” Stenmark said in an interview with The Associated Press. "I think she can win more than 100.”
Shiffrin, though, feels like she will never truly overtake Stenmark, no matter what the numbers say.
“His legacy is synonymous with ski racing,” Shiffrin said. “Everybody, if they know anything about ski racing at all and even if they don’t, they know Ingemar Stenmark. I don’t think that’s something I can surpass. He set the standard for what ski racing has become.”
___
Eric Willemsen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/eWilmedia
___
More AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/skiing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-03-10T13:50:27+00:00 | ourmidland.com | https://www.ourmidland.com/sports/article/shiffrin-and-stenmark-took-different-paths-to-17831413.php |
SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 18th China (Shenzhen) International Cultural Industries Fair (ICIF) kicked off on December 28, 2022. This year's ICIF is held mainly offline, complemented by synchronized online exhibitions. It is estimated that over 2,500 governmental delegations, cultural institutions and businesses will attend the fair on site, while 800 institutes and enterprises will set up online booths.
The ICIF is the first cultural fair in China recognized by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI). Since its inception in Shenzhen in 2004, the fair has seen a continuous increase in exhibition scale, audience, and level of internationalization. It has now grown into a key engine for China's cultural industrial growth, as well as an important platform and window to spread Chinese culture to the world, according to Shenzhen Municipal People's Government.
According to statistics, every year, the ICIF gathers over 100,000 exhibits from cultural and creative industries at home and abroad, and more than 4,000 cultural investment and financing projects are displayed and traded at the fair. By participating in the event, numerous excellent overseas businesses and institutions have successfully expanded their market and found new opportunities for cooperation and development.
Notably, an International Exhibition Hall has been set up on this year's Cloud ICIF. A total of 300 overseas cultural institutions and businesses from 30 countries and regions across the globe have been invited to the online fair. Domestic and foreign cultural products and projects are being displayed on the online platform, with a strong emphasis on promoting cultural exchange and trade between China and other countries along the Belt and Road, and expanding the international network for cultural trade.
Miao Song, founder and director of the Canada China Art-Tech (CCAT), brought along its Canadian partners Telefilm Canada, Concordia University, and The 7 Fingers. She said, "This is the 4th time we have participated in the ICIF. This year we see more participating countries and more diverse exhibits. Particularly, the technology culture products have never failed to impress me."
In response to a question on why the CCAT takes part in the fair, Director Song believes that the CCAT shares many core values with the ICIF in supporting the growth of China's cultural industry and assisting Chinese cultural products in reaching a global audience. She added: "The CCAT exhibits are diversified, embracing science and technology, arts, academia and humanities, and other sectors, so it fits well with the ICIF's high-quality, diverse and comprehensive display mode."
Additionally, this fair has opened up new avenues for attracting foreign investment and exhibitors, so as to engage more domestic and international cultural institutions and businesses, and help exhibitors accelerate their integration into China's "dual circulation" development pattern and develop new markets. It will build itself into a significant cultural platform for international procurement, investment promotion, people-to-people exchange, and open cooperation. A total of 10,931 buyers from 108 countries and regions, like France, Germany, and Pakistan, have registered for the online fair.
Ambassador JUDYTH NSABABERA from Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda in Guangzhou said: "This year, we are honored to participate in the 18th ICIF online and offline. We hope that through this exchange, we can show our African culture, products and projects on such an excellent platform as the ICIF, and we also hope that through this ICIF we can help the development of cultural industries in China and Uganda reach a higher level."
As a state-level, international and comprehensive fair for cultural industries, the ICIF has celebrated 17 sessions so far. It has promoted the development of cultural industry across the country as well as that of Shenzhen City. The fair has become a signature event to showcase Shenzhen's achievements in economic, social and cultural development and an important window into this growing metropolis. Currently, the added value of Shenzhen's cultural industries has exceeded 25 million yuan, accounting for over 8% of the city's GDP.
Director Song Miao said, "Shenzhen is an international city with high inclusiveness and a front-runner in opening up. Boasting a large number of high-tech enterprises and a huge market, it has maintained a robust growth momentum in foreign investment and continuously witnessed an increase in the number and scale of businesses going global. The CCAT wants to further cooperate with Shenzhen businesses and institutions in film-making, film-related activities, technology development, and project venture capital investment to achieve win-win results. In addition, we would like to express our sincere thanks to and our full confidence in the ICIF's positive role in boosting the cooperation."
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SOURCE Shenzhen Municipal People's Government | 2022-12-29T14:42:49+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/12/29/18th-icif-opens-shenzhen-seek-global-cultural-cooperation/ |
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Southpark hotel offers alternative to work from home | 2022-09-23T08:42:23+00:00 | qcnews.com | https://www.qcnews.com/charlotte/southpark/ |
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Bans on transgender women in international swimming and rugby this week opened the door for track and field to consider following suit in what could turn into a wave of policy changes in Olympic sports.
The announcement Sunday by swimming's governing body, FINA, was followed quickly by a show of support from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, who was in Hungary for the swimming world championships. He said FINA's decision was in the best interest of swimming and that his own federation, which oversees track and field and other running sports, would review its policies on transgender athletes and intersex athletes at the end of the year.
“If we ever get pushed into a corner to that point where we’re making a judgment about fairness or inclusion, I will always fall down on the side of fairness,” Coe said.
Experts viewed that as a signal that World Athletics officials could use the FINA precedent to block all transgender and intersex athletes — the latter referred to by clinical terminology as having differences in sex development — from competing in women’s events.
FINA's new policy bans all transgender women from elite competitions if they didn’t begin medical treatment to suppress testosterone production before either the onset of puberty or by age 12, whichever comes later. USA Swimming put its own policy in place earlier this year, with the idea that it would eventually follow FINA's lead, but this week said it would need time to see how FINA's policy affects its own.
Should track and field adopt a similar rule to FINA, Caster Semenya, an athlete with differences in sex development, still would be kept out of races at her chosen distance, 800 meters.
It also could bar 200-meter silver medalist Christine Mboma of Namibia, who also is an athlete with differences in sex development and expected to contend for the title at world championships in Oregon next month. Currently, World Athletics rules governing such athletes don't apply to the 200-meter race.
“By later this year, I think (World Athletics) will have announced a policy that is very similar to swimming," said Ross Tucker, a science and research consultant for World Rugby. "And they will say that if ever a person has gone through male puberty and has obtained the advantages associated with testosterone, they can’t compete in women’s sports."
The International Rugby League also barred transgender women from women’s matches until more studies allow for the sport's regulators to come up with a cohesive inclusion policy. And the International Cycling Union last week updated its eligibility rules for transgender athletes; it increased the period during which transgender athletes on women’s teams must lower their testosterone level to two years rather than one.
FIFA, which runs soccer, said it is “currently reviewing its gender eligibility regulations in consultation with expert stakeholders.”
Individual sports are taking the lead because of the International Olympic Committee framework that was introduced last November and went into effect in March placed all sports in charge of their own rules regarding testosterone. It replaced an IOC policy that had allowed transgender women who had been on hormone replacement therapy for at least 12 months to compete in the Olympics against other women.
The new guidance, which is not binding, recommends that testosterone levels should not determine whether someone is eligible to compete — a stance that World Athletics has not adopted.
Tucker said he expected maybe the “big four or five” international sports federations to follow FINA's suit, but not all the others — in part because many are smaller operations that don't have science and legal teams to do the research for thorough policies. FINA had assigned three groups, athletes, science and medicine and legal and human rights, to work on its policy.
FINA's decisions and those of other organizations are likely to be challenged either in court or at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning federations that adopt a rule will need scientific studies and legal funding to back up the policy.
“What swimming did was not easy, and it certainly wasn’t cheap,” Tucker said.
Coe said FINA “spent $1,000,000 (on legal fees). We’re not FIFA but we’re not bereft. But there are other sports that are genuinely fearful that, if they go down that road, they’ll bankrupt themselves defending this.”
Athletes at the world swimming championships in Hungary mostly steered clear of commenting on the new transgender policy this week.
“I think the question is, if you’re a woman out there and you’re racing someone else, like, how would you feel doing that? It’s just about fairness in sport,” said Australia's Moesha Johnson, who finished fourth in the 1500 meters.
The FINA decision also sent national swim federations scrambling.
Swimming Australia said it endorses fair and equitable competition for all athletes, adding in a statement: “We also firmly believe in inclusivity and the opportunity for all athletes to experience the sport of swimming in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity and expression.”
In the U.S., the NCAA, which governs college sports, had sought clarity from USA Swimming because of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who competed on Penn's women's team.
USA Swimming created a policy requiring evidence that an athlete had maintained a testosterone level less than 5 nanomoles per liter for a minimum period of 36 months. But the NCAA decided against immediately adopting that rule, which would have made Thomas ineligible for the national championships in March, where she won the 500-yard individual title.
When it released its policy, USA Swimming said it would remain in place until FINA adopted its own policy. In a statement Wednesday, USA Swimming said it would “now take our time to understand the impact of this international standard on our existing policy.”
Thomas has said she would like to pursue the Olympics; if she does, her times would likely put her in the mix to at least earn a spot at Olympic trials for the 2024 Games in Paris.
The Thomas case might ultimately be viewed as the tipping point in international competition, given the relative lack of transgender athletes in elite sports, Tucker said.
“People aren’t really very good at understanding an issue until it’s right in front of them as a physical thing,” Tucker said, “They almost have to be punched in the nose before they think something is real. And Lia Thomas made this real."
___
AP Sports Writers Ciaran Fahey and Graham Dunbar contributed. | 2022-06-22T22:08:09+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/sports/article/Swimming-s-new-transgender-policy-could-impact-17259000.php |
ANDERSON, Ind. — A bookkeeper for the Anderson School District is accused of stealing almost a million dollars from the school system. To make matters worse, the money was intended for the school lunch program.
“It’s hard to understand the lack of accountability,” said Rodney Cummings, Madison County Prosecutor. “It’s hard for me to imagine that somebody would have not noticed what was happening.”
In 2006, Carla Burke was hired to maintain the financial records for the school lunch fund and extracurricular fund.
A report from the Indiana State Board of Accounts claims Burke stole money from the fund from 2013 to 2019. They say she cashed 312 checks in her name.
The money was supposed to go to vendors associated with the school’s lunch program.
“I assume that it was for lunches that were being provided for students at the school,” Cummings said. “‘We have a troubled school system in Anderson. I mean our finances are not good. We shut the wigwam down because we can’t support it. We had 23,000 kids in our school system, and we have 6,000 now. It’s a very financially strapped school system, and for something like this to happen it’s absolutely unbelievable.”
In a statement, the district says,
“Carla Burke, a former Food Service employee with the Anderson Community School Corporation (ACSC), orchestrated an elaborate scheme to steal money from the department’s School Lunch Fund Extra-Curricular Account. At the moment the theft was first uncovered, we immediately reported this to the proper authorities and took corrective action. This includes putting additional internal control measures in place and purchasing new financial software that will help prevent a situation like this from happening in the future. While Ms. Burke’s theft was significant, since it was done over several years, it did not cause any disruption in services to our students. ACSC takes theft of any kind very seriously. Which is why we will continue to fully cooperate with the Indiana State Board of Accounts (ISBA), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), and other authorities throughout this ongoing process.”
Brad Meadows, ACSC Director of District & Community Engagement
In an interview, Cummings said, “It’s a little disappointing. I have information that they have known about this for at least a couple of years, and never made contact with the police or our office. It’s hard to understand. It’s possible the FBI may be involved. I’m not aware of that.”
Cummings believes Burke retired in 2019. He says right now she has not been arrested.
The State Board of Accounts is requesting Burke pay back $1.1 million. The number makes up the sum of the money they say she stole, plus interest payments and the cost of the investigation from the State Board of Accounts. | 2022-06-18T03:52:03+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/news/anderson-schools-bookkeeper-accused-of-stealing-almost-1-million-from-lunch-fund/ |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Police have changed their description of the crash that killed Indiana Republican U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, saying Thursday that it was the SUV in which she was a passenger that crossed a state highway’s centerline and caused the head-on collision.
Walorski and two members of her congressional staff died in the Wednesday afternoon crash in northern Indiana, along with the woman driving the other vehicle, the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office said.
The department’s initial account was that the car driven by Edith Schmucker, 56, Nappanee, Indiana, crossed into the SUV’s path, but the office released a statement Thursday saying investigators had talked with witnesses and viewed video evidence that their preliminary determination of which direction the vehicles were traveling was incorrect.
Investigators determined that the SUV driven by Zachery Potts, 27, of Mishawaka, Indiana, crossed the centerline for unknown reasons in a rural area near the town of Wakarusa. Potts was Walorski’s district director and the Republican chairman for northern Indiana’s St. Joseph County. Also killed was Emma Thomson, 28, of Washington, D.C., who was Walorski’s communications director.
Walorski, 58, was first elected to represent northern Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District in 2012 and was seeking reelection this year to a sixth term in the solidly Republican district. Walorski was a reliable Republican vote in Congress, including against accepting the Arizona and Pennsylvania electoral votes for President Joe Biden following the Capitol insurrection.
Under Indiana law, it will be up to local Republican officials to pick a candidate to replace Walorski on the election ballot. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb has the authority to schedule a special election to fill the remainder of Walorski’s current term, which ends this year.
The governor’s office and the state Republican Party both said Thursday it was too soon to say when those decisions would be made, as tributes to Walorski’s public service continued.
The U.S. Senate chaplain included her, Thomson and Potts in the chamber’s opening prayer, and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell praised all three in his opening remarks. He acknowledged “how great a hole Jackie and her team are leaving behind” at the Capitol.
In Indianapolis, members of the Indiana House, where Walorski served for six years before running for Congress, bowed their heads Thursday while Republican Rep. Timothy Wesco said a prayer for Walorski.
Wesco, who took over Walorski’s legislative district, called Walorski a “mentor” who was “passionate in everything that she did.”
“Her faith was central to her as a person, and her faith is what gives us hope today,” Wesco said. “None of us are guaranteed tomorrow.”
Indiana’s last special election for a congressional seat was in 2010, when Republican Rep. Mark Souder resigned soon after winning the May primary. Then-Gov. Mitch Daniels decided to hold the special election at the same time as the November general election for the full two-year term, citing the potential cost of a separate election and convenience for voters.
Indiana Republican U.S. Sen. Todd Young described Walorski as incredibly smart with a great sense of humor.
“She wore her values and her conviction on that on her sleeve,” Young said. “Unlike so many people in public life, she wasn’t really guarded about who she was and why she believed different things.”
__
Associated Press writer Lisa Mascaro and AP Video Journalist Rick Gentilo contributed from Washington. | 2022-08-05T03:31:15+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/politics/ap-politics/police-change-account-of-crash-killing-indiana-rep-walorski/ |
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP)Tua Tagovailoa hit his head. Turns out, his back was the bigger issue.
Either way, he was cleared to return and played through it all.
Tagovailoa briefly left Sunday’s 21-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills, returning despite appearing to be disoriented by what the team originally said was a head injury. He missed Miami’s last three snaps of the first half, then returned and played the rest of the way as the Dolphins became the AFC’s last unbeaten team by knocking off the Bills.
Tagovailoa’s return raised some questions. A person with knowledge of the matter said after the game that there will be a joint review by the NFL and the National Football League Players Association of what went into the decision to allow Tagovailoa to return to the game. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because that probe was not revealed publicly.
By NFL rule, those in-game evaluations when concussions are suspected involve not just team medical personnel but also an unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.
”I was kind of with everyone else. When he hit his head on the ground, I assumed it was a head injury,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. ”But his legs got wobbly because his lower back was completely loose. And as he described it, he said his lower back was like Gumby or something.”
Tagovailoa completed 13 of 18 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown for the Dolphins. Where his day nearly went awry wasn’t on a late hit by Buffalo’s Matt Milano, he says, but rather on a play earlier where Tagovailoa got bent awkwardly.
”I kind of got my legs caught under someone and they were trying to push back and it kind of felt like I hyperextended my back or something,” Tagovailoa said. ”Then on the next play, I kind of hit my back, it kind of hurt, and I got up and that’s why I stumbled – my back kind of locked up on me.”
Tagovailoa wasn’t the only quarterback banged up during the Bills-Dolphins game, one played in 90-degree heat that felt even hotter when factoring in 57% humidity. Buffalo’s Josh Allen needed an X-ray after the game on his right hand, after he hit it on a helmet or face mask – he wasn’t sure – in the final moments.
Allen didn’t have any protection on his hand after emerging from the X-ray room.
”I’m fine,” he insisted, after a 42-for-63, 400-yard, two-touchdown day.
Tagovailoa was facing a third-and-3 play from the Miami 21 late in the half when he scrambled and found Jaylen Waddle for an 8-yard gain. After releasing the ball, Tagovailoa got hit – a two-hand push in the chest – by Milano, who was flagged for roughing the passer.
Tagovailoa fell backward, the back of his helmet bouncing off the grass. He remained down for a few seconds, then rolled to his feet, jogged forward a few steps and stumbled to the ground again briefly.
A pair of offensive linemen held him up at that point, ensuring he wouldn’t fall again, and Dolphins’ medical personnel ran onto the field to check him further. They walked him off the field, directly into the tunnel leading to the Miami locker room area.
”I’m good,” Tagovailoa said. ”Passed whatever concussion protocol they had, so I’m good.”
Tagovailoa was replaced by Teddy Bridgewater for the three plays he missed. Bridgewater attempted two passes, both falling incomplete.
On the first play of the second half, Tagovailoa found Tyreek Hill for a 22-yard gain and showed no ill effects from the hit. And when the Dolphins got the go-ahead score on a run by Chase Edmonds midway through the fourth quarter, Tagovailoa leaped into the air – again, not looking too limited.
He wore a wrap around his back after the game and will likely face tons of treatment in the days ahead. It’s a short week for Miami, which plays at Cincinnati on Thursday.
”You enjoy it now, but it’s a quick turnaround, so you’ve got to move on quick,” Tagovailoa said. ”For me, I’m just worried about getting my back right.”
He also said he would be getting some testing on his back.
”I don’t want to say that I’m a genie and I’m going to feel good tomorrow,” he said. ”We’ll see. We’ll go get some tests and then we’ll come back tomorrow.”
—
More AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP-NFL | 2022-09-26T12:39:11+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/sports/afc-east/dolphins-tagovailoa-injures-back-hits-head-stumbles-wins/ |
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WACO, Texas (AP) — Freshman Darianna Littlepage-Buggs had a career-high 30 points and 11 rebounds for her fourth double-double and No. 18 Baylor routed Tennessee State 93-27 on Thursday.
Baylor held Tennessee State to single-digit scoring in each of the final three quarters. The Bears started the third quarter on a 15-0 run and the fourth on an 18-0 run.
Littlepage-Buggs was 13 of 18 from the field, while Tenneessee State shot 12 of 56, and she helped Baylor have a 53-18 edge on the glass.
Ja’Mee Asberry added 16 points, Bella Fontleroy had 12 and Aijha Blackwell, in her first game since Nov. 15, scored 11 for Baylor (8-2). Jaden Owens, averaging 11.7 points and a league-high 6.2 assists, was held scoreless but she had six assists and five of Baylor's season-high 14 steals.
Littlepage-Buggs scored 18 points in the first half as the Bears led 45-19. Tennessee State scored six points in the second quarter, followed by eight total in the second half.
Shonnyvelle Regalado scored a team-high six points in nine minutes for Tennessee State (4-6), which turned it over 25 times.
Baylor hadn’t played since a 55-point blowout win over UT Arlington on Dec. 7 due to final exams. The Bears wrap up non-conference play against No. 20 Arizona on Sunday in the Pac-12 Coast-to-Coast Challenge at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. | 2022-12-15T20:41:36+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/Littlepage-Buggs-scores-30-No-18-Baylor-women-17656837.php |
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