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For this country's longest-running soccer tournament — more than 100 years old — tonight's the night.
And the 2022 U.S. Open Cup final starting at 8 p.m. ET features an unlikely match up.
Major League Soccer's Orlando City is one finalist – that's not unlikely. Since MLS became America's top men's division in 1996, its teams have dominated the Open Cup.
But the other finalist, Sacramento Republic FC, is unlikely...and the darling of a tournament that began nearly six months ago with 103 clubs, both pro and amateur. Sac Republic is in the lower-division USL Championship, the first non-MLS finalist since 2008, and aiming to be the first non-MLS U.S. Open Cup champion since the Rochester Raging Rhinos in 1999.
Sac Republic already has proved it belongs with the big dogs, or in this case the Lions of Orlando City. On its way to the final, Sac Republic beat three MLS teams – the San Jose Earthquakes, L.A. Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City, four-time winners of the U.S. Open Cup.
The win over Sporting KC was perhaps the most exciting, decided by penalty kicks on Sac Republic's raucous home field.
With national media playing up the little-team-that-could theme, Sac Republic head coach Mark Briggs has embraced the underdog role heading into tonight's final.
Winning when no one thought they could
"Nobody expects us to win," Briggs was quoted as saying. "We can go out there and enjoy the game – play without fear and play with courage. We'll not have any pressure on us."
Except from Orlando City, a team that comes roaring into the match. While Sac Republic won its thriller against Sporting KC in one semifinal, Orlando City was dominating the New York Red Bulls 5-1 in the other. The Lions also are riding a four-match win streak in their MLS season.
Midfielder and captain Mauricio Pereyra says he respects what Sac Republic has done and "knows how they can hurt us."
"But most important," Pereyra told reporters, "is what Orlando City will do [today] on the field. Know their weaknesses and how we can handle the game."
Orlando City has home field advantage in its Exploria Stadium, and has made the most of it during its U.S. Open Cup run. All five of its Open Cup wins have come at home. A sixth will earn Orlando City its first championship trophy since joining MLS in 2015.
Orlando City was a lower division team that moved up to the top tier. Sac Republic has wanted to do the same, and was close to joining MLS until its principal investor pulled out last year. Team President and General Manager Todd Dunivant says the disappointment helped forge a team mentality of wanting to prove itself every day.
More than a soccer match
Proving itself tonight will be a watershed moment for the club, and provide the kind of push club officials say could lead to a new Sacramento stadium and a leap up to the big leagues.
And none of that's a secret as Sacramento's rabid fans prepare watch parties...and the team prepares for its moment.
"We'd be fools to think [the players] don't recognize the occasion and significance," Briggs said yesterday. "It's our job [as coaches], to bring them back to the present and to understand the details of what they need to focus on."
Simply a soccer match. But fans of both teams know, it's so much more.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-09-07T16:28:35+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-09-07/david-vs-goliath-duel-pits-sacramento-and-orlando-city-in-u-s-open-cup-soccer-final |
Some in Georgia GOP seek purity test as Trump appears at convention in aftermath of indictment
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia’s state Republican convention gets underway Friday with Donald Trump still expected on Saturday, even as a right-wing party faction seeks to punish GOP officials it considers ideological traitors by banning them from future primary election ballots.
Trump could feed an air of vengeance after announcing Thursday that he’s been indicted on charges of mishandling classified documents, overshadowing party business and speakers including Republican presidential candidates Asa Hutchinson and Vivek Ramaswamy.
The proposal to ban candidates could be used to penalize elected Republican leaders including Gov. Brian Kemp or Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who crossed Trump by refusing the then-president’s demands to overturn his loss in the 2020 election. It also could be used against candidates who show insufficient purity on abortion or taxes.
Kemp, Raffensperger and some other officials are skipping the two-day gathering in Columbus.
The proposals could be squelched, with opponents saying primary election voters should decide who’s fit to be a Republican. While ideological purists try to move Republicans relentlessly to the right, pragmatists say that’s a strategy to lose general elections in battleground Georgia.
Jack Kingston, a former Georgia congressman who ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2014, said it’s “bull” for any Republicans to presume to set boundaries for the party.
“These things never work,” he said of party purity attempts. “And it’s just foolish, because you can’t grow the party without getting at least some moderates that wouldn’t meet some people’s definition of a good Republican.”
Saturday will be Trump’s first visit to Georgia since March 2022, when he was backing candidates challenging Kemp and other Republicans. Most of Trump’s picks lost in their primaries. One who was nominated, Senate candidate Herschel Walker, was plagued by scandal and lost a runoff election to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.
Trump said he faces a court appearance in Florida next week in the documents case as he continues to be under investigation elsewhere, including Georgia. An Atlanta-based prosecutor, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, is investigating whether Trump illegally interfered in the 2020 election and has suggested charging decisions will come in August.
But Trump’s legal troubles hide another Georgia legacy: the wedge he drove between Kemp and the state party. Trump had endorsed Kemp in the Georgian’s successful run for governor in 2018, but their relationship was already souring when Kemp spurned Trump’s call to overturn President Joe Biden’s narrow victory.
Kemp, Republican Attorney General Chris Carr and others have faulted outgoing state party Chairman David Shafer, who faces his own post-2020 legal jeopardy, saying Shafer sided with Trump and undermined Republican incumbents in 2022. They are boycotting the convention.
Kemp is trying to project national influence to lead Republicans away from Trump, arguing grievance and a backward focus on the 2020 election will repel voters. But the belief someone stole the election from Trump in Georgia, despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary, has driven a new wave of activists now taking control of Georgia’s party.
A decision to grant a speaking slot to Arizona’s Kari Lake, a staunch Trump backer who continues to deny she lost her governor’s race last year, is symbolic of the unbending support for the stolen election assertion. Lake will appear in place of former Vice President Mike Pence, also running for president, who canceled a Friday speech at the convention.
Kemp has stopped being subtle about attacking Trump, even as polls show Trump the leader for the 2024 nomination.
“Taking our country back from Joe Biden does not start with congratulating North Korea’s murderous dictator,” Kemp tweeted June 2, joining Republican presidential hopefuls in criticizing Trump for congratulating North Korea’s Kim Jong Un over the country’s appointment to the World Health Organization board.
The candidates to succeed Shafer say they’re going to try to paper over Georgia’s divides, betting the desire to defeat Biden in 2024 can act as glue.
“The goal here is not to take shots at people. The goal here is to get Republicans elected,” said Josh McKoon, a former state senator who is running for chairman.
But those seeking to enforce adherence to Republican ideals say the party needs to be more than a cheerleader.
“Why do we allow people to run under the Republican banners who betray our principles?” Alex Johnson, president of the right-wing Georgia Republican Assembly, asked Wednesday during an online talk show.
Johnson’s plan would let the state convention vote to ban individuals from the Republican primary ballot in future years. There is no standard proposed for what merits a ban, although Johnson and fellow GRA members say bans should be used against officials flouting the party platform.
“If they’re afraid of being removed from the ballot as a Republican, they’re going to act a lot better,” Johnson said.
Such a move would likely be challenged under Georgia law, which says parties can’t block primary candidates who meet “procedural rules” and sign a party loyalty oath. Johnson and others argue that U.S. Supreme Court decisions guaranteeing freedom of political association override any legal obstacles.
But Debbie Dooley, an activist who has fought Kemp, said “it’s wrong for a handful of people to decide who can run as a Republican.”
“I think that the Republican voters in the Republican primary area should be the ones to determine who the GOP nominee is,” Dooley said.
If successful, the rule could erode the ability of Kemp and others to end-run the party. A recent state law allows Kemp and some other officials to raise unlimited sums of money and coordinate with campaigns, formerly key party functions. Kemp retained his political operation after his reelection and formed a federal political action committee to influence races for Congress and president.
Kingston said the party’s core identity — small-government conservatism and a distaste for central authority — necessarily breeds such fights.
GOP icon Ronald Reagan challenged President Gerald Ford in a bruising 1976 primary. Georgia’s 1988 state convention dissolved amid fighting among Pat Robertson and George H.W. Bush supporters. Tea Party-era delegates in 2011 booed Gov. Nathan Deal and rejected his choice for party leader in the same way Kemp was booed at the 2021 convention over the 2020 election.
And then came Trump.
“We all saw Trump win as the ultimate outsider to Washington,” Kingston said, “but we’ve had that anti-establishment part of the party for a long time.”
Able to laugh about it now, Kingston felt the stinging reality himself in his failed Senate bid. As a 22-year veteran of Congress, “I had a 100% rating from every conservative group,” from abortion opponents to deficit hawks and anti-tax groups. But he lost a primary to then-business executive David Perdue “because I became ‘the Washington guy.’”
“There’s just no compromise with some of these people,” Kingston said.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-06-09T11:44:51+00:00 | kob.com | https://www.kob.com/politics-news/some-in-georgia-gop-seek-purity-test-as-trump-appears-at-convention-in-aftermath-of-indictment/ |
DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — DeKalb County Police are investigating after a person was struck and killed Wednesday morning.
The person was hit by a vehicle at the northeast expressway along I-85. Investigators said the person did not survive.
Currently, the roadway is back open. Police did not say if the incident was a hit-and-run. The case is still being investigated.
News happens fast. Download our 11Alive News app for all the latest breaking updates, and sign up for our Speed Feed newsletter to get a rundown of the latest headlines across north Georgia. | 2023-02-15T17:15:12+00:00 | 11alive.com | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/person-hit-killed-dekalb-county-police/85-06dd1ad1-1714-4cf6-9dae-dd5371801800 |
HOUSTON, Sept. 28, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK) announced CEO Eric Langan and CFO Bradley Chhay will participate in the Granite Research Virtual Conference Series on October 12 and 13, 2022, starting at 10 AM ET on both days.
Mr. Langan and Mr. Chhay will be available for one-on-one and small group meetings by appointment only. To schedule a meeting, please contact Rob McGuire at rob.mcguire@granite-research.com or Gary Fishman at gary.fishman@anreder.com.
About Granite Research www.granite-research.com
Granite Research produces and distributes investment research analysis on small and microcap companies designed for institutional investors. Companies under research coverage are typically underfollowed and undervalued but have established economic niches and attractive competitive positions. Granite Research was founded in 2017 and is an affiliate of Global Value Investment Corp., an SEC-registered investment advisor.
About RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RICK) www.rcihospitality.com
With more than 60 units, RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc., through its subsidiaries, is the country's leading company in adult nightclubs and sports bars/restaurants. Clubs in New York City, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis, Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Louisville, and other markets operate under brand names such as Rick's Cabaret, XTC, Club Onyx, Vivid Cabaret, Jaguars Club, Tootsie's Cabaret, Scarlett's Cabaret, Diamond Cabaret, PT's Showclub, and Cheetah Gentlemen's Club. Sports bars/restaurants operate under the brand name Bombshells Restaurant & Bar.
Media & Investor Contacts
Gary Fishman and Steven Anreder at 212-532-3232 or gary.fishman@anreder.com and steven.anreder@anreder.com
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SOURCE RCI Hospitality Holdings, Inc. | 2022-09-28T13:34:34+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2022/09/28/rci-participate-granite-research-virtual-conference-october-12-13-2022/ |
The big game is just weeks away, and we’ve got a fresh take on your Game Day spreads that will fill your home with the ultimate glow on gameday. Avocados From Mexico has partnered with Pantone to create an official brand color that emulates the vibrant tones you see when you cut into a perfectly ripe avocado. Chef and PATI’S MEXICAN TABLE star, Pati Jinich is here to talk about how the brand is bringing this one-of-a-kind color to life and share some delicious recipes to inspire your gameday spread.
Avocados from Mexico has been made an official Pantone® color. To bring this one-of-a-kind color to life, the brand is launching the new Avocado Glow home and kitchen collection including a throw pillow, wallpaper, apron, oven mitts, a set of coasters, a guacamole bowl and serving tray. Chef and PATI’S MEXICAN TABLE star Pati Jinich has the scoop on all things avocados, expert tips and must-have guac recipes. Plus the details on how a few lucky consumers will have the chance to win the new line just in time for their Big Game viewing party. Click here to enter. | 2023-01-20T17:16:41+00:00 | tmj4.com | https://www.tmj4.com/shows/the-morning-blend/game-day-spreads |
Hugh Robertson Joins National Retail Franchise as Director of Exit Strategy Support
HARTLAND, Wis., June 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Batteries Plus, the nation's largest and fastest-growing battery, light bulb, key fob and phone repair franchise, announced today the hiring of Hugh Robertson as Director of Exit Strategy Support. This key addition to the team will aid in the further development of the industry-leading life-cycle support the brand offers its franchisees. In his new role, Robertson will educate, advise, and assist Batteries Plus franchisees with their exit strategies – offering full support for owners from the time of purchase to the date of successful sale. Having spent more than 25 years in the franchising industry, Robertson joins the team with a breadth of experience including expertise in small to medium size business transfer, franchise consulting and franchise operations.
"As soon as I began discussions with the Batteries Plus team, it was clear that there was a commitment to putting together a top-level resale program for the franchise system that would exceed anything in the franchise industry," said Robertson. "I also was very impressed with the entire franchise development team and it was evident that everyone on the team works together to do the best for the brand and the franchisees. The energy exuded by the team was contagious."
In the short term, Robertson will be focused on making sure the Batteries Plus franchise system is aware of his new role and educating franchisees on what the team can do for them as they consider their eventual exit from their investment. Tactics will include an ongoing series of educational webinars and in person meetings to increase awareness and understanding of what goes into a successful exit strategy. Longer term goals include perfecting the brand's full "life cycle" support system and remaining on the cutting edge of franchisee support.
"At Batteries Plus, we understand that opening your store is a very exciting time full of learning, hiring, serving customers and executing plans to make yourself successful. But we also realize the importance of planning your exit strategy," said Joe Malmuth, Vice President of Franchise Development and Relations for Batteries Plus. "Having a long-term exit strategy will protect our franchisees and their business – ultimately helping them reach their personal and professional goals. Hugh will play a large part in working with our franchisees to develop and execute those strategies."
With over 800 store locations in operation and development nationwide, the Batteries Plus brand is passionate about providing essential products and services to local communities. Batteries Plus has also carved out a unique niche in the industry with its 'plus' services – including cell phone repair and key fob replacement – capitalizing on both its knowledge and service offerings. Positioned for the battery-powered future, Batteries Plus supplies fundamental products that power people's lives – cars/trucks, boats, golf carts, motorcycles, mobility scooters, thermometers, etc.
"The team approach that Batteries Plus has to franchisees support is truly unmatched anywhere in the franchise industry," added Robertson. "The brand has a clear common goal of wanting to be the best and most supportive company in franchising and I am excited to be a part of that."
Batteries Plus was ranked on Franchise Times Top 400 list, coming in at #130 and for the 29th year in a row, the brand ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 list, climbing 69 spots over last year's rank. To learn more about Batteries Plus, including information on its franchise opportunities, or tour a store virtually, visit batteriesplusfranchise.com.
ABOUT BATTERIES PLUS:
Batteries Plus, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Hartland, WI, is a leading omnichannel retailer of batteries, specialty light bulbs and phone repair services for the direct-to-consumer and commercial channels. The retailer also offers key programming, replacement and cutting services. Through a nationwide network of stores, the company offers a differentiated value proposition of unrivaled product selection, in-stock availability and customer service. Batteries Plus is owned by Freeman Spogli, a private equity firm based in Los Angeles and New York City. To learn more about one of Forbes®' Best Franchises to Buy in America, visit https://www.batteriesplusfranchise.com.
Media Contact: Julianne Stevenson, Fishman PR, 224-558-2510 or jstevenson@fishmanpr.com
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SOURCE Batteries Plus | 2022-06-21T17:51:57+00:00 | mysuncoast.com | https://www.mysuncoast.com/prnewswire/2022/06/21/batteries-plus-builds-team-support-industry-leading-franchise-exit-strategy/ |
Thanksgiving meals not guaranteed for everyone, nonprofits stepping up in Atlanta
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) -Thanksgiving is a time of year when we enjoy good food and family time, but for some families that meal is not always guaranteed.
Data from the Georgia Food Banks Association shows even before the pandemic more than 300,000 Georgia family households relied on the Supplemental Nutritional Program (SNAP) and 66% of Georgians had to choose between food and their medical care.
This year families dealing with food insecurity are getting the support they need for Thanksgiving.
“Since the pandemic prices have risen and that’s one of the reasons I’m here,” Georgia resident Phillis Clark told Atlanta News First, while she was waiting in line for a free Turkey Saturday.
Clark said putting together a Thanksgiving meal for the people she loves is not an easy challenge, especially these days.
“I love baking cakes and butter is sky-high right now.”
Phillis is certainly not alone in this struggle either.
“Times are kind of hard, so we just appreciate the program,” Sheryl Reid, another Atlanta resident said.
Experts said many different struggles are still drawing more Atlanta families to lean on support in the community.
Hundreds made their way to this free turkey giveaway in south Atlanta to get fresh produce and a turkey at the Caring for Others non-profit organization.
“We just appreciate them servicing the community and giving us an opportunity to have a nice Thanksgiving,” Reid said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture shows food insecurity can vary based off the time of the year for some families and more than 10% of Georgians were food insecure last year.
It’s why nonprofits from all around the Georgia community are helping fill this ongoing void.
“We know there is a tremendous need and we’re feeding 1500 families today,” Caring for Others Non-Profit Board Chair, Crystal Khalil, said Saturday.
As the need continues to grow, support is expanding as well.
Dozens of volunteers from Second Helpings Atlanta nonprofit distribute nutritious food to thousands of families a week.
This Thanksgiving their team and Atlanta News First will be distributing food to those in need too.
If you are in need of a free turkey, you can pick one up on Nov. 22 starting at 3 p.m. while supplies last at 1583 West Haven Drive, Atlanta GA 30311.
Copyright 2022 WANF. All rights reserved. | 2022-11-23T00:20:44+00:00 | atlantanewsfirst.com | https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2022/11/21/thanksgiving-meals-not-guaranteed-everyone-nonprofits-stepping-up-atlanta/ |
TAIPEI, Oct. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Scarlet Tech, a leading instrumentation and construction technology company, announced the launch of Hercules Wireless Hook Crane Camera System today. Hercules is a crane safety monitoring equipment for tower cranes, luffing cranes, mobile cranes, and other heavy-duty cranes. The whole system is an active safety technology that provides crane operators and safety managers with direct 2K live video footage of the surrounding area below the hook and other viewpoints on the construction site, serving as the second pair of eyes for crane operators and construction site HSE (Health Safety and Environment) managers to overcome blindspots and identify potential hazard zones.
"Hercules is the first-of-its-kind in the market," said Dr. David Huang, Scarlet Tech Co-Founder and Managing Director. Hercules is the crane camera system that adopts advanced wireless technology for seamless and stable audio-visual output and the first to have Starlight-enhanced 2K resolution camera for clear night vision. In addition, Hercules supports up to four camera placements in different parts of the crane and worksites for wide-ranging views, improving communication between crane operators and riggers. Smoother communication boosts productivity. Making more picks within the same period of time is no longer empty talk.
What further differentiates Hercules from other competitors is the ability for high-level customization with the network video recorder (NVR) and ONVIF (Open Network Video Interface Forum) protocol, allowing integration with the client's own system. Carried with a dual-powered Lithium Ion and solar battery that can last 40 hours, Hercules's wireless technology has overcome the latency in transmitting images, providing real-time video feeds that helps operators make informative decisions in all kinds of lifting operation. With the starlight camera and defogging functions, Hercules provides better visuals under harsh weather and dark environments.
"In many complex construction sites where there are many high-rise buildings or in underground construction, crane operators often have difficulty in getting a clear and unobstructed view from below the hook", said Dr. David Huang. Using camera safety systems improve communication and overall awareness during lifting operations.
The integration of technology in the construction industry is getting more well-accepted nowadays. "We have been getting positive feedback from our old clients during the exclusive pre-launch," said Dr. David Huang. With the expected growing global tower crane market to reach USD 10 billion by 2028, Hercules is anticipated to be the market leader in the wireless crane monitoring system industry.
Hercules Crane Hook Camera is now available worldwide, starting July 8, 2022.
For more information, please visit www.crane-camera-hercules.com or email info@scarlet.com.tw
About Scarlet Tech
Scarlet Tech is a leading occupational health and safety technology company headquartered in Taiwan with a subsidiary company in the US. Scarlet specializes in wireless and IoT instruments, most well-known for their wireless crane hook camera system and wireless anemometer series. Scarlet products have been used across various industries, including heavy construction equipment, construction, industrial, marine, oil, and gas, to name a few. Scarlet also offers a customization service providing a tailor-made solution for high-profile clients globally.
Contact Us
Official Website ➤ www.scarlet-tech.com | Tel: +886-02-2709-2363
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SOURCE Scarlet Tech | 2022-10-13T02:39:51+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2022/10/13/pioneering-wireless-crane-camera-by-scarlet-is-expected-improve-construction-site-safety-boost-productivity/ |
MSU Texas hosts candidate forum ahead of November election
WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) - Election Day is just over a month away and young people were reminded of their power at the polls on Monday.
Before you head to cast your ballot, you need to know who you’re voting for. That’s why the League of Women Voters teamed up with the MSU Texas student government on Monday to put on a candidate forum.
Chief Photojournalist Joseph Saint gives us a closer look.
The forum gave the candidates a chance to speak directly to not only the public but also the students and future voters.
“Being aware of who you are voting for and the issues that are on the table in every election is important for everyone, not just students,” Andres Revis, MSU Texas political science student and co-moderator of the forum.
Revis said he thinks it’s important to hold events like this not just for the community at large but the for the youth who are stepping out into the world and becoming more politically aware and involved.
“Events like these inform the public and not just seeing the faces that are on the ballot each November, but seeing the issues that are essentially bringing them there,” Revis said. “The issues that they will be voting on that will be part of the voting agenda in each electoral section. They are voting on whether it’s schoolboard or county judge, state representative, whatever it is. We know who we’re voting for and what we’re voting on.”
“Voting is one of the most important things you can do,” Betty Richie, League of Women Voters in Wichita Falls president and co-moderator of the forum, said.
The League of Women Voters is an organization that has been putting on forums for a long time. Richie said this is the first time they have teamed up with MSU Texas for an event like this, and it’s something she hopes to do more often.
“And we are so excited because we have a lot of students here and they need to know how important it is to vote,” Richie said.
As for the students, Richie hopes they will see the significance of events like these.
“How important it is to come to events like this because you need to know your candidates,” Richie said. “It’s important to know your candidates, so you’ll know how to vote.”
Copyright 2022 KAUZ. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-04T22:13:36+00:00 | newschannel6now.com | https://www.newschannel6now.com/2022/10/04/msu-texas-hosts-candidate-forum-ahead-november-elections/ |
HOUSTON — The 2023 NCAA Tournament rolls on, with a pair of games on Saturday between UConn and Miami, followed by San Diego State and Florida Atlantic.
The winner of those two games will face off Monday evening for the national championship, and fans have a 75% chance of seeing a team that has never won getting that first ever trophy in the collection.
Locked on College Basketball hosts Andy Patton and Isaac Schade broke down each of the teams remaining in the Final 4, while discussing each team's strengths and weaknesses.
Below is a look at why each team could win it all, and why they won't, with predictions for the three remaining games at the bottom. For more insight and analysis, check out the Locked on College Basketball podcast.
1. UConn Huskies
FanDuel line vs. Miami: UConn -5.5
FanDuel odds to win championship: -125
Why they will: UConn is the top ranked team in the country currently at KenPom. They boast an elite offense and defense. In fact, no national champion has ever had an offense ranked worse than 39th or a defense ranked worse than 22nd in the KenPom era, dating back to 2002. UConn is the only team left that is above both those numbers. They also possess elite depth, with multiple bench players who are contributing, and have a dominant low post presence in Adama Sanogo.
Why they won't: Guard play at times has been very inconsistent, which could present a problem against Miami. Jordan Hawkins has played great this tournament, but Tristen Newton isn't always consistent and Andre Jackson doesn't provide much offense.
2. Miami Hurricanes
FanDuel line vs. UConn: UConn -5.5
FanDuel odds to win championship: +440
Why they will: Miami's guard play has been the best in the NCAA Tournament, with Isaiah Wong and Nijel Pack dominating nearly every opponent they have faced. The health of Norchad Omier has been a huge boost for Jim Larranaga's team, as he is a tenacious offensive rebounder despite his 6'7 frame. They boast the fifth best offense in the country and their starting lineup played over 700 possessions together this season, while posting the best offensive efficiency of anyone in that group.
Why they won't: Miami's defense is currently ranked 104th in the country, per KenPom, well below the top-22 threshold that has determined every other NCAA Tournament champion in the past 20 seasons.
Verdict: UConn wins and covers the spread.
3. San Diego State Aztecs
FanDuel line vs. FAU: SDSU -2.5
FanDuel odds to win championship: +390
Why they will: Fourth ranked defense in the country per KenPom. 21st most experienced team in the country as well, and secured the 19th toughest strength of schedule. So this team is experienced, tough on defense, and battle tested. Hold teams to under 28% from deep. Four of their five starters started together last year.
Why they won't: The defense is exceptional, but the offense ranks just 75th at KenPom - well outside the top 40 marker that has determined every previous national champion. They are outside the top 225 in three point attempts and makes per game, making it tough to come back in games they might fall behind. They also shoot under 50% on two pointers, with their 49.1% mark coming in 261st in the country.
4. Florida Atlantic Owls
FanDuel line vs. San Diego State: SDSU -2.5
FanDuel odds to win championship: +550
Why they will: Exceptionally balanced team, with a top 30 offense and defense at KenPom. 37.2% from deep as a team, and they rank top 20 in makes and attempts from deep this season. 39.1 rebounds per game ranks 16th in the country, and their 54.6% mark on two pointers is 37th.
Why they won't: Team takes very little free throws, which hurts them in potential close game situations. Defense is top 30 but outside top 22, which has historically determined who will win the championship.
Verdict: SDSU wins a close game against FAU to advance to national championship.
National Champion Selection: UConn over San Diego State | 2023-03-30T23:55:32+00:00 | wgrz.com | https://www.wgrz.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/college-basketball-show/ncaa-tournament-final-four-team-previews-why-each-team-can-win-it-all/535-37a26f9f-35d7-42bb-8bb9-7938a8f8a830 |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two former Minneapolis police officers charged in George Floyd's killing told a judge Monday that they have rejected plea deals that would have resulted in three-year sentences, setting the stage for trial in October.
Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Floyd’s death. They and Thomas Lane were working with Derek Chauvin when he pinned Floyd’s neck with his knee for more than nine minutes as the 46-year-old Black man said he couldn’t breathe and eventually grew still.
The killing, captured on bystander video, sparked protests worldwide and a reckoning on racial injustice. Chauvin, who is white, was convicted of second-degree murder last year and sentenced to 22 1/2 years on the state charge.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill had set a limited window for accepting a plea deal ahead of trial, and Monday's brief hearing served to formalize the two ex-officers' rejections of the state's offers.
“It would be lying for me to accept any plea offer,” said Thou, who held back concerned bystanders as Chauvin pinned Floyd. Kueng did not give his reasons for rejecting the state's offer.
Thao, Kueng and Lane were convicted in federal court in February of violating Floyd's civil rights. Lane, who is white, held Floyd's legs and twice asked if he should be turned on his side, and was sentenced to 2 1/2 years. Thao, who is Hmong American, was sentenced to 3 1/2 years. Kueng, who is Black, pinned Floyd's back, and was sentenced to 3 years. Thao and Kueng are appealing their federal convictions.
In rejecting the plea agreements, Thao and Keung are risking state sentences that could be significantly longer than their federal sentences if they're convicted on both counts. Assistant Attorney General Matt Frank pointed out in the hearing that the state’s sentencing guidelines recommend sentences of 12 1/2 years on the murder count and 4 years on the manslaughter count, but that prosecutors have already said they’ll seek longer sentences if they get convictions.
In Minnesota, assuming good behavior, defendants typically serve two-thirds of their sentences in prison and one-third on parole.
Frank said plea negotiations began in earnest in May and continued into June. The offers would have dropped the most serious charge of aiding and abetting murder, and the officers' state time would have run concurrently with the federal sentences. Both defendants confirmed that they understood that the state has now withdrawn its offers.
“It’s a standard best practice to make a record in court when the State offers a plea agreement, in order to ensure the defendant’s decision is freely and knowingly made," Attorney General Keith Ellison said in a statement afterward. "The defendants have a right to decline the offer and proceed to trial. The State is ready for trial.”
During the hearing, Kueng's attorney, Thomas Plunkett, said that Ellison at one, unspecified point in the negotiations, offered Kueng a deal that would have resulted in 2 years in prison. Kueng confirmed that Plunkett had told him about the offer, and that they rejected it. Frank did not comment about the purported offer.
Thao's attorney, Robert Paule, said that they, at an unspecified point, proposed a deal for 2 years, but that the state rejected it. Frank said that wasn't how he recalled the discussions, and that his recollection was that Thao's offer had included dropping the charges. Neither side elaborated on the discrepancies.
The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 24, with opening statements Nov. 7.
Lane avoided a state trial by pleading guilty in May to aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter in a deal that calls for a three-year sentence. His sentencing is Sept. 21.
Chauvin was sentenced to 21 years on the federal civil rights charge. He remains in the state's maximum security prison at Oak Park Heights pending his transfer to federal prison. The other three remain free on bail. | 2022-08-15T17:43:39+00:00 | koaa.com | https://www.koaa.com/news/national/thao-kueng-say-they-rejected-plea-deal-in-floyd-killing |
LISHUI, China, Jan. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CN Energy Group. Inc. (NASDAQ: CNEY) today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Zhejiang CN Energy New Materials Co., Ltd., had recently obtained a first order to supply high-quality wood-based activated carbon directly to a producer of potable water. The order size is RMB6.486 million, equivalent to approximately US$0.956 million. This is another significant milestone for CNEY after it was awarded in October 2022 the permit to sell to end-users in the vast and fast-growing drinkable water market under its own brand names. This order exemplifies client acceptance and satisfaction on CNEY's customized products and services for water filtering and purification and is expected to serve as a springboard for increasing CNEY's sales in both domestic and global markets.
Dr. Kangbin Zheng, CNEY's CEO, commented, "We are glad to have signed this first contract just about two months after being authorized to sell directly to end-users. This order is the first step for us to enter a new area full of opportunities for delivering higher values to clients and generating additional revenues. Our team stands ready to continue to expand our marketing networks and to strive for replicating this success story. With refined growth strategies and upgraded technologies, we are quite confident that we will become more productive, competitive, and profitable in 2023."
About CN Energy Group. Inc.
CN Energy Group. Inc. is currently listed on NASDAQ under the symbol of CNEY. With patented proprietary bioengineering and physiochemical technologies, CNEY has pioneered and specialized in producing high-quality recyclable activated carbon and renewable energy from abandoned forest and agricultural residues, converting harmful wastes into invaluable wealth and delivering significant financial, economic, environmental, and ecologic benefits. CENY's products and services have been widely used by food and beverage producers, industrial and pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as environmental protection enterprises. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.cneny.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements, other than statements of historical facts, made in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the further spread of the COVID-19 virus or new variants thereof, or the occurrence of another wave of cases and the impact it may have on the Company's operations and the demand for the Company's products, and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial conditions, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "aim," "estimate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "potential," "continue," "is/are likely to" or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to refer to its filings with SEC, including without limitation, Company's registration statements and other filings with the SEC that set forth certain risks and uncertainties that may have an impact on future results and directions of the Company.
Investor Relations
Tel:+86-571-87555823
Email: ir@cneny.com
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SOURCE CN Energy Group. Inc. | 2023-01-27T15:00:15+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/01/27/cney-entered-drinkable-water-market-with-large-order/ |
Ram will use the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show next week in Las Vegas to present its 1500 Revolution BEV, a concept truck previewing a potential design for an electric 1500 due in 2024.
Ram refers to the electric 1500 as a 1500 BEV, but the company recently made moves to protect the name 1500 REV.
As first noted by Car Buzz, Ram on Dec. 23 filed trademark protection for 1500 REV with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, under the section for land vehicles, namely, passenger trucks.
A trademark filing shouldn’t be taken as an indication the trademarked term will actually be used. Automakers will often trademark a term to protect intellectual property, whether they plan to use it or not.
However, there’s the possibility REV will be the term Ram uses for range-extended electric vehicles, with BEV remaining for battery-electric vehicles. Ram CEO Mike Koval, Jr. told Motor Authority at April’s 2022 New York auto show that a range-extended Ram truck was planned. He said it will arrive alongside the electric 1500, though he didn’t say whether it will be part of the 1500 family or a different line of Ram trucks.
He did, however, say that a range-extended Ram would “have everything a BEV does but more,” in reference to capability and more importantly, range. It’s possible Ram ends up marketing the electric 1500 toward lifestyle buyers and the range-extended truck toward buyers looking to tow or haul heavy loads—situations that can severely deplete an EV’s battery.
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- One of these 7 cars will be named Motor Authority Best Car To Buy 2023 | 2022-12-31T11:41:35+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/automotive/internet-brands/ram-1500-rev-name-has-been-trademarked/ |
Showboating Motorist Flips ATV on Texas Intersection
In a stunning display of recklessness, a motorist in Texas recently flipped their ATV while attempting to show off their driving skills.
That actually looked like a lot of fun right up until that last part.
The video at the bottom of this article showcases what can happen if you get a little too cocky with your riding skills. Let's break it down.
The setup
The video opens with a hooded rascal riding an ATV up to a stoplight at an intersection on a Texas highway. Other than the angle he is approaching from, nothing looks amis.
The execution
The hooded man then hits the gas, leans to the side, and starts laying down the rubber as he spins like a top. So far so good, sir!
The fail
It's at this point that my man decides to fly a little too close to the sun. He goes for one more spin and...
YOINK!
... he flips upside down and is thrown from the vehicle. That had to hurt. We couldn't find any follow-up information on wether or not this gentleman suffered any injuries from the stunt, so we hope he is ok. Check out the video for yourself below. | 2023-05-10T23:02:58+00:00 | knue.com | https://knue.com/motorist-flips-atv-texas-intersection/ |
For Q2 2023, revenue increased 15% to $19.4 million and customer locations increased 7% to 124,000. Q2 net loss dropped 75% from $3.9 million in Q2 2022 to $978,000 in Q2 2023, and ARR* for TTM** increased $11.8 million from $59.3 million as at June 30, 2022 to $71.1 million as at June 30, 2023, growth of 20%.
TORONTO , July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Givex Corp. ("Givex") (TSX: GIVX) (OTCQX: GIVXF), is pleased to present its financial results for the three-month period and six-month period ending June 30, 2023.
Givex reports in Canadian dollars and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").
"In Q2 2023, Givex continued to increase adjusted EBITDA by increasing gross profit and keeping a tight rein on payroll costs," said Don Gray, CEO of Givex. "Net loss decreased 75%, from $3.9 million to $978,000. We are working hard to continue this trend for the rest of the year."
Second Quarter Financial Highlights
Three-month period ending June 30, 2023 (with comparisons relative to the three-month period ending June 30, 2022)
- Revenue increased $2.6 million from $16.8 million to $19.4 million, 15% growth.
- Gross Profit increased $1.9 million from $12.2 million to $14.1 million, 16% growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA*** increased $0.7 million from $1.0 million to $1.7 million, 69% growth.
- Net Loss decreased $2.9 million from $3.9 million to $978,000, 75% decrease.
- Total Gross Transactional Value**** increased approximately $0.35 billion from $1.77 billion to $2.12 billion, 20% growth.
- POS Gross Transactional Value***** increased approximately $128 million from $347 million to $474 million, 37% growth.
- Customer Locations****** increased approximately 8,000, from 116,000 to 124,000, 7% growth.
Six-month period ending June 30, 2023 (with comparisons relative to the six-month period ending June 30, 2022)
- Revenue increased $5.4 million from $33.2 million to $38.6 million, 16% growth.
- Gross Profit increased $4.2 million from $23.1 million to $27.3 million, 18% growth.
- Adjusted EBITDA*** increased $0.4 million from $2.3 million to $2.7 million, 18% growth.
- Net Loss decreased $4.3 million from $6.5 million to $2.2 million, 66% decrease.
- Total Gross Transactional Value**** increased approximately $0.65 billion from $3.05 billion to $3.7 billion, 21% growth.
- POS Gross Transactional Value***** increased approximately $295 million from $584 million to $879 million, 51% growth.
Operational Highlights
- Payroll costs are the key focus to improved EBITDA and positive net earnings. For the 12-month periods ending June 30, 2023 and 2022, Employee Compensation******* as a % of Gross Profit was 53% and 54%, respectively. The company believes that its ability to reduce Employee Compensation as a % of Gross Profit is an indicator of its success in managing costs and profitability.
- ARR* (which is both recurring and reoccurring revenue) for TTM** increased $11.8 million from $59.3 million as at June 30, 2022 to $71.1 million as at June 30, 2023, growth of 20%.
More Information
Additional financial information, such as the audited annual Consolidated Financial Statements, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Annual Information Form, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
More information about Givex, including the Management Presentation and Overview, are posted on the company's investor relations website at investors.givex.com.
About Givex
The world is changing. Givex is ready. Since 1999, Givex has provided technology solutions that unleash the full potential of engagement, creating and cultivating powerful connections that unite brands and customers. With a global footprint of 124,000+ active locations across more than 100 countries, Givex unleashes strategic insights, empowering brands through reliable technology and exceptional support. Givex's integrated end-to-end management solution provides Gift Cards, GivexPOS, Loyalty Programs and more, creating growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes and industries. Learn more about how to streamline workflows, tackle complex challenges and transform data into actionable insights at www.givex.com.
Non-IFRS Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Measures
The information presented includes certain financial measures such as "Adjusted EBITDA" (see below for definition), which are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. These non-IFRS measures are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Our management also uses non-IFRS measures to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, estimates and assumptions that we considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such statements are made, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to, the risk factors described under the "Risk Factors" section in the Annual Information Form (AIF) dated March 21, 2023, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and other filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, prospective investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information" in the Filing Statement.
Additional Notes
*ARR is defined as Annual Recurring Revenue, which is both recurring and reoccurring revenue.
**TTM is trailing twelve months from the defined period.
***Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net profit (loss) excluding interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") as adjusted for share-based compensation and related expenses, foreign exchange gains and losses and transaction-related expenses including those related to going public and acquisitions.
****Gross transaction volume ("GTV") means the total dollar value of stored and point-of-sale ("POS") transactions processed through our cloud-based SaaS platforms in the period, net of refunds, inclusive of shipping and handling, duty, and value-added taxes. We believe GTV is an indicator of the success of our customers and the strength of our platforms. GTV does not represent revenue earned by us.
*****POS gross transactional volume ("POS GTV") means the total dollar value point-of-sale ("POS") transactions processed through GivexPOS, our cloud-based POS SaaS platform, in the period net of refunds, inclusive of shipping and handling, duty and value-added taxes. We believe POS GTV is an indicator of the success of our customers and the strength of our platforms. POS GTV does not represent revenue earned by us.
******Customer Location means a billing customer location for which the term of services has not ended, or with which we are negotiating a renewal contract. It includes both merchant locations that have transactions processed through our cloud-based SaaS platform, as well as merchant locations not on our platform but for which we provide other Givex services. A single unique customer can have multiple Customer Locations including physical and eCommerce sites. We believe that our ability to increase the number of Customer Locations served by our platform and products is an indicator of our success in terms of market penetration and growth of our business.
*******Employee Compensation as a % of Gross Profit means the total employee compensation for a period divided by the gross profit for the same period. Employee Compensation means total employee compensation including salaries and benefits, excluding both government assistance and share-based compensation. Gross Profit means revenue less direct cost of revenue.
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SOURCE Givex | 2023-07-31T22:18:46+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2023/07/31/givex-announces-second-quarter-2023-financial-results/ |
During his first few years in the United States, as a virtuoso pianist and composer studying at the Berklee College of Music two decades ago, Vadim Neselovskyi was often asked about his origins. "I would say, 'I'm from Odesa,' or even 'I'm from Russia,' " he recalls, "because nobody knew what Ukraine was."
His evocative new solo piano suite, Odesa: A Musical Walk Through a Legendary City, enters the world at quite a different moment. Mostly recorded in 2020, long before the current Russian invasion, it's an elegant love letter to his father, a Ukrainian Jew who was dying of cancer as Neselovskyi composed the music. Because it's also a portrait of the culturally rich city of his youth, currently the target of a Russian naval blockade, the album has other reasons to resonate in a poignant key.
Neselovskyi was born in Odesa, the Southern Ukrainian port city, one month after the 1977 Constitution of the Soviet Union was ratified by the Communist party under Leonid Brezhnev. "I grew up basically in a dictatorship," Neselovskyi tells NPR, speaking over video from his mother's home in Dortmund, Germany, where his family moved when he was 17. His early life in Odesa, a cosmopolitan city on the Black Sea, had shaped his foundation as a classical piano prodigy. "Waltz of Odesa Conservatory," a piece on the new album, recalls his experience as the youngest student in that institution's venerable history.
As he settled into life in the west, Neselovskyi began to understand the freedoms, both civic and creative, that he had never known. By the time he arrived at Berklee, he was as serious about jazz improvisation as he was about classical composition. His synthesis of those two elements, at that stage in his development, instantly caught the ear of Gary Burton, an illustrious vibraphonist who was Berklee's Dean of Curriculum at the time. Burton, a former child prodigy himself, came up in the 1960s alongside future piano titans Chick Corea and Keith Jarrett. Even against that imposing yardstick, he says, Neselovskyi stood out: "He's able to drift back and forth between classical and jazz more seamlessly than anyone I have heard before."
Burton formed a group around the considerable talents of Neselovskyi and several other Berklee students at the time: guitarist Julian Lage, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer James Williams. This quintet released a 2005 album, Next Generation, under Burton's name. When I caught the band at Birdland the following year, I took note of Neselovskyi's delicate touch at the piano, along with his deft hand as an arranger.
At the time, Ukraine was in the midst of a groundswell of democratic protests known as the Orange Revolution. Neselovskyi was paying close attention from afar, and he noticed that others were, too. "I remember, I had a duo concert with Esperanza Spalding at the Sony Center in New York," he says, "and at the reception, that was the first time that people were saying: 'So, you're from Ukraine.' I started to realize that Ukraine is becoming something more than just this obscure post-Soviet Republic, you know? And then I started coming to Ukraine regularly, and I saw that my friends were experiencing something very new — this feeling that democracy means having something to say about the way the country is going."
Neselovskyi continued his studies at the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance, working with mentors like Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock. And he amassed other prominent admirers — like Fred Hersch, who produced his 2013 solo piano album, Music For September, declaring him "one of the greatest pianist/composers out there right now."
By that time, Neselovskyi had established a deeper relationship with his homeland, as well as a position on the piano faculty at Berklee. When Russia invaded and annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, he recalls, "I happened to have a student at Berklee whose father is the main opposition journalist in Ukraine. So I would get the news firsthand. And my God, I really got involved." He sees this as the moment "where I perhaps really became Ukrainian."
Neselovskyi's new suite reflects this heightened cultural identification, sometimes in autobiographical terms; a piece titled "My First Rock Concert" is about precisely that, incorporating a scrap of melody by the Russian rock star Viktor Tsoi, whom Neselovskyi saw as a teenager in Odesa's Shevchenko Park. Elsewhere the references are less personal, as in "Potemkin Stairs," a frenetically humming composition inspired not only by the landmark stairway in Odesa but also the iconic sequence in Sergei Eisenstein's film Battleship Potemkin.
Another piece, "Odesa 1941," evokes a moment with chilling parallels to our own. "Back in 1941, Odesa was occupied by Romanian troops under the guidance of the SS, the Nazis," Neselovskyi says. "And now the city has been attacked from the other side — but the feelings, the emotions are the same. The only difference is that we were looking at black-and-white photography, and now we're looking at the video footage." He brings this conflict to life with a thunderous sweep of atonal explosions at the piano, tapering off to an eerie, decaying calm.
As a Ukrainian watching horrific events unfold over the last several months, Neselovskyi felt the understandable urge to go home, take up arms and join the fight. "Then I realized that by playing one concert and sometimes raising 50,000 euros, I can do more than I would as a very inexperienced soldier," he says. Neselovskyi has donated the proceeds from his new album and concert revenue to humanitarian relief in Ukraine. Since the war began, he has performed dozens of benefits in the United States and in Europe, where his bookings have ranged from jazz clubs to churches to refugee centers. "Everywhere, Ukrainian refugees always came to me with tears," he says. "Because for them, this was the music about what they just experienced."
As a result of his commitment, Neselovskyi has raised north of $100,000 and counting, all before the album's release this Friday. It's a remarkable sum for a jazz pianist to contribute, but he's aware of how dire the need is, and will continue to be.
"I know that it's 'before' and 'after' for me right now," he says. "It might as well take basically the rest of my life — and processing what's happened will take all of us the rest of our lives, I think."
Vadim Neselovskyi will perform on Friday at the Salmagundi Club in New York, and on Saturday at the David Friend Recital Hall in Boston; see his website for details.
Copyright 2022 WBGO. To see more, visit WBGO. | 2022-06-15T08:38:14+00:00 | iowapublicradio.org | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/2022-06-15/for-pianist-vadim-neselovskyi-ukraine-war-adds-urgency-to-his-most-personal-work |
Not long after Peter DeBoer quipped that Minnesota takes a lot of penalties, Dean Evason accused Dallas players of diving.
Sheldon Keefe suggested Tampa Bay players had manipulated referees during a fracas, prompting Jon Cooper to say he was confused by what his Toronto counterpart was getting at. Rod Brind’Amour sounded off about a missed call that left Carolina’s Teuvo Teravainen with a broken hand, which surprised Lane Lambert after his Islanders got zero power plays in the game.
No one is standing on the benches and yelling at each other — yet — but the first round of the NHL playoffs is an old-school throwback to coaches of yesteryear having it out off the ice to set the tone for their teams in the midst of hard-fought series. The sniping is on full blast.
“I love it,” retired Stanley Cup-winning coach Ken Hitchcock said Monday. “It’s one-upmanship. You’re doing anything you can to get an edge on the other guy. There’s no back-off from some of the coaches that are in there right now.”
Hitchcock knows all about it from his warring words with everyone from Lindy Ruff and John Tortorella to late Hall of Famer Pat Quinn.
Ruff — older and more mild-mannered now coaching the New Jersey Devils in the playoffs — in 2006 said Hitchcock’s Flyers “acted like idiots.” Tortorella — age 64 and back in the league with Philadelphia — in 2004 said Hitchcock “should shut his yap.”
“Is he back out of that gopher hole again?” Hitchcock replied during that Eastern Conference final. “I’m going to have to do that ‘whack-a-mole’ thing.”
The back and forth this spring is significantly more subtle.
After his Stars evened their series against the Wild in a Game 2 that featured seven misconduct penalties, DeBoer made it a point to say: “Minnesota takes penalties. They’re the sixth-most penalized team in the league, so we’re ready for that.” Evason the next day said he and his staff watch every interview, adding Dallas “had some bigger people probably go down pretty easy in that hockey game.”
DeBoer called it “deflection” by Evason.
“Listen, if I was coaching one of the most penalized teams in the league I’d probably do the same thing,” DeBoer added. “That’s good coaching by him.”
The same night, Brind’Amour complained about a “tomahawk chop” by New York’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau that injured Teravainen and wasn’t called a penalty. Lambert called it a play that happens 25, 30 times a game and wasn’t done with an intent to injure.
Toronto’s Keefe applauded opponents Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov for fighting Auston Matthews and Ryan O’Reilly during the Lightning-Leafs game Saturday night, — “a classic example of a veteran championship team like Tampa Bay manipulating the officials and taking advantage of a situation.”
“Credit to Tampa for recognizing that situation,” Keefe said. “It’s a free pass. You do what you want, and not only do they get out of it unscathed but they take Matthews and O’Reilly with them to the box. Brilliant play by the Lightning there in manipulating that situation.”
The next day, Tampa Bay’s Cooper seemed puzzled.
“Manipulated the referees? I’m not sure what that means,” Cooper said. He went on to say everyone watching figured his team would get a power play. The Lightning did not and then lost in overtime.
Veteran coach Bruce Boudreau, who was fined $5,000 in 2018 for criticizing a missed penalty call during a playoff series, said coaches balance getting a point across without crossing the line — especially because the league office warns against it.
“You really have to know how far you can go,” Boudreau said. “In the end, it’s all just gamesmanship.”
All this pales in comparison to the old days, when coaches — Ruff did it in the regular season in 2007 — often tried to get to the other bench. Tortorella even attempted to get into an opposing locker room after an on-ice brawl.
But the on-camera banter can still be effective in earning a call or two later on.
“When the refs go home, you think they just watch ‘Chicago P.D.’ when they go home?” Boudreau said. They’re watching the highlights just like we are.”
Boudreau said he watched Evason, a longtime assistant of his and his successor in Minnesota, fume after the Wild’s loss to the Stars on Sunday when asked about a couple of penalty calls while stopping short of crossing that line.
“Everyone in the hockey world watched that game,” Evason said. “We all know what happened. I’m not going to comment on them. We have our opinions, but what’s the point?”
League fines are a deterrent. But biting your tongue is way less fun to Hitchcock.
“Any edge you can find, you use — any edge,” he said. “You’re doing anything you can.”
___
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-04-25T16:44:52+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/sports/ap-sports/old-time-hockey-returns-with-coaches-sniping-in-nhl-playoffs/ |
UN chief says Sudan is on the brink of a ‘full-scale civil war’ after nearly 3 months of fighting
CAIRO (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Sudan is on the brink of a “full-scale civil war” as fierce clashes between rival generals continued unabated Sunday in the capital of Khartoum.
Guterres warned late Saturday that the war between the Sudanese military and a powerful paramilitary force is likely to destabilize the entire region, according to Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the U.N. chief.
Sudan descended into chaos after months of tension between military chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan and his rival, Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, exploded into open fighting in mid-April.
Health Minister Haitham Mohammed Ibrahim said last month that the clashes have killed over 3,000 people and wounded over 6,000 others. The death tally, however, is highly likely to be much higher, he said. More than 2.9 million people have fled their homes to safer areas inside Sudan or crossed into neighboring countries, according to U.N. figures.
The fighting began 18 months after the two generals led a military coup in October 2021 that toppled a Western-backed civilian transition government. The coup and ensuing conflict dashed Sudanese hopes of a peaceful shift to democracy after a popular uprising forced the military removal of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir in April 2019.
The war has turned the capital Khartoum and other urban areas across the country into battlefields.
Residents in Khartoum said fierce fighting was underway early Sunday south of the capital. The warring factions were using heavy weapons in battles in the Kalaka neighborhood and the military’s aircraft were seen hovering over the area, said resident Abdalla al-Fatih.
In his statement, Guterres also condemned an airstrike Saturday that health authorities said killed at least 22 people in Omdurman, a city just across the Nile from the Khartoum. The assault was one of the deadliest in the conflict so far.
The RSF blamed the military for the attack in Omdurman. The military denied the accusation, saying in a statement Sunday that its air force didn’t carry out any airstrikes in the city Saturday.
The secretary-general also decried the large-scale violence and casualties in the western region of Darfur, which has experienced some of the worst fighting in the ongoing conflict, Haq said in a statement.
“There is an utter disregard for humanitarian and human rights law that is dangerous and disturbing,” Guterres said.
U.N. officials have said the violence in the region has recently taken on an ethnic dimension, with the RSF and Arab militias reportedly targeting non-Arab tribes in Darfur, a sprawling region consisting of five provinces. Last month, the governor of Darfur, Mini Arko Minawi, said the region was sliding back to its past genocide, referring to the conflict that engulfed the region in the early 2000s.
Entire towns and villages in West Darfur province were overrun by the RSF and their allied militias, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee to neighboring Chad. Activists have reported many residents killed, women and girls raped, and properties looted and burned to the ground.
There were clashes between the military and the RSF elsewhere in Sudan on Sunday, including the province of North Kordofan, South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
Egypt, meanwhile, said it will host a meeting on Thursday for Sudan’s neighboring countries. The gathering aims at establishing “effective mechanisms” to help find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in coordination with other international and regional efforts, Ahmed Fahmy, spokesman for Egypt’s presidency, said in a statement.
Fahmy provided no further details on the gathering.
The efforts come as talks between warring factions in the Saudi Arabian coastal city of Jeddah repeatedly failed to stop the fighting. The Jeddah talks were brokered by Saudi Arabia and the United States
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | 2023-07-09T22:52:24+00:00 | kaaltv.com | https://www.kaaltv.com/news/us-world-news/un-chief-says-sudan-is-on-the-brink-of-a-full-scale-civil-war-after-nearly-3-months-of-fighting/ |
A Washington state man has been arrested and charged after he allegedly called a Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket and threatened to kill Black people there and at a nearby store in the area, according to authorities.
Joey David George, 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of interstate threats after police say he made repeated calls to a Tops supermarket store on July 19 and 20, asking how many Black people were in the store.
In a federal criminal complaint obtained by NPR, George — who used the pseudonym "Peter"— said he would "make the news if he shot and killed all of the Black people, including all of the women, children and babies."
George asked the Tops store employee if the store was cleared out, telling the employee that there was a chance he was already in the store or "somewhere nearby," according to the complaint.
He then went on to say that if he didn't see anybody at the store, he would drive to the nearby Tops store on Jefferson Avenue, the complaint says. The Tops supermarket store on Jefferson Avenue was the site of a deadly mass shooting that killed 10 people in May.
In a second phone call, George allegedly ranted about a "race war," saying "this is what happens in a blue state," according to the complaint.
He later tried to block his phone number by using *67, but law enforcement officials say they still were able to trace the phone number back to George, identifying him as the person who made the call.
In addition to the calls to Buffalo, George also is being charged for calling and threatening a restaurant in San Bruno, Calif., in May 2022. In that call, George allegedly threatened to shoot Black and Hispanic customers dining in the restaurant if it didn't close in 20 minutes, according to the complaint.
The federal criminal complaint details other threatening calls allegedly made by George over the past year to businesses in Maryland, Connecticut and Washington state. In each instance George allegedly used racial slurs and threatened to shoot customers at the businesses because of "racial hatred."
"The Buffalo community is trying to heal from the horrific shooting at a Tops grocery store. I cannot imagine the type of fear such hate-fueled threats engendered in those just trying to go about their daily lives," U.S. Attorney Nick Brown said in a statement.
"We cannot tolerate this kind of hate in our community and will not sit by while people seek to terrorize others across our country," he added.
George is currently being held at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac, Wash., pending further court hearings.
The calls came two months after the deadly mass shooting took place at the Buffalo, N.Y., Tops supermarket, and just days after that store officially reopened its doors to the community on July 15.
The Jefferson Avenue location, one of the few groceries serving its predominantly Black community, opened in July 2003.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-07-26T22:21:35+00:00 | nprillinois.org | https://www.nprillinois.org/2022-07-26/a-washington-man-makes-calls-across-the-country-threatening-racial-violence |
FOXBOROUGH — St. John’s Prep used a near-perfect defensive game plan to keep an explosive Springfield Central team out of the end zone in Saturday’s Division 1 championship game at Gillette Stadium.
Springfield Central, the defending D1 champion, came in averaging more than 50 points per game . But the Golden Eagles were shut out, 13-0.
University of Georgia-bound senior safety Joenel Aguero returned to St. John’s Prep after two years at national power IMG Academy. Aguero consistently made tackles near the line of scrimmage against the Central rushing attack and allowed little-to-no separation in the passing game.
“We worked hard all week in practice” said Aguero. “We had better athletes.”
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The game plan, in addition to a persistent rain, held the Golden Eagles and star quarterback William Watson in check. Committed to Nebraska, Watson completed only 6 of 19 passes for 49 yards.
When asked how the weather impacted the game, St. John’s Prep defensive coordinator Chris Tolios said “at that point [it’s] more about paying attention to the shorter routes, because getting it down the field was more difficult.
“But again, you’re afraid of [Watson] beating you with his legs, so it was more about trying to contain him at that point.”
Watson’s father, Bill, elevated to head coach when Valdamar Brower joined Don Brown’s staff at UMass in the offseason, would not let his team use the rain as an excuse.
“This was a Super Bowl game in New England, a New England championship in New England weather,” he said.
“When you get to this, you’ve got to be able to push people around up front and run the football. I thought they beat us up front. They were a little more physical than we were. We couldn’t sustain drives on the ground and we didn’t execute on third down in the pass game enough to sustain any drives. I thought that was the difference in the game.”
Advertisement | 2022-12-03T22:07:29+00:00 | bostonglobe.com | https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/03/sports/weather-was-factor-st-johns-preps-game-plan-was-perfect-against-springfield-central/ |
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man is recovering in the hospital after a stabbing in downtown Fresno.
It happened after 2 am Wednesday outside the Johnny Quik on Fresno and E Streets.
Police say the victim was in a fight with another man who attacked him with a pocket knife.
The victim was stabbed in the upper body.
He's expected to be okay.
Police are working to identify the suspect through witness interviews. | 2023-07-12T17:06:59+00:00 | abc30.com | https://abc30.com/downtown-fresno-stabbing-man-stabbed-johnny-quik/13493922/ |
CLEVELAND, Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) today reported financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2022.
Q2 2022 Highlights:
- Record quarterly net sales and profit
- Net sales increased 23% from comparable 2021 period
- Diluted EPS of $2.77, an increase of 54% from comparable 2021 period
Net sales for the second quarter of 2022 were $163.5 million, an increase of 23%, compared to $133.0 million in the second quarter of 2021. Currency translation rates had an unfavorable impact on 2022 second quarter net sales of $5.5 million, or 3.4%.
The Company posted net income for the second quarter of 2022 of $13.7 million, or $2.77 per diluted share, compared to $8.9 million, or $1.80 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2021. Second quarter 2022 net income benefited from the significant increase in net sales while leveraging fixed costs and gross margin gains resulting from the previously announced price increases which are beginning to offset the impact of inflation on commodity prices and freight. Currency translation rates had a favorable effect on net income of $0.1 million.
Net sales increased 20% to $301.7 million for the first six months of 2022 compared to $250.6 million for the first six months of 2021. Currency translation rates had an unfavorable impact on net sales of $8.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2022.
Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $26.0 million, or $5.25 per diluted share, compared to $16.0 million or $3.25 per diluted share, for the comparable period in 2021. YTD June 30, 2022 net income benefited from the 20% YTD increase in net sales with related fixed cost leverage as well as the realization of price increases which are beginning to offset the impact of inflation on commodities and freight. Also benefiting the YTD net income was the $4.4 million non-taxable gain from life insurance benefits. Currency translation rates had an unfavorable effect on net income of $0.1 million.
Rob Ruhlman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We continue to record impressive gains in both net sales and earnings, with the second quarter of 2022 being a new record for both. Excluding the impact of currency translation, all regions reported an increase in net sales versus the second quarter of 2021 and on a YTD basis all regions except for Asia-Pacific reported increased net sales. Our sales growth was made possible by strong volume growth in both the energy and communications product families, incremental sales from our newest acquisitions and selling price adjustments required to offset the significant levels of inflation experienced last year and so far this year. We continuously monitor the impact of inflationary increases on our raw material inputs and freight expense. Additional selling price adjustments may be required to offset further inflationary increases. Customer satisfaction remains our primary goal – accomplished by providing high-quality products and services that meet or exceed expectations."
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding the Company, including those statements regarding the Company's and management's beliefs and expectations concerning the Company's future performance or anticipated financial results, among others. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties which may cause results to differ materially from those set forth in those statements. Among other things, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements include the uncertainty in business conditions and economy due to COVID-19 including the severity and duration of business disruption caused by the pandemic, the strength of the economy and demand for the Company's products and the mix of products sold, the relative degree of competitive and customer price pressure on the Company's products, the cost, availability and quality of raw materials required for the manufacture of products, the impact of legal or regulatory matters or global economic conditions (such as the impact of inflation, social unrest, acts of war, military conflict (including the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine), international hostilities, terrorism and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships) on profitability and future growth opportunities; the Company's ability to identify, complete, obtain funding for and integrate acquisitions for profitable growth; and the Company's ability to continue to develop proprietary technology and maintain high quality products and customer service to meet or exceed new industry performance standards and individual customer expectations, and other factors described under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2022 and subsequent filings with the SEC. The Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's other filings with the SEC can be found on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company assumes no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements that become untrue because of subsequent events.
ABOUT PLP
PLP protects the world's most critical connections by creating stronger and more reliable networks. The company's precision-engineered solutions are trusted by energy and communications providers worldwide to perform better and last longer. With locations in over 20 countries, PLP works as a united global corporation, delivering high-quality products and unparalleled service to customers around the world.
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SOURCE Preformed Line Products | 2022-08-04T21:04:17+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/08/04/preformed-line-products-announces-second-quarter-first-half-2022-financial-results/ |
WFO SAN ANGELO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Sunday, June 12, 2022
_____
HEAT ADVISORY
URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
240 AM CDT Sun Jun 12 2022
...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...For the Excessive Heat Warning, dangerously hot
conditions with heat index values up to 105 expected. High
Temperatures will range from 105 to 108 degrees.
* WHERE...Much of west central Texas.
* WHEN...For the Excessive Heat Warning, from 1 PM this afternoon
to 7 PM CDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Extreme heat and humidity will significantly
increase the potential for heat related illnesses,
particularly for those working or participating in outdoor
activities.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...
* WHAT...Expect widespread temperatures of 102 to 103 degrees.
* WHERE...Crockett, Sutton, and Schleicher counties.
* WHEN...Through 7 PM CDT Sunday.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures will increase the risk for heat-
related illnesses to occur, particularly for those working or
participating in outdoor activities.
_____
Copyright 2022 AccuWeather | 2022-06-12T08:39:21+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/weather/article/TX-WFO-SAN-ANGELO-Warnings-Watches-and-17236150.php |
Ever since he was a boy in the border city of Nogales, Ariz., Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway says people have been crossing over into America looking for a better life. Only recently, he says, has this become red meat for national politicians.
"Caravans staging in Mexico, they're heading this way and it's gonna be a mass invasion," he says, chuckling. "It's never materialized the way they describe it."
On a recent afternoon, it was quiet in the high desert along the US-Mexico border several miles east of town. It's usually this way, Hathaway says.
"There you go, that's Mexico right there," he says, getting out of his SUV along a dirt road.
Hathaway is a former former DEA agent in Nogales and in South America. But he dresses more like the old west: cowboy hat, suspenders, key chain dangling off his belt. A hundred feet or so to his left, he points to a section of newer border fence, with its coils of razor wire dangling off the American side. Construction stopped when Donald Trump left office.
A few construction rigs and some fencing lie on the other side of the road near the dried Santa Cruz River, where some of the first Spanish explorers entered what is today the U.S. in the 16th Century. It was long before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, the sheriff likes to note.
"It's very peaceful right where we're standing here right by the border where you can just walk right through and be in Mexico," he says.
Or crouch under some short vehicle barrier fencing and walk right into the U.S. People are continuing to do that in places like this, even despite a recent federal judge's ruling allowing the pandemic border restrictions known as Title 42 to stay in place.
President Trump used that order to block most migration from Mexico. Under Title 42, most Mexicans and Central Americans who are caught are being sent back immediately. But there appear to be plenty of exceptions.
This Tucson shelter is still seeing record numbers
People seeking asylum are still crossing and at least one shelter for them in Arizona is seeing record numbers. Seventy miles to the north of Nogales, the Casa Alitas Welcome Center in Tucson is taking in 375 people in a day, just a few days after the judge kept the closures in place at official southern ports of entry.
Many unloading from busses in the hot sun look exhausted. They're carrying the few items they could take in plastic bags given to them in detention. A baby sleeps on one woman's shoulder as she gets ready to take a Covid test. The shelter's director, Teresa Cavendish, says this is likely the first time the migrants have felt safe in ages.
"Something caused them to leave their homes, whatever that something was was traumatic and dangerous to them," she says. "And then they've spent time on the US-Mexico border, a very unsafe space to be in."
Shelter staff says what's being left out of the bitter partisan immigration battles in Congress is the fact that so many people are fleeing dangerous situations right now, as violence and global instability has risen, especially in Latin America during the pandemic.
Cavendish and other aid workers in Tucson are preparing for the likelihood of handling upwards of a thousand people a day very soon.
"We are continuing to move forward," she says. "This pause in Title 42 we believe is just that, a pause."
Most of the people arriving here now are from countries like Cuba, Venezuela and Colombia, or even farther afield like the Middle East. Immigration authorities cannot easily return them to their home countries or to Mexico, so they're being allowed into the country for now as their asylum claims are processed.
That can take years.
One Colombian family is hoping to get to Atlanta
Colombian Wilmar Romero has been staying at Casa Alitas with his wife and two young children for two weeks. Speaking in Spanish through an interpreter, Romero says he had to leave Bogota because an armed gang made a threat to his family.
They first flew to Mexico City, then traveled by bus for three days to Mexicali. Soon after, they crossed at a known gap in the border fence near Yuma, Arizona.
Romero says he's grateful to be in a safe place and shelter staff has been helping him book plane tickets to Atlanta, where he has a friend and hopes to find work.
His story is typical, according to aid workers here. Once he and his family crossed near Yuma, they simply waited to surrender at a certain place that the U.S. Border Patrol tends to pick migrants up at and detain them. He and his family were eventually brought to this shelter more than three hours away. They hadn't heard about Casa Alitas, nor did they even know for sure where in Arizona they were. They were just desperate to flee to safety, according to Romero.
A lot of the federal funding supporting aid is set to run out
A good deal of the funding to support the growing humanitarian need in cities near the border like Tucson is coming from the federal government. Much of it is set to run out by the end of the month, warns Tucson Mayor Regina Romero.
"I'm concerned that Congress will not allocate funding for a mess in terms of a broken immigration system that they refuse to fix," Romero says.
During the Trump administration, the Border Patrol was criticized for dropping off asylum seekers in Tucson's parks or its Greyhound bus station with no plan or support network available to them. The "rural releases" continued some during the Biden administration, putting a strain on more rural towns nearby that lacked any formal aid infrastructure.
"We will do everything we possibly can to avoid street releases, our whole community will," says Cavendish. "But there's going to come a time that we have so many people in shelter with us that the unavoidable is unavoidable."
There are plenty of critics of Title 42 along this stretch of the border, particularly in more progressive leaning cities like Tucson. Romero, the city's first Latina and first female mayor, says it's ironic that Republicans sued to keep a public health order in place.
"For example, Attorney General Brnovich here of Arizona was fighting cities like Tucson when we were instituting public health measures to protect our communities from Covid-19," Romero says.
The Attorney General declined an interview request, but in a statement called the judge's ruling keeping Title 42 in place a win.
A border sheriff calls Title 42 'dishonest'
Back in Nogales, Santa Cruz County Sheriff David Hathaway says he's mostly given up on federal leaders, after two decades of an impasse on immigration reform. He's also concerned that just continually using taxpayer money to build up more humanitarian aid infrastructure in cities like Tucson will only serve as an incentive for more illegal crossings.
He recently penned an editorial in Arizona's largest newspaper calling for Title 42 to be lifted, saying it's dishonest to be using a public health order to restrict migration, adding that it's just growing the bottleneck of asylum cases at the border.
"If someone at the cabinet level in the Biden administration heard this, that's what I would say, get the deciding officials that make these decisions right at the border," the sheriff says. "Have a line where they immediately decide the cases."
The Biden administration has just launched a small program to start doing that but it may not survive a court challenge.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-06-02T00:44:11+00:00 | upr.org | https://www.upr.org/npr-news/npr-news/2022-06-01/gop-lawsuit-halts-most-migration-from-mexico-yet-desperate-people-continue-to-cross |
LONDON (AP) — Protesters turned out Saturday on the streets of London and in the Scottish city of Glasgow to demand faster action against climate change following the record-smashing temperatures that scorched the U.K. this week.
Activist groups including Just Stop Oil and Insulate Britain led protesters in a sit-in on Parliament Square in London to demand that the Conservative government stop giving new licenses for oil and gas production, tax big polluters and help people install more energy efficient heating in their homes.
“Tuesday’s extreme heatwave was a warning about what we will face as the climate collapses –- thousands of deaths, homes lost to wildfires and emergency services stretched to breaking point,” said Indigo Rumbelow from Just Stop Oil. “We are so unprepared for extreme heat and it’s only going to get worse.”
The U.K.’s Met Office weather agency recorded 40.3 degrees Celsius (104.5 degrees Fahrenheit) in England on Tuesday, the highest-ever temperature registered in a country ill-prepared for such extreme heat. British summers are usually quite moderate and few homes, schools or small businesses have air-conditioning.
The heat wave paralyzed major train networks, damaged airport runways and saw 15 fire departments across the country declaring major incidents. The London Fire Brigade said that Tuesday was the busiest day for firefighters since World War II.
In Glasgow, climate activists staged a “die-in” protest to demand urgent action to tackle climate change. Protesters laid on the ground in one of the city’s busiest shopping areas, covered in white sheets with “causes of death” including heat stress, famine and water scarcity.
“We’ve been sounding the alarm about the global climate emergency for years,” said Wolf Saanen, 39. “Now it has arrived on our shores, will those with the power to change things finally listen?”
Some climate groups warned they will stage more disruptive demonstrations in the autumn to bring Westminster — the seat of Parliament — to a standstill.
The groups also want the British government to reduce energy bills amid a soaring cost-of-living crisis that’s expected to squeeze households further in the fall when the weather turns colder.
___
Follow all AP stories on climate change issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment | 2022-07-23T17:53:50+00:00 | seattletimes.com | https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/world/protesters-in-uk-decry-climate-change-after-record-heat-wave/?utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=RSS_nation-world |
SEOUL, May 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SK hynix Inc. (or "the company", www.skhynix.com) today announced that it generated 9.4173 trillion won in social value last year. Based on the calculations of SK Group's social-value tracking methods, SK hynix's generation surged by 93% in 2021 from 4.8887 trillion won recorded in 2020. The company's performance represents more than half of 18.4 trillion won that the entire SK Group generated in social value last year.
By category, indirect contribution to economy such as tax payments, employment, and dividends totaled 9.7201 trillion won, while environmental performance of business activity recorded a negative 952.7 billion won and social performance of business activity reached 649.9 billion won.
In particular, indirect contribution to economy increased by 81%, or 4.3465 trillion won, from a year ago, helped by the company's all-time high revenues in 2021. Social performance of business activity also rose by 44%, or 198.5 billion won, on the back of efforts to vitalize the semiconductor ecosystem and expanded philanthropic contributions for the underprivileged. But with increased greenhouse gas emissions as a result of more production to meet stronger demand for semiconductor globally, the negative impact grew by 2%, or 15 billion won, in the area of the environmental performance of business activity.
Indirect contribution to economy increased across all categories of tax payments, employment, and dividends. Tax payments soared 160%, or 2.3633 trillion won, on year as the company reported stronger financial results. A rise in the number of employees and bigger compensation package also led to an increase of 56%, or 1.7245 trillion won, in the employment category. Dividends rose by 32%, or 258.6 billion won, as the company implemented a more aggressive shareholder return policy.
In the area of environment, the company reported a negative reading for a second straight year as more resources were consumed to produce more semiconductors, also resulting in a gain in greenhouse gas emission. More precisely, negative cost increased by 3%, or 24.2 billion won, from a year ago, in the area of resource consumption/environmental pollution. Such negative result was somewhat offset by an increase of 128%, or 9.1 billion won, in the product/services segment with development of low-power products.
"SK hynix has been making efforts in various aspects, joining the Green Premium System, trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expanding reuse of wastewater in order to lessen the environmental impact," the company said. "But whatever the reasons are, we are still responsible for the impact we had on the environment. We will continue to aim for an improvement in the environment area and make endless efforts."
*Green Premium System: A pricing system whereby a consumer of electricity pays an additional premium on existing electricity costs in order to use power from renewable energy sources
In the category of the social performance of business activity, shared growth showed the most remarkable improvement. SK hynix has for years continued its efforts to vitalize the semiconductor ecosystem by consistently providing technological support and training opportunities to its business partners. SK hynix has also contributed to localization of materials, parts, and equipment through joint technological development with its partners. As a result, shared growth performance rose by 56%, or 180.6 billion won, from a year ago.
Elsewhere, the company saw a growth of 9%, or 9.7 billion won, in the social contribution area as it continued relevant activities in a socially distanced manner during the pandemic. The performance for "life-quality improvement for the underprivileged" increased by 45%, or 8.2 billion won, thanks to its continued support for social enterprises.
Kim Youn-wook, Vice President for Corporate Sustainability Management, said that SK hynix has been communicating with relevant stakeholders transparently, making public its social value performance for the past 4 years since 2019. "We will speed up implementation of the SV2030, our mid- to long-term initiative for social-value generation, and advance our ESG management commitment further with an aim to contribute to the mankind and the community."
*Specific examples of social value generation and detailed calculation methods can be found from the SK hynix newsroom.
SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world's top tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips ("DRAM"), flash memory chips ("NAND flash") and CMOS Image Sensors ("CIS") for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company's shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxemburg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.
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SOURCE SK hynix Inc. | 2022-05-30T07:16:28+00:00 | kxii.com | https://www.kxii.com/prnewswire/2022/05/29/sk-hynix-generates-94t-won-social-value-2021/ |
The COVID public health emergency is ending — but long COVID persists for some By Kai McNamee, Ashley Brown Published May 11, 2023 at 2:26 PM MDT Facebook Twitter Flipboard LinkedIn Email Listen • 2:41 Despite the end of the public health emergency, long COVID persists for some patients. Copyright 2023 NPR | 2023-05-11T21:45:27+00:00 | mtpr.org | https://www.mtpr.org/2023-05-11/the-covid-public-health-emergency-is-ending-but-long-covid-persists-for-some |
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two EMTs and a lieutenant with the Memphis Fire Department have been terminated for violating policy and protocol in their response to Tyre Nichols on Jan. 7.
EMT-Basic Robert Long, EMT-Advanced JaMichael Sandridge and Lt. Michelle Whitaker failed to make an adequate assessment of the patient when they arrived on the scene, the fire department said.
First Responder company Engine 55 was dispatched to a pepper spray call at 8:32 p.m. at Ross Road and Raines. They arrived at 8:36, and were directed by police to Ross and Castlegate, MFD said in a news release Monday.
They made the second scene and found Nichols handcuffed on the ground and leaning against a police vehicle at 8:41. The lieutenant remained inside the truck, while the two EMTs responded based on the information they’d been given about a pepper spray incident.
They requested an ambulance at 8:46, and that ambulance arrived nine minutes later. Nichols was taken to St. Francis Hospital at 9:08, MFD said.
Nichols died in the hospital three days later. Video released last week shows he suffered a severe beating and was stunned and pepper sprayed by officers before they leaned him against a vehicle.
Five police officers were terminated and charged with second-degree murder. A sixth officer and seventh officer have also been relieved of duty and are under investigation, MPD said Monday.
MFD records show Sandridge is a Fire Private II and joined MFD in Sept. 2019. Long was also a Fire Private II and joined March 2020. Whitaker joined in Jan. 1997. | 2023-01-31T01:33:24+00:00 | wjhl.com | https://www.wjhl.com/news/regional/tennessee/3-memphis-fire-employees-terminated-in-tyre-nichols-investigation/ |
After much teasing on social media, “Wings,” the new single from Jonas Brothers, is finally here. The trio says it represents “a great first taste” of the “creative exploration” you’ll hear on their forthcoming release, The Album.
The brief song features falsetto vocals, harmonies, several shifts in tempo and melody, electronic effects and ’80s-style syths. The brothers sing, “You gave me a reason/you’ve got me believing/you’re making me say/You are the one, the sun, the light of day/You are the wings I need to fly away.”
Nick Jonas previously said that all the brothers’ wives chose “Wings” as the perfect first single from The Album, due out May 12.
The album was executive-produced by Jon Bellion, who also appears on one of the tracks. In a statement, the group says, “Working with Jon pushed us to explore our artistry in a way we never have before. The song is a great first taste of that creative exploration and what’s to come with The Album.”
Bellion, meanwhile, says in a statement that with the new album, “We wanted to wipe the palette clean and demolish every expectation and box the brothers have ever been put into out the gate.”
He adds, “The brothers have a God-given ability and talent that deserves this level of record making at this point, and I just wanted to honor how special they are with this music.”
Here’s the track listing for The Album:
“Miracle”
“Montana Sky”
“Wings”
“Sail Away”
“Americana”
“Celebrate!”
“Waffle House”
“Vacation Eyes”
“Summer in the Hamptons”
“Summer Baby”
“Little Bird”
“Walls” feat. Jon Bellion
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved. | 2023-02-24T12:23:24+00:00 | warm1069.com | https://warm1069.com/hear-wings-new-single-from-jonas-brothers-upcoming-release-the-album/ |
Netflix users prepare to be annoyed with the streaming giant once more.
The streaming service said in its earnings release Tuesday it is preparing to move forward with a “broad rollout” of its plans to crackdown on password sharing in the second quarter, after delaying it during the first quarter, according to news sources.
Netflix’s paid-sharing plan – designed to eliminate unpaid account sharing – proceeded in four additional countries – which were Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and Spain – earlier this year.
Though the company chose not to expand broadly after it “found enough improvement opportunities” from early launches, according to reports from NBC News and CNN.
“In Q1, we launched paid sharing in four countries and are pleased with the results,” Netflix previously said in a letter. “We are planning on a broad rollout, including in the U.S., in Q2.”
In February, Netflix even launched a “buy an extra member” option that allows primary account holders to pay an additional monthly fee to give access to as many as two people they don’t live with, NBC News reported.
The additional option may not remedy the blow for users, incentivizing users to drop the service completely.
Likewise, Netflix said it would likely take a short-term financial hit, witnessing a “cancel reaction in each market when we announce the news” about the paid sharing option, but then it sees “increased acquisition and revenue.”
By delaying the planned rollout, the streaming giant said, “some of the expected membership growth and revenue benefit will fall in Q3 rather than Q2,” CNN reported.
“As with Latin America, we see a cancel reaction in each market when we announce [paid sharing plans], which impacts near-term member growth,” the company also said in its letter. “But as borrowers start to activate their own accounts and existing members add ‘extra member’ accounts, we see increased acquisition and revenue.”
So, you may have asked yourself what would happen if Netflix found out two different households are password sharing? Well, Variety filled readers in. In February, the outlet reported that the company will begin to block devices that it detects are being used by someone outside the account holder’s primary residence after a certain number of days.
Read More:
- Netflix says it will end free password sharing before late March
- Netflix delayed live stream for ‘Love is Blind’ reunion to Monday afternoon
- Netflix subscribers could soon use their iPhones to control video games on their tv | 2023-04-19T20:34:09+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2023/04/netflix-planned-crackdown-of-password-sharing-in-us-is-on-the-way-reports.html |
Almost every grower you talk to will mention the word "exotic" at some point, but how exotic can a strain be if everyone is growing it? I don't have a problem when a lot of growers take on the same genetics; that's a great way to find out who does it best. Strains like Georgia Pie and Jealousy helped users compare Colorado's top cultivations in 2022, and the featured strain in 2023's Pepsi Challenge could very well be Rainbow Belts.
A mix of Zkittlez and Moonbow, which also has Zkittlez genetics, Rainbow Belts has become one of the hottest candy strains in Colorado after a soft launch in 2022. Highly rated growers such as 710 Labs, Cuban Crew and Green Dot Labs are all pushing versions of it right now, and extractors are jumping on it, too. But why is the strain so popular?
Cannabis that tastes like candy is having a moment, but Rainbow Belts has a more complex smell and flavor than most sugary strains — even though its Skittles and Sprees qualities are very, very loud. I catch everything from Gatorade to pears and hashy dough when I take a whiff of Rainbow Belts, which usually means I'm in for an uplifting high. Don't fall for that false advertising, though, because Rainbow Belts will make you crash harder than any sugar high could.
Looks: Outside of the rare violet spot, this strain doesn't have the seven colors of a rainbow, and the trichome coverage is relatively light on Rainbow Belts' wide, fluffy buds. But the strain's lime-green color is a different kind of alluring, practically glowing in the dark.
Smell: Lemon-lime Gatorade powder smacks me every time I open a jar of Rainbow Belts, but the aroma is complex despite that sugary sweetness never leaving my nostrils. Hints of hashy dough, dank soil and an apricot-pear mixture all make noticeable appearances, with a nutty, spicy back end.
Flavor: The candy-like tropical flavor of Rainbow Belts is powerful up front, with a layered taste on the exhale that carries spicy, nutty and hashy notes. Some cuts are sweeter than others, however.
Effects: Effective at killing stress and swelling up the eyes, Rainbow Belts is meant for inside use. I'm not great at talking, walking or second-grade math after smoking it, and I can barely operate a microwave. Save this for therapeutic and relaxing sessions, and be prepared to go full stoner mode if you hit it more than twice.
Where to find it: We've seen Rainbow Belts at A Cut Above, Ajoya, Cherry Peak, Chronic Therapy, Colorado Harvest Company, Den-Rec, Emerald Fields, Golden Meds, Good Chemistry, Green RiNo, Greenfields, the Green Solution, Green Valley Cannabis, Harvest House, High West Cannabis, the Herbal Center, the Herbal Cure, Igadi, Karing Kind, Kind Love, KrystaLeaves, LaConte's Clone Bar, Lakeshore Cannabis, Leiffa, Life Flower, Dispensary, Lightshade, Lit, Little Brown House, Lucy Sky, Mana Supply Co., Mighty Tree, Native Roots, Nature's Medicine, Oasis Cannabis Superstores, Pig ’n' Whistle, Police & Thieves, PotCo, Reefer Madness, Rocky Mountain High, Rocky Road, Silver Stem Fine Cannabis, Social Cannabis, Solace Meds, Spark Dispensary, Unity Road and Verde Natural.
710 Labs, Cuban Crew, Green Dot Labs and Leiffa have Rainbow Belts flower on the market, while KrystaLeaves, Leiffa and Lit grow the strain internally, as well. Green Dot, 710, Harmony Extracts, Leiffa, Mighty Melts and Tastebudz extract the strain, with Rainbow Belts concentrates ranging from pen cartridges to refined live rosin. Rosin edibles maker Dialed In offers Rainbow Belts gummies, also.
If you're looking for the best Rainbow Belts in Colorado, you can't go wrong with the 710 or Green Dot cuts, although Green Dot's aroma and high are slightly stronger. The take from Cuban Crew and KrystaLeaves, while not quite as good as the top two, might be a better value at around half the price.
Is there a strain you’d like to see profiled? Email [email protected] | 2023-03-29T18:44:08+00:00 | westword.com | https://www.westword.com/marijuana/rainbow-belts-strain-review-16456347 |
Purdue center Zach Edey, the consensus national player of the year in men's college basketball, announced Tuesday that he plans to enter the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.
Edey has until May 31 if he wants to withdraw from the draft and return to the Boilermakers for his senior season.
"My basketball journey has been unorthodox to say the least, but I wouldn't change a thing about it," Edey wrote in a post on social media. "From ranked 437 in my class to National Player of the Year, I can't put into words what Purdue University, my teammates, my coaches, and our fans mean to me. Though we fell short of our ultimate goal this season, I loved every second of it.
"With that being said, I'm putting my name in the NBA draft while maintaining my college eligibility. I will evaluate my future after going through the process and look forward to what's next."
A 7-foot-4 center from Canada, Edey dominated all season and led Purdue to Big Ten regular-season and conference tournament championships. He averaged 22.9 points and 12.9 rebounds and shot 60.7% from the field -- ranking sixth in scoring, second in rebounds and 21st in field-goal percentage. Edey also averaged more than two blocked shots per game.
He scored at least 30 points on eight occasions, including finishing with 38 points and 13 rebounds in a late-January win over Michigan State. Edey scored in double figures in every game this season and had 28 double-doubles.
Edey made tremendous strides in his three years in West Lafayette under Matt Painter, entering college as an unranked recruit coming out of high school.
Purdue reached No. 1 in the polls and earned a 1-seed in the NCAA tournament before being stunned by 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson in the first round.
Edey is ranked No. 49 overall -- the No. 5 center -- in ESPN's 2023 NBA draft rankings. | 2023-04-18T18:44:23+00:00 | espn.com | https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36225916/purdue-zach-edey-declares-nba-draft-maintains-eligibility |
As part of the 2022 StoryCorps mobile tour, Katy Baker-Casile speaks with her father, Nick Baker, about the time they biked through the Taft Tunnel (on what is known as the Hiawatha Trail). According to the Rails to Trails Conservancy, “What is today the Route of the Hiawatha was also known as one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country. When the Milwaukee Railroad was operating, the trains traversed through eleven tunnels and over nine high trestles, covering a 46-mile route that crossed the rugged Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The Route of the Hiawatha’s most well-known feature is the long St. Paul Pass, or Taft Tunnel, which burrows 8,771 feet (1.6 miles) under the Bitterroot Mountains at the state line between Idaho and Montana.”
Nick Baker: Adventure isn’t always fun.
Katy Baker-Casile: [Laughs] It’s true. What are some of the adventures you remember taking us on?
Nick Baker: Oh, yes. Well, between the time the Taft Tunnel, crossing the Idaho border, was renovated into a Rails to Trails facility... It was an abandoned tunnel, two miles long, with the water seeping into it. Kind of scary—
Katy Baker-Casile: Very dark.
Nick Baker: Very—that’s right. There was no electricity in there. There was no electricity to run lights or anything else for that matter. So it was a favorite spot for adventurous bicyclists, because you’re not going to run into a car on it. At least you didn’t then. But in any case, the Taft Tunnel ran from Taft, Montana, to Avery, Idaho. And it’s about two miles of bad trail, with puddles as much as six inches deep on it. So it sounded like the perfect adventure. So the kids, six and eight—that’s right, isn’t it?
Katy Baker-Casile: Yeah, I think we were.
Nick Baker: So I thought it’d be a great trail to take the kids on. Well, the kids didn’t think so. But they didn’t have room to complain at the point when we were halfway through, so they did it. And I’m not sure how long it took you to forgive me for it.
Katy Baker-Casile: Once it became a good party story. [Both laugh]
Nick Baker: I’d like to think that you felt a sense of accomplishment from doing it.
Katy Baker-Casile: Definitely. Especially since we actually rode it on the way back instead of just whined.
Nick Baker: Oh, that’s right. Yeah.
Katy Baker-Casile: Yeah. And when we popped out the phone, we went through the tunnel. There was a guy there with a campfire, and he let us dry our socks before we headed back. Remember that? [Both laugh]
—
The 2022 StoryCorps mobile tour is recording at the Missoula Public Library, giving Missoulians the opportunity to preserve their conversations and stories for future generations. StoryCorps Missoula is brought to you in part by Clearwater Credit Union, Partners Creative, and Montana State Fund. | 2022-06-10T23:54:17+00:00 | mtpr.org | https://www.mtpr.org/arts-life/2022-06-10/a-family-bike-ride-through-the-taft-tunnel-wasnt-fun-but-it-was-memorable |
Lawmakers react to Sen. Tuberville’s ‘pro-crime’ accusation at Nevada rally
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., accused Democrats of intentionally encouraging crime as a way of extorting reparation payments during a racially-charged statement delivered at a political rally in Nevada over the weekend.
Tuberville, speaking at a Saturday rally for Nevada’s GOP Senate candidate, Adam Laxalt, made the following statement:
“The Democratic Party, they have a majority. They could stop this crime today. They say, some people say ‘Well, they’re soft on crime.’ No, they’re not soft on crime; they’re pro-crime. They want crime. They want crime because they want to take over what you got. They want to control what you have. They want reparations because they think the people that do the crime are owed that. *EXPLETIVE* They are not owed that.”
Doug Jones, a Democrat unseated by Tuberville in 2020, reacted to Tuberville’s speech on Twitter, saying more Democrats should be calling him out on the statement.
“It’s not hard to connect the dots between a rally in which he’s talking about Democrats wanting to pay reparations to criminals, and basically the broad brush that he’s painting the Black community that they’re just criminals. Folks, that kind of crap has got to stop,” Jones stated.
Former Alabama Democratic Party Chairman and current state Rep. Chris England also reacted, saying in a tweet that “There is some *EXPLETIVE* here but it isn’t what @TTuberville thinks it is. The *EXPLETIVE* is that this guy is a United States Senator in the first place.”
England is also calling on Tuberville to explain what he meant.
“I did not watch the rally, so I don’t know the exact context of Senator Tuberville’s remarks,” said Alabama Republican Party Chairman John Wahl. “However, Coach Tuberville is well known for his work with people of all backgrounds, both on the field and off. His record and respect of others speaks volumes about his integrity and character.”
Tuberville has not responded to requests for comment, nor has Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey.
It should be noted that Laxalt has also used racist language on the 2022 campaign trail in which he’s promoted the ‘Great Replacement’ theory, which contends that non-white people are being brought in to the United States to replace white Americans by, as Laxalt believes, “the Left.”
The same racist conspiracy theory was promoted by a mass shooter who killed 10 Black people at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store in May.
Find a typo or grammatical error? Let us know by CLICKING HERE. (Please include the article’s headline.)
Copyright 2022 WSFA. All rights reserved. | 2022-10-10T19:41:30+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/2022/10/10/democrats-react-sen-tubervilles-pro-crime-accusation-nevada-rally/ |
The year 2022 is turning to 2023 in time zones across the world, starting in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Some of the first people who celebrated 2023 live in Kiribati, an island country in the Pacific Ocean, with a population of less than 122,000 people.
And some of the last people to celebrate the new year reside in the islands of Niue and American Samoa, which lie southwest of the Kiribati Islands but on the other side of the international date line.
Here's a look at how people are celebrating the New Year in various countries.
Australia
Japan
Philippines
India
Indonesia
Thailand
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | 2022-12-31T22:22:48+00:00 | iowapublicradio.org | https://www.iowapublicradio.org/news-from-npr/news-from-npr/2022-12-31/cities-across-the-world-ring-in-the-new-year |
NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Jakubowitz Law announces that a securities fraud class action lawsuit has commenced on behalf of shareholders of Unilever PLC (NYSE: UL).
To receive updates on the lawsuit, fill out the form:
https://claimyourloss.com/securities/unilever-plc-loss-submission-form/?id=30771&from=4
This lawsuit is on behalf of all persons who purchased or otherwise acquired Unilever American Depositary Receipts between September 2, 2020 and July 21, 2021, inclusive.
Shareholders interested in acting as a lead plaintiff representing the class of wronged shareholders have until August 15, 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, Unilever PLC issued materially false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: a) in July 2020, the board of Ben & Jerry's, one of Unilever's marquee brands, passed a resolution to end sales of its ice cream in "Occupied Palestinian Territory" ; and b) this boycott decision risked adverse governmental actions for violations of laws, executive orders, or resolutions aimed at discouraging boycotts, divestment, and sanctions of Israel adopted by 35 U.S. states.
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.
JAKUBOWITZ LAW
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9th Floor
New York, New York 10036
T: (212) 867-4490
F: (212) 537-5887
View original content:
SOURCE Jakubowitz Law | 2022-08-12T11:01:10+00:00 | kswo.com | https://www.kswo.com/prnewswire/2022/08/12/ul-shareholder-alert-jakubowitz-law-reminds-unilever-shareholders-lead-plaintiff-deadline-august-15-2022/ |
WARSAW, POLAND — It's Poland's largest, busiest train station.
Travelers, city workers, and students all use Warsaw's massive rail system to criss-cross a city of 1.8 million people — but they're not the only ones. Warsaw Central Station has been more than just a pit stop for millions of Ukrainian refugees.
Volunteers tell ABC15's Nick Ciletti that as many as 20,000 Ukrainian refugees continue to pass through the station each day, even though the war has been waging on for more than two months.
They're refugees just like Victoria, a young mom and small business owner, who left Ukraine with only what she could carry.
Through a translator, she told Nick, "I woke up hearing explosions in the city and I didn't know how many people would die, including me."
Outside the train station, there are tents where troops and volunteers feed refugees, some with no place to go.
Inside, volunteers like Paolo Canova, who is from Arkansas, help refugees navigate Poland's railways and beyond.
"It is really difficult for me," he explains. "To see these people with the bags they're carrying...that is the one thing I try to do with the mothers. I try to help them with the bags. It helped me realize this is everything that they have. They left their homes so basically so they carry their lives in their hands now."
Back on the platforms, a woman tells Nick she's getting ready to board a train to return to Ukraine to celebrate her 50th birthday with her family.
"We are very brave," she explains. "And it's not easy to break us." | 2022-05-05T13:39:23+00:00 | abc15.com | https://www.abc15.com/news/national/a-look-inside-warsaw-central-station-a-hub-for-residents-and-refugees |
(NEXSTAR) — Have you ever wished you could stay in the Shire? While you won’t find Frodo or Bilbo Baggins there anymore, starting Dec. 13, a few lucky guests will be able to book stays at “Hobbiton” — the shooting location for “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogy films.
Located in New Zealand’s Waikato region, the area came to be known as “Hobbiton” after its verdant green acres served as the idyllic home of the Hobbits, small humanoid creatures central to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” books. And now, it’s up for short term rental, Airbnb announced in a release Tuesday.
“The One-and-Only Hobbiton” listing goes live Dec. 13 at 9 p.m. GMT. The cost to stay is only $6 USD per night — but you’re going to need some luck securing a booking. Only three individual two-night bookings (for up to four guests) will be accepted, Airbnb says. Stays will be hosted in 2023 on March 2-4, March 9-11 and March 16-18.
Guests must also be at least 18 years of age, and have verified Airbnb profiles with positive stay histories.
In addition to lodging, Airbnb says guests will be treated to an evening banquet at the Shire’s most famous local pub and restaurant, The Green Dragon Inn, along with a behind-the-scenes private tour of the Hobbiton set and more. Overnight stays will take place inside “a two-bedroom Hobbit-inspired home” decorated by the film trilogies’ creative director.
Best of luck if you try booking. Visit Airbnb for more details.
Impact of the ‘Rings’
While Tolkien’s works remained popular after his death, the introduction of the first film trilogy — which began with 2001’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” — catapulted Middle Earth and its characters into another stratosphere. The three films were critical hits (“The Return of the King” won the 2003 Academy Award for Best Picture) and commercial blockbusters (box office gross of about $2.9 billion).
Together, the “Lord of the Rings” and “Hobbit” movies have earned around $5.8 billion globally across six films, according to box office data resource The Numbers.
The films, especially the first trilogy, are widely considered among the greatest blockbuster films — or films, period — and their impact continues into new iterations. Commerce giant Amazon paid nearly $250 million to Tolkien’s estate for television rights to create its “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” prequel series, which premiered in September. | 2022-12-06T23:13:59+00:00 | ktalnews.com | https://www.ktalnews.com/news/u-s-world/stay-at-hobbiton-lord-of-the-rings-set-goes-up-on-airbnb/ |
Natrona County Arrest Log (9/12/22 – 9/14/22)
This log may not reflect all arrests for this time period. For example, police will not release any information about juvenile arrests. State law prohibits any official from identifying a person accused of a sex crime until the defendant is arraigned in district court.
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Everyone listed here is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The charges listed here are what the arresting agency has recommended to the Natrona County District Attorney's Office. However, formal charges filed by prosecutors may differ from the recommended charges listed here.
Here is the list of arrested people and their charges as reflected in the logs:
- Kevin Acosta Morales -- Criminal Warrant
- Manuel Alvarado-Serrano -- Immigration Hold
- Andrew Barrett -- Fail to Appear, Bond Revocation
- Seth Cook -- Criminal Warrant, Take Controlled Substance or Liquid Into Jail, Possess Controlled Substance - Powder or Crystal -
- Bonnie Corkle -- Fail to Appear
- Anthony DiPatre -- Hold for Other Agency
- Kenneth Doherty -- Hold for probation and Parole
- Daniel Harris -- Public Intoxication Prohibited
- Jeremiah Kemme -- Fail to Appear, Fail to Comply
- Ronald Knapp -- Fail to Comply
- Austin McClain -- Fail to Appear x2, District Court Bench Warrant x2, Criminal Warrant x2, Courtesy Hold Other Agency x2
- Allen McConnell -- DUI: Alcohol 0.08% or More, Open Container Alcohol/Moving Vehicle - 1st Offense, Complimentary Auto Insurance
- Isiaha Moore -- Fail to Comply
- Trevor Moore -- Hold for probation and Parole
- David Owyhee -- Hold for probation and Parole
- DeAngela Picek -- Criminal Warrant
- Ricky Perry -- NCIC Hit
- April Reed -- District Court Bench Warrant x2
- Kenneth Richards -- Hold for probation and Parole
- Sarah Sjol -- Fail to Appear
- Chad Stewart -- Fail to Comply
- Jaden Wilson-Derby -- Fail to Comply x2, Fail to Appear
- Crystal Wirtala -- Fail to Appear x2
- Dillion Wise -- Fail to Appear
- Daniel Yates -- Hold for probation and Parole
A Quick Retelling of the "The Wyoming Incident"
Various versions of "The Wyoming Incident" can be found all over the internet. Below is what seems to be the most widely shared story...but is it true?
I Swear I'll Kill You If You Play That
Recently, a Wyoming man was convicted of assaulting and shooting another man over an argument about a song on the radio.
No one died. The shooter got 7 years and a $1,357 fine.
This much we know but the public never got to hear - WHAT WAS THE SONG?
Imagine yourself on a long Wyoming highway, late at night. You're driving with someone and a song that you just HATE comes on the radio. But they turn it UP and start to sting along.
How bad does the song have to be to justify doing what you are thinking?
Below are some examples. | 2022-09-14T18:54:22+00:00 | k2radio.com | https://k2radio.com/natrona-county-arrest-log-91222-91422/ |
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals had qualified candidates to become their next manager already in the organization, including one hired by the Chicago White Sox just this week. Yet their six-person committee that waded through the options came to the conclusion that an outside voice was necessary.
It wound up belonging to Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Matt Quatraro.
The Royals formally introduced Quatraro as their new manager during a news conference Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. With his wife and two boys watching, Quatraro slipped a white No. 33 jersey over a neatly pressed shirt and gold tie, shook hands with general manager J.J. Picollo and proceeded to lay out a vision for turning around a club that won the World Series a mere seven years ago but quickly returned to irrelevance.
“I’ve been really fortunate to be around good coaches and people that mentored me,” said Quatraro, who also worked alongside Terry Francona in Cleveland. “As excited as I am to be named the manager, I’m even more excited to jump into the process. I’m extremely process-oriented, and the process we all envision here is building a championship environment that brings the Royals back to the top tier of baseball, and be that way year after year.”
There already are some building blocks in place.
Quatraro is in the process of calling current players, and the first two were longtime catcher Salvador Perez and up-and-coming star Bobby Witt Jr. Perez represents the past and present of the organization, one of the stars of that 2015 title team, while Witt represents the future as one of the best rookies in baseball this past season.
Quatraro will lean on those two, along with a bevy of young position players that made their big league debuts last season, to quickly improve on a 65-97 finish and once again help the Royals play meaningful baseball past June.
“There were some real similarities this year — certain points in the year — they were running out seven rookies in the lineup, and we had a similar stretch in Tampa this year,” Quatraro said. “That’s challenging to grow in that environment.”
Yet the Rays have done it year after year, first with Joe Maddon calling the shots and the past eight seasons with Kevin Cash in charge. Tampa Bay, a small-market franchise with limited resources — in other words, a club like the Royals — has managed to reach the playoffs each of the past four years with a trip to the World Series in 2020.
That track record is one of the reasons Picollo chose Quatraro over Royals bench coach Pedro Grifol, who was hired to manage the White Sox, and internal candidates Vance Wilson and Scott Thorman.
“It kind of pains me to say that because I’ve been very intentional in hiring people internally,” said Picollo, a longtime Royals front-office executive who was put in charge of baseball operations when Dayton Moore was fired late in the season.
“You want your minor league staff to feel like there’s going to be opportunity for them to reach the major leagues in whatever position it is,” Picollo said. “So we did have good internal candidates. They all interviewed very well. You know, they all have different strengths. But after we got through that initial work, our committee of people felt like we needed at this time a little outside influence, fresh thoughts, challenge us professionally as well. And I know Matt will do that.”
The Royals intended to keep most of their hitting staff in place, though that may change depending upon whom Grifol hires in Chicago. But the previous pitching staff already had been let go, so Quatraro — working with Picollo — must not only hire a pitching coach but build out an entire pitching program that spans the organization.
In fact, when Quatraro was asked Thursday what the biggest common denominator in the success of Cleveland and Tampa Bay has been over the years, his one-word reply was: “Pitching.”
“There’s a tremendous amount of talent on this pitching staff now. I’ve talked to a handful of guys already,” Quatraro said. “I can’t tell you exactly what the process has been, but what I’m looking for now moving forward is maximizing their potential through tweaks in approach pitch usage. The talent is clearly there.”
Yet for whatever reason, the Royals have continually failed to maximize it. Top prospects have flamed out in the minors, and many that have reached the big leagues have initially struggled only to flourish with other organizations.
One thing is certain: The Royals believe Quatraro is the right choice to change that narrative.
“When we announced this deal earlier in the week,” Royals principle owner John Sherman said Thursday, “I traded text messages with Matt to congratulate him, and he thanked me for the confidence we have shown in him. And I would turn that around and say, ‘Thank you for having the confidence in the Kansas City Royals.’”
___
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-11-04T03:46:56+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-royals-turn-to-matt-quatraro-to-turn-around-languishing-club/ |
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCT) — The Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the NC Department of Transportation is currently involved in its latest Click It Or Ticket program.
The program runs through Nov. 27 and is meant to encourage people to buckle up and stay safe when traveling the roads. Police departments and sheriff’s offices throughout North Carolina will be out patrolling the area and enforcing the state’s seat belt law.
“During the holidays, we see more drivers on the roads as people are traveling to visit with family and friends. This is also a time of the year when statistically there are higher crash rates, and unfortunately, a higher number of significant injuries and fatalities. We know that a leading contributor to injuries and fatalities is occupants not being properly restrained. We are asking that every driver and passenger buckles up before taking to the roads this holiday season,” said Jacksonville Police Department Traffic Supervisor Phillip Williams.
According to the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program, 555 people were killed statewide and 1,150 were seriously injured in crashes related to not wearing a seat belt as of the first of this week.
“We know many people will travel to see loved ones during the Thanksgiving holiday, and we want to keep you safe. And we know wearing seatbelts saves lives. So, make sure everyone in your vehicle buckles up before you get on the road,” said New Bern Chief Patrick Gallagher said.
Click here to find out more about the program. | 2022-11-23T22:04:02+00:00 | wnct.com | https://www.wnct.com/local-news/click-it-or-ticket-program-taking-place-through-holiday/ |
(WXIN) — A homicide investigation is underway in New Zealand after a family found the remains of two children inside suitcases they bought from a storage facility in an online auction.
The family alerted police to the discovery last week after finding the remains inside the suitcases. New Zealand police characterized the find as “extremely upsetting.”
The family who bought the suitcases doesn’t have anything to do with the remains, police said, and is cooperating with the investigation. Police have asked the media to “respect their privacy at this difficult time.”
Police said the family was “understandably distressed” by the discovery, which was made in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa.
An examination of the remains found that the suitcases contained the remains of two elementary school-aged children, police revealed Wednesday.
“Early indications suggest these children may have been deceased for a number of years before being found last week,” said Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Vaaelua.
“Formal identification procedures are still ongoing, which means police are not yet able to comment on the identities of the children,” he said.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the children and how their remains ended up at the storage facility.
“We are continuing to treat this matter very seriously and we are determined to hold the person, or persons, responsible for the deaths of these children to account,” Vaaelua said. | 2022-08-18T11:26:31+00:00 | wivb.com | https://www.wivb.com/news/national/remains-of-2-children-found-inside-suitcases-bought-from-storage-facility-auction-in-new-zealand/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he has suffered a minor stroke and is being treated at George Washington University Hospital. The Maryland Democrat says he has been told there are no long-term effects or damage.
In a statement Sunday night, Van Hollen said he has been advised by doctors to remain under observation at the hospital for a few days out of an abundance of caution.
Van Hollen, 63, was elected to the Senate in 2016 after serving seven terms in the U.S. House.
The senator said he experienced lightheadedness and acute neck pain while delivering a speech in western Maryland. On the advice of a physician, he sought medical attention upon his return home.
An angiogram indicated a minor stroke in the form of a small venous tear at the back of his head, Van Hollen said.
“I look forward to returning to work in the Senate later this week and thank the medical team for their excellent care,” he said. | 2022-05-16T12:17:22+00:00 | krqe.com | https://www.krqe.com/news/politics/marylands-sen-chris-van-hollen-treated-for-minor-stroke/ |
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson may have survived a no-confidence vote, but his grip on power is far from secure.
Many compare his position to that of his predecessor Theresa May, who won a similar vote by a larger margin than Johnson but was nonetheless ousted six months later.
“The history for prime ministers who survive confidence votes isn’t that great,” said Tim Bale, professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.
A look at how previous Conservative prime ministers fared after leadership challenges against them:
___
MARGARET THATCHER
Thatcher survived a first leadership challenge in 1989, but a second one the next year spelled her downfall.
In 1989, a little-known lawmaker, Anthony Meyer, launched a challenge against Thatcher, who had been reelected as party leader unopposed every year since 1974. Thatcher won comfortably by 314 votes to 33 but, counting deliberately spoiled ballot papers, about 60 had failed to endorse her — an early indication that her position was shaky.
The next year, former defense secretary Michael Heseltine mounted his own bid to wrest leadership from Thatcher amid serious divisions within the Conservatives.
Thatcher won 204 votes to Heseltine’s 152 in the first round of the leadership election, but the margin wasn’t enough to defeat him outright, forcing a second round.
The “Iron Lady” resigned two days later, and Conservative lawmakers subsequently elected John Major as her successor in a second ballot.
___
JOHN MAJOR
Major took over as Thatcher’s handpicked successor in December 1990.
In June 1995, Major resigned as party leader to force a leadership contest against himself, challenging his party to “put up or shut up” in a bid to quell a persistent group of critics within the Conservative ranks opposed to Britain’s closer integration with the EU.
Major secured a majority of votes in a Conservative leadership contest against rival John Redwood, but a third of the party either voted against him, spoiled their ballot papers or abstained.
Major clung onto power for almost two more years, until the Conservatives lost the 1997 general election in a landslide victory for Labour’s Tony Blair.
___
THERESA MAY
May, who became Britain’s second female prime minister in July 2016, faced severe pressure throughout her tenure over her repeated but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to take Britain out of the European Union.
In December 2018, 48 Conservative lawmakers furious with her Brexit policy triggered a no-confidence vote in her. She won by 200 votes to 117, but the results meant she lost the support of one-third of her lawmakers.
Opposition continued to buffet her leadership and May fought in vain to get lawmakers’ backing to implement the Brexit deal she struck with the EU. Parliament rejected her plan three times, and even previously loyal members of her Cabinet openly criticized her bill.
May was forced to step down in May 2019, saying “it will always remain a matter of deep regret for me” to fail to deliver Brexit.
Bale, the politics professor, believes Johnson is different from Thatcher and May and will not resign voluntarily.
“Many of Boris Johnson’s opponents would say that the only interest he has at heart is his own continuation in the job. So he really will have to be kicked out of Downing Street” by lawmakers, Bale said. | 2022-06-07T19:51:25+00:00 | ourquadcities.com | https://www.ourquadcities.com/news/business/ap-business/past-uk-conservative-leaders-who-faced-leadership-challenges/ |
LOS ANGELES, July 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. (the "Company" or "Rexford Industrial") (NYSE: REXR), a real estate investment trust ("REIT") focused on creating value by investing in and operating industrial properties within Southern California infill markets, today announced financial and operating results for the second quarter of 2023.
Second Quarter 2023 Financial and Operational Highlights:
- Net income attributable to common stockholders of $51.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, as compared to $36.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share, for the prior year quarter.
- Company share of Core FFO of $108.4 million, an increase of 32.8% as compared to the prior year quarter.
- Company share of Core FFO per diluted share of $0.54, an increase of 10.2% as compared to the prior year quarter.
- Consolidated Portfolio Net Operating Income (NOI) of $149.8 million, an increase of 31.9% as compared to the prior year quarter.
- Same Property Portfolio NOI increased 8.0% and Same Property Portfolio Cash NOI increased 10.0% as compared to the prior year quarter.
- 98.0% Average Same Property Portfolio occupancy.
- Comparable rental rates on 2.1 million rentable square feet of new and renewal leases increased by 96.8% compared to prior rents on a GAAP basis and by 74.8% on a cash basis.
- Completed five acquisitions for an aggregate purchase price of $142.7 million including properties closed subsequent to quarter end.
- Ended the quarter with a low-leverage balance sheet measured by a net debt-to-enterprise value ratio of 16.0%.
"The Rexford Industrial team produced another quarter of excellent results, demonstrating the strength of our value creation focused business model within infill Southern California, the nation's largest industrial market, benefiting from the lowest threat of disruption from new supply of any major market due to an extreme scarcity of developable land coupled with favorable long-term tenant demand fundamentals," stated Michael Frankel and Howard Schwimmer, Co-Chief Executive Officers of the Company. "In the second quarter, our team increased Core FFO by 33% and Core FFO per diluted share by 10% compared to the prior year quarter. The Company's differentiated portfolio delivered superior results driving 450,000 square feet of positive net absorption through the execution of 2.1 million square feet of leases with record-high leasing spreads of 97% and 75% on a GAAP and cash basis, respectively. During the quarter, we stabilized four repositioning and redevelopment projects generating an unlevered stabilized yield of 6.8% on total cost, with 4.0% average annual contractual rent increases through the term of the leases. Looking forward, Rexford Industrial remains well-positioned to deliver significant embedded cash flow and NAV growth through a) the proactive repositioning and redevelopment of our near-term pipeline comprising 3.4 million square feet of value-add projects within our in-place portfolio that are projected to deliver an aggregate 6.4% unlevered yield on total investment, combined with b) the opportunity to continue harvesting the substantial mark-to-market of our in-place leases as we roll in-place rents to higher market rates. Additionally, we have completed approximately $905 million dollars of accretive investments year to date with approximately $235 million of additional acquisitions under contract or accepted offer, projecting an aggregate 6.1% stabilized unlevered cash yield, which are subject to customary closing conditions. Our entrepreneurial approach to value creation enabled by our investment grade, low-leverage balance sheet favorably positions the company to capitalize on accretive opportunities for our stakeholders."
Financial Results:
The Company reported net income attributable to common stockholders for the second quarter of $51.6 million, or $0.26 per diluted share, compared to $36.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share for the prior year quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, net income attributable to common stockholders was $109.4 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, compared to $80.0 million, or $0.49 per diluted share for the prior year. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2023, includes $12.1 million of gains on sale of real estate, as compared to $8.5 million for the prior year.
The Company reported Core FFO for the second quarter of $108.4 million, representing a 32.8% increase compared to $81.7 million for the prior year quarter. The Company reported Core FFO of $0.54 per diluted share, representing an increase of 10.2% compared to $0.49 per diluted share for the prior year quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, Core FFO was $211.1 million, representing a 33.3% increase compared to $158.3 million for the prior year. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company reported Core FFO of $1.06 per diluted share, representing an increase of 9.3% compared to $0.97 per diluted share for the prior year.
In the second quarter, the Company's consolidated portfolio NOI and Cash NOI increased 31.9% and 36.2%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company's consolidated portfolio NOI and Cash NOI increased 32.3% and 34.6%, respectively, compared to the prior year.
In the second quarter, the Company's Same Property Portfolio NOI and Cash NOI increased 8.0% and 10.0%, respectively, compared to the prior year quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company's Same Property Portfolio NOI and Cash NOI increased 7.6% and 10.3%, respectively compared to the prior year.
Operating Results:
Second quarter 2023 leasing activity demonstrates strong tenant demand fundamentals within Rexford Industrial's target Southern California infill markets:
As of June 30, 2023, the Company's Same Property Portfolio occupancy was 98.1%. Average Same Property Portfolio occupancy for the second quarter was 98.0%. As of June 30, 2023, the Company's consolidated portfolio, excluding value-add repositioning assets, was 97.3% occupied and 97.4% leased, and the Company's consolidated portfolio, including value-add repositioning assets, was 94.0% occupied and 94.2% leased. As of June 30, 2023, lease expirations for the remainder of 2023 totaled 2.6 million rentable square feet, representing approximately 5.9% of portfolio rentable square feet.
Transaction Activity:
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company completed three acquisitions with 0.2 million square feet of buildings on 15 acres of land for an aggregate purchase price of $83.3 million. In April, the Company acquired the following transaction not previously disclosed:
- 2395-2399 Bateman Avenue, Irwindale, located in the LA – San Gabriel Valley submarket, through an off-market transaction, for $41.2 million, or $305 per square foot. The 6.4 acre site encompasses three modern industrial buildings, totaling 134,942 square feet, and is leased at rents estimated to be approximately 60% below current market rates. Upon near-term expirations, the Company intends to drive accretive cash flow growth through the renewal of the existing tenants or through re-tenanting following a value-add repositioning of the property. The investment is projected to generate a 5.4% unlevered stabilized cash yield on total investment. According to CBRE, the vacancy rate in the 161 million square foot LA – San Gabriel Valley submarket was 1.5% at the end of the second quarter 2023.
Subsequent to the second quarter of 2023, the Company completed two acquisitions for an aggregate purchase price of $59.4 million:
- 27712-27756 Avenue Mentry, Santa Clarita, located in the LA – Greater San Fernando Valley submarket, through an off-market transaction, for $38.0 million, or $172 per square foot. The 9.1 acre site is improved with two buildings totaling 220,752 square feet and is subject to a long-term lease to a single tenant. The investment generates an initial unlevered cash yield of 5.3%. According to CBRE, the vacancy rate in the 179 million square foot LA – Greater San Fernando Valley submarket was 1.0% at the end of the second quarter 2023.
- 5630 Cerritos Avenue, Cypress, located in the OC – West submarket for $21.4 million, or $281 per square foot. The 76,032 square foot single-tenant building on 3.6 acres is subject to a long-term lease generating an initial unlevered cash yield of 6.4%. According to CBRE, the vacancy rate in the 42 million square foot OC – West submarket was 0.8% at the end of the second quarter 2023.
The $904.9 million of investments completed year to date, including transactions closed subsequent to quarter end, are projected to generate a weighted average unlevered initial yield of 5.1% and a projected weighted average unlevered stabilized yield on total investment of 5.9%.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company stabilized four repositioning and redevelopment projects representing 374,564 square feet of buildings and a 208,976 square foot Industrial Outdoor Storage site representing a total investment of $131 million. The projects achieved a weighted average unlevered stabilized yield on total investment of 6.8%.
Balance Sheet:
The Company ended the second quarter with $136.3 million in cash on hand and $1.0 billion available under its unsecured revolving credit facility. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had $2.2 billion of outstanding debt, with an average interest rate of 3.6%, an average term-to-maturity of 5.1 years and no floating rate debt exposure. Including extension options available at the Company's option, the Company has no significant debt maturities until 2026.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company completed a public offering of 13,500,000 shares of common stock subject to forward equity sale agreements at a public offering price of $55.60 per share for an offering value of $750.6 million.
Subsequent to the second quarter of 2023, the Company partially settled the outstanding forward equity sale agreements related to the public offering by issuing 5,400,000 shares of common stock in exchange for net proceeds of $298.4 million.
As of July 19, 2023, the Company had approximately $447.8 million of forward net proceeds remaining for settlement prior to October 11, 2024.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Company did not execute on its at-the-market equity offering program ("ATM Program"). As of June 30, 2023, the Company's at-the-market equity offering program had approximately $1.1 billion of remaining capacity.
Dividends:
On July 17, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend in the amount of $0.38 per share for the third quarter of 2023, payable in cash on October 16, 2023, to common stockholders and common unit holders of record as of September 29, 2023.
On July 17, 2023, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.367188 per share of its Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock and a quarterly dividend of $0.351563 per share of its Series C Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, payable in cash on September 29, 2023, to preferred stockholders of record as of September 15, 2023.
Guidance
The Company is updating its full year 2023 guidance as indicated below. The Core FFO guidance refers to the Company's in-place portfolio as of July 19, 2023 including the imminent closing of a $210.0 million transaction in the LA — Mid-Counties market, and does not include any assumptions for additional acquisitions, dispositions or related balance sheet activities that have not closed. Please refer to the Company's supplemental information package for a complete detail of guidance and 2023 Guidance Rollforward.
A number of factors could impact the Company's ability to deliver results in line with its guidance, including, but not limited to, the potential impacts related to interest rates, inflation, the economy, the supply and demand of industrial real estate, the availability and terms of financing to the Company or to potential acquirers of real estate and the timing and yields for divestment and investment. There can be no assurance that the Company can achieve such results.
Supplemental Information and Investor Presentation:
The Company's supplemental financial reporting package as well as an updated investor presentation are available on the Company's investor relations website at www.ir.rexfordindustrial.com.
Earnings Release, Investor Conference Webcast and Conference Call:
A conference call with senior management will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
To participate in the live telephone conference call, please access the following dial-in numbers at least five minutes prior to the start time.
1-877-407-0789 (for domestic callers)
1-201-689-8562 (for international callers)
Conference call playback will be available through August 20, 2023, and can be accessed using the following numbers and pass code 13734481.
1-844-512-2921 (for domestic callers)
1-412-317-6671 (for international callers)
A live webcast and replay of the conference call will also be available at www.ir.rexfordindustrial.com.
About Rexford Industrial:
Rexford Industrial creates value by investing in, operating and redeveloping industrial properties throughout infill Southern California, the world's fourth largest industrial market and consistently the highest-demand with lowest-supply major market in the nation. The Company's highly differentiated strategy enables internal and external growth opportunities through its proprietary value creation and asset management capabilities. Rexford Industrial's high-quality, irreplaceable portfolio comprises 367 properties with approximately 44.5 million rentable square feet occupied by a stable and diverse tenant base. Structured as a real estate investment trust (REIT) listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "REXR," Rexford Industrial is an S&P MidCap 400 Index member. For more information, please visit www.rexfordindustrial.com.
Forward Looking Statements:
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "intends," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," or "potential" or the negative of these words and phrases or similar words or phrases which are predictions of or indicate future events or trends and which do not relate solely to historical matters. While forward-looking statements reflect the Company's good faith beliefs, assumptions and expectations, they are not guarantees of future performance. In addition, projections, assumptions and estimates of our future performance and the future performance of the industry in which we operate are necessarily subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described above. These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in our estimates and beliefs and in the estimates prepared by independent parties. For a further discussion of these and other factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the reports and other filings by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, of new information, data or methods, future events or other changes.
Definitions / Discussion of Non-GAAP Financial Measures:
Funds from Operations (FFO): We calculate FFO in accordance with the standards established by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts ("NAREIT"). FFO represents net income (loss) (computed in accordance with GAAP), excluding gains (or losses) from sales of depreciable operating property, gains (or losses) from sales of assets incidental to our business, impairment losses of depreciable operating property or assets incidental to our business, real estate related depreciation and amortization (excluding amortization of deferred financing costs and amortization of above/below-market lease intangibles) and after adjustments for unconsolidated joint ventures. Management uses FFO as a supplemental performance measure because, in excluding real estate related depreciation and amortization, gains and losses from property dispositions, other than temporary impairments of unconsolidated real estate entities, and impairment on our investment in real estate, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. We also believe that, as a widely recognized measure of performance used by other REITs, FFO may be used by investors as a basis to compare our operating performance with that of other REITs. However, because FFO excludes depreciation and amortization and captures neither the changes in the value of our properties that result from use or market conditions nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties, all of which have real economic effects and could materially impact our results from operations, the utility of FFO as a measure of our performance is limited. Other equity REITs may not calculate or interpret FFO in accordance with the NAREIT definition as we do, and, accordingly, our FFO may not be comparable to such other REITs' FFO. FFO should not be used as a measure of our liquidity and is not indicative of funds available for our cash needs, including our ability to pay dividends. FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance. A reconciliation of net income, the nearest GAAP equivalent, to FFO is set forth below in the Financial Statements and Reconciliations section. "Company Share of FFO" reflects FFO attributable to common stockholders, which excludes amounts allocable to noncontrolling interests, participating securities and preferred stockholders.
Core Funds from Operations (Core FFO): We calculate Core FFO by adjusting FFO for non-comparable items outlined in the "Reconciliation of Net Income to Funds From Operations and Core Funds From Operations" table which is located in the Financial Statements and Reconciliations section below. We believe that Core FFO is a useful supplemental measure and that by adjusting for items that are not considered by the Company to be part of its on-going operating performance, provides a more meaningful and consistent comparison of the Company's operating and financial performance period-over-period. Because these adjustments have a real economic impact on our financial condition and results from operations, the utility of Core FFO as a measure of our performance is limited. Other REITs may not calculate Core FFO in a consistent manner. Accordingly, our Core FFO may not be comparable to other REITs' Core FFO. Core FFO should be considered only as a supplement to net income computed in accordance with GAAP as a measure of our performance. "Company Share of Core FFO" reflects Core FFO attributable to common stockholders, which excludes amounts allocable to noncontrolling interests, participating securities and preferred stockholders.
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders per Diluted Share Guidance to Company Share of Core FFO per Diluted Share Guidance:
The following is a reconciliation of the Company's 2023 guidance range of net income attributable to common stockholders per diluted share, the most directly comparable forward-looking GAAP financial measure, to Company share of Core FFO per diluted share.
Net Operating Income (NOI): NOI is a non-GAAP measure, which includes the revenue and expense directly attributable to our real estate properties. NOI is calculated as rental income from real estate operations less property expenses (before interest expense, depreciation and amortization). We use NOI as a supplemental performance measure because, in excluding real estate depreciation and amortization expense and gains (or losses) from property dispositions, it provides a performance measure that, when compared year over year, captures trends in occupancy rates, rental rates and operating costs. We also believe that NOI will be useful to investors as a basis to compare our operating performance with that of other REITs. However, because NOI excludes depreciation and amortization expense and captures neither the changes in the value of our properties that result from use or market conditions, nor the level of capital expenditures and leasing commissions necessary to maintain the operating performance of our properties (all of which have a real economic effect and could materially impact our results from operations), the utility of NOI as a measure of our performance is limited. Other equity REITs may not calculate NOI in a similar manner and, accordingly, our NOI may not be comparable to such other REITs' NOI. Accordingly, NOI should be considered only as a supplement to net income as a measure of our performance. NOI should not be used as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs.
NOI should not be used as a substitute for cash flow from operating activities in accordance with GAAP. We use NOI to help evaluate the performance of the Company as a whole, as well as the performance of our Same Property Portfolio. A calculation of NOI for our Same Property Portfolio, as well as a reconciliation of net income to NOI for our Same Property Portfolio, is set forth below in the Financial Statements and Reconciliations section.
Cash NOI: Cash NOI is a non-GAAP measure, which we calculate by adding or subtracting from NOI: (i) fair value lease revenue and (ii) straight-line rent adjustments. We use Cash NOI, together with NOI, as a supplemental performance measure. Cash NOI should not be used as a measure of our liquidity, nor is it indicative of funds available to fund our cash needs. Cash NOI should not be used as a substitute for cash flow from operating activities computed in accordance with GAAP. We use Cash NOI to help evaluate the performance of the Company as a whole, as well as the performance of our Same Property Portfolio. A calculation of Cash NOI for our Same Property Portfolio, as well as a reconciliation of net income to Cash NOI for our Same Property Portfolio, is set forth below in the Financial Statements and Reconciliations section.
Same Property Portfolio: Our 2023 Same Property Portfolio is a subset of our consolidated portfolio and includes properties that were wholly owned by us for the period from January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, and excludes (i) properties that were acquired or sold during the period from January 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, and (ii) properties acquired prior to January 1, 2022 that were or will be classified as repositioning/redevelopment (current and future) or lease-up during 2022 and 2023 and select buildings in "Other Repositioning," which we believe will significantly affect the properties' results during the comparative periods. As of June 30, 2023, our 2023 Same Property Portfolio consists of buildings aggregating 32,496,302 rentable square feet at 256 of our properties.
Properties and Space Under Repositioning: Typically defined as properties or units where a significant amount of space is held vacant in order to implement capital improvements that improve the functionality (not including basic refurbishments, i.e., paint and carpet), cash flow and value of that space. A repositioning is generally considered complete once the investment is fully or nearly fully deployed and the property is available for occupancy. We consider a repositioning property to be stabilized at the earlier of the following: (i) upon reaching 90% occupancy or (ii) one year from the date of completion of repositioning construction work.
Net Debt to Enterprise Value: As of June 30, 2023, we had consolidated indebtedness of $2.2 billion, reflecting a net debt to enterprise value of approximately 16.0%. Our enterprise value is defined as the sum of the liquidation preference of our outstanding preferred stock and preferred units plus the market value of our common stock excluding shares of nonvested restricted stock, plus the aggregate value of common units not owned by us, plus the value of our net debt. Our net debt is defined as our consolidated indebtedness less cash and cash equivalents.
Contact:
Financial Statements and Reconciliations:
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SOURCE Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc. | 2023-07-19T21:05:30+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2023/07/19/rexford-industrial-announces-second-quarter-2023-financial-results/ |
CT Boston/Norton MA Zone Forecast for Sunday, February 26, 2023
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632 FPUS51 KBOX 270759
ZFPBOX
Zone Forecast Product for Southern New England
National Weather Service Boston/Norton MA
259 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
CTZ002-271500-
Hartford CT-
Including the cities of Hartford and Windsor Locks
259 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM
EST TUESDAY...
.REST OF TONIGHT...Mostly clear. Near steady temperature in the
mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
.MONDAY...Sunny in the morning, then becoming partly sunny. Highs
in the mid 30s. North winds around 5 mph with gusts up to 20 mph,
becoming east in the afternoon.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Snow. Snow may be heavy at times after midnight.
Snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Lows in the upper 20s.
Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming northeast after midnight.
Gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
.TUESDAY...Snow. Additional light snow accumulation. Highs in the
mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
Chance of snow 80 percent.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest
winds 5 to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of
rain. Near steady temperature in the mid 30s.
.THURSDAY...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs
in the upper 40s.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in
the upper 20s. Chance of snow 30 percent.
.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...Snow and rain. Highs in the upper 30s.
Lows in the upper 20s. Chance of precipitation 80 percent.
.SATURDAY...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs
in the mid 30s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the lower
20s. Highs in the upper 30s.
$$
CTZ003-271500-
Tolland CT-
Including the cities of Union and Vernon
259 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM
EST TUESDAY...
.REST OF TONIGHT...Mostly clear. Near steady temperature in the
mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. Northwest winds
around 5 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, becoming northeast in the
afternoon.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Snow likely in the evening, then snow after
midnight. Snow may be heavy at times after midnight. Snow
accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Lows in the mid 20s. Southeast
winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming east after midnight. Gusts up to
25 mph. Chance of snow near 100 percent.
.TUESDAY...Snow. Additional light snow accumulation. Highs in the
mid 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph.
Chance of snow 80 percent.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest
winds 5 to 10 mph.
.WEDNESDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of
rain. Lows in the lower 30s.
.THURSDAY...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs
in the upper 40s.
.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in
the upper 20s. Chance of snow 30 percent.
.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...Snow and rain. Brisk. Highs in the
upper 30s. Lows in the upper 20s. Chance of precipitation
80 percent.
.SATURDAY...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs
in the mid 30s.
.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Highs
in the upper 30s.
$$
CTZ004-271500-
Windham CT-
Including the cities of Putnam and Willimantic
259 AM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 7 PM
EST TUESDAY...
.REST OF TONIGHT...Mostly clear. Near steady temperature in the
mid 20s. Northwest winds around 5 mph with gusts up to 20 mph.
.MONDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 30s. North winds around
5 mph, becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
.MONDAY NIGHT...Snow likely in the evening, then snow after
midnight. Snow may be heavy at times after midnight. Snow
accumulation of 4 to 6 inches. Lows in the mid 20s. East winds
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.TUESDAY...Snow. Additional light snow accumulation. Highs in the
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Chance of snow 80 percent.
.TUESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 20s. Northwest
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.WEDNESDAY...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 40s.
.WEDNESDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of
rain. Near steady temperature in the mid 30s.
.THURSDAY...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain. Highs
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.THURSDAY NIGHT...Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow. Lows in
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.FRIDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHT...Rain with snow likely. Brisk. Highs in
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.SATURDAY...Partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of snow. Highs
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.SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...Mostly cloudy. Lows around 20. Highs
in the upper 30s.
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Copyright 2023 AccuWeather | 2023-02-27T09:03:03+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/weather/article/ct-boston-norton-ma-zone-forecast-17807602.php |
Limited-Edition Hurricane XLT2 and Capsule Apparel are Now Available
GOLETA, Calif., June 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teva®, a division of Deckers Brands (NYSE: DECK), is excited to announce the launch of the Keep Rivers Wild Capsule Collection in collaboration with Parks Project. The purpose-driven and adventure-fueled capsule collection is inspired by the natural terrain of the Colorado River and features a range of accessories and apparel designed to spread awareness around the threat to our water and river systems.
As a brand that was founded on the Colorado River in 1984, Teva is reducing its impact so future generations are free to explore the wild world around them. Parks Project shares this commitment and exists to protect and restore habitats. Together, the two brands have created a collection that not only showcases the beauty of our national parks but also raises awareness of the need to protect and preserve them.
Each piece in the collection features hand-drawn art, nature inspired colorways and motifs that captivate the beauty of the Colorado River. The infinitely versatile Teva x Parks Project capsule features Teva's iconic Hurricane XLT2 ($85) and a range of earth-conscious accessories and apparel that will complement your adventure-ready look, including the Teva x Parks Project Wild Rivers Pocket Tee ($40), Wild Rivers Recycled Cropped Tank ($55), Wild Rivers Recycled Hiker Short ($60), Wild Rivers Ripstop River Hat ($40) and more.
As a part of this spring collaboration, Teva and Parks Project will be donating a total of $30,000 to Grand Canyon Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, to support Colorado River restoration initiatives, specifically native fish conservation and monitoring. This work includes the removal of non-native predatory fish, translocation of native fishes, river missions, and data analysis.
"Teva is a brand whose values and love of the outdoors match ours, so we're excited to partner with them to create an inspiring capsule collection that speaks to their heritage in one of America's most amazing national parks, the Grand Canyon! We hope this collaboration inspires everyone to learn about the importance of habitat restoration in our parks, so we can all together leave it better than we found it," states Keith Eshelman, Co-founder and CEO of Parks Project.
"We are thrilled to partner with Parks Project to launch the Keep Rivers Wild Capsule Collection. This collaboration is an expression of our shared commitment to protecting wild places. We hope this collection inspires people to get outside, explore, and protect our national parks," said Anders Bergstrom, Vice President, Global GM of Teva Footwear at Deckers Brands.
The Teva x Parks Project collection is available exclusively at Teva.com, Parksproject.us, REI.com, and select REI stores starting June 1, 2023. Join Teva and Parks Project in their mission to protect and preserve our natural resources and inspire the next generation of adventurers. #TevaxParksProject
About Teva®
In 1984, Teva created the world's first sport sandal on the banks of the Grand Canyon. The brand outfits free-spirited adventure-seekers all over the world with versatile, modern outdoor footwear. In 2020, Teva committed to reducing the brand's environmental impact by ensuring 100% of its iconic straps are made with recycled plastic, so future generations can continue exploring the wild world around them. Learn more about Teva, a division of Deckers Brands, at teva.com or follow @Teva
About Parks Project
Parks Project, a certified B Corp, exists to transform park enthusiasts into park champions and encourage everyone to leave it better than you found it. Established in 2014, Parks Project is a lifestyle brand that brings the spirit of the National Parks into your daily adventures. They've donated over $2.5 million to fund projects in national, state, and local parks. For more information, visit ParksProject.us and @ParksProject.
About Grand Canyon Conservancy
Grand Canyon Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, raising private funds, operating retail shops within the park, and providing premier guided educational programs about the natural and cultural history of the region. GCC supporters fund projects that elevate first-voice interpretation throughout the park, restore vital habitats along the Colorado River, protect the canyon's flora and fauna from the impacts of climate change, preserve pristine night skies and historic buildings, and restore world-renowned backcountry trails. Grand Canyon Conservancy inspires people to protect and enhance Grand Canyon National Park for present and future generations. For more information, visit grandcanyon.org and @grand_canyon_conservancy on Instagram.
CONTACT: teva@ledecompany.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Teva | 2023-06-01T10:40:26+00:00 | kfyrtv.com | https://www.kfyrtv.com/prnewswire/2023/06/01/teva-parks-project-join-forces-keep-rivers-wild/ |
Fewer children faced food insecurity last year, but more elderly Americans did
Food insecurity among families with children fell in 2021, reversing a spike during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released Wednesday.
Some 6.2% of households with children, or 2.3 million families, were unable at times to provide adequate, nutritious food for their kids last year, compared with 7.6% in 2020, the report found. Last year's rate was not significantly different than the 2019 share.
However, the news was not all good.
Elderly Americans living alone experienced an increase in food insecurity. The rate rose to 9.5% last year, from 8.3% in 2020.
Also, food insecurity among childless households was 9.4% last year, up from 8.8% in 2020. Among women living alone, the rate jumped to 13.2%, from 11% a year earlier.
Overall, however, the share of households contending with food insecurity remained statistically the same in 2021 as the year before. Some 10.2%, or 13.5 million households, were food insecure last year, according to the report, which is released annually.
More help for families with children
Though the USDA does not delve into the factors behind the changes in food insecurity, experts point to the enhanced child tax credit as a major reason why it declined among children and their families last year.
As part of the American Rescue Plan Act, which Congress passed in March 2021, tens of millions of families received monthly payments of up to $300 per child from July through December.
The relief package increased the maximum credit to $3,600 for children under age 6 and $3,000 for those ages 6 through 17 for 2021. Heads of households earning up to $112,500 a year and married couples making up to $150,000 were eligible for the full amount.
Also, it made the credit fully refundable so the lowest-income families could qualify. Half the credit was distributed last year, and families could claim the other half when they filed their 2021 tax returns this year.
Studies showed that families spent much of the money on necessities, while the U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey found that parents reported less trouble paying for food and household expenses after the initial installment was received.
"What it did was made sure that they had resources to spend every month," Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, director of the Institute for Policy Research at Northwestern University, said of the enhanced payments.
The economic recovery and strong job market also helped families afford to put food on their tables, she added.
Food insecurity declined overall for households with children, married couples with kids and single mothers with children. It also dropped for households headed by Black Americans and those in the South, both of which saw increases in food insecurity in 2020.
More hunger among the elderly and childless
Food insecurity among the elderly living alone may have increased because Social Security payments in 2021 did not reflect the jump in prices for groceries and other items, which started last year, said James Ziliak, director of the Center for Poverty Research at the University of Kentucky.
The annual cost of living adjustment was only 1.3% for 2021, which translated into roughly $20 a month, though it was 5.9% for this year as inflation began to climb.
And while the unemployment rate dropped last year, several million Americans left the labor force, he pointed out. Some may not have children, which makes it harder for them to get help from the government.
"There's just not much assistance out there in the safety net for the childless," Ziliak said.
Concerns about 2022
The improvements in food security for families may not continue in 2022, experts warn.
High inflation, particularly for food, is putting a strain on family budgets. Grocery prices soared 13.1% over the 12 months through July, which was the largest annual increase since the year ending in March 1979, according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At the same time, the beefed-up child tax credit, including the monthly payments, was not renewed for this year. Also, a growing number of states are ending enhanced food stamp benefits that were enacted at the start of the pandemic.
"Sadly, the 2022 report, for families with children, may look less rosy," Ziliak said. | 2022-09-08T17:15:36+00:00 | wxii12.com | https://www.wxii12.com/article/fewer-children-faced-food-insecurity-last-year-but-more-elderly-americans-did/41110832 |
First look at Brightline's 'Orange 2' train as officials say rail line to Orlando 90% complete
ORLANDO, Fla. - Brightline’s Orange 2 higher-speed train has arrived in Orlando. The latest and final addition to their fleet was delivered over the weekend.
"These trains are going to be going much faster than what people are used to," said Brightline Director of Public Affairs, Katie Mitzner.
Brightline’s trains can hit speeds of 125 mph – two times faster than the maximum speed of a freight train.
"We are starting testing between the airport and Coco and Coco to West Palm in the next couple of weeks," said Mitzner.
Brightline gave FOX 35 News a closer look at the train with a view from the inside – the brightly-colored train consists of two locomotives and four coaches.
There is plenty of space to move around and stay connected. Each train is made up of smart cars and premium cars – the premium cars have slightly bigger seats and more legroom. No matter what car you are in, you will have reclining leather chairs, tables, and power outlets with every seat.
"We have 10 trains now that will service our Orlando extension," said Mitzner.
Recently, the Associated Press named Brightline the most dangerous rail line in the nation, having contributed to 88 deaths involving its trains since 2017. None of the deaths involving Brightline have been found to be the railroad’s fault. Brightline insists their trains are safe. They said the deaths are not due to their engineers but to people or cars being on the tracks at the wrong time. Most have been suicides, pedestrians who tried to run across the tracks ahead of a train, or drivers who maneuvered around crossing gates rather than wait.
With more testing coming in weeks, Brightline has launched a new ad campaign to remind people to be aware of the tracks.
"It takes up to a mile for a train to stop, but staying off the tracks is a simple solution to keeping everyone safe," said Mitzner. "As folks are approaching railroad tracks, follow those signals. Pay attention to those gates. If those gates are coming down, don’t try to beat them. Don’t try to drive around them. Always cross at a designated crossing, and never stop on the tracks."
Brightline said the rail line connecting West Palm Beach to Orlando International Airport is 90% complete, and it hopes to open before July of this year. | 2023-02-21T00:45:57+00:00 | fox35orlando.com | https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/first-up-close-look-at-brightline-orange-2-officials-say-rail-line-to-orlando-is-90-complete |
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Saying gun owners don't need a government permission slip to protect their God-given rights, Florida's House speaker proposed legislation Monday to eliminate concealed weapons permits, a move Democrats argue would make a state with a history of horrific mass shootings less safe.
AP
Florida GOP leaders want to get rid of gun permits
Saying gun owners don’t need a government permission slip to protect their God-given rights, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner proposed legislation to eliminate concealed weapons permits
- By BRENDAN FARRINGTON - Associated Press
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- Carolyn Underwood | 2023-01-30T21:39:42+00:00 | timesdaily.com | https://www.timesdaily.com/news/nation/florida-gop-leaders-want-to-get-rid-of-gun-permits/article_1070a55f-06c2-57da-b9ea-0578422b4487.html |
ROCKPORT, Maine (AP) — Fishers of Maine lobster, one of the most lucrative seafood species in the U.S., had a smaller haul during a year in which the industry battled surging fuel and bait prices, rebukes from key retailers and the looming possibility of new fishing restrictions.
Maine lobster has exploded in value in recent years in part due to growing international demand from countries such as China. The industry brought about 98 million pounds of lobster to the docks worth about $389 million in 2022, Maine regulators said Friday. That was more than 11% less than the previous year, in which they harvested more than 110 million pounds of lobster worth more than $740 million.
The value of lobsters also fell to a little less than $4 per pound at the docks, the lowest since 2017, a year after setting a record of more than $6.70 in 2021.
The industry has experienced growth in recent years, as fishermen have caught more than 96 million pounds of lobster per year for 13 years in a row after never previously reaching that mark. But it is also wrangling with threats such as proposed rules to protect rare North Atlantic right whales, which are vulnerable to entanglement in gear.
Last year was a “real steady season,” for the most part, but the high price of doing business and a diminished price per pound for lobsters were challenges, said John Tripp, a fisherman from St. George.
“It’s getting pretty costly to do what we do,” Tripp said.
The lower price to fishermen last year did not necessarily translate to lower prices for consumers, as lobsters remain a premium seafood product. Fishermen are typically paid $4 to $5 per pound for their catch, while retailers often charge consumers more than twice that.
The potential threats to the industry include the warming of the Gulf of Maine, which is a key fishing area off New England. The gulf experienced its second-warmest year on record last year, scientists have said.
“Maine’s lobstermen were facing tremendous uncertainty about their future last year over pending federal whale regulations, compounded by the high costs for bait and fuel,” said Maine Gov. Janet Mills, a Democrat. “Yet they still brought to shore nearly 100 million pounds of quality Maine lobster, which reflects this industry’s resilience when confronted with a difficult and dynamic economic environment.”
The lobster fishing business has also lost some customers in the wake of sustainability organizations suspending their certifications of the industry over concerns about threats to whales. Retailers including Whole Foods said they would halt sales of Maine lobster after the groups, Maine Stewardship Council and Seafood Watch, pulled the certifications.
Some scientists and conservationists have called on government regulators to treat the threat to whales more urgently. The whales are also vulnerable to collisions with large ships.
“With fewer than 350 individuals remaining, and their numbers in decline, North Atlantic right whales are at risk of extinction,” wrote a group of conservationists including Peter Corkeron, a former National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientist, in a February issue of the journal Science.
The vast majority of U.S. lobster come to the docks in Maine, though some also come ashore in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and further south. Canadian fishermen also catch millions of pounds of the same species off the eastern provinces of the country. | 2023-03-03T17:48:06+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/news/ap-us-news/maine-lobstermen-have-slower-year-amid-industry-challenges/ |
HORSEHEADS, N.Y. (WETM) – It’s time for another edition of Senior Send-Off sponsored by Tom’s South Corning Collision.
On this edition, we honor Horseheads senior wrestler Zac Evans. Zac was the runner-up at the Dave Buck tournament and also was the sectional runner-up at 138 lbs this past season. Evans was named to the all STAC West team and was awarded the Mark Stephens Memorial Scholarship. Zac will attend Alfred State College in the fall where he will continue to wrestle and will study Heavy Equipment, Truck and Diesel Technician.
If you have a senior student-athlete who you would like to see be recognized, email us at sports@wetmtv.com. 18 Sports will highlight every submission throughout the summer. | 2022-06-22T00:24:10+00:00 | mytwintiers.com | https://www.mytwintiers.com/sports/local-sports/senior-send-off-horseheads-zac-evans/ |
Which bra extender is best?
Finding a bra that fits correctly can be challenging. They can also be extremely expensive depending on what size you need, and having to buy new bras when your weight fluctuates is hardly ideal. That’s why a bra extender can be an easy and useful way to make your bras fit better. The best bra extender is Duolemi Bra Extenders 2/3/4 Hooks.
What to know before you buy a bra extender
Between Sizes
If you’re wondering whether you need a bra extender, you most likely do if you’re between band sizes. Bra sizing has a lot of variety and inconsistency, but in general if the cups fit comfortably but the band feels too tight, you might want to try an extender.
Distortion
Over time, bra extenders can potentially distort a bra. They may also negatively affect the amount of support you should be getting from the band. In general, most of a bra’s support comes from the band, so any compromise to its structural integrity can affect how the bra wears over time. However, good bras can be very expensive, so if you’re on a budget for the foreseeable future, a bra extender can be a great alternative.
Quick Fix
An extender is meant to be a quick, cheap fix. This can be especially useful in a lot of situations. It’s also a way of saving older but still loved bras for a while longer and extending their life. Just keep in mind that bra extenders are not designed to be a lifelong solution, so they’re unlikely to hold up to hard wear and tear over a long period of time.
What to look for in a quality bra extender
Number of Hooks
The number of hooks you need on an extender will largely depend on what bra or bras you need it for. However many hook and eye closures your bra has, that’s how many you’ll need on an extender. The thicker your band, the more closures it will have. This is more common on bras that offer greater support, as a thick band is far more supportive than a thin one, and takes a lot of weight off the straps. Don’t try to use a thin extender with one or two closures on a thick band, because it will probably affect how much support your bra can provide and potentially cause aches and pains in your back.
Length
As important as the number of hooks is the length of the extender, or how long it can comfortably stretch. Some bra extenders only add half an inch to an inch, while others have elastic that can add several inches. What you should get will depend on your individual needs. If you anticipate your weight fluctuating a certain amount, consider an extender with good elastic to account for that. If you just need something quick, you probably only need a basic extender with no elastic.
Colors
Most bra extenders only come in three shades, black, white, and tan. The tan shade is meant to be a “nude” shade, but obviously it’s not going to fit most actual skin tones. You’ll have more luck just getting black extenders, or looking for companies offering a much broader selection of colors. Either way don’t expect your extender to perfectly match the color of your bra unless your bra is black, white, or tan.
How much you can expect to spend on a bra extender
Bra extenders can cost about $5-$12.
Bra extender FAQ
How much will a bra extender extend my bra?
It depends on what kind of extender you get. One with elastic can potentially add a few inches, while one without elastic may only add an inch or less. Measure your underbust and compare it to your current favorite bra’s band measurement to gauge what type of extender you need.
How do I know if my bra band is too small?
Your bra band could be so tight that your skin bulges out around it. It might also leave painful red marks on your skin after wearing your bra for a certain amount of time.
What’s the best bra extender to buy?
Top bra extender
Duolemi Bra Extenders 2/3/4 Hooks
What you need to know: This variety pack has lots of different options in color and size.
What you’ll love: Featuring both extenders with different hooks, colors and elastic options, this set might be the easiest to get, especially if you have a wide variety of bras. This is the most versatile option.
What you should consider: Even with the variety they may not fit all your bras. Measure what bras need extending before buying.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Top bra extender for the money
KTOBTEL Bra Extender 3 Hooks 3 Rows Elastic
What you need to know: This 4-pack has 3-hook closures to suit most bras with broad bands.
What you’ll love: With three hooks each and a sturdy piece of elastic, these extenders are comfortable to wear and will work great on wide bands so that you don’t have to sacrifice great support for a better fit.
What you should consider: They come in limited colors and the hook spacing may not work with all bras.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Worth checking out
What you need to know: Perfect for small, thin bands, these extenders can add just that extra bit of room.
What you’ll love: These are great for anyone who only needs a little more length in their bra band. This would be especially useful on a brand new bra that needs time to stretch out without being uncomfortable to wear.
What you should consider: The sizing will not be suitable for every customer. Check measurements carefully before purchasing.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | 2022-06-10T22:10:24+00:00 | pix11.com | https://pix11.com/reviews/br/apparel-br/loungewear-undergarments-br/best-bra-extender/ |
AP source: Investigators narrow suspect pool in leak probe
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department and FBI have narrowed the pool of potential suspects believed responsible for the disclosure of highly classified military documents on the Ukraine war, a person familiar with the investigation said Thursday.
The Biden administration has been working to assess the diplomatic and national security consequences of the leaked documents since they were first reported last week. A top Pentagon spokesman told reporters earlier this week that the disclosures present a “very serious risk to national security,” and the Justice Department opened an investigation to identify the person responsible.
“We’re getting close,” President Joe Biden told reporters in Ireland on Thursday. He said that though he was concerned that sensitive government documents had been disclosed, “there’s nothing contemporaneous that I’m aware of that is of great consequence.”
Since the investigation began, officials have winnowed down the number of suspects who might be responsible, according to a person with knowledge of the probe who was not authorized to discuss an ongoing investigation. It was not clear how many suspects remained or when or if an arrest might be made.
The Justice Department declined to comment Thursday.
It’s possible the leak may have started on a site called Discord, a social media platform popular with people playing online games. The Discord site hosts real-time voice, video and text chats for groups and describes itself as a place “where you can belong to a school club, a gaming group, or a worldwide art community.”
In one of those forums, originally created to talk about a range of topics, members would debate the war in Ukraine. According to one member of the chat, an unidentified poster shared documents that the poster claimed were classified, first typing them out with the poster’s own thoughts, then, as of a few months ago, uploading images of folded papers.
Discord has said it was cooperating with law enforcement.
There are only a few ways the classified information that was leaked could have been accessed, which may provide critical clues as to who is responsible. Typically in classified briefings, as with the slides that were placed on Discord, the information is shared electronically.
That is done either through secure computer terminals where users gain access based on their credentials or through tablets that are distributed for briefings and collected afterward. If the slides need to be printed out instead, they can only be sent to secured printers that are able to handle classified documents — and that keep a digital record of everyone who has requested a printout.
It’s those digital clues like the record of printouts that may help investigators hone in on who took the documents. In most of the photographs of documents posted online the pictures are of paper copies that look like they had been folded into quarters — almost as if they’d been stuffed into someone’s pocket.
In the days since the leaks came to light, the Pentagon has deferred questions on the investigation to the Justice Department, stating that it’s a criminal matter. Even if the person who leaked the files is an active duty member of the U.S. military, the Justice Department would likely still have the lead in the prosecution until it was ready to turn the matter over to the Defense Department, a defense official told the AP on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
This has been the case in previous criminal cases, such as when two Marines based at Camp Pendleton in California were arrested on drug trafficking charges in 2020, the official said. If the person responsible turns out to be a civilian, the Justice Department will be responsible, the official said.
CNN reported earlier Thursday that the FBI believed it was getting close to identifying a suspect.
____
Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Darlene Superville in Dublin contributed to this report.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-04-13T16:26:35+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2023/04/13/ap-source-investigators-narrow-suspect-pool-leak-probe/ |
On Friday, Dec. 9, Grassroots America's We the People will host an appreciation reception for retiring U.S. Congressman Louie Gohmert (R-Tyler) and his wife Kathy.
The reception will begin at 6 p.m. with appetizers followed by a 7 p.m. program where the Gohmerts will speak as special guests.
The event will take place in the Constellation Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Conference Center located at 5701 South Broadway Ave. in Tyler.
Program seating is limited and cannot be reserved. Early arrival is advised.
There is no cost to attend and security protocols will be in place. | 2022-11-18T22:59:27+00:00 | tylerpaper.com | https://tylerpaper.com/news/local/grassroots-to-hold-appreciation-reception-for-gohmert/article_fdc8e6b8-6789-11ed-8981-f38ddaeceea0.html |
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Chief of Decatur’s Police Department is speaking out after a 15-year-old was murdered in the city on Sunday.
Officers were called to West Harrison and North Maple Avenues Sunday morning to check on the welfare of someone inside a building. When they arrived, they found the teenager dead from multiple traumatic injuries.
Chief Shane Brandel said on social media that detectives determined that two other 15-year-olds lured the victim to Harrison and Maple, where they attacked and murdered him. Both teenage suspects are under arrest for first-degree murder.
“I am at a loss for words with regard to this incident,” Brandel said. “A teenager was brutally murdered by other teenagers, for no apparent reason. I am saddened for the family of the victim and hope they can eventually find peace. As a father myself, I cannot imagine losing a child and I don’t wish that on anybody.”
“This type of behavior cannot be tolerated by society,” Brandel added. “And when we make that stand, those who choose to commit these types of crimes can quickly be removed from society.”
Brandel also thanked witnesses and their parents for coming forward in the case and doing what Brandel said was right. He also thanked the Decatur Police officers and detectives who are working the case, adding that these types of cases challenge even seasoned officers.
He also called for the community to come together and work collectively to combat the issue of violence and crime.
“This is not a police problem. This is a society problem,” Brandel said. “Police Departments across this country cannot do it alone. And until we all see that, and we all do our part to address it, then we will continue to repeat ourselves in offering condolences to victim’s families rather than celebrate true societal harmony.
The investigation into the teen’s murder is ongoing, and Brandel said his officers and detectives will continue to work tirelessly to find out what happened, why it happened and to bring anyone responsible to justice. | 2023-07-31T18:00:44+00:00 | wcia.com | https://www.wcia.com/news/i-am-at-a-loss-for-words-decatur-police-chief-addresses-weekend-murder/ |
DEAR MISS MANNERS: Our son is in his mid-30s and is a successful artist and businessman with a wonderful career. However, he has really terrible table manners, in spite of our efforts throughout his childhood to teach him otherwise. (His sibling has no such issues.)
He eats with his mouth open much of time, leans over the table onto his elbows, rushes through his meals and doesn’t engage with others while eating.
He has had a succession of delightful girlfriends through the years, but they have all opted out after a number of months, and we feel that his manners cannot but have contributed to these relationship failures.
Since he became an adult, we have not talked to him about this, but we keep wondering if there is anything we can do to help.
GENTLE READER: If you can stomach it, the most tactful way to put it would be to blame yourselves, saying, “We have failed you as parents and are worried that your table manners are holding you back.”
Then Miss Manners recommends you gently guide him toward closing his mouth and listening while he chews. She further warns you to resist the urge to add, “This is why no nice girl will stay with you,” or the classic “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” -- however tempting it may be.
***
MORE FROM MISS MANNERS:
Miss Manners: Why the heck is it wrong to wash your hands in the kitchen sink?
Miss Manners: With certain people, I am only invited to events that require gifts
Miss Manners: I am at a loss for how to respond to the following comment: ‘He/she is better off now’
Miss Manners: Would I be wrong to follow my love of dance and leave my husband in his seat?
Miss Manners: I’m sorry I lost my temper, but ...
***
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
***
COPYRIGHT 2023 JUDITH MARTIN
DISTRIBUTED BY ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION
1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500 | 2023-05-19T13:30:58+00:00 | nj.com | https://www.nj.com/advice/2023/05/miss-manners-our-successful-son-has-terrible-table-manners.html |
WASHINGTON (AP) — As a Black student who was raised by a single mother, Makia Green believes she benefited from a program that gave preference to students of color from economically disadvantaged backgrounds when she was admitted over a decade ago to the University of Rochester.
As a borrower who still owes just over $20,000 on her undergraduate student loans, she has been counting on President Joe Biden’s promised debt relief to wipe nearly all of that away.
Now, both affirmative action and the student loan cancellation plan — policies that disproportionately help Black students — could soon be dismantled by the U.S. Supreme Court. To Green and many other people of color, the efforts to roll them back reflect a larger backlash to racial progress in higher education.
“I feel like working people have been through enough — I have been through enough,” said Green, a community organizer. “From a pandemic, an uprising, a recession, the cost of living price going up. I deserved some relief.”
The rulings could also have political consequences among a generation of young voters of color who took Biden at his word when he promised to cancel debt, said Wisdom Cole, director of NAACP’s youth and college program.
“Year after year, we have elected officials, we have advocates, we have different politicos coming to our communities making promises. But now it’s time to deliver on those promises,” he said.
The president’s plan forgives up to $10,000 in federal student debt for borrowers, and doubles the debt relief to $20,000 for borrowers who also received Pell Grants. About half of the average debt held by Black and Hispanic borrowers would be wiped out, according to the White House. Six Republican-led states filed a legal challenge questioning whether the president, a Democrat, has authority to forgive the debt.
In the affirmative action cases, the court is considering the use of race-conscious admissions policies that many selective colleges have used for decades to help build diversity on their campuses. The cases were brought by a conservative activist who argues the Constitution forbids the use of race in college admissions.
The high court is expected to rule in each of the cases by the end of June.
Both cases focus on policies that address historic racial disparities in access to higher education, as Black borrowers tend to take on disproportionately more debt to afford college, said Dominique Baker, an education policy professor at Southern Methodist University.
Backlash to racial progress tends to follow periods of social change and advancement, Baker said. In a study published in 2019, Baker and her co-authors found states were more likely to adopt bans on affirmative action when white enrollment at public flagship universities dropped.
“These are policy tools that have an explicit aim around reducing the power of white supremacy,” Baker said. The two court challenges, she said, can be seen “as linked backlash to two attempts towards racial justice.”
Green, who grew up in a low-income household in Harlem, New York, graduated from Rochester with about $40,000 in federal loan debt. Some of that was erased under a public service forgiveness program when she completed two terms with Americorps, and she whittled it down further with monthly installments until the government paused repayment due to the pandemic.
Green said she sees both court cases as connected to conservative attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Critics say opposition to such programs is rooted in questions of fairness and in white grievances over the advancement of nonwhite people.
“This is white supremacy at work,” Green said. “This is a long tactic of conservative, white supremacist-leaning groups to use education and limit Black people’s access to education, as a way to further control and oppress us.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, many colleges developed affirmative action plans to address the fact that many predominantly white schools struggled to attract people from historically disadvantaged and underrepresented communities. Policies were also created to promote greater inclusion of women.
Since the late 1970s, the Supreme Court has three times upheld affirmative action in college admissions on grounds that institutions have a compelling interest to address past discrimination that shut nonwhite students out of higher learning. Justices have also agreed with arguments that more diverse student bodies promoted cross-racial understanding.
But with the Supreme Court skewing more ideologically conservative, some former students and advocates worry how a ruling against affirmative action might affect diversity on campuses.
Tarina Ahuja, a rising senior at Harvard College, said being part of a diverse student body has been a crucial part of her undergraduate experience. She recalled classes where students discussed their lived experiences on topics such as police violence, colonialism and labor movements — discussions that would have fallen flat without a diverse range of student perspectives.
“The decision is going to very likely be something that is scary to a lot of us,” she said.
In anticipation of a possible ruling against race-conscious admissions, some colleges are considering adding more essays to get a better picture of an applicant’s background. Others are planning to boost recruiting in racially diverse areas. But in states that have already banned affirmative action, similar efforts at selective colleges have largely failed to maintain diversity gains.
Jonathan Loc, a graduate student at Harvard who helped organize teach-ins in support of affirmative action, said that for students of color, it’s impossible to speak about their lives without mentioning race, whether through hardships faced or simply their pride in their cultural heritage.
“I grew up as the son of refugees in a low-income community and a single parent family burdened with the model minority myth,” he said. “But I think that that kind of narrative also helps me to be an Asian American focused on racial justice, focused on making sure that everyone who has a unique story related to their racial background or any background has that story heard.”
If the court rules against affirmative action, it will be important for colleges to find ways to show they see the students as more than a number on paper, said Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
“We need the schools to say, ’Look, the court says we can’t consider race, but we still see you,’” said Hewitt, whose organization defended affirmative action before the Supreme Court in October.
Kristin McGuire, the executive director of Young Invincibles, said that she could not overlook the decisions looming over the upcoming Juneteenth holiday, which marks the emancipation of enslaved people in Texas two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. For two years after abolition, Black Americans were kept as laborers and denied the freedom to begin building generational wealth, McGuire said.
“If both of these are struck down, it will send a very clear signal that our court system does not support the most vulnerable populations, especially those who helped build this country,” McGuire said.
___
The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
___
Annie Ma and Aaron Morrison are members of AP’s Race and Ethnicity team. Follow Ma on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/anniema15. Follow Morrison on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aaronlmorrison. | 2023-06-15T18:56:38+00:00 | wboy.com | https://www.wboy.com/news/national/in-affirmative-action-and-student-loan-cases-some-see-backlash-to-racial-progress-in-education/ |
- 15 restaurants are awarded or promoted to One, Two, or Three MICHELIN Stars
- A total of 95 restaurants are recognised with MICHELIN Stars, with 78 in Hong Kong and 17 in Macau
- The sustainable commitment of one new restaurant is also highlighted with the MICHELIN Green Star
- A total of 72 food establishments are awarded a Bib Gourmand, with 65 in Hong Kong and 7 in Macau
HONG KONG, April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michelin is pleased to present the full restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023.
Including the Starred, Bib Gourmand, and Selected food establishments, the 2023 selection of the MICHELIN Guide features a total of 206 eateries in Hong Kong and 44 in Macau. Four restaurants, including one new, are also awarded the MICHELIN Green Star.
"Accompanied with the lift of travel restrictions, the culinary scene in Hong Kong remains vibrant and passionate, while the hospitality industry is also picking up its pace. In fact, it has not been a quiet year in Hong Kong, with lots of new projects in town, catering to diners of different nationalities and taste buds," said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides.
"Our inspection team is delighted to see that many veterans in Hong Kong continuously go the extra mile to strive for betterment, showing a level of refinement that does not restrict to any cuisine type; but rather, a demonstration of determination on both quality of ingredients and execution. Macau, on the other hand, flaunts the uniqueness of regional cuisine delicately presented in skilful hands with outstanding ingredients. In this 15th edition of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong and Macau, our inspectors were also thrilled to award the unique cuisine of restaurant Ta Vie Three MICHELIN Stars."
Restaurant Ta Vie Promoted to Three MICHELIN Stars in Hong Kong
Ta Vie, which serves innovative cuisine, is promoted to three MICHELIN Stars in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023. The mantra of Chef Hideaki Sato — "pure, simple, and seasonal" — shines in his cuisine. His passion for cooking and his experimental approach on food combinations and preparation are evidenced by his original and extraordinary creations such as the Charcoal-Grilled "Akamutsu" with Rice Crackers and Aonori Seaweed Sauce, made with top-notch ingredients mostly from his native Japan.
With this new addition to the Three MICHELIN Stars category, the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau recommends 10 restaurants worth a special journey.
2 Restaurants Newly Awarded, and 1 Restaurant Promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars in Hong Kong
Bo Innovation is a highly acclaimed restaurant that moved to a new spot in 2022. Just like art that exudes local flavours, Chef-owner Alvin Leung's playful creations are a nod to the Hong Kong food culture. The menu is inspired by Chinese elements and famous paintings like Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup Cans.
Lai Ching Heen is renamed from the legendary Yan Toh Heen in 2022. Expansive harbour views and Hong Kong's skyline with its electric glow remain a joy to behold. All-time favourites like stuffed crab shell with crabmeat and crispy Lung Kong chicken are still offered on the menu, while their dim sum lunch is not to be missed.
Rùn is promoted from one MICHELIN Star to two MICHELIN Stars this year. With more than 20 years of experience, Chef Hung values food quality and shrewd techniques more than anything else. Seasonal ingredients from around the world are painstakingly prepared the traditional way, and then plated with modern refinement.
In total, 18 restaurants are awarded Two MICHELIN Stars in the 2023 edition of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau.
6 Restaurants Newly Awarded, and 3 Restaurants Promoted to One MICHELIN Star in Hong Kong
6 Hong Kong restaurants are newly awarded One MICHELIN Star in this year's selection. D.H.K's owner-manager worked in some top-tier Cantonese restaurants in Hong Kong, and his presence alone attracts plenty of gastronomes. The kitchen team also lives up to expectations with shrewdly executed Cantonese classics. The classic dim sum menu is worth checking out.
Godenya may be in a narrow dark alley with a discreet entrance, but this tiny self-proclaimed "sake pairing restaurant" is fully booked months ahead. There is only one omakase menu featuring kappo dishes, made with seasonal produce mostly flown in from Japan. Sake pairing is a vital part of the experience, as the chef/sake master serves each drink at a different temperature to bring out the best in each course.
Nagamoto is a Japanese restaurant helmed by Chef Teruhiko Nagamoto, with only counter seats, where all diners can watch his well-honed skills in action. Only one omakase menu is offered, with kaiseiki courses crafted out of "shun" ingredients in peak condition, embodying the chef's deep knowledge in the beauty of subtleness.
Noi's tasting menu prominently features top-notch seafood in contemporary cooking with Italian soul. Dishes are highly detailed, artfully plated, and show shrewd techniques, while a wide selection of beverages is carefully prepared.
The Chairman moved to a new address in 2022, and the elegant room comes with a generous display of lush greens. Despite the new location, the culinary vision stays the same — ingredients are mostly sourced from small suppliers and local fishermen, and signatures like steamed crab with Huadiao are still on the menu.
The Demon Celebrity is a crossover between chef Alvin Leung, also known as the "Demon Chef", and Master Fu of the now-defunct Celebrity Cuisine. The two chefs put a new spin on familiar Cantonese flavours, with collaborative efforts such as fried pork intestine stuffed with minced cuttlefish and black truffle.
3 Other Restaurants are Promoted Within the Selection and Receive One MICHELIN Star
Estro has impressed diners with authentic Neapolitan cooking by the native head chef since its opening, especially his homemade pastas such as buttoni filled with parmesan, tomato jus, and basil. Diners have a choice between the 6- and 8-course prix-fixe menu for the chef's ingenious creations.
Kappo Rin, helmed by the Japanese head chef from Sendai, specialises in multi-course omakase menus with both cooked and raw dishes, designed to bring out the natural flavours of fresh Japanese ingredients, with a unique touch of seasoning. Diners get to interact closely with the experienced chefs at the 8-seater counter.
Neighborhood is the brainchild of chef-owner Lai, a Hongkonger who was trained in the U.S. An intimate spot tucked away in an alley, the minimalistic and tasteful décor matches the short but sweet menu, with 20 tapas-style items that rotate regularly, many featuring local seafood in a no-framed unique presentation.
1 Restaurant Newly Awarded, and 1 Restaurant Promoted to One MICHELIN Star in Macau
The Huaiyang Garden is the only restaurant newly awarded with One MICHELIN Star in Macau this year. Helmed by the renowned culinary master chef Zhou, the kitchen team excels in sophisticated Huaiyang fare, incorporating fresh river fish shipped from the region twice a week, such as stir-fried shrimps with roe and tomalley, or Liangxi-style crispy eel.
Five Foot Road is promoted from a MICHELIN Selected to One MICHELIN Star restaurant. With more than 30 years of experience, the chef from Sichuan excels in presenting traditional Sichuan flavours and aromas with various seafood.
With these new additions and promotions, a total of 67 restaurants are recommended by the MICHELIN Guide's inspectors with One MICHELIN Star. 58 restaurants are in Hong Kong and 9 in Macau.
The MICHELIN Green Star Newly Awarded to Restaurant Mora in Hong Kong
Within the MICHELIN Guide restaurant selection, the MICHELIN Green Star highlights establishments at the forefront of the industry for their sustainable practices and dining experiences that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.
In addition to the two restaurants in Hong Kong (Amber, Two MICHELIN Stars and Roganic, One MICHELIN Star) and one restaurant in Macau (IFTM Educational Restaurant, Bib Gourmand) which have been awarded the MICHELIN Green Star in the previous years, 2023 sees one new Hong Kong restaurant being recognised with the MICHELIN Green Star — Mora (MICHELIN Selected).
Mora features soya beans as the core of the menu, with red meat and seafood in rather small portions. Dishes are served in tasteful portion sizes, with consciously selected local and sustainable ingredients. Working with many long-standing and reputable local produce shops, the team aims to promote local ingredients, flavours, and culture. Being a board member of a Hong Kong food bank, chef Vicky Lau is dedicated to rescuing surplus food from retailers, distributors, and manufacturers, and redistributing them to people in need.
Three New MICHELIN Guide Special Awards
This year, the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau adds three Special Awards to highlight talented professionals from the restaurant industry, shining the light on the diversity of jobs and know-hows, which, together, contribute to create exceptional gastronomic experiences.
MICHELIN Guide Service Award
The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Service Award aims to highlight and encourage skilled and talented professionals who dramatically add to the customer experience. This award goes to Kit Li from two MICHELIN Starred restaurant Sichuan Moon in Macau. Kit Li, who has been working in Sichuan Moon since its opening, is smart and passionate. Equipped with excellent product knowledge and a thorough understanding in the culinary concept that André Chiang holds, she anticipates the needs of guests and interacts with them at the right time with good serving pace.
MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award
The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Sommelier Award, presented by Perrier-Joüet, recognises the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers of the industry, and is given to Jacky Luk from three MICHELIN Starred restaurant Forum in Hong Kong.
Jacky Luk has been with Forum for many years and has always been humble and helpful. He is not only dedicated to an exclusive wine list with some small labels included, but also has extensive knowledge and a unique understanding on wine.
MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award
The 2023 MICHELIN Guide Young Chef Award, presented by AIA, recognises a young chef working in a restaurant of the selection and whose exceptional talent and great potential have impressed the inspectors. This year's award is given to Steve Lee from one MICHELIN Starred restaurant Hansik Goo in Hong Kong.
Born in 1991, Steve Lee gained years of experience in Australia, and his home country Korea, showing good talent in execution of the new menu, with Korean flavours expressively presented.
6 new establishments awarded a Bib Gourmand in the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023
With the entry of 6 new Bib Gourmand food establishments in Hong Kong, the total number of restaurants and street food offering exceptional value-for-money gourmet experiences in Hong Kong has reached 65; while Macau has 7.
The Bib Gourmand distinction is annually given to restaurants that offer the best value-for-money gourmet experiences. This means three courses meal (drinks not included) for a maximum price of 400 Hong Kong dollars (in Hong Kong) or 400 Pataca de Macau (in Macau).
"Since the launch of the first edition of the MICHELIN Guide in Hong Kong & Macau in 2008, we have seen tremendous growth and evolution of the local culinary scene. The total number of Bib Gourmand food establishments have almost tripled, from 26 to 72," said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guides. "Hong Kong is a destination that is never short of talents with creativity in the industry, and we are pleased to add 6 locally-owned neighborhood stalls offering casual yet tasty bites to the Bib Gourmand selection."
6 new Bib Gourmand establishments in Hong Kong
Fisholic (North Point) is awarded a Bib Gourmand for it's famous snacks and noodles made with fish. This street food stall sells playful items like deep-fried minced fish in the guise of French fries, or fish skin nachos.
Sai Kwan Lo Jo is a takeout-only shop that carries both traditional and novelty snacks. The hand-made lai fun noodles in Sai Kwan style or deep-fried sticky rice dumpling with Iberico pork is worth its recognition of a Bib Gourmand.
Saya is a newly added Thai cuisine establishment awarded a Bib Gourmand in Hong Kong, bringing the total number of Bib Gourmand eateries serving Thai cuisine to 3 in the selection. Saya presents a menu dominated by Isan cuisine from Northeast Thailand, prepared by a Thai kitchen team. Khao Soy bursts with aromas from the coconut milk curry and chargrilled chicken. Pla Phao, salt-crusted grilled fish seasoned with lemongrass and pandan, is also good.
Ship Kee opened its doors in 2021 and prides itself on Cantonese classics from the old days. The barbecue chef honed his skills for over 40 years; his Master Woo's honey glazed BBQ pork is seasoned perfectly, tender but springy. While the dim sum chef has over 30 years of experience; presenting steamed rice rolls with shrimps and Chinese chives that look like gems under a velvety, translucent skin.
Twins Liangpi Limited (Prince Edward) gets the Bib Gourmand distinction for its icy cold glass noodles dressed in a secret blend of chilli vinegar, topped with shredded cucumber, coriander, peas and ground peanuts.
Yi Jia serves Shanghainese and Sichuanese classics like Qili Zhuang drunken chicken in wine lees, and Sichuan boiled fish. Novelty creations such as deep-fried soufflé meringue with mango custard filling are also worth trying.
The full selection of the MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023 is attached to this press release. It is also available on the MICHELIN Guide's official website and the MICHELIN Guide mobile app (available on iOS and Android). The restaurants join the MICHELIN Guide selection of hotels, which features the most unique and exciting places to stay locally and throughout the world.
Every hotel in the Guide is chosen for its extraordinary style, service, and personality — with options for all budgets — and each hotel can be booked directly through the MICHELIN Guide website and app. The selections for Hong Kong and Macau feature those destinations' most spectacular hotels, including sustainability pioneers like Cordis; standouts from our "Plus" collection like The Upper House and The Jervois; reliable international names like Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental; and unique, luxury boutiques like One96 and The Fleming.
The MICHELIN Guide is a benchmark in gastronomy. Now, it's setting a new standard for hotels. Visit the MICHELIN Guide website, or download the free app for iOS and Android, to discover every restaurant in the selection and book an unforgettable hotel.
For high resolution images, please download them here.
The MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2023 at a glance:
Download the MICHELIN Guide App
Follow the MICHELIN Guide official accounts for latest updates:
MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong & Macau websites (available in English and Traditional Chinese):
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichelinGuideAsia
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/MICHELINGuideAsia
Instagram: @MichelinGuide
About Michelin
Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to sustainably enhancing its clients' mobility, designing, and distributing the most suitable tires, services and solutions for its clients' needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries, has 132,200 employees and operates 67 tire production facilities which together produced around 167 million tires in 2022. (www.michelin.com)
THE MICHELIN GUIDE HONG KONG & MACAU 2023
FULL SELECTION
HONG KONG
Three MICHELIN Stars
Two MICHELIN Stars
One MICHELIN Star
SELECTED
MICHELIN Green Star
BIB GOURMAND
MACAU
Three MICHELIN Stars
Two MICHELIN Stars
One MICHELIN Star
SELECTED
MICHELIN Green Star
BIB GOURMAND
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SOURCE Michelin | 2023-04-26T11:49:29+00:00 | wlbt.com | https://www.wlbt.com/prnewswire/2023/04/26/restaurant-ta-vie-awarded-three-michelin-stars-15th-anniversary-edition-michelin-guide-hong-kong-amp-macau/ |
(All times Eastern.)
S.W.A.T. (CBS at 8) The team races to find a young boy taken from a homeless shelter but Street lets his history cloud his judgment on the case; Hondo and Nichelle disagree about their spiritual beliefs.
Young Rock (NBC at 8:30) In 1998 Miami, Dwayne’s career is on an upswing as the Rock, but he hits some challenges while on the road to SummerSlam; in 2023, Dwayne finds out that the prime minister is dealing with a political crisis of her own.
Fire Country (CBS at 9) When a box truck crashes into the station causing a dangerous fire and a power outage; Sharon and Bode’s ex-girlfriend deal with medicinal emergencies.
Blue Bloods (CBS at 10) Jamie and his team officer a car smuggling ring; Frank tries to stop a program that is causing officers to be hurt on the job; Eddie asks help from Danny to help bust someone impersonating a cop.
Premieres
Break Point (Netflix) Travel with some of the most talented tennis players in the world as they play in Grand Slams and navigate difficult seasons.
Movies
Dog Gone (Netflix) A young man goes on a journey with his parents to find his missing dog and deliver him lifesaving medication.
Sick (Peacock) Written by Kevin Williamson (“Scream”), this horror film follows two friends who quarantine at the family lake house to get away from danger and monotony, but end up being less alone than they hoped.
The Drop (Hulu) A married couple faces their most difficult relationship test when one of them drops a baby during a tropical island wedding in the cringe comedy.
Returning
Hunters (Prime Video) Season 2.
Servant (Apple TV Plus) Season 4.
Late Night
Tonight Show/Fallon (NBC at 11:34) Sadie Sink, Dayglow. | 2023-01-13T07:33:36+00:00 | washingtonpost.com | https://www.washingtonpost.com/tv/2023/01/13/what-watch-friday-break-point-premieres-netflix/ |
Gaylord Community Orchestra to step back on stage next weekend
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GAYLORD — The Gaylord Community Orchestra is currently hard at work rehearsing to prepare to step back on the stage next weekend.
The orchestra will celebrate spring with its Saturday, May 14 concert featuring music from composers Antonin Dvorak and Franz Schubert. The concert will also feature cellist Evelyn Cho who will perform Dvorak's "Cello Concerto in B minor."
"You will really get a taste of what it's like for an all volunteer orchestra to come together and perform a special show," said orchestra board president Chris Olson.
The orchestra, Olson said, is comprised completely of volunteers ranging in musicians of all types and professions from Grayling north up through Mackinaw City and beyond.
Many of the orchestra's musicians also perform in other various performing groups around the area, including the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and Northern Michigan Chorale, but Olson said all are anxious to perform together again in Gaylord; especially following its unplanned two-year hiatus.
"We, like may organizations, had a very unplanned vacation with the pandemic and it almost feels like we are restarting but we did have a previous show last year and have been fortunate that the generosity of the community has allowed us to continue on," said Olson.
"We are all very excited, and I'm personally excited, in seeing everyone from the community come out and enjoy what we've been preparing for them," he said.
Read More:Gaylord Community Orchestra produces good music
Cho, the featured soloist in the upcoming show, is currently a senior at Novi High School and has ben playing the cello for the past 11 years. Her primary studies were also with the former Detroit Symphony Orchestra cellist Paul Wingert.
Throughout her schooling, Cho has received many awards and has racked up a list of accolades, including being selected to perform in the Michigan All-State Honors Orchestra and being nominated as a semifinalist at the DSYO Concerto Competition.
The upcoming performance will also feature Schubert's "Unfinished." The piece is a popular symphony piece and is considered unfinished as he only wrote two movements of the traditional four. Later composers have finished Schubert's work, however, the orchestra will be performing it in its original two-movement format.
"We certainly encourage everyone to come out as it should be a fantastic performance," said Olson.
"To be able to offer live performances again is so wonderful. There is an aspect of community in being part of a concert that is just part of our fabric and we are all anxious and ready to present this concert for everyone," he said.
The Gaylord Community Orchestra's concert will take place on Saturday, May 14 at Gaylord High School's Gornick Auditorium. The concert will being at 7:30 p.m. and will have a pre-concert talk with the orchestra's conductor.
Tickets are available at the door and are $10 for adults. The concert is free for students.
More information about the upcoming performance, and any other orchestra happenings, can be found on its website at www.gaylordorchestra.org.
Contact reporter Sean Miller at smiller@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on Twitter, @seanmillerpnr, and Instagram, @sean_everest. | 2022-05-06T14:20:00+00:00 | petoskeynews.com | https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/05/06/gaylord-community-orchestra-step-back-stage-next-weekend/9626521002/ |
HSINCHU, July 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. ("ChipMOS" or the "Company") (Taiwan Stock Exchange: 8150 and NASDAQ: IMOS), an industry leading provider of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test services ("OSAT"), announced a US$2.876 per ADS cash dividend (or approximately US$2.252 per ADS after the Taiwan withholding tax and Citibank, N.A.'s depositary fees) will be distributed on July 27, 2022.
ADS holders are encouraged to check with their securities brokers for receipt of dividend payments. Questions may be directed to Citibank, N.A.'s Tiffany Ma (+1-973-461-5734 or tiffany.ma@citi.com).
About ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.:
ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. ("ChipMOS" or the "Company") (Taiwan Stock Exchange: 8150 and NASDAQ: IMOS) (https://www.chipmos.com) is an industry leading provider of outsourced semiconductor assembly and test services. With advanced facilities in Hsinchu Science Park, Hsinchu Industrial Park and Southern Taiwan Science Park in Taiwan, ChipMOS is known for its track record of excellence and history of innovation. The Company provides end-to-end assembly and test services to leading fabless semiconductor companies, integrated device manufacturers and independent semiconductor foundries serving virtually all end markets worldwide.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "intends," "should," "seeks," "estimates," "future" or similar expressions or by discussion of, among other things, strategies, goals, plans or intentions. These statements may include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Actual results may differ materially in the future from those reflected in forward-looking statements contained in this document, due to various factors, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Further information regarding these risks, uncertainties and other factors are included in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and in the Company's other filings with the SEC.
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SOURCE ChipMOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. | 2022-07-21T10:43:15+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/07/21/dividend-alert-us2876-cash-dividend-pre-withholding-tax-fees-be-distributed-chipmos-ads-holders/ |
HIEB, Wesley Austin
Age 93, of Kettering, went to be with his Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, on Monday, May 23, 2022. Family will greet friends on Friday, June 3 from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm at Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, OH. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 4 at 10:00 am at the funeral home. For complete condolences and remembrances, please visit
Funeral Home Information
Routsong Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Kettering | 2022-05-29T05:40:13+00:00 | springfieldnewssun.com | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/obituaries/hieb-wesley/XLF4XUHPX5EMXG3HTZLJG5N6IA/ |
Billy Quarantillo is ready to hop back into the cage and he’s going to do so on national television.
The Ransomville native will be part of the undercard for UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. Rodriguez on July 16 at UBS Arena in Elmont. Quarantillo is scheduled to fight Bill Algeo (King of Prussia, Pennsylvania) in a featherweight bout. The preliminary fights will air on ESPN at noon, while the main card will be on ABC at 3 p.m.
Quarantillo (16-4) has lost two of his last three fights after rattling off an eight-match winning streak. He lost to Shane Burgos by unanimous decision in his last bout at UFC 268 on Nov. 6, 2021. He beat Gabriel Benitez by TKO in July 2021 and lost to Gavin Tucker by unanimous decision at UFC 256 in December 2020.
Algeo is 15-6 during his career, winning a unanimous decision against Joanderson Brito on Jan. 15, but has not won back-to-back fights in his last six.
After fighting in Madison Square Garden in November, this will be Quarantillo’s second consecutive fight in New York. He had previously not fought in-state since defeating Adrian Vilaca in February 2019 in Niagara Falls.
The main event of the card will be former UFC featherweight challenger Brian Ortega and Yair Rodriguez. Burgos, who has wins over Quarantillo and Algeo, is also expected to fight Charles Jourdain. | 2022-06-16T04:03:35+00:00 | niagara-gazette.com | https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/local_sports/ransomvilles-billy-quarantillo-returns-in-nationally-televised-fight/article_eae81187-0cf8-55ed-bf20-82cae2fa1432.html |
GREENLAWN, N.Y., April 26, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Compliancy Group is pleased to be a sponsor of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).
Through the sponsorship, Compliancy Group will offer AOTA Members automated HIPAA compliance management and tracking software at a special members-only rate. Compliancy Group's software, the Guard, eliminates the burden of HIPAA in a simple, fast, and affordable way.
"We are honored to be a sponsor of AOTA. We know occupational therapy practices are extremely busy and aim to make compliance as quick and painless as possible" - Liam Degnan, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Compliancy Group.
Managing and understanding HIPAA can take time, making proper compliance an onerous task for busy practices. Compliancy Group's guided software walks you through implementing an effective HIPAA compliance program. By working with Compliancy Group, practices become HIPAA compliant quickly through a few self-paced virtual meetings.
Practices that have completed their compliance program are awarded the HIPAA Seal of Compliance. The Seal can be displayed on a practice's website, email signature, and signage, proving they have completed the steps required to satisfy the law.
HIPAA Resources
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About Compliancy Group
Compliancy Group's simplified software and Compliance Coach® guidance, remove the complexities and stress of HIPAA, helping healthcare professionals achieve HIPAA compliance with ease. They give healthcare professionals confidence in their compliance plan, increasing patient loyalty, and profitability of their practice while reducing risk.Learn more about how Compliancy Group helps occupational therapists become HIPAA compliant.
About the American Occupational Therapy Association
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents more than 230,000 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students in the United States and beyond, to advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research. They believe everyone deserves to maximize their potential and their participation in everyday living, and are the only organization dedicated to empowering occupational therapy professionals to achieve this shared purpose.
AOTA provides the essential resources and guidance that inspire occupational therapy practitioners and students to be their passionate, creative best as they create solutions that facilitate participation in daily living for clients.
CONTACT: Monica McCormack, mmccormack@compliancygroup.com
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SOURCE COMPLIANCY GROUP | 2023-04-26T07:38:03+00:00 | wbrc.com | https://www.wbrc.com/prnewswire/2023/04/26/compliancy-group-is-proud-sponsor-american-occupational-therapy-association/ |
Editor’s note: October marks the start of “Paranormal PA,” a PennLive series that delves into Pennsylvania-grown stories of spirits (like the ghost of a murdered girl whose cries can be heard in one of Penn State’s library); cryptids (Bigfoot); oddities and legends; and the unexplained.
Watch for more Paranormal PA stories in the coming days and weeks, and sign up here to get our Paranormal PA newsletter delivered to your inbox.
A recent study has found which U.S. cities are the best for Halloween festivities.
Unfortunately, nowhere in Pennsylvania is among them.
- SIMILAR STORIES: 2 Pa. cities perfect for vampires, finds study
Finance site WalletHub first compared the country’s 100 most populated cities across three key dimensions as the basis for this study: “Trick-or-Treater-Friendliness;” “Halloween Fun;” and “Halloween Weather.”
These dimensions were then weighted on relevant metrics such as “Crime Rate;” ‘Halloween Party Supply Stores per Capita;” and “Forecasted Halloween Precipitation” to gather final results.
Without further ado, the top five absolute best cities for Halloween in the nation were: San Diego, Calif. (number five); Los Angeles, Calif. (number four); Miami, Fla. (number three); San Francisco calif. (number two); and New York, N.Y. (number one).
“But where’s Pennsylvania’s cities?” you may ask. Well, drop to the 30th overall spot and that’s where you’ll find Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is little more of the way down at number 43.
On the bright side, though, Pittsburgh was fourth overall when it came to having some of the most candy and chocolate stores in the country. But, then again, it was the absolute worst in terms of historical Halloween weather in the number 100 spot.
The bottom five cities were: Kansas City, Mo.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; Detroit, Mich.; Birmingham, Ala.; and Memphis, Tenn.
Happy Halloween! | 2022-10-24T15:22:06+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/life/2022/10/no-pa-city-among-best-for-halloween-study-says.html |
BOKSBURG, South Africa (AP) — The death toll from a toxic gas leak that authorities blamed on an illegal gold processing operation in South Africa rose to 17, including three children, as police removed canisters from a community of closely packed shacks and sifted through evidence Thursday.
The leak of what authorities said was a toxic nitrate gas happened Wednesday night in the informal Angelo settlement in Boksburg, a city on the eastern outskirts of Johannesburg.
The three children who died were ages 1, 6 and 15, police said. At least 10 people were hospitalized, including a 2-month-old baby, two 4 year olds and a 9 year old, according to Panyaza Lesufi, the premier of Gauteng province, who gave an update Thursday.
A statement from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said it was a “devastating and tragic loss of innocent lives.”
Bodies remained on the ground, some of them covered in sheets or blankets, for hours after the gas leak was reported around 8 p.m. Wednesday as emergency service responders waited for forensic investigators and pathologists to do their work.
“It’s not a nice scene at all. … It’s painful, emotionally draining and tragic,” Lesufi was quoted as saying in news reports as he visited the settlement on Wednesday night.
An Associated Press journalist saw a forensic investigator covering the body of a small child with a blanket. Another body, covered in a white cloth with a shoe sticking out, lay under a strip of yellow police tape cordoning off the area. The bodies eventually were removed.
Search teams combed the area deep into the night looking for other possible casualties. Authorities didn’t say if the people engaged in the illegal gold processing thought to have caused the gas leak were among the dead, but police opened a criminal case.
Investigators made their way through narrow alleys between shacks and other makeshift homes that were dark due to a lack of streetlights, a common situation in the deeply impoverished informal settlements found in and around South Africa’s cities.
Emergency services spokesman William Ntladi said the deaths were caused by the inhalation of nitrate gas that leaked from a gas cylinder being kept in a shack where illegal miners were separating gold from rock and dirt. He said the leak had emptied the canister.
Lesufi, the Gauteng premier, tweeted videos that showed the dusty inside of the shack and at least four gas cylinders on metal stands. The footage included what Lesufi said was the cylinder that leaked lying on the floor next to the shack’s entrance.
The search teams concentrated on an area stretching out 100 meters (yards) from the cylinder to check for more dead or injured people, Ntaldi said.
Police later began tearing down the shack, and Lesufi said all gas cylinders were removed from the site.
Illegal mining is rife in the gold-rich areas around Johannesburg, where miners go into closed off and disused mines to search for any deposits left over. They then attempt to process some of that gold in secret, often in makeshift and highly dangerous facilities.
Mining fatalities underground are also common and the South African government department responsible for mining announced recently that at least 31 illegal miners were believed to have died in a gas explosion in a disused mine in the city of Welkom in central South Africa in May. The cause was methane gas, the mining department said.
Wednesday’s tragedy was likely to stoke more anger at illegal miners, who are often migrants from neighboring countries, operate in organized gangs and are blamed for bringing crime into neighborhoods.
Violence against illegal miners erupted last year and raged for days in an area west of Johannesburg after a group of 80 men, some of whom were believed to be illegal miners, were charged with gang raping eight women who were working on a TV shoot at a disused mine.
Boksburg is the city where 41 people died after a truck carrying liquefied petroleum gas got stuck under a bridge and exploded on Christmas Eve.
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Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa.
___
More AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa | 2023-07-06T19:55:37+00:00 | kdvr.com | https://kdvr.com/news/nationalworld-news/ap-international/ap-the-death-toll-from-a-south-africa-gas-leak-blamed-on-illegal-gold-processing-has-risen-to-17/ |
Police arrested an Allegheny County woman in connection with the death of a man whose body was found wrapped in plastic.
Lindsey Jackson, 37, is being charged with homicide, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, according to reports from TribLive and WTAE.
On May 1, police were sent to an apartment along the 600 block of Evans Avenue in McKeesport around 9 p.m., where they discovered the body of Donte Glover, 36, wrapped in plastic. He was dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Police told news outlets that a woman, later identified as Jackson, fled the apartment by jumping from a balcony.
Glover had been reported as missing the day before. His family later told police that they had gone to that apartment to look for him.
A man police identified as John Griffin was also seen on a surveillance camera going in and out of the apartment days prior to Glover’s disappearance, WTAE said. Police told the news outlets they also looked at video surveillance at a Family Dollar that Jackson and Griffin had visited. A receipt showed that they had bought bought 200 square feet of plastic sheeting and duct tape.
Jackson turned herself in to the authorities on Tuesday and is being held at the Allegheny County Jail. | 2023-06-07T13:44:09+00:00 | pennlive.com | https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2023/06/pa-woman-charged-in-death-of-man-found-wrapped-in-plastic-reports.html |
STAMFORD, Vt. (WTEN) — Embattled actor Ezra Miller, best known for portraying the Flash in multiple DC Extended Universe films, recently pleaded guilty in Vermont to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful trespass in a Bennington County Superior Court filing.
As part of a plea deal, Miller agreed to a split prison sentence, a $500 fine, and a year of probation.
Vermont State Police announced in August that Miller, who has a home in Stamford, had been cited to appear in court for arraignment on a charge of felony burglary into an unoccupied dwelling.
Prosecutors said Miller not only broke into the home, but also swiped three bottles of liquor while the homeowner was away on May 1.
According to a police affidavit, Miller had been friends with the homeowner for about 18 years before the incident. The “Justice League” actor was charged after police pulled surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses.
Originally, Miller was accused of felony burglary and misdemeanor petit larceny. The actor pleaded not guilty to those charges on Oct. 17.
After adding the unlawful trespass charge on Dec. 30, the state dropped both original counts. A change of plea hearing will be held in Bennington Superior Court on Friday at 9 a.m.
Aside from this incident, Miller was arrested twice in 2022 in Hawaii, on charges including disorderly conduct and harassment at a karaoke bar. Miller is reportedly undergoing treatment for “complex mental health issues.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | 2023-01-12T19:01:20+00:00 | texomashomepage.com | https://www.texomashomepage.com/entertainment-news/actor-ezra-miller-pleads-guilty-in-vermont-trespassing-case/ |
President Joe Biden and congressional leaders ended their first talks on the debt limit impasse Tuesday without any major breakthrough, but they at least agreed to meet again Friday to try to avert the risk in weeks of an unprecedented government default.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said after the high-stakes Oval Office meeting that he “didn’t see any new movement" toward resolving the stalemate. But House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said lawmakers and their staffs were to continue discussions as soon as Tuesday evening on the annual federal budget at Biden's encouragement. Democrats signaled openness to some spending cuts as long as they were not linked to the threat of default.
“I asked the president this simple question, Does he not believe there’s any place we could find savings,” McCarthy told reporters outside the White House. “All I’m asking is that we spend the amount of money we spent five months ago.
Biden was deliver his own comments Tuesday evening.
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Republicans came to the White House hoping to negotiate sweeping cuts to federal spending in exchange for allowing new borrowing to avoid default. Biden, on the other hand, reinforced his opposition to allowing the country’s full faith and credit to be held “hostage” to negotiations — while affirming his willingness to hold talks on the budget only after default is no longer a threat.
As the president welcomed McCarthy, Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in the Oval Office for just over an hour, he quipped to reporters, “We’re going to get started, solve all the world’s problems.”
There seemed to be at least a bit of daylight between McConnell, who has let his House counterpart take the lead in negotiations and backed him up ahead of the White House meeting, and McCarthy.
U.S. & World
The Senate leader categorically said, “The United States is not going to default. It never has and it never will." The speaker, though, simply said, “I’ve done everything in my power to make sure we will not default.”
Democrats said there is room to “come together” on spending cuts as part of the budget process, but quickly jumped on McCarthy's refusal to rule out the possibility of default, with Schumer saying the Republican is “greatly endangering America.”
“To use the risk of default, with all the dangers that has for the American people as a hostage and say it’s my way or no way, are mostly my way or no way, is dangerous," Schumer said.
McCarthy said Biden had directed their staffs to continue discussions, and that the leaders themselves would convene again in person on Friday.
Before the White House meeting, both McCarthy and White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre insisted it would be simple to avert default — if only the other side capitulated.
The chasm between these opposite postures is fomenting uncertainty that is roiling financial markets and threatens to turn into a tidal wave that swamps the country’s economy. The meeting was timed to begin after U.S. financial markets closed for the day.
McCarthy said Tuesday that a federal debt deal is needed by next week if Washington is to meet the June 1 deadline, and he said he saw no reason why both sides couldn't come to an agreement quickly over Republican ideas for cutting spending in exchange for raising the debt limit.
“I don't think it's that difficult,” McCarthy told reporters at the U.S. Capitol.
Biden and the Democrats don’t see it that way. The president is insisting that raising the debt limit is nonnegotiable, with spending restraints addressed separately as part of the annual budget process.
House Republicans recently passed a sweeping bill to slash spending, an opening offer in negotiations. But that legislation has no chance in the Democratic Senate and the White House has threatened to veto it.
Referring to the House bill, McCarthy said, “We both said default is not an option — but only one of us took action.”
Expectations for a breakthrough on Tuesday had been low.
Default, officials say, would have sweeping impacts, threatening to disrupt Social Security payments to retirees, destabilize global markets and tilt the nation into a potentially debilitating recession.
Already looking past the meeting, Biden on Wednesday is to go to Westchester County, New York, where he plans to deliver a speech on how proposed spending cuts approved by House Republicans could hurt teachers, older adults needing food aid and veterans seeking health care.
It's part of a broader campaign by Biden to try to paint the Republican cuts as draconian. Aides believe that message both strengthens his position in talks with the GOP and boosts his nascent 2024 reelection effort. His Wednesday visit will be to a congressional district won by Biden in 2020 but now represented by a Republican, Rep. Mike Lawler.
Because the House Republican bill does not specifically spell out which federal programs would be cut, Democrats have gone on offense warning of steep hits to popular programs. The Democratic-aligned group House Majority Forward announced a $1 million campaign Tuesday amplifying such cuts, while the House Republicans' campaign committee countered with its own effort portraying Democrats as “addicted to spending.”
While calling for a “clean” increase to the debt limit, Biden has said he is open to discussion about how to reduce the federal deficit. His budget plan would trim deficits by nearly $3 trillion over a decade, mainly through tax increases on the wealthy and changes such as letting the government negotiate over prescription drug prices.
By contrast, the bill that passed the House with Republican votes would achieve $4.5 trillion in deficit savings through cuts in spending, eliminating tax breaks for investing in clean energy, and reversing Biden’s plans to reduce the burdens of student loan debt.
While the financial markets have started to show some jitters, the business community has thus far largely avoided backing either side in the showdown and instead called for a deal to be struck.
“Securing a bipartisan path forward to raise the debt ceiling could not be more urgent,” said Josh Bolten, the head of the Business Roundtable, a group that represents CEOs. “The cost of a default, or even the threat of a default, is simply too high.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce suggested its own priorities for a swift deal Tuesday, saying "there are no two better places to start than permitting reform and an agreement on spending caps.”
Biden's refusal to negotiate on the debt limit is informed by his first-hand experience in 2011, when he was Barack Obama's vice president and the administration made painful concessions to Republicans in an effort to avoid default. Biden has told aides it's an experience he refuses to repeat, not just for himself, but for future presidents.
Notably, though, the administration has not ruled out a short-term increase in the debt limit that would align the deadline to increase federal borrowing authority with the talks on government spending that must be resolved by Sept. 30.
There is the possibility that Biden could act on his own, possibly invoking the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution that says the validity of the federal debt shall not be questioned. But McCarthy said those subjects were not part of the discussion: “None of that was brought up.” | 2023-05-09T22:42:38+00:00 | nbcmiami.com | https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/national-international/deal-or-default-biden-to-meet-with-gop-leaders-on-debt-ceiling-as-deadline-looms/3030718/ |
BEIJING, July 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Known to many Chinese as the Magic City, Shanghai, an international metropolis famous for its economy, culture, tourism and swag style, also has an equally important identity: It is the birthplace of the Communist Party of China (CPC).
Largely because of this identity, the city was chosen as the site of the CPC International Image Innovation Forum, which took place there on July 6. Jointly hosted by China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Central Institute of Socialism, the forum gathered around 200 experts from government institutions, universities, media outlets and think tanks, who exchanged ideas about how to help the international community understand the CPC, including its role in advancing China's modernization.
As one of the keynote speakers invited to the forum, Rose Oliver, a British cultural exchange specialist at Shanghai University, Director of the British Cultural Center at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, a recipient of the 2019 Shanghai Magnolia Gold Award and a Member of the Order of the British Empire, shared her firm belief in the importance of communication and understanding in our ever-changing and, at present, more volatile world. This realization comes from her 30-plus years of working in the fields of education and cultural exchange, both in China and internationally.
As an expert on Chinese culture, she has long been accustomed to observing the world from the perspective of Chinese philosophy: "Like the philosophical concept 'yin does not depart from yang, and yang does not depart from yin,' we cannot divest ourselves from the other, we are a union of countries and cultures in one sphere, thus communication and mutual understanding are the glue that binds," she said at the forum.
Home is where the heart is
"When I first came to China, I honestly didn't even have any culture shock. I didn't feel out of place," Oliver remembered. "I had done a lot of research and had been invested in understanding China, so it felt like home."
Her interest in Chinese culture traces back to her childhood. "When I was little, my brother and I used to watch The Water Margin [a TV series adapted from one of the four greatest classical Chinese novels]. The heroes of the marsh, like Lin Chong and the lady with the double swords [Hu Sanniang], left a deep impression on me. They would fight against evil and injustice, which reminded me of Robin Hood [a legendary heroic outlaw originally depicted in English folklore]. That's how I first started to get interested in Chinese culture," Oliver recalled.
Later, when actor Bruce Lee took the world by storm, he piqued Oliver's interest in Chinese martial arts. So when she was suffering from serious lower back pain and was looking for a type of physical exercise that would bring some relief, a poster of a taijiquan seminar, better known as tai chi chuan to international audiences, immediately got her attention.
"I wanted to try it, so I went to the lesson. And almost the moment I followed the movement, I felt the energy from what I was doing physically. It gave me a totally different sense of self," she said.
The encounter proved life-changing as Oliver decided to turn her newfound passion into a professional pursuit and opened a taijiquan school in the United Kingdom where she hosted workshops and taught classes. "And so, an enjoyable cultural center was born and lots of people would come there and practice taijiquan," she told Beijing Review. "After some time had passed, I really wanted to learn more about what's behind taijiquan and get to know more aspects of Chinese culture. So I decided to come to the home of taijiquan, or China, to have a look."
What she didn't expect was that one trip would keep her in China for more than 20 years. And the longer she stayed, the more she felt she had come home. "I've learned that all elements of Chinese culture are underpinned by the same philosophical concepts of yin and yang and the idea of balance and harmony. I feel at home here because that matches my own personal feelings and life philosophy. Everybody has their own way of being, and my way of being is being at one with nature," she explained.
Her appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture, as well as her experience in the field of education, also led her to embark on a journey of teaching English and cultural exchange related classes at Shanghai's universities. "I think the most important thing for a teacher is to help each student reach his or her own potential. I need to get to know each of them and find out what they need," she continued. Oliver also offers free taijiquan and traditional Chinese massage courses in several of Shanghai's communities.
She believes taijiquan has helped her better connect with her students. "Taijiquan requires us to feel connected to the greater environment around us so that I can manage to reach into every area of the classroom, to make everybody feel engaged," she explained. For Oliver, teaching is more than a job; it's about the strong bond she has forged with her students.
Work and life as one
Reflecting on her more than 20 years of life in China, the 58-year-old British expat stated, in all honesty, that she has no real personal life. "My career and my personal life are all about cultural exchange, about sharing Chinese culture with the world. It's like one and the same. I am totally immersed in it," she explained.
Oliver further stated her strong belief that the world needs more people who have the best interests of all cultures at heart to help those cultures bridge their potential misunderstandings or obstacles to communication. "And when you are a cultural bridge or a cultural interpreter, your role is to make those other sides feel that they are directly communicating," she added.
In 2010, Oliver was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to Sino-British relations and cross-cultural work. She still distinctly remembers the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, where she met the late Queen Elizabeth II.
"It was a proud moment. I got the chance to have a quick chat with Her Majesty the Queen, who was genuinely interested in China." Oliver told the queen a little about her undertakings in cultural exchange and the queen told her, "It's very important work. You must keep it up."
After receiving this royal approval and encouragement, the British expert became even more determined in her quest for mutual understanding on a global level. "Communication and cultural exchange are essential for our world, as well as for our global harmony and balance. It's my pleasure and privilege to be in this situation and to have this as my career," she concluded.
Comments to kangcaiqi@cicgamericas.com
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SOURCE Beijing Review | 2023-07-15T02:50:07+00:00 | kcbd.com | https://www.kcbd.com/prnewswire/2023/07/15/british-educator-finds-harmony-balance-china/ |
TULSA, Okla. – Cornell's Yianni Diakomihalis became the fifth Division I wrestler to win four national titles and Penn State won its 10th national title in 12 years on Saturday at the NCAA Division I wrestling championships, with former President Donald Trump in attendance for the evening session.
Trump shook hands and took selfies with fans and greeted several of the national champions. He sat with staff members and U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin. The crowd stood when he went to the arena floor before the night session began with Mullin and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Diakomihalis capped the evening by defeating Ohio State's Sammy Sasso 4-2 in the 149-pound final. He joined Kyle Dake, Pat Smith, Logan Stieber and Cael Sanderson — Penn State's coach — as the only four-time champions ever in Division I.
“All those guys are great because they’re different," Diakomihalis said. "And, you know, my style is different. I might take bits and pieces from each guy, but when you see the final product, it’s its own form.”
Diakomihalis, 23, won national titles in 2018 and 2019. He took an Olympic redshirt year while trying to make Team USA in 2019-20, then couldn't wrestle in college during the 2020-21 season because the Ivy League cancelled winter sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. He came back to win in 2022 and 2023, and now has bigger goals in mind with the Olympics coming in 2024.
“What I did this weekend is far from the best version of myself,” he said. “And it’s far, far, far from what I need to be an Olympic champion, world champion.”
Penn State ran away with the team title, mathematically clinching before the evening session began. The Nittany Lions finished with 137.5 points. Iowa was second with 82.5 points and Cornell placed third with 76.5.
Two Penn State wrestlers won titles for the third straight season — Penn State's Carter Starocci at 174 and Aaron Brooks at 184.
Starocci pinned Nebraska’s Mikey Labriola early in the second period. He had defeated Labriola in the Big Ten final and gave him his only two losses of the season. Brooks, the No. 3 seed at 184, defeated top-seeded Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa 7-2.
All didn't go as planned for Penn State. Third-seeded Vito Arujau of Cornell defeated Penn State's Roman Bravo-Young — a two-time defending champion and an unbeaten No. 1 seed — 10-4 for the title at 133. Bravo-Young had the nation's longest winning streak at 56 matches.
“The team had a great weekend," Sanderson said. "A lot of gutsy, great performances. It’s an individual sport as well as a team sport. So as a coach, you’re always -- your heart and mind is with the guys that don’t quite reach their goals. But we’ve got a lot to be happy about and proud of.”
Iowa’s Spencer Lee was in the running to win his fourth title before losing in the semifinals to Purdue’s Matt Ramos at 125 on Friday night. Lee medically forfeited out of Saturday’s action and officially finished sixth.
Ramos followed up his stunning upset by facing Princeton’s Pat Glory, the unbeaten No. 2 seed who was the runner-up in the class last year. Glory won 3-1 to claim Princeton’s first national title since 1951.
Glory expected a battle from Ramos.
“Not everybody goes off and knocks off Spencer Lee like that,” Glory said. “It takes cojones, and I knew he would have the same mentality coming into the match. I knew it was going to be dogfight. And I knew it was going to be one opportunity and I needed to capitalize and I knew I was going to be ready for it when it came."
In other finals, at 141, Northern Colorado's Andrew Alirez defeated Iowa's Real Woods 6-4 in a matchup of unbeatens. There was a long delay to sort out a series of moves in the second period, and the challenge by Northern Colorado paid off. It gave Alirez four points for a near fall instead of two and it pushed his lead to 6-2. He went on to claim his school's first national title since 1962.
At 157, North Carolina's Austin O'Connor won his second national title with a 6-2 win over Penn State true freshman Levi Haines. O'Connor, who won at 149 in 2021, is now a five-time All-American. O'Connor got on the board with an escape early in the third, then scored two takedowns to take command.
At 165, Missouri's Keegan O'Toole repeated by defeating Iowa State's David Carr, 8-2. The second-seeded O'Toole avenged two losses to Carr this season by dominating the third period to pull away. Carr, the champ at 157 in 2021, was unbeaten and the No. 1 seed this season.
At 197, Pitt's Nino Bonaccorsi, the No. 1 seed, finished an unbeaten season by defeating South Dakota State's Tanner Sloan 5-3. Sloan, the No. 7 seed, took a 2-0 lead on a takedown in the first period. Bonaccorsi took a 4-3 lead on a takedown in the final minute to take the lead for good. Bonaccorsi lost to Oklahoma State’s A.J. Ferrari in the 197 final in 2021.
And at 285, Michigan's Mason Parris completed an unbeaten season with a 5-1 win over Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet, the No. 3 seed. Parris and Kerkvliet had previously split six college matchups. Parris lost to Minnesota's Gable Steveson in the final in 2021.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-03-19T05:50:32+00:00 | ksat.com | https://www.ksat.com/sports/2023/03/19/cornells-diakomihalis-wins-4th-title-penn-state-wins-again/ |
QINGDAO, China, Oct. 25, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Every aspect of modern life is becoming smarter, and it's time to upgrade the dog walking gear. Pawaii recently launched a professional pet harness with a QR ID tag, which is great news for pet owners concerned about loss.
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), approximately one-third of pets will become lost during their lifetimes, with less than 2% of cats and 15 to 20% of dogs being returned to their owners. However, registering ID information for pets can increase the likelihood that lost cats will be returned to owners to 38.5% and the likelihood that lost dogs will be returned to their owners to 52.2%.
Pawaii pet tags for dogs can provide your pet with a unique ID. A pet owner can quickly register a customized ID file for their pet by scanning the QR code on it. If your pet becomes lost, a finder can scan the QR code on this tag to obtain your contact information and contact you as soon as possible. This tiny ID tag can significantly increase your pet's return rate.
Aside from the pet tag, the Pawaii dog harness is designed to meet the needs of both humans and pets. A 360° surrounded type harness can relieve traction pressure and give you more control over your pet. This no-pull dog harness can meet the needs of your high-energy pet thanks to its soft and breathable harness and firm and sturdy buckles. Furthermore, with its highly reflective and colorful design, this harness for dogs can keep your pet safe from getting lost or being involved in a traffic accident.
Pawaii's designers believe that simply putting this harness on your pet is like giving them a warm hug. Both the ID tag and the dog vest harness are thoughtfully and humanely designed, with the ID tag assisting in pet reuniting and the dog harness packed with details. We care for pets while also considering human comfort. Pawaii's brand vision is well represented by focusing on the present while striving for a better future.
Pawaii, a pet supply company, is committed to creating stylish, high-quality, and intelligent products that break down barriers between humans and pets. Pawaii insists on meticulously designing every detail of pet gear, paying special attention to product quality and user experience to bring more warmth and happiness to every pet family.
Pawaii anticipates exploring more with pet owners in the future to better understand pet demands and to depict a smart and colorful blueprint for pet families in the new era through innovative technology, collected product data, and continuous optimization and iteration.
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SOURCE PAWAii | 2022-10-25T06:37:26+00:00 | wsfa.com | https://www.wsfa.com/prnewswire/2022/10/25/pawaii-dog-harness-new-way-walk-your-dog-without-fear-loss/ |
SYDNEY, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Industry-leading communications software provider Symbio Holdings (ASX: SYM), today announced the launch of Carrier Infrastructure as a Service (CIaaS) – a unified carrier-grade product suite designed to simplify the wholesale customer experience.
Symbio's CIaaS offering makes it easier for communications service providers of all sizes to launch and scale cloud collaboration services in new markets, utilising Symbio's proprietary cloud-based technology stack.
CIaaS provides the necessary physical infrastructure through Symbio's extensive voice network, together with the virtual components needed to deliver high-quality, cost-effective communications services in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and beyond.
Giorgio Mihaila, CEO of Symbio's Connect division said, "The wholesale voice market is entering a new and complex era, faced with regulatory and compliance challenges that make it difficult for service providers to economically launch and scale cloud communications solutions.
"With our Carrier Infrastructure as a Service offering, we are making it simpler and more cost-effective than ever for service providers to scale their own solutions, by removing barriers to entry into new markets so they can focus on what matters most – the customer experience.
"We've spent several years migrating core carrier functions to the cloud to be able to offer our proprietary technology stack that can move at scale, anywhere.
"Now, wholesale service providers can offer end-users all the same benefits as a tier-1 supplier, without needing to invest in their own infrastructure or go through the time-consuming process of securing a carrier license when entering new markets," he said.
Backed by 20-years of innovation and experience
Leveraging Symbio's voice network, CIaaS enables domestic service providers to access the same capabilities as leading carriers without the need for infrastructure investments to deliver reliable, quality voice communications.
In addition, CIaaS is backed by carrier-grade customer support and expertise through in-country customer service teams working locally, to support global customers for international call routing and other services. With this capability, Symbio can help service providers navigate and understand individual country licensing and regulatory challenges.
"Symbio's Carrier Infrastructure as a Service offering is designed to provide immediate benefits, with continuous updates to the product suite. As new capabilities and innovations emerge customers will automatically receive these, enabling this service to be the central marketplace for all wholesale communications needs," concluded Mr Mihaila.
Symbio's CIaaS is available to customers in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore from today. For more information visit www.symbio.global/carrier-infrastructure
ENDS
About Symbio
Symbio (ASX: SYM) is a software company changing the way the world communicates.
Symbio brings together everything needed to deploy and manage modern communication services. The Symbio platform delivers the full communication stack, from carrier infrastructure to enterprise collaboration, across multiple Asia-Pacific regions.
Symbio's products power calling and messaging for government and enterprise, software platforms, global telecoms, and much more.
Headquartered in Sydney, Symbio powers billions of calls and messages each year, owns networks in three countries and employs over 450 staff worldwide. Symbio was founded in Sydney in 2002 and is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.
For more information about Symbio visit www.symbio.global
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SOURCE Symbio | 2022-11-08T01:59:42+00:00 | kcrg.com | https://www.kcrg.com/prnewswire/2022/11/08/symbio-launches-carrier-infrastructure-service-offering-wholesale-customers/ |
Lawmakers aim to raise penalties for US airline disruptions
(AP) - Senators who want to impose tougher penalties when U.S. airlines strand or delay passengers say they finally might be able to turn their ideas into law because of outrage over debacles like the one at Southwest Airlines in December.
Democrats Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut and Edward Markey of Massachusetts said Tuesday they will again offer a “passenger bill of rights” that would, among other things, allow customers to file class-action lawsuits against airlines, and legislation to limit airline fees.
A trade group for the largest U.S. airlines issued a blistering attack on the legislation.
Both the passenger-rights and airline-fee proposals from longtime critics of the airline industry have floundered in the past, and they lack Republican support so far in the new Congress. But the lawmakers argue that they can succeed this time by attaching their ideas to must-pass legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration.
Southwest canceled 16,700 flights in late December, likely affecting travel plans for about 2 million people, when it took more than a week to recover from a winter storm. Crew-scheduling technology — which got less attention from Southwest leaders than other technology spending — was overwhelmed, leaving planes, pilots and flight attendants out of position for days.
The U.S. Transportation Department is investigating the meltdown, which has made Southwest the butt of jokes on TV shows including “Saturday Night Live.”
The disaster will cost Southwest about $1.1 billion by the airline’s own reckoning, but the disruptions accounted for a small part of the 210,000 U.S. flights that airlines canceled in 2022. The rate of cancellations surged 52% from 2021.
“The airlines need to be given some incentives to do the right thing, and consumers need protection,” Blumenthal told reporters.
Southwest did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokeswoman for trade group Airlines for America said the industry is a highly competitive one that benefits consumers.
“This bill undermines and eliminates decades of successful policies that have transformed air travel, allowing the vast majority of Americans to take flight,” said the spokeswoman, Marli Collier. “The proposed policies in this bill — instituting government-controlled pricing, establishing a private right of action and dictating private sector contracts — would drastically decrease competition, leading to a subsequent increase in airfare prices and potential cut in services to small and rural communities.”
Blumenthal’s proposal would require airlines to provide alternate transportation and reimbursement of out-of-pocket costs to customers whose flights are delayed as briefly as one hour. Southwest says it is reimbursing stranded passengers for “reasonable” hotel and meal expenses. The bill would also allow consumers to file class-action lawsuits and eliminate caps on fines the government can levy for airlines that violate consumer-protection laws.
“If Southwest faced these kinds of potential penalties and consumer class-action, it might have updated its IT systems,” he said.
Markey proposes separately to limit fees to what it costs the airline to provide the service.
Both proposals have failed to gain traction in previous years. Blumenthal said things are different now because of the increase in disruptions by airlines that received tens of billions of dollars in pandemic relief from taxpayers.
There is precedent for attaching passenger provisions to FAA reauthorization bills. The last one, in 2018, included a directive for the government to set minimum standards for airline seats, although there has been little progress on that front.
And airlines have prevailed in other fights. Also in 2018, they successfully lobbied Congress to drop a requirement provision that would have let the government decide whether airline fees for things like checking bags as assigning seats are reasonable.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | 2023-01-31T23:12:52+00:00 | wlox.com | https://www.wlox.com/2023/01/31/lawmakers-aim-raise-penalties-us-airline-disruptions/ |
Peter E. Berglund
Published 9:59 am Friday, January 27, 2023
Peter (Pete) Edson Berglund, 81, passed away on January 24, 2023 at Thorne Crest Assisted Living in Albert Lea.
Pete was born June 5, 1941 to John and Eveleth (Ostrander) Berglund, and was raised in Albert Lea, MN.
While attending high school he began dating Patricia Paczkowski. After graduating from Albert Lea High School, he attended Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin. Pete returned to Albert Lea and joined the Army National Guard. In 1963, at St. Paul Cathedral, he was united in marriage to Patricia, and together they raised two sons, John and Steve. Pete and Patricia spent 48 loving years together until her passing in December 2011.
Being a man of many trades, Pete ran multiple businesses over the years, such as a sporting goods store, car dealership, and a medical supply company. Pete spent much of his time visiting his cabin in Isabella, MN, during the fall and summer months, where fishing and hunting grouse were among some of his favorite outdoor activities. An ideal day for Pete consisted of a cigar, a glass of brandy, and being an avid reader, a good book. Pete was an avid reader of all genres but especially enjoyed Tom Clancy. He left behind memories in the way of family recipes, such as “Berglund eggs” and rare steaks.
Pete was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Berglund and parents John and Eveleth Berglund.
Left to cherish Pete’s memory his sons, John (DeeAnn) Berglund and Steve Berglund; grandson Peter Berglund and granddaughter Joy Berglund.
Burial and a celebration of life will be in Albert Lea at a later date. | 2023-01-27T16:23:03+00:00 | albertleatribune.com | https://www.albertleatribune.com/2023/01/peter-e-berglund/ |
Dog accidentally sent through airport x-ray machine, TSA says
Make sure to check your luggage before flying this holiday season, you might have a furry stowaway.
The Transportation Security Administration reported that a dog was accidentally sent through the X-ray at the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison, Wisconsin this week.
The verified Great Lakes region Twitter account for the agency reported the passenger and dog owner did not tell TSA about her dog.
"When traveling with any animal, notify your airline & know their rules. At the checkpoint, remove your pet from the bag and send all items, including the empty carrier, to be screened in the machine," the TSA said in a Twitter post.
Dog accidently sent through TSA x-ray machine.
The TSA also shared a video on how to properly travel with your pet so as to avoid a situation like this one. | 2022-12-07T12:16:35+00:00 | wogx.com | https://www.wogx.com/news/dog-accidentally-sent-through-airport-x-ray-machine-tsa-says |
WEC Energy Group, Clark Public Utilities, and Snohomish County PUD take top spots in Business Customer Satisfaction Study
BOULDER, Colo., Nov. 3, 2022 E Source is pleased to announce the results of the E Source 2022 Business Customer Satisfaction Study. The company surveyed large business customers to discover the utility attributes they value most as well as where their utility ranks on those attributes. The survey uses a 10-point scale, where 1 is the lowest score and 10 is the highest. Among nine attributes, large business customers selected three as most important for a utility to possess:
- Energy reliability
- Trustworthiness
- Effective emergency communications
E Source Market Research conducts the annual Business Customer Satisfaction Study to provide utilities and account representatives with direct feedback from large business customers. The survey produces an understanding of the overall satisfaction levels and identifies where improvement is essential. Over 700 large business customers participated in the 14th edition of the study, which revealed the top-ranked utilities in 2022.
Of the participating utilities, WEC Energy Group earned the top spot, receiving a score of 9.32 out of 10 for overall customer satisfaction and perceived value. WEC Energy Group also scored high in being trustworthy, providing reliable energy, and being easy to do business with. In addition, the utility's account reps earned the highest score for resolving customer issues on first contact.
"I'm proud of this team of highly qualified individuals who are all focused on providing top-notch service and customer satisfaction," says Greg Smedema, key accounts manager for We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service, subsidiaries of WEC Energy Group.
Clark Public Utilities earned second place in the large business study. The utility scored high in trustworthiness, being easy to do business with, and energy reliability Clark Public Utilities earned an average score of 9.28 out of 10 for overall satisfaction and perceived value.
"Our large customers play an outsized role in our local economy, and we strive to provide them with the best service possible," says Debbie DePetris, manager of energy services at Clark Public Utilities. "So it's both gratifying and humbling to know they're satisfied with our performance. But we look forward to using this year's survey results to deliver even better customer service."
In third place, Snohomish County PUD scored high in trustworthiness, being easy to do business with, and energy reliability. Large business customers gave the utility an overall satisfaction and perceived value score of 9.11 out of 10.
"We are pleased that our efforts to provide our large business customers with excellent customer service and reliable and affordable power has been recognized in E Source's latest benchmark survey," says Pam Baley, assistant general manager for customer and energy services at Snohomish County PUD. "Our Key Accounts group is a key connection to our large business customers, and their work is critical to our mission and values. We appreciate the E Source survey and the valuable feedback we receive from it."
"We'd like to congratulate the top utilities in the large business study for their continued focus on providing reliable energy, while maintaining customer trust and being easy to do business with," says Daniel Doutre, lead analyst, E Source Market Research. "The fact that these utilities have been able to maintain or improve their customer relationships over the past few years is impressive and noteworthy."
Members of the E Source Account Management Service will be able to access the complete study results, which will be available soon. Utility participants that aren't members of this service may purchase aggregate results separately. Contact E Source to learn more.
E Source, the data authority for the utility industry, blends industry-leading research, predictive data science, and solution services to help utilities make better decisions to support their customers, their bottom line, and our planet. With a commitment to practical innovation, we use more than three decades of utility-focused experience and our unique solution set to help clients achieve their goal of becoming a Sustainable Utility. E Source is headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, with offices across the US. For more information, see www.esource.com.
Public relations contact
Sannie Sieper, Director of Marketing, E Source
sannie_sieper@esource.com
303-345-9138
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SOURCE E Source Companies LLC | 2022-11-03T13:40:11+00:00 | uppermichiganssource.com | https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/prnewswire/2022/11/03/large-business-customers-desire-energy-reliability-trustworthiness-effective-emergency-communications/ |
'GiGi' Built to Inspire Future Space Explorers, Careers in STEAM
HOUSTON, May 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) have partnered to fly a furry fifth crew member alongside the Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) astronauts. The teddy bear, named GiGi, took flight yesterday as the Ax-2 mission's zero-gravity indicator wearing Axiom Space's next-generation spacesuit.
GiGi going to space continues the tradition of having a zero-gravity indicator inside the spacecraft to provide a visual indicator when the spacecraft has reached the weightlessness of microgravity. As the fifth crew member of Ax-2, GiGi's mission is to inspire children around the world to learn about space and consider careers in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
"Axiom Space is excited to partner with the iconic brand Build-A-Bear to encourage children of all ages to learn about space exploration and our efforts to expand access to microgravity for individuals, countries and institutions to conduct meaningful scientific research," said Sandra Nelson, Vice President of Marketing, Axiom Space. "GiGi was designed and built for the next generation of space explorers who will enable us to explore beyond, build a sustainable future in low-Earth orbit, and realize the extensive science research that will be achievable with their involvement and active participation in STEAM."
Sharon Price John, President and Chief Executive Officer at Build-A-Bear, emphasized the intent of this new partnership and special flight. "Guests dream big at Build-A-Bear, and the opportunity to partner with Axiom Space as part of the Ax-2 mission and send GiGi, the furry fifth crew member, to space is a special honor that we hope inspires youth across the globe to reach for the stars, pursue adventures, and follow their passion," she said. "With Build-A-Bear's 25-year history of creating special moments, our GiGi wearing the next-generation spacesuit, has the wonderful opportunity to be part of history as the Ax-2 crew's zero-gravity indicator."
About The Ax-2 Mission
The Ax-2 crew launched to space by way of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and a Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ax-2 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson and Pilot John Shoffner, both from the United States, and Mission Specialists Ali Alqarni and Rayyanah Barnawi representing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To learn more about the Ax-2 mission, visit www.axiomspace.com/ax2 .
GiGi's Story
This partnership is driven by the shared goal for GiGi to encourage youth to learn more about space exploration and consider career paths in STEAM. Young enthusiasts can follow GiGi's journey on her blog designed to help kids see themselves through her unBEARlievable experience.
"As a young cub, I was always drawn to math and science projects. After the gift of a telescope one summer, I felt connected to the stars in a way I never had before, and I knew STEAM studies were for me," says GiGi in her blog. "Now as a full-time astronomer and aspiring astronaut, I am over the Moon to be part of the Ax-2 mission. After all, it takes a lot of heart and courage to be a space explorer, and I am ready for it."
To read GiGi's full story and follow her space adventures please visit her blog at www.axiomspace.com/news/meet-gigi.
Fans of Axiom Space and Build-A-Bear can be part of this memorable moment with the newly released Axiom Space Bear wearing a next-generation spacesuit available exclusively online at Build-A-Bear and axiomspace.com.
ABOUT AXIOM SPACE
Axiom Space is building history, guided by the vision of a thriving home in space that benefits every human, everywhere. The leading provider of human spaceflight services and developer of human-rated space infrastructure, Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the International Space Station today while developing its successor, Axiom Station – a permanent commercial destination in low-Earth orbit that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home.
ABOUT BUILD-A-BEAR®
Build-A-Bear is a multi-generational global brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life" appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Nearly 500 interactive brick-and-mortar experience locations operated through a variety of formats provide guests of all ages a hands-on entertaining experience, which often fosters a lasting and emotional brand connection. The company also offers engaging e-commerce/digital purchasing experiences on buildabear.com and its age-gated, adult-focused "Bear Cave". In addition, extending its brand power beyond retail, Build-A-Bear Entertainment, a subsidiary of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is dedicated to creating engaging content for kids and adults that fulfills the company's mission.
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SOURCE Build-A-Bear Workshop | 2023-05-22T12:57:11+00:00 | kalb.com | https://www.kalb.com/prnewswire/2023/05/22/axiom-space-build-a-bear-partner-send-teddy-bear-space/ |
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LONDON (AP) — Above all, there was shock. That’s the word people use when they remember Princess Diana’s death in a Paris car crash 25 years ago this week.
The woman the world watched grow from a shy teenage nursery school teacher into a glamorous celebrity, who comforted AIDS patients and campaigned for land mine removal couldn’t be dead at the age of 36.
“I think we need to remind ourselves that she was probably the best known woman in the English-speaking world, aside from perhaps Queen Elizabeth II herself,’’ said historian Ed Owens.
“And, given this massive celebrity persona that she had developed, to have that extinguished overnight, for her to die in such tragic circumstances, at such a young age, I think really came as a massive shock to many people.”
It was that disbelief that cemented Diana’s legacy as the woman who brought lasting change to Britain’s royal family, helping bridge the gap between centuries of tradition and a new, multi-cultural nation in the internet age.
First, there was the outpouring of grief from the public who streamed to the princess’ home at Kensington Palace to mourn the loss of a woman most had never met. That forced the royals to recognize that Diana’s common touch had connected with people in ways that hadn't occurred to the House of Windsor.
Those lessons have since inspired other royals, including Diana’s sons, Princes William and Harry, to be more informal as they strive to keep the monarchy relevant in the 21st century.
For proof, look no further than the glitzy concert that was a centerpiece of June’s Platinum Jubilee celebrating the queen’s 70 years on the throne.
There were rock bands and opera singers, dancers and lasers painting pictures of corgis on the sky. But the biggest applause was for Elizabeth herself, who appeared in a short film to share a pot of tea with British national treasure Paddington Bear and finally reveal what’s inside her famous black handbag: A marmalade sandwich — just for emergencies.
It wasn’t obvious Diana would be a royal rebel when she married Prince Charles.
A member of the aristocratic Spencer family, which had close ties to the royal family and a 500-year-old stately home in central England, Diana was known for flouncy bows, sensible skirts and a boyish blond bob when she started dating the future king. After leaving school at 16, she spent time at a finishing school in the Swiss Alps and worked as a nanny and pre-school teacher while living in London.
But she appeared to blossom, becoming an international style icon the moment she walked down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral on July 29, 1981, shrouded in lace and followed by a 25-foot train.
Reporters and photographers followed Diana wherever she went. While the princess hated the intrusion, she quickly learned the media was also a tool she could use to bring attention to a cause and to change public perceptions.
That impact was seen most famously when the princess opened the U.K.’s first specialized ward for AIDS patients on April 9, 1987.
Such ribbon-cutting ceremonies were a staple of royal duties. But Diana realized there was more at stake. She reached out and took the hands of a young patient, demonstrating the virus couldn’t be transmitted by touch. The moment, captured by photos beamed worldwide, helped combat the fear, misinformation and stigma surrounding the AIDS epidemic.
A decade later, Diana was even more media savvy.
Seven months before she died, Diana donned a protective visor and flak jacket and walked down a path cleared through a minefield in Angola to promote the work of The HALO Trust, a group devoted to removing mines from former war zones. When she realized some photographers didn’t get the shot, she turned around and did it again.
Later, Diana met with land mine victims, holding a young girl who'd lost her left leg on her lap.
The images brought international attention to the campaign to rid the world of explosives that lurk underground long after wars end. Today, a treaty banning land mines has been signed by 164 countries.
But that public platform came at a price.
Her marriage disintegrated, with Diana blaming Charles’ continuing liaison with long-time mistress Camilla Parker Bowles. The princess also struggled with bulimia and acknowledged suicide attempts, according to “Diana Her True Story — In Her Own Words,’’ published in 1992 based on tapes Diana sent to author Andrew Morton.
“When I started my public life, 12 years ago, I understood the media might be interested in what I did. I realized then their attention would inevitably focus on both our private and public lives,’’ Diana said in 1993.
“But I was not aware of how overwhelming that attention would become. Nor the extent to which it would affect both my public duties and my personal life, in a manner that’s been hard to bear.”
In the end, it contributed to her death.
On Aug. 30, 1997, a group of paparazzi camped outside the Hotel Ritz in Paris in hopes of getting shots of Diana and boyfriend Dodi Fayed pursued their car to the Pont de l’Alma tunnel, where their driver lost control and crashed.
Diana died in the early hours of Aug. 31, 1997, at Pitie-Salpetriere Hospital.
A stunned world mourned. Bouquets of flowers, many including personal notes, carpeted the grounds outside Diana’s home in Kensington Palace. Weeping citizens lined the streets outside Westminster Abbey during her funeral.
The public reaction contrasted with that of the royal family, criticized for not quickly appearing in public and refusing to lower the flag over Buckingham Palace to half-staff in honor of the princess.
The mourning prompted soul-searching among members of the House of Windsor.
“I think her legacy was something that the queen in her wisdom (sought) to adopt in the early years after her death,’’ said Sally Bedell Smith, author of “Diana in Search of Herself.’’
“They very effectively modified some of the formal patterns about the way they do their duties," she said of the royals. "The queen was more likely to interact with people, and I think you see the informality magnified now, particularly with William and Kate.’’
William, his wife, Kate, and Harry have underscored Diana’s legacy by making improved mental health services a primary goal, going so far as to publicly discuss their own struggles. Harry also is a champion for wounded military veterans.
The rehabilitation of Charles’ reputation had to wait until public anger over his treatment of Diana began to fade. That's now well underway, helped by his 2005 marriage to Camilla, who is credited with softening his image and making him more approachable. The queen earlier this year said she hoped Camilla would become queen consort when Charles ascends the throne.
But there are lessons for the monarchy to learn as it struggles with the fallout from the scandal over Prince Andrew’s links to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Beyond that, there's Harry and his wife, Meghan’s decision to give up royal duties for life in Southern California.
Meghan and Harry have said their decision was triggered by the palace’s treatment of Meghan, an American bi-racial former actress who grew up in Los Angeles. In interviews, Meghan has said a member of the royal family even inquired about the potential skin color of her first child before he was born.
This episode shows the royals haven’t fully learned the lesson of Diana, said Owens, author of “The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public 1932-1953.''
“Once again, not enough room was created,'' Owens said of Meghan.
Diana had her own struggles with the palace, airing her grievances in a 1995 BBC interview that continues to make headlines. The BBC was forced to apologize last year after an investigation found reporter Martin Bashir used “deceitful methods” to secure the interview.
Diana's brother said this year that the interview and the way it was obtained contributed to Diana’s death because it led her to refuse continued protection from the palace after her divorce.
But her words about how she wished to be viewed remain firmly in memory.
“I’d like to be a queen of people’s hearts, in people’s hearts, but I don’t see myself being queen of this country,” Diana said in the interview.
“I don’t think many people will want me to be queen.” | 2022-08-30T06:38:40+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/entertainment/article/Diana-s-death-stunned-the-world-and-changed-17406581.php |
ROCHESTER, Minn. – Installation of a new skylight will close the Rochester Public Library on Monday.
“As expected, we are having to close for the install of the new skylight for the same concerns we had during the removal of the old one,” says Library Director Karen Lemke. “While we never like to close, we still need to ensure customers can safely enter and leave the building at all times.”
As crews put in the new skylights over the interior stairwells of the building, that will require the closure of a high traffic area needed to access the second floor of the library, which was also closed on October 17 for the skylight’s removal.
During the closure library staff will participate in “back of the house” work such as shelving, collection maintenance, reporting, and other labor-intensive projects. The outdoor book drop will remain open and holds on library materials will be available one additional day.
“We’re excited to see this re-roofing project move into its final phase and have been so lucky to have great communication with Merit along the way,” adds Lemke.
The Library is expected to reopen on Tuesday. | 2022-10-28T19:30:09+00:00 | kimt.com | https://www.kimt.com/news/skylight-installation-to-close-rochester-public-library-for-one-day/article_157c45c4-56ec-11ed-b48f-b7af168b2091.html |
NUEVA YORK (AP) — Compañía de Donald Trump es declarada culpable de fraude fiscal en una trama urdida por altos ejecutivos.
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To Ingemar Stenmark, all this fuss over Mikaela Shiffrin as she approaches his record of 86 World Cup skiing victories is beside the point.
Because the 66-year-old Swede believes the American is already on another level.
“She’s much better than I was. You cannot compare,” Stenmark said in an interview with The Associated Press. “She has everything. She has good physical strength, she has a good technique, strong head. I think it’s the combination of everything makes her so good. And I’m also impressed that she can ski good both in slalom and in super-G and downhill also.
“I could never have been so good in all disciplines.”
While all 86 of Stenmark’s wins in the 1970s and 80s came in the technical disciplines of slalom (40) and giant slalom (46), Shiffrin’s 85 wins have come, yes, predominantly in slalom (52) giant slalom (19) or parallel (5), but also in super-G (5), downhill (3) and combined (1).
One of Shiffrin’s three medals at the world championships this month came in super-G with a silver.
Stenmark knows the numbers well, because he enjoys following Shiffrin’s races.
“I watch most of them,” he said via phone last week from his home just outside Stockholm. “To become such a good skier you have to love skiing, and she has good touch with the snow, good feeling. She can adapt to all kind of different snow conditions.”
After winning three medals in her four races at worlds, Shiffrin returns to action this weekend in Kvitfjell, Norway, where she plans to compete in a super-G, a downhill and then another super-G on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
Then Shiffrin has a giant slalom and a slalom in Are, Sweden, on March 10-11.
Might Stenmark attend the races in Are if there’s still a chance for Shiffrin to match or break his record?
“No, I’m not going. I’m sorry for that. But I will, of course, watch on TV,” Stenmark said, explaining that he doesn’t want to devote too much attention to Shiffrin when there are also top-notch Swedish skiers competing, like Olympic giant slalom champion Sara Hector.
“That’s why it would be a little bit strange for me to go to Are to celebrate Shiffrin when we have the Swedish girls also,” Stenmark said. “If it would have been another place, it would be easier.”
Shiffrin won her first World Cup race in Are in December 2012, claimed two gold medals at the Swedish resort at the 2019 worlds and has six victories there in all.
“I heard she likes Sweden, but maybe she likes Norway more now, because she has a Norwegian boyfriend,” Stenmark said, referring to Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the circuit’s leading downhill skier, who Shiffrin has had a relationship with for several years.
While Stenmark hasn’t attended a race since Lindsey Vonn invited him to her career finale in Are in 2019, he’s drawn to Shiffrin’s methodical approach to skiing and — as someone known for his reservedness — appreciates her introverted personality.
“I don’t know her personally, but she seems to be a very (nice) person,” Stenmark said.
Shiffrin shows just as much reverence for Stenmark as he does for her.
“I would say the name means more than the number,” the 27-year-old Shiffrin said of Stenmark. “He’s an absolute legend in skiing. And no matter what I achieve, this kind of term, ‘the greatest of all time’ or the numbers — all that for me, it’s something that’s debatable.
“The thing for me about sports is that it gives people a reason to be inspired by whoever they choose to be inspired (by),” Shiffrin added. “So whatever I do, it’s a little bit of a moot point. And that’s how I feel about Ingemar. His name is in history as a legend of the sport that people will remember forever.”
Stenmark, who won his final race in February 1989 in Aspen, Colorado, has a long history with American skiers, having been rivals of the Mahre brothers — Phil and Steve — during his racing days. Then Vonn approached his record before injuries cut her career short and left her with 82 wins.
“It’s not a very big sport in the U.S. if you compare it to American football and baseball and the other (sports). But there are lots of good skiers,” Stenmark said.
Stenmark and Shiffrin competed in vastly different eras, with many more races — plus more disciplines — available to Shiffrin now.
There have also been huge advancements in skiing equipment since Stenmark stopped racing.
“It’s all completely different, but I liked the way it was when I was racing. The only thing I miss is the carving skis,” he said, referring to the newer, hour-glass shaped skis that make turning less challenging. “I think skiing nowadays is easier than when we were racing, but winning is maybe harder now, because there are so many (top) skiers. If you make one small mistake, it’s hard to win.”
While Shiffrin has had her fair share of mistakes — see her performance at last year’s Beijing Olympics when she didn’t finish three of her five individual races and didn’t win a medal despite enormous expectations — she still wins a whopping 35% of her races.
“And I think she can win more than 100,” Stenmark said. “It depends on how many years she continues. But for sure 100.”
___
Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf
___
More AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/skiing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2023-02-27T19:21:53+00:00 | cbs4indy.com | https://cbs4indy.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-ap-interview-stenmark-says-shiffrin-better-than-i-was/ |
Oklahoma governor rejects clemency for death row inmate James Coddington in 1997 hammer killing
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has rejected clemency for death row inmate James Coddington, despite a recommendation from the state's Pardon and Parole Board that his life be spared.
Coddington was convicted and sentenced to die for the beating death of friend and coworker 73-year-old Albert Hale inside Hale’s Choctaw home. Prosecutors say Coddington, who was 24 at the time, became enraged when Hale refused to give him money to buy cocaine.
The denial means Coddington will be executed as scheduled on Thursday morning.
"After thoroughly reviewing arguments and evidence presented by all sides of the case, Governor Kevin Stitt has denied the Pardon and Parole Board’s clemency recommendation for James Allen Coddington," Stitt's office said in a statement.
During a clemency hearing this month before the state’s five-member Pardon and Parole Board, an emotional Coddington, now 50, apologized to Hale’s family and said he is a different man today.
"I’m clean, I know God, I’m not ... I’m not a vicious murderer," Coddington told the board. "If this ends today with my death sentence, OK."
Coddington’s attorney, Emma Rolls, told the panel that Coddington was impaired by years of alcohol and drug abuse that began when he was an infant and his father put beer and whiskey into his baby bottles.
Rolls said Coddington doesn't have any pending appeals that would delay or stop his execution on Thursday.
The panel voted 3-2 to recommend Coddington for clemency, although Hale’s family had urged against it.
Coddington was twice sentenced to death for Hale’s killing, the second time in 2008 after his initial sentence was overturned on appeal.
Stitt has granted clemency only one time, in November, to death row inmate Julius Jones just hours before Jones was scheduled to receive a lethal injection. The first-term governor commuted Jones’ sentence to life in prison without parole.
Jones’ case had drawn national attention after it was featured in "The Last Defense," a three-episode documentary that cast doubt on Jones’ conviction, and there were numerous protests in Oklahoma City in the days leading up to Jones’ scheduled execution date.
Earlier this year, a judge ruled the state's execution method does not violate death row inmates' constitutional rights.
The Associated Press contributed to this report | 2022-08-24T18:57:46+00:00 | wyff4.com | https://www.wyff4.com/article/oklahoma-james-coddington-clemency-denied-hammer-killing/40981295 |
Lee to Receive the Festival's Inaugural 'Creative Maker of the Year' Award Supported by Black at Cannes
NEW YORK and CANNES, France, June 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning filmmaker and cultural icon Spike Lee to Sport Beach, its flagship venue at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – the largest gathering of the advertising and creative communications industry – for a special conversation with Jordan Brand Chief Marketing Officer Shannon Watkins. Sport Beach is built for brands, platforms and athletes to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of sport and explore the power of fandom.
Led by Damaune Journey, global chief growth officer at 72andSunny, a premier global creative agency in Stagwell's network, "Spike Lee's Influence: The Intersection of Creativity, Sport, and Culture" will feature a candid talk with the creative genius-turned-advertising darling through the lens of his iconic commercials, and his role as a filmmaker and cultural icon.
Shannon Watkins and her team oversee brand strategies and campaigns for Jordan Brand, which has a deep and rich history with Lee. A 20+ yr. veteran in the brand world, Shannon is also a leader for diversity and inclusion within the marketing and advertising industry, has been named one of Adweek's Most Powerful Women in Sports, and is the winner of a Clio and a Cannes Lion award.
"We could not be more honored to host a talk with award-winning filmmaker, culture creator, and sports icon, Spike Lee. His creative genius is unquestioned and his impact on the sports marketing landscape is profound. Paired with Shannon Watkins, a marketing expert and industry juggernaut, attendees are in for a real treat," said Journey.
The session will take place at 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 22, on the Sport Beach main stage. A valid pass to Sport Beach is required for admission.
About Stagwell
Stagwell is the challenger network built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our 13,000+ specialists in 34+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for their clients. Join us at www.stagwellglobal.com.
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SOURCE Stagwell Inc. | 2023-06-17T17:42:27+00:00 | witn.com | https://www.witn.com/prnewswire/2023/06/17/stagwell-stgw-announces-new-headliner-sport-beach-cannes-lions-2023-acclaimed-filmmaker-spike-lee-special-talk-with-jordan-brand-cmo-shannon-watkins/ |
Jared Allen named to Vikings Ring of Honor after practice at U.S. Bank Stadium
MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Vikings went-off site Friday for their third practice of training camp, to what will be their home for at least nine games in the 2022 season: U.S. Bank Stadium.
Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf were on hand, as was Jared Allen. The former star defensive end watched practice, and was asked to speak to the team when they were done. He talked to them about playing in the NFL, and remembering their purpose as they play for each other and try to win championships. Then, he got the surprise from the team that he’s being inducted to the Vikings Ring of Honor.
It'll happen during a halftime ceremony on Oct. 30 at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Vikings host the Arizona Cardinals.
"Man I watched him growing up and one of the main things that he talked about was your purpose. Is it family? Is it money? What is it really?" defensive end Za’Darius Smith said. A lot of people get the money and want to quit after that. I look at it differently. I was a guy that came in, played one year of high school football, got a little taste of the money but I’m still here today wanting to play football. It’s because I love the game and it’s in my heart. That message that he sent, it meant so much to me because I felt like I was a part of that, because I really love this game of football."
Allen spent six seasons with the Vikings after being traded to Minnesota in 2008. He earned three All-Pro honors, and was a four-time Pro Bowl pick. Allen set the Vikings record for sacks in a season with 22 in 2011, a mark that’s also tied for third in NFL history. His 136 career sacks is 12th in NFL history. Allen is also tied for the NFL record with four career safeties, all with the Vikings.
He was a fan-favorite for his calf-roping celebration after every sack.
After practice, Adam Thielen joked that he’s starting to feel old that one of his former teammates will now go in the Ring of Honor.
"His energy I’ve always tried to emulate. He brought it every single day, he was a fun guy to be around because of the energy," Thielen said. When it was game time, he was going. When that ball was snapped, it was a different guy so I’ve always tried to emulate that."
"He’s a special player in Vikings history, and now and forever he’ll be a Viking legend in our Ring of Honor. Just a great player and off the field as well. Really well-deserved," Mark Wilf said.
The Vikings held their final workout before opening fans to practice on Saturday at TCO Performance Center. For most of the coaching staff and the team’s rookies, Friday was their first time inside U.S. Bank Stadium in a competitive setting.
It was Smith’s first time in the building since playing with the Packers in 2020. He didn’t play there last season after having back surgery.
"Just to come in the stadium and get a feel for it, walking out on the other side it just feels weird. But it’s a good feeling to have and I’m just excited to be a Minnesota Viking," Smith said.
Thielen said players were already talking about Week 1 against the Packers while they were stretching before practice started.
"There’s nothing better than Sundays in here. Guys were talking about it from the second we walked in here. Can’t wait for Week 1 when this place is packed," Thielen said. "We know the fans are excited for this year, we’re excited. Definitely gets you excited, but that’s a long ways away."
VIKINGS OWNERS SEE POSITIVE VIBES FROM O’CONNELL, KWESI ADOFO-MENSAH
Friday marked the first time owner and president Mark Wilf spoke with reporters since introducing O’Connell as the next coach to replace Mike Zimmer. It’s only three days into training camp, but the ownership group likes what they’ve seen since the start of the offseason program.
"The energy, the positivity, the communication, the collaboration between the two of them and across the team and the whole team and organization has been excellent. We couldn’t be more happy to have them onboard," Wilf said. "I can’t wait to get this thing going further."
The ownership group made the decision to move on from Zimmer and Rick Spielman after an 8-9 season, missing the NFC Playoffs for the second straight year and third time in four seasons. The Vikings have been to three NFC title games since 1999, but not since losing 38-7 to the Eagles in 2018.
"That is what drives us every single day. It burns all of us to get back to winning ways and competitiveness, and to be where we want to be. Winning divisions, winning championships and competing," Wilf said. "There’s a lot of good energy, good positivity towards those goals and I believe we’ll get there." | 2022-07-30T02:05:58+00:00 | fox9.com | https://www.fox9.com/sports/jared-allen-named-to-vikings-ring-of-honor-after-practice-at-u-s-bank-stadium |
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- DocuSign, Inc. (NASDAQ: DOCU), announced that Chief Financial Officer, Cynthia Gaylor, is scheduled to participate in the following investor events.
- Evercore ISI 'Off To A Running Start' (Virtual) Bus Tour
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 11:00 a.m. PST (2:00 p.m. EST) - Needham Growth Conference Fireside Chat
Monday, January 9, 2023
9:45 a.m. PST (12:45 p.m. EST)
A live webcast of the event will be available on the DocuSign Investor Relations website at investor.docusign.com - Bank of America New Year Software Bus Tour
Monday January 9, 2023
11:00 a.m. PST (2:00 p.m. EST)
About DocuSign
DocuSign helps organizations connect and automate how they navigate their systems of agreement. As part of its industry leading product lineup, DocuSign offers eSignature, the world's #1 way to sign electronically on practically any device, from almost anywhere, at any time. Today, over 1.3 million customers and more than a billion users in over 180 countries use the DocuSign platform to accelerate the process of doing business and simplify people's lives. For more information visit http://www.docusign.com
Copyright 2022. DocuSign, Inc. is the owner of DOCUSIGN® and all its other marks (www.docusign.com/IP).
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SOURCE DocuSign, Inc. | 2022-12-20T23:22:55+00:00 | kwch.com | https://www.kwch.com/prnewswire/2022/12/20/docusign-participate-upcoming-investor-events/ |
Senate Democrats turn up pressure on Clarence Thomas’ billionaire friend by demanding accounting of gifts
By Shawna Mizelle and Ariane de Vogue, CNN
Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have asked Harlan Crow, the GOP megadonor and friend of Clarence Thomas whose gifts to the Supreme Court justice have prompted fresh criticism about the ethical standards of the nation’s highest court, for more information about the expenditures.
In a letter on Monday, Judiciary Democrats requested information from Crow on all gifts and payments that exceed $415 that were given to any justice of the Supreme Court or family member as well as an itemized list of real estate transactions and trips.
Judiciary Democrats also sent letters on Monday to the holding companies that own Crow’s private jet, private yacht and Topridge Camp “seeking to identify the full extent of Mr. Crow’s and the corporations’ gifts to Justice Thomas.”
“The appearance of special access to the Justices—that is not available to all Americans— is corrosive to the legitimacy of the Court because, at minimum, it creates an appearance of undue influence that undermines the public’s trust in the Court’s impartiality,” the letters state.
The letters also state that the recent revelations come amid a lack of American confidence in the Supreme Court, pointing to recent polling.
Each letter requests that necessary information be shared no later than May 22.
Meanwhile, Crow is declining to provide information sought in a separate letter by Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, a spokesperson for the Oregon Democrat said Tuesday.
Wyden, who is examining whether the gifts could have triggered violations of US tax law, sent a series of questions to Crow last month inquiring about trips over the years that the megadonor paid for on his private plane and super yacht that Thomas chose not to list on his financial disclosure forms.
The ratcheting concern about the court’s ethics stems from ProPublica reporting that revealed Thomas and his wife, conservative activist Ginni Thomas, had gone on several luxury trips involving travel subsidized by and stays at properties owned by Crow and a 2014 real estate deal that involved the sale of three properties in Savannah, Georgia, that were owned by Thomas and his relatives to the megadonor.
Thomas had not financially disclosed the hospitality from or the deal with the Texas billionaire.
Thomas has previously said he followed the advice of others in deciding what required disclosure and in a statement last month, noted that that Crow did not have business before the court.
A source close to Thomas previously told CNN that the justice plans to amend his disclosure forms to reflect the real estate transaction, which also went unreported.
ProPublica additionally reported last week that Crow paid boarding school tuition for Thomas’ grandnephew, Mark Martin, who lived with the justice’s family as a child and for whom Thomas became a legal guardian.
Democrats have vowed to keep investigating the ethics of the nation’s highest court, and Chief Justice John Roberts declined an invitation to testify at a hearing on Supreme Court ethics.
Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday, Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Durbin said “everything is on the table” as the panel scrutinizes new ethics concerns around Thomas.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved. | 2023-05-09T16:24:56+00:00 | localnews8.com | https://localnews8.com/politics/cnn-us-politics/2023/05/09/senate-democrats-turn-up-pressure-on-clarence-thomas-billionaire-friend-by-demanding-accounting-of-gifts/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – The Wichita City Council approved the 2023 budget on Tuesday.
The budget totals over $600 million, and Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple said this budget had the most public input in over a decade.
People voiced their concerns about public safety and property taxes.
The 2023 budget is a $24 million increase from the 2022 budget. In addition, the council approved $45 million for nine fire stations, removed library overdue fees, and many other changes for Wichita.
But the budget approval didn’t come without concern from some council members and those attending.
“We approved a budget that not only balances and holds the line on taxes but also is reflective on the input that is received from that public,” said Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple.
The Mill Levy Rate will stay stable, and the City said it is expected to generate taxes levied of about $139 million.
But not everyone is satisfied. Councilmember Bryan Frye said many people have come to him concerned about property taxes rising. He voted “no” on approving the 2023 budget.
“This was an effective 7.7% increase on your property taxes. We had the ability to stop that today,” said Frye.
“We held the line on property taxes, and It is the exact same rate as it has been for the last 29 years, and we are still able to balance our budget with a conservative approach because, well, we want to actually get this right,” said Whipple.
Others are concerned with the stray animal population not being controlled.
The council voted to hire two new animal control officers to help with the issue, estimated to cost around $133,000.
“Several neighborhoods that have lost mail service because post office workers have either been chased or bitten by dogs, and once [you] lose it, you don’t get it back,” said Wichita City Council Member Brandon Johnson.
The budget will bring three police stations, $74 million for equipment, and $40 million for fire trucks.
The ice rink and Addiction Recovery Fund will also get a cut from the budget.
Century II is getting around $3 million. Whipple said it’s the City’s job to take care of these public assets.
“We actually have a plan to invest in those repairs. People should be able to go to a public building and feel safe,” said Whipple.
The council voted to start the hiring process immediately for the two animal control officers.
The City has been allocated $72.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds, and 20% of that funding is expected to support the budget. | 2022-08-23T23:16:27+00:00 | ksn.com | https://www.ksn.com/news/wichita-city-council-approves-2023-budget/ |
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The deputy commander of the U.N. Command said Monday it has started conversations with North Korea over an American soldier who ran into the North last week across the Koreas’ heavily armed border.
Gen. Andrew Harrison said the process has started through communications line set under the armistice agreement that stopped the fighting of the 1950-53 Korean War. He said the well-being of Pvt. Travis King remains the command’s primary concern, but refused to provide more details, citing the sensitivity of the discussions.
North Korea has remained publicly silent about King, who crossed the border last Tuesday while he was supposed to be heading to Fort Bliss, Texas.
U.S. officials have expressed concern about his well-being and said previously that North Korea was ignoring their requests for information about him.
The update came as South Korea’s military said a nuclear-propelled U.S. submarine arrived at a port on Jeju Island in the second deployment of a major U.S. naval asset to the Korean Peninsula this month. The arrival of the USS Annapolis adds to the allies’ show of force to counter North Korean nuclear threats.
Last week, the USS Kentucky became the first U.S. nuclear-armed submarine to come to South Korea since the 1980s. North Korea reacted to its arrival in Busan by test-firing ballistic and cruise missiles in apparent demonstrations that it could make nuclear strikes against South Korea and deployed U.S. naval vessels.
In between those launches, North Korea’s defense minister issued a veiled threat insisting the Kentucky’s docking in South Korea could be grounds for the North to use a nuclear weapon against it. North Korea has used similar rhetoric before, but the statement underscored how much relations are strained now.
Analysts say North Korea may wait weeks or even months to provide meaningful information about King to maximize leverage and add urgency to U.S. efforts to secure his release. Some say North Korea may try to wrest concessions from Washington, such as tying his release to the United States cutting back its military activities with South Korea.
The United States and South Korea have been expanding their combined military exercises and increasing regional deployments of U.S. strategic assets like bombers, aircraft carriers and submarines in a show of force against North Korea, which has test-fired around 100 missiles since the start of 2022.
The Annapolis, whose main mission is destroying enemy ships and submarines, is powered by a nuclear reactor but is armed with conventional weapons. The Annapolis mainly docked at Jeju to load supplies, but Jang Do Young, a spokesperson of South Korea’s navy, said the U.S. and South Korean militaries were discussing whether to arrange training involving the vessel. | 2023-07-24T07:12:31+00:00 | kron4.com | https://www.kron4.com/news/world/ap-international/ap-us-sends-another-submarine-to-south-korea-adding-to-show-of-force-against-north-korea/ |
NPR News NASA is set to launch another rocket to the moon By Brendan Byrne Published August 29, 2022 02:09 AM Facebook Twitter Listen • 3:45 NASA is set to launch a rocket that will carry its first human-rated capsule into lunar orbit since the Apollo era. NASA hopes the scheduled launch will be a springboard for a return to the moon. Copyright 2022 NPR | 2022-08-29T10:01:18+00:00 | kpcc.org | https://www.kpcc.org/npr-news/2022-08-29/nasa-is-set-to-launch-another-rocket-to-the-moon |
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic delighted the crowd in his first home playoff game coming off a calf injury.
Frustrated the Utah Jazz as well.
The young Dallas superstar had 33 points and 13 rebounds while also being thrown to the court on a hard foul that led to Hassan Whiteside’s ejection as the Mavericks routed the Jazz 102-77 on Monday night for a 3-2 lead in their first-round series.
Doncic made his series debut in Game 4 at Utah, when the Jazz scored the last five points in the final 31 seconds for a one-point win that evened the series. He never let Game 5 get close.
“For his second game, it looks like he’s been playing this whole series,” coach Jason Kidd said. “His conditioning, his effort on the defensive end. As we talk about rebounding, he’s one of the best for us and he did that tonight.”
After the first four games were decided by eight points or less, Utah never had a chance after a nearly six-minute scoreless drought in the second quarter that fueled a 22-4 Dallas run on the way to a 52-36 halftime lead.
Game 6 is Thursday night in Salt Lake City, with the Jazz regaining their formidable home-court edge, but facing the long odds of just 18% of teams winning a series after dropping the fifth game when the teams split the first four.
The Mavericks haven’t advanced in the postseason since winning the 2011 championship. Utah is in the playoffs for the sixth consecutive year, but has yet to get past the second round in that stretch.
Jordan Clarkson scored 20 points and Rudy Gobert added 17 points and 11 rebounds in the lowest-scoring game for the Jazz since they lost by 50 at Dallas (118-68) on Nov. 14, 2018. They were 3 of 30 from 3-point range (10%) and shot 38% overall.
Donovan Mitchell, who averaged 30 points in the first four games, scored just nine and missed all seven of his 3-pointers before leaving with a left hamstring injury in the fourth quarter. He will get an MRI on Tuesday.
“They’ve scrambled extremely hard,” said Mitchell, who is shooting 20% from 3-point range after being well over 40% the past two playoff years. “It’s a lot to continuously run teams off the line, and they’ve done a good job of it. They’ve made us uncomfortable.”
Doncic had already matched Utah’s entire output in the third quarter with 19 points when he returned midway through the fourth. Whiteside challenged an attempted dunk and flung Doncic to the court after they got tangled up.
Whiteside was assessed two technical fouls after shoving Dorian Finney-Smith and going nose-to-nose with Reggie Bullock as coaches from both sides frantically tried to keep players separated. Finney-Smith and Bullock also got technicals, and Bullock was ejected because it was his second of the game.
“It was nothing,” Doncic said. “It’s playoffs, man. There’s going to be always attention, but it was nothing. I tried to dunk it. Wasn’t successful. These things happen in the playoffs.”
Jalen Brunson, who carried most of the offensive load for Dallas when Doncic was sidelined, scored 24 points. Finney-Smith added 13, and Dwight Powell got the crowd going early with all eight of his points on 4-of-4 shooting in the first.
Doncic, his left calf covered in a black wrap under white leggings, kept a raucous crowd rolling with several nifty moves and high-arcing 3-pointers.
The first highlight came late in the first half when Doncic drove all the way to the rim with Gobert guarding him, stopped and faked the 7-foot-1 center several times before turning his back to the basket and spinning a reverse layup off the glass and in as Gobert fouled him.
The exclamation point was in the third quarter, when Doncic hit consecutive 3s for a 74-46 lead, doing a shimmy in front of the fans to his left after the second one went in. The 23-year-old sensation swished another 3 for a 79-46 lead right after blocking Clarkson’s shot from deep.
DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN
It’s the second year in a row for the Mavericks to have a 3-2 lead in the first round. They couldn’t finish off the Los Angeles Clippers at home in Game 6 last season, losing the series in Game 7 at LA.
“I don’t even remember that,” Finney-Smith said before smiling. “I don’t even remember last year. Nah, but we put ourselves in a great spot. We’ve just got to handle our business in Utah.”
TIP-INS
Jazz: After dominating the boards in the first two games, Utah has slowly surrendered its edge as the series has progressed. The Mavs outrebounded them 49-40. … Bojan Bogdanovic, who scored 26 and 25 points in the first two games in Dallas, was 0 of 9 from the field and scored just three points.
Mavericks: The 77 points were the first allowed by Dallas this season. … G Frank Ntilikina was available for the first time in the series after being out with a non-COVID-19 illness. He didn’t play.
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | 2022-04-26T10:13:52+00:00 | upmatters.com | https://www.upmatters.com/sports/ap-sports/doncic-scores-33-mavs-rout-jazz-102-77-for-3-2-series-lead/ |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Bud Grant, the stoic and demanding Hall of Fame coach who took the Minnesota Vikings and their mighty Purple People Eaters defense to four Super Bowls in eight years and lost all of them, has died. He was 95.
The Vikings announced Grant's death on social media Saturday.
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“We are absolutely devastated to announce legendary Minnesota Vikings head coach and Hall of Famer Bud Grant has passed away this morning at age 95,” the post said. “We, like all Vikings and NFL fans, are shocked and saddened by this terrible news.”
Wearing his trademark purple Vikings cap and a stone-faced demeanor, Grant’s steely sideline gaze became synonymous with his teams. He guided the Vikings from 1967-85, with a one-year hiatus in 1984, on his way to a 158-96-5 record with 11 division championships in 18 seasons. He went 10-12 in the playoffs.
When he retired, Grant was eighth on the NFL’s all-time victory list.
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He was a mainstay among coaches of his era, a decorated group that included Don Shula, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, John Madden and Hank Stram. Grant, however, had little interest in accolades.
“The only reason I can see for a head coach getting credit for something good is that he gets so much blame when something is bad,” he once said. “The whole secret, I think, is to not react to either the good or the bad.”
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL | 2023-03-11T17:42:34+00:00 | seattlepi.com | https://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/bud-grant-stoic-coach-of-powerful-vikings-teams-17833769.php |
East Lincoln softball claims NCHSAA 3A state title, South Point girls soccer falls
GREENSBORO — East Lincoln softball watched in December as the school’s football program brought home a NCHSAA 3A state title. Now, it’s their turn.
After falling to Western Alamance in Game 1 of their best-of-three 3A state championship series on Friday, the Mustangs took 4-3 and 12-7 victories Saturday to claim the program’s first state championship.
Down 3-0 in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader, East Lincoln scored four runs in the fifth to extend the series to a decisive third game.
GETTING THE JOB DONE:East Lincoln softball to play for the NCHSAA 3A state title after dramatic regional
HIGH DRAMA:Here's how late drama lifted South Point girls soccer to NCHSAA 3A state final
Tatum Martin’s base hit brought Aubrey Gust around for the Mustangs’ first run. After Taniyah Thomas reached base, Betsy Eatmon’s RBI double scored two to tie the game. Jaelyn Freeston’s infield base hit then put East Lincoln up for good.
Leah Correll pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on six hits with 11 strikeouts.
East Lincoln (25-3) continued the momentum into the winner-take-all Game 3, scoring three runs in the first on Western Alamance ace Taylor Apple. The Mustangs kept their foot on the pedal throughout, adding two runs in the second and five in the third, in addition to a run in the fifth and sixth innings.
Apple had given up a total of 16 runs all season. East Lincoln tagged her for 20 during the three-game set.
Thomas finished 4-for-5 with five runs scored en route to being named series MVP. Martin was also 4-for-4 with four RBIs, while Lyla Haywood was 3-for-3 with a run scored.
South Point falls in 3A soccer title game
In the past five seasons, South Point added itself to the conversation as one of North Carolina’s top girls soccer programs. On Saturday, however, Eastern Alamance showed the Lady Raiders exactly how far they still have yet to climb.
Eastern Alamance scored three first half goals in its way to a 4-0 win over South Point in the NCHSAA 3A state final played at UNC Greensboro.
After playing for a 3A state title last spring, Eastern Alamance’s championship mettle revealed itself in a three-goal outburst in the game’s first 40 minutes.
“I think the moment was a bit big for us,” said South Point coach Chris Baity. “I think we’re much better than the scoreboard shows, but Eastern Alamance has an outstanding team. Still, I’m proud of these girls and all they’ve accomplished.”
Abby Brinker drew first blood for Eastern Alamance, scoring 14 minutes into Saturday’s title tilt. She added another to her tally at the 32-minute mark to put the Eagles up 2-0.
Eighteen seconds before halftime, a backbreaking goal from Molly Widderich gave Eastern Alamance a 3-0 advantage. Widderich added another early in the second half to give the Eagles a four-goal advantage.
Prior to Saturday, South Point (22-1-3) had not allowed more than two goals in any game.
For seniors Payton Decker, Abby King and Grace Smith, it ends a four-year run in which they helped South Point to 64 wins, three conference titles and the program’s first appearance in a girls soccer state title match.
“They set the bar higher and higher, and continued to rise to the occasion,” Baity said. “I’m expecting some great things from our younger ladies in the future.” | 2023-06-04T08:44:56+00:00 | gastongazette.com | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/sports/high-school/2023/06/03/nc-high-school-sports-east-lincoln-softball-wins-nchsaa-3a-title-south-point-soccer-falls/70281453007/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — Americans cut back on spending in December, the second consecutive month they’ve done so, underscoring how inflation and the rising cost of using credit cards slowed consumer activity over the crucial holiday shopping season.
Retail sales fell worse-than-expected 1.1% in December, following a revised 1% drop in November, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. In October, retail sales ticked up 1.3%, helped by early holiday shopping
Auto sales declined as rising interest rates for auto loans crimped demand. That, and falling gas prices, helped to pull overall retail sales lower.
The Fed raised its key interest rate in December for the seventh time in 2022 for exactly that reason as it tries to cool spending and inflation.
Yet even excluding sales from auto and gasoline, retail sales slipped 0.7%. Retail sales are not adjusted for inflation unlike many other government reports.
“There are cracks appearing in the resiliency that consumers have shown in 2022, as higher prices, interest rate increases and the uncertainty of the macroeconomic environment finally take their toll,” Moody’s Vice President Mickey Chadha said in a report.
Chadha noted that the low unemployment rate and wage gains have so far supported consumer spending, but in the coming months, Moody’s sees consumers increasingly being “more selective” in their spending and postponing purchases, putting a damper on retail sales in the first half of the year.
Sales fell in key gift-giving categories for the holiday season’s finale. Sales dropped 1.1% at electronics and appliance stores; furniture and home furnishing stores saw a 2.5% drop. And department stores suffered a 6.6% decline. Sales at online retailers fell 1.1%. Restaurants also saw a drop.
Spending had remained resilient despite a spike in inflation that began almost 19 months ago, but the capacity of Americans to continue that spending has ebbed.
Solid hiring, rising pay, and savings beefed up by government financial support during the pandemic enabled most Americans to keep up with rising prices. That government assistance has long ended, however, and some Americans have dipped into savings accounts since then. Credit card defaults are on the rise with some households slow to adjust their spending to a new reality.
Still, the job market continues to be a pillar of strength in the U.S. economy and wages are still rising, creating a conflict for the Fed, which needs to cool spending and hiring to control inflation.
Inflation does appear, at least at the moment, to be in retreat. Inflation fell to 6.5% in December, the sixth consecutive month of declines.
On a monthly basis, prices actually slipped 0.1% from November to December, the first such drop since May 2020.
Goods are still a lot more expensive than they were last year, however, and that has begun to become evident in the bottom line for many major retailers. Stores have had to discount more heavily this season to get shoppers to buy.
Macy’s tempered its quarterly sales outlook this month after customers spent less than expected during the lull between Thanksgiving weekend and the final days before Christmas. And upscale yoga pants maker Lululemon warned that profit margins for the fiscal fourth quarter will be squeezed as shoppers focus on discounts.
Another challenge retailers face is that shoppers are shifting more of their spending on travel and other experiences and away from stuff.
Bloomingdale’s Chairman and CEO Tony Spring noted earlier this week at a retail industry event that the chain is highlighting travel goods to grab more of the spending. It’s also spiffing up its mannequin displays to excite shoppers who are returning to stores after focusing on online spending during the height of the pandemic.
Later on Wednesday the National Retail Federation, the nation’s largest retail trade group, will release final holiday sales figures for November and December. The trade group’s officials said earlier this week that holiday sales will likely be at the low end of its forecasted range of 6% to 8%, a big slowdown from the blistering 13.5% increase last year when shoppers spent the money they had saved during the early part of the pandemic.
Major retailers including Walmart and Target release details on their fourth-quarter performances next month.
Jack Kleinhenz, chief economist at the National Retail Federation, expects companies to manage inventories more tightly in 2023 after being forced to heavily discount goods last year due to an enormous amount of unsold merchandise.
“I think they are going to be very cautious because of what happened,” Kleinhenz said.
The retail report released Wednesday covers only about a third of overall consumer spending and doesn’t include services such as haircuts, hotel stays and plane tickets.
__
AP Economics writer Chris Rugaber in Washington contributed to this report.
____
Follow Anne D’Innocenzio: http://twitter.com/ADInnocenzio | 2023-01-18T15:21:15+00:00 | valleycentral.com | https://www.valleycentral.com/news/business/ap-business/ap-december-retail-sales-fall-1-1-after-slipping-in-november/ |
Great Falls Public Library director Susie McIntyre talks about some of the summer activities at the library.
Among the activities:
- Kindness Craft - spa day: bath bombs, sheet masks, and make your own makeup
- Temporary tattoo art workshop for teens
- Kindness Craft: feathered friends: bird seed shapes and popcorn garlands
- Montana Shakespeare in the Parks returns to Great Falls
Click here to visit the library website.
TRENDING
- Arrest: Farmers' Market shooting threat
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- INFO: Montana State Fair in Great Falls
- Tax rebates being sent to Montanans
- RECENT OBITUARIES
FOLLOW KRTV: Instagram | TikTok | Twitter | 2023-07-17T16:55:43+00:00 | krtv.com | https://www.krtv.com/news/great-falls-news/summer-fun-at-the-great-falls-public-library |
Venice Gamble Brings Extensive Experience in the Industrial Asset Lifecycle to the Company
CHICAGO, Nov. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ --Venice Gamble has joined the team at Loeb as Vice President of Business Development. Venice has nearly two decades of experience in special situations, M&A, and asset disposition solutions. Venice couldn't be more excited to join the team at Loeb where his background will foster continued growth in each of Loeb's verticals.
As Vice President of Business Development, Venice serves as a trusted, loyal steward for Loeb who will allow clients and customers alike to find the right solution to elevate their own successes. Venice's experience includes asset-based lending, equipment appraisals, sales, purchases, liquidation, and auction services in the medical, amusement & entertainment, construction, retail, industrial & manufacturing, and intellectual property sectors, among others. Venice has worked on behalf of some of the largest and most well-known companies and retailers, production studios, law firms, and lenders in the world. Venice is an active member of the American Bankruptcy Institute ("ABI") and Turnaround Management Association ("TMA").
"With Venice's arrival, we look forward to even greater success in providing creative solutions to businesses across North America," said Loeb's President Howard Newman. "His deep expertise in all angles of the industrial asset space and industries we serve will allow us to expand our footprint and grow even further."
About Loeb: Since 1880, Loeb has been helping manufacturers and financial institutions leverage their industrial assets by managing the equipment lifecycle. Loeb monetizes industrial assets through acquisitions, sales, valuations, and financing. Visit us at https://www.loebequipment.com
Press Release Contact:
Eric Schwartz
erics@loebequipment.com
773-548-4131
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Loeb | 2022-11-08T17:31:02+00:00 | newschannel10.com | https://www.newschannel10.com/prnewswire/2022/11/08/loeb-announces-venice-gamble-vice-president-business-development/ |
LAKEWOOD — A pair of filthy mattresses strewn near a stack of tires. A car, stripped of its mechanics, up on blocks. A grimy yet heartfelt Father’s Day card jammed into the chain link of a security fence, surrounded by shards of glass.
This and more can be experienced in the pothole-gouged parking lot of Holiday Shops on the eastern fringe of Lakewood. A shopping center that once bustled with a grocer, a pharmacy and even a square dance supply store is now a former shell of itself, slathered in graffiti and bearing a sign for menudo sabroso in the window of a restaurant that will never serve another meal.
It’s actually been this way, more or less, for a decade or more.
“It makes me very sad — I’m very distraught that it has sat there like that for so long,” 81-year-old Two Creeks neighbor Maddie Nichols said of the empty strip mall at the corner of W. 10th Avenue and Sheridan Boulevard that dates back to 1966. “We want it down.”
Lakewood does too. On Monday, its elected leaders will engage in a full-throated discussion on the best course of action to take to get rid of the numerous boarded-up and decrepit commercial properties that are sprinkled throughout Colorado’s fifth-largest city and hope for something better to rise in their place.
Dubbed the stressed properties program, it would include a phase to assess where the target properties are in Lakewood and outline penalties for ones that continue to sit vacant; a second phase to empower the city to buy up certain parcels for a do-over; and a third prong to establish a revolving loan fund to help property owners cover the cost of scraping old buildings.
The program, if adopted by Lakewood’s city council, would roll out in phases throughout 2023. Because Monday’s meeting is a study session, no vote will be taken.
“They are definitely an eyesore and they attract crime and homelessness — some people are breaking into these places,” said Lakewood Councilwoman Sharon Vincent, who represents the northeast portion of the city. “You drive down Colfax and you see blighted properties.”
And plenty of them, from west of Kipling Street all the way down to the city line at Sheridan Boulevard. Imperial Autos is boarded up and empty at Colfax and Harlan Street. The Blue Sky Motel, which was closed by the city for code violations in late 2021 and caught fire the following year, sits behind a fence at Colfax and Jay Street.
Even in the strip mall that plays host to Casa Bonita, the iconic Mexican restaurant that promises a long-anticipated reopening next month after being closed for three years, there are large empty buildings at the east end. A former Arby’s restaurant is boarded up and stripped of its signage.
“Our existing codes are limited to life and safety issues — we don’t necessarily have the ability to enforce for general disrepair and unattractiveness of buildings,” said Travis Parker, Lakewood’s planning director. “This is the first and largest attempt as a city to address this issue.”
When it comes to purchasing properties “that the free market can’t handle,” as a council memo puts it, Lakewood would use money from its Economic Development Fund, which is funded by the city’s occupancy tax at hotels and motels. The city would have to buy from a willing seller — “without the threat of condemnation” — and any resulting housing development would have to contain at least 20% affordable units.
As of the end of 2021, the Economic Development Fund had an audited balance of around $9.5 million.
The alternative to buying distressed properties would be the city’s revolving loan fund, which would help property owners demolish structures, do environmental remediation, remove pavement and grade the site. The loan would have to be paid back upon sale or occupancy of the property.
“It’s for people who don’t want to sell the property to us but want to sell it and redevelop it,” Parker said. “It will help move along faster the redevelopment of these distressed properties.”
And languishing properties are a big problem for Lakewood, said Tom Quinn, executive director of the Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District. A forlorn gas station at W. Alameda Avenue and Harlan Street, he said, has sat empty for at least five years.
“It has gradually fallen into disrepair and the situation worsened markedly in 2021,” Quinn said. “By March 2022 there was graffiti on most of the exterior walls, broken windows and trash piling up. Some unhoused people built a camp on the property in the summer of 2022.”
The city finally made the owner clear the site and install fences and cameras, he said.
“Abandoned and blighted properties harm the local economy and pose a significant public safety risk,” Quinn said.
Lakewood’s economic development director, Robert Smith, said abandoned buildings are “magnets for crime.” People break in and steal the copper piping, the HVAC systems and illegally dump trash.
The city, he said, will be piloting the revolving loan fund concept at Holiday Shops in the Two Creeks neighborhood. Even though the city hasn’t approved the distressed buildings program yet, Lakewood is working with the new owner of the defunct strip mall and may provide it with a $1 million loan to scrape the site.
The ultimate plan is to build a mixed-use project there, with retail on the ground floor and residences above. The council will vote on the loan April 10.
Nichols, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1969 when the strip mall was just three years old, said demolition day can’t come soon enough.
“We’re planning to have a party when it comes down,” she said.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter. | 2023-04-01T12:20:33+00:00 | denverpost.com | https://www.denverpost.com/2023/04/01/lakewood-blight-distressed-properties-renewal/ |
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A return to in-person learning is a factor in a small rebound in standardized test scores for Louisiana students, the state Education Department said Wednesday.
The percentage of students in grades 3 through 8 who achieved levels of mastery or proficient on overall subject matter reached 31%. That’s up 1 percentage point from the year before on the exams, which are known as the LEAP 2025 tests.
Although the overall percentage was up, a review of scores by The Advocate shows that it’s still down from 34% in 2019. That’s the last year the tests were given before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Math and English mastery-or-better scores rose 3 percentage points over the last year — to 30% and 42%, respectively. Science was up 2 percentage points to 27% over last year, while social studies mastery was the same as last year at 25%.
“K-12 education is on the rise in Louisiana because we kept schools open, strategically allocated resources, and developed innovative solutions to recover and accelerate student learning,” state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in a news release.
Brumley told The Advocate he was not surprised by the social studies scores, blaming the stagnant scores on an outdated curriculum, which is being replaced by the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Achievement levels fall into one of five categories: unsatisfactory, approaching basic, basic, mastery and proficient. Students who score mastery or proficient are ready for the next grade level, officials said.
Statistics on LEAP 2025 results for this year and past years can be seen on the state Department of Education's website. | 2022-08-03T19:18:13+00:00 | lmtonline.com | https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Some-improvement-in-Louisiana-standardized-test-17348830.php |
BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday afternoon's drawing of the Massachusetts Lottery's "Numbers Midday" game were:
9-2-6-4
(nine, two, six, four)
BRAINTREE, Mass. (AP) _ The winning numbers in Wednesday afternoon's drawing of the Massachusetts Lottery's "Numbers Midday" game were:
9-2-6-4
(nine, two, six, four) | 2022-06-01T18:15:47+00:00 | expressnews.com | https://www.expressnews.com/lottery/article/Winning-numbers-drawn-in-Numbers-Midday-game-17212448.php |
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