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Chiefs Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
The Kansas City Chiefs at the moment have the best odds in the entire league to win the Super Bowl at +600.
Watch the Chiefs this season on Fubo!
Chiefs Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC West: -165
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +600
Looking to place a futures bet on the Chiefs to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Kansas City Betting Insights
- Kansas City covered seven times in 17 matchups with a spread last season.
- A total of eight Chiefs games last season went over the point total.
- Kansas City owned the 11th-ranked defense last year (328.2 yards allowed per game), and it was better on offense, ranking best with 413.6 yards per game.
- At home last year, the Chiefs were 7-1. On the road, they were 7-2.
- When underdogs, Kansas City had only one victory (1-1) versus its 13-2 record as the favored team.
Chiefs Impact Players
- In 17 games last year, Patrick Mahomes II passed for 5,250 yards (308.8 per game), with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 67.1%.
- In addition, Mahomes rushed for 358 yards and four TDs.
- Travis Kelce had 110 receptions for 1,338 yards (78.7 per game) and 12 touchdowns in 17 games.
- Jerick McKinnon rushed for 291 yards (17.1 per game) and one touchdown in 17 games a season ago.
- On the ground, Isiah Pacheco scored five touchdowns and accumulated 830 yards (48.8 per game).
- Nick Bolton collected two interceptions to go with 180 tackles, 9.0 TFL, two sacks, and three passes defended in 17 games last year.
Bet on Chiefs to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Chiefs NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 30 at 5:29 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/chiefs-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:07:07 | 1 | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/chiefs-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Titans Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Currently the Tennessee Titans are 19th in the NFL in terms of odds to win the Super Bowl, listed at +6600.
Watch the Titans this season on Fubo!
Titans Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC South: +325
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +6600
Looking to place a futures bet on the Titans to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Tennessee Betting Insights
- Tennessee won eight games against the spread last season, failing to cover six times.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total five times in Titans games.
- Tennessee ranked third-worst in total offense (296.8 yards per game) last season, but it played slightly better on defense, ranking 23rd with 351.6 yards allowed per game.
- Last year the Titans were 3-5 at home and 4-5 away.
- As a favorite last season Tennessee picked up just two victories (2-3). As the underdog the Titans posted a record of 4-5.
- The Titans were 5-7 in the AFC, including 3-3 in the AFC South.
Titans Impact Players
- Derrick Henry ran for 1,538 yards (96.1 per game) and 13 touchdowns in 16 games last year.
- In the passing game, Henry scored zero touchdowns, with 33 receptions for 398 yards.
- In 12 games, Ryan Tannehill threw for 2,536 yards (211.3 per game), with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, and a completion percentage of 65.2%.
- On the ground, Tannehill scored two touchdowns and accumulated 98 yards.
- In the Cardinals' passing game a season ago, DeAndre Hopkins scored three TDs, hauling in 64 balls for 717 yards (79.7 per game).
- In the passing game with the Texans, Chris Moore scored two TDs, catching 48 balls for 548 yards (34.3 per game).
- On defense last year, Kevin Byard helped set the tone with four interceptions to go with 106 tackles and six passes defended in 17 games.
Bet on Titans to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Titans NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 30 at 5:24 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/titans-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:07:13 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/titans-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Panthers Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:26 AM EDT|Updated: 41 minutes ago
The Carolina Panthers right now have +8000 odds of winning the Super Bowl.
Watch the Panthers this season on Fubo!
Panthers Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC South: +350
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +8000
Looking to place a futures bet on the Panthers to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Carolina Betting Insights
- Carolina compiled an 8-8-0 ATS record last year.
- Panthers games went over the point total eight out of 17 times last season.
- Carolina ranked fourth-worst in total offense (306.2 yards per game) last season, but it played a little better on defense, ranking 22nd with 349.8 yards allowed per game.
- Last year the Panthers were 5-4 at home, but they had just two road victories.
- When favored, Carolina failed to win even once last season (0-4), and as an underdog posted a record of 6-6.
- The Panthers were 6-6 in the NFC, including 4-2 in the NFC South.
Panthers Impact Players
- Miles Sanders ran for 1,269 yards (74.6 per game) and 11 touchdowns in 17 games last year with the Eagles.
- Andy Dalton threw for 2,871 yards (205.1 per game), completing 66.7% of his passes, with 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 14 games with the Saints.
- Adam Thielen had 70 receptions for 716 yards (42.1 per game) and six touchdowns in 17 games a season ago for the Vikings.
- In 15 games, Chuba Hubbard rushed for 466 yards (31.1 per game) and two TDs.
- Frankie Luvu had one interception to go with 111 tackles, 19.0 TFL, seven sacks, and four passes defended last year.
Bet on Panthers to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Panthers NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 30 at 5:26 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/panthers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:07:16 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/panthers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
How to Watch the WNBA on Sunday: TV Channel, Game Times and Odds
Today's WNBA slate has lots in store. Among those six games is the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Sun.
Catch live WNBA games, plus tons of other sports and shows, with a free trial to Fubo!
Today's WNBA Games
The Connecticut Sun take on the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Sun on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CON Record: 18-6
- MIN Record: 12-13
- CON Stats: 84.0 PPG (fifth in WNBA), 78.6 Opp. PPG (first)
- MIN Stats: 80.2 PPG (eighth in WNBA), 85.4 Opp. PPG (10th)
Players to Watch
- CON Key Player: Alyssa Thomas (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.0 APG)
- MIN Key Player: Kayla McBride (12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -11.5
- CON Odds to Win: -818
- MIN Odds to Win: +525
- Total: 159.5 points
The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics
The Mystics travel to face the Dream on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: Bally Sports
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- ATL Record: 13-11
- WAS Record: 12-12
- ATL Stats: 85.0 PPG (fourth in WNBA), 85.1 Opp. PPG (ninth)
- WAS Stats: 81.1 PPG (seventh in WNBA), 80.3 Opp. PPG (third)
Players to Watch
- ATL Key Player: Rhyne Howard (18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG)
- WAS Key Player: Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -6.5
- ATL Odds to Win: -250
- WAS Odds to Win: +197
- Total: 164.5 points
Watch live WNBA games on all your devices! Sign up now for a free trial to Fubo.
The Los Angeles Sparks take on the New York Liberty
The Liberty hit the road the Sparks on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- LAS Record: 9-15
- NYL Record: 18-6
- LAS Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
- NYL Stats: 88.7 PPG (second in WNBA), 82.7 Opp. PPG (seventh)
Players to Watch
- LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (20.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- NYL Key Player: Breanna Stewart (23.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -9
- NYL Odds to Win: -503
- LAS Odds to Win: +373
- Total: 167 points
The Indiana Fever face the Seattle Storm
The Storm hope to pick up a road win at the Fever on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- IND Record: 6-18
- SEA Record: 5-19
- IND Stats: 81.4 PPG (sixth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
- SEA Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
Players to Watch
- IND Key Player: Aliyah Boston (14.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
- SEA Key Player: Jewell Loyd (24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -3.5
- IND Odds to Win: -161
- SEA Odds to Win: +133
- Total: 164.5 points
Buy gear from your favorite teams and players NOW at Fanatics!
The Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury go on the road to face the Sky on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: ESPN3 and AZFamily
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CHI Record: 9-15
- PHO Record: 6-17
- CHI Stats: 78.1 PPG (11th in WNBA), 82.5 Opp. PPG (sixth)
- PHO Stats: 75.8 PPG (12th in WNBA), 83.5 Opp. PPG (eighth)
Players to Watch
- CHI Key Player: Courtney Williams (9.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)
- PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -7
- CHI Odds to Win: -285
- PHO Odds to Win: +228
- Total: 156 points
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Dallas Wings
The Wings hit the road the Aces on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- LVA Record: 22-2
- DAL Record: 14-10
- LVA Stats: 94.1 PPG (first in WNBA), 78.7 Opp. PPG (second)
- DAL Stats: 86.0 PPG (third in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
Players to Watch
- LVA Key Player: A'ja Wilson (20.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- DAL Key Player: Satou Sabally (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -10
- LVA Odds to Win: -653
- DAL Odds to Win: +462
- Total: 173.5 points
See links for offer details, offers not available in all states and areas. Must be 21+ to gamble. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:07:19 | 0 | https://www.kait8.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
How to Watch the WNBA on Sunday: TV Channel, Game Times and Odds
Today's WNBA slate has lots in store. Among those six games is the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Sun.
Catch live WNBA games, plus tons of other sports and shows, with a free trial to Fubo!
Today's WNBA Games
The Connecticut Sun take on the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Sun on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CON Record: 18-6
- MIN Record: 12-13
- CON Stats: 84.0 PPG (fifth in WNBA), 78.6 Opp. PPG (first)
- MIN Stats: 80.2 PPG (eighth in WNBA), 85.4 Opp. PPG (10th)
Players to Watch
- CON Key Player: Alyssa Thomas (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.0 APG)
- MIN Key Player: Kayla McBride (12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -11.5
- CON Odds to Win: -818
- MIN Odds to Win: +525
- Total: 159.5 points
The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics
The Mystics travel to face the Dream on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: Bally Sports
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- ATL Record: 13-11
- WAS Record: 12-12
- ATL Stats: 85.0 PPG (fourth in WNBA), 85.1 Opp. PPG (ninth)
- WAS Stats: 81.1 PPG (seventh in WNBA), 80.3 Opp. PPG (third)
Players to Watch
- ATL Key Player: Rhyne Howard (18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG)
- WAS Key Player: Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -6.5
- ATL Odds to Win: -250
- WAS Odds to Win: +197
- Total: 164.5 points
Watch live WNBA games on all your devices! Sign up now for a free trial to Fubo.
The Los Angeles Sparks take on the New York Liberty
The Liberty hit the road the Sparks on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- LAS Record: 9-15
- NYL Record: 18-6
- LAS Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
- NYL Stats: 88.7 PPG (second in WNBA), 82.7 Opp. PPG (seventh)
Players to Watch
- LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (20.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- NYL Key Player: Breanna Stewart (23.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -9
- NYL Odds to Win: -503
- LAS Odds to Win: +373
- Total: 167 points
The Indiana Fever face the Seattle Storm
The Storm hope to pick up a road win at the Fever on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- IND Record: 6-18
- SEA Record: 5-19
- IND Stats: 81.4 PPG (sixth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
- SEA Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
Players to Watch
- IND Key Player: Aliyah Boston (14.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
- SEA Key Player: Jewell Loyd (24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -3.5
- IND Odds to Win: -161
- SEA Odds to Win: +133
- Total: 164.5 points
Buy gear from your favorite teams and players NOW at Fanatics!
The Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury go on the road to face the Sky on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: ESPN3 and AZFamily
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CHI Record: 9-15
- PHO Record: 6-17
- CHI Stats: 78.1 PPG (11th in WNBA), 82.5 Opp. PPG (sixth)
- PHO Stats: 75.8 PPG (12th in WNBA), 83.5 Opp. PPG (eighth)
Players to Watch
- CHI Key Player: Courtney Williams (9.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)
- PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -7
- CHI Odds to Win: -285
- PHO Odds to Win: +228
- Total: 156 points
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Dallas Wings
The Wings hit the road the Aces on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- LVA Record: 22-2
- DAL Record: 14-10
- LVA Stats: 94.1 PPG (first in WNBA), 78.7 Opp. PPG (second)
- DAL Stats: 86.0 PPG (third in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
Players to Watch
- LVA Key Player: A'ja Wilson (20.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- DAL Key Player: Satou Sabally (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -10
- LVA Odds to Win: -653
- DAL Odds to Win: +462
- Total: 173.5 points
See links for offer details, offers not available in all states and areas. Must be 21+ to gamble. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wbtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:07:27 | 0 | https://www.wbtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
What's better than keeping up with your favorite actor?
Maybe it's finding out that there's more DNA where they came from!
Famous siblings are relatively common, of course, from the Brothers Hemsworth and Jonas to the trio of sisters who make up the band Haim, and so many stars count one or more siblings as their best friends in the world, business partners, roommates, etc. But there are only so many who bunked together before they were even born.
There are sets of celebrity twins you know well because they've been building their brand together every step of the way, à la Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, and others who you've seen a lot of, only...you're just not sure which one is in which thing.
And then there are stars who were born as one-half of a pair and their brother or sister has a regular job, so you may not know who they are—but rest assured that their biggest fan is usually their twin. Or, in Gisele Bündchen's case, her business manager!
"If there is a truly altruistic person I know in my life, it's my brother," Scarlett Johansson told People in 2020 of her twin, Hunter, who founded the first-responder aid organization Solar Responders. "He reminds me to be a better person all the time. I'm incredibly proud of him."
In honor of National Twins day August 6—we're looking at you Ashton Kutcher and brother Michael—here are the celebs with twins you didn't know about, or a sibling you didn't know was their twin:
This story was originally published on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at 4 a.m. PT. | https://www.eonline.com/news/1313617/all-the-celebrities-who-have-a-twin-you-didn-t-know-about?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories | 2023-07-30T10:08:51 | 1 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1313617/all-the-celebrities-who-have-a-twin-you-didn-t-know-about?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories |
The brand featured in this article are partners of Amazon's Creator Connections program, which means E! may make an increased commission on your purchase if you buy something through our links. Prices are accurate as of publish time. Items are sold by retailer, not E!.
If you're a pet owner, here's an Amazon must-have that you don't want to miss! As much as we adore our pets, we can't say we love cleaning up after them. We also can't say we love the smells that linger after one has an "accident" on the carpet or all over the couch. If you're reading this thinking, "Yes, I know exactly what you mean," we found a cleaning product on Amazon that reviewers call a "miracle" in a bottle.
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co.'s Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor has a "professional-strength, bio-enzymatic formula" that releases enzymes to get rid of ammonia residue left by pet urine and other organic matter. It deep cleans and works to remove stubborn stains, and it also eliminates odor at its source. It's super easy to use and you don't have to spend 30 minutes scrubbing your carpet to achieve results. In fact, all you have to do is stack the stain, let it sit for at least an hour, cover it with a towel and weight and then vacuum once it's all dry. Plus, it doesn't have an irritating chemical smell like other cleaners, which is a huge plus.
This pet stain cleaner and odor remover works so well, it has over 74,900 five-star reviews. If you have time to read through a few, you'll see that pet owners are really passionate about how amazing this is. In fact one wrote, "This stuff is a MIRACLE! I'm awaiting its letter to Hogwarts as I write this review, and I'm going to buy another bottle for sure, you should too!"
To learn more and to see why other reviewers swear by this cleaner, keep on reading.
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator for Strong Odor
Rocco & Roxie's Stain & Odor Eliminator is "certified gentle and safe" to use on all carpets, and is also safe to use around children and pets. In addition to carpets, this will also clean hard floors, furniture, clothing, litter boxes, kennels, carriers and pretty much "anywhere stains happen." The brand offers promises 100% satisfaction, so if you aren't happy with the results, the brand will give you a full refund. It's affordable, highly rated by Amazon reviewers, and their refund policy is really good. It's definitely worth a try!
Wondering why so many pet owners on Amazon rate this cleaner highly? Check out the following reviews.
Rocco & Roxie Supply Co. Stain & Odor Eliminator Reviews
A shopper explained, "I have a worse cat pee problem than all of you combined and this was the only—the ONL—product that worked…I ordered a 32-ounce bottle hoping that the combination of enzymes and bacteria could make a difference. Let me tell you, IT DID. I thought the man versus cat pee war was lost, and I had almost given up hope. I used the entire 32 ounces, let it sit for three or four hours, blotted thoroughly and then vacuumed with our specialized pet accident vacuum cleaner that has claws on one of the heads to penetrate deep into the shallow carpet. The smell is about 90 percent gone. Thank you for making the only product that works."
Another said, "Shocked. I was in total disbelief that this product would work. I saw all the positive reviews and still was a skeptic. It worked and worked well. It got all the cat urine smell out, my wife came home from work and was again shocked that the house had that ‘New Home' smell and the floors, the hard wood floors looked amazing. Couldn't be more pleased."
Someone shared, "I saw the great reviews on Amazon for this, and ordered it. I received it today. and holy cow. A second after spraying, EVERY SINGLE STAIN DISAPPEARED! EVEN OLD STAINS! I was walking around with a rag waiting to scrub out the stains, after the spray soaked in but couldn't find one. This stuff is a miracle!"
A reviewer said, "Before we left for the night, we soaked three old rags in Rocco & Roxie and left them on the pee spot. The next morning, wow! Not only was the stain virtually gone, but there was NO urine smell. Rocco & Roxie has a pleasant smell to it, but it does not linger— just fresh. It was truly amazing. Highly recommend this product."
A shopper wrote, "I never write reviews but I'm writing one for this amazing spray! I know what you're thinking, I thought the same—that's an awful lot to pay for a bottle of spray cleaner. I get it, but it's worth every penny! I have two large dogs that have already been long potty trained however my niece accidentally shut them in one of the spare rooms while we were upstairs (bless her tiny heart) so they took it upon themselves to hate-pee all over the carpet in there! We didn't know they had done it everywhere and only cleaned the two large spots up quickly, but then the stank set in. Desperate, and about to burn the house down and start over in a new city with a new identity, I started combing Amazon for a miracle. I found this product, read the reviews, and hit the ‘buy now' button with all of my hope riding on Prime shipping and a spray bottle. I liberally sprayed the areas possessed by Satan and waited 10 minutes as the bottle instructed. Ten minutes passed and my bloodhound nose traveled down the hall with high hopes. I opened the door to the room and was hit in the face with…NOTHING! No odor, no stank.This stuff is a MIRACLE! I'm awaiting its letter to Hogwarts as I write this review, and I'm going to buy another bottle for SURE, you should too!"
Still shopping for your pets? You'll love these product recommendations from Lauren and Chris Lane.
—Originally published Apr 11, 2022 at 3:00 AM PT. | https://www.eonline.com/news/1326762/this-pet-stain-and-odor-remover-is-an-amazon-favorite-with-74900+-5-star-reviews?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories | 2023-07-30T10:08:57 | 1 | https://www.eonline.com/news/1326762/this-pet-stain-and-odor-remover-is-an-amazon-favorite-with-74900+-5-star-reviews?cmpid=rss-syndicate-genericrss-us-top_stories |
Recently, Westminster was honored to host a diplomatic delegation from its partner city, Paide, Estonia. From July 1-9, Paide officials Siret Pihelgas and Karola Jaanof visited Westminster and Maryland and were treated to an array of diplomatic meetings, events, dinners, and presentations.
Jaanof is an artist. In the past she has served in a number of government posts including with the Estonian Tax and Customs Administration. Since 2018 she has served as the chief development specialist for the Paide Town Council. Her primary tasks in that role include the preparation of development projects, project management of the international project, Circular Based Waste Management, and the processing of project applications submitted to the local government.
Pihelgas is a member of the Paide Town Council and chairwoman of the Environment Committee. She has served as the mayor of Paide on two occasions. She has also served as deputy mayor in the urban economy, development and construction sector and the construction and social sector.
In September 2002, Westminster formally established a partner city program with Paide. The partnership is the oldest and most active of all the Maryland-Estonia Partner City Partners For Peace initiatives. The partnership has focused on five areas of cooperation — government, culture, education, business and philanthropy.
Paide is a town in Järva County, in the center of Estonia. It was founded in 1265, which is 499 years before Westminster’s founding in 1764. In 2017, Paide had a population of approximately 10,000 citizens, compared to Westminster’s population of around 18,000.
Since the Paide partnership was established, the local efforts of our community, thanks to the leadership of Westminster’s former director of Planning and Zoning, retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Thomas Beyard, have been touted as one of the most successful and productive grassroots community efforts promoting peace, understanding, economic development and multinational friendship building in the world.
“The two Paide officials, who were visiting the United States for the very first time, were presented the familiar ‘Be Kind’ signs in both English and Estonian languages by Tina Thomas and Eric Miller, on July 7, 2023,” Beyard said in a recent email interview.
The Paide officials had the opportunity to interact with Westminster’s mayor and Common Council, visit educational, government, business and nonprofit organizations in the Westminster area, visit Annapolis and Washington, D.C., and celebrate the Fourth of July American style with a fireworks show at the Carroll County Farm Museum, according to Beyard.
“They also had the opportunity to meet and interact with Estonian Ambassador Kristjan Prikk, plus two members of his embassy team, who took time out of their busy schedules to come to Westminster.”
Prikk and his son attended a cookout here. It was the ambassador’s third visit to Westminster in the last nine months, and his fourth visit overall. Deputy Head of Mission Margus Särglepp and Counselor Iti Press attended a July 6meeting of the Westminster mayor and Common Council.
Nearly a year ago, on Sept. 30, 2022, Westminster and Paide officials, embassy officials and longtime exchange participants and supporters conducted a virtual celebration of the 20th anniversary of the special partnership between Westminster and Paide that began in 2002.
At the conclusion of that meeting Westminster and Paide officials decided to review the original declaration of understanding to see if it needed any revisions or additions, and schedule high-level civic leader visits.
The declaration of understanding, adopted in September 2002, identified five areas of cooperation: government, culture, economic development, education and philanthropy. According to Beyard, “well over 50 exchange activities, visits and projects have taken place as a result of that agreement over the last 20 years.”
Carroll County Daily Headlines
The revised declaration retains these five areas, but adds three new areas of cooperation: information technology, environment and sports. The revised declaration was approved by the Westminster mayor and Common Council on July 6.
When the Paide officials were asked to name their best memory their visit to Westminster, they replied: “The people we met. They were all so kind and nice to us”.
During their visit to Westminster the Paide officials discussed many topics, but focused on three. The officials talked about their annual event in August called the Opinion Festival, in which 10,000 people, from the president of Estonia to average citizens, come together to engage in discussions about important issues in Estonia and beyond.
The officials also noted that Paide has a successful professional soccer team, along with a youth soccer development program for about 500 boys and girls.
They also explained that Järva County has three municipalities, Türi, Paide and Järva. An initiative to create an innovation center is being planned. The center will focus on the three municipalities in an effort to improve services in an era of declining resources. The innovation center, located on the center square in Paide, will also have a computer coding school.
According to Beyard, “The recent visit of Paide officials was well-received by the Westminster community. It is anticipated that a delegation of high-level officials from Westminster will visit Paide in the summer of 2024. There are already potential exchange activities being discussed. Everyone expects great things in the future.”
Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster. His Time Flies column appears every Sunday. Email him at kevindayhoff@gmail.com. | https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cc-lt-dayhoff-073023-20230730-twvlgj5yrzcghnb7zyyrwoabeq-story.html | 2023-07-30T10:09:09 | 1 | https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/cc-lt-dayhoff-073023-20230730-twvlgj5yrzcghnb7zyyrwoabeq-story.html |
Chiefs Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
The Kansas City Chiefs at the moment have the best odds in the entire league to win the Super Bowl at +600.
Watch the Chiefs this season on Fubo!
Chiefs Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC West: -165
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +600
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Kansas City Betting Insights
- Kansas City covered seven times in 17 matchups with a spread last season.
- A total of eight Chiefs games last season went over the point total.
- Kansas City owned the 11th-ranked defense last year (328.2 yards allowed per game), and it was better on offense, ranking best with 413.6 yards per game.
- At home last year, the Chiefs were 7-1. On the road, they were 7-2.
- When underdogs, Kansas City had only one victory (1-1) versus its 13-2 record as the favored team.
Chiefs Impact Players
- In 17 games last year, Patrick Mahomes II passed for 5,250 yards (308.8 per game), with 41 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 67.1%.
- In addition, Mahomes rushed for 358 yards and four TDs.
- Travis Kelce had 110 receptions for 1,338 yards (78.7 per game) and 12 touchdowns in 17 games.
- Jerick McKinnon rushed for 291 yards (17.1 per game) and one touchdown in 17 games a season ago.
- On the ground, Isiah Pacheco scored five touchdowns and accumulated 830 yards (48.8 per game).
- Nick Bolton collected two interceptions to go with 180 tackles, 9.0 TFL, two sacks, and three passes defended in 17 games last year.
Bet on Chiefs to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Chiefs NFL Schedule
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/chiefs-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:09:08 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/chiefs-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
How to Watch the WNBA on Sunday: TV Channel, Game Times and Odds
Today's WNBA slate has lots in store. Among those six games is the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Sun.
Catch live WNBA games, plus tons of other sports and shows, with a free trial to Fubo!
Today's WNBA Games
The Connecticut Sun take on the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Sun on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CON Record: 18-6
- MIN Record: 12-13
- CON Stats: 84.0 PPG (fifth in WNBA), 78.6 Opp. PPG (first)
- MIN Stats: 80.2 PPG (eighth in WNBA), 85.4 Opp. PPG (10th)
Players to Watch
- CON Key Player: Alyssa Thomas (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.0 APG)
- MIN Key Player: Kayla McBride (12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -11.5
- CON Odds to Win: -818
- MIN Odds to Win: +525
- Total: 159.5 points
The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics
The Mystics travel to face the Dream on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: Bally Sports
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- ATL Record: 13-11
- WAS Record: 12-12
- ATL Stats: 85.0 PPG (fourth in WNBA), 85.1 Opp. PPG (ninth)
- WAS Stats: 81.1 PPG (seventh in WNBA), 80.3 Opp. PPG (third)
Players to Watch
- ATL Key Player: Rhyne Howard (18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG)
- WAS Key Player: Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -6.5
- ATL Odds to Win: -250
- WAS Odds to Win: +197
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Los Angeles Sparks take on the New York Liberty
The Liberty hit the road the Sparks on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- LAS Record: 9-15
- NYL Record: 18-6
- LAS Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
- NYL Stats: 88.7 PPG (second in WNBA), 82.7 Opp. PPG (seventh)
Players to Watch
- LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (20.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- NYL Key Player: Breanna Stewart (23.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -9
- NYL Odds to Win: -503
- LAS Odds to Win: +373
- Total: 167 points
The Indiana Fever face the Seattle Storm
The Storm hope to pick up a road win at the Fever on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- IND Record: 6-18
- SEA Record: 5-19
- IND Stats: 81.4 PPG (sixth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
- SEA Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
Players to Watch
- IND Key Player: Aliyah Boston (14.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
- SEA Key Player: Jewell Loyd (24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -3.5
- IND Odds to Win: -161
- SEA Odds to Win: +133
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury go on the road to face the Sky on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: ESPN3 and AZFamily
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CHI Record: 9-15
- PHO Record: 6-17
- CHI Stats: 78.1 PPG (11th in WNBA), 82.5 Opp. PPG (sixth)
- PHO Stats: 75.8 PPG (12th in WNBA), 83.5 Opp. PPG (eighth)
Players to Watch
- CHI Key Player: Courtney Williams (9.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)
- PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -7
- CHI Odds to Win: -285
- PHO Odds to Win: +228
- Total: 156 points
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Dallas Wings
The Wings hit the road the Aces on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- LVA Record: 22-2
- DAL Record: 14-10
- LVA Stats: 94.1 PPG (first in WNBA), 78.7 Opp. PPG (second)
- DAL Stats: 86.0 PPG (third in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
Players to Watch
- LVA Key Player: A'ja Wilson (20.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- DAL Key Player: Satou Sabally (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -10
- LVA Odds to Win: -653
- DAL Odds to Win: +462
- Total: 173.5 points
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:09:10 | 1 | https://www.kwch.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
Scientists have discovered a worm that managed to stretch its short life expectancy — by tens of thousands of years.
A tiny roundworm was revived after it was frozen in Siberian permafrost 46,000 years ago, when Neanderthals still walked the Earth.
The worm, a previously unknown species of nematode, survived after entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, during which the animal doesn't eat and lacks a metabolism. The finding was detailed in a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
The most stunning part of the discovery was the length of time the worm had endured cryptobiosis, said Philipp Schiffer, one of the study's authors and a group leader at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany.
Nematodes are among the planet's most ubiquitous life forms. Scientists had known that some could survive long periods of suspended animation in subzero environments. One Antarctic species spent over 25 years in frozen moss before resuscitation, the previous longest record of cryptobiosis recorded for a nematode.
"Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer," Schiffer said. "It's just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death."
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that the soil from the permafrost sample was 46,000 years old.
Some nematodes are also known to survive parched climates, like in Chile's Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. One species was revived after spending nearly 40 years desiccated in a dry herbarium.
"Everything seems to be possible for these animals and that's what makes them so fascinating," the scientist said.
Schiffer says his worm lab in Cologne was able to analyze and identify the novel worm, which researchers named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, using genome sequencing.
The nematode was found about 130 feet deep within the permafrost inside a burrow once home to Arctic gophers. After the chunk of frozen sediment was taken to the lab to thaw, the resurrected nematode crawled out and started making babies. The nematode, a female-only species, reproduces asexually, after about eight to 12 days.
The original worm, found five years ago, has died. Scientists are using its descendants to continue their research on the species, which will primarily involve investigating the genetic machinery behind these organisms to learn how these worms evolve to adapt in extreme environments.
That work could reveal how other animals might harbor the genetic superpowers to adapt to extreme environments today, as climate change drives more frequent heat waves and uninhabitable environments, Schiffer says.
"You might learn a lot about how and what's happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species," he said.
One challenge in researching the DNA sequences of this particular species, he adds, is how quickly the nematode evolves during its short life. The lifespan of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis is just one to two months.
Unless, of course, it happens to get frozen in time.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists | 2023-07-30T10:11:20 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists |
NAIROBI, Kenya — African leaders are leaving two days of meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin with little to show for their requests to resume a deal that kept grain flowing from Ukraine and to find a path to end the war there.
Putin in a press conference late Saturday following the Russia-Africa summit said Russia's termination of the grain deal earlier this month caused a rise in grain prices that benefits Russian companies. He added that Moscow would share some of those revenues with the "poorest nations."
That commitment, with no details, follows Putin's promise to start shipping 25,000 to 50,000 tons of grain for free to each of six African nations in the next three to four months — an amount dwarfed by the 725,000 tons shipped by the U.N. World Food Program to several hungry countries, African and otherwise, under the grain deal. Russia plans to send the free grain to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea and Central African Republic.
Fewer than 20 of Africa's 54 heads of state or government attended the Russia summit, while 43 attended the previous gathering in 2019, reflecting concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine even as Moscow seeks more allies on the African continent of 1.3 billion people. Putin praised Africa as a rising center of power in the world, while the Kremlin blamed "outrageous" Western pressure for discouraging some African countries from showing up.
The presidents of Egypt and South Africa were among the most outspoken on the need to resume the grain deal.
"We would like the Black Sea initiative to be implemented and that the Black Sea should be open," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said. "We are not here to plead for donations for the African continent."
Putin also said Russia would analyze African leaders' peace proposal for Ukraine, whose details have not been publicly shared. But the Russian leader asked: "Why do you ask us to pause fire? We can't pause fire while we're being attacked."
The next significant step in peace efforts instead appears to be a Ukrainian-organized peace summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in August. Russia is not invited.
Africa's nations make up the largest voting bloc at the United Nations and have been more divided than any other region on General Assembly resolutions criticizing Russia's actions in Ukraine. Delegations at the summit in St. Petersburg roamed exhibits of weapons, a reminder of Russia's role as the top arms supplier to the African continent.
Putin in his remarks on Saturday also downplayed his absence from the BRICS economic summit in South Africa next month amid a controversy over an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court. His presence there, Putin said, is not "more important than my presence here, in Russia."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-path-to-peace-in-ukraine | 2023-07-30T10:11:26 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-path-to-peace-in-ukraine |
Seventy years ago, the Korean War ended with a cease-fire, not a victory or a peace deal, and veterans marked the occasion Thursday at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., with some even joining activists pushing for a formal end to the war.
But as most Korean War vets are well into their 90s, they still struggle with America's perceptions of what has been called "the Forgotten War."
"We don't call it the Forgotten War, we call it the forgotten victory," said retired U.S. Marine Col. Warren Wiedhahn. "We saved South Korea from becoming a communist country."
Wiedhahn said it might not have been clear at the time, but it sure is now. South Korea is democratic and among the world's leading economies, while the North is an impoverished, brutal dictatorship. Wiedhahn just wishes the United Nations force, led by the U.S., had held on to more of the Korean peninsula before the cease-fire. At a certain point they had driven North Korean forces all the way to the Chinese border before being pushed south again.
"Now don't get me wrong. The [cease-fire] was welcomed because that meant that the Marines and soldiers were not getting killed anymore. But to me, to us who had fought in the beginning, it was kind of an anti-climactic," he said.
At 94, Wiedhahn is president of the Chosin Few, a group of vets who fought at Chosin Reservior, a freezing 17-day battle with the Chinese army.
Membership is now being gradually passed on to the next generation.
"I actually had no idea my dad was involved with the Chosin Reservoir. He didn't say one word about it," said Nancy Weigle, whose father, Gerald, was a Navy corpsman who died in 2018. Like many Korea vets he didn't talk about it much for the first few decades, Weigle said.
"The World War II vets had obviously been celebrated. There was a clear victory. And when these guys came back, nobody even knew what Korea was," she said. That came later, as Korean products and culture spread across the globe. Her dad was one of many Korean War vets who were invited by South Korea to visit Seoul.
Weigle is now a legacy member of the Chosin Few, carrying on their stories.
Robert Grier, 90, served in Korea just a few years after the U.S. military desegregated, a memory that stood out for him even as he finds it harder to recall many other details of his service.
"Black soldiers didn't get promoted very much back then. It was always in the lower ranks," he said.
Grier eventually made captain. He has just one memory of the armistice in 1953.
"We were not happy," he said. "[We] didn't like to lose things. We thought that we lost that."
Korea was the first of many wars after World War II with, at best, ambiguous endings that most Americans didn't see as success. That includes Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I sympathize with the Korean War vets," said Welton Chang, who served two tours in Iraq.
"Their experience was much more intense, and certainly the casualties were higher," he adds.
Before Iraq, Chang also deployed to Korea for a year, during which North Korea detonated its first nuclear weapon and tested intercontinental ballistic missiles. His time there showed him the value of what Americans and others did for South Korea.
"Older Koreans are still very thankful for U.S. involvement and were often the ones who would come up to us on the street or hiking a mountain somewhere and shake our hands and say 'thank you,' " Chang said.
"It was always super awkward because you kind of have to remind them that, like, I wasn't even born when any of this stuff happened," he said. "But they saw it as this long, unbroken line of U.S. commitment in Asia."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer | 2023-07-30T10:11:32 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer |
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees.
At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals.
Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system.
Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology.
But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says.
The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives.
"The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool."
Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year.
As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm.
At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers.
Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing.
"We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now."
Health dangers above 100℉
When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed.
The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache.
Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise.
Near 104° the dangers escalate
If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke.
"Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out."
When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness.
Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating.
Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene.
"We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere.
Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support
Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary..
"When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions."
Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form.
They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times.
"On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there."
Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone.
Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat.
Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says.
Burden on health infrastructure heats up
Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades."
Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer.
"We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad."
Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit . | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke | 2023-07-30T10:11:38 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke |
Bengals Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
As of December 31, the Cincinnati Bengals' odds of winning the Super Bowl (+900) make them fourth-best in the NFL.
Watch the Bengals this season on Fubo!
Bengals Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC North: +150
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +900
Looking to place a futures bet on the Bengals to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Cincinnati Betting Insights
- Cincinnati covered 12 times in 16 matchups with a spread last season.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total six times in Bengals games.
- Cincinnati averaged 360.5 yards per game on offense last year (eighth in ), and it allowed 335.7 yards per game (16th) on the defensive side of the ball.
- The Bengals put up a 6-1 record at home and were 6-3 away last season.
- When underdogs, Cincinnati had only one victory (1-1) versus its 11-2 record when favored.
- The Bengals were 3-3 in the AFC North and 8-3 in the AFC overall.
Bengals Impact Players
- Joe Burrow passed for 4,475 yards (279.7 per game), completing 68.3% of his throws, with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 16 games last year.
- In addition, Burrow rushed for 257 yards and five TDs.
- On the ground, Joe Mixon scored seven touchdowns and picked up 814 yards (58.1 per game).
- In the passing game, Mixon scored two touchdowns, with 60 catches for 441 yards.
- In the passing game a season ago, Ja'Marr Chase scored nine TDs, hauling in 87 balls for 1,046 yards (87.2 per game).
- Tee Higgins had 74 receptions for 1,029 yards (64.3 per game) and seven touchdowns in 16 games.
- In 15 games last year, Logan Wilson amassed 2.5 sacks to go with 3.0 TFL, 123 tackles, and one interception.
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2023-24 Bengals NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 30 at 5:24 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/bengals-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:11:38 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/bengals-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Indiana Fever vs. Seattle Storm: Betting Trends, Record ATS, Home/Road Splits
Sunday's WNBA schedule includes Aliyah Boston's Indiana Fever (6-18) playing at home against Jewell Loyd and the Seattle Storm (5-19) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The opening tip is at 4:00 PM ET.
Indiana suffered defeat by a final score of 81-68 in its last game against Los Angeles. Leading the way on offense for the Fever was Erica Wheeler, who wound up with 13 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. Kristy Wallace posted 13 points and two steals. With Gabby Williams (17 PTS, 50 FG%) contriburing the best performance on the team, Seattle won 83-74 against Chicago. Ezi Magbegor also added 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks to the effort.
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Fever vs. Storm Game Time and Info
- Who's the favorite?: Fever (-160 to win)
- Who's the underdog?: Storm (+135 to win)
- What's the spread?: Fever (-3.5)
- What's the over/under?: 164.5
- When: Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET
- Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana
- TV: ESPN3, FOX13+, and Prime Video
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Fever Season Stats
- The Fever's offense, which ranks sixth in the league with 81.4 points per game, has performed better than their second-worst defense (85.7 points allowed per game).
- Indiana ranks second-best in the WNBA by allowing only 32.7 rebounds per game. It ranks fifth in the league by pulling down 34.8 boards per contest.
- In terms of assists, the Fever are averaging just 18.5 assists per contest (second-worst in league).
- Indiana, who is seventh in the league with 13.6 turnovers per game, is forcing 12.5 turnovers per contest, which is third-worst in the WNBA.
- The Fever have found it difficult to rack up three-pointers, ranking second-worst in the league with 6.4 treys per game. They rank seventh with a 32.5% shooting percentage from beyond the arc this year.
- It's been rough sledding for Indiana in terms of three-pointers allowed, as it is giving up 8.2 threes per game (second-worst in WNBA) and is allowing a 36.3% three-point percentage to opposing teams (second-worst).
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Fever Home/Away Splits
- The Fever have scored at a higher rate at home than on the road in the 2023 season (81.8 at home versus 81.3 on the road), though they have allowed fewer points in home games than in road games (83.3 opponent points per home game versus 86.9 on the road).
- At home, Indiana averages 3.1 more rebounds per game than on the road (36.9 at home, 33.8 on the road), while it allows its opponents to pull down 2.7 more boards in home games than in road games (34.5 at home, 31.8 on the road). On average, the Fever have more assists at home than they do on the road (18.6 at home, 18.4 on the road).
- The 2023 WNBA season has seen Indiana commit more turnovers at home (14.1 per game) than on the road (13.4). It's also forced more turnovers at home (13 per game) than on the road (12.3).
- In 2023 the Fever are averaging 5.4 made three-pointers at home and 6.9 away, while shooting 28.5% from distance at home compared to 34.4% away.
- Indiana concedes 1.700000000000001 fewer three-pointers when playing at home (7.1 per game) than on the road (8.8). It also allows a lower three-point shooting percentage at home (31.8% in home games compared to 38.5% on the road).
Fever Moneyline and ATS Records
- The Fever have been favored on the moneyline four total times this season. They've gone 1-3 in those games.
- The Fever have not played a game this season with moneyline odds of -160 or shorter.
- Indiana has 13 wins in 23 games against the spread this year.
- Indiana has no wins ATS (0-1) as a 3.5-point favorite or greater this year.
- The Fever have an implied moneyline win probability of 61.5% in this game.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/indiana-fever-vs-seattle-storm-wnba-betting-trends-stats/ | 2023-07-30T10:11:45 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/indiana-fever-vs-seattle-storm-wnba-betting-trends-stats/ |
Russian authorities say three Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow in the early hours on Sunday, injuring one person and prompting a temporary closure for traffic of one of four airports around the Russian capital.
It was the fourth such attempt at a strike on the capital region this month and the third this week, fueling concerns about Moscow's vulnerability to attacks as Russia's war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month.
The Russian Defense Ministry referred to the incident as an "attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime" and said three drones targeted the city. One was shot down in the surrounding Moscow region by air defense systems and two others were jammed. Those two crashed into the Moscow City business district in the capital.
Photos from the site of the crash showed the facade of a skyscraper damaged on one floor. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack "insignificantly damaged" the outsides of two buildings in the Moscow City district. A security guard was injured, Russia's state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.
No flights went into or out of the Vnukovo airport on the southern outskirts of the city for about an hour, according to Tass, and the air space over Moscow and the outlying regions was temporarily closed for any aircraft. Those restrictions have since been lifted.
Moscow authorities have also closed a street for traffic near the site of the crash in the Moscow City area.
There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials, who rarely if ever take responsibility for attacks on Russian soil.
Russia's Defense Ministry reported shooting down a Ukrainian drone outside Moscow on Friday. Two more drones struck the Russian capital on Monday, one of them falling in the center of the city near the Defense Ministry's headquarters along the Moscow River about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the Kremlin. The other drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors.
In another attack on July 4, the Russian military said four drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and a fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/a-drone-attack-on-moscow-briefly-shut-the-airport-and-injured-one | 2023-07-30T10:11:45 | 0 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/a-drone-attack-on-moscow-briefly-shut-the-airport-and-injured-one |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing "harmful" materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.
A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged.
The judge also rejected a motion by the defendants, which include prosecuting attorneys for the state, seeking to dismiss the case.
The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintiffs, applauded the court's ruling, saying that the absence of a preliminary injunction would have jeopardized First Amendment rights.
"The question we had to ask was — do Arkansans still legally have access to reading materials? Luckily, the judicial system has once again defended our highly valued liberties," Holly Dickson, the executive director of the ACLU in Arkansas, said in a statement.
The lawsuit comes as lawmakers in an increasing number of conservative states are pushing for measures making it easier to ban or restrict access to books. The number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. last year was the highest in the 20 years the American Library Association has been tracking such efforts.
Laws restricting access to certain materials or making it easier to challenge them have been enacted in several other states, including Iowa, Indiana and Texas.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in an email Saturday that his office would be "reviewing the judge's opinion and will continue to vigorously defend the law."
The executive director of Central Arkansas Library System, Nate Coulter, said the judge's 49-page decision recognized the law as censorship, a violation of the Constitution and wrongly maligning librarians.
"As folks in southwest Arkansas say, this order is stout as horseradish!" he said in an email.
"I'm relieved that for now the dark cloud that was hanging over CALS' librarians has lifted," he added.
Cheryl Davis, general counsel for the Authors Guild, said the organization is "thrilled" about the decision. She said enforcing this law "is likely to limit the free speech rights of older minors, who are capable of reading and processing more complex reading materials than young children can."
The Arkansas lawsuit names the state's 28 local prosecutors as defendants, along with Crawford County in west Arkansas. A separate lawsuit is challenging the Crawford County library's decision to move children's books that included LGBTQ+ themes to a separate portion of the library.
The plaintiffs challenging Arkansas' restrictions also include the Fayetteville and Eureka Springs Carnegie public libraries, the American Booksellers Association and the Association of American Publishers.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-arkansas-judge-has-blocked-a-law-targetting-librarians-over-harmful-books | 2023-07-30T10:11:51 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/an-arkansas-judge-has-blocked-a-law-targetting-librarians-over-harmful-books |
Reds vs. Dodgers: Betting Trends, Odds, Records Against the Run Line, Home/Road Splits
Mookie Betts and Spencer Steer will be among the star attractions when the Los Angeles Dodgers face the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday at 4:10 PM ET, at Dodger Stadium.
The favored Dodgers have -190 moneyline odds against the underdog Reds, who are listed at +155. A 10.5-run over/under has been listed in this matchup.
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Reds vs. Dodgers Odds & Info
- Date: Sunday, July 30, 2023
- Time: 4:10 PM ET
- TV: SportsNet LA
- Location: Los Angeles, California
- Venue: Dodger Stadium
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
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Reds Recent Betting Performance
- In seven games as the underdog over the last 10 matchups, the Reds have a record of 4-3.
- In their previous 10 matchups with a total posted by sportsbooks, the Reds and their foes are 2-8-0 when it comes to hitting the over.
- The Reds' previous 10 games have not had a spread posted by bookmakers.
Explore More About This Game
Reds Betting Records & Stats
- The Reds have been chosen as underdogs in 75 games this year and have walked away with the win 36 times (48%) in those games.
- Cincinnati is 5-9 this season when entering a game as the underdog by +155 or more on the moneyline.
- Sportsbooks have implied with the moneyline set for this matchup that the Reds have a 39.2% chance of pulling out a win.
- Cincinnati and its opponents have gone over the total this season in 56 of its 105 opportunities.
- The Reds are 6-6-0 against the spread in their 12 games that had a posted line this season.
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Reds Splits
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/reds-vs-dodgers-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ | 2023-07-30T10:11:59 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/reds-vs-dodgers-mlb-betting-trends-stats/ |
Titans Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Currently the Tennessee Titans are 19th in the NFL in terms of odds to win the Super Bowl, listed at +6600.
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Titans Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC South: +325
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +6600
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Tennessee Betting Insights
- Tennessee won eight games against the spread last season, failing to cover six times.
- Last season, the combined scoring went over the point total five times in Titans games.
- Tennessee ranked third-worst in total offense (296.8 yards per game) last season, but it played slightly better on defense, ranking 23rd with 351.6 yards allowed per game.
- Last year the Titans were 3-5 at home and 4-5 away.
- As a favorite last season Tennessee picked up just two victories (2-3). As the underdog the Titans posted a record of 4-5.
- The Titans were 5-7 in the AFC, including 3-3 in the AFC South.
Titans Impact Players
- Derrick Henry ran for 1,538 yards (96.1 per game) and 13 touchdowns in 16 games last year.
- In the passing game, Henry scored zero touchdowns, with 33 receptions for 398 yards.
- In 12 games, Ryan Tannehill threw for 2,536 yards (211.3 per game), with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions, and a completion percentage of 65.2%.
- On the ground, Tannehill scored two touchdowns and accumulated 98 yards.
- In the Cardinals' passing game a season ago, DeAndre Hopkins scored three TDs, hauling in 64 balls for 717 yards (79.7 per game).
- In the passing game with the Texans, Chris Moore scored two TDs, catching 48 balls for 548 yards (34.3 per game).
- On defense last year, Kevin Byard helped set the tone with four interceptions to go with 106 tackles and six passes defended in 17 games.
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2023-24 Titans NFL Schedule
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/titans-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:11:59 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/titans-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
PHOENIX — A historic heat wave that has gripped the U.S. Southwest throughout July, blasting residents and baking surfaces like brick, is beginning to abate with the late arrival of monsoon rains.
Forecasters expect that by Monday, people in metro Phoenix will begin to see high temperatures fall under 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) for the first time in a month.
But not on Saturday. The high temperature in the desert city with more than 1.6 million residents climbed past 110 F for the 30th straight day, the National Weather Service said. The previous record stretch of 110 F or above was for 18 days in 1974.
There are increased chances on Sunday of cooling monsoon thunderstorms. Though wet weather can also bring damaging winds, blowing dust and the chance of flash flooding, the weather service warned. Sudden rains running off hard-baked surfaces can quickly fill normally dry washes.
Already this week, the overnight low at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport fell under 90 F (32.2 C) for the first time in 16 days, finally giving residents some respite from the stifling heat once the sun goes down.
Temperatures also were expected to ease in Las Vegas, Albuquerque and even in Death Valley, California, where the weather service said the expected high of 122 F (50 C) on Saturday is forecast to lower to 113 F (45 C) by Tuesday — along with a slight chance of rain.
Also in California, triple-digit heat was expected in parts of the San Joaquin Valley from Saturday through Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford, California.
Gusty, late-afternoon winds were expected Saturday and Sunday in Santa Barbara County, posing an elevated risk of fire weather, the weather service in Los Angeles said. Hot, dry weather was also expected across nearby valleys, lower mountains and desert areas.
In Riverside County, more than 1,300 people were ordered to evacuate their homes and another 1,400 were facing evacuation warnings as crews battled a wildfire that charred 3.2 square miles (8.3 square kilometers) in the community of Aguanga, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) northeast of San Diego, authorities said Saturday. One firefighter was reported to have been injured in the so-called Bonny Fire, which authorities said was about 5% contained.
The heat is impacting animals, as well. Police in the city of Burbank, California, found a bear cooling off in a Jacuzzi behind a home on Friday. Police released a video of the animal in a neighborhood about 10 miles (16 kilometers) north of Los Angeles near the Verdugo Mountains and warned residents to lock up food and garbage.
A downward trend in Southwest heat started Wednesday night, when Phoenix saw its first major monsoon storm since the traditional June 15 start of the thunderstorm season. While more than half of the greater Phoenix area saw no rainfall from that storm, some eastern suburbs were pummeled by high winds, swirling dust and localized downfalls of up to 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) of precipitation.
Storms gradually increasing in strength are expected over the weekend.
Scientists calculate that July will prove to be the hottest globally on record and perhaps the warmest human civilization has seen. The extreme heat is now hitting the eastern part of the U.S, as soaring temperatures moved from the Midwest into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, where some places are seeing their warmest days so far this year.
The new heat records being set this summer are just some of the extreme weather being seen around the U.S. this month, such as flash floods in Pennsylvania and parts of the Northeast.
"Anyone can be at risk outside in this record heat," the fire department in Goodyear, a Phoenix suburb, warned residents on social media while offering ideas to stay safe.
For many people such as older adults, those with health issues and those without access to air conditioning, the heat can be dangerous or even deadly.
Maricopa County, the most populous in Arizona and home to Phoenix, reported this week that its public health department had confirmed 25 heat-associated deaths this year as of July 21, with 249 more under investigation.
Results from toxicological tests that can takes weeks or months after an autopsy is conducted could eventually result in many deaths listed as under investigation as heat associated being changed to confirmed.
Maricopa County confirmed 425 heat-associated deaths last year, and more than half of them occurred in July.
Elsewhere in Arizona next week, the agricultural desert community of Yuma is expecting highs ranging from 104 to 112 (40 C to 44.4 C) and Tucson is looking at highs ranging from 99 to 111 (37.2 C to 43.9 C).
The highs in Las Vegas are forecast to slip as low as 94 (34.4 C) next Tuesday after a long spell of highs above 110 (43.3 C). Death Valley, which hit 128 (53.3 C) in mid-July, will cool as well, though only to a still blistering hot 116 (46.7 C).
In New Mexico, the highs in Albuquerque next week are expected to be in the mid to high 90s (around 35 C), with party cloudy skies.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/the-historic-heatwave-that-has-hit-the-u-s-southwest-is-set-to-cool-a-little | 2023-07-30T10:12:00 | 1 | https://www.kunm.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-30/the-historic-heatwave-that-has-hit-the-u-s-southwest-is-set-to-cool-a-little |
How to Watch the WNBA on Sunday: TV Channel, Game Times and Odds
Today's WNBA slate has lots in store. Among those six games is the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Sun.
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Today's WNBA Games
The Connecticut Sun take on the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Sun on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CON Record: 18-6
- MIN Record: 12-13
- CON Stats: 84.0 PPG (fifth in WNBA), 78.6 Opp. PPG (first)
- MIN Stats: 80.2 PPG (eighth in WNBA), 85.4 Opp. PPG (10th)
Players to Watch
- CON Key Player: Alyssa Thomas (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.0 APG)
- MIN Key Player: Kayla McBride (12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -11.5
- CON Odds to Win: -818
- MIN Odds to Win: +525
- Total: 159.5 points
The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics
The Mystics travel to face the Dream on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: Bally Sports
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- ATL Record: 13-11
- WAS Record: 12-12
- ATL Stats: 85.0 PPG (fourth in WNBA), 85.1 Opp. PPG (ninth)
- WAS Stats: 81.1 PPG (seventh in WNBA), 80.3 Opp. PPG (third)
Players to Watch
- ATL Key Player: Rhyne Howard (18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG)
- WAS Key Player: Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -6.5
- ATL Odds to Win: -250
- WAS Odds to Win: +197
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Los Angeles Sparks take on the New York Liberty
The Liberty hit the road the Sparks on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- LAS Record: 9-15
- NYL Record: 18-6
- LAS Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
- NYL Stats: 88.7 PPG (second in WNBA), 82.7 Opp. PPG (seventh)
Players to Watch
- LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (20.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- NYL Key Player: Breanna Stewart (23.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -9
- NYL Odds to Win: -503
- LAS Odds to Win: +373
- Total: 167 points
The Indiana Fever face the Seattle Storm
The Storm hope to pick up a road win at the Fever on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- IND Record: 6-18
- SEA Record: 5-19
- IND Stats: 81.4 PPG (sixth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
- SEA Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
Players to Watch
- IND Key Player: Aliyah Boston (14.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
- SEA Key Player: Jewell Loyd (24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -3.5
- IND Odds to Win: -161
- SEA Odds to Win: +133
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury go on the road to face the Sky on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: ESPN3 and AZFamily
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CHI Record: 9-15
- PHO Record: 6-17
- CHI Stats: 78.1 PPG (11th in WNBA), 82.5 Opp. PPG (sixth)
- PHO Stats: 75.8 PPG (12th in WNBA), 83.5 Opp. PPG (eighth)
Players to Watch
- CHI Key Player: Courtney Williams (9.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)
- PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -7
- CHI Odds to Win: -285
- PHO Odds to Win: +228
- Total: 156 points
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Dallas Wings
The Wings hit the road the Aces on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- LVA Record: 22-2
- DAL Record: 14-10
- LVA Stats: 94.1 PPG (first in WNBA), 78.7 Opp. PPG (second)
- DAL Stats: 86.0 PPG (third in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
Players to Watch
- LVA Key Player: A'ja Wilson (20.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- DAL Key Player: Satou Sabally (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -10
- LVA Odds to Win: -653
- DAL Odds to Win: +462
- Total: 173.5 points
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:12:01 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
CHENGDU, China , July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhua:
On July 28, the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games officially commenced, captivating university athletes from various parts of the world with an opening ceremony that seamlessly blended historical and cultural elements with youthful passion.
The cultural performances showcased Chengdu's unique cultural features, with the "Sun and Immortal Birds" being a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage and a spiritual emblem. From the very first second of the countdown to the ignition, the presence of the "Sun and Immortal Birds" captivated the audience until the final moment of ignition. "Sunlight", serving as the core element, permeated the entire opening ceremony. Without the "Sun and Immortal Birds", the grand finale of igniting the flame would not have been possible. The countdown to the opening commenced amid the radiance of the "Sun and Immortal Birds," not only demonstrating the harmonious and inclusive spiritual character that the Chinese people have embraced since ancient times but also expressing best wishes for university students worldwide to shine as bright and warm as sunlight.
The opening ceremony combined the sense of technology with artistic beauty. During the entrance segment, colorful silk threads were projected onto the ground, creating a breathtaking display of traditional Chinese patterns formed by over 300 circular lines that adorned the entirety of the stadium's track. This symbolic imagery represents the aspirations of young athletes from around the world, as they embark on a glorious journey paved with the splendor of Shu embroidery. The guide signs held high by the ushers were made of Shu brocade, a renowned textile originating from the Chengdu region, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. Shu brocade stands as one of the four prestigious brocades of China. Meanwhile, Shu embroidery, one of the four famous embroideries in China, has a history of more than 3,000 years, originating from the Chengdu region. Both Shu embroidery and Shu brocade are hailed as treasures of the region.
In celebration of the 31st edition of FISU World University Games, 31 torchbearers were selected to light the flame tower. Among them, the illustrious Chengdu astronaut, Ye Guangfu, shone as a notable figure. Recognizing astronauts as the "closest beings to the sun," chief director Chen Weiya harnessed the brilliance of sunlight, transforming it into a dazzling blaze. After the 31 torchbearers jointly completed the ignition, the Sun and Immortal Birds radiated a stunning brilliance. They spiraled and ascended, igniting the 12 golden fireworks in the sky. Ultimately, they ignited the flame tower outside the stadium.
During the fireworks performance, the chief designer of the opening ceremony fireworks, Cai Canhuang, aptly named it "Golden Dreams." Golden fireworks illuminated the sky, accompanied by welcoming messages in both Chinese and English. As the flame tower of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games was ignited, the fireworks displayed the U-shaped emblem of the Games and the English theme "Make Dreams Come True." The fireworks artfully portrayed the image of a golden hibiscus flower, representing the city flower of Chengdu. Beyond symbolizing youth and vitality, the hibiscus also embodies the values of openness and friendliness, expressing the theme of "flowers welcoming guests."
The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games will feature a total of 18 sports events, and is scheduled to conclude on August 8. With athletes from 113 countries and regions, a staggering 6,500 athletes will compete across these 18 sports.
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SOURCE Xinhua | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:12:19 | 0 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever"
DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks.
The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City.
Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide.
Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented:
"When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board."
"The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added.
The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa.
Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries."
Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment."
Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers."
The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round.
To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com
For imagery and video, please download via this link.
For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on:
+974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa
For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar:
About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
Web: www.visitqatar.qa
About Raffles
Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless.
raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
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SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ | 2023-07-30T10:12:26 | 1 | https://www.wymt.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ |
Dear Amy:
My husband’s brother and his wife announced about a year ago that they had irreconcilable differences; they divorced after a long and loveless marriage.
To be honest we have no idea why they stayed together as long as they did.
About a month later, my brother-in-law introduced us to his new girlfriend.
I was initially very happy that he had found someone new who really seemed to fit into the family dynamic better than his ex.
But then his new girlfriend reached out on Facebook. I accepted her friend request and was trying to get to know her by looking at her past posts.
That’s when I realized that she and my brother-in-law had been in a relationship for at least five years.
I haven’t mentioned this to anyone else in the family except for my husband.
I was raised with a strong belief in the sanctity of marriage, and I unfortunately find their infidelity and lack of shame about it to be disturbing.
I try not to let this knowledge get in my way of being friendly with them, but it’s always sitting in the back of my mind, and I’ve found myself avoiding them so I don’t have to think about it.
Do you have any suggestions on what I can do to keep this relationship friendly? I don’t want to damage my husband’s family dynamic.
– Don’t Want to be Judgmental
Dear Judgmental:
No one knows what goes on in another couple’s marriage, but my observation is that even long and loveless marriages can hang on until another potential partner enters the scene, which often serves as the impetus for the couple to finally separate.
Generally, when a separated or very recently divorced person introduces another partner to the family very quickly after parting with the spouse, it’s a sign that the new person has been on the scene for a while.
Your brother-in-law and his former wife might have had an understanding or were negotiating about how to handle their marriage and outside relationships prior to their divorce.
The girlfriend’s public posts indicate that there is an overall lack of shame regarding the relationship, and whether this is because they are actually shameless or perhaps reacting to a much more complicated personal situation remains to be seen. It is really none of your business, but if you’re curious, you could ask – but I suggest you work hard to keep your harsher judgment in check.
Dear Amy:
I have two friends, both of whom live across the country, who like to call me for extended conversations.
Both of these people talk nonstop and miraculously seem to have evolved out of the need for air, because I spend these calls waiting for a tiny pause that would allow me to blurt out that I have to go.
When I imagine telling them that I really don’t like talking on the phone, I feel sure they will feel insulted.
As it is, I only answer every third or so call, but it’s still too much.
Any ideas for how I can end these calls without sparking animosity?
– Desperate Phone Hostage
Dear Hostage:
“I have to be honest – I don’t take all of your calls because I don’t really like talking on the phone” is describing a personal preference, not delivering an insult.
And – the way you describe these encounters as a hostage situation makes these people seem less like actual friends and more like bored and boring cold-calling phone bots.
In short, if you want a monologue, you can watch Jimmy Kimmel. And even he comes up for air.
If you dodge a call, you could use texting (or email) to contact them: “I see you called. What’s up?”
This might unleash a new wave of annoyance, but that would be another challenge for another day.
Dear Amy:
I thought your response to “Basically a Single Parent,” was, basically, awful. This father of two young children is addicted to his phone screen, and instead of telling him to pay attention to his kids, you suggest that he listen to music?!
– Disappointed
Dear Disappointed:
Other readers agree with you, and yes I also agree that the core issue is that this father was so disengaged with his very young children.
However, I raised children with the help of Broadway cast albums and NPR.
As long as your hands are free and you’re not too distracted, I think it’s fine to have some audio going in the background.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)
©2023 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. | https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/07/30/ask-amy-a-fresh-divorce-brings-on-new-questions/ | 2023-07-30T10:12:40 | 0 | https://www.dailycamera.com/2023/07/30/ask-amy-a-fresh-divorce-brings-on-new-questions/ |
Scientists have discovered a worm that managed to stretch its short life expectancy — by tens of thousands of years.
A tiny roundworm was revived after it was frozen in Siberian permafrost 46,000 years ago, when Neanderthals still walked the Earth.
The worm, a previously unknown species of nematode, survived after entering a dormant state known as cryptobiosis, during which the animal doesn't eat and lacks a metabolism. The finding was detailed in a recent study published in the journal PLOS Genetics.
The most stunning part of the discovery was the length of time the worm had endured cryptobiosis, said Philipp Schiffer, one of the study's authors and a group leader at the Institute of Zoology at the University of Cologne in Germany.
Nematodes are among the planet's most ubiquitous life forms. Scientists had known that some could survive long periods of suspended animation in subzero environments. One Antarctic species spent over 25 years in frozen moss before resuscitation, the previous longest record of cryptobiosis recorded for a nematode.
"Nobody had thought that this process could be for millennia, for 40,000 years — or even longer," Schiffer said. "It's just amazing that life can start again after such a long time, in the stage between life and death."
Scientists used radiocarbon dating to determine that the soil from the permafrost sample was 46,000 years old.
Some nematodes are also known to survive parched climates, like in Chile's Atacama Desert, the driest nonpolar desert on Earth. One species was revived after spending nearly 40 years desiccated in a dry herbarium.
"Everything seems to be possible for these animals and that's what makes them so fascinating," the scientist said.
Schiffer says his worm lab in Cologne was able to analyze and identify the novel worm, which researchers named Panagrolaimus kolymaensis, using genome sequencing.
The nematode was found about 130 feet deep within the permafrost inside a burrow once home to Arctic gophers. After the chunk of frozen sediment was taken to the lab to thaw, the resurrected nematode crawled out and started making babies. The nematode, a female-only species, reproduces asexually, after about eight to 12 days.
The original worm, found five years ago, has died. Scientists are using its descendants to continue their research on the species, which will primarily involve investigating the genetic machinery behind these organisms to learn how these worms evolve to adapt in extreme environments.
That work could reveal how other animals might harbor the genetic superpowers to adapt to extreme environments today, as climate change drives more frequent heat waves and uninhabitable environments, Schiffer says.
"You might learn a lot about how and what's happening right now on Earth, and maybe even inform protection of endangered species," he said.
One challenge in researching the DNA sequences of this particular species, he adds, is how quickly the nematode evolves during its short life. The lifespan of Panagrolaimus kolymaensis is just one to two months.
Unless, of course, it happens to get frozen in time.
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists | 2023-07-30T10:13:32 | 1 | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/a-worm-that-survived-46-000-years-in-permafrost-wows-scientists |
Seventy years ago, the Korean War ended with a cease-fire, not a victory or a peace deal, and veterans marked the occasion Thursday at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C., with some even joining activists pushing for a formal end to the war.
But as most Korean War vets are well into their 90s, they still struggle with America's perceptions of what has been called "the Forgotten War."
"We don't call it the Forgotten War, we call it the forgotten victory," said retired U.S. Marine Col. Warren Wiedhahn. "We saved South Korea from becoming a communist country."
Wiedhahn said it might not have been clear at the time, but it sure is now. South Korea is democratic and among the world's leading economies, while the North is an impoverished, brutal dictatorship. Wiedhahn just wishes the United Nations force, led by the U.S., had held on to more of the Korean peninsula before the cease-fire. At a certain point they had driven North Korean forces all the way to the Chinese border before being pushed south again.
"Now don't get me wrong. The [cease-fire] was welcomed because that meant that the Marines and soldiers were not getting killed anymore. But to me, to us who had fought in the beginning, it was kind of an anti-climactic," he said.
At 94, Wiedhahn is president of the Chosin Few, a group of vets who fought at Chosin Reservior, a freezing 17-day battle with the Chinese army.
Membership is now being gradually passed on to the next generation.
"I actually had no idea my dad was involved with the Chosin Reservoir. He didn't say one word about it," said Nancy Weigle, whose father, Gerald, was a Navy corpsman who died in 2018. Like many Korea vets he didn't talk about it much for the first few decades, Weigle said.
"The World War II vets had obviously been celebrated. There was a clear victory. And when these guys came back, nobody even knew what Korea was," she said. That came later, as Korean products and culture spread across the globe. Her dad was one of many Korean War vets who were invited by South Korea to visit Seoul.
Weigle is now a legacy member of the Chosin Few, carrying on their stories.
Robert Grier, 90, served in Korea just a few years after the U.S. military desegregated, a memory that stood out for him even as he finds it harder to recall many other details of his service.
"Black soldiers didn't get promoted very much back then. It was always in the lower ranks," he said.
Grier eventually made captain. He has just one memory of the armistice in 1953.
"We were not happy," he said. "[We] didn't like to lose things. We thought that we lost that."
Korea was the first of many wars after World War II with, at best, ambiguous endings that most Americans didn't see as success. That includes Afghanistan and Iraq.
"I sympathize with the Korean War vets," said Welton Chang, who served two tours in Iraq.
"Their experience was much more intense, and certainly the casualties were higher," he adds.
Before Iraq, Chang also deployed to Korea for a year, during which North Korea detonated its first nuclear weapon and tested intercontinental ballistic missiles. His time there showed him the value of what Americans and others did for South Korea.
"Older Koreans are still very thankful for U.S. involvement and were often the ones who would come up to us on the street or hiking a mountain somewhere and shake our hands and say 'thank you,' " Chang said.
"It was always super awkward because you kind of have to remind them that, like, I wasn't even born when any of this stuff happened," he said. "But they saw it as this long, unbroken line of U.S. commitment in Asia."
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer | 2023-07-30T10:13:38 | 0 | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/as-living-memories-of-the-korean-war-fade-its-consequences-become-clearer |
As the hour creeps past three in the afternoon, New Orleans' streets are devoid of tourists and locals alike. The heat index is over 105 degrees.
At the city's ambulance depot, the concrete parking lot seems to magnify the sweltering heat, circulating the air like a convection oven.
New Orleans Emergency Medical Services has been busy this summer, responding to heat-related emergency calls and rushing patients to nearby hospitals.
Capt. Janick Lewis and Lt. Titus Carriere demonstrate how they can load a stretcher into an ambulance using an automated loading system.
Lewis wipes sweat from his brow as the loading arm whirs and hums, raising the stretcher into the ambulance — "unit" in official terminology.
But the mechanical assistance isn't the best thing about the new vehicle. "The nicest thing about being assigned a brand new unit, is it's a brand-new air conditioning system," Lewis says.
The new AC is much more than just a luxury for the hard-working crews. These days they need the extra cooling power to help save lives.
"The number one thing you do take care of somebody is get them out of the heat, get them somewhere cool," Lewis says. "So the number one thing we spend our time worrying about in the summertime is keeping the truck cool."
Like much of the country, New Orleans has been embroiled in an almost relentless heat wave for weeks. As a result, more people are falling ill with heat-related conditions than ever before. Just last week, EMS responded to 29 heat-related calls — more than triple compared to the same period last year.
As the city's emergency medical systems deal with the influx of patients, scientists say these dangerous heat levels — and the increasing stress they put on human bodies and medical systems — may be the new norm.
At the same time, New Orleans EMS has struggled with funding and staffing challenges. It's currently operating with only 60% of its needed staff. The city's chief of EMS has called for increased funding for higher wages to attract more workers.
Lewis says they're making do with the resources they have, and prioritizing one-time expenses like new ambulances to help them meet the challenges they're facing.
"We're going to provide the care everybody needs, regardless of how hot it gets," Lewis says. "We'd love to have all the help in the world, but we're getting the job done with what we have right now."
Health dangers above 100℉
When a human being is exposed to high levels of heat for too long, it starts to raise the core body temperature. Once that exceeds 100 degrees, hyperthermia can develop. That can prompt an escalating cascade of health problems if it isn't quickly addressed.
The first stage is heat exhaustion, Lt. Carriere explains: "That means you're hot, you may have an elevated temp, but you also have what's called diaphoresis, which means your body is sweating, is still trying to compensate and cool yourself off." You'll also likely have other symptoms like weakness, dizziness, and headache.
Carriere says that if you can quickly get out of the heat and into some AC, generally you'll recover from heat exhaustion on your own. But if you don't, your core temperature will continue to rise.
Near 104° the dangers escalate
If internal body temperature approaches 104 degrees, you could succumb to the next stage — heat stroke.
"Once you move to heat stroke, your body stops compensating," Carriere says. "You stop sweating. You're hot. You're dry, and your organs are basically like frying themselves from the inside out."
When you stop sweating, it becomes even harder for your body to cool itself down. During heat stroke, you may also experience other severe symptoms like an altered state of mind, confusion, and a rapid, erratic pulse. You may even lose consciousness.
Heat illness can develop after unrelieved exposure to incessant heat, but high humidity compounds the problem by making it harder for the body to cool itself by sweating.
Working outdoors, dehydration, alcohol or drug use, and sunburn all increase the risk. The very old, children under 4, and those who are obese or have certain medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.
Without medical intervention, heat stroke can be deadly. EMS starts treatment immediately after they arrive on the scene.
"We'll get them on a gurney, get them into the unit, start removing their clothing and put ice packs wherever applicable to try to cool them down," says Carriere.
Saving lives in the ER with ice, fluids, and medical support
Once you're loaded into the ambulance, they'll race you to a nearby hospital, Carriere says. At University Medical Center (UMC), the city's largest hospital, doctors and nurses will continue efforts to quickly lower body temperature, and replace fluids by IV if necessary..
"When the patient ends up at the hospital, we're going to continue that cooling process," Elder says. "We're going to put them in an ice water bath," says Dr. Jeffrey Elder, the Medical Director for Emergency Management at UMC. "We may use some misting fans and some cold fluids to get their body temperature down to a reasonable temperature while we're supporting all the other bodily functions."
Getting your core temperature down as quickly as possible is the highest priority, Elder explains, and is what will ultimately save your life. One way they can speed that along is by burying you in ice. In other parts of the country, doctors actually place patients inside body bags pre-packed with pounds of ice. Body bags are useful in these cases because they're waterproof and are designed to closely fit the human form.
They don't use body bags at UMC's emergency room, but during the summer, staffers do keep bags of ice ready to go at all times.
"On the stretcher, we'll use some of the sheets as kind of a barrier," Elder says. "And while they're on the stretcher, we'll just put the ice on them right then and there."
Hospital staff will continue to work to cool you down until your temperature gets back below 100. That's when you're considered to be in the medical safe zone.
Elder admits that while it always gets hot in New Orleans during the summer, his emergency room has been treating more heat-related illness in 2023 than ever before. A few patients have died from the heat.
Like many other hospital systems, UMC is struggling with staffing challenges since the pandemic. But UMC has prioritized staffing of the emergency department in order to handle things like an influx of patients from heat-related illness, Elder says.
Burden on health infrastructure heats up
Across the country, meteorological events like heat waves and heat domes will become more frequent and intense in the future, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Extreme summer heat is increasing in the United States," says Claudia Brown, a health scientist with the CDC's Climate and Health Program. "And climate projections are indicating that extreme heat events will be more frequent and intense in the coming decades."
Health infrastructure will be challenged to keep up in order to treat patients suffering from extreme heat exposure. In New Orleans, both first responders and doctors say they expect to see more patients with heat-related illness. July is merely the halfway point of a Louisiana summer.
"We haven't even gotten to the hottest part yet, which is typically August to September," says EMS Lt. Titus Carriere. "So I'm expecting it to get pretty bad."
Copyright 2023 Gulf States Newsroom. To see more, visit . | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke | 2023-07-30T10:13:44 | 1 | https://www.wbaa.org/2023-07-30/in-broiling-cities-like-new-orleans-the-health-system-faces-off-against-heat-stroke |
CHENGDU, China , July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhua:
On July 28, the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games officially commenced, captivating university athletes from various parts of the world with an opening ceremony that seamlessly blended historical and cultural elements with youthful passion.
The cultural performances showcased Chengdu's unique cultural features, with the "Sun and Immortal Birds" being a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage and a spiritual emblem. From the very first second of the countdown to the ignition, the presence of the "Sun and Immortal Birds" captivated the audience until the final moment of ignition. "Sunlight", serving as the core element, permeated the entire opening ceremony. Without the "Sun and Immortal Birds", the grand finale of igniting the flame would not have been possible. The countdown to the opening commenced amid the radiance of the "Sun and Immortal Birds," not only demonstrating the harmonious and inclusive spiritual character that the Chinese people have embraced since ancient times but also expressing best wishes for university students worldwide to shine as bright and warm as sunlight.
The opening ceremony combined the sense of technology with artistic beauty. During the entrance segment, colorful silk threads were projected onto the ground, creating a breathtaking display of traditional Chinese patterns formed by over 300 circular lines that adorned the entirety of the stadium's track. This symbolic imagery represents the aspirations of young athletes from around the world, as they embark on a glorious journey paved with the splendor of Shu embroidery. The guide signs held high by the ushers were made of Shu brocade, a renowned textile originating from the Chengdu region, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. Shu brocade stands as one of the four prestigious brocades of China. Meanwhile, Shu embroidery, one of the four famous embroideries in China, has a history of more than 3,000 years, originating from the Chengdu region. Both Shu embroidery and Shu brocade are hailed as treasures of the region.
In celebration of the 31st edition of FISU World University Games, 31 torchbearers were selected to light the flame tower. Among them, the illustrious Chengdu astronaut, Ye Guangfu, shone as a notable figure. Recognizing astronauts as the "closest beings to the sun," chief director Chen Weiya harnessed the brilliance of sunlight, transforming it into a dazzling blaze. After the 31 torchbearers jointly completed the ignition, the Sun and Immortal Birds radiated a stunning brilliance. They spiraled and ascended, igniting the 12 golden fireworks in the sky. Ultimately, they ignited the flame tower outside the stadium.
During the fireworks performance, the chief designer of the opening ceremony fireworks, Cai Canhuang, aptly named it "Golden Dreams." Golden fireworks illuminated the sky, accompanied by welcoming messages in both Chinese and English. As the flame tower of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games was ignited, the fireworks displayed the U-shaped emblem of the Games and the English theme "Make Dreams Come True." The fireworks artfully portrayed the image of a golden hibiscus flower, representing the city flower of Chengdu. Beyond symbolizing youth and vitality, the hibiscus also embodies the values of openness and friendliness, expressing the theme of "flowers welcoming guests."
The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games will feature a total of 18 sports events, and is scheduled to conclude on August 8. With athletes from 113 countries and regions, a staggering 6,500 athletes will compete across these 18 sports.
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SOURCE Xinhua | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:26 | 1 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever"
DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks.
The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City.
Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide.
Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented:
"When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board."
"The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added.
The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa.
Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries."
Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment."
Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers."
The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round.
To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com
For imagery and video, please download via this link.
For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on:
+974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa
For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar:
About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
Web: www.visitqatar.qa
About Raffles
Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless.
raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
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SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:32 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ |
Buccaneers Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
At +15000, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the third-longest odds of winning the Super Bowl as of December 31.
Watch the Buccaneers this season on Fubo!
Buccaneers Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the NFC South: +750
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +15000
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Tampa Bay Betting Insights
- Tampa Bay compiled a 4-12-1 ATS record last year.
- The Buccaneers and their opponents combined to hit the over six out of 17 times last season.
- Tampa Bay averaged 346.7 yards per game offensively last season (15th in ), and it allowed 324.3 yards per game (ninth) on the other side of the ball.
- The Buccaneers had a 5-4 record at home and were 3-5 away last year.
- When the underdog, Tampa Bay lost every game (0-3). But as the favorite put together a 8-6 record.
- The Buccaneers were 4-2 in the NFC South and 8-4 in the NFC overall.
Buccaneers Impact Players
- In 15 games last year, Mike Evans had 77 receptions for 1,124 yards (74.9 per game) and six touchdowns.
- Baker Mayfield threw for 2,163 yards (180.3 per game), completing 60.0% of his passes, with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 games.
- On the ground, Mayfield scored one touchdown and accumulated 89 yards.
- Chris Godwin had 104 receptions for 1,023 yards (68.2 per game) and three touchdowns in 15 games a season ago.
- In 17 games, Rachaad White rushed for 481 yards (28.3 per game) and one TD.
- As a playmaker on defense, Devin White posted 124 tackles, 8.0 TFL, and 5.5 sacks in 17 games last year.
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2023-24 Buccaneers NFL Schedule
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/buccaneers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:39 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/buccaneers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Older women struggling to conceive often find hope in an over-the-counter steroid hormone supplement called DHEA. Though evidence for its effectiveness is weak, DHEA has rocketed to prominence as a fertility booster thanks largely to one man: Norbert Gleicher.
How a renowned fertility doctor profits from an unproven supplement
There’s no definitive evidence that DHEA works as a fertility booster, and Norbert Gleicher doesn’t tell all his patients he owns a company that sells it
Gleicher tells most of his patients to take DHEA, short for dehydroepiandrosterone, to help their ovarian follicles mature in preparation for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Among the brands he recommends is one sold by a company he owns — an arrangement he acknowledged in an interview is a potential conflict of interest. He said he doesn’t always directly inform every patient of his ownership stake but “I think the patients who care, know about it.”
A publicity-conscious entrepreneur who prides himself on bucking consensus, Gleicher is part of a group of fertility gurus filling the yawning void of information around women’s reproductive health, sometimes with answers that benefit themselves financially. In recent years, Gleicher has gone into business with a former patient — obtaining patents with her for DHEA’s use as a fertility treatment — and partnered with a popular fertility book author who cites Gleicher’s research and recommends the supplement sold by his company, Fertility Nutraceuticals. His company’s prices are around four to seven times as high as other popular brands.
The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission warned Gleicher in 2021 to revise his claims for DHEA and two other products, saying they “are not generally recognized as safe and effective” for use as fertility boosters. Independent experts such as the Mayo Clinic caution against taking DHEA, citing “serious side effects” and a possible link to cancer.
Gleicher said he believes the evidence for DHEA is strong and that he is driven by a single goal: helping the most desperate patients get pregnant. “We wanted to become known as the center where you go if things don’t work elsewhere,” he said.
Women’s fertility begins to decline around age 30, and drops rapidly after 35. Still, a rising number of older women are seeking to get pregnant. In 2021, women over the age of 42 began more than 12,200 IVF cycles, according to preliminary data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, a 25 percent increase from 2020.
The average age of Gleicher’s patients is 43, and the population he treats is “by far the oldest of any reporting IVF center in the country,” he said. The vast majority come to his clinic after failing to get pregnant elsewhere.
DHEA is no miracle drug: Among his clinic’s patients over 40 using their own eggs, only 2 percent of IVF cycle starts resulted in live births in 2020, according to data collected by the federal government. That’s lower than the percentage for women over 40 at clinics nationwide, who report live births in 7.6 percent of attempts.
Gleicher says that, given the ages of his patients and their difficulty getting pregnant elsewhere, his success rate, however slight, is “actually pretty astonishing.”
“He works with a very different patient population, with very low chances to get pregnant at all,” said Emanuela Molinari, a former laboratory director at Gleicher’s clinic, the Center for Human Reproduction. “It’s kind of a hopeless idea.”
DHEA is a small part of a fertility process that is physically taxing — and expensive. Each weeks-long IVF cycle can cost upward of $20,000 for procedures and medications — meaning that women are often spending significant sums at Gleicher’s clinic for a minuscule chance at having a baby.
Gleicher said he is “brutally honest” with patients about what their chances are. “And then,” he said, “it is for them to decide.”
A lack of information
Reproductive and women’s health are infrequent and underfunded subjects of research, in part due to long-standing stigmas and gender biases, as well as restrictions on federal funding for research involving embryos. As a result, droves of people seeking to start families in later years are left struggling.
“You have patients who are, very frequently, desperate to find answers,” said Marcelle Cedars, director of the University of California at San Francisco’s Center for Reproductive Health.
Gleicher’s company is one of many that sell fertility-focused supplements, several of which have been criticized for alleged overpromising in their marketing. Unlike drugs, which must be proven effective before they go to market, U.S. regulation of supplements is more lax.
“You’re left to kind of scroll through Reddit and Mumsnet and all these weird places to see what kind of information you can glean,” said Hannah Horne-Robinson, 34, who lives in the United Kingdom and is trying to conceive. She has taken DHEA, along with other supplements, and is frustrated by a lack of scientific consensus on combating infertility.
“Women, myself included, we’re at a point of desperation,” said Rachel, 36, another woman struggling with fertility. She spoke on the condition that she only be identified by her first name because of privacy concerns. She lives in New York but is not a patient of Gleicher’s. After two miscarriages, she began taking DHEA and coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant, after reading about them on an online community board.
“If they told me to walk around with Q-tips sticking out of my ears, I’d do it,” she said.
Last year, Ali McMullin, 37, of Falls Church, Va., added DHEA to other supplements in her regimen. For months, she has timed the pills, powders, capsules and injections carefully throughout her day. She credits better results in her last two IVF cycles, in part, to DHEA.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine has issued no guidelines on the use of DHEA. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology said in 2019 that its use “is probably not recommended” for women who respond poorly to IVF, citing “inconsistent evidence.” Studies on DHEA’s effectiveness have been mixed.
And nothing is risk-free. Rachel, the New York fertility patient, said she woke up in the middle of the night recently with a racing heart two days after tripling her DHEA dosage to 75 mg per day, the standard therapeutic dose, at her doctor’s recommendation.
She told her husband it felt like she was having a heart attack. The feeling went away after she decreased her DHEA dosage. When she reported the issue to her clinic’s nurse, she was told that DHEA can cause an irregular heartbeat.
‘Fighting for every patient’
Gleicher’s prominence in the fertility field is partly owed to his prolific scientific research as well as an assiduous courting of public attention. The Polish-born septuagenarian’s YouTube videos on fertility sometimes exceed 100,000 views, and he and his research are cited by major news outlets.
In a drawn-out cadence, sometimes tugging at his tufts of sparse white hair, Gleicher is quick to list his accomplishments: being named an assistant professor at a young age at New York’s prestigious Mount Sinai School of Medicine, becoming a leading IVF provider in Chicago in the mid-1980s, and pioneering a new method of retrieving eggs during IVF, among others.
“You will have a hard time finding a person in the infertility field anywhere in the world who does not know us,” Gleicher said in 2021 during testimony in a civil case in New York, according to a transcript.
His career has earned him a lavish lifestyle. In Chicago, he owned a four-story mansion that was the setting for scenes in the 1993 movie “The Fugitive.” In a 2019 New York Times profile, he boasted of his extensive art collection and red Porsche SUV.
“I love beautiful things,” he told the newspaper.
In the 1990s, he built a chain of clinics across the country into an IVF behemoth, with the hopes of eventually taking it public. But a market downturn hurt the public offering, and instead, the company, Gyncor, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1999, owing creditors nearly $30 million. In the early 2000s, Gleicher moved his practice full-time from Chicago to New York.
Between 2017 and 2021, his New York practice conducted about 550 IVF cycles each year on average, according to data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.
His approach of working with older women to try to get pregnant using their own eggs has fans and detractors. Several CHR patients who were introduced to The Post by the clinic were grateful for the chance the clinic gave them.
“They’re fighting for every patient,” said one 45-year-old woman who encountered Gleicher through his clinic’s YouTube videos. She spoke on the condition that she not be named because of privacy concerns. After several failed IVF cycles at another, much larger clinic, the woman started treatment at CHR last year, and is now around six months pregnant.
In 2017, Gleicher touted an instance of a 47-year-old CHR patient who became pregnant with her own eggs and gave birth to a healthy girl.
But those success stories represent a fraction of outcomes. In 2018, Gleicher and his colleagues reported in a journal on the results of women aged 43 to 51 treated at CHR between 2014 and 2016. Out of 728 IVF cycles begun in that time, there were only seven live births, they said.
A patient — and business partner
Gleicher said he had never used DHEA in his practice until Dwyn Harben, a 42-year-old finance executive, came to his clinic in 2003. Unbeknown to Gleicher, she began taking DHEA after coming across a small study that showed it improved responses to fertility drugs.
Over the course of a year, in a remarkable 12 treatment cycles, Harben produced more and more eggs, according to news accounts.
“Her ovaries were behaving like those of [a] 20-year-old or 25-year-old,” Gleicher said in a 2004 interview with an outlet called ScienCentralNews, adding that he was “very optimistic — cautiously optimistic” about DHEA’s potential.
DHEA occurs naturally in the body, and its levels decline after early adulthood. Those who support DHEA use in fertility treatment believe it helps to mature ovarian follicles, the fluid-filled sacs that contain eggs, and improves egg quality. Gleicher said he only tells patients to take DHEA if their androgen levels are low, which he says makes them good candidates.
Most steroids are classified as controlled drugs, but DHEA has an exemption pushed in 2004 by a bipartisan team of senators friendly to the supplement industry. As a result, it can be sold over the counter. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration only as a vaginal insert to treat vulvar and vaginal atrophy.
In addition to the supplement’s use in fertility treatments, it has also been touted for anti-aging and muscle strength. In other countries, DHEA is more tightly regulated, and it is barred for use by athletes by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
After learning about DHEA, Gleicher took an unusual step for a doctor: He went into business with his patient.
In 2004, he and Harben — along with David Barad, another physician at Gleicher’s clinic — applied for a patent on using DHEA during fertility treatments. The trio received several patents on the use of DHEA. Barad did not respond to a request for comment. Harben received annual royalty payments resulting from the patents, she said in a deposition for an unrelated lawsuit in 2021.
Julie Livingston, a spokeswoman for Gleicher’s clinic, said in a written statement that “Dr. Gleicher is not in business with Ms. Harben. They are co-inventors on certain patents involving the use of DHEA.”
Harben ultimately produced and fertilized enough eggs to freeze at least 60 embryos during her treatment with Gleicher — although by 2008, at age 47, she had not tried to become pregnant, she said in a segment on CBS’s “The Early Show” that year, according to a transcript. She saw Gleicher, Barad and another doctor for fertility treatment into her mid-50s, according to statements she made in the lawsuit . It is unclear whether she ever became pregnant.
Harben also continued to take DHEA, according to her statements in the lawsuit. A doctor recommended she stop after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. She reduced her dosage but continued to take it, she said. The Mayo Clinic states that DHEA “might increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers, including prostate, breast and ovarian cancers.”
DHEA supplementation “does not, to the best of our knowledge, increase the risk that a woman will develop cancer,” Livingston said. She added that the clinic does not recommend that women undergoing treatment for hormone-sensitive cancers take DHEA without medical guidance.
Harben could not be reached directly, and a lawyer who represented her in the lawsuit did not respond to detailed questions. Gleicher said in an email to The Post that his staff had contacted Harben and that “she does not want to talk to journalists anymore.”
The supplement
Gleicher owes some of his fame to Rebecca Fett, a patent lawyer who had fertility struggles. In 2014, she published a book, “It Starts With the Egg,” that remains a top seller in the “Fertility and Infertility” category on Amazon.
Fett has drawn criticism on internet forums from some who say her approach pressures women to upend their lives and take multiple expensive supplements. Fett said she sees her role as analyzing and explaining “the science in a way that is clear and understandable.”
One chapter of her book is devoted to DHEA and details Gleicher’s research and recommends his brand, while noting that women should speak with their doctors before taking it. On her website, she recommends his brand and two much cheaper brands.
Fett said in an email that she began consulting for his company in 2020 but has no involvement in its DHEA product.
The website for Gleicher’s supplement company, Fertility Nutraceuticals, sells Fett’s books and until recently, described her as its “lead scientist” and said she has a doctorate and graduate law degree. Fett said in May that those statements are inaccurate and that she asked the company to remove them. Alexandra Rata, who works for Gleicher’s clinic and supplement company, said in a statement that they were “unaware that this statement was incorrect. It was immediately corrected on the website once the issue was brought to our attention.” Some of the claims were removed in mid-July.
Fertility Nutraceuticals was founded in 2011. Gleicher is the majority shareholder, he said, and sits on the board. Until federal regulators stepped in, it marketed its DHEA product as improving pregnancy chances, according to archived versions of its website. Now it says that DHEA “supports” ovarian and reproductive health.
The company presents its products as higher-quality than other brands, touting their development by “fertility clinicians.” It advertises its version of DHEA, called Fertinatal, as “pharmaceutical-grade.”
“Pharmaceutical-grade” has little meaning in the context of DHEA, said Tod Cooperman, founder of ConsumerLab.com, which reviews health and nutrition products. There are no set standards for it. “When they say ‘pharmaceutical-grade,’ they’re making up that term,” Cooperman said.
Gleicher said he got the term from the manufacturer. But Vitaquest, the supplement’s New Jersey-based manufacturer, said it did not provide that language. Rata, the Fertility Nutraceuticals spokeswoman, said that the company interprets the term to mean “stringent batch quality control.”
The company sells a four-week supply of its DHEA supplement, Fertinatal, for $79. Other widely available brands of DHEA cost between $15 and $25 for a month’s supply.
Gleicher said the prices reflect the cost of manufacturing, which he said is higher because it is a small company. Rata said the company’s prices may be higher because of “required ingredient quality and detailed quality control processes.”
Fertility Nutraceuticals is not publicly traded, so its revenue and profits are not known, and the company declined to comment on its finances. Internal documents from Gleicher’s clinic, filed in New York State Court as part of a dispute between the clinic and a former employee, show that it earned $537,000 in revenue from supplement sales between 2015 and 2017 and spent over $400,000 on supplement purchases from Gleicher’s company in that time.
Those documents also show that starting in 2015, Gleicher’s clinic also received more than $330,000 in royalties in that period for a settlement resulting from a patent infringement suit. Public records show that Gleicher’s company has sued six supplement retailers for selling DHEA, including one that settled in 2015. The details of those cases are not public.
One doctor filed a complaint with the FTC in 2021 against Gleicher’s clinic and supplement company, saying he was asked to recommend and sell Gleicher’s supplement line exclusively after being sued by the clinic, according to a copy of the complaint obtained through a public records request.
Gleicher’s clinic and supplement company denied the allegations through the statement provided by Livingston.
Gleicher said his supplement company hasn’t turned a profit for years. A former company executive stated on LinkedIn that Fertility Nutraceuticals generated around $1.7 million in revenue in 2022.
Gleicher appears to have been paid more than $5 million in total salary and wages from his clinic between 2013 and 2017, according to financial statements in court filings. The salary figures are recorded as being paid to the clinic’s “officer.” Gleicher is the sole owner of the clinic, he said in court testimony in late 2021. In an interview, he said there were other officers of the clinic and declined to state his salary.
Two patients of Gleicher’s clinic interviewed by The Post said they were not told of his ownership interest in Fertility Nutraceuticals, but that it did not bother them. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because of privacy concerns.
A third CHR patient, Nathalie Mantilla, 45, had one child through fertility treatments in 2021. She said Gleicher and Barad recommended Fertility Nutraceuticals’ products, saying they were higher quality, and that they told her about their affiliation with the company.
“They just said that, obviously, they have tons of testing on this product and they recommended that,” said Mantilla, who spoke with a Post reporter after being contacted by Gleicher’s clinic.
Livingston said in the statement that CHR does not “preferentially treat” his supplement line.
While selling your own supplement to patients raises eyebrows in some corners of the medical community, it isn’t a violation of the American Medical Association’s ethical code, as long as patients are informed in person or in writing and the product has scientific backing.
“Are we telling every patient one-on-one that we own the company? I cannot swear to that,” Gleicher said.
He acknowledged that owning a supplement company represents a “potential” conflict of interest but said disclosures in his clinic’s monthly newsletter and in scientific papers are enough notice. CHR’s May newsletter mentioned the patents and stated that the clinic’s employees receive royalty payments from and own shares in Fertility Nutraceuticals. A statement in the February newsletter more clearly stated that the clinic “and its principals” are shareholders in the supplement company.
“For a patient to say that they don’t know, it’s kind of, you have to be blind," Gleicher said.
The AMA declined to respond to a question regarding whether the newsletter mentions are sufficient disclosure, but an ethics expert said they are not.
“He definitely has to disclose his stake to the patients that he recommends these products to,” said Genevieve Kanter, a professor at the University of Southern California who has researched ethics in medicine. “If he hasn’t been disclosing his ownership interests to every patient during the visit, then he should have had a prominent written notice.”
Steven Joffe, chair of the department of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania, said in general there are not enough safeguards in place to ensure that medical professionals selling products to patients “are doing so in patients’ best interests.”
In 2021, the FDA and FTC sent a joint warning letter to Gleicher. The letter states that Fertility Nutraceuticals’ website claimed its DHEA product “has been show [sic] in multiple studies to … reduce miscarriage risk,” and along with another supplement, can “boost your chance of pregnancy or improve your IVF success rate.”
“The FTC is concerned that one or more of the efficacy claims cited above may not be substantiated by competent and reliable scientific evidence,” the letter said.
Gleicher said the letter was “totally unfair,” because “there was nothing on our website that A, we didn’t believe in, but more importantly, that we did not have … solid data for.
“I was in shock when it happened because we had this website with those statements for years,” he said.
The company revised its claims for its products and rebranded as Ovaterra in 2021, a move Gleicher and the company said was in the works before the federal warning.
Researchers are divided
Gleicher has co-authored studies that found better IVF results and higher pregnancy rates for those who took DHEA. But none of the studies used randomized, controlled trials — which medical experts say is the gold standard for demonstrating a drug’s efficacy.
Gleicher has argued against such trials for DHEA, writing in a comment to a medical journal in 2016 that DHEA was an “inexpensive and practically risk-free” treatment and that randomized, controlled trials for it would not be “worth the effort.”
That stance is “not acceptable from a scientific point of view,” said Peter Lurie, the president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a nonprofit advocacy group in Washington. “If you bring a product to market that raises the hopes of women experiencing infertility, you ought to be undertaking exactly those investigations.”
Other researchers have done randomized, controlled trials on DHEA use in IVF, with mixed results: One found a higher live birthrate among women who took DHEA, and another found higher pregnancy rates. But a third found no difference in response to fertility drugs, or IVF outcomes, between control and treatment groups.
Four reviews and meta-analyses in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2022 found no benefit to DHEA, especially when only the best-quality evidence was considered, while two others in 2016 and 2018 found that it improved live birth or pregnancy rates.
Rachel McConnell, an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University in New York, said her patients sometimes ask her whether they should take DHEA. She said she tries to ensure they understand what the literature says.
“It’s just not evidence-based medicine that we can say for sure is going to make a difference.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/30/fertility-supplement-dhea-gleicher/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:42 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/30/fertility-supplement-dhea-gleicher/ |
A large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand on Saturday killed at least ten people and wounded dozens, officials said.
The Narathiwat province's Public Relations Department also said that at least 118 people were hurt, and that residents of more than 200 households were affected. It said that officials believe there are still a number of people trapped under the debris waiting to be rescued.
Videos posted on social media from the site show a huge plume of smoke over the area and many damaged structures, cars and motorbikes, as well as streets covered with debris. Many of the houses and other buildings have collapsed roofs and walls.
The local public relations agency reported that the explosion caused damages in a radius of about 500 meters (1,640 feet). About 100 residences in the area were damaged, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
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Sanan Pongaksorn, the provincial governor, told public broadcaster Thai PBS that the blast was likely ignited by construction work that was taking place in the warehouse, with sparks from metal welding causing the fireworks stored inside to catch fire and explode. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/a-large-explosion-at-a-fireworks-warehouse-in-thailand-kills-at-least-10-people-and-wounds-over-100/3614476/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:42 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/a-large-explosion-at-a-fireworks-warehouse-in-thailand-kills-at-least-10-people-and-wounds-over-100/3614476/ |
CHENGDU, China , July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhua:
On July 28, the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games officially commenced, captivating university athletes from various parts of the world with an opening ceremony that seamlessly blended historical and cultural elements with youthful passion.
The cultural performances showcased Chengdu's unique cultural features, with the "Sun and Immortal Birds" being a symbol of Chinese cultural heritage and a spiritual emblem. From the very first second of the countdown to the ignition, the presence of the "Sun and Immortal Birds" captivated the audience until the final moment of ignition. "Sunlight", serving as the core element, permeated the entire opening ceremony. Without the "Sun and Immortal Birds", the grand finale of igniting the flame would not have been possible. The countdown to the opening commenced amid the radiance of the "Sun and Immortal Birds," not only demonstrating the harmonious and inclusive spiritual character that the Chinese people have embraced since ancient times but also expressing best wishes for university students worldwide to shine as bright and warm as sunlight.
The opening ceremony combined the sense of technology with artistic beauty. During the entrance segment, colorful silk threads were projected onto the ground, creating a breathtaking display of traditional Chinese patterns formed by over 300 circular lines that adorned the entirety of the stadium's track. This symbolic imagery represents the aspirations of young athletes from around the world, as they embark on a glorious journey paved with the splendor of Shu embroidery. The guide signs held high by the ushers were made of Shu brocade, a renowned textile originating from the Chengdu region, with a history spanning over 2,000 years. Shu brocade stands as one of the four prestigious brocades of China. Meanwhile, Shu embroidery, one of the four famous embroideries in China, has a history of more than 3,000 years, originating from the Chengdu region. Both Shu embroidery and Shu brocade are hailed as treasures of the region.
In celebration of the 31st edition of FISU World University Games, 31 torchbearers were selected to light the flame tower. Among them, the illustrious Chengdu astronaut, Ye Guangfu, shone as a notable figure. Recognizing astronauts as the "closest beings to the sun," chief director Chen Weiya harnessed the brilliance of sunlight, transforming it into a dazzling blaze. After the 31 torchbearers jointly completed the ignition, the Sun and Immortal Birds radiated a stunning brilliance. They spiraled and ascended, igniting the 12 golden fireworks in the sky. Ultimately, they ignited the flame tower outside the stadium.
During the fireworks performance, the chief designer of the opening ceremony fireworks, Cai Canhuang, aptly named it "Golden Dreams." Golden fireworks illuminated the sky, accompanied by welcoming messages in both Chinese and English. As the flame tower of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games was ignited, the fireworks displayed the U-shaped emblem of the Games and the English theme "Make Dreams Come True." The fireworks artfully portrayed the image of a golden hibiscus flower, representing the city flower of Chengdu. Beyond symbolizing youth and vitality, the hibiscus also embodies the values of openness and friendliness, expressing the theme of "flowers welcoming guests."
The Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games will feature a total of 18 sports events, and is scheduled to conclude on August 8. With athletes from 113 countries and regions, a staggering 6,500 athletes will compete across these 18 sports.
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SOURCE Xinhua | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:42 | 0 | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.
A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged.
The judge also rejected a motion by the defendants, which include prosecuting attorneys for the state, seeking to dismiss the case.
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The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintiffs, applauded the court's ruling, saying that the absence of a preliminary injunction would have jeopardized First Amendment rights.
“The question we had to ask was — do Arkansans still legally have access to reading materials? Luckily, the judicial system has once again defended our highly valued liberties," Holly Dickson, the executive director of the ACLU in Arkansas, said in a statement.
The lawsuit comes as lawmakers in an increasing number of conservative states are pushing for measures making it easier to ban or restrict access to books. The number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. last year was the highest in the 20 years the American Library Association has been tracking such efforts.
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Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world.
Laws restricting access to certain materials or making it easier to challenge them have been enacted in several other states, including Iowa, Indiana and Texas.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in an email Saturday that his office would be "reviewing the judge’s opinion and will continue to vigorously defend the law.”
The executive director of Central Arkansas Library System, Nate Coulter, said the judge's 49-page decision recognized the law as censorship, a violation of the Constitution and wrongly maligning librarians.
“As folks in southwest Arkansas say, this order is stout as horseradish!” he said in an email.
“I’m relieved that for now the dark cloud that was hanging over CALS’ librarians has lifted,” he added.
Cheryl Davis, general counsel for the Authors Guild, said the organization is “thrilled” about the decision. She said enforcing this law “is likely to limit the free speech rights of older minors, who are capable of reading and processing more complex reading materials than young children can.”
The Arkansas lawsuit names the state’s 28 local prosecutors as defendants, along with Crawford County in west Arkansas. A separate lawsuit is challenging the Crawford County library’s decision to move children’s books that included LGBTQ+ themes to a separate portion of the library.
The plaintiffs challenging Arkansas’ restrictions also include the Fayetteville and Eureka Springs Carnegie public libraries, the American Booksellers Association and the Association of American Publishers. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/federal-judge-blocks-arkansas-law-allowing-librarians-to-be-charged-for-loaning-harmful-books-to-minors/3614473/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:43 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/federal-judge-blocks-arkansas-law-allowing-librarians-to-be-charged-for-loaning-harmful-books-to-minors/3614473/ |
Ye's account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, was unsuspended Saturday, more than six months after it was banned over a post showing an image of a swastika inside a Star of David.
Elon Musk has not yet publicly commented and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"Twitter/X says Kanye West’s account is being 'turned back on.' It will be ineligible for a monetization and no ads will appear next to his posts, according to the company," New York Times technology reporter Ryan Mac tweeted. "This comes after he shared an image of a swastika a few months ago."
Musk said in a December post that Ye was suspended "for incitement to violence." The tweet was blocked by the platform for violating its rules.
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That wasn't the first time Ye got in trouble over his posts. In October 2022, his account was restricted over antisemitic comments but he returned to the platform the following month.
Ye has not tweeted anything since his account was unsuspended. His last post is Dec. 1, 2022, and was seemingly a jab at his ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
Read the full story on NBCNews.com here. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/yes-twitter-account-is-unsuspended-months-after-it-was-banned-over-swastika-post/3614472/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:45 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/national-international/yes-twitter-account-is-unsuspended-months-after-it-was-banned-over-swastika-post/3614472/ |
Jaguars Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:25 AM EDT|Updated: 49 minutes ago
The Jacksonville Jaguars have +2500 odds to win the Super Bowl as of December 31.
Watch the Jaguars this season on Fubo!
Jaguars Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC South: -155
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +2500
Looking to place a futures bet on the Jaguars to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
Jacksonville Betting Insights
- Jacksonville compiled an 8-9-0 record against the spread last season.
- Last season, eight Jaguars games went over the point total.
- Jacksonville put up 357.4 yards per game on offense last season (10th in ), and it ranked 24th on defense with 353.3 yards allowed per game.
- The Jaguars put up a 5-3 record at home and were 4-5 on the road last season.
- As a favorite last season Jacksonville picked up only two wins (2-3). As the underdog the Jaguars posted a record of 7-5.
- In the AFC South the Jaguars were 4-2, and in the conference as a whole they went 8-4.
Jaguars Impact Players
- Trevor Lawrence threw for 4,113 yards (241.9 per game), completing 66.3% of his throws, with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 17 games last year.
- On the ground, Lawrence scored five touchdowns and picked up 291 yards.
- Travis Etienne ran for 1,125 yards (66.2 per game) and five touchdowns in 17 games.
- In the passing game, Etienne scored zero touchdowns, with 35 receptions for 316 yards.
- In the passing game a season ago, Christian Kirk scored eight TDs, catching 84 balls for 1,108 yards (65.2 per game).
- In the passing game, Zay Jones scored five TDs, hauling in 82 balls for 823 yards (51.4 per game).
- Foyesade Oluokun had 184 tackles, 11.0 TFL, two sacks, and five passes defended last year.
Bet on Jaguars to win the Super Bowl and plenty more with BetMGM. Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
2023-24 Jaguars NFL Schedule
Odds are current as of July 30 at 5:25 AM ET. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER.
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/jaguars-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:45 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/jaguars-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — High winds blowing across the North Sea are delaying efforts to tow a burning cargo ship loaded with thousands of new cars to safety off the Dutch coast, the government said Sunday.
“The wind will continue to blow from the southwest for the next few days. The towing of the Fremantle Highway to the new temporary location may therefore still take several days to start,” the ministry said in an update Saturday night.
“The smoke from the fire and the wind direction mean that during the towing operation of the ship smoke is blowing over the tugboat,” it added.
Salvage crews on Saturday attached a second towing cable to the ship, which is transporting 3,783 new vehicles, including 498 electric vehicles, from the German port of Bremerhaven to Singapore. The salvage teams ultimately want to tow the stricken ship to a port but it is not yet clear where or when that will happen.
The ship has been burning since Tuesday. Firefighters decided not to douse the flames with water for fear of making the nearly 200-meters (219-yard) ship unstable as it floats close to North Sea shipping lanes and a world-renowned migratory bird habitat.
One crew member died and others were injured after the fire broke out. The crew was evacuated in the early hours of Wednesday.
The cause of the fire has not been determined. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/30/ship-fire-cars-dutch-singapore-bird-wind/de6eba76-2ebd-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:15:48 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/07/30/ship-fire-cars-dutch-singapore-bird-wind/de6eba76-2ebd-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
Slackline World Champion Jaan Roose pushes the limits: "Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever"
DOHA, Qatar, July 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Globally renowned Red Bull athlete Jaan Roose has completed the world's longest LED-lit, single-building slackline to cross one of Qatar's newest and most iconic architectural landmarks.
The Estonian national and three-time Slackline World Champion defied the odds by achieving the walk, titled "Sparkline," at the first attempt, walking the distance between the scimitar-shaped, Iconic Towers that are owned by Katara Hospitality and that are home to Raffles and Fairmont Doha in Lusail City.
Covering a distance of over 150 meters, the Sparkline walk is not only the longest on a single building, but also Jaan's second-highest walk to date at an elevation of more than 185 meters on a line just 2.5cm wide.
Speaking on the new world record set, Roose commented:
"When I first saw the Iconic Towers, I knew this was a building that I had to walk. Anything worth achieving comes with its fair share of challenges, and I'm proud to complete this one. Per metre walked, this line was my toughest ever. As an athlete, I'm always looking to push myself further and defy the odds. In this case the heat and wind conditions added a different element that I needed to react to and manage spontaneously while I was on the slackline. The warm LED lights and their extra weight also changed how the line interacted with me and my bodyweight. It's like skateboarding on a big heavy tree trunk rather than a light board."
"The Iconic Towers are an incredible place to be completing this feat and mark a very special visit for my first time in Qatar," Roose added.
The Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha are two luxury hotels that face each other in beautifully imposing structures shaped like scimitar swords. The towers are some of the latest to be added to Lusail City's expanding list of architectural marvels and create a distinct silhouette against the backdrop of the Arabian Sea. Featuring the world's tallest chandelier, the Fairmont Doha is a masterclass in design, while the suite-only Raffles Doha showcases a spell-binding entrance, a personal butler service and fine-dining delights by world-renowned chef, Enrico Crippa.
Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, Christian Hirt, expressed his excitement about the event being hosted at the Iconic Towers, saying "Raffles and Fairmont Doha have always celebrated the extraordinary, and this event embodies that spirit. The project serves to underline our commitment to showcasing high-calibre talents that defy the impossible. As this daring athlete 'Sparklines' across our towers, we hope it captivates the world and inspires others to push their boundaries."
Katara Hospitality's leadership commented: "We are proud of this activation, working alongside Qatar Tourism and Red Bull, as it exemplifies Katara Hospitality's commitment to utilizing the Iconic Towers as a powerful asset to promote tourism and enhance the destination's appeal. Through this event, we aim to showcase the extraordinary capabilities of the Iconic Towers and position them as a symbol of Qatar's excellence in hospitality and entertainment."
Commenting on the project with Jaan Roose, Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: "Qatar has built a sporting legacy for itself and is now a true hub for international sporting events. We're delighted to support the exhilarating slackline walk event and champion renowned athletes. By fostering a culture of athleticism, we strive to create opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and reach new heights in their athletic careers. In addition to its world-class sporting facilities, Qatar is home to a fresh and diverse suite of incredible hotels that make Qatar a global destination of choice for all travellers."
The Sparkline walk took place as part of an action-packed calendar of global events in Qatar. With several key sporting events expected to take place in 2023, including Qatar MotoGP, AFC Asian Cup, Qatar Formula 1 Grand Prix, and Geneva International Motor Show, visitors can expect extraordinary sporting experiences in Qatar all year round.
To know more about Jaan Roose, visit www.redbull.com
For imagery and video, please download via this link.
For media-related inquiries, please contact Qatar Tourism's Press Office on:
+974 3392 4466 | pressoffice@visitqatar.qa
For athlete-related media inquiries, please contact Red Bull Qatar:
About Qatar Tourism
Qatar Tourism's mission is to establish Qatar as a place where cultural authenticity meets modernity, and where people of the world come together to experience unique offerings in culture, sports, business and family entertainment, rooted in Service Excellence. Qatar Tourism will regulate and develop the tourism industry, encouraging investment from the private sector. It will set the national strategy for the tourism sector, reviewing it periodically and overseeing its implementation, with the aim of diversifying tourism offerings in the country and increasing visitor spend. Through our network of international offices in priority markets, and cutting-edge digital platforms, Qatar Tourism is expanding Qatar's presence globally and enhancing the tourism sector.
Web: www.visitqatar.qa
About Raffles
Founded in Singapore in 1887, Raffles Hotels & Resorts is where heritage meets modern hotelcraft. Raffles hotels, resorts, and residences are places where ideas are born, history is made and stories and legends are created. At landmark addresses around the world, Raffles' well-travelled guests and residents enjoy experiences that are culturally enriching, intellectually stimulating and always respectful of local communities, heritage and the environment. From one generation to the next, visitors arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family. Raffles can be found in key international locations including Singapore, Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Doha, Maldives, Udaipur, Phnom Penh, and Bali; with flagship openings upcoming in London, Boston and Macau. Progressively shaping the future of luxury hospitality as part of Accor, Raffles benefits from a world-class infrastructure and is a participating brand in the Group's lifestyle loyalty and guest recognition programme, ALL - Accor Live Limitless.
raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
About Fairmont
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is where the intimate equally coexists with the infinite – an unrivalled portfolio of more than 90 extraordinary hotels where grand moments of life, heartfelt pleasures and personal milestones are celebrated and remembered long after any visit. Since 1907, Fairmont has created magnificent, meaningful and unforgettable hotels, rich with character and deeply connected to the history, culture and community of its destinations – places such as The Plaza in New York City, The Savoy in London, Fairmont San Francisco, Fairmont Banff Springs in Canada, Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai, and Fairmont The Palm in Dubai. Famous for its engaging service, awe-inspiring public spaces, locally inspired cuisine, and iconic bars and lounges, Fairmont also takes great pride in its pioneering approach to hospitality and leadership in sustainability and responsible tourism practices. Fairmont is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,400 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.
fairmont.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com
View original content to download multimedia:
SOURCE Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:49 | 1 | https://www.cleveland19.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/record-set-qatar-worlds-longest-led-slackline-walk/ |
How to Watch the WNBA on Sunday: TV Channel, Game Times and Odds
Today's WNBA slate has lots in store. Among those six games is the Minnesota Lynx taking on the Connecticut Sun.
Catch live WNBA games, plus tons of other sports and shows, with a free trial to Fubo!
Today's WNBA Games
The Connecticut Sun take on the Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx look to pull off an away win at the Sun on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CON Record: 18-6
- MIN Record: 12-13
- CON Stats: 84.0 PPG (fifth in WNBA), 78.6 Opp. PPG (first)
- MIN Stats: 80.2 PPG (eighth in WNBA), 85.4 Opp. PPG (10th)
Players to Watch
- CON Key Player: Alyssa Thomas (14.5 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 8.0 APG)
- MIN Key Player: Kayla McBride (12.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.8 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -11.5
- CON Odds to Win: -818
- MIN Odds to Win: +525
- Total: 159.5 points
The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics
The Mystics travel to face the Dream on Sunday at 3:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: Bally Sports
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- ATL Record: 13-11
- WAS Record: 12-12
- ATL Stats: 85.0 PPG (fourth in WNBA), 85.1 Opp. PPG (ninth)
- WAS Stats: 81.1 PPG (seventh in WNBA), 80.3 Opp. PPG (third)
Players to Watch
- ATL Key Player: Rhyne Howard (18.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.4 APG)
- WAS Key Player: Brittney Sykes (14.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.6 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -6.5
- ATL Odds to Win: -250
- WAS Odds to Win: +197
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Los Angeles Sparks take on the New York Liberty
The Liberty hit the road the Sparks on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- LAS Record: 9-15
- NYL Record: 18-6
- LAS Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
- NYL Stats: 88.7 PPG (second in WNBA), 82.7 Opp. PPG (seventh)
Players to Watch
- LAS Key Player: Nneka Ogwumike (20.3 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.7 APG)
- NYL Key Player: Breanna Stewart (23.1 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.7 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -9
- NYL Odds to Win: -503
- LAS Odds to Win: +373
- Total: 167 points
The Indiana Fever face the Seattle Storm
The Storm hope to pick up a road win at the Fever on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
Records and Stats
- IND Record: 6-18
- SEA Record: 5-19
- IND Stats: 81.4 PPG (sixth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
- SEA Stats: 78.5 PPG (ninth in WNBA), 85.7 Opp. PPG (11th)
Players to Watch
- IND Key Player: Aliyah Boston (14.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 2.2 APG)
- SEA Key Player: Jewell Loyd (24.2 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 3.5 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -3.5
- IND Odds to Win: -161
- SEA Odds to Win: +133
- Total: 164.5 points
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The Chicago Sky host the Phoenix Mercury
The Mercury go on the road to face the Sky on Sunday at 4:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: ESPN3 and AZFamily
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- CHI Record: 9-15
- PHO Record: 6-17
- CHI Stats: 78.1 PPG (11th in WNBA), 82.5 Opp. PPG (sixth)
- PHO Stats: 75.8 PPG (12th in WNBA), 83.5 Opp. PPG (eighth)
Players to Watch
- CHI Key Player: Courtney Williams (9.2 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 6.0 APG)
- PHO Key Player: Brittney Griner (18.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 2.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -7
- CHI Odds to Win: -285
- PHO Odds to Win: +228
- Total: 156 points
The Las Vegas Aces take on the Dallas Wings
The Wings hit the road the Aces on Sunday at 6:00 PM ET.
How to Watch
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Stream Live: Fubo (regional restrictions may apply)
- Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
Records and Stats
- LVA Record: 22-2
- DAL Record: 14-10
- LVA Stats: 94.1 PPG (first in WNBA), 78.7 Opp. PPG (second)
- DAL Stats: 86.0 PPG (third in WNBA), 81.7 Opp. PPG (fourth)
Players to Watch
- LVA Key Player: A'ja Wilson (20.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG)
- DAL Key Player: Satou Sabally (17.6 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 4.0 APG)
Vegas Odds and Betting Lines
- Spread: -10
- LVA Odds to Win: -653
- DAL Odds to Win: +462
- Total: 173.5 points
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:51 | 0 | https://www.wcjb.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
BUCHANAN COUNTY, Va.
Recovery from that flash flood and a second, which struck the same county in far Southwest Virginia just 11 months later, has been spotty as cellphone service in these mountain hollers.
While Rife, 66, finally got settled in a house built by Mennonite volunteers, her retired coal-miner brother, Larry Dotson, remains stuck in a little shack — with a bedridden wife, a disabled son and no prospect for help thanks to a murky deed on the place he had called home for 40 years.
Renters such as Tim Stiltner are in a similar bind, denied government aid even though his family lost everything.
“All we got out with was what we had on,” said Stiltner, 49, who barely escaped the second flood in July 2022 with his wife and two sons, one of them in a wheelchair. “We still need some help.”
While nonprofits, businesses, neighbors and strangers have stepped up in sometimes extraordinary ways, federal, state and even local government have left some Buchanan County flood survivors feeling forgotten. That’s not a new sentiment in this ruggedly beautiful but poor part of the commonwealth, the pointy, left-hand corner on maps that, it’s often noted, is closer to eight other state capitals than to Richmond.
But the sense of abandonment has been especially raw since the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied aid to individuals affected by the twin floods in Buchanan, the only county in the state bordering West Virginia and Kentucky. The salt in that wound: FEMA based its decision on a complicated formula that makes it harder for people in poor communities to qualify for help than those in wealthier ones — an issue nationwide that the agency’s own advisory council criticized as part of a broader study in 2020.
On Aug. 30, 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida dumped 7 inches of rain on Hurley, a tiny community in the northern part of the county, killing an 85-year-old woman, destroying 19 homes and causing major damage to about two dozen more, according to a tally by the United Way of Southwest Virginia. Not quite a year later, another storm starting on the night of July 12, 2022, swamped Whitewood and Pilgrim’s Knob, about 20 miles to the south. That flood took no lives but wiped out 21 homes and caused major damage to 25 others.
FEMA helped after both disasters to rebuild public infrastructure such as roads and bridges, but the agency turned down two state requests for direct aid to individual homeowners. Appeals to President Biden from Virginia’s two Democratic senators, Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, and Rep. H. Morgan Griffith (R-Va.) went nowhere.
FEMA partly based its decision on a dollars-and-cents calculation that makes perfect sense in Washington: The agency figures that states have the wherewithal to help individuals unless the total value of properties lost is enormous. To residents of Buchanan, though, FEMA’s math does not add up: Why would the feds rather bail out the owners of posh beach homes lost to hurricanes, they wonder, than poor mountain people wiped out by floods?
“The person with the $3 million home probably has the resources to go somewhere and get additional lodging more than someone with a $30,000 or $50,000 home — and that’s literally all they have,” said state Sen. Travis Hackworth (R-Tazewell), who grew up in Buchanan and represents the area in Richmond.
Rife thinks they ought to charter buses to Washington with picket signs declaring: “Hillbilly lives matter, too.”
Warner and Kaine have urged FEMA to change its eligibility criteria to better serve rural communities, so far without success.
Eligibility rests not on a firm “dollar amount threshold,” but on a combination of factors, including property loss and the state’s financial resources, a FEMA spokesperson said in an email to The Washington Post Friday. The spokesperson did not respond to questions about how the agency’s approach might disadvantage disaster victims in poor, rural communities.
A 2020 report by FEMA’s National Advisory Council blasted several recovery programs that “provide an additional boost to wealthy homeowners and others with less need, while lower-income individuals and others sink further into poverty after disasters.”
Virginia does have money to help. Ranked among the nation’s 10 richest states, it happens to be awash in black ink at the moment, wrapping the last fiscal year on June 30 with revenue that exceeded estimates by $5 billion.
At the urging of Del. James W. “Will” Morefield (R-Tazewell), the General Assembly slipped $11.4 million into its budget early last year for homeowners rebuilding from the first flood. Youngkin put about the same amount in his proposed budget this year for victims of the second flood, and the sum could swell to $18 million if Morefield and Hackworth get their way.
But a protracted budget standoff has held that help hostage in Richmond. Whenever it’s approved, that money will be for homeowners only. State funding for flood-prevention programs is wrapped up in divisive climate politics. Kaine secured $1.5 million in the draft Senate appropriations bill for the Appalachian Service Project, a nonprofit that has been helping renters as well as homeowners rebuild in Buchanan. But the final bill has yet to pass.
Unless or until that money comes through, most renters will be left to their own, frayed bootstraps.
Columbus and Victoria Fleming moved into a rented double-wide in Pilgrim’s Knob as newlyweds two years before the flood. He is a heavy-equipment operator at a mine, she, an ambulance driver for a non-emergency transport service.
After the disaster, they moved about 20 miles west to the county seat in Grundy, where they are still digging themselves out financially.
“We was renting there, so we didn’t get no help,” said Victoria Fleming, 50, referring to government assistance.
While the couple did receive $500 from the United Way and a handful of $60 Lowe’s gift cards from the county, that is far less than what they needed to make their new place livable.
A friend let the Flemings move into his vacant double-wide in Grundy under a rent-to-own deal for $300 a month — cheaper than the $500 they were paying in Pilgrim’s Knob. But the place was in rough shape, with repairs on the couple’s dime.
With no running water for the first month, they had to shower at the firehouse where Columbus volunteers. To flush the toilet, they relied on a pump and hose they hooked up in a nearby creek.
A year after the flood, they are still ripping out floors and walls and insulation to rid the place of mold, buying sheetrock and other supplies on a payment plan offered by Lowe’s. That is on top of payments they are still making on furniture they bought for Pilgrim’s Knob, all of which was destroyed.
They are thankful they survived, thankful for the double-wide, fixer-upper or not. For the donated furniture. And for the used car that the foreman at the mine where Columbus works just handed over one day, unannounced, like it was nothing.
“We may not have everything,” Victoria Fleming said, “but we have each other, so we’re still holding on.”
At times, though, the Flemings cannot help but feel like they did a year ago when the floodwaters suddenly gushed into their rental. They ripped through the ceiling to reach the rafters, where they waited for help.
“Nobody came to us,” she said.
The pair hung on there for six hours, until the water that at one point reached the collarbone of 6-foot-3 Columbus subsided. They waded out on their own.
Recovery takes time
Other flood victims count themselves lucky, including Joe and Doris Ward of Pilgrim’s Knob, who, like everyone The Washington Post interviewed, said they could not afford flood insurance. They still marvel over acts of kindness large and small.
“Fella I grew up with, no kin to me, he came by, gave me a Food City gift card for $200,” said Joe Ward, 81. “I didn’t even know he remembered me hardly.”
A woman who teaches school with the Wards’ daughter in a neighboring county put them up temporarily in a trailer. They finally settled permanently in a donated double-wide that is worth more than the cinder block house they lost last year.
Using money from the United Way, they had it moved to property beside their daughter’s house in Honaker, a tiny community in Russell County, about 25 miles south of their old place.
“We’ve just been blessed,” said Doris Ward, 79.
Recovery from major natural disasters is always going to be a long process, said Travis Staton, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Virginia.
“Typically, 24 to 36 months is a good turn-around,” he said. “Overall, we are making tremendous progress.”
The nonprofit raised about $1 million for Hurley relief, with $850,000 of that “already out the door” to residents, he said. It raised $928,000 for Whitewood and Pilgrim’s Knob, with close to $500,000 of that already distributed.
Much of the money goes into building materials, which volunteer laborers from Mennonite Disaster Service use to build new houses and other groups put into repairs.
“It takes a lot of money to build a house even with volunteers,” Staton said.
Oddly enough, there has been an upside to having back-to-back calamities. Buchanan County set up a long-range rebuilding committee after the first flood and was able to quickly expand its mission to cover the second, said Butch Meredith, construction manager for the Baptist General Association of Virginia, which is coordinating repairs to homes that can be salvaged.
“When Hurley happened, it took two months before any repairs … started,” he said. “When Whitewood happened, it took less than seven days.”
Which is not to say the job is anywhere near done.
“I’ll be the first to admit, everything wasn’t touched,” he said. “There are people that feel that they were overlooked.”
Help comes easily, for some
Ten houses used to share a scenic stretch of Dismal River Road along with the tiny Pilgrim’s Knob Post Office.
Just one, situated above an 8-foot basement, survived last year’s flood along with the post office that sits on a rise across the street. That house belongs to Robert Rife, no relation to Yvonne Rife, who washed with her house down the swollen creek in Hurley.
“I’m one of the few lucky ones,” said Robert Rife, 69, a retired teacher and auto body repairman who’s lived on the spot with his wife for 46 years.
It took weeks for Mennonite and Amish church volunteers, working with shovels and wheelbarrows, to clear 4 feet of mud from his basement. But the rest of his house stayed dry. Even his prized pickup — a teal 1972 Chevy that he managed to move to higher ground — came through without a scratch.
Coal companies with operations in that part of the county quickly cleared wreckage of destroyed homes and other debris, regraded the land and seeded it with grass. As Rife sat outside one late afternoon this month, taking in the open vista and his vegetable garden full of corn, it was hard to imagine there’d been a flood there, or a neighborhood, for that matter.
It was a far different story on the other side of the county in Hurley. No private companies volunteered to take on demolition, so the job was left to the county. Work began less than two weeks ago — nearly two years after the flood.
Rita Wolford said she had to pester county officials to start removing the splintered shells of trailers, small wood-frame houses and larger split-levels littering the banks of Guesses Fork — eyesores she feared posed a health risk, given the mold festering on the ruined contents still strewn inside.
“There’s a lot of black mold when the wind blows,” said Wolford, 70, a retired nurse.
Trey Adkins, a county supervisor, was on the scene that day as an excavator tore into the first house, the site of the lone fatality. He said it wasn’t a simple matter for the county to start ripping down ruined houses. The supervisors had just recently passed a resolution, he noted, to approve the use of county equipment for the job.
Wolford lives hundreds of feet above Guesses Fork in one of the area’s grander homes. She shares it with the man she married at age 16, Mike, a 73-year-old former game warden and federal mine inspector who worked his way up to owning a series of mines with his brothers.
The creek would never rise high enough to reach them, the Wolfords thought as the heavy rain began. And they were right. Yet from the mountains above came a mudslide studded with enormous rocks and trees.
“The trees just came down in bundles,” she said.
There was no damage to the couple’s showstopping, second-floor trophy room, with one wall devoted to taxidermy mounts from an African safari, a zebra skin draped over the couch. But their first floor was soaked, their 40-foot swimming pool filled with mud.
The house is cleaned up now, and the pool is converted to a vegetable garden, its diving board still in place at the old deep end. Wolford said her real loss is one that cannot be measured in dollars.
Before the flood, all five of her sisters lived nearby, two within walking distance. They’d gather almost every night after dinner on the “baby” sister’s front porch, right by the house where they’d grown up, drinking coffee and chatting.
“We’re all parted now,” said Brenda Blankenship Coleman, 69, one of the sisters, who lost her house and resettled in a double-wide in Grundy with her 50-year-old son, Robbie, who has cerebral palsy. The place is brand new, decorated in stylish grays and taupes, but she misses Hurley. She hated to leave but could not find any flat land there outside the flood plain.
Both sisters got help from Richmond, but Wolford figures some level of government contributed to the disaster with what she sees as misguided environmental policies. Every two or three years when she was growing up, the families who lived along Guesses Fork would pay somebody from the coalfields or a construction company to bring in a big piece of equipment to “dip out” — dredge — the creek.
“And see, they stopped letting them do that because, they said, ‘OK we have this salamander, you can’t do that. We have this crawdad,’” she said. “It used to be probably 20 foot deep. It’s not 10 foot deep [now].”
A source of animated debate in Richmond is whether the floods in Buchanan and other parts of the state are the result of climate change. Democrats and climate activists criticize Youngkin for trying to pull out of the greenhouse gas compact known as RGGI.
Part of sweeping environmental legislation that also set a goal of going carbon-free by 2050, RGGI created a carbon cap-and-trade market among states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic. It has raised more than $657 million in revenue for Virginia since early 2021, nearly half of it for flood preparedness. Buchanan was among the first counties to tap the RGGI funding in October 2021 and Southwest Virginia overall has received nearly $3.3 million in grants.
“Every year, more and more Virginians are losing everything they have to floods and extreme weather,” said Mandy Warner, director of climate and clean air policy at the Environmental Defense Fund. “Governor Youngkin’s anti-climate agenda shows a failure to accept basic science and a willful ignorance of his own voters’ well-being.”
Youngkin sees RGGI as a “carbon tax” — one that he says has done nothing to reduce emissions as utilities fully pass on the cost to ratepayers. Rather than relying on RGGI money, he has proposed plowing $200 million in state general funds into the Resilient Virginia revolving loan fund for flood prevention projects.
“We have funding,” he said about a week ago in Richmond, as he prodded legislators to reach a deal on the budget. “We should set it aside and prepare for these kinds of tragedies so that we don’t find ourselves a year later still arguing about whether there should be support of $11 million to go to Buchanan County.”
The RGGI debate seemed beside the point to Adkins, the county supervisor, as he oversaw demolition of the house in Hurley, relatives of the woman who died there looking on solemnly. He wants money to guard against future floods, perhaps by rechanneling the creek. He does not care where it comes from.
“It’s going to come from somewhere,” he said. “We’ve had a lot of politicians here, not a lot of action on the creek.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/07/30/recovering-twin-southwest-virginia-floods-rough-rough-ride/ | 2023-07-30T10:15:54 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/07/30/recovering-twin-southwest-virginia-floods-rough-rough-ride/ |
The warning signs were there even before Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stepped onto the stage at a luxury hotel near Miami.
When DeSantis arrived at the gathering in early July, he gave what two people who attended described as a familiar and lackluster speech.
“It kind of came off like a bar mitzvah speech,” said a party member who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal from Miami-Dade GOP leaders. “The only time people really applauded was when he was introduced, and when he was done. In between it was clanging plates and people talking to each other.”
That evening offered a snapshot into a conundrum for the DeSantis campaign: While the governor runs on a platform to “make America Florida,” his support in the Sunshine State is showing signs of teetering. The governor’s uphill battle in his own state is a troubling sign at a moment when his campaign is struggling to regain momentum.
If a GOP primary were to be held today, multiple polls show DeSantis would resoundingly lose to former president Donald Trump in the state both men call home.
A March survey of nearly 1,500 voters living in the state by the University of North Florida found Republicans favored DeSantis over Trump by more than 30 points. DeSantis had the support of 59 percent of those questioned, compared with 28 percent for Trump. But more recent polling has consistently shown him trailing behind the former president.
The most recent poll by Florida Atlantic University found that of more than 900 Republican voters questioned, 54 percent would vote for Trump if a primary were held immediately, compared with 37 percent for the governor in a one-on-one matchup.
Political analysts say Florida offers a litmus test for how well DeSantis can appeal to a larger audience beyond early primary states. In attempting to win over conservative voters outside the state, some supporters now fear he may have turned away those who propelled him to success in Florida.
DeSantis’s allies note his overall approval rating in Florida remains strong and say DeSantis is still finding his footing as a presidential candidate.
“It’s too early to write him off,” said Republican state Rep. Spencer Roach, who represents the Fort Myers area. “There’s still plenty of time for him to catch fire and get the momentum going.”
But even Roach said DeSantis would find a more receptive audience if he focused his message on the economy rather than “the woke war and covid.”
Several former DeSantis supporters echoed those remarks, with many expressing particular concern over policies like the state’s new abortion law. Surveys show most Floridians support access to the procedure, but DeSantis backed a six-week abortion ban recently passed by the legislature. Republican detractors also point to his ongoing feud with Disney and the amount of time he is spending out of state.
All of those concerns were on display at the Miami-Dade County GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Many in attendance had volunteered on the governor’s reelection campaign last year. He’d flipped the county from blue to red for the first time in 22 years. Eight months later, sentiments had shifted.
Some were disgruntled by a last-minute DeSantis campaign request that the local Republican Party pay $25,000 for the private plane he used to travel to Miami for the event, according to a person with direct knowledge of the demand. Members of the Log Cabin Republicans, the nation’s oldest conservative LGBTQ+ organization, decided not to attend after DeSantis released a campaign video in late June attacking Trump’s past support for the community.
The DeSantis campaign did not return a request for comment on the governor’s poll numbers in Florida or the private plane travel payment request to the Miami-Dade GOP.
“We believe he is setting the wrong tone for the direction of the Party,” Joe LaFauci, chairman of Log Cabin Republicans Florida, said in a statement. “To alienate common-sense gay and swing voters is to reject the same people who carried DeSantis in 2022.”
A turn right
DeSantis rode a wave of enthusiasm after his decisive 19-point reelection win over his Democratic challenger last November. Without even having announced his candidacy, he soared to the top of polls in the GOP presidential primary.
The governor frequently brings up his victory on the campaign trail.
“If people see that you’re willing to fight for them, if they see that you’re willing to take arrows for them, they will come out and support you,” DeSantis said in a recent speech to the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council conference. “They will be willing to crawl over hot coals barefoot to be able to support you.”
But voter surveys indicate that there were limits to how far that support might take him in a primary vote, particularly against Trump.
In the April FAU poll, 57 percent of the nearly 1,100 registered Republicans surveyed indicated they would vote for Trump, compared with 33 percent for DeSantis. The governor’s numbers improved in a late June survey, but the poll still showed Trump with a double-digit advantage over the governor.
The former president’s command over DeSantis in polls occurred as the governor was turning further right on a range of issues. The GOP supermajority in the legislature was moving quickly ahead with a slate of conservative bills banning gender-affirming care for minors, restricting drag shows, enacting tough new immigration restrictions and expanding a controversial education law that forbids instruction related to gender identity in the classroom.
DeSantis signed all into law.
Camille Fiveash voted for DeSantis twice and is now considering leaving the party to become a Democrat. She said the governor began losing her support with laws that led to books being removed from schools, and then with legislation targeting the LGBTQ+ community.
When he signed the six-week abortion ban and then a law that eliminates permanent alimony, Fiveash was outraged.
“We didn’t elect him to do those things,” she said.
Fiveash is a member of First Wives Advocacy, a group for divorced women who have successfully fought — until this year — efforts to rewrite state alimony laws to make it easier for spouses to end payments to their exes, an issue that impacts women far more than men. DeSantis vetoed a similar bill last year.
The governor’s move right on two issues directly impacting female voters — alimony and abortion — is at odds with the more moderate stance most Republican women in Florida back.
First Wives Advocacy founder Jan Killilea said women from across the country reached out to share their thoughts since DeSantis signed both bills into law. Killilea voted for DeSantis twice but thinks he has probably lost the support of many GOP women — in Florida and beyond.
“I had a woman from Washington state tell me she was going to support him for president before, but now she’ll never vote for him,” she said. “A lot of my Republican friends on Palm Beach who left the Democratic Party say the abortion bill is going to make them go back. They have daughters, and they’re all concerned about that.”
Asked whether she’ll support DeSantis or Trump in the primary, Killilea pauses.
“There will be other names on the ballot besides those two,” she said.
No longer on ‘Team DeSantis’
Some Republican business owners, meanwhile, are questioning DeSantis’s meddling into the operations of private corporations. The governor’s feud with Disney has captured the most headlines, but tensions have been simmering since early in the pandemic.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings sued DeSantis in 2021 over a law that prohibits businesses from requiring proof of a coronavirus vaccine. Executives in the cruise line industry — which brings in an estimated $8.5 billion to the state — said they had the right to take action to keep their customers safe as the delta variant was sweeping across the nation.
DeSantis argued that nobody should be able to demand “vaccine passports” from people who did not want to get what he called “the jab.” A U.S. district judge sided with Norwegian, but that decision was later overturned in 2022.
Now as a presidential candidate, DeSantis has used his battle against Disney — and the “woke indoctrination” he says the company promotes in its content — as part of his stump speech.
The dispute erupted after Disney’s former CEO publicly criticized the bill opponents call “don’t say gay,” restricting lessons and discussion on gender identity in public schools. The bill was a signature piece of legislation during a reelection year. DeSantis responded by dismantling the special taxing district the company had used for half a century to build its theme park hub.
This year, he ramped up the feud by replacing Disney’s board members on the taxing district with his own handpicked appointees.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has called DeSantis’s actions “anti-business.” Two months ago, Disney canceled a $1 billion construction project in the state.
Some Republicans in the town of Celebration, built by Disney as a residential area close to the Magic Kingdom, say DeSantis has lost their support because he picked a fight that, if anything, spells financial uncertainty for local restaurants and businesses that rely on park visitors. The new DeSantis board members are now weighing cost-cutting measures like eliminating $8 million for overtime police protection on Disney’s properties.
A lobbyist in Tallahassee who mostly works with GOP clients said the Disney imbroglio — and DeSantis’s zeal for publicly chastising the company that many consider to be the keystone to Florida’s $102 billion tourism industry — has alarmed CEOs and tarnished the governor’s brand. He said a number of business leaders are no longer on “Team DeSantis,” but won’t admit it publicly, for fear of reprisals from the governor.
“The Disney fight was really a huge distraction,” said the lobbyist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, out of concern he would jeopardize his work with clients who have business before the governor. “It really undermines what people originally liked about him.”
‘He’s betrayed Trump’
One week after DeSantis spoke at the Miami-Dade County Lincoln Day Dinner, Donald Trump was 60 miles north, giving a speech in West Palm Beach. The crowd at the Turning Point Action Conference greeted the former president with raucous enthusiasm.
When anyone mentioned DeSantis — who skipped the event to campaign in Iowa — the convention center reverberated with boos.
“He ran to be our governor for the next four years. He’s getting paid by taxpayers, but he’s very seldom even in the state,” said Rocco Talarico, a Palm Beach County Republican and longtime Trump supporter. “He’s running against Trump, and I don’t like that. I feel like he’s kind of turned around and stabbed him in the back.”
Talarico said if DeSantis had waited until 2028 to make his presidential bid, he would have had the full support of most Trump Republicans in Florida. Trump won the Sunshine State in 2016 and again by a larger margin in 2020. In some parts of the state, it has already become common to see Trump 2024 bumper stickers and flags on vehicles.
“Most people feel that he’s betrayed Trump,” Talarico said of DeSantis. “That’s hard to forgive.”
Aubrey Jewett, a political science professor at the University of Central Florida, said Trump poses a unique challenge for DeSantis. On one hand, the governor has strong support in the state legislature — where 100 of 111 GOP members of the Florida House and Senate have endorsed his presidential bid.
“Rank-and-file Republicans went along with him because he was so powerful in Tallahassee,” Jewett said. “The fear of DeSantis was because he won by 19 points. He was so popular with voters.”
But outside Tallahassee, the picture muddies. At least 11 members of the Florida GOP congressional delegation have endorsed Trump. Most gathered with the former president at his Mar-a-Lago residence in April. A photo shared by one representative showed them seated at an opulent dining table.
DeSantis, meanwhile, has struggled to win endorsements from the Florida delegation. He recently became embroiled in an argument with the only Black member of the GOP delegation over the state’s new Black history school curriculum standards, which the governor has defended despite widespread outcry.
Alan Pincus, a Palm Beach County Republican who is running for Congress, said DeSantis, if he loses, may not have a political future in Florida, with some voters so turned off by his decision to take on Trump that they won’t vote for him again.
“DeSantis has no chance of winning,” said Pincus, who voted for DeSantis for governor. “He really hurt himself, maybe permanently.”
Longtime Florida political analyst Susan MacManus said it’s too early for DeSantis fans to give up on winning the state. His tepid poll numbers in Florida may show the support he got for his covid policies is “starting to wear off,” but she said most voters aren’t thinking about the GOP primary right now. The state’s Republican contest is slated for March 19.
“Summer vacations are ending, the kids are getting ready to go back to school, and people are not taking a hardcore look at who they’ll vote for next year,” said MacManus, a retired University of South Florida political science professor. “Floridians just don’t pay a whole lot of attention to the minutiae of politics in the summer. It’s too hot.”
In Miami-Dade, the local GOP is officially neutral on which candidate to support in the primary, despite having invited DeSantis as headliner to its annual fundraising bash. Kevin Cooper, vice chairman of the party’s executive committee, said that means the Florida governor isn’t the only one they hope to welcome for a visit in the near future.
“We’re looking forward to inviting President Trump to Miami-Dade County,” he said. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/30/desantis-trump-florida-gop-primary/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:00 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/30/desantis-trump-florida-gop-primary/ |
LOS ANGELES — Josh Hooks piled cleaning equipment into his pickup truck. Rubber gloves, bathroom brushes, a vacuum cleaner held together by duct tape, all props for a role he hoped he would never need to play again: An out-of-work actor struggling to pay his bills.
His Hollywood star was finally rising. Now he cleans apartments.
Josh Hooks is doing whatever it takes to survive during the historic double strike
“We are all just scrambling to keep our heads above water,” Hooks said. He is one of many thousands. Despite the sparkle that is synonymous with Tinseltown, most of the actors working in America’s dream factory do not earn enough to live. Instead, they take on side gigs, known bleakly as survival jobs, to fund their Hollywood hopes. These dire conditions are at the heart of the historic double strike, a work stoppage the unions hope will usher in new protections for actors and writers during a time of rapid change.
But until they are resolved, the strikes also mean less work for people like Hooks. And there have been ominous signs that they could stretch on for some time. An anonymous studio executive recently told the entertainment news outlet Deadline that “the endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses.”
For Hooks, that threat is not just rhetoric. One of his bank accounts is overdrawn by $320, and his other one has just 35 cents. His credit card debt is mounting, collection agencies call every day, and he is desperately trying to cobble together enough money to pay rent on his studio apartment in West Los Angeles.
This is not the life he imagined when he moved here from a small town in Georgia in 2009, following the path of so many others who have been drawn to the Golden State by promise of celebrity. “The glitz and glamour is what the general public sees,” Hooks said. “The reality is anything but.”
‘Just out there scraping by’
The dual strikes have highlighted a vast and growing inequality in Hollywood. According to the actors union, known as SAG-AFTRA, about 80 percent of members make less than $27,000, while some studio bosses pull in more than $100 million a year.
The dominance of streaming has led to shorter television show seasons and shrinking residual payments. On top of those shifting economics, the emergence of artificial intelligence has threatened to replace human labor altogether, redefining what the Hollywood dream could look like for future generations of aspiring stars.
“It is an existential strike,” said Steven J. Ross, a historian at the University of Southern California and an expert on Hollywood labor issues. If artificial intelligence is widely adopted, “those creative workers may never work again in the industry they love. They are striking to save their careers and their ability to make a living.”
The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, a trade group representing the studios in the negotiations, said the demands from writers and actors are unreasonable, an overreach that will hurt an industry still reeling from the pandemic.
The strikes, which have already taken a toll on the local economy, could cost California billions, a blow that would be particularly painful after the state reported an estimated $32 billion budget deficit. This week, the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) offered to help broker a deal between the studios, the writers and the actors, a sign that state leaders are concerned about the ramifications of a prolonged work stoppage.
Meanwhile, the striking workers are already feeling the effects. The Entertainment Community Fund, an organization founded more than 140 years ago to provide aid to professional artists, has seen a massive increase in people seeking assistance.
In Los Angeles, the number of grants distributed per month tripled in May, when the first strike began. Since then, the fund has given out $2.3 million, or about $1,800 per person, said Keith McNutt, the western region director of the organization.
The timing is especially hard on actors, who may have been out of work for months or years during the pandemic, wiping out their savings, McNutt said. “So many people are middle class, just getting by paycheck to paycheck.”
“It is a very uncertain life. And the sad thing is because the public only knows the famous people, they think everyone who is an actor is doing well. But the vast majority of people are really just out there scraping by one job to the next,” he added.
‘His back against the wall’
Hooks grew up in rural towns in the South in the 1980s and 1990s. He played college baseball, tended bar and watched his friends take jobs at factories. All along, he wanted to be an actor, but it took him years to admit it and even longer to commit. In 2009, he loaded up his silver stick-shift Mustang and drove across the country, from Georgia to Los Angeles, with all his possessions and about $3,000. “I was totally cool until I got to the L.A. city limits,” he said.
That was when reality set in. Times were hard almost immediately. Hooks landed a job at a smoothie bar inside an upscale gym, which came with a free membership, a perk that gave him a place to shower and change when he ran out of money and had to sleep in his car. It took him awhile to find stable housing. He married and divorced, and he drifted from one survival job to the next, working as a caregiver for an Alzheimer’s patient and as the part-time manager of a Sunset Boulevard strip club.
“I never thought it would be something that just works out,” Hooks said about his acting career. “I always knew it would be hard. But nothing is going to make me stop. That was my mind-set. I have always had that optimistic mind-set.” Slowly, he built his résumé.
He was an uncredited baseball player in “Moneyball” and played minor roles in shows for FX and NBC. He moved out to Atlanta during the pandemic, worked as a nanny and started a business taping auditions for actors. Still, he could not afford to forgo a survival job. In 2022, he began working as an escort, going on a few dates for about $500 each. It was not steady work, he said, but it allowed him to spend more time focused on acting.
Hooks returned to Los Angeles this year, hoping to replicate the success of his self-tape studio and land enough clients to avoid picking up another side gig. Two friends loaned him $25,000 to convert the living room of his lofted apartment into an audition taping studio with professional lighting and sound equipment.
And his acting career picked up. He scored a recurring role on the ABC show “Will Trent,” playing a mustachioed Atlanta police detective who dished out misogynistic one-liners in the two-part finale of the crime procedural. In one scene, he dismisses a hunch by a female officer in an authentic Georgia accent: “You’re out of your league, rookie,” he says.
Hooks also landed a role on the Apple TV Plus show “Swagger” and was nearly cast in a commercial that could have paid more than he has ever made. More confident than ever, Hooks was dismayed when he heard SAG might strike. He abstained from the vote and hoped it would not happen. Now, aside from a small budget indie short, work has slowed to a halt, for him and his studio, A Place to Tape.
Friends like Jim Amerman have tried to talk Hooks into a career change, offering to connect him to a sales job that pays a six-figure salary. “I mentioned that to him a few days ago and I did not even see his eyes light up,” said Amerman, a financial planner who has helped Hooks file his taxes. “He just wants to do what he is passionate about. Even with his back against the wall.”
‘How much should he suffer?’
Most people never make it a dozen years in Hollywood. After all that time, Hooks is still genteel. His beard is now flecked with gray, and he works out rigorously to maintain the lean, muscular frame required by the characters, like police officers and suave villains, he often portrays. Sticking it out has taken devotion and immense faith that a big break is just around the corner.
But his ambitions are modest: Hooks would like to be a television series regular. No more side projects, no more survival jobs. A dream career, he said, would be like that of Barry Pepper, a respected and versatile character actor whose long track record includes roles in “Saving Private Ryan” and “True Grit.”
Hooks practices relentless positivity, but not everyone around him is convinced. Erik Cardona, a screenwriter and author, said the optimism is a defense mechanism, a way to carry on after sacrificing so much time and energy. “He is convincing himself to get out of bed every day, because he has to, because he made a deal with himself,” Cardona said. “He will never quit.”
The two are around the same age, and they have been hustling to make it in Hollywood for years. Cardona, who has a book deal and commercial writing jobs, is in a better place financially. But he remains skeptical of an industry that has worn down so many in his social circle. He believes Hooks has enough talent and drive, but he knows the odds are stacked against him.
“Hollywood loves to tell a story about how anybody can make it,” Cardona said. “It is Hollywood propaganda.” The story goes like this: A kid from nowhere goes to California with a dollar and a dream, and takes a few lumps before eventually clawing his way to stardom, a la “La La Land.”
But it is almost never like the movies. More often, the dreamer struggles, like Hooks. “The guy is going to go out on his shield,” Cardona said. “He is just going to suffer until he makes it. But when? There is no promise of that. And how much should he suffer for doing something he loves?”
This week, Hooks attended his first picket, outside Sony Studios in Culver City. He threw on a black shirt that read “SAG-AFTRA Strong,” picked up a sign and joined the line. He walked for about two hours under the morning sun before he had to leave: Hooks had agreed to clean Cardona’s apartment in nearby Venice that afternoon.
He hauled a bag of equipment through the back door, trailed by his aging French bulldog Dixie, and found an envelope with his name on it. Cardona left him $50 and a joint as payment, not enough to live on, Hooks said, but it would put gas in his truck.
It was a few days until rent was due, and a few weeks until he would start a bartending job, so he needed all he could get. After an hour of scrubbing and mopping, Hooks had sweated through his shirt. An hour later, folding his friend’s laundry, he said he still had faith that a big break would come.
“That is an audition that could roll into my email from my agent any day,” Hooks said. “I could audition for it and get that thing. One job like that can change your whole financial life, and it can come around when you least expect it.”
Michael Cavna contributed to this report. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/30/hollywood-actors-strike-survival-jobs/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:06 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/30/hollywood-actors-strike-survival-jobs/ |
CHICAGO — More than a third of the heat-trapping gases cooking the planet come from growing and raising farm animals, but millions of cattle, pigs and other animals get to stay cool in the United States and other parts of the developed world.
More intense summer heat resulting from emissions-driven climate change means animal heat stress that can result in billions of dollars in lost revenue for farmers and ranchers if not properly managed. But technology often insulates livestock in richer countries — another way global warming exacerbates the gap between wealthy and poor nations.
The U.S. is the world’s largest producer and consumer of beef by volume. People have been drinking less milk in the U.S. but eating more cheese, and government programs still support dairies across the country. About 20% of all global greenhouse gas emissions come from animal-based food products, said Atul Jain, a professor in the department of atmospheric sciences at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign who studies the interactions between climate and human activities like agriculture.
Livestock producers in other parts of the world can’t adopt measures to beat the heat as easily as farmers in the U.S. A 2022 study in the Lancet Planetary Health found that cattle heat stress losses will be far greater in most tropical regions than in temperate regions, due to higher climate impacts and the relatively higher price of measures to adapt to climate change.
Many experts advocate for people in countries like the U.S., where diets are heavy with animal products, to eat less meat and dairy. But big, industrial farms in developed countries are relatively efficient, so to meet global demand with fewer animals, less-developed countries will also need to access the kind of technology that can make them more productive in the face of extreme heat.
“Those innovations bring me a lot of hope,” said Mario Herrero, a professor of food systems and global change at Cornell University who coauthored the Lancet Planetary Health study. “It’s a matter of how do we deploy them.”
This winter, the McAllister family of New Vienna, Iowa, installed new fans above the beds where their cows lie, and they’re happy with the updates. Their cows are already showing signs of improved welfare, like chewing more cud, and there’s more heat ahead this summer.
“We’re going to do what’s best by our cows no matter what is or isn’t going on with climate change,” said Megan McAllister, a sixth-generation dairy farmer. Her husband’s family has been farming for five generations.
September feels like another August these days, McAllister said.
“We want to make the right investments to better our cows, better our businesses that are our dairies, and make sure we’re here for the long haul and that we are thinking about sustainability,” she said.
Making that investment, of course, has a price: more fans for cooling means higher energy bills. That’s something Dr. Michelle Schack, a dairy veterinarian based in Arizona, has noticed as well. She said that the farmers she works with are well-prepared for the blistering heat the state has seen this year, because as research on animal health has improved, they’ve invested in infrastructure.
But it costs a lot.
“Fans and misters, let’s not forget, are hugely expensive, not only to install but the amount of electricity they take is insane,” Schack said.
That could be partly addressed with cheaper solar power integrated into agricultural projects. But regardless, “it’s going to be a challenge, a financial challenge” for more farms to adopt heat mitigation strategies, said Gerald Nelson, a professor emeritus at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a coauthor on the Lancet Planetary Health study.
Nelson described how different, heat-tolerant animal species or even something as simple as shade structures and extra water supplies can make a big difference when adapting to heat.
Information can help too. A team of USDA and university scientists recently launched a new app called HotHog that uses local weather data to help farmers anticipate conditions that might be uncomfortable for their pigs. And Chip Redmond, a meteorologist at Kansas State University, helped develop a seven-day animal comfort forecast tool for beef farmers that takes into account temperature as well as factors like humidity and wind.
As part of his work with Kansas State, Redmond gives presentations to producers and the general public, and he said that climate change has come up in conversations.
Both he and Jackie Boerman, an associate professor in the department of animal sciences at Purdue University, said that they recognize that farmers have to deal with the effects of climate change every day.
“We want to cool cows, but we also have to recognize that we want to also be environmentally sustainable,” Boerman said. Those two ideas are, she said, “sometimes a little bit at odds with each other.”
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Follow Melina Walling on Twitter @MelinaWalling.
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Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about AP’s climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2023/07/30/farming-ranging-global-warming-green-house-gases-heat/d80384d4-2eb6-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:12 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2023/07/30/farming-ranging-global-warming-green-house-gases-heat/d80384d4-2eb6-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
Throughout their time with the Navy football team, center Lirion Murtezi and wide receiver Jayden Umbarger were used to hearing Ken Niumatalolo discuss the finer points of the triple option. Niumatalolo’s extensive experience helped keep the Midshipmen among the most productive rushing offenses in the nation for more than a decade, so Murtezi and Umbarger, two of four senior captains this season, always made sure to listen intently when the coach spoke.
But following three straight losing seasons, Navy parted ways with Niumatalolo after 15 years and promoted Brian Newberry, who had been defensive coordinator for the previous four seasons. Newberry’s input, informed by his background in defense, has provided a fresh frame of reference.
“We’ve been here for a long time, so we’ve had to go against Coach Newberry” in practice, Murtezi said Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. “The defense [Newberry] runs is very hard — a lot of different schematics and other things that make it really hard for our offense. … He has to coach against other triple-option teams at the other academies, so having his perspective on things he’s seeing that work offensively and don’t work is awesome, and I think at the end of the day it helps us.”
Newberry’s contributions have been particularly valuable as the Midshipmen welcome a first-year offensive coordinator who is moving up a level. Grant Chesnut arrived in Annapolis this offseason after serving as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Football Championship Subdivision squad Kennesaw State since the program was founded in 2013 (and began play two years later).
Chesnut oversaw a spread option that ranked in the top three in the FCS in rushing in six of the past seven years. The Owls led the FCS in rushing in 2017 and 2019 and set a program record for rushing in 2018, averaging 352.9 yards to rank second nationally.
Over the past three years, Navy’s rushing offense didn’t reach its lofty standard, causing the program as a whole to struggle. In 2020, a season racked by the coronavirus pandemic, the Midshipmen ranked 52nd in the Football Bowl Subdivision at 177.6 yards per game, by far their fewest in the triple-option era, as they went 3-7. In 2021, they were up to ninth at 225.5 yards but went 4-8. Last year, they averaged 241.2, good for fourth nationally but well behind rivals Air Force (326.7, first) and Army (289.4, second). Navy, which finished 4-8, lost to both to fall to 1-5 in the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series since 2020.
The triple option will remain Navy’s base attack, Newberry said, but will add wrinkles in hopes of keeping opponents off-balance. Newberry retained a handful of longtime assistants, including quarterbacks coach Ivin Jasper and assistant head coach/offensive line coach Ashley Ingram, to boost continuity.
“Having both-sides-of-the-ball experience, [Newberry is] kind of seeing things differently,” Umbarger said of the new head coach, who played quarterback and safety in high school. “... It’s been really helpful having him around.”
The most meaningful decision facing Newberry and Chesnut is determining who will be their starting quarterback when Navy opens against Notre Dame on Aug. 26 in Dublin. Tedros Gleaton, a sophomore, is atop the depth chart but did not take a snap last season. The native of Waldorf, who played at North Point High, split time with fellow sophomore Blake Horvath during spring practice as last year’s starters, seniors Tai Lavatai and Xavier Arline, rehabbed after injuries.
Lavatai started the first eight games in 2022 until a knee injury suffered during an overtime win against Temple ended his season. He finished with 309 yards and five touchdowns on 115 carries and completed 42 of 91 attempts for 787 yards and five scores with three interceptions.
Arline started the last four games and had the Midshipmen on the cusp of defeating Army in double overtime in the finale before a fumble by Anton Hall Jr. at the goal line led to the Black Knights prevailing, 20-17. Arline sat out spring practice because of an injury suffered as a starting attackman on the lacrosse team.
With the first week of preseason camp complete, Newberry did not specify a date when a starting quarterback would be named, but he did provide a general timeline.
“Ideally … that week leading into the game week, you’d like to have those guys identified,” he said. “And I feel confident we’ll have a real good grasp on it at that point because you’ve got to start focusing on the guys who are getting the majority of the reps. So I think we’ll be there — and maybe even earlier than that, truthfully. That’s my hope.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/30/navy-triple-option-brian-newberry/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:18 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/07/30/navy-triple-option-brian-newberry/ |
MELBOURNE, Australia — Carla Qualtrough, recently named Sports Minister in Canada, voiced her support for the national team’s fight for equal pay and support during a visit to a training camp in Melbourne before its make-or-break Women’s World Cup match Monday against Australia.
Canada must avoid a loss to co-host Australia in the last group-stage game to guarantee it advances to the Women’s World Cup knockout round.
The visit by Qualtrough, who took up her post Wednesday, follows the team releasing a social media statement Friday announcing an interim agreement reached with Canada Soccer. The deal covers the players’ compensation for 2023, including Women’s World Cup prize money.
“The women are desperate to have equal treatment,” Qualtrough said. “I’m confident that we’re going to get there, but we all have to keep going in this.”
The Olympic champions have been trying to negotiate an equal pay agreement for more than a year. Their statement expressed “disappointment” with the interim deal.
“It was kind of nice to hear a message from home about some of the inspiration we’re providing,” Canada midfielder Jessie Fleming said of Qualtrough’s visit.
Qualtrough said the interim agreement was a “very good first step” but added she wanted to be hesitant in her answer because of ongoing discussions between Canada Soccer and the players.
Qualtrough, a former Paralympic swimmer, said she plans to meet with Canada Soccer officials and “really dig in on some of the issues (she’s) been watching unfold from the sidelines.”
“I’m behind the women 110%,” she said.
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Savannah Hernandez is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-canada-equal-pay/1fe73526-2ec0-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:24 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-canada-equal-pay/1fe73526-2ec0-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
NEW YORK (AP) — Chatter on one of Prabha Rao’s WhatsApp groups exploded last week when India announced that it was severely curtailing some rice exports to the rest of the world, triggering worry among the Indian diaspora in the United States that access to a food staple from home might soon be cut off.
As in any crisis situation — think bottled water and toilet paper— some rushed to supermarkets to stock up, stacking carts with bags and bags of rice. In some places, lines formed outside some stores as panic buying ensued.
But Rao, who lives near Syracuse, New York, was reassured when the proprietor of her Indian market sent out an email to customers to let them know there was no need to worry: There was an ample supply of rice.
At least for now.
An earlier than expected El Niño brought drier, warmer weather in some parts of Asia and is expected to harm rice production. But in some parts of India, where the monsoon season was especially brutal, flooding destroyed some crops, adding to production woes and rising prices.
Hoping to stave off inflationary pressures on a diet staple, the Indian government earlier this month imposed export bans on non-Basmati white rice varieties, prompting hoarding in some parts of the world.
The move was taken “to ensure adequate availability” and “to allay the rise in prices in the domestic market,” India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced July 20. Over the past year, prices have increased by more than 11%, and by 3% over the past month, the government said.
Non-Basmati white rice constitutes about a fourth of the rice exported by India.
“On WhatsApp, I got a lot of messages saying that rice was not going to be available. I think there was a lot of confusion in the beginning because, as you know, rice is very important for us,” Rao said.
“When we first heard the news, there was just mild confusion and people started panic buying because they thought that it may not be available,” she said.
There are scores of different varieties of rice, with people having their preference depending on taste and texture. India’s export ban does not apply to Basmati rice, a long-grain variety that is more aromatic.
The ban applies to short-grain rice that is starchier and has a relatively neutral flavor — which Rao says is preferable in some dishes or favored in specific regions of India, especially in southern areas of the country.
At Little India, a grocery store in New York City’s Curry Hill neighborhood in Manhattan, there was no shortage of Basmati rice and other varieties.
That wasn’t the case at other Indian groceries.
On its Facebook page, India Bazaar, an Indian grocery chain in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, told customers not to panic. “We are working hard to meet all our shoppers’ demands,” the post said.
Customers cleared shelves and waited in long lines to stockpile bags of rice, reported NBC Dallas affiliate KXAS.
“They really wanted to purchase ten, 12, 15 bags,” India Bazaar’s president, Anand Pabari, told the station. “It was a really crazy situation.”
India’s move came days after Russia backed out of a deal to allow Ukrainian wheat safe passage through the Black Sea, prompting warnings that the action could lead to surging prices.
Some economists say the ban might further hurt food supplies around the world, and some governments have urged the Indian government to reconsider the export ban.
At least in the United States, the supply of imported rice from India may not yet be a problem — despite the panic buying — but a long-term ban would certainly deplete that stock.
Roa says she and others will just have to adapt by purchasing rice grown in the United States or imported from other countries.
“I might have to substitute Basmati rice,” she said, “but it doesn’t taste that good, especially with South Indian dishes.”
A U.S. resident for three decades, Rao said she is accustomed to improvising.
“When we first came here, there was not even that much rice from India,” she said. “So I’ve learned to substitute, and I’m fine with the other brands that we get.” | https://phl17.com/business/ap-business/ap-india-cuts-rice-exports-triggering-panic-buying-of-food-staple-by-some-indian-expats-in-the-us/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:28 | 1 | https://phl17.com/business/ap-business/ap-india-cuts-rice-exports-triggering-panic-buying-of-food-staple-by-some-indian-expats-in-the-us/ |
MELBOURNE, Australia — Morocco’s teams are getting used to upsetting higher-ranked opponents on soccer’s biggest stage.
Despite an opening 6-0 loss to Germany, the Atlas Lionesses are in contention for a spot in the knockout stage ahead of their last group game against Colombia on Friday.
“We need to savor the win tonight, all together,” Morocco head coach Reynald Pedros said. “From tomorrow, this game is behind us. What’s important is what is going to happen against Colombia.”
In the men’s World Cup last year, Morocco strung together its own run of upsets. The team advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 1986 and became the first African or Arab nation to reach the World Cup semifinals. The team caught attention with wins over Belgium, Canada in the group stage, followed by knockout wins over Spain and Portugal before a semifinal loss to France.
The women’s team has already made Women’s World Cup history as the first Arab or North African nation to qualify.
“We have the same sense of determination and motivation, that this is a dream that’s going to come true, as with the Qatar World Cup, where the men were able to make history,” Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak said before the tournament started. “We hope we can replicate the same achievements of the men’s team.”
A FIFA ban on playing in religious head coverings in its sanctioned games for “health and safety reasons” was overturned in 2014.
Against South Korea, Benzina played a part as Morocco rebounded from the lopsided loss to two-time champion Germany — a match Pedros described as “David versus Goliath.”
Shifting the team’s mindset and rotating in “fresh legs” allowed the Atlas Lionesses to get off “to a blinding start” and create chances, Pedros said. “We were very active, very aggressive.”
The Atlas Lionesses surprised the soccer world by upsetting the eleven-time Africa Cup of Nations champion Nigeria on penalties in the semifinals of the AFCON 2022 tournament. Morocco hosted the tournament and finished runner-up to South Africa after a 2-1 loss with over 45,000 in attendance, earning a spot at World Cup being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
In 2020, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation laid out a four-year women’s soccer investment plan including youth development programs and funding for women’s professional clubs, in hopes that its women’s team, which had not qualified for AFCON in two decades, could make a statement on the global stage. Morocco will host the AFCON tournament again in 2024.
“We can have more and more players feeding into the national team,” Pedros said of the federation’s development. “We’re talking about us, the first team, the under-20s, the under-17s. We’re talking about very long standing work we’re starting right now.”
Coming from a region passionate about men’s football but historically slower to embrace the women’s game, Pedros and his players recognize the impact that each Moroccan match has.
“Those that love football have male role models,” Pedros said. “What we want in Morocco is that those that love football have female role models as well.”
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Cassidy Hettesheimer is a student at the University of Georgia’s Carmical Sports Media Institute.
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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-morocco-south-korea-hijab/6342e84a-2ebd-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:30 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-morocco-south-korea-hijab/6342e84a-2ebd-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said Saturday that Sri Lanka is a key partner in a Tokyo-led initiative aimed at building security and economic cooperation around the Indo-Pacific but also at countering an increasingly assertive China.
Sri Lanka, strategically located in the Indian Ocean, is integral to realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific, Hayashi said. He was speaking after a meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Ali Sabry, in the capital, Colombo.
The initiative, announced by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in March includes Japan’s assistance to emerging economies, support for maritime security, a provision of coast guard patrol boats and equipment and other infrastructure cooperation.
Last year Sri Lanka, which owed $51 billion in foreign debt, became the first Asia-Pacific country since the late 1990s to default, sparking an economic crisis.
While Japan is Sri Lanka’s largest creditor, about 10% of its debt is held by China, which lent Colombo billions to build sea ports, airports and power plants as part of its Belt and Road Initiative. In March, China agreed to offer Sri Lanka a two-year moratorium on loan repayments.
Hayashi said that he conveyed expectations for further progress in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process. He welcomed Sri Lanka’s efforts under an agreement with the International Monetary Fund, which includes anti-corruption measures and transparency in the policy-making process.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Sabry said that he, along with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, invited Japan to resume investment projects already in the pipeline and to consider fresh investments in sectors such as power generation, ports and highways, and dedicated investment zones, as well as in the green and digital economy.
Over many decades, Japan became one of Sri Lanka’s key donors, carrying out key projects under concessionary terms. However, relations between the two countries came under strain after Wickremesinghe’s predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa unilaterally scrapped a Japan-funded light railway project following his election in 2019.
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has already approved a proposal to restart the railway project.
Rajapaksa was forced to resign in July 2022 amid angry public protects over the country’s worst economic crisis. | https://phl17.com/business/ap-business/ap-with-one-eye-on-china-japan-backs-sri-lanka-as-a-partner-in-the-indo-pacific/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:31 | 1 | https://phl17.com/business/ap-business/ap-with-one-eye-on-china-japan-backs-sri-lanka-as-a-partner-in-the-indo-pacific/ |
AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Sophie Roman Haug’s hat trick kick-started Norway’s dormant offense and sparked a 6-0 blowout win over the Philippines on Sunday that moved the Norwegians into to the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
Norway’s spot in the round of 16 was secured when Switzerland and New Zealand simultaneously played to a 0-0 draw and the Norwegians. Norway and New Zealand were tied in Group A but Norway advanced on goal differential. New Zealand became the first host country to be eliminated in the group stage in tournament history.
Before the game, Norway had not scored in three consecutive Women’s World Cup matches dating to the quarterfinals of the 2019 tournament.
But Roman Haug one-timed a ball into the net in the sixth minute, and scored again 11 minutes later. Caroline Graham Hansen added a long-distance shot in the 31st minute.
Roman Haug completed the hat trick in injury time.
In the second half, an Alicia Barker own goal in the 48th minute and Guro Reiten’s penalty kick in the 53rd minute extended Norway’s lead to 5-0. Filipina defender Sofia Harrison received a red card in the 67th minute for using excessive force, and the Philippines played the rest of the match a player down.
Eden Park was turned into a makeshift home match for the Philippines, as the Filipina fans screamed in unison any time the Philippines touched the ball, even as the deficit grew.
The Philippines were fresh off of a historic 1-0 win over co-host New Zealand that marked the first Women’s World Cup win for the debutantes.
KEY MOMENTS
Roman Haug got the Norwegians off to a hot start. The first of her two goals was a left-footed volley from inside the six-yard box in the sixth minute. Eleven minutes later, Roman Haug scored a header delivered by a Vilde Boe Risa cross. Roman Haug’s header flew over the reach of Philippines goalkeeper Olivia McDaniel.
Graham Hansen scored on a long-distance strike that curled into the bottom left corner in the 31st minute to give Norway its third goal of the half.
From that point on, Norway was in control.
WHY IT MATTERS
The win advances Norway to the knockout stage after the Norwegians found themselves in last place in Group A heading into the Philippines match.
The Norwegians had yet to score in 2023 before their six-goal eruption.
WHAT’S NEXT
Norway will play either Japan or Spain in the round of 16 next Saturday, depending on the results of a game between those Group C teams on Monday.
The inaugural tournament run ends for the Philippines, who needed at least a draw to have a chance of moving on.
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Zach Allen is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
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AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-norway-philippines/867f98ca-2eb9-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:36 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-norway-philippines/867f98ca-2eb9-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
Nearly two years after 10 people were crushed to death during the deadly 2021 Astroworld festival, no charges have been filed — even though some people, including event workers, expressed safety concerns.
Pinpointing “who exactly caused those deaths is not an easy question to answer,” said Sandra Guerra Thompson, a criminal law professor at the University of Houston Law Center.
“It’s a very difficult thing to say, unless you have some kind of clear evidence that somebody in charge, whose job it was to ensure safety and who should have known better, failed to take action,” she said.
A nearly 1,300-page report on the investigation into the tragedy released by Houston police Friday said contract worker Reece Wheeler told authorities that he saw a crush of people and warned an event organizer that people could die, shortly before rapper Travis Scott went onstage.
In the report, investigators wrote that Scott said he did see one person near the stage getting medical attention, but said that overall, the crowd seemed to enjoy the show. He said he did not see any signs of serious problems, nor did he hear anyone tell him to stop the show.
Hip-hop artist Drake, who also performed, told police it was difficult to see from the stage what was going on in the crowd and that he didn’t hear anyone call for the show to stop.
Despite no charges being filed, more than 500 lawsuits have been filed over the deaths and injuries at the concert, including many against concert promoter Live Nation and Scott. Some of those suits have since been settled.
Those who were killed ranged in age from 9 to 27, and all 10 people died due to compression asphyxia, according to medical examiners.
In June, a Texas grand jury declined to indict six people in the case, including Scott. Prosecutors said, then, that the circumstances of the deaths limited what charges they were able to present, eliminating potential counts such as murder, manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
Thompson said the sheer number of people involved in putting on the event, the large scale of it, and the high bar for proving criminal negligence or recklessness are challenges for prosecutors in cases like this.
“It goes back to, who knows what’s going on, is that being communicated?” she said. “Were they being told that people have died, and they still wanted the concert to go on? Or, were they being told that ‘Hey, some people are getting hurt, which might not be that unusual at an event like that?”
Assistant Harris County District Attorney Alycia Harvey said after the grand jury declined to issue indictments that prosecutors were left with only possible counts of endangering a child in connection with the deaths of the two youngest concertgoers, ages 9 and 14.
Scott’s lawyer, Kent Schaffer, has said that the performer was not responsible for the tragedy.
“He never encouraged people to do anything that resulted in other people being hurt,” Schaffer said.
Scott has previously said he was unaware of the deaths until after the show. He has since created what he called Project HEAL, a $5 million initiative that includes funding for an effort to address safety challenges for festivals and large-scale events.
The police report said Scott told investigators that around the time Drake came onstage he was told to end the show after the performance, but that no one told him of an emergency.
Following the tragedy, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott formed a task force to study concert safety, and to recommend crowd control and security measures during mass gathering.
The task force in April 2022 reported that people without tickets entered the outdoor festival area hours before the performances began, overwhelming staff and leading to a variety of injuries. It also concluded that the process for issuing permits for mass gatherings is inconsistent statewide.
The task force recommended creating a command center that is authorized to pause or cancel a show in response to safety concerns.
“Sometimes, sadly, industries learn safety practices following disasters,” said Thompson, the law professor. “The standards for live concerts like this, I would imagine, are going to change.”
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Miller reported from Oklahoma City, Willingham reported from Charleston, West Virginia. | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-10-people-died-at-the-astroworld-music-festival-two-years-ago-what-happens-now/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:38 | 0 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-10-people-died-at-the-astroworld-music-festival-two-years-ago-what-happens-now/ |
Once I became a Christian, I was determined to be happy with who I am. However, with every voice telling me, “You’re a hypocrite,” you can’t feel good about yourself. You still struggle, you still have weakness.
BRO. JIM RUTLEDGE is from Amory.
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Once I became a Christian, I was determined to be happy with who I am. However, with every voice telling me, “You’re a hypocrite,” you can’t feel good about yourself. You still struggle, you still have weakness.
This is when I must have the boldness to say, “Yes, that’s true but I’m still on the potter’s wheel. I’m not a finished vessel yet. He’s still working on me.” I’m growing and I’m changing. In the meantime, I feel good about me. My destiny is too important to let that heaviness weigh me down.
My time is too valuable to be sitting around thinking about everything that’s wrong with me. That would be taking away my joy, my energy, my creativity and my anointing. I start looking away from all that. I’m on the potter’s wheel. I’m not going to change overnight. It’s going to happen little by little.
But if you’re always down on yourself because you think you’re not far enough along and you’re not growing as fast as you would like, you’ll live frustrated. It’s very freeing when you can be happy with who you are, even though you have some areas in which you still need to improve.
Think about the Apostle Paul. He said, “The things I want to do, I don’t do. The things I don’t want to do, I end up doing.” Even he wasn’t perfect. He still struggled in some areas.
If the Apostle Paul had lived down on himself, thinking, ‘Why can’t I get it right?,’ he wouldn’t have written almost half of the books of the New Testament. He wouldn't have become one of the heroes of faith. He didn’t have it all together, and you don’t have to have it all together in order to do something great.
If you’re waiting ‘til you overcome all your weaknesses until you perform perfectly and then you’re going to feel good about yourself, you’ll be waiting your whole life.
There are some weaknesses that God leaves on purpose so we have to depend on Him. Otherwise, we would think we could do it all in our own strength. Why don’t you start feeling good about yourself right where you are? If Paul could accomplish all that he did with his flaws and weaknesses, you can accomplish your dreams with what you’re dealing with.
By God’s grace, I am changing little by little. I know there are areas of my life that need improvement; this, I cannot change in my own strength so I depend upon God to bring about change.
When you’re on the potter’s wheel, you need the right attitude, be pliable. What God started in your life, He’s going to finish.
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BRO. JIM RUTLEDGE is from Amory.
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 8 PM CDT THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Heat index values up to 108 degrees expected. * WHERE...Portions of East Arkansas and North Mississippi. * WHEN...From noon today to 8 PM CDT this evening. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses to occur. 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. &&
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.djournal.com/monroe/opinion/from-the-parson-s-pen-he-s-still-working-on-me/article_d758785c-16b3-11ee-a55a-1392c1a4f26c.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:41 | 1 | https://www.djournal.com/monroe/opinion/from-the-parson-s-pen-he-s-still-working-on-me/article_d758785c-16b3-11ee-a55a-1392c1a4f26c.html |
DUNEDIN, New Zealand — New Zealand outshot Switzerland and even moved goalkeeper Victoria Esson into an attack position several times, but failed to break a 0-0 tie Sunday in the Women’s World Cup and became the first host nation to be eliminated in group play in tournament history.
Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. The Swiss also played to a scoreless draw against Norway, but won the group with the tie against New Zealand, coupled with the Norwegians' simultaneous 6-0 rout of the Philippines.
New Zealand controlled the pace for long stretches of the match and had its chances to score, outshooting Switzerland 12-3. Jacqui Hand knocked a shot off the right post in the 24th minute.
All of Forsyth Barr Stadiums 25,947 seats were filled — the only one of Dunedin’s six tournament matches to sell out. The raucous crowd stomped and cheered all night, to no avail.
The tournament began July 20 with New Zealand upsetting Norway 1-0, but the Ferns failed to score from the 48th minute of that match through two more games. They lost their previous match 1-0 against the Philippines.
KEY MOMENTS
Esson moved into an offensive position several times in the last minutes of the match. She managed a header off a corner kick, but it was off-frame.
WHY IT MATTERS
Switzerland becomes one of two teams from Group A to advance to the round of 16. It’s only the team’s second time in the knockout round — the first was in the Swiss’ only previous Women’s World Cup in 2015.
The New Zealanders’ failure to score puts an end to their Women’s World Cup run.
WHAT’S NEXT
Switzerland will play either Spain or Japan from Group C, pending a match between those teams on Monday to decide the top two places in that group.
New Zealand is done for the Women’s World Cup.
__
Ellen McIntyre is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
—-
AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-switzerland-new-zealand/b84e2374-2ebb-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:16:43 | 0 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2023/07/30/womens-world-cup-switzerland-new-zealand/b84e2374-2ebb-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
NEW YORK (AP) — Former Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon of Missouri is joining No Labels ‘ increasingly contentious effort to lay the groundwork for a moderate third-party presidential ticket in the 2024 election. He gives the embattled organization another prominent ally amid escalating concerns from Democratic officials that the No Labels campaign could unintentionally help Republican Donald Trump return to the White House.
Nixon, a 67-year-old lawyer, is stepping back into national politics for the first time since leaving office in 2017 and will serve as No Labels’ director of ballot integrity. He said in an interview that he was drawn to the role after learning that well-funded groups aligned with Democrats were working to stop No Labels from securing ballot access in key states.
He said that those seeking to block the group’s right to appear on the presidential ballot are attacking a pillar of American democracy.
“What do I say to those Democrats? I say, ‘You’re entitled to your opinion. But we are also entitled to use our constitutional and statutory rights to allow Americans to have another choice,’” Nixon told The Associated Press.
President Joe Biden and Trump have dominated the 2024 campaign conversation so far. But No Labels, a Washington-based group that promotes compromise, national unity and centrist policy solutions, has been preparing for the strongest third-party presidential bid at least since Texas businessman Ross Perot earned nearly 19% of the popular vote in 1992.
Working with an operating budget of roughly $70 million, No Labels is taking steps to secure presidential ballot spots in roughly 20 states this year; the group has done so already in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Oregon and Utah.
While No Labels has yet to nominate candidates for president and vice president, its leadership insists there is a path to victory for a centrist third-party ticket “if the two parties select unreasonably divisive presidential nominees.”
The group’s critics across the Democratic Party are terrified that No Labels will siphon votes that would otherwise go to Biden, who narrowly beat Trump in 2020 with a coalition that included moderate Democrats, independents and disaffected Republicans.
No Labels’ leadership has promised a series of checks and balances that would allow the organization to withdraw its presidential ticket if it appears the group’s participation would help Trump win. No Labels has not outlined a detailed plan about that, and leaders acknowledge privately there is some urgency to come out with their specific safeguards, which would vary state by state. They intend to do so by “early fall.”
Anxious Democrats are unconvinced.
On Thursday, two prominent Democratic groups, the centrist Third Way and more progressive MoveOn, hosted private meetings on Capitol Hill with dozens of chiefs of staff and senior aides to House and Senate Democrats to emphasize the need to stop No Label’s presidential ambitions. In a nod to the seriousness of the Democratic establishment’s concerns, the meetings were held in both the House and Senate Democrats’ campaign headquarters.
“We told them what we have been saying consistently now for a long time: This is dangerous,” said Third Way co-founder Matt Bennett, who helped lead the briefing along with MoveOn’s executive director, Rahna Epting.
The organizers detailed data showing that a No Labels ticket would undercut Biden in the general election and warned that it could handicap vulnerable House and Senate candidates is tight elections. They also questioned that No Labels’ promise to withdraw its ticket if necessary to stop Trump.
No Labels’ leaders are furious.
“They are telling the elected leaders of this country right now that our ballot is a runaway train. And that is categorically false. That is propaganda. And that is why we’re bringing on a director of ballot integrity to stop it because it’s outrageous,” said No Labels’ founder Nancy Jacobson, a former Democratic fundraiser.
For now, Democrats are not willing to take Jacobson’s word for it.
“I don’t want to be doing this. I’d much rather focus on other things. I am concerned, genuinely,” Epting said. “They’re in over their head. They have not given any assurances that they’re clear and sober in their analysis. And when they talk about being able to put the horse back in the barn, they are not consistent about when or how they’re going to do that.”
“They’re just saying, ‘Trust us,’” Epting said. “We can’t. We don’t know you. And the stakes are too high.”
Meanwhile, Nixon joins a growing roster of former elected officials in both parties now affiliated with No Labels. Among the others: Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; former Govs. Jon Huntsman Jr., R-Utah, Larry Hogan, R-Md., and Pat McCrory, R-N.C.; and former Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Democrat who became an independent late in his political career.
Manchin and Huntsman, ambassador to China under President Barack Obama and to Russia under Trump, hosted a town hall in New Hampshire this month, driving speculation they may ultimately become the No Labels presidential ticket.
No Labels plans to hold a presidential nominating convention next April in Dallas, and the group is showing no signs of backing off its 2024 plans. With a massive budget fueled by anonymous donations, No Labels can afford to be patient in the fights ahead.
Democrats in Arizona filed a complaint this month with the secretary of state asking to have the group suspended until it discloses it donors. In May, Maine’s top elections official sent a cease-and-desist letter regarding No Labels voter registration efforts after claiming the group was misleading voters.
The group Citizens to Save Our Republic formed a super political action committee this month specifically designed to stop No Labels. The group’s members includes Bennett from Third Way, several advisers to the anti-Trump Lincoln Project and former House Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo.
Nixon, who declined to criticize Biden or Trump, said he understands that he is walking into a political firestorm. But he said he is passionate about No Labels’ constitutional right to secure a place on the ballot.
“I feel calm. I feel correct. I think we have a high moral ground here,” he said. | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-ex-missouri-gov-jay-nixon-joins-push-for-third-party-presidential-bid-as-democrats-try-to-stop-it/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:44 | 1 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-ex-missouri-gov-jay-nixon-joins-push-for-third-party-presidential-bid-as-democrats-try-to-stop-it/ |
Today (Sunday): Comfortable late-July warmth replaces the extreme heat and humidity of the past few days. Temperatures head toward afternoon highs in the mid- to upper 80s, with partly to mostly sunny skies and much lower humidity (dew points in the upper 50s to near 60) thanks to a light breeze from the north. Confidence: High
Tonight: A few showers are possible after 3 a.m. Otherwise, it’s partly cloudy with lows in the upper 60s to near 70. Confidence: Medium-High
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest weather updates. Keep reading for the forecast through midweek...
Tomorrow (Monday): Some clouds and a few showers are possible before 9 a.m. But then a partly sunny day with low to moderate humidity and highs in the mid-80s. Can’t rule out an isolated shower or thunderstorms south and east of D.C. during the afternoon. Confidence: Medium-High
Tomorrow night: Mostly clear skies during the evening and overnight with lows in the mid-60s. Confidence: Medium-High
A look ahead
Plenty of sunshine Tuesday and Wednesday with highs in the mid-80s. Humidity should remain rather comfortable for early August with dew points in the upper 50s to low 60s. Dry conditions hold during the nighttime hours with lows in the 60s. Confidence: Medium-High
Highs should remain in the 80s Thursday and Friday, but shower and thunderstorm chances could return as high pressure retreats and a cold front approaches. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/07/30/dc-area-forecast-cooler-drier/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:49 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/07/30/dc-area-forecast-cooler-drier/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The oldest historically Black collegiate fraternity in the U.S. says it is relocating a planned convention in two years from Florida because of what it described as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration’s “harmful, racist and insensitive” policies towards African Americans.
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity said this week that it would move its 2025 convention from Orlando to another location that is yet undecided. The convention draws between 4,000 and 6,000 people and has an economic impact of $4.6 million, the fraternity said.
The decision comes after the NAACP and other civil rights organizations this spring issued a travel advisory for Florida, warning that recently passed laws and policies are openly hostile to African Americans, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Willis Lonzer, the fraternity’s general president, said in statement on Wednesday that the decision was motivated in part by Florida’s new education standards that require teachers to instruct middle school students that slaves developed skills that “could be applied for their personal benefit.”
“Although we are moving our convention from Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha will continue to support the strong advocacy of Alpha Brothers and other advocates fighting against the continued assault on our communities in Florida by Governor Ron DeSantis,” Lonzer said.
An email seeking comment on Saturday about the fraternity’s decision was sent to Jeremy Redfern, the governor’s press secretary and the governor’s office.
DeSantis, who is running for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, has come under fire this week over Florida’s new education standards. Among those criticizing the Florida governor on Friday was a rival for the Republican nomination, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina, the sole Black Republican in the Senate.
Responding to the criticism, DeSantis said Friday that he was “defending” Florida “against false accusations and against lies. And we’re going to continue to speak the truth.”
In May, the NAACP joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state’s largest job sectors. The groups cited recent laws that prohibited state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory, and the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.
They also cited laws that they say made life more difficult for immigrants in Florida and limited discussions on LGBTQ topics in schools.
At least nine other organizations or associations have pulled the plug on hosting conventions in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, two of the state’s most population convention cities, because of Florida’s political climate, according to local media reports.
Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state’s tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.
___
Follow Mike Schneider on Twitter at @MikeSchneiderAP | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-historically-black-fraternity-drops-florida-for-convention-because-of-desantis-policies/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:51 | 0 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-historically-black-fraternity-drops-florida-for-convention-because-of-desantis-policies/ |
The violent storms that swept across the D.C. area Saturday afternoon and evening, that worst in more than a decade for some, were sparked by extreme heat and humidity, a strong cold front, and a vigorous disturbance high in the atmosphere.
The storms that blasted the region didn’t contain tornadoes nor was there a derecho, which is a long-lived and large complex that often stretches across multiple states. Saturday’s storms were much more localized. But their winds were just as strong and the damage as devastating in some areas as those produced by some tornadoes and derechos.
Watch: Many #Arlington neighborhoods had an intense 2 or 3 mins during today's storm around 5:00. Watch these 30 secs in Va Square area. More tomorrow. Check the white sign in the median. From #SafetyVid. @capitalweather @dougkammerer @ARLnowDOTcom @StormHour #weather #stormhour pic.twitter.com/i2Z7tlC0Az
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) July 30, 2023
The source of Saturday’s fierce winds was a phenomenon known as downbursts. They are common in summer storms and are simply blasts of wind that originate in the clouds and then slam into the ground and fan out. They can produce gusts more severe than low-end tornadoes and are, by far, the most frequent source of violent winds in D.C.-area storms.
Very localized downbursts — affecting parts of neighborhoods — are frequently called microbursts, whereas larger ones — that can cover miles — are referred to as macrobursts. Saturday’s storms may have contained both types.
Saturday marked the third day in a row that excessive heat fueled storms that unleashed strong downbursts in the region. But its storms were given a boost by the temperature contrast incited by the incoming cold front.
Inside Saturday’s storm
A narrow but solid line of storms, known as a squall line, began forming in D.C.’s northern and western suburbs during the midafternoon ahead of the front, at the same time a high-altitude atmospheric disturbance was passing by overhead. The effect of this disturbance was to help lift the hot air near the ground up high into the sky where it could cool, condense and form billowing clouds.
The radar snapshot of precipitation intensity at 5 p.m. (left side of image below) shows the maturing squall line as it ripped through the District, Arlington, central Fairfax County and Northern Prince George’s County, already having plowed through areas north and northwest of the Beltway.
The squall line consisted of small clusters of storm cells, called multicells, which kept regenerating as the line advanced forward because of the combination of an unstable air mass (hot air near the ground and colder air aloft) and winds that intensified with altitude.
The right panel of the figure above shows the radar-estimated winds at the same time. The peach tones embedded within that panel spell trouble. We’ve highlighted one pocket near Bailey’s Crossroads in eastern Fairfax County where the wind speed only a couple thousand feet above the surface was nearly 72 mph.
Those embedded, small pockets of intense winds, which generally last less than five to 10 minutes, are the downbursts. As they accelerate downward from storm clouds and then outward upon reaching the ground, they can create a roaring sound.
View of “The storm” from my balcony in Arlington, VA. (7/29/23) Minutes later, the power went out. @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/c575oqaJ8v
— Priya Mathew (she/her) (@pmathew814) July 29, 2023
In these downbursts, sudden gusts over 60 mph can take out even a stout tree, especially those weighed down by full foliage and when the ground is fairly saturated from recent days of thunderstorm rain.
Why there weren’t tornadoes
What this squall line did not contain was small pockets of rotation called mesocyclones, which breed tornadoes. Exceptionally strong wind shear — winds that change in direction or speed with altitude — is needed for mesocyclones to develop, but the strongest shear Saturday afternoon remained well north of the region; there were tornadoes reported in New England.
Thus, the wind damage, which was widespread and significant across the D.C. area, was most likely driven by non-tornado “straight-line” winds produced by downbursts.
Severe thunderstorm warning in Washington DC with 80 MPH winds. This is the scene downtown: pic.twitter.com/sE9JCmEzRV
— Carl Nasman (@CarlNasman) July 29, 2023
Why this wasn’t a derecho
Derechos are defined as a long-lived band of curved or bow-shaped thunderstorms producing a swath of continuous wind damage hundreds of miles long. The derechos we see around here typically arrive from very distant locations, such as Ohio and even farther west.
What came through Saturday was a “homegrown” squall line that cropped up along and east of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
What was amazing about this squall line was how fast it formed.
At 2 p.m., skies were mostly sunny and radar showed no storms in the region. Then, between 3 and 4 p.m., small, disorganized storm cells that developed east of Interstate 81 began to quickly organize:
3:43 pm: First severe storm warning of the day, runs until 430pm. Covers much of area northwest of Beltway from Leesburg to Rockville and surrounding areas. 60mph wind gusts and quarter size hail possible. pic.twitter.com/5v7ST48TDS
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) July 29, 2023
By 4:30 p.m., a solid line of fierce storms had consolidated and was already unleashing damaging gusts in many areas:
430p: Radar shows nasty line of storms from near Columbia to Gainesville entering northwest part of Beltway and sweeping east and southeast. Recent gust to 69 mph in Germantown. These are serious storms that will affect much of metro area. Stay inside until they pass. pic.twitter.com/wLuDR1bbbH
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) July 29, 2023
The squall line’s rapid development was certainly aided by the extremely hot and humid environment. A measure known as convective available potential energy (CAPE) — which is essentially the fuel for storms — was over 3,000 Saturday afternoon. That’s a very high value for this area.
A number of people who endured the worst of Saturday’s storms compared them to the June 29, 2012, derecho in the area, which unleashed widespread 60-to-80-plus mph winds. (That storm produced CAPE that topped 5,000.)
Saturday’s storm was certainly the worst of the summer so far and, for the hardest hit areas, the worst since at least that infamous derecho. Mercifully, storms aren’t in the forecast again until the end of the upcoming workweek. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/07/30/dc-severe-storms-downbursts-arlington/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:55 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/07/30/dc-severe-storms-downbursts-arlington/ |
PARRIS ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Not long ago, Marine Col. Jennifer Nash, a combat engineer with war deployments under her belt, made a vow to fellow officers as they headed to a dinner in Atlanta: She would get two new recruiting contacts by the end of the evening.
She admits recruiting is not the job that she or other Marines had in mind when they enlisted. But after stints as a recruiter and senior officer at the Eastern recruiting command, she has become emblematic of the Corps’ tradition of putting its best, battle-tested Marines on enlistment duty. They get results.
Marine leaders say they will make their recruiting goal this year, while the active-duty Army, Navy and Air Force all expect to fall short. The services have struggled in the tight job market to compete with higher-paying businesses for the dwindling number of young people who can meet the military’s physical, mental and moral standards.
On that night, Nash achieved her own goal. She had gotten the valet at the hotel and the hostess at the restaurant to provide their phone numbers and to consider a Marine career.
Nash’s boss, Brig. Gen. Walker Field, who head the Eastern recruiting region, says the Corps has historically put an emphasis on selecting top-performing Marines to fill recruiting jobs. He says that has been a key to the Marines’ recruiting success, along with efforts to increase the number of recruiters, extend those who do well and speed their return to high schools, where in-person recruiting stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said his recruiters — who cover the territory between Canada and Puerto Rico and as far west as Mississippi — will meet their mission and expect to have 30% of their 2024 goal when they start the next fiscal year, Oct. 1. More broadly, Marine officials say they expect the Corps to achieve its recruiting target of more than 33,000.
Last year, the Navy, Air Force and Marines had to eat into their pools of delayed entry applicants in order to make their goals. The Marines will avoid that this year.
“That would be a great ending,” said Field, speaking to The Associated Press on a recent steamy day at South Carolina’s Parris Island, along the Atlantic Coast. “I’m bearish for not only concluding FY23 on a strong footing, but also how we set the conditions for FY24.”
The Marine Corps may get some help from its small size. The Army, for example, has a recruiting goal of 65,000 this year, which is nearly double the Corps’, and expects to fall substantially short of that. Air Force and Navy officials say they will also miss their goals, although the Space Force, which is the smallest service and does its recruiting within Air Force stations, is expected to meet its goal of about 500 recruits.
Sitting in the shadow of Parris Island’s replica of the Iwo Jima monument, Field said his biggest challenge is that a number of Marine hopefuls cannot pass the military’s academic test, known as the Armed Services Voluntary Aptitude Battery.
That is a widespread problem, but the Army recently set up a program that targets recruits who score below 30 on the test and provides schooling for several weeks to help them pass. Already more than 8,800 recruits have successfully gone through the classes, raised their scores and moved on to basic training.
The Navy is taking another route with a pilot program that allows up to 20% of their recruits to score below 30 on the test, as long as they meet specific standards for their chosen naval job. Marine leaders, however, do not take those lowest scoring recruits, and so far have no plans for any type of formal improvement program such as the Army’s.
Field said the Marines are repositioning recruiting stations, moving them around based on where population totals have increased in the latest census. More important, he said, the Corps maintains its focus on choosing the right recruiters, encouraging successful ones to stay in the job and increasing the number of Marine reservists tapped for recruit duties from the current 31 to 96 by the end of next year.
Nash, who until last month was assistant chief of staff for the Eastern region, said Marines are hand-selected for recruiting command jobs. Many three- and four-star Marines, including former Defense Secretary James Mattis, will cite their years doing enlistment duty.
“We put our best and brightest in those positions,” said Nash, adding that those chosen for recruiting posts have a proven track record of success in previous assignments and have demonstrated critical leadership skills. “That’s why they got selected, because they were above their peers.”
She acknowledged that the first time she was picked for a recruiting job she was “voluntold.” But now, recounting her sales pitch in Atlanta, her rapid fire pitch comes without taking a breath.
“I say, ‘Hey, ever thought about being Marine? We’re a bunch of Marines. And, you know, I think you potentially could be a good Marine. You ever thought about it?’ And usually you get, ‘Yeah, I thought about it.’ And I’m, like, ‘What’s holding you back? Would you like to learn more about your opportunities?’ ‘Absolutely.’ `OK. Mind giving me your name and phone number? I’ll have one of my recruiters give you a phone call.’”
The Marines have resisted increasing bonuses to attract recruits — something the other services have found helpful.
Gen. Eric Smith, the acting Marine Corps commandant, got some ribbing for his response when he was asked about bonuses during a naval conference in February.
“Your bonus is you get to call yourself a Marine,” he said. “That’s your bonus, right? There’s no dollar amount that goes with that.”
Field, Nash and others also say the Corps prefers to give a lot of recruits a few thousand dollars, rather than increasing the amount and giving money to far fewer people.
Field said that getting Marine recruiters in uniform back into high schools this year, after several years of COVID-19 restrictions, has been a key driver. There, young people line up to compete in pull-up contests, vying for a free T-shirt if they can do 20. And recruiters say many are drawn to the cache of being a Marine.
“If you told me you’ll give me $10 million worth of advertising and I can do something with it, or you’ll give me 10 great-looking Marines in a Marine uniform — what’s going to get the most value? Give me those 10 Marines and give me a day,” Nash said. “We’ll go out and we’ll get more out of that, I think, than $10 million in advertising.” | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-the-few-and-the-proud-arent-so-few-marines-recruiting-surges-while-other-services-struggle/ | 2023-07-30T10:16:57 | 1 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-the-few-and-the-proud-arent-so-few-marines-recruiting-surges-while-other-services-struggle/ |
Older people with dementia seek care in the emergency room twice as often as their peers, a new analysis suggests — leading to what researchers call “potentially avoidable and harmful visits” for some patients.
Patients with dementia presenting at the ER were more likely to be age 85 or older and female. The most common reasons for seeking care were accidents (7.9 percent), behavioral disturbances (7.4 percent) and general weakness (5.3 percent).
Once they got to the ER, patients with dementia were likelier to receive diagnostic tests such as CT scans and urinalysis — perhaps because of communication issues or behavioral concerns. They also were twice as likely to receive antipsychotic medication, which is cause for concern, the researchers write, because of the risks of taking such drugs and the potential for them to continue being used long-term. (Antipsychotics are associated with higher mortality risk and life-threatening falls in older adults.) They were less likely to be prescribed opioids than their counterparts.
The statistics reflect challenges in the daily lives of people with dementia, who may behave erratically and often cannot communicate about their symptoms. Despite these challenges, the study says the ER is often not the best place to care for adults with dementia due to long wait times, unfamiliar staff and a potentially disorienting environment.
The researchers call for better caregiver supports and the development of more geriatric-friendly emergency rooms, although they acknowledge that in some situations emergency care is needed.
“While dementia is thought of as a cognitive or memory disorder, it is the behavioral aspects of the disease such as anxiety, agitation and sleep disturbances that can cause the most stress for caregivers and patients alike,” study co-author Lauren B. Gerlach, a geriatric psychiatrist at Michigan Medicine and an assistant professor in psychiatry at the University of Michigan, said in a news release.
“Emergency departments are often not the right place to manage these behaviors,” she added. “We really need to do better to support caregivers so there are options other than seeking emergency care.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/30/dementia-alzheimers-emergency-room-visits/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:01 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/30/dementia-alzheimers-emergency-room-visits/ |
NEW YORK (AP) — At a moment of growing legal peril, Donald Trump ramped up his calls for his GOP rivals to drop out of the 2024 presidential race as he threatened to primary Republican members of Congress who fail to focus on investigating Democratic President Joe Biden and urged them to halt Ukrainian military aid until the White House cooperates with their investigations into Biden and his family.
“Every dollar spent attacking me by Republicans is a dollar given straight to the Biden campaign,” Trump said at a rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Saturday night. The former president and GOP frontrunner said it was time for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and others he dismissed as “clowns” to clear the field, accusing them of “wasting hundreds of millions of dollars that Republicans should be using to build a massive vote-gathering operation” to take on Biden in November.
The comments came two days after federal prosecutors unveiled new criminal charges against Trump as part of the case that accuses him of illegally hoarding classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club and refusing to turn them over to investigators. The superseding indictment unsealed Thursday alleges that Trump and two staffers sought to delete surveillance at the club in an effort to obstruct the Justice Department’s investigation.
The case is just one of Trump’s mounting legal challenges. His team is currently bracing for additional possible indictments, which could happen as soon as this coming week, related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election brought by prosecutors in both Washington and Georgia. Trump already faces criminal charges in New York over hush money payments made to women who accused him of sexual encounters during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Nevertheless, Trump remains the dominant early frontrunner for the Republican nomination and has only seen his lead grow as the charges have mounted and as his rivals have struggled to respond. Their challenge was on display at a GOP gathering in Iowa Friday night, where they largely declined to go after Trump directly. The only one who did — accusing Trump of “running to stay out of prison” — was booed as he left the stage.
In the meantime, Trump has embraced his legal woes, turning them into the core message of his bid to return to the White House as he accuses Biden of using the Justice Department to maim his chief political rival. The White House has said repeatedly that the president has had no involvement in the cases.
At rallies — including Saturday’s — Trump has tried to frame the charges, which come with serious threats of jail time, as an attack not just on him, but those who support him.
“They’re not indicting me, they’re indicting you. I just happen to be standing in the way,” he told the arena crowd in Erie, adding that, “Every time the radical left Democrats, Marxists, communists and fascists indict me, I consider it actually a great badge of honor…. Because I’m being indicted for you.”
But the investigations are also sucking up enormous resources that are being diverted from the nuts and bolts of the campaign. The Washington Post first reported Saturday that Trump’s political action committee, Save America, will report Monday that it spent more than $40 million on legal fees during the first half of 2023 defending Trump and all of the current and former aides whose lawyers it is paying. The total is more than the campaign raised during the second quarter of the year.
“In order to combat these heinous actions by Joe Biden’s cronies and to protect these innocent people from financial ruin and prevent their lives from being completely destroyed, the leadership PAC contributed to their legal fees to ensure they have representation against unlawful harassment,” said Trump’s spokesman Steven Cheung.
At the rally — held in a former Democratic stronghold that Trump flipped in 2016, but Biden won narrowly in 2020 — Trump also threatened Republicans in Congress who refuse to go along with efforts to impeach Biden. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said this past week that Republican lawmakers may consider an impeachment inquiry into the president over unproven claims of financial misconduct.
Trump, who was impeached twice while in office, said Saturday that, “The biggest complaint that I get is that the Republicans find out this information and then they do nothing about it.”
“Any Republican that doesn’t act on Democrat fraud should be immediately primaries and get out — out!” he told the crowd to loud applause. “They have to play tough and … if they’re not willing to do it, we got a lot of good, tough Republicans around … and they’re going to get my endorsement every singe time.”
Trump, during the 2022 midterm elections, made it his mission to punish those who had voted in favor of his second impeachment and succeeded in unseating most who had by backing primary challengers.
At the rally, Trump also called on Republican members of Congress to halt the authorization of additional military support to Ukraine, which has been mired in a war fighting Russia’s invasion, until the Biden administration cooperates with Republican investigations into Biden and his family’s business dealings — words that echoed the call that lead to his first impeachment.
“He’s dragging into a global conflict on behalf of the very same country, Ukraine, that apparently paid his family all of these millions of dollars,” Trump alleged. “In light of this information,” Congress, he said, “should refuse to authorize a single additional payment of our depleted stockpiles … the weapons stockpiles to Ukraine until the FBI, DOJ and IRS hand over every scrap of evidence they have on the Biden crime family’s corrupt business dealings.”
House Republicans have been investigating the Biden family’s finances, particularly payments Hunter, the president’s son, received from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company that became tangled in the first impeachment of Trump.
An unnamed confidential FBI informant claimed that Burisma company officials in 2015 and 2016 sought to pay the Bidens $5 million each in return for their help ousting a Ukrainian prosecutor who was purportedly investigating the company. But a Justice Department review in 2020, while Trump was president, was closed eight months later with insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
Trump’s first impeachment by the House resulted in charges that he pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to dig up dirt on the Bidens while threatening to withhold military aid. Trump was later acquitted by the Senate. | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-trump-amid-legal-perils-calls-on-gop-to-rally-around-him-as-he-threatens-primary-challenges/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:03 | 0 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-trump-amid-legal-perils-calls-on-gop-to-rally-around-him-as-he-threatens-primary-challenges/ |
BEIRUT — Overnight clashes Sunday in Lebanon’s largest Palestinian refugee camp near the southern port city of Sidon left 1 dead and 6 others wounded, Palestinian officials said.
The Palestinian officials, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity in line with regulations, said the clashes broke out after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Islamist militant Mahmoud Khalil, killing a companion of his instead.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, six people were wounded in the clashes, including two children.
Factions used assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers in the overcrowded camp, as ambulances zoomed through its narrow streets to take the wounded to the hospital.
The clashes have mostly stopped, though state media said there was still sporadic sniper fire.
Several residents fled the crossfire to nearby neighborhoods in the camp.
Ein el-Hilweh is notorious for its lawlessness and clashes are not uncommon. The U.N. says it is home to some 55,000 people.
It was established in 1948 to host Palestinians displaced by Israeli forces during the establishment of Israel. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/30/lebanon-palestinians-refugees-hilweh-clashes-khalil/8645ba68-2ec0-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:17:07 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/30/lebanon-palestinians-refugees-hilweh-clashes-khalil/8645ba68-2ec0-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The United States will expand its military industrial base by helping Australia manufacture guided missiles and rockets for both countries within two years, the allies announced on Saturday as they ramped up defense cooperation to counter China’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The new cooperation on guided weapon production follows a trilateral partnership announcement in March that will see Britain provide Australia with a fleet of eight submarines powered by U.S. nuclear technology.
The greater integration of U.S. and Australian militaries was announced after annual talks between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken and their Australian counterparts, Defense Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
They agreed to cooperate on Australia producing Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems by 2025, a communique said.
U.S. companies Raytheon and Lockheed Martin only established an Australian enterprise to build such weapons last year. That followed the drain on Western countries’ munitions caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Austin said the move on missiles would strengthen the two allies’ defense industrial base and technological edge.
“We’re racing to accelerate Australia’s priority access to munitions through a streamlined acquisition process,” Austin told reporters in Brisbane, Australia.
Marles welcomed U.S. support to achieve Australian missile production within two years.
“We are really pleased with the steps that we are taking in respect of establishing a guided weapons and explosive ordnance enterprise in this country,” Marles said.
The two governments also agreed to upgrade joint military facilities in Australia and to increase U.S. nuclear submarine visits as the United States increases its focus on the South Pacific.
The region came to the forefront of the U.S. competition with China for influence last year, when Beijing signed a security pact with Solomon Islands and raised the prospect of a Chinese naval base being established there.
Austin became the first U.S. defense secretary to visit Papua New Guinea and Blinken visited New Zealand and Tonga before they arrived in Australia.
Saturday’s meeting was overshadowed by the loss of an Australian Army helicopter with four air crew late Friday, during military exercises with the U.S. off the northeastern coast of Australia.
U.S., Australian and Canadian militaries are taking part in the search for potential survivors near Whitsunday Islands off the Queensland state coast.
Austin and Marles will travel to north Queensland on Sunday to inspect Talisman Sabre, a biennial military exercise between the two countries that this year includes 13 nations and more than 30,000 military personnel. | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-us-pledges-to-help-australia-manufacture-guided-missiles-by-2025/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:09 | 1 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-us-pledges-to-help-australia-manufacture-guided-missiles-by-2025/ |
A large explosion at a fireworks warehouse in southern Thailand on Saturday killed at least ten people and wounded dozens, officials said.
The Narathiwat province's Public Relations Department also said that at least 118 people were hurt, and that residents of more than 200 households were affected. It said that officials believe there are still a number of people trapped under the debris waiting to be rescued.
Videos posted on social media from the site show a huge plume of smoke over the area and many damaged structures, cars and motorbikes, as well as streets covered with debris. Many of the houses and other buildings have collapsed roofs and walls.
The local public relations agency reported that the explosion caused damages in a radius of about 500 meters (1,640 feet). About 100 residences in the area were damaged, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation.
Sanan Pongaksorn, the provincial governor, told public broadcaster Thai PBS that the blast was likely ignited by construction work that was taking place in the warehouse, with sparks from metal welding causing the fireworks stored inside to catch fire and explode. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/a-large-explosion-at-a-fireworks-warehouse-in-thailand-kills-at-least-10-people-and-wounds-over-100/3306147/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:12 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/a-large-explosion-at-a-fireworks-warehouse-in-thailand-kills-at-least-10-people-and-wounds-over-100/3306147/ |
NIAMEY, Niger — Days after after mutinous soldiers ousted Niger’s democratically elected president, uncertainty is mounting about the country’s future and some are calling out the junta’s reasons for seizing control.
“Everybody is wondering why this coup? That’s because no one was expecting it. We couldn’t expect a coup in Niger because there’s no social, political or security situation that would justify that the military take the power,” Prof. Amad Hassane Boubacar, who teaches at the University of Niamey, told The Associated Press.
He said Bazoum wanted to replace the head of the presidential guard, Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also goes by Omar and is now in charge of the country. Tchiani was loyal to Bazoum’s predecessor and that sparked the problems, Boubacar said. The AP cannot independently verify his assessment.
While Niger’s security situation is dire, it’s not as bad as neighboring Burkina Faso or Mali where all three countries have been battling an Islamic insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group. Last year Niger was the only one of the three to see a decline in violence, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Niger is seen as the last reliable partner for the West in efforts to battle the jihadists in Africa’s Sahel region, where Russia and Western countries have vied for influence in the fight against extremism. France has 1,500 soldiers in the country who conduct joint operations with the Nigeriens, and the United States and other European countries have helped train the nation’s troops.
Conflict experts say out of all the countries, Niger has the most at stake, given the millions of dollars of military assistance the international community has poured in. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the continued security and economic arrangements that Niger has with the U.S. hinged on the release of Bazoum — who remains under house arrest — and “the immediate restoration of the democratic order in Niger.”
France on Saturday suspended all development aid and other financial aid for Niger, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “France demands an immediate return to constitutional order under President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected by the Nigeriens,” it said.
Regional countries are trying to stem the fallout from the coup and reverse course.
The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government. On Sunday, the West African regional bloc, known as ECOWAS, is holding an emergency summit in Abuja, Nigeria.
However, in a televised address Saturday, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted Bazoum, accused the meeting of making a “plan of aggression” against Niger and said it would defend itself.
Niger experts say it’s too soon to know how things will play out.
“Tensions with the military are still ongoing. There could be another coup after this one, or a stronger intervention from ECOWAS, potentially military force, even if it is difficult to foresee how specifically that may happen and what form that may take,” said Tatiana Smirnova, a researcher at the Centre FrancoPaix in conflict resolution and peace missions.
“Many actors are also trying to negotiate, but the outcome is unclear,” she said.
___
Associated Press reporter Angela Charlton in Paris contributed | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/30/niger-coup-mohamed-bazoum-military-junta-sahel/193f4b1a-2eba-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html | 2023-07-30T10:17:13 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/07/30/niger-coup-mohamed-bazoum-military-junta-sahel/193f4b1a-2eba-11ee-85dd-5c3c97d6acda_story.html |
WASHINGTON (AP) — Pamela Smith’s voice soared and quivered like a preacher in midsermon as she recalled her troubled childhood and how it helped prepare her for the challenges she faces as the new police chief in the nation’s capital.
“I stand before you as a child who had no hopes, who had no dreams — they were far beyond my reach. But I believe that all things are possible,” she said at her introductory news conference in Washington, in cadences honed by years as an ordained Baptist minister. “I believe I bring a fresh perspective, a different kind of energy, a different level of passion to what I’m going to do.”
Smith takes on the job at a precarious time.
Violent crime is rising sharply, fueled by more homicides and carjackings. The District of Columbia’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, and the D.C. Council have, at times, been at odds about crime legislation. On Capitol Hill, the Republican-led House has begun citing the city’s crime statistics while aggressively reviewing local public safety laws.
On July 24, the Mexican Consulate posted a tweet urging its nationals to “take precautions” in the city due to “a significant increase in crime in areas previously considered safe.”
Smith, 55, now becomes one of the public faces of this long-term fight even before the Council votes on her nomination as chief. She brings an inspirational story to her new role leading the Metropolitan Police Department. Raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, by a single mother who battled substance abuse, Smith and her siblings were at one point removed from their home and spent time in foster care. Smith emerged as a track star and went on to a 24-year career in the U.S. Park Police, where she served as the agency’s first Black female chief before retiring in 2022 to take up a senior leadership position at the MPD.
Law enforcement and government officials repeatedly point out that overall crime numbers in Washington have stayed relatively stable. But the crimes that have increased the most — murders and carjackings — are the ones most likely to damage public confidence.
“The scariest crimes are going up and regardless of what’s happening with other crimes, that’s what’s going to fuel the overall perception,” U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves told The Associated Press.
Graves’ office prosecutes most felonies in Washington, in a unique arrangement due to the district’s status as a nonstate. The city’s attorney general’s office prosecutes misdemeanors and juvenile crime, which is also on the rise.
This intricate dynamic among two separate sets of prosecutors, the city’s police force, Bowser’s administration and the Council has been publicly tested as the crime numbers have stayed high — all with Congress taking an increasing interest in the district’s affairs. Public safety was a primary topic of debate last year when Bowser, 50, successfully ran for a third term in office. She has spent this term sparring with both the Council and the House Oversight and Accountability Committee over how best to address crime.
July has been a particular bloody month, with 22 homicides as of Friday, including murders on the campuses of both Howard and Catholic universities. The victims include an Afghan man who survived years of working as a translator for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan only to be murdered in America while driving for Lyft. Nine people, including two children, were shot at a July Fourth party, when an assailant in an SUV opened fire on the crowd. A 12-year old girl remains hospitalized after being shot in the back Tuesday night by a bullet that penetrated the walls of her home.
Although the local murder rate is well below the levels in the 1980s and early 1990s, when Washington regularly led the nation in murders per capita, it has climbed steadily in recent years. In 2022, there was a roughly 10% drop in homicides, but now, homicides are up 15 percent compared with this time a year ago and the city is on pace to surpass 200 for the third year in a row. Police also reported 140 carjacking incidents in the month of June — the highest monthly total in more than five years.
Crime in Washington is now a national headline issue in Congress. In the spring, Bowser and Council members were summoned before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee for a heated session on local crime rates.
Congress voted to completely overturn the Council’s comprehensive rewrite of the district’s criminal code. Bowser was caught in the middle of the dispute. She had vetoed the overhaul, saying the reduction of maximum penalties for certain violent crimes “sent the wrong message,” but was overridden by the Council.
The mayor opposes congressional intervention in local affairs as part of Washington’s long push for statehood, but her initial veto was frequently cited by Republican lawmakers as proof that the rewrite was soft on crime. In an embarrassment for the heavily Democratic city, the move to cancel the criminal code revision drew support from dozens of congressional Democratic and was signed into law by President Joe Biden.
Earlier this month, the Council, with Bowser’s support, passed emergency public safety legislation meant to serve as a temporary fix. The bill makes it a felony to fire a gun in public and makes it easier for judges, in cases where people are charged with a violent crime, to detain them before trial. As an emergency bill, the changes will only last 90 days and will not be subject to congressional review; plans to make the changes permanent in the fall will face scrutiny by lawmakers.
“It is no secret … to the public that we are in a state of emergency right now,” said Brooke Pinto, the D.C. Council member who was the bill’s architect. “Like in any emergency, we have to act like it and we have to act urgently to address the problem we’re seeing.”
But some pushing for a criminal justice overhaul said city lawmakers were reverting to mass incarceration policies that had long ago been discredited.
“We’re way beyond thinking that we can just incarcerate more people,” said Patrice Sulton, executive director of the D.C. Justice Lab, who helped draft the now-canceled criminal code revision. “I think everybody who voted for it knows that it will not have an impact.”
The local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement on Twitter that the new bill “essentially flips due process on its head — treating people as guilty and detaining them.”
All sides point to one primary factor fueling the violence: a flood to firearms entering Washington.
Graves, the district’s federal prosecutor, said the number of guns being used in crimes has skyrocketed, turning petty disputes into deadly battles. This includes a new wave of “ghost guns” — firearms that can be ordered in kits and assembled at home. Other kits can easily turn a semiautomatic weapon into an automatic, enabling a rapid-fire and generally less accurate spray of dozens of bullets. In 2018, authorities recovered three such guns; in 2022, the number was 461.
Graves compared the illegal guns to “a virus” in the neighborhood.
“The more virus there is in the community, the more people are going to get sick,” he said. “The more illegal firearms are in the community, the more likelihood those illegal firearms are going to be used.” | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-violent-crime-is-rising-in-the-nations-capital-dc-seeks-solutions-as-congress-keeps-close-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:16 | 0 | https://phl17.com/national-news/ap-violent-crime-is-rising-in-the-nations-capital-dc-seeks-solutions-as-congress-keeps-close-watch/ |
Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.
U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.
A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged.
The judge also rejected a motion by the defendants, which include prosecuting attorneys for the state, seeking to dismiss the case.
The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintiffs, applauded the court's ruling, saying that the absence of a preliminary injunction would have jeopardized First Amendment rights.
“The question we had to ask was — do Arkansans still legally have access to reading materials? Luckily, the judicial system has once again defended our highly valued liberties," Holly Dickson, the executive director of the ACLU in Arkansas, said in a statement.
The lawsuit comes as lawmakers in an increasing number of conservative states are pushing for measures making it easier to ban or restrict access to books. The number of attempts to ban or restrict books across the U.S. last year was the highest in the 20 years the American Library Association has been tracking such efforts.
U.S. & World
Laws restricting access to certain materials or making it easier to challenge them have been enacted in several other states, including Iowa, Indiana and Texas.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said in an email Saturday that his office would be "reviewing the judge’s opinion and will continue to vigorously defend the law.”
The executive director of Central Arkansas Library System, Nate Coulter, said the judge's 49-page decision recognized the law as censorship, a violation of the Constitution and wrongly maligning librarians.
“As folks in southwest Arkansas say, this order is stout as horseradish!” he said in an email.
“I’m relieved that for now the dark cloud that was hanging over CALS’ librarians has lifted,” he added.
Cheryl Davis, general counsel for the Authors Guild, said the organization is “thrilled” about the decision. She said enforcing this law “is likely to limit the free speech rights of older minors, who are capable of reading and processing more complex reading materials than young children can.”
The Arkansas lawsuit names the state’s 28 local prosecutors as defendants, along with Crawford County in west Arkansas. A separate lawsuit is challenging the Crawford County library’s decision to move children’s books that included LGBTQ+ themes to a separate portion of the library.
The plaintiffs challenging Arkansas’ restrictions also include the Fayetteville and Eureka Springs Carnegie public libraries, the American Booksellers Association and the Association of American Publishers. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/federal-judge-blocks-arkansas-law-allowing-librarians-to-be-charged-for-loaning-harmful-books-to-minors/3306144/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:18 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/national-international/federal-judge-blocks-arkansas-law-allowing-librarians-to-be-charged-for-loaning-harmful-books-to-minors/3306144/ |
TOKYO (AP) — Toshihiro Mutsuda was only 5 years old when he last saw his father, who was drafted by Japan’s Imperial Army in 1943 and killed in action. For him, his father was a bespectacled man in an old family photo standing by a signed good-luck flag that he carried to war.
On Saturday, when the flag was returned to him from a U.S. war museum where it had been on display for 29 years, Mutsuda, now 83, said: “It’s a miracle.”
The flag, known as “Yosegaki Hinomaru,” or Good Luck Flag, carries the soldier’s name, Shigeyoshi Mutsuda, and the signatures of his relatives, friends and neighbors wishing him luck. It was given to him before he was drafted by the Army. His family was later told he died in Saipan, but his remains were never returned.
The flag was donated in 1994 and displayed at the museum aboard the USS Lexington, a WWII aircraft carrier, in Corpus Christi, Texas. Its meaning was not known until it was identified by the family earlier this year, said museum director Steve Banta, who brought the flag to Tokyo.
Banta said he learned the story behind the flag earlier this year when he was contacted by the Obon Society, a nonprofit organization that has returned about 500 similar flags as non-biological remains, to the descendants of Japanese servicemembers killed in the war.
The search for the flag’s original owner started in April when a museum visitor took a photo and asked an expert about the description that it had belonged to a “kamikaze” suicide pilot. When Shigeyoshi Mutsuda’s grandson saw the photo, he sought help from the Obon Society, group co-founder Keiko Ziak said.
“When we learned all of this, and that the family would like to have the flag, we knew immediately that the flag did not belong to us,” Banta said at the handover ceremony. “We knew that the right thing to do would be to send the flag home, to be in Japan and to the family.”
The soldier’s eldest son, Toshihiro Mutsuda, was speechless for a few seconds when Banta, wearing white gloves, gently placed the neatly folded flag into his hands. Two of his younger siblings, both in their 80s, stood by and looked on silently. The three children, all wearing cotton gloves so they wouldn’t damage the decades-old flag, carefully unfolded it to show to the audience.
“After receiving the flag today, I earnestly felt that the war like that should never be fought again and that I do not wish anyone else to go through this sadness (of separation),” Toshihiro Mutsuda said.
The soldier’s daughter, Misako Matsukuchi, touched the flag with both hands and prayed. “After nearly 80 years, the spirit of our father returned to us. I hope he can finally rest in peace,” Matsukuchi said later.
Toshihiro Mutsuda said his memory of his father was foggy. However, he clearly remembers his mother, Masae Mutsuda, who died five years ago at age 102, used to make the long-distance bus trip almost every year from the farming town in Gifu, central Japan, to Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, where the 2.5 million war dead are enshrined, to pay tribute to her husband’s spirit.
The shrine is controversial, as it includes convicted war criminals among those commemorated. Victims of Japanese aggression during the first half of the 20th century, especially China and the Koreas, see Yasukuni as a symbol of Japanese militarism. However, for the Mutsuda family, it’s a place to remember the loss of a father and husband.
“It’s like an old love story across the ages coming together … It doesn’t matter where,” Banta said, referring to the Yasukuni controversy. “The important thing is this flag goes to the family.”
That’s why Toshihiro Mutsuda and his siblings chose to receive the flag at Yasukuni and brought the framed photos of their parents.
“My mother missed him and wanted to see him so much and that’s why she used to pray here,” he said. “Today her wish finally came true, and she was able to be reunited.”
Keeping the flag on his lap, he said, “I feel the weight of the flag.” | https://phl17.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-its-a-miracle-say-family-of-japanese-soldier-killed-in-wwii-as-flag-he-carried-returns-from-us/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:22 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-its-a-miracle-say-family-of-japanese-soldier-killed-in-wwii-as-flag-he-carried-returns-from-us/ |
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The cosmos is offering up a double feature in August: a pair of supermoons culminating in a rare blue moon.
Catch the first show Tuesday evening as the full moon rises in the southeast, appearing slightly brighter and bigger than normal. That’s because it will be closer than usual, just 222,159 miles (357,530 kilometers) away, thus the supermoon label.
The moon will be even closer the night of Aug. 30 — a scant 222,043 miles (357,344 kilometers) distant. Because it’s the second full moon in the same month, it will be what’s called a blue moon.
“Warm summer nights are the ideal time to watch the full moon rise in the eastern sky within minutes of sunset. And it happens twice in August,” said retired NASA astrophysicist Fred Espenak, dubbed Mr. Eclipse for his eclipse-chasing expertise.
The last time two full supermoons graced the sky in the same month was in 2018. It won’t happen again until 2037, according to Italian astronomer Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project.
Masi will provide a live webcast of Tuesday evening’s supermoon, as it rises over the Coliseum in Rome.
“My plans are to capture the beauty of this … hopefully bringing the emotion of the show to our viewers,” Masi said in an email.
“The supermoon offers us a great opportunity to look up and discover the sky,” he added.
This year’s first supermoon was in July. The fourth and last will be in September. The two in August will be closer than either of those.
Provided clear skies, binoculars or backyard telescopes can enhance the experience, Espenak said, revealing such features as lunar maria — the dark plains formed by ancient volcanic lava flows — and rays emanating from lunar craters.
According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the August full moon is traditionally known as the sturgeon moon. That’s because of the abundance of that fish in the Great Lakes in August, hundreds of years ago.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content. | https://phl17.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-two-supermoons-in-august-mean-double-the-stargazing-fun/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:29 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-two-supermoons-in-august-mean-double-the-stargazing-fun/ |
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — The African Union has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the junta in Niger to reinstall the country’s democratically elected government just as the coup leaders met with senior civil servants to discuss how they would run the country and as the U.S. and the European Union threatened sanctions against the regime.
Brig. Gen. Mohamed Toumba, one of the soldiers who ousted President Mohamed Bazoum on Wednesday, told state television that the junta met with civil servants on Friday and asked them to continue their work as usual following the suspension of the constitution. “The message given was not to stop the processes underway, to keep on with things,” said Brig. Gen. Toumba.
“Everything that must be done will be done,” he said, signaling the intention of the regime led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, who also goes by Omar, to remain in power.
After its meeting on Friday, the African Union Peace and Security Council said it was concerned by the “alarming resurgence” of coups that undermine democracy and stability on the continent. It asked the soldiers to “return immediately and unconditionally to their barracks and restore constitutional authority, within a maximum of fifteen (15) days.”
Bazoum, whose condition and that of his officials remains unknown since the government was overthrown, should also be released immediately and unconditionally, the AU said. Failure to do so would compel the bloc to take “necessary action, including punitive measures against the perpetrators.”
On the streets of the Nigerien capital Niamey on Saturday, things appeared to be returning to normal, though many in the international community were still on lockdown with hotels full of foreigners, many given instructions not to leave.
Locals say they’re waiting to see what unfolds, with many still in support of Bazoum who has not yet resigned. “I’m with him, he does a good work. (But) what can we do?” said Mohamed Cisse, a street seller. “This is (the new leader’s) time, Bazoum’s time is over,” he said.
Tchiani, the junta leader and commander of Niger’s presidential guard, is close to former Nigerien president Mahamadou Issoufou, who stepped down in 2021 after a decade in office. Tchiani’s takeover of power will reinforce speculation that Issoufou is behind the coup, said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, a German think tank and consultancy.
The U.S. threatened to halt its economic support to Niger while the European Union announced the immediate indefinite suspension of budgetary support and security assistance.
U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who is in Australia as part of a Pacific tour, estimated America’s economic and security partnership with Niger at hundreds of millions of dollars and said its continuity depends on “the continuation of the democratic governance and constitutional order.”
“So that assistance, that support, is in clear jeopardy as a result of these actions, which is another reason why they need to be immediately reversed,” Blinken said.
While there are no signs of the junta backing down amid growing international pressure, analysts called for synergy in the interventions of the international community and continental organizations such as the AU and the regional bloc of ECOWAS, which is scheduled to meet over the coup on Sunday.
A successful coup in Niger and the sanctions in the aftermath could cause more hardship for millions of poor and hungry people in West Africa and could further threaten international relations with the region, which is seeing a resurgence of coups in recent years, according to Idayat Hassan, senior Africa program fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
“A non-reversal of the coup also means that we are defining a new world order in West Africa in particular as you are pitching the west and other countries against few military regimes which may be backed by Russia,” said Hassan.
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Asadu reported from Abuja, Nigeria. Baba Ahmed in Bamako, Mali contributed. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-union-gives-15-day-ultimatum-to-niger-junta-to-end-regime-but-soldiers-seek-continuity/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:36 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-union-gives-15-day-ultimatum-to-niger-junta-to-end-regime-but-soldiers-seek-continuity/ |
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — China accused the United States of turning Taiwan into an “ammunition depot” after the White House announced a $345 million military aid package for Taipei, and the self-ruled island said Sunday it tracked six Chinese navy ships in waters off its shores.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office issued a statement late Saturday opposing the military aid to Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.
“No matter how much of the ordinary people’s taxpayer money the … Taiwanese separatist forces spend, no matter how many U.S. weapons, it will not shake our resolve to solve the Taiwan problem. Or shake our firm will to realize the reunification of our motherland,” said Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office.
“Their actions are turning Taiwan into a powder keg and ammunition depot, aggravating the threat of war in the Taiwan Strait,” the statement said.
China’s People’s Liberation Army has increased its military maneuvers in recent years aimed at Taiwan, sending fighter jets and warships to circle the island.
On Sunday, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said it tracked six Chinese navy ships near the island.
Taiwan’s ruling administration, led by the Democratic Progressive Party, has stepped up its weapons purchases from the U.S. as part of a deterrence strategy against a Chinese invasion.
China and Taiwan split amid civil war in 1949, and Taiwan has never been governed by China’s ruling Communist Party.
Unlike previous military purchases, the latest batch of aid is part of a presidential authority approved by the U.S. Congress last year to draw weapons from current U.S. military stockpiles — so Taiwan will not have to wait for military production and sales.
While Taiwan has purchased $19 billion worth of weaponry, much of it has yet to be delivered to Taiwan. Washington will send man-portable air defense systems, intelligence and surveillance capabilities, firearms and missiles to Taiwan. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-china-says-us-military-aid-to-taiwan-will-not-deter-its-will-to-unify-the-island/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:43 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-china-says-us-military-aid-to-taiwan-will-not-deter-its-will-to-unify-the-island/ |
BAGHDAD (AP) — The leader of Lebanon’s Shiite militant group Hezbollah said Saturday that if governments of Muslim-majority nations do not act against countries that allow the desecration of the Quran, Muslims should “punish” those who facilitate attacks on Islam’s holy book.
The comments by Hassan Nasrallah came in a video address to tens of thousands gathered in Beirut’s southern suburbs to mark Ashoura, a Shiite holy day commemorating the 7th century martyrdom of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein.
Nasrallah often uses religious occasions to send political messages to followers, and on Saturday slammed recent incidents in which the Quran was burned or otherwise desecrated at authorized demonstrations in Sweden and Denmark.
He said Muslims should watch for the outcome of an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, scheduled to take place in Baghdad on Monday to discuss the organization’s response to the Quran burnings.
The organization and its member states should “send a firm, decisive and unequivocal message to these governments that any repeat of the attacks will be met with a boycott,” Nasrallah said. If they do not, he said, Muslim youth should “punish the desecrators.”
He did not elaborate what such a boycott and punishment should entail.
Members of the crowd, who carried banners with religious slogans alongside the flags of Hezbollah, Lebanon and Palestine, chanted, “Oh, Quran, we are at your service; Oh, Hussein, we are at your service.”
Shiites represent over 10% of the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims and view Hussein as the rightful successor to the Prophet Muhammad. Hussein’s death in battle at the hands of Sunnis at Karbala, south of Baghdad, ingrained a deep rift in Islam and continues to this day to play a key role in shaping Shiite identity.
Millions of Shiite Muslims in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and around the world on Friday commemorated Ashoura, while Saturday marked the culmination of the observances in countries such as Lebanon, Iraq and Syria.
Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala, where Hussein is entombed in a gold-domed shrine. In the streets of the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City, mourners gathered to watch reenactments of the Battle of Karbala and Hussein’s death.
In the streets, young men clad in black and white slashed their heads with swords and knives to demonstrate their grief. Friends swabbed each other’s heads with tissues and handed each other water.
In Syria’s capital, Damascus, the crowds were mourning not only the death of Hussein but a deadly attack in the suburb of Sayida Zeinab, home to a shrine to Zeinab, the daughter of the first Shiite imam, Ali, and granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad.
A bomb hidden in a motorcycle exploded there on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding dozens more. On Tuesday, another bomb in a motorcycle had wounded two people.
On Friday, the Islamic State group — a Sunni militant group that often targets Shiites — claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying Thursday’s bombing came “during their annual polytheistic rituals.” The group’s extreme interpretation of Islam holds Shiite Muslims to be apostates.
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Associated Press writers Anmar Khalil in Karbala, Iraq, and Hassan Ammar in Beirut contributed to this report. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-lebanons-hezbollah-leader-urges-muslims-to-punish-quran-desecrators-if-governments-fail-to-do-so/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:49 | 1 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-lebanons-hezbollah-leader-urges-muslims-to-punish-quran-desecrators-if-governments-fail-to-do-so/ |
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Saudi Arabia will host a Ukrainian-organized peace summit in early August seeking to find a way to start negotiations over Russia’s war on the country, an official said Saturday night. The kingdom and Kyiv did not immediately acknowledge the planned talks.
The summit will be held in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as no authorization had been given to publicly discuss the summit.
Those taking part in the summit will include Ukraine, as well as Brazil, India, South Africa and several other countries, the official said. A high-level official from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration also is expected to attend, the official said. Planning for the event is being overseen by Kyiv and Russia is not invited, the official said.
Details regarding the summit, however, remain in flux and the official did not offer dates for the talks. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the summit, said the talks would take place Aug. 5 and 6 with some 30 countries attending, citing “diplomats involved in the discussion.”
Saudi officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press, nor did Ukraine’s Embassy in Riyadh. News of the summit comes after U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan visited the kingdom on Thursday.
The official who spoke to the AP said the summit would be the next step after talks that took place in Copenhagen in June.
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the talks come as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in May attended an Arab League summit in Jeddah to press those nations to back Kyiv. Arab nations largely have remained neutral since Russia launched the war on Ukraine in February 2022, in part over their military and economic ties to Moscow.
Saudi Arabia also has maintained a close relationship with Russia as part of the OPEC+ group. The organization’s oil production cuts, even as Moscow’s war on Ukraine boosted energy prices, have angered Biden and American lawmakers.
But hosting such talks also help raise the profile of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to reach a détente with Iran and push for a peace in the kingdom’s yearslong war in Yemen. However, ties also remain strained between Riyadh and the West over the 2018 killing and dismemberment of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, which U.S. intelligence agencies assess that Prince Mohammed ordered.
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Madhani reported from Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-official-tells-ap-that-saudi-arabia-will-host-ukrainian-organized-peace-summit-in-august/ | 2023-07-30T10:17:56 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-official-tells-ap-that-saudi-arabia-will-host-ukrainian-organized-peace-summit-in-august/ |
Three Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow in the early hours on Sunday, Russian authorities said, injuring one person and prompting a temporary closure of traffic in and out of one of four airports around the Russian capital.
It was the fourth such attempt at a strike on the capital region this month and the third this week, fueling concerns about Moscow’s vulnerability to attacks as Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its 18th month.
The Russian Defense Ministry referred to the incident as an “attempted terrorist attack by the Kyiv regime” and said three drones targeted the city. One was shot down in the surrounding Moscow region by air defense systems and two others were jammed. Those two crashed into the Moscow City business district.
Photos from the site of the crash showed the facade of a skyscraper damaged on one floor. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the attack “insignificantly damaged” the outsides of two buildings in the Moscow City district. A security guard was injured, Russia’s state news agency Tass reported, citing emergency officials.
No flights went into or out of Vnukovo airport on the southern outskirts of the city for about an hour, according to Tass, and the airspace over Moscow and the outlying regions was temporarily closed to all aircraft. Those restrictions have since been lifted.
Moscow authorities have also closed a street to traffic near the site of the crash in the Moscow City area.
There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian officials, who rarely if ever take responsibility for attacks on Russian soil.
The attack follows a night of reported drone skirmishes between Russia and Ukraine. Moscow announced Sunday that it had foiled a Ukrainian attack on Russian-annexed Crimea, shooting down 16 drones and neutralizing eight more with an electronic jamming system. There were no casualties, officials said.
The Ukrainian air force reported that it had destroyed four Russian drones above the country’s Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Information on the attacks could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, two people were killed and 20 wounded by a Russian missile strike late Saturday evening on the city of Sumy in northeast Ukraine. A four-story building belonging to a vocational college was hit, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said. Local authorities said that dormitories and teaching buildings were damaged in the blast and the fire that followed.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported shooting down a Ukrainian drone outside Moscow on Friday. Four days earlier, two drones struck the Russian capital, one of them falling in the center of the city near the Defense Ministry’s headquarters along the Moscow River about 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the Kremlin. The other drone hit an office building in southern Moscow, gutting several upper floors.
In another attack on July 4, the Russian military said four drones were downed by air defenses on the outskirts of Moscow and a fifth was jammed by electronic warfare means and forced down.
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Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine: https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:02 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ |
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) —
A 9-year-old girl and her 10-year-old brother have been called as witnesses in a criminal case against their mother after she was accused of repeatedly “discrediting” the Russian army.
Lidia Prudovskaya and her two children were summoned by investigators in the northern Russian region of Arkhangelsk on Friday to give testimony in the case, Russian news outlet Sota reported.
Prudovskaya previously faced administrative charges on similar allegations after sharing anti-war posts on Russian social media platform VKontakte in September 2022.
Discrediting the Russian military is a criminal offense under a law adopted after Russia sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The law is regularly used against Kremlin critics.
In April, Russian authorities petitioned to restrict the parental rights of a single father convicted of discrediting the army following an anti-war sketch drawn by his daughter at school.
Alexei Moskalyov, 54, was sentenced to two years in prison for social media comments he had made criticizing Moscow’s war in Ukraine, while his daughter Maria was placed in an orphanage.
The 13-year-old was later moved to live with her mother. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-investigators-call-children-as-witnesses-against-their-mother-accused-of-discrediting-army/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:08 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-investigators-call-children-as-witnesses-against-their-mother-accused-of-discrediting-army/ |
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — Senegal’s opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has been charged with conspiracy against the state and calls for insurrections among other offenses, the public prosecutor said Saturday.
The announcement comes weeks after Sonko was convicted on separate charges of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison, which ignited deadly protests across the nation.
Prosecutor Abdou Karim Diop made the announcement on state television, a day after Sonko’s lawyer said he was taken into custody for questioning at the police courthouse in the capital, Dakar.
In June, Sonko was acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. But he was convicted on a lighter sentence of corrupting young people, which includes using one’s position of power to have sex with people under age 21. Corrupting youth is a criminal offense in Senegal that is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to more than $6,000.
The conviction led to deadly clashes across the country between Sonko supporters and police, where at least 23 people were killed and dozens injured.
Sonko placed third in Senegal’s 2019 presidential election and is popular with the country’s youth. His supporters maintain the charges against him are part of a government effort to derail his candidacy in the 2024 presidential election.
Sonko’s ongoing legal battles may bar him from running. Once in prison, he can ask for a retrial for his June conviction.
Saturday’s charges are separate, said the public prosecutor. The accusations include calling an insurrection, criminal conspiracy to commit terrorism, compromising public security and theft.
It is unclear what led to the charges. Sonko has mostly stayed in his house since being sentenced to prison.
In a tweet posted shortly before his arrest on Friday afternoon, Sonko said a team of soldiers were breaking down the door following an altercation with secret service agents who were taking videoing him.
Friday evening, an AP reporter saw around 20 protesters burning tires in the middle of the road in Parcelles Assainies, an outer neighborhood of Dakar. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-senegals-opposition-leader-charged-with-conspiracy-against-the-state-and-calls-for-insurrection/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:09 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-senegals-opposition-leader-charged-with-conspiracy-against-the-state-and-calls-for-insurrection/ |
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombian police arrested the president’s son Saturday as part of a high-profile money laundering probe into funds he allegedly collected from convicted drug traffickers during last year’s presidential campaign.
President Gustavo Petro, a former rebel who rose through Colombia’s political ranks as an anti-corruption crusader, said he wouldn’t interfere with the investigation.
“As an individual and father, it pains me to see so much self destruction and one of my sons going to jail,” Petro said in an early morning message on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “As president of the republic, I’ve assured the chief prosecutor’s office that it will have all of the guarantees so it can proceed according to the law.”
The arrest of Nicolas Petro is a major blow to the government, which has been buffeted by conservative attacks from day one at the same time it has struggled to maintain bipartisan support for Colombia in the U.S., a longtime ally in the war on drugs and fight against illegal armed groups.
The investigation stems from shocking declarations made by Nicolas Petro’s ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, to local media outlet Semana earlier this year.
In the extended interview, Vasquez detailed how she was present at meetings when her husband arranged a donation of more than 600 million pesos (around $150,000) from a politician once convicted in Washington of drug trafficking and who was seeking the Petro campaign’s support to resume his political career.
She said President Petro was unaware of her son’s dealings and the money he collected in his campaign’s name was kept inside a safe inside the couple’s home in the coastal city of Barranquilla.
Nicolas Petro has denied his ex wife’s claims as unfounded.
The chief prosecutor’s office said in a statement that Nicolas Petro and his ex-wife were taken into custody on orders of a court in Bogota around 6 a.m. local time Saturday. It said that once brought before a judge, prosecutors would seek their provisional detention as it investigates the two for money laundering. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-son-of-colombias-president-arrested-as-part-of-money-laundering-probe/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:16 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-son-of-colombias-president-arrested-as-part-of-money-laundering-probe/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday signed a law moving the official Christmas Day holiday to Dec. 25 from Jan. 7, the day when the Russian Orthodox Church observes it.
The explanatory note attached to the law said its goal is to “abandon the Russian heritage,” including that of “imposing the celebration of Christmas” on Jan. 7. It cited Ukrainians’ “relentless, successful struggle for their identity” and “the desire of all Ukrainians to live their lives with their own traditions, holidays,” fueled by Russia’s 17-month-old aggression against the country.
Last year, some Ukrainians already observed Christmas on Dec. 25, in a gesture that represented separation from Russia, its culture and religious traditions.
The law also moves the Day of Ukrainian Statehood to July 15 from July 28, and the Day of Defenders of Ukraine to Oct. 1 from Oct. 14.
The Russian Orthodox Church, which claims sovereignty over Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and some other Eastern Orthodox churches continue to use the ancient Julian calendar. Christmas falls 13 days later on that calendar, or Jan. 7, than it does on the Gregorian calendar used by most church and secular groups.
The Catholic Church first adopted the modern, more astronomically precise Gregorian calendar in the 16th century. Protestants and some Orthodox churches have since aligned their own calendars for the purpose of calculating Christmas and Easter.
Ukraine’s religious landscape has fractured for years. There are two branches of Orthodox Christianity in the country, one aligned with the Russian church, even as it enjoys broad autonomy, the other completely independent of it. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the branch that is separate from the Russian church, announced earlier this year that it was switching to the Revised Julian calendar, which marks Christmas on Dec. 25.
Its leadership last year allowed believers to celebrate the holiday on Dec. 25.
Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported on Saturday that the rival Orthodox Church, which is aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church, vowed to continue observing Christmas on Jan. 7.
Russian President Vladimir Putin told reporters Saturday that the move “is a sign of something that has been happening for centuries” and that “has to do with the relations between the Catholic church and the Orthodox one.”
Zelenskyy on Saturday traveled to the war-torn Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, which Russia has illegally annexed, but only partially occupies, and met with members of the country’s Special Operation Forces. Zelenskyy noted in an online statement that Saturday marks their official day of recognition and also the anniversary of the deadly attack on the Olenivka prison in the Russian-held part of the region in which dozens of prisoners of war were killed.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of the attack, with both sides saying that the assault was premeditated in a bid to cover up atrocities. A United Nations fact-finding mission requested by Russia and Ukraine was sent to investigate the killings, but the team was disbanded in January 2023 due to security concerns.
Zelenskyy described the attack as one of Russia’s “most vile and cruel crimes” in a video statement Saturday.
In a separate Telegram statement, he hailed the soldiers in the Donetsk region for “bringing closer the day when all our land and all our people will be free from the occupiers” and underscored the Special Operations Forces’ role in the recent retaking of the village of Staromaiorske in the area.
His visit to the east comes just days after Western and Russian officials said that Kyiv’s forces intensified attacks in the southeast of the country as part of Ukraine’s counteroffensive.
Putin said Saturday that the intensity of Ukrainian atacks along the front line has gone down “compared to two days ago.” He reiterated that Russian forces are successfully repelling all attacks and in some parts of the front line are even mounting successful counteroffensive operations.
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Litvinova reported from Tallinn, Estonia. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-ukraine-moves-official-christmas-day-holiday-to-dec-25-denouncing-russian-imposed-traditions/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:22 | 1 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-ukraine-moves-official-christmas-day-holiday-to-dec-25-denouncing-russian-imposed-traditions/ |
CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday pushed back against Australian demands for an end to WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s prosecution, saying the Australian citizen was accused of “very serious criminal conduct” in publishing a trove of classified documents more than a decade ago.
Australia’s center-left Labor Party government has been arguing since winning the elections last year that the United States should end its pursuit of the 52-year-old, who has spent four years in a British prison fighting extradition to the United States.
Assange’s freedom is widely seen as a test of Australia’s leverage with President Joe Biden’s administration.
Blinken confirmed on Saturday that Assange had been discussed in annual talks with Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Brisbane, Australia.
“I understand the concerns and views of Australians. I think it’s very important that our friends here understand our concerns about this matter,” Blinken told reporters.
“Mr. Assange was charged with very serious criminal conduct in the United States in connection with his alleged role in one of the largest compromises of classified information in the history of our country,” he added.
Wong said Assange’s prosecution had “dragged for too long” and that Australia wanted the charges “brought to a conclusion.”
Australia remains ambiguous about whether the United States should drop the prosecution or strike a plea bargain.
Assange faces 17 charges of espionage and one charge of computer misuse over WikiLeaks’ publication of of hundreds of thousands of classified diplomatic and military documents in 2010.
American prosecutors allege he helped U.S. Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning steal classified diplomatic cables and military files that WikiLeaks later published, putting lives at risk.
Australia argues there is a “disconnect” between the U.S. treatment of Assange and Manning. Then-U.S. President Barack Obama commuted Manning’s 35-year sentence to seven years, which allowed her release in 2017. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-us-secretary-of-state-tells-australia-that-wikileaks-founder-is-accused-of-very-serious-crime/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:29 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-us-secretary-of-state-tells-australia-that-wikileaks-founder-is-accused-of-very-serious-crime/ |
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Over 100 mercenaries belonging to the Russian-linked Wagner group in Belarus have moved close to the border with Poland, the Polish prime minister said Saturday.
Mateusz Morawiecki said at a news conference that the mercenaries had moved close to the Suwalki Gap, a strategic stretch of Polish territory situated between Belarus and Kaliningrad, a Russian territory separated from the mainland.
Poland is a member of both the European Union and NATO, and it has worried about its security with Russian ally Belarus and Ukraine on its eastern border.
Those fears have grown since Wagner group mercenaries arrived in Belarus since the group’s short-lived rebellion earlier this summer.
The Poland-Belarus border has already been a tense place for a couple of years, ever since large numbers of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa began arriving, seeking to enter the EU by crossing into Poland, as well as Lithuania.
Poland’s government accuses Russia and Belarus of using the migrants to destabilize Poland and other EU countries. It calls the migration a form of hybrid warfare, and has responded by building a high wall along part of its border with Belarus.
“Now the situation becomes even more dangerous,” Morawiecki told reporters.
He added that “this is certainly a step towards a further hybrid attack on Polish territory.”
Morawiecki spoke during a visit to an arms factory in Gliwice, in southern Poland, where Leopard tanks used by the Ukrainian army are being repaired. | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-wagner-mercenaries-in-belarus-move-closer-to-the-polish-border-polands-prime-minister-says/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:35 | 0 | https://phl17.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-wagner-mercenaries-in-belarus-move-closer-to-the-polish-border-polands-prime-minister-says/ |
Healthy morning routines for kids
If you’re a parent, you know mornings can be chaotic. Not only do you have to get up and out of bed to prepare for work or the rest of your day, but you also need to wrangle your kids and get them moving. Unfortunately, they don’t always cooperate. Not only is a family morning routine ideal to help things run smoothly but by getting organized, you and your family can lower stress, increase your productivity, boost your energy and even improve your relationships.
Start by sitting down with the entire family and creating a schedule that allows everyone the proper amount of time to get what they need done and walk out the door happy, excited and eager to start the day.
Shop this article: Eslite Toothbrush Toothpaste Holder Stand, Bento Box Lunch Containers and Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat Exercise Mat
Benefits of a Healthy Routine for Kids
- Helps kids adopt healthy habits early on: Establishing a solid daily routine helps kids implement healthy habits, such as washing their teeth and cleaning their room. Since habits require practice and repetition, you won’t have to worry about reminding them once they adopt them into their morning routine.
- Decreases parental exhaustion: Having to worry about your own routine alongside your tasks can leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. Involving your entire family in creating a morning routine can make things less stressful for you.
- Limits screen time: Kids consume several hours of games, social media, TV shows and other forms of entertainment daily, which can take away from healthy habits. A healthy morning routine encourages them to step away from their devices to spend more time with family and prepare for the school day.
- Gives kids responsibility: A morning routine tells kids that they have tasks they need to complete before heading to school. Once they adapt to their routine, they understand that there are things they must do every day without being reminded. In addition, it can help them develop independence early.
- Bedtime is much easier: When your kids have a healthy morning routine, it helps them better navigate their days and makes it easier to go to bed at night. A daily routine establishes your child’s body clock, alerting them when it’s time for bed.
Helpful tips for creating a healthy morning routine
Start preparing the night before
Before you go to bed, pick out clothes that you and your kids will wear the next day, and prepare all of your food options, so you won’t be left scrambling at the last minute. You can spend Sunday preparing meals and picking out clothes to focus on other weekly tasks. In addition, it can be fun to involve your kids by having them help you in the kitchen.
Stock up on organizational items
JanSport SuperBreak One Backpacks
If it’s school you need to get your kids ready for, make sure their backpacks are packed and their lunch boxes are ready to go in the mornings. Aim to keep your pantry and fridge stocked and additional school supplies handy when your kids need them.
There are some excellent organizational items below that you can utilize during the school year or over the summer to make sure you and your kids know where their necessary supplies will be before everyone has to be out the door.
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Make sure you have the essentials
KINCMAX Shower Caddy Bathroom Shelf
Household essentials such as alarm clocks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and any shower items your family needs can keep everyone on track. If you have a lot of products or a large family, consider investing in a shower caddy so everyone has exactly what they need at arm’s reach.
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Avoid the screens
As mentioned, kids can spend a lot of time on their phones and tablets, causing morning distractions. Make a no TV rule in the morning once everyone is awake and out of bed. That means taking away any video games, iPads and cell phones.
Create a positive atmosphere
Playco Reward Chart for Kids Chores
Preparing the night before and planning can reduce stress and urgency. Not only will this make things more convenient, but it will free up time to make positive strides in the right direction. Group activities, like meditation, can be a healthy way to get the entire family in the proper mindset.
And if you’re having trouble motivating your kids, it wouldn’t hurt to provide a little extra incentive with a rewards chart.
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The best organizational items for a healthy morning routine
Humble Crew Modern Toy Organizer
Give your kids the opportunity to tidy their environment with this organizer designed for their height. Having an organized space to wake up in helps start your kids off on the right foot for the morning while teaching them to sort and improve their cognitive skills.
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Eslite Toothbrush Toothpaste Holder Stand
Morning hygiene maintenance is an imperative part of a morning routine. This bathroom organizer allows kids to have everything they need to do in the bathroom each morning and evening together. It can hold five toothbrushes and has holes for toothpaste, combs and cups for water and mouthwash.
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Xoxo Parents Magnetic Chore Chart for Multiple Kids
Help keep everyone in the family organized in the morning with a dry-erase calendar, complete with daily to-do’s. This calendar lets kids know what to expect for the day and help them create a healthy routine while laying out all their tasks.
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Colgate Smart Manual Kids Toothbrush
Make brushing teeth fun for kids with this toothbrush. It includes augmented reality to help kids brush their teeth properly. It has an app that teaches kids to establish healthy hygiene habits, as well as a fun game they unlock when they brush their teeth.
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Gamenote Wooden Pen Holder and Pencil Holders
Having a clean environment in the morning can boost your family’s mood. If you have crafty kids, giving them a pen holder can help them tidy up before departing for school. This rainbow holder includes six different size compartments to fit pencils, pens, crayons and more.
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Zicoto Simplified To-Do List Notebook and Aesthetic Daily Planner
A planner is an excellent tool both kids and adults use to plan their days and stick to healthy routines. This planner has space to write daily to-do list notes, health tracking, appointments and meal plans. It has perforated pages, perfect for tearing them out after completing daily tasks.
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Rewards are a great way to incentivize your kids to stick to a morning routine. This reward chart encourages good behavior and promotes healthy habits. It is designed for kids ages 3 and up. It is laboratory-certified and safe for kids to use.
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The best food items to promote a healthy morning routine
Rubbermaid Brilliance BPA-Free Food Storage Containers with Lids
Plan ahead for your kids’ breakfasts and lunches with these food storage containers that are bisphenol A-free. These 100% leak-proof, splatter-resistant and microwave-safe containers easily stack in the refrigerator to keep you organized from morning till night.
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Kitch’nMore 38 Ounce Meal Prep Containers
Prepare up to 30 meals in advance and keep them neatly packaged in these microwave, dishwasher and freezer-safe containers. Each container holds up to 2.4 pounds of food. They are made of BPA-free material, leak-proof and durable.
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Pre-pack healthy, protein-rich breakfasts and lunches for your children in this eco-friendly bento lunch box. The smaller-sized compartments allow all your kids’ favorite foods to be packed separately for perfect meals that can be eaten whenever their schedule permits.
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Oniva Disney Mickey Mouse Lunch Bag
Your kids will never forget to bring their lunch box to school when it’s this cute! This Mickey Mouse lunch bag is insulated to ensure food stays at the correct temperature. It comes with a knife, fork, spoon, napkin and salt and pepper shakers.
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Lerine 10-Pack Dishwasher-Safe Reusable Bags
Save money and be environmentally friendly using reusable bags for your and your kids’ lunches. They are leakproof, BPA-free and dishwasher safe. They include three 1-gallon bags, four sandwich bags and three snack bags.
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Thermos Funtainer 10-Ounce Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated
This thermos keeps kids’ food cold for up to seven hours, and up to five hours for hot food. It has a lightweight, compact design with a push-button lid that’s easy for kids to carry and open. It also includes a spoon stored in the thermos.
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Topbooc Travel Utensils, Reusable Silverware Set-To-Go
Pack your kids’ lunches with reusable silverware to save money and be environmentally conscious. This set comes with a knife, fork, spoon, two straws, a straw cleaner, chopsticks and a compact case. It is available in a variety of colors and is dishwasher safe.
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The best items for a positive morning atmosphere
Meditation for Kids: 40 Activities to Manage Emotions, Ease Anxiety and Stay Focused
Meditation is an amazing way to start the day with a healthy and positive outlook. This book has options for 40 meditation activities kids can do in the morning to help them remain calm, relaxed and focused.
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Gaiam Kids Yoga Mat Exercise Mat
Yoga is a positive and healthy activity for a child’s morning routine. This adorable yoga mat is perfect for kids ages 5 to 8 and is decorated with a unicorn, lamb and lion. These kids’ yoga mats are non-toxic and phthalate-free while constructed with a textured surface to reduce slips.
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Hatch Rest+ Baby Sound Machine, Night Light
This sound machine helps kids to fall asleep and wake up easily. The time-to-rise programs help them handle the difficult transition from being sound asleep to starting their day. Waking up comfortably and naturally is the ideal first step in any morning routine.
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Big Red Rooster Sleep Training Alarm Clock
This alarm clock notifies your kids if it’s time to wake up or if more sleep is necessary. The ball glows green if it’s time to wake up or red if they should go back to sleep. The hidden parent compartment makes sure the alarm can’t be adjusted.
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The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids
Practicing gratitude is a great way for kids to start the morning with positivity. This journal teaches kids how to be thankful and enjoy the simple things in life. It contains daily pages where kids list out three things and people they’re grateful for and how they’re feeling each day.
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Sonoma Lavender Microwaveable Aromatherapy Pillow
Having a cuddly bear to snuggle in the morning can help kids prepare for the day. This plush bear not only provides snuggles but releases a lavender scent for aromatherapy benefits. It has 10 different animals, such as an elephant, bunny, monkey and lamb.
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Antdalis Sunrise Alarm Clock Wake-Up Light
After a long summer, it might be challenging for kids to readjust to waking up in the mornings. This alarm clock’s light gradually increases over 30 minutes to fill the room with bright, white light. It has two alarms, seven natural sounds and a 10-sound volume.
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Worth checking out
- Slip encouraging notes into your kids’ lunch bags with the Outus 120 Pieces Motivational Encouragement Quote Cards.
- Make mornings more exciting for your children with the Ainibab Boys Girls Hooded Robe.
- Ensure your kids stay hydrated throughout the day with a Bubba Brands Flo Kids Water Bottle with Leak-Proof Lid.
- Give your kids healthy, satisfying snacks such as the GoGo SqueeZ Fruit on the Go Variety Pack.
- This Be Prepared. Period Menstruation Kit is a great starter kit for teens to take to school.
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Ryan Dempsey writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/baby-kids-br/health-safety-br/how-to-develop-a-healthy-morning-routine-for-you-and-your-kids/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:42 | 1 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/baby-kids-br/health-safety-br/how-to-develop-a-healthy-morning-routine-for-you-and-your-kids/ |
Five-year anniversary gifts
Shop this article: Roses, I Love You Anniversary Card and 2-Stem Natural Wood Roses with Vase
Spending a half-decade together is a reason to celebrate. Roses, chocolate and champagne are fitting gifts for almost any anniversary or milestone. However, when you hit the five-year mark in your relationship, you might want to take things up a notch.
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Tradition dictates that the five-year wedding anniversary gift is wood and meant to signal long-lasting strength, wisdom and forgiveness. Still, nowhere does it say that you have to stick to that, and some great gift ideas include perfume, jewelry, shoes, bags and self-care options.
Five-year anniversary wooden gift ideas
I Love You Anniversary Card
If you’re a stickler for tradition and want to make sure you give a gift of wood, one simple way to achieve this is with your card. This laser-cut classic hearts design is more than just any old anniversary card. It’s a keepsake that can last for years to come.
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Kate Posh 5-Years of Marriage Photo Frame
Simple yet also sentimental. This wooden picture frame is engraved and comes in multiple sizes. It has a back-stand easel to display on a table and clips to mount it on the wall.
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2-Stem Natural Wood Roses with Vase
Carved from sugar wood and stained rich chocolate, this stylish, sentimental and symbolic anniversary gift comes with two wooden roses in an oak vase.
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The best fragrance gifts for her
With dazzling floral accents and woodsy notes, this scent exudes femininity and mystery. The may rose and jasmine with citrus notes and soft bourbon vanilla help create this sensual Chanel fragrance, making the perfect gift for a romantic anniversary.
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This scent oozes femininity without being overpowering, with an intoxicating blend of warm and spicy, with keynotes of jasmine, orange blossom and woods and patchouli. It’s also ageless, which makes it perfect for either your 5th or 50th anniversary.
Sold by Sephora
The best self-care gifts for her
Goop “The Martini” Emotional Detox Bath Soak
Treat your loved one to some peace and tranquility with a soothing bath to relax the mind and body. The pink salt will ease muscles. The chia seed oil hydrates and moisturizes the skin, while the wildcrafted frankincense will soothe the mind. This combination is just as good as a day at the spa.
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Give the gift that spoils your loved one night after night with this slip silk pillowcase that’s a known beauty secret of both beauty experts and dermatologists. Cover her pillow in the highest-grade mulberry silk to help create the ultimate night’s rest.
Herbivore Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub
Pamper your partner with a body scrub made from virgin coconut oil, sugar and Moroccan rose to leave her skin moisturized and smelling of rose petals and coconuts. This luxe body scrub has been clinically tested and proven to offer softer, smoother and less dry skin.
The best jewelry gifts for her
TruMiracle Diamond Stud Earrings
These exquisite half-carat diamonds with side accents will dazzle and sparkle from every angle. They are available in 14-carat gold, white gold and rose gold.
Sold by Macy’s
Sarah Chloe Andi Initial Pendant Necklace in 14k Gold-Plate Over Sterling Silver
This is a delicate and sophisticated pendant necklace you can wear casually or when dressing to impress. It’s set in 14 carat-gold-plate over sterling silver, with a lobster clasp for closure and a beaded chain.
Sold by Macy’s
Le Vian Deep-Sea Blue Topaz & Diamond Statement Ring in 14k Rose Gold
Give her something she can’t help but show off with this dazzling deep-blue-sea topaz ring. It’s enhanced with nude and chocolate diamond rings that add to the color and sparkle. These gorgeous stones are set in a beautiful strawberry gold that will make your anniversary one to remember.
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The best handbag gifts for her
Michael Kors Bedford Legacy Logo Ladies Leather Crossbody Bag
There’s just something about a new handbag that makes a girl smile, so make her grin ear-to-ear with a stylish yet practical black, leather crossbody. This sleek and structured silhouette is an ideal everyday bag to match all outfits while remaining chic.
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The best shoes gifts for her
Badgley Mischka Kiara Embellished Peep-Toe Evening Pumps
You can never go wrong with super sexy shoes, and these sapphire satin peep-toe pumps with embellished detail fit the bill. These showstoppers will make her feel like a million bucks and make for one extraordinary anniversary.
Nine West Women’s Toe Dress Pumps
These shoes will be a gift for you and your loved one because you won’t be able to keep your eyes off her when she’s in these ultra-sexy t-strap stilettos. A mix of faux leather and skinny straps from the toe to the ankle make this exotic heel a special occasion in itself.
Sold by Macy’s
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Ryan Dempsey is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/beauty-personal-care-br/tools-accessories-br/best-five-year-anniversary-gifts-for-her/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:48 | 0 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/beauty-personal-care-br/tools-accessories-br/best-five-year-anniversary-gifts-for-her/ |
Which camera accessories are best for vacation?
During a trip, you want to make sure that your camera is safe and secure while at the same time easily accessible and at the ready to snap pics. From camera bags to straps, having the right accessories will be sure to save you from headaches while traveling.
Aside from accessories to keep your camera safe while on the move, there are tons of accessories on the market to make getting that perfect travel shot easy.
Shop this article: NOMATIC McKinnon Camera Pack, ONA The Presidio Cross-Body Strap and VSGO V-P01E Professional Lens Cleaning Pen
Best camera bags for vacation
Best of the best camera bag for vacation
What you need to know: This 35L pack has space for your camera and whatever other accessories you’re taking along for the adventure. It can expand up to 42L and even has extra space for traveling essentials.
What you’ll love: This bag is designed with travelers in mind. It features full access to the main compartment, a luggage handle pass-through, an external laptop pocket and is made with water-resistant material.
What you should consider: This pack is on the pricier side, but the quality is worth it.
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Best anti-theft camera bag for vacation
PacSafe Camsafe X25 Anti-theft Camera Backpack
What you need to know: This camera pack is designed for traveling with expensive equipment. If you want some extra peace of mind while traveling, this bag is the right choice.
What you’ll love: This bag comes with a ton of features to keep your equipment safe, such as a Robar Sport locking system for protection against pickpocketing and hidden stainless steel wire mesh to protect against snatch and grab theft.
What you should consider: If you’re not too worried about theft while traveling, you could opt for a bag that has more room and better organization for a comparable price.
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Best camera bag for multiple cameras on vacation
Think Tank Photo Streetwalker V2.0 Backpack
What you need to know: The Streetwalker is an excellent bag if you’re planning on bringing more than one camera on your trip as it can comfortably house two DSLR cameras.
What you’ll love: This bag is designed with comfort in mind with its padded shoulder straps. It has plenty of pockets and compartments to accommodate all of your accessories as well.
What you should consider: This bag is a smaller model which makes it great for vacation, but be sure to consider the amount of gear that you’ll be bringing along.
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Best bang for your buck camera bag for vacation
BAGSMART DSLR Waterproof Camera Bag
What you need to know: This bag from BAGSMART is not only stylish but also well-equipped to handle any travel situation. Comfortable and secure, this is a great camera bag to bring on vacation.
What you’ll love: The design is sleek without cutting corners on space. It comes with a rain cover to keep your gear safe from the elements. This bag also features some anti-theft protection.
What you should consider: This bag is hard to beat with its cheap price tag, but when it comes to camera bags the price is a good indicator of quality.
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Best camera straps for vacation
Best of the best camera strap for vacation
ONA The Presidio Cross-Body Strap
What you need to know: This strap is stylish, strong and durable. It can be used with camera kits up to 6 lb and is easily adjustable.
What you’ll love: This strap offers comfort while keeping your camera gear close and ready for snapping pics.
What you should consider: The strap is more expensive due to the material being leather. If you don’t like leather, a different strap would work better for you.
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Best bang for your buck camera strap for vacation
What you need to know: This over-the-shoulder strap is durable and comfy thanks to its neoprene shoulder pad and reinforced metal fasteners.
What you’ll love: It’s fully adjustable and even works well with tripods, as you can attach the camera to the tripod without having to unhook the strap.
What you should consider: This strap’s anchor plate may come undone with time, so proceed with caution if you use a heavier camera.
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Best camera accessories for vacation
Best tripod for vacation
What you need to know: The GorillaPod is great for traveling photographers since it’s adjustable and compact.
What you’ll love: This camera tripod is great for hiking trips especially, as the legs can be adjusted to fit all types of terrain.
What you should consider: This travel tripod works with cameras 2 lbs and under, so if you shoot with a larger camera, this won’t work for you.
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Best portable lighting for vacation
What you need to know: The Lume Cube Panel Mini is very portable and fits most DSLR cameras. It’s great for getting the perfect lighting in darker spaces.
What you’ll love: The Lume Cube Panel Mini has adjustable color temp and brightness with an internal battery life of 14 hours to ensure you’ll always have great lighting.
What you should consider: Be sure to check to see if this light is compatible with your camera, as it does not attach to all models. It can still be used without being attached to a camera.
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Best camera cleaning tool for vacation
VSGO V-P01E Professional Lens Cleaning Pen
What you need to know: A lens pen is a great option for travel, as you can store it in your bag without having to worry about it getting dirty.
What you’ll love: The brushes both cover up for seamless storage.
What you should consider: Depending on your needs, you may have to carry some additional lens-cleaning products while traveling.
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Best waterproof camera cover for vacation
Altura Photo Professional Camera Rain Cover
What you need to know: This camera rain cover is great for keeping your gear dry when shooting outside in rainy places.
What you’ll love: It’s made from waterproof nylon and has a great viewing window for rainy-day shooting.
What you should consider: The viewing window may fog up over time.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/must-have-camera-accessories-for-your-next-vacation/ | 2023-07-30T10:18:54 | 1 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/camera-photo-br/must-have-camera-accessories-for-your-next-vacation/ |
While the kids are on home instruction, there’s no better time than now to school them — on the 80s and 90s movies, that is. These decades are pop-culture treasure troves from which many of our fondest memories are plucked.
That’s why you and the kiddos should curl up on the couch and revisit your favorite flicks. Believe it or not, many of them are rich in educational value, even if it’s a matter of drawing the line with feathered bangs.
Our team rounded up essential 80s and 90s cinematic masterpieces for you to share with your kids as they begin their new favorite class, Film Studies 101: The Wonder Years.
Shop this article: Sister Act (1993), 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and Sixteen Candles (1984)
Rated PG
Sister Act (1993)
Witness protection doesn’t need to be boring, especially when you send a Vegas lounge singer into a nunnery for selling out her mob boyfriend. Sister Mary Clarence brings a little jazz to the sisterhood, and you’ll probably sing along to this one — much to the chagrin of the kids.
Other subjects covered: Music theory, criminal justice, religion
Also available at Disney+
The Sandlot (1993)
The summer of 1962 is a formative one for this motley crew of young baseball players. From awkward interactions with girls to dealing with bullying, it’s an all-ages relatable story. And yes, there are plenty of inside jokes that only true baseball fans will appreciate.
Other subjects covered: Bildungsroman, baseball history, bullying
Also available at Starz
Beetlejuice (1988)
Introduce the kiddos to Lydia, a teen undergoing major life adjustments. Moving and making new friends in less-than-ideal situations isn’t easy, especially when you befriend the ghosts of tenants past in your new home — some of whom have colorful personalities.
Other subjects covered: Blended families, real estate ethics, exorcisms
Life is Beautiful (1998)
In an attempt to shield his son from the reality of Nazi occupation in Italy, a quirky Jewish bookshop owner turns their new way of life into a game. The lighthearted approach to keeping young Guido out of harm’s way without further traumatizing him is truly touching.
Other subjects covered: WW2 history, European geography, family dynamics
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Soul-sucking witches from 1693 surface 300 years later to give young Max a run for his money in Salem, Mass. Kids will be enthralled with his journey, as it shows how the actions of a single person has the potential to impact — or save — an entire town.
Other subjects covered: Early American history, time management, the effervescent Bette Midler
Also available at Disney+
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
Whoa! Bill and Ted are the unintentional professors of this crash-course in world history. Join them as they adapt to ancient cultures and interact with historical figures — in a most excellent way.
Other subjects covered: the French Revolution, Greek philosophy, DIY repairs
Also available at Starz
Jungle 2 Jungle (1997)
The concrete jungle of New York City is a far cry from where Mimi-Siku was raised in the remote Canaima region of Venezuela. Upon arrival, he has to get used to Western traditions, a father he’s never met, and unexpected shenanigans involving the Russian mob.
Other subjects covered: Cultural diffusion, New York City architecture, table manners
Top Gun (1986)
Follow Kenny Loggins’s advice: Ride into the danger zone. Few things are as cool as Maverick rocking Ray-Bans and breaking the sound barrier. Cruise through the skies in style — and in preparation for this summer’s second installment to the iconic 80s blockbuster.
Other subjects covered: Aerospace engineering, gravity, classic 80s music
Rated PG-13
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A star-studded cast does Shakespeare justice in this modern spin on The Taming of the Shrew. High school can be the cruelest of times with unrequited love, impenetrable cliques, and popularity contests. Personality perseveres, though: being nice matters, and true love can prevail.
Other subjects covered: Courtly love, sibling rivalries, puberty
Also available at Disney+
Jurassic Park (1993)
Who doesn’t love a nature versus nurture story told through misadventures in a dinosaur theme park? Kids can flex their problem-solving skills by coming up with ways to escape velociraptors running amok — and may emerge as budding paleontologists.
Other subjects covered: Evolution, GMOs, the dangers of portable toilets
Titanic (1997)
Follow the larger-than-life story of Jack and Rose, star-crossed lovers divided by class, set on the ill-fated Titanic. Besides learning about the ship’s history, you’ll also explore how this mega-budget movie managed to pull off its special effects.
Other subjects covered: Early 20th century history, cinematic history, anatomy of a ship
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Think it’s hard to relate to a high school slacker cutting class when you miss school? Think again. Ferris Bueller plays hooky and bites off more than he can chew trying to evade the principal. It’s a great lesson on the snowball effects of decision-making — not to mention joyriding.
Other subjects covered: Driver’s education, historic Chicago, the dramatic fourth wall
Clueless (1995)
This satirical commentary on 90s Valley Girls is very loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma. Slice through the vivacious verbiage to see the true heart of the story. Cher’s tireless mission as a social butterfly reveals good intentions, despite hang-ups with designer clothing.
Other subjects covered: 90s fashion, British Romantic literature, epic closet organization
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Running with scissors is not encouraged, and neither is falling in love when you have them for hands. This Franken-fantasy love story is endearing and illustrates the importance of not judging others by their appearance. Besides, we’re all one snip away from having our hearts broken, too.
Other subjects covered: Human anatomy, Johnny Depp as a film icon, landscape architecture
Wayne’s World (1992)
Your kids will never hear an electric guitar the same way again. This 90s spectacle incorporates all things pop culture, including the music and fashion of the era. It’s also fascinating to draw similarities between this low-budget basement show and modern-day live-streaming.
Other subjects covered: History of social media, 80s classic rock and metal, fashionable flannel
Rated R
Sixteen Candles (1984)
Sixteen is already hard enough, and things get more complicated when your sister’s wedding overshadows your birthday. Follow Sam as she becomes embroiled in a challenging relationship with her crush and navigates the antics of nerdy teenage boys.
Other subjects covered: Sex education, Molly Ringwald as a cultural icon, event planning
Also available at Starz
Coming to America (1988)
When Crown Prince Akeem of Zamunda breaks with tradition and refuses an arranged marriage, he travels to none other than New York City to find an independent woman. East and West collide during Akeem’s courtship attempts, which are awkward and borderline inappropriate.
Other subjects covered: Cultural diffusion, courtship, international travel
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1994)
To be fair, this film is technically PG-13, but it should be R. Set in jolly England, this comical delight is an un-PC retelling of Robin Hood. Toilet humor abounds, including a character named Latrine. The puns are awful, the names are worse, and if you do nothing else, duck and cover when Blinkin picks up a crossbow.
Other subjects covered: Medieval times, scriptwriting, personal hygiene
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Types of residential water heaters
Residential water heaters come in tank, tankless and hybrid varieties. Each type has its own distinct characteristics; benefits as well as drawbacks. By looking at factors including cost, energy efficiency, maintenance and lifespan, you’ll be able to determine which type is right for your home.
Shop this article: Rheem 50-Gallon Residential Electric Water Heater, Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Tankless Heater, A.O. Smith 50-Gallon Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater
Tank water heaters
Traditional water heaters feature a tank that stores hot water until it’s needed. They range in size from 30-50 gallons and run on either gas or electricity. These units cost less upfront compared to tankless and hybrid water heaters. Since they’re the most common type, costs associated with installation, repairs and maintenance are relatively low in comparison. Tank water heaters are associated with the most energy loss, referred to as standby heat loss. They waste energy by maintaining hot water in the tank when not in use.
Traditional water heaters have the shortest lifespan compared to the other types, typically lasting 8-12 years. Exposure to water, oxygen and minerals corrodes the tank over time, causing it to leak; this process is usually what causes a tank water heater to cease functioning.
Tankless water heaters
Also referred to as on-demand water heaters, tankless models are powered by gas or electricity. According to the Department of Energy, “for homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand water heaters can be 24–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” While tankless water heaters cost more up-front and are pricier to install compared to tank units, energy savings make them more cost-effective in the long run. Tankless heaters also take up significantly less space compared to tank and hybrid models.
Tankless water heaters have the longest lifespan, capable of lasting around 15 to 20 years. This is in part due to the fact that they do not operate constantly the way a traditional tank heater does. However, tankless water heater components may also experience corrosion, eventually.
Hybrid water heaters
Hybrid water heaters run on minimal electricity, consisting of a tank and a heat pump. They’re larger than tank water heaters, with sizes ranging from 50 to 80 gallons. Unlike tank and tankless units, they don’t directly generate heat — heat is taken from the surrounding air and transferred into the tank. For this reason, hybrid water heaters are among the most energy-efficient options on the market. However, they are costly and more expensive to install compared to traditional storage tank heaters. Hybrid water heaters function best when the temperature of the surrounding air remains at or above 40 degrees.
Hybrid water heaters tend to last around 13-15 years. Similar to tankless water heaters, they do not run continuously, which increases their lifespan. They still contain a tank capable of corroding, though, so they won’t last as long as tankless units.
Best tank water heaters
Rheem 50-Gallon Residential Electric Water Heater
This electric water heater has a 50-gallon capacity suitable for households of 3-5 people. The water heater includes a 6-year tank and parts warranty.
Sold by Walmart
Rheem 40-Gallon Residential Electric Water Heater
If you’re looking for an electric model for a smaller household, this unit is a better option. It can reliably heat water for two to four people, with an included six-year tank and parts warranty.
Sold by Walmart
Rheem 40-Gallon Natural Gas Water Heater
This natural gas heater with a 40-gallon capacity can support households of 2-4 people. It features a push-button ignition for an easier startup process. You’re covered with a 6-year tank and parts warranty, as well.
Sold by Walmart
Best tankless water heaters
Stiebel Eltron Tempra 36 Plus Tankless Heater
This tankless electric option provides a continuous output of hot water for three to four bathrooms in warm climates or two to three bathrooms in cooler climates. It has a digital display and preset temperature buttons that simplify operation. This heater comes with seven-year leakage and three-year parts warranties.
Sold by Amazon
EcoSmart ECO 27 Tankless Water Heater
Another electric pick, this tankless model can heat up to 6 gallons of water per minute, ideal for apartment and condo units in warmer climates. It features a digital display and dial temperature controls. The lifetime warranty offers peace of mind.
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Eemax Electric Tankless Water Heater
In cold climates, this tankless electric model produces enough hot water for one shower and two sinks to run simultaneously. In warmer climates, this heater can support up to four showers running at once. It features a digital display and dial controls, plus 5-year leak and 1-year parts warranties with purchase.
Sold by Amazon
Best hybrid water heater
A.O. Smith 50-Gallon Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater
This hybrid water heater has a 50-gallon tank capable of servicing households of three to five people. You can access efficiency, hybrid, electric and vacation operating modes using the electronic interface. The electric heater comes with a six-year tank and parts warranty.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/home-br/heating-cooling-air-quality-br/which-type-of-water-heater-is-best-for-you/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:07 | 1 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/home-br/heating-cooling-air-quality-br/which-type-of-water-heater-is-best-for-you/ |
Best time to fertilize your lawn
Whether you’re creating a comfortable space for your family to spend their free time or increasing the curb appeal of your property, maintaining a green and healthy lawn can be difficult. One of the most effective steps you can take is applying fertilizer, but correctly applying it can be tricky. And an incorrect application can do more harm than good.
We at BestReviews want you to be knowledgeable when utilizing fertilizer and have created this guide to help you feel confident you’re adding the correct amount at the appropriate time.
Shop this article: EGO Power+ 21-inch 56-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Mower, Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader and Flexzilla Garden Hose
Fertilizer nutrients
Most fertilizers found in a store will have three numbers printed on the packaging, referring to nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Though all these nutrients are necessary for a better lawn, each performs a specific role in facilitating healthy grass growth.
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is the most important nutrient required for a healthy lawn. All plants, including grass, need nitrogen to produce chlorophyll. Chlorophyll not only acts as food for the plant but also gives the plant its green color. Applying a nitrogen fertilizer helps your grass grow faster, recover from environmental stresses and deters disease and invasive weeds.
Although nitrogen needs to be applied in the correct amount, too much nitrogen can lead to rapid growth with an underdeveloped root system. Too little nitrogen and the yard may become nitrogen deficient, causing the grass to yellow.
Phosphorus
Phosphorus promotes vigorous root growth and helps the grass pull water from the soil. A robust root system encourages proper hydration, helps plants reach full maturity, aids in survival during dry weather and keeps soil and nutrients from blowing away during strong winds and storms.
Potassium
Potassium helps a plant’s cells maintain ‘turgor pressure,’ also known as hydrostatic pressure. Simply put, turgor pressure is what gives the plant’s cell its structural integrity. This allows the plant to survive harsh conditions, like cold weather or drought.
Best grass mowers
EGO Power+ 21-inch 56-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Mower
Cordless, self-propelled, and able to run 80 minutes on a single charge, the EGO Power 21-inch 56-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Mower is the rare full-electric mower that feels like a gas model.
Sold by Amazon
Black & Decker 6.5A 12-inch Electric 3-in-1 Trimmer/Edger and Mower
This Black and Decker lawn edger is an affordable and quality option for those with medium to small yards looking for a versatile machine.
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Types of fertilizer
Fast-release vs. slow-release
With nitrogen as the most critical component in facilitating plant growth, you should pay careful attention to how you introduce it into your yard’s ecosystem. Fast-release nitrogen fertilizers provide rapid growth and greening but increase the risk of nitrogen oversaturation.
Slow-release nitrogen fertilizers, also known as controlled-release fertilizers, allow for a more gradual introduction of nitrogen. Plant greening and maturation won’t be rapid, but you can expect even grass growth and lessen the chance of lawn damage.
Liquids vs. granules
Most home fertilizers come in either liquid or granule form. Though both contain the same nutrients needed to facilitate healthy lawn growth, they each have specific benefits and drawbacks.
Liquid fertilizers have a consistent distribution of nutrients and are easy to apply. Liquid fertilizers do not have a slow-release nitrogen option, and the initial cost of a distribution system can be steep.
Granular fertilizers are cheap to purchase, especially in bulk, are easy to store and provide slow-release nitrogen fertilizer options. Though granular fertilizers don’t spread as evenly as their liquid counterparts, the cost of granule distribution systems is far less.
Best granular spreaders
Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
With its straightforward operation and ease of use, the Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader is an ideal fit for those who need to distribute fertilizer over a large area.
Sold by Amazon
Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
For gardeners on a budget, Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader has plenty of capacity to cover most lawns and gardens.
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Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
Lightweight and handheld, the Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader is an excellent fit for the gardener with a small or atypical-shaped yard in need of fertilizing.
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When is the best time to fertilize your lawn?
Depending on the needs of your soil and climate, your lawn may require multiple applications of fertilizer throughout the year. However, there are two critical times during the year when spreading fertilizer can most benefit your yard.
Spring
When fertilizer is applied to frozen soil, the plants cannot absorb nitrogen and other nutrients. Instead, the nitrogen rests on top of the soil and can be washed away, collecting in the low parts of a yard or into storm drains and ditches. These areas become damaged from an over-concentration of nitrogen and will need further attention and maintenance.
In spring, wait until the soil has sufficiently thawed and warmed before applying fertilizer. Creating a solid root system early will lead to a healthier and greener yard later, so be cautious not to apply too much nitrogen too fast.
Fall
Late fall is arguably the most critical time to apply fertilizer, as the winter months will be the hardest on your lawn. Research the expected climate in your area and spread fertilizer 2-3 weeks before the soil will freeze. The morning dews during those few weeks will bring the essential nutrients from the fertilizer into the soil. The result will be a lawn more prepared for the cold winter months and a healthier root system when the soil thaws again in the spring.
When to water the lawn after fertilizing
If you decide to apply granular fertilizer to your lawn, water the area immediately to ensure the nutrients are absorbed. Never apply granular fertilizer to wet grass, as wet grass can cause nitrogen to wash away before entering the soil, damaging your lawn.
Rugged enough to discourage kinks, yet flexible and easy to use, the Flexzilla garden hose is an ideal purchase for the gardener who prefers a hands-on approach to lawn maintenance.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/lawn-garden-br/fertilizers-br/when-to-fertilize-your-lawn/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:14 | 0 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/lawn-garden-br/fertilizers-br/when-to-fertilize-your-lawn/ |
Invest in art supplies to spark creativity
Art is a fun, hands-on way for kids to play and express themselves. Whether they’re doodling, designing or painting, each art project taps into their creativity and provides hours of fun.
If you’re thinking of investing in art supplies for kids, you might be wondering where to begin. Start with foundational supplies, which include coloring, sketching and painting sets. Beyond these, opt for supplies and tools that cater to your kids’ unique artistic interests. Kids who are fascinated with fashion design, for example, will appreciate sewing machines, while others may want to dabble in sculpting with modeling clay.
Shop this article: Elmer’s Rainbow Glitter Glue Pen Set, Desk Organizer for Kids and Magic Erasers
What to know about art supplies for kids
Safety
Elmer’s Rainbow Glitter Glue Pen Set
Art supplies made for kids are designed to be safe and age-appropriate. Many of them have non-toxic components or ingredients, such as Elmer’s Rainbow Glitter Glue Pen Set. Like certain toys, some art supplies may have small parts warnings. Additionally, if art supplies or kits require adult supervision, manufacturers usually indicate it clearly on the packaging.
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Storage
It’s common to amass a modest collection of kids’ art supplies, which is why it’s smart to think about storage options, too.
- Markers, colored pencils and crayons can be placed in desktop organizers or caddies.
- Small or loose supplies, such as beads or card-making supplies, can be stored in stacking storage bins.
- When several types of art supplies are used on a regular basis, a utility rolling cart keeps them accessible and organized.
- Art supplies brought on trips can be stored in portable craft organizers.
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How to handle art project messes
It’s no secret that art projects can get messy. Even if you take precautionary measures — including laying a newspaper on the floor or wearing smocks — accidents happen. Fortunately, most messes can be cleaned up quickly with the right products.
Adhesive removers are ideal for lifting residue left by glue and stickers. Magic Erasers can remove stubborn pen and marker stains from walls and other hard surfaces. Stain-fighting detergent and pre-treat spot cleaners are effective at lifting most paint and ink stains from kids’ clothing.
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How much you can expect to spend on art supplies for kids
Basic art supplies for kids, including entry-level coloring and craft sets, cost $10 or less. Mid-range art supplies, such as deluxe painting, coloring or sculpting sets, run between $10-$30. High-end supplies, like artist-grade colored pencils, run $30-$75.
Best art supplies for kids
Deluxe marker set
Deluxe marker sets include dozens of markers in a wide variety of colors. In addition to the basic rainbow colors, they may have several unique shades.
Crayola Super Tips Marker Set includes 100 markers in 100 colors. Their tapered tips are suitable for fine color work or everyday doodling. The markers, intended for ages 3 and older, are non-toxic and washable.
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Graphite pencils
Graphite pencils are used for sketching and shading. Sets include a range of grades, which vary based on hardness and how much lead the pencil deposits on paper. The higher the grade, the lighter the mark it will leave.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Art Pencil Set
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Art Pencil Set includes 12 graded pencils ranging from 6B through 4H. Considered an artist-grade set, they’re easy to sharpen and erase and are packaged in a sleek, protective tin.
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Sketchbook
Sketchbooks are blank canvases for budding artists. They’re available in more than one type of paper to accommodate various types of ink, pencils or paint.
Strathmore Sketch Pad, considered an ideal “first sketchbook,” is suitable for pencil, charcoal, pastel and sketch work. The spiral-bound design features a heavy cardboard front and back to protect pages.
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Modeling clay
Modeling clay is soft and malleable, which makes it a kid-friendly medium for sculpting. Some types of modeling clay air dry into tiny creations, whereas others are non-drying and lend themselves to repeated reshaping.
Faber-Castell Modeling Clay Set
Faber-Castell Modeling Clay Set comes with clay in 10 classic colors. The kit includes a few sculpting tools as well, such as shape cutters and push molds. Suitable for ages 4 and older, this non-drying clay is gluten-free and non-toxic.
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Easel
A kids’ easel is a versatile investment in art, as it can be used for upright sketching or painting. Many of these easels have built-in tables that hold art supplies, including paint pots or chalk.
Light box
Light boxes are designed for animation, comic book art and stenciling. Their illumination comes from bright white LED lights, which last through hours of use. Many light boxes offer more than one brightness option.
TickTeckLab A4 Ultra-Thin Portable LED Tracer
TickTeckLab A4 Ultra-Thin Portable LED Tracer is appreciated for its flicker-free glow. The portable light box comes with a micro USB port for easy charging through power banks, PCs or compatible AC adapters.
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Construction paper
Construction paper remains one of the most versatile types of paper for art projects. Its heavyweight design and bright colors make it ideal for designing cards, mobiles and other crafts.
Crayola Construction Paper comes with a set of 96 9×12-inch sheets in eight colors. The paper is suitable for all types of pencils and most types of ink, including bold markers and high-pigment pens.
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Acrylic paint set
Acrylic paint is considered a multipurpose paint since it can be used on a variety of surfaces, including glass, ceramic, stone, canvas and wood. It blends easily and is ideal for beginner painters.
Arteza Craft Acrylic Paint includes 20 popular colors packaged in squeezable bottles. The fast-dry formula minimizes smearing and messes. The paint is non-toxic and can be cleaned from most surfaces with soap and water.
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Lettering kit
Creative lettering, or calligraphy, is done with a diverse range of pens with contoured tips. These pens create unique designs and shapes, resulting in artistic signs, words, logos or monograms.
Prismacolor Premier Beginner Hand Lettering Set
Prismacolor Premier Beginner Hand Lettering Set is a popular introductory set that includes two graphite pencils and four pens. The kit comes with a tips pamphlet that explains basic techniques on letter shaping and design.
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Sewing machine
Sewing machines let users experiment with fashion design, home decor and other types of fabric crafting. While they’re more expensive than most art supplies, sewing machines lend themselves to considerable use and may last for the better part of a decade — or longer.
Singer M3330 Making the Cut Sewing Machine
Singer M3330 Making the Cut Sewing Machine, a user-friendly model, is equipped with 97 stitches and has a convenient front-loading bobbin. In addition to its compact design, the Singer sewing machine has a full-metal frame for lasting durability.
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/lawn-garden-br/tools-br-lawn-garden-br/arts-crafts-br/best-art-supplies-for-kids/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:20 | 0 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/lawn-garden-br/tools-br-lawn-garden-br/arts-crafts-br/best-art-supplies-for-kids/ |
What’s the best way to crate train a dog with separation anxiety?
Crate training can be a useful tool for many dog owners. Some may want their dog in a crate when they’re sleeping or when they leave the home, while others may want to give the dog space all their own. Crate training is also helpful for dogs with separation anxiety since the crate can provide calm and protection. Dogs that do not like being alone may welcome the crate during moments of distress. Crate training takes time and patience. Relieving separation anxiety requires an owner’s full attention and dedication. Don’t miss our testing insights on the Furbo Dog Camera.
Shop this article: MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate, Furbo Dog Camera and Merrick Power Bites Salmon Treats.
What is separation anxiety?
Separation anxiety is the fear of being alone. Dogs that have been abandoned, have moved to a new space or have undergone a sudden shift in lifestyle may develop separation anxiety. In particular, dogs that develop a strong bond with their owners may become anxious when alone. Especially if the owner has been home frequently only to have a new schedule in which they are often away. Separation anxiety may develop at any age among any breed. It can also be exacerbated by a lack of mental and physical stimulation, leading to a bored dog that may start to lash out.
How to identify separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is easy to identify and can manifest in a variety of ways. Most commonly, your dog barks excessively while you’re gone. They may also develop destructive behavior such as chewing furniture, rummaging for food or ripping up anything left out. They may also mark or relieve themselves when left alone. Some behavior may be noticeable before you leave. Dogs can associate certain sounds and actions, such as the handling of keys or putting on a coat, as signs they are about to be left alone. As a result, they may begin to pace, pant, drool, shake or even try to sneak out the door with you.
Crate training advantages
When afraid or anxious, a trained dog may retreat to its crate. If it becomes a place of refuge, dogs can be more comfortable when alone. It gives them security and confidence and offers you peace of mind while away. Many owners prefer to crate train a rescue dog since past trauma may be unknown and it’s likely they are in need of stability.
How to crate train
Crate training can take weeks or months and requires strict discipline and patience by the owner. The first step is to choose the right crate. Your dog should be able to comfortably stand up and turn around within the crate. Wire crates are most popular as they are durable and easy to set up and take down. Some have two doors for easier access, while others feature a bottom platform that can pull out for easy cleaning.
Initially, the crate should be a place your dog can safely explore without owners nearby. Fill it with a comfortable bed or blankets, especially ones that have a familiar smell to them. You may put in calming toys or clothes that have your scent on it to make the dog feel safe.
Spending time in the crate should be relaxing. If your dog does not initially explore the crate, a favorite toy or tasty treat might entice them. Let them enter and exit as they wish and keep your distance if they seem hesitant. Early on, their time in the crate needs to be rewarding and stimulating. A challenging puzzle or a treat-dispensing toy is useful to get them to make positive associations.
As they grow more comfortable, you can experiment with closing the door but keeping it unlocked, allowing your dog to push it open and leave if they wish. Over time, begin to lock the door, keeping them in for a few minutes. Slowly increase the time they stay in there as they grow more comfortable, building up to longer periods away.
Crate safety
There are some precautions to take when crate training your dog.
- Dogs with severe separation anxiety may seek to break free, which can be dangerous.
- They should never wear a collar or apparel within the crate as it may get caught.
- They should have water if you’re going away for more than an hour. Some water bowls can affix to the side so they don’t step in it or knock it over.
- Avoid leaving your dog in a crate for more than six to eight hours. Especially younger dogs that may not have full bladder control.
- If your dog is anxious and prone to chewing while stressed, do not leave any toys within that they could destroy and ingest.
Additional solutions
Crate training is only one way to curb separation anxiety. Before leaving, your dog should enjoy both physical and mental exertion. Tiring them out with a walk and playtime, even something as simple as fetch, can help them settle and relax. Some dogs also benefit from having the sides and top of the crate covered to create a cozier, more protective space with less stimulation.
Some dogs may enjoy calming treats and supplements. Popular ingredients include hemp and chamomile to soothe the dog and help them sleep. Some dog owners may want to keep an eye on their dog while they’re away to better see how they are coping with being alone; a dog camera may be a worthy investment. Our tester found the Furbo Dog Camera‘s treat-tossing feature excellent for interacting with your pet while away. They also liked the recording feature, saying it made training out their puppy’s bad behaviors much easier. For serious anxiety, your vet may prescribe medication in conjunction with dedicated training.
Best treats for crate training for separation anxiety
Merrick Power Bites Salmon Treats
Delicious, high-value dog treats should only be for training. These nutritious chews feature salmon and potatoes. Use these only for crate training so your dog makes positive associations.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/pets-br/training-br/how-to-crate-train-a-dog-with-separation-anxiety/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:27 | 1 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/pets-br/training-br/how-to-crate-train-a-dog-with-separation-anxiety/ |
MUNCIE, Ind. – Police in Muncie are investigating a disturbance near East Willard Street and South Hackley Street.
According to the Muncie Police Department, officers responded just after 1 a.m. for a reported disturbance, however they could not clarify the nature of their investigation.
Police and a SWAT vehicle have surrounded the intersection between Willard and Hackley for their investigation.
This is a developing story. This story will be updated when new information becomes available. | https://fox59.com/news/police-investigating-large-disturbance-in-muncie/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:33 | 1 | https://fox59.com/news/police-investigating-large-disturbance-in-muncie/ |
Adult lawn games
When you’re a kid, outdoor games help you develop both fine and gross motor skills. They can increase your coordination, teach you admirable character traits such as good sportsmanship and help you burn off excess energy.
However, when you become an adult, outdoor games serve a different purpose. While they still provide entertainment and recreation, outdoor games encourage and facilitate social interaction. The best outdoor games for adults create an atmosphere that sparks conversation and healthy but not too serious competition.
Read on for a list of favorite outdoor games that are best suited for backyard gatherings of adult friends and family members. To make it easy for you to find one that’s best for your needs, they’re organized in five categories: classic games, tossing games, active games, supersized games and novelty options.
Shop this article: Franklin Sports Croquet Set, Hey! Play! Family Bocce Ball Set and St. Pierre American Professional Series Horseshoes
Classic games
These lawn games are timeless favorites that have been around for a hundred years or more.
Croquet is a fun game of skill that’s been around for nearly 200 years. It involves hitting a ball through a course made of wire hoops and a peg. This set comes with everything you need: six durable mallets, six balls, nine hoops, two pegs and a carrying case.
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Hey! Play! Family Bocce Ball Set
Bocce is a simple game of skill that’s been around for over 7,000 years. This set from Hey! Play! offers quality materials at a low price, which translates to value. The balls come in two colors with two distinct patterns to facilitate four-person play.
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You thought bowling was only an indoor sport? In 5,000 B.C., ancient Egyptians used to have fun knocking down objects by rolling stones. With this quality set of ten hardwood pins and two hardwood balls, you can carry on the tradition at your next picnic. This game works best on level, short-cut lawns or dirt.
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Tossing games
Whether tossing steel or beanbags, these fun adult games are designed to test your underarm throwing skills.
St. Pierre American Professional Series Horseshoes
This is not a set for kids. The durable blue and gray horseshoes in this kit are manufactured using forged steel. The set also includes two solid steel 24-inch stakes, an official rule book and a carrying case.
Sold by Amazon and Dick’s Sporting Goods
GoSports Premium Metal Ladder Toss Game Set
If you’re looking for a high-quality ladder toss game, this model is made out of steel, is easy to assemble and comes with a carrying case. The bolos are manufactured using soft rubber with thicker strings to help prevent tangles.
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This regulation-size cornhole game has a vintage style and is manufactured to look like steel-framed barnwood planks but is UV- and water-resistant. The set comes with eight 16-ounce, all-weather beanbags.
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Active games
These active games are best for individuals who like to get a little workout in while playing.
For the individual who takes paddle ball seriously, this high-quality, solid wooden set is made using pine, sapele and beechwood to create a distinctive design. The handles are wrapped in neoprene to provide a confident grip, and the set comes with a canvas drawstring bag for storage and transport.
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Franklin Sports Family Badminton Set
If you’d like to save a little money and still get a great badminton set, this is the way to go. This family-friendly unit features a net that is 20 feet x 1 foot, 6 inches. It’s easy to set up and comes with four steel badminton rackets, two nylon birdies and six ropes and stakes.
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Park & Sun Sports Permanent Outdoor Tetherball Set
Tetherball is a fun and challenging game that is permanently installed so you can play whenever you’d like. The object is simply to wrap the rope completely around the pole. This kit features a two-piece galvanized steel pole to resist rusting along with a soft-touch ball with a durable nylon-wound bladder.
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Supersized games
The fun only gets bigger when you play these tabletop games in extra-large size.
This is the official Hasbro version of the popular stacking game. However, in this supersized version, you can use the 54 hardwood blocks to create towers that are over 5 feet tall.
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ECR4Kids Jumbo 4-to-Score Game Set
Yes, this is the popular kids’ game that goes by a slightly different name when sold by other manufacturers. The object is to connect four giant rings in a straight line on the huge 4-foot-tall game grid. It’s manufactured using lightweight, weather-resistant material so it can be played either indoors or outdoors.
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Triumph Sports 28-Piece Lawn Domino Set
If you’ve ever wanted to play dominoes outside, this is your chance. This wooden set features 28 pieces that are 3 1/2 x 7 inches, making them large enough to play on a picnic table or in the grass. The color-coded pips add a splash of fun while the varnish finish helps with durability.
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Novelty options
If you’d like to look a little off the beaten path for backyard entertainment, these outdoor novelty games might be the best option for you.
University Games Flickin’ Chicken
This creative novelty game is modeled after golf. There’s a target that serves as the hole, and each round, players see who can land their chicken on the target with the least number of throws. Up to four players can play a game.
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GoSports Foam Fire Trophy Hunt
Admittedly, this game was designed for kids, but that doesn’t mean adults can’t have just as much fun playing. Players take turns shooting foam balls at a target that features big game animals to try and earn the most points. The set includes two blasters, 40 foam balls, a target, a carrying case and a rule book.
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GoPong 8-Foot Portable Beer Pong Table
Yes, we’ve saved the best for last! This regulation-size beer pong table is what every serious competitor needs. The compact, fold-up design turns this table into a 2-foot square case in a matter of seconds. While the table comes with six pong balls, you need to supply your own red Solo cups.
Sold by Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/outdoor-toys-br/best-adult-lawn-games/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:33 | 1 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/outdoor-toys-br/best-adult-lawn-games/ |
What are the best healthy road trip snacks?
Looking for some healthy road trip snacks? While celery sticks and grapes are great all-natural options, there are plenty more worth exploring.
While you’re on the road, convenience is everything. As far as snacks are concerned, the best ones are delicious, satisfying and relatively tidy. After all, you don’t want to derail your journey by having to pull over to clean up spills and messes.
To point you in the right direction, read on for some favorite road trip-worthy delights that range from organic fruit snacks to high-protein trail mixes.
Shop this article: Sistema Small Food Storage Containers, Navitas Organics Blueberry Hemp Organic Power Snacks and One Protein Best Sellers Variety Pack
What to know about healthy road trip snacks
What to look for in road trip snacks
If you’re wondering how road trip snacks vary compared to regular ones, it boils down to a few key characteristics.
- Road trip snacks should be somewhat mess-free. At the very least, they should be easy to clean up.
- The packages of snacks should be easy to open on their own. If possible, stick to individual snack bags that tear open, or purchase reusable containers with twist-off lids.
- To be considerate of other passengers, choose snacks without strong odors. Tuna or certain kinds of cheese, for example, might be a bit too pungent.
- To stave off hunger until the next stop at a restaurant, opt for nutrient-dense snacks. Foods that are high in protein and fiber may keep you feeling fuller longer.
Packaged snacks vs. homemade snacks
When it comes to healthy road trip snacks, there are two options: either keep it simple with packaged snacks or whip up your own.
Packaged snacks are convenient since they’re small and premeasured. Many of these snacks are affordable, especially when you buy them in bulk. However, some packaged snacks contain preservatives or ingredients you may wish to avoid.
Homemade snacks are the better choice for those who want full control over ingredients. While they involve considerable planning, shopping and preparation, making your own snacks can be healthier and more cost-effective than buying packaged snacks.
Healthy road trip snack ideas
Fruits and vegetables
Fruits and veggies make simple road trip snacks when they’re cut into finger food-size pieces. Celery, baby carrots and grape tomatoes are popular options, as are apples and pears.
Sistema Small Food Storage Containers
Enjoy them on their own, or consider bringing road trip-friendly dip. Hummus is a perennial favorite since it’s less likely to spill and can be enjoyed at room temperature. Add a few hearty dollops of your favorite hummus — sweet or savory — into mini food storage containers, like these from Sistema.
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Dehydrated foods
Road trippers may reach for dehydrated foods like jerky and dried apple slices since they’re easy to pack and mess-free.
Presto 06300 Dehydro Electric Food Dehydrator
There are several types of packaged organic, non-GMO and plant-based dehydrated foods, but they can be expensive. Instead, some people opt to buy food dehydrators, like this user-friendly Presto model. It only takes using the device a few times for it to pay for itself and for you to save big on dehydrated treats.
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Simple roll-ups
Roll-ups are mess-free alternatives to crumbly sandwiches, not to mention they’re much easier to hold when they’re cut into pinwheels.
Mr. Tortilla 1 Net Carb Tortilla Wraps
Choose ingredients like cold cuts, cheese or vegetables and roll them in low-carb wraps, like these from Mr. Tortilla. Or, you can slather wraps in nut butter or hummus for a simple, satisfying snack.
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Snack mixes
Snack mixes remain a road trip favorite since they deliver a robust burst of flavor with every bite.
Planters Nut-rition Heart Healthy Nut Mix
While traditional trail mix is available, some people make their own mixes instead. Many use low-salt nut mixes as a base and pair them with organic raisins, dark chocolate chips, coconut shavings or gluten-free cereal.
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Best healthy road trip snacks
Superfood bites
Navitas Organics Blueberry Hemp Organic Power Snacks
Packed with antioxidant-rich blueberries and hemp seeds, these vegan power bites are flavorful, filling and contain 30% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
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Gluten-free chips
Besides being non-GMO, these flavor-packed, gluten-free corn chips contain four or fewer ingredients and are free of trans fats.
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Mini fruit bars
That’s It. Mini Fruit Bars Variety Pack
These pocket-friendly fruit bars are only 60 calories apiece. They’re 100% plant-based and are free of the top 12 allergens.
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Seaweed sheets
GimMe Organic Roasted Seaweed Sheets
Indulge in these low-carb seaweed snacks, which are only 25 calories per serving. They’re an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin K, iodine and omega-3s.
Sold by: Amazon
Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios Variety Pack
These shelled pistachio packs come in three flavors and deliver up to 5 grams of protein per serving.
Sold by: Amazon
Protein bars
One Protein Best Sellers Variety Pack
Sink your sweet tooth into these gluten-free protein bars which contain 20 grams of protein and only 1 gram of sugar.
Sold by: Amazon
Organic figs
Sunny Fruit Rehydrated Dried Smyrna Figs
Juicy and sweet, these organic dried figs are rich in fiber and antioxidants. As an added bonus, they’re non-GMO, vegan and Kosher.
Sold by: Amazon
Mini fiber bars
Fiber One Cinnamon Coffee Cake 70-Calorie Bars
In addition to 5 net carbs and only 2 grams of sugar, these bars contain 20% of your daily recommended fiber intake.
Sold by: Amazon
Chocolate-covered almonds
Blue Diamond Dark Chocolate Roasted Almonds
These chocolate-covered almonds are packed in 100-calorie bags and covered in real cocoa powder, and they’re rich in vitamin E.
Sold by: Amazon
Organic fruit snacks
YumEarth Organic Vegan Fruit Snacks
Organic, vegan and non-GMO, these fruit snacks are a tasty pick-me-up or sweet treat. They’re free of artificial dyes and flavors.
Sold by: Amazon
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/travel-br/travel-essentials-br/best-healthy-road-trip-snacks/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:39 | 0 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/travel-br/travel-essentials-br/best-healthy-road-trip-snacks/ |
A high-speed pursuit on Interstate 40 Friday night that ended in a ramming maneuver by an Arkansas State Police trooper left the suspect, a West Memphis man, dead and another trooper injured, a Saturday news release from the agency stated.
Demarcus Clark, 32, died as a result of injuries he suffered about 10 p.m. Friday, when a state trooper pursuing him performed a "tactical vehicle intervention" to end the chase near the 283 mile marker on I-40, the release says. It says Clark was driving recklessly and fleeing at speeds of more than 120 mph, putting the lives of other motorists at risk.
The term "tactical vehicle intervention" refers to a practice in which a trooper rams the rear wheel of a suspect vehicle in an attempt to spin it out of control and end the chase, which has also been referred to as a precision immobilization technique, or PIT, maneuver, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Cindy Murphy said previously.
Immediately after the pursuing trooper rammed Clark's vehicle, it collided with a second trooper's patrol vehicle, injuring a state police sergeant, who was treated at a hospital and released, the release states. The sergeant was not identified in the release.
"Last night, our Troopers put into action their oath to always put the lives of innocents ahead of their own and ahead of a suspect who made the reckless choice to flee from law enforcement," state police director Col. Mike Hagar said in the release. "Although we regret any loss of life, we thank God that our brave Troopers made it home safe to their families."
As a result of the pursuit, traffic on the interstate was interrupted for more than three hours, the release states.
Marion police began the pursuit of Clark earlier in the evening but requested state police assistance after he fled a traffic stop.
The release did not state why Marion police pulled him over, and Murphy said she didn't yet know that detail, which is part of the ongoing investigation.
It was the second death to result from state police use of a "tactical vehicle intervention" in as many weeks. On July 17, a PIT maneuver by a state trooper ended a 14-mile pursuit on U.S. 67/167, fatally injuring Andrew Muggs, 25, another state police news release stated.
Muggs was fleeing from state police at speeds of over 100 mph and passing other drivers on the shoulder, that release stated.
State police use of the PIT maneuver has been on the rise since at least 2016, data provided in December 2022 by Bill Sadler, who was state police spokesman at the time, showed.
Sadler said in the fall of 2021 that six people had died as a result of PIT maneuvers since 2016, with one death reported in 2019, three in 2020 and two in 2021. He was not able to provide any statistics on injuries at that time.
In 2016, about 11% of state police pursuits ended with the use of a PIT, but by 2019 that ratio had risen to just over 20%, or one in five, and had yet to fall below that rate by Dec. 10, 2022, which was the end of the data set Sadler provided.
In fact, in 2020 and the portion of 2022 that was reported, the PIT maneuver was used in 28% and 25% of pursuits, respectively, bringing the rate to one in four. In 2021, 23% of pursuits ended with PIT maneuvers.
During the same time period, the number of pursuits in which state police were involved also generally rose, the data showed.
The numbers on usage of the ramming maneuver released by Sadler in late 2022 differed slightly from those provided toward the end of 2021, which showed a higher rate of PIT usage. It was unclear why the two data sets did not match. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/i-40-chase-ends-with-suspect-dead-state-trooper/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:42 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/i-40-chase-ends-with-suspect-dead-state-trooper/ |
A comprehensive guide to pop-up campers
A pop-up camper provides a tentlike experience without having to sleep on the ground. When hitting the road in your pop-up camper, consider what and how to eat, what to sleep in, what toiletries to bring and what to do in case of an emergency.
Shop this article: Eagles Nest Outfitters Spark Camp Quilt, Sea to Summit X-Pot Collapsible Camping Cookpot and Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 Medical First Aid Kit
What is a pop-up camper?
Pop-up campers are lightweight, compact vehicles that can park in more secluded areas due to their size. They are more affordable than the average camper and are quick to pack up and hook up, making the road trip easier. They can also keep you warmer than a tent in colder months but cooler in the heat of summer.
Pop-up camper setup
There are five aspects of pop-up camper setup.
- Location: Locate where you want to set up your camper and consider the slope of the ground, nearby trees and electrical hookups. This is where to check if your camper is level. If it is not level, you can use blocks to prop up one of the sides before unhooking the tow vehicle.
- Power: To power up the camper, run its electrical cord to the campsite’s electrical hookup after turning off the breaker. Once connected, you can turn the breaker on to provide electricity to amenities such as the sink and the refrigerator. At this point, users can crank down the leg support and crank up the roof.
- Beds: Make sure that the canvas is not holding onto anything and pull the first bed handle out to start setting up the beds. From there, pull the support pole free and position this onto the stud on the frame. Repeat this process for the remaining poles. Lastly, lift both beds to latch the supports until the beds sit down firmly.
- Water and propane: To set up water and propane in your pop-up camper, lift and lower the galley handle until it is in position. Then, link the male end of the propane hose to the female end on the lower frame of the camper. Finally, connect a sanitary water hose from your trailer to the water spigot at the campsite.
- Water heater: To set up the water heater, you need to access the hot water tank, turn the gas knob to “pilot” and hold down. Place a flame on the pilot end of the tube using a long lighter. Hold this down until it stays lit. You should be able to turn on the knob, and the hot water tank should start to heat your water.
Pre-make your food
Before hitting the road in your pop-up camper, make your meals ahead of time. These meals can be complete meals stored in a cooler or prepped to be quickly cooked at a campsite. Also, pre-pack any portion meals that you plan to make by the fire for convenience.
Stock your pop-up camper with necessities
Buy a set of camping pots and pans in advance to prepare for every meal and anything that goes on in the kitchen. This ensures that you do not have to go back and forth for camping utilities or go without food for a short time because you were unprepared. Moreover, pack extra sleeping bags and sheets of various insulation to prepare for any situation that may occur.
Air out your pop-up camper after it rains
Mold and other bacteria are more likely to form when it rains. Due to the foldable nature of the pop-up camper, this bacteria can get into crevices and breed. Before packing up your camper after it rains, make sure everything is dry so that it can be clean to use for the next trip.
Tips for hitting the road in a pop-up camper
If you are a first-time camper, keep your trip close to home in case something goes wrong, or it turns out that you are underprepared. This ensures that you are close to safety and have everything that you need. Additionally, make a grocery list and a checklist for all items that you think you need to bring in advance.
Pop-up camper FAQ
Where do I go to the bathroom while camping?
A. If there is no bathroom in your pop-up camper and you do not want to go out in nature, travel with a portable camping toilet. This item is best for rooftop tents, car campers and drive-up camp spots.
What style of chair is best to bring on a camping trip?
A. Classic camp chairs are a good choice. These chairs have four legs and are very stable. They make sitting and standing an act of ease in comparison to low chairs and rocking chairs. They’re also affordable.
Sleep essentials
Eagles Nest Outfitters Spark Camp Quilt
This 3-in-1 blanket, quilt and sleeping bag provides warmth and comfort in 40- to 60-degree weather. The weather-resistant materials help protect the sleeping bag from rain and any other damage caused by the elements.
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Kelty Mistral Sleeping Bag: 40 Fahrenheit Down
This mummy-style sleeping bag keeps heat in while being lightweight and durable. It comes with a stuff sack for storage and features an offset quilt construction to prevent cold spots. CloudLoft insulation locks in heat. The zipper is anti-snag, and the bag fits up to 6 feet in length. Use it inside or outside the pop-up tent.
Sold by Amazon
Kitchen essentials
Sea to Summit X-Pot Collapsible Camping Cookpot
This camping cook pot is heat-resistant and BPA-free to ensure food safety. The entire pot is collapsible for storage in small spaces. Its aluminum base conducts heat evenly for the best cooking experience and it comes with a strainer lid.
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MalloMe Camping Cookware Mess Kit Gear
This camping cookware kit is portable and made with food-safe, non-toxic anodized aluminum. The kit includes an aluminum nonstick pot, a pot cover, a nonstick pan, two bowls, a folding stainless steel spork, a soup spoon, a wooden spoon spatula, a cleaning sponge and a nylon travel drawstring pouch. It can be easily attached to a backpack and carried to campsites.
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First-aid essentials
Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight Watertight .5 Medical First Aid Kit
This first aid kit provides all the needed materials for any accidents that could happen while camping in your pop-up camper. It includes a wide array of medical supplies to treat pain, inflammation and common allergies. The wraps and bandages assist in immobilizing fractures and provide support. The antiseptic wipes and butterfly bandages help clean small wounds.
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Adventure Medical Sportsman Series Medical Kit
This medical kit provides items that treat common camping injuries. It is organized by injury type for quick access in an emergency and provides all the basic tools needed. This kit is also lightweight and portable.
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Copyright 2023 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/travel-br/travel-essentials-br/pop-up-camper-guide-everything-you-need-in-order-to-hit-the-road/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:46 | 0 | https://phl17.com/reviews/br/travel-br/travel-essentials-br/pop-up-camper-guide-everything-you-need-in-order-to-hit-the-road/ |
Marty Burlsworth lost his brother, a standout lineman for the Razorbacks, in 1999. Inspired by the tragedies in his own life, he and his wife created a foundation in his brother’s memory to help child
by
Sheila Yount Special to the Democrat-Gazette
|
Today at 3:24 a.m.
Marty Burlsworth
It's a day he can't forget; one he has played over and over in his mind in the years since his younger brother's... | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/marty-leo-burlsworth/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:48 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/marty-leo-burlsworth/ |
BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge is giving the New York Yankees an immediate boost — at a time when their front office has some tough decisions to make.
Judge homered and singled twice in his second game back from the injured list and the Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles 8-3 on Saturday night. Giancarlo Stanton and Kyle Higashioka went deep as well for New York, which is still 3 1/2 games behind Toronto and Houston for the last two wild cards in the American League.
That’s a tricky spot with Tuesday’s trade deadline approaching.
“We’ve had years where we stick with who we got. We’ve had years where we get some bullpen arms, starters, a big bat,” Judge said. “It comes down to us doing our job on the field and then letting them take care of the rest. We’ll see what happens.”
The Yankees knocked out struggling Orioles starter Tyler Wells (7-6) in the third inning. In the sixth, Isiah Kiner-Falefa capped a 10-pitch at-bat with a three-run double to make it 8-3.
Judge has three walks and three hits in nine plate appearances since returning Friday from the toe injury that kept him out since early June.
Ryan Mountcastle homered for the Orioles, but Clarke Schmidt (7-6) made it through five tough innings and the New York bullpen took it from there.
The Orioles remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Tampa Bay atop the AL East.
Judge walked three times Friday night, but the Yankees lost that game 1-0 on a ninth-inning homer by Baltimore’s Anthony Santander. New York’s offense was relentless a night later.
Stanton’s first-inning drive easily cleared the big wall in left field at Camden Yards. Mountcastle tied it in the second, and Baltimore went ahead 2-1 on an RBI infield single by Ramón Urías. That lead was short-lived.
Judge hit a two-run shot — 442 feet to center field — in the third. Then Gleyber Torres added a sacrifice fly an inning later.
Santander made it 4-3 with an RBI groundout in the fifth, but New York broke the game open in the sixth. Cole Irvin allowed a leadoff homer by Higashioka — his third hit of the night — and then one-out singles to Judge, Stanton and Anthony Rizzo.
Bryan Baker came in and struck out DJ LeMahieu, but after fouling off five pitches, Kiner-Falefa cleared the bases with a line drive to left.
“One of the best at-bats of the season right there,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said.
Wells entered the game with a major league-leading WHIP of 0.99, but he allowed three runs, three hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings. In three starts since the All-Star break, he’s lasted just nine innings total.
“I think we’re going to be talking about a lot of things here coming up,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “Obviously, we’re in a weird week. He’s had tough times his last few starts. I think there are going to be discussions going on.”
Boone said he’s leaning toward giving Judge a day off in the series finale Sunday night. The Yankees are in a stretch of 13 games in 13 days.
“I kind of look at it as, hopefully he’s in a position to start nine or 10 of them,” Boone said. “Forget the toe. He hasn’t come close to playing games for almost two months. As much as I want him in there, we’ve got to be smart here a little bit, especially in this run.”
DIFFERENT ORDER
The Orioles used catcher Adley Rutschman in the leadoff spot because of his ability to get on base. He was hit by a pitch, walked and scored a run.
UP NEXT
New York’s Luis Severino (2-4) starts Sunday night against Baltimore’s Dean Kremer (10-4). It’s the final game of the season series, which is tied 6-all.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-aaron-judge-has-a-homer-and-3-hits-in-his-2nd-game-back-to-help-the-yankees-top-the-orioles-8-3/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:53 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-aaron-judge-has-a-homer-and-3-hits-in-his-2nd-game-back-to-help-the-yankees-top-the-orioles-8-3/ |
BALTIMORE (AP) — Aaron Judge homered for the first time since returning from a toe injury, sending a 442-foot drive over the wall in center field in the third inning against Baltimore on Saturday night.
The two-run shot gave the New York Yankees a 3-2 advantage. Giancarlo Stanton hit a solo homer in the first.
Judge was hitless since returning Friday, although he drew three walks in that game. He hit a towering flyout in his first plate appearance Saturday. Then he connected off Tyler Wells two innings later.
It was his 20th home run of the season. Judge started in right field Saturday after he was the designated hitter Friday.
Judge had been out since tearing a ligament in his right big toe June 3.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-aaron-judge-slugs-442-foot-homer-in-2nd-game-back-for-yankees-from-toe-injury/ | 2023-07-30T10:19:59 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-aaron-judge-slugs-442-foot-homer-in-2nd-game-back-for-yankees-from-toe-injury/ |
TORONTO (AP) — Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin was suspended for one game and fined an undisclosed amount by Major League Baseball on Saturday for a postgame outburst at an umpire following a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays a night earlier.
Bench coach Ray Montgomery managed the Angels during the second game of the three-game series as Nevin served his suspension.
Nevin was seen holding up a tablet computer and yelling at plate umpire Mike Estabrook as the crew left the field after the 4-1 loss Friday night.
The umpires access their locker room through the tunnel at the end of the visitor’s dugout on the first base side of Rogers Centre.
A Toronto police officer accompanied the umpire crew as it descended the dugout steps. Montgomery had to restrain Nevin as the umpires passed through the end of the dugout.
Nevin was angry about the game-ending called third strike against pinch hitter Michael Stefanic, who entered in the ninth inning with the bases loaded after Shohei Ohtani left because of cramping in both of his calves.
“I just explained to him that I thought the pitch to Stefanic was outside,” Nevin later told reporters.
Ohtani hit his major league-leading 39th home run in the series opener — part of a streak of three homers in three at-bats over two games — before exiting early.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-angels-manager-phil-nevin-suspended-1-game-for-outburst-at-umpire/ | 2023-07-30T10:20:10 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-angels-manager-phil-nevin-suspended-1-game-for-outburst-at-umpire/ |
TORONTO (AP) — Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward was taken to a Toronto hospital for tests after being hit in the head by a pitch from Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah in the fifth inning Saturday.
Angels manager Phil Nevin said he planned to visit Ward in the hospital after leaving the stadium following the Angels’ 6-1 loss.
Batting with the bases loaded, Ward was hit by a 2-0 pitch clocked at 91 mph. The ball appeared to strike Ward next to his next left eye, knocking off his batting helmet.
“It got him pretty flush,” Nevin said.
Plate umpire Andy Fletcher motioned to the Angels’ dugout for the trainer as Ward went down with blood running down his face.
“It’s scary,” Angels left-hander Reid Detmers said. “You’re just hoping and praying that he’s all right, that he gets up.”
Angels trainers rushed to the plate and held a towel to Ward’s face. After a couple of minutes, Ward got to his feet and left the field on a cart. His left eye appeared to be swollen shut.
“Obviously it didn’t look very good,” Angels infielder Mike Moustakas said. “Hopefully we get some good news here in a little bit. We’re all praying for him.”
Manoah put his hands on his head as he stood on the mound. It was the second hit batter of the game for Manoah, who hit Angels superstar Shohei Ohtani on the left foot in the first.
Andrew Velazquez ran for Ward, who drove in the first run of the game. Velazquez went to shortstop and Luis Rengifo, who scored on the play, moved to left field in the bottom of the inning.
Asked whether the Angels might visit Ward in hospital, Moustakas said he thought it was better to let his teammate rest.
“I’m sure we’ll all send him some text messages and see how he’s doing, but I don’t know if going over there is a good thing,” Moustakas said. “I don’t think that’s the right thing to do right now. Let him rest and recover, get healthy.”
Before play resumed, Blue Jays manager John Schneider came to the mound and replaced Manoah with left-hander Génesis Cabrera.
After the game, Manoah called it “a terrible moment.”
“That’s probably the worst feeling ever,” Manoah said. “Definitely want to pray for him and his family. That’s the last thing you want to do, no matter the situation, no matter the team, no matter anything. I feel really bad about it. I’ll definitely be looking to see how he’s doing.”
In September 2021, Manoah hit Oakland’s Starling Marte in the helmet with a 92 mph pitch. Marte stayed in the game to run the bases but was later replaced.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-angels-outfielder-taylor-ward-leaves-game-after-being-hit-in-head-by-alek-manoah-pitch/ | 2023-07-30T10:20:16 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-angels-outfielder-taylor-ward-leaves-game-after-being-hit-in-head-by-alek-manoah-pitch/ |
COLFAX, Iowa (AP) — In the small central Iowa town of Colfax, thousands of cyclists participating in the largest and oldest recreational bike ride in the world were stopped along its historic main street, staring ahead at a daunting climb that would lead them out of town.
The hill, coupled with soaring temps and the vibrant downtown, made a morning sitting in the shade quite appealing.
It’s become almost simplistic to say that “small-town America” is slowly dying. That opportunities for young people have dried up, just like businesses and main streets. That the only way forward in life involves moving to a big city. But the reality is towns such as Colfax are flourishing, and that was especially evident on RAGBRAI, the annual bike ride across the state, where dozens of small towns dotting the 500-mile route welcomed some 50,000 riders with open arms.
Colfax is a prime example. It experienced a nearly 8% increase in population from the 2010 census to the most recent in 2020, turning around two decades of decline. Its population of 2,255 represented its highest since the 1990s.
Sure, many small towns are still struggling, but what has allowed those such as Colfax to thrive?
“Mostly, a wonderful mayor and council and volunteers that just ensure a vital community,” explains Wade Wagoner, the former city manager for the small town of Lake Park, and now the city administrator for Colfax.
“Des Moines and the metro growing to the east doesn’t hurt,” Wagoner said. “Also, the fact that we still have a high school and citizens just approved a $14 million bond for athletic and academic improvements make people want to raise a family here.”
Wagoner underscores that location is important. After the COVID-19 pandemic, when many jobs became partially or fully remote, people who may have once worked in a city could suddenly live just about anywhere, including small towns across America.
Wagoner goes on to talk about the smallest Fareway grocery store in the state, the coffee shop and bank and city hall, all of which make for a bustling hub. There’s also a rich history with mineral water that makes Colfax’s downtown large for its size.
In other words, Colfax has leaned into its strengths to create a community that people want to call home.
And every few years, big events such as RAGBRAI roll through, giving them a chance to shine.
“Lots of trash and (Port-o-potties,” Wagoner said of the traveling circus, “but it is actually pretty cool. It lets us show off the town and certain businesses do make some money. Others find it a pain. But it’s only for a single day.”
If nothing else, the horde of cyclists are good for making money.
In Polk City, between the busy metros of Ames and Des Moines, high school students collected money to fund their after-prom party. Elsewhere on the ride, residents of Slater were using donations to build a new community center and library. In Breda, where the route went through Monday, the town was trying to raise $300,000 to replace the lights at its baseball grandstand, which was built in 1946 and has withstood the test of time.
Breda, population 500, is another example of a small town doing well. It has steadily gained residents for the past 30 years.
In the quiet hamlet of Oxford, just past the fire department and the Deja Brew Coffee House & Bakery, four boys took turns in a dunk tank Friday as cyclists passed through on a day of unrelenting heat — the index topped out at 112 degrees.
For just $5, riders got three shots at the tank. All the proceeds went to their little league program.
The boys were winning on two fronts: staying cool and making cash.
The population of Slater, just north of Polk City, has steadily grown the past three decades.
“Many young families have moved into Slater recently for the school system, and safety of our small town, and ease of getting around,” said Evy Raes of the Slater Area Historical Association. “Our sense of community was tested when a derecho roared through in August 2020. Never fear: anyone with a pickup truck, a chain saw and a six-pack was out in the streets after the storm, helping neighbors clear and dispose of the debris. People really pulled together and no one was a stranger.”
That sense of community isn’t always felt in bigger cities. And more than anything, Raes said, that has helped them to thrive.
“We are a small town with big ideals,” Raes said. “Many people who move into Slater feel an instant connection with the community. It is said though, ‘Don’t gossip about anybody who’s lived here awhile, because they may be related to the person you’re talking to.’ My family has lived here over 74 years, and some days we feel like the new people.”
Turns out that, at least in some small towns, there are in fact plenty of new people.
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Dave Skretta is a Kansas City, Missouri-based AP Sports Writer. He grew up in the small-but-vibrant northeast Iowa town of Decorah and and has ridden RAGBRAI many times, though he’s never written about it while doing it. Skretta wrote periodic updates from the road. He covered 579 miles from start to finish.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-bike-ride-across-iowa-puts-vibrant-small-town-america-into-sharp-focus/ | 2023-07-30T10:20:23 | 0 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-bike-ride-across-iowa-puts-vibrant-small-town-america-into-sharp-focus/ |
ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS, France (AP) — Céline Boutier carded a 4-under 67 in the third round of the Évian Championship on Saturday to increase her lead to four shots going into the final day.
The 29-year-old Boutier aims to become the first Frenchwoman to win the tournament, which became a major in 2013.
“I didn’t start that good to be honest. I missed the first three greens but got a good break on 2 and was able to chip in. Then I just had really good chances on the two par-fives, seven and nine, and was able to take advantage of that,” said Boutier, who had a bogey on the 12th hole in a round of five birdies.
“I was just trying to focus on making, hitting a good shot, and if I happen to have a birdie opportunity, I hit a solid putt. It was definitely positive and felt pretty good to start very good on the front.”
Boutier’s closest challenger is Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, who posted a 68 on Saturday after rounds of 70 and 67.
“Hopefully I will get more birdies tomorrow. It was good iron shots and distance control,” Hataoka said. “Also I was good too with my putting stroke, so I was really comfortable. Tomorrow is another new day, and I want to enjoy the next 18 holes.”
Minjee Lee of Australia and Brooke Henderson of Canada are joint-third, a shot behind Hataoka.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-boutier-takes-4-shot-lead-into-final-round-of-evian-championship/ | 2023-07-30T10:20:30 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-boutier-takes-4-shot-lead-into-final-round-of-evian-championship/ |
PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Mercury say All-Star center Brittney Griner will not travel for the team’s next two games so she can focus on her mental health.
The 6-foot-9 center — who became an international story during her 10-month detainment in Russia last year — is averaging 18.2 points and 6.7 rebounds over 20 games this season.
“The Mercury fully support Brittney and we will continue to work together on a timeline for her return,” the team said in a statement on Saturday.
Griner’s impressive individual season hasn’t translated to success for the Mercury, who have a 6-17 record and fired Vanessa Nygaard earlier in the season.
The Mercury’s tough season and coaching change are among the multiple challenges Griner has faced in her return to the WNBA following her ordeal in Russia on drug-related charges that caused her to miss the entire 2022 season.
Griner and her teammates were confronted by what the WNBA called a “provocateur” at the Dallas airport in June and she’s also dealt with a hip injury that caused her to miss a handful of games.
Griner will miss road games against Chicago on Sunday and Indiana on Tuesday.
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Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-brittney-griner-wont-travel-for-next-2-games-to-focus-on-her-mental-health-team-says/ | 2023-07-30T10:20:37 | 1 | https://phl17.com/sports/ap-brittney-griner-wont-travel-for-next-2-games-to-focus-on-her-mental-health-team-says/ |