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Dream vs. Mystics Injury Report, Betting Odds - July 30
The Atlanta Dream (13-11) have just one player on the injury report for their matchup with the Washington Mystics (12-12) at Gateway Center Arena on Sunday, July 30 at 3:00 PM ET.
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The Dream are coming off of a 95-84 loss to the Liberty in their last game on Thursday.
Rep your team with officially licensed Dream gear! Head to Fanatics to find jerseys, shirts, and much more.
Atlanta Dream Injury Report Today
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Washington Mystics Injury Report Today
Dream vs. Mystics Game Info
- Game Day: Sunday, July 30, 2023
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN3, NBCS-DC, Monumental, and BSSO
- Location: College Park, Georgia
- Arena: Gateway Center Arena
Use our link to sign up for a free trial of Fubo, and start watching live sports without cable today!
Dream Player Leaders
- Rhyne Howard paces the Dream at 18.2 points per game, while also averaging 3.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
- Allisha Gray averages a team-best 3.5 assists per contest. She is also averaging 17.9 points and 5.2 rebounds, shooting 48% from the floor and 38% from downtown with 1.1 made 3-pointers per game.
- Cheyenne Parker paces her squad in rebounds per game (7.2), and also posts 13.5 points and 1.6 assists. At the other end, she posts 1.2 steals and 1.5 blocked shots (sixth in the WNBA).
- Nia Coffey averages 6.6 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists per contest, shooting 43.4% from the floor and 40.7% from beyond the arc (seventh in league) with 1 made 3-pointers per contest.
- Haley Jones is putting up 4.1 points, 2.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest.
Dream vs. Mystics Betting Info
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/dream-vs-mystics-wnba-injury-report/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:02 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/dream-vs-mystics-wnba-injury-report/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:36 AM CDT|Updated: 19 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:04 | 0 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
In the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag final on Sunday, Alexei Popyrin meets Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is favored (-200) to win the title versus Popyrin (+155).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Match Information
- Tournament: The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Stadium Goran Ivanisevic in ITC Stella Maris
- Location: Umag, Croatia
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Stan Wawrinka has a 66.7% chance to win.
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Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
- Wawrinka was victorious 6-3, 6-4 versus Lorenzo Sonego in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Popyrin has played 47 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces, and 28.0 games per match (25.3 in best-of-three matches).
- On clay, Popyrin has played 16 matches over the past year, totaling 26.7 games per match (26.0 in best-of-three matches) while winning 51.5% of games.
- In the past year, Wawrinka has competed in 40 total matches (across all court surfaces), winning 51.1% of the games. He averages 27.3 games per match (24.6 in best-of-three matches) and 10.6 games per set.
- On clay, Wawrinka has played 11 matches and averaged 28.7 games per match (23.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.9 games per set.
- Popyrin and Wawrinka have not matched up against each other since 2015.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:07 | 0 | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — 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 Fremantle Highway was unlikely to be moved Sunday because of the southwesterly wind, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
“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.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/CLMISSW6CFEK3ONNJGJB2J3HMA/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:08 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/CLMISSW6CFEK3ONNJGJB2J3HMA/ |
Panthers Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:26 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour 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.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/panthers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:08 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/panthers-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:11 | 1 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — 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.
The Football Ferns are co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, which must win Monday against Canada to avoid its own early elimination.
Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. The Swiss also played to a scoreless draw against Norway, but won the group with the draw 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 25,947 seats at Forsyth Barr Stadiums 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 as New Zealand pressed for a winner. She managed a header off a corner kick but was off target.
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 put an end to their Women’s World Cup run.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Just gutted, I think. Obviously we talked and we were proud of ourselves and what we’ve been able to accomplish, but at the end of the day we wanted to get out of this group stage and we just didn’t. It’s just black and white. So, obviously gutted,” said New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz of the elimination.
“We expected it to be really tough. New Zealand really tried everything they could, and I think we knew how to respond, especially defensively. We did a lot right," said Inka Grings, Switzerland's coach.
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.
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Ellen McIntyre 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
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/new-zealand-out-of-womens-world-cup-following-0-0-draw-with-switzerland-as-swiss-advance/QJ4NGOJJVNHEBG27XMOQILNK5M/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:14 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/new-zealand-out-of-womens-world-cup-following-0-0-draw-with-switzerland-as-swiss-advance/QJ4NGOJJVNHEBG27XMOQILNK5M/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:15 | 1 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
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
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Credit: AP | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-temporarily-closes-airport-for-traffic/6MVE6NOSSVDNFBO2ATGPRKZQXE/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:21 | 1 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-temporarily-closes-airport-for-traffic/6MVE6NOSSVDNFBO2ATGPRKZQXE/ |
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.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:21 | 0 | https://www.wistv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:26 | 0 | https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 6:36 AM EDT|Updated: 18 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:26 | 0 | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian factions were meeting Sunday in Egypt to discuss reconciliation efforts as violence in the occupied West Bank surged between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The main groups, Hamas and Fatah, have been split since 2007. With repeated reconciliation attempts having failed, expectations for the one-day meeting are low. According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, the gathering in the Egyptian city of el-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea will discuss “ways to restore national unity and end the division."
The meeting comes amid soaring violence in the West Bank, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah group are based and exert limited self-rule. Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in Palestinian areas of the territory in what it says is an attempt to stamp out militancy, especially in areas where Abbas' security forces have less of a foothold.
Those raids have led to some of the worst fighting in nearly two decades in the West Bank. Palestinians also say the Israeli raids undermine their own security forces and weaken their leadership.
The meeting in Egypt is chaired and initiated by Abbas, presents the aging and longtime Palestinian leader with a chance to portray an image of control and statesmanship to both Palestinians and the international community at a time when he is deeply unpopular at home and his room for maneuver is constrained by the Israeli incursions.
The meeting is being attended by other Palestinian leaders including Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas. the militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. Fatah and Hamas have been rivals since Hamas violently routed forces loyal to Abbas in Gaza in 2007, taking over the impoverished coastal enclave. Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on the territory.
For Hamas, joining the meeting is an opportunity to show Gazans that it is making an effort to mend the rift, even if nothing changes as a result.
Another key group playing a central role in the fighting with Israel, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, boycotted the gathering to protest the detentions by the Palestinian Authority of its members, according to the group's leader, Ziyad al-Nakhala.
Egypt has for years acted as a mediator to try to end the infighting between Palestinian factions. It also helped broker truces in multiple rounds of fighting between Israel and Hamas. | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/palestinian-factions-meet-in-egypt-to-try-to-reconcile-as-violence-surges-in-the-west-bank/WA4P4ZGQQJBRZDFLURGWHCDRIE/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:27 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/nation-world/palestinian-factions-meet-in-egypt-to-try-to-reconcile-as-violence-surges-in-the-west-bank/WA4P4ZGQQJBRZDFLURGWHCDRIE/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:28 | 0 | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:34 | 1 | https://www.wkyt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
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.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:45 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
In the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag final on Sunday, Alexei Popyrin meets Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is favored (-200) to win the title versus Popyrin (+155).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Match Information
- Tournament: The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Stadium Goran Ivanisevic in ITC Stella Maris
- Location: Umag, Croatia
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Stan Wawrinka has a 66.7% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
- Wawrinka was victorious 6-3, 6-4 versus Lorenzo Sonego in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Popyrin has played 47 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces, and 28.0 games per match (25.3 in best-of-three matches).
- On clay, Popyrin has played 16 matches over the past year, totaling 26.7 games per match (26.0 in best-of-three matches) while winning 51.5% of games.
- In the past year, Wawrinka has competed in 40 total matches (across all court surfaces), winning 51.1% of the games. He averages 27.3 games per match (24.6 in best-of-three matches) and 10.6 games per set.
- On clay, Wawrinka has played 11 matches and averaged 28.7 games per match (23.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.9 games per set.
- Popyrin and Wawrinka have not matched up against each other since 2015.
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.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:52 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:36 AM CDT|Updated: 19 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:55:59 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
The House Republicans who craft the conference’s government funding bills are showing signs of frustration as hard-line conservatives pressure leadership for further cuts to spending that some worry could be too aggressive.
Some of the 12 Appropriations subcommittee chairs — the so-called cardinals — told reporters that they are struggling to see where those additional cuts could come from, as September’s shutdown deadline looms.
“I just don’t see the wisdom in trying to further cut to strengthen our hand. I don’t know how that strengthens our hand,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.), a House Appropriations subcommittee chairman, said of conservatives’ push to further cut the already-scaled-back spending bills.
“I do think it puts some of our members in a very difficult spot, particularly those in tough districts, because they’re going to be taking some votes that become problematic,” he added.
The House left Washington for a long summer recess Thursday after being forced to punt a bill to fund agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration.
Conservatives are dug in on their demand for steeper spending cuts, to the chagrin of moderates who are wary of slashing funding even more. The chamber has passed just one appropriations bill, funding military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The internal divisions are gripping the party as time is running out: The House has just 12 days in September to move the remaining 11 appropriations measures and hash out their disagreements with the Senate, which is marking up its spending bills at higher levels, setting the scene for a hectic fall that could bring the U.S. to the brink of a shutdown.
Those dynamics are putting GOP appropriators in a bind, leaving them searching for ways to appease conservative requests without gutting their spending bills.
“We’ve done a lot of cuts, a lot of cuts,” House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-Texas) told The Hill this week. “And so if it’s cuts just for cut’s sake, I don’t agree with it. But if it’s something that we can do without, that’s fine.”
‘Not a lot of wiggle room left’
Republican appropriators in the House announced earlier this year that they would mark up their bills for fiscal 2024 at fiscal 2022 levels, as leaders sought to placate conservatives who thought the debt ceiling deal struck by President Biden and Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) earlier this year didn’t do enough to curb spending.
The Senate is crafting its bills more in line with the budget caps agreed to in the deal, but House Republicans are already fuming about a bipartisan deal in the upper chamber that would allow for more than $13 billion in additional emergency spending on top of those levels.
House GOP negotiators also said they would pursue clawing back more than $100 billion in old funding that was allocated for Democratic priorities without GOP support in the previous Congress.
While that move drew support from hard-line conservatives, the right flank was far from pleased when it heard appropriators planned to repurpose that old funding — known as rescissions — to plus-up the spending bills.
In a letter to McCarthy earlier this month, a group of hard-line conservatives called for all 12 appropriations bills to be in line with fiscal 2022 spending levels “without the use of reallocated rescissions to increase discretionary spending above that top-line.”
Otherwise, the 21 lawmakers threatened, they would vote against the measures. But that request could prove difficult for GOP appropriators to fulfill.
Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), chairman of the panel that proposes funding for the Department of State and foreign operations, said that appropriators are already “dramatically reducing spending,” suggesting that there are not too many remaining areas to trim from.
“My bill is below the 2016 levels,” he said, later adding, “When you’re below the 2016 level — and we’re still confronting China — I think there’s not a lot of wiggle room left.”
“It’s a challenge, but I think we’ll get through it. I really do,” he added.
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), who heads the subcommittee that oversees funding for the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Interior, scoffed at the idea of even steeper cuts to his bill.
“Then you just drop it on the floor and stomp on it. What else do you do with it?” he told reporters. “You can’t make logical cuts in there.”
Republicans appropriators are voicing optimism that the conference will be able to sort out its differences on spending, but some also hope their levels will stick — even though they include rescissions.
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) — whose panel handles funding for the Department of Energy, which is proposing offsetting billions of dollars in spending with clawbacks — said it would be “extremely difficult” to craft his bill without the rescinded funds.
“And given our priorities in my bill, national defense with the nuclear weapons portfolio, nuclear cleanup, Army Corps including, all the community-directed fundings, I feel good about my bill, and I hope my numbers hold,” he said.
“Because it’s gonna have to be in negotiations with the Senate and the White House as well,” he added.
Womack — whose subcommittee crafts funding for the IRS and the Treasury Department — said he doesn’t think “moving the goalposts on these numbers is helpful in strengthening our ability to negotiate with the Senate.”
August preparations for a busy September
Frustrations among appropriators are bubbling up as Congress inches closer to the fall, when lawmakers are facing a Sept. 30 deadline to approve funding or risk a government shutdown.
With time running out, some House lawmakers say conversations may continue over the long August recess to try to hash out remaining differences.
“We’ll have to see,” Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) said when asked about potential plans for talks between leaders and House Freedom Caucus members over the break. “I mean, we got a lot of work to do.”
“I think a lot of work [has] got to be done behind the scenes,” he said. “If not, you know, here — You gotta beg the question about whether we should be gone for six weeks. We should be getting our job done.”
Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) echoed that sentiment, saying “I would think so” when asked if lawmakers will have conversations over the break.
Adding to the August workload, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) suggested earlier this week that bicameral negotiations could take place over the weeks-long recess as lawmakers stare down the shutdown deadline.
Not all Republicans, however, are viewing a shutdown as a risk.
During a House Freedom Caucus press conference this week, Good said “we should not fear a government shutdown,” claiming that “most of what we do up here is bad anyway; most of what we do up here hurts the American people.”
But that perspective does not jive with the view of McCarthy, who declared Thursday: “I don’t want the government to shut down.”
Multiple Republicans are ultimately expecting Congress to eventually pass what’s known as a continuing resolution (CR), or a measure that temporarily allows the government to be funded at the previous fiscal year’s levels, to prevent a lapse at the end of September.
But they also understand the task could be difficult in the GOP-led chamber, where Republicans aren’t happy about the idea of continuing funding at the current levels — which were last set when Democrats held control of Congress.
“I think there’s a very good chance that we’ll see a CR, but I know there’s a lot of work to get a CR done,” Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.), another appropriator, said Thursday, noting there are “a lot of members that don’t want CRs that are tired of them.”
But Aderholt suggested a CR could notch sufficient GOP backing if there’s a larger plan in sight that the party can support.
“The Speaker’s been very good about having a plan,” he said, adding, “I think that’s what he’s good at, and I’m optimistic that he can come up with something.”
Emily Brooks contributed. | https://wgntv.com/hill-politics/frustration-emerges-among-gop-spending-cardinals-as-conservatives-push-for-cuts/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:00 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/hill-politics/frustration-emerges-among-gop-spending-cardinals-as-conservatives-push-for-cuts/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:06 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
Russian mercenary group Wagner is already operating in neighboring Mali, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country’s influence in the region, but it is unclear yet whether the new junta leaders are going to move toward Moscow or stick with Niger’s Western partners.
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.
The mutineers said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger’s first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France, because he wasn’t able to secure the nation from growing jihadi violence. But some analysts and Nigeriens say that’s just a pretext for a takeover that is more about internal power struggles than securing the nation.
“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, which have also 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 until now has been 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.
Some taking part in Sunday’s rally also warned regional bodies who have denounced the coup to stay away. “I would like also to say to the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS, please please stay out of our business,” said Oumar Barou Moussa who was at the demonstration.
“It’s time for us to take our lives, to work for ourselves. It’s time for us to talk about our freedom and liberty. We need to stay together, we need to work together, we need to have our true independence,” he said.
Conflict experts say out of all the countries in the region, Niger has the most at stake if it turns away from the West, given the millions of dollars of military assistance the international community has poured in. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony 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.
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.
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Associated Press reporter Angela Charlton in Paris contributed | https://wgntv.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:06 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/ap-top-headlines/ap-as-regional-and-global-powers-decry-nigers-coup-the-countrys-future-remains-uncertain/ |
MOSCOW (AP) — At least nine people — including three children — have died after high winds tore through central Russia, emergency services and a local official reported Sunday.
Eight of the dead were part of a group of tourists camping close to Lake Yalchik in the Mari-El region when the storm hit Saturday, Russia’s emergencies ministry said.
The strong winds caused a large number of trees to fall in the area, including where the group’s tents had been pitched on a stretch of wild beach, regional leader Yuri Zaitsev wrote on social media. He said that three children were among the dead.
Across the wider Volga Federal District, 76 people were injured in the storm, with thousands of households losing power, emergency services said. | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:12 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-9-die-including-3-children-as-strong-winds-hit-tourist-camp-in-central-russia-officials-say/ |
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — 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.” | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:18 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-african-leaders-leave-russia-summit-without-grain-deal-or-a-path-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine/ |
BEIJING (AP) — The French finance minister said Sunday he pressed Chinese leaders to open their markets wider to foreign companies and lobbied for investment in France’s electric car industry, as the European Union’s second-largest economy followed Washington in reviving post-COVID economic talks amid tension over Beijing’s surging trade surpluses.
Bruno Le Maire also defended Paris’s controls on foreign access to technology after authorities said two Chinese citizens are under investigation for what news reports say is possible smuggling of French-made processor chips with military uses to China and Russia.
Le Maire met Saturday with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Beijing’s top envoy on economic issues. He followed Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who visited Beijing on July 9-10 as part of U.S. efforts to revive frosty relations with China.
Chinese officials gave Le Maire and Yellen a warm welcome as part of efforts to reverse an economic slump by reviving foreign investor interest. But Beijing has given no indication of possible changes in technology and other policies that its trading partners say violate Chinese market-opening commitments.
Officials of the 27-nation European Union are trying to narrow a trade deficit with China that swelled to 396 billion euros ($432 billion) last year. Le Maire cited cosmetics, aerospace and agriculture as possible areas for more French exports.
“There is a need to improve access to the Chinese market. I think that it was at the core of our discussions,” Le Maire said in an interview at the French Embassy. “We want to have a stronger economic relationship between Europe and China, between France and China, which means to get access for all European goods.”
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government has looked to Europe as an alternative market and source of technology since Washington tightened controls on access to U.S. processor chips and other high-tech goods and hiked tariffs on imports from China in a feud over its industry development ambitions.
Le Maire and Chinese officials pledged to cooperate on climate change, financing for developing countries and nuclear power. They announced plans to set up a group to settle a dispute over access to China’s market for cosmetics, a major French export.
Le Maire also lobbied for investment from China’s fast-growing electric car industry. He was due to fly to the southern city of Shenzhen to meet Wang Chuanfu, founder of BYD Auto, one of the world’s biggest electric vehicle producers. BYD Auto and other Chinese brands are starting to sell in developed markets including Europe and Japan. Chinese battery supplier CATL has set up a factory in Germany to supply automaker BMW.
“We want China to make investments in France in electric vehicles,” Le Maire said. “In the climate transition, there is a place for Chinese investment in France, which allows us to reinforce our economic relations and also speed up action against global warming.”
The talks were overshadowed by Russia’s war against Ukraine and complaints China might be helping Moscow evade Western sanctions, but Le Maire said he didn’t discuss the war with Chinese officials. However, he said it was in Beijing’s interest to end the 17-month-old war. President Emmanuel Macron’s security adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, said this month China was delivering “military equipment” to Russia but gave no details.
“I want to make very clear that we want this war to go to an end as soon as possible,” Le Maire said. “Indeed, (it is) in the interest of China, it is in the interests of the global growth to have peace as soon as possible.”
Le Maire also defended French controls on technology exports and foreign investment in high-tech industry. French authorities are investigating two Chinese citizens associated with chip producer Ommic who the newspaper Le Parisien said face possible charges of exporting chips to a Chinese armaments maker using forged documents.
French counter-espionage officials believe a Chinese investor who bought control of Ommic in 2018 was trying to transfer chip manufacturing technology to China, according to the newspaper. The ruling Communist Party is trying to develop its own chip industry, but Washington has blocked access to advanced manufacturing tools and persuaded allies Japan and the Netherlands to impose their own restrictions.
Chinese authorities complain their companies are unfairly targeted by restrictions on access to foreign technology. They have warned curbs on access to semiconductors will disrupt smartphone and other industries.
“Everybody can understand that France wants to protect its key technologies,” Le Maire said. “We don’t want any foreign country to get access to those French sovereign technologies.” | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:24 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-frances-le-maire-presses-china-on-market-access-and-lobbies-for-electric-car-investment/ |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — 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 Fremantle Highway was unlikely to be moved Sunday because of the southwesterly wind, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
“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://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:30 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-high-winds-stall-efforts-to-tow-a-burning-cargo-ship-packed-with-cars-off-northern-dutch-coast/ |
WASHINGTON -- Almost a year since President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act into law, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has received more than 772,000 claims concerning military personnel exposed to toxic substances during their service.
The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee received an update last week regarding the PACT Act's implementation, with agency officials detailing efforts since August 2022 to connect veterans and survivors to benefits and services.
The federal law extends health care to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service, including individuals with illnesses tied to burn pits, which the military used for disposing chemicals and waste at bases during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. The PACT Act additionally expanded services for veterans with conditions related to Agent Orange use during the Vietnam War and other toxic substances.
Before the PACT Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs denied 70% of disability claims involving burn pit exposure. On Tuesday, department officials announced a review studying the correlation between three different blood cancers and toxic exposure during deployments in the Middle East and southwest Asia.
"The new benefits provided under the PACT Act and our aggressive, sustained outreach efforts to connect veterans and survivors with those benefits have resulted in an increasing number of veterans pursuing their earned benefits," Joshua Jacobs, the department's undersecretary for benefits, told senators.
According to Jacobs, the Department of Veterans Affairs has processed 425,000 claims with a nearly 79% approval rate.
"As we work through each and every incoming claim, we're reminded that behind each claim is a veteran, family member or survivor," he added.
In a July 21 analysis, the department reported nearly 8,800 PACT Act claims from Arkansans since Aug. 10, 2022. About 100,000 Arkansas veterans are currently enrolled with the VA for health care purposes, including 2,500 new enrollees.
The hearing occurred at a critical point in the department's outreach to veterans and family members. Aug. 9 is the final day for parties to file a claim or submit an intent to file to remain eligible for benefits backdating to Aug. 10, 2022. Post-9/11 combat veterans who served between 2001 and 2013 have until Sept. 30 to enroll in VA health care through a one-year window created by the PACT Act.
Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., expressed concerns about efforts reaching out to veterans residing in rural areas, pressing officials about whether the department is doing enough to inform individuals and families about the law.
"That's where so many of our veterans come from," the senator said.
Jacobs said the department has worked with local and state partners to identify opportunities to inform veterans about benefits. The undersecretary cited a recent trip to Caribou, Maine, to study outreach in the community.
"One of the things we've learned is don't necessarily host the outreach events at VA facilities," he said. "Go to the community where the veterans are, and we have tools and data to identify where there are underserved veterans in underserved parts of our communities."
Jacobs additionally mentioned his involvement in a "satellite media tour" with local television and radio stations, noting 8 million impressions through this effort.
"As someone that's run a lot of campaigns through the years trying to reach people for different reasons, rural radio is something in those areas that is very effective," Boozman stated.
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks is hosting a PACT Act Summer VetFest on Aug. 8 at its Fayetteville facility with additional activities and carnival fare for attendees. The event will go from 3-7 p.m. at 1100 N. College Ave., in Fayetteville.
A Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System official told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that about 550 people attended a PACT Act event last week at the Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center in North Little Rock. Both VA health care systems have organized outreach and screening events with community partners to encourage new claims. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/772000-file-claims-under-pact-act/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:31 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/772000-file-claims-under-pact-act/ |
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.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:31 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
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://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:36 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-overnight-drone-attack-on-moscow-injures-1-prompts-temporary-airport-closure/ |
WEST MEMPHIS -- The Arkansas Democratic Party's state committee on Saturday approved lower filing fees for candidates running for seats in the state Legislature in 2024 in an effort to get more people to run.
For candidates who are not incumbents and are running for seats not held by or being vacated by Democrats, the party is also offering the option to gather a certain number of signatures instead of paying a fee.
The fee will drop from $3,000 to $2,500 for Senate candidates and from $1,500 to $1,000 for House candidates.
In lieu of a fee, candidates challenging Republicans or running for a seat being vacated by a Republican can also qualify by collecting signatures from voters in their district: 400 signatures for Senate candidates and 150 for House candidates.
Arkansas will also hold a special election for state treasurer in 2024, with the winner filling the final two years of Mark Lowery's four year term. Lowery died Wednesday, a day after his office announced that he would retire effective Sept. 30.
Candidates running for treasurer will have to pay a $1,250 filing fee or collect 5,000 signatures.
Last month, a spokesman for the Republican Party of Arkansas said the fees for GOP candidates for seats in the Legislature will stay the same as they were last year: $7,500 for Senate candidates, $3,000 for House candidates.
At a meeting at the Eugene Wood Civic Center in West Memphis, the state Democratic party's strategic director, Will Watson, outlined the Democrats' goal for 2024 to end the Republican super-majority in the state Legislature. Currently, Democrats hold only 18 out of 100 seats in the state House of Representatives and six out of 35 in the Senate.
Watson said by winning eight seats in the House and three seats in the Senate, Democrats would hold a bit of leverage they haven't had in years over the state's budget, which requires three-quarters support to pass in both chambers.
"We can sit down at the table when it comes to the budget and have some influence on what our state government's priorities are," Watson told the party members. "We can hold Gov. [Sarah Huckabee] Sanders accountable if we will simply deliver to our state House of Representatives and state Senate a significant, meaningful minority of Democratic representatives and senators."
Party Chairman Grant Tennille declined to say what state legislative seats Democrats plan to target in 2024, but added the goal is to have more candidates on the ballot in 2024.
So far, Democrats David McAvoy and Kate Schaffer have announced their intentions to run for the state House. McAvoy will run for the House District 32 seat in Jonesboro, currently held by Republican Jack Ladyman, while Schaffer will run for the House District 10 seat in Bentonville, currently held by Republican Mary McAlindon.
"It's looking like a horror show right now," McAvoy said of the Republican-controlled Legislature. "And I think a lot of people who may have been turned off voting for a Democrat, or might have been hesitant to do so, are now giving us a second look."
As for the state party's finances, it reported $133,830 in net assets, up from $66,047 a year ago. In June 2021, the party was $229,300 in debt.
The party has been boosted in part by Arkansans who no longer live in the state, with Tennille, who is unpaid, making a fundraising trip to Washington, D.C.
"We've got money in the bank for the first time," Tennille said. "We are where the [Democratic National Committee] recommends a party our size be."
LEARNS referendum campaign
Toward the end of Saturday's meeting, Steve Grappe, a member of the Democratic Party of Arkansas' executive committee reported a petition effort to put the LEARNS Act to a referendum has about 40,000 signatures.
Grappe, executive director of Citizens for Arkansas Public Education and Student, also known as CAPES, said a major petition campaign this weekend could bring the group close to the 54,422 signatures it needs by Monday. Grappe said the group has hit the requirements for the number of signatures it needs in 41 counties. Under a new state law, to get a referendum on the ballot, a petition needs signatures from 3% of voters in at least 50 counties.
Whether or not the group achieves its goal of putting the LEARNS Act, Sanders' education overhaul law, to a referendum in November 2024, the petition effort will be a boost for the state's Democratic Party, collecting a long list of potential voters.
"You know what that means for us Democrats. I know where all the people are and I have 50,000 signatures -- by the end of this at least maybe [55,000], and we know where the people that are on our side are," Grappe said.
The effort to repeal the LEARNS Act is meant to be nonpartisan, Grappe said, even though those who support the law will try to cast his campaign as a "Democrat vs. Republican thing." Still, Grappe said the effort has relied on volunteer work from county-level Democrats.
"We decided to make this a nonpartisan event, organization," Grappe said. "But don't think the Democratic Party hasn't been helping us." | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/arkansas-democrats-approve-lower-filing-fee-for/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:37 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/arkansas-democrats-approve-lower-filing-fee-for/ |
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
In the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag final on Sunday, Alexei Popyrin meets Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is favored (-200) to win the title versus Popyrin (+155).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Match Information
- Tournament: The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Stadium Goran Ivanisevic in ITC Stella Maris
- Location: Umag, Croatia
- Court Surface: Clay
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Stan Wawrinka has a 66.7% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
- Wawrinka was victorious 6-3, 6-4 versus Lorenzo Sonego in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Popyrin has played 47 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces, and 28.0 games per match (25.3 in best-of-three matches).
- On clay, Popyrin has played 16 matches over the past year, totaling 26.7 games per match (26.0 in best-of-three matches) while winning 51.5% of games.
- In the past year, Wawrinka has competed in 40 total matches (across all court surfaces), winning 51.1% of the games. He averages 27.3 games per match (24.6 in best-of-three matches) and 10.6 games per set.
- On clay, Wawrinka has played 11 matches and averaged 28.7 games per match (23.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.9 games per set.
- Popyrin and Wawrinka have not matched up against each other since 2015.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:38 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ |
In 2016, Lorenzo Lewis of Little Rock started The Confess Project, a nonprofit that uses barbers and barbershops to help young Black men open up about mental health concerns.
Now Lewis, the 35-year-old CEO of the nonprofit L&J Empowerment, is starting the Arkansas Barbershop Network for Youth Criminal Justice Prevention: Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Incarceration. The program, which focuses on 14-21-year-olds, aims to "help prevent at-risk youth across Arkansas from entering the juvenile justice system through education and by providing opportunities for them to live healthier and make more responsible choices for a brighter future," according to a news release.
Lewis' youth was bumpy. His mother was in jail in Newark, N.J., when she gave birth to him and he was raised in Little Rock by his Aunt Daisy Lee and Uncle T. Royal Lee. By the time he was a teenager he'd joined a gang and at 17 was jailed as a juvenile on a gun charge.
He eventually left the gang life and worked at Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center in Bryant and later for Rivendell Behavioral Health Services of Arkansas and other mental health providers. He was also going to school, and earned a degree in human services from Arkansas Baptist College.
The Confess Project started with a workshop in a Little Rock church. Lewis, the author of the book "Jumping Over Life's Hurdles and Staying in the Race," attempted to hold mental health forums for Black men at other locations, but no one showed up. That's when he turned to barbershops. He made some connections and began instructing barbers how to actively listen and communicate without being judgmental. The goal was not to train them to be mental health experts, but to train them to be mental health advocates.
In 2019, Lewis was among 18 leaders from nonprofits across the country named a Roddenberry Fellow by the Roddenberry Foundation. The Confess Project was also awarded a $50,000 grant from the foundation.
A barbershop-based program where barbers are mentors helping young people stay out of the juvenile justice system seemed like the next logical step, Lewis says.
"When you think about my journey and some of the challenges young people are facing, it was really committing to a need," he says. "Barbers are an essential part of the ecosystem and it was a natural fit to connect barbers and young people to help them stay out of incarceration."
The barbershop program, which includes many barbers from the Confess Project, teams with other nonprofits like the O.K. Program and 100 Black Men of Greater Little Rock to give free haircuts and mentor young people.
"It's really building a network that can help deflect young people from entering the vicious cycle of incarceration," Lewis says. "What we've learned is if they do enter it, it becomes a real challenge for them to stay out."
The O.K. (Our Kids) Program was formed in 2007 by former Little Rock Police Department officer Willie Davis and is a law-enforcement based mentoring program for Black boys and men. The program is part of a national model that began in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Davis, who retired from the Little Rock Police Department, is now a sergeant with the Pulaski County sheriff's department.
Davis has known Lewis since around 2010 when Lewis was working as a counselor and spoke to kids in the O.K. Program.
"The way he went deep and talked about his own background in front of the kids, I was impressed from that day on," Davis says. "When he started the Confess Project, I was really interested in his [approach to] mental health. I was serving a population of Black boys that dealt with a lot of unresolved trauma. Lorenzo was on point with some of the things he talked about regarding trauma and the unresolved things in Black boys' lives in our communities."
On June 23, L&J Empowerment and the Barbershop Network received a $450,000 grant from the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity through the Walmart Foundation to support the project.
"I think this could grow," Lewis says of his future plans. "I think counties across the state could use this. We're bringing it to existing programs, so we could take it to a school or a boys and girls club. That makes is very unique and builds better trust." | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/barbershop-plan-mentors-youth/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:43 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/barbershop-plan-mentors-youth/ |
PAVLIVKA, Ukraine (AP) — The summer winds carried the smell of burned grain across the southern Ukrainian steppe and away from the shards of three Russian cruise missiles that struck the unassuming metal hangars.
The agricultural company Ivushka applied for accreditation to export grain this year, but the strike in mid-July destroyed a large portion of the stock, days after Russia abandoned the grain deal that would have allowed the shipments across the Black Sea without fear of attack.
Men shirtless and barefoot, with blackened soles from ash, swept unburnt grain into piles and awaited the loader, whose driver deftly steered around twisted metal shrapnel, bits of missile and craters despite his shattered windshield.
They hoped to beat the next rain to rescue what was left of the crop. According to the Odesa Regional Prosecutor’s Office, Russia struck the facility July 21 with three Kalibr- and Onyx-class cruise missiles.
“We don’t have a clue why they did it,” explained Olha Romanova, the head of Ivushka. Romanova, who worked in the debris alongside the others, wore a red headscarf and an exhausted expression and was too frazzled to even estimate her losses.
She cannot comprehend why the Russians targeted Ivushka, as there are no nearby military facilities and the frontlines are far from the village in the Odesa region.
“They spent so much money on us,” she said, puzzled. The missiles that ruined the silos are worth millions of dollars — far more than the crop they destroyed.
But Ivushka wasn’t the only target in Odesa. The main port also was struck, leaving Black Sea shipping companies that relied upon the grain deal to keep them safe and food supplies flowing to the world at a standstill.
The Black Sea handled about 95% of Ukrainian grain exports before Russia’s invasion and the U.N.-brokered initiative allowed Ukraine to ship much of what farmers harvested in 2021 and 2022, said Joseph Glauber, senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute.
Ukraine, a major supplier of corn, wheat, barley and vegetable oil, shipped 32.9 million metric tons (36.2 million U.S. tons) of grain under the nearly yearlong deal designed to ease a global food crisis. It has been able to export an additional 2 million to 2.5 million metric tons (2.2 to 2.7 million U.S. tons) monthly by the Danube River, road and rail through Europe.
Those are now the only routes to ship grain, but have stirred divisions among nearby European countries and generated higher costs to be absorbed by Ukrainian farmers, said Glauber, former chief economist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Russian missiles strikes against the Danube port last Monday also raised questions about how much longer that route will remain viable.
That’s a disincentive to keep planting fields already threatened by missiles and strewn with explosive mines. Corn and wheat production in agriculture-dependent Ukraine is down nearly 40% this year from prewar levels, analysts say.
From the first of July last year until June 30 this year, Ukraine exported 68 million tons of grain, according to data from Mykola Horbachov, the president of the Ukrainian Grain Association. Ukrainian farmers shipped 11.2 million tons via railways, 5.5 million tons by road transport and around 18 million tons through Danube ports. Additionally, nearly half of the total exported grain, 33 million tons, was delivered through seaports under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Ihor Osmachko, the general director of Agroprosperis Group, was unsurprised by Russia’s withdrawal from the deal leading to its collapse. His company had never considered it a reliable or permanent solution during wartime.
He said Russians frequently stymied the deal, even while it was functioning, by delaying ship inspections until the cargos were sent back, leading to $30 million in losses for his company alone. Now, they are once again forced to pay to reroute 100,000 tons of grain trapped in ports that are no longer safe, Osmachko said.
“We have been preparing for this whole time,” Osmachko said. “We haven’t stopped. We are moving forward.”
Osmachko estimated around 80% to 90% of the approximately 3.2 million tons of grain Agroprosperis exported to China, Europe and African countries during the past year went through the grain corridor.
“The most significant problem today is the cost of logistics,” explained Mykola Horbachov, president of the Ukrainian Grain Association. Before the war, farmers paid approximately $20 to $25 per ton to transport grain to the Odesa ports. Now, logistics costs have tripled as they are forced to pay more than $100 to transport a single ton via alternative routes through the Danube port to Constanta, Romania.
“If we were to go on the Danube with the grain corridor closed, practically all our production would be unprofitable,” Osmachko said.
The Danube ports can’t handle the same volume as seaports. The most Agroprosperis has sent through this route is 75,000 tons per month, compared with a monthly average of 250,000 tons through Black Sea ports.
The Ukrainian harvest this year is the lowest in a decade, according to a July report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Horbachov said shipping costs to export around the world and uncertainty about the length of the war will last could quickly make new planting unprofitable for Ukrainian farmers.
Ukraine currently produces three times more grain than it consumes, while global prices will inevitably rise if the country’s exports decrease.
“I think you’re looking at a diminished Ukraine for at least the next couple of years and maybe longer,” said Glauber, the former U.S. agricultural official. “That’s something the rest of the world just needs to make up.”
The war from all sides poses risks for Agroprosperis.
In the Sumy region on the Russian border, farmers harvest their crops wearing body armor. Sometimes they must stop their combines in the middle of the wheat fields to pick up shrapnel from Russian projectiles.
“It can get tough at times,” Osmachko acknowledged. “But there are responsibilities — some have duties on the front. Some must grow food and ensure the country’s and world’s security.”
___
Volodymyr Yurchuk in Lviv, Ukraine, and Courtney Bonnell in London contributed.
___
Follow AP’s coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-missile-attacks-leave-few-options-for-ukrainian-farmers-looking-to-export-grain/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:42 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/news/international/ap-international/ap-russian-missile-attacks-leave-few-options-for-ukrainian-farmers-looking-to-export-grain/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:36 AM CDT|Updated: 20 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:44 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
Ed Levi became a beekeeper after he stumbled upon some old beehives behind the ruins of a 400-year-old farm he bought in France...
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Print Headline: Beekeeper Ed Levi spent his youth traveling world | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/beekeeper-ed-levi-spent-his-youth-traveling-world/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:49 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/beekeeper-ed-levi-spent-his-youth-traveling-world/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:50 | 1 | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The fight itself didn’t match the hype, but Terence Crawford’s performance exceeded it.
He knocked down Errol Spence Jr. three times Saturday night before finally ending the fight at 2:32 of the ninth round on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of the greatest welterweights in history.
The fight, the most-anticipated boxing match in several years, made Crawford the first undisputed champion in the 147-pound division in the four-belt era that began in 2004.
Crawford (40-0, 31 knockouts) already owned the WBO belt, and took the WBC, WBA and IBF titles from Spence (28-1). Crawford also ran his KO streak to 11 matches, the second-longest active stretch.
Crawford, 35, has won titles at super lightweight and lightweight in addition to welterweight, capturing the latter after moving up in 2018. The Omaha, Nebraska, fighter became the first male boxer to become the undisputed champion in two divisions in the four-belt era.
“I only dreamed of being a world champion,” Crawford said. “I’m an over-achiever. Nobody believed in me when I was coming up, but I made everybody a believer. I want to thank Spence and his team because without him none of this would have been possible.”
A big fight night on the Strip still brings out the stars, with recording artist Andre 3000 of Outkast, NBA star Damian Lillard and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones at T-Mobile Arena. They were among the celebrities that also included former boxing champions such as Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
Eminem introduced Crawford and his song “Lose Yourself” played as he walked into the ring before a sellout crowd of 19,990 at T-Mobile Arena.
Spence was the aggressor early on, but Crawford sent him to the floor with a right hand with 20 seconds left in the second round. Then Crawford went after Spence, but time ran out before he could finish him off.
Crawford, a minus-154 favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, then took control of the fight, landing several major blows, often on counters. But Crawford also picked his spots to go after Spence, his punching power taking a heavy toll.
“He was just better tonight,” Spence said. “I make no excuses. He was throwing a harder jab. He was timing with his jab, and he had his timing down on point.”
In the seventh round, Crawford knocked down Spence twice — with a short right at 1:02 and with another right with just a second left.
The fight was essentially over at that point, though Crawford backed off in the eighth round. He came roaring back in the ninth to end it for sure.
Crawford didn’t waste the chance to gloat afterward, directly responding to his critics.
“They said I wasn’t good enough and I couldn’t beat these welterweights,” Crawford said. “I just kept my head to the sky and kept praying to God that I would get the opportunity to show the world how great Terence Crawford is. Tonight, I believe I showed how great I am.”
Spence, however, said he would be up for a rematch, but wants to move up to the 154-pound division.
“We’ve got to do it again,” Spence said. “I would be a lot better.”
Crawford said he would have no problem moving up a weight class.
“I’m in the hurt business,” Crawford said. “Forty-seven is kind of hard for me, too. I was already talking about moving up in weight and challenging (champion Jermell) Charlo.”
The 33-year-old Spence, who lives in DeSoto, Texas, won the IBF title in 2017, claimed the WBC championship in 2019 and took the WBA championship last year.
In the co-main event, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz (25-2-1) of Mexico beat Chicago resident Giovanni Cabrera (21-1) by split decision in a WBC and WBA lightweight match. Judges Benoit Roussel (114-113) and Don Trella (115-112) scored the fight in favor of Cruz, and Glenn Feldman gave Cabrera the fight by a 114-113 score. Cruz had a point deducted because of a head butt.
Also, Alexandro Santiago (28-3-5) of Mexico won the vacant WBC bantamweight title with a 115-113, 116-112, 116-12 decision over Nonito Donaire (42-8), who lives in Las Vegas.
___
AP boxing: https://apnews.com/hub/boxing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-crawford-unifies-welterweight-division-with-9th-round-tko-in-dominant-performance-over-spence/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:49 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-crawford-unifies-welterweight-division-with-9th-round-tko-in-dominant-performance-over-spence/ |
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
In the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag final on Sunday, Alexei Popyrin meets Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is favored (-200) to win the title versus Popyrin (+155).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Match Information
- Tournament: The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Stadium Goran Ivanisevic in ITC Stella Maris
- Location: Umag, Croatia
- Court Surface: Clay
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Stan Wawrinka has a 66.7% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
- Wawrinka was victorious 6-3, 6-4 versus Lorenzo Sonego in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Popyrin has played 47 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces, and 28.0 games per match (25.3 in best-of-three matches).
- On clay, Popyrin has played 16 matches over the past year, totaling 26.7 games per match (26.0 in best-of-three matches) while winning 51.5% of games.
- In the past year, Wawrinka has competed in 40 total matches (across all court surfaces), winning 51.1% of the games. He averages 27.3 games per match (24.6 in best-of-three matches) and 10.6 games per set.
- On clay, Wawrinka has played 11 matches and averaged 28.7 games per match (23.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.9 games per set.
- Popyrin and Wawrinka have not matched up against each other since 2015.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:51 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ |
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.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:51 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/prnewswire/2023/07/30/chengdu-2021-fisu-world-university-games-opening-ceremony-impresses-audiences-worldwide/ |
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER-LITTLE ROCK
July 22
Autumn and Stephen Lawson, Little Rock, son.
July 24
Katrina and Scott Tracy, Little Rock, son.
July 25
Nikarra Coleman and Damarcus Hampton, Little Rock, daughter.
Danielle Washington and Tyran Lacy, Little Rock, daughter.
Taniequa Finney and Jonathan Matlock, Little Rock, daughter.
July 26
Chiquita Rayford and Tylic Alexander, Pine Bluff, daughter.
Tory and Mark Lewis, Little Rock, son.
BAPTIST HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER-NORTH LITTLE ROCK
July 17
Jasmine Harris and Ivandricks Stuman, Sherwood, daughter.
July 21
Angela Wells and Chris Manning, North Little Rock, daughter.
July 22
Taylor Adams and Zantavious Leavy, North Little Rock, son.
UAMS MEDICAL CENTER
July 13
Gloria Oneyda Lovo, Little Rock, son.
July 14
Ileana Lucia Rivas Maltez and Danny Oneyber Granados Reyes, Little Rock, daughter.
July 15
Shyann Nicole Simmons and Demario Harris, Little Rock, son.
Kara and Gary Jones, Little Rock, daughter.
July 16
Mallory and Dustin Norwood, Brookland, son.
July 17
Jasmine Rhodes and Kevin Weaver, Pine Bluff, son.
July 18
Amber McNealy and Ethan Curtis, Mount Pleasant, daughter.
July 19
Trinett Rolonda and Alvin Smith, Dumas, daughter.
Asia Mattin and Anthonnio Riley, Little Rock, son.
July 20
Heidy Yasmira Quixx Quixx and Abel Cedillo Raymundo, Little Rock, son.
Leslie Fluellen and Kenneth Gary, Little Rock, daughter.
July 21
Shannon and Zane Geiling, Jessieville, daughter.
Lydia and Brandon Cole, Hope, son.
July 23
Tequilla Dednam and Paul Smith, North Little Rock, son.
July 24
Emma Panico and Jonathan Green, Little Rock, daughter. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/births/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:55 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/births/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:56 | 0 | https://www.kbtx.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Justin Gaethje knocked out Dustin Poirier with a head kick one minute into the second round to win the main event lightweight bout at UFC 291 on Saturday night.
The third-ranked Gaethje (26-4) celebrated his victory by climbing to the top of the Octagon fence and doing a backflip off it. His perfectly timed headshot helped him avenge a loss to Poirier in 2018 when he suffered a fourth-round technical knockout via strikes.
“This chance at redemption was amazing,” Gaethje said. “It drove me to work harder to be ready.”
It was Gaethje’s 20th win by knockout or TKO and his seventh victory in his last nine fights. He also scored his first knockout win since UFC 249 in 2020.
“I was surprised by myself and how good I fought,” Gaethje said.
Second-ranked Poirier (29-8) entered the rematch between the two former interim lightweight champions as a minus-152 favorite according to FanDuel. He matched Gaethje blow for blow in the first round – earning a 10-9 advantage on two of three scorecards – before being quickly dispatched in the second.
The decisive high kick from one former champ caught the other by surprise because it wasn’t a move that he expected to see from Gaethje.
“I thought I had four more rounds,” Poirier said. “I didn’t know I had two more minutes.”
With the victory, Gaethje earned a BMF belt – the second UFC fighter to be awarded that belt.
Beating Poirier opens the door for Gaethje to have a potential title bout against the winner of Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira, who are set to square off at UFC 294 in October.
Gaethje’s BMF win over Poirier headlined five main card bouts.
Alex Pereira defeated Jan Blachowicz by split decision in a light heavyweight bout billed as the co-main event for his eighth win in his last nine fights.
Pereira (8-2), ranked second as a middleweight, made his debut in the light heavyweight division at UFC 291 after losing the middleweight title belt via knockout to Israel Adesanya at UFC 287 in April. Blachowicz (29-10-1) did not make the transition in weight class a smooth one for the former champion.
He weathered early takedowns in the first two rounds and rallied in the third round.
Derrick Lewis earned a record 14th knockout win over Marcos Rogerio de Lima just 33 seconds into the first round of the heavyweight bout. The No.10-ranked Lewis (27-11) scored an immediate takedown with a flying knee and pummeled 15th-ranked Rogerio de Lima (21-10-1) with repeated punches to score the early finish. He celebrated snapping a three-fight slide by stripping off his shorts and dancing around the Octagon.
“The win means a lot to me,” Lewis said. “I had a lot of pressure on me coming into this fight and I just wanted to prove to everyone I’m still one of the best fighters in the world.”
Bobby Green beat Tony Ferguson by submission via choke with six seconds left in the third round of the lightweight bout. Green (30-14-1) dominated the final two rounds to earn his second career submission, scoring takedowns in both rounds while raining repeated blows that left his opponent battered. He denied Ferguson (26-9) a shot at earning his first UFC victory since 2019, sending the 39-year-old fighter home with his sixth straight loss.
Kevin Holland made quick work of Michael Chiesa to win the welterweight bout. Holland (25-9) beat the 12th-ranked Chiesa — fighting for the first time following a two-year hiatus — by submission at 2:39 in the first round. He used his length and striking abilities to trap Chiesa (18-7) in a D’arce choke, forcing a quick tap out.
Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, Jazz coach Will Hardy, and former Jazz stars Deron Williams and Karl Malone were among those in attendance at the second UFC pay-per-view event in 11 months in the Beehive State.
UFC reported a live gate of $6.5 million, breaking the previous venue record set at UFC 278 in August 2022. A sellout crowd of 18,467 was in attendance.
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-gaethje-knocks-out-poirier-in-second-round-to-win-ufc-291-lightweight-bout/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:56 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-gaethje-knocks-out-poirier-in-second-round-to-win-ufc-291-lightweight-bout/ |
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
In the Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag final on Sunday, Alexei Popyrin meets Stan Wawrinka.
Wawrinka is favored (-200) to win the title versus Popyrin (+155).
Looking to place a bet on this or other tennis matches? Head over to BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks, and sign up today with our link!
Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Match Information
- Tournament: The Plava Laguna Croatia Open Umag
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Stadium Goran Ivanisevic in ITC Stella Maris
- Location: Umag, Croatia
- Court Surface: Clay
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Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Stan Wawrinka has a 66.7% chance to win.
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Alexei Popyrin vs. Stan Wawrinka Trends and Insights
- In the semifinals on Saturday, Popyrin beat Matteo Arnaldi 6-7, 7-5, 6-3.
- Wawrinka was victorious 6-3, 6-4 versus Lorenzo Sonego in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Popyrin has played 47 matches over the past 12 months across all court surfaces, and 28.0 games per match (25.3 in best-of-three matches).
- On clay, Popyrin has played 16 matches over the past year, totaling 26.7 games per match (26.0 in best-of-three matches) while winning 51.5% of games.
- In the past year, Wawrinka has competed in 40 total matches (across all court surfaces), winning 51.1% of the games. He averages 27.3 games per match (24.6 in best-of-three matches) and 10.6 games per set.
- On clay, Wawrinka has played 11 matches and averaged 28.7 games per match (23.4 in best-of-three matches) and 10.9 games per set.
- Popyrin and Wawrinka have not matched up against each other since 2015.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:58 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/alexei-popyrin-vs-stan-wawrinka-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-plava-laguna-croatia-open-umag/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:36 AM CDT|Updated: 20 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:56:58 | 0 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
A ban on white non-basmati rice exports by India could bolster prices for American rice farmers, said Alvaro Durand-Morat, associate professor and agricultural economist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
India enacted the export ban on non-basmati white rice on July 20.
"India has been consistently the largest exporter of rice for the last decade or so" averaging more than 21 million metric tons, or 40% of global rice exports in the past two marketing years, Durand-Morat said. "And this particular category represents 7 million metric tons of rice exported annually.
"We are talking about a very large amount of rice that will not be coming to the market potentially," he said, adding that there is no single rice-growing country that can step into the export vacuum left by India's ban.
RIPPLING THROUGH THE MARKETS
Durand-Morat, who has spent a large part of his career analyzing the world's rice markets, sees the ban reverberating through the Americas -- both the U.S. and countries of MERCOSUR, the Southern Common Market trade bloc made up of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. In the U.S., Arkansas is the largest rice producer.
"I expect this change in India will affect MERCOSUR and the U.S. prices in the same way," he said. While prices may be softer at first due to larger rice acreage in the U.S., eventually as the decrease in Indian exports is felt, "this will all give more support to rice prices."
According to the Creed Rice Market report, export quotes for Indian rice rose from $355 per ton a year ago to $495 per ton in mid-July.
WEATHER AS A DRIVER
Durand-Morat said the Indian government's action was driven by concerns "for the food security situation of the population there and also concerns about potential weather events that may actually result in lower production."
The expectation this year is that the El Niño weather pattern will bring lower-than-average rainfall to India. Although it hasn't been severe, Durand-Morat said, there are concerns.
"With such a huge population I'm pretty sure the government doesn't want to take any chances," he said.
India's population in 2021 was estimated at some 1.4 billion.
In 2022, India was forecast to see its first decline in rice production since the 2015-16 marketing year, according to the Foreign Agricultural Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Parts of India saw below-normal rainfall in 2022, followed by floods.
EFFECTS IN DEVELOPING NATIONS
Durand-Morat said India's rice reaches more than 150 countries, "but there are regions in the world that are expected to be particularly affected and those are primarily the developing countries such as Madagascar and Benin that depend on Indian rice for their food security."
India has said it is "willing to accommodate any demand from importing countries because they don't want to worsen the food security of those countries, but it is definitely 'our food security first, everybody else, second'," he said.
POWERFUL DECADE OF GROWTH
India hasn't always been a power player in the rice market.
Durand-Morat said rice exports had been a marginal activity in India, meaning the country generally exported leftover rice.
"If there are leftovers, they export it. If not, they don't," he said.
However, "over the last 10 years, they have been blessed with incredible weather and they managed to increase production to levels that we honestly never expected 10 years ago," Durand-Morat said.
"Everything had been going so well, you kind of get optimistic," he said. "But as soon as the concerns about a potential El Niño came up last year, the government didn't think twice about taking drastic actions to support domestic food security."
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow the agency on Twitter and Instagram at @AR_Extension.
Mary Hightower is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/boost-for-rice-prices-weighed/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:01 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/boost-for-rice-prices-weighed/ |
PHILADELPHIA – This week, the NFL has been releasing its annual list of the top 100 players. So far, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and cornerback Darius Slay are the two Eagles who have been announced as among the best players in the league. However, there is one name you will not see: James Bradberry.
Bradberry was selected as a second-team All-Pro last season after finishing with two interceptions, 57 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery while allowing a quarterback rating of 51.8, but after the votes submitted by other NFL players were tallied, he was ranked as the 107th best player. For Bradberry, his absence from the list surprised him, but he brushed aside his animosity toward being passed over.
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“I thought I was going to be on there a little higher, but it is what it is because I didn’t make the list,” Bradberry said. “At the end of the day, I don’t play for those accolades or to be on that top 100 list. I play for wins, and I’ll be my best when I’m on the field.”
A few of the cornerbacks that were on the list in front of Bradberry include Marlon Humphrey (Baltimore Ravens), Marshon Lattimore (New Orleans Saints), Tariq Woolen (Seattle Seahawks), and Trevon Diggs (Dallas Cowboys).
Bradberry could have had a chance to prove he belonged on the list for another team. Heading into this past offseason, Bradberry was one of the top free-agent cornerbacks on the market. However, it came as a shock when he re-signed with the Eagles agreed on a three-year, $38 million contract, $20 million of which is guaranteed. Knowing he will be with the Eagles for a few more years has made things easier for him to prepare for the upcoming season.
“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Bradberry said. “I’m around the guys for a second year, so we got more time together. Of course, I enjoy this defense, this coaching staff, and, of course, the city, so I’m glad to be back.”
BUY EAGLES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER
Bradberry returning also meant he would continue to play with Slay on the outside, a combination that played a significant part in the Eagles having the best pass defense in the league last, allowing 189.1 yards per game. The Eagles had the low total because of the symbiotic relationship the secondary had with the front seven, with the coverage allowing the pass rushers to affect the quarterback, which in turn forced quarterbacks to get the ball out quickly to receivers being tightly covered by Bradberry and the other defensive backs.
“I think we could be as good as we want to be,” Bradberry said. “I know Slay, and I believe he’s a Hall of Famer. He’s one of the greatest corners this past decade, and we are trying to build up our standing in this decade as well. I want to do my part, whatever the assignment is for that week. That was my mindset last year: Go in there, do my part, and make sure I accomplish my goal.”
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. | https://www.nj.com/eagles/2023/07/what-eagles-james-bradberry-said-about-being-snubbed-from-nfls-top-100-list.html | 2023-07-30T10:57:02 | 0 | https://www.nj.com/eagles/2023/07/what-eagles-james-bradberry-said-about-being-snubbed-from-nfls-top-100-list.html |
FUKUOKA, Japan (AP) — The American swim team has had a so-so meet at the world championships in Japan. Meanwhile, Australia and China have been pouring it on.
The American gold-medal count at the worlds is the lowest in at least two decades, although the overall medal count of gold, silver, and bronze, is similar to most years.
“Obviously, we’d like to win more gold medals and I think we will,” American coach Bob Bowman said going into Sunday’s final day.
The slight predicament for Bowman is that two of the swimmers he coaches at Arizona State University, Leon Marchand of France and Hungary’s Hubert Kos, have won four gold medals. Marchand has three, and he’s sure to be a star in next year’s Paris Olympics, and Kos has one.
That’s the same gold-medal total for the entire American team through seven of eight days — four gold. The average for the Americans over the last nine championships has been about 15 golds.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, two of the first three questions Bowman fielded were about Marchand and Kos, from French and Hungarian news outlets.
“If you look at swimming, every coach on the U.S. team is coaching a foreign swimmer, an international swimmer. There’s always that dynamic,” said Bowman, who has legendary status for helping Michael Phelps win 23 Olympic gold medals.”
Bowman was cautious about taking credit for Kos, who came to Arizona State late last year. He went from being a good individual medley swimmer to a world champion a few days ago in the 200-meter backstroke.
“I think it’s just the Bob Bowman effect,” said Kos, son of an American father and Hungarian mother. ”That’s as simple as it is.”
He said Bowman had a “magic” touch.“
Bowman played down his role.
“He (Kos) had an excellent coach at home for 10 years before me,” Bowman said. “He deserved the credit for this. I just helped a little bit at the end.”
Bowman compared Marchand to Phelps. But can he produce and endure the pressure, particularly with the Olympics in his home country.
“It remains to be seen what he can do next year. It’s going to be a lot of expectations,” Bowman said. “But I feel like he’s done a very good rehearsal this year and last year. They’ve been good preparations for what will happen next year and we’ll try to carry that over to Paris.”
Swimming is an individual sport, separate from team sports like soccer. It would be unthinkable for the coach of Real Madrid to be also coaching Barcelona players on the side. But it’s normal in swimming, and Bowman said he was “ethically” comfortable with it.
“I mean, the bottom line is I get paid to coach these guys at ASU,” he said. “I’m representing my country for the love of my country and happy to do that. I don’t think there’s an ethical question. It’s not a zero-sum. I’m not taking away from the U.S. guys.”
He said he was interested in coaching the Americans at next year’s Olympics, but suggested any decision was still pending.
“I don’t think we know yet,” he said. “I have to go through this week, get home, think about what the scenarios look (like) and then we’ll decide. I always want to do. But we’ll see how it goes.”
___
AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-legendary-coach-bob-bowman-keeps-turning-out-winning-swimmers-and-not-just-americans/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:02 | 0 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-legendary-coach-bob-bowman-keeps-turning-out-winning-swimmers-and-not-just-americans/ |
How to Watch NASCAR, F1, IndyCar & More: Auto Racing Streaming Live - Sunday, July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 6:36 AM EDT|Updated: 20 minutes ago
True auto racing fans know that there's no such thing as too many races. From the starting gun to the checkered flag, you want to see it all. Check out the article below to find out how to watch or live stream the Formula 1, Formula E, Motocross, NASCAR Cup Series, and NHRA Drag Racing action airing on Fubo on Sunday, July 30.
Watch even more auto racing coverage with ESPN+!
Auto Racing Streaming Live Today
Watch Formula 1: Belgium Grand Prix
- Series: Formula 1
- Game Time: 8:55 AM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Motocross: MXGP Finland - Race 1
- Series: Motocross
- Game Time: 9:00 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch Formula E: Round 16: London - Race
- Series: Formula E
- Game Time: 11:30 AM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NASCAR Cup Series: Cook Out 400
- Series: NASCAR Cup Series
- Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: USA Network
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Watch NHRA Drag Racing: DENSO Sonoma Nationals
- Series: NHRA Drag Racing
- Game Time: 4:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- Live Stream: Watch on Fubo!
Make sure you're following along with racing action all year long on Fubo and ESPN+!
© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:05 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/auto-racing-live-stream/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
Watch live tennis and many more sports and shows without cable on all your devices with a seven-day free trial to Fubo!
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:05 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
DENVER -- A svelte Russell Wilson smiled at the question.
You going to take off and run more this fall?
"I'm trying to get moving for you," he said slyly.
The 12th-year quarterback looked capable of doing just that as he started his second training camp with the Denver Broncos, though any grand conclusions after one day in helmets can safely be avoided, just as Wilson sidestepped a question about how much weight he cut over the offseason.
"I don't know, I'm just ready to play football. I'm not worried about the numbers on that," he said. "I think the biggest thing for me is I feel great, feel confident in what I'm doing. Feel strong. Feel fast. Really worked on everything."
A nine-time Pro Bowler in Seattle, Wilson regressed across the board in Denver. He threw a career-low 16 touchdowns on just 60.5% completions. The Broncos lost 11 of the 15 games he started. He dealt with three different injuries over the course of the season.
"Last year is last year," Wilson said. "It wasn't anything that I ever wanted. ... But you take the highs with the lows, the mountains with the valleys."
Just as alarming as his inefficiency and inaccuracy was the fact that Wilson took a career-high 55 sacks. He's always been sacked a lot -- it's part of the nature of mobile quarterbacks -- but his 10.2% rate last year was the second-highest of his career.
Was it concerning, then, to see Wilson at times on Friday hold the ball, then improvise outside the pocket and either take off running or throw on the run? Head Coach Sean Payton said not at all and that, in fact, he even encouraged it.
"You want to play it like a game. That's what we are trying to simulate," he said. "It's hard to practice the spontaneous moments that take place in a game. If you break down a whole game, two thirds of it happens in the pocket the way it's supposed to. A third of it, there's a movement adjustment, there's pressure, there's all sorts of things that can take place. I'm comfortable when I see him climbing (in the pocket) and taking off because one of those plays is like a 30-yard gain.
"How else do you practice that? It's the same way with the scramble drill when we are out of the pocket. You just begin working on that all of the time. I think it's one of the things he does well in the framework of a play. When something breaks down and he flushes, a lot of the time good things happen."
Part of the challenge in the next several weeks is quickly gaining a mastery of Payton's offensive system. The coach on Friday said it's "completely different" than what Wilson and the offense did last year, making for a steep learning curve.
"There's a great sense of urgency what we're trying to do and a great sense of urgency to understand the playbook and get everybody on the same page. They've done a great job of it. The coaching staff has done a tremendous job of really teaching the details to all of us players," Wilson said. "... We've had a really focused offseason and I think, as I said, it's one day at a time and we're trying to embrace every single day. In terms of the playbook and all of that, we're ahead of schedule."
In addition to the playbook itself, though, Wilson and Payton have to develop their own on-field rapport through camp and the preseason. Wilson is a very different player than Payton had in New Orleans with Drew Brees. He can tuck the ball away and run for a first down, but Payton likely doesn't want him freelancing so often that the offense struggles to find rhythm.
Like he has since before Payton even interviewed for the Broncos' job, Wilson on Friday sounded like a player eager to follow the veteran coach.
"Coach Payton has a great balance of winning and his mentality, how he speaks to us and how he walks into the room," Wilson said. " He's a legend in this game we trust everything that he thinks about and what he's doing and how we go about it. ...
"It's a joy to be in this building and a joy to play for him." | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/broncos-qb-slims-down-ready-to-get-moving/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:08 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/broncos-qb-slims-down-ready-to-get-moving/ |
State Police Superintendent Patrick Callahan was on highway patrol as a young man when, by all accounts, the New Jersey State Police was a rogue agency that targeted Black drivers, especially on the Turnpike, where 75 percent of those arrested in 1999 were Black.
That led to a strict program of oversight by the federal Department of Justice that lasted 10 years, until a federal judge was convinced that the State Police had turned a corner. | https://www.nj.com/opinion/2023/07/the-pushback-against-charges-of-racism-in-the-state-police-moran.html | 2023-07-30T10:57:08 | 0 | https://www.nj.com/opinion/2023/07/the-pushback-against-charges-of-racism-in-the-state-police-moran.html |
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Megan Rapinoe is adjusting to her new role at the Women’s World Cup, even if it means she’s not on the field as much as she’d like to be.
The outspoken 38-year-old known for her eclectic hair colors and the iconic victory pose she struck at the 2019 World Cup is the oldest player on the team. She already announced that her fourth World Cup would be her last.
“Ultimately, we’re at the World Cup. This is where everybody wants to be, whether you’re playing 90 minutes, whether you’re a game changer, whatever,” she said Sunday. “I think it’s a lot similar to what I thought it would be — bringing all the experience that I can, all the experience that I have, and ultimately being ready whenever my number is called up.”
Rapinoe has played limited minutes so far, coming in as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener, which was her 200th career appearance for the team.
She was available but didn’t play in the disappointing 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington. U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski made just one substitution in the match, bringing in midfielder Rose Lavelle after the first half.
“I think all of us on the bench, it’s like we think we should be on the field as much as the players on the field believe that they should be on the field,” Rapinoe said. “Every player on the field that starts the game thinks that they should play 90 minutes, and every player who doesn’t, who is a sub, thinks that they should be on at some point.”
The United States has won the last two World Cups, but the players find themselves in a more precarious position as they chase an unprecedented third consecutive title. The Americans need at least a draw going into the final group match against Portugal on Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland.
The Americans top Group E, even on points with the Netherlands, but hold the edge because of goal difference. Portugal, which beat Vietnam, could send the United States home early with a win over the Americans.
“We’re unsatisfied with the way we played, but we know there are areas that we can be better and I think there’s some really simple fixes we can do to put ourselves in a better position to have more joy on the ball, especially in the final third,” Rapinoe said. “I think everybody’s looking at this like `Let’s go.’”
At the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe scored six goals over the course of the tournament, including a penalty in a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final. She also finished with three assists and claimed both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for the best overall player.
Rapinoe, who is engaged to former WNBA star Sue Bird, has been a leader on and off the field.
She made headlines during the 2019 tournament when she said she wouldn’t visit the White House if the United States won. Her decision was based on her disdain for then-President Donald Trump, and the team did not go to the White House after winning its second World Cup.
And in the midst of a dispute with U.S. Soccer over equal pay with the men’s national team, Rapinoe helped the women hold firm on their position.
“I just think back to 2019 in particular. We didn’t really talk about it a lot as a group but we were like, `Well, we have to win. This is kind of like a must-win World Cup for us.’ And I think it did give us confidence,” she said. “It pressured us, but I think we also knew that we could handle it and it was almost a mandatory upping of our level to be able to match everything that we were saying off the field. I think in so many ways we were betting on ourselves.”
Rapinoe has won two Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal with the United States. She also took home the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Women’s Player awards — the game’s top individual honors — for her play in 2019.
As a fierce advocate for social justice issues, including gender equity and LGBTQ rights, she was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Joe Biden last year.
The team also won a new contract that pays the players the same as their male counterparts.
“I’ve always tried to use whatever platform we have, and this platform was built long before I got here. We just continue to add to to it, to grow the game, to make the world a better place, to use our voices, to advocate for more,” she said.
At this World Cup, she’s passing that legacy on to younger generation. Fourteen of the U.S. players are playing in their first World Cup. In 2019, Carli Lloyd was in a similar role of a player who was also something of a coach who led by example.
Rapinoe is doing that now.
“Still every day in training I’m like, `I’m gonna try to bust your ass,’ and that makes them better, that makes me better,” she said. “That makes the whole team better. So I think it’s been really rewarding. And I think ultimately, and I think that this gets lost, but I get to play in another World Cup.”
___
AP Women’s World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-megan-rapinoe-adjusts-to-new-role-at-womens-world-cup-while-still-savoring-final-days-in-spotlight/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:08 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-megan-rapinoe-adjusts-to-new-role-at-womens-world-cup-while-still-savoring-final-days-in-spotlight/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:11 | 1 | https://www.wlbt.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — 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 Fremantle Highway was unlikely to be moved Sunday because of the southwesterly wind, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.
“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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/high-winds-stall/75PUMTQSK7BBOTAUSRLKFXPOUU/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:11 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/high-winds-stall/75PUMTQSK7BBOTAUSRLKFXPOUU/ |
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Ladies Open Lausanne
On Sunday, Clara Burel (No. 84 in the world) takes on Elisabetta Cocciaretto (No. 42) in the final of the Ladies Open Lausanne.
Cocciaretto is favored to win the tournament championship over Burel, with -150 odds compared to the underdog's +115.
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Match Information
- Tournament: The Ladies Open Lausanne
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Tennis Club du Stade-Lausanne
- Location: Lausanne, Switzerland
- Court Surface: Clay
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Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Elisabetta Cocciaretto has a 60.0% chance to win.
Bet on tennis with BetMGM, the King of Sportsbooks!
Clara Burel vs. Elisabetta Cocciaretto Trends and Insights
- Burel defeated Diane Parry 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Cocciaretto came out on top 6-7, 7-6, 7-5 against Anna Bondar in the semifinals on Saturday.
- Through 28 matches over the past year (across all court surfaces), Burel has played 23.2 games per match and won 50.9% of them.
- Burel has played 11 matches on clay over the past year, and 22.7 games per match.
- In her 41 matches in the past year across all court surfaces, Cocciaretto is averaging 21.5 games per match while winning 52.1% of those games.
- On clay, Cocciaretto has played 13 matches and averaged 23.2 games per match and 9.7 games per set.
- Burel and Cocciaretto have played one time dating back to 2015, in the WTA 125K Bol, Croatia Women Singles 2022 quarterfinals. Cocciaretto claimed victory in that bout 6-2, 6-4.
- In terms of sets, Cocciaretto has won two against Burel (100.0%), while Burel has clinched zero.
- Cocciaretto has the edge in 18 total games against Burel, claiming 12 of them.
- In their one match against each other, Burel and Cocciaretto are averaging 18.0 games and 2.0 sets.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:11 | 0 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/clara-burel-vs-elisabetta-cocciaretto-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-ladies-open-lausanne/ |
The following burglaries are from reports collected from the Little Rock and North Little Rock police departments. The names listed are of those who reported a burglary and the dates are when the crime is believed to have taken place. Cammack Village data are not included.
Little Rock
72202
1608 Dennison St., residential, Shameka Hollimon, 9:54 p.m. July 27, property valued at $1,125.
72204
5209 W. 28th St., residential, Cirsten Fullwood, 11:56 p.m. July 22, property valued at $400.
5217 W. 34th St., commercial, Asphalt Contractors Inc., 9:52 a.m. July 24, property valued at $1,663.
2822 W. Daisy L. Gaston Bates Road, residential, Kristie McDaniel, 3:15 p.m. July 24, property value unknown.
3410 Longcoy St., residental, Jeff Garrett, 3:31 p.m. July 26, property valued at $2,056.
4216 W. 11th St., residential, Brittany Lambert, 11:09 a.m. July 26, property value unknown.
2021 S. Monroe St., residential, Ruby Williams, 2:28 p.m. July 27, property valued at $200.
72205
8415 W. Markham St., residential, Aaron He, 2:53 p.m. July 21, property value unknown.
5100 W. Markham St., commercial, Black Angus, 2:05 a.m. July 23, property value unknown.
1001 Breckenridge Dr., residential, Kentosha Pierce, 5:29 p.m. July 26, property valued at $2,800.
72206
3101 S. Izard St., residential, Vivian Evans, 12:34 p.m. July 22, property valued at $2,300.
3301 S. State St., commercial, Thrasher Boys and Girls Club, 2:39 p.m. July 23, property valued at $650.
2600 Welch St., residential, Mike Simpson, 11:50 p.m. July 23, property valued at $50.
500 W. Roosevelt Road, commercial, Sharks Fish & Chicken, 10:32 a.m. July 27, property valued at $3,100.
72207
5208 Kavanaugh Blvd., commercial, Yancey's Wines & Spirits, 4:12 a.m. July 26, property valued at $300.
5114 Country Club Blvd., residential, Dawn Bailey, 10:29 p.m. July 26, property valued at $6,254.
72209
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Devante Mitchell, 1:31 p.m. July 22, property valued at $2,650.
8401 Edwina Dr., residential, Carl Dixon, 1:36 a.m. July 24, property value unknown.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage, 5:40 p.m. July 24, property value unknown.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Tracy Hill, 11:26 a.m. July 25, property valued at $1,300.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Gail Burks, 11:41 a.m. July 25, property valued at $1,500.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Corinthia Dorn, 5:32 p.m. July 25, property valued at $10,401.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Alisha Cotton, 7:09 p.m. July 25, property valued at $2,401.
4716 Baseline Road, residential, William Edmonds, 9:35 a.m. July 27, property valued at $1,810.
7500 Mabelvale Ctf, commercial, All Secure Storage/Mikaella Govan, 12:30 p.m. July 27, property valued at $5,095.
72211
310 S. Bowman Road, commercial, El Torito, 1:23 a.m. July 26, property valued at $2,000.
72223
32 Bass Cir., residential, Mel Cort, 7:39 p.m. July 22, property value unknown.
72227
23 Towne Park Ct., residential, Marsha Simon, 5:20 a.m. July 23, property value unknown.
9300 Treasure Hill Road, residential, Leonard O'Neal, 5:43 p.m. July 24, property valued at $301.
North Little Rock
72114
1805 W. 19th St., residential, Alexyes Woods, 8 p.m. July 21, property valued at $640.
72115
3223 N. Chandler St., residential, Sohiala Sadio and Erik Ackinson, 9:09 p.m. July 23, property valued at $100.
72117
1217 Graham Ave., residential, Aaron Bosewell and Kiara Hemphill, 10:30 a.m. July 27, property valued at $570.
900 Greendale Dr., residential, Austina Joyner, 2 a.m. July 28, property valued at $255. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/burglaries/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:14 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/burglaries/ |
BALTIMORE — Aaron Judge is the Yankees’ best player, he’s making the most money and he’s the team captain, so he’s entitled to speak his mind on important days, such as this week’s trade deadline.
You can bet anything that No. 99 is rooting hard for Brian Cashman to trade prospects for veterans by Tuesday at 6 p.m., EST, because he wants to make something of this season as much as any irate fan. He’ll probably be pretty disappointed if the Yankees repeat their 2019 and 2020 trade-deadline scorecards when Cashman was in batter’s box and struck out looking.
BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETSMARTER, TICKETMASTER
Of course, Judge isn’t the type to publicly challenge management to better position the Yankees to make the playoffs than they are now with a lineup that once in a blue moon tees off like it did in Saturday night’s 8-3 shellacking of the first-place Orioles.
In his post-game interview, Judge was given a chance to campaign for reinforcements after he made it two great nights in a row since his return from the injured list, the latest a three-hit showing that included a third-inning, two-run homer that turned a Yankees deficit into a lead they never lost.
His take on the trade deadline?
Well, of course Judge took the high road saying, “It’s out of our control. We’re fully capable of the guys we’ve got in this clubhouse to go out there and compete. It’s out of our hands. I’ll let (Cashman and the front office) do their part.”
The Yankees had a great offensive showing on Saturday night at Oriole Park, but they’ve scored three-or-fewer runs in 45.2 percent of their games (47-of-104). Thus, you’d think Cashman would be determined to add an impact bat, right?
The Yankees biggest need is a left fielder. Can they nab Cody Bellinger, or is the former National League MVP off limits now that the Cubs have won eight in a row and 10 of their last 11 to get to within 3 1/2 games of the NL Central lead and three of a wild-card spot?
Can they get Rockies outfielder Randal Grichuk, who has big right-handed power and is batting .312 this year.?
“You never know what they’re going to do,” Judge said.
He’s right.
When Judge got his first call-up on Aug. 13, 2016, the Yankees were two weeks removed from a rare fire sale. They traded Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs, Andrew Miller to the Indians and Carlos Beltran to the Rangers for prospects that brought in one future All-Star, Gleyber Torres.
The Yankees were buyers the next two seasons, adding Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, David Robertson, Jaime Garcia and Sonny Gray in 2017, then J.A. Happ, Lance Lynn and Luke Voit in 2018.
Cashman wasn’t a buyer or seller in 2019 or 2020, deadlines that really ticked off the Yankees’ fan base, but he was mover and shaker again the last two summers. In 2021, Joey Gallo, Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Heaney and Clay Holmes came in four trades. Last year, the Yankees were busy again adding Andrew Benintendi, Scott Effross, Frankie Montas, Lou Trevino and Harrison Bader.
Some of the trades proved to be good ones, especially the additions of Rizzo, Holmes and Voit, but Gray, Lynn, Heaney, Gallo and Montas all were busts.
“We’ve had years where we sticked with who we’ve got, we’ve had years we got some bullpen arms, some 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.”
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Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/07/how-should-yankees-handle-trade-deadline-heres-aaron-judges-take.html | 2023-07-30T10:57:14 | 0 | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/07/how-should-yankees-handle-trade-deadline-heres-aaron-judges-take.html |
DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) — 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.
The Football Ferns are co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, which must win Monday against Canada to avoid its own early elimination.
Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. The Swiss also played to a scoreless draw against Norway, but won the group with the draw 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 25,947 seats at Forsyth Barr Stadiums 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 as New Zealand pressed for a winner. She managed a header off a corner kick but was off target.
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 put an end to their Women’s World Cup run.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Just gutted, I think. Obviously we talked and we were proud of ourselves and what we’ve been able to accomplish, but at the end of the day we wanted to get out of this group stage and we just didn’t. It’s just black and white. So, obviously gutted,” said New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz of the elimination.
“We expected it to be really tough. New Zealand really tried everything they could, and I think we knew how to respond, especially defensively. We did a lot right,” said Inka Grings, Switzerland’s coach.
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://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-new-zealand-out-of-womens-world-cup-following-0-0-draw-with-switzerland-as-swiss-advance/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:15 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-new-zealand-out-of-womens-world-cup-following-0-0-draw-with-switzerland-as-swiss-advance/ |
Switzerland won Group A with a 0-0 draw against New Zealand that knocked out the co-hosts thanks to Norway’s big win.
The game was not a thriller. The teams basically split possession 50-50 and there were just five combined shots on target. New Zealand had 12 shots overall knowing that it needed to do more than a draw to get to the knockout rounds.
Switzerland is through to the FIFA Women's World Cup Round of 16 🇨🇭
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Rewatch La Nati claim the top spot in Group A in our 90' in 90" ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/8mk7xOSCxN
Switzerland entered the match with four points while New Zealand had three. Switzerland knew that it could win the group no matter what with a tie and was determined to get that result.
New Zealand was knocked out of the World Cup on goal difference. The co-hosts ended up with an even goal difference after a 1-0 win over Norway and a 1-0 loss to the Philippines. Norway’s goal difference ended up at +5 after its thrashing of the Philippines.
Norway 6, Philippines 0
Norway got the big win it needed against the Philippines as it routed the Philippines 6-0 to advance to the knockout rounds of the World Cup.
Norway entered Sunday’s match in last place in Group A with just a single point from two games. The onslaught began early for the Norwegians as Sophie Roman Haug scored twice in the first 17 minutes.
Another deep cross from the right and another Sophie Román Haug goal, this time from her head!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Norway is taking full command in Auckland 🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/Ze61z00gi2
Caroline Graham Hansen added a goal from outside the box in the 31st minute and goals by Alicia Barker and Guro Reiten within the first 10 minutes of the second half made it clear that Norway was going to advance.
Just take a look at Graham Hansen's goal.
If you give Caroline Graham Hansen space, she will make you pay! 👏 pic.twitter.com/v3ge2tJQ2o
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
Roman Haug completed her hat trick five minutes into added time in the second half.
The loss ends Philippines’ first World Cup on a sour note. The country had a chance to advance with a draw and would have guaranteed a spot in the knockout rounds with a win thanks to a win over New Zealand earlier in the tournament. But Norway — one of the pre-tournament favorites — just proved to be too much.
Morocco 1, South Korea 0
Morocco became the latest country to snag its first-ever Women’s World Cup win with a surprise 1-0 win over South Korea early Sunday morning.
Morocco's goal came early as Ibtissam Jraïdi scored in the sixth minute as she became the first player to ever score for her country in the Women's World Cup.
A HISTORIC MOMENT FOR MOROCCO!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 30, 2023
IBTISSAM JRAÏDI’S FIRST-HALF GOAL SECURES MOROCCO'S FIRST-EVER WIN AT A FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/mJAIJpmMQx
The Moroccans then held on from there as South Korea pushed forward. South Korea had 16 total shots and controlled the ball but couldn’t put a single one of those attempts on frame.
The victory gives Morocco a fighting chance of advancing out of Group H despite a -5 goal differential through two games after a 6-0 loss to Germany to open the World Cup. The exact scenario for Morocco’s advancement will be known after the conclusion of Germany’s game against Colombia. | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/womens-world-cup-day/7LG7A6J7KWJYEXWTL4KBUST5VE/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:17 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/national/womens-world-cup-day/7LG7A6J7KWJYEXWTL4KBUST5VE/ |
Patriots Odds to Make Playoffs and Win Super Bowl
At +6600 as of December 31, the New England Patriots aren't among the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season.
Watch the Patriots this season on Fubo!
Patriots Super Bowl Odds
- Odds to Win the AFC East: +750
- Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +6600
Looking to place a futures bet on the Patriots to win the Super Bowl this season? Head to BetMGM using our link and enter the bonus code "GNPLAY" for special offers!
New England Betting Insights
- New England won seven games against the spread last season, failing to cover or pushing nine times.
- The Patriots and their opponents combined to go over the point total eight out of 17 times last season.
- New England totaled 314.6 yards per game on offense last year (26th in ), and it gave up 322 yards per game (eighth) on defense.
- The Patriots went 4-4 at home last season and 4-5 away from home.
- New England won once as an underdog (1-7) a year ago, and went 7-1 as the favored team.
- In the AFC East the Patriots were 3-3, and in the conference overall they went 6-6.
Patriots Impact Players
- Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 1,040 yards (61.2 per game) and five touchdowns in 17 games last year.
- In the passing game, Stevenson scored one touchdown, with 69 catches for 421 yards.
- In 14 games, Mac Jones passed for 2,997 yards (214.1 per game), with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and a completion percentage of 65.2%.
- On the ground, Jones scored one touchdown and accumulated 102 yards.
- In the Chiefs' passing game a season ago, JuJu Smith-Schuster scored three TDs, catching 78 balls for 933 yards (58.3 per game).
- DeVante Parker had 31 receptions for 539 yards (41.5 per game) and three touchdowns in 13 games.
- Matthew Judon had 59 tackles, 14.0 TFL, 15.5 sacks, and three passes defended last year.
Bet on Patriots 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 Patriots 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.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/patriots-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:18 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/patriots-nfl-playoffs-super-bowl-odds/ |
Editor's Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com or use our newsroom email pbcnews@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Sunday, July 30
Southeast school reunion set
The 14th Southeast Junior/Senior High School All School Reunion will continue with memorial services at 10:30 a.m. today. The service will be held at Breath of Life Church, 1313 Pine St. Food will be served following the service.
Full Faith to burn mortgage
Full Faith Christian Center Church, 1320 E. 17th Ave., will conduct a Mortgage Burning Ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday. Isaac L. Barron, the pastor and apostle, will be the speaker. Shirley Sanders, bishop and pastor of Greater Deliverance Global Ministries in Pine Bluff, will do a special prayer. The community is invited to attend. "Come believing God's Word in 3 John 1:2, which says 'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth,'" a spokesman said. Follow Full Faith Christian Center Church on Facebook.
Deliverance service set
New Community Baptist Church, 321 N. Birch St., will hold a Deliverance Sunday Service at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday. The speaker will be New Community's pastor/apostle Patrick Lockett. The community is invited to attend. The theme is "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord." (Jer. 30:17.)
Pine Bluff Live Sunday No. 5 set
Pine Bluff Live on Sunday Number 5, an evening of special entertainment, will be held from 5-6 p.m. Sunday at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The community is invited to attend the showcase of area talent including singers, dancers and poets. "Support our special talent, especially our young people, as they perform songs, dances, and inspiring poems," according to a news release from the Pine Bluff Mayor's Office. Prizes will also be given to audience members during various drawings. Details: (870) 730-2004, mayor's office.
First Baptist to honor retiring pastor
Kenneth Thornton, pastor at First Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, 6501 S. Hazel St., will retire on July 31 after 10 years of service. A retirement reception in honor of Thornton and wife, Ann, will be held July 30, from 2-4 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. "If they have touched your lives in any way, please come and help us honor them by attending this retirement reception," a spokesman said. Details: (870) 534-4741.
Word of Faith sets Family Day
Word of Faith Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1108 S. Poplar St., invites the community to its Family and Friends Day on July 30. Sunday School is at 9:45 a.m. and worship is at 10:45 a.m. with the sermon by the pastor, Henry Land Jr.
Kinsmen appear in concert
The Kinsmen Quartet will be in concert at Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road, at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The quartet sings varieties of southern gospel music. The group includes Bill Hankins of Pine Bluff singing tenor; and the nationally known award-winning Gerald Williams singing bass. All are welcome to attend, according to a news release.
Beginning Sunday, July 30
Watson District holds congress
The Watson District Congress of Christian Education will be held at Union Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. The agenda includes registration and the opening program at 4 p.m. Sunday with the message by the Rev. Kirby Gulley. Monday through Thursday sessions will begin with 4 p.m. registration and classes from 4:30-6 p.m. The lecture will be by the Rev. Larry Alexander at 6:10 p.m. and evening worship at 7:15 p.m. On Monday there will be youth classes at 9 a.m. and an evening program. Tuesday will feature the Dean's Address. Wednesday features the President's Address. Thursday will feature the Commencement Address by the Rev. Johnny Smith Jr. The moderator is the Rev. Edward Demery. The president is the Rev. Isom Cross Jr. The dean is Barbara Williams Dixon.
Underway
Redfield court offers amnesty
The Redfield District Court will offer an amnesty period to people with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants. The amnesty period began July 24. Until Aug. 4, people will be able to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of being arrested or having to post a professional bond, according to a news release. People with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants may go to the Redfield District Court Clerk's office, 113 River Road at the Redfield Police Department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call (501) 397-6111. They may schedule a new appearance for court on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon to resolve their outstanding warrant. Tickets can also be paid online at www.arcourtpay.org or by calling 1-844-507-3631.
LIHEAP available for utility bill help
Entergy Arkansas customers who need help paying their summer utility bills can apply now for up to $475 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program's application period is open through Sept. 30 or until funds are depleted, according to a news release. The program is offered in all 75 counties in the state through community-based organizations, which can be found online at https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/assistance/caad.aspx, along with a complete list of eligibility and required documentation to complete the application. In Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment manages the program, but applications for assistance must be made through a community-based organization. Eligibility is determined by household size and income. For example, a single individual with a maximum monthly countable income of $1,859 and a family of four with $3,574 would both be eligible.
Tuesday, Aug. 1
Urban Renewal board to meet
The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Board will meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., according to a news release. Details: (870) 209-0323.
Police to host National Night Out
The Pine Bluff Police Department will present National Night Out and the community is invited to bring the entire family to enjoy free food, activities, and fellowship, according to the police department's Facebook page. National Night out will be held Aug. 1 from 6-9 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The free program will include bounce houses, games and prizes for youth, door prizes, live music, public awareness booths, and refreshments.
Early voting begins in PBSD election
The Pine Bluff School District Special Election will be held Aug. 8 and polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early voting will be held Aug. 1-7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,according to a news release. Voters will decide whether to increase the existing millage rates to 47.7, which would represent a 6-mill increase in the old PBSD and 6.9-mill increase in the old Dollarway School District. Proceeds will go toward construction of a new high school, according to a recent article in The Commercial. Aug. 1 is also the last day to receive applications for absentee voting by mail, fax, or email. Voters must contact the county clerk's office for a new absentee ballot application if they want to vote absentee. People may also visit the website at www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/elections-voter-registration to download an application. Details: Jefferson County Clerk's Office, (870) 541-5322.
Wednesday, Aug. 2
PBSD chief, board to discuss millage
The community is invited to hear Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree and Pine Bluff School Board members answer questions on the Aug. 8 millage election for the proposed high school. The meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 2 at Dollarway High School, 2602 Fluker St. Details: (870) 543.4203.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles should be submitted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com or shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Beginning Friday, Aug. 4
Martin/Altheimer School Reunion set
Alumni and Friends of the Martin/Altheimer schools will celebrate their 2023 All School Reunion the weekend of Aug. 4-6, according to a news release. Activities will include: A meet and greet reception Aug. 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight at PJ's Event Center in Pine Bluff. A community picnic at Jones Park in Altheimer Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The reunion banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at PJ's Event Center. The Rev. William "Sonny" Scales (Altheimer Class of 1972) will be the featured speaker. Scales is an associate pastor of the True Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif.The memorial worship service will be held Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Bobby W. Jones (Altheimer Class of 1979), a retired Army colonel and pastor of Thankful Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga.A farewell reception will be held Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at PJ's Event Center.
Through Friday, Aug. 4
Redfield court offers amnesty
The Redfield District Court will offer an amnesty period to people with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants. The amnesty period began July 24. Until Aug. 4, people will be able to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of being arrested or having to post a professional bond, according to a news release. People with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants may go to the Redfield District Court Clerk's office, 113 River Road at the Redfield Police Department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call (501) 397-6111. They may schedule a new appearance for court on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon to resolve their outstanding warrant. Tickets can also be paid online at www.arcourtpay.org or by calling 1-844-507-3631.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Local woman to be honored
Dee Clay, the Gospel Angel, will be honored in an Appreciation Program at 5 p.m. Aug. 5 at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 900 S. Grant St. The theme is "My Job is Working for Jesus" (John 9:4.) "Guests are coming from near and far to honor this great woman of God. Let's show our love," a spokesman said. The community is invited to attend. The Rev. Anthony Craig is pastor of Mt. Carmel.
Beginning Saturday, Aug. 5
UAPB alumni set conference
The 2023 National Alumni Association Summer Conference will be hosted by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association. Registration is $150. The conference will take place Aug. 3-5 at Pine Bluff and the theme is "UAPB EVERYDAY: One Alumni, One University." A reception at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Pine Bluff will kick off the three-day event. Informative workshops presented by various speakers will take place at the STEM Conference Center at UAPB. Participants will receive updates about the National Alumni Association and UAPB. The conference will be accentuated by a tour of the UAPB Athletic Department and semi-formal Gala at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Details: UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association Office at (870) 536-2309 or summerconference@uapbalumni.org.
Blues concert series gets 2nd season
The "Blues By Budweiser" concert series will be back for a second season. In collaboration with MK Distributors and RJ's Grill & Bar, Port City Blues Society will again host live blues concerts the first Saturday of the month at RJ's Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. It's a $5 cover charge for non-members. The 2023-2024 concerts include: Aug. 5 -- Fonky Donkey; Sept. 2 -- Robert Kimbrough Sr. Bluesconnection; Oct. 7 -- Garry Burnside Band; Nov. 4 -- Big "A" and the Allstars Blues Band; Dec. 2 -- Johnie B and Queen Iretta Sanders Blues Review; Jan. 6, 2024 -- Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain; and Feb. 3 -- Chad Marshall Band. Details: pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.
Sunday, Aug. 6
Art league to feature water color artist
The Pine Bluff Art League will host its monthly meeting from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Artist Marlene Gremillion will demonstrate how to do a mini abstract in watercolor and mixed media. The public is invited to attend.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Business After Hours set
Business After Hours will be held at the Pine Bluff Country Club from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Hosts are Southeast Arkansas College and the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to the Chamber newsletter.
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS (Targeting Our People's Priorities with Service) Inc., 1000 Townsend Drive, will hold a drive-thru food giveaway Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. until all boxes are distributed. Only one food box per household is allowed. Individuals must complete a registration form and must be present to receive the food, according to a news release. Details: Annette Howard Dove, TOPPS founder/director, (870) 850-6011.
PBSD holds special election
The Jefferson County Clerk's Office reminds all voters that they must contact the clerk's office for a new absentee ballot application if they want to vote absentee. The Pine Bluff School District Special Election will be held Aug. 8 and polls will be open at polling sites 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters in the district will decide whether to increase the existing millage rates to 47.7, which would represent a 6-mill increase in the old PBSD and 6.9-mill increase in the old Dollarway School District. Proceeds will go toward construction of a new high school, according to a recent article in The Commercial. The county clerk's office has absentee ballot applications available to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. People may also visit the website at www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/elections-voter-registration to download an application.The application can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the Jefferson County Clerk's Office at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 101 W. Barraque Ave., Ste. 101, Pine Bluff, AR, 71601. Details: County Clerk's office, (870) 541-5322.
Friday, Aug. 10
GOP to host senator
The Jefferson County Republican Committee will host U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., as the guest speaker during the 2023 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the White Hall Community Center. Ticket are $60 each. Reserved tables for 8 guests are $480 or tables for 10 guests are $600, according to a news release. For tickets, contact Mandi Martin, (870) 510-4183 or Susan Over, (870) 692-1804. Checks should be payable to JCRC. Mail payments to 5602 Shannon Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603. Tickets can also be purchased at Cycle and Marine Super Center or directly from committee members. Catering will be by The Wood Shed. Details: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064939320107.
Through Thursday, Aug. 10
Community foundation seeks grant requests Nonprofits in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County may download an application for Giving Tree Grants through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications are available at arcf.org/givingtree. The application period began July 10. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 10, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Aug. 11
Trinity sets summer camp
Registration is underway for Trinity's Learning Center Summer Camp 2023 to be held at Trinity's Annex Building, 2900 W. Sixth Ave. The camp will take place Monday through Friday, June 5 through Aug. 11. Daily sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and a snack will be served, according to a news release. There is a participant limit of 30 to 40 students. The registration fee is $25 per child plus $10 weekly. Details: (870) 534-5669 or (870) 692-1127.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Christian Women's luncheon set
The Christian Women's Connection luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.The speaker will be Shannon Roberts of Family Church, Pine Bluff. Lauren Robertson, a health coach of LBR Fitness of Pine Bluff will make a presentation. The luncheon costs $21, which includes the meal, tax and gratuity. Everyone is invited to attend. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance and participants will be charged for reservations not kept, according to a news release.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Sounds of Blue to feature DK Harrell
Port City Blues Society will host a special presentation, "Sounds of Blue--Blues Along the Bayou Bartholomew," at 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at RJ's Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The event is free for all. The event will feature the award winning blues artist, DK Harrell. Harrell recently released an album on Little Village Records, signed with Intrepid Artists International and is now touring in Brazil. At 7 p.m. before the concert, there will be an informal meet and greet, followed by a special Delta art exhibit and presentation on the blues and bayou culture of the region with updates on various cultural projects.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Civic panel to meet
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission's regularly scheduled meeting will be held Aug. 22 at noon. The July 25 meeting has been cancelled, according to a news release. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.
Town Hall to address GVI plans for youth
The community is invited to a special town hall on the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Program and how it connects to law enforcement and the community to help youth. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The city of Pine Bluff is hosting GVI in partnership with the Pine Bluff and Watson Chapel school districts, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Sixth Division Juvenile Court, Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Health, and the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. GVI will be responsible for going into schools, juvenile court, and streets to connect with young people. GVI workers and volunteers aim to find out the needs of youth on a personal case-by-case basis, and guide them to resources they need, according to the mayor's office.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Active shooter topic at free seminar
Ed Monk will host a free educational presentation on "The Active Shooter Problem & How to Minimize Victims" from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 29 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road.Monk has been researching and providing training on countering the active shooter threat for more than 15 years, according to a news release. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their seats on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lecture-the-active-shooter-problem-how-to-reducevictims-tickets-624099958777.
Friday, Sept. 29
Taste of Southeast Arkansas set
The Taste of Southeast Arkansas will be held Sept. 29 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The cocktail hour is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and tasting starts at 6:30 p.m., according to the newsletter from the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event features dishes from southeast Arkansas chefs. The Jefferson County Young Professionals host the fundraiser. For tickets or details, call the Chamber, (870) 535-0110 or visit www.jeffersoncountyalliance.com.
Through Saturday, Oct. 14
ASC hosts Rosenzweig exhibition
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas is hosting the 2023 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition. The exhibition will be on view in ASC's William H. Kennedy Jr. Gallery through Oct. 14. Admission to ASC's galleries is always free, according to a news release.
Friday, Oct. 20
UAPB alumni plan ceremonies
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association will recognize its Hall of Fame Class of 2023 and hold other ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in conjunction with the Alumni Luncheon and General Membership Meeting and Alumni King and Queen Presentation, according to a news release. Details: https://uapbalumni.org/
Underway
I-530 work requires lane closures
Overnight lane closures were scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. July 9 as crews work to resurface a section of Interstate 530. The estimated completion date is early fall, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The project (Job # 020734) includes resurfacing 11 miles of I-530 from Stagecoach Road in Jefferson to Highway 65B in Pine Bluff. The contract was awarded to Cranford Construction Co. for $9.6 million. Lane closures will be in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until the job is complete. All lanes northbound and southbound are part of this project, but only one lane will be closed at a time.Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com.
Covid-19 vaccines, testing available
The Arkansas Department of Health, various pharmacies and healthcare providers offer the covid-19 vaccine, tests and other information about coronavirus. Details: Call the Arkansas Department of Health at (800) 985-6030, visit the website at healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan or contact area medical professionals, according to spokesmen.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian offers free financial classes
Unity Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC), 2712 S. Bay St., invites the community to its free Small Business and Personal Financial Education classes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Recent subjects included "The Importance of Having a Financial Plan" and "Financial Literacy," according to Stuff in the Bluff website. "You cannot afford to miss out on these life-changing classes. We are practicing social distancing and will have hand sanitizer wipes available," according to the site. Anthony Armstrong is the senior pastor. Details: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or (870) 329-1182. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/calendar/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:20 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/calendar/ |
BALTIMORE - Aaron Judge is aware of the mess the Yankees made while he was injured. He knows the predicament has fired up an already agitated fan base. He feels the stigma of being in last place and the embarrassment of potentially missing the playoffs.
It might seem hopeless to many (most?) Yankees loyalists. Social media has been torching the Bombers for months. With or without Judge, on the sidelines or in the lineup, the doomsday army has already reached its verdict: 2023 is a failure. | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/07/yankees-aaron-judge-delivers-big-home-run-442-feet-and-even-bigger-prediction-klapisch.html | 2023-07-30T10:57:20 | 1 | https://www.nj.com/yankees/2023/07/yankees-aaron-judge-delivers-big-home-run-442-feet-and-even-bigger-prediction-klapisch.html |
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — 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.
The Philippines’ debut run in the tournament came to an end as Norway scored early and often, netting three goals in the first 31 minutes.
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.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“They showed some of their class today with their skill. They picked us apart and won a couple of battles in the air in the box early. We really released the pressure early and allowed them to, sort of, be a little more creative as the game went on,” Philippines head coach Alen Stajcic said.
“We’ve been talking quite a bit about having the first goal, then it will give us energy. We know in our attack, we are strong and have good combination play both on the right side and left side. Today was the day that, when we had the first one, we knew there could be more,” Norway head coach Hege Riise said.
__
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://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-norway-moves-into-the-knockout-round-at-womens-world-cup-with-6-0-rout-over-the-philippines/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:21 | 0 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-norway-moves-into-the-knockout-round-at-womens-world-cup-with-6-0-rout-over-the-philippines/ |
Sun vs. Lynx: Odds, spread, over/under and other Vegas lines - July 30
Published: Jul. 30, 2023 at 5:36 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
The Connecticut Sun (18-6), on Sunday, July 30, 2023 at 1:00 PM ET, hope to continue a three-game home winning stretch when hosting the Minnesota Lynx (12-13).
You can check out odds, spreads, over/unders and more across multiple sportsbooks for the Sun vs. Lynx matchup in this article.
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Sun vs. Lynx Game Info
- Game Day: Sunday, July 30, 2023
- Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
- TV Channel: CBS Sports Network and NBCS-BOS
- Location: Uncasville, Connecticut
- Arena: Mohegan Sun Arena
Sun vs. Lynx Odds, Spread, Over/Under
See the odds, spread and over/under for this WNBA matchup posted on several sportsbooks.
Sun vs. Lynx Betting Trends
- The Sun have covered 13 times in 23 games with a spread this season.
- The Lynx have won 12 games against the spread this year, while failing to cover 12 times.
- Connecticut has not covered the spread this season (0-1 ATS) when playing as at least 11.5-point favorites.
- Minnesota has covered the spread once when an underdog by 11.5 points or more this year (in five opportunities).
- A total of 14 out of the Sun's 23 games this season have hit the over.
- The Lynx and their opponents have combined to hit the over 13 out of 25 times this year.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/sun-lynx-wnba-odds-spread-over-under/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:24 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/sun-lynx-wnba-odds-spread-over-under/ |
BEIRUT — (AP) — 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 clashes took place as Palestinian factions in Ein el-Hilweh cracked down on militant Islamist groups and fugitives seeking shelter in the camp's overcrowded neighborhoods. In 2017, Palestinian factions engaged in almost a week of fierce clashes with a militant organization affiliated with the extremist Islamic State group.
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.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/1-killed-6-wounded/32UW322SNEN5NEBNQH34UNJFC4/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:24 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/1-killed-6-wounded/32UW322SNEN5NEBNQH34UNJFC4/ |
Even the third-winningest women's college basketball coach in history needs to be coached when he's learning a new game.
Joe Foley, head coach of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock women's basketball program, intends to spend more time fly fishing as he lands the plane on his storied career. An immersion came quicker than he expected when Pat Davidson, Foley's lifelong friend, organized a fly fishing trip on the Missouri River in Montana.
"I told Pat that I was getting ready to retire from coaching and that there's one thing I've never done and that was going to be fly fishing," Foley said. "I fished on the White River a bunch. I always used spinnerbaits, and so I told Pat when I get ready to retire, I want you to take me fishing."
The runway is in sight. The nose is up and the flaps are down.
"I told Pat, I said, 'Look, I'm getting close. Let's go fly fishing,' " Foley said. "Two weeks later he called me and said, 'I got a guide. I got you set up. We're going to Montana,' and that's how I got started."
The upper Missouri River is a Division I trout stream, but Foley wasn't prepared. Two weeks before he was to leave, he didn't even know how to cast a fly line.
PRE-GAME TRAINING
Foley reached out to Ray Tucker, longtime radio voice of the UALR men's basketball team, for assistance. Tucker brought in a coach, Rusty Pruitt of Bryant.
Pruitt has credentials. Besides being a highly accomplished and well-traveled fly fisherman, he also inspired the popular Lightning Strike brand of fly fishing products. Foley, Pruitt and Tucker met in the gym for a crash course.
"The first thing Rusty said in the gym was, 'I want you to put it [a fly] in that trash can over there,' " Foley said. "I said, 'Bull crap! It ain't happening!' Rusty got that rod, and the first thing he does is put it in the trash can."
The trash can was in an alcove across the court. Despite rapid improvement at casting, Foley was unable to put a fly in the trash can, but he consistently hit floor cleaner discs that Pruitt placed around the floor at about 15 steps.
"I told him that was about as far as he would have to cast in a boat," Pruitt said.
Pruitt was correct, but casting on a river is much different than casting in a gym.
"In the gym I didn't have to worry about backcasting too far and hitting the water behind me and the line twisting up," Foley said. "Of course I did do that a few times, but the guide was great at untwisting. The experience of the wind playing a factor and trying to get it where I wanted it, that was the main difference."
Foley also learned to let the line load in the backcast before casting forward. That is one of the most essential rudiments to successful fly casting.
A NEW ARENA
Foley and Davidson arrived in Montana on July 21 to fish for three days on the Missouri River from Holden Dam to Craig, Mont. That section has a lot of history, and it contains a high-density population of wild rainbow trout and brown trout. It was like playing your first basketball game in the Boston Garden.
"I just couldn't believe it," Foley said. "I was raised in Melbourne, so I've been on the White River a lot, but I never thought about fly fishing in Montana. I went from casting in the gym to fishing one of the best rivers in the country."
Foley's guide was Greg Falls. He and Foley fished from a drift boat, the standard conveyance on western trout rivers.
"He's been doing this for over 20 years," Foley said. "He loves it. Us catching a trout was like him catching it. It was fun for him to see us catch trout."
Foley used a 6-weight rig with a grasshopper/dropper dual fly combination that is increasingly popular in Arkansas. The dropper fly was a No. 16 bead head nymph. Foley also cast a single dry fly occasionally.
"The guide took me to the side when we started," Foley said. "One thing that he showed me right off the bat is that your indicator may hit some grass. If you see that thing go down, jerk it just like you're jerking a fish. If it's not a fish, it puts you right into the next cast."
Foley learned how to strip and mend line.
"I enjoyed stripping the line more than I did getting it on the reel," Foley said. "I learned that on the fly. Pat taught me how to mend."
Another factor was wind. It blows relentlessly in the West. On the third day, Foley contended with 30-mph gusts.
GAME TIME
Despite Montana's fierce defense, Foley caught 12 trout on July 22, eight on July 23 and 15 on July 24. That's a double-double. He caught eight brown trout, the biggest being 19 inches. His biggest rainbow was 22 inches, but he caught many that were 20-21 inches.
"Wild trout that size, the fights were unbelievable," Foley said. "I'm standing up against that little rail that you stand against for casting. One of them I hooked, it came out of the water. It was head high! I mean it jumped five times! Just for that, for the river, it was an incredible experience."
Fishing was best in the mornings before the wind got up. On the final morning, Foley caught three trout in his first four casts.
An experienced bass fisherman, Foley said that the main difference between bass fishing and fly fishing is that the reel does most of the work when baitcasting or spin fishing for bass. In fly fishing, the rod and line bear the load.
"I enjoyed the stripping part of it, letting him run," Foley said. "Just playing the fish was a lot more fun."
Stripping is an art. Your index finger is both a line guide and a brake. The line must rest in the crook of your finger against the rod. This allows your finger to apply tension to the line. When a fish runs, you apply light tension to tire the fish. When he stops or turns, you rapidly strip line back and let it fall at your feet.
"I kept stepping all over my line," Foley said. "That's kind of exciting when a fish runs and your foot is holding the line."
If the line gets loose with a big fish on, you might never get him under control.
"It was all feel," Foley said. "I didn't know how to strip. I talked to my guide about it. I caught that first one and pulled on the line trying to strip. The line got away from my finger, and I thought, 'There ain't no way I'm going to land this fish.' I finally got my finger back under there, got to stripping and got it to the boat."
COACH'S NEWS CONFERENCE
Everything about the trip was successful. Foley caught a lot of trout, and most were bragging size. More than that, a baptism of fire gave Foley the confidence to go forward with his new passion.
"It was fun because it's on me, as the individual," Foley said. "Normally, I'm part of a team, so I'm trying to get people to do something. I had a coach coaching me! I'm trying to learn something, so that was fun listening to him, trying to do things he was asking me to do.
An athlete's development and progression is marked by their ability to accept instruction. Foley progressed a lot in a very short time.
"I told Greg, 'The only thing I want you to tell these guys when we get back is that I'm coachable!' " | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/casting-coach/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:26 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/casting-coach/ |
The Texas Rangers agreed to acquire three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer in a blockbuster trade with the New York Mets on Saturday night, an all-in move for the surprise leaders in the AL West, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced.
The Rangers will be adding the 39-year-old Scherzer with another former Mets pitcher with Cy Young credentials, two-time winner Jacob deGrom, sidelined by Tommy John elbow surgery, possibly all the way through the end of next season.
According to multiple reports, the deal nets New York one of the top Texas prospects in infielder Luisangel Acuña, the younger brother of Atlanta star Ronald Acuña Jr.
As part of the deal, Scherzer agreed to opt in on the final year of his contract in 2024 at $43 million, according to reports that also said the Mets were paying about $35 million of the remaining $58 million on the right-hander’s contract.
The Mets, one of baseball’s biggest disappointments, unloaded Scherzer two days after sending closer David Robertson to Miami for two minor leaguers.
New York began the season with the highest payroll in baseball at $353 million but started the day 17 games behind Atlanta in the NL East and 6 1/2 games back in the wild-card race.
The next question is what the Mets will do with Justin Verlander, another three-time Cy Young winner signed through next season. There should be plenty of suitors for the 40-year-old right-hander.
Texas has emerged from six consecutive losing seasons to lead the AL West all but one day in three-time World Series champion Bruce Bochy’s first season as manager.
The Rangers made the first notable move of this trading season by getting once-dominant closer Aroldis Chapman from Kansas City in June. Chapman has stayed in a setup role with Will Smith handling most of the closing duties.
Now Texas has bolstered the rotation knowing deGrom might be out until Scherzer’s contract expires at the end of next season.
The trade for Scherzer came on the same day the Rangers said they were again bumping back the next start for All-Star right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. Bochy said Eovaldi had a sore elbow, but the club doesn’t think it’s serious.
The Rangers added deGrom in the offseason on a $185 million, five-year contract, knowing there was risk in signing the oft-injured right-hander.
He lasted just six starts — all Texas wins — before elbow issues sidelined deGrom for a month. It took multiple MRIs to determine the extent of the damage to his elbow, and the Tommy John procedure in June was the second of his career. The other was in rookie ball with the Mets in 2010.
“I think we need to improve as a starting rotation,” Bochy said before the Rangers’ game at San Diego on Saturday night, as reports of the trade were circulating. “I think that’s fair to say.”
Scherzer (9-4) was leading the Mets in victories but had his highest ERA (4.01) since 2011 with Detroit. The eight-time All-Star started Friday at home against Washington, allowing one run in seven innings in a 5-1 New York victory.
With 210 career victories, Scherzer is third among active pitchers behind Verlander and Kansas City’s Zack Greinke.
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AP Sports Writer Bernie Wilson in San Diego contributed to this report.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-rangers-get-scherzer-from-mets-in-all-in-blockbuster-from-surprise-al-west-leaders/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:27 | 1 | https://wgntv.com/sports/ap-sports/ap-rangers-get-scherzer-from-mets-in-all-in-blockbuster-from-surprise-al-west-leaders/ |
Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic: Prediction and Match Betting Odds | Truist Atlanta Open
In the Truist Atlanta Open final on Sunday, Taylor Fritz takes on Aleksandar Vukic.
Fritz is favored (-550) bring home the title versus Vukic (+375).
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Match Information
- Tournament: The Truist Atlanta Open
- Round: Finals
- Date: Sunday, July 30
- Venue: Atlantic Station
- Location: Atlanta, Georgia
- Court Surface: Hard
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Prediction and Odds
Based on the moneyline in this match, Taylor Fritz has an 84.6% chance to win.
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Taylor Fritz vs. Aleksandar Vukic Trends and Insights
- By defeating No. 46-ranked Jeffrey John Wolf 6-3, 7-5 on Saturday, Fritz reached the finals.
- Vukic reached the finals by beating No. 38-ranked Ugo Humbert 3-6, 7-6, 7-5 on Saturday.
- Fritz has played 68 matches over the past year (across all court types), and 26.2 games per match (24.1 in best-of-three matches).
- Fritz has played 44 matches on hard courts over the past 12 months, and 25.8 games per match (24.3 in best-of-three matches).
- In the past year, Vukic has played 34 total matches (across all court types), winning 51.5% of the games. He averages 24.6 games per match (23.3 in best-of-three matches) and 9.8 games per set.
- Vukic has averaged 23.8 games per match (22.8 in best-of-three matches) and 9.6 games per set through 21 matches on hard courts in the past 12 months, winning 52.1% of those games.
- Dating back to 2015, Fritz and Vukic have not met on the court.
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© 2023 Data Skrive. All rights reserved. | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:31 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/taylor-fritz-vs-aleksandar-vukic-tennis-prediction-betting-odds-truist-atlanta-open/ |
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
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/an-overnight-drone/X4DFIFNU2QAKBKEMLVU3O6VE4Y/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:31 | 1 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/an-overnight-drone/X4DFIFNU2QAKBKEMLVU3O6VE4Y/ |
SEATTLE -- In 2016, hospitals in New York state identified a rare and dangerous fungal infection never before found in the United States. Research laboratories quickly mobilized to review historical specimens and found the fungus had been present in the country since at least 2013.
In the years since, New York City has emerged as ground zero for Candida auris infections. And until 2021, the state recorded the most confirmed cases in the country year after year, even as the illness has spread to other places, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data analyzed by The Associated Press.
Candida auris is a globally emerging public health threat that can cause severe illness, including bloodstream, wound and respiratory infections. Its mortality rate has been estimated at 30% to 60%, and it's a particular risk in health care settings for people already with serious medical problems.
Last year, most cases were found in Nevada and California, but the fungus was identified clinically in patients in 29 states. New York state remains a major hot spot.
A prominent theory for the sudden explosion of Candida auris, which was not found in humans anywhere until 2009, is climate change.
Humans and other mammals have warmer body temperatures than most fungal pathogens can tolerate, so have historically been protected from most infections. However, rising temperatures can allow fungi to develop tolerance to warmer environments, and over time humans may lose resistance. Some researchers think this is what is already happening with Candida auris.
The pathogen emerged spontaneously 14 years ago on three continents, in Venezuela, India and South Africa. Fungal disease expert Arturo Casadevall, a microbiologist, immunologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University, said this was puzzling, because the climates in these places are quite different.
"We have tremendous protection against environmental fungi because of our temperature. However, if the world is getting warmer and the fungi begin to adapt to higher temperatures as well, some ... are going to reach what I call the temperature barrier," Casadevall said, referring to the way mammals' warm body temperatures historically protected them.
When Candida auris was first spreading, said Meghan Marie Lyman, a CDC medical epidemiologist for the mycotic diseases branch, the cases were linked to people who had traveled to the U.S. from other places. Now, most cases are acquired locally -- generally spreading among patients in healthcare settings.
In the U.S., there were 2,377 confirmed clinical cases diagnosed last year -- an increase of over 1,200% since 2017. But Candida auris is becoming a global problem. In Europe, a survey last year found case numbers nearly doubled from 2020 to 2021.
"The number of cases has increased, but also the geographic distribution has increased," Lyman said. She noted that while screenings and surveillance have improved, the skyrocketing case numbers do reflect a true increase.
In March, a CDC news release noted the seriousness of the problem, citing the pathogen's resistance to traditional antifungal treatments and the alarming rate of its spread. Public health agencies are focused primarily on strategies to urgently mitigate transmission in healthcare settings.
"It's kind of an active fire they're trying to put out," Lyman said.
Dr. Luis Ostrosky, a professor of infectious diseases at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, thinks Candida auris is "kind of our nightmare scenario."
"It's a potentially multi-drug resistant pathogen with the ability to spread very efficiently in healthcare settings," he said. "We've never had a pathogen like this in the fungal infection area."
It is nearly always resistant to the most common class of antifungal medication, and is sometimes also resistant to another medication primarily used for severe catheter fungal infections in hospitals.
"I've encountered cases where I'm sitting down with the family and telling them we have nothing that works for this infection your loved one has," Ostrosky said.
Ostrotsky has treated about 10 patients with the fungal infection but has consulted on many more. He said he has seen it spread through an entire ICU in two weeks.
Researchers, academics and public health groups are discussing and investigating theories that explain the emergence of Candida auris. Ostrosky said that climate change is the most widely accepted one.
The CDC's Lyman said it's possible the fungus was always among the microorganisms that live in the human body, but because it wasn't causing infection, no one investigated until it recently started causing health problems. She also said there are reports of the fungus in the natural environment -- including soil and wetlands -- but environmental sampling has been limited, and it's unclear whether those discoveries are downstream effects from humans.
"There are also a lot of questions about there being increased contact with humans and intrusion of humans into nature, and there have been a lot of changes in the environment, and the use of fungi in agriculture," she said. "These things may have allowed Candida auris to escape into a new environment or broaden its niche."
Wherever and however it originated, the fungus poses a significant threat to human health, researchers say. Immunocompromised patients in hospitals are most at risk, but so are people in long-term care centers and nursing homes, which generally have less access to diagnostics and infection control experts.
Candida auris is not only challenging to treat, but also difficult to diagnose. It is quite rare and many clinicians are not aware it exists.
Common symptoms of infection include sepsis, fever, and low blood pressure, which all can have many causes. The fungus is diagnosed with a blood test. Blood is placed in a nutrient-rich medium to allow any infectious organism to grow and become more detectable.
But Ostrosky notes this misses about half the cases. "Our gold standard is a little bit better than flipping a coin," he said, adding there is a newer technology that improves bloodstream detection but it's expensive and not widely available in hospitals.
Beyond the increase in cases, popular culture has helped increase awareness of fungal infections. A popular HBO series, "The Last of Us," is a drama about the survivors of a fungal outbreak. A fungal infection that can transform humans into zombies is a work of fiction, but addressing climate change, which is altering the kinds of diseases seriously threatening human health, is a real world challenge.
"I think the way to think about how global warming is putting selection pressure on microbes is to think about how many more really hot days we are experiencing," said Casadevall of Johns Hopkins. "Each day at [100 degrees Fahrenheit] provides a selection event for all microbes affected -- and the more days when high temperatures are experienced, the greater probability that some will adapt and survive."
"We've been flying under the radar for decades in mycology because fungal infections didn't used to be frequently seen," said Ostrosky of UTHealth Houston. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/climate-change-a-theory-for-rise-in-dangerous/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:32 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/climate-change-a-theory-for-rise-in-dangerous/ |
BANGUI, Central African Republic — (AP) — The Central African Republic went to the polls Sunday in a highly anticipated vote on a new constitution, which would remove presidential term limits.
President Faustin Archange Touadera wants to extend presidential terms from five to seven years and remove the previous two-term limit, enabling him to run again in 2025.
The new constitution would replace the one adopted at Touadera’s inauguration in 2016, when the country was in a civil war and 80% of it was not under state control. If the new constitution is passed, it could entrench the ruling party’s power indefinitely, analysts say.
“This referendum basically confirms the fears of authoritarian drift (in CAR),” said Enrica Picco, Central Africa project director with the International Crisis Group. The new constitution would weaken checks on the executive by opposition parties, closing the space for Central Africans to participate in democratic decision-making, she said.
The proposed changes also would lift requirements that executive decisions be debated by the legislative and permit Central Africans with dual nationalities to vote.
The mineral-rich but impoverished nation has faced intercommunal fighting since 2013, when predominantly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power and forced then-President Francois Bozize from office. Mostly Christian militias later fought back, also targeting civilians in the streets. The United Nations, which has a peacekeeping mission in the country, estimates the fighting had killed thousands and displaced over a million people, one fifth of the country’s population.
When Touadera won re-election in 2020, barely a third of Central Africans made it to the polls, largely due to threats of violence by rebel groups. Touadera’s government has relied on support from UN peacekeepers, soldiers from neighboring Rwanda and Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group to keep rebels out of the capital Bangui.
“Now that there is peace … the time has come for us to take action,” said Fidel Gouandjika, a presidential advisor.
Opposition groups accuse the ruling party of making a draft of the new constitution publicly available too late for people to make informed decisions, less than three weeks before the referendum, said Picco.
Together with opposition parties they are calling on Central Africans to vote against the proposed constitution, or abstain from the referendum.
“Touadera wants to see himself as an emperor, and he wants to make our country what he wants, not what Central Africans want,” said former Prime Minister Nicolas Tiangaye.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/constitutional/FG6CDRMDTZ6R3P6CBXHHKFDW2Q/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:37 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/constitutional/FG6CDRMDTZ6R3P6CBXHHKFDW2Q/ |
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.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:37 | 1 | https://www.wagmtv.com/sports/betting/2023/07/30/wnba-odds-how-to-watch/ |
ATLANTA -- The Colorado Buffaloes are making a triumphant return to the conference they jilted, and who can blame the Big 12 for getting giddy about their return? In a dozen seasons as a Pac-12 member, Colorado won big and often and ...
Wait one second.
(Checks notes.)
Um ... Colorado was 27-76 in Pac-12 league play. It had two winning seasons. One was the covid year, which saw the Buffs go 4-2. The other was in 2016, when Georgia Tech alum Mike MacIntyre guided Colorado to 10-4 and was named national coach of the year. He was fired two years later.
Colorado is coming off a 1-11 season. It's among the worst Power 5 programs. Why do we care about CU? One reason is because Deion Sanders -- Coach Prime -- now works there. The bigger reason is that its latest bit of conference-hopping prompts the inevitable question: Who'll hop next?
No sooner had Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark issued a two-word statement regarding the Buffs -- "They're back" -- did Chris Nee of Noles 247 report that Florida State is "actively" looking to leave the ACC. This came after an ACC Kickoff gathering that saw Commissioner Jim Phillips tell ESPN his league "would absolutely be open to expansion."
There's no longer a Power 5. The SEC is set to welcome Texas and Oklahoma; the Big Ten awaits the arrival of USC and UCLA. The leagues rank 1-2 if you're asking Greg Sankey, 2-1 if you're going by TV payout. The Pac-12, which just lost Colorado and hasn't announced its TV package and has left San Diego State hanging, is a fading fifth.
The fight is for third place. The Big 12 landed a $2.3 billion media deal with Fox and ESPN through 2030. The ACC is locked into a 20-year contact with ESPN that has 13 years to run. That deal spawned the ACC Network, no small thing, but has come to seem outdated.
If not for then-commissioner John Swofford's move to lock all ACC schools into a grant of rights, there'd no longer be an ACC as we know it. The grant of rights means a program that relocates must hand its new TV money to its old conference -- through 2036. The grant is dandy if you're the ACC. It's a ball and chain if you're Florida State.
Some ACC member will challenge the grant of rights in court. It's hard to imagine a signed contract being abrogated because one party says, "We changed our mind." But that's why lawyers exist.
In May, it was learned that seven ACC programs -- FSU, Clemson, Miami, North Carolina, N.C. State, Virginia and Virginia Tech -- were angling for a redistribution of wealth, surely music to the ears of those at Duke and Georgia Tech. The best Phillips could do was a "success initiative" for making the College Football Playoff and suchlike. Maybe that will placate the Seminoles, who are poised to get good again. But placate them for 12 years?
With its new TV money and the re-poaching of Colorado, the "open-for-business" Big 12 -- even as it bids a petulant farewell to Texas and OU -- has nosed ahead of the ACC in the scramble to become the third-biggest league. The Pac-12 commissioner has become such a pitiable figure that Colorado AD Rick George felt moved to offer faint praise: "George Kliavkoff is doing as good a job as he can do."
Having reduced the Pac-12 by one, the Big 12′s move could sink the listing league once and for all. It could pursue Washington or Oregon, Arizona or Utah. It could pursue all four. That would stretch the Big 12 from Morgantown, W.Va., to the Puget Sound, but conference expansion long ago left geographic constraints in the dust. (The Big Ten will range from the Jersey Shore to the Santa Monica Pier.)
Why is Colorado a big deal? Because conference expansion is a zero-sum game. The Pac-12 lost, meaning the Big 12 won. The Big 12 got bigger, which puts the ACC on the clock. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/colorados-move-puts-acc-on-notice/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:38 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/colorados-move-puts-acc-on-notice/ |
CAIRO — (AP) — Palestinian factions were meeting Sunday in Egypt to discuss reconciliation efforts as violence in the occupied West Bank surged between Israel and Palestinian militants.
The main groups, Hamas and Fatah, have been split since 2007. With repeated reconciliation attempts having failed, expectations for the one-day meeting are low. According to the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, the gathering in the Egyptian city of el-Alamein on the Mediterranean Sea will discuss “ways to restore national unity and end the division."
The meeting comes amid soaring violence in the West Bank, where Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his Fatah group are based and exert limited self-rule. Israel has been staging near-nightly raids in Palestinian areas of the territory in what it says is an attempt to stamp out militancy, especially in areas where Abbas' security forces have less of a foothold.
Those raids have led to some of the worst fighting in nearly two decades in the West Bank. Palestinians also say the Israeli raids undermine their own security forces and weaken their leadership.
The meeting in Egypt is chaired and initiated by Abbas, presents the aging and longtime Palestinian leader with a chance to portray an image of control and statesmanship to both Palestinians and the international community at a time when he is deeply unpopular at home and his room for maneuver is constrained by the Israeli incursions.
The meeting is being attended by other Palestinian leaders including Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas. the militant group which rules the Gaza Strip. Fatah and Hamas have been rivals since Hamas violently routed forces loyal to Abbas in Gaza in 2007, taking over the impoverished coastal enclave. Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on the territory.
For Hamas, joining the meeting is an opportunity to show Gazans that it is making an effort to mend the rift, even if nothing changes as a result.
Another key group playing a central role in the fighting with Israel, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, boycotted the gathering to protest the detentions by the Palestinian Authority of its members, according to the group's leader, Ziyad al-Nakhala.
Egypt has for years acted as a mediator to try to end the infighting between Palestinian factions. It also helped broker truces in multiple rounds of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/palestinian-factions/MJKX5SEPQDZHCTTFEWH2PDSTPA/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:43 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/palestinian-factions/MJKX5SEPQDZHCTTFEWH2PDSTPA/ |
PBICVR adds 3 board members
The Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration Inc. recently added three former PBICVR King Team members to its board of directors.
They are Rebecca Newby, Frank Whitmore and Joey Gardner, according to a news release.
"Our board training recommends we revise our board periodically; therefore, the board president contacted three talented and successful alumni of the PBICVR King Team mentoring program, who agreed to serve and give back to a community that has given so much to help them in their early lives," said the Rev. Jesse C. Turner, PBICVR executive director.
They bring experience, dedication and passion for community engagement, making them valuable additions to the board, according to the release.
"This decision aligns with our commitment to maintaining a dynamic and forward-thinking board that reflects the diverse voices of our community," said President Derrick Newby.
NEWBY
Rebecca Newby is the 3rd-5th-grade director for Friendship Aspire Academy Public Charter School Hazel Street campus. A Pine Bluff native, Newby graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in English education. She holds a master's degree in Educational Equity from the University of Arkansas. She is pursuing her Specialist in Educational Leadership at Arkansas State University. One of her future goals is to earn her doctorate. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
"Ms. Newby is a capable leader with a personality committed to our youth and an excellent addition to the board," according to the release.
WHITMORE
Whitmore is a territory manager at AT&T who has helped residents with their internet, cable and landline accounts for six years. Specializing in broadband, he uses that experience to help people stay connected nationwide. He earned a business management degree at UAPB. AT&T has recognized Whitmore as one of the top sales representatives in the market.
"Frank is a dependable young man who works hard to achieve his goals. We believe the energy and excitement he brings to the board will have an immediate impact on neighborhood building, as a board member," according to the release.
GARDNER
Joey Gardner holds a doctorate in social work and focuses on improving patient outcomes, making him a compassionate advocate for individuals and communities, according to the release. Gardner has worked as a clinical application training specialist and as an adjunct professor, where he shares his knowledge in social work and healthcare informatics. He is a licensed clinical social worker in Arkansas and a licensed independent clinical social worker in Minnesota.
"Dr. Gardner is well-equipped to provide essential mental health support to those in need. His passion for making a difference and his dedication to community development make him an ideal addition to our volunteer family," according to the release. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/community-briefs/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:44 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/community-briefs/ |
NIAMEY, Niger — (AP) — Thousands of supporters of the junta that took over Niger in a coup earlier this week marched through the streets of the capital, Niamey, on Sunday waving Russian flags, chanting the name of the Russian president and forcefully denouncing former colonial power France.
Russian mercenary group Wagner is already operating in neighboring Mali, and Russian President Vladimir Putin would like to expand his country's influence in the region, but it is unclear yet whether the new junta leaders are going to move toward Moscow or stick with Niger's Western partners.
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.
The mutineers said they overthrew President Mohamed Bazoum, who was elected two years ago in Niger's first peaceful, democratic transfer of power since independence from France, because he wasn't able to secure the nation from growing jihadi violence. But some analysts and Nigeriens say that's just a pretext for a takeover that is more about internal power struggles than securing the nation.
“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, which have also 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 until now has been 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.
Some taking part in Sunday's rally also warned regional bodies who have denounced the coup to stay away. “I would like also to say to the European Union, African Union and ECOWAS, please please stay out of our business,” said Oumar Barou Moussa who was at the demonstration.
“It’s time for us to take our lives, to work for ourselves. It’s time for us to talk about our freedom and liberty. We need to stay together, we need to work together, we need to have our true independence," he said.
Conflict experts say out of all the countries in the region, Niger has the most at stake if it turns away from the West, given the millions of dollars of military assistance the international community has poured in. On Saturday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony 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.
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
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/supporters-nigers/FMBBQNIM4RHXKCKEQLZHKHJ2DU/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:50 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/news/world/supporters-nigers/FMBBQNIM4RHXKCKEQLZHKHJ2DU/ |
FAYETTEVILLE -- An association formed this year is asking the City Council for money to plan events downtown and serve as a link...
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Traffic passes on May 26 along Dickson Street in Fayetteville. The Downtown Fayetteville Coalition is asking for money from the city to get started on its mission to host events and programming and promote downtown.
(File photo/NWA Democrat-Gazette/Andy Shupe)
Print Headline: Downtown coalition hits ground running
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DUNEDIN, New Zealand — (AP) — 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.
The Football Ferns are co-hosting the World Cup with Australia, which must win Monday against Canada to avoid its own early elimination.
Switzerland advanced to the round of 16. The Swiss also played to a scoreless draw against Norway, but won the group with the draw 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 25,947 seats at Forsyth Barr Stadiums 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 as New Zealand pressed for a winner. She managed a header off a corner kick but was off target.
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 put an end to their Women’s World Cup run.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
“Just gutted, I think. Obviously we talked and we were proud of ourselves and what we’ve been able to accomplish, but at the end of the day we wanted to get out of this group stage and we just didn’t. It’s just black and white. So, obviously gutted,” said New Zealand midfielder Malia Steinmetz of the elimination.
“We expected it to be really tough. New Zealand really tried everything they could, and I think we knew how to respond, especially defensively. We did a lot right," said Inka Grings, Switzerland's coach.
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
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. | https://www.wftv.com/sports/new-zealand-out/N7HWPWJIPWXYGODMKGNWTNCJP4/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:56 | 0 | https://www.wftv.com/sports/new-zealand-out/N7HWPWJIPWXYGODMKGNWTNCJP4/ |
A federal judge in Fayetteville on Saturday temporarily blocked enforcement of two provisions of Act 372, a new state law on library materials, days before the law was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday.
Citing the potential for the curtailing of the plaintiffs' First Amendment rights in the absence of a preliminary injunction, the decision puts the contested parts of the law on hold pending a final ruling on their constitutionality.
In a 49-page order, U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas signaled a willingness to side with the plaintiffs on the constitutional issues.
The judge wrote that "the passage of Act 372 prompts a few simple, yet unanswered questions. For example: What has happened in Arkansas to cause its communities to lose faith and confidence in their local librarians? What is it that prompted the General Assembly's newfound suspicion? And why has the State found it necessary to target librarians for criminal prosecution?"
Attorneys in the case had appeared before Brooks during a July 25 hearing in Fayetteville on the plaintiffs' request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order.
State Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, was the lead sponsor of the legislation, which was signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on March 30.
A coalition of more than a dozen plaintiffs on June 2 filed a lawsuit in an effort to overturn two of Act 372's six sections as unconstitutional, claiming violations of the First and 14th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
[DOCUMENT: Read the judge's injunction on parts of the law » arkansasonline.com/730act372/]
The group of plaintiffs includes the public libraries in Eureka Springs and Fayetteville, the Little Rock-based Central Arkansas Library System, trade associations and two bookstores.
The lawsuit names as defendants the prosecuting attorneys serving in Arkansas' 28 judicial districts, as well as Chris Keith, the county judge of Crawford County. The complaint also names Crawford County itself as a defendant.
In the complaint, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that the county "has acted to segregate constitutionally protected materials in the Crawford County Library, and its attorney defended the decision to segregate those materials with reference to its impending obligation under Act 372 to create an area inaccessible to minors."
In a separate order issued on Saturday, Brooks denied a request to dismiss Crawford County and Keith as defendants.
One contested section of the legislation establishes a new Class A misdemeanor offense of furnishing a harmful item to a minor, incorporating definitions from existing obscenity law.
Individuals who knowingly provide a minor with a harmful item, or who knowingly make a harmful item available to a minor, could be imprisoned for up to a year if convicted.
In a brief filed June 22, attorneys for the plaintiffs wrote that the so-called availability provision "threatens librarians and booksellers with criminal prosecution for providing protected expression to people with a constitutional right to receive it. Under the statute, librarians and booksellers could face criminal liability for providing a 17-year-old with a book that was only potentially 'harmful' to a 5- or 6-year-old."
Faced with the provision, and depending on "their respective budgets and tolerance for criminal legal risk," library and bookstore personnel might undertake steps like banning patrons under 18 altogether or removing from their shelves books that the law could consider to be "harmful," regardless of their scientific or literary value, the brief said.
The other contested section sets a process for individuals to challenge the appropriateness of materials held in a public library's collection.
Under the law, library personnel would be required to relocate the material to an area inaccessible to minors in response to a successful challenge; a decision not to relocate the material could be appealed to the local city council, in the case of a municipal library, or quorum court, in the case of a county library.
Brooks opened his order issued Saturday by quoting Ray Bradbury, the author of "Fahrenheit 451," who wrote, "There is more than one way to burn a book. And the world is full of people running about with lit matches."
With regard to the section of the law establishing the new misdemeanor offense, Brooks determined the language to be overly broad in such a way that it was likely to pose an unjustified burden on older minors' ability to access age-appropriate library books.
"If libraries and bookstores continue to allow individuals under the age of 18 to enter, the only way librarians and booksellers could comply with the law would be to keep minors away from any material considered obscene as to the youngest minors -- in other words, any material with any amount of sexual content," the judge wrote.
Brooks found its terms to be vague, writing that the "use of 'presents,' 'makes available,' and 'shows' leaves librarians and booksellers unsure about whether placing books known to contain sexual content on the bookshelves may subject them to liability once a minor walks through the front door."
The judge called the section on challenges to library materials "very poorly drafted."
He wrote that the plaintiffs "have a high likelihood of success in proving that several critical terms in [the section] are too vague to be understood and implemented effectively without also allowing those tasked with enforcing the law to adopt unconstitutional, impermissible interpretations."
Additionally, by imposing content-based restrictions on protected speech, the challenge procedure laid out in the law is rendered unconstitutional, Brooks wrote.
"The Court finds that Plaintiffs have established a likelihood that [the section] would permit, if not encourage, library committees and local governmental bodies to make censorship decisions based on content or viewpoint, which would violate the First Amendment," he wrote.
In a statement provided by a spokesman via email following the ruling on Saturday, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said, "We are reviewing the judge's opinion and will continue to vigorously defend the law."
Nate Coulter, the executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System, said in a statement via text message that he was "relieved that for now the dark cloud that was hanging over [the library system's] librarians has lifted -- they will not be threatened with jail for making books available to our patrons."
The four other sections of Act 372 not addressed in the coalition's lawsuit are still set to go into effect.
One section establishes a similar challenge process for school districts' media centers while another section strips language from state law shielding school and library personnel from prosecution for disseminating material claimed to be obscene. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/enforcement-of-two-parts-of-new-arkansas-law-on/ | 2023-07-30T10:57:57 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/enforcement-of-two-parts-of-new-arkansas-law-on/ |
The Arkansas Department of Health regulates the sale of food at establishments that include restaurants, bars, day cares, schools, grocery stores, convenience stores, bed and breakfast facilities, hotels/motels, mobile units and concession stands. Inspections are made unannounced by environmental health specialists.
Electronic copies of retail food inspection reports are available on the Arkansas Food Inspection Portal. To access the portal, visit the food protection page on the Arkansas Department of Health website at www.healthy.arkansas.gov.
Here are recent reports:
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS, 2903 Pines Mall Drive. Date of inspection July 25. Observation: Facility lacks test strips. Corrective Action: Test strips must be available and used to test the strength of chemical sanitizing solutions.
E-Z MART, 5401 Dollarway Road. Date of inspection July 27. At least one EMPLOYEE that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control FOOD preparation and service shall be a certified FOOD protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM. Observation: Observed food debris on counter top. Corrective Action: Nonfood contact surfaces shall be kept free of an accumulation of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris.
MAN CAVE CIGARS, 1520 S. Main St. Date of inspection July 26. Observed no hand washing (sink) in establishment. Provide handwash sinks as necessary for convenient use by employees in food preparation and warewashing areas and toilet rooms.
TERI FOODS INC., 902 River Road, Redfield. Date of inspection July 26. At least one EMPLOYEE that has supervisory and management responsibility and the authority to direct and control FOOD preparation and service shall be a certified FOOD protection manager who has shown proficiency of required information through passing a test that is part of an ACCREDITED PROGRAM. Hand washing sink was blocked at time of inspection. A handwashing sink shall be maintained so that it is accessible at all times for employee use, and do not use for purposes other than handwashing. Items was removed from hand washing sink. Observation: Facility lacks [internal probe food thermometer or refrigerator thermometer]. Corrective Action: Food temperature measuring device shall be provided and readily accessible for use in ensuring attainment and maintenance of food temperature. Thermometer was placed in cooler during time of inspection. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/food-safety/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:03 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/food-safety/ |
AUSTIN, Texas — Beers and music were flowing inside of the Austin Eastciders Taproom in East Austin on Saturday, but it wasn't a typical hangout.
Sun Radio hosted a summer drive from July 27 to July 29, bringing in roughly 30 local musicians throughout the week in an effort to raise money for its foundation.
The donations are critical to keep the station afloat, as $41,400 from their annual holiday drive on Dec. 31, 2022 is under investigation for fraud, according to the station's operations director Denver O'Neal.
"We were contacted by our bank saying someone's trying to pull this money out of the account and that they got a code that said 'donation error,'" said O'Neal.
That someone sent in four different donations: three for $5,175 and another for $24,875. O'Neal said the person behind the donations had initially confirmed over email in January that the contributions were legitimate, but that donor has since gone radio silent.
The funds are now under investigation through the Austin Police Department.
However, O'Neal said it's not just about the money; it's about what Sun Radio does with it. He said the funds primarily go to musicians in Austin, as well as other radio stations that need it.
"It hurts when people steal from us... It disables our ability to give back to the community," O'Neal said.
"Right now, with record heat, we should be giving money out to help those in the music industry who can't afford to live in Austin and cannot afford electric bills or utility bills. But instead, we've got to go raise money to try to start that process over because of fraud, because of selfish people in this world," said O'Neal.
To add insult to injury, the station is also recovering from this year's ice storm, which destroyed several of its buildings and towers.
A spokesperson for APD said the case was handed over to the financial crimes unit on Jan. 11 after it was originally reported on Jan. 3 to the San Antonio Police Department, but could not say much about the state of the investigation:
"In order to protect the integrity of the investigation, the Department does not have further information to provide regarding this incident."
O'Neal, his son Denver and the rest of the staff at Sun Radio said they will keep pushing forward despite the setback, and with the effort put together by everyone, they only hope they can make up what they lost so they can continue to help local artists.
"We really appreciate every penny. It goes to good work in the community and helps support local media and local music and local programming," O'Neal said.
The donation drive ended on July 29, but Sun Radio will continue accepting donations through its website. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/sun-radio-station-donation-drive-after-fraud/269-f9062456-224f-4a6f-af1f-22ea5398bf89 | 2023-07-30T10:58:04 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/sun-radio-station-donation-drive-after-fraud/269-f9062456-224f-4a6f-af1f-22ea5398bf89 |
FAYETTEVILLE -- Christopher Cordeiro, the former West Fork police officer charged with negligent homicide in connection with the death of a man during a traffic stop, was booked into and bonded out of the Washington County jail in about 26 minutes Thursday.
Cordeiro, 34, of Prairie Grove, was taken to the jail by the Arkansas State Police, according to Kelly Cantrell, public information officer for the Washington County sheriff's office. Cantrell said Cordeiro had a bondsman waiting for him in the lobby and was processed in the booking area and then released.
Cantrell said that is a common procedure.
Cordeiro was charged Thursday with negligent homicide, a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
The Arkansas State Police was asked to investigate the death of Michael J. Hanna, 49, of West Fork, who died while being taken into custody by Cordeiro, according to information from the state police.
Police stopped Hanna about 4:15 p.m. Dec. 29 at 6210 U.S. 71 in West Fork, according to a state police news release. During the traffic stop, a fight began between Hanna and Cordeiro, and Cordeiro used his stun gun on Hanna.
Cordeiro was placed on administrative leave after the incident and resigned in May, according to information from West Fork police.
The Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training is considering a request made by the West Fork Police Department to revoke Cordeiro's certification, which would prevent him from law enforcement employment in Arkansas, the agency said in a news release Friday.
Cordeiro initiated the traffic stop because Hanna was driving on a suspended driver's license, according to the affidavit for the arrest warrant.
Cordeiro ordered Hanna to get out of the car multiple times. Cordeiro reached into the car, opened the door and removed Hanna. Cordeiro told Hanna he would use his stun gun if Hanna didn't comply, according the the affidavit.
Hanna told Cordeiro he had a heart condition, according to the affidavit. When Hanna didn't put his hands behind his back, Cordeiro used his stun gun multiple times, the affidavit says. A review of Cordeiro's stun gun showed it was deployed nine times, according to the affidavit -- seven times for a total of five seconds each, one time for six seconds and one time for two seconds.
Based on Cordeiro's body camera, the affidavit states, he made no attempts to assist Hanna after he was restrained until the second officer arrived and checked Hanna's pulse.
An autopsy showed Hanna's death was caused by a combination of heart disease and methamphetamine intoxication, along with physical exertion, struggle and restraint. The medical examiner also stated Hanna had injuries consistent with the use of an electro-muscular disruption device such as a stun gun.
Other law enforcement officers in Northwest Arkansas have pleaded guilty to negligent homicide, according to information reported in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Former Bella Vista police officer Coleman "Duke" Brackney pleaded guilty to misdemeanor negligent homicide following the Jan. 20, 2010, shooting death of James Ahern after Ahern led Brackney on a high-speed pursuit that ended near the corner of Harlan Lane and Arkansas 340. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail and fined $1,000.
He was fired from the Bella Vista Police Department after an internal investigation determined he violated department policy.
[] | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/former-west-fork-police-officer-booked-released/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:09 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/former-west-fork-police-officer-booked-released/ |
METAIRIE, La. -- Jimmy Graham offered a few reasons why -- at age 36 and without having played football last year -- he could become a playmaker again for the New Orleans Saints.
"I'm feeling better than ever. I'm still 6-7 and I like the red zone," the veteran tight end said Saturday in his first public comments since rejoining his first NFL team Tuesday. "I definitely came into this with a chip on my shoulder and with something to prove."
Estimating he weighed as much as 285 pounds in his previous stint with the Saints, when he worked out like "a meathead," Graham said he has been cycling "hundreds of miles a week" and has changed his workout and eating habits to suit to his age.
"I know I'm definitely in shape," said Graham, now listed at 265 pounds. "That's not a problem at all."
Graham, who has caught at least eight touchdown passes in six of his 12 NFL seasons, was a favorite target of former star quarterback Drew Brees and among the most popular players in New Orleans before the club traded him to Seattle in 2015.
Many fans were upset, including General Manager Micky Loomis' own daughter. So, too, was Graham.
"For me, it was pretty shocking," Graham said. "I thought I would never leave this place. ... I woke up to the part of the business that hurt."
Alluding to a difficult childhood in which he sometimes lived in an orphanage, Graham added, "at first it was very difficult because of my connection with Drew as an 'older brother' and all the people in this building."
"It was family, you know?" Graham continued. "So, for me, a guy who didn't have a lot of family, it was definitely a difficult time."
Graham played three seasons with the Seahawks -- where he had a major knee injury 2015, but also his last 10-TD season in 2017 -- before spending two seasons each at Green Bay and Chicago. He said he spent several of those seasons avoiding interviews because he "didn't really have a lot to say that was positive."
In recent years, Graham said, he longed for another chance to play in New Orleans.
"I've been trying to come home for a long time," Graham said, adding that by last season, he didn't want to play anywhere else. He said several teams reached out to him in 2022, but he told his agent, Jimmy Sexton, "that if I don't retire as a Saint that I wasn't going to play again."
Sitting out last season was "extremely weird, especially after you spend a whole offseason preparing (to play), working out and making sure you're in shape," he said. "I think everything happens for a reason and I think it'll be to my benefit."
The Saints used a third-round pick to draft Graham in 2010, despite the fact that he'd played just one season of football at Miami after spending four seasons as a basketball power forward.
In just his second NFL season, Graham caught 99 passes for 1,310 yards and 11 touchdowns and was selected to his first of five Pro Bowls. He had another banner season in 2013, with 1,215 yards and a career-high 16 TDs receiving.
Around that time, current Saints tight end Foster Moreau was playing for Jesuit High School in New Orleans and had a signed No. 80 Graham Saints jersey in a shadow box in his room.
"Jimmy was a dog, and he still is. Honestly, he runs great," Moreau said. "So, it's just such a funny situation. You walk into the locker room and, 'Oh my God! Jimmy Graham right there.' "
Graham's production plummeted in his final season with the Bears in 2021, when he caught 14 passes for 167 yards and 3 TDs in 15 games.
And while the Saints cannot be sure how well he'll play this season, they expressed confidence he'll be a leader in the locker room. Graham sounded ready to embrace that role, noting that he, along with 13th-year defensive end Cameron Jordan, are the only players on the roster who'd once been teammates with most of the stars of the Saints' 2009 championship team.
"I understand what that culture was like and what that looks like, the sacrifice that it takes and the brotherhood -- that bond -- that needs to be molded," Graham said. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/graham-grateful-to-return-to-saints/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:15 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/graham-grateful-to-return-to-saints/ |
RICHMOND, Va. -- Denny Hamlin is not offering any apologies for the move he made last weekend at Pocono that caused Kyle Larson to hit the wall and let Hamlin sail on to victory.
Truth be told, it's what NASCAR was hoping to see more of when it established the system that divides races into three stages, rewards drivers with points for doing well in those stages and allows them to accrue playoff points, Hamlin said.
"That is what it was geared to do -- give us the sense of urgency to ramp up and that regular season performance matters to get to the final four with a shot," he said at Richmond Raceway. "The system is doing what it was designed to do."
Hamlin also has changed, he said, after getting spun several times while leading.
"If you have one person willing to be aggressive and one person not, aggressive will win every time," he said.
Larson, who said things are "fine" between he and Hamlin after they exchanged text messages Friday night, agreed that the point system encourages the aggressive approach Hamlin took, but added that it "makes the guys on the receiving end more mad as well just because of what's at stake and what's taken."
Larson said four or five restart battles with Kyle Busch at World Wide Technology Raceway in June showed how cleanly he tries to race other drivers.
"I respect Kyle and that's why I raced him with respect at Gateway, and I respect Denny every bit as much, if not more, or I did," he said.
"I tend to blow things over pretty quickly," Larson said. "This time, I probably have let it linger on my attitude a little bit this week just because it's happened more often with him than any other driver in my career and also a win was taken."
Larson won the first Richmond race this season in April.
POINTS RACE
William Byron has dropped 30 points behind Martin Truex Jr. in the points race with five races remaining before the playoffs begin. The regular season champion gets a 15-point bonus, but Byron doesn't expect to make any changes to the way he's racing while trying to secure that top spot and bonus.
"It's really important but we can't get too focused on the result of the regular season points," he said. "We obviously want those points, but our process has been like it is to this point, and if we start focusing on that carrot out in front of us too much, it's going to get us off-track."
CHASING SPEED
Chase Elliott said Richmond is "such a weird place" where his car never feels good, but he was pleased to make the second round of qualifying. He'll start fourth.
"Any position you can gain is good ahead of 10th," Elliott said. "I also know this is a place where you can qualify really good and be really bad."
Elliott missed six races with an injury and another while serving a suspension. He hasn't won yet and likely will need to win to make the playoffs. He's 21st in points.
"There's a few guys that I feel like have been consistently good at this track and the rest of us are kind of hit or miss," Elliott said. "Hopefully we can hit it tomorrow and just put together a solid day, try to get some stage points and just get up in the mix." | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/hamlin-point-system-encourages-aggression/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:22 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/hamlin-point-system-encourages-aggression/ |
I can't sugarcoat it. The heat makes being outdoors extremely unpleasant.
Federal magistrate judge Joe Volpe has enjoyed some successful bass fishing trips on private water in the mornings, but he's done before the sun starts wreaking havoc. We shared one such trip Tuesday to Lake Maumelle.
We were on the water at dawn. Only one other vehicle was at West Rock Marina, which tells you everything you need to know. People aren't fishing. They aren't fishing because fish aren't biting. Why would they? The water temperature on Tuesday was 87 degrees, and there is zero current. Set your home thermostat to 87 with all the windows closed and see if you feel like eating. You won't have an appetite, but you probably will feel a little snappish. You might respond to a provocation, such as something annoying invading your space. Think about it. Don't you attack a housefly with much greater prejudice in mid summer than you do in the fall?
In order to provoke a fish, first you must find him. On Lake Maumelle, that's not easy.
Two other boats showed up after Volpe and I launched. They parked over some deep structure. Right now, fish are suspended near any kind of natural or topographic anomaly. Finding those features requires a good sonar. Forward projecting sonar helps. It also helps to have a digitally controlled trolling motor that can park you over a spot that gives you a good casting angle to isolated structure.
Modern trolling motors are marvelous. I field tested the first one ever made in 1995 at a media event at Kentucky Lake. The motor was made by a startup company called Pinpoint, founded by the late Joe Mardesich. The first morning's experience with that motor was nightmarish. It careened all over the place, making wild bat turns that challenged an angler's ability to remain upright. Fishing with it was impossible.
Hearing this review back at the marina, Mardesich was horrified. He had failed to calibrate the fresh-from-the-box motor before sending us out. He remedied that in about 10 minutes. The motor worked as advertised for the rest of the event.
Zebco bought Pinpoint in September of 1999 and folded it into MotorGuide's catalog. Other companies incorporated the technology when the patents expired. Now, it is the standard for freshwater and saltwater anglers.
Volpe has a smart motor. He also has sidescan and downscan sonar. He's debating whether he should get a LiveScope. He probably will because Volpe is the ultimate gearhead. As soon as one goes on special somewhere at the right price, he'll be there.
To use sonar most effectively requires familiarity with a water body. It helps a lot to know where fish attractors, rock piles and road beds are. Sonar allows you to pinpoint them and to position the boat properly.
Lacking that knowledge, we hoped to catch a mess of Kentucky bass on the edges of the grass lines on the north side of the lake. Volpe started with a topwater lure, and I used a spinnerbait. Those two presentations allowed us to cover the upper and middle portions of the water column. Nothing bit, so I switched to a bottom-contact soft plastic bait. I got some bream bites and a few tentative bites that might have been bass.
Had I been thinking, I would have thrown a soft plastic frog across the grasstops to provoke any bass hiding in the shallow cover. It probably didn't matter because I don't believe any bass were there.
Fortunately, moderate cloud cover kept the sun at bay and the temperature pleasant enough to keep us fishing for longer than we expected. We fished the bluff. We fished the timber that skirts Jim's Island. We fished a great many places where fish were not.
Eventually, Volpe caught a keeper largemouth bass on a Whopper Plopper at the edge of a grass line. It was a lethargic strike, but it kept us from being skunked. It also enabled Volpe to do a little victory dance and boast about how badly he kicked my butt at fishing.
It was more like winning a football game tied 0-0 in overtime with a 10-yard field goal, but an ugly win is still a win.
Fall will be here soon, and life will be a lot better. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/heat-makes-bass-fishing-unpleasantly-challenging/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:28 | 1 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/heat-makes-bass-fishing-unpleasantly-challenging/ |
WASHINGTON -- Lawmakers broke for their August recess last week with work on funding the government largely incomplete, fueling worries about whether Congress will be able to avoid a partial government shutdown this fall.
Congress has until Oct. 1, the start of the new fiscal year, to act on government funding. They could pass spending bills to fund government agencies into next year or simply pass a stopgap measure that keeps agencies running until they strike a longer-term agreement.
"We're going to scare the hell out of the American people before we get this done," said Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del.
Coons' assessment is widely shared in Congress, reflecting the gulf between the Republican-led House and the Democratic-led Senate, which are charting vastly different -- and mostly incompatible -- paths on spending.
The Senate is adhering mostly to the top-line spending levels that President Joe Biden negotiated with House Republicans in late May as part of the debt-ceiling deal that extended the government's borrowing authority and avoided an economically devastating default.
That agreement holds discretionary spending generally flat for the coming year while allowing increases for military and veterans accounts. On top of that, the Senate is looking to add $13.7 billion in additional emergency appropriations, including $8 billion for defense and $5.7 billion for nondefense.
House Republicans, many of whom opposed the debt-ceiling deal and refused to vote for it, are going a different way.
GOP leaders have teed up bills with far less spending than the agreement allows in an effort to win over members who insist on rolling back spending to fiscal year 2022 levels. They are also adding scores of policy add-ons broadly opposed by Democrats. There are proposals to reduce access to abortion pills, bans on the funding of hormone therapy and certain surgeries for transgender veterans, and a prohibition on training programs promoting diversity in the federal workplace, among many others.
At a news conference at the Capitol last week, some members of the House Freedom Caucus, a conservative faction within the House GOP, said voters elected a Republican majority in that chamber to rein in government spending and it was time for House Republicans to use every tool available to get the spending cuts they want.
"We should not fear a government shutdown," said Rep. Bob Good, R-Va. "Most of the American people won't even miss if the government is shut down temporarily."
Many House Republicans disagree with that assessment. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, called it an oversimplification to say most Americans wouldn't feel an impact. And he warned Republicans would take the blame for a shutdown.
"We always get blamed for it, no matter what," Simpson said. "So it's bad policy, it's bad politics."
But the slim five-seat majority Republicans hold amplifies the power that a small group can wield. Even though the debt ceiling agreement passed with a significant majority of both Republicans and Democrats, conservatives opponents were so unhappy in the aftermath that they shut down House votes for a few days, stalling the entire GOP agenda.
Shortly thereafter, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy argued the numbers he negotiated with the White House amounted to a cap and "you can always do less." GOP Rep. Kay Granger of Texas, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, followed that she would seek to limit nondefense spending at 2022 budget levels, saying the debt agreement "set a top-line spending cap -- a ceiling, not a floor."
The decision to cut spending below levels in the the debt ceiling deal helped get the House moving again, but put them on a collision course with the Senate, where the spending bills hew much closer to the agreement.
"What the House has done is they essentially tore up that agreement as soon as it was signed," said Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. "And so we are in for a bumpy ride."
Even as House Republicans have been moving their spending bills out of committee on party-line votes, the key committee in the Senate has been operating in a bipartisan fashion, drafting spending bills with sometimes unanimous support.
"The way to make this work is do it in a bipartisan way like we are doing in the Senate. If you do it in a partisan way, you're heading to a shutdown. And I am really worried that that's where the House Republicans are headed," Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters last week.
McCarthy countered that people had the same doubts about whether House Republicans and the White House could reach an agreement to pass a debt ceiling extension and avoid a default.
"We've got 'til Sept. 30. I think we can get this all done," McCarthy said. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/house-senate-at-spending-impasse/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:34 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/house-senate-at-spending-impasse/ |
Diana Bourgeois of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the State of Montana, which stages drag reading events, said it's "definitionally political and artistic speech" as a federal judge sidelined a new law that restricts such performances, citing "chilled speech" and noting the law doesn't define "flamboyant."
Jason Smeltzer of New Mexico blamed desperate attempts to feed his fentanyl addiction, but he nevertheless got 27 months in prison for five Albuquerque bank robberies that netted a total of $3,856.
Jeremy England, a Mississippi state senator, decried "some of the worst, dirty form of politics" after being attacked with a Halloween photo, explaining that he wore a "very embarrassing" pink bodysuit with a short pink skirt only to raise money for breast cancer research.
Keren Prescott of Connecticut, a Black woman, said the justice system "has failed me" as a judge dismissed the charges against a white woman who spat on her during protests and was allowed to resolve the case with probation, calling the outcome "being spit on once again."
William Wong, an architect, was sentenced to a year in prison for paying $100,000 in bribes to Honolulu city employees in exchange for expediting approval of his projects, telling the court, "I caved in under pressure."
Dae Yong Lee, a real estate developer also known as David Lee, was sentenced to six years in prison and he and his company were fined $2.25 million for paying $500,000 in bribes to a Los Angeles City Council member for help with a downtown project.
Harry J. Elam Jr., president of Occidental College, a private liberal arts school in Los Angeles once attended by Barack Obama, announced it "will no longer ask applicants about alumni relationships" as U.S. colleges are pressured to end legacy admissions.
Candra Clark of Ridgeland, Miss., faces up to 10 years in prison for threatening to kill a federal judge by way of profanity-laced emails, and she wrote that her now-former lawyer was "over opinionated" and a "reprobate who should have his tongue removed."
Bokeem Jones, an assault suspect being held in a Rikers Island jail in New York, got his hands on a Correction Department uniform and pretended to be an officer conducting rounds in an apparent escape attempt, only to be recognized and pepper-sprayed into submission. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/in-the-news/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:40 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/in-the-news/ |
TOKYO -- Japan's population declined in all of its 47 prefectures for the first time in a record drop, while its number of foreign residents hit a new high, reaching almost 3 million people, according to government data released Wednesday, highlighting the increasing role that non-Japanese people play in the shrinking and aging country.
The population of Japanese nationals fell by about 800,000 people, or 0.65%, to 122.4 million in 2022 from the previous year, falling for a 14th straight year, according to data from the Internal Affairs and Communications Ministry based on residency registrations as of Jan. 1 this year.
Japan's total population was 125.41 million, down just over half a million people from a year earlier, and there was a 10.7% jump in foreign residents with addresses registered in Japan, the ministry said.
The increase in Japan's foreign population was the biggest year-on-year rise since the ministry started taking statistics in 2013. Foreign residents now account for about 2.4% of Japan's population, the ministry said.
After peaking in 2008, Japan's population has since shrunk steadily due to a declining birthrate. The country saw a record low of 771,801 births last year.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has set tackling the declining births as one of his top policy goals and pledged to secure annual funding of about 3.5 trillion yen ($25.2 billion) over the next three years for a new child care package, which includes child birth and rearing allowances and increased subsidies for higher education.
Kishida's cabinet last month approved a plan to expand the scope of job categories allowed for foreign workers, opening the door for future permanent residency, in a major shift in a country known for its closed-door immigration policy as it struggles with a shrinking population.
Experts say the proposed low-birth measures are mostly additional funding for existing ones and don't address underlying problems.
They also say that Japan's conservative government needs to do more to raise salaries, improve working conditions and make society more inclusive for minorities and those with non-Japanese roots to attract foreign workers to move to Japan and stay. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/japan-sees-steepest-drop-in-population/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:46 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/japan-sees-steepest-drop-in-population/ |
BALTIMORE -- 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.
ASTROS 17, RAYS 4 Jeremy Pena had a career-high four RBI, Yainer Diaz and Jose Abreu added three apiece and Houston touted Tampa Bay with its highest-scoring game of the season.
BLUE JAYS 6, ANGELS 1 Alejandro Kirk hit two home runs, Santiago Espinal added a two-run home run and Toronto beat Los Angeles. Kirk hit a leadoff home run against former Blue Jays left-hander Aaron Loup in the seventh inning, then hit a two-run shot off right-hander Jaime Barria in the eighth. It was Kirk's first multihomer game of the season and the fourth of his career.
ROYALS 10, TWINS 7 Bobby Witt Jr. went 4 for 5 with three RBI, a home run and a triple and Kyle Isbel also was 4 for 5 to help Kansas City beat Minnesota.
WHITE SOX 7, GUARDIANS 2 Tim Anderson homered for the first time in more than a year on a three-hit night, Mike Clevinger tossed five shutout innings in his return from the injured list and Chicago beat Cleveland.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
BRAVES 11, BREWERS 5 Ronald Acuna hit his 24th home run and stole his 50th base and Atlanta used a six-run first inning to beat Milwaukee.
CUBS 5, CARDINALS 1 Yan Gomes and Ian Happ homered and Chicago beat St. Louis for its eighth consecutive victory.
DODGERS 3, REDS 2 Max Muncy hit a pair of two-out home runs, including a go-ahead shot in the sixth inning, and Los Angeles rallied to beat Cincinnati.
NATIONALS 11, METS 6 The New York Mets, shortly after trading three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, lost to Washington. The deal that sent Scherzer to the AL West-leading Texas Rangers came in the first inning, which ended with Washington leading 4-0 after an announced crowd of 30,858 sat through an 80-minute rain delay before the first pitch. Fans were already booing by the time former Mets first baseman Dominic Smith's two-run single highlighted the inning.
PIRATES 7, PHILLIES 6 Endy Rodriguez hit a go-ahead, bases-loaded triple and drove in four runs, fellow rookie Liover Peguero had a home run among his three hits and Pittsburgh beat Philadelphia.
INTERLEAGUE
ATHLETICS 11, ROCKIES 3 Zack Gelof and Brent Rooker each homered in a five-run second inning that helped carry Oakland to a victory over Colorado, handing the Rockies their fourth consecutive loss and fifth in six games.
DIAMONDBACKS 4, MARINERS 3 Corbin Carroll started an eighth-inning rally with some distracting base running, Dominic Canzone brought his fellow rookie home with a single for the go-ahead run and Arizona beat Seattle.
GIANTS 3, RED SOX 2 J.D. Davis homered on the first pitch from Maurico Llovera (1-1) in the ninth inning to lift San Francisco past Boston.
PADRES 4, RANGERS 0 San Diego's Yu Darvish (8-7) held Texas to 3 hits in 6 innings while striking out 9 and walking 2.
TIGERS 5, MARLINS 0 Akil Badoo and Riley Greene homered and five pitchers combined on a seven-hitter in Detroit's victory over Miami. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/judge-belts-hr-in-second-game-back-from-injury/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:53 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/judge-belts-hr-in-second-game-back-from-injury/ |
August skygazing forecast: Month features 2 Supermoons and Perseid Meteor Shower
A historic heat wave means the best time outdoors might be at night. Two full Moons and the Perseid Meteor Shower will make August a standout month for staring at the stars.
With two Supermoons and the Perseid Meteor Shower on tap, August 2023 will be an excellent month for sky gazing.
During the coast-to-coast heat wave in the U.S., the best time of day to enjoy the outdoors might be at night, which makes stargazing the perfect activity to get some fresh air. Unless you live in Phoenix, where the overnight lows stay in the 90s.
Just don't forget the bug spray before you step out for a night staring at the stars.
Aug. 1: Full Sturgeon Supermoon
There is no wait for the first full Moon of August. It happens Aug. 1 and is also the second Supermoon of the year.
A Supermoon is considered "super" because the Moon will be closest to Earth during this part of its orbit. The effect of the full Moon and the close orbit will make it appear larger and brighter, but only by about 8%, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
The August Supermoon is known as the Sturgeon Moon. It's named after the sturgeon fish, which can be more available to anglers in the Great Lakes during the summer months.
WATCH OUT FOR THESE ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS IN 2023
The first full Moon of August will be at its fullest at 2:31 p.m. EDT; because of that timing, North America will need to wait for sunset to see the bright full Moon.
Aug. 30: Blue Moon
Thirty days later, the next Supermoon will rise. On Aug. 30, the Blue Supermoon will be at its fullest at 9:36 p.m. EDT.
According to NASA, a Blue Moon refers not to its color but to any month with two full moons in the 29.5-day lunar cycle. A Blue Moon happens about once every three years, and the next time we'll have two full moons in a month happens in 2026.
This will be the brightest Supermoon of the year, according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Aug. 15: Perseid Meteor Shower
One of the best meteor showers of the year returns with peak activity in August, making for the perfect end to the summer.
The Perseid meteors are pieces of the comet Swift-Tuttle. When Earth passes the comet each summer, debris from Swift-Tuttle creates the shooting stars seen in the sky.
Last year, there was a full moon during the best nights to view the Perseids. A dark sky is helpful when trying to spot shooting stars. The most active time for the Perseid Meteor Shower happens between Aug. 11 and 13. As the peak happens right before a new moon this year, it will be good to try and watch out for the Perseids. | https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/august-skygazing-two-full-moons-perseid-meteor-shower | 2023-07-30T10:58:57 | 1 | https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/august-skygazing-two-full-moons-perseid-meteor-shower |
FUKUOKA, Japan -- Here's why Katie Ledecky is one of the greatest freestyle swimmers in the history of the sport: She is never quite satisfied.
The 26-year-old American won the 800-meter freestyle on Saturday at the world championships to become the first swimmer to win six golds in the same event at worlds. It was also her 16th individual world title, breaking a tie with Michael Phelps for the most golds at worlds.
She also is a seven-time Olympic gold medalist and the world record holder in both the 800 and 1,500.
But that winning time -- 8 minutes, 8.87 seconds, which is the seventh-quickest she'd ever swum -- wasn't quite good enough in her favorite event.
"I'm just always trying to think of new ways to improve. I mean I've already got everything turning in my head right now. I kind of wanted to be better than I was tonight," she said, twirling her right hand beside her right ear, trying to stir up ideas.
"I'm pretty tough on myself," she said. "But I think I have found the balance of being tough on myself but also having that grace."
The 800 was Ledecky's second individual gold following her win in the 1,500 free on Tuesday. She also took silver in the 400 free. Li Bingjie of China took silver in 8:13.31, and Ariarne Titmus of Australia got the bronze in 8:13.59.
"It's fun to leave a meet with your favorite event, and I just wanted to leave it all in the pool," Ledecky said.
It was only the fourth gold for the United States in the seventh of eight days in the pool. Meanwhile, Australia has been piling it on with 13 golds, matching its best at the worlds. Australia won three more golds on Saturday.
The Americans lead the overall table with 31 medals (16 silver), Australia has 20 and China 13.
Kaylee McKeown of Australia made history of her own with gold in the women's 200 backstroke. McKeown's victory gave her a sweep of all three backstroke events after earlier wins in the 50 and 100. She became the first swimmer to sweep all three backstrokes at the worlds.
It all made up for her disqualification earlier in the 200 IM.
"You can't change the rules," she said. "I got ruled out. It's just the cards I was dealt with and I couldn't do much more than that. So I just had to carry myself the best I could and channel all my anger and turn a huge negative into a positive."
Regan Smith of the United States picked up the silver in 2:04.94, while Peng Xuwei of China got the bronze in 2:06.74.
Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden continued her dominance with gold in the 50 butterfly. The 29-year-old won in 24.77 seconds and has now won the event five consecutive times at the worlds. The win brought Sjostrom's individual medals at the worlds to 20, equaling Phelps' mark.
Sjostrom also broke her own record in the 50 free, going 23.61 in a semifinal heat. Her old mark was 23.67 set in 2017.
"There are not too many secrets," Sjostrom said about her longevity. "Just do the work every day, go to practice, and stay humble."
Zhang Yufei of China, who took gold in the 100 fly, claimed the silver in 25.05, while American Gretchen Walsh got the bronze in 25.46.
Cameron McEvoy of Australia led all the way to capture the gold in the 50 free in 21.06. It was his first individual gold in the worlds or Olympics.
American Jack Alexy collected his second silver of the worlds in 21.57 to go with his silver in the 100 free. Benjamin Proud of Britian, last year's world champion, took the bronze in 21.58.
Maxime Grousset of France won gold in the 100 fly in 50.14. The 24-year-old took the early lead and held on. Josh Liendo of Canada earned the silver in 50.34, while American Dare Rose made the podium with the bronze (50.46). | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/ledecky-passes-phelps-for-most-golds/ | 2023-07-30T10:58:59 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/ledecky-passes-phelps-for-most-golds/ |
Zoo acquires sloth from Topeka site
The Little Rock Zoo has acquired a Hoffmann's two-toed sloth named Almond from the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, according to a recent Little Rock Zoo newsletter.
The2-year-old sloth "sleeps most of her day away, upside down, up high in her exhibit," the newsletter said. "When she is awake, her keepers say she is very friendly and gentle."
Library fundraising for suit nears goal
Fundraising efforts meant to underwrite the Central Arkansas Library System's legal fees in a lawsuit seeking to overturn parts of Act 372 are nearing a goal, Executive Director Nate Coulter wrote in a monthly report to members of the library system's board of directors last week.
"To date, the legal fund has raised $28,623 to fund the lawsuit [the library system] is leading. Our goal is $30,000," Coulter wrote.
The Central Arkansas Library System and Coulter are two of the 17 plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on June 2.
Library shifts plan for diversity effort
Officials at the Central Arkansas Library System will go in a different direction after trying to hire a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) officer since last year, Executive Director Nate Coulter told library system board members in a written report last week.
Staff had budgeted for the role in 2022 and 2023, Coulter wrote. "However, after two unsuccessful attempts to find the right person for this position, including two separate rounds of advertising and interviewing candidates, we have decided to take a different approach for now," he wrote.
Officials at the library system plan to hire local consultants to help "conduct an assessment of our organization's current effectiveness and shape future aspirations," Coulter wrote. "This will entail identifying and sharpening our DEI goals, conveying the importance of having DEI training and initiatives for [library system] staff, and communicating the effort internally and externally."
Scott Hamilton and Maxwell Brown of the Urban League of the State of Arkansas will lead the project with assistance from Chris Jones, according to Coulter.
Writer Shores wins 2023 literary prize
The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at the Central Arkansas Library System has awarded an annual literary prize to Elizabeth Findley Shores, a Little Rock writer, for her biography of Arkansas writer Charles J. Finger, according to a news release issued Wednesday.
Shores won the 2023 Booker Worthen Literary Prize and its associated $2,000 monetary award for her book "Shared Secrets: The Queer World of Newbery Medalist Charles J. Finger," published by the University of Arkansas Press in 2021.
The biography "relates the life of an important Arkansas writer who is largely forgotten in the 21st century," the news release said. "An Englishman who eventually settled in northwestern Arkansas, Finger was primarily a magazine writer/publisher in the first quarter of the 20th century. He then went on to write many books, winning the 1925 Newbery Medal for his book Tales from Silver Lands."
Authors living in Arkansas are eligible for the annual literary prize, which can be awarded to books up to three years after they are published. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/little-rock-notebook-zoo-acquires-sloth-library/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:05 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/little-rock-notebook-zoo-acquires-sloth-library/ |
LR woman accused of attack with clock
Little Rock police early Friday arrested a woman who they say struck an elderly woman with a clock.
Officers responded to a report of a disturbance at 1516 Cumberland St., the address of The Blossoms at Cumberland Rehab and Nursing Center, about 12:30 a.m., according to an arrest report.
They spoke to a victim over the age of 60 who said that Tracy Murray, 54, of Little Rock, hit her on the arm with a clock, causing an injury that was visible to police.
Murray, who lives at the center, the report states, faces a felony second-degree battery charge. She was being held in the Pulaski County jail in lieu of a $2,500 bond Saturday evening, an online inmate roster showed. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/lr-woman-accused-of-attack-with-clock/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:11 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/lr-woman-accused-of-attack-with-clock/ |
Nearly 4 million Americans have been dropped from Medicaid since the end of a pandemic-era promise that people with the safety-net health coverage could keep it, requiring every state to begin an undertaking of sorting out who still belonged on the rolls.
The 3.8 million -- the most thorough tally -- is an undercount, reflecting only people who have lost coverage so far in 38 states that have voluntarily made public their data from this sorting process, known as the Medicaid unwinding.
Most of those people have been dropped from Medicaid for reasons unrelated to whether they actually are eligible for the coverage, according to data compiled by the Kaiser Family Foundation, a health-policy organization.
Three-fourths have been removed because of bureaucratic factors. Such "procedural" cutoffs -- prompted by renewal notices not arriving at the right addresses, beneficiaries not understanding the notices, or an assortment of state agencies' mistakes and logjams -- were a peril against which federal health officials had cautioned for many months as they coached states in advance on how best to carry out the unwinding.
A notice arrived in an envelope stamped "important information," telling Kristin Fortner she needed to prove that she and her husband still deserved Medicaid.
She filled out the form within a week of receiving it this past winter and mailed it back. So she was perplexed by a phone call almost three months later from the Arkansas Department of Human Services alerting her that she had neglected to renew the couple's Medicaid and, unless she sent the paperwork, their health insurance would end.
Fortner quickly resubmitted the same form, this time in person. Except Arkansas already had cut them off.
She discovered in May that her insurance had vanished as she tried to pick up a prescription for Suboxone, the medicine that helps her stay off opioids, from a Walgreens near her Fayetteville home. Suddenly, she owed $380. Her Medicaid coverage, the pharmacy's records showed, had expired April 30.
A 33-year-old waitress earning $3 an hour plus tips, Fortner walked out of the drugstore without the pills.
Fortner's experience attests to the bureaucratic maze ensnaring some people and the damage being done to their wellbeing. The Arkansas Medicaid agency, one of the nation's first to launch the unwinding, has repeatedly insisted that Fortner needs to provide different documents.
Her husband Ryan has stopped making physical therapy appointments for a herniated disk. As for her Suboxone, Fortner felt like she was going through withdrawal when she skipped it for two weeks, and now, after paying for a partial order with a drug discount card, she stretches the supply by cutting the pills in half.
Medicaid, the country's largest public insurance program, is a legacy of the War on Poverty in the 1960s. The federal government provides most of the money, lays down basic rules and supervises states, which set eligibility standards and handle applications and renewals.
Beneficiaries typically must renew Medicaid every year, but that stopped in 2020 when the coronavirus arrived.
With no one leaving the program, the number of Americans on Medicaid swelled to 85 million by this April, when the unwinding began in phases with five states starting to terminate people. By July, every state except one had started removing some people from the program.
Oregon will begin removing people in the fall. The government wants states to spread the undertaking over a year, although a few have chosen to do it faster -- none more rapidly than Arkansas.
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has made clear his displeasure with the high rates at which low-income people are being severed from Medicaid without knowing whether they still qualify.
"[I]t is critically important to ensure that individuals do not lose coverage due solely to administrative processes," Becerra admonished in a June letter to the nation's governors in which he urged states to improve their renewal methods.
Some health policy advocates and Democrats on Capitol Hill contend that Health and Human Services is partly to blame, saying federal health officials should exert a heavier hand with states that have been performing poorly.
"They have to be more assertive," said Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. of New Jersey, the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid.
Pallone said in an interview that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should explore whether some Republican-led states are deliberately winnowing their Medicaid rolls so they will have fewer low-income people to insure. Last year, Congress gave the agency the power to order states to draft plans to correct the problem and pause removing beneficiaries for procedural reasons -- and to fine states that persist in mishandling cases.
During the unwinding's first few months, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services refused to disclose how many states were violating federal guidelines and how often federal officials were intervening.
In recent days, the agency has pivoted, portraying itself as stepping in when it discovers that a state is performing badly.
According to Daniel Tsai, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services's Medicaid director, the agency has ordered six states he did not identify to pause the removal of people for paperwork reasons and to reinstate some whose coverage had been denied -- up to tens of thousands of people, depending on the state. The agency is conferring with about a dozen other states regarding potential violations.
Tsai said some states are failing to follow a federal requirement that they rely when possible on electronic data -- such as wage records from food stamps or other benefits programs -- to check people's eligibility automatically and avoid the burden of renewal notices.
"Make no mistake, where we have found problems or violations of federal requirements, we are taking action to ensure that states correct the issue immediately," Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure said during a recent news briefing.
FEDERAL SNAPSHOT
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has been collecting states' unwinding data monthly but said it could not release its first state-by-state snapshot before the end of July because federal officials needed time to check the accuracy of that data. Many health care advocates say the agency should have been providing this unwinding picture sooner.
On Friday, the agency issued the first official unwinding data based on 18 states that began the process relatively early.
The report evaluated what happened with 2.2 million beneficiaries whose status was scheduled to be reviewed. It found that 46% had stayed on Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, 32% were removed from the program and 22% had not been completed. Of those removed, 79% were for procedural reasons.
Spanning just two months, the federal snapshot is less complete than the data compiled by Kaiser Family Foundation and separate tracking of 20 states by Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families. Still, all three sources show considerable variation in how many people have been cut off -- and the rate at which people lose coverage for paperwork reasons.
Michigan and Pennsylvania are doing comparatively well, with most beneficiaries who have come up for renewal remaining on Medicaid. The Kaiser Family Foundation and Georgetown tallies show that, in both states, 3 in 5 cases removed from the rolls were dropped because of ineligibility.
Florida has severed the second-most people, after Texas -- slightly more than 300,000, two-thirds for procedural reasons. And the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service says Florida has been the only state unwilling to discuss with the agency how to minimize removing people for the wrong reasons.
"We are alarmed by the data," a coalition of more than 50 health care and other advocacy groups wrote this spring to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, calling on the Republican to pause the unwinding until the state improved its methods.
Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and the seven other Democrats in the state's congressional delegation also wrote to DeSantis, saying the disenrollment rate "is incredibly concerning" and echoing the call for a pause.
"I'm very concerned too many Floridians are going to be lost in the shuffle," Castor said in an interview.
According to Castor's staff, DeSantis, a candidate for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination, did not reply to the lawmakers' letter. The governor's office referred questions from The Washington Post to the Florida Department of Children and Families.
Mallory McManus, the department's deputy chief of staff, said the agency had developed "a thoughtful, common-sense plan ... to return to normal Medicaid processes" and already uses some procedures urged by federal health officials.
"Florida's top priority is ensuring that those who are eligible for Medicaid remain enrolled," McManus said by email.
'TOTAL FAILURE'
Already, the large proportion of beneficiaries in some states tumbling into the ranks of the uninsured is starting to hurt clinics and hospitals that focus on low-income patients -- especially in the poorest states, such as West Virginia, where about 1 in 3 residents have relied on Medicaid.
"It's a total failure, this unwinding," said Craig Robinson, the executive director of Cabin Creek Health Systems, a network of a six clinics in West Virginia. Every day, he said, people arrive for appointments or for medicine at each clinic, unaware that their Medicaid coverage has stopped.
Cabin Creek is not alone. At West Virginia Health Right, a Charleston clinic with 43,000 patients at three sites, the number covered by Medicaid fell by about 1,600 in May and June, the first two months of that state's unwinding, according to Angie Settle, the clinics' chief executive. The number of uninsured patients, usually fairly stable, rose by about the same number during those two months.
Settle said the unwinding is putting a strain on the staff as new people show up for medical services they can no longer afford -- and a strain on finances as more people show up for medications for which no one else is paying the costs.
One of Health Right's new patients is Heather Elkins, who lives nearby with her daughter in Dunbar at a bend in the Kanawha River.
Living on $1,100-a-month Social Security checks, Elkins, 63, had no health insurance starting in 2012, when she quit the construction work that was hurting her body, including because of breathing lime dust on river barges. Five years later, her health deteriorating, she applied for Medicaid, which has paid for medications for her high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and diseased lungs.
When she went to pick up prescriptions the first week in May, Elkins said, the pharmacist told her, "Honey, you're declined. You don't have coverage."
She paid out of pocket for the prescriptions, except for the Symbicort to treat her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, because a month's supply would have cost about $400. Instead, she headed to Health Right for it.
Elkins said she isn't certain whether her renewal notice from the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources never came or was stuck in the middle of other pieces of mail. She stopped at a state office to try to find out what she needed to do.
Over the next two months, she was told to bring a Social Security card, assured that would suffice, then was told she would need to start a new application.
When Elkins finally brought in the completed paperwork, an employee looked in the computer, ripped up the form without examining it and said she was back on Medicaid. Stunned, Elkins asked about what she'd been told by the first worker who triggered the whole runaround -- and was told he had been a new employee and did not work there any more.
According to Sarah Young, the health department's deputy commissioner, each beneficiary receives three phone calls and written notices before a case is closed. She did not address how situations such as Elkins' could happen but said by email, "the challenge remains how to increase the number of individuals who submit their renewal forms in a timely manner to prevent a loss of coverage."
ALASKAN OBSTACLES
Some states face special obstacles.
In Alaska, renewal notices do not always reach intended recipients in rural communities that lack roads or broadband internet, according to Anne Zink, the state's chief medical officer. Some towns and villages at times lack a working postmaster, so mail bags containing the notices sometimes pile up outside shuttered post offices, Zink said.
Alaska is among 34 states, plus Washington, D.C., that have been out of compliance with at least one federal requirement for how to conduct the unwinding, a CMS tally shows. But even some states that meet all the federal rules have high rates of people being dropped from the program for paperwork reasons, mystifying state officials and patient advocates alike.
One of those states is Indiana, where 86% of removals were done on procedural grounds, according to the KFF and Georgetown data.
In addition to sending beneficiaries a postcard, letter, renewal packet, text messages and phone calls, the state's Medicaid agency is launching a multilingual ad campaign and has collaborated with food banks, pharmacists, clinics, school systems and child welfare workers to spread the word, according to Michele Holtkamp, the agency's spokeswoman.
In Arkansas, a 2021 law requires the state to sort through renewals within six months, half the time President Joe Biden's administration recommends.
Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal in May saying "I'm proud Arkansas is leading the nation in getting back to normal."
Most Arkansans who lost jobs during the pandemic are working again, she wrote, saying, "It's time to get them off the path of dependency." The governor did not say how many of the re-employed have health benefits through their jobs.
Trevor Hawkins, an attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, said some people have been told their Medicaid cases were closed at their own request -- when that is not true.
As in a number of states, he said, children are being removed from coverage if their parents become ineligible, even though the children still qualify. And some people are simply being denied and told to reapply, Hawkins said, so they are uninsured while "they are just patiently waiting to be reapproved ... [with] no idea how long the line is."
Arkansas Community Organizations, a grassroots antipoverty group, held a protest last month outside one of the Department of Human Services' Little Rock offices.
Demonstrators carried hand-lettered placards saying, "Fix the glitch!" and "This update is life or death," and one protester staged a skit simulating depositing information into a cardboard computer and receiving a slip of paper saying, "Denied."
Gavin Lesnick, spokesman for the state's human services department, said Arkansas is following "a detailed plan ... that is both fair and helps protect Medicaid resources for those who truly need it."
He said just because a case is closed for a procedural reason does not necessarily mean someone failed to receive a renewal packet or did not know about the unwinding. Some people, Lesnick said, have chosen not to return renewal forms, aware that they are no longer eligible.
In Fayetteville, Fortner does not know when -- or if -- her Medicaid coverage will be restored. She does not understand why her 15-year-old daughter has been allowed to stay on the children's version of Medicaid, while she and her husband, the manager of a vape shop, were cut off -- without receiving a denial letter.
She takes Suboxone to stay clean from the opioid addiction she said she has struggled with since she was 14 and prescribed painkillers for whiplash from a car crash. The day this spring she could not afford the Suboxone, she said, "I felt hopeless ... and pretty irritated."
After discovering in May that her Medicaid coverage had been cut off, she went to a local branch of the human services department to find out what was going on.
"I was told I would need to reapply completely," Fortner said. By the end of that week, she took in all the requested information, including proof of her husband's previous jobs and his current one.
"They said I was good to go," she said, and was told the paperwork would take 30 to 45 days to process.
After calling repeatedly, she returned in person in mid-June.
She was told she needed to furnish evidence that she no longer worked at another waitress job she had left nearly a year before. She also was told her husband's doctor needed to provide proof of why he was on Social Security disability. Her husband has never been on disability.
She asked for a copy of the form with the disability question, but the employee said she couldn't print it out because it had just been mailed to their home and, once it arrived, she could mail it back saying he did not have disability benefits.
"It's very, very frustrating," Fortner said. "I keep thinking I've done everything I'm supposed to do and it's fine, but then, when I check, it's not fine." | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/medicaid-rolls-drop-38-million-in-us/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:17 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/medicaid-rolls-drop-38-million-in-us/ |
More than 80 of Arkansas' private and parochial schools have applied to date to participate in the state's new Educational Freedom Account Program, enabling eligible students to use taxpayer money to meet at least part of their tuition and other school costs in the 2023-24 school year.
The school and student application period remains open at least until Tuesday.
[DOCUMENT: Read the list of private, parochial schools » arkansasonline.com/730vouchers/]
Some of the private schools that have applied to the state and are approved to be able to accept the publicly funded vouchers -- about $6,672 per student this new school year -- are Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown, Victory Christian School in Camden, Maranatha Baptist Christian School in El Dorado, The Academy of TLC in Jonesboro, Christ Academy in Newport, Prism North America headquartered in Fayetteville and Shiloh Christian Schools in Springdale and Rogers.
Others on the long list of approved schools include Little Rock's Pulaski Academy, Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock Christian Academy, Little Rock Catholic High, Mount St. Mary Academy and Baptist Preparatory School, to name a few.
Rachel Deems, Pulaski Academy's interim head of school, said in an email Friday that Educational Freedom Accounts can be a benefit to the school's current and future families. She said she saw the benefit of state aid to qualified private school families in her previous roles as head of independent schools in Georgia and in South Carolina.
"For any family, including current PA families with an eligible student, these funds can make a difference in being able to afford a school like Pulaski Academy, a school committed to excellence and high achievement in academics, fine arts, and athletics," Deems said.
Deems also said that the Pulaski Academy's Educational Freedom Account application was submitted to the state only after considering "any potential impacts on the school's ability to maintain its independence for mission of school, admissions criteria, determination of enrollment, class size, curriculum, assessments and standardized testing -- all of which are important to maintaining our high standards as a leader in independent school education."
The new Educational Freedom Accounts are authorized by the multi-part Arkansas LEARNS Act or Act 237 of 2023 that was championed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to revamp prekindergarten-through-12th grade education.
LEARNS stands for literacy, empowerment, accountability, readiness, networking and safety.
The new law and emergency rules for carrying out the law in the first year spell out the requirements for private schools and for students to use the state-funded accounts for tuition and other school costs.
The schools, for example, must provide assurances that they are accredited or are seeking accreditation from an accrediting agency.
They must identify a nationally standardized test that they will give to their voucher-supported students and commit to reporting the results to the state every June.
The schools must sign assurances that they have been in operation for at least a year, are financially sound, do not discriminate, and employ teachers who have a bachelor's degree or have equivalent experience.
"A participating school or service provider shall not be required to alter its creed, practices, admissions policy, or curriculum to receive approval from the Department or to accept payments from an EFA," the emergency rules state.
The students in this first year of the vouchers are limited to those who will be entering kindergarten, attended a state F-graded school last year, have a disability that requires an Individualized Education Program, are children of active military personnel or have experienced homelessness or foster care. The student eligibility criteria expand in 2024-25 and all students will be eligible in 2025-26.
FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS
While Pulaski Academy is a nonsectarian school, a large number of the private and parochial schools that are choosing to accept the state-funded vouchers are ministries of churches and religious faiths.
Arkansas Christian Academy, an approved school in Bryant, for example, states on its website: "Our goals are to support the home and to provide excellent facilities, equipment, and Godly instructors for the development of Christian character in the lives of the students entrusted to our care. ... We endeavor to provide opportunities that will equip students to become strong Christian leaders who will serve the Lord in their vocation."
Similarly, Shiloh Christian Schools' website states its mission is "to develop Godly leaders who engage their culture and change it."
The Huda Academy in Little Rock, also an approved applicant school, states on its website that it "was established in 2000 to promote education and create an environment based on Islamic principles of character, courage and compassion."
"The Huda Academy boasts one of the strongest Qira'ah (Qur'an recitation) programs in the nation with the kids starting to read from the Qur'an as early as first grade," states the website, also noting: "Girls are required to wear the hijab during Quran/Islamic Studies classes and during salat. ... Wearing a kufis is optional for boys."
Taxpayer funding for private and parochial school tuition is not entirely new in Arkansas.
The preexisting Succeed Scholarship Program allowed public money to be used for private school tuition primarily for students with special needs. Act 237 absorbs and greatly expands the voucher system.
This school year, 1.5% of the public school enrollment of this past year can obtain vouchers. That amounts to almost 7,000 students and a funding cap of about $46 million, state leaders have said. The percentage of students who can obtain an Educational Freedom Account will be expanded to 3% of the total public school enrollment in the 2024-25 school year and will be unlimited in 2025-26 and beyond.
As of this past week, at least 4,981 students had opened applications for the vouchers of $6,672 to be used this school year. The student number includes approved student applications, those in review, and those in the draft process, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education spokesperson Kimberly Mundell said.
The department may withhold up to 5% of the funds allocated to each account for the purpose of administering the accounts.
The state has set an Aug. 1 deadline for student applications, but applications will still be taken later and approved if funding is available.
Acquiring a voucher does not necessarily mean that student tuition and related costs will be fully covered. That will depend on the school.
TUITION GAPS
According to tuition information provided on the private school applications, some school tuition costs will be about equal to the amount of the state-funded voucher, while other schools have higher tuition rates -- resulting in the families having to pay a portion of the school costs. The schools often have varied tuition rates for families with more than one child enrolled in a school or if a family is a member of a church affiliated with the school.
Pulaski Academy lists its tuition for the coming year as ranging from $13,900 for kindergarten to $17,940 for 12th grade.
Both Arkansas Christian Academy and the Huda Academy are raising their tuition and fees in the 2023-24 school year -- as are many of the other state-approved private and parochial schools -- according to their applications to the state.
Arkansas Christian is charging $8,000 for grades kindergarten through five for this new school year and $8,300 for grades nine through 12. Those rates are up from $4,950 for grades kindergarten through five, $5,050 for grades six through eight, and $5,260 for grades nine through 12 last year. The school also included in its application to the state the costs to the families for uniforms, $300 to $500; athletics, $100 per sport; and others.
The Huda Academy's tuition was $5,500 this past year and will go to $5,770 for the new school year. On top of that there are fees that include registration, $50; books, $450 per grade; art, $40; building fee, $200; technology, $150; and security guard fee, $35 per month.
MUCH TO LEARN
Leaders of several of the state's private and parochial schools -- including Arkansas Christian Academy and the Huda Academy -- did not respond to email and phone messages for comments about their applications for the the Educational Freedom Accounts, or they said it was too soon to discuss the new voucher program.
"Because it is still so early in the process, we do not have a comment on our participation," Justin Smith, head of school/president of Little Rock Christian Academy, said in an email last week. "At this point, the rules and regulations are not finalized and there's much to learn in year one."
Deems of Pulaski Academy agreed, particularly with regard to the effects on school enrollment.
"I think we will have a better feel for that following the first year of the EFA program," she said. "Pulaski Academy will maintain its admissions criteria and commitment to teacher:student ratio so any potential growth would be strategically planned. Currently, we have a number of grade levels that are at capacity with wait pools.
"Our kindergarten sections are at capacity and there is a wait pool for 2023-2024. This was the case prior to our participation in EFA," Deems also said.
Jamie Griffin, head of school for Episcopal Collegiate School, said the Little Rock institution serves "a diverse community representing over 37 zip codes" and that "members of our constituency meet the eligibility criteria of this program."
The school is choosing to participate in the Educational Freedom Accounts authorized by the LEARNS Act, he said, "to provide current and prospective families an additional avenue of opportunity when making important decisions regarding their children's education."
Participating in the voucher system will not affect Episcopal Collegiate School's admissions process, Griffin also said.
Theresa Hall, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Little Rock that covers almost all Catholic schools in the state, said getting the word out about the availability of state tuition funds to parents has taken a lot of effort. Many parents didn't know about the funds. Diocese schools have sent letters out to upcoming kindergarteners to raise that awareness.
"I think there's still so much of not knowing," Hall said. "Once this really opens up and we see how the first nine weeks goes, we'll know more."
One of the concerns some Catholic schools have had about applying to receive the money was the potential impact on planned courses and on who would have to be admitted to the school.
"One principal, her question was, 'You know, we're a Catholic school and we teach our religion classes, are we still going to be able to teach our religion classes?'" Hall said. "Also, 'Do we have to accept every person that applies? Because sometimes we may not be able to meet the needs of a certain student. We don't have the means for extra support sometimes, that might be needed for a child that might have some special needs.'"
Jamie Groat, director of communications and marketing for Mount St. Mary Academy, a Catholic school, said the primary reason the school applied to receive the funding was because several of their students were currently receiving Succeed Scholarships, which are now folded into the freedom account program by the LEARNS Act.
Groat said the school doesn't anticipate having any new students using the funds this school year.
"We already have our class [for this school year]," Groat said. "But, I mean, we definitely consider ourselves an Arkansas Department of Education LEARNS partner school, and we'll be participating in that as the details continue to emerge for private schools."
Laurie Lee, the chair of the board of the Reform Alliance, which advocates for school choice for students to meet individual learning needs, said the alliance has fielded "thousands" of calls from parents regarding the state's newly created Educational Freedom Accounts.
"We've had thousands of phone calls and emails from families since February that have applied for [Educational Freedom Account money]," Lee said. "We sent out an email to everybody we had on an email list that was several thousand people the day applications opened, and the open rate was crazy."
While the implementation of the publicly funded accounts is exciting for many parents looking to place their child in private school, Lee said that there will be some lag time in private schools' meeting demands from parents and students for seats.
"It's going to take time for the private school sector to catch up," she said, "because we've not had any ability for low-income kids in depressed areas to have a private school. Why would a private school go in if [people in those communities] can't pay for it?"
Hall said the Catholic diocese has learned enough about the new state law and the vouchers that it is considering the possible reopening of a previously closed elementary school in Lake Village in southeast Arkansas. Feasibility studies are being done. However, she said, there are currently no discussions to expand or build any new schools.
More information on student and school participation in the Educational Freedom Accounts is available here: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/office-of-school-choice-and-parent-empowerment/education-freedom-accounts.
The Educational Freedom Accounts are being operated under emergency rules approved by the Arkansas Board of Education earlier this month. More permanent rules have been drafted and will be the subject of public hearings to be held at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25, in the auditorium of the Arch Ford Education Building, 4 Capitol Mall, Little Rock. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/more-than-80-schools-apply-for-vouchers/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:23 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/more-than-80-schools-apply-for-vouchers/ |
BATH, Maine -- Marine 1st Lt. Harvey "Barney" Barnum jumped to the ground when he came under fire during an ambush in Vietnam that killed his radio operator and commander.
Collecting himself, Barnum realized he was now the highest-ranking officer of a rifle company he'd just joined. He called in artillery and, amid gunfire, dragged the commander to safety, where he died in Barnum's arms. Then he proceeded to mount a counterattack, oversee evacuation of the wounded and lead the unit's eventual break out to rejoin the battalion.
The Medal of Honor recipient, now 83, watched Saturday as his wife smashed a bottle of sparkling wine against the bow to christen the future U.S. Navy destroyer that'll bear the name Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
He said he was speechless when he learned that a warship would bear his name. "As anybody that knows Barney Barnum knows, I've never been speechless," he joked before the event.
The ceremony Saturday at Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works was a tribute to the Vietnam War hero who during his first firefight was foisted into leadership of Marines who didn't yet know his name because he'd just joined them a couple of days earlier.
Dignitaries included Maine's governor and senators, as well as Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who praised Barnum's humility and generosity, in addition to being a war hero who inspired fellow Marines.
Gen. Eric Smith, the acting Marine Corps commandant, called Barnum "an icon, a legend, a Marine."
In an interview, Barnum said the combat was harrowing Dec. 18, 1965, during Operation Harvest Moon. His unit was outnumbered, caught off guard and separated from the larger battalion outside the village of Ky Phu in Quang Tin Province.
The ship's namesake said he was scared like everybody else but he tried not to show it. The other Marines were looking to him, an artillery spotter, after their commander died, he said. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/navy-destroyer-namesake-says-speechless-over-honor/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:29 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/navy-destroyer-namesake-says-speechless-over-honor/ |
Laws that allow lawsuits against doctors who provide gender-affirming care to minors, impose age-verification requirements for websites displaying pornography, and revise child labor statutes will go into effect Tuesday.
Starting Tuesday, state laws also will prohibit foreign parties from acquiring any interest in Arkansas agricultural land, bar public schools and universities from discriminating against hair types, and restrict state and local governments from contracting with companies that boycott certain industries.
These laws, and scores of others, are set to take effect 91 days after May 1 -- the day the Legislature adjourned its regular session. Tuesday is the effective date for all laws that do not contain an emergency clause allowing them to be immediately implemented, do not include a specific effective date or have not been blocked by a judge.
So far, at least four of the 890 acts enacted by the Republican-dominated General Assembly and GOP Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders have been challenged in lawsuits.
Some of the most controversial bills of the session dealt with hot-button social issues including transgender rights and access to books or other material deemed inappropriate for children.
Act 372, by Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, aims to create an offense for "furnishing a harmful item to a minor" and strikes a defense for librarians against criminal prosecution under state obscenity laws.
On Saturday, a federal judge in Fayetteville issued an order blocking two provisions of the law from taking effect.
The order came in a lawsuit filed by 17 plaintiffs, including the American Library Association and the Central Arkansas Library System.
Supporters of the act said it is needed to protect children from obscene material and that more transparency is needed when it comes to decisions made by libraries.
Critics said the act could expose librarians to criminal liability, lead to children losing access to important pieces of literature and result in libraries and local elected officials being inundated by objections to books.
While a 2021 law that aims to ban gender transition procedures for minors has been struck down by a federal judge, an act enacted this year will allow a person injured by one of these procedures as a minor to sue the health professional who provided it.
Act 274, by Sen. Gary Stubblefield, R-Branch, permits an injured minor or a representative for the minor to bring a lawsuit no later than 15 years after the minor turns 18 or would have turned 18 if the minor dies before turning 18. The current statute of limitations for most medical malpractice cases in Arkansas is two years.
Supporters of the act have questioned the ability of minors to consent to procedures covered by the act and noted the legislation does not outlaw "gender transition procedures" but provides legal recourse for those who receive the procedures.
Opponents contend it would unfairly limit treatments for transgender people, especially those with mental illness, and could violate the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Critics have also said gender transition surgery is not performed on children in Arkansas and that state code already includes medical malpractice laws.
Act 542, also known as the Given Name Act, requires a parent or guardian to give written permission before a public school employee may address students by their preferred pronoun or name. The law, sponsored by freshman Rep. Wayne Long, R-Bradford, bars teachers and other school officials from using a pronoun that is "inconsistent with the unemancipated minor's or student's biological sex" without such permission.
The law also prohibits school officials from addressing a student by a name other than the one on their birth certificate, but exempts use of a "derivative" name, such as "Bob" for "Robert."
Long said the law is meant to protect the religious liberty of teachers who may object to using a student's preferred name or pronoun. However, opponents including the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas say it, like several other bills passed during the session, discriminates against transgender Arkansans.
Like Long's legislation on pronouns, Act 317 by Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, also sought to create limits around biological sex inside public schools with her bill focused on bathrooms. The law, which comes into effect on Tuesday, will restrict transgender people from using the bathroom of their preference.
Under the new law, public schools will be required to ban people from using a bathroom that does not correspond with the sex listed on their birth certificate. The law applies to multiple-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms and places where people "may be in various stages of undress."
Act 619 makes it a crime for adults to knowingly enter or remain in a bathroom of the opposite sex to arouse or gratify a sexual desire while knowing a child is present. The act's sponsor, Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, has said the legislation is intended to protect children and has maintained it is not intended to target transgender people.
The act applies to "public changing facilities," defined as public or private facilities open to the public and intended to be used by people who may be undressed. These facilities include "without limitation a restroom, bathroom, locker room, or shower room," according to the act.
Arkansas will join a growing number of states on Tuesday with laws that require pornography websites to verify that users are at least 18 years old.
Under Act 612, by Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, commercial entities will have to use a reasonable age verification method before allowing users to access a website where more than a third of the material is deemed "harmful to minors." Website operators can use digitized ID cards, a government-issued ID or any commercially reasonable age verification method "that holds an Identity Assurance Level 2."
The law contains a section that will bar commercial entities or third-party vendors from retaining any identifying information used to verify the age of the user.
While another law, Act 261, will require the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to offer drivers digitized licenses, the agency is not required to provide these licenses before February 2025.
Dees said age restrictions are needed to protect children who often have access to digital devices at young ages.
Other states including Louisiana, Mississippi and Utah have passed or enacted similar legislation. An adult entertainment group has challenged the Louisiana law in federal court, claiming it is vague and violates constitutional protections on freedom of expression and due process, according to The Associated Press.
Dees said on Friday he was not aware of any lawsuits filed against his act.
New restrictions on adult-oriented performances will also take effect this week. Act 131, by Stubblefield, will bar these performances from taking place on public property, admitting minors or being funded in part or in whole by public funds.
The act defines an adult-oriented performance as any performance intended to appeal to prurient interest featuring a nude or semi-nude person. These performances may also include the purposeful exposure of a "specific anatomical area" or "prosthetic genitalia or breasts" or feature a "specific sexual activity."
Act 310, sponsored by Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, will require the secretary of state to permit and arrange the placement on the state Capitol grounds of a suitable monument commemorating "unborn children aborted" after the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found state laws banning abortions were unconstitutional. The court reversed itself last year, clearing the way for abortion bans in Arkansas and other states.
Under Act 310, the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission will oversee the selection of the artist and design of the monument "with input from pro-life groups in Arkansas," and the secretary of state will have final approval of these selections before any construction is started. The secretary of state will be required to arrange for the construction, placement and dedication of the monument on the state Capitol grounds by private entities at no expense to the state.
Hammer said Wednesday that if a proposed design of the monument that is offered is accepted, he has a monument company willing to donate the monument.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Act 777 intends to clear up yearslong confusion over whether Arkansas is a permitless-carry state by specifying that a license is not required to carry a concealed handgun in Arkansas.
The new law indicates Arkansas only offers concealed-carry licenses to provide residents with the certification they need to carry concealed handguns in states where permits are required.
Sen. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, sponsored the act and has said it is not intended to apply to "enhanced" concealed-carry licenses, which gun owners may obtain to carry handguns on public university grounds and in other sensitive areas. Some legal experts, however, have said the act could be interpreted as applying to these licenses, since statutes concerning "enhanced" concealed-carry licenses are included in the subchapter amended by the bill.
The first section of the Protect Arkansas Act, an expansive criminal justice law backed by Sanders, is set to go into effect on Tuesday. The section requires the creation of the Legislative Recidivism Reduction Task Force, a 19-member panel responsible for studying and recommending solutions to Arkansas' high rate of recidivism.
The task force -- which includes members appointed by the governor, speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate and other officials -- is required to submit a preliminary report of its findings to the Legislature, governor and chief justice of the state Supreme Court by Dec. 31 and a final report by Dec. 1, 2024.
The task force will expire at the end of 2024.
The bulk of the Protect Arkansas Act, or Act 659, will become effective in 2024 and 2025. The new law primarily aims to overhaul the state's parole system and will require people convicted of violent felonies to serve the majority, if not the entirety, of their sentences in prison.
Act 889 requiring state officials to create an app displaying information on parolees and state inmates who are being considered for parole will go into effect this week.
The "Safe Arkansas App" will include details such as the names, photographs and offenses of parolees and inmates. While supporters say the app will allow Arkansans to access information that is already publicly available but not easily accessible, opponents contend it could make it harder for formerly incarcerated people to reintegrate into communities.
Several new laws create criminal charges or enhance existing punishments for offenses. In an attempt to curb distracted driving, Ashton's and Abbie's Law creates a criminal penalty for drivers who cause serious physical injury or death while using wireless telecommunications devices.
Under Act 445, which was named for two victims of distracted driving accidents, a person could be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A court also could order the person to perform up to 100 hours of public work service.
As part of a broader effort to address the spread of fentanyl in Arkansas, Act 739, by Rep. Jimmy Gazaway, R-Paragould, establishes felony penalties for anyone convicted of knowingly exposing another person to fentanyl.
The act includes penalty enhancements if the person who is exposed to fentanyl is a first responder or an employee of a correctional facility.
ALCOHOL
As part of the Natural State Initiative, the tourism push led by first gentleman Bryan Sanders, Act 655, by Sen. Missy Irvin, R-Mountain View, will allow state parks to sell alcohol or contract with a third party to do so, without needing approval from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. State parks instead can seek authority from the secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Act 747, by Rep. Mark Perry, D-Jacksonville, allows the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division to issue permits to distillers in dry counties if they sell exclusively to wholesalers. The law also allows Alcoholic Beverage Control to issue permits to small farm wineries in dry counties.
LABOR & ENVIRONMENT
Act 195 repeals a requirement that those under the age of 16 have to seek permission from the Division of Labor to be able to work.
The law, dubbed the Youth Hiring Act of 2023, was sponsored by Rep. Rebecca Burkes, R-Lowell, with the backing of the governor, to remove what they saw as unnecessary regulation. Previously, to get hired, anyone under 16 would need written permission from a parent or guardian, proof of age and description of the proposed work schedule.
During discussions over work permits for children, Sen. Clint Penzo, R-Springdale, said he realized that while state code includes civil penalties for people who violate child labor laws, it does not include criminal ones.
To strengthen the law, Penzo sponsored Act 687, which creates misdemeanor penalties for employers who knowingly violate child labor laws. Knowingly violating a labor law that results in serious physical injury to or death of a child would become a felony for an employer convicted of the crime more than once.
The act also stiffens the civil penalties employers could face for violations.
Act 411, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Wardlaw, R-Hermitage, will require the state treasurer and state and local government entities to divest certain investments with financial services providers on a list maintained by the state treasurer due to the use of environmental, social justice or governance-related metrics.
The law will create an ESG oversight committee to compile a list of financial service providers that discriminate against energy, fossil fuel, firearms or ammunition companies or otherwise refuse to deal based on environmental, social justice and other governance-related factors.
The state treasurer will be required to maintain a list of financial service providers as determined by the ESG oversight committee on the state treasurer's website under the law.
Supporters of the measure contended the bill is aimed at making sure the state does not invest funds with financial service providers that discriminate against the energy, fossil fuel, ammunition and firearms industries; opponents counter that they worry it could cost state government's retirement systems millions of dollars.
Act 611, sponsored by Sen. Ricky Hill, R-Cabot, will bar state and local governments from contracting with a company that boycotts energy, fossil fuel, firearms and ammunition industries.
Under the law, state and local governments will be prohibited from entering into a contract with a company to acquire or dispose of services, supplies, information technology or construction unless the contract includes a written certification that the person or company is not currently engaged in and agrees for the duration of the contract not to engage in a boycott of energy, fossil fuel, firearms and ammunition industries. State and local governments also will be barred from engaging in a boycott of these industries.
Act 611 will not apply to a company that fails to meet these requirements, but offers to provide the goods and services for at least 20% less than the lowest certifying business, or to contracts with a total potential value of less than $75,000. Financial service providers would be exempt under the bill.
OTHER
Act 766, sponsored by Hammer, comes in reaction to controversy surrounding the contentious campaign around a proposed constitutional amendment to revoke the gaming license for a planned casino in Pope County. The law makes it a Class A misdemeanor to destroy a signature, other than your own, on a petition. The law also requires "blockers," or people paid by campaigns to convince people to not sign petitions, to register with the state, similar to the requirements for paid canvassers.
Act 636, sponsored by Sen. Blake Johnson, R-Corning, bans certain kinds of foreign groups from owning a controlling stake in agricultural land in Arkansas. Under the new law, a "prohibited foreign-party-controlled business," will be barred from having more than a 50% stake in agriculture land in the state.
A foreign party means a "corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint-stock company, trust, estate or other legal entity whose controlling interest is owned by a prohibited foreign party." The law only applies to citizens of a country subject to the federal International Traffic in Arms Regulations, who will have two years to divest their ownership stake in Arkansas land.
The law also creates the Office of Agricultural Intelligence, which will "collect and analyze information" on foreign parties investing in agricultural land in the state.
Act 514, also known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, bars public school officials and teachers from discriminating against students based on their "natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle." State-supported institutions of higher education also will also be prohibited from discriminating based on hairstyles.
Under the act, sponsored by Rep. Jamie Scott, D-North Little Rock, "natural, protective, or cultural hairstyle" includes "without limitation afros, dreadlocks, twists, locs, braids, cornrow braids, Bantu knots, curls, and hair styled to protect hair texture or for cultural significance."
At least 22 states have enacted laws to prevent discrimination based on hairstyles, according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
With esports on the rise, the Legislature enacted Act 439 to clarify that video game tournaments are not gambling. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle, exempts esports tournaments, which may offer cash prizes to the winners, from the state's laws regulating gambling. However, earnings from esports tournaments are still subject to the state's income tax law.
Information for this article was contributed by Michael R. Wickline of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/new-laws-on-social-issues-criminal-justice-and/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:36 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/new-laws-on-social-issues-criminal-justice-and/ |
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.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/a-drone-attack-on-moscow-briefly-shut-the-airport-and-injured-one | 2023-07-30T10:59:39 | 0 | https://www.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/a-drone-attack-on-moscow-briefly-shut-the-airport-and-injured-one |
I-30 bridge work to close 2 streets
The Arkansas Department of Transportation says it will temporarily shut down two streets in North Little Rock in early-to-mid-August because of construction on the new Interstate 30 westbound Arkansas River Bridge.
Dates are not yet set, the agency said. But the department said it plans to have crews close:
Riverfront Drive (full closure) between Pine and Olive streets in North Little Rock over a weekend. Eastbound traffic will detour north on Poplar Street, east on Broadway and south on Riverfront Drive. Westbound traffic will detour north on Pine Street, west on Broadway and south on Poplar Street.
Cypress Street (full closure) between Washington Avenue and Broadway in North Little Rock for several months. Traffic will detour west on Broadway to Poplar Street, and continue south to Washington Avenue or Riverfront Drive.
Meanwhile, the transportation agency said, ongoing work on Interstate 30 in Little Rock and North Little Rock will mean the following lane closures -- about half of which affect driving in North Little Rock -- beginning Monday.
Daytime closures (8 a.m.- 5 p.m.) are:
I-30 frontage roads (single-lane closures) between Sixth and 10th streets in Little Rock (7 a.m.-5 p.m.).
I-40 frontage road eastbound (single-lane closure) to North Hills Boulevard, Exit 154, in North Little Rock.
Cypress Street southbound (single-lane closure) between Fifth Street and Broadway in North Little Rock.
Broadway (single-lane closures) between Cypress and Locust streets in North Little Rock.
Overnight closures (8 p.m.-5 a.m.) are:
I-30 (single and double-lane closures and traffic shifts) between Roosevelt Road in Little Rock and I-40 in North Little Rock.
I-30 westbound to I-630 westbound ramp, Exit 139B, (single-lane closure) in Little Rock.
I-630 ramps onto and off 15th Street (full closures) between College Street and the I-630 interchange in Little Rock.
I-30/I-40 lanes and ramps (single-lane closures) at the north terminal in North Little Rock.
I-30 frontage road southbound ramp to I-30 westbound (full closure) in Little Rock.
I-40 frontage road eastbound (single-lane closure) to North Hills Boulevard, Exit 154, in North Little Rock (7 p.m.- 7 a.m.)
Mobile library set to hit streets soon
The North Little Rock Library System said Friday its "Neighborhood Library Rover" -- a custom-made bus that is outfitted as a mobile library -- will be ready to hit the streets soon.
"We are focused on getting the final touches completed and looking forward to an open house and taking the library to our communities!," the library said in its August newsletter.
Applications open for Youth Council
Applications for the North Little Rock Mayor's Youth Council are now being accepted for the 2023-2024 school year.
Students must be able to attend one meeting a month and volunteer four hours from the Council calendar. Preference will be given to teenagers in the ninth through 11th grades.
An application can be requested by sending an email to nlrmyc22@aol.com. Applicants must be prepared to furnish two references who are not family. Applications from former members and new applicants are due by Aug. 12.
The North Little Rock Mayor's Youth Council Facebook page -- https://www.facebook.com/groups/4077777099/ -- has additional information. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/north-little-rock-notebook-major-road/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:42 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/north-little-rock-notebook-major-road/ |
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.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/an-arkansas-judge-has-blocked-a-law-targetting-librarians-over-harmful-books | 2023-07-30T10:59:45 | 1 | https://www.ctpublic.org/2023-07-30/an-arkansas-judge-has-blocked-a-law-targetting-librarians-over-harmful-books |
BASEBALL
Rangers trade for Scherzer
The opportunistic Texas Rangers, seeking an upgrade for their rotation, have finalized a deal with the New York Mets to acquire three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer. Texas is sending 21-year-old middle-infield prospect Luisangel Acuna to the Mets in the deal. Scherzer, who turned 39 on Thursday, had complained to reporters after his start Friday about the Mets' direction following the trade of closer David Robertson to Miami earlier in the week. There were complications involved in acquiring Scherzer. First, he has a full no-trade clause in his contract. Second, he has a player option for $43.3 million for 2024, which gives him, not the team, control over his future without a pre-arranged decision.
BOXING
Crawford remains unbeaten
Terence Crawford knocked down Errol Spence Jr. three times Saturday night in Las Vegas before finally ending the fight at 2:32 of the ninth round on a technical knockout to cement himself as one of the greatest welterweights in history. The fight, the most-anticipated boxing match in several years, unified the division for the first time in the four-belt era that began in 2004. Crawford (40-0, 31 knockouts) already owned the WBO belt, and took the WBC, WBA and IBF titles from Spence (28-1). Crawford also ran his KO streak to 11 matches, the second-longest active stretch. Crawford, 35, has won titles in super lightweight and lightweight in addition to welterweight, capturing the latter after moving up in 2018. The Omaha, Neb., fighter became the first male boxer to become the undisputed champion in two divisions. Spence was the aggressor early on, but Crawford sent him to the floor with a right hand with 20 seconds left in the second round. Then Crawford went after Spence, but time ran out before he could finish him off. Crawford then took control of the fight, landing several major blows, often on counters.
MOTOR SPORTS
Mayer captures first win
Sam Mayer moved from Wisconsin to North Carolina as a teenager to pursue his racing dreams more seriously with JR Motorsports. A return to his home state Saturday ended with the 20-year-old's first NASCAR Xfinity Series victory in Elkhart Lake, Wis. Mayer pulled ahead for good in the next-to-last lap of a wild second overtime session to win at Road America, about an hour's drive from his hometown of Franklin, Wis. That elusive first victory came in his 72nd Xfinity start. Mayer won by 0.368 seconds over Parker Kligerman on the sprawling 14-turn, 4.048-mile road course. They were followed in order by Austin Hill, Sage Karam and Riley Herbst. The race included eight caution flags, tying a track record. The final restart occurred during a second overtime session and followed a red flag to clean up oil on the track.
FOOTBALL
Dolphins sign CB Apple
The Miami Dolphins are signing free agent cornerback Eli Apple to a one year-deal, a person with knowledge of the signing told The Associated Press. The Dolphins were in need of depth at the cornerback position after All-Pro Jalen Ramsey tore the meniscus in his left knee at practice Thursday. Ramsey had surgery Friday to repair the tear and later tweeted the procedure "went well." There is no timeline for his return yet, but he is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season. Apple started 30 games for the Cincinnati Bengals over the past two seasons. He had two interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2021, and no interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2022.
HORSE RACING
Forte first at Jim Dandy
Forte survived a photo finish and a stewards' inquiry to win the $500,000 Jim Dandy by a nose at Saratoga on Saturday, giving Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher his record-extending seventh victory in the Grade 1 race. It was Forte's first win since taking the Florida Derby in April. He paid $3.50 to win. Ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., Forte ran nine furlongs in 1:49.61 on a sloppy track. Saudi Crown was second and Angel of Empire was another half-length back in third. Disarm was fourth and Hit Show last in the five-horse field. Brad Cox trains Saudi Crown, Angel of Empire and Hit Show. The inquiry into the stretch run resulted in no change to the order of finish. Forte finished second in the Belmont Stakes on June 10, his first start back from 10 weeks' rest after being scratched the morning of the Kentucky Derby on May 6 with a bruised foot. The colt had been the morning-line favorite for the Derby. The victory was worth $275,000. Forte has seven wins in nine career starts.
GOLF
Hodges holds 5-shot lead
Chasing his first PGA Tour victory Lee Hodges shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to stretch his lead to five strokes with a round left in the 3M Open. Hodges had a 20-under 193 total at the TPC Twin Cities to break the tournament 54-hole mark of 195 set last year by Scott Piercy. Hodges led at 8 under after the first round and a record 15 under after the second. J.T. Poston was second after a 66. Defending champion Tony Finau was another stroke back at 14 under after a 67. Hodges' best finish in 64 prior events was a tie for third at The American Express in 2022, the only other time the 28-year-old Alabama player has led or shared the lead after 54 holes.
Tough day at windy Open
Alex Cejka posted his worst score so far at the Senior British Open in windy conditions to take a one-shot lead into the final round after no player went under-par Saturday at Royal Porthcawl. The German hit a 3-over 74 in the third round to follow a par-71 and an opening 3-under 68. Cejka is at even-par overall and has a one-stroke lead over four players tied for second on 1 over, including overnight leader Steven Alker (76), Padraig Harrington (71), Vijay Singh (73) and Phillip Archer (71). Alker aced the par-3 15th with a 7-iron. Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) turned in a 74 on Saturday and is at 5-over 218. Glen Day (Little Rock) posted a 73 and stands at 7-over 220.
Boutier in front in France
Celine Boutier carded a 4-under 67 in the third round of the Evian (France) 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. Boutier's closest challenger is Japan's Nasa Hataoka, who posted a 68 on Saturday after rounds of 70 and 67. Minjee Lee of Australia and Brooke Henderson of Canada are joint-third, a shot behind Hataoka. Former University of Arkansas golfer Gaby Lopez is tied for ninth place at 4-under 209. Lopez shot a 72 on Saturday.
TENNIS
Rus earns Hamburg title
Experienced Dutch player Arantxa Rus defeated German teenager Noma Noha Akugue 6-0, 7-6 (3) in the final of the Hamburg (Germany) European Open on Saturday for her first WTA tour title. It was the first final for both players. The 19-year-old Noha Akugue was making her WTA tournament debut as a wild card in her hometown, while the 32-year-old Rus was the oldest first-time WTA finalist since 34-year-old Tzipora Obziler in Guangzhou, China, in 2007. Rus coped better with the pressure early on as Noha Akugue's play was marred by a slew of unforced errors. Altogether the teenager had 46 unforced errors, compared to 23 from her opponent. | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/off-the-wire/ | 2023-07-30T10:59:48 | 0 | https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2023/jul/30/off-the-wire/ |